1 . International Day of Education
24 January
Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed (宣布) 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. Today, 250 million children and youth are out of school, and 763 million adults are illiterate (文盲的). Their right to education is being violated (侵犯) and it is unacceptable. It’s time to transform education.
International Day of Clean Energy
26 January
The International Day of Clean Energy on 26 January was declared by the General Assembly as a call to raise awareness and mobilize action for a just and inclusive transition (过渡) to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet. 26 January is also the founding date of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a global intergovernmental agency established in 2009 to support countries in their energy transitions.
World Health Day
7 April
It is celebrated annually and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. The date of 7 April marks the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948.
The theme for World Health Day 2024 is “My health, my right”, which was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions.
World Environment Day
5 June
World Environment Day, held annually on 5 June, brings together millions of people from across the globe, engaging them in the effort to protect and restore the Earth. People from more than 150 countries participate in this United Nations international day, which celebrates environmental action and the power of governments, businesses and individuals to create a more sustainable world. The event has been led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) since its start in 1973.
1. On what day is the event about world energy marked?| A．24 January. | B．26 January. | C．7 April. | D．5 June. |
| A．International Day of Education. |
| B．International Day of Clean Energy. |
| C．World Health Day. |
| D．World Environment Day. |
| A．They have a common goal. | B．They have a long history. |
| C．They’re international events. | D．They benefit world environment. |
2 . When the Uzbek girl Dilsora firstly met what seemed more like a Western-style dragon than a Chinese one, a beast to run away from her rather than a friend to be respected, she was at a loss about it. “Before college, I caught an interview on TV featuring an Uzbek student studying in China, she tweeted. However, I didn’t have the slightest idea that this language would be my future major in college. Then, when I started studying it at college, oh, jeez …pretty challenging! ” Nevertheless, as with a dragon story, there is a twist in the tail, and Dilsora’s despair gave way to nobler principles. “Give up? Nope! Instead, I pressed on with Chinese. ” she added with a giggle, “My mother also encouraged me all the way! ”
Gradually, her feelings toward Chinese changed in the second year of college after Dilsora got a scholarship to study at Northeast Normal University in Changchun for a year, which proved a big turn on the pages of her fulfilling life.
“The first time I came to China, amazingly engaging were the locals, by whom I was totally fascinated. In spite of myself, I fell in love with Chinese culture. ” Since then she has got master's and doctoral degrees, becoming a college teacher in Beijing, teaching Uzbek to Chinese students. In her spare time, being an all-nighter, she often loses herself in Chinese masterpieces. Two years later, on Instagram, she even set up a Chinese Reading Club to attract more to read.
“Although I am ordinary, ” just as she, now the boss of the Reading Club, matter-of-factly put it, “since I’ve come this far, I am to come further. Harvesting the best outcome is my lasting dream. ” Those primary schoolers hearing the tale of Dilsora devoting so much to Chinese learning might be several times more likely to learn Chinese hard than those who didn’t, as Jimu news staff predicted.
Besides, Dilsora has answered another calling: translating books by Chinese president into Uzbek. She said the leader’s foresight has impressed her greatly.
1. What does the underlined words “a twist in the tail” in paragraph 1 refer to?| A．The turning point of a story. | B．The turning movement of a dragon’s tail. |
| C．The highest point of a story. | D．The dancing movement of a dragon’s tail. |
| A．Defeated but determined. | B．Relieved but regretful. |
| C．Excited but challenged. | D．Exhausted but content. |
| A．Mother’s love is endless. |
| B．While in Roman, do as the Romans do. |
| C．Nothing is difficult for those who will try. |
| D．East or west, home is the best. |
| A．Dilsora’s personal dream. | B．Dilsora’s family background. |
| C．Chinese leaders’ works. | D．Chinese leaders’ hobbies. |
3 . On the bustling streets of Sydney, Australia, Dong Min, a young Chinese woman, dressed in elegant Chinese traditional clothing — hanfu, gracefully holds a dizi, the bamboo flute of China, fascinating passersby with the melodies of traditional Chinese music.
