1 . On Remembrance Day members of the armed forces (soldiers, sailors and airmen) are commemorated (纪念).

The other common name for this day is Armistice Day which marks the date and time when armies stopped fighting World War Ⅰ, on November 11th at 11am in 1918 (the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month). Some 100,000 Canadian soldiers died in the First and Second World Wars.

In Canada, Remembrance Day is a federal statutory (法定的) holiday — with a notable exception of Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Ontario and Quebec — as it is in many other countries in the world where this day is observed on the national level.

All government buildings fly the Canadian flag this day and people remember those who fought for Canada during a two-minute silence at 11am. Many people wear poppies before and on Remembrance Day to show their respect and support for Canadian troops. Poppies are generally handed out free but often a voluntary donation is given in exchange.

In the United States this day is called Veterans’ Day and is also observed on November 11th.

Should Remembrance Day be a state holiday in every province?

We continue to receive lots of messages from people all over the country who are outraged (气愤的) why Remembrance Day is not a state holiday everywhere in Canada. Indeed, it would make sense to make this a state holiday in every province and territory — even in Ontario. But not everyone agrees. Send us your thoughts about this issue in the comment area near the bottom of this page.

Recently we received a comment from Jason and would like to post it on this page because we think that Jason makes a very good point in his message:

“Please DO NOT make Remembrance Day a statutory holiday in Ontario. Family Day is a much more appreciated break for families in the heart of the long cold depressing winter. Remembrance Day is better observed in a ceremony at your school, community centre or place of work.”

1. What can be learned about Remembrance Day?

A．It was established on November 11th, 1918.

B．It is also referred to as Armistice Day.

C．It is not observed on the same day as Veterans’ Day.

D．It is held in memory of American soldiers that died in two world wars.

2. What usually take place to mark Remembrance Day in Canada?

A．The Canadian flag will appear on all buildings.

B．People hold a two-minute silence at 12 am.

C．All people wear poppies just on the day.

D．Poppies are often offered in exchange for some donation.

3. Why is Jason’s comment posted based on the text?

A．There is something in what he said about the issue.

B．Not everyone agrees to have Remembrance Day.

C．To collect people’s different views on the issue.

D．To show Family Day is appreciated in Ontario.

4. Where is this passage most likely taken from?

A．The Internet.	B．The magazine.
C．The newspaper.	D．The history book.

2 . Saint Patrick’s Day is a major holiday in Ireland, but the rest of the world has influenced its celebration as much as the Irish     1     (they). Most Americans think of Saint Patrick’s Day as a big party     2     (center) around drinking alcohol. But its     3     (origin) in Ireland were religious, says Mike Cronin, a professor of Irish history with Boston College of Massachusetts.

Saint Patrick lived in Ireland more than 2,000 years ago. He is     4     (wide) considered to have established Christianity in the country. The Church decided to honor him with a holy day. March 17, the date of his death,    5     (choose) in the 171h century.

St. Patrick is believed     6     (serve) in Ireland as a Catholic Bishop (主教). The average Irish person honored March 17 quietly.    7     (attend) church services was the main activity. In fact, most businesses that served alcohol would close in honor     8     the day. In the early 1900s, Ireland’s government made St. Patrick’s Day     9     official holiday. By the 1960s, towns across Ireland started celebrating the holiday with parades and music.

In Ireland today, Si. Patrick’s Day is a four-day public celebration     10     includes parades, music, food, and games.

3 . My tenth Christmas was one I was not looking forward to. Money was tight. Mom said we were old enough not to have __________. Just being together would be enough.

We weren’t the only family in our small community who would have a __________ Christmas. But knowing that others were going through the same thing didn’t __________ much.

One night we had a small pity party for each other.

“How can I even wear that same old dress one more time?” I __________.

“I know,” said my sister. “I think I might as well give up asking for a __________.”

The next day, Mom told us that she had been saving up and shopping around so that we could give the Walters family a Christmas basket.

