She looked older to us though her age was about the same as our mother’s. She was not pretty. But she was kind and good. Then she gave us a good meal. After our mother became ill, we never ate such a good one. My brothers and I liked her before we finished the meal.

Our family moved to Australia not long ago. It was difficult for us to live a good life in the new place. Soon our mother became ill and she was in bed.

Every morning father went out to the forest, and worked all day hard as he could. Of course, we tried to help our parents. I cleaned the house and cooked our meals. My older brother learned to grow vegetables.

My two younger brothers were too young to work. Sometimes we went to school. When father came home on that day, he was surprised. Our mother was sleeping peacefully in the bed cleaned by Jane, and there were some beautiful flowers on the table. He said to Jane, “I have no money. I’m sorry I can’t pay you.” Jane said, “Don’t mind, I’m glad to help you. I don’t take money from people who are not happy.”

1. Why was mother ill?　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 

A. Life was hard.

B. The weather was bad for a long time.

C. There were too many children in the family.

D. She was always ill.

2. From the passage, we can know that there are　　    children in the family. 

A. 2　　    B. 3　　   C. 4　　　　 D. 5

3. Where did they live?　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   

A. In Australia.　　　　   B. In a city in Australia.

C. They just left Australia.  D. The writer didn’t tell us.

4. Why did Jane come to the family?　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 

A. To make money because she was poor.   

B. To help them.

C. She knew their mother very well.

D. To cook meals for the children.

5. We can learn the following from the passage except　　    .　　   

A. Jane was much younger than the writer’s mother

B. the writer’s family was not rich

C. Jane came to the family with some beautiful flowers

D. Jane helped the family for nothing

Letter A

Dear Rose,

I like your programmes very much. I’m now writing to ask you something about American social customs (社交习惯). My American friends want me to join them in their dinner party. I am very happy and have decided to go, but I’m a little worried about it, too. The social customs in my country are very different from here, so I’m afraid of making mistakes.

Should I bring a present, such as sweets or flowers? Should I arrive on time or a little late? At the dinner table, how can I know which fork (叉子) or knife to use? How can I let the family know that I’m thankful for their kindness?

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Wang Lin

Letter B

Dear Wang Lin,

It’s a good idea to bring a small present when you go to a dinner party. Flowers are always nice, or you may bring a bottle of wine (葡萄酒) if you know that your friends drink it.

You should arrive on time or five to ten minutes late. Don’t get there early. If you’re going to be more than fifteen minutes late, you should call and tell them.

Try to be free at the dinner table. If you don’t know about choosing the right fork or knife, just watch the other people, and follow them. If you still have no idea of what to do, ask the person next to you.

If you like the food, say so. Of course, you’ll thank them for the meal and for their kindness. It’s also a good idea to send a thank-you card the day after.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Rose

1. Wang Lin wants to _______.

A. make friends with Rose　　　　　　

B. know some social customs for a dinner party

C. make her friends happy　　　　　　

D. give her friends a surprise

2. Rose is possibly ________.

A. a good housewife　　　　　　　　　 B. a TV hostess (主持人)

C. a member of the dinner party　　　　 D. a friend of Wang Lin’s

3. If you’re asked to a dinner party but not sure about what to bring as a present, it’s good to bring _______.

　 A. some fruits　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. a bottle of wine

　 C. some flowers　　　　　　　　　　　 D. a knife and fork

4. Which of the following is NOT proper (适当的) for joining in a dinner party?

　 A. Get there 15 minutes earlier.　　　　　 B. Make yourself at home.

　 C. Follow others to use forks and knives.　 D. Thank your friends for the meal.

5. From the letters we’ve learned that it’s very _____ to know something about American social customs.

　 A. difficult　　 B. friendly　　　 C. enjoyable　　　 D. helpful

They __________ their last dollars on a good meal．

　　A．took　　B．cost　　C．spent D．paid

Unique customs

St. Anthony’s Day

January 17 is St. Anthony’s Day in Mexico. It’s a day when people ask for protection for their animals. They bring their animals to church. But before the animals go into the church, the people usually dress them up in flowers.

Chusok

On August 15 of the lunar calendar, Koreans celebrate Chusok to give thanks for the harvest. Also on Chusok, a big meal with moon-shaped rice cake is eaten.

New Year’s Eve

One of the biggest celebrations in Argentina is New Year’s Eve. On the evening of December 31, families get together and have a big meal. At midnight, fireworks set everywhere and continue throughout the night. Friends and families meet at parties, which last until the next morning.

Setsubun

On the evening of February 3, people in Japanese families take one dried bean（豆）for each year of their age and throw the beans around their homes, shouting “Good luck in! Evil sprits out!” This is known as “Setsubun,” a time to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

47. When is St. Anthony’s Day?

　　　 A. December 31.　　 B. August 15.　　　 C. February 3.　　 D. January 17.

48. Why do Koreans celebrate Chusok?

　　　 A. To celebrate the end of winter.

B. To give thanks for the harvest.

　　　 C. To wish their families good luck.

　　　 D. To ask for protection for their animals.

49. What do Japanese people do on Setsubun?

　　　 A. Bring their animals to church.

　　　 B. Meet friends and families at parties.

　　 C. Throw the beans around their homes.

D. Eat a big meal with moon-shaped cake.

完形填空。

　　It is a good idea to (1) a small present when you go to a (2) party in England or the USA. Flowers are always nice, or you may bring a bottle of wine(酒) (3) you know what the family (4) . You should arrive in time or (5) minutes later. Don't get there early. If you are going to be there (6) fifteen minutes later, you should call and tell the host hostess(主人).

　　Try to relax(放松)at the dinner table. If you don't know (7) to use the fork and knife, or the spoon (汤匙), just watch (8) and follow them. You can also ask someone next to you. If you like the food, say so. Of course, you'll thank the host and hostess (9) the meal and for their kindness. It's a good idea to send a card or thank you note the (10) day.

(1)

[　　]

A．bring　　　　　　　B．take

C．carry　　　　　　　D．move

(2)

[　　]

A．breakfast　　　　　B．lunch

C．supper　　　　　　D．birthday

(3)

[　　]

A．when　　　　　　B．if

C．so　　　　　　　D．as

(4)

[　　]

A．eat　　　　　　　B．eats

C．drink　　　　　　D．drinks

(5)

[　　]

A．five　　　　　　　B．ten

C．five to ten　　　　 D．one to five

(6)

[　　]

A．less than　　　　　B．more than

C．about　　　　　　D．for

(7)

[　　]

A．why　　　　　　B．how

C．what　　　　　　D．when

(8)

[　　]

A．other　　　　　 B．the other

C．others　　　　　D．the others

(9)

[　　]

A．for　　　　　　B．of

C．at　　　　　　 D．about

(10)

[　　]

A．last　　　　　　B．tomorrow

C．next　　　　　　D．later