1 . 【课本改编题】
语法填空

Festivals have     1     wide range of origins. Some come from     2     (religion), while some are for famous     3     (figure) and significant events. The harvest festival is an important festival full of joy and charm. People are grateful     4     the harvest. In European countries, people decorate churches and town halls     5     flowers and fruit, featuring a new look. Today, with festivals     6     (become) commercial, some traditions may fade away. Christmas is the biggest occasion in the West     7     people greet each other with “Merry Christmas”. On Christmas Eve, it is typical of people     8     (enjoy) the roast turkeys, puddings, mashed potatoes and pumpkins.

2 . Traditions are customs and beliefs that form a part of our culture. They are practiced to remind us of our history and are passed down from generation to generation. Some traditions are interesting and widespread, while others are quite strange and practiced only by a small group of people. Continue reading to dig more into some interesting traditions from around the world.

Smigus Dyngus in Poland

Also known as “Wet Monday”, Smigus Dyngus is a unique tradition practiced in Poland, where people throw water at each other. It is celebrated annually on Easter Monday. The traditional way to do it is for boys to throw water at girls, and it is believed that the girl who receives the most water has the greatest chance of getting married.

Hanging coffins (棺椁) in Sagada, the Philippines

There is an old tradition in Sagada where people hang their coffins in stone caves. It was carried out by the Igorot tribe (部落) of Mountain Province. The people there believe this custom prevents large animals from taking the dead bodies, and also purifies or blesses the departed soul.

The Polterabend custom in Germany

Family members and friends of future married couples meet at dinner, and break a lot of porcelain (瓷器). The couple is then asked to clean up the entire mess. This is supposedly to teach them the importance of unity and hard work, and bring good luck. Germans think this tradition is essential in making marriages last a lifetime.

Boryeong Mud Festival in the ROK

The Boryeong Mud Festival in the ROK is a fascinating and unique celebration that draws crowds from around the world. It is a major cultural event, attracting over a million visitors annually. People participate in various mud-related activities, including mud baths, mud wrestling and even a mud marathon. The festival features live music, food stalls, and wonderful street performances.

1. Why are the coffins hung in caves in Sagada?

A．To pray for good luck.

B．To protect the dead bodies.

C．To ensure a future reunion.

D．To conserve more land resources.

2. Which tradition contributes to a lasting marriage?

A．Smigus Dyngus.

B．Hanging coffins in Sagada.

C．The Polterabend custom.

D．Boryeong Mud Festival.

3. What can visitors do during the Boryeong Mud Festival?

A．Throw water at girls.

B．Learn about Igorot culture.

C．Meet famous people.

D．Enjoy mud baths.

3 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. Why do some American churches cancel (取消) Christmas Day services?

A．To buy gifts and go to parties.

B．To celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ.

C．To let people gather with their families.

2. What’s “Silent Night”?

A．The name of an old man.

B．The name of traditional music.

C．The name of Christmas Day service.

3. Who probably celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday?

A．All Americans.

B．Non-Christians.

C．Christians.

4. When does Santa Claus leave presents under the tree?

A．On Christmas Eve.

B．On Christmas noon.

C．On Christmas Day.

4 . Books That Celebrate Diverse Holidays and Traditions

It’s important to remember there are a diverse set of holidays available to explore. Below are a few books that help introduce children to different holiday cultures and traditions.

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto, illustrated by Ed Martinez

While helping her mother with Christmas celebration, Maria is tempted to try on her mother’s diamond ring. After getting caught up in the joy of the holiday and playing with her cousins, Maria realizes the ring is missing! That’s when she and her cousins come up with a plan to eat all of the tamales, in hopes of finding the ring.

Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford, illustrated by Shelly Hehenberger

This is a story about a little girl named Kayla who wants to see her older brother Khari come home so they can celebrate Kwanzaa together as a family. Khari is stuck at college when a snowstorm hits and his car breaks down. Will he make it home in time for Kwanzaa?

A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

This book is a funny, nostalgic tale of Christmas Eve afternoon through Christmas night in Wales, and is full of unique imagery and poetic prose. It will arouse a sense of familiarity for some young readers while introducing them to different aspects of Christmas traditions.

