On one full-moon night every fall, the river and lakes of Thailand are dotted with twinkling (闪烁的) candles. The Thais are celebrating “Loi Krathong” or “Floating Leaf Cup Day”.
No one knows for sure how this lovely holiday got started. But however it began, it is delightful today. It is simply a time to have fun.
Families always used to make their floats, or little boats, from banana leaves torn into pieces and made into the shape of a bowl. Then they beautifully decorated them with flowers. Now, while many families still make their own floats, others simply buy them. Modern floats may be made of banana leaves or plastic. All of them still hold a lighted candle, a flower, a stick or two of sweet-smelling incense (香), and a coin.
On the holiday evening, families gather at parks near lakes, rivers, or canals for outdoor dinners. Adults sit on mats and visit with their neighbors while children play hide-and-seek. Ion some cities, flaming fireworks and dancers in shining silk clothes entertain the crowd.
Many men and woman sell things. People sell floats to those who have not made them at home. Other people sell balloons in various shapes and colors or clever toys made of bamboo. Food sellers offer noodle soup, dried fish, candy, little cakes, roasted chicken, and bamboo tubes filled with sticky rice cooked in coconut milk. They pour soft drinks into small plastic bags, whirl a rubber band around the top, and stick in a short straw.
Then, when the full moon rises, families light the candles and set their little boats afloat. The waterway soon twinkles like a fairyland with candles moving up and down in their floats and fireworks reflecting in the water.
1. Why do people celebrate the holiday today? (不多于 3 个词)2. What are modern floats made of? (不多于 4 个词)
3. What is the passage about? (不多于 4 个词)
2 . We know that St. Patrick's Day festivities may include a little bit of drinking. But there are plenty of kid-safe St. Patrick's Day events around metro Phoenix, too. Here are the lucky St. Patrick's Day celebrations for kids.
3/17: Lucky St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes
Kids can make their own treats at the Children's Museum of Phoenix this St. Patrick's Day. Children can make and decorate their-cupcakes with rainbow candies and chocolate pots of gold. To-go containers will also be provided.
Details：1-3 p. m, Friday, March 17. Children's Museum of Phoenix, 215 N.7th Street, Phoenix. $3 for members. $4 for non-members. 602-253-0501.
3/17-19: Fountain O'Green Artisan Market
This community festival will include sculptures paintings, handcrafted jewelry and apparel from selected local and regional artists, live music and dance performance throughout the weekend. There will also be a food court.
On Friday, emerald-colored water will shoot from the town's fountain at noon. Take the kids to see the annual tradition and picnic in the park.
Details: 10 a. m.-5 p. m., Friday-Sunday, March 17-19. Avenue of the Fountains and Saguaro Boulevard, Fountain Hills. Free. 480-488-2014.
3/17: St Patrick's Day Party at AZ Air Time
Kids above 12 years old can collect their free, green glow necklaces and jump for three hours, scale the rock climbing wall or dive into the giant pit of foam. Jump sacks required.
Details: 8-11 p. m. Friday, March 17. AZ Air Time. 13802 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 145, Scottsdale. $15, which is a $14 savings, 480-427-2000.
1. In which program can kids find the food court?| A．St. Patrick's Day at the Irish Cultural Center. | B．Fountain O' Green Artisan Market. |
| C．St. Patrick's Day at AZ Air Time. | D．Lucky St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes. |
| A．Lucky St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes. | B．St. Patrick's Day at the Irish Cultural Center. |
| C．Fountain O'Green Artisan Market. | D．St. Patrick's Day at AZ Air Time. |
| A．Parents of younger children. | B．People addicted to alcohol. |
| C．Organizers of festivals. | D．Educators and businessmen. |
3 . If you're from the northern hemisphere (北半球), you'll find Christmas to be rather different in New Zealand.
New Zealanders continue the British tradition of having a family dinner during the middle of the day on Christmas Day.It usually begins on Christmas morning by exchanging presents which will be left under the Christmas tree in the home.
