World history has seen three ancient dramas: Greek tragedy and comedy; Indian Sanskrit drama; and Chinese opera. The first two have become historical and only Chinese opera has survived.
Chinese opera took shape in the 12th century. After developing for more than 800 years, its abundant local styles of opera are still enjoying great popularity, of which Qinqiang is one of the most ancient operas.
Qingiang opera is a thousand-year-old local opera originating in China’s inland northwestern region. It has established a unique tradition as an “opera shouted out” with its high-pitched arias(高音唱腔). Li Mei has won a reputation as one of the four greatest Qinqiang actresses. She’s also known for her passionate commitment to exploring the theatrical possibilities offered by Qinqiang.
Li Mei and her workmates are halfway through an afternoon rehearsal(排练)and most have broken into a sweat. Singing in a near-whisper, the forty-year-old opera star performs the stylized movements for the leading role—the bitter dead Lady Li Huiniang in Ghost’s Hate.
Little wonder that Li Mei is such a powerful presence on stage. She’s the greatest contributory actress who’s able to interpret a character so compellingly and tell a story so convincingly that European audiences warmly hug this unfamiliar art form.
Li Mei said, “We performed this opera in the Netherlands to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the founding of Holland’s National Theatre. We enjoyed a fifteen-minute curtain call and the audiences applauded wildly for a long time. The local press entitled me the ‘Nemesis of the Orient’ and the ‘Chinese Venus’. Why is that so? Because they’ve fully understood what the opera implied—the loyalty towards love, and dead as she may be, her love persists.
The reason why this opera was able to touch millions of hearts is that it has a beautiful story presented by a beautiful art form.
1. What can be inferred about Chinese opera from the text?| A．It made history with ancient Greek operas. |
| B．It consists of various dynamic local operas. |
| C．It has a history shorter than Indian Sanskrit drama. |
| D．It originated from the most ancient local Qingiang opera. |
| A．Because its story is easy to be fully understood by foreigners. |
| B．Because its leading role Li Mei is famous as the “Chinese Venus”. |
| C．Because it conveys the popular message of loyalty towards love. |
| D．Because it is a perfect combination of touching plot and attractive form. |
| A．Persuasively. | B．Boringly. | C．Incorrectly. | D．Partly. |
| A．She won a reputation as one of the four greatest Qingiang actresses. |
| B．She brought Li Huiniang, the bitter dead Lady in Ghost’s Hate to life. |
| C．She explored many theatrical possibilities offered by Qinqiang opera. |
| D．She spread one of Chinese traditional cultures to the other side of the world. |
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【推荐1】Award-winning author Judy Blume’s novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, a book about the challenges of growing up and figuring out who you are, has been popular for more than 50 years. For the first time, it has been turned into a film, which arrives in movie theatres on April 28.
The story in the book and the movie is set in the 1970s. It is told from the perspective (视角) of 11-year-old Margaret Simon, a sixth grader faced with going to a new school, making new friends, family drama, and most notably, puberty(when a child’s body becomes an adult body). She is also trying to figure out her own religious beliefs. In private, Margaret addresses God with questions about her life. The novel has been a bestseller for decades, but it is also one of the most forbidden books in the US. Some people think the book’s coverage of puberty is not age-appropriate. Another concern is about the way Christianity is described. The film’s writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig, a longtime fan of the story, told The Week Junior that the movie is faithful to the book.
Margret is played by Abby Ryder Fortson, who was about the same age as her character during filming. She told The Week Junior she first read the novel when she was auditioning (试镜) for the movie. Afterward, she recalled, “I said to my dad, ‘How did someone write a book about this experience and make it so honest and so true?’ I loved the book so much.”
Craig wants the film to make audiences laugh and for them to see themselves in Margaret and her friends. “There’s something about watching someone else do the embarrassing things that you do that’s really funny—also a great relief that you’re not the only one,”she said.
