新世纪大学英语第二版3 OL unit3

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Celebrating life changes

In Mexico and some other Latin American countries, girls mark their fifteenth birthday with a celebration called the Quinceanera. In the morning, the birthday girl goes to church with her family and her best friends. She wears a beautiful (and sometimes very expensive!) dress, Later in the day, there is a huge party, with a big cake that matches the girls dress, and a night filled with music and dancing. When older people in the Unite State retire, their friends and coworkers often give them a retirement party to celebrate this life change. On their day of work, there is a big dinner, with entertainment afterward. People make speeches and tell jokes about the retiree. Guests like to give presents, such as an album of photos of the retiree’s coworkers, or a homemade video of the retiree’s friends.

Becoming an adult is a very important life change, and Japan has a special holiday to celebrate this. The second Sunday in January is Coming-of-Age Day. On that day, everyone who had their twentieth birthday in the last year goes to their town’s City Hall for a special ceremony. Everyone dress up, and many women wear beautiful kimonos. The mayor makes a speech and give presents to all the new adults. Some kids are afraid to start school, but six-year-olds in Germany can’t wait. For them, Schulanfang is a big holiday. To celebrate a child’s first day of school, parent or friends give the child a Zukertuete, a big colorful cardboard cone filled with candy and little presents. People take picture of the kids holding their Zuckertuete, and there is a school party later for the parents, with cake and coffee.

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Coping with life’s stressors

By Dr. Judy Palmer

Let’s face it: Life is stressful. Stressful events in our lives are called “stressors.” Some of them are minor, such as uncomfortable air conditioning or a loudly ringing telephone. Others are more serious, such as the death of a spouse. That event tops the list as life’s most stressful event.

You might be surprised to learn about the top 20 life stressors. Getting a divorce, for example, is number 2 on the list. And not all stressors are unhappy events. Pregnancy is a happy time for most families. It may also cause stress. Pregnancy is right below retirement on the list of life’s major stressors.

We can’t avoid stress, but we can do something about it. Listen to three people talking about their responses to stress in their lives. Tina Vega, 16

Last year was horrible! My family moved to another town. I had to change schools and say good-bye to all my friends. It was really tough. I felt so lonely in my new school. But then one day I decided to enjoy my life: I smiled at everyone and I joined the soccer club at school. Now I have new friends. I like my new school. Frederick Cho, 42

Life is unpredictable. Three weeks ago I lost my job. I was upset for the first week. I couldn’t do anything. Now I’m looking for a new job. It’s not good to sit around the house. I exercise every day and I’m healthier than I’ve been in years. Hazel Greene, 80

My husband and I got married in 1950. He died five years ago. For the first two years I was depressed. I missed him so much because we did everything together. But now I’m feeling better. I think it’s important to stay active and positive. I read a lot and do volunteer work.

Optional listening 5 Key:

excited; program; promoted; transferred; big deal; quit her job; right up to retirement; well-defined goals; keep his options open; follows his plan

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