“If anyone needs some __________, it’s the Walters.” Mom said.

The Walters! They were the strangest people we knew. How could Mom be so __________ with them when our own family didn’t have enough?

Mom was determined. She packed flour and sugar, a small turkey, some fruits in a basket and asked us to __________ it to the Walters.

I really didn’t like to have anything to do with them. Not wanting to be __________, we left the basket on the doorstep and hid behind a nearby bush.

Seeing the Waiters gather up the basket, I asked my sister in whisper, “Did they look happy?”

“Well, yeah, happy, but mostly they looked like they were thinking: Maybe we do belong.”

Christmas morning arrived. To my great __________, I received a beautiful dress. I couldn’t believe it’s for me, I was about to __________ when we noticed Dad ride up on a new horse. My sister screamed and ran out. She couldn’t __________ to meet her “gift”.

“Mom, how did you do all this?” I asked. “We were __________ for a no-present Christmas.”

“Oh, not necessarily trading but just helping each other. Mrs. Olsen at the dress shop let me bring your gift home. Dad offered to __________ up Mrs, Marshall’s tree lights. Mr. Jones had a horse and he was __________ to know we had someone to love it.”

“I thought since you were giving away food to the Walters, we would never have enough. They really don’t have anything to give in __________.”

“We are like a big family. Never __________ who can or who can’t give. The most important is that we should listen to our hearts. Perhaps the right gifts will end up with the right families.”

Mom always knew __________. Thinking about the expression on the Walters’s faces when they discovered the Christmas basket, I realized their “__________” feeling was more precious than any of the gifts.

That was the Christmas that I learned about the magic of __________.

1.

A．parties

B．gifts

C．trips

D．games

2.

A．regular

B．great

C．peaceful

D．simple

3.

A．help

B．cover

C．pay

D．judge

4.

A．insisted

B．laughed

C．complained

D．begged

5.

A．light

B．dress

C．horse

D．tree

6.

A．courage

B．trust

C．cheer

D．praise

7.

A．popular

B．patient

C．strict

D．generous

8.

A．lend

B．deliver

C．award

D．show

9.

A．recognized

B．excused

C．caught

D．realized

10.

A．surprise

B．relief

C．alarm

D．fear

11.

A．talk

B．speak

C．tell

D．say

12.

A．wait

B．intend

C．expect

D．decide

13.

A．known

B．eager

C．ready

D．responsible

14.

A．give

B．hang

C．pick

D．look

15.

A．happy

B．afraid

C．proud

D．worried

16.

A．vain

B．effect

C．return

D．store

17.

A．mind

B．ignore

C．remember

D．forget

18.

A．dreams

B．choices

C．truth

D．duty

19.

A．satisfying

B．belonging

C．inspiring

D．relaxing

20.

A．forgiving

B．communicating

C．believing

D．giving

4 . I remember believing in Santa when I was a very young girl. However, as I grew older, I learned many _______ that “proved” his nonexistence. Always_______by nature, I was determined to use _______to decide whether Santa Claus was _______.

The first test_______when I was 5, I decided that if I _______all night on Christmas Eve, I could see if Santa really came down the chimney. _______, that was a useless_______. I fell asleep that year, and when I woke up, I saw a _______ wrapped present under the________.

At the age of 7, I came up with another test to see if Santa was real. That year, I didn’t send out my Christmas letter to Santa because I wanted ________for Christmas. But this turned into a plot. By then, I ________knew Santa wasn’t real, but I wanted enough________to support this. That year was ________. Because on Christmas Eve, my mother dragged me to our local Wal-Mart led me around the toy section. I ________ to say a word, but did let my eyes ________on a ballet set. I________that “Santa” wouldn’t know what I wanted because he shouldn’t be able to read my ________. However, my mother would know everything that caught my eyes in the store. If I got the ballet set the next morning, I would have my evidence. On Christmas morning, there was the ballet set, sitting under the tree again.________I didn’t use it much, my mother ended up returning it a few days later. She ________ Santa was generous enough to leave a receipt. That was the end to my task to discover the existence of Santa.

