1 . Birthdays are especially important to the very young and the very old. On their birthdays, people receive birthday cards and birthday presents from their family and friends. Children’s cards often have a large number on them showing how old they are. Cards for adults have pictures of flowers or scenery, or humorous or rude cartoons. Inside there is usually a simple greeting, such as “Happy Birthday” or “Many Happy Returns of the Day.”
In the US, children who have their birthdays during the school year take a cake to school and have a small party with their classmates. In Britain, children sometimes get Bumped (lifted off the ground horizontally and put down again sharply) by their friends.
In the US, the 16th birthday is called sweet 16. It is the age at which a person can get a US driver’s license, and some wealthier parents give their children a car as a present. At 18, in Britain and in the US, young people become adults and many have a big party. In most parts of the US, 21 is the age at which people can drink alcohol legally.
In Britain, people celebrate 21st birthday less. Many adults dislike getting older and a few lie about their age. But in general older people are now much more willing to tell others their age. You may see a sign by the side of a road saying: “Dave Ell is 40 today!”, put there by Dave’s friends. At about 65, people retire, and those who have reached this age are called senior citizens. Few people live to be 100, so a 100th birthday is very special. In Britain, people reaching this age may receive cards containing a printed message from the Queen.
1. What’s the main characteristic of children’s birthday cards?| A．They are full of pictures of scenery. |
| B．There are some flowers on them. |
| C．There is a large number on them. |
| D．They have greetings written on them. |
| A．The 40th birthday is very special. |
| B．Many adults like lying about their age. |
| C．Dave’s friends like playing jokes on him. |
| D．Older people don’t mind telling others their age now. |
| A．be called a senior citizen |
| B．refuse to talk about his age |
| C．receive a card from the Queen |
| D．be invited to dinner with the Queen |
| A．Bars in the US are forbidden to sell alcohol to young people of 21. |
| B．In Britain, 18 means young people become adults. |
| C．Young people will get a car as the 16th birthday present in the US. |
| D．British young men love to celebrate the 21st birthday. |
2 . Are you ready to go big, bright and bold the last night of the year?
If so, these destinations around the world have a well-deserved reputation for throwing a great New Year’s Eve gala.
Bangkok
Bangkok often comes to mind when travelers seek out Asia’s best nightlife cities. So it’s a natural place to ring in the new year if you like crowds, bright lights, noise and carnivals.
You may want to continue the celebration at one of Bangkok’s stunning bars such as Sky Beach Bangkok, the city’s highest bar, or Sirocco, also set high above the bustling streets.
Rio de Janeiro
If you want to greet a new year with about 3 million other souls in a warm beach resort with strong Brazilian atmosphere, head to Rio de Janeiro.
The main gathering at Copacabana Beach, which starts even before dark, traditionally features a variety of musical acts and fireworks. If you want to party in classic Rio style, pay a visit to Jobi Bar. It’s a social institution in the city, having been open since the 1950s.
New York City
Times Square in Manhattan - it’s synonymous with New Year’s Eve across the United States. Even if you haven’t been there in person for the 10-9-8 countdown, there’s a good chance that you’ve watched the famous ball drop on television.
If you don’t feel like jamming into Times Square with what must feel like half of all humanity, set off fireworks and fun at Grand Army Plaza, which is just off Prospect Park in Brooklyn.
1. What do the three spots have in common?| A．You can see the ball drop. | B．You can experience the Brazilian atmosphere. |
| C．You can be surrounded by masses of people. | D．You can appreciate the fireworks all night long. |
| A．A river cruise. | B．Musical performances. |
| C．Fireworks from hilltops. | D．Delicious food in classic Rio style. |
| A．Jobi Bar. | B．Times Square. | C．Prospect Park. | D．Copacabana Beach. |
3 . Fantastic Fall Festivals You Won’t Want to Miss
Seymour Apple Festival
Admission to the Seymour Apple Festival is free and so is the entertainment! More than 15,000 people from all over the region come out to take part in the activities, ranging from drawings, vendor booths, food, apple contests, bike-decorating contests and more.
Humansville Fall Festival
The Humansville Fall Festival may be hosted by a small town, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking big fun. Perfect for all ages, this fall festival is celebrating its 70th year and will provide three full days of fun. This year’s festival will feature live music from fantastic local musicians, which will definitely make it different from the ones in other years. You’ll also find fun carnival rides, talented craftsmen selling their goods, and an amazing parade to wrap up the event on Saturday.
Southside Fall Festival
The Southside Fall Festival is perfect for family celebrations, with an alcohol-free environment and free admission. Enjoy a colorful parade and float contest, delicious food stores, live music, karaoke and more.
Fall Into Arts Festival
Make sure to bring the kids along for this festival that celebrates all things creative. The Fall Into Arts Festival features a host of kid-friendly activities like a lego build, sand art, bubble stations, chalk the sidewalk, a jump house and more. Parents will have plenty to do as well, with an excellent variety of artists, festival food, a mini film festival and much more.
