1 . Winter Solstice Celebrations From Around the World
The winter solstice (冬至), the longest night of the year, falls on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere and June 20 or 21 in the Southern. Since ancient times, people all over the world have celebrated this important astronomical occurrence in different ways. Here are some solstice traditions both new and old to help light your way to longer days.
Soyal
Soyal is the winter solstice celebration of the Hopi Indians of northern Arizona. Ceremonies and rituals include purification, dancing, and sometimes gift-giving. On the day, Hopi welcome the protective spirits from the mountains.
Saturnalia
The ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia is perhaps the most closely linked with the modern celebration of Christmas. This festival happened around the time of the winter solstice and celebrated the end of the planting season. There were games and feasts and gift-giving for several days.
Midwinter in Antarctica
Even Antarctica gets its share of solstice celebration, thanks to the researchers staying there over the long, dangerously cold season. While those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are enjoying the most daylight hours, in the Southern Hemisphere they are celebrating Midwinter. Festivities include special meals, films, and sometimes even handmade gifts.
Dong Zhi
Dong Zhi, the “arrival of winter”, is an important festival in China. It is a time for family to get together and celebrate the year they have had. The holiday generally falls between the 21st and 23rd of December. It is thought to have started as an end-of-harvest festival. Special foods, such as Tang Yuan and Jiaozi, are enjoyed. Friends and family members occasionally express their blessings and care to each other through gifts.
1. Which of the following festivals has something with Christmas?| A．Soyal. | B．Saturnalia. |
| C．Midwinter in Antarctica. | D．Dong Zhi. |
| A．They fall on the same day. |
| B．They welcome protective spirits. |
| C．They mark the end of the year’s harvest. |
| D．Their celebrations all include gift-giving. |
| A．News. | B．Sports. | C．Culture. | D．Weather. |
2 . Kids Fleet Summer Day Camp
Summer camp is a lot of fun when you’re a Kids Fleet Camper! Kids’ fleet is an exciting and fun-filled Summer Day Camp with rock climbing, golfing, swimming, creative activities and outdoor entertainment!
Kids Fleet Summer Day Camp runs for select weeks during the summer. Please check back in February 2017 for dates, prices and information for Kids’ Fleet Summer Day Camp 2017.
Registration (登记):
Begins: March 7, 2017
Need: $100 deposit (定金) and completed Registration Form
2017 Camp Age Requirements: 6—14 years old children
In Person: “First come first served” registration service
Mailing is an option (选择)
720 Proudfoot Lane
London, ON N6H 5G5
If you have any questions, please call:
519-472-9310 x233 Rose Tucker-Camp Manager
What did Kids Fleet Parents from past years have to say about Kids Fleet Summer Day Camp?
“My son thought that the camp had just the right amount of activities to keep the children interested. The rock climbing, golfing, as well as the outdoor activities and swimming were perfect. He was very tired but in a good way. My son wants to return next year and I will recommend (推荐) this camp to others.”
—Mrs White
“I think this is one of the best day camps (if not the best) that my children have taken part in. The people in charge of the camp are warm-hearted and friendly. The program is excellent and it is the only camp that they ask us to go back to.”
—Kristin and Doug
“My children had an excellent time at your camp. I was very impressed with both your friendly, helpful staff and the excellent way that the entire camp was organized and run. I will recommend it to my friends and will consider next year!”
—Joseph McRae
“One of the best organized summer camps we’ve ever experienced. I’m glad that my child was in a safe, responsible and fun environment.”
—George Kerhoulas
1. What can we learn about the camp?
| A．It will be held every month in 2017. |
| B．There is no age limit for the campers. |
| C．All the children can take part in it for free. |
| D．The campers can register by mailing. |
| A．pay $100 in advance | B．call the manager of the camp |
| C．send an e-mail to the camp | D．ask registration service first |
| A．Favorable. | B．Uncaring. |
| C．Doubtful. | D．Negative. |
3 . Teenagers in England do much the same as children in America do. They enjoy sending messages by their mobile phones and they also like swimming, listening to the latest music, watching TV and surfing the Internet.
How do teenagers in England spend their free time and holidays? Let’s follow Sally, a British teenager, and spend five days with her during her school holiday.
Day One
After breakfast, Sally’s mother went out and left her alone at home. She checked her mobile phone during lunch—one of her friends sent her a message early in the morning. Dinner was at 6:30 pm. After that, she finished her English homework. Then she surfed the Internet.
Day Two
Sally and her mother paid a visit to their friends and went swimming together. Later, they went shopping for clothes and books, and had dinner in a restaurant.
