Gift-Giving Customs
Whether it is for a special festival, to express thanks or to just let someone know that you care about them, giving gifts is a common custom. The purpose of giving gifts may be similar, but the tradition varies from country to country. A gift of respect in one place may be considered rude in another. Take a look at three unique gift giving traditions.
India
If you're invited to someone's home in India, you should bring a small gift, whether it's a box of chocolates or some flowers. Gifts shouldn't be wrapped（包裹）in black or white colors, because they are considered unlucky. Instead, use bright colors such as green, red or yellow. When giving money for any occasion, it should have an odd number （奇数）value. That's believed to bring good luck. Instead of receiving a gift with both hands, Indians generally only use their right hand because left hands are considered unclean.
Japan
For most Japanese, the ritual（礼节）of giving presents is more important than the gifts themselves. The correct way is to present or receive gifts with both hands. Every gift should be wrapped. That's because uncovered gifts are considered disrespectful. To show politeness and thanks, those who are receiving the gift may turn it down once or twice before finally accepting it. Gifts should be given in pairs, but four should be avoided just like in China. Lucky numbers also include eight. Eight is said to bring prosperity（兴旺）.
Native America
While it may be common for guests to prepare gifts for hosts, this is different in Native American communities. From weddings to birthday celebrations, guests are the ones who receive gifts. Gifts are usually homemade arts and crafts（工艺）- made by hand to show love, respect and appreciation.
1. Which of the tradition will fit in India?| A．Bring the gift wrapped in white. |
| B．Use 600 dollars as gift. |
| C．Receive gift with both hands. |
| D．Chocolates in red box as gift. |
| A．color | B．value | C．way | D．amount |
| A．The traditions of giving gift is similar in different countries. |
| B．Japanese will receive the presents directly. |
| C．The hosts in America are expected to receive presents. |
| D．No matter where the gift-giving customs are, they convey good meaning. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Moving abroad can be a challenging experience. You leave your family，friends and everything you know behind. You enter a new culture where the customs and sometimes the languages are different.
So what are the best ways to involve yourself in the new culture while living abroad?
Live with a native speaker
Socialize with the local people
The thought of making friends and mixing with the local people may seem scary at first but it's worth it.
The food in France is amazing and discovering new food is a fun experience. I've tried things that I've never tried before. My knowledge of different bread and cheese types has grown greatly.
| A．Try the local food |
| B．But it's also exciting |
| C．I currently volunteer with homeless people |
| D．You can also speak the local language every day |
| E．Improve my French vocabulary and understanding |
| F．You can meet other people in the area by joining a club |
| G．There are many advantages of living with a native speaker |
【推荐2】The “three ox spirit” (三牛精神) first appeared in President Xi Jinping’s speech at a New Year’s gathering last December. The ox is a symbol of diligence (勤劳), progress and strength. On Feb 18, the first working day of the new year, Hua Chunying, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, explained it on the social media to encourage people with the “three ox spirit”—the serving-the-people ox, the pioneering ox, the persisting ox.
Centuries ago, most people earned their living through farming. The ox was used to help in the field and carry heavy goods.
The ox has played an important place in Chinese culture. Ancient Chinese poets and writers often described the ox in literature. In the Classic of Poetry, the oldest collection of Chinese poetry, the animal was mentioned in nine out of the 305 pieces.
Oxen seldom bully (欺负) the weak or fear the strong. They work hard and make sacrifices (牺牲). A poem by Lu Xun (1881-1936) — “Fierce-browed, I coolly defy a thousand pointing fingers; Head bowed, like a willing ox I serve the children (横眉冷对千夫指，俯首甘为孺子牛)” fully expresses the poet’s love to our country and the people.
So naturally, those who were born in the Year of the Ox are often expected to be hardworking and dependable. “They never want to be the center of attention or look for praise,” the website China Highlights noted.