1. What do Seymour Apple Festival and Southside Fall Festival have in common?| A．They are free of charge. | B．They are for family celebrations. |
| C．They have parade events. | D．They host kid-friendly activities. |
| A．Fun activities on Saturday. | B．Musicians’ live performance. |
| C．The area of the hosting town. | D．The celebration of the festival. |
| A．Humansville Fall Festival. | B．Fall Into Arts Festival. |
| C．Seymour Apple Festival. | D．Southside Fall Festival. |
4 . Celebrate!
Birthdays in Mexico
In Mexico, children often get pinatas (皮纳塔) on their birthdays. Their parents put chocolates and other sweets inside the pinata and hang it on a tree. Then the children hit the pinata with a stick. It breaks and the sweets fall out onto the ground.
Business birthdays
A business birthday shows that a company is successful. Many businesses in the USA celebrate important birthdays, like 10, 50 or 150 years. Companies hold parties and send cards. Sometimes they make TV advertisements. It is a good chance to advertisements. It is a good chance to advertise the business.
Name days
As well as a birthday, many people in Southern and Eastern Europe also celebrate their name days. In Greece, name days are more important than birthdays. People have big parties and open their houses to anybody who wants to come. People bring small gifts, often flowers or a box of sweets.
Islamic New Year
In Muslim countries across the world, people celebrate Eid. Eid means festival or celebration. During Eid, people visit family and friends, as well as people who are sick or in hospital. They give presents, such as sweets and food. Children receive toys, too. Children often wear special traditional clothes during the Eid celebrations.
Birthdays in China
In China, people often celebrate birthdays by eating with family or friends, and the last dish of the meal is always noodles. The noodles are long and thin. You have to eat them in one piece. You can’t cut them. In Chinese culture, long noodles mean you will have a long life.
1. Where do people celebrate business birthdays according to the text?| A．In China. | B．In Mexico. |
| C．In America. | D．In Greece. |
| A．Holding parties. |
| B．Visiting parents. |
| C．Sharing sweets and food. |
| D．Making TV advertisements. |
| A．Noodles in China are delicious. |
| B．Noodles represent the reunion of family. |
| C．Noodles are a traditional and popular food. |
| D．Noodles symbolize longevity in Chinese culture. |
5 . Happy Campers Summer Retreat
As a parent, your child’s health and happiness are the most important things to you, which can be difficult to achieve. The Happy Campers Summer Retreat was developed to help parents with this challenge.
Founded in 1998 by Michael Gibson, our summer camp is open to children during the holidays, from May to September. We look after lots of children every single year. Our camp is based in the Colorado Mountains, and it offers a lot of different activities for children.
Our program helps improve:
• Physical fitness
• Problem-solving skills
• Social skills
• Sports ability and experience
The Happy Campers Summer Retreat can benefit all children. Some children are good at school, but rarely active. Our program will help encourage an interest in sports. Other children are mainly interested in sports. These children will not only play sports, but will also learn new skills, such as teamwork skills, social skills, and communication skills. Children will also have the chance to try new activities. Our program is designed to help develop a complete and fully active child.
At very affordable prices, our program is available to any family in America. Your child’s stay can be as short as a week or as long as six weeks.
Why not call us today or click here to join our camp? Take action now and give your child this great chance!
1. How long does the camp last every year?| A．One week. | B．Five months. |
| C．Six weeks. | D．One month. |
| A．How to deal with people. | B．How to choose a strong team. |
| C．How to avoid physical problems. | D．How to stay interested in something. |
| A．To describe the history of the camp. |
| B．To compare the camp with other activities. |
| C．To encourage parents to send their children to the camp. |
| D．To tell parents about the benefits of outdoor activities. |
6 . Holidays
Holiday News Vacancies(空位) now and in the school holidays at a country hotel in Devon. This comfortable, friendly home-from-home lies near the beautiful quiet countryside, but just a drive away from the sea. The food is simple but good. Children and pets are welcome. Reduced prices for low season. |
The Snowdonia Centre The Snowdonia Centre for young mountain climbers has a mountain climbing lesson. The beginners’ costs are ￡57 for a week, including food and rooms. Equipment is included except walking shoes, which can be hired at a low cost. You must be in good health and prepared to go through a period of body exercises. This could be the beginning of a lifetime of mountain climbing adventure. |
The World Sea Trip of a Lifetime Our World Sea Trip of 2008 will be unlike any holiday you have ever been on before. Instead of one hotel after another, with all its packing and unpacking, waiting and traveling, you just go to bed in one country and wake up in another. On board the ship, you will be well taken care of. Every meal will be first-class and every cabin like your home. During the trip, you can rest on deck(甲板), enjoy yourself in the games rooms and in the evening dance to our musical team and watch our wonderful play. You will visit all the places most people only dream about — from Acapulco and Hawaii to Tokoy and Hong Kong. For a few thousand pounds, all you’ve ever hoped for can be yours. |
| A．Choose the holiday in Devon. | B．Go to the Snowdonia Centre. |
| C．Join the World Sea Trip of 2008. | D．Visit Acapulco and Hawaii. |
| A．It provides chances of family gatherings. | B．It provides customers with good food. |
| C．It offers a sports lesson. | D．It offers comfortable rooms. |
| A．You can have free meals on deck every day. |
| B．You can sleep on a ship and tour many places. |
| C．You will have chances to watch and act in a play. |
| D．You have to do your own packing and unpacking. |
7 . Forty-nine years ago, on April 22, 1970, twenty million Americans took to the streets to voice their concern about the deteriorating environment. The movement led to Earth Day.
