Read the passage carefully and fill in each blank with an appropriate answer.

The Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is an (01) affair that lasts for fifteen days,

started from the first day of the first month of the year in accordance to the (02) calendar.

The Lunar New Year is celebrated by Chinese all around the world, and is (03) as the most

important traditional Chinese holiday. It holds special (04) in the hearts of many, as it is a time of

reunion and celebration for the families and friends, especially those who live geographically apart.

According to tales and legends, the origins of the Chinese New Year began with a battle (05) the

mythical creature, Nian, which is loosely translated into ‘Year’ in English. Every year, Nian would go around a village in

China devouring villagers, livestock, and anything it could set it claws on. As a form of protection for themselves, the

villagers would put food (06) their doors at the beginning of every year in the hope that Nian would

spare their lives.

Apart from the mythology behind the festival, customs and traditions are also an (07) aspect of the

Lunar New Year. On New Year’s Eve, family members gather at the home of the family patriarch for a sumptuous

(08) dinner. It is a time of gathering for the entire family, which does not get the opportunity to meet

up (09) , to catch up with each other. The (10) generation of children in the

family are particularly excited about this reunion as they will receive traditional red packets, also known as Ang Pows,

filled with cash from their elders. The Chinese see Ang Pows as a form of monetary blessing for the young ones for the year to come.