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(A)
When Were You Born?
生辰趣谈
人是有情感的高级动物，人与人之间的性格和爱好虽有共同之处，但也有很多不同。那么，人类所特有的这些性格和爱好是先天俱有的，还是后天获得的?
It is often said that differences between people can be caused by the different times when people were born. For example， people who were born between March 21 and April 20 are supposed to be active， daring and strong. They like power and enjoy adventures(冒险). They think quickly and have strong wills.
On the other hand， those who were born between April 21 and May 20 are supposed to learn more slowly， but they remember what they learn. They love children， and they usually have many friends.
People born between May 21 and June 21 are bright and interesting. They like to talk， and they enjoy wearing fine clothes. Those born between June 22 and July 22， on the other hand， think deeply. They would rather hide their feelings than express them.
People who were born between July 23 and August 22 are generally proud. They are interested in many subjects， and it is interesting to hear them talk. Those born between August 23 and September 22 are said to be calm and thoughtful. They like to read and often become successful scientists.
Those who were born between September 23 and October 22 seldom become excited. They love beauty and have a great desire to learn. And those born between October 23 and November 21 are often admired(羡慕) because they learn quickly and can express their ideas easily.
It is said that people born between November 22 and December 21 enjoy meeting strangers and they are able to command those around them， while people born between December 22 and January 19 have strong feelings， which they are quick to express.
People who were born between January 20 and February 18 are dreamers and they have the power to make their dreams come true. And those born between February 19 and March 20 are successful with money， but they are also peaceful and kind. These are some of the beliefs of astrologers(占星学家)， who think human differences are caused by the positions of the sun， the moon and the stars.
Comprehension questions
Right or Wrong?
1. According to the passage， the differences between people have something to do with the different times when people were born.
2. Those who like to tell or show something to others were usually born between June 22 and July 22.
3. Those who were born between February 19 and March 20 seldom become excited.
(B)
St. Valentine’s Day
许多中国人都是听着“牛郎织女鹊桥相会”的民间故事长大的，相会的那一天是“七夕”，七夕节是中国的情人节。而在西方，也有西方人自己的情入节，那就是圣瓦伦丁节。而今的西方情人节已不再是狭义的解释，时代赋予了它新的含义。
St. Valentine’s Day， February 14， is a special day for honoring sweethearts. This custom is very old. It may go back to Roman times when a special festival， called the Lupercalia (古罗马牧神节)， was held on February 15. On that day all the young girls put their names in a box and each young man drew out a name to pick his sweetheart (心上人) for the next year.
During the Middle Ages February 14 was the date when people believed birds found their mates(配偶). So the day was set aside to honor all lovers. The people found new ways of celebrating the day. For example， they used to kiss the “first-mate”， the first young woman whom a young man happened to meet on that day.
By chance this special festival for sweethearts came on St. Valentine’s Day， a day that honors several Christian(基督教的) saints(圣人) named Valentine. But the idea of honoring sweethearts has nothing to do with the saints for whom the day is named.
In the 19th century the custom began with sending valentines(赠给异性朋友的礼物)， pretty decorated(装饰精美的) cards or pieces of paper， to the boy or girl one liked best. Often these young couples exchanged gifts as well. Then the idea of sending comic valentines became popular. Today， Valentine’s Day is most important for children. They usually send valentines to many friends， not just to lovers.
Notes: Valentine: n.瓦伦丁(一位古代修士，不畏强权暴政，为青年男女传播幸福的福音)
Comprehension questions
Right or Wrong?
4. St. Valentine’s Day is an old festival dating back to the Middle Ages.
5. St. Valentine’s Day is on February 14th.
6. On Valentine’s Day， gifts can only be sent to the lovers， not other friends.
Key(3)
When Were You Born?
生辰趣谈
人是有情感的高级动物，人与人之间的性格和爱好虽有共同之处，但也有很多不同。那么，人类所特有的这些性格和爱好是先天俱有的，还是后天获得的?
It is often said that differences between people can be caused by the different times when people were born. For example， people who were born between March 21 and April 20 are supposed to be active， daring and strong. They like power and enjoy adventures(冒险). They think quickly and have strong wills.
On the other hand， those who were born between April 21 and May 20 are supposed to learn more slowly， but they remember what they learn. They love children， and they usually have many friends.
People born between May 21 and June 21 are bright and interesting. They like to talk， and they enjoy wearing fine clothes. Those born between June 22 and July 22， on the other hand， think deeply. They would rather hide their feelings than express them.
People who were born between July 23 and August 22 are generally proud. They are interested in many subjects， and it is interesting to hear them talk. Those born between August 23 and September 22 are said to be calm and thoughtful. They like to read and often become successful scientists.
Those who were born between September 23 and October 22 seldom become excited. They love beauty and have a great desire to learn. And those born between October 23 and November 21 are often admired(羡慕) because they learn quickly and can express their ideas easily.
It is said that people born between November 22 and December 21 enjoy meeting strangers and they are able to command those around them， while people born between December 22 and January 19 have strong feelings， which they are quick to express.
People who were born between January 20 and February 18 are dreamers and they have the power to make their dreams come true. And those born between February 19 and March 20 are successful with money， but they are also peaceful and kind. These are some of the beliefs of astrologers(占星学家)， who think human differences are caused by the positions of the sun， the moon and the stars.
Comprehension questions
Right or Wrong?
1. According to the passage， the differences between people have something to do with the different times when people were born.
2. Those who like to tell or show something to others were usually born between June 22 and July 22.
3. Those who were born between February 19 and March 20 seldom become excited.
(B)
St. Valentine’s Day
许多中国人都是听着“牛郎织女鹊桥相会”的民间故事长大的，相会的那一天是“七夕”，七夕节是中国的情人节。而在西方，也有西方人自己的情入节，那就是圣瓦伦丁节。而今的西方情人节已不再是狭义的解释，时代赋予了它新的含义。
St. Valentine’s Day， February 14， is a special day for honoring sweethearts. This custom is very old. It may go back to Roman times when a special festival， called the Lupercalia (古罗马牧神节)， was held on February 15. On that day all the young girls put their names in a box and each young man drew out a name to pick his sweetheart (心上人) for the next year.
During the Middle Ages February 14 was the date when people believed birds found their mates(配偶). So the day was set aside to honor all lovers. The people found new ways of celebrating the day. For example， they used to kiss the “first-mate”， the first young woman whom a young man happened to meet on that day.
By chance this special festival for sweethearts came on St. Valentine’s Day， a day that honors several Christian(基督教的) saints(圣人) named Valentine. But the idea of honoring sweethearts has nothing to do with the saints for whom the day is named.
In the 19th century the custom began with sending valentines(赠给异性朋友的礼物)， pretty decorated(装饰精美的) cards or pieces of paper， to the boy or girl one liked best. Often these young couples exchanged gifts as well. Then the idea of sending comic valentines became popular. Today， Valentine’s Day is most important for children. They usually send valentines to many friends， not just to lovers.
Notes: Valentine: n.瓦伦丁(一位古代修士，不畏强权暴政，为青年男女传播幸福的福音)
Comprehension questions
Right or Wrong?
4. St. Valentine’s Day is an old festival dating back to the Middle Ages.
5. St. Valentine’s Day is on February 14th.
6. On Valentine’s Day， gifts can only be sent to the lovers， not other friends.
Key(3)