The basic flag of the United States is one of theworld‘s oldest national flags. Only the basic flags ofAustria, Denmark, Great Britain, the Netherlands,Sweden, and Switzerland are older.

　　During the discovery and settlement of what isnow the United States, the flags of various Europeannations were flown over the land, as symbols ofpossession. Later, in the Colonial and Revolutionary War periods, flags representing famouspersons, places, and events were flown in the American Colonies.

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　　The first official flag of the United States was created by Congress on June 14,1777, Itconsisted of 13 alternate red an white stripes and 13 white stars in a field of blue, representingthe 13 colonies that had declared their independence in 1776. Congress adopted a new flag of15 stars and 15 stripes in 1795 to give representation to the two new states admitted into theUnion, Vermont and Kentucky.

　　By 1817, there were 20 states in the Union, and it became apparent that adding one stripefor each new state would destroy the shape of the flag. As a result, Congress in 1818 restoredthe original design of 13 stripes and provided that each state was to be represented by onestar. In 1912 President William H. Taft made the first official provision for the arrangementof the stars. He ordered that there be six even rows of eight stars each. Previously thearrangement of the stars had been left to the flag-maker‘s fancy.

　　The evolution of the Stars and Stripes reflects the growth of the United States. After theadmission of Hawaii into the Union in 1959, the flag was officially changed for the 26th timessince its creation. There are many government flags flown in the United States in addition tothe

　　national flag. Among them are the president‘s and vice-president‘s flags and those of thefederal departments and some federal agencies. Each state in the Union has an official flag. TheUnited States Navy uses special flags for signaling.

　　1.The basic flag of the United States is______.

　　A. the oldest national flag in the world.

　　B. one of the world‘s oldest flags.

　　C. the most beautiful flag in the West.

　　D. as old as the basic flags of some European nations.

　　2.The first official flag of the United States was adopted______.

　　A. before the Independence War

　　B. right after the Independence War

　　C. when independence was declared in 1776

　　D. during the War of Independence which ended in 1783

　　3.The 13 red and white stripes and 13 white stars represent______.

　　A. 13 independent states

　　B. the colonies that declared independence in 1776

　　C. the U.S. Congress

　　D. 13 famous figures in the American colonies

　　4.Why was the original design of 13 stripes restored in 1818?

　　A. Too many stripes would destroy the shape of the flag.

　　B. Congress insisted 13 is the best number.

　　C. That was a decision President Taft had made.

　　D. The American people suggested it.

　　答案

　　1.A

　　2.C

　　3.D

　　4.D

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