This is the reading section for the Mattayom 3 O-NET exam for the school year 2560.
Reading Passage 2
Russians generally don't celebrate birthdays before the actual day because this is considered bad luck. There is a belief that the birthday boy or girl who celebrates a birthday in advance may not live to see his or her special day. Also, many people don't celebrate the 40th because this number is associated with death.
In Russia, a birthday celebration is usually a dinner with many dishes. It is a custom for the birthday person to provide the feast, and this includes paying for dinner if the celebration takes place in a restaurant.
Russians do not give some kinds of presents to birthday persons. Knives and scissors symbolize future conflict and are therefore seen as a bad omen. Likewise, scarves and handkerchiefs represent sorrow and clocks are sign of departure. An empty purse is believed to cause poverty. Flowers given for a birthday celebration must be an odd number. An even number of flowers indicates misfortune and even death.
According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
If Russians celebrate their 40th birthdays, they will surely die.
Russians do not normally give anything sharp as a birthday present.
A Russian girl will likely be glad to recieve a Thai silk scarf on her birthday.
In Russia, expenses on one's birthday celebration are usually split among friends.
For his girlfriend's birthday, what should Vladimir, a Russian boy, do?
Say "Happy Birthday" to her beforehand.
Give her a bouquet with 8 red roses on her birthday.
Give her a purse with a 10-ruble banknote in it on her birthday.
Have a dinner party for her the day before her actual birthday.
Based on the article, which of the following words would best describe Russian's beliefs about birthdays?
