Question

Birthday Traditions in Different Countries

England  Certain symbolic objects are mixed into the birthday cake as it’s being prepared. If your piece of cake has a coin in it, then you will be rich. Also, when it’s your birthday, your friends give you the “bumps”. They lift you in the air by your hands and feet and raise you up and down to the floor; one for each year you lived, then another one or two for luck.

Denmark  A flag is flown outside a window to show that someone who lives in that house is having a birthday. Presents are placed around the child’s bed while he/she is sleeping, so he/she will see them at once upon awakening.

Holland   Special year birthdays such as 5, 10, 15, 20, 21 are called “crown” years. The birthday child receives an especially large gift on a crown year birthday. The family also decorates the birthday child’s chair at the dining room table with flowers, paper streamers and balloons.

Canada  The birthday child’s nose is greased (涂抹) with butter for good luck. The greased nose makes the child too slippery for bad luck to catch him/her. In some parts of Canada, the birthday person even receives a punch (一拳) for each year he/she is alive and then one for good luck.

Brazil   The birthday child receives a pull on the ear for each year he/she has been alive. The birthday person also gives the first piece of cake to his/her most special friend or relative, usually mom or dad.

Korea    There is a big family party on the first birthday. The table is set with food, and four items: a pencil, a ruler, thread, and money. The item that the baby chooses is said to forecast his/her future: excellent student, good with hands, long life or riches.

South Africa   On the twenty-first birthday, a key made of anything from paper to silver to gold is presented by the parents as a sign that the child is ready to unlock the door to their future.

1. How many countries are mentioned in this passage?

A. 7     B. 8    C. 9        D. 10

2.If a British friend is raised up and down to the floor 18 times on his birthday, he is most likely (可能的) to be ______.

A. 17    B. 18    C. 19    D. 20

3. The following tradition is mentioned in the passage EXCEPT for ______.

A. giving a pull on the ear  

B. having a big family party

C. greasing butter on the nose  

D. flying a flag at the child’s bed

4.In which countries do people celebrate their 21st birthday specially?

A. Canada and England.     B. Denmark and Korea.

C. Brazil and Holland.     D. Holland and South Africa.

5.The passage mainly tells us ______.

A. people in different countries have their own special year birthdays

B. people in different countries celebrate their birthdays in different ways

C. people always have a big birthday party at home in different countries

D. people always know a 1-year-old baby’s future from the item he chooses

Answer

1.A

2.A

3.D

4.D

5.C

【解析】

试题分析：本文介绍了世界各国的生日习俗：英国人吃生日蛋糕，抓住寿星的手和脚颠簸；丹麦人生日时要在房外插面旗帜；荷兰人过特殊岁数的生日；加拿大为孩子的鼻子涂上黄油以求好运；巴西孩子生日时会被扯耳朵；韩国人为一岁的孩子过生时会让孩子抓东西；南非人过21岁生日，以宣称已经成人等等。

1.A细节理解题。根据文中England ;Denmark ；Holland ；Canada ；Brazil；Korea ；South Africa可知，文中提到了7个国家。 .故选A。

2.A推理判断题。题意：如果一个英国朋友生日被18次举上举下，他最可能是多少岁? A.17； B.18；C.19；D.20。由第一段最后一句：one for each year you lived，then another one or two for luck.每一年举一次，另外一、两次为你祈求好运。可以推测出最有可能是17、16岁，故选A。

3.D细节理解题。题意：短文中没有提到哪一项?A.giving a pull on the ear扯耳朵，这是巴西的习俗；B.having a big family party开家庭生日晚会，这是韩国的习俗；C.greasing butter on the nose 在鼻子上涂黄油，这是加拿大的习俗；D.flying a flag at the child’s bed在小孩的床上舞旗帜，未提到。故选D。

4.D细节理解题。题意：哪一个国家特别地庆贺人们的21岁生日?A.Canada and England加拿大和英国；B.Denmark and Korea.丹麦和韩国；C.Brazil and Holland.巴西和荷兰；D.Holland and South Africa.荷兰和南非。根据短文，荷兰人把21岁看作冠年之一，南非人过21岁生日以宣称成人。故选D。

5.

考点：社会文化类短文阅读。