Ｇｅｔ Ｒｅａｄｙ ｆｏｒ Ａｐｒｉｌ Ｆｏｏｌ’ｓ Ｄａｙ

赵　凡

There are different versions as to the origin of April Fools Day. The most widespread theory links the day to Gregorian calendar reform while others involve mythological legends or anthropological explanations.

April Fools Day is the only day of the year when you can play tricks on people and neednt worry about them getting angry! One of the most classic pranks is as followed. About a week before April Fools Day I told my children I was thinking of painting walls in the house. When they came home from school on April Fools Day I had a sign on the front door “WET PAINT—please use the back door”. When they walked around the house to the back door I had a sign that said “WET PAINT—please use the front door”. You can peek（偷看） through the window to see their reaction. You can then open the door and say “April Fool”!

It is said that early April is the season for young fish. Not only are they easier to catch, but they are more tender and fresh in early April than in other seasons. Accordingly, the young fish makes a perfect mascot（面具） for April Fools Day. These fish postcards will bring you hours of fun and entertainment. Come on, take a look!

关于“愚人节”的来源有各种不同的说法，最广为流传的便是与一群不愿接受公历纪年的法国保守者有关，尽管还有其他各式各样的版本：如神话传说或者是人类学方面的解释。

愚人节是一年中可以来恶搞别人而你却不必担心他们会生气，下面是一个颇为经典的例子：大约愚人节的一个星期前，我告诉孩子们我要粉刷家里的房子。当他们在愚人节那天放学归来的时候，在前门上我写着“油漆未干，请走后门”，而当他们走到后门的时候，同样我在后门上标记“油漆未干，请走前门”。你可以透过窗户偷看孩子们的反应，随后我打开门，对孩子们说道“今天是愚人节”。

人们常说四月初是幼鱼的季节。它们不仅容易捕捉，更是比其它季节更加鲜嫩。因此在愚人节，幼鱼成为了一个最佳的面具。而“鱼儿”明信片更是会给人带来欢声笑语。那么，还等什么，赶快来看看吧！

()1. Which of the following is thought to be the origin of April Fools Day?

A. Mythological legends.

B. Gregorian calendar reform.

C. Anthropological explanations.

D. Not mentioned.

()2. What does the word “pranks” in the 2nd paragraph mean?

A. songs B. tricks C. funs D. games

()3. Fish in April is ________ to catch.

A. easy B. hard C. not mentioned D. funny

()4. Share with us your interesting stories on April Fools Day.

Keys：1. B2. B3. A4. 略