Question

May Day is a holiday in many parts of the world. But May Day means different things to different people. For some it is a time to celebrate spring. For others it is the day to remember the workers of the world.

May Day was popular in Europe for hundreds of years. The traditions were different from place to place. But the main idea was always the same—people celebrated the spring.

In Sweden, people made “ Old Man Winter” out of wood. They threw him on a fire to show the end of winter and the start of spring.

In English villages young people danced around the “maypole” —a tall pole in the centre of the town. A May Queen was chosen from the young women.

At one time, people believed that these May Day celebrations helped them to grow good crops for the next year. People don’t believe this today, but many of the traditions continue.

In the modern world, May Day is also the day to remember workers around the world. This day was chosen at an international meeting of socialists in Paris in 1889. They wanted to remember four men who died for workers’ rights in the US in 1886. Later, May Day became an important holiday in communist (共产主义的) countries. In other countries, people fight on this day for workers’ rights around the world.

1.Who has been chosen as a May Queen in English villages?

A. Henry Brown—six years old. B. Catherine White—five years old.

C. Mr. Black—twenty years old. D. Ms. Green—twenty years old.

2.May Day became the day to remember workers around the world ________.

A. in 1868 B. in 1886 C. in 1889 D. in 1898

3.People remember the four workers because ________.

A. they were Americans B. they died for Paris

C. they died for workers’ rights D. they died for America

4.The title of the passage would be “________”.

A. May Day around the World B. May Day, an Important Holiday

C. Celebrating Spring on May Day D. May Day, an Important Day for Workers

Answer 1