TheOriginofChristmasSinceabout400AD,Christmasdayhasbeen...

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The Origin of Christmas

Since about 400 AD, Christmas day has been celebrated on 25th December. This date was the old mid-winter festival in pre-Christian times, around the time of the longest night and the shortest day. Christmas in the 21st century has many traditions: Christmas presents, trees, cards, etc.

Presents and shopping

Shops can make about 60 per cent of their year’s income in the three months before Christmas. So most shops get ready for it in October. The shopping centres are beautifully decorated and stay open late at night. The first time this happened was in 1867 when Macy’s, a famous shop in new York, stayed open until midnight on Christmas Eve (24th December).

Trees

By mid-December, almost every house, shop and street has a Christmas tree. This tradition was started by the Germans as early as 700 AD. In the northern countries of the world, winter is cold and dark and most trees lose their leaves. The beautiful green trees decorated with lights and coloured glass balls give people hope that spring will come again.

Cards

The tradition of sending cards to friends was started in 1840 in the UK and now millions of Christmas cards and emails are sent all round the world. Cards are a good way of keeping in touch with family and friends who live far away.

Father Christmas

Father Christmas is known across the world with his white hair, red coat and big bags of toys. Young children are told that he lives in the north of Finland and makes toys for them. By tradition, he brings the toys to children at midnight, on the night before Christmas.

Food

On Christmas day a traditional meal is eaten, usually turkey and a rich, spicy cake. Some people hate Christmas. Others feel it is a magical and exciting time. They love seeing family and friends; they also love the traditions. Love it or hate it, Christmas is a time to look back over the old year — and forward to the new one.

11. The best title of this passage is probably _____.

    A. Christmas Traditions                  B. Christmas Histories    

    C. Original Christmas                    D. Colorful Christmas

12. Christmas is important for shops because _____.

A. they are beautifully decorated and stay open late at night

B. much of their income is made around Christmas time

C. almost every house, shop and street has a Christmas tree

D. Christmas day has been celebrated on 25th December

13. The benefit of sending cards is _____.

A. to keep in touch with family and friends

B. to introduce friends and family far away

C. to express one’s friendship and happiness 

D. to send greeting emails to friends and family

14. We know from the passage that Father Christmas is _____.

A. a real person who lives in Finland

B. a character in a film on Christmas

C. a magical story for small children

D. a popular father across the world

15. According to the last paragraph, Christmas is _____.

A. a magical and exciting time for all people

B. a special time to have a traditional party 

C. a rich, spicy cake shared by family and friends

D. loved by some people and hated by others

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ABACD

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