Day Three
She went to the supermarket with her mother to buy fish and chips for lunch as well as some pens. After she got back home, she spent the next few hours surfing the Internet and watching TV.
Day Four
She surfed the Internet. Her mother took her out for lunch before she went to work. She then read stories after lunch.
Day Five
She woke up at 2 pm, and so did her mother. They went to a park. Her mother met some friends there. When they got home, it was already time for dinner. Afterwards, she did her homework until 10 pm.
1. When did Sally do her homework?| A．In the morning. | B．In the afternoon. |
| C．At lunch time. | D．In the evening. |
| A．food for lunch and pens | B．some books and pens |
| C．some fish and clothes | D．food and books |
| A．She went swimming. |
| B．She went out for breakfast. |
| C．She read books. |
| D．She went shopping. |
| A．surfing the Internet has become an important part of teenagers’ lives |
| B．parents shouldn’t leave teenagers alone at home |
| C．teenagers don’t usually do their homework during their school holidays |
| D．a park is the best place to meet a friend |
4 . It seems a bit strange to imagine ancient Egyptians celebrating their birthdays with layered cakes topped with lighted candles.
The first birthday cakes were nothing of what they are today and weren’t even called birthday cakes.
Ancient Egyptians are credited with“inventing”the birthday celebration. And ancient Greeks borrowed the tradition but rightfully realized that a dessert would make the celebration all the more meaningful. So they baked moon-shaped cakes to offer up to the moon.
It wasn’t just the ancient Egyptians and Greeks who celebrated with sweet cakes.
Modern birthday parties are said to get their roots from the 18th-century German celebration. On the morning of a child’s birthday, he or she would receive a cake with lighted candles that added up to the child’s age plus one.
| A．Ancient Romans also had their traditions. |
| B．Rather,they were symbolic of the noble class. |
| C．Ancient Greeks made the first birthday cakes. |
| D．On birthday,children would eat cakes made by their mums. |
| E．They also decorated the cakes to make them shine like the moon. |
| F．This extra candle was called the light of hope for another new year. |
| G．However, they’re the ones who first came up with the idea to do so. |
5 . There are four fun festivals throughout the year in Brazil.
Festa Junina
Festa Junina is celebrated all over Brazil for the entire month of June as a yearly celebration of Saint John. It celebrates country life with typical clothes, food and dances inside a large tent, with decorations such as colored flags, beautiful table cloths and balloons.
Oktoberfest
The Germanic roots of the south of Brazil brought this traditional German festival to Brazil, where it has become one of the most popular beer festivals. Held in the middle of October every year in Blumenau, it celebrates typical German cuisine and plenty of beer. There’re all kinds of German foods at the festival.
Festival de Cachaça
Every year in the town of Paraty, Festival de Cachaça is held for cachaça, the national alcohol (酒) made from sugarcane (甘蔗). This festival is held over a long weekend in August and it gives you a chance to try cachaça. There are also shows of samba (桑巴舞) and food trucks. It’s also a great opportunity to get to know the beautiful town of Paraty.
Parintins Folklore Festival
The festival held every year in Parintins is the second largest in Brazil after the carnival. It goes over a period of three days at the end of June and celebrates the Amazonian legend of a resurrected ox (复活的牛). The main attraction of the festival is the competition between the two teams Garantido and Caprichoso that compete to retell the story of the ox through a mix of dancing and singing.
1. Which festival lasts the longest time?| A．Oktoberfest. | B．Festa Junina. |
| C．Festival de Cachaça. | D．Parintins Folklore Festival. |
| A．Taste German food. | B．Watch shows of samba. |
| C．Drink the national alcohol. | D．Listen to the story of the ox. |
| A．They are yearly activities. |
| B．They enjoy global popularity. |
| C．They focus on food and dancing. |
| D．They are celebrated all over Brazil. |
6 . Halloween dog parades(游行), where dogs get around in fun costumes(服装), are a fairly common scene during this time of the year. However, the largest and most popular gathering of its kind is New York City’s Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. The annual event attracts over 300 dogs and their proud owners, who often wear matched costumes to help their four-legged friends win the Best of Show title.
Now celebrating its 29th year, the 2019 parade took place at the East River Park Amphitheater on Sunday, October 20. Hundreds of New Yorkers braved the dark weather and light rain to admire the dogs acting as famous persons, fictional books and movie characters, popular foods, and even other animals. Among the most famous were two dogs dressed as Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. Their owners joined in the fun by dressing up as popular muppets(木偶), Bert and Ernie.
