1 . There are a few different stories behind the origin of the modern-day Christmas tree, although not all     1     (root) in fact. Evergreen trees were     2     (actual) used by people in winter festivals for thousands of years. During the winter solstice (冬至), evergreens signified the coming of spring. As Christianity spread throughout Europe, the trees began to be used as a symbol for Christmas. In mystery plays in Germany, they were often used as props (支柱),     3     (decorate) with apples to represent the Garden of Eden.

One legend credits 16th century Protestant reformer Martin Luther for     4     (bring) the Christmas tree into homes. Luther was supposedly walking through the forest on the night before Christmas when he looked up to see stars shine through the tree     5     (branch). He was so dazzled by the     6     (beauty) sight that he told his children it reminded him of Jesus and then put up     7     tree in his own home.

But it wasn’t until the mid-19th century           8     the Christmas tree as we now know it became custom. England’s Queen Victoria encouraged her husband to decorate a tree as he had back at home in     9     is now Germany. When a drawing of the royal family with their beautiful Christmas tree     10     (appear) in a London newspaper, the tradition also became popular throughout the UK and US.