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In Britain, the first day of the month of May is known as May Day. May day marks the end of the harsh(严酷的) winter months, welcomes the beginning of Summer, and optimistically looks forward to the bright and productive months.
For their ancestors, largely in rural areas, it was a major annual festival and was celebrated(庆祝) through out the country, especially on the first day of May with music, dancing and games.
How was May Day Celebrated in the past?
May Day began early in the morning. People went out before sunrise in order to gather flowers and plants to make their houses and villages beautiful in the belief that the vegetation spirits(神灵) would bring good luck.
A traditional May Day dance is Maypole Dancing，On May Day, people used to cut down young trees and stick them in the ground in the village to mark the arrival of summer.People danced around the tree poles in celebration of the end of winter and the start of the fine weather that would allow planting to begin. Maypoles are still a part of some
village life and on May Day the villagers dance around it.
May Day celebrations have their origins(起源) in the Roman festival of Flora, goddess(女神) of fruit and flowers, which marked the beginning of summer. So the highlight of the day was the crowning(为…加冕) of the May Queen(女皇), the human replica (模型) of Flora. By tradition she took no part in the games or dancing, but sat like a queen in a flower-decked chair to watch her 'subjects'.
Ever since 1978, for the convenience of the general public, many May Day activities have now been moved to the new May Day holiday on the first Monday of the month. This Monday is a bank holiday, a day off school and work. There are more intereting celebrations on this day.
1.In the old days, most people in Britain made their living by .
A. fishing B. farming C. working in factories
2.People in Britain celebrate May Day is to express their
A. pleasure and hope B. thanks and harvest C. freedom and new life
3.Britain’s May Day holiday is on in 2010.
A. May 1st B. May 3rd C. May 5th
4.What is not mentioned in this passage?
A. Special food. B. Special custom. C. Special activity.
5.Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Only children can take part in the Maypole Dancing.
B. The queen of the UK came to watch her “subjects”.
C. Children needn’t go to school on May Day holiday now.
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The 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar(阴历) in China is the Lantern Festival. It’s_______important festival in China. Chinese people celebrate it in many ways. In the evening _______ same lantern shows in parks and streets. Lanterns are often red_______the Chinese think red stands for happiness and good luck. People_______different lanterns out of paper and other things. Some are in the_______of rabbits, birds and boats. Some are in the shapes of dragons and cartoon stars. There are_______lanterns here and there. In some cities, such as Lianyungang, there is usually a big lantern show_______night.
_______are the special food for the festival. Families always_______and enjoy a happy meal. After that, people go out to________. Sometimes they sing and dance happily late until midnight.
1.A. an B. a C. the D. these
2.A. have B. has C. there is D. there are
3.A. because B. and C. so D. but
4.A. do B. make C. cut D. paint
5.A. colors B. sizes C. shapes D. names
6.A. lot of B. lots of C. much D. any
7.A. with B. at C. in D. of
8.A. Rice dumplings B. dumplings C. Sweet dumplings D. Moon cakes
9.A. go in B. play games C. have a party D. get together
10.A. watch films B. have fun C. make lanterns D. watch the moon
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English is spoken as a first language by most people in the USA, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Canada. However,_____. It is the main language in over 60 countries, including India, Singapore and many of the Caribbean and Pacific islands. In these places English is spoken as a second language.
______, like China and Japan. People in these countries use it for business, and travelers to these countries use English when they get there to communicate. Other people may learn English because they enjoy reading books in English, listening to British or American music or watching American films.
_____. It is no longer right to talk about British English or American English if the speakers come or don’t come from those countries. People in Japan and Korea, for example, may use the American spelling but may not sound like Americans.
English will probably be the most widely used language in the world by the end of the 21st century. This language no longer belongs to British, American or Australian speakers. _____. So, as a middle school student of English today, think about how you can use this language.
______.
根据材料内容，从下面五个选项中选出能填入文中空缺处的最佳选项，使短文意思通顺，内容完整，并将其标号写在下面的横线上。
A. After you leave school, you will almost certainly need it
B. English is spoken all over the world
C. It belongs to anyone in the world
D. English is also an international language in many other countries
E. English has changed a lot over the years and still goes on changing
1._____
2._____
3._____
4._____
5._____
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English is spoken as a first language by most people in the USA，Britain，Australia，New Zealand，Ireland and Canada. However，English is spoken all
over the world. It is the main language in over 60 countries，including India，Singapore and many of the Caribbean and Pacific islands. In these places English is often a second language.
English is also an international language in many other countries，like China and Japan. People in these countries use it for business，and travelers to these countries use English when they get there to communicate. Other people may learn English because they enjoy reading books in English，lis
tening to British or American music or watching American films.
English has changed a lot over the years and still goes on changing. It is no longer right to talk about British English or American English if the speakers come or don’t come from those countries. People in Japan and Korea，for example，may use the American spelling but may not sound like Americans.
