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Diwali
 
Reading Comprehension

This is a reading comprehension lesson to test your ability to understand information written in English. Read the information below and then answer the 5 test questions.
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Holiday: Diwali

Diwali (English pronunciation: /dɪwɑːli/) also called Divali, Deepavali or the "festival of lights", is a five-day Hindu festival which starts on Dhanteras, celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha (waning moon fortnight) of the Hindu calendar month Ashvin and ends on Bhau-beej, celebrated on the second lunar day of Shukla Paksha (waxing moon fortnight) of the month Kartik. Dhanteras usually falls eighteen days after Dussehra. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls between mid-October and mid-November.

Diwali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji.

For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC. For Sikhs, Diwali is particularly important because it celebrates the release from prison of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 other princes with him, in 1619. Arya Samajists, celebrate this day as Death Anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati. They also celebrate this day as Shardiya Nav-Shasyeshti.

The name "Diwali" or "Divali" is a contraction of deepavali which translates into "row of lamps". Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. These lamps are kept on during the night and one's house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome. Firecrackers are burst because it is believed that it drives away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

The festival starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. The second day of the festival is called the Naraka Chaturdasi. Amavasya, the third day of Diwali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The fourth day of Diwali is known as Kartika Shudda Padyami. The fifth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya, and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.

Source: Wikipedia: Diwali
From YOUR Teacher: Diwali

I would really like to visit one of the countries where Diwali is an official holiday. It seems like a very nice holiday spent with family and friends.
Test: Reading Comprehension Diwali

Read the information above. In the test questions below choose which is the best answer for each question. There are 5 questions. Good luck.
1.  Diwali is also called which of the following?

a.  festival of lights
b.  festival of hindu
c.  festival of Paksha
d.  festival of the moon
2.  Diwali is which of the following?

a.  a three-day Hindu festival
b.  a four-day Hindu festival
c.  a five-day Hindu festival
d.  a six-day Hindu festival
3.  Diwali is an official holiday in all but which of the following?

a.  India
b.  Nepal
c.  Myanmar
d.  Cambodia
4.  For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing which of the following?

a.  traditional songs together
b.  traditional prayers together
c.  traditional plays together
d.  traditional activities together
5.  Diwali involves which of the following?

a.  the preparation of chutzpah
b.  the lighting of small clay lamps
c.  the lighting of small candles
d.  the preparation of challah
 
 
 
 
 
 
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