CLASSROOM Grammar Elite
for Junior Secondary Students
Words by Theme

Cultures—customs (p.20)

1. 
   Unusual (adj.): different from what is usual or normal
   
   
   e.g.
   In Chinese culture, it is unusual (不同尋常的) for a bride (新娘) to dress in black as most people consider (認為) it inauspicious (不祥的).


2. 
   Custom (n.): something that people do because it is traditional
   
   
   e.g.
   In accordance with (按照) the customs (習俗), Chinese people bathe with pomelo (碌柚) leaves before Lunar New Year to wash away the bad luck of the previous (先前的) year.


3. 
   Inappropriate (adj.): not suitable for a particular situation
   
   
   e.g.
   In the opinion (看法) of fishermen (漁民), it is inappropriate (不合適的) to turn over (反轉) a fish on a dining table (餐桌) because it is similar to turning over a fishing boat.


4. 
   Host (n.): someone who invites guests and provides them with food and drinks
   
   
   e.g.
   Arriving late to a party is regarded (視為) as impolite (不禮貌的) to the host (主人).


5. 
   Ceremony (n.): a social or religious event that includes a set of traditional or formal actions
   
   
   e.g.
   For Christians (基督教徒), Easter (復活節) is significant (重要的). They often hold solemn (莊嚴的) ceremonies (典禮) to celebrate Jesus’s triumph (勝利) over death.


6. 
   Keep evil forces away (v. phr.): to get rid of things that may bring bad luck
   
   
   e.g.
   In ancient times (古代), people often resorted to (訴諸於) sacrifices (祭祀) and prayers (祈禱) to keep evil forces away (辟邪).


7. 
   Rural area (n. phr.): a place that are far away from cities
   
   
   e.g.
   Many traditional customs (習俗) are still retained (保留) in the walled villages (圍村) in rural areas (鄉村地區) in Hong Kong.