1 . Festivals are a great way to experience a destination in a different way. Whether you are looking for a unique cultural difference or the experience of sheer joy, there is something here for everyone in this article.

St. Patrick's Day

Dublin, Ireland & New York, the USA, March 17th

It has been a cultural and religious celebration held in memory of the death date of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland, since 1762. On that day, the whole city turns green and many Irish make traditional bread. It is also one of the most fun days of the year, when the whole city turns into a big green party.

South by Southwest (SXSW)

Austin, the USA, March

Founded in 1987, SXSW has been praised by music fans and the media worldwide as one of the top 10 music festivals in the world. It is not only a music feast but also dedicated to the integration of technology and films. You can also enjoy free food, drinks and music. Sounds good?

King's Day

Amsterdam, Netherlands, April 27th

King's Day may well be the best party in Holland and Amsterdam turns a very bright color of orange on April 27th. People celebrate King Willem Alexander's birthday with music, street parties, flea markets, and fun fairs. The king himself travels through the country with his family.

Just for Laughs

Montreal, Canada, July 14th—30th

For comedy lovers there is no other festival in the word better than Montreal's Just for Laughs. The festival concentrates most of its shows in the Latin Quarter. During the day street performers delight the crowds and at night the city comes alive with comedy all over the city.

1. Which of the four festivals mainly involves music and films?

A．St. Patrick's Day.	B．South by Southwest.
C．King's Day.	D．Just for Laughs.

2. What do St. Patrick's Day and King's Day have in common?

A．They are both religious festivals.

B．They are celebrated in the same month.

C．They are in honour of the birthday of a great person.

D．They both feature a color.

3. What can we learn about Just for Laughs?

A．It lasts for a month.	B．It provides free food for all.
C．It's the best comedy feast.	D．It is concerned about the royal family.

2 . 阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题纸上将该选项标号涂黑。

I was a single parent of four small children, working at a low-paid job. But I didn’t want my children to know we were poor, so when Christmas was drawing near, I decided to give them some money to buy some_______.

They planned weeks ahead of time, asking_______what they wanted for Christmas. Luckily, I had saved＄120 for_______to share by all five of us. The big_______arrived. I gave each kid a twenty-dollar bill and_______them to look for gifts of about four dollars each. Then everyone scattered (散开). We had two hours to shop, then we would_______back at the “Santa’s Workshop”.

Driving home, everyone was in high Christmas spirits,_______my younger daughter, Ginger, who was unusually_______. She had only one small, flat bag with a few candies, fifty-cent candies! I was so angry, but I didn^’t say anything_______we got home. I called her into my bedroom and closed the door,________to be angry again. This is what she told me.

“I was looking________thinking of what to buy, and I________to read the little cards on the ‘Giving Trees’. One was for a little girl, four years old, and all she________for Christmas was a doll (玩具娃娃). So I took the card off the tree and________the doll for her. We have so much and she doesn^’t have anything.”

I never felt so________as I did that day.

1.

A．gifts

B．flowers

C．candies

D．books

2.

A．the other

B．each other

C．one by one

D．every other one

3.

A．toys

B．clothes

C．presents

D．bills

4.

A．day

B．chance

C．cheque

D．tree

5.

A．forced

B．reminded

C．invited

D．begged

6.

A．draw

B．stay

C．move

D．meet

7.

A．including

B．besides

C．except

D．regarding

8.

A．quiet

B．excited

C．happy

D．ashamed

9.

A．since

B．after

C．while

D．until

10.

A．waiting

B．ready

C．hoping

D．afraid

11.

A．out

B．over

C．forward

D．around

12.

A．forgot

B．stopped

C．failed

D．hated

13.

A．wanted

B．did

C．got

D．played

14.

A．made

B．searched

C．bought

D．fetched

15.

A．angry

B．rich

C．patient

D．bitter