Different gestures (手势) mean different things in different countries. Sometimes a gesture that is polite in one country is not polite in another and should not be used. Different meanings of gestures can also cause problems in understanding what another person is trying to say. A gesture that many people do not understand is one that uses the thumb. Most westerners will sometimes show that they like something by holding out a closed hand with the thumb lifting in the air. This is called give someone or something "the thumbs up". Often, only one thumb is used, so it should be "the thumb up".

The usual explanation (解释) for the origin of this gesture is not really correct. It says that in ancient Roman times, when people were pleased with the way a gladiator (角斗士) had fought, they showed their thumbs up. When they were not pleased, they gave the thumbs down. When a gladiator was given the thumbs up, the emperor allowed him to live. When a gladiator was given the thumbs down, the emperor ordered him to be killed.

The truth is, however, it was translated into a wrong meaning by mistake. If people wanted to save the gladiator, they put out their hands and hid their thumbs in their hands. If they wanted the gladiator to die, they pointed their thumbs straight at him.

1.Westerners lift their thumbs when they ________.

A. want someone to die B. like something

C. want to go to a playground D. want someone to live

2.Most people think that in ancient Rome, "thumbs up" meant that ________.

A. the emperor could die

B. the people wanted the gladiator to live

C. the fighting could continue

D. the people were not pleased

3.In fact, if people wanted a gladiator to live, they ________.

A. hid their thumbs

B. pointed their thumbs down

C. lifted their thumbs up

D. pointed their thumbs at him

4.From the article we know that ________.

A. different gestures have different meanings in different countries

B. a friendly gesture is always the same in different countries

C. the meaning of "thumbs up" is the same both now and the past

D. we should often use the thumbs

5.The main idea of this article is about ________.

A. gestures around the world

B. closed thumbs

C. gestures in ancient Rome

D. the thumbsup gesture

阅读理解。

Canada Day

Since 1982, July 1st has been officially known as Canada Day. Canadians of all ages take part in this festival across the country.

Canada Day is the year’s biggest national party. In many towns and cities, the government organizes a lot of events, often outdoors. These include parades(游行), concerts, festivals,

firework displays and ceremonies for new Canadian citizens(公民).The celebrations often have apatrioticmood. Canada’s national flag, a symbol for Canada Day, can be seen everywhere and a lot of people paint their faces red and white, which are Canada’s national colors. The celebrations in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, are especially grand and exciting.

In the province of Quebec, many home rentals(租赁)start on July 1st and last for exactly one year, and many people in Quebec spend Canada Day moving from one house to another. So in Quebec, Canada Day is also known as Moving Day.

Many organizations, businesses and stores are closed this day. Only some bookstores, hospitals and gas stations may be open. Post offices are closed, too. As Canada Day falls in the Canadian summer holiday period, all schools are closed as well. In some areas, special services are provided for large events. The concerts, parades and festivals may cause some traffic jams.

1.According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?

A. Canada Day falls on the first day of June.

B. Canada Day was celebrated before 1982.

C. Canada Day is celebrated throughout Canada.

D. Canadians except new citizens celebrate Canada Day.

2.The underlined word “patriotic” means _____ in Chinese.

A. 温馨的 B. 爱国的

C. 肃穆的 D. 紧张的

3.Canada Day is known as Moving Day in Quebec because on this day _____.

A. people think it lucky to move to new houses

B. people look for houses from one place to another

C. people like moving from house to house to visit friends

D. people move home when new home rentals go into effect

4.From Paragraph 4, we know that on Canada Day _____.

A. no student goes to school

B. traffic jams happen everywhere

C. all Canadians stop working

D. few businesses and stores are closed

5.Which of the following is NOT mentioned about Canada Day?

A. Background B. Symbol.

C. Public life. D. Events and activities.

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