【推荐2】There are many customs and traditions connected to yearly celebrations which are part of Britain’s folklore (民俗). Lughnasadh is a celebration at the beginning of August.     1     The doll is saved until the following spring when it is put back into the earth with new seeds. People believe that the doll contains the spirit of the corn and will bring a good harvest. Christmas too is full of ancient customs. The traditions of lighting a fire and decorating the home with an evergreen have their roots in times. The fire is to keep away evil spirits and fill the home with light and the evergreen is valued because it is a sign that life continued during those cold, dark days.

    2     The roots of Morris dancing, for example, are not known. This is a dance in which men(and sometimes women)dressed in white dance together. Some people think the dance may be from pre-Christmas times, and others say it was introduced into Britain in the late 15th century and that it comes from Moorish dancing. In any case, it is interesting to see that Morris dancing is not a dying tradition.     3    

Although these customs have been passed down to us from forgotten generations, they themselves have not been forgotten and continue to play a part in our modern lives.     4     This month people all over Britain shall be preparing their homes for the ancient celebration we now call Christmas, lighting fires and putting up Christmas trees, just as their great-great-grandfathers once did.

A．Most families observe with a large meal and sometimes a religious service.

B．There are Morris dancing groups in places as far away as New Zealand and San Francisco!

C．It is a holiday rooted in the belief that the world is spiritually connected to heaven.

D．Not all the origins of ancient traditions are remembered, however.

E．Every week groups of individuals regularly meet to sing, play instruments or practice ancient dances.

F．A custom connected with it is to make corn dolls with corn from the last of the harvest.

【推荐1】Red Tourism Sites in Shanghai

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Many Chinese people are planning to visit red tourism attractions in the coming summer vacation. The following are some red tourism sites in Shanghai.

Former Site of the Editorial Department of New Youth

Revolutionary magazine New Youth, which created the New Culture Movement and spread the influence of the May Fourth Movement, was established by Chen Duxiu in Shanghai in 1915. The editorial office moved to Beijing in 1917 when Chen Duxiu was head of liberal arts at Peking University but moved back to Shanghai three years later.

Address: No. 2, 100 Nanchang Road, Huangpu district

Former Residence of Chen Wangdao

This three-story building was the home of famous scholar and educator Chen Wangdao. In 1920, Chen completed the first Chinese translation of The Communist Manifesto (共产党宣言). He also served as President of Fudan University from 1952 to 1977.             

Address: 51 Guofu Road, Yangpu district

Huangpu Wharf (码头)

Huangpu Wharf in Yangpu district was the place for about 650 Chinese students who headed to France from March 1919 to December 1920 to further their studies. They included Zhou Enlai, later the first premier of the Peopled Republic of China, and Deng Xiaoping, later the leader of the PRC.

Address: 32 Qinhuangdao Road, Yangpu district

The Memorial of the Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China

The two-story building was completed in 1920 as the residence of CPC founding member Li Hanjun. On July 23, 1921, thirteen members held their first national congress of the Communist Party of China here, marking the birth of the Party.

Address: 76 Xingye Road, Huangpu district

1. When did the editorial office of New Youth return to Shanghai?

A．In 1915.

B．In 1919.

C．In 1920

D．In 1921.

2. What do we know about Chen Wangdao according to the text?

A．He established the New Youth magazine.

B．He first translated The Communist Manifesto into Chinese.

C．He went to France for further study.

D．He held the first national congress of the CPC.

3. Which site was the birthplace of the Communist Party of China?

A．Former Site of the Editorial Department, of New Youth.

B．Former Residence of Chen Wangdao.

C．Huangpu Wharf.

D．The Memorial of the Site of the First National Congress of the CPC.

【推荐2】The Rio Carnival(狂欢节)

What is it?

The Rio de Janeiro carnival, held annually in the month of February, is a spectacular celebration of life that attracts millions of people onto the streets of the Brazilian city. The whole country stops to watch, either in the city itself or on the television. It is estimated that each year 700,000 visitors come to watch from all over the world.

