Non-fiction: Happy New Year! Happy New Year! A New Year Is Here It s party time! People around the world celebrate the holiday in different ways. The United States A big party is held in New York. Millions of people watch the party on television. People count down the final seconds of the old year. At midnight, a bright crystal ball drops. People cheer for the start of the new year. Alan Schein Photography/Corbis Brazil Many people go to parties on the beach. People wear white clothes. They watch a fireworks show. Some people put flowers into the ocean and make a wish. It is believed to be good luck if the waves take the flowers out to sea. Samba Photo/Getty Images Article: Copyright 2010 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved. Weekly Reader is a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation. Used by permission. 1
Non-fiction: Happy New Year! Spain People celebrate with their families. They each have 12 grapes ready. At midnight, they eat the grapes for good luck. Each grape stands for one month of the new year. ERproductions Ltd./Photolibrary South Africa People dress in colorful clothes. They go to parades. Marching bands play. Many people dance in the streets to the beat of the drums. Hoberman Collection/Photolibrary 2 Article: Copyright 2010 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved. Weekly Reader is a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation. Used by permission.
Non-fiction: Happy New Year! China Chinese New Year is a long celebration. It lasts for 15 days. This year, the holiday starts on February 14. Parades are held on the last day. Many people wear new red clothes. Kids carry lanterns. Some people wear dragon costumes and dance through the streets. The dragon is a symbol of good luck. Alain Evard/Photolibrary Australia A big fireworks show is held at midnight. It takes place over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. A harbor is a part of a body of water where ships can stay safe from storms. People also watch a parade of boats on the water. The boats are decorated with lights. Flirt/SuperStock 3 Article: Copyright 2010 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved. Weekly Reader is a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation. Used by permission.
Questions: Happy New Year! Name: Date: Directions: Answer the following four questions based on the information in the passage. 1. Which country s celebration of the new year lasts for 15 days? 2. What happens on New Year s Eve in New York City? 3. Based on the photos provided in the passage, what is one conclusion you can draw about how New Year s Eve is celebrated around the world? 4. What is the main idea of this passage? 1
Questions: Happy New Year! Directions: Please read the sentence below and then write the word or phrase that best answers the questions. The first answer has been provided for you. Many Brazilians go to parties on the beach to celebrate the new year. Who? many Brazilians 5. (do) What? 6. Where? 7. Why? 2
Questions: Happy New Year! 8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Many people in Spain eat exactly 12 grapes to celebrate the new year there are 12 months in a year. A but B because C so Directions: Read the vocabulary word and definition below. Then answer questions 9 and 10. Vocabulary Word: symbol (sym bol): something that stands for something or represents it. 9. Read the sentences below and underline all forms of the word symbol. a. The weather channel uses the sun as a symbol for a nice day. b. Your teacher may draw a smiley face on your test as a symbol that you did a good job. c. The peace sign is a well-known symbol of peace. d. A dove and olive branch are also symbols of peace. e. Many street signs use symbols to show their meaning instead of words. 10. Which of the pictures below is a symbol for Caution? 3