April Fools’ Day, not officially considered a holiday, is most definitely a notable day that is celebrated in many countries on April 1. The thing that is so special about April 1 is that it is the day for playing tricks and practical jokes on others. The aim of these jokes is to bring embarrassment to others.
Superstitions(迷信)have it that the practical jokes are meant to be played before noon, and that those that are performed afterwards will bring bad luck. This limitation is widely losing its value due to the fact that many major hoaxes throughout history appear after noon. Another superstition is that anyone who fails to respond properly to the jokes played on them is also said to be easy to suffer from bad luck.
Some people think that being fooled by a pretty girl will be accompanied by marriage, or at least a friendship with her. That sounds like a good deal if she is truly pretty. Some people believe that being married on April Fools’ Day is not a good idea for a man, and that forever in the future he will be ruled by his wife.
The origin of April Fools’ day is not clearly known, but it is generally accepted to have come about as a result of the changes in the calendar system. The New Year celebrations used to begin on 25 March and last for a week, ending on 1 April. In 1582, Charles IX, King of France brought in the new Gregorian calendar, in which the new year began on 1 January. Unfortunately, some people did not hear about the change, and many others simply refused to break the tradition.
1.April Fools’ Day is different from other festivals probably because .
A. it is not official holiday
B. jokes can be played on this day
C. people are relaxed on this day
D. it is an important day
2.If jokes are played on you by a beautiful girl you’ll probably .
A. dislike her B. make much money
C. make many friends D. get married to her soon
3.A man would rather not get married on April probably because .
A. he loves his wife very much
B. he is eager for a bright future
C. he doesn’t want to obey his wife
D. he doesn’t like playing jokes
4.Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?
A. April Fools’ Day B. The New Year
C. The Superstitions D. The New Gregorian Calendar
How to prepare for exams? Well, it is a big question that you always ask yourself.
There is no short cut to success, which is the first thing you should remember. For this reason you have to study hard first of all. Besides, here are some tips for you.
Never fear or hate exams and be confident. Some students study well but still may be afraid of exams and due to this reason they won’t be able to get good marks. So leave all your fears behind and free your mind before starting your studies. You have to be confident and it is the most important thing for attaining victory.
Prepare a good timetable. Prepare a timetable before starting your studies. This should include all subjects, but tough subjects can be given more time while easier ones less. And remember some time shall be spared for entertainment and also there should be enough break time between each subject.
Select a proper atmosphere for studying. No need to explain this point. Can anyone study well while watching TV? So select a place where you feel comfortable and can concentrate. And importantly it is better to study early in the morning when you will have quiet surroundings and you can concentrate more.
Make notes while studying. This is a very important point. Make small notes while studying can help you remember all the points. It will work better if you use these notes for revision in the last one or two hours than you skip through pages of your textbook. It won’t take much time to go through these notes.
Write well. As we all know, the first impression is the best impression. So your handwriting affects your marks. Try to write neatly. If it is not good enough, don’t worry; if you present it in a good manner you can score more marks.
1.Which proverb can show the writer’s attitude towards our studies?
A. No pain, no gain.
B. Knowledge is power.
C. It’s never too old to learn.
D. Nothing is impossible for a willing heart.
2.Why do some students hate exams according to the passage?
A. Because they think exams are meaningless.
B. Because preparing for exams takes up most of their time.
C. Because there are too many exams at school.
D. Because they don’t have enough self-confidence.
3.Why does the writer say “No need to explain this point” in Paragraph 5?
A. Because it’s difficult to explain.
B. Because it’s easy to understand.
C. Because we need to study in silence.
D. Because a proper atmosphere can be formed anywhere.
4.According to the writer, making small notes can help us do all the following EXCEPT .
A. saving time B. practicing writing
C. remembering all the points D.reviewing more effectively
One day I was doing a big clean-up when I a knotted handkerchief with an old dark brown coin inside. I took one look and immediately an unforgettable time.
In 1991, I spent five months in Niger, with sandstorms and great heat. Its and beggars were my biggest and most constant complaint. Street beggars would continually reach out their hands, shouting “Gift! Gift!”
One day, I for neighboring Burking to work in a health clinic.
Arriving by taxi at our destination in Burkina, we began to . In darkness, a motorbike with two men approached slowly. Without any , one of them grabbed my pack as the motorbike swept close by. Within seconds, the two were out of sight, up by the night.
The bag had my passport, money, traveler’s cheques, a camera, an airline ticket and other things to me. I was in deep trouble.
In the weeks that followed, I guarded the rest of my valuables and regarded all with suspicion. All I wanted was to leave this place.
Then, walking through Burkina’s streets, I met with an old woman. “Gift! Gift!” she cried. I’d had enough. I was of the country: its poverty(贫困), its thieves, the heat, and the dust. I told her angrily, “A thief stole all my money and now I can’t out of your country. I cannot give you anything.”
The woman beggar listened attentively and my words. Then she reached the folds of her dress.
“Then I will give you a gift,” she announced. Kindly, she placed an old, dark brown coin in my hand. I looked at it in . It was a very small amount of money, but for this woman, the coin a meal. At that moment, I felt a shame. In spit of her , she was able to give me something priceless.
I saw then the beauty of the people of Burkina, and appreciated deeply the quiet of the poor. With the old woman’s gift, I hope never to part with the coin she gave me. With one small coin, she my concept completely.
1.A. cared aboutB. came acrossC. looked forD. focused upon
2.A. presented B. gaveC. recalledD. reminded
3.A. trafficB. dustC. noiseD. climate
4.A. headedB. struggledC. stoodD. came
5.A. moveB. unloadC. hideD. pass
6.A. warningB. planningC. thinkingD. arranging
7.A. hungB. putC. swallowedD. cleared
8.A. obviousB. expensiveC. familiarD. precious
9.A. elegantlyB. cautiouslyC. dependentlyD. frequently
10.A. localsB. thievesC. beggarsD. men
11.A. proudB. consciousC. sickD. aware
12.A. getB. runC. comeD. rush
13.A. attended toB. looked upC. thought aboutD. wrote down
14.A. forB. intoC. outD. at
15.A. orderB. vainC. serveD. shock
16.A. meantB. madeC. deservedD. suggested
17.A. dirtinessB. povertyC. kindnessD. safety
18.A. updatedB. unfoldedC. brokenD. unexpected
19.A. momentB. actionC. dignity（尊严）D. life
20.A. changedB. damagedC. foundD. accepted
—Tim, you are leaving for the Yellow Stone Park tomorrow. Why not pack your clothes and food up now?
— .
A Help yourself B.. Good idea
C. Go ahead, pleaseD. Me, too
Not until all the fish died in the river, ____ how serious the pollution was.
A. did the villagers realize B. the villagers realized
C. the villagers did realize D. didn’t the villagers realize
The fact ________ she seemed to develop normally was very encouraging.
A．where B．of which C．what D．that
