II. Read the text carefully, then do the tasks.

Holi, known as the festival of colours, is the Hindu festival celebrated by Hindus all over Asia and also by the people from some parts of Europe and North America. It is mainly observed in India and Nepal.

Holi commemorates the victory of good over evil, marks the arrival of Spring, and a time to give thanks for the good harvest. The dates change each year according to the full moon, but it is normally in March and sometimes in late February and lasts for a night and a day.

Traditional Holi celebrations start the night before Holi with a Holika Dahan where people gather around a bonfire and perform religious rituals praying that evil will be destroyed. The next morning is a free-for-all festival of colours. People chase each other, smear each other with paint, throw coloured paint powder over each other, and drench each other with coloured water. Some people carry water guns and coloured water-filled balloons for their water fight. In the evening, people visit houses of their friends and relatives and share sweets and other food items.

A. Decide if the statements are true (T) or false (F).

1. The ‘festival of colours’ is another name for Holi.

2. Only Hindus celebrate Holi.

3. Holi is celebrated on 1 March - the first official day of spring.

4. Holi activities start early in the morning.

5. The famous festival of colours is the second day of Holi.

6. Water guns and water-filled balloons are also used to play and colour each other. T

B. Answer the questions. .

1. Where is Holi mainly celebrated?

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2. When does Holi take place?

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3. How long does the festival last?

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4. Why is Holi festival celebrated?

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5. How do people celebrate Holika Dahan?

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6. What do people do on the day of Holi?