Question

April Fool

Every year, we celebrate many special days－Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and New Year’s Day. In North America and parts of Europe, people celebrate April Fool’s Day.

Many believe that the French started April Fool’s Day. Centuries ago, New Year’s Day in Europe was April 1. In 1582, the calendar changed and King Charles IX of France moved it to January 1. Some people did not like this and chose to keep April 1 as New Year’s Day. Many called these people “April fools” and played jokes (开玩笑) on them. Over time, April 1 became a day to have fun in France. It then became popular in England and Scotland, and later, to North America.

On April Fool’s Day, playing jokes is popular. In the United States, for example, a person may move a friend’s clock one hour earlier, or change the sugar with salt. In Spain and Mexico, people play jokes on each other on December 28. In India, it happens on March 31. In many countries around the world, April 1 is a day of fun. There is a lot of fun, and many shouts of “April Fool!”

1.Many people believe April Fool’s Day first started in          .

A.China B.England C.America D.France

2.What is popular on April Fool’s Day?

A.Playing jokes. B.Painting a friend’s clock.

C.Buying sugar and salt. D.Celebrating New Year’s Day.

3.In India, April Fool’s Day is on          .

A.January 1 B.March 31 C.April 1 D.December 28

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.B

【解析】

本文讲述了愚人节。许多人认为是法国人开创了愚人节，几个世纪以前，欧洲的新年是4月1日。在愚人节，开玩笑是很流行的。在西班牙和墨西哥，人们在12月28日互相开玩笑。在印度，它发生在3月31日。在世界上许多国家，4月1日是一个有趣的日子。

1.细节理解题。根据“Many believe that the French started April Fool’s Day.”许多人认为是法国人开创了愚人节，故选D。

2.细节理解题。根据“On April Fool’s Day, playing jokes is popular.”在愚人节，开玩笑是很流行的，故选A。

3.细节理解题。根据“In India, it happens on March 31”可知，3月31号是愚人节，故选B。