Oktoberfest: Then and Now(b)|干杯！慕尼黑啤酒节来啰!

Today Oktoberfest is held from mid-September to the first week of October. The schedule was adjusted in 1994 to include the German national holiday, Unity Day, which is held on October 3. Oktoberfest receives an average of six million participants each year. Visitors to the present-day Oktoberfest will see and experience a variety of activities. Some of the best-known traditions include traditional Bavarian music and clothing.

Aside from being served in one-liter steins, Oktoberfest beer is something special as it has two percent more alcohol than most beer. The tapping of the first keg by the mayor of Munich and a 12-gun salute officially start Oktoberfest. Not surprisingly, the festival is sponsored by all the major Munich breweries. In addition to beer, all kinds of food are served to feed hungry visitors. Tons of sausages, pork knuckles, sauerkraut, soft pretzels, and potato dumplings make up just a few of the festival favorites.

Oktoberfest is not just for those ready to drink and eat. In 2005, regulations were applied to keep the celebration orderly and family-friendly during the day. For example, loud music is reserved for after 6:00 PM and the drinking areas are separated from the rest of the festival. Germany is not the only place Oktoberfest-fever is contagious. In the US, Cincinnati, Ohio holds one of the biggest Oktoberfest celebrations with half a million visitors. Through the years, Oktoberfest has brought people together in the spirit of joy and goodwil

l. A festival for everyone, Oktoberfest should not be missed.

1.  Why was the first Oktoberfest held?

(A) To honor the birth of the Prince of Bavaria.

(B) To celebrate the Prince of Bavaria's wedding.

(C) To pay tribute to the late King of Bavaria.

(D) To remember how the first beer was invented.

2.  According to the article, which did NOT cause Oktoberfest to be canceled?

(A) A deadly disease.

(B) Financial crises.

(C) Terrible weather.

(D) International conflicts among many countries.

3.  What marks the beginning of Oktoberfest?

(A) The mayor drinking the first stein of beer.

(B) A ribbon-cutting ceremony.

(C) The tapping of the first keg.

(D) The cooking of various German foods.

4.  What changes did Oktoberfest experience in 2005?

(A) It was made more appropriate for families and the elderly.

(B) Beer was banned from the festival.

(C) The festival was extended by two days.

(D) It was moved to Cincinnati, Ohio.

9月中旬到 10 月的第 1 个星期间举行。节日的时间在 1994年由于纳入德国国庆（也就是 10 月 3 日的德国统一纪念日）而有所调整。啤酒节每年平均接待 600 万名与会者。参与现代啤酒节的旅客可以观赏并体验各种不同的活动。有些最著名的传统包括巴伐利亚的传统音乐和服饰。

　　除了用 1公升的啤酒杯供应啤酒外，啤酒节的啤酒另一个特殊之处在于比大部分啤酒多出百分之二的酒精。啤酒节在慕尼黑市长将龙头敲入第 1 个酒桶，响起 12 响礼炮后正式展开。而该节日全由慕尼黑主要的酿酒厂赞助，这一点都不令人意外。除了啤酒，还有各种食物供应饥肠辘辘的游客。大量的香肠、猪脚、德国酸菜、软椒盐饼，还有马铃薯丸子等，只不过是节庆中最受欢迎的几道餐点而已。

　　啤酒节不只是为了准备大吃大喝的人所举办。2005年规定要维持白天的庆祝活动井然有序并且适合全家大小同乐。举例来说，晚上 6 点后才能播放吵闹的音乐，饮酒区也得跟节庆的其他区域隔开。德国不是唯一染上啤酒节狂热的地方。美国俄亥俄州辛辛那提所举办的啤酒节是世上规模最大的庆祝活动之一，吸引了 50 万名游客。多年来，啤酒节以喜乐和友好的精神使人齐聚一堂。啤酒节是个适合每个人的节日，千万别错过了。

答案：1. (B)2. (C)3. (C)4. (A)

慕尼黑是德国巴伐利亚州的首府。2006年人口为 130 万，是德国南部第 1 城，全德国第 3 大城市（仅次于柏林和汉堡）；都会区人口达到 270 万。

慕尼黑位于德国南部阿尔卑斯山北麓的伊萨尔河畔，是德国主要的经济、文化、科技和交通中心之一，也是欧洲最繁荣的城市之一。慕尼黑同时又保留着原巴伐利亚王国都城的古朴风情，因此被人们称作『百万人的村庄』。

慕尼黑这个名称的本义是『僧侣之地』。因此，该市的市徽上表现的就是一位修道士，称为『慕尼黑之子』。自从路易四世时代以来，神圣罗马帝国的颜色黑色和金色一直是该市的官方色彩。多年以来，该市官方的城市格言是『有心脏的世界城市』。不过，最近已经改为『慕尼黑爱你』。（数据源：维基百科）