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Shichi-Go-San · Worksheet C1

Why Celebrate Surviving Childhood?

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

ClassNo.Name
🔊 音声を聞こう

1Many rites of passage for young children around the world share a quiet background: for most of human history, a large share of children did not survive their early years. In Korea, the first birthday became a major event partly because reaching it was a real achievement. In Japan, the ages of three, five, and seven marked steps on a dangerous road, and families thanked the local gods at each one.

2Today, child mortality in Japan is among the lowest in the world, yet Shichi-Go-San has not faded away. Instead, its meaning has shifted. For many families, the highlight is no longer the prayer but the photo session, the rented kimono, and a meal with grandparents. Some critics say the festival has become too commercial, while others argue that commercial support is exactly what spread it nationwide in the first place.

3Perhaps the real question is not whether the custom is traditional enough, but what each generation chooses to be grateful for. A ritual can survive for centuries precisely because people keep reinventing it.

Comprehension

  1. What is the main idea of the passage?

    A Shichi-Go-San should go back to being only a prayer at a shrine.B Rituals for young children began because many children died young, and Shichi-Go-San survives today by changing its meaning.C Japan has the highest child mortality in the world.D Korean first-birthday parties are older than Shichi-Go-San.

  2. According to the passage, why did the first birthday become a major event in Korea?

    A Because babies chose their future jobs on that day.B Because it was a national holiday.C Because reaching that age was a real achievement.D Because grandparents wanted to take photos.

  3. For many families today, what is the highlight of Shichi-Go-San?

    A The prayer to the local godsB Learning to count in the old wayC Buying a new house for the childD The photo session, the rented kimono, and a meal with grandparents

  4. What can be inferred about the writer's view of commercial support?

    A The writer does not simply reject it, because changes like these can help a ritual survive.B The writer thinks photo studios have destroyed the festival.C The writer believes only rich families should celebrate.D The writer wants the government to ban rented kimono.

  5. In paragraph 2, the phrase "faded away" is closest in meaning to

    A become more colorfulB slowly disappearedC moved to another countryD become more expensive

  6. Why does the writer begin the passage by talking about how many children did not survive?

    A To make readers feel sad about the past.B To prove that Korea's custom is better than Japan's.C To explain the original reason why families held these celebrations.D To argue that modern medicine is not important.
© 原田英語 ｜ 世界の行事・祝日ナビ ｜ haradaeigo.com/holiday/Shichi-Go-San · C1
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Shichi-Go-San · Worksheet C2

Vocabulary, Paraphrase & Summary

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

ClassNo.Name
  1. rite of passage
  2. survive
  3. achievement
  4. mortality
  5. shift
  6. commercial
  7. grateful
  8. reinvent
  1. connected with buying and selling things to make money
  2. feeling or showing thanks for something
  3. to change something so much that it seems new
  4. a ceremony that marks an important change in a person's life
  5. to continue to live or exist, especially after a difficult time
  6. something good that you succeed in doing, usually with effort
  7. the number of deaths in a group of people in a certain period
  8. to change from one position, idea, or situation to another

Paraphrase — say it in your own words

1. “Today, child mortality in Japan is among the lowest in the world, yet Shichi-Go-San has not faded away.”

Hint: Start with "Although" and use "very few children die" and "is still celebrated".

2. “For many families, the highlight is no longer the prayer but the photo session, the rented kimono, and a meal with grandparents.”

Hint: Use "the most important part" and "instead of".

3. “A ritual can survive for centuries precisely because people keep reinventing it.”

Hint: Start with "The reason" and use "continue to change".

Summary

Summarize the passage in about 50 words.

© 原田英語 ｜ 世界の行事・祝日ナビ ｜ haradaeigo.com/holiday/Shichi-Go-San · C2
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Shichi-Go-San · Worksheet C3

Debate & Opinion Essay

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

ClassNo.Name
Motion: Shichi-Go-San has become too commercial.
FOR 賛成
  • For many families, the highlight is no longer the prayer but the photo session, so the original meaning of thanking the gods is getting weaker.
  • Studio photos and rented kimono can cost a lot, and families may feel pressure to spend money to keep up with others.
  • When companies advertise the event, they decide what a proper Shichi-Go-San looks like, and local customs disappear.

Add your own reason:

AGAINST 反対
  • Commercial support is exactly what spread the festival nationwide, so business helped the tradition survive.
  • Rented kimono let families who cannot buy expensive clothes join in, which makes the festival fairer.
  • The heart of the festival is still the same: families are grateful that their children are growing up.

Add your own reason:

OpinionI believe / I think that …
Reason 1First, … For example, …
Reason 2Second, … In fact, …
CounterSome people say … However, …
ConclusionIn conclusion, …
© 原田英語 ｜ 世界の行事・祝日ナビ ｜ haradaeigo.com/holiday/Shichi-Go-San · C3