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Constitution Memorial Day · Worksheet C1

Which Day Should a Country Remember?

Read the passage and answer the questions. (CEFR B1–B2)

ClassNo.Name
🔊 音声を聞こう

1Every country with a written constitution faces a simple question: which day deserves to be remembered? It could be the day the text was signed, the day it was announced, or the day it actually began to work. Japan chose the last option. Its constitution was promulgated on November 3, 1946, but the holiday marks May 3, 1947, when the document took effect. When lawmakers created the holiday law in 1948, this choice was debated, and an official report noted a good deal of disagreement.

2Other countries made different choices. The United States remembers September 17, 1787, when delegates signed its constitution in Philadelphia. Yet it is an observance rather than a day off, and under a 2004 law, schools receiving federal money must teach about the constitution on that day. Norway, by contrast, turns May 17 into a national celebration, with children's parades in towns across the country. Poland honors a constitution from 1791 that lasted only about a year, yet it became a lasting symbol of national pride.

3These differences reveal what each society values. A constitution holiday can be a party, a lesson, or simply a quiet day off in the middle of spring.

Comprehension

  1. What is the main idea of the passage?

    A Countries choose different days and different ways to remember their constitutions.B All countries celebrate their constitutions with parades.C Japan's constitution is the oldest in the world.D The United States copied Japan's constitution holiday.

  2. Which day does Japan's Constitution Memorial Day mark?

    A November 3, 1946, when the constitution was promulgatedB May 3, 1947, when the constitution took effectC September 17, 1787, when delegates signed itD The day lawmakers created the holiday law in 1948

  3. According to the passage, what must some American schools do on September 17?

    A Close for the whole dayB Hold a children's paradeC Sign a copy of the constitutionD Teach about the constitution, if they receive federal money

  4. What can we infer about Poland's 1791 constitution?

    A It is still used in Poland today without any changes.B It was copied from the U.S. constitution.C Its importance comes more from its meaning for the nation than from how long it worked.D Poles celebrate it with a quiet day at home only.

  5. In paragraph 1, the phrase "took effect" is closest in meaning to

    A started to be used officiallyB was changedC was writtenD was translated

  6. Why does the writer describe a constitution holiday as "a party, a lesson, or simply a quiet day off"?

    A To explain why the United States closes its schools.B To say that Japan should hold parades like Norway.C To argue that constitution holidays are not important.D To show that different countries treat the same kind of holiday in very different ways.
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Constitution Memorial Day · Worksheet C2

Vocabulary, Paraphrase & Summary

Match the words with the definitions. Then rewrite and summarize.

ClassNo.Name
  1. deserve
  2. promulgate
  3. take effect
  4. debate
  5. delegate
  6. observance
  7. by contrast
  8. reveal
  1. to show something that was not known before
  2. to have earned or be worth something because of what you are or what you have done
  3. to officially announce a new law to the public
  4. to start to be used officially, especially for a law or rule
  5. to discuss something seriously, often with people who have different opinions
  6. a person chosen to speak or vote for a group at a meeting
  7. a day when people remember or mark something, often without a day off
  8. used to show that two things are very different

Paraphrase — say it in your own words

1. “Every country with a written constitution faces a simple question: which day deserves to be remembered?”

Hint: Start with "Countries that have a written constitution" and use "have to decide".

2. “Yet it is an observance rather than a day off, and under a 2004 law, schools receiving federal money must teach about the constitution on that day.”

Hint: Make two sentences. Use "people still go to work or school" and "if a school gets money from the national government".

3. “These differences reveal what each society values.”

Hint: Use "By looking at" and "we can see".

Summary

Summarize the passage in about 50 words.

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Constitution Memorial Day · Worksheet C3

Debate & Opinion Essay

Prepare for a debate. Then write your opinion (100–150 words).

ClassNo.Name
Motion: A constitution day should be a school lesson rather than a day off.
FOR 賛成
  • In the United States, schools that receive federal money must teach about the constitution on September 17, so many students learn about it once a year.
  • When May 3 is a day off in the middle of Golden Week, many families simply travel or relax, and the meaning of the day can be forgotten.
  • A lesson gives young people a chance to talk about the rules they share and the rights they have.

Add your own reason:

AGAINST 反対
  • A day off gives everyone, not only students, time to join talks, read about the constitution, or watch TV programs about it.
  • Norway's May 17 parades show that a celebration can make people feel proud of their constitution in a way a lesson cannot.
  • Teachers can already teach about the constitution on school days before or after the holiday, so a day off does not stop learning.

Add your own reason:

OpinionI believe / I think that …
Reason 1First, … For example, …
Reason 2Second, … In fact, …
CounterSome people say … However, …
ConclusionIn conclusion, …
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