1.

A．theories

B．choices

C．situations

D．facts

2.

A．curious

B．typical

C．cautious

D．desperate

3.

A．data

B．exam

C．tricks

D．tests

4.

A．generous

B．wise

C．merciful

D．real

5.

A．worked

B．succeeded

C．happened

D．failed

6.

A．stayed up

B．kept up

C．called up

D．made up

7.

A．Instead

B．However

C．Therefore

D．Otherwise

8.

A．effect

B．suggestion

C．attempt

D．struggle

9.

A．roughly

B．beautifully

C．clearly

D．tidily

10.

A．tree

B．bed

C．chimney

D．table

11.

A．everything

B．anything

C．nothing

D．something

12.

A．hardly

B．already

C．never

D．usually

13.

A．idea

B．intention

C．evidence

D．experience

14.

A．amazing

B．interesting

C．strange

D．annoying

15.

A．hated

B．refused

C．hesitated

D．tried

16.

A．try

B．focus

C．put

D．call

17.

A．hoped

B．explained

C．argued

D．figured

18.

A．purpose

B．mind

C．opinion

D．eyes

19.

A．As

B．If

C．Although

D．As soon as

20.

A．admitted

B．thought

C．claimed

D．promised

5 . Plays are an important part of British culture. The West End theatre district in London is the best place to watch a professional play, but acting also takes place in every school and village hall across the country.

There are over 2,500 non-professional drama groups in the UK today and they are an active part of community life. people from all walks of life take on acting roles in addition to their regular jobs. They do it for fun, for the love of acting and as a way to meet new people.

Not everyone in a drama club is a skilled actor, but enthusiasm(热情)is considered to be more important than talent. Friends, family members and neighbours enjoy getting together to watch the final performance and telling the people they know to “break a leg(走运)”. It’s a great way of bringing communities together. Also, in many rural parts of Britain, non-professional theatre is the only chance people have to see plays for miles around.

Many people get a taste for acting at school. Every school puts on a play at least once per year, usually at Christmas, and parents love coming to watch their children perform. Ask any British person and they’re sure to have happy memories of being in their school’s Christmas play, whether they played the role of Mary or Joseph or perhaps even a sheep or a donkey.

Another Christmas theatre tradition is the pantomime(舞剧). Pantomimes are a type of musical comedy for families .the audience is encouraged to participate in the performance-singing along with the music and shouting to the actors. Pantomimes are really fun to watch, especially for children.

British people love going to the theatre, professional or not, and many of them also enjoy performing. If you have the chance, go and see a play in the UK.

1. What matters most for an actor in a drama club, according to the article?

A．Talent	B．Enthusiasm
C．Professional training	D．Support from family

2. According to the article, what is special about pantomimes?

A．All the performers are professional child actors

B．The audience is allowed to play some small roles in them

C．The audience is encouraged to interact with the actors

D．The musical comedy is always about family life

3. According to the article most Britain people ____________.

A．learn how to be a professional actor in school

B．consider acting to be their regular jobs

C．often participated in performance when in school

D．watch plays in the West End theatre district in London

4. What is the article mainly about?

A．Reasons why British people love plays

B．The origin of theatre traditions in the UK

C．Rules for theatergoers to follow in the UK

D．The popularity of non-professional plays in the UK

6 . 目前,城里人喜欢到农村过周末,而农村人喜欢到城里过周末。阅读下表内容写一篇短文介绍生活中的这一变化,并说明自己的感受。词数:120词左右。

	城里人	农村人
周末活动	到农村钓鱼、旅游、远足	进城买东西、看电影听音乐会
出行方式	开汽车	乘汽车
活动目的	呼吸新鲜空气,欣赏乡村风景,以达到放松、健身的目的	改善生活质量,体验现代文化

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How did the man learn about the festival most probably?

