1 . While some customs like setting off fireworks and counting down the last few seconds seem universal, many countries have their own unique New Year’s Eve traditions.
Denmark: Break plates
A Danish tradition is to throw plates and dishes against friend’s and neighbor’s front doors. It’s a bit of a popularity contest as the bigger the pile of broken china is the next morning, the more friends and good luck you’ll have in the coming year.
Germany: Pouring lead
In Germany, people melt small pieces of lead in a spoon over a candle, then pour the liquid into cold water. The shapes from the lead pouring are supposed to reveal what the year ahead will bring. If the lead forms a ball, luck will roll one’s way, while the shape of a crown means wealth; a cross means death and a star will bring happiness.
Spain: Twelve grapes of luck
In Spain, one New Year’s tradition is to eat 12 grapes, one for each month of the coming year, to secure prosperity (繁荣). You need to eat one grape with each bell strike at midnight. The tradition dates from 1909 when farmers in Alicante came up with this idea to sell more grapes after an exceptional harvest.
Philippines: Round food, round clothes, round everything
In the Philippines, the start of the new year is all about the money. The locals believe that surrounding themselves with round things (to represent coins) will bring money or fortune. As a result, clothes with dots are worn and round food is eaten.
1. What is believed to bring good luck for the coming new year in Denmark?| A．A red candle. | B．Round food. | C．Broken china. | D．A lead cross. |
| A．A way to make coins. | B．An act to keep power. |
| C．A desire to be popular. | D．An idea to gain profit. |
| A．Fashion. | B．Travel. | C．Culture. | D．Entertainment. |
2 . Prom(高中毕业舞会)is a day you’ll never forget. It’s one of the most important events of your senior year, one you certainly don’t want to miss.
About a month before prom, I started my countdown(倒计时). It took me about a week to find my dress. I bought it secondhand, but it was the most beautiful dress I’d ever seen-not too fancy, just the look I wanted. My shoes were bought from Wal-Mart. It might not seem the best place for shoes, but they were so comfortable that I couldn’t wait to dance all night long in them. My cousin Melissa did my hair and make-up. I received so many compliments(恭维）at prom about my hair and make-up and I felt grateful to her.
I had much fun with a group of friends. We danced for four hours and I felt as if my feet were going to fall off. After that came the dessert buffet(自助餐). There were four to five tables filled with sweets. I only had a piece of chocolate cheesecake and this little cup of strawberry dessert, but both were to die for.
By the time the casino(老虎机)and magician arrived, everyone was super tired. I wanted to sleep, but I went out into the hall with friends and took pictures. At around 6:30 am, we headed into the breakfast hall for breakfast and goodbyes. Although it wasn’t the last time we would be seeing each other, it felt as if we were leaving behind so much.
Prom is going to be one of the best times in your life. Don’t think of it as a dance. Think of it as a life-changing moment. I know it was for me.
1. Paragraph 2 is mainly about the author’s_______.| A．plans for the prom | B．decision to attend the prom |
| C．regrets at the prom | D．preparations for the prom |
| A．dancing | B．sleeping | C．taking photos | D．eating sweets |
| A．It is a good chance to dance |
| B．It is an occasion to say goodbye |
| C．It is a life-changing event with fun |
| D．It is the most important to senior students |
| A．Going to prom | B．Senior proms |
| C．Best time in your life | D．Last moment of senior year |
