All countries around the world have their ways to celebrate the coming year. Here are some unusual new year traditions around the world that you must know.
 | In Canada, they have an unusual new year tradition known as the Polar Bear Swim. Peter Pantages started this event in 1920 in Vancouver when his friends jumped in the freezing waters of the English Bay. Now, it is held in many places. But why do they do that? Many participants say that it starts off their year right since the icy water clears their heads—a cleansing for the mind and soul. |
 | At midnight, people go to the streets and dance to drum beats to welcome the New Year. The London Eye stands in bright colors for the fireworks show at midnight. For hours before the clock strikes 12, people come together to watch shows. The London Eye is lit up each year for New Year’s celebrations. |
 | On New Year’s Eve in Venice, Italy, the most popular celebrations are setting off fireworks in the street and the fireworks displays are great ways to send off the old year and welcome the new one. As the clock strikes midnight, the boat parade（游行）begins. People often enjoy a glass of wine on the boat to celebrate the New Year. |
 | In Thailand, they have the January New Year’s celebration by exchanging gifts with friends and family members. Then they get together to enjoy a traditional New Year’s Eve rice cake. Thai people also celebrate Songkran, or the Thai New Year in April. The first day in Bangkok, people often have a big water fight because they believe that water washes away bad luck. So throwing water is a sign of well—wishing and respect. |
| A．In 1920. | B．In 1930. | C．In 1940. | D．In 1902. |
| A．In Vancouver, Canada. | B．In London, Britain. |
| C．In Bangkok, Thailand. | D．In Venice, Italy. |
| A．They watch shows in the street. |
| B．They have a big water fight. |
| C．They often exchange gifts with others. |
| D．They often enjoy a glass of wine on the boat. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】
| It’s many miles away, Why does Daddy stop on the road? Doesn’t Daddy know the way? Many cars stop there along the way. | Look at the girl on the grass, She is lovely in her dress, A beautiful hat on her head, This is the way she likes to wear. |
| First day of the holiday, Maybe I’ll sleep for a day, Look at the clouds far away, The rain must be on the way. | Brush teeth three times a day. I think this is the best way, White teeth and being healthy, You can have a cheerful day. |
1. Daddy stops the car on the road because _________.
| A．the car is broken | B．he feels uncomfortable |
| C．he doesn’t know the way | D．he is stuck in a traffic jam |
| A．wearing a T-shirt and a pair of jeans | B．wearing a T-shirt and a skirt |
| C．wearing a dress and a hat | D．wearing a skirt and a hat |
| A．Sleep for a day. | B．Go out to play. |
| C．Learn how to drive. | D．Stay at home and do homework. |
| A．Snowy. | B．Rainy. | C．Sunny. | D．Windy. |
| A．White teeth and being healthy | B．Brushing teeth three times a day |
| C．Riding bikes in the park | D．Buying new clothes and giving them away |
【推荐2】My brother and I don’t agree on many things, but we both agree that Mother’s Day is an important day. It is one of the only days when we choose to get up early in the morning and volunteer (自愿) to cook breakfast.
Together, we made tea for our mom. I got the hot water and my brother put the sugar and milk. I only knew how to make fried eggs, but that was enough for breakfast! I cut up some bananas and apples and my brother put them on a plate with eggs and bread. Breakfast is ready!
What we made wasn’t perfect. The tea was a little too sweet and the eggs were a little burned (烧焦的), but our mom ate all of it. We also made a card together. The glue (胶水) on it was still a little wet, because it was made at the last minute. However, our mom enjoyed the meal and the card we made. She was happy. And my brother and I were happy, too.
1. Why does the writer get-up early on Mother’s Day?
| A．To buy a card. | B．To go to school. | C．To cook breakfast. | D．To buy eggs. |
| A．Fried eggs. | B．Tea. | C．Bread. | D．Juice. |
| A．The writer and her brother never agree on everything. |
| B．They made a perfect breakfast. |
| C．Their mom enjoyed the meal and the card. |
| D．The writer wasn’t happy that day. |
| ________ | Lion dances are performed at festivals and major events across the country and in overseas Chinese communities. Normally, each lion costurne (服装) is worn by two people. They dance to gong (锣) and drums, and also perform martial arts. |
 | Ancient people respect dragons, so dragon dances are common in many Chinese festivals, where a line of performers hold poles (杆) to control a winding model dragon so that the dragon appears to dance actively. |
 | Children get red envelopes filled with “lucky money” from grandparents, aunts, uncles and other elders. Traditionally, kids are allowed to spend the money as they wish. |
 | Images of door gods are usually hung on homes’ entrances to protect against evil spirits and bless the family. |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
| A．Because many people like them. | B．Because they have a long tradition. |
| C．Because they are easy to learn. | D．Because ancient people respect dragons. |
| A．The big events of the Spring Festival. | B．The special meanings of the Spring Festival. |
| C．The traditional customs of the Spring Festival. | D．The interesting games of the Spring Festival. |
【推荐1】Modern inventions make our life easier and more interesting than before. Let's take a look at some inventions.
