Battle Of The Oranges | Unit 2.1 | English

Exercise of Battle of Oranges

A. Match the words with their meaning.

B. True or False Statements

1. The tourists are informed to wear a red hat through public notices. — True
2. Aranceri seems dressed in Doctor Whoesque costumes. — True
3. When a cart approaches, aranceri run away from the square. — False
4. The narrator feels bored during the festival period. — False
5. The volunteers encourage the visitors to join the battle. — False
6. The narrator accepts Massi’s offer. — False

C. Answer the Following Questions

a. What does the red hat symbolize?

The red hat is a symbol of the carnival itself and also represents freedom, as it was historically worn by slaves who had been freed and by peasants fighting against feudal lords during the Middle Ages.

b. How does the narrator feel when she wipes her face?

The narrator feels shocked and worried when she wipes her face, as she initially thinks the substance she sees is blood, which causes her to fear she may need medical attention.

c. What does the square look like after an hour battle?

After an hour-battle of the oranges, the square is covered in a thick layer of orange pulp and horse manure, creating a sludgy and messy scene. The mixture emits a strong and pungent odor, described as sharp and sweet-and-sour.

d. How do aranceri members chase the cart?

The aranceri members chase the cart by running behind it and throwing oranges at it.

e. Does Silvia enjoy this carnival?

Yes, she does. She says that this is the moment they wait for all the year, and carnival is good for their psychological health.

f. Why does Massi say, “Forget the nets.”?

D. Related Global Festival: La Tomatina

La Tomatina is a unique festival held in the town of Buñol in Spain. It is a giant food fight where participants throw tomatoes at each other. The festival takes place on the last Wednesday of August every year and attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. The origins are believed to have started as a food fight in the 1940s. Today, trucks bring in over 100 tons of tomatoes. The event begins with the “palo jabón” where people climb a greased pole to reach a ham. After the fight, participants wash off in the nearby river.

Grammar I: Reported Speech

A. Converting to Indirect Speech

a. “Are you working tonight?”
➔ Agaman asked Timothy if he was working tonight.
b. “Is this the road to the station?”
➔ A stranger wanted to know from me if that was the road to the station.
c. “Did you do your homework?”
➔ My friend inquired her if she had done her homework.
d. “Have you been to Paris?”
➔ The tourist was asked if he had been to Paris.
e. “How long have you been working in this company?”
➔ Usha inquired Anuj how long he had been working in that company.
f. “What flavour ice cream did you have at the party?”
➔ My mother asked me what flavor ice cream I had at the party.
g. “Have you studied reported speech before?”
➔ The teacher wanted to know if they had studied reported speech before.
h. “Where will you stay tonight?”
➔ I asked him where he would stay that night.
i. “How many players were shown yellow cards by the referee?”
➔ Sumangal asked his friend how many players had been shown yellow cards by the referee.
j. “What magic did the medicine have on the patient?”
➔ Sarita wanted to know from Sommaya what magic the medicine had on the patient.

B. Reported Speech Remarks

a. Kritika asked me, “why did you go out last night?”
➔ Kritika asked me why I had gone out the previous night.
b. “Who was that beautiful woman, Usha?” said Sunita.
➔ Sunita asked Usha who that beautiful woman had been.
c. “How is your mother?” said Gaurab to Yang Dolma.
➔ Gaurab asked Yang Dolma how her mother was.
d. My friend wanted to know, “What are you going to do at the weekend?”
➔ My friend asked me what I was going to do at the weekend.
e. “Where will you live after graduation?” said my teacher.
➔ My teacher asked me where I would live after graduation.
f. Anusha said to Melisha, “What were you doing when I saw you?”
➔ Anusha asked Melisha what she had been doing when she had seen her.
g. I said to the pilgrim, “How was the journey?”
➔ I asked the pilgrim how the journey had been.
h. “How often do you go to cinema?” said Krishna.
➔ Krishna asked how often I went to the cinema.
i. “Do you live in Patan?” said the Principal.
➔ The Principal asked if I lived in Patan.
j. Niraj said to Luniva, “Did Phadindra arrive on time?”
➔ Niraj asked Luniva if Phadindra had arrived on time.

Writing I: Festival Essay

Teej: A Festival of Love and Devotion

Teej is a Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal, particularly by women. The festival is usually celebrated in the month of August or September, and it lasts for three days. The history of Teej is traced back to Hindu mythology, celebrating the reunion of Lord Shiva and Parvati.

Women fast for the longevity of their husbands, while unmarried women fast for a good husband. Major activities include singing, dancing, and feasting on traditional delicacies. Women dress in red and green attire, and the festival is marked by the swinging of decorated swings.

However, the festival is not without its drawbacks. Strict fasting can be physically demanding. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness about the need to celebrate Teej in a safe and healthy manner, following traditional practices while taking care of one’s health.