We all love festivals. But since culture develops differently in many places, some festivals are, to us, very strange. Let’s take a look at some unique festivals around the world.
| Roswell UFO Festival (New Mexico, the US) The Roswell UFO Festival celebrates the anniversary(周年纪念日) of the “Roswell UFO incident (事件)”— a UFO was said to have crashed nearby. Every year in July, experts, authors, researchers and lecturers come to discuss the incident. The celebrations also include an alien parade (游行), an alien costurme contest, and an alien hot-air balloon ride. |
| Hemingway Days (Florida, the US) This festival has normal stuff like short-story readings and exhibits about the author. But the highlight (最精彩的部分) of the festival is definitely the Hemingway look-alike contest. Imagine walking into a bar and being greeted by 20 middle-aged men who all look alike: short and strong with thick white beards. The festival takes place in mid-July every year. |
| Cheese Rolling Festival (England) It’s recorded that the festival started about 200 years ago. When a round cheese is rolled, competitors run down the hill and try to catch it before it reaches the bottom. As the cheese can reach a speed of 112 kph, people seldom catch the cheese. The first to the bottom wins the cheese. But running down a very steep (陡峭的) hill behind a cheese can be dangerous. |
| A．an alien parade | B．an alien costurme contest |
| C．an alien hot-air balloon ride | D．an alien air crash |
| A．In the 14th century. | B．In the 15th century. |
| C．In the 18th century. | D．In the 19th century. |
| A．There was really a UFO in Roswell several years ago. |
| B．Hemingway was short and strong with thick white beards. |
| C．People run from the bottom to the hilltop in the third festival. |
| D．All the three festivals are celebrated in the US. |
| A．News. | B．Education. | C．Culture. | D．Science. |
相似题推荐
Why is it called Mars（火星）? Well, Mars is the name of the Roman god of war（罗马战神）. People see the planet（星球）as a symbol of war for thousands of years. It is also known as the Red Planet because of its color. It is red because it’s rich in iron（铁）. Chinese people called it the “fire star” for the same reason.
Scientists was interested in the planet. They first saw Mars in the sky more than 4, 000 years ago. Then, people from all over the world studied the planet. About 200 years ago, scientists started to study pieces of Mars. They broke away and drifted（漂流）through space for millions of years before they got to Earth.
Scientists have learned some things about Mars. For example, Mars is home to a 21-kilometer-tall mountain—the tallest in our solar system（太阳系）. However, Qomolangma, Earth’s highest mountain, is just 9 kilometers tall. Like Earth, Mars has moons. It has two moons named Phobos and Deimos. The Red Planet also has the largest dust storms（沙尘暴）in the solar system. And they can last for months.
Earth is 10 times heavier than Mars. So The Red Planet’s gravity（重力）is only 37 percent as strong as Earth’s, meaning you can jump nearly two times higher on Mars. For the same reason, you are two times heavier on Earth than on Mars.
1. Why does Mars get the name “fire star”?| A．Because it is red. | B．Because it is rich in iron. | C．Because it is the symbol of war. |
| A．Millions of years ago. | B．Over 4, 000 years ago. | C．More than 200 years ago. |
| A．Scientists. | B．Pieces of Mars. | C．Stars. |
| A．the color | B．the weather | C．the size |
| A．Mars has stronger gravity than Earth. |
| B．People are heavier on Mars than on Earth. |
| C．People can jump higher on Mars than on Earth. |
【推荐2】A recent study shows the color of the ocean has changed a lot over the last 20 years. Scientists say one of the reasons is human activities.
Some scientists from England and America say more than 56% of the world’s oceans have changed color. They say the parts that are close to the equator (赤道) have become greener in the past 20 years. It cannot be explained by natural variability (可变性).
The color of the ocean comes from the materials which are close to the surface of the ocean. The materials are the food of some small living things, such as fish, sea birds and other small animals.
The scientists are not clear about how exactly the color of the ocean is changing. But it may break the balance of ocean ecosystems. That’s to say, it may influence the balance of the food chain. The situation will only get worse over time if the ocean becomes warmer.
But one thing is clear that the changes are being driven by human-caused climate change. So we should try our best to protect the ocean and the world.
1. What causes the color of the ocean to change according to the text?| A．Human activities. | B．Some sea birds. |
| C．Ocean living things. | D．The food chain. |
| A．The recent study. |
| B．The change of the ocean color. |
| C．The balance of ocean ecosystems. |
| D．The natural variability of the oceans. |
| A．Culture. | B．History. | C．Nature. | D．Sports. |
【推荐3】Confidence is very important in daily life. It is helpful to develop a healthy attitude (态度). A study shows that people who are more confident are much happier. They can have more chance to make themselves successful. But how to be more confident? Here are some suggestions: Speak loudly! When you are not confident, you can’t do well what you want to do. You speak in a voice so low that other people can hardly hear you. Try to speak loud enough so that people can hear you clearly. The high voice can help you become more confident.
