1 . Crazy-Creative Traditions in Schools
Here are a few schools’ crazy-creative traditions that will probably have you wish to go there so you could celebrate in all the graduation fun. Learn about them all in the below.
Attire (服装) and Flowers at College of Charleston
You fashionista will love this one. During December ceremony, women wear black dresses and men wear black tuxedos (燕尾服). During May ceremony, women wear white dresses and men wear summer tuxedos. It’s also been a tradition since the 1930s to carry flowers onto the stage: women carry bouquets of six red roses in a red bow and men wear a single red rose boutonniere (扣眼). So classy!
Hoop Rolling at Wellesley College
This all-women’s college tradition was originally held on May day, but it’s now held in April. The purpose was to allow students to essentially leave all their worries behind and just participate in some interesting games outdoors. Back in the day, it was said that the winner of the hoop rolling race was the first to be married, and in the 1980s she would be the first to be CEO. Nowadays, the winner would be the first to achieve her own happiness…that is, after being thrown into Lake Waban by all her classmates.
Fabric and Green Grad Recycling Program at University of New Hampshire
You’ll absolutely love this tradition. UNH’s vendor provides wrinkle-resistant caps and gowns made of recycled plastic bottles. Graduates then have the opportunity to donate their gowns to be cleaned and reused. Graduates are still able to keep their caps and tassels as keepsakes, all while helping to save the environment. The tradition has become a trend for many universities to follow, such as Husson University and Wake Forest University.
1. Which can you choose if you want to experience an amazing show?| A．Wellesley College. | B．College of Charleston. |
| C．The University of New Hampshire. | D．Husson University. |
| A．Be CEO. | B．Have fun. |
| C．Achieve happiness. | D．Be married. |
| A．To collect plastic bottles. | B．To promote the tradition. |
| C．To clean and reuse the bottles. | D．To protect the environment. |
2 . New Year’s celebrations take many forms, but most cultures have one thing in common—have a good time after a long, hard year. For much of the globe this involves drinking with friends until the sun comes up, singing together. But others have rather more curious habits, often filled with superstition (迷信).
In Denmark, people stand on chairs and jump off together as the clock strikes midnight, really leaping into the new year. The Danes also throw plates at their friends’ homes during the night-the more pieces you find outside your door in the morning the more popular you are said to be.
In Finland, say tour guides, people pour melted (熔化的) lead into cold water to predict the year ahead from the shape the metal forms. If the shape represents a ship it is said to predict travel, if it’s a ball, good luck.
The Dutch build massive bonfires with their Christmas trees and cat sugary donuts—one of many cultures to consume round New Year’s foods traditionally believed to represent good fortune.
Spaniards, in turn, cat a dozen grapes before the strike of midnight, each fruit representing a month that will either be sweet or sour.
In the Philippines, people wear polka dots (带圆点的服装) for good luck, while in some countries of South America people put on brightly coloured underwear to attract fortune—red for love and yellow for financial success.
Despite regional and cultural differences, for most the New Year’s festivities are a chance to let off steam before the annual cycle starts all over again. “This is a holiday that is about celebration and letting go,” explained George Washington University sociologist Amitai Etzioni.
1. In which country is the festival related to metal?| A．Denmark. | B．Spain. | C．Finland. | D．The Netherlands. |
| A．The Danes throw grapes at their friends’ homes during the night. |
| B．Spaniards eat many donuts before the strike of midnight. |
| C．The Dutch build massive walls with their Christmas trees. |
| D．Some people in South America wear red underwear for love. |
| A．Get married. | B．Get relaxed. | C．Make money. | D．Make friends. |
3 . If you like tasting food from different countries, here are some events you shouldn't miss in New York City this year.
Chinatown Restaurant Week-March 14-30
Various meals will be offered for $18.88 per person at participating Chinatown restaurants such as Golden Unicorn, Nom Wah Tea Parlor, HK Wonton Garden, Pho Grand, Red Egg and Shanghai Gourmet. Peking Duck House will offer a specialty at lunch only.
More Info: www. chinatownrestaurantweek.com
Martini Week-March 15-30
Martini Week is a two-week-long celebration of America's proudest inventions. It will be held at 23 bars and restaurants across the town. They'll be offering their own unique specialties at low prices. Choose from places including Ava Lounge, Beaumarchairs, Catch, Abe&Arthur's, Sons of Essex, Bounce Sporting Club, Aspen Social, Revel, Rayuela, and more.
More Info: www. sociallysuperlative.com
Malaysian Restaurant Week-June 18-24
Malaysian restaurants will offer various $20.12 meals, while Asian-influenced restaurants will feature a special limited-time-only menu inspired by the country's special flavors. Participating restaurants include Fatty Crab, Michelin-starred Laut, Penang and Spice Market.
More Info: www. Malaysiakitchennyc.com
Italian Restaurant Week-June 26-July 6
Celebrate New York City's fifth Italian Restaurant Week-the Italian Dine Out. The 11-day event will offer special discounted lunch and dinner priced at $23 at New York City's most authentic Italian restaurants. Sponsored by the Italian Trade Commission, the Italian Dine Out offers dinners special 3-course menus for lunch and dinner.
