[originaltext]W: As you have given us detailed information about Christmas and

W: As you have given us detailed information about Christmas and Easter in America just now, could you name some other important holidays and special days?
M: Well, Labour Day, Halloween, New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
W: Oh, is American Labour Day the same as our Chinese Labour Day?
M: No, it is celebrated on the first Monday in September. People parade to honour workers. Labour Day began in the 19th century with the dream of a carpenter named Peter J. McGuire, who eventually grew up to become the president of a national union of carpenters. Since he was fully aware of both the satisfaction and the suffering that accompany hard work, he wanted to establish a holiday "to honour the industrial spirit, the great vital force of the nation". At his suggestion, the first Labour Day parade was held in New York City in 1882. In 1894, Labour Day became a federal holiday in the United States.
W: What do people do on this special day?
M: Since the holiday also marks the end of the summer vacation period for many people, it is often the time for an outing to the beach, a picnic in the park, or a barbecue in the backyard.
W: That’s great. Then, how about Halloween?
M: Well, Halloween is a short way of saying All Halloween’s Eve, which means the night before the Roman Catholic holy day of All Saint’s Day. It comes from two different sources: an ancient Celtic festival in honour of the lord of death and a Roman festival in honour of the goddess of gardens and orchards. The Halloween colours, black and orange, suggest death and harvest.
W: That’s why we often have pumpkin lanterns with candlelight.
Questions 9 to 12 are based on the conversation you have just heard.
9. What is the difference between American Labour Day and Chinese Labour Day?
10. What does Peter J. McGuire think of "hard work"?
11. What do Americans do on Labour Day?
12. What do the two traditional Halloween colours symbolise?