A four-legged “Snoop Dogg” also made an appearance, complete with a famous American singers gold chain and sunglasses. A kind-looking dog dressed as Little Red Riding Hood showed up together with a “Big Bad Wolf”.
The 2019 Best of Show title, which came with a $500 gift card, went to two Yorkshire Terriers dressed as the leading characters from Charles Schulz’s bestselling cartoon novel Snoopy and the Red Baron. The well-designed costumes included a doghouse and a model World War I plane, which took the owner over a month to build.
A Jack Russell Terrier dressed as a bowl of noodles and his “chef” owner were awarded second place, while a dog and its owners, acting as characters from the 2019 horror movie Midsommar, placed third. Regardless of whether or not they won, the dogs and their owners all had a great time showing off their costumes to the cheering crowds.
1. What can be inferred from the text?| A．All the dogs wear the same clothes as their proud owners. |
| B．No other dog parades attract more than 300 dogs except the New York Parade. |
| C．Few of the dog owners try to help their dogs win the Best of Show title. |
| D．Dogs from all over the Asia join in New York City’s Dog Parade. |
| A．In 2000 | B．In 1999. | C．In 1990. | D．In 2009. |
| A．Two Yorkshire Terriers. | B．Oscar the Grouch. |
| C．A Jack Russell Terrier. | D．Snoopy and the Red Baron. |
| A．Winning the Best of Show title. |
| B．Getting the $500 gift card. |
| C．Showing off the dogs’ talents. |
| D．Having the great fun. |
7 . Summer Camps for Kids
PGL Surrey
Suitable for: 7-17 years; 7 nights from ￡469
PGL or Parents Get Lost is the big daddy of summer camps. Most popular is the seven-day multi-activity camp, a mix of dance, photography and more. It has three, four, and seven-night camps, including a first-timer week for new campers.
The Outward Bound Trust
Suitable for: 11-19 years; prices go from one week ￡599 courses to 19-day adventures at ￡1, 749
As well as the activity weeks you' d expect from a summer camp, it also offers 19-day journeys, through some of the most beautiful natural scenery(景色)in the UK. You will spend every day camping out scene underneath the stars, on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through either Wales, Scotland or the Lake Districts
Mill on the Brue
Suitable for: 8-15 years; ￡630 a week
This outdoor activity centre is perfect for the active adventurer. Family-run for nearly 40 years, the summer camp focuses on team building and problem-solving with children encouraged to work together to build rafts(木筏), cross the river and complete the assault course(障碍场).
First Hand Experiences
Suitable for: 7-14 years; ￡439 for 6 nights, ￡220 for 3 nights
Connecting with nature by growing, cooking and sharing food is at the heart of this camp. It also offers woodland arts, countryside experience as well as lots of outdoor fun and games. Kids will water, pick and cook vegetables from the forest garden, and there’re lots of new experiences like cooking sweet potatoes on the campfire.
1. What do we know about The Outward Bound Trust?| A．It is an art camp. | B．It lasts for five days. |
| C．It is for kids aged 11-19. | D． It offers boat-building courses. |
| A．￡439 | B．￡469. | C．￡599. | D．￡630 |
| A．PGL Surrey. | B．Mill on the Brue. | C．First Hand Experiences. | D．The Outward Bound Trust. |
8 . Holidays
Holiday News Vacancies(空位) now and in the school holidays at a country hotel in Devon. This comfortable, friendly home-from-home lies near the beautiful quiet countryside, but just a drive away from the sea. The food is simple but good. Children and pets are welcome. Reduced prices for low season. |
The Snowdonia Centre The Snowdonia Centre for young mountain climbers has a mountain climbing lesson. The beginners’ costs are ￡57 for a week, including food and rooms. Equipment is included except walking shoes, which can be hired at a low cost. You must be in good health and prepared to go through a period of body exercises. This could be the beginning of a lifetime of mountain climbing adventure. |
The World Sea Trip of a Lifetime Our World Sea Trip of 2008 will be unlike any holiday you have ever been on before. Instead of one hotel after another, with all its packing and unpacking, waiting and traveling, you just go to bed in one country and wake up in another. On board the ship, you will be well taken care of. Every meal will be first-class and every cabin like your home. During the trip, you can rest on deck(甲板), enjoy yourself in the games rooms and in the evening dance to our musical team and watch our wonderful play. You will visit all the places most people only dream about — from Acapulco and Hawaii to Tokoy and Hong Kong. For a few thousand pounds, all you’ve ever hoped for can be yours. |
| A．Choose the holiday in Devon. | B．Go to the Snowdonia Centre. |
| C．Join the World Sea Trip of 2008. | D．Visit Acapulco and Hawaii. |
| A．It provides chances of family gatherings. | B．It provides customers with good food. |
| C．It offers a sports lesson. | D．It offers comfortable rooms. |
| A．You can have free meals on deck every day. |
| B．You can sleep on a ship and tour many places. |
| C．You will have chances to watch and act in a play. |
| D．You have to do your own packing and unpacking. |
9 . Summer vacation is coming soon. To enjoy a relaxing holiday, here we’d like to share with you some of the best rock and jazz festivals. Although many Ukrainian(乌克兰的) music festivals were cancelled because of the bad financial condition, plenty remain for music lovers.
