清明節 / 清明节

Volume 4- March 29th, 2026

Level: Intermediate Mid

Reading Comprehension 

1. What is the primary purpose of the first paragraph? 

A. To explain the specific rituals performed during the festival. 

B. To provide a general overview of the timing and the festival.

C. To compare Chinese festivals with American holidays. 

D. To list the types of food eaten during the Spring season. 

2. According to the passage, what is a common traditional activity for Chinese people during this festival? 

A. Planting trees in their local neighborhoods. 

B. Traveling to foreign countries for vacation. 

C. Returning to their hometowns to tend to ancestral graves. 

D. Hosting large banquets for friends and coworkers.

3. How does the author describe the impact of religious beliefs on the festival’s observance? 

A. Religious beliefs prevent people from participating in the festival entirely. 

B. All participants must follow the exact same rituals regardless of belief.

C. Different beliefs may lead to different ways of honoring the deceased, such as using hymns or prayers. 

D. Only people with specific religious backgrounds are allowed to burn joss paper.

4. What does the "online service" mentioned in the second paragraph allow people to do? 

A. Buy flowers and fruit at a discounted price. 

B. Pay for professional cleaners to visit the cemetery. 

C. Virtually honor their ancestors if they cannot travel home. 

D. Watch live broadcasts of famous historical sites.

5. According to the last paragraph, why do Chinese communities in New York and California place advertisements in newspapers? 

A. To sell traditional products imported from China. 

B. To invite the community to join commemorative events and pass down traditions. 

C. To look for relatives they haven't seen in many years. 

D. To complain about the difficulty of learning American culture.

Answer Key

1. B (Overview and timing)

2. C (Returning to hometowns for graves)

3. C (Varying rituals like hymns/prayers)

4. C (Virtual/online ancestor worship)

5. B (Community invitation and cultural transmission)

Reading Practice

Part 1: Text Handling

1. Based on the first paragraph, what are the THREE traditional actions performed at the grave? (Choose 3)

• A. Singing hymns

• B. Cleaning the tomb

• C. Placing fruit

• D. Planting trees

• E. Burning joss paper

• F. Online worship

2. Match the following people to their specific way of commemorating the deceased based on the text: (Draw a line or match the letter)

1. Traditional followers: ______

2. Religious/Christian followers: ______

3. People far from home: ______

• A. Use electronic/online services.

• B. Use hymns, prayer, and flowers.

• C. Burn paper bills and offer fruit.

Part 2: Short Answer & Gap Fill

3. According to the second paragraph, why do some people choose NOT to burn joss paper? (Answer in English or Chinese based on teacher's preference)

___________________________________________________________________________________

4. Find a word in the last paragraph that means "to pass down from generation to generation."

___________________________________________________________________________________

Part 3: True or False (With Justification)

5. Determine if the following statement is True or False and provide a quote from the text as justification.

Statement: The Chinese community in America only focuses on American culture during this holiday.

• [ ] True / [ ] False

• Justification: _________________________________________________________________________

Answer Key for Teacher

1. B, C, E

2. 1-C, 2-B, 3-A

3. Because their religious beliefs are different (因為宗教信仰的不一樣).

4. 傳 / 传  (or 傳下去 / 传下去； 一代又一代地傳下去 / 一代又一代地传下去).

5. False. Justification: "...在學習美國文化的同時，也把這個極有傳統意義...一代又一代地傳下去。" / “...在学习美国文化的同时， 也把这个极有意义..., 一代又一代地传下去，”  (While learning American culture, they also pass down this traditional festival).

English Translations:

Tomb-Sweeping Day is an important festival in Chinese culture. The date is usually around April 5th every year.

When Chinese people celebrate Tomb-Sweeping Day, they all return to their hometowns to worship their ancestors and clean their relatives' tombs. Furthermore, they place fruit and fresh flowers on the tombs and burn joss paper. They use this method to commemorate their relatives who have passed away. Because religious beliefs are different, some people choose not to burn joss paper or put out fruit. After they finish cleaning their relatives' tombs, they place fresh flowers and then use hymns, prayers to God (not the passing one), and thanks to commemorate their relatives who have passed away. Some places even provide electronic services for Tomb-Sweeping Day, so that those who have no way to return to their hometowns can also worship their ancestors and commemorate their relatives online.

