A
It is commonly believed that in medieval France, New Year was celebrated on 1 April. Then in 1562, PopeGregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world, changing New Year to 1 January. With no modern communications, news travelled slowly and new ideas were often questioned. Many people did not hear of the change, some merely forgot, and others chose to ignore it. These people were called fools. Invitations to non-existent “New Year” parties were sent and other practical jokes were played. Over time playing tricks on 1 April became a tradition. The custom eventually spread to England and Scotland, and it was later transported across the Atlantic to the American colonies (殖民地) of the English and the French. April Fools’ Day has now developed into an international festival of fun, with different nationalities celebrating the day in special ways.
France and Italy
In France and Italy, if someone plays a trick on you, you are the “fish of April”. By the month of April fish have only just hatched and are therefore easy to catch. Children stick paper fish to their Friends’ backs and chocolate fish are found in the shops.
America and Britain
Today, Americans and the British play small tricks on friends and strangers alike on 1 April. A common trick is to point to a friend’s shoe and say “Your shoelace(鞋带) is untied.” When they look down, they are laughed at. Schoolchildren might tell a friend that school has been cancelled. Sometimes the media get involved. Once, a British short film was shown on April Fools’ Day about spaghetti farmers and how they harvest their crop from spaghetti trees!
Scotland
In Scotland, April Fools’ Day lasts for two days! The second day is called “Taily Day” and tricks on this day involve the bottom (or the “tail”, in informal speech). Often a sign saying ‘kick me’ is stuck onto someone’s back without them knowing.
1. In what condition would someone be called “fish of April” in France?
A. When one is fooled.
B. If one is fond of fish.
C. When one fools others.
D. If one prefers chocolate.
2. What was the purpose of the British short film?
A. To help the audience.
B. To trick the audience.
C. To warn the audience.
D. To inform the audience.
3. Where does April Fools’ Day last for more than one day?
A. Italy. B. France.
C. America. D. Scotland.
【答案】1. A 2. B 3. D
【解析】
【分析】
本文是一篇说明文。愚人节现在已经发展成为一个国际性的娱乐节日，不同的国家以不同的方式庆祝这一天。文章讲述了关于“愚人节”的一些事情以及一些国家愚人节的风俗习惯。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据France and Italy中In France and Italy, if someone plays a trick on you, you are the “fish of April”.“在法国和意大利，如果有人捉弄你，你就是“四月鱼”。” 可知，在法国当一个人被愚弄时才会有人被称为“四月鱼”。故选A。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据America and Britain中Today, Americans and the British play small tricks on friends and strangers alike on 1 April.和Once, a British short film was shown on April Fools’ Day about spaghetti farmers and how they harvest their crop from spaghetti trees!
“今天，美国人和英国人都会在4月1日这天对朋友和陌生人开些小玩笑。”和“有一次，愚人节放映了一部英国短片，讲的是种意大利面的农民如何从意大利面树上收获意大利面。”可知，英国短片的目的是来欺骗观众。故选B。
【3题详解】
细节理解题。根据Scotland中In Scotland, April Fools’ Day lasts for two days!“在苏格兰，愚人节要持续两天!”可知，在苏格兰愚人节持续超过一天。故选D。
【点睛】在细节考查题中有一类事实细节题。该题属于细节类型的阅读理解题，一般只针对某个特定的细节，题型可以多种多样。此类题型一般分两种。第一种是直接理解题，在原文中可以直接找到答案。第二种是词义转换题，正确选项是原文有关词语和句子的转换。做此类试题一定要抓住事件发生的时间、地点、人物、发展过程和结局等环节，所选答案一定要符合原文，切不可望文生义。本题第3小题，根据Scotland中In Scotland, April Fools’ Day lasts for two days!“在苏格兰，愚人节要持续两天!”可知，在苏格兰愚人节持续超过一天。故选D。
