Almost all cultures celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another in some way. Different cultures celebrate the beginning of a new year in different ways, and at different times on the calendar.
In Western countries, people usually celebrate New Year at midnight on December 31st—January 1st. People may go to parties, sometimes dressed in formal (正式的) clothes, and they may drink champagne (香槟) at midnight. During the first minutes of the new year, people cheer and wish each other happiness for the year ahead. But some cultures prefer to celebrate the new year by waking up early to watch the sunrise. They welcome the new year with the first light of the sunrise.
Many cultures also do special things to get rid of (消除) bad luck at the beginning of a new year. For example, in Ecuador, families make a big doll from old clothes. The doll is filled with old newspapers and firecrackers. At midnight, these dolls are burned to show the bad things from the past year are gone and the new year can start afresh (重新). Other common traditions to keep away bad luck in a new year include throwing things into rivers or the ocean, or saying special things on the first day of the new year.
Other New Year traditions are followed to bring good luck in the new year. One widespread Spanish tradition for good luck is to eat grapes on New Year’s Day. The more grapes a person eats, the more good luck the person will have in the year. In France, people eat pancakes for good luck at New Year. In the United States, some people eat black-eyed peas for good luck, but to get good luck for a whole year you have to eat 365 of them!
【小题1】The reading is mainly about______.| A．the meaning of “Happy New Year!” |
| B．several different New Year traditions |
| C．what to eat on New Year’s Day |
| D．why people dress up nicely on New Year's Day |
| A．some cultures celebrate New Year in the morning |
| B．the Western people celebrate New Year only on New Year’s Day |
| C．people in Ecuador go to parties on December 31st—January 1st |
| D．no cultures do special things to celebrate New Year |
| A．bring good luck |
| B．keep away bad luck |
| C．forget everything |
| D．plan for the next year |
| A．friends talk to each other in special ways |
| B．families make big dolls filled with old clothes |
| C．some people get up early to watch the sunrise |
| D．Europeans eat 365 grapes on New Year's Day |
| A．one pea brings one day of luck |
| B．black-eyed peas are the best medicine |
| C．the peas are too black and taste bad |
| D．the peas are helpful to count numbers |
New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate and enter the new year with a smile on your face. This year, there’re plenty of local activities for all ages and interests, so the smiles will come easily.
BLUE CONCERT
Blues band the Coyotes is playing at the Dance Barn，at 8 Barn View in Sudden Valley, The show will start at 9 p. m. and benefit the charity Bikers Fighting Cancer. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Call 224-2308 for more information.
NEW YEAR’S LAUGHS
Ring in the New Year and laugh out the old one at the Upfront Theatre Comic improvisers will hit on all the highlights of the year with The Last Laugh of 2008. The 9 p. m. show will cost $15 and is open to all ages. The 11 P. m. show is to 21 and older and costs $18, which includes a champagne (香槟酒) toast. Call 733-8855 for more information.
MAZE
For a fun activity earlier in the evening，walk the labyrinth (迷宫) at the Leopold Crystal Bellroom. Wander through the maze, based on the French Chartres Cathedral, for free from 4 to 9 P. m. Call 752-0048 for more information.
COUNTRY DANCING
At the Bellingham Eagles Hall, live local music will help get the dance started at 8 p. m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and free for kids 12 and younger. For more information, call 676-1554.
【小题1】Which of the following activities may be free for Tom aged 16?| A．COUNTRY DANCING. | B．NEW YEAR'S LAUGHS. |
| C．MAZE. | D．BLUE CONCERT. |
| A．676-1554 | B．733-8855 | C．752-0048 | D．224-2308 |
| A．Wander through the maze. | B．The champagne toast. |
| C．Its live music. | D．The Last Laugh of 2008. |
| A．$10 is enough to book a ticket to Blue Concert |
| B．you can read the text on a telephone book |
| C．all these activities are international ones |
| D．New Year’s Laughs will hold shows three times |
Celebrating the harvest around the world
A harvest festival is a celebration of the fall months and the harvest that often accompanies these months.
Canada
In Canada, people celebrate their harvest on Thanksgiving.
Today, it has become a recognized holiday in the country that falls on the second Monday in October.
United Kingdom
Harvest festival activities are considered a special time for communities to come together in celebration. The harvest festival may start with carrying baskets of fruits and vegetables to a local church where people sing praise songs for a healthy harvest while praying for future harvests.
China
In 2018, the Farmers' Harvest Festival was launched in China. It's held on the day of the autumn equinox (秋分), which falls roughly on Sept 22 or 23.
| A．This tradition is said to date back to the 16th century. |
| B．Every year, a range of events are organized nationwide. |
| C．These celebrations typically involve dancing and singing. |
| D．The foods often found at this festival are turkey and bread. |
| E．Many countries celebrate harvest festivals in different forms. |
| F．A special effort may be made to give food to the less fortunate. |
| G．On Thanksgiving, most return home to gather with their family. |
WISCONSIN WINTER WELCOME EVENTS
The spring semester is here, and we’re excited to welcome both returning and new students to campus. The start of a new semester is an exciting time of the year. It’s the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone, meet new people, and create memorable new experiences.
During the first four weeks of the semester, Wisconsin Welcome offers events for students to meet new friends and find community. We've highlighted just a few of the events offered below:
MSC Comeback Carnival — Thursday, January 23
Ready to get involved in a multicultural student organization? Want to catch up with friends over some free food and fun activities? Stop by the MSC to meet with over 45 multicultural student organizations, have fun, and connect with new and old friends! -6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, MSC Lounge on the 2nd Floor of the Red Gym.
Public Service Fair — Wednesday, January 29
The Morgridge Center for Public Service hosts two Public Service Fairs per year. The fairs draw hundreds of students eager to learn about work and internship (实习) opportunities with local and national organizations. -3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Gordon Dining &Event Center.
Winter Carnival — Tuesday, February 4 to Sunday, February 9
The Wisconsin Union's Winter Carnival is a long-standing tradition. It challenges you to embrace the cold, snow and play crazily! When you need to warm up a bit, head indoors for hot chocolate and food specials! -Memorial Union.
Spring Student Organization Fair — Tuesday, February 11
The Student Organization Fair is a great opportunity to explore your hobbies and meet different student organizations on campus. Stop by, meet new people, and maybe join a new student organization! - 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Kohl Center.
These are just a few of the many events you can check out during Wisconsin Welcome. Go to www.go.wisc.edu/welcome for more events and information, and use WiWelcome on social to stay connected.
We hope you have a great semester!
【小题1】If you want to improve your foreign languages, which event are you expected to join in?| A．MSC Comeback Carnival. |
| B．Public Service Fair. |
| C．Winter Carnival. |
| D．Spring Student Organization Fair. |
| A．make friends | B．develop hobbies |
| C．find jobs | D．purchase textbooks |
| A．It has a quite short history. |
| B．It will be held in the open air. |
| C．It will take place on Monday. |
| D．It will offer free hot chocolate. |
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