Each year on February 2nd, there is special festival called Groundhog Day (土拨鼠日 )' forecasting event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. When it comes, people from around the world, including 5,000 in the small town today, watch this tongue-twisting(发音饶舌的) small town for a sign from one groundhog that supposedly predicts when that years' spring will arrive.
If it's a cloudy day outside when the groundhog pops from its cave, then spring will arrive early that year. However, if it is sunny outside, the groundhog will supposedly be scared by its own shadow, hiding underground for six more weeks of cold weather.
Of course, Punxsutawney Phil's prediction is no more able to guarantee the extended forecast than your local weatherman. ABC News reports that an analysis by the National Climate Data Center found that Phil's predictions are more often wrong than right.
Philis is also found to have made some unpleasant predictions. Ever since 1887, he has predicted 99 extended winters and just 16 early springs .Nine of the years' predictions were unavailable, according to ABC.
The holiday began as a German tradition in 18th century and became even more of a cultural phenomenon after the 1993 film Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray.
Punxsutawney Phil has become a celebrity in his own right. Each year, the fatter animal with long teeth is watched by millions as he emerges from a cave in the town he is named after. Phil has become so beloved by the town that he actually lives in the local library with his “wife" Phyllis.
Taking inspiration from the hard state of Bill Murray’s character in the classic film, Yahoo contributor Owen Rust says Groundhog Day is a good time to reflect on one’s routines.
小题1:The underlined word “pops” means “ ”.
A．escapes
B．appears
C．increases
D．hides小题2:The reason why Phil's predictions aren't pleasing is that_____________.
A．some of the predictions were unavailable
B．Phil wants to do that for fun
C．Phil likes to make unpleasant predictions
D．he has predicted more late springs小题3:How does Punxsutawney Phil become a celebration?
A．By an accident.
B．From people's life improving.
C．By his own attractive force
D．From much money raised by the town.小题4:Which does this passage mainly talk about?
A．The National Climate Data Center
B．A German tradition
C．A tongue-twisting small town
D．Groundhog Day weather forecasting
