Valentine’s Day is named for Saint Valentine, an early Christmas churchman who helped young lovers. Valentine was killed for his Christian beliefs on February 14 more than 1700 years ago, but the day which is named after him is even earlier than that.
More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient Romans celebrated a holiday for lovers. As part of the celebration, girls wrote their names on pieces of paper and put them in a large container. Boys reached into the container and pulled one out. The girl whose name was written on the paper became his lover or sweet heart for a year.
Now, lovers still put their names on pieces of paper and they sent each other Valentine’s Day cards that tell of their love. Sometimes they also send gifts, like flowers or chocolate candies. Americans usually send these gifts and cards through the mail system. But some use another way to send this message. They have it printed in a newspaper. The cost is usually a few dollars. Some of the messages are simple and short, “Jane, I love you very much”. Others say more. This one, for example, “Dan, Roses are red. Violets are blue. I hope you love me as much as I love you. Forever, May.”
Most of the newspapers that print such messages are local, but USA Today is sold throughout the United States and 90 other countries. This means someone can send a Valentine message to the lover in a far-away place almost anywhere in the world. These messages cost 80 dollars and more. An employee of USA Today says readers can have a small heart or rose printed along with their messages this year. Will this kind of Valentine’s Day message reach the one you love? Well, just make sure he or she reads the newspaper.
【小題1】When was the day named after Valentine?

Valentine’s Day is named for Saint Valentine, an early Christmas churchman who helped young lovers. Valentine was killed for his Christian beliefs on February 14 more than 1700 years ago, but the day which is named after him is even earlier than that.

   More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient Romans celebrated a holiday for lovers. As part of the celebration, girls wrote their names on pieces of paper and put them in a large container. Boys reached into the container and pulled one out. The girl whose name was written on the paper became his lover or sweet heart for a year.

   Now, lovers still put their names on pieces of paper and they sent each other Valentine’s Day cards that tell of their love. Sometimes they also send gifts, like flowers or chocolate candies. Americans usually send these gifts and cards through the mail system. But some use another way to send this message. They have it printed in a newspaper. The cost is usually a few dollars. Some of the messages are simple and short, “Jane, I love you very much”. Others say more. This one, for example, “Dan, Roses are red. Violets are blue. I hope you love me as much as I love you. Forever, May.”

   Most of the newspapers that print such messages are local, but USA Today is sold throughout the United States and 90 other countries. This means someone can send a Valentine message to the lover in a far-away place almost anywhere in the world. These messages cost 80 dollars and more. An employee of USA Today says readers can have a small heart or rose printed along with their messages this year. Will this kind of Valentine’s Day message reach the one you love? Well, just make sure he or she reads the newspaper.

1.When was the day named after Valentine?

A. More than 1700 years ago before Valentine’s death.      B. More than 2, 000 years ago.

C. On February 14.                                  D. It is not mentioned in the passage.

2. Which of the following is Wrong about the ancient Romans holiday in the text?

A. Girls put paper with their names into a container.

B. Boys and girls became sweet hearts by chance.

C. Girls and boys chose life lovers in the holiday.

D. It was celebrated as a holiday for lovers.

3. Now lovers celebrate Valentine’s Day _________.

A. like what the ancient Romans did         B. by sending gifts to each other

C. by printing newspapers                       D. by spending lots of money

4. What can we learn from the text?

A. The ancient Roman girls were more easy-going.

B. Valentine was killed for not helping the government.

C. USA Today helps readers to send roses with printed messages.

D. Valentine was honored for his Christian belief and warm heart.

5.The text is written to _________.

A. tell us something about Valentine’s Day                 B. advertise for USA Today

C. tell us that Americans are open to express love          D. sell roses on Valentine’s Day       

Valentine’s Day is named for Saint Valentine, an early Christmas churchman who helped young lovers. Valentine was killed for his Christian beliefs on February 14 more than 1700 years ago, but the day which is named after him is even earlier than that.

   More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient Romans celebrated a holiday for lovers. As part of the celebration, girls wrote their names on pieces of paper and put them in a large container. Boys reached into the container and pulled one out. The girl whose name was written on the paper became his lover or sweet heart for a year.

