1 . 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. |
2 . The harvest season falls at different times of the year depending on region and climate, but festivals celebrating its arrival are held all over the world Some are the start of the season and the fist crops, while other are celebrations to give thanks for the blessing of a harvest.
Rice Harvest Festival (May ~ June)
The harvest festival is dedicated to Dewi Sni-the goddess of rice and fertility(丰产) celebrated by the people of Bali, Indonesia.
Mid-Autumn Festival (September ~ October)
Mooncakes and tea are served on Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Festival, because it coincides with the full moon on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It is also a time of family gatherings.
Yam Festival (August or September)
Men are carrying yams(山药) at the Yam Festival on the Trobriand Islands, Papua NewGuinea. The people there celebrate the end of the rainy season and the first appearance of yams.
Sukkoth (September ~ October)
Jewish people decorate the family Sukkah for the Jewish festival of Sukkot. A Sukkah is a temporary building where meals are taken for the week. The 8-day festival gives thanks to the harvest.
Pongal (January)
The 4-day festival of Pongal is a celebration of the rice harvest period. Held after the winter solstice(冬至), it celebrates the return of longer days of life-giving sunlight. Its name comes from a Tamil word, meaning “to boil”, and is also the name given to a rice dish that is prepared during this time.
1. Which festivals are related to rice?| A．Yam Festival and Sukkoth. |
| B．Mid-Autumn Festival and Yam Festival. |
| C．Rice Harvest Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival. |
| D．Pongal and Rice Harvest Festival. |
| A．Mooncakes. | B．Dumplings. | C．Sweet dumplings. | D．Zongzi. |
| A．Rice dishes. | B．Special houses. | C．Tea | D．Flowers |
3 . My son’s seventh birthday is approaching, so conversation at my house has naturally turned to organizing his party.
For his sixth birthday, we booked the local trampoline(蹦床) park. This worked out well. But the whole event cost us hundreds of pounds. This year, I’m trying to convince him that the dinosaur-themed park down the road offers just as much fun—and you don’t even need to wear special socks! This will be cheaper, because we aren’t required to hire a space—we can simply buy tickets for his mates.
But I still keep pondering over one thing—party bags. Why should a bunch of seven-year-olds, who have already been treated to a day out and a mountain of sugar, also be handed a bag full of pound-shop gifts for simply bothering to show up?
Party bags are an environmental disaster. I reckon my son attends 20 parties per year, and at each party there are 20 kids in attendance, which means 400 plastic bags in total. Within these 400 bags are perhaps 800 plastic toys, almost all of which fall apart on the journey home and then get binned instantly. The waste is shocking, and I don’t want to be part of it.
I know there are some party bag alternatives: one couple I know covered a table with Mr. Men books and got the kids to choose one each. At another party, I saw the hosts fill a bucket with soft toys and crumpled newspaper, and do a lucky dip (抽奖). Admirable efforts.
Even if that is a nice try, and even if the contents in the party bags don’t fall apart, so what? Will our guests think more highly of our child because of the party bags from our party? Will my child’s ability to make and keep friends be improved?
Well, the tradition for kid’s party bags ends with me, and it ends here, and it ends now. Who’s with me?
1. Why does the author recommend the dinosaur-themed park?| A．Because it’s more enjoyable. | B．Because it provides socks. |
| C．Because it can reduce cost. | D．Because it offers free tickets. |
| A．Gifts brought by guests. | B．Gifts prepared by hosts. |
| C．Gifts distributed by parks. | D．Gift a donated by charities. |
| A．Intolerant. | B．Objective. | C．Favorable. | D．In different. |
| A．Be recycled. | B．Be repaired. | C．Be thrown away. | D．Be given away. |
4 . Festivals are a part of our culture. We have grown up around them and have embraced them as a part of our lives.
Festivals are celebrated with people.
Festivals also mean that the entire family can be together and celebrate something they believe in. Kids and parents find time to help each other to decorate their house, prepare delicacies, make gifts, etc.
Festivals also mean gift-giving and sharing. The exchange of gifts teaches children to share joys during festivals
| A．Festivals have much more to offer to the people. |
| B．Festivals are a great way to understand one’s culture. |
| C．This allows children to form a stronger bond with their family. |
| D．Children are particularly the ones who enjoy festivals more than adults. |
| E．On these days people from all walks of life come together to celebrate life. |
| F．Children share sweets and gifts with relatives and friends to spread the joy of celebrations. |
| G．Celebrations always involve people coming together and helping each other to have a good time. |
5 . I did return to college. But the pressure of a full-time job and college classes was hard to bear.
