Directions: Read the feature story and answer the questions.
Boxing Day is a public holiday celebrated in Great Britain and some Commonwealth countries, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It originated as a day when servants, tradespeople, and the poor were given gifts. The origin of the name has varied, with some believing it started when churches would leave boxes to collect donations for those less unfortunate. Others say Boxing Day started when employers would give their employees boxes of gifts the day after Christmas because they were required to work on Christmas Day.
Over the years, Boxing Day has become a holiday that is spent with friends and family. Many will use it as a day to eat leftovers, watch Christmas films, and generally continue the festivities. Some households also meet with extended families to celebrate Christmas if they weren’t together on the 25th of December.
Boxing Day has become more commercialized over the years. Besides eating leftovers, Boxing Day is a chance to look for the sales—and snap up some great bargains. Sales in-store and online offer big discounts to lure shoppers. Some retailers reduce their prices on Christmas Eve, sometimes as early as the 23rd of December.
What is the first paragraph mainly about?
The origin of Boxing Day
Christmas gifts from employers
The role of churches in collecting donations
The relationships between employers and employees
What is the biggest advantage of Boxing Day to shoppers?
They can shop either in-store or online.
They can shop as early as the 23rd of December.
They can get big discounts from retailers.
They can bargain to lower the goods’ price.
What can be concluded from the passage?
Employers in the past were more generous than those at present.
Nowadays Boxing Day is celebrated differently from the olden days.
Boxing Day is celebrated in every country where there are Christians.
Extended families are not allowed to celebrate Christmas with the family.
