II. While you listen

Task 1. You will hear two people talking about how the New Year is celebrated in Japan. Listen and tick (✓) the things you hear. (Bạn sẽ nghe hai người nói về cách năm mới được cử hành ở Nhật. Lắng nghe và đánh dấu (✓) vào những điều bạn nghe.)

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TAPESCRIPT

Lan: You have lived in Japan for more than two years, could you tell me something about Japanese New Year, Mai?  When is the New Year observed?

Mai: It's on 1 ^st January, and it lasts three days through 3 ^rd January.

Lan: Do people do the same things as we do in Vietnam?

Mai: Well, there are some similarities and also some differences.

Lan: Please, tell me about them.

Mai: The preparations begin a few days before the New Year when housewives start cooking special food for New Year's Day.

Lan: Do they clean and decorate their houses?

Mai: Sure, they do. On the New Year's Eve every household does a big cleaning up. The idea is to get rid of the dirt of the past year and welcome the new one.

Lan: Do they decorate the house with trees and flowers?

Mai: Yes. they usually decorate their houses with some small pine trees on both sides of the door, which represent longevity and constancy. People also exchange cards and gifts.

Lan: I see. And what do they usually do on the New Year's Eve?

Mai: Family members sit around and start watching the national singing contest on television. But the last notes must be sung before midnight. Then television or radio will broadcast 108 bells. As soon as the 108 ^lh bell is rung, people all say "Happy New Year".

Lan: What do they usually do next?

Mai: Some families put on special kimonos or dress to go to visit their shrine. Then they come home and eat their special New Year Day's food and drink a lot of rice wine. New Years Day is mostly celebrated with family only.

Questions

□ 1. They put on special clothes.

□ 2. Everyone cleans the house.

□ 3. Bells ring 108 times.

□ 4. Housewives prepare special foods.

□ 5. They decorate their houses with kumquat trees.

□ 6. They go to a shrine.

□ 7. They give each other “lucky money”.

□ 8. They drink rice wine.

□ 9. They play cards.

□ 10. They watch television.

□. They eat a special meal.

Dịch bài:

1. Họ mặc y phục đặc biệt.

2. Mọi người lau dọn nhà cửa.

3. Chuông đổ 108 lần.

4. Các bà nội trợ chuẩn bị thức ăn đặc biệt.

5. Họ trang trí cây quất trong nhà.

6. Họ đi chùa.

7. Họ tặng tiền mừng tuổi lẫn nhau.

8. Ho uổng rượu sake.

9. Họ chơi đánh bài.

10. Họ xem ti vi.

11. Họ có một bữa ăn đặc biệt

Answer

✓ 1. They put on special clothes.

✓ 2. Everyone cleans the house.

✓ 3. Bells ring 108 times.

✓ 4. Housewives prepare special foods.

□ 5. They decorate their houses with kumquat trees.

✓ 6. They go to a shrine.

□ 7. They give each other “lucky money”.

✓ 8. They drink rice wine.

□ 9. They play cards.

✓ 10. They watch television.

✓. They eat a special meal.