A
On the last Monday in May, people in the United States celebrate Memorial Day.This federal holiday honors members of the American military who died at war.Schools and government offices close.Most people in the US have this day off from work.People celebrate Memorial Day with outdoor parades.
Most Americans consider it the start of summer though the season really begins in June.With so many people off work, Memorial Day has also become a popular shopping day.However, on most occasions Memorial Day is a serious and even sorrowful holiday.Those who have lost family members at war visit burial sites to decorate the graves.They place flowers, wreaths and US flags on the graves.
Memorial Day comes from a tradition that began after the American Civil War called Decoration Day.The Civil War was a very dark time in the US history.Historians have long thought that about 620，000 soldiers died in the fighting.However, new research suggests that the dead numbered about 750，000.
In 1868, about 5，000 people gathered at Arlington National Cemetery on the edge of Washington, D．C.They decorated more than 10，000 graves of Union and Confederate soldiers.They called it Decoration Day.
The tradition spread to other areas of the country.In 1873, New York State called it Memorial Day and was the first to make it a legal holiday.Other states followed, but not all.Some southern states had (and still have)separate celebrations that honor only dead Confederate soldiers.
After World War Ⅰ ended in 1918, Memorial Day became a day to honor all American soldiers killed at war.In 1971, Congress passed a law making it an official federal holiday all over America.
【语篇解读】 本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了美国阵亡将士纪念日(Memorial Day)的演变史。
1．What's the purpose of Memorial Day in America?
A．To mark the start of summer.
B．To let people enjoy themselves.
C．To show respect for dead soldiers.
D．To establish a holiday to encourage soldiers.
C [细节理解题。根据第一段中的“This federal holiday honors members of the American military who died at war.”可知，设立美国阵亡将士纪念日的目的是表达对阵亡将士的尊敬。]
2．What's the atmosphere of American Memorial Day like on most occasions?
A．Sad. B．Casual.
C．Pleasant. D．Relaxing.
A [细节理解题。根据第二段中的“However, on most occasions Memorial Day is a serious and even sorrowful holiday.”可知，在大多数情况下，美国阵亡将士纪念日是一个严肃甚至悲伤的节日。]
3．When did Memorial Day become a legal holiday throughout the US?
A．In 1971. B．In 1873.
C．In 1918. D．In 1868.
A [细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“In 1971, Congress passed a law making it an official federal holiday all over America.”可知，1971年，美国国会通过了一项法律，正式将阵亡将士纪念日定为美国的官方联邦节日。]
4．What is the best title for the text?
A．Celebration Activities of Memorial Day in the US
B．The Prospect of American Memorial Day
C．Members Honored on American Memorial Day
D．The Evolution of Memorial Day in the US
D [标题归纳题。通读全文可知，文章介绍了美国阵亡将士纪念日的演变史，故D项作本文标题最佳。]
