Dragon Boat Festival

High school (ages 12+)
Holidays & Celebrations

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/dragon-boat-festival

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary commemoration?The patriotic poet and official Qu Yuan
2. What is the geographical origin of tradition?Southern Chinese state of Chu
3. Why do people race dragon boats on this day?People race dragon boats to honor Qu Yuan and to remember the boats that searched for his body. It also shows teamwork and strength.
4. How are zongzi made and why are they important?Zongzi are sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, filled with sweet or savory ingredients. They were first made to protect Qu Yuan’s body in the river.

Duānwǔ jié: The traditional Chinese name for the Dragon Boat Festival, emphasizing its lunar calendar timing.
Warring States period: A tumultuous era in ancient Chinese history (c. 475–221 BCE) characterized by widespread conflict and the rise of philosophical schools.
Intangible Cultural Heritage: Practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills-as well as the instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated therewith-that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.