Here are some interesting facts about Christmas traditions.

Christmas Trees

    The idea of the modern Christmas tree started in western Germany. It was called a “paradise tree” because it represented (代表) the Garden of Eden. The tree was used to celebrate the feast day of Adam and Eve. 25-30 million Christmas trees are sold each year in the United States.

Santa Claus

    Santa Claus is based on Saint Nicholas. He was famous for helping poor people and giving gifts secretly. The modern Santa with the red suit and flying reindeer (驯鹿) appeared in the mid-1800s. At that time, Clement Clarke Moore wrote a poem for his children called “A Visit From St. Nicholas”. We now call it “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. By the late 1800s, Thomas Nast made the first pictures of Santa for the poem.

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1.1. Where did the idea of the modern Christmas tree start?

A In the USA.

B In Germany.

C In Canada.

D In the UK.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第二段的“The idea of the modern Christmas tree started in western Germany.”可知，现代圣诞树的想法起源于德国。故选B。

2.2. Which word can best describe Saint Nicholas?

A Lazy.

B Happy.

C Helpful.

D Shy.

解析：选C。推理判断题。根据第三段的“He was famous for helping poor people and giving gifts secretly.”他以帮助穷人和偷偷给有需要的人送礼物而闻名，由此可知，他是乐于助人的。故选C。

3.3. Who did Clement Clarke Moore write “A Visit From St. Nicholas” for?

A Thomas Nast.

B His students.

C His wife.

D His children.

解析：选D。细节理解题。根据第三段的“Clement Clarke Moore wrote a poem for his children”可知，《圣诞前夜》是克莱门特·克拉克·穆尔写给他的孩子们的。故选D。

4.4. In which part of a newspaper can we read the passage?

A Culture.

B Music.

C Clothes.

D Sports.

解析：选A。推理判断题。根据全文内容可知，本文主要介绍了一些跟圣诞节相关的传统起源，属于“文化”版块的内容。故选A。