Play sports! A strong body is a strong mind. Physical exercise makes you tired but completely relaxed. A strong body helps you be full of confidence.
Encourage yourself! Write down a list of things you did during the day to see how many things you have done well. Did you finish your homework? Did you tell a joke that made everybody laugh? Give yourself praise for the good things you’ve done.
Pick up a hobby! If you like singing, sing as much as you can. In some ways, a hobby can make you outstanding (杰出的). And it will make you happy and confident.
1. What does “It” mean in the first paragraph?| A．Attitude. | B．Confidence. | C．Happiness. | D．Success. |
| A．A hobby | B．Sports | C．Encouragement | D．Voice |
| A．Speak loudly! | B．Encourage yourself! |
| C．Keep a hobby! | D．Make progress! |
| A．Travel. | B．Exercise. | C．Hobbies. | D．Suggestions. |
| A．The Importance of Confidence | B．Some Suggestions to Play Sports |
| C．How to Be More Confident | D．More Chances to Be Successful |
【推荐1】In Britain, Boxing Day is usually celebrated on December 26th, which is the following day after Christmas Day. However, strictly speaking, Boxing Day is the first weekday after Christmas. Like Christmas Day, Boxing Day is a public holiday. This means it’s a non-working day in the whole of Britain. When Boxing Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is the public holiday.
The exact origin (起源) of the holiday is unclear. One of the thoughts is that during the Middle Ages, when great sailing ships were setting off to discover new land, a Christmas Box was placed by a priest (神父) on each ship. Those sailors who wanted to ensure a safe return would drop money into the box. It was sealed up and kept on board until the ship came home safely. Then the box was handed over to the priest in the exchange for the saying of a mass of thanks for the success of the sailing. The priest wouldn’t open it to share the contents with the poor until Christmas.
One more thought is about the “Alms Box” placed in every church on Christmas Day. Worshippers (做礼拜的人) put gifts for the poor into it. These boxes were always opened the day after Christmas, and that is why that day became known as Boxing Day.
Today, many businesses, organizations and families try to keep the traditional spirit of Boxing Day alive by donating (捐赠) their time services and money to aid Food Banks, providing gifts for the poor, or helping families in need. Besides, spending time with family and shopping are popular Boxing Day activities now.
1. If Christmas Day is on a Saturday, Boxing Day will be celebrated on ________.| A．December 25th | B．December 26th | C．December 27th | D．December 28th |
| A．One. | B．Two. | C．Three. | D．Four. |
| A．归还 | B．悬挂 | C．密封 | D．传递 |
| A．offering gifts to the poor | B．supporting families in need |
| C．spending time with family and shopping | D．giving money to aid Food Banks |
| A．To tell what a priest did in the Middle Ages. |
| B．To compare Boxing Day with Christmas Day. |
| C．To call on people to spend more time with their family. |
| D．To introduce the origins of Boxing Day. |
【推荐2】Father’s Day has a very short history. It was started because there was a Mother’s Day, and just because some Americans thought that if we had a Mother’s Day, we should also have a Father’s Day. Father’s Day has become important in North America. And shopkeepers (店主) found it was a good way to get people to buy presents for their fathers from their shops.
By the way, very few countries have a Father’s Day, though some have Children’s Day, or a special day for boys and another for girls. More and more countries are having Mother’s Day, so maybe Father’s Day will also become popular. Now, what do people in North America do on Father’s Day? The newspapers, radios, and TV tell children what they should do-buy a Father’s Day present for your father. They even tell a wife to buy a Father’s Day present-not for her father but for her husband, even if he is not a father yet. And they tell grandchildren to buy a Father’s Day present for their grandfathers.
The most important thing to remember about Father’s Day is that American children can show their love to their fathers in a more open way.
1. Father’s Day was started just because ________.| A．there was a Mother’s Day |
| B．there was a Children’s Day |
| C．people liked their fathers very much |
| A．Very few countries have a Father’s Day. |
| B．Americans never care about Father’s Day. |
| C．Father’s Day has become important in North America. |
| A．go shopping with their fathers |
| B．help their fathers do something |
| C．show their love to their fathers |
| A．people to buy as many as presents |
| B．children to buy presents only for their fathers |
| C．women to buy presents only for their husbands |
| A．the writer is against Father’s Day |
| B．many countries have a Father’s Day |
| C．shopkeepers can get more money on Father’s Day than usual |
【推荐3】This song is very popular among English children. Parents use it to teach their young children the days of the week. The song is used to tell a child’s future when he or she was born(出生).
Monday's child has a beautiful face.
Tuesday's child is full of grace.
Wednesday's child fears no foe(敌人).
Thursday's child has a long way to go.
Friday's child is happy and loving.
Saturday's child works hard to make a living.
But the child born on Sunday is
Beautiful, happy and good in every day.
1. Parents use the song to teach their children to ________·| A．speak | B．make friends |
| C．make their own luck | D．learn the days of the week |
| A．hard-working | B．happy | C．beautiful | D．strong |
| A．Friday | B．Wednesday | C．Monday | D．Tuesday |