English will probably be the most widely used language in the world by the end of the 21st century. This language no longer belongs to British，American or Australian speakers. It belongs to anyone in the world. So，as a middle school student of English today, think about how you can use this language. After you leave school, you will almost certainly need it.
1.In how many countries is English spoken as a first language in the passage?
A. Five. B. Four. C. Three. D. Six.
2.In which other countries is English spoken as a main language?
A. Britain, the USA and Australia.
B. India, Singapore and many of the Caribbean and Pacific islands.
C. China and Japan.
D. New Zealand and Canada.
3. People from other countries learn English for ________.
A. passing exams
B. business and traveling
C. reading English books, enjoying English music or films
D. both B and C
4.Even if people in Japan and Korea use American spelling they ________.
A. will speak the same as Americans
B. may not sound like Americans
C. will speak British English
D. will speak English much better
5. Which is the best title for the passage?
A. A First Language in the World B. A Second Language in the World
C. English around the World D. A Useful Language
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English is spoken as a first language by most people in the USA, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. However, English is also spoken all over the world. It is the main language in over60 countries, including India, Singapore and many of the Carribean and Pacific islands. In these places English is often a second language.
English is also an international language in many other countries, like China and Japan. People in these countries use it for business, and travelers to these countries use English when they get there. Other people may learn English because they enjoy reading books in English, listening to British or American music or watching American films.
English has changed a lot over the years and still goes on changing. It is no longer right to talk about British English or American English because they are much the same. People in Japan and Korea, for example, may use the American spelling but may not sound like Americans.
English will probably be the most widely used language in the world by the end of the 21st century. This language no longer belongs to British, American or Australian. It belongs to anyone in the world. So, as middle school students, you should think about how you can use this language well because as you leave school, you will almost certainly need it.
1.What is so SPECIAL about English?
A. It is one of the subjects in school. B. It is used both as first and second language.
C. It is spoken all over the world. D. It is spoken mostly in business.
2.Which of the following best describes the use of English?
A. In many occasion. B. Only in foreign countries.
C. When reading English books. D. When enjoying English songs.
3.For many years, English ______.
A. hasn’t changed at all
B. is keeping changing
C. has changed into British English and American English
D. is used only by people from Britain and America
4.How will English be used in the future?
A. It will be used as the only language in the world.
B. It will be used by everyone in the world.
C. It will no longer be used by people.
D. It will be used even more widely.
5.Which of the following may be the best title for this passage?
A. The First Language of the Whole World B. The Language of the Times
C. The Best Language in the world D. English Around the World
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Obama is ____________ the first black president of the USA.
A. known as B. known of
C. known for D. known to
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Obama is ____________ the first black president of the USA.
A. known as B. known of
C. known for D. known to
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Sixty years ago， human beings first reached the top of Mount Qomolangma， known as Mount Everest in the West. But the increase in climbers is turning the world’s highest mountain into the “world’s highest junkyard(垃圾场)”.
Every year， more than 700 climbers spend nearly two months on Mount Qomolangma. They have left human waste and all kinds of rubbish， including oxygen bottles， broken tents， and plastic bags， according to Ang Tshering Sherpa， chief of the Nepal Mountaineering Association.
“The waste has become a health danger to people in the area since they depend on water from rivers fed by the melting glaciers(融化的冰川)，” Sherpa said.
More and more people have realized the danger that Mount Qomolangma is facing and they are now taking active actions. To deal with the problem， Nepal has supported a special team of explorers and volunteers to clean the mountain since 2008. So far they have brought down 15，000kg of rubbish. Nepal also started to ask each climber to bring down 8 kg of rubbish in 2014.
On the Chinese side of the mountain， Tibet(西藏) will collect a cleaning fee of $100-200 (620-1240 yuan) per climber starting from this year. A program named “Mount Qomolangma Action at the Third Pole of the Earth” also started in 2004 to clear up the mountain.
Hopefully， human beings will finally solve the problem， just as they found the way up the mountain successfully.
1.Which of the following was not used to call the world’s highest mountain long ago?
A. Mount Everest.
B. Mount Qomolangma.
C. The Third Pole of the Earth.
D. The world’s highest junkyard.
2.Why is the world’s highest mountain turning into the “world’s highest junkyard?
A. Tibet has not collected enough money to clear up the mountain.
B. Climbers have left too much human waste and all kinds of rubbish.
C. People in the area have no idea of how to recycle their daily rubbish.
D. 700 climbers spend nearly two months on Mount Qomolangma every year.
3.What have been done to protect the environment of Mount Qomolangma?
A. Each climber has been asked to pay for the cleaning fee of $100-200.
B. Nepal has asked each climber to bring down all the rubbish they carried there.
C. A special team of explorers and volunteers have brought down 15，000kg of rubbish.
D. “Mount Qomolangma Action at the Third Pole of the Earth” has started in China and Nepal.
4.Which is the correct order of the following events?
a. “Mount Qomolangma Action at the Third Pole of the Earth” started.
b. Human beings first reached the top of Mount Qomolangma sixty years ago.
c. Nepal started a cleaning program and asked each climber to bring down rubbish.
d. The waste left by climbers has become a health danger to people in the area.
