- …………………how to?
[PS: I don’t know if the Chinese quotes are correct!]
The GM of a five-star hotel informs his staff about the Dongzhi Festival.
As the hotel is expecting a group of Chinese guests he asks various departments what they can do to make the stay a memorable one.
[Tangyuan]
The Dongzhi Festival, or Winter Solstice Festival, is a very special day for Chinese people. It is on December 21, 2025. On this day, families in China come together to eat warm food and spend time with each other. It is a festival about family, warmth, and good wishes for the new season.
Chinese guests usually expect a friendly greeting and a small sign that the hotel knows this special day. They may like to see red and gold decorations, because these colors mean luck and happiness. A small message in the lobby or on the TV saying “Happy Dongzhi Festival – 冬至快乐!” makes them feel welcome.
At breakfast, lunch, or dinner, they may look for warm dishes or something sweet. The most traditional food is tangyuan, sweet rice balls in ginger syrup. This food means family reunion and togetherness. Some guests may also enjoy hot tea with ginger or red dates.
Soft Chinese music in the background can make the atmosphere warm and calm.
When staff say “冬至快乐 (Dōngzhì kuàilè)”, it shows care and respect. Chinese guests feel happy when the hotel understands their culture and traditions. They feel more at home and remember this small but kind celebration.
____________________________
Vocabulary:
a solstice – the day when the sun is farthest north or south; it is the shortest or longest day of the year.
to spend time – to be with someone or do something for some hours.
warmth – a nice hot or friendly feeling.
the 4 seasons – the parts of the year: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
to expect – to think that something will happen.
a greeting – a word or gesture you say when you meet someone, like “Hello!”.
a sign – something that shows or tells a message.
(decoration) – something you put up to make a place look nice.
to feel welcome – to feel happy and comfortable in a place.
a dish (restaurant) – a type of food that is cooked and served.
tangyuan – sweet round rice balls Chinese people eat for special festivals.
a rice ball – rice made into a small round shape.
ginger syrup – sweet liquid made with ginger and sugar.
family reunion – when family members meet again after some time apart.
togetherness – being close and friendly with other people.
to enjoy – to like something very much.
red dates – a sweet red fruit often used in Chinese tea or desserts.
soft music – quiet and gentle music.
to show care – to do something kind for others.
to show respect – to be polite and value someone’s culture or feelings.
to remember – to keep something in your mind.
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Multiple choice, one answer correct:
1. A solstice is…
A) a short or long day
B) a round rice ball made carefully
C) a warm drink served to guests
2. To spend time means…
A) to prepare decorations for a festival
B) to do many tasks in a hurry
C) to enjoy moments with someone
3. Warmth is…
A) a kind hot feeling
B) a soft blanket placed on chairs
C) a large set of warm lights
4. The 4 seasons are…
A) periods when the weather changes each year
B) spring, summer, autumn, winter
C) soft music, tea, lights, and dessert
5. To expect means…
A) to wait for something
B) to plan many things carefully
C) to show care in many ways
6. A greeting is…
A) a word used when meeting someone
B) a note with several welcome sentences
C) a big poster showing information
7. A sign is…
A) a display made from shapes and lights
B) a long, decorated poster
C) something that shows a message
8. A decoration is…
A) something that makes a place nice
B) a long arrangement with colors and lights
C) a combination of items in a room
9. To feel welcome means…
A) to feel happy being here
B) to be greeted
C) to receive many explanations of rules
10. A dish is…
A) a full table of food and drinks
B) a plate with ingredients arranged carefully
C) a type of food served
11. Tangyuan is…
A) sweet rice balls for the festival
B) rice with syrup
C) rice with extras
12. A rice ball is…
A) rice made in a round shape
B) rice shaped and sometimes filled with sour things
C) a large serving of rice in different shapes
13. Ginger syrup is…
A) a liquid made with ingredients
B) a mixture boiled with sugar and spices
C) sweet liquid with ginger
14. Family reunion is…
A) family meets together
B) family eats and talks with others
C) family goes to many events together
15. Togetherness is…
A) being close with other people
B) spending time happily with family
C) a feeling shown with meals and events
————end of audiofile____________
16. To enjoy means…
A) to spend not much time appreciating [To like and be happy about something]moments
B) to like something
C) to participate in many organized events
17. Red dates are…
A) a sweet red fruit
B) fruits prepared with sugar in dishes
C) items added with other ingredients
18. Soft music is…
A) quiet gentle music
B) music played with many instruments
C) songs with complex arrangements for events
19. To show care means…
A) to spend a long time arranging events
B) to organize items
C) to do something kind for someone
20. To show respect means…
A) to be polite to others
B) to show gestures
C) to organize formal events with ceremonies
21. To remember means…
A) to think carefully and take notes
B) to keep something in mind
C) to collect objects and stories as memories