1. What is true about Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret ?| A．The movie is extremely popular. |
| B．It was written by Margaret. |
| C．It was turned into a film 50 years ago. |
| D．It is about problems in the process of growth. |
| A．Margaret’s religious beliefs. |
| B．How Margaret deals with her problems. |
| C．The description of puberty. |
| D．The cover of the book. |
| A．By giving an example. |
| B．By making a comparison. |
| C．By giving a definition. |
| D．By showing its effect. |
| A．To bring Margaret to life. |
| B．To learn from Margaret. |
| C．To embarrass the audience. |
| D．To amuse the audience. |
Though Lawrence has found great success through her big screen work, Lawrence wasn't sure what she really liked doing before the age of 14. She thought she'd go to college and maybe find a career as a doctor or a travel agent.
Lawrence's two brothers were star athletes and one of them was a straight-A student. Unlike them, she suffered through school, never quite finding where she belonged. However, during a trip to New York, Lawrence suddenly realized that she wanted to be an actress. When she was enjoying the beautiful city, a model seeker asked if he could take her picture, and the next day he called her in for an audition (试镜).
"I read the script and it was the first time I had that feeling like I understand this," Lawrence said. "Within 20 minutes, in the cab ride from the hotel room, I decided I didn't want to be a model. In fact, I wanted to be an actress." Having appreciated this young lady's performance, the agency was so impressed with her reading that they signed her on the spot. But she insisted on finishing high school so she could give her full attention to her acting career.
Lawrence burst onto the Hollywood scene last year with The Hunger Games, which established her as the highest-grossing (票房最高的) female action hero of all time. Rolling Stone called her “the most talented young actress in America".
1. What can we know about Jennifer Lawrence from Paragraph 3?
| A．Her parents were really strict with her. |
| B．She seemed not to fit in with her school days well. |
| C．Her school performance made her today's fame. |
| D．Her two brothers were doing well in all school subjects. |
| A．a model interview |
| B．her brothers' examples |
| C．the taxi-ride to her hotel room |
| D．the beautiful scenery of New York |
| A．confidence | B．ambition | C．independence | D．talent |
| A．Choosing Right | B．Acting Wisely |
| C．Winning Young | D．Following Dreams |
 |  The Curse of the WereRabbit(2005) is the first fulllength feature film made by directors Nick Park and Steve Box with their amazing plasticine(粘土) characters Wallace and Gromit. It won an Oscar in 2006, and if you watch it, you’ll understand why. It’s an absolutely brilliant cartoon comedy. |
| Cheeseloving inventor Wallace and his brainy dog Gromit have started a company to protect the town’s vegetables from hungry rabbits. However, just before the annual Giant Vegetable Competition, an enormous rabbit begins terrorising the town. It is attacking all the vegetables and destroying everything in its path. The competition organizer, Lady Tottington, hires Wallace and Gromit to catch the monster alive. But they will have to find the wererabbit before guncrazy hunter Victor Quartermaine who is desperate to kill it. | |
| The screenplay is witty and full of amusing visual jokes. As usual, the voice of Peter Sallis is absolutely perfect for the role of Wallace, and Gromit is so beautifully brought to life, he can express a huge range of emotions without saying a word. And both Helena BonhamCarter, who plays the part of Lady Tottington, and Ralph Fiennes as Victor are really funny. | |
| To sum up, The Curse of the WereRabbit is an amazing film which is suitable for both children and adults. If you liked Wallace and Gromit’s previous adventures and you appreciate the British sense of humour, you’ll love this film. Don’t miss it！ |
1. According to the film review, “monster” refers to ________.
| A．a guncrazy hunter | B．a scary rabbit |
| C．a brainy dog | D．a giant vegetable |
| A．It’s full of wit and humour. |
| B．Its characters show feelings without words. |
| C．It is an adventure film directed by Peter Sallis. |
| D．It is about the harmony between man and animals. |
【推荐1】Ollivier Jean-Baptiste, 25, a vlogger from France living in China, delivered a speech on the latest episode of the China Daily Youth Power series on Jan 30. In his speech, Jean-Baptiste spoke about his initial impressions of China. Just like his family and friends, he saw China as a mysterious place with a culture entirely different from Western countries.
