1 . France is a land where excitement and diversity in festivals and events are the norm. From historic dates to famous festivals or sports events, there’s always something to celebrate in France! If you are planning a trip to France, discover what’s on in France in the next half year.

Bastille Day (14 July)

Bastille Day, France’s national holiday, is celebrated in memory of the Storming of the Bastille. Celebrations are staged throughout France on this day every year, such as all-night parties at fire stations, huge parades and various free concerts in Paris. Even the Eiffel Tower lights up with fireworks, best viewed from Champ de Mars.

Festival d’ Avignon (July)

Held in the courtyard of the Palais des Papes, Avignon, the festival turns the town into a lively theater center every July. Tens of thousands of theater fans of all ages come to enjoy theatre performances, dance, and live music there. The town also becomes an open-air gathering place where festival-goers can talk about the shows and share their experiences.

Tour de France 2024 (June 29 — July 21)

Starting in Florence, Italy, the 111th Tour de France will go across Italy to Turin (Italy’s 3^rd biggest city) on July 1^st before entering France. For the first time in its history, the race will not finish in Paris. Instead it will head for Nice by way of Monaco due to the Olympics. Covering 3,600 km over 21 stages, the route is a true test of will and skill.

1. What do Bastille Day and Festival d’ Avignon have in common?

A．There are various parades.	B．They attract theater-goers.
C．There are fireworks shows.	D．They are celebrated yearly.

2. Where will the 111^th Tour de France finish?

A．Florence.

B．Nice.

C．Monaco.

D．Turin.

3. Where is this text probably taken from?

A．A travel guide.	B．A sports magazine.
C．An encyclopedia.	D．A festival brochure.

2 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Known as a unique type of porcelain(瓷器), “Linglong porcelain” is one of the four distinguished traditional porcelains from Jingdezhen, often     1     (refer) to as the “city of porcelain” in East China’s Jiangxi province.

Unlike ordinary porcelain , Linglong porcelain is particularly crafted by first carving tiny holes into the porcelain body,     2     are then filled with a unique glaze(釉). Through continuous adjustments to the glaze materials, a shining quality has been achieved, improving both the artistic and practical charm of the porcelain.

Since Linglong porcelain was too difficult     3     (make), the number of Linglong porcelain pieces    4     (survive) over time was quite limited.

In the past ten years, thanks to modern technology, certain tasks such as carving and painting     5    (employ)to reduce physical labor.     6    (hopeful) intangible cultural heritage will reach every household, with more people enjoying the beauty of this cultural heritage     7     an affordable price.

Recently a rising fascination among young individuals with traditional decorative arts excites the industry, with the increasing sales of cups and tableware featuring traditional crafts, indicating a renewed appreciation and     8     (recognize) of traditional culture and art among young people.

Beyond integrating intangible cultural heritage into the daily lives of young people, drawing     9    (globe)attention to Jingdezhen’s Linglong porcelain     10     highlighting its richness and diversity have become another goal achievement.

3 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival, also    1     (call) the Duanwu Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. About 2, 500 years ago, it came into being as one of China’s traditional festivals. The Dragon Boat Festival is very popular both at home and abroad. For thousands of years, the festival     2     (mark) by eating zongzi and racing dragon boats.

You can’t imagine that the festival has such a long history. There are many legends about the origin of the festival, the most popular of     3     says it is in memory of Qu Yuan,     4     honest poet who is said to have killed     5     (he) by drowning in a river. Qu was a governor of the State of Chu and one of China’s    6     (early) poets during the Warring States period.

In face of great pressure from the powerful Qin State, he supported enriching the country and improving its military forces so as to fight against the State of Qin. However, he was disagreed by some politicians, and later removed     7     power and forced to leave his country.     8     (realize) that the country was now in the hands of evil     9     (official), Qu held a large stone and jumped into the Miluo River. Nearby fishermen rushed over to try and save him but were even unable to recover his body.

The Dragon Boat Festival is an important symbolic event, which also allows ordinary Chinese people     10     (communicate) with nature and the universe.

4 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入 1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The Water-Splashing Festival (泼水节), also     1     (know) as the Songkran Festival and deeply cherished by the Dai ethnic group in China and Southeast Asian nations, is     2     unique event deeply rooted in the Dai culture of China.

