| Today's lesson |
 In
this lesson you will learn about Mardi Gras. You will watch the
video or read the video script and take a test to check
your listening and reading comprehension.
Focus: listening, reading |
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| Read the video
script |
Hi. In the classroom today you will learn about Mardi Gras.
The terms "Mardi Gras" and "Mardi Gras season", in English, refer to
events of the Carnival celebrations, ending on the day before Ash
Wednesday.
From the French term "Mardi Gras", the
term has come to mean the whole period of activity related to those
events,
beyond just the single day, often called Mardi Gras Day or Fat
Tuesday.
The season can be designated by the year, as in "Mardi Gras 2008".
The time period varies from city to city.
Cities most famous for their Mardi Gras celebrations include Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil, and New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States.
Many other places have important Mardi Gras celebrations as well.
Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana is one of the most famous
Carnival celebrations in the world.
The season of parades, balls, and king cake parties begins on that
date.
From about two weeks before, through Fat Tuesday, there is at least
one major parade each day.
The largest and most elaborate parades take place the last five days
of the season.
In the final week of Carnival many events large and small occur
throughout New Orleans and surrounding communities.
While many tourists center their Mardi Gras season activities on
Bourbon Street and the French Quarter,
none of the major Mardi Gras parades have entered the Quarter since
1972 because of its narrow streets and overhead obstructions.
Instead, major parades originate in the Uptown and Mid-City
districts and follow a route along St. Charles Avenue and Canal
Street, on the upriver side of the French Quarter.
Mardi Gras is considered to be one of the craziest celebrations in
the United States.
Until next time. |
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Take the test |
 Mardi
Gras is a fun and crazy holiday. Watch the video or read the video script.
Then take the following test to check your listening
and reading comprehension skills. |
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1. Mardi Gras refers to which of the following?
2. The term Mardi Gras comes from which language?
3. Rio de Janeiro is a large city in which country?
4. New Orleans is a large city in which country?
5. Why are few parades held in the French Quarter?
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