扈新福

SIXTEEN is the age in the United States when teenagers can begin driving. It's a special celebration for a girl's 16th birthday——a big party called Sweet-16. It is like a wedding reception（结婚庆宴） in the number of guests and gifts handed out.

About a month before the party， the girl's family sends out invitations to the guests. The guests must buy a special present for the birthday girl and the girl guests themselves find good dresses to wear. A Sweet-16 present usually costs ﹩40 to﹩60. This is about 20 more than the usual cost of a birthday present.

The party itself is not held at someone's house. The hostess rents（租） a reception hall for the event. Food， cake and a DJ are provided. Around 6 o'clock， the guests arrive and greet the birthday girl. Then the girl and her father have a special father-daughter dance. After that， guests dance for about 30 to 45 minutes.

Then there is the most important part of the Sweet-16 party， the Candle-Lighting ceremony. The sweet-16 hostess stands behind 16 unlit candles， and dedicates（献给） each candle to her friends， family ，and anything that she feels is important to her. A lot of crying and hugging（拥抱） goes on at this time.

Afterwards， people sit and eat. Most guests begin leaving around 11 o'clock.

This school year， I have been to two Sweet-16s. I am one of the youngest students in my grade(I had my birthday in December). I'll have to wait another year before I can have my own special Sweet-16 party. I can't wait for it！

1. Teenagers can begin driving in the United States when they are_______years old.

A. 16 B. 17 C. 18 D. 19

2. What is the most important part of the Sweet-16 party？

A. The number of guests and gifts handed out.

B. Crying and hugging.

C. The Candle-Lighting ceremony.

D. Dedicating each candle to her friends， family.

3. Where is the party held？

A. At home. B. At school.

C. At a reception hall rented. D. At some friend's house.

4. Which of the following statements is wrong？

A. A sweet-16 present usually costs ﹩40 to﹩60.

B. About a month before the party， the girl's family sends out invitations to the guests.

C. The girl and her father have a special father-daughter dance at the party.

D. All the guests must leave the party around 11 o'clock.

5. The passage above is mainly about_______ .

A. US girls B. a party

C. US girls' Sweet-16 D. writer's Sweet-16

Key： ACCDC