The idea of visiting China first came to him when his uncle, who worked in China, returned with endless praise for the Chinese lifestyle. “Everything, from the food to the scenery, was incredibly appealing,” he recalled.
Later, a Chinese woman introduced him personally to the everyday life of Chinese people, which exposed him to a different way of living. The woman later became his wife, and they moved to Beijing in 2022, which Jean-Baptiste described as “eye-opening” for him. “She took me to see the flag-raising ceremony. Witnessing countless people rushing toward the flag, I was deeply moved. It’s a country of strength, unity, and love,” he said.
When Jean-Baptiste went to his wife’s hometown, the beautiful countryside located in Southwest China, for the first time, a group of locals started shouting “waiguoren”, which means “foreigner”, and ran after him. He understood that this was their way of showing interest and hospitality. “Many, even those who spoke little English, would say ‘welcome to China’. I felt the warmth of home in a foreign country,” he said.
These experiences made Jean-Baptiste eager to spread Chinese culture. When he returned to France for vacation and shared photos in China with his family, they were also excited. After learning about the 15-day visa-free travel from France to China, they couldn’t wait to book their trip to China. “I’m overjoyed to host them showcasing China’s modern development and rich history,” he said. “I may be just an ordinary person with limited influence, but everyone can be a cultural ambassador.”
1. What inspired Jean-Baptiste to visit China from France?| A．His plan to start a new business. | B．His interest in his uncle’s experience. |
| C．His dream of having an international tour. | D．His passion for spreading French culture. |
| A．He lived in Beijing with his wife for years. | B．He learnt the daily life of Chinese people. |
| C．He encountered many people in a ceremony. | D．He realized people’s love for the national flag. |
| A．The experience of visiting a village. | B．The introduction to cultural diversity. |
| C．The recommendation of Chinese custom. | D．The significance of communication. |
| A．Ambitious and courageous. | B．Cautious and persistent. |
| C．Devoted and enthusiastic. | D．Patient and dedicated. |
【推荐2】Food is one of the necessities in our daily life. It serves as a form of communication in two fundamental ways. Sharing bread or other foods is a common human tradition that can promote unity and trust. Food can also have a specific meaning, and play a significant role in a family or culture's celebrations or traditions. The foods we eat—and when and how we eat them—are often unique to a particular culture or may even differ between countrysides and cities within one country.
Sharing bread, whether during a special occasion or at the family dinner table, is a common symbol of togetherness. Many cultures also celebrate birthdays and marriages with cakes that are cut and shared among the guests. Early forms of cake were simply a kind of bread, so this tradition hits its roots in the custom of sharing bread.
Food also plays an important role in many New Year celebrations. In the southern United States, pieces of corn bread represent blocks of gold for prosperity (兴旺) in the New Year. In Greece, people share a special cake called vasilopita. A coin is put into the cake, which signifies (预示) success in the New Year for the person who receives it.
Many cultures have ceremonies to celebrate the birth of a child, and food can play a significant role. In China, when a baby is one month old, families name and welcome their child in a celebration that includes giving red-colored eggs to guests. In many cultures, round foods such as grapes, bread, and moon cakes are eaten at welcome celebrations to represent family unity.
Nutrition is necessary for life, so it is not surprising that food is such an important part of different cultures around the world.
1. According to the passage, sharing bread______.| A．can help to develop unity | B．indicates a lack of food |
| C．is a custom unique to rural areas | D．has its roots in birthday celebrations |
| A．analyzing causes | B．making comparisons |
| C．using examples | D．describing processes |
| A．The custom of sharing food. | B．The specific meaning of food. |
| C．The role of food in ceremonies. | D．The importance of food in culture. |
【推荐3】Chinese Paper Cutting or Jianzhi is the first type of paper-cutting design, since paper was invented in the Eastern Han Dynasty in China.
It’s a very distinguishing visual art of Chinese handicrafts. The art form later spread to other parts of the world with different areas adopting their own cultural styles. After hundreds of year’s development, now they’ve become a very popular means of decoration among country folk, especially women. The paper-cuts are also used to decorate doors and windows, and therefore they’re sometimes referred to “chuang hua”, meaning Window Flower. Paper-cuts are chiefly used as decorations. However, today, Chinese paper-cuts are also used for religious and ceremonial purpose, and they’re buried with the dead and burned at funerals.