________________
Answers:
1A 2C 3A 4B 5A 6A 7C 8A
9A 10C 11A 12A 13C 14A
15A 16B 17A 18A 19C 20A 21B
________________
Correct version:
- A solstice – the day when the sun is farthest north or south; it is the shortest or longest day of the year. – a short or long day
- To spend time means… – to enjoy moments with someone
- Warmth is… – a kind hot feeling
- The 4 seasons are… – spring, summer, autumn, winter
- To expect means… – to wait for something
- A greeting is… – a word used when meeting someone
- A sign is… – something that shows a message
- A decoration is… – something that makes a place nice
- To feel welcome means… – to feel happy being here
- A dish (restaurant) is… – a type of food served
- Tangyuan is… – sweet rice balls for the festival
- A rice ball is… – rice made in a round shape
- Ginger syrup is… – sweet liquid with ginger
- Family reunion is… – family meets together
- Togetherness is… – being close with other people
- To enjoy means… – to like something
- Red dates are… – a sweet red fruit
- Soft music is… – quiet gentle music
- To show care means… – to do something kind for someone
- To show respect means… – to be polite to others
- To remember means… – to keep something in mind
##############
Match the vocabulary with the correct definition:
Words:
- a solstice
- to spend time
- warmth
- the 4 seasons
- to expect
- a greeting
- a sign
- decoration
- to feel welcome
- a dish (restaurant)
- tangyuan
- a rice ball
- ginger syrup
- family reunion
- togetherness
- to enjoy
- red dates
- soft music
- to show care
- to show respect
- to remember
Definitions:
A. Being close and friendly with other people
B. Sweet round rice balls Chinese people eat for special festivals
C. A word or gesture you say when you meet someone, like “Hello!”
D. Sweet liquid made with ginger and sugar
E. To like something very much
F. To keep something in your mind
G. Rice made into a small round shape
H. Quiet and gentle music
I. Something you put up to make a place look nice
J. When family members meet again after some time apart
K. To do something kind for others
L. To be polite and value someone’s culture or feelings
M. A type of food that is cooked and served
N. To feel happy and comfortable in a place
O. To be with someone or do something for some hours
P. A nice hot or friendly feeling
Q. Something that shows or tells a message
R. The parts of the year: spring, summer, autumn, and winter
S. The day when the sun is farthest north or south; it is the shortest or longest day of the year
T. To think that something will happen
U. A sweet red fruit often used in Chinese tea or desserts
_____________________
Answers:
1-S, 2-O, 3-P, 4-R, 5-T, 6-C, 7-Q, 8-I,
9-N, 10-M, 11-B, 12-G, 13-D, 14-J, 15-A,
16-E, 17-U, 18-H, 19-K, 20-L, 21-F
_____________________
Correct answers:
To remember means… – to keep something in mind
A solstice – the day when the sun is farthest north or south; it is the shortest or longest day of the year. – a short or long day
To spend time means… – to enjoy moments with someone
Warmth is… – a kind hot feeling
The 4 seasons are… – spring, summer, autumn, winter
To expect means… – to wait for something
A greeting is… – a word used when meeting someone
A sign is… – something that shows a message
A decoration is… – something that makes a place nice
To feel welcome means… – to feel happy being here
A dish (restaurant) is… – a type of food served
Tangyuan is… – sweet rice balls for the festival
A rice ball is… – rice made in a round shape
Ginger syrup is… – sweet liquid with ginger
Family reunion is… – family meets together
Togetherness is… – being close with other people
To enjoy means… – to like something
Red dates are… – a sweet red fruit
Soft music is… – quiet gentle music
To show care means… – to do something kind for someone
To show respect means… – to be polite to others
########################
True or false:
- Tangyuan are sweet rice balls traditionally eaten during Dongzhi Festival.
- The Dongzhi Festival is celebrated on December 25 every year.
- Red and gold decorations symbolize luck and happiness in Chinese culture.
- Chinese guests usually expect a greeting and acknowledgment of the festival.
- Guests feel more comfortable if the hotel ignores cultural traditions.
- Soft Chinese music can make the hotel atmosphere calm and warm.
- Family reunion has nothing to do with Dongzhi Festival.
- Tangyuan symbolizes family togetherness.
- Ginger syrup is a traditional decoration used during the festival.
- “冬至快乐 (Dōngzhì kuàilè)” is a greeting meaning Happy Dongzhi Festival.
- Chinese people eat tangyuan to celebrate the start of spring.
- Guests may enjoy warm tea with ginger or red dates during the festival.
- Dongzhi Festival is about family, warmth, and good wishes.
- Guests prefer cold and sour dishes during Dongzhi Festival.
_________________________________
True: 1,3,4,6,8,10,12,13
_________________________________
Correct answers:
- Tangyuan are sweet rice balls traditionally eaten during Dongzhi Festival.
- The Dongzhi Festival is celebrated on December 25 every year. – Correct statement: The Dongzhi Festival is celebrated around December 21–22 every year.
- Red and gold decorations symbolize luck and happiness in Chinese culture.
- Chinese guests usually expect a greeting and acknowledgment of the festival.
- Guests feel more comfortable if the hotel ignores cultural traditions. – Correct statement: Guests feel more comfortable if the hotel acknowledges cultural traditions.
