In England, Christmas Day and Good Friday have been holidays for religious reasons since the establishment of Christianity in the country. Christmas is celebrated on December 25, not Christmas Eve as in several other European countries. The other public holidays (or "Bank Holidays") are Easter Monday, May Day (May 1st), the Spring Bank Holiday (the last Monday in May), the Summer Bank Holiday (the last Monday in August), December 26th (Boxing Day), and New Year's Day. The term "Bank Holiday" goes back to the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, which owes its name to the fact that banks are closed on the days specified.

Boxing Day takes its name from the old custom of giving employees or tradesmen (such as milkman) an annual present or "Christmas box" on that day

Easter Monday is generally regarded as an unofficial consecration (祭祀) of Spring. It used to be the day on which the ladies would parade in the parks, wearing new dresses and hats. Although this custom is dying out, the tradition still provides the ladies with a pretext for buying spring clothes.

The August Bank Holiday is probably the most popular one of the year, partly because it comes at a time when children are not at school In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day (March 17th) is also a Bank Holiday. St Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland. It is curious that St. George's Day (April 23rd) not a public holiday in England though St. George is the Patron Saint of England. However, the flag of St George (a red cross on a white background) or the Union Jack is flown on that day, particularly by churches of the Church of England.

31. Public holidays have been called Bank Holidays in England since _____.

A. last century

B. ancient times

C. the foundation of England

D. the start of banking business

32. Boxing Day is a day _____.

A. which has something to do with sports such as "boxing"

B. when employees are paid

C. for giving an annual gift

D. for holding a party

33 一 What did the ladies use to do on Easter Monday?

— _____.

A. They wore new clothes and hats.

B. They went to the seaside for their holidays.

C. They used to go to church.

D. They gave presents to each other.

34. The August Bank Holiday is probably the most popular one of the year, partly because _____.

A. the weather often agrees with people

B. the weather rarely changes

C. the weather is suitable for people to travel

D. it comes at a time when the pupils are not at school

35. Holidays in Ireland ________ in England

A. are just the same as those

B. are entirely different from those

C. are partly different from those

D. are not celebrated