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PRACTICE EXERCISE: CULTURAL IDENTITY (part 2)

I. Fill in each blank with the correct word/phrase from the box.

practices business permission times altar

dates predictions mirrors bad luck relationship

1. Parents of both sides meet to know each other and approve the _____________ between the two children.
2. In the proposal meeting, when the couple has decided to get married, the two families need to choose the
_______________ for the proposal and wedding.
3. When the groom’s family arrives at the bride’s house, the groom asks his parents-in-law for ___________
to bring his wife home.
4. Then the bride and the groom light up incense at her family’s ______________ to ask her ancestors for
permission to get married.
5. When going somewhere on _______________, avoid seeing a woman first.
6. When you are the first person to come by their cart and you do not buy anything, they might consider you
to bring ______________.
7. To remove bad luck, street vendors would burn a piece of paper and wave over the cart nine
_______________.
8. There are other _______________ that can ensure good luck as well, such as scattering rice grains and
salt.
9. To many people, _______________ are often placed on front doors: if a dragon tries to get in, he will see
his reflection and think that there is already a dragon there and go away.
10. When Tet is coming, superstitious people are more likely to look for their advice and ________________
for their personal and professional lives in the next year.

II. Fill in each blank with the correct word from the box.

rounds reception respects bride presents

wealth home ceremonies luck marriage

Vietnamese Wedding Customs

The wedding consists of several (1) ______________ including asking permission to receive the bride, the
procession to receive the bride, the procession to the groom's house, the ancestor ceremony, and the banquet
party.
In the morning, the groom’s mother and a few close relatives would walk to the bride’s house with a
present of betel to ask permission to receive the (2) at her house. The date and time of the
ceremony is usually determined by a Buddhist monk or fortune teller.
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In the procession to receive the bride, the groom and his family often carry decorated lacquer boxes
covered in red cloth to represent his (3) and which include various (4)
for the bride’s family. There are either 6 or 8 boxes, but never 7 because it is bad (5) .
After paying their (6) to their ancestors, the bride and groom will serve tea to their
parents who will then give them advice regarding (7) and family. During the candle
ceremony, the bride and groom’s families union is celebrated and the mother-in-law of the bride will open the
boxes filled with jewelry and dress her new daughter-in-law in the jewelry.
Finally, the groom officially asks for permission to take his new bride (8) and they make their
way back to his house. During the (9) , there is usually a 10-course meal and the bride and
groom make their (10) to each table to express their gratitude and also get money as
presents.

III.Read the passage, and choose the correct answer A, B, C or D for each question.
The Wedding Ring
At weddings in many parts of the world, brides and grooms give one another wedding rings. These rings
remind them of the commitment they made to one another when they got married. They are also a sign to
others that they are married.
No one knows for sure how this tradition started, but there is evidence that it began long ago, in ancient
Egypt. Coins at that time had a hole in the center. An Egyptian groom used to place a coin on his bride’s
finger to show that he would take care of her.
In many ancient cultures, the circle is a symbol of eternity. The wedding ring has come to symbolize
endless love and commitment.
Wedding rings have almost always been worn on the fourth ring, but the hand it is worn on depends on
where you live. In some cultures, people wear their rings on the left hand, and in others, they wear them on
the right.
1. Rings are traditionally given ___________.
A. only in Egypt B. during weddings C. just to brides D. before weddings
2. Ancient Egyptian grooms gave their brides ___________.
A. money to buy a ring B. money shaped like a ring
C. a ring for every finger D. coins to get a wedding ring
3. A wedding ring is a symbol of ___________.
A. a circle B. eternity C. love without end D. decision
4. Most people wear their wedding rings ___________.
A. on both hands B. on the fourth finger
C. only on the left hand D. only on the right hand
5. The word “eternity” in the third paragraph is closet in meaning to ____________.
A. after death B. period of time C. happening too often D. time with no end
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IV. Choose the word or phrase among A, B, C or D that best fits the blank space in the following
passage.
Cultural diversity means a (1) _______ of different societies or people of different origins, religions and
traditions all living and interacting together. Britain has (2) ______ from diversity throughout its long history
and is currently one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world.
The food they eat, the music they listen to, and the clothes they wear have all been influenced by different
(3) ______ coming into Britain. Ethnic food, for example, is part of an average British diet. One of Britain’s
favourite (4) _______ is Indian curry. Britons have enjoyed curry for a surprisingly long time - the (5) ______
curry went on an English menu in 1773.
Even the English language (6) _______ from the languages spoken by Anglo-Saxons, Scandinavian
Vikings and Norman French invaders. New words were (7) ______ from the languages of other immigrants
over the years.
Valuing the diverse culture is all about understanding and respecting the beliefs of others and their (8)
_____ of life, as we would expect someone to respect ours. It is about supporting individuals in keeping their
cultural traditions (9) ________ and appreciating the fact that all these different traditions will enrich British
life both today and in the future.
People from all over the world have (10) ________ to the Britain and they continue to do so.
1. A. range B. limit C. position D. series
2. A. earned B. helped C. benefited D. got
3. A. nations B. cultures C. countries D. population
4. A. food B. foods C. ingredients D. dishes
5. A. first B. only C. even D. just
6. A. developed B. started C. came D. took
7. A. increased B. put C. added D. caught
8. A. quality B. way C. design D. method
9. A. live B. lively C. life D. alive
10. A. achieved B. provided C. contributed D. given