Dong Min, a talented musician was born in 1990. Seeing a female performer playing the bamboo flute on TV fired her interest in this Chinese traditional instrument at the age of 8. Soon her interest blossomed into talent. At the age of 10, winning a provincial-level Chinese musical instrument competition earned her one of only four spots for further studies in Beijing. After graduating from Minzu University of China with a major in Chinese bamboo flute in 2015, she enrolled at the University of New South Wales in Australia to study cultural leadership where she initiated street performances, featuring Chinese traditional instruments. One year later, she formed a band and founded the Sydney Meya Institute of Chinese Music to teach various Chinese traditional instruments to more people.
Apart from street performances and her institution, Dong also offers online dizi lessons to a global audience and organizes online exchange concerts for her students worldwide. “Our students range from 4-year-olds to 80-year-olds, reflecting the timeless appeal of Chinese music across generations,” Dong said.
Her effort paid off eventually. Her performances grew in popularity. Many audiences traveled all the way from cities like Melbourne and Brisbane to Sydney just to attend her performances.” Many music schools now offer courses on Chinese instruments. I hope to create a platform for music enthusiasts to connect and cultivate friendships through their shared love for music. Thus, we can not only raise awareness of Chinese traditional music in Australia but also share the richness of Chinese culture through music with the international audience.” Dong Min said.
1. Which of the following is true?| A．Dong Min founded the institution at 26. |
| B．Dong Min taught dizi through street performances. |
| C．Dong Min majored in Chinese bamboo flute in Australia. |
| D．Dong Min wished to gain popularity through her performances. |
| A．By analyzing reasons. | B．By providing examples. |
| C．By making comparisons. | D．By following time order. |
| A．Brave and humorous. | B．Gifted and passionate. |
| C．Creative and stubborn. | D．Patient and experienced. |
| A．Chinese Traditional Music: From China to Australia. |
| B．Bamboo Flute: Chinese Instrument Shared in Australia. |
| C．Dong Min: A Culture Messenger Bridging Cultures through Music. |
| D．Dong Min: A Talented Chinese Girl Spreading Chinese Instruments. |
4 . Mother’s Day is the time to celebrate the great women who raised us.
Pick the gift of relaxation. For the mum who is always rushing around, looking after everyone but herself, a day of rest and relaxation at the spa is the perfect gift. Your mum deserves a break, and many spas offer special Mother’s Day packages with relaxing massages and facials.
Say it with flowers. Flowers are a classic Mother’s Day gift for a reason, and an arrangement of her favourite blooms is sure to bring a smile to her face.
Spend some quality time. It’s lovely to get presents, but what your mum probably wants more than everything is to spend some quality time with you. Treat her to a day out with an activity she’ll love, whether she’s into wine tasting or an elegant afternoon tea.
| A．Keep the gifts coming. |
| B．Show your gratitude with gifts. |
| C．Book her in for a day, or buy her a gift card. |
| D．Try to make something with her name or birthstone on it. |
| E．However, it can be difficult to find a gift to show your appreciation. |
| F．Or spend the day at home, letting her put her feet up while you cook. |
| G．You don’t have to spend hundreds on expensive bouquets in the flower shops. |
5 . World No Tobacco Day (世界无烟日) is observed around the world annually on May 31st. It is a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco use and to advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco (烟草) consumption.
Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide and is responsible for numerous health problems, including various types of cancer, heart disease, respiratory diseases, and other chronic conditions. Currently, more than 8 million deaths are caused annually worldwide, including 1.2 million deaths from second-hand smoke exposure in non-smokers.
The Member States of the WHO created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco and the preventable death and disease it causes. In 1987, the World Health Assembly passed Resolution WHA40.38, calling for 7th April 1988 to be a world no-smoking day. “In 1988, Resolution WHA42.19 was passed, calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on 31st May.
On World No Tobacco Day, numerous activities and initiatives take place globally to promote tobacco control. These can include public awareness campaigns, educational programs in schools and communities, smoking cessation support, advocacy for stronger tobacco control policies, and various events to encourage individuals to quit smoking.
