Question

although these holidays derive from vastly different cultures, they express a common sentiment: humankinds enduring gratitude for natures magnanimity. like most harvest celebrations, they originated at a time when agrarian societies across the globe lived from harvest to harvest. the yield of their crops often meant the difference between life and death. small wonder that many of these early societies ritualized their hope for ample harvests and their exultation at reaping them before the onset of winter.
inti raymi, or festival of the sun, originated in the 15th century in the inca capital city of cusco, located in modern - day peru. while the day is celebrated in bolivia, chile, and other south american countries, the festival in cusco is the main event, drawing visitors from around the world. the festivals date, june 24, had profound significance to the inca people. its the winter solstice, the day when south america is farthest from the sun. (at around the same time, its the summer solstice in north america.) thereafter, the days would get longer, and the next growing season would soon commence. as a testament to its importance, the 24th was also the inca new year.
inti raymi in cusco traditionally begins with an early - morning ceremony at coricancha, the ancient inca temple of the sun. what ensues is a day of feasts, music and dance, reenactments of inca rituals, theatricals, and processions. the importance of inti raymi to descendants of the inca is evident in its remarkable endurance. in 1572, the festival was prohibited by spanish colonizers, who wanted to convert the inca to catholicism, and there was no public inti raymi celebration again until 1944. it has since become the second - largest festival in south america, after carnival in rio de janeiro, brazil.
question 4
according to the article, why is inti raymi celebrated on june 24th?
a. it marks the largest autumnal full moon.
b. it marks the beginning of lengthening days.
c. it marks the start of the eighth lunar month.
d. it marks the end of the summer season.

Explanation:

The article states that the festival's date is June 24, which is the winter solstice in South America. The winter solstice marks the start of lengthening days.

Answer:

B. It marks the beginning of lengthening days.