【正确答案】NEWYEAR Every culture and every country in the world celebrates New Year,/ but not everyone does it the same way. / The countries in North America and Europe welcome New Year on January the first. / This practice began with the Romans./ In the Middle East, New Year is when spring begins./ People in China and Vietnam celebrate it on the first day of the Spring Festival,/ which is the first day of their calendar based on the moon./ The Hindus in India celebrate the first day of each season,/ so they have four New Years. In all these cultures, there is a practice of making noise./ People made noise in ancient times to drive away the evil spirits from their homes./ Today making noise is more of a custom than a religious ritual./ In the United States, many people stay up until midnight on New Year''s Eve to watch the clock pass from one year to the next. / Friends often gather together at a party on New Year''s Eve,/ and when the new year comes, all ring bells, blow whistles, sing songs, and kiss each other./