One Friday afternoon, a co-worker asked about my weekend plans. I tried to avoid these conversations because I had no money and schoolwork was demanding. To prevent any further conversation, I said, “Oh, I am taking a mini vacation, just a little weekend holiday.” There was surprise but no further conversation.
“What a cheat I am,” I thought. “And they will want details on Monday. It will just stress me more when they all find out that I lied.”
On the long drive home from work, I made a plan. I could pretend I was on vacation and never go anywhere. At home, I pulled down all the shades, checked my messages and shut off the phone. Then I jumped in the shower and put on sweats. With some snacks in my easy reach, I took out three books that I had been anxious to read for the past months. “Well, I am on vacation. This can be my imaginary holiday. I will check in with the world on Monday morning,” I said to myself. Then I cracked open the first book. By Sunday evening, I was well into the third book.
When the alarm went off on Monday morning, I dressed, had breakfast and went to work. I was busy when several co-workers came by. “Wow,” they said, “you must have had a great vacation. You look so rested.” It wasn’t until then that I realized I wasn't stressed anymore.
“Maybe,” I told them, “it was just an imaginary holiday.” They laughed and went off to their desks.
I did graduate from college eventually and got a job with some paid vacation. But I still take imaginary holidays where I turn off the phone and electronics, tell everyone that I will be “away” and spend a weekend reading.
I have decided that imaginary holidays are one way I can take care of myself. Perhaps that was part of my college education.
1. How did the author feel when talking about weekend plans?| A．Grateful. | B．Surprised. | C．Excited. | D．Embarrassed. |
| A．She went on a mini vacation. | B．She buried herself in reading. |
| C．She checked in with the world. | D．She took a virtual trip overseas. |
| A．Tired. | B．Refreshed. | C．Stressed. | D．Imaginative. |
| A．An imaginary holiday | B．My college education |
| C．An embarrassing experience | D．The importance of vacation |
6 . 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. |
7 . America’s Skies Will Be Filled with Hot Air Balloons
In September hot air balloon festivals are held around the United States. No two are alike.
Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival
Union Vale, New York September 2-4
It’s a Labor Day lift-off in the Hudson Valley, with 100 balloon launches (发射) scheduled. Now let’s just hope the weather is good. But even if it doesn’t there are plenty of activities on offerlike helicopter rides. When the sun goes down the balloons light up like fireflies.
Ticket: $15
Great Reno Balloon Race
Reno, Nevada
September 9-11
Some people say the Great Reno Balloon Race is the world’s largest free hot air ballooning event. This year events for the three-day affair include 5 a.m.Glow Shows, where balloons are tethered(拴住) and lit from within. There’s a daily ascension(升空) of 100 balloons and kids can take a $5 tethered ride for charity.
Ticket: Free
Paris Balloon & Music Festival
Paris, Texas
September 9-12
Don’t know what an “Airmadillo”is? Find out at the Paris Balloon & Music Festival.Float (飘) on up yourself for $275, or just watch: the festival also features evening balloon glows and morning launches (balloon volunteers still needed), and, a live painting competition and music from local bands.
Ticket: $5
Lancaster Hot Air Balloon Festival
Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania
September 16-18
Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, is home to one of the most unique hot air balloon festivals in the country. Here, you can not only see fireworks, watch magic shows, and of course watch the launch of colorful balloons as well as take a ride yourself for $400, but also learn a bit about local culture, with plenty of delicious food.
Ticket:$10-$30
1. When can people attend an event for free?
| A．On September 2. | B．On September 9. |
| C．On September 12. | D．On September 16. |
| A．Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival. |
| B．Lancaster Hot Air Balloon Festival. |
| C．Paris Balloon & Music Festival. |
| D．Great Reno Balloon Race. |
| A．It will introduce local culture. | B．It will offer people free rides. |
| C．It will look for volunteers. | D．It will last for four days. |
8 . In India, one of the most significant festivals is Diwali, which falls between October and November. It’s a five-day celebration that includes good food, fireworks, colored sand, and special candles and lamps.