Observed in the Dai ethnic group in China, this festival has a history     3     (date) back to thousands of years ago. It     4     (mark) the beginning of the NewYear in the Dai calendar and signifies the transition from winter to spring. During the festival, which falls     5     (typical) in April, participants joyfully splash water on each other, a tradition believed to get rid of bad luck and bring about good fortune.     6     this joyous occasion, the more water one receives, the     7     (great) luck they are believed to gain. The festivities are accompanied by lively music, traditional dances, and vibrant parades,     8     creates a festive and joyous atmosphere.

The Water-Splashing Festival is not only a     9     (celebrate) of life, unity, and the renewal of spirits     10     also a reflection of the rich culture and vi brant spirit of the Dai people.

5 . In an era marked by globalization, there exist all kinds of cultural differences, leading to some cultural divides and misunderstandings. How to settle them? Education is a way. Education is a powerful tool in bridging cultural divides and minimizing misunderstandings. In a world that is increasingly interconnected, educational systems play a key role in preparing individuals to handle and respect cultural diversity.

Multicultural education involves incorporating different cultural perspectives into the curriculum. This approach helps students understand and appreciate various cultural backgrounds, developing empathy (同理心) and respect. It also challenges stereotypes (刻板印象) and prejudices by presenting a more delicate view of different cultures.

Language education is also crucial. Beyond learning to communicate in different languages, language education provides insights into the way people think, behave and interact in different cultures. It opens doors to understanding slight differences in communication and cultural standards that are often tied to language.

Moreover, educational exchange programs are vital in promoting cultural understanding. By studying abroad or participating in exchange programs, students gain firsthand experience of other cultures, which helps break down barriers and build intercultural competence — the ability to handle and respect cultural differences effectively.

Digital technology also plays a role in cultural education. Online platforms and virtual exchanges offer opportunities for students to interact with peers (同龄人) from around the world, pushing cross-cultural dialogue and understanding. These platforms can be particularly effective in reaching a wider audience and going beyond geographical limitations.

In an ever-interconnected world, the importance of understanding and bridging cultural differences cannot be overstated. The journey towards bridging cultural gaps begins with awareness and respect. Recognizing that our ways of seeing the world are not universal, but rather one perspective among many, is the first step. This does not mean wakening our cultural identity but expanding our understanding to appreciate the cultural identities of others. It involves listening with an intention to understand, not just to respond, and adapting our communication styles and expectations to suit diverse settings.

1. How can education help in a globalized world according to the text?

A．By removing language barriers.	B．By promoting economic growth.
C．By increasing technological advancements.	D．By developing empathy and understanding.

2. What does paragraph 3 mainly tell us about language education?

A．Its importance.

B．Its origin.

C．Its programs.

D．Its standards.

3. How do digital technologies contribute to cultural education?

A．They replace traditional methods of teaching.

B．They limit students’ interaction with negative peers.

C．They broaden students’ access to cultural knowledge.

D．They merely focus on promoting local cultural content.

4. What does the author think is the primary action to bridge cultural gaps?

A．Enhancing mutual respect.	B．Ignoring cultural differences.
C．Wakening one’s own culture.	D．Rejecting other cultural views.

7 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Yum cha, literally drinking tea, is unique in its form and feature among various types of breakfast in China. It is very popular in Guangdong, Hong Kong and other Cantonese-speaking     1    (region) and used to last from 5:00 or 6:00 to 11:00 in the morning. But nowadays, many tea houses serve it all day long and one can go for yum cha any time. Apart     2     being a way of leisure, it has been part of Cantonese daily life after years of development.

The origin of Cantonese morning tea tradition can     3    (find) in the Qing Dynasty. There were the restaurants called “Yili”, hanging a wooden board with the word “Tea Talking”,     4     the passers-by could rest. It only served simple tea and cakes     5     the environment was very poor, with only a few wooden tables and benches available. Then the tea shops appeared and then the even larger tea houses. Since then, it     6    (become) common for Cantonese people to go to the tea house to drink morning tea. With time     7    (pass) by, the tea has been a supporter in those tea houses while various delicate dim sums (点心)     8    (constant) appear.

    9    (compare) with other types, Cantonese morning tea has its own etiquette (礼节). While drinking tea, you need to help your friends or families pour tea first and bend the right index finger (食指) and middle finger and knock on the table     10    (express) your gratitude if others pour you tea. When the teapot is empty, open the cover to show the waiter the need for tea.

