A
When you put down your pens at the end of the college entrance exam, 12 hard years of study will have come to an end. Forget your studies for a while. It’s time to enjoy yourselves!
There are many ways to celebrate this special month of graduation. You can have photos taken with your classmates and teachers, or dine out together and exchange gifts.
High school students in Western countries such as the United States and Canada usually have a prom to mark their graduation. It’s to mark the time kids turn into young men and women. After the prom, teenagers either go to college or find a job. It means they are no longer as dependent on their parents as they were before.
At the prom, boys usually dress in dinner jackets and bow ties, though many different types of formal clothes are worn. Traditionally, girls give boys matching boutonnieres (a small collection of flowers they pin to their jackets). Girls traditionally wear formal dresses, or dress to shock or be noticed, in shiny or brightly colored materials.
Common prom activities include dining, dancing, the crowning of a Prom King and Queen, and just talking to friends. In some cases, high school students collect funds for their class prom through the four years of their high school.
High schools in or near large cities may rent ballrooms at expensive hotels or, to be unusual, on a pleasure cruise boat(游船). But often costs are cut by simply using the school gym. Students make a lot of effort to decorate the gym to make the event special. The music played at the prom will be the most popular kinds, like rock and hip hop.
The students elect the Prom Queen. She is partnered with a Prom King who is elected similarly. These are great honors that the pair takes very seriously. The two dance with each other to celebrate their election.
Sometimes teachers and parents also go to the prom. But others like to go with friends, to whom they are soon going to be saying goodbye.
If you like the idea of a prom, why don’t you and your classmates organize one for your graduation?
【语篇概述】本文主要介绍了在美国和加拿大等西方国家, 高中生在毕业前夕会举行毕业舞会。舞会上男女生都穿着漂亮的衣服, 并且还举办各种活动, 还会选出舞会之王和舞后等。
1. What does the word “prom” probably mean in the passage?
A. A dancing competition.
B. A party held to celebrate graduation.
C. A fashion show.
D. An election.
【解析】选B。词义猜测题。根据上下文可知, prom指“毕业舞会”。
2. Why do the students hold a prom?
A. To be elected as the Prom King or Queen.
B. To relieve themselves from the study pressure.
C. To say goodbye to their friends.
D. To mark the graduation and their independence.
【解析】选D。细节理解题。根据第三段的内容可知, 举办毕业舞会, 标志着他们的毕业和独立。
3. Which of the following clearly indicates that the prom is very important to students?
A. They take pictures at the prom.
B. They wear formal clothes or special clothes.
C. Music is played at the prom.
D. Teachers and parents attend it.
【解析】选B。推理判断题。根据第四段中的内容可知, 男女生都穿着正式的漂亮的衣服。由此可知, 毕业舞会对学生来说很重要。
4. Which of the following is an economical way to hold the prom?
A. Renting a ballroom.
B. Taking a cruise boat.
C. Holding it in the school gym.
D. Dining in a famous restaurant.
【解析】选C。推理判断题。根据第六段的内容可知A、B两项会花费很多。另外, 根据常识可知, D项也会花很多。由第六段的“But often costs are cut by simply using the school gym. ”可知C项是非常节约的做法。
