There are a number of special days of the year that are celebrated in different countries. The origins of most of the days are unknown. They were certainly not created by individual people. Other days, however, especially those celebrated in western countries often owe their origins to a particular person. One of the most popular of these, even though it is fairly recent, is Mother’s Day. Mothers have always been highly regarded in all cultures. The ancient Romans had a festival known as Hilaria, during which children took presents to the temple of the “Mother of the Gods”. The Christian Church adopted this idea and called it Mothering Sunday. However, over the years this custom was gradually forgotten, and almost disappeared by the end of the 19th century.
Born in 1864 in Virginia, US, Anna Jarvis was a school teacher and believed children should show gratitude to their mothers for all their love and care. Encouraged by a friend, she wrote to thousands of important people — politicians, churchmen, doctors, city officials and asked them to support her idea: a special day of the year for thanking mothers.
In 1910 the Governor of Western Virginia introduced Mother’s Day in the state. The date chosen was May 10 — the second Sunday in May, which is still observed in America today. This date was chosen because May 10 was the date on which in 1908 Anna Jarvis’s mother died. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson made May 10 the official date for Mother’s Day throughout the United States.
Soon there was a Mother’s Day International Association and the custom began to be adopted in many countries of the world.
Anna Jarvis, a sad and disillusioned woman died in 1948. The custom she had worked so hard to establish and which had become almost universal had lost its original purpose. It had been taken over by business. As with Christmas, the giving of presents and the sending of cards had become a multimillion dollar industry.
【小题1】The passage mainly tells us________.| A．how Mother’s Day came into being | B．how people celebrate Mother’s Day |
| C．a woman named Anna Jarvis | D．President Wilson and Anna Jarvis |
| A．Asia | B．America | C．Ancient Rome | D．the Christian Church |
| A．her students had nothing to do |
| B．she wanted to know important people in this way |
| C．she wanted to do something for mothers |
| D．she wanted people to thank their mothers |
| A．May 10 was the date on which Anna Jarvis’s mother died | B．it was the second Sunday in May in 1910 |
| C．May 10 is a lucky day | D．President Wilson like the date |
| A．watched | B．followed | C．ruled | D．set |
Young people in India spend the day with their closest friends and have fun together. Most youngsters in India plan a movie or have a meal with their friends. Many friends may go on a drive to tourist places or go camping. Some friends go to the supermarket for shopping. On Friendship Day, most stores offer discounted(打折的) prices for customers and it is the perfect day to buy something for friends.
Some friends go to parties that are organized by many restaurants in order to attract youngsters. Such parties are very enjoyable. You can get food at a discounted price. Some friends just decide to meet up (碰头，相聚) at someone’s home and talk about their happy time. The time good friends spend sitting together and talking over a cup of coffee is unforgettable.
Long-distance friends call up each other on this day and wish each other with warm feelings. Some of them even plan to meet up on this day. Yet some others plan a surprising visit just to see their friend gasp (喘息) in shock!
【小题1】When is Friendship Day celebrated in India?
| A．On August 2nd every year. | B．On the third weekend of August every year. |
| C．On August 1st every year. | D．On the first weekend of August every year. |
| A．Traveling with friends | B．Seeing a film with friends |
| C．Dancing with friends | D．Going with friends |
| A．Two | B．Three | C．Four | D．Five |
| A．a visit to a friend who hasn’t expected it |
| B．a visit to a friend who has dreamed of it for a long time |
| C．a visit to a friend who tries to avoid it |
| D．a visit to a friend who lives in a faraway place |
Thanksgiving Day is a public vacation. It is a day off for the general population in the US, and schools and most businesses are closed。
What Do People Do
Thanksgiving Day is traditionally a day for families and friends to get together for a special meal.The meal often includes a turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, pumpkin pie and vegetables. Thanksgiving Day is a time for many people to give thanks for what they have.
Thanksgiving Day parades are held in some cities and towns on or around Thanksgiving Day. Some parades or festivities also mark the opening of the Christmas shopping season. Some people have a four-day weekend so it is a popular time for trips and to visit family and friends.
Public Life
Most government offices, businesses, schools and other organizations are closed on Thanksgiving Day. Many offices and businesses allow staff to have a four-day weekend so these offices and businesses are also closed on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day. Public transit systems do not usually operate on their regular timetables.
Thanksgiving Day is one of the busiest periods for travel in the US. This can causecongestionand overcrowding. Seasonal parades and busy football games can cause disruption to local traffic
【小题1】What do people usually do on Thanksgiving Day?| A．All people will have a four-day weekend. |
| B．People usually get together with their family without travelling. |
| C．People in government officials still work on this day. |
| D．People usually go out to parade on this day. |
| A．Air pollution. | B．Environment damage. |
| C．Too much traffic and too many people. | D．Destruction to the road. |
| A．Students usually go to school to celebrate. |
| B．Buses usually serve on the regular timetable. |
| C．You'd better not go shopping because shops are all closed. |
| D．You and your family can get together for a special meal. |
If you are looking for culturally and globally unique experiences, here are four fascinating festivals that you can try from different corners of the world.
Holi Festival in India
Holi Festival in India is a colorful celebration of the arrival of spring. This festival, which falls in February or March, is celebrated with much enthusiasm and excitement all across the country. During Holi, people smear(涂抹) each other’s faces with brightly colored powders and spray colored water using water guns called pichkaris.
Carnival of Venice in Italy
This is a festival when you can see the streets of Venice flooded with colorful masks and carefully prepared costumes. Participants engage in a series of events ranging from parades and costume contests to masquerade balls(化装舞会). There is a popular event at the carnival, in which a girl in a traditional costume descends a rope from a tower to the square below.
Carnaval de Oruro in Bolivia
This carnival is a visual performance that takes place every year. The carnival features colorful and intricate(复杂精细的) costumes worn by tens of thousands of dancers and musicians who parade through the streets of Oruro over several days. The carnival is devoted to the Virgin of Candelaria, resulting in a fascinating and unique display of cultural heritage and artistic expression.
Day of the Dead in Guatemala
The Day of the Dead is a gift to the loved ones who are dead. The festival is a mixture of traditional Mayan culture and Catholic traditions. It takes place on November 1st and involves flowers, candles, and food offerings for the loved ones who are dead.
【小题1】What is special about the Holi Festival in India?| A．Costume contests and masquerade balls. |
| B．Brightly colored powders on people’s faces. |
| C．Colorful and intricate costumes of dancers. |
| D．Beautiful flowers and good food offerings. |
| A．They are celebrated for the rich. |
| B．They just cost a little money. |
| C．They feature carefully prepared costumes. |
| D．They are in memory of famous musicians. |
| A．It is a weekly celebrated festival. |
| B．It is an event with some parades. |
| C．It is a mixture of six different traditions. |
| D．It is a festival for the dead people love. |
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