1、UNIT 1 FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONSSection Reading and Thinking (1)阅读理解AVidal first experienced Brazils carnival celebrations as a baby living in Salvador, the capital of Bahia State. Before he was even one year old, his mother took him to his first carnival event.The cultural traditions of Salvador h
2、ave stuck with him. And, Vidal, a trained musician, now performs the typical music of Bahia in the U.S. He often plays in the Washington area.February is the carnival season in Brazil and other countries around the world. Even the Washington area celebrates the season. Last week, Vidal, Brazilian si
3、nger-songwriter Cissa Paz and other musicians performed here for a carnival celebration. Performing in Washington and other U.S. cities has helped Vidal and Paz stay close to their Brazilian roots(根).“Living in the U.S. now and not being able to enjoy carnival as I used to in Brazil with my friends
4、and family is really heartbreaking. And that was the reason why I decided to start making my own eventscarnival partiesjust to get connected to my roots, to my happiness.”It may come as a surprise, but Washington is said to have one of the largest followings for Brazilian culture in the U.S. This ye
5、ar alone, there are more than twelve carnival celebrations in the Washington area. Here, the season isnt celebrated on city streets as in Brazil, where it is warm summer. February is one of Washingtons coldest months.So, the events take place at theatres, restaurants and other places.Carnival is one
6、 of the worlds biggest celebrations. In many countries, activities take place for a few weeks each year and include huge parades(游行) and street parties with live music. Carnival goers wear colourful, themed clothing and masks(面具).1. What do we know about Vidal from the passage?A. He didnt enjoy carn
7、ival at first.B. His mother trained him to be a singer.C. He encouraged Americans to celebrate carnival.D. Brazils traditional cultures influenced him greatly.解析：细节理解题。结合第一段中提到的Vidal还不满一岁时,他的妈妈就带他去参加巴西的狂欢节和第二段的第一句“The cultural traditions of Salvador have stuck with him.”可知,Vidal深受巴西传统文化的影响。答案：D2. Ho
8、w did Vidal feel during the carnival season in the U.S.?A. Excited.B. Sad.C. Proud.D. Anxious.解析：推理判断题。根据第四段可知,在巴西狂欢节期间,身在美国的Vidal不能回国参加庆祝活动,感到非常伤心,他还通过举办狂欢节派对的方式来保持他和故乡的联系。答案：B3. Why are the carnival celebrations in Washington held indoors?A. Because weather conditions are not good.B. Because Ameri
9、can carnivals fall in hot summers.C. Because they want to make carnivals different.D. Because few people celebrate carnivals in Washington.解析：细节理解题。根据倒数第二段的最后两句可知,二月是华盛顿最寒冷的月份之一,因此,狂欢节庆祝活动在室内举办。答案：A4. What may be the best title for the passage?A. Brazilian Musician Lives in AmericaB. Brazils Carniva
10、l Comes to WashingtonC. Brazils Carnival Becomes World-famousD. People in Washington Love Brazils Carnival解析：主旨大意题。本文通过Vidal的故事讲述了巴西的狂欢节在美国华盛顿越来越流行,故把Brazils Carnival Comes to Washington作为标题最为合适。答案：BBFamily RelationshipsThe concept of family is different in the U.S. compared to country like India. M
11、ost American families consist of a mother and a father with an average of 1-3 children. It is very common in most families that both the mother and the father are employed full time and are at work while their children are at school or a daycare centre. Time Punctuality(守时)Most Americans are very pu
12、nctual. Most people arrive exactly on time or a few minutes early for an appointment. Although most high-tech jobs dont require exact arrival and departure times, most people at most jobs arrive on time and work hard. If there is an unexpected delay, it is customary(惯常的) to inform the other party by
13、 calling them about the delay and apologise immediately upon meeting.It is said that many Indians dont accept this concept of being on time in a non-work related environment. Most people are late for social gatherings like parties or dinners. Social MattersIn India, people of the same sex hold hands
14、 or touch shoulders as a gesture of friendship. Never do that in the U.S. If you are male and hold another mans hand or put your arm around his shoulder, you might be considered weird. Also, unless you have a close relationship, you should keep your distance even from the people of the opposite sex.
