A、To show how happy they were. B、To drive away the evil spirits. C、To warn the thieves and robbers. D、To sell their drums and st

Every culture and every country in the world celebrates the New Year, but not every one does it in the same way. The countries of America and Europe welcome the New Year on January 1. This practice began with the Romans. Julius Caesar changed the date of the New Year from the first day of March to the first day of January. In the Middle East, the New Year is when spring begins. People in China and Vietnam celebrate on the first day of their calendar based on the moon.    The day usually comes between January 21 and February 19.
    In all of these cultures, there is a practice of making noise. People made noises in old times to drive away the evil spirits from the home. In Japan, people go from house to house making noise with drums and sticks. Young people in Denmark throw broken pieces of pottery against the sides of their friends’ houses.
    In the United States, many people stay up till midnight on New Year’s Eve to watch the time pass from one year to the next. Friends often gather together at a party on New Year’s Eve, and when the New Year comes, all bells ring: people blow whistles, sing and kiss each other. A favorite Scottish song was sung by everyone together. Black-eyed peas, which are eaten immediately after midnight, are supposed to bring good luck to the person who eats them as his or her first food in the New Year. There is an enjoyable atmosphere all over the world.
16 What do we know about the practice of celebrating the New Year on January 1?
17 Why did people in old times make noise in the New Year?
18 How do young people in Denmark celebrate the New Year?
19 What does the speaker tell us about black-eyed peas?