①Nowruz (诺鲁兹节) is a traditional and national festival of the Iranian people, which means a new day in the local language. It has a long history of at least three thousand years. It marks the Iranian New Year, lasting from the 1st to the 13th day of the first month in the Iranian calendar. This time falls right in spring, so Nowruz also marks the true start of spring. Besides Iran, this festival is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Turkey and other countries.
②On the evening of the last Wednesday of the old year, people hold a “fire blessing” activity to welcome the New Year. Bonfires (篝火) are lit in the streets. People dance around the bonfires, saying “Yellow to you, red to me” to wish to stay away from illness and be healthy in the New Year. Later, young girls go from door to door to visit relatives and neighbors, asking for candies—a custom believed to bring good luck, which is called “seeking good luck”. They also hide in the dark or at the corners of the streets to listen to what the passersby are saying. They use the first sentence they hear to predict their luck for the New Year.
③On the eve of the festival, the whole family gathers to have a big reunion dinner. The table is always put with seven special things on it. For example, sugar means a sweet life, and gold coins mean wealth.
④A trip is the last activity of Nowruz. Iranians believe that “thirteen” is an unlucky number, so on the 13th day, the whole family goes on an outing to avoid bad luck instead of staying indoors. Parks are filled with people who are enjoying the pleasure of nature.
根据材料内容选择最佳答案。
1．Which month might Nowruz be in?
A．In March.B．In June.C．In August.D．In November.
2．What do young girls do to “seek good luck” during Nowruz?
A．Celebrate Nowruz with other people.
B．Visit relatives and neighbors to ask for candies.
C．Listen to passers-by singing.
D．Have a big reunion dinner with family.
3．Why does the whole family go for a trip on the 13th?
A．Because they want to avoid bad luck.
B．Because they like the number thirteen.
C．Because they believe the 13th day is the most important day.
D．Because they are all free on the 13th day of Nowruz.
4．What’s the structure of the passage?
A．①②③/④B．①/②③④
C．①/②③/④D．①/②/③④
5．What’s the main purpose of the passage?
A．To introduce the history of Nowruz festival.
B．To compare Nowruz with other festivals.
C．To encourage more people to celebrate Nowruz.
D．To show basic facts and customs of Nowruz.
【答案】1．A2．B3．A4．B5．D
【导语】本文介绍伊朗诺鲁兹节的含义、时间、庆祝国家及相关传统习俗，展现节日的文化特色。
1．第一段介绍：“This time falls right in spring”，说明节日在春天，三月属于春季。
2．第二段描述：“young girls go from door to door to visit relatives and neighbors, asking for candies—a custom believed to bring good luck, which is called ‘seeking good luck’”，文中明确将“挨家挨户拜访亲友和邻居并索要糖果”这一行为定义为“寻求好运”的习俗。
3．第四段说明原因：“Iranians believe that ‘thirteen’ is an unlucky number, so on the 13th day, the whole family goes on an outing to avoid bad luck”，解释了十三日出游是为了避开厄运。
4．第一段总述：介绍诺鲁兹节的基本信息，第二、三、四段分别介绍具体的庆祝活动与习俗，文章结构为总分。
5．文章依次说明节日的时间、历史、活动和习俗，目的是展示诺鲁兹节的基本情况与风俗。
