©REUTERS/Eva Manez
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- chaotic /key-OT-ik/
- retrieve /ri-TREEV/
- residue /REZ-i-doo/
- spontaneous /spon-TEY-nee-uhs/
- regime /ruh-ZHEEM/
[adjective] – very disorganized and noisy, with lots of activity happening all at once
The market was chaotic during the holiday sales.
[verb] – to get or bring something back from a place
The dog ran to retrieve the ball from the yard.
[noun] – the remains of something after it has been removed or used
There was a sticky residue left on the counter after the syrup spilled.
[adjective] – happening or done in a natural, often sudden way, without any planning or without being forced
The crowd gave a spontaneous cheer when the team scored the winning goal.
[noun] – a government or a particular administration in power
The new regime promised to implement various reforms.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
On August 28, the streets of Bunol, a town in eastern Spain, were filled with the vibrant red of overripe tomatoes as around 22,000 participants joined in the annual Tomatina festival. Held during the last week of August, this lively event featured revelers enthusiastically hurling tomatoes at one another in a chaotic but joyful celebration. Located 40 km west of Valencia, Bunol witnessed seven trucks delivering 150 tons of ripe pear tomatoes to the excited crowd. While non-residents paid a fee of 15 euros to participate, local residents enjoyed the festivities for free.
The hour-long event started with the firing of a firecracker, marking the moment when a participant successfully climbed a soap-covered pole to retrieve a leg of ham. Visitors from around the world, like Taylor from Australia, expressed their enjoyment of the festival and planned to use the tomato leftovers for making spaghetti sauce. Senam from Kenya described the event as “beautiful” and “mind-blowing.” After the lively battle ended, cleaning crews quickly moved in to wash away the tomato residue, leaving the streets clean and shiny because of the tomatoes’ natural acidity. The tomatoes used, grown specifically for this festival, are considered too sour for eating. The Tomatina festival, which began in 1945 from a spontaneous fight during a parade, has since evolved into a beloved tradition, despite being briefly banned in the 1950s under General Francisco Franco’s regime.
The hour-long event started with the firing of a firecracker, marking the moment when a participant successfully climbed a soap-covered pole to retrieve a leg of ham. Visitors from around the world, like Taylor from Australia, expressed their enjoyment of the festival and planned to use the tomato leftovers for making spaghetti sauce. Senam from Kenya described the event as “beautiful” and “mind-blowing.” After the lively battle ended, cleaning crews quickly moved in to wash away the tomato residue, leaving the streets clean and shiny because of the tomatoes’ natural acidity. The tomatoes used, grown specifically for this festival, are considered too sour for eating. The Tomatina festival, which began in 1945 from a spontaneous fight during a parade, has since evolved into a beloved tradition, despite being briefly banned in the 1950s under General Francisco Franco’s regime.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever attended a large festival or event similar to the Tomatina festival? If so, what was your favorite part of the event? If not, what kind of festival would you like to attend in the future?
- Have you ever participated in an event where you had to clean up a large mess afterward? If so, how did you feel about the cleanup process? If not, how would you feel about being part of a cleanup team?
- Do you agree that participating in a festival like Tomatina can create a sense of community among people from different places?
- Why do you think the Tomatina festival has become so popular even though it is very messy and chaotic?
- What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of charging a fee for non-residents to participate in the festival?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- tomato
- festival
- parade
- local resident
- around the world