• Krayina Mriy
When and where: June 20－21, Kyiv, Pyrohovo folk museum
Lineup (阵容): TNMK，Boombox, VopliVidoplyasova, Onuka
KrayinaMriy is an annual(每年的) rock music festival that promotes modern music. Besides music, Mthe festival will offer dances as well as literary and theatrical performances and also playing of a traditional music instrument.
• Alfa Fest
When and where: June 26－28, Lviv
So far all tickets have been booked, but a waiting list is available at www.alfajazzfest.com/buyticket. This yearly festival held in Lviv will be interesting for both experienced jazz lovers and jazz learners. The performers on the lineup come from Ukraine, Japan, Cuba and the U. S.
• Koktebel
When and where: Aug.22－Sept.6, Zatoka village, Odesa Oblast
Koktebel Jazz is the biggest outdoor jazz festival.The Cinematic Orchestra, ParovStelar, Nino Katamadze, Bonobo, Submotion Orchestra, Billy’s Band were the GALA’S superstars in previous years. This year the list of festival’s participants and tickets prices still remain unknown but the organizers revealed(透露) that apart from good jazz, the guests will be offered music lectures and movie screenings.
1. Who are the text mainly intended for?| A．People enthusiastic about music. |
| B．People fond of travelling around. |
| C．Merchants able to make a fortune. |
| D．Musicians able to play various instruments. |
| A．Their performers are all from Ukraine. |
| B．Their aim is to spread modern music. |
| C．They both offer other performances. |
| D．They are both yearly-held festivals. |
| A．KrayinaMriy. | B．Alfa Fest. |
| C．Koktebel. | D．Respublica. |
10 . Christmas around the world is a wonderful time for celebration and a sharing of Christmas traditions around the world. No matter where you and your family spend your Christmas around the world, it is sure to be a time for laughter and cheer.
It is both interesting and exciting to learn about other Christmas traditions around the world. Christmas around the world for many is a time full of stories, traditions and beliefs, nowhere is this more true than in the country of Poland where superstitions(迷信) and legends take preference.
Christmas Eve in Poland is a time for family gathering and reunion. It is also considered to be a night of magic. It was believed long ago that animals talked and had the power to tell the future. The traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner is a grand feast including twelve different dishes representing the twelve months of the year.
Usually the meal will not include any meat except for fish. Some of the favorite dishes include wild mushrooms or peas, dried fruit compote (蜜饯) for dessert, dumplings with a variety of fillings. When dinner is finished, the host will give a signal for everyone to rise as it is bad luck for only one person to rise at a time.
Christmas in Poland would not be complete without the storytelling and Christmas songs sung around the Christmas tree. In Poland after the traditional Christmas Eve dinner, the remainder of the night is reserved for exactly that storytelling and singing while sitting around the beautifully decorated tree with its glass decorations, eggshells colored paper and straw.
1. What does the underlined part mean?| A．People in Poland like collecting stories most. |
| B．Poland has the most superstitions and legends about Christmas. |
| C．People in Poland don't believe in the strange stories. |
| D．There are fewest stories about Christmas in Poland. |
| A．All people in the big family will get together at Christmas. |
| B．There will be some excellent TV programs on Christmas Eve. |
| C．It was said long ago that animals had the unusual power to predict the future |
| D．The pets at home will talk to the owner at Christmas. |
| A．They stand for the twelve months of a year. |
| B．They stand for the twelve hours of a day. |
| C．The dishes will be matched with twelve fruits. |
| D．There will be twelve people getting together. |
| A．Traditions of Polish Christmas |
| B．Celebration of Christmas around the World |
| C．Superstitions and Legends of Christmas in Poland |
| D．A Time for Celebration and Sharing |