V. Read the passage, and choose the correct answer A, B, C or D for each question.
While you may not think it at first, there are numerous cultural differences between the US and the UK
that you will likely encounter.
In general, Americans are much more open than Britons. Friends and even acquaintances discuss personal
thoughts and opinions that might seem private in the UK. Do not feel embarrassed if an American asks you a
seemingly private question. He or she is most likely sincerely curious about your thoughts and feelings and is
assuming you would like to share them.
You may learn more about your American friends than you wanted to know, or you may hear more
childhood stories than you care to listen to. Americans will be interested in your experiences and background
as well since your upbringing may differ greatly from theirs. In addition to more frequent discussion about
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their personal lives, there is often a greater display of photographs, and posters in dorm rooms or office
spaces.
The sense of humour differs from one side of the Atlantic to the other. Americans tend to be less dry or
sarcastic. Some Americans may feel offended if they do not understand your humour, but after a brief
explanation they will be laughing along with you.
Americans tend to believe that individuals control their circumstances by how much they work. This work
ethic is reflected in American attitudes towards academics. Don’t be surprised if you meet students who spend
a vast majority of their free time studying in the library.
Americans also tend to care much more for punctuality than their UK counterparts. Everything from
classes to a lunch date is expected to start right on time. Along with punctuality, most Americans move at a
faster pace than that in the UK. For example, dinners at a restaurant, even a sit-down restaurant, can be
finished in under a half-hour. Additionally, you will not have to ask for the bill. It will be brought to you as
soon as it is clear to your waiter or waitress that you are finished ordering more items.
1. Americans are more willing to share private matters with you because _________.
A. they would like to ask private questions about others
B. they are more open and more curious about things around them
C. they try to be more open than Britons in life
D. they assume you would like to share everything with them
2. One of the reasons why Americans are interested in your experiences and background is that ________.
A. they would like to tell their childhood stories more than you care to listen to
B. they would like to show you their photographs, and posters
C. they would like to know about a different upbringing than theirs
D. they would like to talk more about their personal lives than anything else
3. The American attitudes toward work or study are that __________.
A. they spend their free time studying anywhere
B. individuals should control their behaviours and free time
C. they move at a faster pace than in the UK
D. they attach more importance to the load of work
4. All of the following about Americans are right EXCEPT ________.
A. most Americans walk faster than those in the UK
B. they tend to be more punctual than Britons
C. their sense of humour is different than that of Britons
D. they’ll be laughing with you if they understand your humour
5. When you come to a restaurant in America, __________.
A. you have to finish dinner in less than half an hour and ask for the bill
B. the waiter may bring the bill to you just when you finish ordering dishes
C. you should care much more for punctuality than in Britain
D. you should show the waiter that you finish ordering in under a half-hour