Christmas

Around

The world

Comprehension

Name__________________

Directions: Answer each question with grammatically correct sentences. Don’t forget to restate the question in

your answers.

Austria

1. Who is Krampus ?

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2. What is the role of Krampus in the Austrian Christmas tradition?

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3. What are the two main decorations Austrian families use to decorate their homes?

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4. Compare the way Austrians celebrate Christmas with the way YOU celebrate Christmas. (2 sentences)

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Brazil

1. Describe the white-gift Christmas.

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2. How do Brazilian children honor their parents on Christmas?

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3. Why do Brazilian Christmas activities include things like boating and picnics?

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4. Compare the way Brazilians celebrate Christmas with the way YOU celebrate Christmas. (2 sentences)

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C1

Denmark

1. Describe “Blowing in the Yule.”

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2. What two world-wide Christmas traditions started in Demark?

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3. Why are animals paid special attention to on Christmas in Denmark?

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4. Compare the way Danes celebrate Christmas with the way YOU celebrate Christmas. (2 sentences)

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Finland

1. Where does Santa live, according to the Finns?

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2. How does Santa travel, according to the Finns?

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3. Describe the “Heaven” that the Finnish people create in their homes.

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4. What special thing do the Finns do before eating Christmas dinner?

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5. Compare the way Finns celebrate Christmas with the way YOU celebrate Christmas. (2 sentences)

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C2

France

1. What is a sabot?

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2. Why is the sabot important in the French Christmas tradition??

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3. Why don’t French children attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve?

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4. Describe a French Christmas tree.

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5. Compare the way the French celebrate Christmas with the way YOU celebrate Christmas. (2 sentences)

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Germany

1. Name four world-wide Christmas traditions that came from Germany.

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2. What other country has the same Christmas figures as Germany?

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3. Who are the Christmas figures that both Germany and this other country have?

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4. What did Knecht Ruppre Cht do?

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5. Compare the way Germans celebrate Christmas with the way YOU celebrate Christmas. (2 sentences)

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C3

Italy

1. What replaces the Christmas tree in Central and Southern Italy? Describe it.

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2. Contrast the Italian Christmas letter-writing tradition with ours. (2 sentences)

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3. What Christmas decoration used world-wide originated in Italy?

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4. Compare the way Italians celebrate Christmas with the way YOU celebrate Christmas. (2 sentences)

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Poland

1. The Christmas Eve meal is extremely important. Give four facts about it. (bulleted list)

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2. How do Polish children earn their gifts?

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3. When is St. Sylvester’s Eve, and how is it celebrated?

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4. Compare the way Poles celebrate Christmas with the way YOU celebrate Christmas. (2 sentences)

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C4

Sweden

1. How do Swedish children honor their parents during this season?

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2. What other country has a similar custom?

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3. Describe the ceremony of “dipping in the kettle.”

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4. Why are Swedish Christmas decorations made from straw?

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1. Compare the way Swedes celebrate Christmas with the way YOU celebrate Christmas. (2 sentences)

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United States and Great Britain

1. Why do Christmas traditions in the U.S. include customs from all over the world?

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2. What is wassail?

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1. Compare the British Father Christmas and the American Santa Claus. (2 sentences)

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C5