1. When was the “three ox spirit” first appeared?| A．2018. | B．2019. | C．2020. | D．2021. |
| A．The progressing ox. | B．The serving-the-people ox. |
| C．The pioneering ox. | D．The persisting ox. |
| A．Because the ox is weak. | B．Because the ox is loving. |
| C．Because the ox is helpful. | D．Because the ox is proud. |
| A．They always want to look for praise. | B．They want to be the center of attention. |
| C．They are hardworking and dependable. | D．They bully the weak and fear the strong. |
【推荐3】It’s not unusual for us to be together with our relatives on the weekends. But you know that holidays can be the chances for families to get together. Also, it may be a time to break your relationship because of some improper conversations. Now, Deborah Tannen, a Georgetown University professor, offers suggestions to improve communication at the holiday table. Let’s take a look.
A round dinning table is best for promoting a lively conversation because everyone faces one another. So, avoid seating grandparents at the ends of a rectangular(长方形的）table, even though it is the traditional place of honor. The old may feel lonely there because they will be unable to hear or keep up with a conversation. So do female family members because they prefer to face each other when they talk. However, Men might look around at other things. “Guys may be more relaxed looking at the TV or other interesting things.” says Tannen.
When talking, you should notice the people who are not involved in it. If you feel you are doing all the talk, wait to give others a chance to start. If you feel you can’t get a chance to speak, try to make yourself to start talking.
Besides, Some families find that gatherings will go better if they take part in an outdoor activity. Going to a park for a walk may be more enjoyable than sitting around talking.
1. According to the passages, seating the old at the ends of a rectangular table _______.| A．might stop them from talking |
| B．may make them feel uncomfortable |
| C．is a good way to show them honor |
| D．allows them to follow a conversation |
| A．Men like to make more eye contact than women. |
| B．Women prefer outdoor activities over sitting around talking. |
| C．Men may be more relaxed while watching TV. |
| D．Women always want to doing all the talk. |
| A．introduce Deborah Tannen |
| B．give us some advice on how to spend holidays |
| C．suggest how we can talk and act properly when families are getting together |
| D．look at the person and listen to him when you are talking with others |
【推荐1】The Lake of Heaven
Changbaishan is in Jilin Province, Northeast China. Much of this beautiful, mountainous area is thick forest. Changbaishan is China’s largest nature reserve and it is kept in its natural state for the people of China and visitors from all over the world to enjoy. The land varies in height from 700 meters above sea level to over 2,000 meters and is home to a great diversity of rare plants and animals, Among the rare animals are cranes, black bears, leopards and tigers. Many people come to Changbaishan to study its unique plants and animals. Others come to walk in the mountains, to see the spectacular waterfalls or to bathe in the hot water pools. However, the attraction that arouses the greatest appreciation in the reserve is Tianchi or the Lake of Heaven.
Tianchi is a deep lake that has formed in the crater of a dead volcano on top of the mountain. The lake is 2,194 meters above sea level, and more than 200 meters deep. In winter the surface freezes over. It takes about an hour to climb from the end of the road to the top of the mountain. When you arrive you are rewarded not only with the sight of its clear waters, but also by the view of the other sixteen mountain peaks that surround Tianchi.
There are many stories told about Tianchi. The most well-known concerns three young women from heaven. They were bathing in Tianchi when a bird flew above them and dropped a small fruit onto the dress of the youngest girl. When she picked up the fruit to smell it, it flew into her mouth. Having swallowed the fruit, the girl became pregnant and later gave birth to a handsome boy. It is said that this boy, who had a great gift for languages and persuasion, is the father of the Manchu people.
If you are lucky enough to visit the Lake of Heaven with your loved one, don’t forget to drop a coin into the clear blue water to guarantee your love will be as deep and lasting as the lake itself.
1. Which of the following has not been mentioned as a feature of Changbaishan?| A．It is home to a great variety of rare plants and animals. |
| B．It is cold and has always been covered with snow. |
| C．It has beautiful waterfall and water pools. |
| D．It is very high above sea level. |
| A．The forest. | B．The waterfall. |
| C．The sea. | D．Tianchi. |
| A．It is not very deep. |
| B．It is covered with ice in winter. |
| C．It is surrounded by small lakes. |
| D．It is at the foot of Changbaishan. |
| A．boring | B．inspiring | C．interesting | D．confusing |
【推荐2】Passage ten(Antinuclear Demonstration)
Police fired tear gas and arrested more than 5,000 passively resisting protestors Friday in an attempt to break up the largest antinuclear demonstration ever staged in the United States. More than 135,000 demonstrators confronted police on the construction site of a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant scheduled to provide power to most of southern New Hampshire. Organizers of the huge demonstration said, the protest was continuing despite the police actions. More demonstrators were arriving to keep up the pressure on state authorities to cancel the project. The demonstrator had charged that the project was unsafe in the densely populated area, would create thermal pollution in the bay, and had no acceptable means for disposing of its radioactive wasters. The demonstrations would go on until the jails and the courts were so overloaded that the state judicial system would collapse.
