Britons are well known for the amount of tea that they drink. The average person in the UK consumes around 1.9 kg of tea yearly. That’s around 876 cups of tea. Tea is drunk by all sections of society. But tea is not native to Britain. Most tea is grown in India and China. So, how did it become an important part of British culture?
Tea arrived in London in the 1600s. At this time, British ships were exploring the world and came across the drink in China. It was not long before green tea was available to buy. However, this was only available to the richer sections of society.
At the beginning of the 1700s, the amount of tea arriving in Britain increased gradually. Black tea arrived at this time. At first people drank this tea exactly as it was in China. They soon discovered that it mixed really well with a little milk and sugar, giving the drink a special British characteristic.
In the 1800s tea was still a product enjoyed only by people with money. At this time they began to have “afternoon tea”. This involves drinking tea with a snack around 4 pm to avoid feeling hungry between lunch and dinner. It is a tradition that is still going today but has become less popular in recent times.
In the late 1800s, the price of tea decreased sharply as more tea began to arrive on ships from India and China. It was no longer a drink just for rich people. Tearooms — shops where you could buy and drink tea — started to appear across the country. People enjoyed drinking tea and socialising in these places. At the start of the 20th century, Britons began to make tea in their homes whenever they felt like it. Kettles became necessary in every kitchen.
1. How does the passage mainly develop?| A．By providing examples. | B．By making comparisons. |
| C．By following the order of time. | D．By following the order of importance. |
| A．Tea reached Britain from China centuries ago. | B．Britons are famous for planting tea. |
| C．Green tea was popular in China. | D．Most tea is grown in Britain. |
| A．how British people drank black tea | B．why the amount of tea increased |
| C．when green tea arrived in China | D．who discovered black tea |
| A．In the early 1700s. | B．In the early 1800s. |
| C．In the late 1800s. | D．In the late 20th century. |
| A．To describe how to drink tea. | B．To explain why people love tea. |
| C．To compare black tea with green tea. | D．To introduce the history of British tea culture. |
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【推荐1】“Can I have a glass of hot water?” This is a very common question in a restaurant. For many Chinese people, nothing is more common than drinking hot water every day. But this habit is like a mystery (神秘的) to people from other countries.
For many Westerners, the idea of drinking hot water is very strange. But most Chinese people think the Americans’ habit of drinking icy water is also strange and even unhealthy. Chinese doctors are asking more people to take on the habit of drinking hot water, especially for women.
But in Western countries, drinking hot water isn’t common. Westerners often have drinks with ice, not just on hot days but almost every day.
There is a story about an Englishman, who worked in Beijing for over five years. He visited a café when going back to England. He asked for a glass of hot water in a British accent. But this requirement made the waitress surprised, “To…to…drink?” she asked. At last, the man got the hot water but felt cold stares (凝视) from every corner of the café. Westerners want to know why Chinese drink hot water as Chinese want to know why Westerners drink cold water. This cultural difference is not an easy problem, but related to (与……有关联) history, culture and science.
Many young people now drink bottled water every day. With the young people growing up, will drinking hot water become a less popular life habit? Who knows?
1. What do most Chinese think of drinking ice water according to the passage?| A．Common. | B．Healthy. | C．Strange. |
| A．every day | B．in summer | C．in winter |
| A．Westerners. | B．Women. | C．Students. |
| A．The Westerners seldom drink hot water. |
| B．Every Chinese has the habit of drinking hot water. |
| C．The Englishman asked for hot water in the café in Beijing one day. |
| A．Drinking Hot Water in China | B．Different Drinking Habits | C．How to Drink Water |
【推荐2】French fries are served hot, either soft or crispy, and are generally eaten as part of lunch or dinner or by themselves as a snack. They commonly appear on the menus of diners, fast food restaurants, pubs, and bars. They are usually salted and may be served with ketchup, vinegar, or other local specialties, depending on the country. French fries are very common fast food dish in Europe.
But this year, a poor potato harvest in Europe this summer could mean French fries are up to three centimeters shorter than usual. The poor harvest is because of the very hot summer Europe had. There were record hot temperatures in many countries. The heatwave caused a lack of rain, which meant farmers produced a lot fewer potatoes than they normally do. Pierre Lebrun, a spokesman from a potato growers’ association in Belgium, said farmers grew 25 per cent fewer potatoes than normal. The effect of this is that potato prices are up and the average size of potatoes is smaller.
Belgium is one country where the French fries are very popular. There are over 5,000 eateries which serve and specialize in fries in Belgium. Belgians go there and enjoy themselves at mealtime. They love fries so much that there is a campaign to rename them “Belgian fries” instead of “French fries” because Belgians say the fry was invented in their country. Belgium is one of the largest exporters of frozen fries in the world. It exports around 2.3 million tons of them every year. Mr Lebron explained why fries would be shorter. He said: “Generally, to have long fries, we work with potatoes with a diameter of more than 50mm. Then you get fries of 8 to 9 cm. This time, as the potatoes are smaller, the fries will be shorter. “
1. From the first paragraph we can learn French fries___________.| A．can be served only at dinner | B．can be served in different ways |
| C．can’t be ordered in a popular bar | D．can’t be served as snack in Europe |
| A．The businessman wants to make more money. |
| B．The cold weather reduced the production of the potato. |
| C．People don’t like French fries any more for healthier life. |
| D．The high temperatures in this summer make the potato smaller. |
| A．parks | B．restaurants | C．supermarkets | D．shopping malls |
【推荐3】Qing ming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional festival where Chinese pay respects to their ancestors and the dead. People in different regions of the country consume different foods on the day according to local customs. From green rice balls and omelets (煎蛋饼) to fried dough twists and pancakes, here are some traditional foods people eat on the special day.
