The Lantern Festival first evolved along the banks of the Yellow River during the peak of freezing winter conditions. The celebration held on the night of the first full noon of the lunar new year is often referred to as the “Little New Year”. The festival’s origin has been argued by historians. Some say the festival was set up in relation to New Year Buddhist ceremonies. Lanterns were used to praise Buddha and request his protection for the coming year. However, Taoists insist that the Martial Emperor Wu Ti (141 B.C.~86 B.C.) began the festival a century earlier in an effort to gain eternal life. In the huge courtyard of his palace, he ordered lanterns to be hung on the night of the first full moon until the entire courtyard was lit as bright as the day. After a Chinese eunuch (太监) invented paper in 105 A.D., people of all classes began to enjoy the beauty of inexpensive paper lanterns. Today, the lantern has experienced further revolution and paper has been replaced by plastic animated characters lit by battery operated light bulbs. In Taiwan, this development has extended to the creation of extravagant, enormous and highly technical lanterns representing the zodiac animals. Even still, many of the old ways remain mixed with the new. 73. According to the article, which of the following statement is true? A. Historians are troubled by different opinions. B. Wu Ti ordered an eunuch to make lanterns using inexpensive paper. C. The weather conditions under which the first lantern festival was held were extreme. D. Buddhists believe that Wu Ti began the Lantern Festival. 74. Wu Ti is believed to have established the Lantern Festival in his vain effort to ______. A. change night into day. B. live forever. C. make the greatest of offering to Buddha. D. celebrate the “Little New Year”. 75. The invention of paper in 105 A.D. ______. A. helped to invent paper lanterns. B. replaced paper lanterns with plastic animated characters. C. lit up the sky. D. increased the popularity of lanterns. |