Unique customs

St. Anthony’s Day

January 17 is St. Anthony’s Day in Mexico. It’s a day when people ask for protection for their animals. They bring their animals to church. But before the animals go into the church, the people usually dress them up in flowers.

Chusok

On August 15 of the lunar calendar, Koreans celebrate Chusok to give thanks for the harvest. Also on Chusok, a big meal with moon-shaped rice cake is eaten.

New Year’s Eve

One of the biggest celebrations in Argentina is New Year’s Eve. On the evening of December 31, families get together and have a big meal. At midnight, fireworks set everywhere and continue throughout the night. Friends and families meet at parties, which last until the next morning.

Setsubun

On the evening of February 3, people in Japanese families take one dried bean（豆）for each year of their age and throw the beans around their homes, shouting “Good luck in! Evil sprits out!” This is known as “Setsubun,” a time to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

47. When is St. Anthony’s Day?

　　　 A. December 31.　　 B. August 15.　　　 C. February 3.　　 D. January 17.

48. Why do Koreans celebrate Chusok?

　　　 A. To celebrate the end of winter.

B. To give thanks for the harvest.

　　　 C. To wish their families good luck.

　　　 D. To ask for protection for their animals.

49. What do Japanese people do on Setsubun?

　　　 A. Bring their animals to church.

　　　 B. Meet friends and families at parties.

　　 C. Throw the beans around their homes.

D. Eat a big meal with moon-shaped cake.

The passengers on the bus watched with sympathy（同情）as Susan made her way carefully up the steps. She paid for the drive and then, using her hands to   35   the seats, settled （安顿）in one of them.

It had been a year since Susan became blind. As the result of an accident she was suddenly thrown into a world of   36  . Susan’s husband Mark watched her fall into hopelessness and he decided to use every possible means to help his wife.

Finally, Susan felt ready to   37   to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but she was now too afraid of getting around the city by herself. Mark   38   to ride the bus with Susan each morning and evening until she could   39   it by herself.

For two weeks, Mark went with Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to depend on her other   40  , specifically her hearing, to decide where she was.

At last, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived. Before she left, she held her husband tightly, her eyes filled with tears of thankfulness. She said good-bye and, for the first time, they went their   41   ways. Each day went perfectly, and a wild excitement took hold of Susan. She was   42   it!

On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was getting off the bus, the driver said, “Miss, I sure envy（嫉妒）you.” Surprisingly, Susan asked the driver   43  .

“You know, every morning for the   44   week, a fine-looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you until you enter your office building   45  ,” the bus driver said.

Tears of happiness ran down Susan’s cheeks. She was so lucky for he had given her a gift more powerful than   46  . That is the gift of love that can bring light where there is darkness.

35. A. touch                      B. choose                  C. count             D. feel

36. A. weakness          B. sickness            C. darkness           D. sadness

37. A. return                     B. keep               C. belong            D. stick

38. A. volunteered             B. continued          C. promised           D. afforded

39. A. try                B. manage             C. control                  D. follow

40. A. feelings             B. parts              C. senses            D. skills

41. A. opposite            B. separate             C. fixed                 D. normal

42. A. passing          B. doing          C. taking               D. getting

43. A. what                   B. how               C. why               D. where

44. A. next                    B. same              C. first               D. past

45. A. quickly             B. silently             C. happily              D. safely

46. A. courage               B. direction         C. sight              D. service

— Could you tell me ______ to America for further study?

— Next month.

A. when will he fly 　　　　　　 　　　　 B. when he will fly　　　　　

C. when did he fly 　　 　　　　　　 D. when he flew

       If it ______ today, we’ll have to leave on Wednesday instead.

A. snows         B. snowed        C. will snow      D. is snowing

— Hi, Jack. Would you like to go to Hawaii for the summer holiday?

— I’d love to! Though I ______ there twice.

A. am　　　　　　　　　 B. was　　　　　　　　　 C. will be　　　　　　　 D. have been

       Today train tickets can ______ online at any time.

    A. buy           B. bought        C. be bought           D. were bought

— Did you mail the cards to your friend?

— No, I ______ them tomorrow.

A. mail　　　　　　　　 B. mailed　　　　　　　 C. have mailed　　　 D. will mail

       I think skiing is ______ than climbing. That’s why I like it.

A. exciting       B. more exciting   C. most exciting   D. the most exciting

       Mum asked me ______ the room at least once a week.

A. clean                 B. cleaned              C. to clean             D. cleaning

— How do you like the film, Jane?

— ______ interesting. It’s a waste of time.

A. Something　　　　 B. Anything　　　　　 C. Nothing　　　　　　 D. Everything