时间：810分钟/篇分值：2分/小题 Passage 1(2016福州)In Britain, Boxing Day is usually celebrated on December 26th, which is the following day after Christmas Day. However, strictly speaking, Boxing Day is the first weekday after Christmas. Like Christmas Day, Boxing Day is a public holiday. This means its a nonworking day in the whole of Britain. When Boxing Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is the public holiday.The exact origin(起源) of the holiday is unclear. One of the thoughts is that during the Middle Ages, when great sailing ships were setting off to discover new land, a Christmas Box was placed by a priest (神父) on each ship. Those sailors who wanted to ensure a safe return would drop money into the box. It was sealed_up and kept on board until the ship came home safely. Then the box was handed over to the priest in the exchange for the saying of a Mass of thanks for the success of the sailing. The priest wouldnt open it to share the contents with the poor until Christmas.One more thought is about the “Alms Box” placed in every church on Christmas Day. Worshippers (做礼拜的人) put gifts for the poor into it. These boxes were always opened the day after Christmas, that is why that day became known as Boxing Day.Today, many businesses, organizations and families try to keep the traditional spirit of Boxing Day alive by donating (捐赠) their time, services and money to aid Food Banks, providing gifts for the poor, or helping families in need. Besides, spending time with family and shopping are popular Boxing Day activities now.()1. If Christmas Day is on a Saturday, Boxing Day will be celebrated on _A. December 25thB. December 26thC. December 27th D. December 28th()2. Sailors dropped money into the Christmas Box in order to _A. save the poor B. pay for the priestC. discover new land D. pray for sailing safety()3. What does the underlined phrase “sealed up” mean?A. 密封B. 悬挂C. 归还D. 传递()4. The following activities can show the traditional spirit of Boxing Day EXCEPT _A. offering gifts to the poor B. supporting families in needC. spending time with family D. giving money to aid Food Banks()5. The purpose of the passage is _A. to praise the kindness of priestsB. to introduce the origins of Boxing DayC. to call on people to help the poorD. to compare Boxing Day with Christmas Day Passage 2(2016泰州)Interesting festivals in the worldThrowing tomatoes Spain(西班牙)Spain takes “tomatoes fights” to a whole new level. But the tomatoes are being thrown, not eaten. The festival takes place during the last Wednesday in August. Trucks(卡车) carry tomatoes into the square. People rush to the tomatoes and throw them into the crowd.Rolling cheese EnglandThis festival is celebrated on the last Monday in May. It takes place on Coopers Hill. A large wheel of cheese(奶酪) is rolled down Coopers Hill. The festival is actually a race where people run down the hill after the rolling cheese. The first person to cross the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese.Burning man The United StatesThe Burning Man Festival lasts a week, it is from the Monday before Labor Day to Labor Day(which falls on the first Monday in September in America). The festival takes place in the Black Rock Desert. The best part of the festival is the burning of a large sculpture of a man.Pouring water ThailandThe Songkran Festival is the celebration of the New Year in Thailand. Rather than a single day, Thailand celebrates the New Year from April 13th to April 15th. Thai people run after each other, pouring water. Songkran is one of the most important reasons why foreigners travel to the beautiful land.()1. How many festivals are mentioned in the passage?A. One. B. Two. C. Three. D. Four.()2. Where will you probably go to enjoy one of the festivals above in May?A. Spain. B. England.C. The United States. D. Thailand.()3. Which festival is held in Black Rock Desert?A. Throwing tomatoes. B. Rolling cheese.C. Burning man. D. Pouring water.()4. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?A. The tomatoes are thrown into the crowd to eat.B. Not all the festivals above fall on the single day.C. Burning a large real man is the best part of the festival.D. Songkran is the only reason for attracting lots of tourists.()5. The passage is most probably taken from _.A. a tour guide B. a science reportC. a story book D. a fashion magazine Passage 3(2016山西)Emma has just finished travelling alone in Europe. Are you interested in her journey? Lets read some of her travel diaries.()1. Emma was looking forward to this travel because _A. she had never taken a train ride beforeB. she could do anything she liked on the journeyC. she hoped to keep herself away from the busy life()2. From the passage, we can know Salzb