Question

In Britain, the first day of the month of May is known as May Day. May day marks the end of the harsh(严酷的) winter months, welcomes the beginning of Summer, and optimistically looks forward to the bright and productive months.

For their ancestors, largely in rural areas, it was a major annual festival and was celebrated(庆祝) through out the country, especially on the first day of May with music, dancing and games.

How was May Day Celebrated in the past?

May Day began early in the morning. People went out before sunrise in order to gather flowers and plants to make their houses and villages beautiful in the belief that the vegetation spirits(神灵) would bring good luck.

A traditional May Day dance is Maypole Dancing，On May Day, people used to cut down young trees and stick them in the ground in the village to mark the arrival of summer.People danced around the tree poles in celebration of the end of winter and the start of the fine weather that would allow planting to begin. Maypoles are still a part of some

village life and on May Day the villagers dance around it.

May Day celebrations have their origins(起源) in the Roman festival of Flora, goddess(女神) of fruit and flowers, which marked the beginning of summer. So the highlight of the day was the crowning(为…加冕) of the May Queen(女皇), the human replica (模型) of Flora. By tradition she took no part in the games or dancing, but sat like a queen in a flower-decked chair to watch her 'subjects'.

Ever since 1978, for the convenience of the general public, many May Day activities have now been moved to the new May Day holiday on the first Monday of the month. This Monday is a bank holiday, a day off school and work. There are more intereting celebrations on this day.

1.In the old days, most people in Britain made their living by .

A. fishing B. farming C. working in factories

2.People in Britain celebrate May Day is to express their

A. pleasure and hope B. thanks and harvest C. freedom and new life

3.Britain’s May Day holiday is on in 2010.

A. May 1st B. May 3rd C. May 5th

4.What is not mentioned in this passage?

A. Special food. B. Special custom. C. Special activity.

5.Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. Only children can take part in the Maypole Dancing.

B. The queen of the UK came to watch her “subjects”.

C. Children needn’t go to school on May Day holiday now.

 

Answer 1

1.B

2.A

3.B

4.A

5.C

【解析】

试题分析：本文介绍了英国的一个节日，五月节，讲述了五月节的起源以及一些风俗习惯和特别的活动。人们在五月节祈求好的天气，表达美好的愿望。

1.

2.May day marks the end of the harsh(严酷的) winter months, welcomes the beginning of Summer, and optimistically looks forward to the bright and productive months.可知他们庆祝节日是为了表达美好的愿望。故选A。

3.

4.

5.

考点：文化类短文阅读。