Thanksgiving Day
Almost every culture in the world has held celebrations of thanks for a plentiful harvest. The American Thanksgiving holiday began as a festival of thanksgiving in the early days of the American colonies almost four hundred years ago.
In 1620, a boat filled with more than one hundred people sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to settle in the New World. Their first winter in the New World was difficult. They had arrived too late to grow any crops, and without fresh food, half the colonists died from disease. The following spring Indians taught then how to grow corn, a new food for the colonists. They showed them other crops to grow in the unfamiliar soil and how to hunt and fish.
In the autumn of 1621, many crops of corn, beans and pumpkins were harvested. The colonists and much to be thankful for, so a festival was planned. They invited the local Indian chief and 90 Indians. The Indians brought deer to roast with the turkeys and other wild game offered by the colonists. To this first Thanksgiving, the Indians had even brought popcorn. In following years, many of the original colonists celebrated the autumn harvest with a festival of thanks.
Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November, a different date every year. The Thanksgiving is a time for tradition and sharing. Even if they live far away, family members gather for a reunion(重聚)at the house of an older relative. All give thanks together for the good things that they have.
1.When did the American Thanksgiving holiday begin?
A. Two hundred years ago
B. Four hundred years ago
C. Three hundred years ago
D. One hundred years ago
2.What does the underlined word “colonists” mean?
A. 殖民地 B. 本地人
C. 土著人 D. 移民
3.Thanksgiving is a time for _________.
A. tradition B. sharing
C. reunion D. A, B and C
4.The first colony had a difficult winter because __________.
A. they didn’t have clothes
B. they couldn’t speak the language
C. they had no books
D. they had arrived too late to grow any crops
5.Which of the following is right?
A. In 1620, many crops of corn, beans and pumpkins were harvested.
B. The following winter the Indians taught them how to grow corn.
C. Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November.
D. With fresh food, half the colonists died from disease.
Each year, up to six young inventors, grade K-12, in America can receive the nation’s most excellent young inventors’ honor, “The Thomas Edison Innovation Award (创新奖),” for their invention ideas. They can receive the following honors:
Thomas Edison Innovation Award, “The Tommy”, a handmade trophy(奖杯)
US$1,000—US$ 5,000 in prize money
All-expenses-paid (一切费用均已付清的)trip for the inventor and one parent to the ceremony.
Chances in the future to connect with universities and industries to further the inventors’ ideas
A place in history! The inventors’ names and ideas can be preserved (保存) at the National Museum of Education
1.How many students can receive the honor each year?
A. Up to nine B. Up to eight
C. Up to seven D. Up to six
2.Why do some students win award?
A. They are good at music.
B. They have great invention ideas.
C. They often help other people.
D. They are excellent sports players.
3.Which of the following is NOT true?
A. Winners can connect with universities to develop their ideas.
B. Winners can win some prize money.
C. Winners and their teachers can have free trip.
D. Winners can receive a handmade trophy.
4. What can be preserved at the National Museum of Education?
A. The inventor’s age
B. The inventor’s school name
C. The inventor’s name and his or her idea
D. The inventor’s birthplace and home address
5.The information above is about _______.
A. an invention award B. a famous inventor
C. a famous museum D. a great musician
The Sweetest Sight
I was in the most beautiful city in the world, yet I only wanted home.
It was an amazing week for my husband and me—the trip of a lifetime. Months ago, when my
husband told me that he would have a meeting in London. I expressed my to go to Europe
together with him. Then we asked his mother to our two children and started off.
During the week’s time, visited London and Paris as much as we could, Big Ben, the Louver and so on. All these were beautiful places we expected to see before. We really enjoyed ourselves.
On our last night in Paris, we enjoyed the night view(夜景) of the Eiffel Tower, my husband
called home. His mother the phone. In a second, my husband’s face fell and he looked so worried. I could feel something happened.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
He didn’t answer and continued to listen. A few minutes later, he said to me that Tony, our seven-year-old son, had fallen off his bike and his leg. He must be sent to hospital at once.
At that moment, Paris suddenly lost its charm(魅力).
“I don’t want to be here! I shouldn’t be here! I should be home my kids!”
We hurried back to our hotel and then to the airport …
Finally, we got home. We rushed into our children’s bedroom. Seeing our two children, I suddenly realized the truth: there is no sight(风景)in the world than your children’s faces that greet you at home.
1.A. question B. wish C. step D. place
2.A. look after B. talk with C. find out D. wake up
3.A. he B. she C. we D. they
4.A. after B. since C. though D. because
5.A. shouted B. finished C. wrote D. answered
6.A. ugly B. useful C. right D. bad
7.A. hardly B. clearly C. sadly D. truly
8.A. danced B. broken C. thrown D. opened
9.A. toward B. with C. under D. from
10.A. quieter B. richer C. sweeter D. wider
阅读下列短文，从短文后各题所给的(A、B、C、D)四个选项中选出能填入相应空白处的最佳选项。
John is a Middle school student. He likes and hopes to be a singer. He often buys some books about music and wears some strange clothes. And his hair is so that somebody thinks he’s a girl.
One day, the teacher wrote something on the blackboard. But the young man couldn’t anything. He was afraid and went to a hospital after school. There were many people in the waiting room. He had to his turn.
“What’s the matter with you, Miss?”asked the doctor.
“Sorry, sir,” John said with a red face. “I’m a boy. I have poor eyesight this week.”
“Go to the barber’s (理发店)first, young man,” said the doctor,“I can’t find your at all.”
1.A. singing B. swimming C. studying D. playing
2.A. nice B. short C. long D. yellow
3.A. hear B. see C. listen to D. look at
4.A. finish B. stand C. leave D. wait
5.A. ears B. eyes C. nose D. teeth
—Is Richard still living here?
—No, he_____ to London already.
A. moves B. moved C. will move D. has moved
--Do you know _________ the English speech competition? Next Friday evening.
A. when will our school hold B. when our school will hold
C. our school when will hold D. our school will when hold
