Key: Abstract Christmas tree sparks protests in Brussels

Question 1. Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your answers with evidence from the text.

a)            False.  .. though smaller real Christmas trees still decorate the square, a spokesman at the mayor's office said.

b)            True.  Brussels hosts one of the most popular winter markets in Europe

c)             True. The city's website said the new "tree" was one of five "light" installations around the Grand Place this year,

d)         True. "For people who want a traditional religious symbol, we have the nativity scene here in the square

Question 2. Answer the following questions in your own words.

a)  What different ways have people found to protest about the new tree?

b)  What criticisms have been made of the tree?

Question 3. Find a word or a phrase in the text that means the same as

a)            gather/gathered  par. 1

b)            blend/blending   par. 4

c)             host/hosts   par. 5

            

Question 4. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a)    The petition against an abstract light installation in Brussels city centre has been signed by thousands of people.

b)  The glowing cubes resemble the green cross symbol which can be found     

     outside many chemists around the world.

c)  Councillor Philippe Close said that for people who wanted a traditional    

     religious symbol, they had the nativity scene there in the square and    

     that for people who wanted modernity, they had the new tree.