背景知识：生日蛋糕的由来
中古时期的欧洲人相信，生日是灵魂最容易被恶魔入侵的日子，所以在生日当天，亲人朋友都会齐聚身边给予祝福，并且赠送蛋糕以带来好运，驱逐恶魔。
生日蛋糕，最初是只有国王才有资格享有，流传到现在，不论是大人或小孩，都可以在生日时，买个漂亮的蛋糕，享受众人给予的祝福。最早的蛋糕是用几样简单的材料做出来的，这些蛋糕是古老宗教神话与奇迹式迷信的象征。早期的贸易路线使异国香料由远东向北输入，坚果、花露水、柑橘类水果、枣与无花果从中东引进，甘蔗则从东方国家与南方国家进口。在欧洲黑暗时代，这些珍奇的原料只有僧侣与贵族才能享有，而他们的糕点创作则是蜂蜜姜饼以及扁平硬饼干之类的东西。慢慢地，随着贸易往来的频繁，西方国家的饮食习惯也跟着彻底地改变了。
从十字军东征返家的士兵和阿拉伯的商人，把香料的运用和中东的食谱散播开来。在中欧几个主要的商业重镇，烘焙师傅的同业公会也组织了起来。而在中世纪末，香料已被欧洲各地的富有人家广为使用，更增进了想像力丰富的糕点烘焙技术。等到坚果和糖大肆流行时，杏仁糖泥也跟着大众化起来，这种杏仁糖泥是用木雕的凸版模子烤出来的，而模子上的图案则与宗教训诫多有关联。
拓展阅读：
Birthdays in Some Different Countries
Mary is having a birthday party. There will be a cake with candles. Some people will bring birthday presents. Let’s look at birthdays in some different countries around the world.
Argentina: Ear pulling. They will pull your ear one time for each year of your age. If you are 13, they will pull your ear thirteen times.
Denmark: Flag. If it is your birthday in Denmark, a flag will fly outside a window of your home.
Philippines: Colored lights. Some people put colored lights outside their home if someone is having a birthday.
Russia: Birthday pies. Many Russian children get a birthday pie, not a birthday cake.
When you have a birthday, here is a message for you——Happy Birthday from all around the world.
客观题：
1. In Argentina, what will children get if it is their birthday?
A. A cake with candles. B. Ear pulling.
C. Ears. D. Flag.
2. In Denmark, if it is your birthday, what will fly outside your window?
A. A flag. B. A cake.
C. Some lights. D.A birthday cake.
3. In Philippines, what do some people put outside their home if someone is having a birthday?
A. A flag. B. Birthday pies.
C. Colored lights. D. Message.
4. How many times they will pull your ear if you are having your sixth birthday?
5. What can Russian children get if they are having a birthday?
答案：
1. B
解析：文中第二段指出，在阿根廷，揪耳朵就是生日礼物。所以，在生日当天，孩子们会被揪耳朵。
2. A
解析：文中第三段指明，在丹麦过生日时，窗外会有旗子飘舞
3. C
解析：文中第四段指明，在菲律宾，过生日时会在外面布置彩灯。
4. They will pull your ear six times if you are having your sixth birthday.
解析：在阿根廷过生日，每一岁就会被揪一下耳朵，如果是六岁就是要被揪耳朵六次。
5. Russian children can get a birthday pie if they are having a birthday.
解析：文章倒数第二段说明，俄罗斯的孩子在过生日的时候会得到生日派。
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