阅读理解。
The most popular way to welcome the new year in the United States is to have a big party. Some
parties are at people's homes. But in recent years,it has become more and more common for Americans
to go to a hotel or a club or a restaurant on the night of December the 31st. There,they can have dinner,
drink and dance.
Most New Year's parties have something in common. First of all, they are usually noisy. People sing
and bands play. And often, guests pull a cracker when the clock strikes twelve at midnight. People think
that loud sounds would drive away the evil spirits of the old year before the new year begins.
For many people New Year Eve is the night when they can drink as much as they like. Some New
Year's celebrations have ended sadly for people who got drunk and had driving accidents. Radio and
television announcements warn people of the danger of drunk driving. Some places offer free rides home
for drunken people.
The biggest and noisiest New Year party in the United States takes place at Times Square in New
York City. Thousands of people gather there. Some of them ring bells or let off crackers. Others blow
whistles or car horns. And at 12 o'clock,they begin to cheer as an electric sign in the shape of a red apple
lights up on top of a tall building.
The Americans keep up important traditions as the new year begins. They make decisions about how
to improve themselves in the year ahead. Experts say that the most common New Year decision in
the United States is to eat less. But many Americans also promise themselves to stop smoking,or stop
drinking wine,or to be nicer to their friends and families.
Experts find fewer than ten percent of Americans carry out their New Year decisions. Few want to
give up this tradition. Almost everyone seems to enjoy looking back over the year that has just ended and
looking forward to a nice beginning of a new year.
1. The article is about____.
A. some important traditions in the USA
B. when and where the Americans welcome the new year
C. New Year' celebrations in the USA
D. American ways of life and their interests
2. Most New Year parties are usually noisy,because ____ .
A. people sing songs
B. bands play music
C. guests pull crackers
D. people want to get rid of bad luck of the old year
3. In order to prevent car accidents ____on New Year's Eve.
A. many Americans promise to stop drinking wine
B. drunken people are forbidden to drive, but can be driven home free
C. little wine is served at New Year' celebrations
D. people are warned of the danger of drinking too much