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frane Lessac

The word otsaliheliga is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. This is an amazing story that describes a journey through the seasons with a modern-day Cherokee family. Cherokee history and traditions are also woven into the story in a very kid-friendly way.

1. What makes it difficult for Khari to return home in time for Kwanzaa?

A．A car crash.

B．Delayed flights.

C．Extreme weather.

D．Academic pressure.

2. Who provides pictures for A Child’s Christmas in Wales?

A．Traci Sorell.

B．Ed Martinez.

C．Dylan Thomas.

D．Trina Schart Hyman.

3. The four books all inform readers of ______.

A．how to find hidden treasures at home	B．how to strengthen bonds with friends
C．the lifestyles of different ethnic groups	D．different holiday celebrations and customs

5 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

April Fool’s Day,     1     (celebrate) on the first day of April each year, is a day filled with laughter and pranks (恶作剧). It is a day     2     people play practical jokes on one another. Although the origin of April Fool’s Day is uncertain, it has become a beloved tradition in the world.

On this day, people engage in jokes with friends, family and even co-workers, It is a chance for everyone to show off their sense of humor and bring smiles to others’     3     (face). Common pranks involve harmless tricks like fake spiders and surprise balloons. The goal is     4     (create) light-hearted moments of laughter and amusement.

One popular prank on April Fool’s Day is the “fake news” joke. People come up     5     surprising stories or announcements. and trick others into believing them at first. However, it is important to remember the boundary of a joke and avoid     6     (cause) harm to others.

The joy and laughter shared on April Fool’s Day help strengthen relationships. It is a time for people to come together and enjoy the light side of life. Laughter     7     (know) to reduce stress and improve mood, making this day     8     perfect opportunity to spread some cheer.

In a word, April Fool’s Day is a reminder of the     9     (important) of finding joy and taking a break from the seriousness of everyday life. So, on April Fool’s Day, let’s follow the spirit of fun and enjoy the laughter it     10     (bring).

6 . 节日是社会的一个重要组成部分。节日反映了人类的愿望、信仰、信念以及对生活的态度。节日是让我们放松心情、享受生活、暂时忘却工作的时刻。节日让我们了解我们来自何方、我们是谁、我们应该感恩什么。
Festivals are an important part of society. They     1    and attitudes towards life. They are     2    that allow us to relax and enjoy life, and     3    . They help us understand where we came from, who we are and     4    .

7 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Sometimes referred to as the Thailand Water Festival, Songkran is an annual event that marks the     1     (begin) of the Thai New Year. It’s the     2     (large) celebration throughout the whole country.

The festival kicks off     3     April 13 and usually lasts three days though festivities can start early or end later in some cities. The holiday’s main focus is about moving forward — in fact, the word Songkran comes from a phrase in     4     Sanskrit language that means “passage of the sun”.

Water plays a major role in the festival.     5     (symbolical) it washes away the previous year so people can get ready for the next one.

Many families wake up early during Songkran and visit Buddhist temples,     6     they bring offerings such as food and listen to monks as they preach. People sprinkle clean or scented water over statues of Buddha to represent purification and good fortune. Younger     7     (visit) also pour water on the hands of elderly relatives and friends     8     (show) their respect and ask for blessings in the coming year.

Honoring family traditions and     9     (religion) practices are important, but so is having some fun. Outside, Songkran     10     (celebrate) with street parties featuring loud music and a giant friendly water fight!

8 . The Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week held in Ethiopia in November attracted over 5,000 visitors. Though the number is not extremely high, the continent is becoming a new global fashion leader, according to a UNESCO report.

Although most African fashion businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises (企业), the report identified a growing number of high-fashion brands concentrated in key markets on the continent. What makes African fashion unique is its authenticity (真实性), according to Kenyan designer Aulga Nato. “If you check most fashion houses elsewhere in the world, they have done so much that they have less creativity in what they are putting out now. Africa, on the other hand, is rich in cloth. We are huge cotton growers, and we are rich in every single way. That’s our fashion,” she explained.

