What is the video all about? Choose two statements that refer to the main ideas of the video.

1. In India and Nepal, the baby's head is shaved on their second birthday to symbolize a cleansing and renewal of the soul.

2. The Egyptians are believed to have been the instigators of birthday celebrations around 3000 B.C.

3. In Japan, there is a traditional rite of passage called 'Shichi-Go-San' for children who become 3, 5, or 7 years old within that calendar year.

4. Birthdays in Japan are celebrated with lots of excitement, big parties, and many activities.

Age… it’s just a number, isn’t it? Every year that we take a trip around the sun counts for something and reaching age-specific (1) can be an exciting time for most people. While celebrating another (2) year of life is seen as standard in most countries, birthday traditions and cultures vary slightly. The (3) of a baby is one of the most celebrated moments in time. Love them or hate them, celebrate them, or (4) them, birthdays are here to stay! It is said that Egyptians were the instigators of birthdays in around 3000 B.C. When they were crowned, it was believed they were (5) and 'birthed' into gods and this was a moment was even more important than their actual, physical birth. And so, 'birthdays' became a (6) thing. Cakes, candles, (7) , gifts, parties, cards…these are the general prompts that spring to mind when we think of birthdays.

Let's take a look at some birthday customs from all over the world. Though they are completely oblivious to themselves, a baby's first birthday is (1) and' cake smash' photoshoots are the new trend. Sit the baby in front of a (2) cake and let them at it whilst the photographer snaps away; through smiles, tears, splatters and general mayhem, these photos are a fun way to store (3) . In a much more spiritual approach, in India and (4) , on their first birthday, the baby's head is shaved. Removal of the hair symbolizes a cleansing and a renewal of the (5) . In Japan, though birthdays are not massively hyped, there is a traditional rite of (6) for children who become 3, 5 or 7 years old within that calendar year, 'Shichi-Go-Son'. They dress in classical Japanese kimono/yukata and pray at nearby (7) or shrines as way of entering middle childhood. Odd numbers are considered lucky, hence 3, 5, and 7 being important. Reaching their teens is also a big (8) in most countries, often more so for the parents as they realize their children are no longer babies and are edging closer to adulthood.