B1 Listening Exam 1 Part 2 |
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Part 2 Questions 11 - 20 |
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11. The first birthday celebrations were for royalty. True / False
12. Only kings wore party hats in the shape of crowns. True / False
13. The first birthday parties for children were in Germany. True / False
14. The fifteenth birthday is special for boys and girls in South American countries. True / False
15. Dancing is an important birthday tradition in the whole of America. True / False
16. It is a birthday custom in one country to hit children gently. True / False
17. In Italy, children's ears are pulled twice for every year of their life. True / False
18. In Germany, unmarried men always have to sweep the steps on their birthday. True / False
19. In Vietnam, most people do not know when they were born. True / False
20. China and Vietnam have a similar birthday custom involving money. True / False
Part 2
11. T
12. F
13. T
14. F
15. T
16. T
17. F
18. T
19. T
20. T
Part 2
Listen to a talk about birthday traditions around the world.
Woman:
Birthday parties are always among the highlights of a child's year. Most children love to go to birthday parties, play games and eat birthday cake, but have you ever wondered how birthday parties started and how birthdays are celebrated in different countries? At first it was only kings who were important enough to have a birthday celebration. Some people think this is why we wear party hats in the shape of crowns. Eventually, children were included in birthday celebrations. The first children's birthday parties occurred in Germany and were called Kinder Fester. Now most people have some kind of party or celebration on their birthday. What are some birthday traditions around the world?
In some South American countries, the 15th birthday is special for girls and it is often the custom for girls to dance the waltz with their father and brothers on this day. In Brazil, a girl will dance with 15 partners, one for each year of her life. In Mexico, the dance is intended to introduce the girl to everyone as a young woman. In Uruguay, a girl will dance the waltz with potential marriage partners.
Some European countries have more unusual traditions. For example, in Scotland a pound coin is given for every year of the child's life, plus an additional 1 for good luck. A soft smack on the bottom is also given for each year. In Italy, pulling ears is a common tradition. The child's ears are pulled as many times as their age. For example, 12 pulls for a 12 year old. Adults also have some unusual birthday traditions. In Germany, when a man reaches the age of 30 and doesn't have a girlfriend. He has to sleep the stairs of the town hall. His friends throw rubbish on the stairs until he has finished sweeping. Then they throw some more. In this way, everyone knows the man is still single.
In Vietnam, things are a little different. Everyone celebrates their birthday on New Year's Day because the Vietnamese do not know or acknowledge the exact day they were born. So, for example, a baby is 1 year old at New Year, no matter when he or she was born in the year. Children are given red envelopes that contain lucky money by friends and family. In China, too, children are also given money.
It seems that however they are celebrated, birthdays are an important part of most countries cultural traditions.