Chinese people believe the red paper-cuts on the door can bring good fortune and happiness to the whole family. The paper-cuts are more often seen during traditional Chinese festivals, particularly in Chinese New Year, the Spring Festival. They’re also given as gifts to friends or other family members.
Paper-cuttings aren’t produced by machine, but by hand. There’re two methods of manufacture: one uses scissors, the other uses knives. Knife cuttings are fashioned by putting several layers of paper or a relatively soft foundation. Following a pattern, the artist cuts the motif into the paper with a sharp knife he usually holds vertically. The advantage of knife-cuttings is that considerably more paper cuttings can be made in one operation than with scissor cuttings.
It’s easy to learn about cutting a piece of paper but difficult to master it with perfection. One must grasp the knife in an upright fashion and press evenly (均匀地) on the paper with some strength. Flexibility is required but any hesitation will damage the whole image.
People find hope and comfort in expressing wishes with paper-cutting. For instance: for a wedding ceremony, red paper-cuttings are a traditional decoration on the tea set, the dressing table glass, and on other furniture. A big red paper character “Xi” (happiness) is a traditional must on the newlywed’s door.
1. It can be learned from the second paragraph that ___________.| A．paper-cuts are mainly used as presents |
| B．females are better at paper-cutting than males |
| C．paper-cutting varies from area to area |
| D．paper-cuts are used in various ceremonies but funerals |
| A．Forms of paper-cutting. |
| B．Means of paper-cutting. |
| C．Advantages of knife cuttings. |
| D．Characteristics of paper-cutting. |
| A．using examples |
| B．making comparisons |
| C．analyzing causes |
| D．describing processes |
【推荐1】Have you ever lost something in a hard-to-reach space, like behind a sofa or under the bed? Wouldn’t it be nice to just squeeze (挤) in and out to get it? New robots will soon make this happen.
In a study, scientists from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Carnegie Mellon University in the US have invented small robots that can quickly change into liquid (液体) states. They melted (熔化) into liquid and managed to get out of a locked cage (笼子) during the tests, shocking the whole scientific community.
According to the website Mashable, the scientists got the idea from sea cucumbers (海参), which can change the softness of their bodies and easily enter any place .The robots in the study were made from a soft metal, which has a low melting point of only 30°C.The scientists firstly place the robot in a magnetic field (磁场). Thanks to the magnetic field, the robot can then be heated into a liquid form, allowing it to enter some hard-to-reach places. After that, by controlling the strength or direction of the magnetic field, the robot can be moved around in a controlled manner.
Hopefully, these liquid robots can be widely used in different fields and will not disappoint us. They can help take out a foreign object from a model human stomach. Scientists can use them to repair a TV set by squeezing them into hard-to-reach areas inside the TV set. To prevent humans from being harmed, these robots can perform dangerous tasks in hard-to-reach environments, such as cleaning in nuclear power plants (核能发电).
“What we’re showing are just ideas that need to be developed further,“ said Carmel Majidi of Carnegie Mellon University. “The goal of our future research is to put these liquid robots to use in real-life situations more quickly. We are very confident about achieving this goal.”
1. The writer started the passage by .| A．asking questions | B．telling stories |
| C．giving examples | D．comparing facts |
a. It is heated into a liquid form.
b. It is put in a magnetic field.
c. The magnetic field is used to move robots.
d. It enters some hard-to-reach places.
| A．a-c-d-b | B．b-a-d-c | C．a-b-c-d | D．d-b-a-c |
| A．Why scientists invented liquid robots | B．How liquid robots work in a magnetic field |
| C．Where small liquid robots are invented | D．What liquid robots can do now and in the future |
| A．disappointed | B．humorous | C．angry | D．confident |
【推荐2】With smart phones and e-readers becoming more common, some worry that the days of paper books are numbered. But as a recent survey showed, traditional books are still popular among readers.
