“Happy New Year!”Everyone will greet each other with these words as they meet over the next couple of weeks．But it wasn’t always January l that marked the New Year．

　 At least 4，000 years ago the ancient Egyptians and Bahylo-nians(古巴比伦人)marked the changing of the year．In Egypt, the year started when the Nile River(尼罗河)flooded，enriching farmers’ fields with silt(淤泥)．This happened at the end of September．

　 The Babylonians held a festival in spring，on March 23,to kick off the next farming cycle．The Babylonian celebration lasted for l l days．

The date January l was picked by the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar as the change of the year when he established his own calendar in 4 6 BC．The month of January was named after the Roman god，Janus(雅努斯)．He is pictured with two heads．0ne head looks forward and the other back．They represent a break between the old and new．That new calendar was in time with the sun and it has been used until the present day.

　 Around the world，different cultures have their own traditions for welcoming the New Year．The Japanese hang straw rope across the front of their houses to keep out evil spirits and bring happiness and good luck．They also have a good laugh as the year begins to get things started on a lucky note．

　 In India people like to wear pink, red ,purple and white flowers. Women favor yellow，the colour of spring．Hindus also leave shrines next to their beds so they see beautiful objects when they wake up．

　 Canadians enjoy the traditional polar bear swim．People of all ages put on their swimsuits and jump into frozen lakes．

60. Which ancient country has a great effect on the New Year we are celebrating now?

A．Egypt．　 　　　　　　 B．Rome．　

C．Babylon．　　　　　　 D．India．

61. What’s the main idea of the last three paragraphs?

A. In different countries people celebrate the New Year in different ways

B.People in different countries celebrate the New Year in different times of the year．

C. Which country has the best tradition for welcoming the New Year?

D. In different countries people play different games to celebrate the New Year．

62.What can we infer from this passage?

A. Everyone will greet each other with “Happy New Year” for several months．

B. Women favour yellow flowers in Japan when they celebrate the New Year．

C. Canadians like swimming in the lake to celebrate the New Year though it is very cold．

D. Human beings have been celebrating the New Year for no more than 4．000 years．

任务型阅读（满分10分）

请认真阅读下面短文，并根据所读内容在文章后图表中的空格里填入最恰当的单词。

注意：每空只填一个单词。

“Happy New Year!” Everyone will greet each other with these words as they meet each other on New Year’s Day. But it wasn’t always January 1 that marked the New Year.

    At least 4,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians marked the changing of the year. In Egypt, the year started when the Nile River flooded, enriching farmers’ fields. This happened at the end of September.

    The Babylonians held a festival in the spring, on March 23, to kick off the next farming cycle. The Babylonian celebration lasted for 11 days.

    The date January 1 was picked by the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar as the change of the year when he established his own calendar in 46 BC. The month of January originates from the Roman god, Janus. He is pictured with two heads. One head looks forward and the other back. They represent a break between the old and new. The new calendar was in time with the sun and it has been used until the present day.

    In Vietnam, the New Year holiday happens in February. They buy fresh flowers and a peach blossom to put in their house, following the Vietnamese custom.

Thailand has its specific New Year’s date; it’s different from the normal calendar. The Thai New Year is celebrated on April 13. On this day, Thai people play with water, throwing it on each other. It is intended to bring good luck during the New Year ahead.

    In China, the more favorable New Year is usually celebrated in February according to lunar calendar (阴历). On New Year’s Eve, all family members sit together at table, enjoying lots of auspicious foods such as dumplings, chicken to bring good luck.

Title:  New Year traditions all around the world

任务型阅读（满分10分）

请认真阅读下面短文，并根据所读内容在文章后图表中的空格里填入最恰当的单词。

注意：每空只填一个单词。

“Happy New Year!” Everyone will greet each other with these words as they meet each other on New Year’s Day. But it wasn’t always January 1 that marked the New Year.

    At least 4,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians marked the changing of the year. In Egypt, the year started when the Nile River flooded, enriching farmers’ fields. This happened at the end of September.

    The Babylonians held a festival in the spring, on March 23, to kick off the next farming cycle. The Babylonian celebration lasted for 11 days.

    The date January 1 was picked by the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar as the change of the year when he established his own calendar in 46 BC. The month of January originates from the Roman god, Janus. He is pictured with two heads. One head looks forward and the other back. They represent a break between the old and new. The new calendar was in time with the sun and it has been used until the present day.

    In Vietnam, the New Year holiday happens in February. They buy fresh flowers and a peach blossom to put in their house, following the Vietnamese custom.

Thailand has its specific New Year’s date; it’s different from the normal calendar. The Thai New Year is celebrated on April 13. On this day, Thai people play with water, throwing it on each other. It is intended to bring good luck during the New Year ahead.

    In China, the more favorable New Year is usually celebrated in February according to lunar calendar (阴历). On New Year’s Eve, all family members sit together at table, enjoying lots of auspicious foods such as dumplings, chicken to bring good luck.

Title:  New Year traditions all around the world

Directions：Read the following passage．Fill in the numbered blanks by using the information from the passage．Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer．

New Year traditions all around the world

    “Happy New Year!” Everyone will greet each other with these words as they meet each other over the next couple of weeks. But it wasn’t always January 1 that marked the New Year.

    At least 4,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians marked the changing of the year. In Egypt, the year started when the Nile River flooded, enriching farmers’ fields. This happened at the end of September.

    The Babylonians held a festival in the spring, on March 23, to kick off the next farming cycle. The Babylonian celebration lasted for 11 days.

    The date January 1 was picked by the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar as the change of the year when he established his own calendar in 46 BC. The month of January originates from the Roman god, Janus. He is pictured with two heads. One head looks forward and the other back. They represent a break between the old and new. The new calendar was in time with the sun and it has been used until the present day.

    In Vietnam, the New Year holiday happens in February. They buy fresh flowers and a peach blossom to put in their house, following the Vietnamese custom.

    Thailand has its specific New Year’s date; it’s different from the normal calendar. The Thai New Year is celebrated on April 13. On this day, Thai people play with water, throwing it on each other. It is intended to bring good luck during the New Year ahead.

    In China, the more favorable New Year is usually celebrated in February according to lunar calendar (阴历). On New Year’s Eve, all family members sit together at table, enjoying lots of auspicious foods such as dumplings, chicken to bring good luck.

New Year traditions all around the world