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1. 1. PASSAGE 1: In the country of Denmark, people celebrate New Year's Eve by jumping off chairs at the stroke of midnight. Families gather together and stand on chairs, then leap into the new year together when the clock strikes twelve. Many Danish families also break old plates on the doorsteps of friends and neighbors. The more broken dishes you find at your door in the morning, the more friends you have. Some people save old dishes all year just for this tradition. What do Danish people jump off at midnight on New Year's Eve?
2. 2. PASSAGE 2: In Spain, people eat twelve grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve. They eat one grape for each stroke of the clock as it counts down to the new year. Each grape represents good luck for one month of the coming year. This tradition started over one hundred years ago. Many Spanish families practice eating the grapes together while watching the clock in the town square on television. How many grapes do people in Spain eat at midnight?
3. 3. PASSAGE 3: In the Philippines, many families celebrate New Year by wearing clothing with polka dots. They believe that round shapes bring good fortune and wealth in the coming year. Some people also display round fruits on their tables, such as oranges and melons. Children often jump up and down at midnight because some families believe it helps children grow taller in the new year. Loud noises from fireworks and horns are common to scare away bad luck. What pattern do many families in the Philippines wear on their clothing for New Year?
4. 4. According to Passage 1, what do Danish people break on doorsteps?
5. 5. According to Passage 2, what does each grape represent?
6. 6. According to Passage 3, why do some children in the Philippines jump at midnight?

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