Walking down any of Shanghai’s main shopping streets this week, newcomers might think the locals have been celebrating Christmas for centuries. Christmas may not be a customary holiday in China, but businessmen in Shanghai know it will bring something more valuable than tradition: people are willing to spend money. Most Chinese may feel little connection with the Christmas celebration, but with most shops offering discount (折扣), the message couldn’t be clearer-- it is the season to part with one’s hard-earned cash.
Much of that marketing drive is directed towards thousands of foreigners and foreign companies that call Shanghai home. But for Shanghai’s 13 million locals, regardless of personal interest, there seems no avoiding the season’s commercial greetings. Along some major roads, nearly every shop window displays some symbols to the holiday: a man-made fir tree(杉树) with lights, or a snowman.
With an increasing number of westerners arriving in the city for work, young Shanghainese, eager to keep pace with the latest western fashions, have begun to show their interest in Christmas. But some people still don’t think Christmas is an important festival in China. At least it is less important than the New Year and China’s Spring Festival.
小题1:Why are people willing to spend money during Christmas?
| A．They have earned a lot of money. |
| B．Goods are much cheaper during this period of time. |
| C．It is time for shops to sell goods. |
| D．Businessmen like Christmas. |
小题2:Which of the following statements is TRUE?
| A．Christmas is the season people will hold their hard-earned money tightly. |
| B．Most Chinese people think they have something to do with Christmas. |
| C．Christmas is the season for common people to earn money. |
| D．Few Chinese people feel they are connected with Christmas celebrations. |
小题3:Why do some young Shanghainese show great interest in Christmas?
| A．They think themselves connected with Christmas celebrations. |
| B．They think Christmas is more important than New Year’s Day. |
| C．They want to follow the up-to-date western fashions. |
| D．They want to part with their hard-earned cash during Christmas. |
小题4:From the first paragraph we know that _______.
| A．It is difficult for most people to earn money. |
| B．It is easy for most people to earn money. |
| C．Only foreigners in Shanghai celebrate Christmas. |
| D．Christmas will be as important as China’s Spring Festival. |
