20.This Monday,the nation will start to celebrate Presidents'Day,just seven days before George Washington's birthday.Everyone agrees that day is a holiday,but is it just to celebrate George Washington's Birthday?What about Abraham Lincoln?Some government offices call it Presidents'Day.Others say the holiday is officially Washington's Birthday.Confused yet?
George Washington was elected the country's first President on April 30,1789.Soon after,Americans began publicly celebrating his birthday.Presidential historians say the actual date of George Washington's birth is February 11,1732.But a change in the calendar system 20 years later shifted all dates,making Washington's birthday February 22,which is now well accepted.In 1879.Congress made Washington's birthday an official federal holiday.It was the first federal holiday to celebrate an individual's birthday.In 1968,Congress passed the Monday Holidays Act,which moved the holiday to the third Monday in February.The new law did not change the holiday's name.It was still called Washington's Birthday,even though some lawmakers wanted to call it Presidents'Day to include Abraham Lincoln,whose actual birthday is February 12.
Many people argue that the holiday should celebrate all past Presidents.They feel Lincoln should be honored for his role in preserving the nation during the Civil War and helping to free slaves.Others feel the holiday should only honor Washington.the country's first President.They say shifting the focus away from Washington would mean future generations of kids would not know about the Father of Our Country.
Laws have been introduced in Congress over the years to require use of the term"George Washington's Birthday."but none of those laws have been passed.Meanwhile,many state governments and school districts now use the term"Presidents'Day."Many stoles also use it to promote holiday sales.
Should the holiday honor Washington,Washington and Lincoln,or all past Presidents?Write to emailbag@timeforkids.com and tell us what you think.
28.The President's Day was originally designed to honorA.
A.George Washington
B.Abraham Lincoln
C.all presidents
D.the Civil War
29.What can we infer from the passage?D
A.Washington's Birthday is the same as Lincoln's.
B.The change in the calendar system was not wise.
C.The new act changed the holiday's name.
D.This Monday is the third one of this February.
30.What's the main argument about this holiday?C
A.When to celebrate the holiday.
B.How to celebrate the holiday.
C.Which president to honor.
D.Where to celebrate the holiday.
31.What's the best title for this passage?B
A.Why people celebrate President Day.
B.The history and debate behind Presidents'Day
C.To celebrate Presidents'Day or not
D.Colorful activities on Presidents'Day.
分析 本文讲述了美国总统日的由来以及人们对于成立此节日是为了纪念谁不同的争论.
解答 28.A 细节理解题.根据文章第二段及第四段中:"Meanwhile,many state governments and school districts now use the term"Presidents'Day."同时许多州政府和学校使用"总统日"这个词,可知选项B.Geroge Washington乔治华盛顿是正确的,所以选择A选项正确.
29.D 推理判断题.根据文章第二段:"In 1968,Congress passed the Monday Holidays Act,which moved the holiday to the third Monday in February"在1968年议会通过周一节日法案,把总统日改为了2月的第三个星期一,结合第一段句首可知选项D是符合题意的,所以选择D选项正确.
30.C 推理判断题.根据文章第五段:"Should the holiday honor Washington,Washington and Lincoln,or all past Presidents?"这个总统日到底是该为怀念华盛顿还是华盛顿和林肯,还是为了怀念所有过世的总统,可知选项C是符合题意的,所以选择C选项正确.
31.B 推断理判断题.通读全文,可知选项B总统日背后的历史和争论是最能全面概括本文大意的,是最适合的标题,所以选择B选项正确.
点评 题目涉及多道细节理解题,做题时结合原文和题目有针对性的找出相关语句进行仔细分析,结合选项选出正确答案.推理判断题也是要在抓住关键句子的基础上合理的分析才能得出正确答案,切忌胡乱猜测,一定要做到有理有据.