It may seem a bit strange to hear songs, such as White Christmas or Deck the Halls, in the middle of summer！Nevertheless, Christmas carols (颂歌) are popular.
New Zealand is an extremely(极端地) diverse(多样的) society.People from many cultures do not recognize Christmas in the same way as the early European settlers.
| A．They all stop on Christmas Day. |
| B．The most obvious difference is the weather. |
| C．Most New Zealanders do not go to church regularly. |
| D．However, Christmas is a special time for all New Zealanders. |
| E．Many towns and cities in New Zealand hold Christmas celebrations. |
| F．The Christmas meal itself is increasingly becoming a relaxing affair. |
| G．People will hear them played or sung in shopping malls during the holiday season. |
4 . The Guide to Film Festivals
Cannes Film Festival
Cannes, France in May
Top prize: Palme d’Or
History: The first Cannes Film Festival took place in September 1939, but it didn’t happen again until after World War II. The Palme d’Or prize was introduced in 1955. The festival became established during the 1960s and is now known as the world’s most important and influential film festival.
Did you know? About 20 feature films compete each year for the Palme d’Or. Previous winners include Michael Moore and Quentin Tarantino. Unlike the Oscars, the top prize is frequently shared between two films. Famous films that have won the Palme d’Or include Apocalypse Now, Taxi Driver, La Dolce Vita and The Third Man. The festival attracts more than 40,000 people every year.
Venice Film Festival
Venice, Italy in August/ September
Top prize: Golden Lion
History: The Venice Film Festival is the oldest film festival still in existence. The film festival was in 1932 and it attracted over 25, 000 people. The festival did not appear again until 1934, when there was a competition between 19 countries. The festival was held three times during World War II and has been held almost every year since then.
Did you know? Films at the 61st Venice Film Festival in 2004 were nominated for 16 awards at the Oscars — the highest ever for the festival. These films included Vera Drake, Shark Tale, Collateral and Finding Neverland.
The London Film Festival
London, UK in October/ November
Top prize: Non-competitive
History: The London Film Festival started in 1956 when a group of film critics led by the famous Dilys Powell, the film critic for The Sunday Times, got together over dinner. They discussed the festivals at Cannes and Venice, and they agreed that London needed one, too. They wanted to give people the opportunity to see films from around the world that were not being shown in the cinemas. The first festival showed 20 films at the National Film Theatre on the South Bank.
Did you know? The festival is one of Europe’s largest public film events, screening about 280 films from 60 countries. Although it is non-competitive, the British Film Institute awards the Sutherland Trophy to the most original and imaginative first feature film screened at the festival.
1. The Venice Film Festival____| A．didn’t attract many people at first |
| B．has been running longer than any other film festival |
| C．is regarded as the most essential film festival |
| D．has been held every year since 1934. |
| A．To make some films public. | B．To bring film critics together. |
| C．To choose the best original feature films. | D．To compete with other film festivals. |
| A．producing | B．watching | C．judging | D．showing |
5 . Tomato Festival
Started in 2005, the Tomato Festival has grown into a local tradition in Malta. In recent years, the festival has added amusement parkstyle rides and a yearly Creature Feature, which screens old horrible movies. There are also dance competitions, parades and pancake breakfast. Third weekend in August.
Address: 833 Tinkham Rd, Fountain Park, Wilbraham, Massachusetts 01095
Phone: (413)599-0010
Brat Days
Don’t mistake this festival for a day filled with poorly behaved children. Begun in 1953, the gathering is the biggest festival in the city each year and features more than 50 stands (摊位) selling the sausage, as well as a contest to see who can quickly eat the most bratwurst (德国式小香肠) in ten minutes.Early August.
Address: 17th and New Jersey sts, Kiwanis Park, Sheboygan, Wisconsin 53081
Phone: (920)457－9491
Hope Watermelon Festival
The festival dates back to the 1920s, when many trains went through this small town and local watermelon growers would sell their watermelon to parched travellers. These days, the festival sees a Watermelon Queen crowned (加冠的) and sometimes a worldrecord watermelon grown. There are also more than 300 stands selling arts and crafts from a sixstate area, as well as a car show and the Watermelon Olympics. Early August.
