任务型阅读（满分10分）

请认真阅读下面短文，并根据所读内容在文章后图表中的空格里填入最恰当的单词。

注意：每空只填一个单词。

“Happy New Year!” Everyone will greet each other with these words as they meet each other on New Year’s Day. But it wasn’t always January 1 that marked the New Year.

    At least 4,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians marked the changing of the year. In Egypt, the year started when the Nile River flooded, enriching farmers’ fields. This happened at the end of September.

    The Babylonians held a festival in the spring, on March 23, to kick off the next farming cycle. The Babylonian celebration lasted for 11 days.

    The date January 1 was picked by the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar as the change of the year when he established his own calendar in 46 BC. The month of January originates from the Roman god, Janus. He is pictured with two heads. One head looks forward and the other back. They represent a break between the old and new. The new calendar was in time with the sun and it has been used until the present day.

    In Vietnam, the New Year holiday happens in February. They buy fresh flowers and a peach blossom to put in their house, following the Vietnamese custom.

Thailand has its specific New Year’s date; it’s different from the normal calendar. The Thai New Year is celebrated on April 13. On this day, Thai people play with water, throwing it on each other. It is intended to bring good luck during the New Year ahead.

    In China, the more favorable New Year is usually celebrated in February according to lunar calendar (阴历). On New Year’s Eve, all family members sit together at table, enjoying lots of auspicious foods such as dumplings, chicken to bring good luck.

Title:  New Year traditions all around the world

At least 77 were wounded when hundreds of army soldiers and anti-government protesters (抗议者) clashed（冲突）in Bangkok early Monday morning, 14 hours after Thai PM (总理) declared a state of emergency in the capital city, Thai media reports.

The Nation quoted（引用）hospital reports as saying at least 77 people suffered injuries mainly from teargas, with five seriously injured.

At around 7:20 a.m., the government announced it was in control of the situation at Din Daeng, The Nation said on its website.

Some protesters had been arrested, and Army Spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd earlier said “Similar operations will be carried out in other areas.”

The clash occurred around 4:30 a.m. Monday (21:00 GMT Sunday) when some 300 so-called red-shirted protesters used a seized bus to crash soldiers at Din Daeng District in north Bangkok, Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd told TPBS.

Soldiers fired warning shots into the air and used teargas to disperse the protesters after failing to persuade the red shirts to stop, Sansern said.

Earlier the Health Department of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced a total injury number of 68.

Army Chief General Anupong Paojinda refused to comment on the incident, adding that he will learn more about it first.

At about 6:15 a.m. Monday (23:15 GMT Sunday), former premier Thaksin Shinawatra told the Red-shirted protesters to continue fighting in a phone conversation with a main leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared on Sunday afternoon a state of emergency in Bangkok and some districts of five provinces nearby.

The latest round of the anti-government protests led by UDD has entered its 19th day. Red-shirted protesters on Saturday forced the summits canceled (取消).

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2009)

What is the main idea of the passage?

  A. Soldiers used teargas to disperse the protesters.

  B. The ASEAN summits have been cancelled.

  C. At least 77 were wounded during the crash between soldiers and protesters.

  D. Thai Prime Minister announced a state of emergency.

What can you infer from the passage?

  A. About 300 protesters seized a bus and crashed soldiers.

  B. The Army Chief General refused to comment on the incident.

  C. Soldiers didn’t persuade the red shirts to stop.

  D. The clash is connected with the former premier Thaksin.

Which of the following is TRUE?

  A. Five protesters died in the clash.

  B. The latest round of protests started in March, 2009.

C. It’s officially said on the morning of Sunday that the situation was out of control.

  D. It is most likely that the army is against the government.

What does the underlined word “disperse” probably mean?

