Question

    Each year on February 2nd, there is special festival called Groundhog Day (土拨鼠日) forecasting event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. When it comes, people from around the world, including 5,000 in the small town today, watch this tongue-twisting(发音饶舌的) small town for a sign from one groundhog that supposedly predicts when that years' spring will arrive.

If it's a cloudy day outside when the groundhog pops from its cave, then spring will arrive early that year. However, if it is sunny outside, the groundhog will supposedly be scared by its own shadow, hiding underground for six more weeks of cold weather.

Of course, Punxsutawney Phil's prediction is no more able to guarantee the extended forecast than your local weatherman. ABC News reports that an analysis by the National Climate Data Center found that Phil's predictions are more often wrong than right.

Philis is also found to have made some unpleasant predictions. Ever since 1887, he has predicted 99 extended winters and just 16 early springs .Nine of the years' predictions were unavailable, according to ABC.

The holiday began as a German tradition in 18th century and became even more of a cultural phenomenon after the 1993 film Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray.

Punxsutawney Phil has become a celebrity in his own right. Each year, the fatter animal with long teeth is watched by millions as he emerges from a cave in the town he is named after. Phil has become so beloved by the town that he actually lives in the local library with his “wife" Phyllis.

Taking inspiration from the hard state of Bill Murray’s character in the classic film, Yahoo contributor Owen Rust says Groundhog Day is a good time to reflect on one’s routines.

1.The underlined word “pops” means “       ”.

A.escapes B.appears C.increases D.hides

2.The reason why Phil's predictions aren't pleasing is that_____________.

A.some of the predictions were unavailable B.Phil wants to do that for fun

C.Phil likes to make unpleasant predictions D.he has predicted more late springs

3.How does Punxsutawney Phil become a celebrity?

A.By an accident. B.From people's life improving.

C.By his own attractive force D.From much money raised by the town.

4.Which does this passage mainly talk about?

A.The National Climate Data Center B.A German tradition

C.A tongue-twisting small town D.Groundhog Day weather forecasting

Answer

1.B

2.A

3.C

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章介绍了一个特殊的节日“土拨鼠日”，在这一天，人们可以通过土拨鼠的活动预测春天的到来，尽管预测不一定准确，但是人们喜欢这个可爱的动物，“土拨鼠日”是一个非常受欢迎的节日。

1.

词义猜测题。结合后文However, if it is sunny outside, the groundhog will supposedly be scared by its own shadow, hiding underground for six more weeks of cold weather.可知如果外面阳光明媚，土拨鼠会被自己的影子吓到，在寒冷的天气里再躲六个星期。由此可知，如果外面阴天，土拨鼠就会洞里出现，那一年的春天就会来得早。划线单词“pops”意思为“出现”。A. escapes逃走；B. appears出现；C. increases增加；D. hides隐藏。故选B。

2.

细节理解题。根据第四段中Ever since 1887, he has predicted 99 extended winters and just 16 early springs. Nine of the years' predictions were unavailable, according to ABC.可知自1887年以来，他预测了99个漫长的冬天，只有16个早春。据美国广播公司报道，其中9个年份的预测是无用的。由此可知，Phil的预测不令人满意的原因是有些预测是无用的。故选A。

3.

细节理解题。根据倒数第二段中Punxsutawney Phil has become a celebrity in his own right. Each year, the fatter animal with long teeth is watched by millions as he emerges from a cave in the town he is named after.可知Punxsutawney Phil凭借自己的能力成为了名人。每年，当这只胖胖的长牙动物从以它命名的小镇的一个洞穴里出来时，都会有数百万人注视着它。由此可知，Punxsutawney Phil以他自己的魅力成为了一个名人。故选C。

4.

主旨大意题。根据第一段中Each year on February 2nd, there is special festival called Groundhog Day (土拨鼠日) forecasting event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.可知每年的2月2日，在宾夕法尼亚州的庞克苏托尼有一个特别的节日叫做土拨鼠日天气预报活动。结合文章主要介绍了一个特殊的节日“土拨鼠日”，在这一天，人们可以通过土拨鼠的活动预测春天的到来，尽管预测不一定准确，但是人们喜欢这个可爱的动物，“土拨鼠日”是一个非常受欢迎的节日。由此可知，这篇文章主要讲的是土拨鼠日天气预报。故选D。