六、阅读理解
(2025 南京玄武期末)①Fireworks may seem like a very American tradition, especially on the 4th of July. But fireworks go back many years before the first American Independence Day celebration, which took place in 1777, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
②The earliest fireworks can be traced back to around 2,000 years ago in China. People then are said to have roasted bamboo stalks(竹竿). The stalks turned black and sizzled(发出嘶嘶声). The air inside the hollow(空心的) stalks would explode. Baozhu is a Mandarin Chinese word for firecracker. It means “exploding bamboo”.
③Years later, Chinese chemists took fireworks a step further. This happened sometime between 600 and 900 AD. People filled bamboo shoots with gunpowder. They threw them into a fire pit. Steel dust or iron shavings(铁屑) were added to make them sparkle. In China, these firecrackers were often used in celebrations.
④In the 13th century, fireworks spread to Europe. In the centuries that followed, Europeans began moving to North America. So when July 4th began to be celebrated as America’s Independence Day, fireworks were part of the plan.
⑤John Adams was one of America’s Founding Fathers. He said he hoped the anniversary(周年纪念日) of the country’s independence would be marked by “bonfires(篝火)” and “illuminations(彩灯)” for years to come.
1. Paragraphs ② and ③ mainly talk about .
A. how to make fireworks
B. how important fireworks are in Chinese culture
C. the story behind the Chinese name of fireworks
D. the beginning and development of fireworks in China
2. Americans used fireworks on July 4th, 1777 to .
A. protect themselves
B. celebrate the first Independence Day
C. show Europeans how to use fireworks
D. remember one of America’s Founding Fathers, John Adams
3. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Gunpowder was put into bamboo shoots to create sparkles.
B. Fireworks spread to America from Europe in the 13th century.
C. The Chinese made fireworks better and used firecrackers for celebrations.
D. Fireworks were first used in the first American Independence Day celebration.

【语篇导读】本文主要介绍了烟花的起源和发展。
1. D 提示:段落大意题。根据第二段中“The earliest fireworks can be traced back to around 2,000 years ago in China.”和第三段中“Years later, Chinese chemists took fireworks a step further. This happened sometime between 600 and 900 AD.”可知,第二段和第三段主要介绍了烟花在中国的起源和发展。
2. B 提示:细节理解题。根据第四段中“So when July 4th began to be celebrated as America's Independence Day, fireworks were part of the plan.”可知,美国人在1777年7月4日使用烟花来庆祝第一个独立日。
3. C 提示:细节理解题。根据第三段“Years later, Chinese chemists took fireworks a step further... In China, these firecrackers were often used in celebrations.”可知,中国人改良了烟花,并经常在庆祝活动中使用爆竹。

【分析】
本题为英语阅读理解题，包含3道小题，涉及段落大意题和细节理解题。解题思路为：1. 第1题需定位第2、3段的核心内容，梳理两段分别讲述的烟花起源与发展相关信息；2. 第2题需定位1777年7月4日对应的原文内容，明确烟花的使用目的；3. 第3题需逐一核对选项与原文细节，排除错误选项，选出正确表述。
【解析】
1. 第1题：题干询问第2、3段的主要内容，回原文定位：第2段提到“The earliest fireworks can be traced back to around 2,000 years ago in China”（最早烟花起源于2000年前的中国），第3段提到“Years later, Chinese chemists took fireworks a step further”（后来中国化学家改进了烟花），两段分别讲述了烟花在中国的起源和发展，对应选项D，故选D。
2. 第2题：题干询问1777年7月4日美国人使用烟花的目的，回原文第4段找到关键句“So when July 4th began to be celebrated as America’s Independence Day, fireworks were part of the plan”，可知烟花用于庆祝美国第一个独立日，对应选项B，故选B。
3. 第3题：逐一分析选项：
A选项：原文第3段提到“Steel dust or iron shavings were added to make them sparkle”，是加铁屑造火花，并非火药，错误；
B选项：原文第4段提到“In the 13th century, fireworks spread to Europe”，是传到欧洲，不是美国，错误；
C选项：原文第3段提到“Chinese chemists took fireworks a step further... In China, these firecrackers were often used in celebrations”，与选项表述一致，正确；
D选项：原文第1段提到“the first American Independence Day celebration, which took place in 1777”，而烟花起源早于1777年，并非第一次独立日才使用，错误；
故选C。
【答案】1.D 2.B 3.C
【知识点】英语阅读理解，段落大意题，细节理解题
【点评】本题围绕烟花的起源与发展展开，考查学生的段落大意概括和细节信息定位能力，需准确提取原文关键内容，难度适中，适合初中阶段学生练习。
【难度系数】0.6

