People all over the world celebrate the new year. However, not all countries celebrate in the same way, and in some countries, the new year doesn’t begin on the 　46　 date very year.

In many countries, the new year begins on 1st January, but people start celebrating on 31st December, New Year’s Eve. In New York many people go to celebrate in Times Square. 　47 　 they’re waiting for the New Year, they listen to music, sing traditional songs and have fun. Just before 12 o’clock, everyone 　48 down from 10: 10, 9, 8… As soon as it’s 12 o’clock, everyone shouts very 　49 , “Happy New Year!”

New Year’s Day is often a family day. Some families get together for a special meal. When the weather is fine, many families go out for a 　50 .

On New Year’s Day, many people make resolutions for the new year. They 　51　 a list of things, such as “I will help out more with housework. I will work 　52 at school than others.” or “I won’t spend so much time playing video games.” When they have made 　53 list, they read it to their family or friends and promise to 　54 their resolutions.

So it doesn’t matter how they celebrate, 　55 people in countries all over the world, it’s a time to say goodbye to the old year, and to welcome the new.

46. A. familiar　　　　 B. same　　　　　 C. important　　　　 D. normal

47. A. If　　　　　　 B. Even though 　　 C. While　　　　　 D. Before

48. A. comes　　　　 B. turn　　　　　　 C. looks　　　　　　 D. counts

49. A. loudly　　　　 B. quietly　　　　　 C. sadly　　　　　　 D. safely

50. A. walk　　　　　 B. secret　　　　　 C. job　　　　　　　 D. treatment

51. A. put on　　　　 B. write down　　　 C. take away　　　　 D. look after

52. A. quickly　　　　 B. hard　　　　　　 C. harder　　　　　 D. hardly

53. A. its　　　　　　 B. his　　　　　　 C. her　　　　　　　 D. their

54. A. follow　　　　 B. make　　　　　 C. do　　　　　　　 D. give

55. A. by　　　　　　 B. for　　　　　　　 C. with　　　　　　 D. from

 

 Yesterday I was shopping for a few items(物品).With nothing to do at home, my son, who just left university, was ready to go together with me.

  As I pushed the basket towards the register(收银机),I checked my items to see how many I had, thinking I might go to the Express Line(快速通道)where the sign said“Ten items or less”.

  I started to go to that line and my son said,“Mon, you have twelve items!”I said,“You know, but they’re close.” He said,“Why are you in such a hurry to get home? You should go to the Regular Line because you have over ten items.”

  Knowing he was right. I agreed and then pushed the basket to the next line. So I was waiting for my turn there and I was just removing my items from the basket to pay for them when a young man came up behind me in line with two items.

  I just left the Express Line because I had too many and now I really wanted to get finished. Again, my son came up.“Mom, he has only two items and the Express Line is very long now. Won’t you just let him go first?”I agreed, and the young man smiled widely and thanked me several times.

  It felt good to be with my son and have him remind me not to live a hurried life. Do what’s right and also be kind. I really take pride in him.

1. The writer ________ when she was pushing the basket towards the register.

  A. lost something she liked best              B. found her favourite item

  C. checked her handbag                        D. counted the items she had

2.The writer went to the Regular Line because _______.

  A. she had 2 items                            B. she had 12 items

  C. she was in a hurry to get home              D. she wanted to wait for her son

3.Of the following, which order is right according to the story?

  ①prepare to remove the items from the basket

  ②let the young man behind go first

  ③walk towards the Express Line

  ④return to the Regular Line

  A.②①④③　　　　　　B.④②③①　　　　　C.③④①②　　　　　　D.①③④②

4. If you pay for your items at the Express Line,_____.

  A. you need to help others

  B. you must wait for a long time

  C. you can get finished more quickly

  D. you should buy more than ten items

5.What did the writer learn from her son that day?

  A. Enjoy your life and be kind.

  B. Don’t buy too many at a time.

  C. Try to be friendly to your family.

  D. Never waste time waiting in line.

 

阅读理解

　　Though chopsticks are used in many Asian countries. they have their beginnings in China. Chinese history says that the Chinese had chopsticks as far as the Xia Dynasty (朝代) (about 4, 000 years ago) In the Spring and Autumn period (时期)copper and iron chopsticks appeared . With the Han Dynasty lacquered (上漆)chopsticks came ,followed by gold and silver chopsticks still later .Today we have chopsticks made of plastics .The most expensive are made of part of tusks of elephants and hard green stone.

　　Chopsticks tell Chinese tradition in their way .In ancient (古代的)times the rich used hard green stone or gold chopsticks to show their wealth (富有).In history many kings used silver chopsticks to take their food to see if it was poisonous (有毒的).It was said that if it was ,the silver chopsticks would turn colour .Chopsticks are traditionally given to a daughter when she marries to show that they should have a son very soon ,for “Chopsticks”in Chinese is pronounced like “quick a son”!

　　Though chopsticks from Hangzhou, wooden chopsticks from Shanyang of Shanxi Province, and Beijing's chopsticks are well-known.

　　Many westerners , businessmen ,tourists put aside (一边)their knives and forks in favour (喜爱) of chopsticks in China

　　Chopsticks appeared in the old Chinese story: an old man teaches his sons a lesson by showing how he could easily break a single chopstick but not a number of them .In China chopsticks are connected with good luck .So on the country's New Year's Eve many families will lay out new chopsticks at dinners as a way of making requests for luck.

(1) Chopsticks have their beginnings in________ .

[　　]

(2) Chopsticks and iron chopsticks appeared in________ .

[　　]

(3) The history of chopsticks can tell us ________.

[　　]

A. something about Chinese food

B. nothing but how many kinds of chopsticks are used in China

C. about the lives of Chinese kings

D. much about Chinese way of life in the past

(4) Many Westerners in China like to use ________.

[　　]

A．chopsticks

B. their knives

C. their forks

D. chopsticks and knives and forks at the same time

(5)Chinese use chopsticks _________.

[　　]

A. to lift food to the mouth only

B. to teach others a lesson only

C. in many other ways besides taking food

D. in many other ways except except taking food