FURTHER READING PRACTICE 3_SELF-STUDY (WEEK 13)

I) READING PASSAGE NUMBER 1

Chinese New Year
1) The article
Chinese New Year is the most important holiday of the Chinese calendar.
The New Year begins between January 21 and February 20. The celebration
starts with the second new moon after the beginning of winter (December
21) and lasts until the next full moon.

The Chinese name their years after 12 different animals: the rat, the ox, the
tiger, the hare, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the
rooster, the dog, the pig. Some people believe that a human being’s
personality and character depends on the animal of the year he or she was
born.

The Chinese New Year marks the start of the next animal’s year. After the
year of the pig the twelve year cycle starts over again with the year of the
rat.

A lot of things are done for Chinese New Year. Houses are cleaned from top
to bottom in the days before the beginning of the holidays. People write
merry wishes on red paper and hang them all over the house. Rooms are
decorated with flowers, plants and oranges.
On New Year’s Eve firecrackers send out the old year and welcome the new
one. At midnight people open all their doors and windows to let the old year
out. On New Year’s Day children and adults who are not married get red
envelopes with money in them. This is a symbol of good look and wealth in
the new year.

Food plays an important part in Chinese New Year celebrations. Special

dishes are eaten on certain days. Many kinds of food have special meanings.
Uncut noodles, for example, might give you a longer life. People who eat a
lot of raw fish are said to be more successful in life.
 The last event of the 15-day celebration is the Lantern Festival. Some people
hang glowing lanterns in temples. Others carry lanterns in a moonlight
parade. In many places long colourful dragons made out of silk, paper and
bamboo are carried on the streets by dancers.
2) Summary
Chinese New Year is the most important holiday of the Chinese
calendar.The Chinese New Year marks the start of the next animal's
year.After the year of the pig the twelve year cycle starts over again with the
year of the rat.On New Year's Eve firecrackers send out the old year and
welcome the new one.At midnight people open all their doors and windows
to let the old year out.On New Year's Day children and adults who are not
married get red envelopes with money in them.Food plays an important part
in Chinese New Year celebrations.
3) Glossary

Vocabulary Pronunciation Meaning

firecracker /ˈfaɪəkrækə(r)/ a small firework that explodes
loudly
hare /heə(r)/ rabbit
silk /sɪlk/ a smooth soft cloth made from a
material that is produced by a
silkworm
temple /ˈtempl/ a place where people go to pray to
God
wealth /welθ/ a lot of money; being rich
II) READING PASSAGE NUMBER 2
Year of the Monkey in China
https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/world/asia/year-of-monkey-
in-china.htm

1) The article
The new Chinese year of the monkey started on February 8 . The year began
with celebrations around the world, especially in larger cities with a high
proportion of ethnic Chinese. The monkey is the ninth animal in the Chinese
zodiac. It is expected to bring happiness and energy to people.
 The Chinese New Year starts at the beginning of the new moon which is
closest to the start of spring. Each Chinese year is associated with one of 12
animals in the horoscope. In addition, there are five elements - fire, water,
metal, wood and earth. 2016 is the year of fire.

In China, the monkey is seen as a lively, playful animal. People born this
year are expected to be witty and smart. Because it has many positive
characteristics, the year of the monkey is considered to be a good time to
have children and start a family. Authorities expect especially high birth
rates this year, also because, for the first time in 30 years, families are
allowed to have two children.

On the other hand Chinese economy in the year of the monkey might be a
roller coaster ride. However, astrologists think that it maybe a good year to
start a new business.
2) Summary
The new Chinese year of the monkey started on February 8.The year began
with celebrations around the world, especially in larger cities with a high
proportion of ethnic Chinese.The Chinese New Year starts at the beginning
of the new moon which is closest to the start of spring.Each Chinese year is
associated with one of 12 animals in the horoscope.Because it has many
positive characteristics, the year of the monkey is considered to be a good
time to have children and start a family.Authorities expect especially high
birth rates this year, also because, for the first time in 30 years, families are
allowed to have two children.On the other hand Chinese economy in the
year of the monkey might be a roller coaster ride.
3) Glossary

Vocabulary Pronunciation Meaning

astrology /əˈstrɒlədʒi/ positions of the stars and the
movements of the planets and the
way they influence our lives
authorities /ɔːˈθɒrəti/ organizations that control things and
have power to make decisions
 horoscope /ˈhɒrəskəʊp/ a description of what is going to
happen to a person based on the
position of the stars and planets at
the time they were born
zodiac /ˈzəʊdiæk/ a diagram of twelve parts of the sky,
and signs that some people believe
can be used to tell us how the
planets will influence our lives
III) A Reflection
“My strong point is reading diligently and doing reading exercises.
During the whole study process, I participated in discussions, giving
speeches to build lessons. In addition, I always complete the assigned
assignments before the deadline, read and do extra assignments at
Cambridge KET, PET, FCE, CAE. “For me, my biggest weakness is my
haste and haste. Just skimming chose the answer, rushed to do the test,
submitted the assignment without looking for the results. Recently I have
moderated that edge by reading more carefully, not skimming, paying
attention to phrases, ...."
After studying Reading with lecturer Diem Trang for 3 semesters, I feel
very interested, my reading skills have improved a lot. If possible, I still
choose to study with lecturer Diem Trang in the next semesters.