| A new kind of enzyme（酶） Scientists in Britain and the United States have found a new kind of enzyme that eats plastics. With its help, plastics can be turned into smaller parts and go away quickly. It can stop plastics from being burned everywhere. Scientists believe that it can solve the problem of plastic pollution in the future. |
| Social robot Can robots talk to us like humans? Jibo, a robot made in US, can talk with you. The robot has a big, round head and a big body with no eyes or mouth. It uses animated icons（动画图标）to show emotions（情绪）. It just seems like a real human. Right now, Jibo can only do some easy things, like taking photos and reading news to you. But it may learn to do new things in the future. |
| Spark Spark is a new drone（无人驾驶飞机）made by a Chinese company in Shenzhen. It can help people take photos and videos. Spark might be the smallest drone ever made. When folded, it is as small as a Coke can. The coolest part is that users can manage the small drone just by using hand gestures. For example, if you wave your hand from left to right, the drone will fly in the same way. When you want it to land you just put your hand out. The drone will come to you and land on your hand. |
1. According to the scientists, the new kind of enzyme can ________.
| A．solve the problem of air pollution | B．stop plastics from being thrown everywhere |
| C．help plastics to burn quickly | D．help plastics to turn into smaller parts |
| A．is a person with a big, round head | B．has big eyes and a big mouth |
| C．can do many difficult things | D．can take photos and read news to people |
| A．Spark is bigger than any other drones ever made. |
| B．Spark can be managed by hand gestures. |
| C．Spark can only fly towards the same direction. |
| D．Spark is created by scientists from a US company. |
| A．The enzyme is helpful in protecting the environment. |
| B．The social robot can only do something easy. |
| C．Spark can help people take photos and videos. |
| D．The social robot and Spark can both take photos and read news. |
| A．A science report. | B．A school introduction |
| C．A shopping poster. | D．A trip advertisement. |
【推荐2】
The colorful clothes we wear today are made by machines. But what did ancient people do if they wanted to wear something colorful? Tie-dye was a way to do this.
More than 1,000 years ago, the Bai ethnic group (白族) in Yunnan used tie-dye to dye (染色) their clothes. During the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, this skill became so popular that people gave tie-dyed clothes to the emperor as gifts.
To tie-dye, you need to first use thread (线), rope (绳子) or other tools to tie, sew (缝), or clip (夹) your cloth. The folded (折叠的) cloth is then put in dye (染料). The Bai people usually make blue dye from a plant. As the cloth is folded, some parts become dark blue, while other parts have a lighter color. Finally, when you unfold the cloth, you’ll see beautiful patterns.
In the 1960s, tie-dye became a fashion trend (潮流) in the US. People tie-dyed T-shirts and jeans in imaginative ways. Many children in the US still learn tie-dye in their art classes. A famous Italian designer Maria Grazia Chiuri surprised people with a series of tie-dye dresses. “Tie-dye is like an experimentation (实验),” Chiuri said. “Its creative process (过程) is unpredictable, right until the very end. It’s a surprise.” It seems that the tie-dye trend has never really gone away.
1. What does Tie-dye probably mean?| A．染色 | B．扎染 | C．刺绣 | D．印花 |
| A．More than 1000 years ago. | B．During the Tang dynasty. |
| C．During the Song dynasty. | D．B and C. |
①put the folded cloth in dye.
②use thread, rope or other tools to tie, sew, or clip your cloth.
③unfold the cloth.
| A．②①③ | B．③②① | C．①②③ | D．②③① |
| A．In the 1960s, tie-dye became a fashion trend in the UK. |
| B．Maria Grazia Chiuri is an American designer. |
| C．The tie-dye trend has never really gone away. |
| D．The process of tie-dye is predictable. |
【推荐3】In many parts of America, schools close when there is heavy snow. For many kids, a day’s off from school because of snow means outdoor fun. But at some American schools, even storms can’t get in the way of learning.
“I usually play in the snow,” Caitlyn Snavely said. But Caityn 12, now has less play time on snowy days. In her school, classes continue even if there is a storm. Caitlyn goes to school in Delphi, Indiana(印第安纳州). On snowy days, kids must do schoolwork at home on computers. This is called e-learning. Teachers are online too. They answer questions. Some use videos to teach. “As technology changes, there will be many different things we can do,” says Greg Briles. He is the principle.
Many schools in states such as Georgia, Iowa, and Ohio also have e-learning rules. One reason is to make sure students don’t fall behind in their studies. Another reason is to avoid having to make up for(弥补)lost school days. Make-up days make the school year longer. For many schools e-learning days count as school days.
An e-learning day is better than a snowy day, says Caitlyn. “I don’t like having to spend a summer day in school to make up for a snowy day’s off.”
1. What does Caitlyn do according to the passage?| A．A teacher | B．A principle | C．A student | D．A reporter |
| A．The principle | B．Outdoor fun |
| C．Technology | D．Doing schoolwork on computers at home |
| A．The storms get in the way of learning at all schools in America. |
| B．Many schools used to make up for lost school days. |
| C．Caitlyn Snavely used to play in the snowy on snowy days. |
| D．Schools close when it snows heavily in many parts of America. |
| A．She doesn’t like any snowy day. |
| B．She loves going to school every day. |
| C．She thinks an e-learning day is better than a snowy day’s off. |
| D．She doesn’t like to spend the long summer day at home. |