   Now, lovers still put their names on pieces of paper and they sent each other Valentine’s Day cards that tell of their love. Sometimes they also send gifts, like flowers or chocolate candies. Americans usually send these gifts and cards through the mail system. But some use another way to send this message. They have it printed in a newspaper. The cost is usually a few dollars. Some of the messages are simple and short, “Jane, I love you very much”. Others say more. This one, for example, “Dan, Roses are red. Violets are blue. I hope you love me as much as I love you. Forever, May.”

   Most of the newspapers that print such messages are local, but USA Today is sold throughout the United States and 90 other countries. This means someone can send a Valentine message to the lover in a far-away place almost anywhere in the world. These messages cost 80 dollars and more. An employee of USA Today says readers can have a small heart or rose printed along with their messages this year. Will this kind of Valentine’s Day message reach the one you love? Well, just make sure he or she reads the newspaper.

When was the day named after Valentine?

A. More than 1700 years ago before Valentine’s death.      B. More than 2, 000 years ago.

C. On February 14.                                  D. It is not mentioned in the passage.

Which of the following is Wrong about the ancient Romans holiday in the text?

A. Girls put paper with their names into a container.

B. Boys and girls became sweet hearts by chance.

C. Girls and boys chose life lovers in the holiday.

D. It was celebrated as a holiday for lovers.

Now lovers celebrate Valentine’s Day _________.

A. like what the ancient Romans did         B. by sending gifts to each other

C. by printing newspapers                       D. by spending lots of money

What can we learn from the text?

A. The ancient Roman girls were more easy-going.

B. Valentine was killed for not helping the government.

C. USA Today helps readers to send roses with printed messages.

D. Valentine was honored for his Christian belief and warm heart.

The text is written to _________.

A. tell us something about Valentine’s Day                 B. advertise for USA Today

C. tell us that Americans are open to express love          D. sell roses on Valentine’s Day       

閱讀理解。

閱讀下面短文，從每小題所給的四個選項中，選出一個最佳答案。

　　Valentine's Day is on 14 February each year. It is a day for lovers, and one of the loveliest holidays in the United States.

　　Very few Americans know the story of Valentine's Day. One English story tells that birds select their mates on February 14. Another story says that more than 2, 000 years ago the ancient Romans celebrated a holiday for lovers. As part of the celebration, girls wrote their names on pieces of paper and put them in a large container. Boys reached their hands into the container and pulled one out. The girl whose name was written on the paper became his lover or sweet heart for a year. Then came a Roman priest Valentinus, who secretly married many young lovers against the Roman king's order. The Roman Emperor got angry and ordered the killing of Valentinus on February 14, 269 AD.

　　It is very popular to send cards decorated with hearts and flowers to express love. Today many Americans like to exchange humorous cards with their husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, relatives, and even special friends. Some enjoy the joke of sending “Guess Who” cards to a person he or she secretly admires. Sometimes they put their love message in a heart-shaped box of chocolates, or a bunch of flowers tied with red ribbons(絲帶). Candy, perfume, jewelry or a picture with a heart and Cupid (the Roman God of love), who is armed with a bow and arrow, are also sent to express love. Many couples arrange romantic dinners by candle light for this occasion. Universities also hold a Sweetheart Ball for the young students to celebrate Valentine's Day.

1．Valentinus was killed in ancient Rome because ________.

[　　]

A．he was a priest.

B．he was a foreigner

C．he secretly helped many young lovers

D．he told people how to celebrate Valentine's Day

2．According to the text, nowadays on Valentine's Day university students will ________.

[　　]

A．put a letter in a bottle

B．take part in a Sweetheart Ball

C．send cards to the persons they love

D．have dinner with their friends

3．The passage is mainly about ________.

[　　]

A．a(chǎn)n introduction of Valentine's Day

B．festivals in the western countries

C．how students celebrate Valentine's Day

D．the story of a brave priest

4．Which of the following is true according to the text?

[　　]

A．“Guess Who” card must be sent with candies.

B．family members don't celebrate Valentine's day together

C．a(chǎn)ll the Americans know the history of Valentine's day

D．a(chǎn) saying of Valentine's day has something to do with birds

February has long been a month of romance. With the sweet smell of roses in the air romantic films hit cinemas and love stories fill newspapers and magazines. On the 14th day, it is a custom for a boy to take his girlfriend out to dinner, buy her flowers and chocolates, write poems, sing to her or even spell out her name with rose petals! This is what you see on Valentine’s Day, a day named after Valentine who was a priest in the third century Rome. When the emperor (皇帝) decided that single men could become better soldiers than those with wives, he didn’t allow marriage.

