In Britain, the first day of the month of May is known as May Day. May day marks the end of the harsh(严酷的) winter months, welcomes the beginning of Summer, and optimistically looks forward to the bright and productive months.
For their ancestors, largely in rural areas, it was a major annual festival and was celebrated(庆祝) through out the country, especially on the first day of May with music, dancing and games.
How was May Day Celebrated in the past?
May Day began early in the morning. People went out before sunrise in order to gather flowers and plants to make their houses and villages beautiful in the belief that the vegetation spirits(神灵) would bring good luck.
A traditional May Day dance is Maypole Dancing，On May Day, people used to cut down young trees and stick them in the ground in the village to mark the arrival of summer.People danced around the tree poles in celebration of the end of winter and the start of the fine weather that would allow planting to begin. Maypoles are still a part of some
village life and on May Day the villagers dance around it.
May Day celebrations have their origins(起源) in the Roman festival of Flora, goddess(女神) of fruit and flowers, which marked the beginning of summer. So the highlight of the day was the crowning(为…加冕) of the May Queen(女皇), the human replica (模型) of Flora. By tradition she took no part in the games or dancing, but sat like a queen in a flower-decked chair to watch her 'subjects'.
Ever since 1978, for the convenience of the general public, many May Day activities have now been moved to the new May Day holiday on the first Monday of the month. This Monday is a bank holiday, a day off school and work. There are more intereting celebrations on this day.
1.In the old days, most people in Britain made their living by .
A. fishing B. farming C. working in factories
2.People in Britain celebrate May Day is to express their
A. pleasure and hope B. thanks and harvest C. freedom and new life
3.Britain’s May Day holiday is on in 2010.
A. May 1st B. May 3rd C. May 5th
4.What is not mentioned in this passage?
A. Special food. B. Special custom. C. Special activity.
5.Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Only children can take part in the Maypole Dancing.
B. The queen of the UK came to watch her “subjects”.
C. Children needn’t go to school on May Day holiday now.
Do you want to have a special vacation? Read the following two advertisements. Maybe they will give you a good idea.
Summer Surfing USA 15-day Tour for Beach Lovers | Winter Wonderland USA 15-Day Ski Tour in the Green Mountains |
Visit Beautiful Southern California Surfing beaches Accommodation: Single or double rooms in beachfront hotels Price includes: Money for daily surfboard, 3-hour beginner’s lessons Night activities: Beach barbecues,club dancing, moonlight boating. Other activities: Visit Disneyland, Tour Beverly Hills and see the movie stars’ homes Tour cost: Single room: $1,999 Double room: $2,300 | Go skiing in Vermont Accommodation:Village hotels. with relaxing environment and fine dining; comfortable rooms with nice furniture. Price includes: All ski equipment, lift tickets, and daily 2-hour lessons Night activities: Parties in the open air. Rock music concerts. Other activities: Shopping, ice skating, cross country skiing Tour cost: Single room: $2,500 Double room: $3,200 |
accommodation 住宿；
1.Which of the activities can you do at night?
A. Visit Disneyland B. Skate on the ice C. Enjoy rock music
2.If you like skiing, you can choose to stay to enjoy your vacation.
A. in a beautiful hotel B. in a village hotel C.only in a single room
3.Going to is beach lovers’ best choice for summer vacation.
A. Vermont B. Southern California C. Green mountains
4.It will take you to enjoy your vacation either in the green mountains or on the beaches.
A. one week B. one month C. half a month
5.Which of the following does the price of both tours include?
A. Lessons B. lift tickets C. Daily surfboard.
Sam Higgins was a famous photographer. He travelled all over the world, taking photos for magazines and newspapers. He had photographs of earthquakes, forest fires, floods, even wars. If something interesting happened, Sam went to photograph it. His photographs won many prizes and he earned a lot of money.
He was a married man and his wife often asked him to take her with him, but he always refused. “I travel for work, not for pleasure,” he told her. “You won’t enjoy yourself, and I won’t have time to look after you. Sometimes there’s not even anywhere to stay and I have to sleep outside. I often don’t have a good meal or a bath for days. You won’t like it”
“Sam, I’m not a child,” his wife argued. “I can look after myself. Please, take me with you next time you go overseas.”
Sam did not say anything but he thought about it, and when he was asked to go to Africa he said, “You can come to Africa with me if you want to. I’ve got to take photographs of the wildlife there. It should be interesting and not too uncomfortable. We’ll be staying with a ranger(森林管理员) ”
His wife was very excited, and at first she had a very enjoyable time.
Then one day, Sam went off to find some lions to photograph. His wife went with him, but before long they became separated(分开). They came to a fork on the way, and she walked down one way while he walked down the other. Then Sam heard her screaming. He ran back to the fork on the way and saw her running forward him. A huge lion was chasing her. Quickly Sam took out his camera and pointed it at his wife and the lion. Then he shouted, “Slow down, woman. I can’t get you both in the picture.”
1.Sam Higgins made his money by .
A. travelling B. appearing in many magazines C. taking photos
2.He never took his wife with him because .
A. he thought she didn’t enjoy it.
B. his wife refused to go with him
C. he thought his work was dangerous.
3.When Sam ran back and saw his wife, he .
A. tried to save her
B. was too frighten to save her
C. wanted to take a wondul picture.
4.What does “fork” mean in this passage ?
A.a place where a road divides into two parts
B. a tool used for digging(挖) the ground
C. an instrument used for lifting food to the mouth.
5.We can infer(推断) that .
A. Sam was crazy about photography
B. Sam didn’t love his wife at all
C. Sam’s wife was very beautiful
Small talk is a good way to kill time and make friends. If you travel to other countries, do you know what to say to small talk with local people?
In Britain the best topic is the weather. British changes quite often. It’s a safe topic. You can start small talk simply by saying “It’s a lovely day today, isn’t it?” the weather, it’s good to talk about gardens with English people. For example, you could say, “Those roses look really beautiful, ?” English people love their pets. So it’s also nice to begin with “What a lovely ! What’s its name?”
In America, people like to talk about sports, Amecican football and basketball. They also talk about clothes by saying “It’s a nice shirt! Where did you get it?” The weather is a topic there, too.
Of course, you should avoid a lot of topics during small talk in western countries. Don’t ask people “How old are you?”. Age is usually secret , for women. ask “How much money do you make?” It makes people uncomfortable. Don’t ask strangers whether they have a girlfriend boyfriend. Politics(政治) and religion(宗教) is not a good topic for two people who have just met, either.
1.A. end B. startC. speak
2.A. weather B. people C. food
3.A. BesidesB. Except C. But
4.A. isn’t itB. aren’t theyC. don’t they
5.A. pictureB. dog C. boy
6.A. the same asB. so that C. such as
7.A. safeB. dangerousC. hard
8.A. extremely B. especially C. exactly
9.A. NeverB. UsuallyC. Please
10.A. with B. and C. or
– Will Tony go for the picnic at the weekend?
– If I don’t go, ______.
A.so does he B. neither will he C. neither he does
– Why not stay for a few more minutes?
– ______. My parents will be worried.
A. All rightB. It’s getting late C. Take your time
