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　　Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday?

　　The history of Valentine's Day—and its patron saint(守护神)—is covered in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains signs of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.

　　So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become connected with this ancient tradition? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were dead . One legend describes that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius Ⅱ decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed (使……不受法律保护) marriage for young men—his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice(不公正)of the rule, fought against Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape cruel Roman prisons where they were often beaten, even killed.

　　According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first “Valentine” greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl—who may have been his jailor's daughter—who visited him during his imprisonment. Before his death, it is said that he wrote her a letter, which he signed “From your Valentine”, an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is gloomy, the stories certainly emphasize his appearance as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

1．Why candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones every February?

[　　]

A．Mainly to show their love to their lovers.

B．Mainly to remember a person named Valentine.

C．Because they can't spend that day without these things.

D．Because February is a romantic month.

2．From this passage, why have people called that day Saint Valentine's Day?

[　　]

A．A priest called Valentine performed marriages for young lovers in secret.

B．A person called Valentine helped to save many Christians.

C．A person called Valentine wrote her lover a letter, which he signed “From your Valentine” .

D．It doesn't tell us exactly.

3．In the fourth paragraph, what's the meaning of the second “Valentine”?

[　　]

A．The person “Valentine”.

B．A thing as a gift in that day.

C．A signature in the lovers' day for the first time .

D．No real meaning.

4．What does the passage mainly talk about?

[　　]

A．How to spend Saint Valentine's Day.

B．The history of Saint Valentine's Day.

C．Why we should spend Saint Valentine's Day.

D．Why we should remember the person named Valentine.

“We’ve been good friends for so many years. And I don’t think you meant to do that ...” I said to myself， looking at Jack， my friend who was running across the  　36　  field.

How I wish I could join them！ But it was impossible because of the pain in my left foot， caused by Jack.

I first met Jack in a football match in the elementary school. When my team looked as if we were 　37　 ， Jack， who was watching， volunteered to join us. He was so confident and skilled that we won. From then on， Jack and I often played together and became best friends.

But something happened before an important football match between Class Six and my class. My class had so many good players that we had to  　38　  the best ones. Jack and I were in  the same  team. The match was close in the first half. I saw my chance and was ready to score a goal. Suddenly， Jack  　39　  me. He slid to stop the ball， but collided  with my left foot. I knew I had lost the chance to score and was  　40　  the field. But what really hurt me was that Jack didn’t say sorry.  And when some of my teammates said he did it on purpose to  　41　  me from scoring， I felt even  　42　.

Now I stand here， with tears in my eyes. I don’t want to  　43　  those words but I don’t know how to persuade myself they are  　44　 . Then everything changes when Jack scores and wins！ How excited I am！

 While I am still  　45　  in excitement， someone pats my shoulder. It is Jack， with a smile on his face. “I’m sorry that you can not join in because of my  　46　  . But you see， Jason， we beat them！ No matter whether you joined in or not， you’ve made a contribution. Come on， let’s celebrate！” Suddenly， I am  　47　  by the players. The sunshine is so bright that I close my eyes. Riding high above my teammates， I feel so happy. And I know the  friendship  between Jack and me will last forever.

A. basketball        B. volleyball      C. badminton      D .football

A. lost                     B .winning         C. leading       D. beaten

A. replace         B. award            C. decide on         D. call in

A. ran into          B. ran to          C .ran across        D. ran away

A. sent away            B. carried off       C. stuck to        D. hold on

A. break               B. interrupt       C. make              D. keep

A. amused             B. comfortable     C. depressed         D. scared

A. believe         B. say               C. deny           D. hear

A. right                B. false                C. true                D. bad

A. lost                     B. fallen              C. caught         D. drawn

A. score               B. pride               C. reason          D. carelessness

A. raised up          B. pulled away    C. picked up        D. pushed off

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　The Festival of Cultures

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　August 11-14

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　City Park

　　The Festival of Cultures is an annual event to celebrate the wide range of cultures found in our great state. People representing 40 cultural groups will share their traditions and customs. Here are just a few of the festival’s many activities.

　　Crafts: See the fine art of basket weaving from Vietnam and Zimbabwe. Watch the delicate art of making paper umbrellas from Thailand and the decorative craft of paperl picado, or paper cutting, from Mexico. All craft demonstrations provide a firsthand view of how things are made. You will appreciate the process involved in making these products.