But Valentine continued to perform marriage ceremonies for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, the emperor sentenced him to death. While in prison, it is said that Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his prison guard. Before his death, he wrote her a letter, which he signed “From your Valentine”, an expression that is still in use today. Valentine died for what he believed in and so he was made a Saint (圣徒), as well as becoming one of history’s most romantic characters.

Nowadays, Valentine’s Day is also popular among Chinese young people. Some students are planning to make Valentine’s cards for parents, teachers and friends. Others want to hold parties at which they will exchange small gifts and eat heart-shaped cakes. The idea is to have fun and encourage people to share in the spirit of St. Valentine.

Why did the emperor in Rome not allow marriage in his country?

    A. Because there were few women in his country at that time.

B. Because he thought men without wives could be better soldiers.

C. Because there wasn’t enough food for so many people.

D. Because he wanted to control the birth rate.

Valentine was put into prison because ______.

A. he killed one of the soldiers 

B. he stole a lot of food

C. he didn’t obey the emperor’s order   

D. he didn’t want to be a soldier

. The last paragraph mainly tells us ______.

A. students in China send cards to their teachers

B. it is a good idea to celebrate Valentine’s Day in China

C. it is interesting to celebrate Valentine’s Day in China

D. Valentine’s Day is also popular in China now

New Year and Its Celebrations（新年習俗）
January 1,the beginning of a New Year.
As far back in history as we can tell ,people have celebrated（慶祝）the start of a New Year .The people of ancient Egypt began their New Year in summer .That is when the Nile River flooded its banks bringing water and fertility（肥沃）to the land .The people of ancient Babylon（巴比倫）and Persia（波斯）began their New Year on March 21,the first day of spring .And some native American Indians（美洲土著印第安人）began their New Year when the nuts of the oak（橡木）tree became ripe .That was usually in late summer.
Now almost everyone celebrates New Year's Day on January 1,the day as before people observed the New Year's holiday in many different ways .The ancient Babylonains celebrated it by forcing their king to give up his crown（王冠） and royal（皇家） clothing. They made him get down on his knees and admit all the mistakes he had made during the past year. This idea of admitting wrongs and finishing the business of the old year is found in many societies at new year.
So is the idea of making resolutions（決定）.The resolution is a promise to change your ways ,to stop smoking ,for example ,or to get more physical exercise.
Noise making is another ancient custom at the New Year .The noise is considered necessary to chase away（趕走） the evil（邪惡） spirits of the old year .People around the world do different things to make a lot of noise .They may hit sticks together ,beat on drums（鼓）,blow horns（號）,or explode fire-works（煙火）.
Americans celebrate the New Year in many ways .Most do not have to go to work or school .So they visit family and friends ,attend church services ,share a holiday meal ,or watch New Year's parades（游行） on television. Most years university teams play in special holiday games .For those who have been busy at work or school ,new year may be a day of rest .They spend the time thinking about and preparing for the demands of the New Year.
1.Which of the following statements is right?
A.The people of ancient Egypt began their New Year in spring.
B.The people of ancient Babylon began their New Year on March 21,the first day of spring.
C.Some native American Indians began their New Year in early summer.
D.The people of ancient Persia began their New Year in late summer.
2.Why do people make a lot of noise on the New Year according to the passage?
A.The noise is considered necessary to frighten the evil spirits of the old year.
B.The noise is considered necessary to show people's excitement.
C.The noise is considered a symbol of admitting all the mistakes one did in the past year.
D.People have no other better ways to show their happiness.
3.Americans celebrate the New Year by doing things as follows except ________.
A.resting at home
B.visiting family and friends
C.attending church services
D.having sports and games

Thanksgiving Day is special holiday in the United States and Canada. Families and friends gather to eat and give thanks for their blessing.

Thanksgiving Day is really a harvest festival. This is why it is celebrated in late fall, after the crops are in. But one of the first thanksgivings in America had nothing to do with a good harvest. On December 4, 1619, the Pilgrims from England landed near what is now Charles City, Virginia. They knelt down and thanked God for their safe journey across the Atlantic.

