Independence Day is a huge celebration in the United States. People celebrate by having parades and picnics and usually end the day with fireworks. So what do some of these words mean?

Parade 

Cities and towns, large and small, across the U.S. close their main streets to make way for Independence Day parades. Clean and shiny firetrucks and school marching bands parade down the streets lined with people watching and cheering.

Parade floats, which are decorated vehicles, carry local stars, like the child who won the spelling bee or the winner of a local beauty contest.

People work very hard making a parade. So, the worst thing to happen on parade day is rain. To rain on someone's parade is to ruin something for someone else. Here's an example: "I hate to rain on your parade, but the guy you like is not coming to the party." 

Picnic 

On Independence Day people in the U.S. like to eat outside. Friends, family, and neighbors will come together and picnic. Picnics are easy and fun. So, when something is difficult we say it is no picnic. "Taking the TOEFL exam is no picnic. I studied for months and it was still so hard! "

Fireworks

Many people around the world celebrate important days with fireworks, including the United States. Independence Day fireworks shows are explosive, bright and colorful.

The word "fireworks" can be used in other situations, both good and bad. For example, if two people are having a fiery argument others may tell them to "stop all the fireworks." Fireworks, in this case, are a bad thing.

But, good fireworks are exciting and beautiful, like falling in love. A kiss or touch of a lover's hand can create fireworks between two people. Even couples who have been married for many years but who are deeply in love can have fireworks explode each time they kiss.

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1.What is the last event on Independence Day in the United States?

A A huge celebration.

B Parades.

C Picnics.

D Fireworks shows.

解析：选D。D。细节理解题。由第一段可知，他们举办活动的最后一项是放烟花。

2.Which of the followings is correct about parade?

A Only large cities have parades on Independence Day.

B The main streets are closed because of the parades.

C People fire at the trucks when the parades pass by.

D Local stars float with the decorated vehicles in the parade.

解析：选B。B。细节理解题。由第二段可知，为了举办游行，主要街道被关闭（B选项）。

3.People don’t like__________on parade day.

A the guy

B spelling bee

C rain

D beauty contest

解析：选C。C。细节理解题。由第四段可知，游行这一天，人们最不希望天下雨。

4.The underlined sentence ’Taking the TOEFL exam is no picnic’ means____________.

A The TOEFL test is very hard

B There is no picnic when taking TOEFL test

C The TOEFL test is very easy

D After the TOEFL test, there is a picnic

解析：选A。A。句子理解题。根据第五段第三句So, when something is difficult we say it is no picnic.可知，No picnic的意思为difficult 。

5.Why do we say fireworks are good when lovers kiss?

A Because they explode some fireworks.

B Because the lovers are married for many years.

C Because they show their deep love.

D Because the lovers argue fiercely.

解析：选C。C。推理判断题。Fireworks 可在好的情况或坏的情况下使用。如果爱人相爱而吻，表示爱得深（C选项）。