Table of Contents
BEST IELTS Academic Reading Test 462
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST 462 – PASSAGE – 2
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST – 462
READING PASSAGE – 2
THE FESTIVAL OF STARS AND BELLS
A. Christmas is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed cultural holiday, celebrated generally on December 25 by millions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it closes the Advent season and initiates the twelve days of Christmastide, which ends after the twelfth night. Christmas is a civil holiday in many of the world’s nations, is celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians, and is an integral part of the Christmas and holiday season.
B. While the birth year of Jesus is estimated among modern historians to have been between 7 and 2 BC, the exact month and day of his birth are unknown. His birth is mentioned in two of the four canonical gospels. By the early-to-mid 4th century, the Western Christian Church had placed Christmas on December 25, a date later adopted in the East, although some churches celebrate on the December 25 of the older Julian calendar, which corresponds to January in the modern-day Gregorian calendar.
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The date of Christmas may have initially been chosen to correspond with the day exactly nine months after early Christians believed Jesus to have been conceived, or with one or more ancient polytheistic festivals that occurred near southern solstice (i.e., the Roman winter solstice); a further solar connection has been suggested because of a biblical verse identifying Jesus as the “Sun of righteousness”.
C. Christmas Day is celebrated as a major festival and public holiday in countries around the world, including many whose populations are mostly non-Christian. In some non-Christian countries, periods of former colonial rule introduced the celebration (e.g. Hong Kong); in other Christian minorities or foreign cultural influences have led populations to observe the holiday. Countries such as Japan, where Christmas is popular despite there being only a small number of Christians, have adopted many of the secular aspects of Christmas, such as gift- giving, decorations, and Christmas trees.
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D. Among countries with a strong Christian tradition, a variety of Christmas celebrations have developed that incorporates regional and local cultures. For Christians, participating in a religious service plays an important part in the recognition of the season. Christmas, along with Easter, is the period of highest annual church attendance. In Catholic countries, people hold religious processions or parades in the days preceding Christmas. In other countries, secular processions or parades featuring Santa Claus and other seasonal figures are often held. Family reunions and the exchange of gifts is a widespread feature of the season. Gift giving takes place on Christmas Day in most countries.
E. According to popular tradition, the birth took place in a stable, surrounded by farm animals. Shepherds from the fields surrounding Bethlehem were told of the birth by an angel, and were the first to see the child. Popular tradition also holds that three kings or wise men (named Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar) visited the infant Jesus in the manger. The visitors were said to be following a mysterious star, commonly known as the Star of Bethlehem, believing it to announce the birth of a king of the Jews. The commemoration of this visit, the Feast of Epiphany celebrated on January 6, is the formal end of the Christmas season in some churches.
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F. The Christmas tree is sometimes explained as a Christianization of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the winter solstice, which included the use of evergreen boughs, and an adaptation of pagan tree worship. The modern Christmas tree tradition, though, is believed to have begun in Germany in the 18th century From Germany the custom was introduced to England. Christmas trees may be decorated with lights and ornaments.
In North and South America, Australia, and Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures. Municipalities often sponsor decorations as well. Christmas banners may be hung from street lights and Christmas trees placed in the town square.
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G. In the Western world, rolls of brightly colored paper with secular or religious Christmas/winter/Hanukkah motifs are manufactured for the purpose of gift-wrapping presents. The display of Christmas villages has also become a tradition in many homes during this season. Other traditional decorations include bells, candles, candy canes, garland, stockings, wreaths, and angels. Snow sheets are made specifically for simulating snow under a tree or village. In many countries a representation of the Nativity scene is very popular, and people are encouraged to compete and create most original or realistic ones.
Within some families, the pieces used to make the representation are considered a valuable family heirloom. Some churches also perform a live Nativity with volunteers and even live animals. One of the most popular items of Christmas decorations is stockings. According to legend, Saint Nicolas would creep in through the chimney and slip gold into stockings hanging by the fireplace.
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Questions 15-21
Choose the correct heading for paragraphs, A-G from the list of headings below. Write the correct number, i-x, in boxes 15-21 on your answer sheet.
LIST OF HEADINGS
i. Birth of Jesus Christ
ii. Generating Christmas ambiance in dwellings and streets
iii. Assurance related to birth of Jesus
iv. Setting and decorations
v. Showing apprehension for Christmas day
vi. Jubilation and amusing
vii. 25th December- A holiday
viii. Religious congregation for merriment of festival
ix. Global recollection of Jesus Christ
x. Celebration of nativity traditionally
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15. Paragraph A
16. Paragraph B
17. Paragraph C
18. Paragraph D
19: Paragraph E
20. Paragraph F
21. Paragraph G
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Questions 22-26
Match each statement with the correct WORD/PHRASE from the list given below.
Write the correct letter, A-E, in boxes 22-26 on your answer sheet.
22. In 18th century, in Germany it was hypothetical that ………………………. folklore begun.
23. Custom to ………………………. in North and South America, Australia and Europe.
24. According to phenomenon, Saint Nicolas would tiptoe in through ……………………….
25. Volunteers in churches present ……………………….
26. Bells, candles, candy canes, garlands, angels’ etc. are ……………………….
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WORDS/PHRASES
A. Chimney and Slither gold into stockings
B. Contemporary Christmas tree
C. A subsist Nativity
D. Embellish houses from outside with lights and Christmas figures
E. Conservative adornment
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ANSWERS
15. IX
16. III
17. V
18. VIII
20. II
21. X
22. B
23. D
24. A
25. C
26. E
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