The first New England Thanksgiving did celebrate a rich harvest. The Pilgrims landed at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. They had a difficult time and the first winter was cruel. Many of the Pilgrims died. But the next year, they had a good harvest. So Governor Bradford declared a three-day feast（盛宴）. The Pilgrims invited Indian friends to join them for their special feast. Everyone brought food.In time, other colonies（殖民地）began to celebrate a day of thanksgiving. But it took years before there was a national Thanksgiving Day. During the Civil War, Sarah Josepha Hale persuaded Abraham Lincoln to do something about it. He proclaimed（宣布）the last Thursday of November 1863 as a day of thanksgiving. Today, Americans celebrate this happy harvest festival on the fourth Thursday in November. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving Day in much the same way as their American neighbours. But the Canadian thanks-giving Day falls on the second Monday in October.

1. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated      .

  A. in spring              B. summer   C. in autumn             D. in winter

2. The first to celebrate thanksgiving were      .

  A. some people from England   B. the American Indians

  C. Sarah Josepha Hale         D. Governor Bradford

3. We can infer from the passage that New England must be      .

  A. in the U. S. A.  B. in Great Britain

  C. in Canada   D. on some island off the Atlantic

4. Which of the following is NOT true?

  A. Thanksgiving Day used to be a holiday to celebrate a good harvest.

  B. Abraham Lincoln was not the first to decide on thanksgiving celebrations.

  C. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated to express the American and Indian people’s thanks to God.

  D. There’s little difference between the American way and the Canadian way to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.

5. The passage mainly tells us      .

  A. how Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the U. S. A.

  B. how Thanksgiving Day came into being and the different ways it is celebrated

  C. that Thanksgiving Day is in fact a harvest holiday

  D. how the way to celebrate Thanksgiving Day changed with the time and places

Hallmark arrived in my hometown of Calcutta, India when I was 16. On Valentine’s Day(情人節(jié)), I waited in line with many other teenagers just for a chance to get into the store. I remember wishing two things. One of them is that the good-looking boy whom I could see through the store window was picking out a gift for me. Unfortunately, Valentine’s Day passed and I received nothing but a lecture from my father on how Western capitalism(資本主義) was ruining your culture.

The next Valentine’s Day, I still didn’t have a boyfriend, but I did receive a greeting card from a secret admirer. I can’t remember what it exactly said inside the card, but it hardly mattered. I know I’m not the only one who’s had the blues because of being single on Valentine’s Day.

 It’s not just on Valentine’s Day that I’m reminded of these feelings. One night, my friend and I were at the subway station in New York City waiting for the local to arrive. The station was mostly full of college students, and later an older couple walked in. Just at that moment, a street musician started playing She’s Only a Woman to Me. The couple began dancing around the station and lost in their own world. On the train, I found myself recalling the time when I was with a date at the subway station, and there he picked me up in his arms like I was a ballerina(芭蕾舞女演員).

My view of romance has changed from when I was 16 in Calcutta to now, 23, and living in Manhattan. This year, I won’t focus all my romantic expectations on one particular day. I’ll spend Valentine’s Day with friends in New York City. But I won’t try to hide somewhere or turn off my cellphone. Instead, I’ll help my coupled-up friends pack for their weekend trips to Rome.

The underlined word “Hallmark” in Paragraph 1 probably refers to a              .

       A. city                  B. street                       C. store                        D. man

We can infer that in the opinion of the writer’s father                           .

       A. his daughter should have received a gift

       B. people in India shouldn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day

       C. people in India should welcome Western culture

       D. his daughter should know more about capitalism

According to Paragraph 2, if someone has the blues, he or she is probably           .

       A. lucky                B. angry                       C. excited                     D. sad

What is implied in the passage?

       A. The writer now has a boyfriend.

       B. The writer now is afraid of Valentine’s Day.

       C. The writer will go to Rome with her coupled-up friends.

       D. The writer’s attitude towards Valentine’s Day has changed.

Thanksgiving Day is special holiday in the United States and Canada. Families and friends gather to eat and give thanks for their blessing.

Thanksgiving Day is really a harvest festival. This is why it is celebrated in late fall, after the crops are in. But one of the first thanksgivings in America had nothing to do with a good harvest. On December 4, 1619, the Pilgrims from England landed near what is now Charles City, Virginia. They knelt down and thanked God for their safe journey across the Atlantic.