15、 At the office, in public, and at home, people keep a comfortable distance while sitting next to each other. People speak softly and in low voices. In general conversation, your voice should not be too loud. Have the same manners while talking on the phone so you dont disturb those around you. 5. Wh
16、o is the passage most probably written for?A. The Chinese who live in the U.S. B. The Indians who will visit the U.S. C. The Americans who will travel to India. D. Those who want to know about American lifestyle. 解析：推理判断题。本文主要介绍了美国人在家庭观念和社会生活等方面的情况,并简要提及了印度人在这几个方面与美国人的差别,由此可推知,本文的目标读者很可能是即将去美国的印度人。故
17、选B。答案：B6. Which of the following is TRUE about the Indians?A. Parents are unwilling to care for their children at home. B. Friends are rarely found walking hand in hand in public. C. Few parents leave their kids alone at home while working. D. Colleagues keep a distance away from each other in the o
18、ffice. 解析：推理判断题。根据第一段中“It is very common in most families that both the mother and the father are employed full time and are at work while their children are at school or a daycare centre.”可知,这种情况在美国很普遍,但在印度,父母很少把孩子单独留在家里而自己去工作。故选C。答案：C7. Whats the Indians attitude to Americans sense of punctuality?
19、A. Puzzled.B. Approving.C. Disapproving.D. Doubtful. 解析：推理判断题。根据第三段中“It is said that many Indians dont accept this concept of being on time in a non-work related environment.”可知,很多印度人不喜欢美国人这种守时的生活习惯。故选C。答案：C8. Being unable to join a party on time, an Indian will . A. just take it for grantedB. feel
20、deeply sorry for a long timeC. apologise to the organiser immediatelyD. try to inform the organiser about it in advance解析：细节理解题。根据第三段中“Most people are late for social gatherings like parties or dinners.”可知,印度人对社交方面的迟到现象习以为常,不以为意。故选A。答案：ACWere told to buy environmentally friendly cars and change the
21、old electrical items in our home. But what if youre a teenager and not in control of such things? Worseyour parents have more important things to worry about than global warming(全球变暖). 9 But youre completely wrong; there are many things you can do.Take a shower instead of a bath. When taking a showe
22、r, dont use too much time. Try to keep it within 10 minutes. 10 Make it a kind of game, trying to beat your old “score” every time you take a shower.11 For example, buy recyclable pens that can be filled with ink(油墨) rather than pens that get thrown away after being used. If you have papers, bottles
23、 or whatever, dont throw them away. Instead, send them to the recycling company in your area.Talk about pollution and global warming with your parents. 12 They wouldnt mind a few suggestions every now and again. So be patient and influence them gradually. Then you might find they will be interested
24、in living a green life.Havent got any ideas for your birthday presents? 13 Recycled notebooks or solar-powered chargers . There are lots of useful and green things you can buy. And there will be an added warm feeling on your birthday.A. Consider a green idea.B. You dont use so much energy.C. Try buy
25、ing things that can be recycled.D. Dont turn the heat all the way up, either.E. You might think as a teen; you cant do much to help.F. Many adults dont care about environmental protection.G. Dont push them to be greener because that may make them angry.答案：9.E10.D11.C12.G13.AReading and Thinking (2)基
26、础测评. 单句语法填空1. In 1973, he became the first (agriculture) pioneer in the world to grow rice.2. Jack is late again. It is typical him to keep others waiting.3. This film is a real (reflect) of the living conditions of people in the western region.4. With the boy (lead) the way, we had no difficulty in
27、 finding his home.5. leaves the classroom last should turn off the lights.6. A range cultural conditions are thought to boost divorce rates.7. He had little common with his sister.8. She was grateful them for letting her stay at their house.9. There is a general (believe) that things will soon get b
28、etter.10. Chinese folk dances are only performed special occasions.答案：1. agricultural2. of3. reflection4. leading5. Whoever6. of7. in8. to9. belief10. on. 用所给短语的适当形式填空in spite of, range from . to .,fade away, take advantage of, after all1. many difficulties, he managed to get through the experiment.
29、2. There were 120 students whose ages 10 18.3. Dont lend them the cartheyre you.4. The sound comes up and slowly into the distance.5. He is old enough to travel by his own. he is already 18 years old.答案：1. In spite of2. ranged from; to3. taking advantage of4. fades away5. After all. 语法填空People celeb
30、rate festivals all around the world.As we all know, festivals have 1. wide range of origins. Of all the 2. _(tradition)festivals, the harvest festival can be found in almost every culture. People celebrate it to show that they are grateful 3. the years supply of food. With the 4._(develop) of modern
31、 society, some traditions may fade away and others may be established. Nowadays, many big cities in China 5. _ (give) up the typical custom of lighting firecrackers 6. (avoid) air pollution. With businesses 7. _(take) advantage of the celebrations, festivals are becoming more and more commercial. 8.
