Reading Comprehension I term 9th grade

Reading comprehension

Read the article about birthdays in Japan and choose the correct answer for each question.

Japanese birthday celebrations In the past, people in Japan rarely celebrated their birthdays on the day they were actually born. Instead, everyone in the country celebrated together on New Year’s Day. Now, however, people celebrate their birthday every year on the day they were born. Some birthdays are considered more important than others and as a result follow certain traditions. For example, when a baby reaches their first birthday, their parents may follow a tradition called erabitori. This is when certain objects are put in front of the child such as a camera or a pen. This is not to find out how clever they are. The idea is that the object the child picks up represents the job they will have. For example, if they choose a pen, they will be an artist or a writer. Another tradition is to give a one-year-old child a special rice cake. The children carry the cake or step on it for good luck. Another birthday celebration for children is called Shichi Go San or seven-five-three. This is a ceremony which takes place on 15 November for three- and five-year old boys, and three- and seven-year-old girls. People believe these ages mark important changes in a child’s growth. It is traditional for all the children involved to visit a special religious place during October and November. On the day of the 15th, the girls and boys dress in traditional clothes. The girls wear kimonos and have flowers in their hair. The children are given red and white sweets called chitose-ame or thousand-year-sweets. This is to wish the children a long life and good health. Every year in January, the Japanese celebrate Coming of Age Day, or Seijin no Hi. This is for young people aged 20. The day is a national holiday and celebrations are held all over the country. Young people and their families go to local events and listen to speeches. Sometimes there is entertainment too, such as live music. Another important birthday is for adults when they reach 60. This birthday is known as Kanreki. The family of the 60-year-old usually invite people to their home. Traditionally, the person celebrating wears a red costume because this colour represents good luck. The guests are served Japanese dishes such as kasane mocha, which is a large rice cake, and sekihan, which is red bean rice. The birthday cake is decorated with animals which live for many years. This is to celebrate how much knowledge a person has and to wish them a long life.

What does the writer say about birthday celebrations in general in Japan?

Reading comprehension

Read the article about birthdays in Japan and choose the correct answer for each question.

Japanese birthday celebrations In the past, people in Japan rarely celebrated their birthdays on the day they were actually born. Instead, everyone in the country celebrated together on New Year’s Day. Now, however, people celebrate their birthday every year on the day they were born. Some birthdays are considered more important than others and as a result follow certain traditions. For example, when a baby reaches their first birthday, their parents may follow a tradition called erabitori. This is when certain objects are put in front of the child such as a camera or a pen. This is not to find out how clever they are. The idea is that the object the child picks up represents the job they will have. For example, if they choose a pen, they will be an artist or a writer. Another tradition is to give a one-year-old child a special rice cake. The children carry the cake or step on it for good luck. Another birthday celebration for children is called Shichi Go San or seven-five-three. This is a ceremony which takes place on 15 November for three- and five-year old boys, and three- and seven-year-old girls. People believe these ages mark important changes in a child’s growth. It is traditional for all the children involved to visit a special religious place during October and November. On the day of the 15th, the girls and boys dress in traditional clothes. The girls wear kimonos and have flowers in their hair. The children are given red and white sweets called chitose-ame or thousand-year-sweets. This is to wish the children a long life and good health. Every year in January, the Japanese celebrate Coming of Age Day, or Seijin no Hi. This is for young people aged 20. The day is a national holiday and celebrations are held all over the country. Young people and their families go to local events and listen to speeches. Sometimes there is entertainment too, such as live music. Another important birthday is for adults when they reach 60. This birthday is known as Kanreki. The family of the 60-year-old usually invite people to their home. Traditionally, the person celebrating wears a red costume because this colour represents good luck. The guests are served Japanese dishes such as kasane mocha, which is a large rice cake, and sekihan, which is red bean rice. The birthday cake is decorated with animals which live for many years. This is to celebrate how much knowledge a person has and to wish them a long life.

What is the purpose of asking one-year-old children to choose an object?

Reading comprehension

Read the article about birthdays in Japan and choose the correct answer for each question.

Japanese birthday celebrations In the past, people in Japan rarely celebrated their birthdays on the day they were actually born. Instead, everyone in the country celebrated together on New Year’s Day. Now, however, people celebrate their birthday every year on the day they were born. Some birthdays are considered more important than others and as a result follow certain traditions. For example, when a baby reaches their first birthday, their parents may follow a tradition called erabitori. This is when certain objects are put in front of the child such as a camera or a pen. This is not to find out how clever they are. The idea is that the object the child picks up represents the job they will have. For example, if they choose a pen, they will be an artist or a writer. Another tradition is to give a one-year-old child a special rice cake. The children carry the cake or step on it for good luck. Another birthday celebration for children is called Shichi Go San or seven-five-three. This is a ceremony which takes place on 15 November for three- and five-year old boys, and three- and seven-year-old girls. People believe these ages mark important changes in a child’s growth. It is traditional for all the children involved to visit a special religious place during October and November. On the day of the 15th, the girls and boys dress in traditional clothes. The girls wear kimonos and have flowers in their hair. The children are given red and white sweets called chitose-ame or thousand-year-sweets. This is to wish the children a long life and good health. Every year in January, the Japanese celebrate Coming of Age Day, or Seijin no Hi. This is for young people aged 20. The day is a national holiday and celebrations are held all over the country. Young people and their families go to local events and listen to speeches. Sometimes there is entertainment too, such as live music. Another important birthday is for adults when they reach 60. This birthday is known as Kanreki. The family of the 60-year-old usually invite people to their home. Traditionally, the person celebrating wears a red costume because this colour represents good luck. The guests are served Japanese dishes such as kasane mocha, which is a large rice cake, and sekihan, which is red bean rice. The birthday cake is decorated with animals which live for many years. This is to celebrate how much knowledge a person has and to wish them a long life.

What is true about the seven-five-three festival?