Address: 108 W 3rd St, Hope, Arkansas 71801
Phone: (870) 777-3640
Oyster Festival (牡蛎节)
Featuring appearances from tall ships and oyster boats, this festival has regularly drawn 60,000 visitors a year since it began in 1978. More than 3,000 volunteers make the festival possible each year. Norwalk is less than a twohour drive from many of New England’s larger cities, making it easy to attend the festival during a trip to New York or Hartford. Weekend after Labor Day.
Address: Sea view Ave, Veteran’s Park, East Norwalk, Connecticut 06855
Phone: (800) 866-7925
1. Which of the following festivals has the longest history?| A．Oyster Festival. |
| B．Tomato Festival. |
| C．Brat Days. |
| D．Hope Watermelon Festival. |
| A．The Creature Feature. |
| B．The Watermelon Olympics. |
| C．The Eatingbratwurst Contest. |
| D．Dance Competitions. |
| A．Brat Days |
| B．Tomato Festival |
| C．Hope Watermelon Festival |
| D．Oyster Festival |
6 . As most of you know, I don’t like running. I never go jogging, and I wouldn’t run a marathon even if I was paid for it. One thing that would make me run for my life would be if there were several hundred bulls running after me.
That’s exactly what people from all over the world are coming here to do tomorrow. I’m at the annual San Fermin Fiesta in Pamplona, Spain. This festival began in the Middle Ages, and has grown in popularity ever since. It lasts for a week in July, when the city is changed into an ocean of red and white, the official colors of the festival.
Before the bullring (斗牛场）was built, bull fights were held in a large square in the city. The custom of running ahead of the bulls started when the bulls had to be moved from the outskirts（市郊）of the city to the bullring. Some of the customs have changed over the years, but certain things are still the same.
Anyone who wants to take part in the run has to enter the special area by 7:30 am. The gates are then closed, and they won’t be opened to let you leave after that. At just before 8:00 am, the runners ask the statue of San Fermin to protect them. At eight o'clock, two fireworks are fired. With the first firework , the gates of the bull enclosure（围场）are opened, and with the second, the bulls are set free to run. They run after the runners down the length of the bull run, which is about 800 meters. The whole thing lasts about two minutes.
It sounds easier than it is. You can’t just run straight ahead. The route goes up and down narrow streets, with few places for runners to hide except doorways of buildings. The end of the run, just before the bulls enter the ring, is one of the most dangerous places. People running with the bulls have fallen here, and have been injured.
Don’t worry if you’re reading this, Mom. No one under the age of 18 is allowed to take part. I’ll be watching from the safety of the balcony!
1. What do we know about the San Fermin Fiesta?| A．It is attended only by locals. |
| B．Some of its traditions have survived. |
| C．Bull fights have been held in the same place. |
| D．It lasts seven days in June. |
| A．There are many places to hide from the bulls. |
| B．The race lasts more than thirty minutes. |
| C．Runners are no allowed to change their mind. |
| D．The race gets easier toward the end. |
| A．To introduce an ancient festival. |
| B．To tell his mother about his travels. |
| C．To advertise a coming event. |
| D．To share his personal experience. |
| A．An email. | B．A newspaper ad. |
| C．A magazine article. | D．A blog. |
7 . Birthdays at the Canadian Children’s Museum
The perfect place for a memorable birthday party!
Celebrate at the Canadian Children’s Museum with creative and fun-filled activities designed to excite the interest of children aged 3 to 12.
The party includes:
●One hour in a private party room;
●Admission to the museum;
●Unlimited time in the Children’s Museum (until closing);
●One hour animation(动画片)(Only with the “scene-Stealers” and “round the World” themed party. ) Payment is due(到期的)in full upon registration. Registration is required at least two weeks in advance.
Scene-Stealers (Ages 3 to 8)
Step into the spotlight (聚光灯)with a behind-the-scenes trip to the Canadian Children’s Museum Theatre. The Director will help you warm up with some theatre games, and teach you some stage skills to get you ready for the audience!