“Samba” schools

The music played throughout the carnival procession is called the “samba”. Many participants belong to “samba” schools where they learn to dance and play the music which is so popular throughout Brazil. There are about 30 “samba” schools with thousands of members. They perform for four entire nights in a huge area called the “Sambadrome”. The schools take part in an official competition and the best of them is awarded a prize. Each school is assessed on its costumes, the theme of its performance and the quality of the music. Some “samba” schools hold street parties and perform in their local areas because many people cannot afford to buy a ticket for the official competition.

The stars of the show

Each school is led by a queen followed by hundreds of drummers and brightly decorated carnival vehicles. The Carnival Queens are the biggest stars and they are chosen from amongst the most beautiful women in each community. As well as beauty, the queen has to be very fit to lead her group of drummers on the slow procession through the streets of Rio.

“Blocos” parades

“Blocos” parades have become an important feature of Rio’s carnival in addition to the “samba” schools. These parades are less formal and include groups of musicians from the same neighborhood who just want to sing, dance and have a good time. Today, they number more than 100 and the groups increase each year. They all dress in costumes or T-shirts with special themes or logos. Before the show they gather in a square, then parade through sections of the city, before performing near to the beach. Some of them have a particular place such as a cafe where they play and dance to attract spectators.

1. Which of the following details illustates that the Rio de Janeiro carnival is the largest show in the world?

A．It is usually held at the beginning of each year.

B．The whole country stops to watch its live shows on TV.

C．More than half a million visitors come for it every year.

D．The city streets all over Brazil are crowded because of it.

2. What can be learned about Samba schools?

A．They teach children to dance to the music of samba.

B．They choose samba queens from people on the street.

C．They collect money for those cannot afford a ticket.

D．They usually give performances at night during the carnival.

3. “Blocos” parade are different from the samba schools in how _________ they are.

A．popular

B．formal

C．unusual

D．noisy

【推荐3】Shape Up NYC is a free group fitness program with locations across the city. Sign up below to take fitness classes. Our fitness instructors know how to make fitness fun! You do not need to be a member of a recreation center in order to attend a class, though you must bring a lock and a government-issued ID for classes held indoors.

Total Body Fitness

Venue: Cardio Room (in Betsy Head Park), Manhattan

Time: 8:00 a.m. — 9:00 a.m. Saturday

Total Body Fitness is a heart-pumping, high-intensity class using bodyweight exercises.

Hip House Dance

Venue: St. John’s Recreation Center, Brooklyn

Time: 7:00 p.m. — 8:30 p.m. Saturday

Hip-House is an upbeat dance workout that integrates Old School Hip-Hop with House music to improve cardio(有氧运动) fitness.

Walking Group

Venue: Crotona Park, Bronx

Time: 10:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m. Sunday

This free walking program will help you move your body and connect with others in your community!

Zumba Fitness

Venue: Midland Beach Splash Plaza, Staten Island

Time: 7:30 p.m. — 9:30 p.m. Sunday

Zumba is a combination of Latin, International and popular music dance themes which provides a dynamic, exciting, and effective fitness system!

Shape Up NYC Service Changes

The program is currently offering both indoor and outdoor group fitness classes. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve put additional safety rules in place.

• Pre-registration is required; drop-in participants may attend outdoor classes if the class is not full.

• Class sizes are limited to ensure social distancing can be maintained.

• Proof of vaccination(接种疫苗) is required for indoor locations.

• Wash your hands frequently and stay home if you’re sick.

Programs may be rescheduled or cancelled due to weather, health, or safety concerns.

1. What is unique about Zumba Fitness?

A．It is available on weekend evening.	B．It is an indoor event.
C．It combines different types of music.	D．It allows one to experience foreign cultures.

2. If you intend to expand your network while doing exercise, you should sign up for _____________.

A．Total Body Fitness

B．Hip-House Dance

C．Walking Group

D．Zumba Fitness

3. Which one of the following is NOT required when one attends Shape Up NYC program inside a building?

A．An identification card.	B．Records to prove one’s health.
C．Pre-registration fees.	D．Avoiding close contact with others.