Many cultures have different ideas about why people catch colds. For example in the United States, some people think that you can catch a cold if your feet get cold. So, mothers tell small children to wear warm boots in the winter. In other places, including parts of the Middle East, some people believe that strong winds cause colds. So, on trains and buses, people usually don't like to sit next to open windows. In parts of Europe, some people think that wearing wet clothes will give you a cold. They say that after you go swimming, you should quickly put on dry clothes. Today, scientists know that colds are caused by a virus（病毒）. But the old ideas are still very strong, and many people still follow them to avoid（避免）getting ill.

阅读下面短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。

    Jokes are things that we say to make other people laugh. Sometimes a joke is just a short sentence, while other times it can be a story that can take a while to tell. An example of a simple joke is:

People who tell jokes are welcomed everywhere bacause everyone likes hearing a good joke. Here is another example of a jokes:

We say a joke is “corny” if it is stupid. An example of a corny joke is:

    But some people may think a corny joke actually a good joke. Telling a good joke depends not only on the joke itself but also on the way it is told. Some people have a skill for telling jokes. And some people simply do not know how to tell jokes. Every language and culture has its own funny jokes. As a result, many jokes lose their humor if they are translated into a different language. Some jokes depend on making fun of other people to be funny. However, these jokes may hurt people's feelings.

Sometimes jokes are told about certain races and religions (宗教). These are called “racial” and “religious” jokes, and they can be burning people, too. Jokes about the supposed special things of the members of one sex are sometimes considered to be “sexist (性别歧视的) rubbish”. Jokes that hurt people's feelings are not really funny.

    Have you heard a good joke lately? Can you tell your classmates one that will make them laugh?

    People like to keep different animals such as dogs as pets. But cats are the most popular pets among Americans. So it is not surprising there are many expressions about cats. Do you know any of them? Now let me introduce some to you.

    Some cats like to catch small birds, like canaries. If someone looks very proud or pleased with himself, we say "he looks like the cat that ate the canary".

    Sometimes, a cat likes to play with a small animal it catches. So if you "play cat and mouse with someone", you keep him in a state (状态) of uncertain expectation. For example, a child might repeatedly give something sweet to her little brother, and then take it back when her brother is confused or relaxed.

    A cat will often catch a small animal and show it to its owner. The saying that "looks like something the cat dragged in(把……拖进来)" means something in bad condition.

    "A fat cat" is a person with a lot of money.

    There are many other expressions about cats in America. How interesting! Which kind of cat are you, or which kind would you like to be?

Charity Cause in UK

    If you watch British television on March 15. you might be surprised to see celebrities(名人) wearing funny red noses and joking around But don't worry. They're not mad. It's all part of a money raising event called Red Nose Day. Founded in 1985 by two British actors, the aim of the event is to raise money to help poor people in the UK and Africa. Celebrities support the event by making appearances on special TV shows. For example. UK Prime Minister David Cameron once appeared in a music video by One Direction, which the band produced for the event.

    British don't just raise money for charitable(慈善的)causes on one day year, but they do it all year round. One way of doing "is by shopping in charity shops. These small shops sell clothes, books and household goods just like any other shop except that it's all secondhand.

    There are nearly 10,000 charity shops in the UK. Their business model is simple anybody who has things they don't want any more can give them to a charity shop. Where they are checked, cleaned and priced. The money that is made by selling them is used for a charitable cause.

    The idea of buying used clothes may sound unpleasant, but for shoppers who have less spending money, it has been a welcome choice. Now, shopping at charity shops is also becoming popular with young people looking for another kind of fashion. "You can find very beautiful and special clothes for a very cheap price. I don't mind wearing the clothes that other people may have worn them, I simply wash them before I wear them," said Anne Marie, a 19-year-old from UK.

    So next time you see a charity shop. Why not go inside? Who knows, you might find a lovely dress for just a few pounds. Even better, you can enjoy wearing it, it means that your money helped a good cause.