32、 _some believe festivals should not be commercialised, others believe the increase in spending is good for the economy and public 9. _(happy). And if you study festivals carefully, you may be surprised to find that different cultures 10. (actual) have a lot in common after all.答案：1. a2. traditional3
33、. for4. development5. have given6. to avoid7. taking8. Although9. happiness10. actually提升测评. 阅读理解North America will have six more weeks of winter, says “Punxsutawney Phil”,the most famous groundhog(土拨鼠) in the United States.Every year, thousands of people from across the U.S. travel to Punxsutawney,
34、 Pennsylvania. On the night of February 1, they go to a hill called Gobblers Knob. There, they wait until sunrise, when Phil leaves his home to look for his shadow. Tradition says that if the animal sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. But if skies are cloudy and no dark
35、shape appears, Americans can expect spring to arrive early.Groundhog Day is said to come from a European tradition called “Candlemas”. February 2 was the middle of winter, and in Europe, clergymen would give candles to people at religious services. When lit, the candles brightened up the community i
36、n the dead of winter. Later, in Germany, the tradition changed, and people instead began looking for signs of increased sunlight and changes in the weather. If an animal saw its shadow on Candlemas Day, this meant six more weeks of winter, or the “Second Winter”.The tradition came to North America w
37、hen German immigrants arrived in what is now the eastern state of Pennsylvania. They chose the groundhog as the animal to continue the tradition. The first official Groundhog Day at Gobblers Knob was held in 1887. The event has continued there ever since and has become part of American culture. Othe
38、r states now celebrate their own Groundhog Day with their own groundhog. In North Carolina, his name is Sir Walter Wally. In West Virginia, people turn to French Creek Freddie.Groundhog Day has also been popular in American media. In the 1993 film Groundhog Day, a reporter visits Punxsutawney for th
39、e big event, but becomes stuck in time. He then has to repeat the same day over and over again, until he becomes a better person.1. Why do people go to Gobblers Knob on the night of February 1?A. To hunt for groundhogs. B. To see the beautiful sunrise.C. To pay a visit to a clergyman. D. To celebrat
40、e Groundhog Day.解析：推理判断题。根据第二段的内容和第五段中的“The first official Groundhog Day at Gobblers Knob was held in 1887. The event has continued there ever since .”可知,人们在2月1日晚上来到Gobblers Knob是为了庆祝第二天的土拨鼠节。答案：D2. The origin of Groundhog Day was related to .A. warB. politics C. religionD. agriculture解析：细节理解题。根据第三段
41、的内容可知,土拨鼠节的起源与宗教有关。答案：C3. What is Phil used to predict?A. Climate change. B. The harvest of the year.C. Natural disasters. D. The length of the winter.解析：推理判断题。根据第二段中的“Tradition says that if the animal sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather.”和第四段中的“If an animal saw its shado
42、w on Candlemas Day, this meant six more weeks of winter, or the Second Winter.”可知,人们用土拨鼠能否看到自己的影子来预测当年冬天持续的时间。答案：D4. Whats the passage mainly about?A. The history of Groundhog Day.B. The tradition of Groundhog Day.C. The popularity of Groundhog Day.D. The significance of Groundhog Day.解析：主旨大意题。文章主要介
