Everything has its root. “Holiday”, is no exception. The origin of “holiday” is easy to see, coming from “holy day”, a day of particular religious significance, often celebrating the life of a saint (圣徒), during which no work was to be done. As far back as the 11th century, “holidays”, especially the major feast days, were times of “celebration and amusement”, as the Oxford English Dictionary puts it.
The number of holidays steadily increased during the Middle Ages, until a medieval Englishman would have had the luxury of 40 to 50 days a year off work, depending on where he lived, in addition to a free day on Sundays.
During the Reformation, Henry VIII abolished most of the holidays partly because of the Protestant (新教徒的) suspicion of saints, but more practically, because, according to historian Eamon Duffy, “A large number of holidays were making the people poor by limiting agriculture.” The people took a different view and organized a protest march—the Pilgrimage of Grace—partly to protect their days off.
Though at first the religious and festive senses of holiday were combined, the word gradually came to be used for any kind of relaxing break from work. As the word was drawing away from a religious society, the number of authorized holidays was reduced, until by 1834 most workers had only four official days off a year, in addition to Sundays. Many factory workers amplified this time by staying home on “Saint Monday” to recover from what they had gotten up to the day before.
By the late 19th century, employers were compromising and offering half-day Saturdays, the beginning of the “weekend”, a term first used in 1879. In 1908, an innovative mill in New England gave its employees all of Saturday off, and the practice of their getting the whole Saturday off spread widely during the Great Depression as a way to keep employment up. It took 400 years, but finally workers could enjoy as many holidays as they had in the 15th century.
1.What was the word “holiday” originally intended for?
A. Economy. B. Entertainment.
C. Religion. D. Politics.
2.What’s the main reason for Henry VIII’s ending most holidays according to Eamon Duffy?
A. His people required a thorough reformation.
B. He didn’t believe in God and saints.
C. People took no interest in the agriculture due to them.
D. Large numbers of holidays stood in the way of the agriculture.
3.Which can best replace the underlined word “amplified” in paragraph 4?
A. lengthened B. wasted
C. shortened D. guaranteed
4.When did most employees get the whole Saturday off?
A. In 1879. B. During the Great Depression.
C. In 1908. D. In the 15th century.
I live a different life in every season. Life in the summertime is often full of pests. Like most Long Island homeowners, I want to ensure my suburban life with pest-free living. So it was with wide-eyed surprise that I greeted the smiling exterminator (灭虫者) who rang my bell.
“We’ll be serving your neighbors, Mike and Sarah (I’m not familiar with either one by name),” he waved in the other direction. “Since we’ll have a team here tomorrow, we’re offering a discount. ” He came out with numbers beginning from $299 then in seconds to $89.
“You’ve probably been seeing the ant hills around.” he moved toward my front walkway and lawn. “And have you seen the bees that dig nests in the ground?” he continued with his head shaking up and down pushing me to do the same.
“What we do is spray three feet out from your foundation and three feet up.” As he was talking, and without breaking eye contact, he opened his iPad cover and began operating at the screen to show me frightening images. “It also kills other pests, like spiders. tt is the best pesticide (杀虫剂),” he said, pausing for effect.
He then went into soft talk to close the deal, correctly foreseeing that I would be concerned about safety and the environmental impact on my vegetable garden, plants and our little patch of planet here on Long Island. “The products are environmentally responsible, safe with children and pets,” he said.
I’m unkind when it comes to unwanted visitors entering on my out-of-doors moments. Any insect found in my house or on my deck is bound to be poisoned or pancaked.
Unfortunately for the exterminator, just as I was considering buying the pesticide, Billy, my fearless husband, pulled into our driveway, which made me ask for a business card out of politeness instead.
1.How did the author feel at the sight of the exterminator?
A. Surprised. B. Disappointed.
C. Puzzled. D. Frightened.
2.What did the exterminator offer the author if she accepted his service?
A. A free pesticide. B. A group rate.
C. An iPad for free. D. A discount.
3.Why was the author worried about the pesticide?
A. It might cause frightening images.
B. It might harm her family and surroundings.
C. It might be too expensive for her to afford.
D. It might have no effect on unwanted visitors.
4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A. Billy saw his neighbors cheated by the exterminator.
B. The author is sure to phone the salesman later.
C. Billy made up his mind to purchase the pesticide.
D. The author had planned to buy the pesticide before Billy appeared.
As you know, there are many fantastic parks in New York City.
Central Park
One of the most famous parks in the world, Central Park is a man-made wonder. Not only is it the first public park built in America, but it is also one of the most frequently visited parks, with over 25 million guests per year. Set in the middle of busy Manhattan, its grounds serve as a safe harbor, not only for athletes, and musicians but also for lots of migratory birds each year. One can spend an entire peaceful day wandering its grounds, gazing upon nearly 50 fountains, monuments, and sculptures or admiring its 36 bridges.
Hudson River Park
Hudson River Park is a waterside park on the Hudson River that extends from 59th Street south to Battery Park in the New York City district of Manhattan. Bicycle and pedestrian paths, including the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, span the park north to south, opening up the waterfront for the public to relax. The park includes tennis and soccer fields, children’s playground, dog run, and many other features.
Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park, located in the heart of Greenwich Village, is a very popular and often crowded place. People from all backgrounds gather to this large square dotted with trees.
Central Park Zoo
The Central Park Zoo is a small 6. 5-acre zoo located on Central Park in New York City. The zoo began in the 1860s, making it the first official zoo to open in New York. The zoo was improved in 1934, with the addition of many new buildings ranged in a quadrangle around the sea lion pool. Finally, the zoo was repaired in the mid-1980s and reopened in 1988, replacing the old-fashioned cages with naturalistic environments.
1.Which park is set in the heart of Greenwich Village?
A. Central Park. B. Hudson River Park.
C. Washington Square Park. D. Central Park Zoo.
2.What can we learn about Central Park?
A. It is the first public park built in the world.
B. It is primarily a man-made park.
C. It was the most crowded park when first built.
D. It especially attracts pedestrians and artists.
3.When was the first official zoo in New York improved for the first time?
A. In1934. B. In the 1860s.
C. In the mid-1980s. D. In 1988.
假定你是李华，进入高中学习已近一个学期，请你写一封信给你的美国朋友Mary向她介绍你在学校的学习生活情况。主要内容包括：
1．学校的环境；
2．人际交往；
3．学习生活。
注意：1．词数100词左右；
2．可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
阅读下列句子，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的适当形式。
1.We should face the ______ (real) bravely that we don’t have enough money for the project.
2.It will be two years and a half ______ you graduate from the school.
3.Work hard when you are young, ______ you will regret later in life.
4.It is said that a new robot ______ (design) by him in a few days.
5.If the opportunity ______ (arise), I’d love to go abroad for further study.
6.Soon the children in the camp had many new friends, with ______ they shared food a stories.
7.Another bridge, which ______ (build) over the river now, will be completed soon.
8.Yesterday he left for America, ______ he had visited twice before.
9.People who seldom do sports or ______ diet is high in fat will put on weight quickly.
10.To his surprise, an ______ (expect) guest is waiting for him at his house.
根据所学课文，填出下面片段中所缺单词。
Dinosaurs did out suddenly about 65 million years ago. Some scientists think it came after an unexpected 1. when a huge rock from space 2. the earth and put too much dust into the air. 3. think the earth got too hot for the dinosaurs to live on any more.
