Questions
51 to 55 are based on the following passage. In spring, chickens start laying again, bringing a welcome source of protein at winters end. So it's no
surprise that cultures around the world celebrate spring by honoring the eg
Some traditions are simple, like the red eggs that get baked into Greek Easter breads. Others elevate the
egg into a fancy art, like the heavily jewel-covered"eggs"that were favored by the Russians starting in the 19th
century.
One ancient form of egg art comes to us from Ukraine. For centuries, Ukrainians have been drawing
complicated patterns on eggs. Contemporary artists have followed this tradition to create eggs that speak to the
anxieties of our age: Life is precious, and delicate. Eggs are, too
There s something about their delicate nature that appeals to me, says New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast.
Several years ago, she became interested in eggs and learned the traditional Ukrainian technique to draw her very
modern characters. " Tve broken eggs at every stage of the process-from the very beginning to the very, very
But theres an appeal in that vulnerability. "Theres part of this sickening horror of knowing you re walking
on the edge with this, that I kind o
Ing that it could all fall apart at any second"Chast s designs suc
as a worried man alone in a tiny rowboat, reflect that delicateness
Traditional Ukrainian decorated eggs also spoke to those fears. The elaborate patterns were believed to offer
protection against evil
There's an ancient legend that as long as these eggs are made, evil will not prevail in the world, "says Joan
Brander, a Canadian egg-painter who has been painting eggs for over 60 years, having learned the art from her
Ukrainian relatives
The tradition, dating back to 300 B. C, was later incorporated into the Christian church. The old symbols.
however, still endure A decorated egg with a bird on it, given to a young married couple, is a wish for children. A
decorated egg thrown into the field would be a wish for a good harvest