Governor Stanforth Thumper insisted that there would be no reconsideration of the power project and no delay in its construction set for completion in three years. “This project will begin on time and the people of this state will begin to receive its benefits on schedule. Those who break the law in misguided attempts to sabotage the project will be dealt with according to the law,” he said. And police called in reinforcements from all over the state to handle the disturbances.
The protests began before dawn Friday when several thousand demonstrators broke through police lines around the cordoned-off construction site. They carried placards that read “No Nukes is Good Nukes,” “Sunpower, Not Nuclear Power,” and “Stop Private Profits from Public Peril.” They defied police order to move from the area. Tear gas canisters fired by police failed to dislodge the protestors who had come prepared with their own gas masks or facecloths. Finally gas-masked and helmeted police charged into the crowd to drag off the demonstrators one by one. The protestors did not resist police, but refused to walk away under their own power. Those arrested would be charged with unlawful assembly, trespassing, and disturbing the peace.
1. What were the demonstrators protesting about?| A．Private profits. |
| B．Nuclear Power Station. |
| C．The project of nuclear power construction. |
| D．Public peril. |
| A．Everybody. |
| B．A part of the protestors. |
| C．Policemen. |
| D．Both B and C. |
| A．Public transportation. |
| B．Public peril. |
| C．Pollution. |
| D．Disposal of wastes. |
| A．With prisoners. |
| B．With arrested demonstrators. |
| C．With criminals. |
| D．With protestors. |
| A．stubborn. |
| B．insistent. |
| C．insolvable. |
| D．remissible. |
【推荐3】Women in the UK are living shorter lives on average than most other countries in Europe, according to an analysis by Public Health England (PHE).
Spanish women have the highest life expectancy (预期) in Europe, at 86. 3 years in2016. The average for the UK is 83, taking 17th place out of 28 European nations. Men in the UK do better, in 10th place and with above-average life expectancy of 79. 4, but men in Italy, the leading nation, can expect to live to 81.
“We are in the middle of the pack and we would like to be at the top. There is no reason why we shouldn’t be as healthy as anywhere in Europe,” said Prof. John Newton, director of health improvement at PHE.
“It is certain of concern that we have worse outcomes than other European countries,” he added. “We tend to do badly in men with respiratory (呼吸的) diseased and in women with cancer, especially breast cancer. Many of the causes of long term diseases in the UK which shorten lives are preventable.” Obesity (肥胖) is causing a big increase in the numbers of people developing some illnesses. The report shows the numbers with the illness like diabetes are expected to rise swiftly, from just under four million last year to nearly five million in 2035. Along with alcohol, obesity is also one of the factors behind the rise in breast cancer.
Most of the strategies to combat obesity are aimed at children. “In many ways it is easier to intervene,” said Newton. “We have a duty to care for children. But it is equally important that adults are encouraged to eat a better diet.”
There is strong policy support for childhood obesity programs, he said, such as the sugary drinks tax, restriction on advertising junk food to children and pressures on food companies cutting the sugar, salt and calories in their products. There is little directed specifically at adults. However, Newton said, “Nearly all of the measures will also improve adult obesity.”
1. What does the analysis by PHE tell us?| A．British women have the lowest life expectancy in Europe. |
| B．Spanish women take the lead in life expectancy in Europe. |
| C．Men in Italy enjoy the highest life expectancy in the world. |
| D．British men live almost as long as British women on average. |
| A．Poorer living conditions. | B．More pressure from work. |
| C．Worse medical treatment. | D．Less effort in prevention. |
| A．Study. | B．Discount. | C．Fight. | D．Assess. |
| A．Adopt policies on unhealthy foods. | B．Pay due attention to adult obesity. |
| C．Try to regulate food companies by law. | D．Develop strategies on childhood obesity. |
【推荐1】Are the Olympic Games outdated? That might seem like a strange question to ask. But it’s exactly what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is doing. At the 2012 London Olympics, IOC President Thomas Bach noticed something. “You could see that the younger generation had no interest in the Games anymore. They were not there.”
