II. Read and translate the text.

NEW YEAR IN JAPAN.

Japan has used the solar calendar since 1873 and the New Year celebration starts on January 1, just as it does in the western world. New Year (Oshogatsu) preparations traditionally begin in mid-December. The end of the year signals the time to tidy up your life and tie up any loose ends which could ruin the high hopes for the New year. People also prepare to properly welcome the Toshigami (god of the coming year). Houses get a thorough cleaning and only then can the traditional decorations be put in place.

The shimenawa welcomes the Toshigami and wards off evil spirits. They are made from straw rope and often have prayer papers hanging from them. During the New Year season, many Japanese decorate their homes with shimenawa. You will also see them hanging from the front grill of automobiles. Many businesses and institutions decorate their doors by tree branches or bamboo called kadomatsu.

The traditional place to be in the evening or at midnight is the local Buddhist Temple. These days, however, many families gather in the home. The TV stations are switched to a temple for the ringing of the temple bell at midnight. They ring the bell 108 times to remember Japan’s hardships.

The New Year celebration lasts from three to six days depending on region of the country. There are many traditional foods eaten over the New Year period: special noodles, sweet rice cake and soup containing soft taffy. An important custom is the sending a post card with a New Year message that is similar to our Christmas Cards. It will often have a picture or caricature of the animal that is represented by the New year. Others will include a photo of their family.

How can you explain the meaning of the following words:

1. Shimenawa 2. Toshigami 3.Kadomatsu 4.Oshogatsu

III. Insert the words.

1. turkey

2. harvest

3. parades

4. federal

5. settlers

6. celebrated

7. crops

Thanksgiving is _______ on the fourth Thursday of November in the United states. Thanksgiving is a ______ festival. At this time we give thanks for all the _____, such as grain¹ and vegetables, successfully grown and collected by farmers. Thanksgiving dates back to the first European ______ who established a colony in America and had their first successful harvest² in 1619.

T hanksgiving today is a family time for Americans. Family members gather and eat special meals. For most Thanksgiving is not Thanksgiving without eating _____. This may be followed by watching sport on TV. American football is an important part of many Thanksgiving celebrations in the United States. Professional games are traditionally held on Thanksgiving Day. Major cities also hold spectacular _____ where thousands of people watch the special vehicles³ drive by. These vehicles show scenes from Broadway plays, large balloons of cartoon characters and TV personalities. Thanksgiving did not become a _____ holiday until 1941, so now all public buildings are closed and everyone gets a paid day off.

1. grain – зерно

2. harvest – урожай

3. vehicle [vi:kl] – транспортное средство