8 . Swedish Midsommar, also known as Midsummer, is a beloved holiday in Sweden that marks the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. This usually takes place around mid-June in the Northern Hemisphere.

With Midsummer being the longest day of the year, it was often considered a magical night to the agricultural society within Sweden. Full of mystery and enchantment (魅力) it’s believed to be a time when plants gained healing powers and were used to predict the future. Today, it is more about celebrating the beginning of summer and the good times ahead.

Like all major holidays, Midsummer focuses on sharing food and drinks with loved ones. Traditional Swedish dishes you’ll find on a Midsummer table include herring in all forms served with chives and sour cream, boiled new potatoes with fresh dill, cured salmon, rustic breads, potato dumplings, meatballs, and a dessert involving strawberries.

Everyone has their own Midsummer traditions, but many stick to the more traditional options when it comes to celebrating. For a grand Midsummer lunch-party, no celebration would be complete without dancing with flowers in your hair, singing songs, while feasting on a delicious selection of Swedish dishes. Another form of celebrating Midsummer was the raising of a pole which was then danced around. This lovely tradition is still very much a part of Midsummer celebrations with the maypole decorated in garlands of leaves and fresh flowers.

At the heart of Swedish Midsummer lies the spirit of togetherness and human connection. Families, friends, and communities gather in joyful union, creating a shared experience that goes beyond individual boundaries. The dances around the maypole, the laughter, and the heartfelt conversations produce a sense of belonging and interdependence. Midsummer reminds us of the fundamental need for social bonds and the fulfillment gained from genuine human interaction. It serves as a reminder that in the complexities of modern life, the simplest connections can bring us deep joy and fulfillment.

1. What can we know about Swedish Midsummer?

A．It marks the hottest day of the year.	B．It celebrates the arrival of summer.
C．It is used to predict the near future.	D．It is based on a mysterious old tale.

2. What is mainly discussed Midsummer in paragraph 4?

A．Its dishes.

B．Its origins.

C．Its customs.

D．Its influences.

3. What is the significance of celebrating Midsummer?

A．Learning the value of teamwork.	B．Appreciating the warmth of unity.
C．Keeping in touch with old friends.	D．Passing on the traditional lifestyle.

4. In which part of a magazine may you read this passage?

A．Culture.

B．Wellbeing.

C．Event.

D．Fashion.

9 . Opera is deeply rooted in Chinese culture. However, it requires only an opportunity to awaken people’s interest. A Yue Opera play titled New Dragon Gate Inn is just the opportunity.

As the play gains popularity, an actress, who plays the important supporting role of Jia Ting, has become a star. Nicknamed the “Jade-faced Man”, Jia’s handsome appearance and attractive yet natural charm have got more attention.

Now the actress is sparking a Yue Opera fever in China. She says her profession is a combination of the charms of both genders while showing a mysterious sense of beauty.

Innovation (创新) may be an important reason for this play to be popular. Unlike traditional opera stage, the theater is like an inn. The audience sit close to the performers. They are guests in the inn, and sometimes, the performers interact with them. In some cases, the audience become part of the play. They immerse themselves in a unique and fascinating viewing experience. The idea of the stage seems to disappear. So does the distance between performers and the audience. The audience and performers are all part of the play.

This fresh, unusual viewing experience has drawn young people to the theater again and again. They really like it. The success of New Dragon Gate Inn comes not only from the charm of the work itself, but also from the cultural heritage. Through the play, more people have come to realize that Yue Opera can tap more opportunities for the future of Chinese traditional opera.

“Opera is absorbed in the DNA of the Chinese. After a small stone is cast, the DNA awakens. I hope I am that small stone,” the actress said. “Today, we are putting in great efforts to make Yue Opera more popular with the younger generation. This is a positive step in the revival of this ancient art.”

1. What makes New Dragon Gate Inn popular?

A．Its simple plot.	B．Its traditional opera stage.
C．Its classical music.	D．Its creative stage design.

2. Which is closest in meaning to “immerse” in paragraph 4?

A．Express.

B．Addict.

C．Absorb.

D．Ease.

3. What is the key factor for the success of New Dragon Gate Inn?

A．The cultural heritage.	B．The effective publicity strategy.
C．Many famous actors.	D．The popularity of Yue Opera.

4. What does the actress hope to do?

A．Make Yue Opera popular among young people.

B．Keep Yue Opera the same as it’s always been.

C．Perform Yue Opera in different countries.

D．Earn more awards for herself.