In response, the IOC wants to make the Summer Olympics more youthful. But that isn’t as simple as just adding more sports. The Olympic program can’t continue to grow bigger: it would become too much for host cities to handle. For now, permanently adding new sports to the Olympics is out of the question.
The IOC’s solution is to continue to vote on the new program’s line-up and give host cities the opinion to add extra sports. The extra events would be included in that year’s Olympics only. This policy takes effect at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing and 3x3 baseball are all making their Olympic debuts(首次露面)there.
Adding new sports, though, has sparked a lot of debate. Some sports have been pushing to be included in the Olympics for years but still haven’t made it. Meanwhile, newer sports like skateboarding or surfing are already getting the opportunity.
People are also wondering what makes up an Olympic sport. Paris, the future host of the 2024 Summer Olympics, has expressed interest in adding break-dancing. Some people would like to see e-sports at the Olympics. E-sports are especially important to consider because they are spreading like wildfire. President Bach stated video games with killing are not acceptable. One of the main principles of the Olympics is to encourage peace. At the moment, the future of e-sports is still uncertain.
What about the Winter Olympics? Not to worry, the IOC has already announced seven new events for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. But the Winter Olympics situation is a little different. The Winter Olympics have less than half the sports of the Summer Olympics, so they have room to grow.
1. Why does the IOC want to make the Summer Olympics more youthful?| A．Because the Olympic Games are outdated. |
| B．Because there is too much for host cities to handle. |
| C．Because the spirit of the Olympics has got lost over time. |
| D．Because the IOC wants to get the younger generation interested. |
| A．Baseball. | B．Surfing. |
| C．Speed skating. | D．Break-dancing. |
| A．Cautious. | B．Supportive. |
| C．Curious. | D．Indifferent. |
| A．every country has the chance to add extra sports |
| B．newly-added sports will be in the Olympics forever |
| C．newer sports are more competitive than some traditional sports |
| D．there is greater possibility of adding more sports to the Winter Olympics |
【推荐2】Going out guide
FEB.21
Released (发行) in December, "Kimberly: The People I Used to know" is the latest from R&B singer-songwriter K. Michelle, who rose to popularity through the VH I docus-series "Love & Hip Hop." The singer has been praised for her honesty on tracks like "Kim K," which addresses cultural appropriation. 8 p.m. Feb. 21. The Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Coiesvilie Rd., Silver Spring, Md. 301-960-9999. filbnoresilverspring.com. $58-$121.
FEB.22-25
The Architecture & Design Film Festival presents nearly 20 films over four days in its D.C.run. Movies explore topics such as design for social change and the lives of architects and designers including Charles and Ray Eames, Dries Van Noten and Bjarke Ingels. Some screenings will include discussions. Feb. 22-25. National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW. 202-272-2448. nbm.org. $15 per screening,$10 students,$125 all-access pass.
THROUGH MARCH 10
Interior (室内的) designers will draw inspiration from Marjorie Merriweather Post's lively tablescapes (桌面景观) to exhibit table settings of the past in Hillwood's dining room. Through March 10. Hillwood Estate, Museum&Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave. NW. 202-686-5807. hillwoodmuseum.org. $18 seniors,$10 college students, $5 ages 6 to 18, free for children younger than 6.
MARCH 22-25
The musical staged by WSC Avant Bard returns. The production is about mythical (神话的) Greek king Oedipus nearing his death. March 22 through March 25. Gunston Arts Center, Theatre Two, 2700 S. Lang St, Arlington. 703-418-4808. wscavantbard.org. $10-$35.
1. Which number can one call if he or she wants to enjoy some pop music?| A．301-960-9999. | B．202-272-2448. |
| C．202-686-5807. | D．703-418-4808. |
| A．Enjoy a fashion design show. | B．Meet some film stars in person. |
| C．Listen to a lecture about architecture. | D．Learn about the lives of some designers. |
| A．At Gunston Arts Center. | B．At National Building Museum. |
| C．At the Fillmore Silver Spring. | D．At Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens. |
【推荐3】The boy sat on his chair, with his hands above the keyboard. He thought about what to write.