In honor of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, people make special prayers on the first day to obtain blessings for welfare, success, and well-being. People welcome the goddess into their homes by decorating entrances with colorful lanterns and traditional designs. In addition, many people treat themselves to fine jewellery, praying for good fortune. Those who cannot afford so much, seek out cheaper items such as clothes or household goods.
The second day of the festival is called Kali Chaudas. For some, the day provides an opportunity to drive away misfortune from homes and businesses. They decorate their homes with clay lamps and create design patterns called Rangoli on the floor using colored powder or sand.
The third day is when the biggest celebrations occur, which begin early in the morning with a visit to a temple to seek the blessing of the goddess. As the sun sets, festival observers light up their homes with small lamps and enjoy delicious traditional foods with their loved ones.
The festival’s fourth day is celebrated in many different ways. Friends and relatives visit with gifts, sweets and best wishes for the season.
And the final day of the festival is called Bhai Dooj. It honors the close bond between brothers and sisters and is observed with traditional ceremonies and more delicious foods.
For children in India, Diwali is similar to Christmas. They get an entire week off from school and are treated to gifts, new clothes, amazing food, and, in the past at least, a large number of fireworks. It is no wonder that the festival ranks high among the country’s favorite celebrations.
1. People celebrate the first day of Diwali mainly for _________.| A．good fortune |
| B．colorful lanterns |
| C．expensive jewellery |
| D．traditional designs |
| A．To design traditional patterns. |
| B．To produce colored powder or sand. |
| C．To help get rid of bad luck. |
| D．To produce an opportunity in business. |
| A．Exchange gifts and best wishes with his loved ones. |
| B．Be busy decorating his home during the day. |
| C．Get together with his sisters and brothers. |
| D．Light up his home with small lamps. |
| A．Having a week off. |
| B．Getting Christmas gifts. |
| C．Enjoying amazing food. |
| D．Setting off fireworks. |
9 . If you are a fruit grower — or would like to become one — take advantage of Apple Day to see what’s around. It’s called Apple Day but in practice it’s more like Apple Month. The day itself is on October 21, but since it has caught on, events now spread out over most of October around Britain.
Visiting an apple event is a good chance to see, and often taste, a wide variety of apples. To people who are used to the limited choice of apples such as Golden Delicious and Royal Gala in supermarkets, it can be quite an eye opener to see the range of classical apples still in existence, such as Decio which was grown by the Romans. Although it doesn’t taste of anything special, it’s still worth a try, as is the knobbly(多疙瘩的) Cat’s Head which is more of a curiosity than anything else.
There are also varieties developed to suit specific local conditions. One of the very best varieties for eating quality is Orleans Reinette, but you’ll need a warm, sheltered place with perfect soil to grow it, so it’s a pipe dream for most apple lovers who fall for it.
At the events, you can meet expert growers and discuss which ones will best suit your conditions, and because these are family affairs, children are well catered for with apple-themed fun and games.
Apple Days are being held at all sorts of places with an interest in fruit, including stately gardens and commercial orchards(果园). If you want to have a real orchard experience, try visiting the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale, near Faversham in Kent.
1. What can people do at the apple events?| A．Attend experts’ lectures. |
| B．Visit fruit-loving families. |
| C．Plant fruit trees in an orchard. |
| D．Taste many kinds of apples. |
| A．It is a new variety. |
| B．It has a strange look. |
| C．It is rarely seen now. |
| D．It has a special taste. |
| A．A practical idea. |
| B．A vain hope. |
| C．A brilliant plan. |
| D．A selfish desire. |
| A．To show how to grow apples. |
| B．To introduce an apple festival. |
| C．To help people select apples. |
| D．To promote apple research. |
10 . Are you confused about what to do next when you plan a birthday celebration for your loved family member or try to help your family prepare for birthdays?
Form a band. If you want to fully enjoy yourselves, instead of turning on the music on the computer or phone, you can invite your classmates to form a band for your family member’s birthday. They can play a much music as you like.
Find a meeting place. Many people like to hold their parties at home.
Invite a special guest. Birthdays are often more memorable than the rest. To ensure your loved one’s party is special, besides gifts, think about someone you can invite that your family member will be happy and surprised to see.
| A．Buy a special cake. |
| B．Make a cake at home. |
| C．It’s not always easy to know where to begin. |
| D．You extremely want to get special birthday gifts. |
| E．It can be a friend your family member expects to see. |
| F．All of you will enjoy you selves in the live music this way. |
| G．But not everyone’s house is big enough for a birthday party. |
