If you're from the northern hemisphere (北半球), you'll find Christmas to be rather different in New Zealand.
New Zealanders continue the British tradition of having a family dinner during the middle of the day on Christmas Day.It usually begins on Christmas morning by exchanging presents which will be left under the Christmas tree in the home.
It may seem a bit strange to hear songs, such as White Christmas or Deck the Halls, in the middle of summer！Nevertheless, Christmas carols (颂歌) are popular.
New Zealand is an extremely(极端地) diverse(多样的) society.People from many cultures do not recognize Christmas in the same way as the early European settlers.
| A．They all stop on Christmas Day. |
| B．The most obvious difference is the weather. |
| C．Most New Zealanders do not go to church regularly. |
| D．However, Christmas is a special time for all New Zealanders. |
| E．Many towns and cities in New Zealand hold Christmas celebrations. |
| F．The Christmas meal itself is increasingly becoming a relaxing affair. |
| G．People will hear them played or sung in shopping malls during the holiday season. |
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【推荐1】On Saturday, millions of people around the world will celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, which honors Patron Saint (or main religious figure) of Ireland. Communities across the United States will host parades (游行), parties, and other festivities to mark the occasion.
This year, cities like Boston, New York, and Chicago have organized massive (大规模的) events celebrating Saint Patrick's Day. In New York City, hundreds of thousands of people will gather to watch the Saint Patrick’s Day parade — the nation’s largest. It is one of the most watched parades in the world. Last year, almost 2 million spectators(观众) and more than 150,000 participants (参与者) filled the streets. The parade, first held in 1776, is also one of the oldest.
Chicago also throws a big celebration. Every year, the Chicago River, which crosses the city, glows (反光) green as event organizers dump about 40 pounds of fluorescence (荧光粉), a powerful dye (染料), into the water.
Boston keeps its parade rolling for three hours or more. It is the nation’s second-largest parade. The city will also salute (致敬) one of its most famous former residents (居民), President John F. Kennedy, by opening the exhibit “A Journey Home: John F. Kennedy and Ireland,” at his official library.
Patron Saint lived in Britain in the early fifth century, when it was still part of the Roman Empire (帝国). He was captured and sold into slavery (奴隶制) in Ireland when he was only 16. He eventually escaped slavery and turned to a life of religious devotion. He trained to become a minister (主教) and set out to spread Christianity throughout Ireland. After 30 years as a religious leader, Patrick died on March 17, 1461. Saint Patrick’s Day is always celebrated on March 17. In Ireland, it is an official holiday.
1. What’s the best title of the passage?| A．History of Saint Patrick’s Day | B．An Official Holiday in US |
| C．The Largest Parade in the World | D．Celebrations across the Country |
| A．Green. | B．Red. |
| C．Black. | D．Yellow. |
| A．the cruel slave trade. | B．Roman Empire’s contribution. |
| C．activities during Saint Patrick’s Day | D．Ireland’s Patron Saint |
| A．Parade is a most important event to observe Saint Patrick’s Day. |
| B．Saint Patrick’s Day is a religious holiday. |
| C．Saluting the former president has become a main event on the occasion. |
| D．The Saint Patrick’s Day parade has a history of over two centuries. |
【推荐2】World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated on April 23. If you love to read, this April holiday may be perfect for you.
By Attending Special Events
Local bookstores may hold events on this date, including literacy activities for children and reading. The holiday is a great opportunity to introduce the significance of books and reading to your child.
By Visiting The Local Library
One celebrated aspect of World Book and Copyright Day is the role that libraries play in making books accessible and enjoyable for so many people around the world. Pay a visit to your local library on April 23, even if it isn’t hosting a special event.
By Reading
Perhaps the easiest way to celebrate World Book and Copyright Day is to read a book.
| A．Lend books to your friends |
| B．Here are three ways to celebrate the day |
| C．Reading is very important in human history |
| D．Check out a new book from your local library |
| E．It’s also a chance to start a new tradition within your family |
| F．Read books on plants, and you will be knowledgeable about them |
| G．Spending the day on books, you can create your own special event |
【推荐3】More than 100 people who met old friends, danced to pop music, ate hot dogs and celebrated Amityville pride Saturday came together. Terry Edwards, president of The North Amityville Old School Association-which hosted the gathering in Belmont Lake State Park-said he had grown up in Amityville with fellow association members David Joyner, John Fields and the late Columbus Poole in the 1960s. For fun, they and other neighborhood youths often played basketball together at Bolden Mack Park on Great Neck Road.