He recalled that the competition deadline was merely a week away. But he still had not even started on his piece. He looked at the brochure again. “WRITING COMPETITION!” the title read. His mom had encouraged him to enter the writing competition, and now he was taking it on as his personal task for the holidays.
As the boy reflected on his previous writing efforts, he realized how hopeless his task of winning was. Every story he ever wrote was based on other stories. He has little imagination, and unfortunately, imagination was the key to writing.
Suddenly, he had a brainwave. This time, he came up with an original and imaginative story.
The words shot towards him like a storm of leaves. Words were coming easily, flowing through him, faster than he could type. He typed faster than he ever had before. He continued to type, amazed how easy writing this story was. The boy could not stop writing. He looked at the word count and saw the number “248” staring right back at him. He was not even halfway yet.
Then he heard his mother's call of saying time for bed. He continued writing the piece, ignoring her. He had to make up for the time he had lost in thinking about a topic to write.
Finally, he finished. The word count now read “498”.
“Perfect,” he thought, “just under the word limit.” He knew this was the story that would win.
He went to the website and searched for the competition. He found the page but there was no “Enter” button.
Confused, he then reread the page again. It read COMPETITION CLOSED.
1. What caused the boy to take part in the writing competition?| A．A new computer. | B．The prize money. |
| C．His own interest. | D．His mom's encouragement. |
| A．His mom helped him. | B．He copied others' ideas. |
| C．His friends assisted him. | D．He used his imagination. |
| A．Because he was terribly lazy. | B．Because he didn't know what to write. |
| C．Because he wasn't confident. | D．Because he read too many stories. |
【推荐1】Popularly known as the “Oriental Hawaii,” Sanya in South China’s Hainan province is considered as one of the best diving resorts in the South Pacific Ocean.
The followings are the top five places for diving in the city.
Wuzhizhou Island
Regarded as the best place in Hainan province for underwater diving, it is one of the few islands in the world without rocks or pebbles.
The island covers an area of 1.48 square kilometers and is in an irregular butterfly shape. The sea around the island is clear and transparent, providing a visibility of 6 to 27 meters.
Yalong Bay
The underwater world at Yalong Bay is one of the earliest diving bases in Sanya.
It is thought as one of the best scenic spots in China to carry out undersea tourism, with the world's largest and most complete soft coral. Its beautiful blue water has a visibility of 7 to 9 meters.
Xidao Island
Xidao Island, the largest of a series of small islands in Sanya, is shaped like a turtle living in the tropical area.
Located 8 nautical miles off the coast, the island enjoys idyllic surroundings of rocky caves and an interior filled with palm trees. It also boasts crystal clear waters with a wide array of marine life and extensive coral reefs to explore.
Dadonghai Bay
Embraced by hills on three sides, it is a crescent-shaped bay located about 4 km southeast of the downtown area of Sanya.
It is also richly endowed by nature with vernal sunshine, soft breezes as well as fine sand. Though the water here is not as clear as that in Yalong Bay and Wuzhizhou Island, this diving spot is easier to get to.
Fenjiezhou Island
Nicknamed the Sleeping Beauty Island, it is a national 5A scenic area in Lingshui Li autonomous county.
The island boasts extremely clean beaches and rich marine ecological resources. It is the only site in the country that allows visitors to dive with dolphins.
1. Which diving resort looks like a turtle?| A．Wuzhizhou Island | B．Yalong Bay | C．Xidao Island | D．Dadonghai Island |
| A．They are very close to the coast. |
| B．They provided clear waters to dive in. |
| C．They are surrounded by hills and palm trees. |
| D．They have coral reefs and marine life to explore. |
| A．It is the best place in the world for underwater diving. |
| B．It is the most convenient for visitors to get to. |
| C．It is filled with the largest soft coral and clearest water. |
| D．It is the site permitting visitors to dive with dolphins. |
【推荐2】The traffic in Lagos, Nigeria’s capital, is enough to make the most patient travelers mad. A rush-hour commuter（通勤者）can take three hours to go 15 km. Office workers try, often in vain, not to fall asleep at their desks after hard and sweaty journeys. Globe-travelling managers are never sure whether they will catch their flights.
