People all over the world celebrate the new year. However, not all countries celebrate in the same way, and in some countries, the new year doesn’t begin on the 　46　 date very year.

In many countries, the new year begins on 1st January, but people start celebrating on 31st December, New Year’s Eve. In New York many people go to celebrate in Times Square. 　47 　 they’re waiting for the New Year, they listen to music, sing traditional songs and have fun. Just before 12 o’clock, everyone 　48 down from 10: 10, 9, 8… As soon as it’s 12 o’clock, everyone shouts very 　49 , “Happy New Year!”

New Year’s Day is often a family day. Some families get together for a special meal. When the weather is fine, many families go out for a 　50 .

On New Year’s Day, many people make resolutions for the new year. They 　51　 a list of things, such as “I will help out more with housework. I will work 　52 at school than others.” or “I won’t spend so much time playing video games.” When they have made 　53 list, they read it to their family or friends and promise to 　54 their resolutions.

So it doesn’t matter how they celebrate, 　55 people in countries all over the world, it’s a time to say goodbye to the old year, and to welcome the new.

46. A. familiar　　　　 B. same　　　　　 C. important　　　　 D. normal

47. A. If　　　　　　 B. Even though 　　 C. While　　　　　 D. Before

48. A. comes　　　　 B. turn　　　　　　 C. looks　　　　　　 D. counts

49. A. loudly　　　　 B. quietly　　　　　 C. sadly　　　　　　 D. safely

50. A. walk　　　　　 B. secret　　　　　 C. job　　　　　　　 D. treatment

51. A. put on　　　　 B. write down　　　 C. take away　　　　 D. look after

52. A. quickly　　　　 B. hard　　　　　　 C. harder　　　　　 D. hardly

53. A. its　　　　　　 B. his　　　　　　 C. her　　　　　　　 D. their

54. A. follow　　　　 B. make　　　　　 C. do　　　　　　　 D. give

55. A. by　　　　　　 B. for　　　　　　　 C. with　　　　　　 D. from

I think it is good that many families keep animals　1.　pets. Unfortunately, some people do not take good care of their pets. Some do not feed their pets enough so they become　2.　. Others do not give their pets a good place to　3.　in and the animals can get too hot or too cold. There are also a few people who　4.　their pets. I feel this is wrong. People should not treat their pets badly.

The government of the UK is thinking of 　5.　to help protect pets – it’s about time! It wants a set of instructions on 　6.　 to take care of different kinds of animals. The instructions would　7.　 explain how to keep animals happy! That is good news for pets, don’t you think so?

The UK government also wants to create some 　8.　‘pet police(政策)’. They can go to people’s homes to check whether they are taking care of their pets　9.　. If they find someone treating an animal badly, they can take the animal　10.　. People who hurt their pets can even go to jail(监狱). I hope more people will now try to take better care of their pets.