After they graduated in the 1970s, it became more difficult for everyone to stay in touch. They often reunited again only for funerals of loved ones. When Poole-who was fondly remembered as a “really nice guy”-died in 2002, Joyner and other friends began talking about gathering during happier occasions.
The most recent happy occasion was Saturday, the 16th annual Amityville Old School Reunion in West Babylon. While their first reunion at Bellmore in 2004 drew 10 to 15 people, organizers kept hosting the event, watching attendance grow steadily each year. In recent years, more than 1,200 people have attended. “Every year, there’s a new story from people you haven’t seen in 20 years, 30 years. They have a story to tell, “Joyner said, remembering reconnecting with a good friend at one reunion years ago and staying in contact ever since.
Madeline Quintyne-McConney, 66, an Amityville resident and the commissioner of Babylon’s Department of Human Services, said the gathering was not only a way for people to meet and reconnect with old friends, but also a way to celebrate Amityville’s “rich history” positively. Marilyn Fritz, 70, of Copiague, said her favorite moment was meeting one friend at a previous reunion whom she had not seen in 10 years. Fritz remembered crying tears of joy when the two reconnected. “We can remember the people we lost, but it’s also a celebration of life,” Fritz said.
1. What did Terry Edwards and his friends do in the 1960s?| A．They often danced to music. |
| B．They met old friends together. |
| C．They always gathered on Saturday. |
| D．They often played basketball at a park. |
| A．When their loved ones passed away. |
| B．When something happy occurred. |
| C．When they wanted to meet each other. |
| D．When they wanted to play basketball. |
| A．Nobody participated in the reunion. |
| B．More than 1,200 people were present. |
| C．Less than twenty people attended. |
| D．Joyner reconnected with his best friend. |
| A．Most people attending Reunion are very old. |
| B．The Reunion are well accepted. |
| C．The friendship between old friends is valuable. |
| D．The gathering can make people cry. |
【推荐1】The White Nights Festival is an international art and music festival in Russia. It is celebrated during the season of the midnight sun when the Northern Lights shine at dusk and dawn. The festival usually takes place between May and July in Saint Petersburg.
The White Nights Festival was first celebrated in 1992. In 2011, it received worldly recognition as a cultural event. It can help strengthen the cultural communication between Russia and the whole world. It was also created to improve the image of Russia and promote it as a world center for the arts.
The White Nights Festival normally begins with a performance of the Stars of the White Nights. This performance is a must-see event that takes place at the Marinsky Theatre. It is an excellent production that combines historical artistic works and modern pieces. In addition, there are musical performances in the form of ballets, classical music and operas. Other events occur outside of the Stars of the White Nights, among which the most famous one is the over-night opening of some of Saint Petersburg’s most important museums and art galleries. Entry is free and visitors can admire collections of art and other exhibits after midnight.
The climax of the White Nights Festival is the “Scarlet Saints” celebration. Scarlet Saints involves an impressive display of fireworks and a pirates’ fight on Neva. The Scarlet Saints show is a celebration for students graduating from high school and is held on the weekend closest to the summer solstice (夏至). It has become popular with people from all walks of life thanks to the huge fireworks display, open air concerts and the multi-level water and light show. On the Neva River, a boat with red sails crosses the water, wishing graduates a smooth journey into adulthood where they can realize their ambitions.
This year the artistic director of the White Nights Festival is Valery Gergiev. He ensures that the White Nights Festival is an inclusive event that both children and adults can attend. Children look forward to the celebration of the end of the school year at the festival which is highlighted by the fireworks display. The events will be tailored towards the satisfaction of all attendees no matter their age or gender.
1. What is the main purpose of the White Nights Festival?| A．To make Russia a famous tourist attraction. |
| B．To promote cultural exchanges internationally. |
| C．To attract the interest from worldwide musicians. |
| D．To change people’s impression of Saint Petersburg. |
| A．It allows people to visit museums for free. |
| B．It contains different types of musical performances. |
| C．It mainly reflects the modernity of Russian art. |
| D．It provides music lovers with many professional courses. |
| A．It draws public attention to river protection. |
| B．It helps prove the acting talent of some graduates. |
| C．It offers service jobs to people from all walks of life. |
| D．It expresses people’s wishes for the younger generation’s growth. |
| A．Local children can receive higher education. |
| B．His works can be praised by international artists. |
| C．All the attendees will be satisfied with the festival. |
| D．The festival will include more colorful outdoor activities. |
【推荐2】Vietnam made preparations for the Lunar New Year with a fish release on Thursday. The tradition involves releasing fish called carps into rivers and lakes in the country a week before the holiday known as Tet officially begins.