- Soft Chinese music can make the hotel atmosphere calm and warm.
- Family reunion has nothing to do with Dongzhi Festival. – Correct statement: Family reunion is an important part of the Dongzhi Festival.
- Tangyuan symbolizes family togetherness.
- Ginger syrup is a traditional decoration used during the festival. – Correct statement: Ginger syrup is a traditional ingredient used to make sweet dishes like tangyuan.
- “冬至快乐 (Dōngzhì kuàilè)” is a greeting meaning Happy Dongzhi Festival.
- Chinese people eat tangyuan to celebrate the start of spring. – Correct statement: Chinese people eat tangyuan to celebrate the Dongzhi Festival.
- Guests may enjoy warm tea with ginger or red dates during the festival.
- Dongzhi Festival is about family, warmth, and good wishes.
- Guests prefer cold and sour dishes during Dongzhi Festival. – Correct statement: Guests prefer warm and sweet dishes during Dongzhi Festival.
########################
Interview with a Chinese citizen about the Dongzhi Festival at home, complete, words below:
ginger – at home – family -together – reunion –
comfortable – during – special –
wishes – atmosphere –
syrup – luck
————————————–
1. Q: What is the Dongzhi Festival?
A: It is the Winter Solstice Festival, a __________ day for families.
2. Q: When is the Dongzhi Festival in 2025?
A: It is on December 21.
3. Q: Who celebrates the Dongzhi Festival?
A: Chinese families celebrate it ___________.
4. Q: Where do families spend the festival?
A: They spend it ___________ with family.
5. Q: Why is the Dongzhi Festival important?
A: It is about family, warmth, and good __________.
6. Q: What kind of food do families eat?
A: They eat tangyuan, sweet rice balls in ginger __________.
7. Q: What does tangyuan mean?
A: It means family __________ and togetherness.
8. Q: How do people drink tea during the festival?
A: They may drink warm tea with __________ or red dates.
9. Q: What colors are used for decorations?
A: Red and gold, because they mean __________ and happiness.
10. Q: How do people feel when they celebrate?
A: They feel happy and __________.
11. Q: What greeting do people say?
A: They say “冬至快乐 (Dōngzhì kuàilè)”.
12. Q: How does soft Chinese music help during the festival?
A: It makes the __________ warm and calm.
13. Q: Who do people spend time with __________ the festival?
A: They spend time with their family.
14. Q: Why do people celebrate the Dongzhi Festival?
A: To show care, respect, and enjoy being with _________.
——————————–
Correct version:
1. Q: What is the Dongzhi Festival?
A: It is the Winter Solstice Festival, a special day for families.
2. Q: When is the Dongzhi Festival in 2025?
A: It is on December 21.
3. Q: Who celebrates the Dongzhi Festival?
A: Chinese families celebrate it together.
4. Q: Where do families spend the festival?
A: They spend it at home with family.
5. Q: Why is the Dongzhi Festival important?
A: It is about family, warmth, and good wishes.
6. Q: What kind of food do families eat?
A: They eat tangyuan, sweet rice balls in ginger syrup.
7. Q: What does tangyuan mean?
A: It means family reunion and togetherness.
8. Q: How do people drink tea during the festival?
A: They may drink warm tea with ginger or red dates.
9. Q: What colors are used for decorations?
A: Red and gold, because they mean luck and happiness.
10. Q: How do people feel when they celebrate?
A: They feel happy and comfortable.
11. Q: What greeting do people say?
A: They say “冬至快乐 (Dōngzhì kuàilè)”.
12. Q: How does soft Chinese music help during the festival?
A: It makes the atmosphere warm and calm.
13. Q: Who do people spend time with during the festival?
A: They spend time with their family.
14. Q: Why do people celebrate the Dongzhi Festival?
A: To show care, respect, and enjoy being with family.
########################
Read:
My name is Li Wei. I celebrate the Dongzhi Festival with my family at home.
On this day, we spend time together and eat warm food.
The most important food is tangyuan, sweet rice balls in ginger syrup, because they show family togetherness.
At home, we put up red and gold decorations for luck and happiness.
We also drink warm tea with ginger or red dates.
I like to listen to soft Chinese music, which makes the house calm and warm.
We greet each other by saying “冬至快乐 (Dōngzhì kuàilè)”.
The festival is about family, warmth, and good wishes.
Rewrite the story, start with_
>>>>> His name is Li Wei. He celebrates………..
and make all changes necessary.
______________________________
Correct version:
His name is Li Wei. He celebrates the Dongzhi Festival with his family at home. On this day, they spend time together and eat warm food. The most important food is tangyuan, sweet rice balls in ginger syrup, because they show family togetherness. At home, they put up red and gold decorations for luck and happiness. They also drink warm tea with ginger or red dates. He likes to listen to soft Chinese music, which makes the house calm and warm. They greet each other by saying “冬至快乐 (Dōngzhì kuàilè)”. The festival is about family, warmth, and good wishes.
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