Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

For hundreds of years, giving flowers have been a social means of communication. In the United States, flowers are often given during rites of passage, for commemorating special occasions or as a heartfelt gift between loved ones and friends. Flower gifting also occurs in most countries around the world. However, the meanings and traditions often vary.

While students traditionally gave their favorite teacher an apple in past years, in China, teachers are given flowers. Peonies are by far the flower most often given in China. They are also quite popularly used for weddings. Strangely, potted plants are not considered a pleasant gift among Asian cultures. The people believe that like a plant confined by a pot, the gift symbolizes a binding or restriction.

In Russia, in lieu of giving birthday presents, the guest of honor receives a single flower or an unwrapped bouquet. Floral arrangements or baskets are not given. Russians celebrate a holiday known as Woman’s Day. Traditional gifts include red roses, hyacinths or tulips. When there is a funeral or other occasion where someone wishes to express sympathy, carnations, lilies or roses are given in circular configurations, which signify the transition of birth, life and death to rebirth. In this instance, the color of choice is commonly yellow. For joyous occasions, arrangements and bouquets generally contain an odd number of flowers.

In the times of ancient Rome, brides carried flowers to scare away evil spirits and encourage fertility. The Dutch believed that flowers were food for the soul. When invited to someone’s home in Great Britain, it is tradition to bring a gift of flowers. All types are acceptable except white lilies, which are usually seen at funerals. Not unlike the United States, red roses are a symbol of love. Flowers are generally gifted in odd numbered increments regardless of the occasion. However, the Brits also have superstitions regarding the number 13, so the number is avoided.

In the southern region of the continent, flowers are traditionally given during Christmas. Egyptians are much more conservative and restrict flower gifting to funerals and weddings. While certain flowers may have significant meanings for some, flowers in Las Vegas and across the United States flowers are an accepted gift for any reason desired.                                                      (Source: http://www.flowersofthefieldlv.com/ )

Question 35. What does the topic mainly discuss?

A. The fascinating tradition of giving flowers.     B. The different meaning of flowers in different cultures.

C. The comparison of giving flowers between Asian and European cultures.

D. The kinds of flowers people often give others in different cultures.

Question 36. What does the word “They” in paragraph 2 refer to?

            A. Students                 B. Teachers                 C. Flowers                  D. Peonies

Question 37. Why should not you give a potted plant to an Asian?

            A. Because the Asian prefer to be given flowers.

            B. As this gift is often given at weddings in Asia.

            C. Since this gift is believed to symbolize a binding and limitation in Asia.

            D. Because the Asian students like to give an apple or flowers to others.

Question 38. According to the passage, the following flowers are given at Woman’s Day in Russia, EXCEPT ___________.        A. red roses     B. hyacinths                C. tulips                      D. yellow roses

Question 39. What could the word “fertility” in paragraph 4 best be replaced by?

            A. fecundity                B. good spirit              C. happiness               D. loyalty

Question 40. The word “superstitions” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to __________.

            A. deep-seated belief  B. unfounded belief    C. religious belief       D. traditional belief

Question 41. In which country should not people bring white lilies to other houses?

            A. China                      B. Russia                     C. Great Britain          D. United States

Question 42. It can be inferred from the passage that ____________.

            A. People can give flowers to the American in any occasion.

            B. Egyptians are rather comfortable when receiving flowers at funerals and weddings.

            C. Flowers given in Britain are in even numbers in any case.

            D. At the funerals in any cultures, flowers are gifted in circular configurations.