To many Americans，Labor Day(劳动节) marks the end of the summer，a day off from work and school，and one last chance to relax．But Labor Day is much more than just a day off . It represents a very important victory for laborers everywhere．The holiday is a celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers．
More than a century ago workers were forced to deal with harsh conditions．They were paid very little and they often worked 10-to l2-hour days．Men, women and even small children were forced to work even when they were sick．Tired of long hours and dangerous conditions，workers began organizing themselves into labor unions．On top of fighting for higher pay and shorter workdays，they also fought for the rights of children．The workers wanted employers to place limits on the age of their workers so that small children were not overworked or hurt in factories．
A New York City carpenter named Peter McGuire is credited(获得赞誉) for ing up with the idea for Labor Day．In 1872，after working many hours under poor conditions, McGuire rallied 100,000 workers to go on strike．The workers marched through the streets of New York City，demanding a better work environment．McGuire spent a decade fighting for workers’ rights．In 1882，he proposed（提议）the idea to create a special holiday for workers．On Tuesday，September 5，1882, more than 10,000 workers hit the streets of New York City for the first ever Labor Day parade．Two years later the celebration was moved to the first Monday in September．And in 1894，Congress passed a law making Labor Day a national holiday．Americans celebrated the first Labor Day holiday with a parade，picnics and fireworks．
Today，many people hit the road to enjoy the last of their summer vacation．Others enjoy the long weekend with picnics，backyard barbecues or just rest and relaxation．However you spend Labor Day，remember that the holiday is a time to pay tribute (致敬)to the workers who have made America what it is today．
【小题1】What do we know from Paragraph 1?A．Americans have more than a day off on Labor Day．B．Many countries in the world celebrate Labor Day．C．Labor Day has a deep meaning for American laborers．D．Labor Day shows the social and economic power of America．【小题2】The underlined word “rallied” in Paragraph 3 can be replaced by“ ”． A．persuadedB．supportedC．warnedD．gathered【小题3】Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?A．There were about 100,000 workers in New York City in 1872．B．Labor Day became a national holiday in 1884．C．The idea for Labor Day was first put forward by McGuire in 1872．D．The first ever Labor Day parade was held in 1882．【小题4】According to the author，while spending Labor Day，Americans should feel ．A．surprisedB．thankfulC．dissatisfiedD．terrifiedC
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(答案→)C
解析：这篇文章主要讲了美国劳动节的由来，今天人们如何庆祝劳动节以及在过劳动节时，要向劳动者致敬。
【小题1】根据But Labor Day is much more than just a day off . It represents a very important victory for laborers everywhere．The holiday is a celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers，故选C。
【小题2】根据100,000 workers to go on strike．可猜出“rallied”意思是召集，故选D。
【小题3】 根据On Tuesday，September 5，1882, more than 10,000 workers hit the streets of New York City for the first ever Labor Day parade，所以答案为D。
【小题4】 根据However you spend Labor Day，remember that the holiday is a time to pay tribute (致敬)to the workers who have made America what it is today，因此选B。