43、绍了北美地区的传统节日土拨鼠节的起源和发展,该节日一直延续到了今天。答案：A. 完形填空My Forever ValentineValentines Day was the time my father chose to show his love for the special people in his life. Over the years I fondly(天真地) thought1 him as my “Valentine Man”.My first recollection of the 2 he could bring to Valentines Day came when I
44、 was six. That morning at the breakfast table I found a card and a gift-wrapped package at my chair.The card was 3 “Love, Dad” and the gift was a ring with a small piece of red glass to 4my birthstone, a ruby(红宝石). There is5 difference between red glass and rubies to a child of six, and I remember 6
45、 that ring with pride that all the cards in the world 7 not surpass.8I grew older, the gifts gave 9 to heart-shaped boxes filled with my 10 chocolates and always included a 11 card signed “Love, Dad”. In those years my “thanks” became 12 of a perfunctory(敷衍的) response. The cards seemed less 13,and I
46、 took it for granted that the valentine would 14 be there. I had 15 my hopes and dreams in receiving cards and gifts from “significant others” and “Love, Dad” just didnt seem quite 16.His final card remains on my desk today. Its a17of how special fathers can be and how important it had been to me ov
47、er the years to know that I had a father who continued a 18 of love with simple acts of understanding and an ability to express happiness over the people in his life.Those things never19,nor does the memory of a man who never20being my valentine.1. A. ofB. aboutC. upD. over解析：think of . as .是固定短语,意为
48、“把视为/看作”。答案：A2. A. memory B. magicC. puzzleD. present解析：句意:在我六岁那年的情人节,他给我带来了第一次“魔法”回忆。依据下文的描述可知,作者对这个情人节的记忆特别深刻,所以用magic来指代那种难以忘怀的经历。memory 记忆;magic魔法;puzzle谜;疑问;present礼物。答案：B3. A. readB. writtenC. shownD. signed解析：此处表示卡片上有父亲的“签名”。该选项从第四段第一句中的“included a . card signed Love, Dad”可得到提示。答案：D4. A. reco
49、ver B. resemble C. represent D. replace解析：礼物是一个戒指,上面镶着一小片红色的玻璃来代表“我”的诞生石红宝石。故选C。其他选项不符合语境。答案：C5. A. muchB. littleC. greatD. less解析：根据下文的with pride可知,此处用little,表示对一个六岁的孩子而言,红玻璃和红宝石几乎没有什么不同。答案：B6. A. havingB. owning C. wearingD. watching解析：表示佩戴首饰只能用wear。have 有;own 拥有;wear戴着;watch观察。答案：C7. A. couldB. d
50、idC. mustD. should解析：上文提及作者佩戴这个礼物时的自豪之情,所以这里选A,表示作者认为这是最好的,世界上所有的卡片都不能超越它。答案：A8. A. Because B. SinceC. WhenD. As解析：as在此处引导时间状语从句,意为“随着”。答案：D9. A. roomB. wayC. honourD. seat解析：随着年龄的增加,礼物变成装满了作者最喜爱的巧克力糖的心形盒子。give way to是固定短语,意为“为所代替”。答案：B10. A. favourite B. lovelyC. dearD. precious解析：该题可采用排除法,修饰巧克力糖不能
51、用“可爱的”“亲爱的”“宝贵的”,但可以用“最喜爱的”。答案：A11. A. usual B. commonC. strangeD. special解析：此处表示父亲的卡片是“特殊的”。答案：D12. A. lessB. littleC. moreD. much解析：句意:那些年我的“感谢”更多成为一种敷衍的反应。答案：C13. A. important B. beautifulC. familiar D. standard解析：此处表示这些卡片看起来已经不是那么“重要”。答案：A14. A. surelyB. alwaysC. regularly D. often解析：作者想当然地认为“情人
52、”年年都在,正因为如此,才有了后文说的对父亲送的礼物不珍惜及上文提及的说感谢的话也成了敷衍的回应。 答案：B15. A. letB. keptC. placedD. remembered解析：作者把希望和梦想“放在”收到那些来自“重要的其他人”的卡片和礼物上。place意为“(小心或有意)放置,放”,用在此处能反映出作者当时对父亲的爱的漠视。 答案：C16. A. suitable B. enough C. effectiveD. sacred解析：与自己希望收到的礼物相比,父亲的贺卡似乎远远不够。与上文的from “significant others”相照应。答案：B17. A. sign
53、al B. certificate C. consequence D. reminder解析：父亲送作者的最后一张卡片在提醒着她:父亲对子女的爱是多么特别。每当看到父亲的这张卡片,作者就想起了父亲和卡片的意义,所以这张卡片具有“提示”的功能,故选D。答案：D18. A. tradition B. hobbyC. habitD. custom解析：结合语境可知,父亲表达的是一种爱的“传统”。答案：A19. A. loseB. dieC. missD. appear解析：此处表示那些事情永远不会消失,作者将永远记着父亲。这句话表达了女儿对父亲永远的怀念。die在此处意为“消失”。答案：B20. A. thoughtB. wantedC. triedD. stopped解析：根据句意可知,此处表示父亲从来没有停止过当作者的“情人”,用stop doing sth符合语境。答案：D