Question

Every year in early April, thousands of people in China visit the tombs(墓) of their parents, grandparents and ancestors. It is Tomb Sweeping Day, the traditional Chinese festival to remember the dead.

Tomb Sweeping Day falls on April 4 this year. On the day, Chinese families will clean away the grass around the tombs. Then they burn paper money and put flowers and fruit in front of the tombs. They hope the dead can enjoy them and bring the family good luck.

However, it is not only the Chinese who remember the dead, people in other countries also have festivals for the dead.

In Japan, O-Bon festival is one of the most important festivals. It is held from Aug.13 to 16. It is also a holiday for a family reunion(团圆). During O-bon, Japanese people return to their hometown and visit their ancestors’ tombs. They also believe their ancestors’ spirits return home to be with their family. People danced a dance to welcome the spirits. On the last day of O-bon, they put paper lanterns in a river to say goodbye to the spirits.

In Russia, people remember their ancestors on the Day of Rejoicing(欣喜).  It’s usually in late April or early May. The name of this festival means birth and happiness. Russians believe that people shouldn’t feel sad for the dead because death means birth in another world. On the day, Russian people draw beautiful pictures on eggs and put them in front of tombs. After that they have a picnic together. They hope for a good life for both the living and the dead.

1.What do we know about Tomb Sweeping Day?

A. It’s a day to remember the dead.

B. It falls on April 4 every year.

C. People grow grass beside the bombs on that day.

D. It’s said that people can see the dead on that day.

2.We know the following about O-Bon festival EXCEPT that ___.

A. it is a Japanese festival.    B. it lasts four days in August.

C. t’s also a family reunion day.    D. paper lanterns are used to welcome the spirits.

3.What do Russian people think of death?

A. It’s a sad thing.    B. They feel happy about it.

C. It means a good life for the dead.    D. It means birth in another world.

4.What does the story mainly talk about?

A. History of Tomb Sweeping Day.

B. How to remember the dead.

C. Festivals in some countries to remember the dead.

D. Meanings of death in different countries.

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.D

4.C

【解析】短文介绍了中国，日本，俄罗斯三个国家祭奠逝者的方式。中国人有扫墓烧纸钱的习俗；日本人则跳起舞来欢迎逝者的灵魂回家，最后把纸灯笼放在河里，向祖先的灵魂道别；在俄罗斯，人们会在墓前供上绘有彩色图案的鸡蛋，据说这样可以祈求保佑逝者，然后一起野餐。

1.细节理解题。根据短文中的句子“It is Tomb Sweeping Day, the traditional Chinese festival to remember the dead.”可知，清明节是传统的中国节日，是专门纪念死者的节日。答案为A。

2.细节判断题。根据短文第4段的介绍可知，盂兰盆节是日本一个重要的节日，它从8月13日至16日举行，持续4天时间；也是一个家庭团聚的节日。最后一天，人们把纸灯笼放在河里，向祖先的灵魂道别，故答案为D。

3.细节理解题。根据短文中的句子“Russians believe that people shouldn’t feel sad for the dead because death means birth in another world.”可知，俄罗斯人认为死亡意味着到另一个世界转世，故答案为D。

4.主旨大意题。短文介绍了中国，日本，俄罗斯三个国家祭奠逝者的方式，说明许多国家也有类似中国清明节一样的纪念逝者的节日，故答案为C。