Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C and D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 1 to 6.

Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival, Hanami, is a traditional celebration _(1)_ during spring. It involves the viewing of cherry blossoms, known as sakura, which bloom at different times across Japan. The festival typically starts in late March and continues _(2)_ approximately 2 weeks. Celebrations include outdoor parties, picnics, and events in public parks, rivers, and other locations where cherry trees are _(3)_. The festival dates back to the Nara period (710- 794 A.D.), indicating its _(4)_ in Japan. The cherry blossoms symbolize the arrival of spring and the transient beauty of nature. The short blooming period of the sakura is a reminder of life’s fleeting _(5)_. This festival is not just about viewing flowers, but it’s a time for people _(6)_ together and appreciate the simple, yet transient beauty of life.

Question 1.