The tradition comes from an ancient story of three “Kitchen Gods”. The three, two males and a female, take a ride on the brightly colored carp at the end of the year. They go to Heaven to meet with the Jade Emperor, the God who rules there. The “Kitchen Gods” report news about the families they represent to seek the emperor's care and protection. Their efforts help to keep the kitchen fires burning, and families happy and healthy.
As the Gods go to Heaven, families clean their houses in preparation to celebrate Tet. A clean house, Vietnamese believe, will bring luck in the new year. On Lunar New Year's Eve, the Gods will return to Earth and their duties in the kitchen of the house.
Thursday's event in Vietnam this year was more controlled than ever before because of COVID-19. It is spreading in several northern areas of the country. However, Vietnam has increased contact examination, mass testing, and quarantine measures to slow the spread. The aggressive action has limited infections and deaths in the country.
“Vietnamese will still follow the tradition of releasing the fish, but COVID-19 has made people keep a safe distance,” said Tran Van Toi as he released a carp from a plastic bag at Hanoi's West Lake.
This year, due to COVID-19, there were fewer people releasing fish there, but there was a major change in attitude towards plastic bags. After years of persuasion, now they don't throw the plastic bags into the water anymore but collect them to be recycled.
1. What does paragraph 2 mainly talk about?| A．Kitchen fires in Vietnam. | B．Traditional customs of Vietnam. |
| C．A report on family activities in Vietnam. | D．A tale about Vietnamese Lunar New Year. |
| A．Critical. | B．Positive. | C．Doubtful. | D．Unconcerned. |
| A．It required few lake fish. | B．It was more interesting and diverse. |
| C．It was more environmentally friendly. | D．It required more people and plastic bags. |
| A．Vietnamese Respect Gods During the Festive Time |
| B．Vietnamese Mark Lunar New Year with Fish Release |
| C．Vietnamese Lunar New Year Celebrations Are Funny |
| D．Traditional Lunar New Year Promotes Animal Protection |
【推荐3】LONDON (Reuters) — Quiet place — Britain’s Queen Elizabeth is preparing to have her swans counted.
Buckingham Palace has announced that the annual Swan Upping, a tradition dating back to the 12th century which involves a census (审查) of the swan population on the River Thames, will be conducted by the Queen’s official Swan Marker from July 20 to 24.
“With the assistance of the Queen’s Swan Warden, Professor Christopher Perrins of the University of Oxford, the swans and young cygnets (小天鹅) are also assessed for any signs of injury or disease,” Buckingham Palace said in announcing the count.
The process involves the Swan Marker, David Barber, rowing up the Thames for five days with the Swan Warden in traditional skiffs while wearing special scarlet uniforms and counting, weighing and measuring swans and cygnets.
It may seem odd, but it is very important to the Queen. According to custom, Britain’s sovereign owns all unmarked, mute swans in open water, but the Queen now exercises the right only on stretches of the Thames and its nearby tributaries.
In medieval times, the Swan Marker would not only travel up the river counting the swans, but would catch as many as possible as they were sought after for banquets and feasts.
This year, the Swan Marker and the Swan Warden are particularly keen to discover how much damage is being caused to swans and cygnets by attacks from dogs and from discarded fishing tackle (渔具).
It is also an important year because Queen Elizabeth has decided to join her team of Swan Uppers for part of the census. She will follow them up the river and visit a local school project on the whole subject of swans, cygnets and the Thames.
“Education and conservation are essential to the role of Swan Upping and the involvement of school children is always a rewarding experience,” Buckingham Palace said.
1. In medieval times, ________.| A．swans were better protected than now |
| B．a lot of swans were killed by dogs |
| C．swans were a delicious dish on royal banquets |
| D．common people could catch the swans |
| A．remains almost unchanged in the past years |
| B．involves a lot of royal members |
| C．sometimes lasts longer than before |
| D．is always guarded by special soldiers |
| A．Britain’s Queen is concerned about swans. |
| B．Britain’s Queen orders a count of swan. |
| C．An old tradition in Buckingham Palace. |
| D．Queen Elizabeth will count swans herself. |
| A．districts | B．banks | C．trees | D．branches |
