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 . Two years ago, my friend Terry and I were living in our dormitory at our university. With his birthday approaching, he came to me with an unusual request. Instead of receiving presents and getting drunk (like most every other 21-year-old would), he wanted to do some acts of kindness. I was struck with such an idea. He told me about a TED talk he had watched online, which had inspired him.
Our university is not located in the safest area in Los Angeles. In fact, its location is so unsafe that the school employs the second largest private legal militia (民兵队伍) in the United States to protect its students. They have to work around the clock, standing on street corners throughout the university keeping watch. It’s a thankless job as most students grow used to seeing officers all around and finally hardly even notice their presence.
How could we show them our appreciation? We rented a truck and asked its driver to drive us around the place where we knew the officers would be and we poured them each a cup of hot chocolate. The truck driver was a bit hesitant (犹豫的) about our plan at first but after a while he was helping us spot officers and our lively spirits had spread to him as well. Smiles and appreciative words from the officers impressed us a lot. Soon they were talking about us over their radio and we were the ones being spotted and called over. Finally, the hot chocolate seemed secondary (次要的) to their interest in meeting us, the two boys that went around with hot chocolate expecting to share some late-night laughter. It was amazing to see how a small simple act can lift everyone’s spirits.
1. What inspired Terry to celebrate his birthday in a different way?| A．A radio speech. | B．An online video. |
| C．His concern for other people. | D．Other 21-year-old’s birthday celebrations. |
| A．They don’t think the officers perform their duty well. |
| B．They feel frightened to see the officers around. |
| C．They are not used to being watched by the officers. |
| D．They seldom appreciate the officers’ hard work. |
| A．He was unwilling to accept the idea. |
| B．He couldn’t wait to join the two boys. |
| C．He was strongly against the idea. |
| D．He was struck with the idea. |
| A．Lovely officers around the school |
| B．Importance of school safety |
| C．A unique birthday request |
| D．Late-night laughter |
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 . IPSWICH FESTIVAL 2018
April 12-22
FIESTA, FOOD, FUN&FLA VOURS!
Join us for an impressive evening of live music, dance, and activities for people of all ages.
Be entertained by foreign Belly Dancers, traditional South Pacific Island Fire Dancers and energetic Bollywood Dancers.
Main stage entertainment includes the beautiful singing of a Celtic band, the African rhythm of Joe Tee and Afrodisa, and the infectious Latin party experience of Izalco.
DATE: Friday 20 April
LOCATION: Queens Park, Goleby Avenue, Ipswich Central
FESTIVAL GALA
Ipswich City Symphony (交响乐团) delivers an unforgettable show of music and songs from the great musicals.
Internationally well-known singer Silvie Paladino sings for the first time with Ipswich City Symphony and we welcome back one of the world’s leading bass (男低音) singers, David Hibbard, and the award-winning singer, Tim McCallum.
DATE: Saturday 21 April
LOCATION: Ipswich Civic Centre, Nicholas Street, Ipswich Central
JAZZ, WINE& BLUES
Take a chair and sit back to enjoy fine wines, delicious food and an exciting line-up of both local and nationally known jazz and blues artists.
This event features the dynamic rhythms of Australia’s long-standing touring bands, Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows, the award-winning Elly Hoyt, Devils Kiosk and the Ipswich City Big Band.
DATE: Saturday 21 April
LOCATION: Brisbane Street, Top of Town, Ipswich Central
IPSWICH ART AWARDS
The Ipswich Art Awards is a major art exhibition. Over 200 artwork entries in a range of artwork categories from photography, painting, sculpture, drawing and printmaking will be on display, with all of the artworks available for purchase during the exhibition.
DATE: 12 April to 22 April
LOCATION: Ipswich Art Gallery, d’Arcy Doyle Place. Nicholas Street, Ipswich Central
1. On which day can you watch different types of dancing?| A．12 April. | B．20 April. |
| C．21 April. | D．22 April. |
| A．FESTIVAL GALA. |
| B．JAZZ, WINE& BlUES. |
| C．IPSWICH ART AWARDS. |
| D．FIESTA, FOOD, &FUN FLAVOURS! |
| A．Queens Park. |
| B．Brisbane Street. |
| C．Ipswich Art Gallery. |
| D．Ipswich Civic Centre. |
5 . People in the United States honor their parents with two special days: Mother's Day, on the second Sunday in May, and Father's Day, on the third Sunday in June. These days are set aside to show love and respect for parents. They raise their children and educate them to be responsible citizens. They give love and care. These two days offer a chance to think about the changing roles of mothers and fathers. More mothers now work outside the home. More fathers must help with child-care.
These two special days are celebrated in many different ways. On Mother's Day people wear carnations. A red one stands for a living mother. A white one shows that the mother is dead. Many people attend religious services to honor parents. It is also a day when people whose parents are dead visit their graves. On these days, families get together at home and in restaurants. They often have outdoor BBQs for Father’s Day. These are days of fun and good feelings and memories.
Another tradition is to give cards and gifts. Children make them in school. Many people make their own presents. These are valued more than the ones bought in stores. It is not the value of the gift that is important, but it is ''the thought that counts''. Greeting card stores, florists, candy makers, bakeries, telephones companies and other stores do a lot of business during these holidays.
1. Which is NOT a reason for children to show love and respect for parents?| A．Parents bring up children. |
| B．Parents give love and care to children. |
| C．Parents pass away before children grow up. |
| D．Parents educate children to be good persons. |
| A．Mother's Day and Father's Day are both in May. |
| B．Not all the children respect their parents. |
| C．Fewer women worked outside the home in the past. |
| D．Fathers are not as important as mothers at home. |
| A．It only has two kinds of color. |
| B．It is a special kind of clothes people wear on Mother's Day or Father's Day. |
| C．People can wear carnations only on the second Sunday in June. |
| D．It's a kind of flower showing love and best wishes. |
| A．They sell flowers. |
| B．They made bread. |
| C．They offer enough room for having family parties. |
| D．They sell special clothes for Mother's Day and Father's Day. |