In New York and California, many overseas Chinese people publish advertisements in Chinese newspapers to invite everyone to participate in commemorative activities together during Tomb-Sweeping Day. These activities allow American Chinese people to learn about American culture while also passing down this highly traditional, meaningful, and grateful festival from one generation to the next.

ACTFL Proficiency Analysis Level： Intermediate Mid

• • Sentence Length: The text uses connected sentences and cohesive devices (e.g., "因為...所以...", "此外", "不但...也...") rather than isolated phrases.

  • Content: It covers "Daily Life" and "Cultural Customs," which are standard topics for this level. It moves beyond just naming objects to describing a sequence of events (the process of tomb sweeping).

  • Vocabulary: It includes topic-specific vocabulary (祖先, 宗教, 傳) that goes beyond the "Highly Contextual" words of a Novice learner.

  • Context: The reader can understand the main idea and some supporting details in a text about a familiar cultural topic.

AP Chinese Themes

The AP curriculum is organized around six broad themes. Your essay hits the following:

• Families and Communities (家庭與社區): This is the primary theme. The text explores family structures, the importance of ancestors, and how overseas Chinese communities (like those in New York and California) maintain their bonds.

• Global Challenges (全球挑戰): Through the mention of "online services" for those who cannot return home, you touch upon how modern technology addresses the challenge of maintaining tradition in a globalized, mobile world.

• Contemporary Life (當代生活): The essay discusses how people balance ancient traditions with modern lifestyles and different religious beliefs.

• Personal and Public Identities (個人與公共身分): It explores how being "Chinese" is defined through the practice of specific cultural rituals, even when living abroad.

IB Mandarin B SL Themes

The IB curriculum is categorized into five prescribed themes. Your essay is a "triple threat" here:

• Identities (身分認同): * Sub-topic: Religion and Spirituality.

  • The essay explicitly compares traditional rituals (burning joss paper) with religious ones (hymns and prayers).

• Experiences (體驗): * Sub-topic: Customs and Traditions.

  • The entire text is a description of the Qingming experience—from the physical act of cleaning tombs to the emotional act of remembrance.

• Social Organization (社會組織): * Sub-topic: Community and Social Engagement.

  • The mention of newspaper advertisements and community events in the U.S. demonstrates how social groups organize to preserve culture.

© 2026 Mandarin Spectrum For Youth. Owned and operated by Rehoboth Hall LLC. All rights reserved. 

Theme       ‍                               ‍                                   Unit Focus                                                                 ‍                                                   Content Ideas for The Magazine

Families and Communities                           Families in Different Societies                                             Traditional vs. modern family roles, filial piety, and community celebrations.

Personal and Public Identities                             Influence of Language and Culture on Identity                       Youth perspectives on being bilingual, national heroes, and ethnic identity.

Beauty and Aesthetics                                         Influences of Beauty and Art                                                   Traditional crafts, architecture, and contemporary Chinese pop art/fashion.

Science and Technology                                   Science and Technology Affecting Lives                                  The impact of social media (WeChat/TikTok) and future inventions.

Contemporary Life                                               Factors That Impact Quality of Life                                           Education (Gaokao), career choices, travel, and health/wellness.

Global Challenges                                               Environmental and Societal Challenges                               Climate change, population trends, and economic shifts in the Chinese-speaking world.

Identities (身分認同 / 身份认同)         Nature of the self, health, and beliefs. Interviews with bilingual youth on "Who am I?"; articles on Gen Z mental health and traditional Chinese medicine vs. modern fitness.

Experiences (體驗 / 体验)                     Events and journeys that shape us. Photo essays on "A Day in the Life" of a student in Shanghai vs. New York; travel guides for "hidden gem" cultural sites; stories of migration.

Human Ingenuity (人類發明創造 / 人类发明创造)     Creativity, innovation, and media. Reviews of trending Chinese apps; features on how AI is changing language learning; profiles of young Chinese digital artists.

Social Organization (社會組織 / 社会组织)          Education, workplace, and community. Comparisons of the "Gaokao" vs. SATs; volunteer spotlights; how youth are reviving "Street Stall" culture or traditional neighborhoods.

Sharing the Planet (共享地球)            Global issues and ethics. "Green Living" tips in Asian cities; youth-led climate initiatives; articles on the ethics of fast fashion and the "Spectrum" of globalism.

Back to Home

© 2026 Mandarin Spectrum For Youth. Owned and operated by Rehoboth Hall LLC. All rights reserved.