Unfortunately, our planet is in worse shape now than it was when Earth Day was first celebrated. The good news is that it's still not too late to reverse（转变）climate change if we all do our part. This Earth Day, take the first step towards helping our planet by participating in one of these fun activities.
NASA is putting our planet up for adoption so you and your friend can apply for a portion（份额）of the planet as your own. The space agency has divided the globe into 64,000 sections, each about 55 miles wide. All you have to do is type your name into NASA's “Adopt the Planet” site and you will be offered the location of your “slice of paradise（天堂）”complete with details of its environment and climate. NASA hopes that this activity will inspire interest and care about our planet.
Search giant Google is also trying to engage the public with an updated Google Earth focused on Earth Day events. Through a new Voyager feature, users will be able to discover stories from around the world, learn about new places by reading “Knowledge Cards” and send postcards.
If you happen to be anywhere near the nation's capital on April 22, join the millions that are expected to participate in the Earth Day March at the National Mail. The mission of the event that will feature guest speakers and musical performances is to mobilize（动员）citizens into taking action by promoting this year's Earth Day theme；climate and environmental science literacy.
While participating in the above-mentioned activities is a great idea, it is just the beginning. All that is required are small lifestyle changes. Planting a tree or two, going meatless just one day a week, or switching your plastic water bottle for a reusable one will go a long way to help reverse the damage we have caused.
1. The underlined word “deteriorating" is the closest in meaning to____________.| A．cleaner | B．better | C．worse | D．colder |
| A．air quality | B．ancient history | C．local customs | D．tourist attractions |
| A．They can create “Knowledge Cards” online. |
| B．They can participate in the Earth Day March. |
| C．They can gain more information on new places. |
| D．They can receive postcards coming from Google. |
| A．To point out the importance of Earth Day. |
| B．To inform people about several fun activities. |
| C．To express his concern about the environment. |
| D．To call on people to take action to protect our planet. |
8 . Birthdays are especially important to the very young and the very old. On their birthdays, people receive birthday cards and birthday presents from their family and friends. Children’s cards often have a large number on them showing how old they are. Cards for adults have pictures of flowers or scenery, or humorous or rude cartoons. Inside there is usually a simple greeting, such as “Happy Birthday” or “Many Happy Returns of the Day.”
In the US, children who have their birthdays during the school year take a cake to school and have a small party with their classmates. In Britain, children sometimes get Bumped (lifted off the ground horizontally and put down again sharply) by their friends.
In the US, the 16th birthday is called sweet 16. It is the age at which a person can get a US driver’s license, and some wealthier parents give their children a car as a present. At 18, in Britain and in the US, young people become adults and many have a big party. In most parts of the US, 21 is the age at which people can drink alcohol legally.
In Britain, people celebrate 21st birthday less. Many adults dislike getting older and a few lie about their age. But in general older people are now much more willing to tell others their age. You may see a sign by the side of a road saying: “Dave Ell is 40 today!”, put there by Dave’s friends. At about 65, people retire, and those who have reached this age are called senior citizens. Few people live to be 100, so a 100th birthday is very special. In Britain, people reaching this age may receive card containing a printed message from the Queen.
1. What’s the main characteristic of children’s birthday cards?| A．They are full of pictures of scenery. |
| B．There are some flowers on them. |
| C．There is a large number on them. |
| D．They have greetings written on them. |
| A．The 40th birthday is very special |
| B．Many adults like lying about their age |
| C．Dave’s friends like playing jokes on him. |
| D．Older people don’ t mind telling others their age now |
| A．be called a senior citizen | B．refuse to talk about his age |
| C．receive a card from the queen | D．be invited to dinner with the Queen |
| A．Bars in the US are forbidden to sell alcohol to young people under 21. |
| B．In Britain, 18 means young people become adults. |
| C．Young people will get a car as the 16th birthday present in the US. |
| D．British young men love to celebrate the 21st birthday. |
