Mother

宮可成

母親節已成為一個國際性的節日，許多國家一年中在不同的時節里慶祝他們的母親節，但都是為了歌頌世間偉大的母愛。

Mother's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world， but not always on the same day. Some history experts say the holiday comes from ancient spring festivals in Greece and Rome. A more modern Mother's Day began in the 17th century in Britain. The writer Julia Ward Howe （朱莉婭·沃德·豪） made the first known suggestion for a Mother's Day in the United States. That was in 1872. She said it should be a day to celebrate peace.

Mother's Day as it is celebrated today began with a woman named Anna Jarvis （安娜·賈維斯）. In 1907， she held a ceremony （儀式） to honor her mother at a church in the state of West Virginia （弗吉尼亞州）. She held the ceremony on the anniversary （周年紀念） of her mother's death. Later， she and others wrote thousands of letters to public officials urging （強烈要求） that the second Sunday in May be declared Mother's Day. President Woodrow Wilson （伍德羅·威爾遜） and the United States Congress finally agreed in 1914. The second Sunday in May became a day of public expression of love for mothers throughout the country. It became popular for people to send gifts of flowers and candy to their mothers on Mother's Day.

Today， children of all ages still give their mothers special gifts on Mother's Day. People may travel to visit their mothers. If they cannot， they usually send a special card with a message of love. Or they send flowers. They also usually call their mothers on the telephone to wish them a happy day. Mother's Day is one of the busiest days of the year for American telephone companies.

1. It was that Mother's Day was celebrated in the world.

A. more than 300 years ago

B. earlier than the 17th century

C. as early as 1800s

D. in the year of 1872

2. Why did Anna Jarvis suggest the idea of Mother's Day？

A. To make her famous in the country.

B. In memory of her mother.

C. To ask the public officials to support her.

D. To express deepest feelings for mothers.

3. On Mother's Day people in the USA.

A. show their mothers acts of kindness

B. get together to drink for their mothers' health

C. buy many expensive gifts and rare flowers for their mothers

D. send messages of love to their families

4. Which of the following may not be busy in America on Mother's Day？

A. Flower stores and supermarkets.

B. Telephone companies and post offices.

C. Hotels and cinemas.

D. Railway stations and airports.

5. What is mainly discussed in the passage？

A. The origin of Mother's Day in the US.

B. A history of Mother's Day in the world.

C. The reason why Mother's Day is celebrated.

D. A change of Mother's Day in the world.

（Key p. 37）