In the United States, 16, 18 and 21 are very important ages in a person’s life. A person can be allowed to do something at a certain age, showing that he or she is no longer a child, but rather an adult.
After turning 16 in the United States, a person can be employed (雇佣), get a driver’s license and leave home. Many high school students learn to drive and get part-time jobs soon after celebrating their 16th birthday. At 18, people in the United States can vote (投票选举) as a citizen (公民) and join the army, but they are not allowed to go into bars to buy beer or wine until they are 21.
In many Latin American countries, a young woman’s 15th birthday is important. At this age, she is no longer regarded as a girl, but a woman. To mark this special day, families with 15-year-old daughters hold a celebration called a quinceanera (成人礼). The family will have a big party and many guests are invited.
In Japan, boys and girls are thought to be adults when they turn 20. At this age, they are allowed to vote and drink beer or wine. The second Monday in January is a national holiday called the Coming-of-Age Day. On this day, 20-year-olds are invited to listen to speeches which will tell them the responsibilities (责任) and challenges of being an adult. After that, many of them celebrate late into the night to step into a new period.
【小题1】What can’t an 18-year-old person do in America according to the text?| A．Buy beer or wine in bars. | B．Vote as a citizen. | C．Get a driver’s license. | D．Join the army. |
| A．How girls enjoy their 15th birthday parties. | B．What 15-year-old girls can do. |
| C．Girls are supposed to be adults at 15. | D．What a quinceanera for a 16-year-old girl is like. |
| A．It falls on the second Monday in February. | B．It is a day for those turning 20 years old. |
| C．It is celebrated in some local areas. | D．It is better to celebrate it in the morning. |
| A．The Meaning of Adulthood. | B．Special Birthday Celebration. |
| C．The Quinceanera for Young Adults. | D．Different Ages to Be Adults. |