Each year, the WHO chooses a specific theme for World No Tobacco Day to focus on a particular aspect of tobacco control. The theme may address issues such as the impact of tobacco on lung health, ‘the dangers of tobacco industry marketing strategies, or the importance of providing assistance to individuals who want to quit smoking. This theme then becomes the central component of the WHO’s tobacco-related agenda for the following year. The WHO oversees the creation and distribution of publicity materials related to the theme, including brochures, fliers, posters, websites, and press releases.
The ultimate purpose of World No Tobacco Day is to raise awareness, encourage individuals to quit tobacco use, and prevent young people from starting smoking. Since 1988, the WHO has presented one or more awards to organizations or individuals who have made exceptional contributions to reducing tobacco consumption.
1. What’s the main idea of paragraph 2?| A．Worldwide tobacco use. |
| B．Great harm caused by tobacco use. |
| C．Preventable deaths caused by tobacco use. |
| D．Death caused by second-hand smoke exposure. |
| A．World No Tobacco Day was passed on 7th April 1988. |
| B．Celebration date of World No Tobacco Day is not fixed. |
| C．World No Tobacco Day is celebrated with many activities and initiatives. |
| D．Currently, over 8 million deaths are caused by second-hand smoke exposure. |
| A．It is always about the dangers of second-hand smoke. |
| B．It highlights the positive effects of tobacco on health. |
| C．It advocates for effective policies to increase production. |
| D．It changes annually to focus on different aspects of tobacco control. |
| A．To prevent young people from quitting smoking. |
| B．To encourage individuals to give up tobacco use. |
| C．To raise awareness about health risks related to tobacco use. |
| D．To advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. |
6 . About eight years ago, Li Jinglong and Guan Dian visited the Palace Museum in Beijing. The cloisonne (景泰蓝瓷器) objects on display attracted them in particular. They spent hours looking at those beautiful objects. They just couldn’t take their eyes off them.
Born and raised in Beijing, 35-year-old Li is no stranger to cloisonne, since there were a pair of cloisonne vases in his grandparents’ home. His wife, 34-year-old Guan, who learned to paint as a child and later became a designer after graduating from the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, is also familiar with cloisonne, as it appears in her art books. As a result of their visit, the couple made the daring decision to open a workshop.
“We learned cloisonne after seeing the pieces displayed in the Palace Museum. We wanted to turn our hobby into a career, so that people could enjoy and learn to make the craft themselves,” said Li, who worked in a finance company before quitting his job to launch Handcraft Addicted, a DIY workshop where participants can make cloisonne. Since 2018, they have opened three workshops in Beijing. They are happy to give people a glimpse of the traditional techniques of cloisonne as part of a DIY experience.
Instead of focusing on making traditional cloisonne objects , such as plates and vases, the workshop allows participants to create the designs they want on surface of glass, resin (树脂) or wood. Although the process has been simplified, it is still not easy for people trying cloisonne for the first time to succeed. Participants spend months making one piece, which they take home or give friends as presents. It’s a luxury for people to spend time alone and fully focus on one thing nowadays because of the fast pace of life. Participants come to the workshop not only to create art, but also to take a break from their busy lives.
1. What can we learn about the couple?| A．They both grew up in Beijing. | B．They both majored in cloisonne art. |
| C．They both quit their previous jobs. | D．They are both familiar with cloisonne. |
| A．Their grandparents’ cloisonne vases. | B．Their hobby in handcraft techniques. |
| C．Cloisonne objects in Guan’s art books. | D．Cloisonne on exhibition in the Palace Museum. |
| A．the first attempt is often simple |
| B．participants relax themselves while creating art |
| C．the couple make cloisonne objects by themselves |
| D．it is a luxury to make traditional cloisonne objects |
| A．Modest. | B．Generous. | C．Creative. | D．Outgoing. |
7 . Harvest Festivals Around the World
The harvest season falls at different times of the year depending upon region, climate, and crop, but festivals celebrating its arrival are held the world over. The following list highlights four particular harvest festivals.
