Carnival & Mardi Gras · Worksheet 1
One Tuesday, Many Parties
Read the story. 英文を読もう。
1On one Tuesday in February or March, many cities go a little crazy. In Rio de Janeiro, people dance samba in the streets. In New Orleans, they catch beads from big floats. In Venice, they hide behind beautiful masks. And in England, they flip pancakes. Why do they all party on the same day?
2The answer is Lent. Lent is a time of 40 days before Easter. In the past, many Christians did not eat meat, eggs, or butter during Lent. So before it started, they had one last big party and ate all the rich food in their homes. This party is called Carnival. The word probably comes from Latin words that mean "to take away meat."
3Rio has the biggest Carnival in the world. About two million people fill the streets every day. At night, samba schools march through a long stadium called the Sambadrome. Each school has thousands of dancers and drummers. It has about 75 minutes to show its music and costumes, and judges give points.
4In New Orleans, the last day is called Mardi Gras. It means "Fat Tuesday" in French. People on floats throw plastic beads, and the colors of the party are purple, green, and gold. In Venice, Italy, people wear masks and long capes. Long ago, masks were so popular that the city made laws about them.
5In England, the day is called Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day. Families make thin pancakes with lemon and sugar. In the town of Olney, women run a race with frying pans in their hands. The story says it started in 1445, when a busy cook ran to church with her pan. The next morning, the party is over, and Lent begins.
- Lent 四旬節（レント）
- Easter イースター、復活祭
- rich （食べ物が）こってりした、栄養たっぷりの
- parade パレード、行進
- float （パレードの）山車
- bead ビーズ、玉
- mask 仮面、お面
- cape マント
- judge 審査員
- costume 衣装、仮装
- flip ひっくり返す、ぽんと投げ上げる
- probably たぶん、おそらく