Carnival Reading Comprehension
Carnival Reading Comprehension
Carnival Reading Comprehension
There are many festivals and celebrations around the world throughout the
year. However, carnival is one of the most famous and flamboyant festivities.
Many carnivals take place in the build-up to the religious season of Lent. Lent
happens during the six weeks before Easter Sunday, when people prepare
for the death and resurrection of Jesus. Therefore, the majority of carnivals
take place during February. Lent is a time when, traditionally, people give up
something that they will find difficult. This could be a type of food or a bad
habit that they want to try to stop.
Carnivals differ from place to place as many areas focus on their own traditions
and pastimes and are often heavily influenced by the culture of their country.
In most countries, carnival is often characterized by masks, flamboyant
costumes, music and colourful floats and parades. Some carnivals have special
trinkets or symbols. In New Orleans, they have sweet and very colourful cakes
called King Cakes as a symbol of their carnival (Mardi Gras).
Carnival
The most famous and largest carnival in the world takes place in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil. Carnival in Brazil is not just a fun celebration, but a chance
to experience the diverse culture of the country. Brazil is often referred to as
a ‘melting-pot’ of culture. There are many European, African and American
influences in Brazilian society. Carnival epitomises the Brazilian way of life
and their way of thinking. There are many parties, which take place throughout
the day and during the night, celebrating the songs,
music and dances, typical of Brazilian culture. The
most popular form of music and dancing at the Rio
carnival is samba, a style unique to Brazil, which is
often played on drums with traditional dancing. The
‘Sambódromo’ is an avenue, specially made to host
carnival in Rio. Every year, thousands of people go to
this area to celebrate carnival, including over 500,000
foreign visitors!
Carnivals in Europe
Questions
1. a) When do most carnivals take place?
3. Where do they celebrate Mardi Gras and what is an important symbol of this carnival?
6. What is different about carnival season in Germany and most other countries?
7. Why do you think carnivals are so popular across the world and attract so many visitors?
9. The text says that carnivals are often characterised by masks, flamboyant costumes,
music and colourful floats and parades. What does this mean?
10. Imagine you have attended a carnival. Describe in three paragraphs, what you have
seen, heard and experienced. Use as much detail as possible.
Carnival
Carnival
Answers
1. a) When do most carnivals take place?
Most carnivals take place in February, in the build up to Lent
3. Where do they celebrate Mardi Gras and what is an important symbol of this carnival?
Mardi Gras is celebrated in New Orleans, and an important symbol is the King Cakes,
which are sweet colourful cakes.
6. What is different about carnival season in Germany and most other countries?
Carnival season in Germany begins in November whereas most other countries have
carnival in February as that is just before Lent.
7. Why do you think carnivals are so popular across the world and attract so many
visitors?
Various answers, such as the fact they are a spectacle, are lots of fun, they happen once
a year. Also answers discussing the fact that people can celebrate the traditions of their
country and enjoy singing, dancing and a sense of freedom.
Carnival
Answers
1. Why do you think people give something up for Lent?
8.
Often people give up something for Lent as it is a religious tradition, to prepare for the
death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2. The text says that carnivals are often characterised by masks, flamboyant costumes,
9.
music and colourful floats and parades. What does this mean?
This means that these are the different things that make up a carnival and that you will
see if you are at a carnival.
3. Imagine you have attended a carnival. Describe in three paragraphs, what you have
10.
seen, heard and experienced. Use as much detail as possible.?
Various answers