A. c -d- b -a B. b-a-d-c
C. a-b-c-d D. b-d-a-c
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Sixty years ago, human beings first reached the top of Mount Qomolangma, known as Mount Everest in the West. But the increase in climbers is turning the world’s highest mountain into the “world’s highest junkyard(垃圾场)”.
Every year, more than 700 climbers spend nearly two months on Mount Qomolangma. They have left human waste and all kinds of rubbish, including oxygen bottles, broken tents, and plastic bags, according to Ang Tshering Sherpa, chief of the Nepal Mountaineering Association.
“The waste has become a health danger to people in the area since they depend on water from rivers fed by the melting glaciers(融化的冰川),” Sherpa said.
More and more people have realized the danger that Mount Qomolangma is facing and they are now taking active actions. To deal with the problem, Nepal has supported a special team of explorers and volunteers to clean the mountain since 2008. So far they have brought down 15,000kg of rubbish. Nepal also started to ask each climber to bring down 8 kg of rubbish in 2014.
On the Chinese side of the mountain, Tibet(西藏) will collect a cleaning fee of $100-200 (620-1240 yuan) per climber starting from this year. A program named “Mount Qomolangma Action at the Third Pole of the Earth” also started in 2004 to clear up the mountain.
Hopefully, human beings will finally solve the problem, just as they found the way up the mountain successfully.
1.Which of the following was not used to call the world’s highest mountain long ago?
A. Mount Everest.
B. Mount Qomolangma.
C. The Third Pole of the Earth.
D. The world’s highest junkyard.
2.Why is the world’s highest mountain turning into the “world’s highest junkyard?
A. Tibet has not collected enough money to clear up the mountain.
B. Climbers have left too much human waste and all kinds of rubbish.
C. People in the area have no idea of how to recycle their daily rubbish.
D. 700 climbers spend nearly two months on Mount Qomolangma every year.
3.What have been done to protect the environment of Mount Qomolangma?
A. Each climber has been asked to pay for the cleaning fee of $100-200.
B. Nepal has asked each climber to bring down all the rubbish they carried there.
C. A special team of explorers and volunteers have brought down 15,000kg of rubbish.
D. “Mount Qomolangma Action at the Third Pole of the Earth” has started in China and Nepal.
4.Which is the correct order of the following events?
a. “Mount Qomolangma Action at the Third Pole of the Earth” started.
b. Human beings first reached the top of Mount Qomolangma sixty years ago.
c. Nepal started a cleaning program and asked each climber to bring down rubbish.
d. The waste left by climbers has become a health danger to people in the area.
A. c -d- b -a B. b-a-d-c C. a-b-c-d D. b-d-a-c
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The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th of the first month of the lunar calendar（阴历）.This day is always the first full moon in the new year. Ancient people also called it Shangyuan Festival. Celebrations and traditions on this day began from the Han Dynasty（朝代）and became popular in the Tang Dynasty.
Watching the red lanterns is one of the main traditions. Lanterns of different shapes and sizes are usually put on trees, or along river banks on show. It is said that sky lanterns were first used by Zhuge Kongming to ask for help when he was in trouble. Today, when the lanterns slowly rise into the air, people make wishes.
Another tradition is guessing lantern riddles. The riddles are usually short, wise, and sometimes humorous. The answer to a riddle can be a Chinese character（汉字）,a famous person's name, or a place name.
The most important thing is to eat sweet dumplings with different tastes. In northern China, they are called yuanxiao while in southern part they're named tangyuan. Because making sweet dumplings is like a game or an activity, they are usually done happily by a group of friends or family members.
In old times, the Lantern Festival was also romantic. Watching lanterns gave young people a chance to meet each other. A line from Xin Qiji, a poet during the Song Dynasty, shows this:
Hundreds and thousands of times I searched for her in the crowd. Suddenly 1 turned. and there she stood, in the dim（昏暗的）light.
1.When did celebrations and traditions of the Lantern Festival become popular?
A.The Han Dynasty. B.The Tang Dynasty.
C.The Song Dynasty. D.The Yuan Dynasty
2.What were sky lanterns first used for by Zhuge Kongming in ancient times?
A.Making wishes. B.Celebrating birthdays.
C.seeking help. D.Decorating the house.
3.Which of the following is NOT true about sweet dumplings?
A.It's one of the main traditions. B.They are named "yuanxiao" all over the country.
C.People enjoy the process of making them. D.They have different tastes.
4.What is the main idea of Para.3?
A.The riddles are usually short and wise.
B.The answer to a riddle are different.
C.Guessing lantern riddles is the most important tradition.
D.Guessing lantern riddles is another tradition.
5.The line from Xin Qiji in the passage shows the Lantern Festival was in old times.
A.exciting B.humorous C.romantic D.interesting
over the world. It is the main language in over 60 countries，including India，Singapore and many of the Caribbean and Pacific islands. In these places English is often a second language.
tening to British or American music or watching American films.