Question

【题目】

In Britain.Boxing Day is usually celebrated on December 26th, which is the following day after Christmas Day.However, strictly speaking.Boxing Day is the first weekday after Christmas.Like Christmas Day.Boxing Day sing a public holiday.This means it’s a non﹣working day in the whole of Britain.When Boxing Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is the public holiday.

The exact origin（起源）of the holiday is unclear.One of the thoughts is that during the Middle Ages, when great sailing ships were setting off to discover new land, a Christmas Box was placed by a priest（神父）on each ship.Those sailors who wanted to ensure a safe return would drop money into the box.It was sealed up and kept on board until the ship came home safely.Then the box was handed over to the priest in the exchange for the saying of a Mass of thanks for the success of the sailing.The priest wouldn’t open it to share the contents with the poor until Christmas.

One more thought is about the “Alms Box” placed in every church on Christmas Day.Worshippers （做礼拜的人）put gifts for the poor into it.These boxes were always opened the day after Christmas, that is why that day became known as Boxing Day.

Today, many businesses, organizations and families try to keep the traditional spirit of Boxing Day alive by donating their time, services and money to aid Food Banks, providing gifts for the poor, or helping families in need.Besides, spending time with family and shopping are popular Boxing Day activities now.

【1】If Christmas Day is on a Saturday, Boxing Day will be celebrated on________.

A.December 24thB.December 25th

C.December 26thD.December 27th

【2】Sailors dropped money into the Christmas Box in order to________.

A.pray for sailing safelyB.pay for the priest

C.discover new landD.save the poor

【3】The following activities can show the traditional spirit of Boxing Day EXCEPT________.

A.offering gifts to the poorB.spending time with family

C.supporting families in needD.giving money to aid Food Banks

【4】The purpose of the passage is________.

A.to praise the kindness of priestsB.to call on people to help the poor

C.to introduce the origins of Boxing DayD.to compare Boxing Day with Christmas Day.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】D

【2】A

【3】B

【4】C

【解析】

短文讲述了节礼日的起源和节礼日的活动。

【1】推理判断题。根据第一段“Boxing Day is the first weekday after Christmas.”可知节礼日是圣诞节后的第一个工作日。如果圣诞节在周六，那么节礼日就在两天后的周一，故为12月27日。故选D。

【2】细节理解题。根据第二段“Those sailors who wanted to ensure a safe return would drop money into the box.”可知，船员往里面放钱是为了祈祷平安归来。故选A。

【3】细节理解题。根据最后一段“keep the traditional spirit of Boxing Day alive by donating their time, services and money to aid Food Banks, providing gifts for the poor, or helping families in need.”意为“通过捐赠时间，服务和金钱来帮助食物银行，为穷人提供礼物或帮助有需要的家庭，从而保持传统的节礼精神。”可知B选项不在此列。故选B。

【4】推理判断题。短文讲述了节礼日的起源和节礼日的活动。所以目的是介绍节礼日的起源。故选C。