Any visitor to the Chinese Culture Week being held at the University of Tehran (德黑兰) would be amazed by the Chinese tea, food, and various artworks, like Chinese knotting and traditional paper cutting-all displayed by Iranian students learning Chinese.
“Chinese knots are believed to bring good luck and act as charms that can keep evil spirits away,” Zeinab Ghafourian, a 19-year-old senior studying Chinese at the Confucius Institute (孔子学院) of the University of Tehran, told Xinhua on Tuesday.
The Chinese Culture Week, which started at the university last Saturday and will last till Wednesday, aims to introduce Chinese culture to more Iranians. The event displayed a range of artworks that contain different elements of Chinese culture, produced by Iranian professors and students at the university.
On the reasons why she chose to study the Chinese language, Ghafourian said that she has been interested in East Asian cultures even since childhood. “In addition, the Chinese films have become more and more popular,” she said.
Most importantly, because of Iran’s good ties with China, mastering the Chinese language offers better jobs in the Iranian job market compared to other languages, she explained.
The Iranian and Chinese people have a lot in common in culture, as they have been connected through cultural and economic exchanges via the ancient Silk Road in the long past.
“Due to China’s increasing global influence, as well as its friendly and expanded relations with Iran, learning about the country and its language are becoming very important,” said Hamed Vafaei, the Iranian director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Tehran.
12. What do we know about the Chinese Culture Week?
A.Visitors could make Chinese artworks by themselves. |
B.Chinese knots are common among Iranian students. |
C.It aims to introduce Chinese cultureto more Iranians. |
D.All atworks displayed were produced by Chinese students. |
13. What is the most important reason for Ghafourian to study Chinese?
A.Mastering the Chinese offers better job chances. |
B.She has been interested in East Asian cultures. |
C.She would like to study in China in the future. |
D.Chinese films gain great popularity in Iran. |
14. What is Hamed Vafaei’s attitude towards learning Chinese?
A.Excited. | B.Indifferent. | C.Doubted. | D.Positive. |
15. What is the suitable title for the text?
A.The Ancient Silk Road Connects Iran and China |
B.The Chinese Language has Become a Necessity |
C.Chinese Culture Week Promotes Chinese Culture |
D.More Iranian Students Love Learning Chinese |