Every year all sorts of different festivals are celebrated in Britain.Two of the most well- known British festivals are Bonfire Night and Halloween.
Bonfire Night has an interesting history.In 1605, a man called Guy Fawkes and some of his followers tried to blow up the British Houses of Parliament.They hoped that if they succeeded, they could take control of England and become its new rulers.Guy Fawkes and his men dug a tunnel under one of the Parliament buildings, and hid 36 barrels(桶)of gunpowder there.Fortunately, on November 5th, Guy Fawkes was caught just before he was able to light the fuse(导火线).He and all his followers were burned to death.
Today, people in Britain celebrate Guy Fawkes’ capture by lighting fires and holding fireworks displays.
Halloween is celebrated in Britain on the night of October 31st.There are many customs associated with Halloween.One of these is the game of ‘trick or treat’.Children, dressed up as witches, ghosts or monsters, knock on their neighbours’ doors, and shout ‘trick or treat!’ If they are lucky, they receive a ‘treat’–a bar of chocolate, or some sweets or some money.If, however, their neighbours refuse to give them anything, they play a trick on them.They might spray their front door with shaving foam(剃须膏), or knock on their doors and then run away!
Another game played at Halloween is ‘bobbing for apples’.In this game, a bowl is filled with water, and apples are placed in it.Children then have to take a bite from one of the apples without using their hands.This game is difficult and messy(杂乱的), but great fun!
(1)
Bonfire Night and Halloween ________.
[ ]
A.
have been celebrated in Britain since 1605
B.
are not celebrated by many British people
C.
are two of the most well- known British festivals.
D.
are celebrated on the night of October 31st.
(2)
Guy Fawkes was captured ________.
[ ]
A.
by someone of his followers
B.
after he blew up the British Houses of Parliament
C.
before he was able to blow up the British Houses of Parliament.
D.
on November 5th 1606
(3)
On Bonfire Night, ________.
[ ]
A.
people light fireworks and hold fireworks displays
B.
people capture Guy Fawkes
C.
children dress up as witches, ghosts or monster
D.
children play ‘trick or treat’
(4)
If your neighbours refuse to give you a treat, what will you do?
The China National Opera(CNO)will give a concert to celebrate its 50th birthday.
Different generations of CNO vocalists, like Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei, will present the concert which will feature both songs from famous Chinese operas like “The White-haired Girl” and “The Hundredth Bride”, as well as, arias of such Western opera classics as “Madame Butterfly”, “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto”.
Time/date:7∶30 pm, September 7, 8
Location:Tianqiao Theatre
Tel:6551-4787, 8315-6170
Tickets:60-500 yuan(US $7.2-60.2)
Folk music
A concert will be held to feature some recently composed traditional Chinese music works.
The concert, given by the Folk Orchestra of the China Opera and Ballet Theatre, will include such pieces as “Memory of Childhood ”, “Memorial Ceremony for God ”and “Wine Song”.
Time/date:7∶30pm, September 13
Location:Concert hall at the National Library of China
Tel:6848 –5462, 6841-9220
Tickets:30-200 yuan(US$3.6-24.1)
Moon music
A concert of traditional Chinese music will be given on the eve of the Moon Festival which falls on September 21st this year.
The concert will feature a number of famous pieces centred on the theme of the moon, such as “Moonlight”, “Spring night on a Moonlit River” and “Lofty Mountain and Flowing River.”
A number of established traditional Chinese music performers like Zhou Yaokun and Fan Weiqing, will play solos as well as collaborate with the folk music orchestra.
Time/date:7∶30 pm, September 21st
Location:Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities
Tel:6606-8888, 6606-9999
(1)
If you want to buy tickets for listening to the music “Memory of Childhood”, you will dial _________.
[ ]
A.
6551-4787
B.
6848-5462
C.
8315-6170
D.
6606-9999
(2)
Which statement is right according to the passage?
[ ]
A.
Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei stand for the same generation of CNO vocalists.
B.
“Rigoletto” is a famous piece on the theme of the moon.
C.
“Lofty Mountain and Flowing River” is a traditional Chinese music.
D.
Zhou Yaokun will play solos and Fan Weiqing will collaborate with the folk music orchestra.
(3)
“Madame Butterfly” is ________.
[ ]
A.
a Chinese opera
B.
a Western opera
C.
a piece of music
D.
a song
(4)
In which column of a newspaper will the article be published?