Festivals are celebrated all around the world. They have a wide range of origins, such as the seasons of the year, religions, famous figures, and important events. Every festival has its different customs and unique charms. However, no matter how different they may seem, all over the world, the spirit of sharing joy, gratitude, love, or peace is common in all festivals.
no matter how + adj./adv. + 主谓 引导让步状语从句，意为"无论多么……"，相当于 however。
例：No matter how difficult it is, we must finish it. = However difficult it is, we must finish it.
注意：no matter how 不能引导名词性从句，而 however 可以。
Of all the traditional festivals, the harvest festival can be found in almost every culture. This important agricultural festival takes place after all the crops have been gathered in. People celebrate to show that they are grateful for the year's supply of food. In ancient Egypt, the harvest festival was celebrated during the springtime—the Egyptian harvest season. It featured a parade and a great feast with music, dancing, and sports. Today, in some European countries, people decorate churches and town halls with flowers and fruit, and get together to celebrate over a meal. During the Mid-Autumn Festival in China, families gather to admire the shining moon and enjoy delicious mooncakes.
Customs play a significant role in festivals, but sometimes they can change over time. With the development of modern society and the spread of new ideas, some traditions may fade away and others may be established. One example is the typical Chinese Spring Festival custom of lighting firecrackers to drive away the evil spirits and celebrate the new year. Nowadays, many big cities have given up this custom in order to avoid air pollution. Another example is Halloween, which slowly became an exciting festival for children, in spite of its religious origins.
in order to do sth 引导目的状语，意为"为了……"，可放句首或句中，比 to do 更正式。
否定形式：in order not to do 为了不……
例：He got up early in order to catch the first bus. 他早起为了赶上首班车。
in spite of + n. 让步
in spite of 意为"尽管；不顾"，后接名词、代词或动名词，相当于 despite。
例：In spite of the rain, they went out. = Despite the rain, they went out.
注意：不能说 in spite of that，应改用 although/though 引导从句。
Festivals are becoming more and more commercial, with businesses taking advantage of the celebrations. Online shopping websites and social media apps have made it much easier for the public to spend more on gifts for their loved ones. Although some believe festivals should not be commercialised, others believe the increase in spending is good for the economy and public happiness.
例：He sat there with his eyes looking at the sky. 他坐在那里，眼睛望着天空。
其他形式：with + n. + done（被动/完成）、with + n. + to do（将来）、with + n. + adj./adv./prep.
Festivals are an important part of society. They reflect people's wishes, beliefs, faiths, and attitudes towards life. They are occasions that allow us to relax and enjoy life, and forget about our work for a little while. They help us understand where we came from, who we are, and what to appreciate. And if you study festivals carefully, you may be surprised to find that different cultures actually have a lot in common after all.
三个宾语从句并列：where we came from, who we are, and what to appreciate，由特殊疑问词引导。
注意语序：宾语从句用陈述语序，不能说 where did we come from，而说 where we came from。
第三个用 what to do 简化（疑问词+不定式），与从句等价。
要点摘要
节日的由来多样，但分享快乐、感恩的精神是共通的
丰收节是最普遍的传统节日，各国庆祝方式不同
节日风俗随时代变迁而变化，有些传统逐渐消失
节日日趋商业化，引发争议
节日反映人类的愿望与信仰，不同文化有诸多共同之处
Reading for Writing
MY AMAZING NAADAM EXPERIENCE
我的那达慕大会奇妙经历
I experienced the Naadam Festival in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region for the first time this year. The festival falls on the fourth day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar, usually lasting for three days. Naadam means "games" in Mongolian, and it is represented by three events: horse racing, wrestling, and archery, which are all so exciting to watch!
usually lasting for three days 中 lasting 为现在分词作伴随/补充说明状语，逻辑主语是 the festival。
例：He walked into the room, carrying a bag. 他提着包走进房间。
On the first day, I set off to the games early with my friend Burin. I saw a lot of people wearing fancy Mongolian robes. Some were feeding their horses, some were practising archery, and others were chatting or taking photographs. Burin told me that Mongolians travel every year from near and far to attend the festival, just as their ancestors had done for centuries.
just as their ancestors had done for centuries 中 had done 为过去完成时，表示在过去某个动作（attend）之前已经发生的动作。
过去完成时的标志：by the time / before / after / just as + 过去时。
After the opening ceremony and some amazing performances, the wrestling competition began. Mongolian wrestling is different from the wrestling in the Olympic Games. There are no rounds, and wrestlers are not separated by weight. The wrestler loses if any part of his body above his knee touches the ground. After singing some songs, the competitors danced onto the green field, waving their arms in the air as if they were eagles. I was quite moved by their show of strength and grace.
例：He talks as if he were an expert. 他说话的语气好像他是专家似的。（实际不是）
与过去事实相反：as if + had done
现在分词作伴随状语
waving their arms in the air 为现在分词短语作伴随状语，表示与 danced 同时发生的动作。
例：She sat by the window, watching the sunset. 她坐在窗旁，看着日落。
I absolutely enjoyed the archery, too, but the horse races were my favourite part. However, I was surprised to see that the riders were boys and girls! I heard it is because children are lighter and the horses can run faster and farther. At first, I was a little worried about the children's safety, but Burin said, "Don't worry. They've been riding horses all their lives. They'll be just fine." That was the moment I started to understand why people say "Horses are at the heart of Mongolian culture".
the moment (that) 可直接引导时间状语从句，意为"一……就……"，相当于 as soon as。
类似用法的名词短语：the instant, the minute, the second
例：The moment I saw her, I knew something was wrong. 我一见到她，就知道出事了。
现在完成进行时
They've been riding horses all their lives. 现在完成进行时（have been doing）表示从过去一直持续到现在的动作。
例：I have been waiting for two hours. 我一直等了两个小时。
与现在完成时的区别：进行时强调动作的持续性，完成时强调结果。
I'm finally back home now, feeling really tired, but celebrating Naadam with my friend was totally worth it. He invited me back for the winter to stay in a traditional Mongolian tent and eat hot pot. I can't wait!