Many people have become accustomed to saying “bless you” or “gesundheit” when someone sneezes. No one says anything when someone coughs, blows their noses or burps (打嗝), so why do sneezes get special treatment? What do those phrases actually mean, anyway?
Wishing someone well after he sneezes probably originated thousands of years ago. The Romans would say “Jupiter preserve you!” or “Salve!” which meant “good health to you” and the Greeks would wish each other “long life”. The phrase “God bless you” is due to Pope Gregory the great, who spoke it out in the sixth century during a bubonic plague epidemic (黑死病) (sneezing is an obvious symptom of one form of the plague).
The alternative term “gesundheit” comes from Germany, and it literally means “health”. The idea is that a sneeze typically comes ahead of illness. It entered the English language in the early 20th century, brought to the United States by German-speaking immigrants.
Actually every country around the globe has its own way of wishing sneezers well. People in Arabic countries say “Alhamdulillah!” which means “praise be to God”. Hindus say “Livel” or “Live well!”. Some countries have special sneezing responses for children. In Russia, after children are given the traditional response, “bud zdorov (be healthy)”, they are also told “rosti Bolshoi (grow big)”. When a child sneezes in China, he or she will hear “bai sui” which means “may you live 100 years.”
For the most part, the various sneeze responses originated from ancient superstitions (迷信). Some people believed that a sneeze caused the soul to escape the body through the nose, Saying “bless you” would stop the devil from claiming the person’s freed soul. However, some people believed that those evil spirits used the sneeze as an opportunity to enter a person’s body. There was also the misconception that the heart temporarily stopped during a sneeze (it doesn’t), and that saying “bless you” was a way of welcoming the person back to life.
1.What’s the purpose of paragraph 1?
A.To lead in the topic of the text. B.To explain the definition of blessing.
C.To introduce the evidence of the text. D.To tell the cause of saying “bless you”.
2.Why do people say “bless you” to sneezers?
A.To avoid illness. B.To wish them health.
C.To comfort their family. D.To get a get-well card from others.
3.How does the author state people’s ideas in the last paragraph?
A.By raising questions. B.By analyzing data.
C.By making comparisons. D.By listing causes.
4.What does the text mainly talk about?
A.How “bless you” is introduced into English.
B.Why we wish sneezers health in various ways.
C.How people from various countries avoid sneezers.
D.Why people say the blessing when someone sneezes.
Every year, usually in November, famous British people go to London for a special award ceremony Pride of Britain Awards. It celebrates Britain’s heroes—ordinary people who have shown bravery in a dangerous situation or who have done a lot to help others. When the nation needs a bit of cheering up, maybe we need more people like Dante Marvin.
Dressed in a tiny white suit, Dante was focused on in a wheelchair. He was a pocket rocket of positivity, taken to the stage with a loud “What’s up, London?” like a rock star. Dante Marvin told all celebrities present that he would not let a bone disease get in the way of his Raising efforts. Despite his own illness, he inspires everyone he meets. He often beams at others and works hard to spread happiness to others as an ambassador for the children’s charity, Variety.
Dante, 11, from Liverpool, suffers much more than most. He had 16 broken bones in his mum Rachael’ s body and was born with fragile bone disease and scoliosis (脊柱侧凸). He has broken 92 bones in his life—as a sneeze or slap can injure him—and has received 17 separate operations to insert metal chips. Rachael says, “I don’t prevent Dante doing anything. He just gets on with it. He hates seeing other children sad. If I take him to the hospital, he is more bothered about the crying children and tries to comfort them. I am so proud of him.”
Dante is so grateful for his new yellow wheelchair that has been donated by Variety. He said, “My message to anyone with a disability is ‘don’t give up.’ He reminds people of his motto—there are no disabilities, just abilities. Presenting Dante with the award—Child of Courage, Jason Manford, a famous comedian, asked if he’d like to be a comedian and Dante told him he never stops laughing.
1.Who is Pride of Britain Awards intended for?
A.Special talents. B.Civilian heroes.
C.Outstanding children. D.Super stars acting modestly.
2.What’s the meaning of the underlined word “beams” in paragraph 2?
A.Glares. B.Fires.
C.Smiles. D.Guesses.
3.What does the author mainly want to tell us in paragraph 3?
A.Dante’s suffering and quality of helping others.
B.The importance of good family education.
C.Examples of Dante’s spreading happiness.
D.The symptom of fragile bone disease.
4.What can be inferred according to the text?
A.Dante’s dream is to be a comedian.
B.Jason Manford is a humorous host.
C.The award helps achieve one’s goal.
D.Dante is always optimistic and joyful.
Great Albums
Golden Hour
By Kacey Musgraves
Price: $10.49
It’s no surprise that many people forecast Golden Hour will be one of the best country albums of the 2010s. Country music superstar Musgraves makes listeners feel like she is speaking directly to them, thanks to her honesty and attention to detail. Although Musgraves is famous for her clever wordplay and humorous expressions about small-town life, she says she likes more direct songwriting.
Honky Tonk Time Machine
By George Strait
Price: $11.49
Honky Tonk Time Machine is a successful return for the best country music singer of all time. Radio stations often play it. Though you can listen to this album at home, the cover is a good enough reason for owning the album. The album is a must for fans of George or true country music.
Stronger Than the Truth
By Reba McEntire
Price: $9.49
If you are a country music fan, then this album is for you. There is something for everyone on this album. As the Queen of love songs, McEntire has some beautiful songs and she sings them to perfection. This may be her best country album to date.
Under Pressure
By Logic
Price: $9.49
On this album, the American rap singer talks about his growth. Under Pressure is a how of Logic’s life, his new fame, and most importantly, his family. Although Logic shows his skillful flow on this album, what makes it really special is the autobiographical (自传的) detail. The album is actually a successful project for a guy who worked hard.
1.What do we know about Kacey Musgraves?
A.She often talks with her fans face to face.
B.She cares about detail in golden hour.
C.She is the best songwriter in the 2010s.
D.She likes writing in small towns.
2.Whose music style is different from the other three?
A.Kacey Musgraves. B.George Strait.
C.Reba McEntire. D.Logic.
3.Which album is the most expensive?
A.Golden Hour. B.Stronger Than the Truth.
C.Honky Tonk Time Machine. D.Under Pressure.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What kind of music did young Margie like?
A.Country music. B.Rock. C.Jazz.
2.When did Margie get her first guitar?
A.At the age of 5. B.At the age of 6. C.At the age of 17.
3.What was Margie’s high school life like?
A.She focused on her music.
B.She did poorly in schoolwork.
C.She had an active social life.
4.What does the speaker think of Margie?
A.She should work harder.
B.She has a bright future.
C.She is too young to be famous.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the woman like to do in her free time?
A.Go camping. B.See foreign films. C.Stay with her family.
2.How does the man find photography?
A.Boring. B.Difficult. C.Interesting.
3.What are the speakers going to do this weekend?
A.Hold a photography exhibit.
B.Take a photography class.
C.Visit the art gallery.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why did the man go to Chicago?
A.To work. B.To go sightseeing. C.To visit his friends.
2.What made the man unpleasant?
A.He got a traffic ticket.
B.He missed the train.
C.He couldn’t find a parking lot.
3.How much does the woman offer to lend to the man?
A.$100. B.$150. C.$200.
