The Festival of Stars and Bells Reading Answers

May 27, 2024

The Festival of Stars and Bells Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. The Festival of Stars and Bells Reading Answers has a total of 12 IELTS questions in total. In the questions, you have to choose the correct heading for paragraphs and match each statement with the correct phrase.

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers feature topics such as The Festival of Stars and Bells Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

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Section 1

Read the Text Below and Answer Questions

THE FESTIVAL OF STARS AND BELLS

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.
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. 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",
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 the most original or realistic ones. Within some families, the pieces used to make. The representations 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 slit gold into stockings hanging by the fireplace.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 15-21
Choose the correct heading for paragraphs, A-G from the list of headings below. Write the correct number, I-X.

LIST OF HEADINGS

Birth of Jesus Christ
Generating Christmas ambiance in dwellings and streets
Assurance related to birth of Jesus
Setting and decorations
Showing apprehension for Christmas day
Jubilation and amusing
25th December- A holiday
Religious congregation for merriment of festival
Global recollection of Jesus Christ
Celebration of nativity traditionally

Paragraph A
Answer: IX
Supporting statement: “.......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.........”
Keywords: birth, widely
Keyword Location: para A, Lines 1-2
Explanation: This para discusses the global observance and celebration of Christmas.
Paragraph B
Answer: III
Supporting statement: “.......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........”
Keywords: estimated, exact
Keyword Location: para B, Line 1
Explanation: This para deals with the uncertainties and historical estimations regarding the birth of Jesus.
Paragraph C
Answer: V
Supporting statement: “.......Christmas Day is celebrated as a major festival and public holiday in countries around the world, including many whose populations are mostly non-Christian........”
Keywords: holiday, around
Keyword Location: para C, Line 1
Explanation: This para emphasizes the significance and widespread celebration of Christmas Day.
Paragraph D
Answer: VIII
Supporting statement: “......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.........”
Keywords: service, recognition
Keyword Location: para D, Lines 2-3
Explanation: This para focuses on the religious gatherings and services that are integral to Christmas celebrations.
Paragraph E
Answer: I
Supporting statement: “.......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..........”
Keywords: stable, shepherds
Keyword Location: para E, Lines 1-3
Explanation: This para narrates the traditional story of the birth of Jesus.
Paragraph F
Answer: II
Supporting statement: “.......The Christmas tree is sometimes explained as a Christianization of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the winter solstice... Christmas trees may be decorated with lights and ornaments.........”
Keywords: tree, decorations
Keyword Location: para F, Lines 1-3
Explanation: This para discusses the tradition of decorating Christmas trees and homes.
Paragraph G
Answer: X
Supporting statement: “.......In many countries a representation of the Nativity scene is very popular, and people are encouraged to compete and create the most original or realistic ones.........”
Keywords: scene, representation
Keyword Location: para G, Lines 4-5
Explanation: This para talks about the traditional practice of creating and displaying Nativity scenes.

Questions 22-26
Match each statement with the correct WORD/PHRASE from the list given below.

WORDS/PHRASES

Chimney and Slither gold into stockings
Contemporary Christmas tree
A subsist Nativity
Embellish houses from outside with lights and Christmas figures
Conservative adornment

In 18th century, in Germany it was hypothetical That …………… folklore begun.
Answer: B
Supporting statement: “......The modern Christmas tree tradition, though, is believed to have begun in Germany in the 18th century.........”
Keywords: century, Germany
Keyword Location: para F, Line 2
Explanation: The tradition of the modern Christmas tree is believed to have started in Germany in the 18th century.
Custom to ……..in North and South America, Australia and Europe.
Answer: D
Supporting statement: “.......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........”
Keywords: lights, Christmas
Keyword Location: para F, Line 4
Explanation: This describes the custom of decorating the exterior of houses during Christmas.
According to phenomenon, Saint Nicolas would tiptoe in through ……..
Answer: A
Supporting statement: “.......According to legend, Saint Nicolas would creep in through the chimney and slip gold into stockings hanging by the fireplace........”
Keywords: chimney, stockings
Keyword Location: para G, Line 10
Explanation: The legend describes Saint Nicolas entering through the chimney and placing gold in stockings.
Volunteers in churches present ………….
Answer: C
Supporting statement: “.......Some churches also perform a live Nativity with volunteers and even live animals.........”
Keywords: perform, live
Keyword Location: para G, Line 8
Explanation: Churches often have volunteers perform a live Nativity scene.
Bells, candles, candy canes, garlands, angels' etc. are………..
Answer: E
Supporting statement: “.......Other traditional decorations include bells, candles, candy canes, garland, stockings, wreaths, and angels........”
Keywords: bells, candles
Keyword Location: para G, Line 4
Explanation: These items are considered traditional or conservative Christmas decorations.