ESL Questions Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
Fat Tuesday. These questions explore the colorful carnival of New Orleans and the world, from purple and gold beads to the final party before a time of fasting.
Beginner
Do you like to wear masks and costumes?
Can you name three colors of the festival?
How do people celebrate in the streets?
Is there a lot of loud music and dancing?
Do you want to see a big parade with floats?
Why do people throw beads to the crowd?
Are you a fan of jazz and trumpet music?
Can you find New Orleans on a map?
Is the food (like King Cake) very sweet?
What makes a party feel very special?
Do you like to catch things in the air?
Is it okay to be very silly for one day?
Can you name a famous carnival in the world?
Do you want to visit a festival in the South?
Are you happy to join a big celebration?
Intermediate
What would you do if you found the 'baby' inside your slice of King Cake?
How do you feel when you are in a massive crowd of people wearing costumes?
Is it better to be 'on the float' or 'in the street' during a parade?
How do you decide which costume represents your personality for the day?
Why do people feel the need to have a 'last big party' before a time of quiet?
Have you ever participated in a carnival that lasted for several days and nights?
Do you think that 'Mardi Gras' is a religious event or a purely social one today?
How do you feel about the tradition of 'throws' (beads, coins, and cups)?
Is it a good idea to bring small children to such a wild and loud celebration?
What is the most creative costume you have ever seen at a festival?
Should we limit the amount of plastic beads that are used to protect the city?
How often do you listen to the 'Second Line' brass music from Louisiana?
Why is 'Fat Tuesday' the final day before the start of the 'Lent' season?
Is it difficult to clean a whole city after a million people have a party?
How do you feel about 'Krewes' (the groups that organize the parades)?
Do you prefer a festival with a long history or a new, modern street party?
What is the best way to handle the noise and the crowds of a major carnival?
How do you handle a situation where you lose your friends in a huge crowd?
Should every city have a 'Carnival' season to help people relax and have fun?
What is the role of 'food' in the traditions of the Gulf Coast region?
How do you feel when you see the 'Mardi Gras Indians' in their beautiful feathers?
Is it possible to have a 'safe' and 'clean' version of Mardi Gras?
Why do we use 'purple' (justice), 'green' (faith), and 'gold' (power) for the colors?
What is one thing you would love to 'catch' from a parade float?
How do you feel when the clocks strike midnight and the party finally ends?
Advanced
Is 'Mardi Gras' a necessary 'safety valve' for social tension in a city?
How does the 'economy' of New Orleans depend on the success of the carnival?
Should we view 'carnivalesque' behavior as a form of temporary social inversion?
Is the 'secretive' nature of the old Krewes a sign of elitism or tradition?
How does 'intercultural mixing' (French, Spanish, African) create the Mardi Gras spirit?
Should we ban 'single-use' plastic beads due to the environmental impact?
How do 'Mardi Gras Indians' represent a fusion of different historical struggles?
Is the 'tourism' version of the festival destroying the authentic local experience?
How does 'satire' on the parade floats act as a form of political commentary?
Should we prioritize the 'religious roots' of the holiday over the secular party?
How does the 'brass band' tradition influence modern American music genres?
Is 'anonymity' (wearing a mask) essential for the freedom of the carnival?
How do 'safety and security' teams manage a city with open-container laws?
Should we encourage 'smaller, local' parades over the massive tourist events?
How does the 'King Cake' tradition connect different families in the community?
Is 'Mardi Gras' a celebration of 'excess' that is out of touch with modern values?
How do 'social clubs' (Krewes) provide a year-round benefit to the city?
Should we use the 'Carnival' season to raise money for social justice causes?
How does 'Cajun' Mardi Gras (the Courir) differ from the New Orleans city version?
Is 'tradition' more important than 'innovation' in the design of the floats?
How do 'zoning laws' and 'noise permits' clash with the spirit of the celebration?
Should we limit the influence of 'corporate sponsors' in the parades?
How does 'nostalgia' for old Mardi Gras affect the way the city is governed?
Is 'joy' a revolutionary act in a world that is often stressed and divided?
What will 'Mardi Gras' look like in a hundred years with new technology?