Africa is a major producer of raw materials (原材料) for the fashion industry, with 37 out of 54 African countries producing cotton and textile exports from the continent averaging $15.5 billion (about 110.2 billion yuan) a year. The continent also has a huge animal population from which it sources animal skins. However, there’s a huge shortage of chemicals to make the materials needed to treat the leather (皮革) from animals used in the clothing industry. And the continent still faces challenges related to the movement of people.

Despite these challenges, African designers are giving their best to their work and leading the world in sustainable fashion and practices. African governments have also taken measures to help designers in achieving their aims. It seems that their efforts have paid off. After checking clothing exhibits at a fashion event, Ghanaian exhibitor Solomon Dodoo noticed that every single cloth is unique and there are no two pieces of cloth that look alike.

1. What makes Africa have an unusual fashion?

A．Its increasing tourism.	B．Its huge cotton production.
C．A report from the UNESCO.	D．The authenticity of its fashion.

2. What challenge does African fashion face?

A．A great need for animal skins.

B．Lack of chemicals for treating leather.

C．The development of cotton production.

D．Shortage of creativity among designers.

3. Why do African designers overcome challenges successfully?

A．They are supported by African governments.

B．They abandon unique and sustainable fashion.

C．They lead the world in the clothing industry.

D．They check clothing exhibits at a fashion event.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．African Fashion is Popular in the World

B．African Designers Face Difficulties in Fashion

C．African Countries Have Materials for the Fashion Industry

D．Africa’s Advantages Promote Its Fashion Industry’s Success

9 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the most popular holiday?

A．Christmas.

B．Halloween.

C．Thanksgiving.

2. How long does Halloween date back?

A．Over 1,200 years.

B．Over 1,500 years.

C．Over 2,000 years.

3. Why was Halloween originally celebrated?

A．To have fun.

B．To honor the dead.

C．To frighten away evil spirits.

4. What can we learn from the text?

A．Halloween was originally celebrated by people who weren’t Christians.

B．Most people know Halloween’s origins and myths.

C．All people view Halloween as a time for fun.

10 . Some Christmas traditions are pretty standard in mainstream（主流）American culture: put up the tree, string up the lights, visit grandma, and so on.

Then there’s the one my Colombian family does every year: the Novena de Aguinaldos. We pray（祈祷）for nine days without a stop, and this Novena counts down the nine days before Christmas. Most Americans have never heard of it, but in Colombia, it’s a big deal.

Like all good traditions, especially around the holidays, this tradition is about community and getting together with friends and family. My family immigrated（移民）from Colombia when I was just two months old. Every year, we gather with a group of Colombian friends for as many of the nine nights as we can.

There are three parts to the Novena de Aguinaldos. The first is the reading: each kid takes turns to read a book. Next comes the gozos, which means “The Joys”. That’s where the music comes in, and everyone gets an instrument, a maraca, a drum, a tin can—whatever you can use to make a sound. And then, the villancicos——Spanish Christmas carols（颂歌）come.

I’ve lived my whole life in the US. There’s not a lot of Colombian culture that we still hang onto. Why do we still carry on with the tradition of celebrating the Novenas, then?

When I asked my parents the other day, the answer was that immigrants didn’t belong anywhere—not where you were, nor where you were from. So my parents helped create a space where we did. Even if the Novenas were nothing like what we might have celebrated if we’d stayed in Colombia, the Novenas became the heart of our community.

But our Novenas are starting to feel a little more breakable. It’s getting harder and harder for everyone to get together each year. Last year, I was studying abroad in Italy and couldn’t make it to any gathering; my brother went off to college and had exams late into December; my sister just moved to a new city, and my parents have taken up jobs in different countries.

1. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．The process of celebrating the Novena.

B．The development of a Colombian tradition.

C．The background of the Colombian family.

D．The differences between the Novena and Christmas.

2. Why does the Colombian family celebrate the Novena?

A．To remember their dead friends.	B．To find a sense of belonging.
C．To show their respect for Americans.	D．To understand the local culture.

3. What makes celebrating the Novena difficult for the Colombian family?

A．Lack of money.	B．Their separate busy life.
C．American laws.	D．Friends’ complaints.

4. What’s the best title for the text?

A．Growing Up	B．Colorful Culture
C．Exploring American Christmas Traditions	D．Colombian Family’s Novena in the US