Practice 2

Read the flyer below. Then answer questions (a) – (i).

Third Day
 Time to rest after celebrating and feasting excessively on the first couple of days of the Chinese New
Year. On this day, it is good for sons-in-law to pay their respects to their parents-in-law. It is also a good
day to plant a sapling. It is believed that as the sapling grows, good luck and prosperity will come your
way.

Fourth Day
 Pray and offer sweets and sticky dessert to the Kitchen Go. For those who are involved in business, go
to your office and open it to allow good luck to enter.

Fifth Day
 Do not attend any gathering nor be a host. It is very possible that quarrels and misunderstandings among
friends and loved ones will break out.

Sixth Day
 Time to start work today and also visit friends and relatives. A good day to pray at temples or home
shrines. However, avoid long-distance journeys.

Seventh Day
 This day is celebrated as ‘everyone’s birthdays’. You must feast on longevity noodles and ‘yee sang’ or
raw fish. The Chinese believe that they should take their chance to do something important at 7.00 a.m
or 7.00 p.m.

Eighth Day
 Some Chinese, especially the Hokkiens, believe that the eighth day is more auspicious than the first day
of the New Year. You can guess what the lucky number is for today-that’s right-number 8. Don’t forget
to eat a lot of sugar cane on this day!

Ninth Day
 It was the birthday of the Jade Emperor or King of Heaven. Today is a good day to reopen business, go
shopping, travelling or meet up with friends and relatives.

Fifteenth Day
 This is the night of the full moon. This day is also known as ‘Chap Goh Mei’. It is time to celebrate with
lavish banquets and family gatherings. Make merry and have great fun.

You have now successfully welcomed the New Year.

May good luck and good fortune find you!
Question (a) – (d): Based on the flyer, state whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE

(a) Businessmen open their offices on the fourth day of the festival
to allow good luck to enter. (1 mark)
(b) Long-distance journeys should be avoided on the seventh day of
the festival. (1 mark)

(c) It is good to pray at the temple on the fifth day of the festival. (1 mark)

(d) The fifteenth day of the festival is also known as ‘Chap Goh Mei’. (1 mark)

Question (e) – (i): Based on the flyer, answer the questions below.

(e) What festival is mentioned in the poster?

(1 mark)
(f) How long does the festival last?

(1 mark)
(g) Fill in the table with an appropriate word or phrase from the flyer. [HOTS]

Meaning Word / Phrase

i. eating too much

ii. large impressive meals

(h) Why do you think it is not a good idea to invite friends for a celebration on the fifth day? [HOTS]

(1 mark)
(i) Why do you think the Chinese would do something important at 7.00 a.m or 7.00 p.m on the seventh
day of the festival? [HOTS]

(1 mark)
(j) You would like to ask your friend to go to an open house with you during the Chinese New year.
In about 50 words, write an email to your friend. [HOTS]

In your email:
 encourage him/her to attend the open house
 tell some interesting facts about the festival

To:

From:

Subject:

(10 marks)