Cost: $190 for up to 10 kids and 2 adults; $10 for each extra child.
Around the World (Ages 4 to 7)
Take an unforgettable trip around the world to learn a traditional Mexican dance! This unforgettable journey through the International Village is packed with fun and creative activities for young adventurers.
Cost: $190 for up to 10 kids, and 2 adults; $10 for each extra child.
DIY Party (Ages 5 to 12)
DIY Party includes Museum admission, and one hour of free time in one of the Museum’s party rooms. A great choice for parents looking to plan their own activities!
Cost: $100 for up to 10 kids and 2 adults; $8 for each extra child.
1. What should you know about celebrating birthdays at the Canadian Children’s Museum?| A．It is for kids aged 3 to 7. |
| B．It provides animation in all parties. |
| C．It should be booked ahead of time. |
| D．It is required to be within one hour in the museum. |
| A．Make a new movie. | B．Learn some stage skills. |
| C．Visit the International Village. | D．Practice traditional paper-making art. |
| A．$100. | B．$116. | C．$190. | D．$210. |
8 . White chocolate, German chocolate, ice cream: There are hundreds of types of birthday cake in the world, each beautiful in its own sugary way. You are likely to enjoy one during at least one (hopefully all) of your birthday parties. But in between delicious bites of cake, have you ever stopped and wondered, “Why am I eating this? What makes this dessert fit to celebrate the day of my birth?”
It’s because you are as important and beloved as the gods. Kind of.
The ancient Egyptians are thought to have “invented” the celebration of birthdays. They believed when pharaohs (法老) were crowned, they became gods, so their coronation (加冕) day was a pretty big deal. That was their “birth” as a god.
Ancient Greeks borrowed the tradition, but realized that a dessert would make the celebration all the more meaningful. So they baked moon-shaped cakes to offer up to Artemis, goddess of the moon. They decorated them with lighted candles to make the cakes shine like the moon. Hence, it is the reason why we light our birthday cakes on fire.
Modern birthday parties are said to get their roots from the 18th century German celebration “Kinderfeste”. On the morning of a child’s birthday, he or she would receive a cake with lighted candles that added up to the kid’s age, plus one. This extra candle was called the “light of life,” representing the hope of another full year lived.
And then, torture — because no one could eat the cake until after dinner. The family replaced the candles as they burned out throughout the day. Finally, when the moment came, the birthday child would make a wish, try to blow out all the candles in one breath, and dig in. Like modern tradition, the birthday girl or boy wouldn’t tell anyone the wish so it would come true.
Since the ingredients (原料) to make cakes were pretty expensive, this birthday custom didn’t become popular until the Industrial Revolution. More ingredients were available, which made them cheaper, and bakeries even started selling pre-baked cakes.
1. What is the passage mainly about?| A．The origin of birthday cakes. | B．The significance of birthday cakes. |
| C．The history of birthday parties. | D．The introduction of cake production. |
| A．Germans. | B．Pharaohs. |
| C．Ancient Greeks. | D．Ancient Egyptians. |
| A．pleasure | B．replacement |
| C．sharing | D．suffering |
| A．The transport was inconvenient. |
| B．The ingredients of cakes were expensive. |
| C．The cake could not be eaten before dinner. |
| D．The bakeries would not sell pre-baked cakes. |
9 . It's now time to get dressed for the Central Missouri Renaissance Festival 10 a. m. to 6 p.m., October 19-20, in Kingdom City.
The festival is in its 15th year and its footprint at its location at 4274 County Road 220 has grown in the past six years, said Kevin Briscoe, festival casting director and board of directors member.
"When I first started at the fair years ago it was just tiny,” Briscoe said. “The acts were more localized and now we see some nationally recognized acts, and we have probably three times the size of the original grounds. We're starting to see permanent shopping structures. It has been unbelievable.”
