Question

根据短文内容,f短文后的选项中选出能填 在空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。

   The tradition of birthday parties started a long time ago. People thought that there was a special danger from evz7 (邪恶的) spirits,so friends and family came together to bring good thoughts and wishes and even presents. 36 But as uiuug?iis anu WIMICS

time went by,children and then adults began to have the? own birthday celebrations. There are s?me traditions — such as sending birthday cards,blowing out the candles on a birthday cake and singing the “Happy Birthday” song,that you can find almost anywhere,any time. 37

      In many English-speaking countries,a twenty-first birthday cake often has a key on top. 38 The key means that the young person is now old enough to leave and enter the family home at any time they want to!

     In the past in parts of Europe,men who reached the age of thirty and were still single,had to clean the stairs of the City Hall. This way every girl could see that the man didn't have a girlfriend.39

     After the age of thirty,many people prefer to forget their birthdays rather than celebrate them ... children often bring Mum (or Dad) breakfast in bed. 40 It's also a day when your friends and family have to pay if you go out for drinks or a meal!

   A. Birthday traditions are.around the world.

   B. At one time,only kings had birthday parties.

    C. Or the cake itself is sometimes in the shape of a key.

   D. It's traditional to give flowers and enjoy a special meal.

   E. Family members put many sweets on the birthday cake.

   F. They could also see how good he was at cleaning the house!

   G. Others are more specific to certain ages and certain countries.

Answer 1

36: B. 根据下一句 But as time went by,children and then adults began to have their own birthday celebrations

可知,空格处和该句形成时间上的前 后对比，故B项符合语境。

37. G。根据上一句 There are some traditions …that you can find almost、

anywhere,any time以及下文介绍的几个特别的生日习俗可知，G项在此承上启下。

38.   C. 根据上句中的 a twenty-first birthday cake often has a key on top 和下一句中的The key means that可 知，c项中的the shape of a key与之相呼应。

39. F。根据该.段中的 had to clean the stairs of the City Ha?? 和 every girl could see ...可知，F项“她们也能借此看出这名男子很会打扫家”符合此处语境。

40. D. 根据上一句中的many people prefer to forget their birthdays rather ihan celebratl them 和下一句中的 your friends and family have to pay if you go out for drinks or a meal 可知， 30岁以后人们不再兴师动众庆祝生日，而是简单地度过。故D项“送花和吃顿饭”符合语境。