  A. 驱散                   B. 开枪                       C. 劝说                       D. 谈判

任务型阅读（满分10分）
请认真阅读下面短文，并根据所读内容在文章后图表中的空格里填入最恰当的单词。
注意：每空只填一个单词。
“Happy New Year!” Everyone will greet each other with these words as they meet each other on New Year’s Day. But it wasn’t always January 1 that marked the New Year.
At least 4,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians marked the changing of the year. In Egypt, the year started when the Nile River flooded, enriching farmers’ fields. This happened at the end of September.
The Babylonians held a festival in the spring, on March 23, to kick off the next farming cycle. The Babylonian celebration lasted for 11 days.
The date January 1 was picked by the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar as the change of the year when he established his own calendar in 46 BC. The month of January originates from the Roman god, Janus. He is pictured with two heads. One head looks forward and the other back. They represent a break between the old and new. The new calendar was in time with the sun and it has been used until the present day.
In Vietnam, the New Year holiday happens in February. They buy fresh flowers and a peach blossom to put in their house, following the Vietnamese custom.
Thailand has its specific New Year’s date; it’s different from the normal calendar. The Thai New Year is celebrated on April 13. On this day, Thai people play with water, throwing it on each other. It is intended to bring good luck during the New Year ahead.
In China, the more favorable New Year is usually celebrated in February according to lunar calendar (阴历). On New Year’s Eve, all family members sit together at table, enjoying lots of auspicious foods such as dumplings, chicken to bring good luck.
Title:  New Year traditions all around the world

Directions：Read the following passage．Fill in the numbered blanks by using the information from the passage．Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer．

New Year traditions all around the world

    “Happy New Year!” Everyone will greet each other with these words as they meet each other over the next couple of weeks. But it wasn’t always January 1 that marked the New Year.

    At least 4,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians marked the changing of the year. In Egypt, the year started when the Nile River flooded, enriching farmers’ fields. This happened at the end of September.

    The Babylonians held a festival in the spring, on March 23, to kick off the next farming cycle. The Babylonian celebration lasted for 11 days.

    The date January 1 was picked by the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar as the change of the year when he established his own calendar in 46 BC. The month of January originates from the Roman god, Janus. He is pictured with two heads. One head looks forward and the other back. They represent a break between the old and new. The new calendar was in time with the sun and it has been used until the present day.

    In Vietnam, the New Year holiday happens in February. They buy fresh flowers and a peach blossom to put in their house, following the Vietnamese custom.

    Thailand has its specific New Year’s date; it’s different from the normal calendar. The Thai New Year is celebrated on April 13. On this day, Thai people play with water, throwing it on each other. It is intended to bring good luck during the New Year ahead.

    In China, the more favorable New Year is usually celebrated in February according to lunar calendar (阴历). On New Year’s Eve, all family members sit together at table, enjoying lots of auspicious foods such as dumplings, chicken to bring good luck.

New Year traditions all around the world

At least 77 were wounded when hundreds of army soldiers and anti-government protesters (抗议者)clashed（冲突）in Bangkok early Monday morning 14 hours after Thai PM declared a state of emergency in the capital city, Thai media reports.
The Nation quoted hospital reports as saying at least 77 people suffered injuries mainly from teargas, with five seriously injured.
At around 7:20 a.m., the government announced it was in control of the situation at Din Daeng, The Nation said on its website.
Some protesters had been arrested, and Army Spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd earlier said “Similar operations will be carried out in other areas.”
The clash occurred around 4:30 a.m. Monday (21:00 GMT Sunday) when some 300 so-called red-shirted protesters used a seized bus to crash soldiers at Din Daeng District in north Bangkok, Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd told TPBS.
Soldiers fired warning shots into the air and used teargas to disperse the protesters after failing to persuade the red shirts to stop, Sansern said.
Earlier the Health Department of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced a total injury number of 68.
Army Chief General Anupong Paojinda refused to comment on the incident, adding that he will learn more about it first.
At about 6:15 a.m. Monday (23:15 GMT Sunday), former premier Thaksin Shinawatra told the Red-shirted protesters to continue fighting in a phone conversation with a main leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared on Sunday afternoon a state of emergency in Bangkok and some districts of five provinces nearby.
The latest round of the anti-government protests led by UDD has entered its 19th day. Red-shirted protesters on Saturday forced the summits canceled(取消).
(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2009)
49. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. At least 77 were wounded during the crash between soldiers and protesters.
B. The ASEAN summits have been cancelled.
C. Soldiers used teargas to disperse the protesters.
D. Thai Prime Minister announced a state of emergency.
50. What can you infer from the passage?
A. The conflict is connected with the former premier Thaksin.
B. The Army Chief General refused to comment on the incident.
C. Soldiers didn’t persuade the red shirts to stop.
D. About 300 protesters seized a bus and crashed soldiers.
51. Which of the following is TRUE?
A. The latest round of protests started in March, 2009.
B. Five protesters died in the clash.
C. It’s officially said on the morning of Sunday that the situation was out of control.
D. It is most likely that the army is against the government.
52. What does the underlined word “disperse” probably mean?