　　Music and Dance: Experience musical instruments that you have never heard before. Listening to the music of a sho from Japan, a bull-roarer from Australia, a sitar from India, and a chakay from Thailand. You will also be entertained by folk dances from around the world, such as the troika from Russia and the mayim mayim from Israel. From 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on August 14, special folk-dancing classes for children will be offered. Children ranging in age from 6-8 can learn the kinderpolka from Germany. Children ranging in age from 9-12 can learn the raspa from Mexico.

　　Storytelling: Listen for hours as professional storytellers charm you with captivating tales. Fables, folktales, and ballads from various countries will be told. By popular demand, Gwendolyn Washington, a famous African American storyteller, is back.

　　Food: Enjoy irresistible foods from other countries, such as gyros from Greece, seafood paella from Spain, crepes from France, and tandoori chicken from India. These tasty dishes will be difficult to pass up.

“We’ve been good friends for so many years. And I don’t think you meant to do that ...” I said to myself， looking at Jack， my friend who was running across the  　36　  field.

How I wish I could join them！ But it was impossible because of the pain in my left foot， caused by Jack.

I first met Jack in a football match in the elementary school. When my team looked as if we were 　37　 ， Jack， who was watching， volunteered to join us. He was so confident and skilled that we won. From then on， Jack and I often played together and became best friends.

But something happened before an important football match between Class Six and my class. My class had so many good players that we had to  　38　  the best ones. Jack and I were in  the same  team. The match was close in the first half. I saw my chance and was ready to score a goal. Suddenly， Jack  　39　  me. He slid to stop the ball， but collided  with my left foot. I knew I had lost the chance to score and was  　40　  the field. But what really hurt me was that Jack didn’t say sorry.  And when some of my teammates said he did it on purpose to  　41　  me from scoring， I felt even  　42　.

Now I stand here， with tears in my eyes. I don’t want to  　43　  those words but I don’t know how to persuade myself they are  　44　 . Then everything changes when Jack scores and wins！ How excited I am！

 While I am still  　45　  in excitement， someone pats my shoulder. It is Jack， with a smile on his face. “I’m sorry that you can not join in because of my  　46　  . But you see， Jason， we beat them！ No matter whether you joined in or not， you’ve made a contribution. Come on， let’s celebrate！” Suddenly， I am  　47　  by the players. The sunshine is so bright that I close my eyes. Riding high above my teammates， I feel so happy. And I know the  friendship  between Jack and me will last forever.

1.A. basketball        B. volleyball      C. badminton      D .football

2.A. lost                     B .winning         C. leading       D. beaten

3.A. replace         B. award            C. decide on         D. call in

4.A. ran into          B. ran to          C .ran across        D. ran away

5.A. sent away            B. carried off       C. stuck to        D. hold on

6.A. break              B. interrupt       C. make              D. keep

7.A. amused            B. comfortable     C. depressed         D. scared

8.A. believe         B. say               C. deny           D. hear

9.A. right               B. false                C. true                D. bad

10.A. lost                   B. fallen              C. caught         D. drawn

11.A. score             B. pride               C. reason          D. carelessness

12.A. raised up        B. pulled away    C. picked up        D. pushed off

“We’ve been good friends for so many years. And I don’t think you meant to do that ...” I said to myself， looking at Jack， my friend who was running across the 　36　  field.
How I wish I could join them！ But it was impossible because of the pain in my left foot， caused by Jack.
I first met Jack in a football match in the elementary school. When my team looked as if we were 　37　， Jack， who was watching， volunteered to join us. He was so confident and skilled that we won. From then on， Jack and I often played together and became best friends.
But something happened before an important football match between Class Six and my class. My class had so many good players that we had to 　38　  the best ones. Jack and I were in  the same  team. The match was close in the first half. I saw my chance and was ready to score a goal. Suddenly， Jack 　39　  me. He slid to stop the ball， but collided  with my left foot. I knew I had lost the chance to score and was 　40　  the field. But what really hurt me was that Jack didn’t say sorry.  And when some of my teammates said he did it on purpose to 　41　  me from scoring， I felt even 　42　.
Now I stand here， with tears in my eyes. I don’t want to 　43　  those words but I don’t know how to persuade myself they are 　44　 . Then everything changes when Jack scores and wins！ How excited I am！
While I am still 　45　  in excitement， someone pats my shoulder. It is Jack， with a smile on his face. “I’m sorry that you can not join in because of my 　46　  . But you see， Jason， we beat them！ No matter whether you joined in or not， you’ve made a contribution. Come on， let’s celebrate！” Suddenly， I am 　47　  by the players. The sunshine is so bright that I close my eyes. Riding high above my teammates， I feel so happy. And I know the  friendship  between Jack and me will last forever.