The first New England Thanksgiving did celebrate a rich harvest. The Pilgrims landed at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. They had a difficult time and the first winter was cruel. Many of the Pilgrims died. But the next year, they had a good harvest. So Governor Bradford declared a three-day feast（盛宴）. The Pilgrims invited Indian friends to join them for their special feast. Everyone brought food.

In time, other colonies（殖民地）began to celebrate a day of thanksgiving. But it took years before there was a national Thanksgiving Day. During the Civil War, Sarah Josepha Hale persuaded Abraham Lincoln to do something about it. He proclaimed（宣布）the last Thursday of November 1863 as a day of thanksgiving. Today, Americans celebrate this happy harvest festival on the fourth Thursday in November. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving Day in much the same way as their American neighbours. But the Canadian thanks-giving Day falls on the second Monday in October.

1.Thanksgiving Day is celebrated      .

A．in spring          B．summer           C．in autumn         D．in winter

2.The first to celebrate thanksgiving were      .

A．some people from England                B．the American Indians

C．Sarah Josepha Hale                      D．Governor Bradford

3.We can infer from the passage that New England must be      .

A. in the U. S. A.   B. in Great Britain   C. in Canada   D. on some island off the Atlantic

4.Which of the following is NOT true?

A．Thanksgiving Day used to be a holiday to celebrate a good harvest.

B．Abraham Lincoln was not the first to decide on thanksgiving celebrations.

C．Thanksgiving Day is celebrated to express the American and Indian people’s thanks to God.

D．There’s little difference between the American way and the Canadian way to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.

5.The passage mainly tells us      .

A. how Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the U. S. A.

B. how Thanksgiving Day came into being and the different ways it is celebrated

C. that Thanksgiving Day is in fact a harvest holiday

D. how the way to celebrate Thanksgiving Day changed with the time and places

第二節(jié)．單詞拼寫（共10小題；每小題0.5分，滿分5分）

1. Many people ______________ (建議) him not to accept the offer but he lent no ear.

2. There are three c______________ in the play “The Necklace”, the Mathilde couple and Jeanne.

3. A___(平衡) diet should include the right amount of nutrients from all the different food groups.

4. They held a party in ___________ (慶祝) of the old man’s 90th birthday.

5. The various styles of buildings of Shanghai Expo.(世博會) show the  c___of their designers.

6. He tried hard to explain to his boss that he didn’t mean to be late, but his e_______________ didn’t work at all.

7. “Loving the young and r____________ the old” is a good tradition of us Chinese.

8. It is reported that some world leaders will ________(出席) the funeral ceremony of Polish president Lech Kaczynski, including Obama.

9. He dreams of owning a __________________ (舒服) house with a private garden.

10. During the s_______________(七天) Kwanzaa festival, African Americans celebrate their culture and history.

How the Americans view love
An old song says that " love makes the world go around" If you watch Americans on Valentine's Day, you can believe it. The whole country breaks out with little red hearts. Lovestruck people give cards, flowers and candy to their sweethearts.
The American concept of love and romance begins with dating. Young people date in several ways. At first they might have group dates with several boys and girls together. Later, they start going on single date - just one boy and one girl.
When two couples go out together, it's called double dating. A friend might even arrange a blind date for you with someone you don't know who your partner will be until the time of the date.
American young people see a date as a time just to have fun. They don't always have a romantic interest in mind. Someone may go out with one person this week, and another the next. After a while, a boy and a girl may decide they want to go steady. This means they think of each other as boyfriend and girlfriend. It also means they don't want to date anyone else. Romance is beginning to bloom.
Romance love is very much a part of American culture. Movies, TV shows and books in America all picture people falling in love. Actually, people all over the world search for happiness in a loving relationship. Maybe love does make the world go around.
【小題1】 How do you understand the understand sentence in the first paragraph?

A．Many young people's hearts break in America that day.

B．You can see many pictures of little red hearts all over America that day.

C．People all over the world show their hearts to each other that day.