Industry research company Nielsen found that 7 percent more paper books were sold in the UK in 2020 compared to the previous year, while sales of their digital rivals declined(下降)by 4 percent. It was the sixth year in a row that e-book sales had fallen.
Nielsen’s survey, surprisingly, found that it is young people who preferred physical books to e-reader versions.
In another study conducted in 2016 by the youth research agency Voxburner in the UK, more than 60 percent of 16-to-24-year-olds said they preferred print books to e-books. The most popular reason given was: “I like to hold the product.”
Steve Bohme, research director at Nielsen Book Research UK, explained that young people were using books as a break from their daily connections to electronic devices(设备)and social media. “We are seeing that books are a respite(缓解), particularly for young people who are so busy digitally,” he said.
And it is not just young people in the UK who prefer print books. The story is the same in other countries.
According to a study, 92 percent of college students prefer paper books to e-books, of more than 420 university students from the United States, Slovakia, Japan and Germany.
The main reasons were that when reading e-books, students are easily distracted. Some also ended up with headaches or painful eyes.
In addition, print books can bring a very different reading experience-a sense of accomplishment when finishing reading.
1. What is the meaning of the underlined word “numbered” in Paragraph 1?| A．Added | B．Analyzed. | C．Completed. | D．Limited. |
| A．The life of young people is full of digital devices. |
| B．It’s better to read books when having a rest. |
| C．Young people are too busy to have time for a rest. |
| D．Young people prefer print books due to their lower costs. |
| A．E-books make reading experience uncomfortable. |
| B．E-books provide young people with fewer books. |
| C．E-books are far more expensive. |
| D．E-books give people a sense of failure. |
【推荐3】Beijing issued on Thursday China’s first autonomous(自动的)driving permits to two robotaxi operators-Baidu Inc and Pony. ai, which for the first time allows the removal of a safety operator from the driver’s seat on public roads in the capital.
Industry experts said the move marks a significant milestone for the autonomous ride-hailing(打车服务)industry in China, indicating an openness to taking a further step toward a fully driverless vehicle.
Since Thursday, users can hail a driverless robotaxi using the Apollo Go mobile app from 10 am to 4 pm for free, according to Baidu Inc. The driverless robotaxi is expected to hit the road around the clock within six months, said Wei Dong, vice-president of Baidu Intelligent Driving Business Group. The company is concentrating on expanding its commercial robotaxi pilot services in more cities at an early stage.
The robotaxi service provided by Pony.ai, which obtained a taxi license in Guangzhou on April 24, covers hundreds of locations, including subway stations, parks, stadiums, commercial buildings and residential areas “The approval to operate driverless robot axis in Beijing is a critical milestone in the change from testing driverless autonomous vehicles to offering driverless robotaxi rides to public passengers, ”said Peng Jun, co-founder and CEO of Pony.ai.
Beijing is taking the lead in promoting the development of commercialized autonomous driving in China, said Zhang Xiang, a researcher at the Automobile Industry Innovesearcher at the Automobile Industry Innovation Research Center, adding that other first-tier cities, such as Shanghai and Shenzhen, might follow Beijing and allow autonomous vehicles to carry passengers in the near future.
The move will help autonomous driving companies get more testing experience of the driverless pattern, said Lyu Jinghong, an intelligent mobility analyst, adding that more tests are required to realize the goal of fully autonomous driving.
1. What’s the significance of China’s issuing autonomous driving permits?| A．It is an important advance in robotaxi industry. |
| B．It proves the security of autonomous vehicles. |
| C．The self-driving technology has been used widely. |
| D．Fully driverless vehicles can be reached by the public. |
| A．People can hail the driverless robotaxi free of charge. |
| B．The autonomous vehicle is in service around the nation. |
| C．The robotaxi service can cover a wide range of locations. |
| D．It is provided for the citizens in Guangzhou at any time. |
| A．Beijing. | B．Nanjing. | C．Shanghai. | D．Guangzhou. |
| A．Expanding the robotaxi services to more cities. |
| B．Carrying out more tests on the autonomous vehicles. |
| C．Developing the self-driving technology to a large extent. |
| D．Calling for the companies to improve self-driving services. |