Rice Harvest Festival in Indonesia (May 1 — June 30)
The Rice Harvest Festival that is held in Bali, Indonesia, is a feature of the island’s Hindu culture. The harvest time, which follows the New Year by about one month, is dedicated to the rice goddess and is a time of joyous celebration. Sculptures of the goddess are placed in the fields in thanks, towns are decorated with colored flags, and special bull races are held.
Yam Festival in Ghana (August or September)
The Ewe people of Ghana in Africa celebrate the end of the rainy season and the first appearance of yams, a staple crop. The duration and exact days of the celebration vary according to place, in hopes of driving away hunger in the coming year. People gather and hold huge feasts and activities such as dances and parades.
Sukkoth in Israel (September-October)
Sukkoth, the “Feast of Booths (棚子),” is held shortly after the High Holy Days of the New Year celebration. Special booths are constructed to recall the period of the Exodus, recorded in the local religion, when their ancestors lived in booths in the desert before entering the Promised Land.
Pongal in India (January)
The four-day festival of Pongal is a celebration of the rice harvest period. Held after the winter solstice (冬至), it celebrates the return of longer days of life-giving sunlight. Pongal is similar to other festivals held in South and Southeast Asia, but its name comes from a local word meaning “to boil” and is also the name given to a rice dish that is prepared during this time.
1. What is special about Rice Harvest Festival?| A．Its connection with Hindu culture. | B．Its celebration of the rainy season. |
| C．Its respect for their ancestors. | D．Its similarity to other festivals. |
| A．In Indonesia. | B．In Ghana. | C．In Israel. | D．In India. |
| A．Rice Harvest Festival. | B．Yam Festival. | C．Sukkoth. | D．Pongal. |
8 . It felt as if we had been climbing for hours. I stopped to catch my breath as a wave of dizziness swept over me in the thin mountain air. I was on an amazing trip with my family to experience the festival of Qoyllur Riti, which takes place at 4,300 meters high in the southern Andes of Peru.
As I looked back down the trail we had climbed, and up towards where we had to go, the colorful sight struck me a lot. Entire families wearing local costumes were travelling to this unique festival from all over Peru. Among them were old men, mothers with small babies and children all following the same route. Many of them had horses and donkeys carry their food, blankets, cooking pots and tents. Others had made their way on foot through the mountains for days to attend this remarkable event.
We continued climbing upward for another hour and a half before reaching the Sinakara Valley. Right across this flat piece of ground people were putting up shelters and tents to protect themselves from the freezing mist and rain. It was clear, however, from the sound of the drums and singing rising from the campsite that the weather was not going to weaken the festival spirit. The air of excitement, even from our place more than a mile away, was palpable.
After dinner, we went to bed fully clothed inside our sleeping bags. We were up early the next morning, the main day of the festival, despite having slept badly on the frozen ground. The ukukus, men wearing black masks and costumes, had left the campsite in the early hours to climb the nearest mountain by the light of the full moon.
From time to time during the procession, they stopped to dance on the glaciers, believing this would bring luck to their villages for the year to come. In the dawn light, we watched them winding their way back down like a large black snake. As they descended, they were joined by groups of dancers in bright traditional costumes. They performed wherever there was space. Although there did not seem to be anyone organizing them or any timetable, the whole festival had become a huge harmonious celebration.
1. What do we know about family’s climb up and down the trail?| A．They were too tired to enjoy the sight. |
| B．They regretted extremely taking the trip. |
| C．They were fascinated by the scenes there. |
| D．They were greeted warmly by local people. |
| A．suitable | B．endurable | C．noticeable | D．understandable |
| A．They were all dressed in plain clothes. |
| B．They were determined to reach the festival. |
| C．They only continued their journey during daylight hours. |
| D．They performed dances to demonstrate their traditional costumes. |
| A．A health report. | B．A sports newspaper. |
| C．A fashion forum. | D．A culture magazine. |
9 . Yuck! Chicken blood splashes onto the floor and insects fly everywhere in the market. The old Indian woman waves the butcher knife. You’re speechless. Your friend who moved to India a few months before you notices your horror. “It’s just something they do,” he clarifies.
