Birthday Traditions in Different Countrles

 England

Certain symbolic objects are mixed into the birthday cake as it's being prepared. If your piece of cake has a coin in it，then you will be rich. Also, when it's your birthday，your friends give you the“bumps".They lift you in the air by your hands and feet and raise you up and down to the floor；one for each year you lived，then another one or two for luck.

 Denmark

A flag is flown outside a window to show that someone who lives in that house is having a birthday. Presents are placed around the child's bed while he/she is sleeping，so he/she will see them at once upon awakening.

 Holland

 Special year birthdays such as 5，10，15，20，21 are called“crown”years.The birthday child receives an especially large gift on a crown year birthday.The family also decorates the birthday child's chair at the dining room table with flowers，paper streamers and balloons.

 Canada

 The birthday child's nose is greased（涂抹）with butter for good luck.The greased nose makes the child too slippery for bad luck to catch him/her.In some parts of Canada，the birthday person even receives a punch（一拳）for each year he/she is alive and then one for good luck.

 Brazil

 The birthday child receives a pull on the ear for each year he/she has been alive.The birthday person also gives the first plece of cake to his/her most special friend or relative，usually mom or dad.

 Korea

 There is a big family party on the first birthday.The table is set with food，and four items：a pencil，a ruler，thread，and money. The item that the baby chooses is said to forecast his/her future：excellent student，good with hands，long life or riches.

 South Africa

 On the twenty-first birthday，a key made of anything from paper to silver to gold is presented by the parents as a sign that the child is ready to unlock the door to their future.

D

    As we know, there are differences between Western culture and Chinese culture. We can see differences when we pay attention to the way words are used. Let's look at some words about animals and plants. Most expressions in Chinese about the dog, for example, “a homeless dog”, “a mad dog”, “a running dog” and “a dog catching a mouse”, have negative meanings. But in Western countries, dogs are considered to be honest and good friends of humans. In English, people use the dog to describe positive actions. For example, “you are a lucky dog” means you are a lucky person. And “every dog has its day” means each person has good luck sometimes. To describe a person's serious illness, they say “sick as a dog”. The word “dog-tired” means very tired. However, Chinese love cats very much. But in Western culture, “cat” is often used to describe a woman who is cruel(冷酷的). There are many other examples of how “cat” is used differently as well.

    The rose is regarded as a symbol of love in both China and some Western countries. People think the rose stands for love, peace, courage and friendship. And the rose is the national flower of England, America and many other countries.

    The words about plants and animals are used in positive or negative ways in different cultures. We can learn about many differences in cultures by comparing how some words are used.

根据短文内容判断所给句子正误。

    When you are in England, you must be very careful in the streets because the traffic drives on the left（左边）.

    In China, before you cross a street, you must look to the left first and then the right. If the traffic lights are green, the traffic can go. People on foot mustn't cross.

In the morning and in the evening when people go to or come from work, the streets are very busy. Traffic is the most dangerous then.

    When you go by bus in England, you have to be careful, too. Always remember the traffic moves on the left. So you must be careful. Have a look first or you will go the wrong way.

    In many English cities, there are big buses with two floors. You can sit on the second floor. From there you can see the city very well. It's very interesting!