D．people go out with their warm hearts that day

February has long been a month of romance. With the sweet smell of roses in the air, romantic films hit cinemas and love stories fill newspapers and magazines.
On the 14th day, it is a custom for a boy to take his girlfriend out to dinner, buy her flowers and chocolates, write poems, sing to her or even spell out her name with rose petals! This is what you see on Valentine’s Day, a day named after Valentine who was a priest in the third century Rome. When the emperor (皇帝) decided that single men could become better soldiers than those with wives, he didn’t allow marriage.
But Valentine continued to perform marriage ceremonies for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, the emperor sentenced him to death. While in prison, it is said that Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his prison guard. Before his death, he wrote her a letter, which he signed “From your Valentine”, an expression that is still in use today. Valentine died for what he believed in and so he was made a Saint (圣徒), as well as becoming one of history’s most romantic characters.
Nowadays, Valentine’s Day is also popular among Chinese young people. Some students are planning to make Valentine’s cards for parents, teachers and friends. Others want to hold parties at which they will exchange small gifts and eat heart-shaped cakes. The idea is to have fun and encourage people to share in the spirit of St. Valentine.
72. Why did the emperor in Rome not allow marriage in his country?
A. Because there were few women in his country at that time.
B. Because he thought men without wives could be better soldiers.
C. Because there wasn’t enough food for so many people.
D. Because he wanted to control the birth rate.
73. Valentine was put into prison because _______.
A. he killed one of the soldiers                                        B. he stole a lot of food
C. he didn’t obey the emperor’s order                              D. he didn’t want to be a soldier
74. The last paragraph mainly tells us _______.
A. students in China send cards to their teachers   B. it is a good idea to celebrate Valentine’s Day in China
C. it is interesting to celebrate Valentine’s Day in China              D. Valentine’s Day is also popular in China now
75. The best title for this passage should be _______.
A. Valentine’s Day                                                          B. A Brave Priest
C. Valentine’s Day in China                                             D. A Romantic Man

As far back in history as we can tell , people have celebrated the start of a New Year. The people of ancient Egypt began their New Year in summer. That is when the Nile River flooded its banks bringing water and fertility（肥沃）to the land. The people of ancient Babylon and Persia began their New Year on March 21, the first day of spring . And some native American Indians began their New Year when the nuts of the oak trees became ripe. That was usually in late summer.

Noise-making is another ancient custom on the New Year. The noise is considered necessary to drive away the evil spirits of the old year. People around the world do different things to make a lot of noise. They may hit sticks together, beat on drums, blow horns, or explode fire-works.

　 Americans celebrate the New Year in many ways. Most do not have to go to work or school. So they visit family and friends, attend church services, share a holiday meal, or watch New Year’s parades（游行） on television. Most years university teams play in special holiday games. For those who have been busy at work or school, New Year may be a day of rest. They spend the time thinking about and preparing for the demands of the New Year.

1. Which of the following statements is right?

A. The people of ancient Egypt began their New Year in spring.

B. The people of ancient Babylon began their New Year on March 21, the first day of spring.

C. Some native American Indians began their New Year in early summer.

D. The people of ancient Persia began their New Year in late summer.

2. Why do people make a lot of noise on the New Year according to the passage?

A. The noise is considered necessary to frighten the evil spirits of the old year.

B. The noise is considered necessary to show people’s excitement.

C. They spend the time thinking about and preparing for the demands of the New Year.

D. People have no other better ways to show their happiness.

3. Americans celebrate the New Year by doing things as follows except___________ .

A. resting at home

B. visiting family and friends

C. attending church services

D. having sports and games

February has long been a month of romance. With the sweet smell of roses in the air, romantic films hit cinemas and love stories fill newspapers and magazines.

On the 14th day, it is a custom for a boy to take his girlfriend out to dinner, buy her flowers and chocolates, write poems, sing to her or even spell out her name with rose petals! This is what you see on Valentine’s Day, a day named after Valentine who was a priest in the third century Rome. When the emperor (皇帝) decided that single men could become better soldiers than those with wives, he didn’t allow marriage.

But Valentine continued to perform marriage ceremonies for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, the emperor sentenced him to death. While in prison, it is said that Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his prison guard. Before his death, he wrote her a letter, which he signed “From your Valentine”, an expression that is still in use today. Valentine died for what he believed in and so he was made a Saint (圣徒), as well as becoming one of history’s most romantic characters.

Nowadays, Valentine’s Day is also popular among Chinese young people. Some students are planning to make Valentine’s cards for parents, teachers and friends. Others want to hold parties at which they will exchange small gifts and eat heart-shaped cakes. The idea is to have fun and encourage people to share in the spirit of St. Valentine.

1.Why did the emperor in Rome not allow marriage in his country?

