2014年电大高级休闲英语试题（小抄参考）.docVIP

《高级休闲英语》试题 Section I. Reading (40 Points) Information for examinees Questions 1-10：20points, 2 point for each; Questions 11-30: 20 points, 1 point for each) Part 1: Questions 1-10. The History of Saint Valentines Day Valentines Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity and for secretly officiating at Christian marriages. He died on February 14, in about the year 270 A. D. One legend says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailers daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it From Your Valentine. However we need to know more of the story to know why St. Valentine is now the patron saint of lovers. In ancient Rome, February 14h was a holiday to honor Juno. Juno was the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15h, began the Feast of Lupercalia. The lives of young Roman boys and girls were usually strictly separate, but on the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girls name from the jar, then the young man and woman would become partners for the duration of the festival. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted an entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry. Under the rule of Emperor Claudius Ⅱ, Rome was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns. Claudius was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that the reason was that Roman men did not want to leave their loves or families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. Saint Valentine and Saint Marius secretly married couples, and for this Saint Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have hi