话题十六 文化习俗与传统节日
A
[2019·太原阶段测评]
The wedding tradition of “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue” has been around for hundreds of years. The tradition of carrying or wearing one of each item is said to bring luck and fortune to the newly married couple. Have you ever stopped to think what the saying really means? What is its origin and what does each item represent?
The original saying dates back to the Victoria times and states, “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in your shoe.”
Something old A bride may wear or carry something old to represent her continued ties to her family and her old life. Many brides wear a piece of family jewelry as their old item. Some brides wear the wedding dress worn by their mother or grandmother. In many cases, something old may also be something borrowed.
Something new'Wearing something new is supposed to represent success and hope in the bride's new life and in her marriage. If the bride purchases her wedding dress, it may represent her new item, but any item that is new may be used. Something “new” is usually the easiest kind to fill.
Something borrowed'The borrowed item should be something borrowed from a friend that is happily married. It is said that their happiness will rub off on you and bring lasting happiness to your marriage. Some brides borrow an item of clothing, a piece of jewelry, a handkerchief or perhaps a beaded (饰以珠子的) purse.
Something blue'Wearing something blue dates back to ancient times when a blue wedding dress was worn to represent purity, fidelity and love. A silver sixpence'Placing a silver sixpence in the bride's left shoe is said to be a symbol of wealth. This not only refers to financial wealth, but also a wealth of happiness and joy throughout
her married life. Since most brides probably don't even know what a sixpence is, this part of the tradition is not used very often in modern times. However, if a bride would like to include it in her wedding, she can purchase a silver sixpence from many companies that sell bridal supplies such as garters (袜带) and invitations.
体裁：说明文 题材：文化习俗 主题：西方传统的婚礼习俗的起源和含义
【文章大意】 本文是一篇总分结构的说明文，介绍了西方一种传统的婚礼习俗的起源和含义。
1．Why does the first paragraph end with two questions? A．To invite readers to answer them at once. B．To show the importance of this tradition. C．To have readers' interest and attention. D．To test readers' knowledge about wedding.
答案与解析：C'考查推理判断。根据文章内容可知，这两个问句承上启下，引起读者的阅读兴趣和注意力。
2．Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A．Something old might also be something borrowed actually. B．The part of the tradition “a silver sixpence” is never used now.
C．The borrowed item can be something borrowed from any friend.
D．Something new is usually the most difficult and expensive kind to fill.
答案与解析：A'考查细节理解。根据第三段中的“In many cases, something old may also be something borrowed”可知，一些老的物件也可以是借来的。
3．What can we infer from the passage?
A．No brides now are not familiar with the silver sixpence.
B．Every item represents something good for the new couple.
C．The bride will be more beautiful with all these five items.
D．Of the five items，something blue is the most important one.
答案与解析：B 考查推理判断。通读全文可推测出，这几样新婚佩戴的物件都会给新婚夫妇带来好运。
4．Which word can replace the underlined word “fidelity” in the sixth paragraph?
A．Success. B．Wealth. C．Loyalty. D．Opportunity.
答案与解析：C 考查词义猜测。根据语境并结合画线词前的purity和其后的love可推知，“fidelity”此处意思为“忠诚”，即“loyalty”。
B
[2019·郑州质量预测]
Though not as much as in the past, grandparents are the teachers of the Navajo (纳瓦霍人) youth. They make young people aware of life at an early age. The parents allow them the privilege of teaching the children, and the grandparents take great pride in raising them.
Young children often stay with their grandparents for years at a time, developing a close and trusting relationship. The grandparents teach them Navajo legends and the principle of life, emphasizing both new culture trends and the preservation of traditions.
The grandparents are also the leading figures in teaching the youth the arts of weaving, caring for the livestock, using herbal medicine, and other arts and crafts.
The children are taught to respect their elders, care for them, help them and learn from them. Young people are urged to listen with care to the words of their elders and keep as much wisdom as possible. Grandparents often go to social gatherings and traditional events, and young people have opportunities to learn more about their culture and traditions.
I lived with my grandmother for thirteen years, and she raised me in the old ways of our people. Although I was going to school, she taught me as much as she could about our traditions. If I had a chance, I would listen again to her wise teachings, expressed with kindness in a soft voice that touched my heart.
We used to plant corn and pumpkin every summer. They never
grew big enough to feed us, but we planted them anyway. I asked my grandmother why. She said, “Grandson, our plants will be far more beautiful than the flowers outside the fence.” I didn't understand until one day I saw their beauty as I was coming over the hill with her. She said, “Anything that is a part of you is always far more beautiful than the things which you pass by.” We had some beautiful years together. I'm glad she is a part of me and I'm a part of her.
Children used to be well disciplined, possessing more respect for culture, traditions and beliefs than they do now. The world of the Navajo has been influenced by the western world, and the grandparents have less control and influence than they used to. But the young people who have been touched by their teachings have glimpsed a way of life beyond what most people know today.
体裁：说明文 题材：文化习俗 主题：纳瓦霍人的一种文化
【文章大意】 文章是风俗文化类说明文。作者介绍了纳瓦霍人的一种文化：由祖父母来教育孙子辈，让他们学到生活中的道理。
【难句分析】 But the young people who have been touched by their teachings have glimpsed a way of life beyond what most people know today.
分析：这是一个主从复合句。主句部分是the young people have glimpsed a way of life；关系代词who引导了一个定语从句，修饰先行词the young people，同时在从句中作主语；连接词what引导了一个宾语从句，作介词beyond的宾语，同时在从句中作谓语动词know的宾语。
译文：但是接受过祖父母教育的年轻人，都会比现在大部分人对生活的理解更深。
5．What can be inferred from the first paragraph? A．Grandparents are the source of traditional culture. B．Parents hate to take the trouble to raise their children. C．Early schooling isn't very popular with the young Navajo.
D．Children learn about the meaning of life from their grandparents.
答案与解析：D'考查细节理解。根据第一段第二句“They make young people aware of life at an early age”可知，祖父母们使年轻人在很小的时候就认识生活，所以答案是D。
6．The underlined word “figures” in Paragraph 3 probably means “________”．
A．persons B．pioneers
C．examples D．representatives
答案与解析：A'考查词义猜测。根据下文的“in teaching...arts and crafts”可知，在教育年轻人编织技艺、照顾牲畜、使用草药以及其他手工艺方面，祖父母们还是“引导人”。
7．Why did the author's grandmother plant corn and pumpkin? A．She had to feed her family members. B．She tried to make full use of her garden.
C．She wanted her grandson to learn a life lesson. D．She expected her grandson to learn about farming.
答案与解析：C'考查细节理解。根据题干中的关键词“plant corn and pumpkin”定位到第六段，根据第六段内容可知，祖母种植玉米和南瓜是为了让作者明白一个生活的道理：属于你自己的一部分总是远比你路过的东西要美得多，所以答案是C。
8．What is the author's purpose in writing this passage? A．To honor his beloved grandmother. B．To stress the greatness of the Navajo.
C．To share with readers a kind of Navajo culture. D．To show the influence of Navajo traditions.
答案与解析：C 考查写作意图。文章主要介绍了纳瓦霍人的一种文化：由祖父母们教育孙子辈，让他们认识生活，学到其中的道理，所以答案是C“与读者分享一种纳瓦霍人的文化”。
C
[2019·贵阳监测]
最新高考英语写作大全话题十六 文化习俗与传统节日
