Spring is just around the corner and it’s a time to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Here is a selection of festivals around the country that are a great excuse to get back in the spring sunshine.

Dana Point Festival of the Whales

Dana Point, California

March 7 to 8 and 14 to 15,2010

Each year, over two sunny weekends in March the town of Dana Point, California celebrates the return of migratory California Gray whales to this part of the Pacific Ocean. Festivities include whale-watching, an arts festival and educational hands-on activities for the entire family. Prices start at $ 29 per adult and $ 19 for children. For more information, visit www.dpfestivalofwhales.com.

Chandler Ostrich Festival

Chandler, Arizona

March 13 to 15, 2010

Chandler is the center of Ostrich(舵鸟) ranching in the U.S. You can see jockeys ride these feathered around the ostrich track at Tubleweed Park. General admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for children aged five to 12 and kids four and under are free. For more information visit www.ostrichfestival.com.

Festival of Houses and Gardens

Charleston, South Carolina

March 19 to April 18, 2010

The Historic Charleston Foundation gives curious travelers the opportunity to explore gardens of some of the finest private residences in America. Each three hour tour (afternoons from 2 to 5pm and evenings from 6 to 9 pm) lets you visit eight to ten properties dating from the American colonial period. Prices range from $25 to $45. For more information, visit www.historiccharleston.org.

Tulip Time Festival

Holland, Michigan

May 1 to 9, 2010

You don’t need to travel to the Netherlands this spring to see and smell some of the world’s finest tulips(郁金香). The town of Holland is home to millions of colorful bulbs. The 81^st annual Tulip Time Festival, one of the largest flower festivals in America will kick off with fireworks on May 1. Admission fee ranges from $6 for the children’s area to $38 for theatre tickets. Tickets and more information are available at www.tuliptime.com.

小题1: A couple with their 4-year-old son will go whale-watching, they have to pay         .

A．$77

B．$ 58

C．$ 38

D．$ 48小题2: The underlined word “jockeys” in the second ad is closest in meaning to         .

A．judges

B．riders

C．children

D．travelers小题3: If you want to learn about the history of American colonial period, you can visit          .

A．Tulip Time

B．Houses and Gardens

C．Dana Point of the whales

D．Chandler Ostrich小题4: It can be concluded that        .

A. All the festivals are held in March.

B. All the Festivals are concerned with animals

C. All the Festivals are held in the U.S.A.

D. All the Festivals surely interest children.