The fair has around 60 shops and craftspeople(匠人) making products from medieval(中世纪的) renaissance and other time periods, said Briscoe. It gives people a chance to experience life from these periods. There are also musical acts, comedy acts, magicians, food trucks and stands. The festival also takes food donations,which are then given out to area food kitchens. A board of seven directors work year-in-year-out to prepare for the three festival weekends, one in April, May and October. The final weekend in October is the big weekend.
"We volunteer, we go out and cut grass, we build, and we do all of the work out there because we are a nonprofit fair, so everything we do is done through volunteers and it works," Briscoe said. People can expect a lot of fun, laughter, music entertainment, shopping, good food and drinks. "We try to offer something for everybody. We have a fairyland for all the kids. We want you to be entertained." he said.
Briscoe lives and breathes renaissance festivals. If there is such a fair happening somewhere and it's his weekend off from work, he's likely going there. "I go to St. Louis Renaissance Festival on my weekends off, when I'm not in Kansas City Renaissance Festival working at its fair and just go hang out, " he said. "That's how much I love what I'm doing.”
1. What did Briscoe say about the fair in Paragraph 3?| A．It faces challenges. | B．It needs more support. |
| C．It should be made local. | D．It has developed quickly. |
| A．It provides visitors with free food. | B．It is based on volunteers' efforts. |
| C．It lasts for the whole of October. | D．It is held mainly for children. |
| A．He is very confident about the fair. |
| B．He has little time to work at the fair. |
| C．He is enthusiastic about renaissance festivals. |
| D．He works for two renaissance fairs in St. Louis |
| A．A fair manager. | B．A news reporter. |
| C．A casting director. | D．A skilled craftsman. |
10 . This March is a busy month in Shanghai. There's a lot to do. Here are the highlights.
Live Music - Late Night Jazz
Enjoy real American jazz from Herbie Davis, the famous trumpet player. He's coming with his new 7-piece band, Herbie' s Heroes. Herbie is known to play well into the early hours, so don't expect to get much sleep. This is Herbie' s third visit to Shanghai. The first two were sold out, so get your tickets quickly.
PLACE: The Jazz Club DATES: 15-23 March PRICE: ￥80,120 TIME: 10:00p.m. till late! TEL: 6466-8736
Scottish dancing
Take your partners and get ready to dance till you drop. Scottish dancing is fun and easy to learn. Instructors will demonstrate the dances. The live band, Gordon Stroppie and the Weefrees, are also excellent.
PLACE: Jack Stein's DATES: every Monday PRICE: Y60 including one drink TIME: 7:00 - ~0:00 p.m. TEL: 6402-1877
Exhibitions - Shanghai Museum
There are 120,000 pieces on show here. You can see the whole of Chinese history under one roof. It' s always interesting to visit, but doubly so at the moment with the Egyptian Tombs exhibition. There are lots of mummies and more gold than you've ever seen before. Let us know if you see a mummy move!
PLACE: Shanghai Museum PRICE: ￥30 (￥ 15 for students) TEL: 6888-6888 DATES: daily TIME: Monday - Friday 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m., Weekends 9:00a.m. - 9:00p.m.
Dining - Sushi chef in town
Sushi is getting really big in Shanghai. In Japan, it' s become an art form. The most famous Sushi 'artist' is Yuki Kamura. She' s also one of the few female chefs in Japan. She' ll be at Sushi Scene all of this month.
PLACE: Sushi Scene in the Shanghai Hotel DATES: all month PRICE: ￥200 TIME: lunchtime TEL: 6690-3211
For a full listing of events, see our website.
1. Suppose you are going to attend an activity at 8: 00p.m. on Saturday, which one can you choose?| A．Live Music - Late Night Jazz | B．Scottish dancing |
| C．Exhibitions - Shanghai Museum | D．Dining - Sushi chef in town |
| A．Scottish dancing is so interesting and easy that it never tires you out. |
| B．The performance given by the American jazz band won't last long. |
| C．Sushi is not popular in Shanghai as it is a kind of Japanese traditional food. |
| D．It is more interesting to visit Shanghai Museum for the exhibits from Egypt. |
| A．a cook | B．a waitress |
| C．an instructor | D．an artist |
