1 . Weddings are one of life’s biggest celebrations, and they are observed in just about every country and culture on the planet. Here are some wedding traditions from around the world.
Scotland
Scottish weddings usually feature the handfasting ceremony. During the ceremony, the bride (新娘) and bridegroom each hold a piece of cloth. These are carefully wound around the couple’s joined hands. When they pull their hands apart, the pieces become tied into a knot (结) — a symbol of the new union.
Germany
Guests at a German wedding get to see an interesting sight: the newly married couple — still dressed in their suit and wedding dress — cutting a length of a tree in half with a two-person saw (锯). In this way, they show their ability to work as a team to face any challenge they will meet in life.
Norway
A Norwegian wedding cake is made up of progressively smaller layers of iced cake rings, which give the cake the shape of Christmas tree. The inside is empty and has gifts or even a bottle of wine. The bride and g room lift the top ring of the cake, and the number of layers that stick to it is said to represent the number of children they will have!
England
Brides in England typically wear “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” for their big day. The modern practice comes from a traditional English song, and the things themselves represent protection, cheerfulness, good luck, and purity, respectively.
Though the customs might vary, the feeling remains the same. Across the world, weddings are times to celebrate love, happiness, and family.
1. Why is a two-person saw used in the German wedding?A.To entertain the wedding guests. | B.To mark the couple’s united efforts. |
C.To represent the upcoming challenges. | D.To keep the couple from hurting each other. |
A.The Scottish wedding. | B.The German wedding. |
C.The Norwegian wedding. | D.The English wedding. |
A.Rules to follow. | B.Special customs. |
C.Ways to treat guests. | D.Cultural backgrounds. |
2 . Easy Halloween Party Ideas 2021
Halloween is forthcoming and we’re sure your kids already have their spirit on! With some preparations and these Halloween party ideas, you can throw your kids and their friends a super fearful party. We have listed some easy-peasy ideas for you.
Theme it out
Picking the perfect Halloween theme can be complicated. There are so many factors to consider like location, space size, kid-friendliness, etc. Whichever theme you choose, make sure that you stick with it for other elements as well like food, music, and decorations.
Ghoulishing the decorations
Fake blood, spider webs, cut-out pumpkins, & huge bubbling pots. Halloween decorations are sure fun and involve kids and parents together in the holiday activities. Decorating the house together is sure to ensure some serious bonding time!
DIY Halloween party games
DIY Halloween games are a super way to get kids excited! They are budget-friendly and are a great way for parents to bond with their children. Make sure to include games that suit your theme and create amusement.
Make some delicious food & drinks
Try to keep Halloween snacks and drinks tasty and simple! Make a tangy punch (潘趣酒) that kids will enjoy with some cheese sandwiches to go along with. You can make snacks that are relevant to your theme.
Halloween is great fun but don’t forget that the core purpose behind each holiday is to get in some family time. Do some activities that involve you and your kids together. Help your kids enjoy themselves to the fullest by enjoying with them!
1. What should you do when deciding a theme?A.Pick whichever theme as you like. |
B.Add other elements to make it diverse. |
C.Choose a theme as complicated as possible. |
D.Make sure everything is with the same theme. |
A.To have fun with friends. | B.To practice kids’ DIY ability. |
C.To promote family relationship. | D.To create a fearful atmosphere. |
A.Parents. | B.Teachers. |
C.Kids. | D.Businessmen. |
3 . While established by Woodrow Wilson as a holiday in the United States in 1911, the practice of recognizing mothers on a specific day or time of year has spread to more than 40 countries. Here's a look at the various traditions.
France
Mother's Day in France only started in the 1950s. After World War I, it was celebrated on the last Sunday in May, unless it conflicted with the Pentecost(五旬节). If it did, mothers were celebrated on the first Sunday of June. Regardless of the day, a traditional gif is a flower-shaped cake.
Japan
Following WWI, Mother's Day in Japan gained some popularity, and it is now celebrated on the second Sunday of May. Gifts include red or pink conations(康乃馨) as they symbolize sweetness and purity. Children will often draw pictures of their mothers and present them to mom in addition to preparing dishes that their mothers have taught them.
