Weddings in the United States vary as much as the people do.But many weddings,no matter where or how they are performed,include certain traditional customs.For instance,the bride and groom often exchange rings.The rings are usually worn on the fourth finger of the left hand.
Today,the rings symbolize the couple's commitment to one another.
After the ceremony,the couple is often showered with handfuls of uncooked rice by friends and family.After the ceremony,there is often a party,where people may enjoy plentiful food.
And a wedding cake sits in a corner waiting to be cut.Soon thereafter,the bride stands in the center of the room,often on a chair,and throws her bouquet of flowers to the assembled unmarried women at the reception.It is said that whoever catches the flowers will be the next bride.Some women eagerly attempt to catch the bouquet,others shy away.
And then it is time for the bride and groom to set off.The tradition of a honeymoon,a trip after the wedding.The trip nowadays varies considerably dictated by wealth,time and preference.Sometimes the couple will spend a single night at a nearby hotel,sometimes they will spend two weeks at a remote vacation spot.
(1)
The bride and groom often exchange _________ at the wedding in the United States.
A. flowers B. rings C. jewels D. necklaces
[ ]
(2)
Today,the rings symbolize ________.
A. their love to one another B. their health
C. the happiness D. their commitment to one another
[ ]
(3)
After the ceremony,there is often a ________.
A. dinner B. party C. perforce D. concert
[ ]
(4)
The bride throws her bouquet of flowers to the assembled unmarried women at the recep-tion. It is said that whoever catches the flow-ers will be ________.
A. a luck woman B. the next groom C. the next bride D. dignity(尊贵的) guest
[ ]
(5)
The trip nowadays varies considerably dictated by _________.
Most American students have said goodbye to fancy(高级的)fruits these days．In school canteens across the country, cheaper fruits like apples and oranges have taken their places．
“People are afraid to spend now,” said Linda Morrow, who owns a shoe and handbag store．“They don't know what the future will bring．”
During the financial crisis(金融危机), several of the country's biggest banks have been forced to sell or close．This has made lots of Americans afraid to buy expensive goods．
Samira Marino, a restaurant owner in Miami, has found everyone is ordering water instead of juice and more people are sharing meals．In more than two dozen interviews with The Associated Press across the country last month, Americans talked about their concerns, from worries about small businesses to doubts about simply making ends meet．
The crisis began last year．Experts think it was because US banks lend money too easily．Last year a lot of people and companies, who borrowed money, have found themselves unable to pay it back．This left the banks, as well as the people who put their money in the banks, without money．Since the banks borrowed money between themselves and even across borders(国界), the whole world was in trouble．
This month the US government agreed on a ＄700 billion plan to try to save the financial market．But no one is sure whether it will help or not．President George W．Bush has warned it will take some time．
Last week top finance officials from 20 countries promised to work together to find a way out of the money trouble．
(1)
Why are people in the US afraid to spend?
[ ]
A．
Because they think it's unnecessary．
B．
Because they don't have the habit of spending money．
C．
Because they worry about their future．
D．
Because they don't have enough money．
(2)
The fifth paragraph mainly ________．
[ ]
A．
tells what it is like in a crisis
B．
explains why there is a crisis
C．
warns people of the danger of the crisis
D．
asks people not to borrow money from banks
(3)
People feel ________ about the US plan to save the market．
“Beijing，Toronto and Paris are the most 1 ndline cities bidding (申办) for the Olympic Games of 2008，”said Richard W．Pound, the IOC's first vice president． “The host (主办) city of the Olympic Games of 2008 will be 2 ndline at the IOC's meeting in Moscow in 2001． Beijing is ready on its way because it 3 ndline became the host of the Olympic Games of 2000，and Toronto and Paris also have 4 ndline power，”said Pound at an IOC meeting．
About ten cities are 5 ndline in bidding for the Olympic Games of 2008，of which，there are three most important cities．They are Beijing，Toronto， Paris．Some of 6 ndline cities are Osaka，Havana，Istanbul and Cairo．
For the first time，the host city will be decided 7 ndline IOC members visiting the places．The bidding scandals (丑闻) of the Salt Lake City have made the
IOC find new 8 ndline of bidding．That is 9 ndline the IOC members will not be allowed to 10 ndline the bidding cities．
