YOUR mom might cook a bowl of noodles for you on your birthday. But in the US, a mom makes a cupcake for her children on their birthday.
Cupcakes are small, round cakes topped with frosting (糖霜). It has been an American tradition that moms bring cupcakes to the classroom to celebrate their child’s birthday.
But recently some doctors have called for this to be banned. They believe cupcakes contribute to child obesity.
Despite their good intentions, however, some people believe that experts are interfering (妨碍) with American culture. The cupcake is seen as American as apple pie — only prettier.
According to Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University, the cupcake is the most democratic (民主的) of desserts. As they are small enough for one person, you don’t have to share your cupcake with anyone — it’s all yours. They are also all the same size, so there can’t be any cries of “she got the bigger piece!”
Each bite can taste different depending on how much icing you have. It is a lesson in self- determination. Some people eat only a little of the frosting every time, others have it all in just one bite.
In recent years, eating a cupcake has become as trendy as having a cup of Starbucks coffee.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton jokingly promised on a talk show that if she was elected president, she would give everyone a cupcake on her birthday.
Ruth Reichl, editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine, explains that the rise of the cupcake is very much about going back to American national identity in food, which is all about comfort. “People want to think about when they and their country were innocent,” she said.
【小题1】According to the passage, it has been an American tradition that ___________.

A．the family holds a party for children on their birthday

B．a mom cooks a bowl of noodles for her children on their birthday

C．a mom makes a cupcake for her children on their birthday and brings it to the classroom

D．parents go travelling with their children on their birthday

There is nothing more rewarding or enjoyable than spending time with the family. A great way to do this is go on a family vacation.

      Of course this can be a disaster if not planned carefully. It should involve everyone who is old enough to help in the process.

1. Make a list for packing. A list will simply serve as a reminder. You can always remove things from the list later.

2. _____________________. There is almost nothing more difficult than carrying too much baggage. There are stores everywhere if you forget something.

3. A carriage or car seat is not always a necessity.  In many countries you can rent one at the airport or near a hotel.

4. Parents don't have to pack all the toys their children own. A few favorites will do. Make sure they are in good shape and that the toy is not the one that will disturb other people on the plane or at your accommodations.

5. An emergency medical kit including all prescription drugs the family uses is very important. Have one person organize it and make sure to check it before leaving the house. It is not always easy to find the same medicine or medical aids in other countries.

6. Snacks and drinks can be stored in a carry-on bag and they usually help on lone trips.

7. When making airline reservations with a travel agent, make sure it is understood that a family is traveling. It is sometimes best to request reserved seating. Also make sure to ask about any special services the airline provides for children. Above all, use a travel and touring service that is suitable for a family.

1. What is the best title for the passage? (Please answer within 10 words.)

   ______________________________________________________________________________

2. Which sentence in the passage can be replaced by the following one?

    Sometimes you cannot get the same medicine or medical things that you need in a foreign country.

   ______________________________________________________________________

3. Please fill in the blank in Tip 2 with proper words or phrases to complete the sentence. (Please answer within 10 words).

   ___________________________________________________________________________

4. Give another suggestion about taking a vacation and your reason for it. (Please answer within 30 words.)

   ___________________________________________________________________________   ___________________________________________________________________________

5. Translate the underlined sentence in Tip 4 into Chinese.

   _____________________________________________________________________________

Africa is now facing many problems. People are suffering(遭受) from a shortage(短缺) of food. They do not have enough health care. Deserts (沙漠) are spreading (扩大) in many places.
In Africa millions of people starved (饿) to death, and two thirds of them were children. Harry Belafonte, a famous singer in America, felt sad when he saw a film about the starving people in Africa. He said to himself, "I should do something to help them. What can I do?" He thought of a plan to gather the stars from the music world and make a special record. The money from the record would help the starving people in Africa. Those famous singers and musicians were always very busy. "How can you gather them?" everyone said to Belafonte. But they were willing to come to the event(活动) from all over the country.
Then who wrote the words and music for the record?
During the Christmas holidays in 1984, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie were writing the words and music for the record at Jackson’ s home in Los Angeles. They often talked about the music far into the night. When they finished the music, they called it "We Are the World". On the evening of January 28th, 1985 ,forty -five superstars made a historical(历史性的) recording in a Hollywood studio(演播室)." Everyone should do something active like this, "said Cyndi Lauper. "We have to be the voice," Stevie Wonere said," to help those people that have lost their future. "A sign was put at the door of the studio: "Please cheek your ego (自我) at the door!"
At 10 P.M. they began their work. They finally finished recording at 8 A.M. that morning. Just at that moment Diana Ross sat down with tears in her eyes and said, "I just don’ t want this to end!"
On April 5, more than 800 radio stations all over the world played "We Are The World" at the same time.
53. What did Harry Belafonte think he should do?
A. He thought he should tell other people about it.
B. He thought he should send a lot of food to Africa.
C. He thought he should ask the government to help them.
D. He thought he should do something to help the starving people.
54. Who was he going to make a record with?
A. With Michael Jackson.           B. With the movie stars.
C. With the baseball stars.           D. With the stars from the music.
55. What would help the starving people in Africa?
A. The special record.              B. The money from record.
C. The money from the stars.        D. The money from the government.
56. What did Diana Ross want?
A. She didn’t want to continue such kindness.
B. She wanted to continue doing such kindness.
C. She didn’t want to stop recording.
D. She wanted to have a good rest.

Africa is now facing many problems. People are suffering(遭受) from a shortage(短缺) of food. They do not have enough health care. Deserts (沙漠) are spreading (扩大) in many places.

In Africa millions of people starved (饿) to death, and two thirds of them were children. Harry Belafonte, a famous singer in America, felt sad when he saw a film about the starving people in Africa. He said to himself, "I should do something to help them. What can I do?" He thought of a plan to gather the stars from the music world and make a special record. The money from the record would help the starving people in Africa. Those famous singers and musicians were always very busy. "How can you gather them?" everyone said to Belafonte. But they were willing to come to the event(活动) from all over the country.

Then who wrote the words and music for the record?

During the Christmas holidays in 1984, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie were writing the words and music for the record at Jackson’ s home in Los Angeles. They often talked about the music far into the night. When they finished the music, they called it "We Are the World". On the evening of January 28th, 1985 ,forty -five superstars made a historical(历史性的) recording in a Hollywood studio(演播室)." Everyone should do something active like this, "said Cyndi Lauper. "We have to be the voice," Stevie Wonere said," to help those people that have lost their future. "A sign was put at the door of the studio: "Please cheek your ego (自我) at the door!"

At 10 P.M. they began their work. They finally finished recording at 8 A.M. that morning. Just at that moment Diana Ross sat down with tears in her eyes and said, "I just don’ t want this to end!"

On April 5, more than 800 radio stations all over the world played "We Are The World" at the same time.

53. What did Harry Belafonte think he should do?

A. He thought he should tell other people about it.

B. He thought he should send a lot of food to Africa.

C. He thought he should ask the government to help them.

D. He thought he should do something to help the starving people.

54. Who was he going to make a record with?

A. With Michael Jackson.           B. With the movie stars.

C. With the baseball stars.           D. With the stars from the music.

55. What would help the starving people in Africa?

A. The special record.              B. The money from record.

C. The money from the stars.        D. The money from the government.

56. What did Diana Ross want?

A. She didn’t want to continue such kindness.

B. She wanted to continue doing such kindness.

C. She didn’t want to stop recording.

D. She wanted to have a good rest.