A person who benefits has been the okada rider. On his cheap motorbike taxi, he often carries an entire family or a week’s groceries, ducking through the traffic. His wildly time-saving ways include riding on the wrong side of the road and ignoring red lights.
But Babatunde Fashola, Lagos’s popular governor; is banning okadas as part of his push to put the city in order. On September 1, Mr. Fashola banned okadas from many of the coastal city’s main roads and bridges.Many Lagosians say that, though he has actually banned okadas, the governor has failed to provide alternatives.
Many poorer Lagosians, facing long journeys from the countryside, must now use far slower taxis or unlicensed minibuses. Richer people who have always used their own cars are also complaining（抱怨）as the jams become even worse.
Mr Fashola notes that the untrained riders cause many accidents. Of the dozen, five admit to having had serious crashes. One has an open wound on his leg. Another lifts his T-shirt to show a scar on his chest. Mr. Fashola, who took office in 2007, has been trying to set up a proper public transport system. A bus system with its own lanes started running in 2008. Two railway lines are promised, though it is unclear when they will be laid.
But many think the campaign against okadas is not mature. Whether Mn Fashola can successfully carry out his measures is another matten After he previously ordered okada riders to buy helmets, many wore old paint cans and melon rinds（瓜皮）.
1. What in particular annoys Lagosian commuters?| A．Not having fixed taxi fares. |
| B．Wasting time in traffic jams. |
| C．Not having punctual flights. |
| D．Missing scheduled appointments. |
| A．To promote the use of taxis. |
| B．To introduce new alternatives. |
| C．To make himself a more popular governor |
| D．To create a city with a good transport system |
| A．The green concept is most welcome in Nigeria. |
| B．Lagosians are creative and full of imagination. |
| C．Lagosians didn’t fully support Mr. Fashola’s measures. |
| D．The campaign against okadas didn’t catch public attention. |
【推荐3】Harvard researchers have created a tough, low-cost, biodegradable(可生物降解的) material inspired by insects’ hard outer shells. The material’s inventors say it has a number of possible uses and some day could provide a more environmentally friendly alternative（可替代的） to plastic. The material, made from shrimp shells and proteins produced from silk, is called “shrilk”. It is thin, clear, flexible（柔韧性的） and strong.
A major benefit of the material is its biodegradability. Plastic’s toughness and flexibility represented a revolution in materials science during the 1950s and 1960s. Decades later, however, plastic’s durability(耐用性) is raising questions about how appropriate it is for one-time products such as plastic bags, or short-lived consumer goods, used in the home for a few years and then cast into a landfill where they will degrade for centuries. What is the point of making something that lasts 1,000 years?
Shrilk not only will degrade in a landfill, but its basic components are used as fertilizer, and so will enrich the soil. Shrilk has great potential, the inventors said. Materials from which it is made are plentiful in nature, found in everything ranging from shrimp shells, insect bodies to living plants. That makes shrilk low cost, and its mass production possible if it should be used for products demanding a lot of material.
Work on shrilk is continuing in the lab. The inventors said the material becomes flexible when wet, so they’re exploring ways to use it in wet environments. They’re also developing simpler production processes, which could be used for non-medical products, like for computer cases and other products inside the home. They’re even exploring combining it with other materials, like carbon fibers, to give it new properties.
1. Paragraph 1 of the passage is mainly about shrink’s .| A．remarkable design | B．interesting name |
| C．major features | D．basic elements |
| A．it can help plastic degrade |
| B．it can be found in living things |
| C．its mass production has been realized |
| D．its raw materials are abundant in nature |
| A．Replacing carbon fibers with shrilk. |
| B．Testing shrilk’s use in wet conditions. |
| C．Making shrilk out of used household goods. |
| D．Improving shrilk’s flexibility for medical purposes. |
| A．Recent Progress in Environmental Protection. |
| B．Benefits of Insects in Scientific Research. |
| C．The Harm of One-time Products. |
| D．A Possible Alternative to Plastic. |
