Read the following passage about cultural diversity and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the option that best fits each of the following questions from 31 to 40.
[I] Belgium features a fascinating mix of ancient traditions and contemporary legislation, showcasing the country’s rich history. [II] In Belgium, the families of the bride and groom each pitch in by providing a sheet of paper for the wedding invitations, in line with a long-standing tradition. [III] The wedding invitations symbolize the new partnership and the merging of the two families. [IV]
In an old Belgian tradition meant to bring the two families closer together, the bride would pause halfway down the aisle to give her mother a solitary flower. They hold each other’s arms. The newlyweds then make their way to the groom’s mother-in-law during the recessional, where the bride presents her with a solitary flower as a token of her affection. As a sign of the bride’s acceptance of her new mother, they embrace.
Carrying a uniquely embroidered handkerchief bearing the bride’s name is one of the most significant and long-standing customs of the Belgian wedding. This handkerchief will be framed and displayed in a special spot after the wedding. Before each subsequent female member of the bride’s family is married, the handkerchief is taken out of its frame, embroidered with the name of the new bride, and then passed down through the generations. A bridal handkerchief is a treasured memento that is passed down through the generations.
There are two big chairs placed near the altar where the bride and groom sit during the wedding mass, representing their throne as king and queen for the day and the location. As the ceremony comes to a close, the groom places the wedding ring on the third finger of the bride’s left hand. Because it is a circle, the ring represents love that knows no bounds, and the third finger of the left hand represents love because it is thought to hold the vein that goes to the heart. Soon after the wedding, the newlyweds kiss for the first time as husband and wife. Because each partner takes a breath of their new spouse’s spirit, the kiss is a metaphor for the couple’s spiritual union.
Traditionally, as the bride and husband leave the church, the bridesmaids gather a handful of pennies and then scatter them among the less fortunate outside. The happy couple might increase their chances of financial success by donating to charity.
A honeymoon is for the newlyweds after the wedding. Honey wine, or mead, was traditionally drunk during the 28-day honeymoon, which corresponds to one lunar cycle, in ancient times. The purpose of this was to prevent the bride’s relatives from attempting to reclaim their daughter from her husband.