Weddings in the United States vary as much as the people do. There are church weddings with a great deal of fanfare（仪式上用的短曲）; there are weddings on mountain-tops with guests barefooted (赤脚的); and there have been weddings on the ocean floor with oxygen tanks for the guests. But many weddings, no matter where or how they are performed, include certain traditional customs.
Before a couple is married, they become engaged. And then invitations are sent to those who live nearby, their close friends and their relatives who live far away. When everything is ready, then comes the most exciting moment.
The wedding itself usually lasts between 20 and 40 minutes. The wedding party enters the church while the wedding march is played. The bride carrying a bouquet （花束）enters last with her father who will "give her away ". The bridegroom enters the church from a side door. When the wedding party is gathered by the altar, the bride and bridegroom exchange vows (誓言). It is traditional to use the words "To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part ". Following the vows, the couple exchange rings. Wearing the wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand is an old custom.
After the ceremony there is often a party, called a "reception" which gives the wedding guests an opportunity to congratulate the new couple . The car in which the couple leaves the church is decorated with balloons, streamers and shaving cream. The words "Just Married" are painted on the trunk or back window. The bride and bridegroom run to the car under a shower of rice thrown by the wedding guests. When the couple drives away from the church, friends often chase them in cars, honking (鸣汽车喇叭)and drawing attention to them. And then the couple go on their honeymoon.
1.This passage is written mainly to let us know something about _______ .
A. health and lifestyle B. science and technology
C. culture and custom D. education and entertainment
2.Why do the wedding guests throw a lot of rice at the bride and bridegroom when they run to the car ?
A. To wish them good luck . B. To make fun of them.
C. Not mentioned . D. To draw attention to them .
3.Which of the following is TRUE of American weddings ?
A. They are always held in churches whoever they are .
B. The bride’s father is usually present to lead his daughter to the bridegroom and give her to him .
C. Only bridegrooms send rings to brides .
D. Brides needn’t make vows before bridegrooms .
4.Which of the following is the correct order in which the following events happen ?
a. sending invitation b. going on honeymoon
c. attending the wedding d. giving a reception
e. getting engaged
A. e-b-c-d-a B. e-c-d-a-b C. b-c-d-a-e D. e-a-c-d-b
After a long day at school, I walked home with my heavy schoolbag . By the time I got home, I was sweaty, 16 and hungry. I threw my things on the couch and grabbed something from the kitchen to 17 . I passed by the living room and wished I could watch TV , but I knew my 18 would take me the whole night. I grabbed my schoolbag and went 19 to my room, feeling defeated. I tried to understand chemistry and 20 sleepiness at the same time. I was stressed out and 21 . I wanted something to cheer me up .
Later in the evening , I 22 the sound of the front door opening. And I waited for it—the sound of my mom singing . 23 she sings off-key (跑调), it made me excited that she was here. I ran down the stairs to greet my mom. We 24 and I ran back upstairs to do homework again. I like it when my mom was happy. Her 25 flowed down to me and I got the strength to 26 the stress again.
Sometimes, I wonder how my mom can still be 27 after coming back from work. Every weekday, she wakes up 28 in the morning to go to work and spends an hour on the bus before getting downtown . At a 29 factory, she works standing for the whole day and draws patterns for clothes over and over. After work, she gets stuck in 30 for two hours on her way back home. When I 31 my school life with her work life, I should not be the one to 32 . At least I have some fun things to do at school, while one mistake at work can cost my mom her job. I 33 that my mom has a positive attitude and lives her life with a joyous heart even though there may be 34 . Seeing her happy makes me feel 35 , too.
1.A. heavy B. busy C. sleepy D. unlucky
2.A. keep B. eat C. give D. watch
3.A. dream B. supper C. homework D. experience
4.A. aside B. upstairs C. outwards D. nearby
5.A. put off B. fight off C. refer to D. research into
6.A. bored B. shocked C. worried D. frightened
7.A. made B. recorded C. imagined D. heard
8.A. Unless B. Though C. If D. As
9.A. agreed B. debated C. hugged D. celebrated
10.A. need B. idea C. faith D. energy
11.A. face B. change C. accept D. leave
12.A. creative B. careful C. positive D. professional
13.A. early B. naturally C. fast D. regularly
14.A. furniture B. tobacco C. car D. clothing
15.A. task B. traffic C. communication D. examination
16.A. replace B. exchange C. connect D. compare
17.A. complain B. decide C. study D. play
18.A. achieve B. notice C. appreciate D. improve
19.A. lies B. difficulties C. confusions D. accidents
20.A. successful B. skillful C. good D. important
The United States _______ fifty states , one of which is separated from the others by the Pacific Ocean.
A. consists of B. is consisted of C. are made up of D. makes up
My cousin works as a guide . She used to make ______ money than she does now .
A. much less B. quite less C. much fewer D. a lot fewer
So far this year we ______ a fall in house prices by between 5 percent and 10 percent.
A. saw B. see C. had seen D. have seen
He spoke through a microphone , ______ he was clearly heard in the great hall.
A. even if B. because C. in order that D. so that
