17-6

1. 17-6 Underline the relative clause, Italicize the relative pronoun and the word described in red This holiday, which last five days, involves special foods, candles, prayers ,and presents. The roots of this celebration are in Hinduism, which is one of the oldest religions in the world. Among the special sweets baked for this holiday are cakesthat contain saffron, almonds, butter, and milk. Offerings are made to Krishna, who is one of the three main gods of Hinduism.

2. In the evenings, families light candlesthat stand for the banishing of ignorance and darkness. On the first day of the celebration, peoplewho want good fortune during the coming year decorate their houses with rice flour and red footprints. The second day celebrates a legend about Krishna, who is said to have rescued sixteen thousand daughters of gods and saints from a demon king. The third and most important day of feasts, gifts, pilgrimages to temples, and visits to friendswhom the family wishes to see.

3. The fourth day, which is associated with legends about mountains, is considered a good day to start a new project. On the last day, families, who meet to exchange gifts, express their love for one another.

4. 17-7 In the 19th century, American whalers, who had very dangerous jobs, sailed around the world to hunt whales. Whale oil, which burns very brightly, provided light in many American homes. Today, US law protects several whale species that are considered to be in danger of extinction. Most Americans, who no longer need whale oil for lighting, approve of the US ban on whaling.

5. Whale hunting is the focus of disagreement between the United States and Japan, which have different ideas about whaling. In 2000, Japanese whalers, who had been killing some whales every year for research, doubled the number of whales they killed. Some of the whales killed in the Japanese hunt, which include minke whales, Bryde’s whales, and sperm whales, are considered by the US government to be endangered. Whale meat is a special treat to some Japanese, who consider eating whale to be a part of their culture.

6. The US government argues that the Japanese whale hunt it not for research, but for businesses that want whale meat to sell to restaurants. 10. Many Japanese, who may or may not think the whale hunt is a good idea, do not want the United States to tell them what to do.