April Fool’s Day is a western festival. No one 41 exactly when and how April Fool’s Day began. However, there are some stories about 42 it came into being. One story 43 like this: in the sixteenth-century France, the start of the new year was on April first. It was celebrated 44 much the same way 45 it is today with parties and dancing into the late hours of the night. Then in 1562, Pope (教皇) Gregory introduced a new calendar(日历) for the Christian world, and the new year fell on January first. There were some people, 46 , who hadn’t heard or didn’t believe the 47 in the date, so they 48 to celebrate New Year’s Day on April first. 49 played tricks on them and called them “April fools”. They tried to make them believe that something false was 50. In France today, April first is called “April Fish”. French children fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends’ 51 . When the “young fool” 52 this trick, the prankster(恶作剧者) shouts “April Fish!”
Today Americans play small tricks on friends and strangers alike on the first of April. One 53 trick on April Fool’s Day is 54 to a friend’s shoe and saying, “Your shoelace is united (你的鞋带开了).” School children might tell a classmate that school has been canceled. 55 the trick is, if you fail for the joke the prankster shouts “April Fool!”
In Britain today, on the first of April, even 56 newspapers, radio and TV programs tell big lies. You 57 read a science 58 showing that doctors have found a way to cure AIDS, 59 you would probably listen to a piece of news about an UFO 60 on an island.
41. A. understands B. knows C. Believes D. remembers
42. A. when B. why C. how D. where
43. A. goes B. tells C. happens D. writes
44. A. as B. like C. with D. in
45. A. like B. as C. so D. for
46.A. however B. but C. therefore D. instead
47. A. fact B. news C. change D. information
48. A. remained B. continued C. considered D. went
49. A. Others B. Somebody C. Many D. Some
50. A. real B. true C. right D. correct
51. A. hands B. faces C. backs D. heads
52. A. discovers B. sees C. found D. notices
53. A. usual B. common C. funny D. silly
54. A. looking down B. pointing down C. getting down D. turning down
55. A. Whenever B. Whoever C. Whatever D. Wherever
56. A. serious B. famous C. interesting D. important
57. A. might B. should C. could D. must
58. A. letter B. speech C. writing D. report
49. A. so B. and C. or D. but
60. A. lying B. walking C. flying D. Landing
BCADB ACBAB CABBC AADCD