A．Through going to a park.

B．Through reading a newspaper.

C．Through hearing of it from his brother.

2. What’s the woman’s attitude toward the art exhibitions?

A．Interested.

B．Disappointed.

C．Worried.

3. When will the international painters show their works?

A．On Saturday.

B．On Sunday.

C．The whole weekend.

8 . March 14 is, perhaps quietly, celebrated as Pi Day,     1     day to honor the number that many people are familiar with. The date comes from the first three number of Pi: March is the third month,     2     (follow) by the one and four that make 14. Pi     3     (appear) wherever there are circles. Pi is a ratio. It measures the     4     (distant) around a circle to its diameter(直径).

A website, Piday.org , shows little known facts about the number. Pi has been    5    (universal) known for thousands of years and gets its name     6     a Greek letter,. The Greeks are believed to have used the letter to describe the ratio. The first Pi Day     7     (celebrate) on March 14, 1988. San Francisco’s Exploratorium Science Museum started the event, according to the site. The museum marks the day with a daylong celebration     8     (include) a parade.

March 14 has other scientific     9     (link). It is the birthday of physicist and Nobel Prize winner Albert Einstein. Princeton University,     10     Einstein lived for many years, celebrates Pi Day as well.

9 . Columbus Day has been on American calendars since 1937, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared October 12 a federal holiday to honor the Italian explorer who “discovered” the Americas in 1492. However, the holiday has always been controversial. Many people believe that Christopher Columbus should not be given credit for “discovering” the continent, since native Americans had already been living there for generations.

Besides, the explorer’s mission was not a scientific “voyage of discovery”, but one intended to conquer the new land. Critics maintain that the Spanish army Columbus brought on his second voyage, caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of indigenous(土著的) people. Those that survived the massacre became slaves, working in mines. Many, therefore, believe that the explorer’s arrival should not be celebrated.

In 1977, a delegation of Native nations at the International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas, proposed renaming the holiday to “Indigenous People’s Day”. The proposal passed with a majority.

However, convincing the rest of the country to do the same was not that easy. It took 15 years before the city of Berkeley in California adopted the name in 1992 and then 22 more years before Minneapolis, MN and Seattle, WA did the same in 2014. The following year, eight more cities including Albuquerque, NM and Portland, OR, began celebrating the second Monday of October as “Indigenous People’s Day”. The movement really started to gain momentum in 2016 when 19 cities, including Boulder, CO and Phoenix, AZ, as well as the states of Minnesota and Vermont, all decided to rename the day to honor Native Americans. In 2017, 21 more cities, including Austin, TX and Los Angeles, CA have made the shift.

With the increasingly larger number of cities moving away from Columbus Day each year, it will be interesting to see if “Indigenous People’s Day” gets federal recognition. Meanwhile, it will continue to be the focal point of debates throughout the Americas.

1. Which of the following is the best title of the passage?

A．Indigenous People’s Day Has Got Federal Recognition after Years’ Work

B．Columbus Day Honoring the Italian Explorer Has Always Been Controversial

C．Christopher Columbus Should Not Be Given Credit for Discovering Americas

D．More Cities Have Replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous People’s Day

2. Many people don’t agree that     .

A．Columbus discovered the continent

B．Columbus was a remarkable explorer

C．Native Americans were abused

D．Columbus Day is a public holiday

3. What can we infer from the second paragraph?

A．Columbus was well received by indigenous people

B．The indigenous people hated the Columbus’ arrival

C．The Spanish army rebelled against Columbus’ rule

D．Few soldiers survived the attack by native Americans

4. Which of the following cities is the earliest to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous People’s Day?

A．Portland	B．Phoenix
C．Seattle	D．Los Angeles

10 . Psychological research suggests some effective ways you can beat the holiday blues—and flags some especially unhelpful ones. Here are four strategies to help you craft your own happiness recipe this holiday season.

