Many Christmas customs are based on the birth of Christ, such as giving presents because of the Wise Men, who brought presents to the baby Jesus（耶穌）Singing Christmas carols is based on the scene of the birth with figures of shepherds, the Wise Men and animals surrounding the baby Jesus.

The origin of Santa Claus begins in the 4th century with St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, an area in the present-day Turkey. By all accounts St. Nicholas was a generous man, particularly devoted to children. After his death around 340 A. D. he was buried in Myra, but in 1087 Italian sailors were believed to steal his remains and removed them to Italy, greatly increasing St. Nicholas’ popularity throughout Europe.

His kindness and reputation for generosity gave rise to claims that he could perform miracles and devotion to him increased. St. Nicholas became the patron（保護(hù)神）saint of Russia, where he was known by his red cap, flowing white beard, and bishop’s mitre. In Greece, he was the patron saint of sailors; in France, he was the patron of lawyers, and in Belgium, the patron of children and travelers. Thousands of churches across Europe were dedicated（供奉的）to him and sometime around the 12th century an official holiday was created in his honor. The Feast of St. Nicholas was celebrated on December 6 and the day was marked by gift-giving and charity.

After the Reformation, European followers of St. Nicholas declined, but the legend was kept alive in Holland where the Dutch spelling of his name Sint Nikolass was eventually transformed to Sinterklaas. Dutch children would leave their wooden shoes by the fireplace, and Sinterklaas would reward good children by placing treats in their shoes. Dutch colonists brought this tradition with them to America in the 17th century and here the English name of Santa Claus appeared.

1.Why, as is believed, is Santa Claus so popular in Europe?

A. Because of his reputation for generosity.

B. Because he died in Italy.

C. Because of the deed of the Italian sailors.

D. Because of his devotion to Italian children.

2.What was the Feast of St. Nicholas held for?

A. Celebrating Christ’s birthday.

B. Giving thanks to churches.

C. Marking a holiday.

D. Honoring St. Nicholas.

3.What does “Sinterklaas” in the last paragraph refer to?

A. European followers. B. Santa Claus.

C. Jesus. D. The Dutch.

4.Which of the following can best describe Santa Claus?

A. Generous, devoted and honored.

B. Dedicated, kind and alive.

C. Well-known, traditional and lovely.

D. Popular, famous and creative.

1.C

2.D

3.B

4.A

【解析】

試題分析：這是一篇說明文。講述的是圣誕節(jié)和圣誕老人的來歷，以及圣誕節(jié)的很多風(fēng)俗習(xí)慣的根源。

1.1】C細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)第二段中in 1087 Italian sailors were believed to steal his remains and removed them to Italy, greatly increasing St. Nicholas’ popularity throughout Europe.在1087年，據(jù)意大利一些海員們說，他的遺體被偷偷遷葬于意大利巴里，很大程度上增加了圣古拉斯的知名度。因此選C。

2.2】D推理判斷題。In Greece, he was the patron saint of sailors; in France, he was the patron of lawyers, and in Belgium, the patron of children and travelers. Thousands of churches across Europe were dedicated（供奉的）to him and sometime around the 12th century an official holiday was created in his honor. The Feast of St. Nicholas was celebrated on December 6 and the day was marked by gift-giving and charity.

在希臘他是水手的守護(hù)神；在法國他是律師的守護(hù)神；在比利時(shí)他是孩子們和旅行者的守護(hù)神。全歐洲上千所教堂都在供奉他，甚至在12世紀(jì)后，一個(gè)官方的教會節(jié)日也因他之榮耀而創(chuàng)立，12月6日是圣尼古拉斯節(jié),其慶祝方式就是饋贈和布施。從這里得知?jiǎng)?chuàng)辦這個(gè)節(jié)日是為了紀(jì)念他，讓他給人們帶來饋贈。故選D.

3.3】B細(xì)節(jié)理解題。the legend was kept alive in Holland where the Dutch spelling of his name Sint Nikolass was eventually transformed to Sinterklaas. 荷蘭人把他的名字拼成Sint Nikolass ，最后轉(zhuǎn)變成Sinterklaas 。Dutch colonists brought this tradition with them to America in the 17th century and here the English name of Santa Claus appeared.17世紀(jì)荷蘭殖民者把這一傳統(tǒng)帶到了美利堅(jiān)。在美國，英國教會正式用Santa Claus命名“圣誕老人”。

4.4】A細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)第二段第二句By all accounts St. Nicholas was a generous man, particularly devoted to children.他是一個(gè)好人尤其是對小孩子。第三段第一句His kindness and reputation for generosity gave rise to claims that he could perform miracles and devotion to him increased.恰是她的善良和慷慨聲望，使得他擁有魔法和熱衷奉獻(xiàn)這類的說法更令人信服。因此A項(xiàng)符合題意，故選A.

考點(diǎn)：考查歷史類閱讀。

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