A
Looking for something entertaining to do? Check out some wonderful festivals around the world.
Koningsdag — The Netherland
Koningsdag or King’s Day is a national holiday in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is celebrated on 27 April (26 April if the 27th is a Sunday), the date marking the birth of King Willem-Alexander. Orange is the national color, and the streets become a sea of feather boas (羽毛围巾) and body paint as crowds gather in the plazas and on the boats in the rivers. Amsterdam is the center of this outdoor party, with many live music events, but nearly every town is alive with orange on this day.
Thai National Elephant Day — Thailand
Thai National Elephant Day is a national holiday in Thailand. Thai National Elephant Day has been celebrated on March 13th of every year since 1998. Because the elephant is the national animal of Thailand, it is highly respected and treasured. During the festivals elephant are honored during a ceremony (典礼) in which they are fed with bananas, other fruit, and sugarcane.
The Fire Festival — Shetland
On the last Tuesday of January the entire town of Lerwick, Shetland is in flames. At the festival, you’ll find yourself sitting, dancing, or stumbling around the largest bonfire you’ve ever seen in your life. The festival lasts only one day but takes the entire year to plan. Be prepared for an evening of singing, dancing, and fast paced activities, and don’t worry about making it to work next day — it’s a national holiday!
Holi — India
Holi, the Festival of Color, is a Hindu celebration full of joy and one of India’s most important holidays. On the last full moon day of the lunar month, usually late February or early March, the air is full of bright-colored powder. The festival is celebrated differently throughout the country, with bonfires and music, but the cheerful spirit is common throughout Hindu communities around the world.
1. The festival celebrated on March 13th in Thailand is held to ______.
A. show people’s respect for their Queen
B. show Thai people’s respect for elephants
C. ask people to protect endangered animals
D. help people relax by singing and dancing
2. Why don’t people have to worry about working the day after the Fire Festival?
A. Because people are allowed to sleep at work next day.
B. Because the activities are too simple to get people tired.
C. Because people don’t have to go to work next day.
D. Because the festival ends very early at night.
3. Where should you go if you are interested in the Festival of Colors?
A. India. B. Shetland.
C. Thailand. D. The Netherlands.
【答案】1. B 2. C 3. A
【解析】
本文是一篇应用文，介绍了世界上几个非常有趣的节日。
【1题详解】
推理判断题。根据第三段的 “ Thai National Elephant Day has been celebrated on March 13th of every year since 1998”及 “ it is highly respected and treasured”可知，泰国大象日是为了表示对大象的尊重，故B项正确。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段的 “ don’t worry about making it to work next day – it’s a national holiday”可知，火节的第二天是全国性的假日，不用上班，所以人们不必担心第二天的工作，故C项正确。
【3题详解】
细节理解题。根据最后一段的 “ Holi, the Festival of Colors… most important holidays”可知，印度的胡里节是一个色彩节，如果对色彩节感兴趣应该去印度，故A项正确。
