Food serves as a form of communication in two fundamental ways. Sharing bread or other foods is a common human tradition that can promote unity and trust. Food can also have a specific meaning, and play a significant role in a family or culture's celebrations or traditions. The foods we eat—and when and how we eat them—are often unique to a particular culture or may even differ between rural (农村的) and urban areas within one country.

Sharing bread, whether during a special occasion (时刻) or at the family dinner table, is a common symbol of togetherness. Many cultures also celebrate birthdays and marriages with cakes that are cut and shared among the guests. Early forms of cake were simply a kind of bread, so this tradition hits its roots in the custom of sharing bread.

Food also plays an important role in many New Year celebrations. In the southern United States, pieces of corn bread represent blocks of gold for prosperity (兴旺) in the New Year. In Greece, people share a special cake called vasilopita. A coin is put into the cake, which signifies (预示) success in the New Year for the person who receives it.

Many cultures have ceremonies to celebrate the birth of a child, and food can play a significant role. In China, when a baby is one month old, families name and welcome their child in a celebration that includes giving red-­colored eggs to guests. In many cultures, round foods such as grapes, bread, and moon cakes are eaten at welcome celebrations to represent family unity.

Nutrition is necessary for life, so it is not surprising that food is such an important part of different cultures around the world.

1.According to the passage, sharing bread ______.

A indicates a lack of food

B can help to develop unity

C is a custom unique to rural areas

D has its roots in birthday celebrations

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。由第一段．..can promote unity and trust可知，分享事物可以促进团结和建立信任。

2.What does the coin in vasilopita signify for its receiver in the New Year?

A Trust.

B Success.

C Health.

D Togetherness.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。由第三段signifies (预示)success in the New Year…可知,硬币暗示着来年的成功。

3.The author explains the role of food in celebrations by ______.

A using examples

B making comparisons

C analyzing causes

D describing processes

解析：选A。A 推理判断题。由第三段可知，作者使用举例的方法来解释的。

4.What is the passage mainly about?

A The custom of sharing food.

B The specific meaning of food.

C The role of food in ceremonies.

D The importance of food in culture.

解析：选D。D 主旨大意题。由第一段 “and play a significant role in a family or culture’s celebrations or relations”和最后一段 “food is such an important part of different cultures around the world”可知,文章讲的是食物在不同文化中的作用。注意，主旨大意题要抓主题段、主题句和关键词等。