Valborg: Sweden's Joyful Celebration of Spring
Please read the article and answer the questions.
[1] Valborg, also known as Walpurgis Night, is a special festival celebrated in Sweden on April 30th each year
to welcome the arrival of spring. This lively event brings people together to enjoy the warmer days after a long
winter.
History of Valborg
[2] The history of Valborg goes back to the Middle Ages in Germany. It was named after Saint Walpurga, who
became a saint on May 1st. People believed that witches gathered on this night, so they lit big fires to scare away
evil spirits. When the tradition came to Sweden, farmers used bonfires to protect their animals from wild
animals in spring.
Modern Celebrations
[3] Today, Valborg is a happy celebration filled with singing, fire, and community spirit. People in parks and
towns light large bonfires to symbolize the end of winter. Choirs sing traditional spring songs, and speeches
welcome the new season. In university towns like Uppsala and Lund, students celebrate with picnics, parties,
and other fun activities.
Traditional Activities
[4] Traditional activities during Valborg include lighting bonfires, singing old songs about spring, and gathering
with friends and family. Many enjoy eating special foods like grilled sausages while watching the flames. The
day is full of joy and reminds everyone of nature's beauty and the hope of new beginnings.
Conclusion
[5] Valborg is a perfect way to celebrate spring in Sweden. It connects people through history, music, and the
bright warmth of fire under the spring sky. Every year, on April 30th, Swedes come together to share happiness
and welcome the fresh season with open hearts.
1. What is Valborg also known as?
◯ A. Walpurgis Night
◯ B. Spring Festival
◯ C. Bonfire Night
◯ D. Saint Walpurga's Day
Quality exercises from [Link]
Why do people light bonfires during Valborg?
2.
◯ A. To cook food
◯ B. To signal spring
◯ C. To scare away evil spirits
◯ D. To guide travelers
3. What is the historical origin of Valborg?
◯ A. Modern Sweden
◯ B. Middle Ages in Germany
◯ C. Ancient Scandinavia
◯ D. Medieval England
4. What does the tradition of bonfires in Sweden originally symbolize?
◯ A. Cooking food
◯ B. Holding celebrations
◯ C. Lighting the spring sky
◯ D. Protecting animals from wild animals
5. In university towns like Uppsala and Lund, what activities do students engage in during Valborg?
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6. What are traditional foods enjoyed during Valborg?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Quality exercises from [Link]
What is the tone of the passage?
7.
◯ A. Cheerful and celebratory
◯ B. Serious and formal
◯ C. Sad and reflective
◯ D. Critical and argumentative
8. What does the festival remind people of?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
9. What does 'that witches gathered on this night' imply in paragraph 2?
◯ A. Witches celebrated spring
◯ B. Witches were believed to gather for rituals
◯ C. Witches scared people away
◯ D. Witches helped light bonfires
10. What does 'This lively event brings people together to enjoy the warmer days after a long winter'
convey?
◯ A. The festival creates community joy
◯ B. The festival marks a long winter
◯ C. The festival is only for farmers
◯ D. The festival is religious
Quality exercises from [Link]
What does the author imply about Valborg's importance?
11.
◯ A. It connects history and community
◯ B. It is just an enjoyable picnic day
◯ C. It is a forgotten tradition
◯ D. It is solely religious
12. What does 'Saint Walpurga, who became a saint on May 1st' refer to?
◯ A. The origin of the festival's name
◯ B. A local Swedish figure
◯ C. The person who started bonfires
◯ D. The founder of Valborg
13. What is the meaning of 'symbolize the end of winter' in paragraph 3?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
14. Who sings traditional spring songs during Valborg?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
15. What is the main idea of paragraph 4?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Quality exercises from [Link]
