《2025年小题狂做八年级英语上册译林版巅峰版》

B(2024·南京江宁期末)
During the Winter Solstice(冬至), the sun is at its lowest in the sky. It is also the shortest day and longest night of the year. In the northern hemisphere(半球), the Winter Solstice is on 21 or 22 December. It is the middle of winter, so it is also called “Midwinter Day”. After this day, the nights will begin to get shorter and the days will begin to get longer.
For thousands of years, people celebrated this day as the last festival before deep winter set in. Winter was always a dangerous time for our ancestors(祖先). They were always scared, because they might not have enough food to live through the winter. Midwinter Day is still an important festival in many northern countries today.
In Scandinavia, people used to believe that the sun goddess flew through the sky and made the plants grow again. This is very important, as people in Scandinavia need the grass to grow so their reindeer will have food to eat. People cover the doors of their houses with butter for the sun goddess and her daughter to eat during their journey.
In China and Japan, some families celebrate the day by eating rice balls(tangyuan), served in soup. The rice balls are a symbol of reunion(团圆). Families eat them because they wish to stay together and never be apart. In Japan, these rice balls often contain sweet bean paste.
In Scotland, Midwinter Day is actually celebrated on 31 December and is called “Hogmanay”. Of course, it is also the celebration for New Year. The most important tradition is called “first-footing”. This is when you invite a neighbour to be the first person to enter your house in the first minute of the New Year. The neighbour should bring a gift of salt or sweet biscuits. You will have to give them a drink and something to eat in return.
1. When will the nights begin to get shorter in the northern hemisphere?
A. In the middle of winter. B. Before the Winter Solstice. C. During the Winter Solstice. D. After the Winter Solstice.
2. How do people in Scandinavia celebrate “Midwinter Day”?
A. Eating rice balls and wishing to stay together. B. Asking the sun goddess to give grass to their reindeer to eat. C. Covering their doors with butter for the sun goddess and her daughter. D. Inviting a neighbour to come to their house in the first minute of the New Year.
3. Which may be the best title for the passage?
A. The history of the Winter Solstice B. The importance of the Winter Solstice C. Different foods for the Winter Solstice D. Different celebrations for the Winter Solstice

答案： 1. D 提示:细节理解题。根据第一段最后一句“After this day, the nights will begin to get shorter and the days will begin to get longer.”可知,在“这天”之后北半球的夜晚开始变短,而上文指明“这天”即冬至。
2. C 提示:细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句“People cover the doors of their houses with butter for the sun goddess and her daughter to eat during their journey.”可知答案。
3. D 提示:最佳标题题。本文主要介绍了冬至以及世界各地的人们庆祝冬至的风俗习惯。