Read and complete the tasks.

I Read and match. One question is extra.
1. Why do people say Sorry at the end of the holiday?
2. What is the recipe for an easy holiday dish?
3. What cultural events are held abroad at Maslenitsa time?
4. How has the meaning of the holiday changed since the old times?
5. How did the holiday get its name?
6. How do people decorate their houses for Maslenitsa?
7. Why are the pancakes round?
... A. Maslenitsa is celebrated all over Russia. The holiday is very popular with people of all ages. Originally Maslenitsa was a sad day to remember the dead relatives. However, people needed more fun and entertainment after the long and severe winter. They turned the sad holiday into the jolly Maslenitsa with pancakes — delicious and hot. There were lots of entertainments — horse sleigh riding, snowball fighting, visiting relatives and eating pancakes. Now Maslenitsa is associated with the end of winter and the start of spring.
... B. Maslenitsa is one of the nicest holidays in Russia. It is connected with the tradition of baking pancakes. It is believed that they help to warm up the frozen earth. In the old days, pancakes were cooked from buckwheat flour, which gave them a red colour. They were usually served with butter to make them taste soft and tender. Actually, the word Maslenitsa comes from maslo, which means butter in Russian.
... C. The circle has always been considered a holy shape in Russia. According to old beliefs, it protected people from evil. On Maslenitsa, the Russians made pancakes, decorated the wheels of their carts, and danced the khorovod \(the round folk dance\). The aim of all those ceremonies was to please the Sun so that it would be kinder to people.
... D. Pancakes are a popular dish which is easy to cook. All you need is some flour, milk, eggs, salt and sugar. Stir the eggs with sugar and add the milk. Then start adding the flour \(very slowly\), stirring the mixture. Don’t forget about some salt. Now everything is ready for baking pancakes on the hot frying pan.
... ... E. In different countries there are different holidays to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Nowadays, people are getting more and more interested in learning about each other’s holidays and cultures. Every year since 2009, Russian pianist and producer Balakleets has organized a week-long celebration of Russian culture around London. It is held at the same time as Maslenitsa. The festival includes various events from the world of music, art and cinema, along with a reception in the House of Commons.
... F. Maslenitsa is celebrated for a whole week. The last day is Sunday, and it is really a special day. According to tradition, people ask for forgiveness from all their close relatives and friends. They call each other, send messages and ask to forgive them for all the bad things they have done during the year. It sounds very sweet and often helps people improve their relationship.

Read the statements and mark them as T \(True\), F \(False\) or NS \(Not stated\).
1) The festival is celebrated from Monday to Sunday. ...
2) All days of Maslenitsa have special names: ...
Monday – Meeting.
Tuesday – "Game".
Wednesday – "Gourmet".
Thursday – "Razgulyay", "Broad Thursday".
Friday – Mother-in-law evening.
Saturday –"Zolovkin gatherings."
Sunday – Forgiveness Day.
3) It’s very difficult to cook pancakes. ...
4) People celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring not only in Russia. ...