3. In the early 1600's, a group known as the Separatists lived in England. They were people who wanted to worship God, study the Bible and pray, but the English laws did not allow them to worship as they desired. They were hunted down, beaten, and locked up.
Eventually, they heard about freedom of religion in Holland, and planned to escape. After much hardship, they were allowed to leave England.
Now called Pilgrims, they lived in Holland for 12 years, but left because they couldn't stand the hard life, and couldn't work their own trades. They wanted to find a Kingdom of God for their posterity (后代) to practice religion freely. So they hired the Speedwell and the Mayflower to carry them across the Atlantic to a new land in America.
The Speedwell had many leaks and had to turn back. The Mayflower took in their passengers, making a total of over 100. They sailed two months and three days, cramped and hungry.
On November 11, 1620, the Mayflower spotted land. They landed in Province town, Massachusetts. For over a month, they sent men to find the perfect place for them to build their colony. When they finally found a place, they called it Plymouth.
Right away they started building homes, knowing winter was near.
Unfortunately, a violent storm hit when the houses were not yet finished. The Pilgrims were forced to stay on the cramped (狭窄的) Mayflower for their first winter in the new world. When this winter was over, over half of them had died.
The Pilgrims eventually made a good friend who helped them. His name was Squanto. He showed them where fish swam, how to hunt deer, and how to plant corn.
Squanto was a Native American who was kidnapped (绑架) earlier in his life and taken to England. This is why he was able to communicate with the Pilgrims.
With the help of the Native Americans, there was plenty for everyone to eat that first summer, and also plenty to last for the next winter.
The Pilgrims had so much to be thankful for. They gave thanks for good friends, new homes, freedom of religion, and plenty of food in a three-day celebration with their Native American friends.
Today we continue the celebration of the Pilgrims and the Native Americans, and call it Thanksgiving.(5分)
3.1  The Separatists left England in pursuit of____.(1分)
A. wealth
B. adventure
C. an easier life
D. religious freedom