More Info: www. italianmade.com
Belgian Restaurant Week-July 21-28
This is your chance to enjoy tasty multi-course meals and some of the world's finest beers. The Belgian restaurants in NY bring you amazing cuisines and great beers during a week-long celebration of Belgian food.
More Info: www. Belgianrestaurantweeknyc.com
I'm sure you'll have a great time during the events.
Remember: don't eat too much for the sake of your health.
1. If one schedules his holiday on June 30, which event is he likely to attend?| A．Belgian Restaurant Week. |
| B．Italian Restaurant Week. |
| C．Malaysian Restaurant Week. |
| D．Chinatown Restaurant Week. |
| A．Bounce Sporting Club. | B．Beaumarchais. |
| C．Pho Grand | D．Fatty Crab. |
| A．a specialty is served in Peking Duck House anytime. |
| B．Martini Week is a great pride of the American. |
| C．18.88 is a minimum charge for these events. |
| D．Italian Restaurant Week will last two week. |
4 . Four interesting festivals
Grand Old Days:
Phone number: (651) 699-0029 E-mail address: fo@grandave.com
Grand Old Days is one of the Midwest’s largest one-day festivals. It’s held every year on the first Sunday in June. It starts at 7:45 am until 5:00 pm. You should pay $8 for a ticket to enter the live music festival gardens and you must be at least 21 years old. There are a lot of interesting activities for the whole family.
Uptown Art Fair:
Phone number: (612) 823-4581 E-mail address: info@uptownminneapolis.com
There is a wide variety of artwork you can buy from only a few dollars to thousands of dollars. There are also activities held by some artists. Uptown Art Fair starts on August 5th and ends on August 7th. It is free to attend. The opening time and closing time are Friday 11 am-8 pm, Saturday 10 am-8 pm, and Sunday 10 am-6 pm.
Minnesota State Fair:
Phone number: (651) 288-4400 E-mail address: fairinfo@mnstatefair.org
It is one of the most popular fairs in Minnesota. It starts on August 25th and goes through Labor Day on September 5th. Tickets for adults (aged 13-64) are $11, seniors (aged 65 and older) $9, kids (aged 5-12) $8 and children under 5 are free of charge. It opens at 6 am and closes at midnight. The State Fair has lots of fun activities, bands, games, and rides.
Nativity County Fair:
Phone number: (651) 696-5401 E-mail address: info@nativitycountyfair.com
The Nativity County Fair is a kid’s fair, but it has some fun things for adults as well. You can buy tickets for the rides and games, and the price depends on how many tickets you want to buy. It starts from September 16th to September 18th.
1. Which of the following lasts the longest?| A．Grand Old Days. | B．Minnesota State Fair. |
| C．Uptown Art Fair. | D．Nativity County Fair. |
| A．17 dollars. | B．19 dollars. |
| C．22 dollars. | D．30 dollars. |
| A．(651) 699-0029 | B．(612) 823-4581 |
| C．(651) 288-4400 | D．(651) 696-5401 |
| A．compare the costs of different festivals. |
| B．introduce some festival activities. |
| C．give advice on kids’ festival safety. |
| D．advertise some popular festivals. |
5 . Christmas Glow, RHS Wisley, Surrey
The garden is flowing with large lighted flowers. Some of the trees are brilliant, too. The glasshouse is decorated like a gingerbread house, and displays (展览) seasonal plants. There are lanterns around the lake. The cafe serves hot chocolate and apple juice.
●£9.90, adult £3.60, child
●20 Dec. to 2 Jan.
Festival of Light, Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire
Longleat is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Large lanterns take the shape of some of the park’s animals, and there are also lots of characters in Beatrix Potter’s book, such as Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle Duck, Squirrel Nutkin, to mark the 150th anniversary of the author’s birth. There is also a 20-metre-high birthday cake.
●£27.85, adult £20.65, child under-threes, free
●15 Dec. to 2 Jan.
Festival of Light, Enchanted Park, Gateshead
Enchanted Park is an interactive walk through Saltwell Park, just south of the town centre, along a trail of light with performances and sculptures. “The story being told is Midwinter Night’s Tale, inspired by the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death.” Visitors can join stories and songs with Santa, and attend decorating workshops.
●£8, adult £2, child under-fours, free
●11-27 Dec.
Christmas at Kew Gardens or London
Kew is a special place to visit at any time of the day or year, but the festive light show gives it a magical twist, as the mile-long trail through the garden is decorated with 60,000 lights. Some of the garden’s oldest and tallest trees are also beautifully lit along the way.
●£16, adult £10, child under-fours, free
●24 Dec. to 2 Jan.
1. Which of the following events last the longest?| A．Christmas Glow, RHS Wisley, Surrey. |
| B．Festival of Light, Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire. |
| C．Festival of Light, Enchanted Park, Gateshead. |
| D．Christmas at Kew Gardens or London. |
| A．Learn to write stories. | B．Play with wild animals. |
| C．Pay a visit to glasshouses. | D．Sing songs with Santa. |
| A．£16. | B．£26. | C．£36. | D．£48. |
