Question

Sixteen is a special age in the United States.There’s often a special celebration for a girl’s 16th birthday---a big party called Sweet-16. It is like a wedding reception(结婚晚宴) in the number of guests and gifts handed out.

About a month before the party, the girl’s family sends out invitations to the guests. They must buy a special present for the birthday girl and the girl guests find good dresses to wear. A sweet-16 present usually costs $40 to $60. This is about $20 more than the usual-cost of a birthday present.

The party itself is not held at someone’s house. The hostess rents(租赁) a reception hall for the event. Food, cake and a DJ are provided. Around 6’clock, guests arrive and meet the birthday girl. Then the girl and her father have a special father-daughter dance. After that, guests dance for about 30 to 45 minutes.

Then there is the most important part of the Sweet-16 party, the candle-lighting ceremony.

The sweet-16 hostess stands behind 16 unlit(未点燃的) candles and dedicates(献给) each candle to her friends, family, and anything that she feels is important to her. A lot of crying and hugging goes on at this time.

Afterwards, people sit and eat. Most guests begin leaving around 11 o’clock.

This school year, I have been to two Sweet-16s. I am one of the youngest students in my grade (My birthday is in December). I’ll have to wait another year before I can have my own special Sweet-16 party. I can’t wait for it!

1.Why is sixteen a special age for an American girl?

 

2.How much does a usual birthday present for a teenager cost in the USA?

 

3.What is the most important part of the Sweet-16 party?

 

4.How old is the writer?

 

5.What do you think of the Sweet-16 party in the USA? (请自拟一句话作答)

 

 

Answer 1

1.Because there’s often a special celebration for a girl’s 16th birthday.

2.20-40 dollars.

3.The candle-lighting ceremony.

4.Fifteen years old. / 15 years old. /15.

5.It’s interesting/meaningful. /…(言之有理即可)

【解析】

试题分析：短文大意：在美国一个女孩的第16岁生日很重要，为此家人要为这个女孩举行一个专门的聚会。在聚会期间有各种各样的活动。

1.根据There’s often a special celebration for a girl’s 16th birthday---a big party called Sweet-16. 描述，可知是因为在美国经常会在女孩的16岁生日举行一个特殊的庆祝会。故答：Because there’s often a special celebration for a girl’s 16th birthday.

2.根据A sweet-16 present usually costs $40 to $60. This is about $20 more than the usual-cost of a birthday present.计算可知，一个普通的生日礼物大约在20-40美元之间。故答：20-40 dollars.

3.Then there is the most important part of the Sweet-16 party, the candle-lighting ceremony.描述，可知在这个聚会上最重要的部分是点蜡烛仪式。故填：The candle-lighting ceremony.

4.I’ll have to wait another year before I can have my own special Sweet-16 party. 计算可知，作者今年15岁。故答：Fifteen years old. / 15 years old. /15.

5.

考点：考查政治经济文化类阅读