You’ve heard living abroad is good for you. Experiences like this one make you say “Seriously?”
Yes. Seriously.
Researchers William Maddux and Hajo Adam have discovered not only that cultural experiences are good for you, but they’ve also discovered why they’re good for you. Cultural experiences can make you more creative.
Maddux and his team discovered that learning about new cultures you encounter deeply is key to obtaining cognitive rewards. The team did a series of experiments with people who had lived abroad for a long time. They asked the sojourners (旅居者) to recall experiences where they: learned something about the culture they lived in abroad; learned something about their own culture; did something unrelated (like visiting a supermarket). Those who recalled learning something about a new culture did much better on a creative problem-solving task immediately afterward.
Maddux and his team wondered, though. Does learning new cultures always help? Is it enough to just notice that another culture is different? In another experiment they had a group of people recall an experience where they learned something new about a foreign culture but hadn’t been able to learn about the reasons for it.
The people who later were made aware of the hidden reasons for the novel, different, or unexpected behaviors they had come across were much more creative afterward than those who weren’t.
This means that even though discovering cultural differences exist is great, it’s not enough to influence how you think in other situations. You have to learn why a cultural difference exists. That’s what helps you spot new connections later, in other aspects of your life.
1. Why is the scene mentioned in the first paragraph?| A．To show us an appropriate example. |
| B．To prove the advantages of living abroad. |
| C．To provide evidence for the writer’s viewpoint. |
| D．To draw readers’ attention to the following exploration. |
| A．What is necessary to be creative. |
| B．What influence creativity has on people. |
| C．What benefits cultural experiences bring. |
| D．What they can learn from their own cultures. |
| A．learning new cultures is always of great help |
| B．it’s not enough just to notice similarities between cultures |
| C．knowing the reasons for the difference is the key to creativity |
| D．culture difference has an impact on your way of thinking |
| A．A research report. | B．A geography textbook. |
| C．A travel brochure. | D．A science magazine. |
10 . Here are several not-to-be-missed events. Mark your calendar!
Flowers on the Mimosa Route
The Mimosa Route covers 130 km of wilderness and coastal towns in France, with stops and festivals in bloom to honour a flower that has become the symbol of the Cote d’Azur. This is the perfect opportunity to discover gardens with their feet in the water or the flower floats (花车) of the corsos.
* From 3 to 18 February
Nice Carnival
Mimosa, roses, lilies thrown to the public... The Battle of the Flowers is a highlight of the Nice Carnival and a nod to this France city’s gardening history. The biggest festival on the Cote d’Azur also includes a carnival-style parade, with floats competing in creativity, with dizzying figures up to twenty metres high. The theme of the 2024 edition is “Pop Culture”.
* From 17 February to 3 March
The Menton Lemon Festival
The programme of the Lemon Festival in Menton, France includes various floats. For 15days, the town celebrates its golden fruit with a touch of madness. With the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games just a few months away, the 90th edition of the Lemon Festival promises to be a great event with the theme “From Olympia to Menton”.
* From 17 February to 3 March
The Trail des Merveilles
The Roya Valley in France is the setting for the Trail des Merveilles, which starts in Breil-sur-Roya. Over a distance of around 30 kilometres, with a positive difference in altitude of 2,000 metres, the race takes competitors along wild paths with views of the snow-capped peaks of the Mercantour National Park and the Mediterranean Sea. A shorter, more accessible 17-kilometre route will delight lovers of running and beautiful scenery. Ready, set, go!
*5 March
1. What is the significance of the Battle of the Flowers?| A．To popularize the tradition culture. | B．To vote for the most creative float. |
| C．To prove people’s passion for flowers. | D．To show respect for the city’s gardening. |
| A．Nice Carnival. | B．The Trail des Merveilles. |
| C．Flowers on the Mimosa Route. | D．The Menton Lemon Festival. |
| A．They are around the theme of flowers. | B．They are of the same duration. |
| C．They take place in the same country. | D．They are to celebrate the end of winter. |
