Hi Leila,

How are you? What’s the weather like in the UK? Here in Iran it’s quite warm and sunny, as it’s nearly spring.

As you know, it’s the Persian (波斯) New Year celebration, Nowruz, very soon. We’re busy getting everything ready. What about you? Are you and the family over there in the UK preparing for Nowruz too? The celebrations last for 13 days in Iran!

Your grandmother and I have cleaned our house from top to bottom and decorated it with lots of flowers. It was hard work but it’s important to start the new year fresh and clean.

Yesterday we went shopping for new clothes. I bought some new trousers and a shirt. New clothes mean a fresh start for next year! What new clothes are you going to wear for Nowruz?

Tomorrow’s the last Wednesday before Nowruz. It’s a special day here when people light bonfires (篝火) in the street and jump over them! It’s noisy too, as the children bang on pots and pans. They knock on doors and ask for sweets. 

All of your cousins, aunts and uncles are going to come to celebrate with us. The new year starts at the exact moment when winter changes to spring. That’s when we give each other presents. 

We all wish you could be here to celebrate Nowruz with us. Maybe next year!

Happy Nowruz!

Love from your grandfather, Baba borzog

1.Nowruz is a celebration at the beginning of ________.

A spring

B summer

C autumn

D winter

解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据第一段中的“Here in Iran it’s quite warm and sunny, as it’s nearly spring.”可知，伊朗新年诺鲁兹在初春。故选A。

2.In Iran, how long does Nowruz last?

A For about a week.

B For about 2 weeks.

C For about 3 weeks.

D For about a month.

解析：选B。B细节理解题。根据第二段中的“The celebrations last for 13 days in Iran!”可知，伊朗新年诺鲁兹的庆祝活动持续13天，大约两周。故选B。

3.People wear ________ clothes to celebrate Nowruz.

A clean

B bright

C new

D colorful

解析：选C。C细节理解题。根据第四段中的“I bought some new trousers and a shirt. New clothes mean a fresh start for next year! What new clothes are you going to wear for Nowruz?”可知，人们穿新衣服庆祝诺鲁兹。故选C。

4.When do people in Iran jump over bonfires?

A The Tuesday before Nowruz.

B The Wednesday before Nowruz.

C The Thursday before Nowruz.

D The Sunday before Nowruz.

解析：选B。B细节理解题。根据第五段中的“Tomorrow’s the last Wednesday before Nowruz. It’s a special day here when people light bonfires (篝火) in the street and jump over them!”可知，人们在诺鲁兹之前的最后一个星期三跳过篝火。故选B。

5.Why do children knock on doors?

A To ask for pots.

B To ask for pans.

C To ask for gifts.

D To ask for candies.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第五段最后一句“It’s noisy too, as the children bang on pots and pans. They knock on doors and ask for sweets. ”可知，孩子们敲门讨要糖果。故选D。