七、阅读回答问题
The Shangyuan Festival, also known as the Lantern Festival, is a traditional Chinese festival. It falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
The festival has a long history, dating back more than 2,000 years. It started during the Han Dynasty. In ancient times, it was a time for people to worship gods and ancestors and pray for a good harvest. It was also one of the few times when young women could go out to enjoy the lanterns, making it a romantic occasion.
Today, the festival symbolizes reunion and happiness. It brings families closer together. On this day, people have many fun activities. The most famous one is watching lanterns. Streets and parks are filled with beautiful and colourful lanterns of all shapes and sizes. Another popular game is guessing lantern riddles, which are written on the lanterns. Of course, eating yuanxiao or tangyuan is a must. These are sweet, round balls made of glutinous rice flour, symbolizing family unity and completeness. People also enjoy dragon and lion dances, which add to the festive atmosphere.
It is a joyful time that combines ancient traditions with modern fun.
1. What is the other name for the Shangyuan Festival?

2. When is the festival celebrated?

3. How do people celebrate this festival today?

4. Why was the Lantern Festival considered romantic?

5. Which festival activity do you want to try?
Give two reasons.

【语篇导读】本文主要介绍了元宵节的历史、习俗和意义。
1. The Lantern Festival.
2. On the 15th day of the first lunar month.
3. They watch lanterns, guess lantern riddles, eat yuanxiao or tangyuan, and watch dragon and lion dances.
4. Because it was one of the few times when young women could go out to enjoy the lanterns.
5. I want to try guessing riddles because it is fun and exciting. I enjoy playing games with my family.(言之有理即可)

【分析】
本题为英语阅读理解题，需结合短文内容回答问题。解题时，先通读全文把握主旨，再针对每个问题定位原文对应语句，提取关键信息作答；第5题为开放性试题，需结合自身实际给出合理答案。
【解析】
1. 定位原文第一段第一句“The Shangyuan Festival, also known as the Lantern Festival”，可直接提取上元节的另一个名称。
2. 定位原文第一段第二句“It falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month”，可直接提取节日的庆祝时间。
3. 定位原文第三段，提取文中提到的现代元宵节庆祝活动，整理成通顺表述。
4. 定位原文第二段最后一句“it was also one of the few times when young women could go out to enjoy the lanterns, making it a romantic occasion”，提取节日被认为浪漫的原因。
5. 为开放性问题，需选择一项节日活动，结合自身情况给出两个合理理由即可。
【答案】
1. The Lantern Festival.
2. On the 15th day of the first lunar month.
3. They watch lanterns, guess lantern riddles, eat yuanxiao or tangyuan, and watch dragon and lion dances.
4. Because it was one of the few times when young women could go out to enjoy the lanterns.
5. I want to try guessing riddles because it is fun and exciting. I enjoy playing games with my family.(言之有理即可)
【知识点】
英语阅读理解，节日文化，信息提取
【点评】
本题围绕中国传统节日元宵节展开，考查学生的英语阅读信息定位能力，兼具语言考查与文化传播意义，最后一题开放性设问能激发学生的表达欲，难度适中。
【难度系数】
0.8