A．Because there were few women in his country at that time.

B．Because he thought men without wives could be better soldiers.

C．Because there wasn’t enough food for so many people.

D．Because he wanted to control the birth rate.

2.Valentine was put into prison because _____.

A．he killed one of the soldiers               B．he stole a lot of food

C．he didn’t obey the emperor’s order      D．he didn’t want to be a soldier

3.The last paragraph mainly tells us _____.

A．students in China send cards to their teachers

B．it is a good idea to celebrate Valentine’s Day in China

C．it is interesting to celebrate Valentine’s Day in China

D．Valentine’s Day is also popular in China now

4.The best title for this passage should be _____.

A．Valentine’s Day                        B．A Brave Priest

C．Valentine’s Day in China                 D．A Romantic Man

Hallmark arrived in my hometown of Calcutta, India when I was 16. On Valentine’s Day(情人節(jié)), I waited in line with many other teenagers just for a chance to get into the store. I remember wishing two things. One of them is that the good-looking boy whom I could see through the store window was picking out a gift for me. Unfortunately, Valentine’s Day passed and I received nothing but a lecture from my father on how Western capitalism(資本主義) was ruining your culture.

The next Valentine’s Day, I still didn’t have a boyfriend, but I did receive a greeting card from a secret admirer. I can’t remember what it exactly said inside the card, but it hardly mattered. I know I’m not the only one who’s had the blues because of being single on Valentine’s Day.

It’s not just on Valentine’s Day that I’m reminded of these feelings. One night, my friend and I were at the subway station in New York City waiting for the local to arrive. The station was mostly full of college students, and later an older couple walked in. Just at that moment, a street musician started playing She’s Only a Woman to Me. The couple began dancing around the station and lost in their own world. On the train, I found myself recalling the time when I was with a date at the subway station, and there he picked me up in his arms like I was a ballerina(芭蕾舞女演員).

My view of romance has changed from when I was 16 in Calcutta to now, 23, and living in Manhattan. This year, I won’t focus all my romantic expectations on one particular day. I’ll spend Valentine’s Day with friends in New York City. But I won’t try to hide somewhere or turn off my cellphone. Instead, I’ll help my coupled-up friends pack for their weekend trips to Rome.

1.The underlined word “Hallmark” in Paragraph 1 probably refers to a              .

2.We can infer that in the opinion of the writer’s father                           .

3.According to Paragraph 2, if someone has the blues, he or she is probably           .

4.What is implied in the passage?

Thanksgiving Day is special holiday in the United States and Canada. Families and friends gather to eat and give thanks for their blessing.
Thanksgiving Day is really a harvest festival. This is why it is celebrated in late fall, after the crops are in. But one of the first thanksgivings in America had nothing to do with a good harvest. On December 4, 1619, the Pilgrims from England landed near what is now Charles City, Virginia. They knelt down and thanked God for their safe journey across the Atlantic.
The first New England Thanksgiving did celebrate a rich harvest. The Pilgrims landed at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. They had a difficult time and the first winter was cruel. Many of the Pilgrims died. But the next year, they had a good harvest. So Governor Bradford declared a three-day feast（盛宴）. The Pilgrims invited Indian friends to join them for their special feast. Everyone brought food.
In time, other colonies（殖民地）began to celebrate a day of thanksgiving. But it took years before there was a national Thanksgiving Day. During the Civil War, Sarah Josepha Hale persuaded Abraham Lincoln to do something about it. He proclaimed（宣布）the last Thursday of November 1863 as a day of thanksgiving. Today, Americans celebrate this happy harvest festival on the fourth Thursday in November. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving Day in much the same way as their American neighbors. But the Canadian thanks-giving Day falls on the second Monday in October.
【小題1】Thanksgiving Day is celebrated      .

