题型:阅读理解 题类:常考题 难易度:普通
江西省赣州市五校协作体2018-2019学年高二下学期英语期中联考试卷(音频暂未更新)
There's a warm and wonderful tradition that the British observe on December 26. It's called Boxing Day.
For many people, Christmas can be a magical day filled with delight. But for those down on their luck or the disadvantaged, it can be a time of sorrow and disappointment. That's why the British have set aside the day after Christmas as Boxing day, and its purpose is to bring a bit of magic to those who could use it
Every December 26, going at least as far back as the 1830s, the United Kingdom and other countries that are part of the British Commonwealth(英联邦) such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India, have observed Boxing Day as an opportunity to provide some holiday joy for those who most need it.
There are competing stories behind the name boxing Day. One is that it refers to the giving of "Christmas boxes", a term that started in the 17th century to describe gifts, money and the leftovers from Christmas that lords of the manor(庄园)would give to their servants and employees for having worked on Christmas Day. Basically, "Christmas boxes" were holiday bonuses(奖金) for the working class.
The other is that it refers to the "contribution boxes" that would traditionally appear in charities in the weeks leading up to Christmas for the purpose of collecting money from donators that charity staff would distribute to those in need after Christmas Day.
The day is still a national holiday in many parts of the British Commonwealth, and while people still give something back to people who have bad luck or give tips to service people on Boxing Day, it has also become a major shopping day like Black Friday in the U.S.
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