At family gatherings with cousins you secretly can’t stand and in­laws who dole out backhanded compliments, it can be tempting to put on a happy face while you see the inside. Indeed, that might even seem like the most mature response—no drama, no conflict. But a study by researchers at Michigan State University and West Point might make you think twice.

They followed dozens of bus drivers for two weeks, looking to see when they flashed fake versus genuine smiles at their passengers. The results showed that on days when the drivers tried to put on an act and fake a good mood, their actual moods got worse. This was especially true for women.

And another research suggests that people who really want to be happy actually derive less happiness from positive experiences, apparently because their expectations are too high. Again and again, trying to force happiness seems to have the opposite effect.

The results of the bus-driver study can be explained by researchers Oliver John of UC Berkeley and James Gross of Stanford University, who found that negative feelings like sadness or anger only intensify when we try to suppress them. That’s because we feel bad about ourselves when our outward appearance contradicts how we truly feel inside.

We don’t like to be inauthentic. What’s more, when we suppress emotions like sadness, we deny them the important function they serve. Sadness can signal that something is distressing us; if we don’t recognize it, we might not take the necessary steps to improve the situation.

Expressing our sadness can also elicit comfort and compassion from those who care about us, strengthening our bonds. By contrast, suppressing our emotions can actually undermine our relationships

A study led by Sanjay Srivastava of the University of Oregon found that college students who bottled up their emotions experienced less social support, felt less close to others, and were less satisfied with their social lives.

But this does not mean talking endlessly or lashing out at our in-laws. Some ways of processing and acting on our emotions are healthier than others. Recently, scientists have been paying special attention to the benefits of mindfulness. When you respond mindfully to an emotional trigger, you pause rather than reacting. You simply notice what you’re feeling without judging that response as right or wrong.

Studies suggest that a mindful response to a negative event reduces the amount of sadness we experience, is associated with less depression and anxiety, and may even carry physiological benefits, such as lowering our heart rates. It’s a way to avoid suppressing your emotions without reacting hastily or getting consumed by rumination（沉思）. Fortunately, research suggests that mindfulness is a skill you can cultivate over time.

Unavoidably, the holidays will bring a mix of highs and lows. Perhaps the most important lesson to keep in mind is that this variety of emotions might be the best thing possible for your overall well-being.

That was the key insight from a study published in 2014 by a team of researchers from Yale University, Harvard Business School, and other institutions spanning four countries. Their survey of more than 37,000 people found that experiencing more “emodiversity” 一 a greater variety and abundance of emotions—was consistently linked to lower depression. In fact, people with more emodiversity took less medication, visited doctors less frequently, spent fewer days in hospitals, practiced better dietary and exercise habits, and smoked less.

In other words, sadness, anger, and other difficult emotions are like so many other staples of the holidays, from eggnog to office parties: In moderation, they’re nothing to fear. Just make sure you’re balancing them with lighter experiences. And don’t forget to give yourself a break.

The 4-Step Guide to Dealing with Sadness During the Holidays
Don’t     1     cheer	To avoid conflict, people often     2     to be happy even when relatives talk endlessly at family gatherings, which appears to be a     3     behavior. Researchers find that there is no point in forcing happiness by observing drivers who feel worse when they give passengers a     4     smile, and that those who desire happiness actually become less happy due to their high expectations.
Don’t support sadness	We feel bad when our appearance     5     with our true feeling. Negative emotions, when recognized, can make people take measures to improve the situation. If suppressed, negative emotions might     6     our friendship.
Respond     7	Mindful responses to negative emotions can be     8     in that they might cause less depression and anxiety, and can even lower heart rates.
9     your emotional cocktail	Research find that experiencing various emotions can have many advantages, especially in terms of people’s     10     well being. Therefore, you need to balance your difficult emotions with lighter experiences.