同步拓展阅读：新概念英语第3册第33课
一、往期回顾
【参考答案】
1. On the coast of southern Brazil, just south of the Rio Grande.
2. Fishing and nautical sports.
3. A floating hospital.
4. To fight the Central Powers during World War I.
5. A storm off the coast of California ripped its stern off.
二、本期内容
【课文主题】
第33课讲的是作者一次难忘的一天的经历，为此我选了一篇有关“退伍军人节”（Veteran's Day）的文章。
【拓展阅读】
一、文章内容
Veteran's Day is an important observance in the United States, set aside for honoring and remembering men and women who have served in the armed forces. Speeches for Veteran's Day are common, but these five facts about Veteran's Day will give you fascinating historical facts about the holiday.
Armistice Day
Veteran's Day was originally known as Armistice Day, and it was first established on November 11, 1919. Armistice Day was a legal holiday designed to honor the end of World War I, which happened on November 11, 1918. In 1938, Congress passed legislation to officially make November 11 Armistice Day, designed to honor World War I veterans.
The Switch to Veteran's Day
As the wars continued with World War II and the Korean War, Congress was urged to amend the original act of 1938 to make the holiday include more veterans than just the World War I veterans. On June 1, 1954, Armistice Day became Veteran's Day, designed to honor all American veterans. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed this legislation into law.
Changing the Month
Congress moved Veteran's Day to the fourth Monday of October in 1968 as a way to give federal employees another three-day weekend. At this time, there was disagreement among some states, and some states chose not to move the holiday. Thus, for several years, some states observed Veteran's Day in October while others kept it on the original November date.
The Final Change
It wasn't until 1975 when President Gerald Ford signed a bill to return Veteran's Day to its original date of November 11. In 1978, Veteran's Day officially returned to November, and it's been there ever since. Officially, if Veteran's Day falls on a weekend, federal government employees get a day off on the Friday or Monday that is closest to the date. Banks are closed on Veteran's Day or the nearest Friday or Monday as well.
Veteran's Day Ceremonies and Celebrations
At 11 a.m. on Veteran's Day, a wreath-laying ceremony happens at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. The President of the United States takes part in this ceremony, placing the wreath on the tomb after a color guard advances and the national anthem plays. After laying the wreath, taps is played as a poignant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice given by veterans.
【词汇注释】
1. veteran：退伍老兵
2. observance：庆祝；惯例
3. armistice：停战；停战协议
4. legislation：立法
5. amend：修订
6. act：法案
7. wreath：花环
8. cemetery：墓地
9. advance：行军
10. anthem：国歌
11. taps：丧葬号音
12. poignant：令人伤感的
13. reminder：提醒
14. ultimate：最终的
15. sacrifice：牺牲
二、阅读题目
根据短文内容，回答下列问题：
1. When was Armistice Day first established?
2. When did Armistice Day become Veteran’s Day?
3. Why was Veteran’s Day moved to the fourth Monday of October in 1968?
4. What will government employees get if Veteran's Day falls on a weekend?
5. Where does a wreath-laying ceremony happen on Veteran’s Day?
三、参考答案