Regardless of where you live, holidays are a time for family get-togethers and celebrations. _(1)_ In other societies, there are traditions in December that many hold dear, but few know their exact origins.
　　In years past, gathering for the winter holiday wasn't for celebrating the birth of Jesus. _(2)_ At the time, during the cold, dark months of the year, people feared being alone and out at night. People would gather together and hold noisy celebrations. _(3)_ During the winter solstice, these evil forces came out in even greater numbers. It wasn't until many years later that this gathering would coincide with the celebration of Christmas.
　　In the UK, one of the most popular holiday foods is Christmas pudding. In the past, it was believed that everyone in the household had to take part in the preparation of this dish. Part of this custom was that everyone, even the youngest family members, was supposed to mix the pudding at least three times. _(4)_ Doing this together was meant to bring prosperity to the household. If an unmarried girl in the house didn't take part in the stirring of the pudding, it was bad luck. _(5)_ Holiday traditions change and grow with each society. What are the traditions of your favorite holiday?
(A) These parties were loud so as to keep demons, ghosts, and other scary spirits away.
(B) She would have to give up all hope of finding a husband in the upcoming year.
(C) Instead, it was for the winter solstice, which usually falls on December 21 in the northern hemisphere.
(D) In the West, Christmas is not only the biggest holiday but one that millions of people anticipate on a yearly basis.
(E) While stirring, they had to see the bottom of the pot.

1. regardless of...　　不論／不管……
   例: Regardless of how much you hate the way he does things, you have to admit he has a good heart.
   （無論你多討厭他做事的方法，你必須承認他有副好心腸。）
2. in great/large numbers　　大量地
   ＊ 本文中的 greater 為 great 的比較級。
   例: The birds often gather in the park in great numbers.
   （經常有大群鳥兒聚集在公園裡。）
3. coincide vi. 同時發生
   coincidence n. 巧合
   coincide with...　　與……同時發生／巧合
   例: The meteor shower coincided with the first snowfall of the winter.
   （那場流星雨剛好發生在冬天下第一場雪的那天。）
   例: What a coincidence! I didn't expect to meet you here.
   （真巧！我沒料到會在這兒遇見你。）
4. take part in...　　參與／參加……
   = participate in...
   ＊ participate [ par`tIsJ:pet ] vi. 參加
   例: Next month, I'll be taking part in the marathon through Taroko Gorge.
   （我下個月將參加橫跨太魯閣峽谷的馬拉松比賽。）
5. be supposed to V　　應該要……
   例: I'm supposed to hand in the report tomorrow, but I have yet to type even one word.
   （我明天應該要交出報告，但我甚至連一個字都還沒打。）
6. prosperity n. 興旺，繁盛
   prosper vi. 繁盛；成功
   例: Local residents are hoping that the new amusement park will bring prosperity to their town.
   （當地居民希望這座新遊樂場能為地方帶來繁榮。）
   例: Under Mr. Goodman's leadership, the company prospered.
   （該公司在古德曼先生的領導下蓬勃發展。）

1. celebration n. 慶祝（活動）
2. get-together n. 聚會
3. origin n. 起源，由來
4. pudding n. 布丁
5. household n. 家庭
6. preparation n. 準備

冬天不單單只有聖誕節。
　　不管你住在何處，節日就是讓家人齊聚一堂共同慶祝的時光。在西方世界，聖誕節不只是最盛大，也是好幾百萬人每年都引頸期盼的節日。而在其他社會中，12 月也有不少人鍾愛的傳統，但很少人知道它們的確切由來。
　　從前，在這個冬季節日中齊聚一堂並非為了慶祝耶穌誕生，而是為了冬至日，在北半球，冬至通常落在 12 月 21 日。當時，在一年中寒冷且黑暗的月份裡，人們不敢夜晚獨自在外逗留。人們會聚在一起，舉辦一些熱鬧的慶祝活動。在這些派對上喧囂吵鬧是為了將惡魔、幽靈和其他恐怖的鬼魂驅離。冬至期間，牛鬼蛇神出沒的數量甚至更加龐大。但一直要到很多年後，這項聚會才跟聖誕節的慶祝活動合而為一。
　　在英國，聖誕布丁是最受歡迎的聖誕節食物之一。在過去，大家相信家族裡的每個人都要一同準備這道餐點。這項習俗還規定每個人，甚至是家庭成員中年紀最小的，都必須攪動布丁至少 3 下。在攪拌的同時，他們還得看到鍋底才行。這項團結之舉是為了給家族帶來繁榮興旺。如果家裡有未婚的女孩不參加攪拌布丁的儀式，則會招來惡運。這名女子將會喪失來年找到夫婿的一切希望。節日傳統隨著社會而變遷成長。你喜歡的節日有哪些傳統呢？
答案： 1. (D)　2. (C)　3. (A)　4. (E)　5. (B)

　　冬至是中國 1 年 24 個節氣中最重要的一個節氣。冬至的日期約在每年 12 月 22 日前後。冬至這天，太陽直射南回歸線，所以北半球白天最短，黑夜最長。
在冬至，中國北方有冬至日吃餃子的習俗，南方某些地方有冬至日吃湯圓等甜食的習俗。江浙一帶在冬至吃湯圓外，還要吃桂花酒釀並祭祖，蘇州還有桂花冬釀酒，只在此時節上市。大湯圓有餡的『粉團』是用於晚上祭祖，而無餡較小的湯圓用於早上拜神。祭祖之後還有將湯圓粘在門窗上，稱為『冬節圓』，等乾燥以後再給孩子們吃，有保佑健康成長之用。（資料來源：維基百科）