Sweden
Celebrated on the last Sunday in May, the day isn't all that different from the U. S. version. There's breakfast in bed and homemade cards and the like. One difference is that the Swedish Red Cross collects money by selling red plastic flowers. The money from the flowers goes to mothers and children in need.
Thailand
While all mothers are recognized during Mother's Day in Thailand, the holiday is largely centered on Sirikit, the queen mother of Thailand. Mother's Day is celebrated on her birthday, August 12, and public places and households are decorated with lights and pictures of Sirikit. Flowers like jasmine are popular gifts.
1. What do Japanese children usually do for their mothers on Mother's Day?A.Buy pictures. | B.Cook meals. | C.Grow flowers. | D.Present cards. |
A.France. | B.Japan. | C.Thailand. | D.Sweden. |
A.To tell us how different countries celebrate Mother's Day. |
B.To protect traditions of Mother's Day in different places. |
C.To introduce the origin and development of Mother's Day. |
D.To call on us to show respect for our mother on Mother's Day. |
4 . Everyone knows about New Year’s Eve and Independence Day. But did you know that there are enough holidays to fill every day of the year? Here are just a few we found interesting.
World Hello Day
To celebrate this day, say hello to at least ten different people. World Hello Day began in the autumn of 1973, shortly after the end of a war in the Middle East. Brian and Michael McCormack of Omaha, Nebraska, wondered what they could do to encourage world peace. They felt the best way was by getting people to talk with one another.
The McCormacks sent letters to the leaders of every country in the world about the first World Hello Day. They wrote the letters in as many different languages as they could. Officials wrote back from sixteen countries and encouraged Brian and Michael to make World Hello Day a yearly event. The holiday has been held on the third Sunday of November every year since. The McCormacks have received letters from many famous people congratulating them for their efforts.
International Day of the Seal (海豹)
March 22 is the official International Day of the Seal. But the National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., and many other zoos and research centers around the world celebrate this holiday on the third weekend of March. The holiday was created to tell people about the dangers seals face from pollution and fishing nets.
At the National Zoological Park, you can find out how seals live and ways to help protect their habitats (栖息地).
Do it! Day
Are you a procrastinator? Here’s a day to finish all those things you’ve been meaning to do. Do It! Day is celebrated on the first Wednesday in September. “The whole idea is to feel good about getting things done,” says the founder of Do It! Day, Ethel Cook. She came up with the idea as part of her work helping businesses get organized. Cook hopes everyone will turn their Do Its into Did Its.
1. World Hello Day was set to .A.create peace worldwide |
B.stop the war in the Middle East |
C.encourage foreign language learning |
D.spread knowledge about different countries |
A.By reporting it on TV. |
B.By meeting famous people. |
C.By publishing it in the newspapers. |
D.By writing letters to world leaders. |
A.On March 22. |
B.On the third weekend of March. |
C.On the third Sunday of November. |
D.On the first Wednesday in September. |
A.cleans up things quickly | B.puts off things until later |
C.always comes up with good ideas | D.feels good about getting things done |
5 . During the cold winter days, there are some interesting festivals (节日) in the world. Look at the following ones.
Harbin Ice and Snow Festival
Place: China
Time: January 5 to February 5
People build incredible things out of ice and snow,decorating them with lights.
The Carnival of Venice
Place: Italy
Time: between February and March
One of the most beautiful festivals in the world,people wear masks and elaborate costumes to hide differences among classes,and there are contests for the best costumers.
Holi Festival
Place: India
Time: late February/March, on the last dull moon day
Hindus and Sikhs,in India,Nepal,and Sri Lanka celebrate the main day of this incredibly fun 16-day festival by throwing colored powder and water at each other.
Sundance Film Festival
Place: Utah, the US
Time: end of February
The largest independent film festival in the US. Watch both feature films and shorts. You need to buy a ticket.
1. Which of the following festivals can’t be celebrated at the end of February?A.Sundance Film Festival. | B.Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. |
C.Holi Festival. | D.The Carnival of Venice. |
A.India | B.China |
C.America | D.Italy |
A.Sundance Film Festival. | B.Holi Festival. |
C.The Carnival of Venice. | D.Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. |