人教版高中英语必修三课文电子文档.pdfVIP

Unit 1 Festivalsaround the world FESTIVALSAND CELEBRATIONS Festivals and celebrations of all kinds have been held everywhere since ancient times. Most ancient festivals would celebrate the end of cold weather, planting in spring and harvest in autumn. Sometimes celebrationswould be held after hunters had caughtanimals. At that time people would starve if food was difficult to find, especially during the cold winter months.Today ’sfestivals have many origins, some religious, someseasonal,andsomefor special peopleor events. Festivalsof the dead Some festivals are held to honour the dead or to satisfy the ancestors, who might return either to help or to do harm. For the Japanesefestival Obon, people should go to clean graves and light incensein memory of their ancestors.They also light lamps and play music becausethey think that will lead the ancestorsback to earth. In Mexico, peoplecelebratethe Day of the Dead in early November.On this important feast day, people eat food in the shape of skulls and cakes with “boneson” them. They offer food, flowers and gifts to the dead.The Westernholiday Halloween also had its origin in old beliefs about the return of the spirits of dead people. It is now a children festival,’s when they can dress up and go to their neighbours homes’ to ask for sweets. If the neighboursdo not give any sweets,the children might play a trick on them. Festivalsto Honour People Festivals can also be held to honour famous people. The Dragon Boat Festival in China honoursthe famous ancient poet,Qu Yuan. In the USA, Columbus Day is in memory of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World. India has a national festival on October 2 to honour Mohandas Gandhi, the leader who helped gain India ’sindependence from Britain. Harvest Festivals Harvestand Thanksgiving festivals can be very happy events. Peopleare grateful b