第三部分 阅读 （共两节，满分40分）

第一节：阅读理解（15小题，共30分）

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A 、B 、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。

In the southern part of America, when somebody has a birthday, often family or friends, or both, will arrange a party. The party could be elaborate(精心准备的)and include a meal or may be simple with a birthday cake and drinks. One does not plan, nor give, one’s own birthday as is the custom in some cultures. At a party there is usually a decorated cake, often with the words “Happy Birthday” and with the name of the person written on the top of the cake. Sometimes there is also one candle for each year of the person celebrating the birthday before the cake is cut. While blowing out the candles, the person makes a wish for something pleasant.

Usually those invited to a birthday party will bring a gift for the person honored. Gifts given by friends do not have to be expensive, but the family of the birthday person will spend whatever they can afford on a gift.

Christmas parties also are very popular in the South. Often this is the only time during the year that some people see acquaintances(熟人). These parties can be elaborate or simple, ranging from a buffet(自助餐)to a reception called “open house (家庭招待会)”. If you are invited to one of these, you don’t need to take a Christmas gift, as it is not customary to take the hostess a gift every time you are invited to a party or a meal. However, if you wish to take a gift, it should only be something useful and inexpensive and should be given to the hostess at the door as you enter the party. Usually gifts of Christmas food treats are the most appreciated.

1. On one’s birthday, before blowing out the candles, he or she will______.

A. wear beautiful clothes           B. eat birthday cake

C. invite friends                  D. make a wish

2. This passage mainly tells us about __________.

A. two kinds of parties in the southern United States

B. how to arrange a birthday party

C. how to arrange a Christmas party

D. who will arrange a party

3. In southern America, birthday parties are often arranged by _________.

   A. friends     B. oneself      C. family        D. Both A and C

4. Which of the following is true?

A. For a birthday party, the cake is often cut before candles are blown out.

B. For a birthday party, neither friends nor the family will buy expensive presents.

C. It’s customary to take the hostess a gift when you are invited to a party.

D. If you take a gift to a Christmas party, you’d better take something useful and inexpensive.

5. What kind of gift is the best if someone is invited to a Christmas party?

 A. Expensive things     B. Candles      C. Food      D. Money

YOUR mom might cook a bowl of noodles for you on your birthday. But in the US, a mom makes a cupcake for her children on their birthday.
Cupcakes are small, round cakes topped with frosting (糖霜). It has been an American tradition that moms bring cupcakes to the classroom to celebrate their child’s birthday.
But recently some doctors have called for this to be banned. They believe cupcakes contribute to child obesity.
Despite their good intentions, however, some people believe that experts are interfering (妨碍) with American culture. The cupcake is seen as American as apple pie — only prettier.
According to Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University, the cupcake is the most democratic (民主的) of desserts. As they are small enough for one person, you don’t have to share your cupcake with anyone — it’s all yours. They are also all the same size, so there can’t be any cries of “she got the bigger piece!”
Each bite can taste different depending on how much icing you have. It is a lesson in self- determination. Some people eat only a little of the frosting every time, others have it all in just one bite.
In recent years, eating a cupcake has become as trendy as having a cup of Starbucks coffee.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton jokingly promised on a talk show that if she was elected president, she would give everyone a cupcake on her birthday.
Ruth Reichl, editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine, explains that the rise of the cupcake is very much about going back to American national identity in food, which is all about comfort. “People want to think about when they and their country were innocent,” she said.
【小题1】According to the passage, it has been an American tradition that ___________.

A．the family holds a party for children on their birthday

B．a mom cooks a bowl of noodles for her children on their birthday

C．a mom makes a cupcake for her children on their birthday and brings it to the classroom

D．parents go travelling with their children on their birthday