解析：D　细节理解题。由第一段的the Washingtons followed the Yule log tradition...a large oak tree...burned for the 12 days可知，华盛顿总统一家遵循圣诞节期间点燃圣诞柴的传统。

　　2. In 1787, the camel that appeared in George's house was ________.

　　A．a gift for his grandchildren

　　B．borrowed from an entertainer

　　C．his and Martha's new pet

　　D．once found in the forest nearby

　　解析：B　细节理解题。由第四段的an entertainer showed up with an Arabian camel in nearby Alexandria ... Washington arranged to bring the animal to Mount Vernon for a day可知，1787年圣诞节出现在华盛顿家的那只阿拉伯骆驼是他给客人们准备的惊喜，而这只骆驼是他从一个表演人那里借来的。

　　3. What can we learn about the Christmas pie Martha prepared?

　　A．It was of great size.

　　B．It was made with fruits.

　　C．It was shaped like a bird.

　　D．It was also called Twelfth Night cake.

　　解析：A　推理判断题。由倒数第三段描述华盛顿夫人玛莎制作圣诞派的原料以及Her pie would last for weeks可知，她做的圣诞派巨大，够吃好几周。

　　4. The text mainly introduces the Washingtons'________.

　　A．Christmas gifts B．Christmas foods

　　C．Christmas surprises D．Christmas holidays

　　解析：C　主旨大意题。由文中多次出现的关键词surprises可知，华盛顿和他的夫人都善于过圣诞时给客人们惊喜，故本文主要介绍华盛顿和他的夫人如何准备圣诞节惊喜。

　　B

Fireworks are exciting, but also hard to control. The Chinese artist Cai Guo­Qiang, though, has developed a way to harness the visual and physical power of