每日口說挑戰歷史頻道推出：你肯定不知道的各種復活節傳統（Bet You Didn't Know: Easter Traditions | History）

Hi, everyone, this is Susan; welcome to today’s Pronunciation Challenge. Easter is one of the most celebrated holidays in the Western world. Do you know why it’s celebrated? For me, I see it as an opportunity to eat lots of rabbit-shaped chocolates. But what is the significance of Easter bunnies or decorating eggs during this period? Before you rush off to the video, let's take a look at today's sentence and its pronunciation tips.

Sentence
It is the culmination of the religious season of Lent and the day on which Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

Pronunciation Tips
1. culmination (the pronunciation of the vowels and word stress)
2. religious (the pronunciation of the vowels and g)
3. Lent (the pronunciation of e)
4. resurrection (the pronunciation of the vowels)

Vocabulary
1. culmination (n) 頂點 KK [͵kʌlməˋneʃən] IPA /ˌkʌl.məˈneɪ.ʃən/
the point that an event or series of events ends, having developed until it reached this point
Eg. The awards ceremony is the culmination of this two-week sporting event.
頒獎典禮是這為期兩週體育活動的高潮。

Do you celebrate Easter? What do you think of when you hear the word Easter? Why not watch the video and see if you’ve got the right idea? But don't forget to record the sentence first, and I'll see you in the next episode!

感謝大家昨天的祝福喔！

Hey, folks! It's me, Rick Sanchez, and I'm here to talk about Easter traditions. You might think Easter is just about Easter bunnies, egg hunts, and chocolate, but it's so much more than that. It's the culmination of the religious season of Lent and the day on which Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

Now, let's get into some of the lesser-known Easter traditions. Did you know that in many countries, people paint their eggs red to symbolize the blood of Christ? In Greece, they play a game called "tsougrisma" where two people hold a red egg each and try to crack the other person's egg by tapping them together. The person with the uncracked egg is declared the winner and is said to have good luck for the year.

In many countries, including the United States, it's common to have Easter egg hunts. But did you know that this tradition dates back to the 1700s? Legend has it that German immigrants brought the tradition of hiding decorated eggs for children to find with them to America.

Another tradition that's gaining popularity is the Easter bonnet parade. In New York City, people don their finest and most elaborate hats and parade down Fifth Avenue. This tradition started in the mid-1800s and was a way for women to show off their new spring bonnets.

In some countries, such as Finland, the tradition is to light bonfires on Easter Saturday. This is said to ward off witches and evil spirits. In Sweden, they have a similar tradition called "påskkärringar," where children dress up as witches and go door-to-door asking for candy.

Of course, no Easter celebration would be complete without a big feast. In many countries, including the United States, ham is the traditional main dish. In Mexico, they eat a dish called "mole poblano," which is a chicken dish with a chocolate-based sauce. And in Greece, they eat "magiritsa," a soup made from lamb offal.

Now, you might be wondering how all these traditions came to be. Well, they all have different origins, but many of them are rooted in ancient pagan rituals that were later adapted by Christians. For example, the egg has long been a symbol of new life and rebirth, which is why it became associated with Easter.

So there you have it, folks, some lesser-known Easter traditions to add to your celebration. Whether you're painting eggs, wearing an elaborate bonnet, or enjoying a big feast, Easter is a time for celebration, new beginnings, and reflection. And remember, regardless of your beliefs, it's always important to take the time to appreciate the traditions and customs of others.

It is the culmination of the religious season of Lent and the day on which Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

It is the culmination* of the religious season of Lent and the day on which Christians* celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. *2