The Roman Emperor Claudius II was fighting many wars. He wanted a strong army, but many men did not want to be soldiers. Claudius thought the men wanted to stay at home to be with their wives and children instead of leaving to fight wars.
Claudius thought of an awful solution to his problem. He decided to cancel all marriages! No one in all of Rome could get married. Claudius thought that if the men couldn’t get married, the men would ignore the women and want to be soldiers.
Valentine, who was a priest (牧師), believed that people needed to get married. He thought it was wrong for people to live together without being married. So he secretly and illegally married couples anyway. He performed the weddings in secret places, so the Roman soldiers would not find out.
But they did find out. Valentine was arrested and brought before the Emperor. The Emperor thought Valentine was a well-spoken and wise young man, and encouraged him to stop being a Christian (基督徒) and become a loyal Roman. Valentine would not deny his beliefs, and he refused. He was sent to prison and was finally killed. While he was in prison, he sent out letters to his friends and asked to be prayed (祈禱) for by writing Remember your Valentine.
Valentine was killed on the 14th or the 24th of February in the year 269 or 270. We celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th in honor of St. Valentine.
【小題1】The Emperor Claudius II wanted men to __________.     

Hallmark arrived in my hometown of Calcutta, India when I was 16. On Valentine’s Day(情人節(jié)), I waited in line with many other teenagers just for a chance to get into the store. I remember wishing two things. One of them is that the good-looking boy whom I could see through the store window was picking out a gift for me. Unfortunately, Valentine’s Day passed and I received nothing but a lecture from my father on how Western capitalism(資本主義) was ruining your culture.
The next Valentine’s Day, I still didn’t have a boyfriend, but I did receive a greeting card from a secret admirer. I can’t remember what it exactly said inside the card, but it hardly mattered. I know I’m not the only one who’s had the blues because of being single on Valentine’s Day.
It’s not just on Valentine’s Day that I’m reminded of these feelings. One night, my friend and I were at the subway station in New York City waiting for the local to arrive. The station was mostly full of college students, and later an older couple walked in. Just at that moment, a street musician started playing She’s Only a Woman to Me. The couple began dancing around the station and lost in their own world. On the train, I found myself recalling the time when I was with a date at the subway station, and there he picked me up in his arms like I was a ballerina(芭蕾舞女演員).
My view of romance has changed from when I was 16 in Calcutta to now, 23, and living in Manhattan. This year, I won’t focus all my romantic expectations on one particular day. I’ll spend Valentine’s Day with friends in New York City. But I won’t try to hide somewhere or turn off my cellphone. Instead, I’ll help my coupled-up friends pack for their weekend trips to Rome.
【小題1】The underlined word “Hallmark” in Paragraph 1 probably refers to a              .

Thanksgiving Day is a special holiday in the United States and Canada. Families and friends gather to eat and give thanks for their blessing.

Thanksgiving Day is really a harvest festival. This is why it is celebrated in late fall, after the crops are in. But one of the first thanksgivings in America had nothing to do with a good harvest. On December 4, 1619, the Pilgrims (朝圣者) from England landed near what is now Charles City, Virginia. They knelt down and thanked God for their safe journey across the Atlantic.

The first New England Thangksgiving did celebrate a rich harvest. The Pilgrims landed at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. They had a difficult time and the first winter was cruel. Many of the Pilgrims died. But the next year, they had a good harvest. So Governor Bradford declared a three-day feast. The Pilgrims invited Indian friends to join them for their special feast. Everyone brought food.

In time, other colonies (殖民地) began to celebrate a day of thanksgiving. But it took years before there was a national Thanksgiving Day. During the Civil War, Sarah Josepha Hale persuaded Abraham Lincoln to do something about it. He proclaimed (宣布) the last Thursday of November 1863 as a day of thanksgiving. Today, Americans celebrate this happy harvest festival on the fourth Thursday in November, Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving Day in much the same way as their American neighbors. But the Canadian Thanksgiving Day falls on the second Monday in October.

The passage mainly tells us _______

   A. how Thanksgiving Day came into being and the different ways it is celebrated

   B. how to celebrate Thanksgiving Day

   C. how Thanksgiving Day changed with the time and places

   D. why Thanksgiving Day is a harvest holiday

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated _______.

   A. in spring           B. in summer         C. in autumn       D. in winter

The first to celebrate thanksgiving were _______ .

   A. people in Canada                        B. Governor Bradford

   C. some people from England                D. the American Indians

We can infer from the passage that New England must be ______ .

   A. in England                             B. in Canada

   C. on some island off the Atlantic             D. in America

Which of the following statements is NOT ture?

   A. There’s little difference between the American way and the Canadian way to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.

   B. Abraham Lincoln was not the first to decide on thanksgiving celebrations.

   C. Thanksgiving Day used to be a holiday to celebrate a good harvest.

   D. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated to express the American and Indian people’s thanks to God.