The night before Christmas I was full of the usual 8) that I always felt during the
Christmas season. Christmas had always been one of the delightful religious festivals for me.
The church started preparing 9) back in November. Beautiful Christmas music could be
heard everywhere on the streets, on the radio, and even on television. Everybody made colourful
crepe paper ornaments to decorate their homes with. It was 10) time when relatives and
friends gathered together and visited each other. All of us looked forward to the Christmas Eve
Service at our church and a joyous procession 11) the streets after the service. Throughout
the celebration, everyone was in a gala mood and greeted people around with the special words
of Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Then on Christmas Day we went back to church to
sing carols reminding us 12) the meaning of the blessed birth of the baby Jesus. After the
Christmas service young people received special gifts of chocolate, cookies, and crackers. They
were told that the gifts 13) from Father Christmas. They also received new clothes and
perhaps new pairs of shoes. We always thought that these were the things that meant Christmas.
Oh how I wish that those memories 14) real tonight!
8) a) anticipation
b) expectancy
c) suspense
d) tension
9) a) long
c) way
d) yet
10) a) a
b) -
c) the
d) this
11) a) alongside
b) by
d) through
12) a) about
13) a) come
b) coming
c) have come
d) would come ?
14) a) are; b) can be; c) was d) were
Mobility and being 15)
create a wonderful sensation to the American people. Although
many families enjoy spending their holidays at home, the majority of them hit the road. They may
simply rent a cabin in the wilderness or near the seaside, or go to one of the many campgrounds
that dot the USA, overall they just strive to 16) from the hectic life of the city and work.
One more popular method to escape stress is to visit national parks, such as Yellowstone or the
Grand Canyon, which 60 million opt for every year.
Though hiking and trail blazing have become 17) popular, Americans also enjoy
international travel. In almost every European city, you are bound to bump into an American
traveller. Since 18)
loads of Americans have made their way to Europe. The reason for this
is that the majority of the US population 19) their ancestry back to European countries.
Today, the most common sites like Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam or Rome are full of young American
backpackers, budget travellers who often stay in youth hostels. Should you ever 20) to meet
one, they are adventurous and eager 21) new people. Try to strike up a conversation with
one of them, and your efforts will most likely be rewarded.
15) a) on the way
b) on foot
c) on the road
d) on the trail
16) a) get away b) get out
c) get across
d) get back
17) a) most b) much
c) more
d) more and more
18) a) the 1950s
b) 1950s
c) the 1950th
d) the 1950
19) a) track b) trace
c) originate
d) date
20) a) manage b) happen
c) want
d) seem
21) a) to meeting
b) to meet
c) to have met
d) meeting
