VENICE，a small，waterside city in northeast Italy，boils with happiness and excitement once every year.Between February 21 and March 4，carnival(狂欢节) hits the streets.
For most people，carnival means large parties and feasting(盛宴).But in Venice，it also means traditional masks and clothes.
These costumes were first meant to hide personal identities.Then，different social classes could mix in a sea of happiness.
Along the waterways，people greeted each other with “Good morning Ms. Mask！”
Today，people in Venice still dress up in the strangest ways—as armed soldiers，butchers and fishermen，for example.
Bars and cafes are filled with partygoers who come to show off their beautiful clothes.Their designs and creations are made by special studios.Readymade costumes are not acceptable.
“In the months before the carnival we work overtime to meet the demand，”said a maskmaker.“Many kilometres of silk and lace(花边) are made into costumes.For shopkeepers，carnival is the best time of year.”
The Venice carnival dates back to the Middle Ages.At that time，the city was one of the wealthiest in Europe.
The tradition of celebrating with masks and costumes is thought to have been started by the “Stocking Companies”.These were groups of young men who organized parties and festivals and wore colourful stockings to distinguish(区分) themselves.
By the 18th century，the carnival had reached its top.It all came to an end when Napoleon controlled Venice in 1797.But in 1979，local people brought the old traditions back to life.
Now the Venice carnival attracts huge crowds from all over the world.This year，about 700,000 people are taking part in.Hotels were fully booked months in advance，and bars and restaurants overflow every day.
The city certainly benefits—a whole industry has been built up around the carnival’s masks and clothes.
“The Venice carnival is a magical time！It’s such a great experience，” said one French tourist.
1.What might you infer from the article?
A. People in Venice like parties.
B. Venice was a happy city.
C. There used to be strong feelings of social class in Venice.
D. Venice was a city of silk and lace.
2.When was the carnival the biggest?
A. In the Middle Ages B. In the 18th century C. In 1797 D. In 1979.
3.Who started the tradition of wearing masks and costumes?
A. Napoleon. B. Young men.
C. The hotel industry. D. The silk and lace makers.
4.What is the main idea of the article?
A. How the carnival is celebrated in Venice.
B. The story of how the carnival began in Venice.
C. The history of the carnival in Venice.
D. What to see and do during the carnival time in Venice.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What does the speaker sometimes have for breakfast?
A. A piece of bread. B. A sandwich. C. Tomatoes.
2.When does the speaker have her main meal of the day?
A. In the morning. B. At noon. C. In the evening.
3.What does the speaker like to have at the end of the dinner?
A. A cookie. B. Ice-cream. C. A piece of fruit.
4.What do we know about the speaker?
A. She likes oranges. B. She loves meat. C. She is on a diet.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the probable relationship between the speakers?
A. Brother and sister. B. Classmates. C. Father and daughter.
2.What does the girl want to do the next three weeks?
A. Prepare for an exam. B. Have a rest. C. Go camping.
3.Why does the girl need a break from her friends?
A. She doesn’t get along well with them.
B. She’d like to have some time for her study.
C. She has different interests from her friends.
4.Why doesn’t the girl help Mr. Atkins with the horse?
A. She is too young. B. She has no time. C. She doesn’t love to do that.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How did the woman know about the hotel?
A. From a friend. B. From a newspaper. C. From the Internet.
2.When will the woman’s family leave the hotel?
A. On August 23rd. B. On August 30th. C. On September 6th.
3.What do we know about the woman?
A. She has one child.
B. She takes the man’s advice.
C. She will book rooms next to each other.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the woman think of the Shakespeare play?
A. It is boring. B. It is moving. C. It is wonderful.
2.Where does the woman want to go tonight?
A. To a disco. B. To a cinema. C. To a restaurant.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Why does the man make the call?
A. To advertise for a program.
B. To answer a message.
C. To ask for money.
2.Which sport needs an extra pay?
A. Swimming. B. Golf. C. Horse-riding.
