January symbolizes the theme of leaving the old  27  the new. When we see the old year out and noisily welcome the new one, we are following the ancient  28  of burying the past and frightening the evil that might threaten the future. The modern revelers (狂欢者) who blow the toy horn and turn on the factory siren is erasing past  29  or failures with a noisy final gesture. Grown-ups and children alike vow to break  30   their bad habits and resolve（决心）to lead better lives.。

As civilization advanced, a calendar based on the seasons was   25   practical, and in 45 BC, the Roman Emperor   26  that a new calendar be adopted     which would correlate the civil and the astronomical years. The Romans chose January 1 as the first day of the year and so it remains in all parts of the Western world. 。

Down through history, primitive and civilized people  24  have celebrated the coming of a New Year. For ancient people dependent upon the land, time revolved around the seasons. To this day, some countries begin their year with vernal equinox (春分).。

The  21  greeting heard throughout the US on January 1 had a counterpart in every land. The words may be different and the dates may  22  , but the New Year greetings everywhere __23   the hope for renewed life and happiness.。

“The same to you!”。

“Happy New Year!”。

30. A. excitement

B.happiness

C. pride

D.guilt

强化训练3

29. A.issue

B.case

C. event

D.factor

28. A.inviting

B.insulting

C. speaking to

D.believing in

27. A.run through

B. throw away

C. give up

D.let off