2004年4月自考大学英语(二)试题及答案

C. people wish them to have good luck in their new life

D. people wish them to make money at the wedding ceremony

30. Which of the following statements best summarizes the subject of this passage?

A. People across the world get married in different ways and for different reasons.

B. Every culture has its own ways of bringing good luck to the young couple.

C. A truly good marriage is something that grows with care.

D. In many countries, marriage is a practical matter.

Passage Three

Question 31 to 35 are based on the following passage.

While popular in the U.S., the April Fool's Day tradition is even more prevalent in European countries, such as France and Great Britain. Although the roots of the traditional tricking are unclear, the French and the British both have claims on the origin of the celebration.

One theory holds that the first April Fool's Day was on April 1 of the year when King of France instituted (设立) the new calendar. This new system placed the day that had formerly been the first day of a new year on April 1. Many people were reluctant to adjust to the new calendar and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on what had become the first day of April. Thus, they became the first April fools.

An English story about the day, however, holds that it began sometime during the 1200s. At the time, King John of England was in the habit of making a road out of nearly every path he walked regularly. The citizens of one particular farm village were aware of this. To avoid having their green pastures (牧场) disturbed with one of king's roads, they built a fence that prevented the king from walking through their countryside. The king sent a group of messengers (信使) to inform the villagers that they must remove the barrier. Upon hearing that the king was planning to do this, however, the villagers developed a plan of their own. When the messengers arrived, they found what appeared to be a community of mad people, with people behaving in a strange manner, throwing things and running around wildly. The messengers, alarmed at what they found, reported to King John that these people were so mad as to be beyond punishment. So, the villagers saved their farmland by tricking the King. In Great Britain, tradition only allows April Fool's tricks from midnight to noon on April 1. Those who try to play tricks in the afternoon become the fools themselves.

31. Which of the following is true according to the first paragraph?

A. April Fool's Day is more popular in the U.S.

B. April Fool's Day is more popular in France and Great Britain.

C. No one is sure where the tradition of celebrating April Fool's Day originated.

D. The celebration of April Fool's Day originated from both France and Great Britain.

32. According to the second paragraph, many people continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1, because _____.

A. they knew nothing about the new calendar

B. they didn't want to accept the new calendar

C. they wanted to receive gifts from their friends

D. they wanted to become the first April fools

33. The word "holds" (para.3, line 1) means "_____",

A. supports B. conducts C. contains D. believes

34. The third paragraph tells how the citizens of one particular farm village in England saved