Qingtuan, or green rice balls, are widely consumed in China’s Jiangnan area — the region south of the Yangtze River — around Qingming Festival. The seasonal delicious food is usually made from glutinous rice (糯米) mixed with pounded mugwort — an eatable wild herb thought to prevent toxic insect bites.
In both northern and southern China, it is an age-old tradition to eat sanzi, or fried dough twists, on Tomb-Sweeping Day. However, the sanzi in North and South China are different from each other in terms of size and material. Northern people prefer larger ones made from wheat, while people in the South enjoy smaller ones made from rice.
Thin pancakes are a popular food for people in Xiamen in Southeast China’s Fujian province on Tomb-Sweeping Day. To make it tastier, they usually add dried seaweed, omelet, vegetables and chili sauce to the pancakes.
In Qingdao in East China’s Shandong province, people eat spring onion and omelet on the day. They believe the special combination makes eyes brighter. In ancient times, pupils often sent eggs to their teachers to show respect on the day.
In many places in Southeast China’s Fujian province, people thought eating steamed rice with leaf mustard (芥菜) on Tomb-Sweeping Day could help prevent scabies and other skin diseases for the whole year.
The steamed bun is named after Jie Zitui, a famous hermit of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC). People in Shanxi province have a tradition of eating the bun on Tomb-Sweeping Day. Colorful dough animals and flowers are frequent decorations, while eggs and jujubes (红枣) are added inside to increase sweetness.
1. What’s special about sanzi?| A．People in South China prefer sanzi made from wheat. |
| B．People in North China prefer smaller size of sanzi |
| C．It is only accessible on Tomb-Sweeping Day. |
| D．The sanzi varies in different places. |
| A．To help improve eyesight | B．To show respect to ancestors |
| C．To exchange eggs with teachers | D．To make the omelet tastier |
| A．Colorful flowers | B．Dough animals | C．Dough eggs | D．Jujubes |
| A．They are both made from glutinous rice. | B．They are believed to be beneficial to health. |
| C．They are both popular around China. | D．They have the same eatable herbs in them. |
【推荐1】Following the Famous Silk Roads
The Silk Roads were a network of ancient trade routes that extended from East Asia all the way to the Mediterranean. A key section of the Silk Roads is the Chang’an-Tianshan corridor（走廊）, which stretches over a distance of around 5,000 kilometres through China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, covering a total of 8,700 kilometres of trade routes. The three countries jointly pursued an application for UNESCO World Heritage (遗产) status which contained detailed research on the 33 sites along the corridor. This made history as the first successful multinational World Heritage application.
The starting point of the corridor and the entire Silk Roads network is Xi’an, in Shanxi Province. Further west on the Silk Roads, the geography gradually changes from wild deserts to high, snow-capped mountains to vast grasslands as the routes pass through the Tianshan Mountains and emerge in the valleys of Central Asia. Although the Chang’an-Tianshan corridor of the Silk Roads ends here, the network continues westwards until it reaches the Mediterranean.
The corridor began to develop in the 2nd century. Assigned by the emperor, the ambassador Zhang Qian journeyed from Chang’an to Central Asia, seeking to build bridges between the Han Dynasty and the Western Regions. Following Zhang’s efforts, trade routes took shape and relationships were strengthened between the major powers of the time, with the routes network reaching as far as the Roman Empire.
Economic activities along the routes network were not limited to trade in silk. They contributed many other items to the marketplace of goods. The routes were busy with camels carrying loads of goods and businessmen selling everything imaginable. China’s exports included silk, porcelain, ironware and tea, while horses, jewellery, spices and grapes were all imported over vast distances from the West.
In addition to trade exchange, the network served as a bridge for cultural exchange which shaped the evolution of science, art, technology and many other areas in societies along the network. Astronomy and mathematics were introduced to China from India and Arabia; important Chinese inventions such as papermaking and printing were brought to the West.
All of these activities contributed to a great age of expansion as trade and cultural exchanges gave people access to new goods, knowledge and ideas. These routes connected Eastern and Western civilizations, which achieved a shared development. The addition of the Chang’an-Tianshan corridor to the UNESCO World Heritage List is a milestone in recognition of the Silk Roads as a crucial part of humanity’s common heritage.
1. The key section of the Silk Roads is________.| A．the Mediterranean | B．Xi’an, in Shanxi Province |
| C．Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan | D．the Chang’an-Tianshan corridor |
| A．stands | B．spreads | C．moves | D．flies |
| A．export silk, porcelain, ironware and tea |
| B．purchase horses, jewellery, spices and grapes |
| C．seek help from the most powerful western countries |
| D．build bridges between his country and other countries |
| A．It helped to change the wild deserts to grasslands. |
| B．It was recognized by the UNESCO as China’s heritage. |
| C．It speeded up the development of the countries involved. |
| D．It started a trade competition between countries along the way. |
【推荐2】The Leshan Giant Buddha is a statue of Maitreya (弥勒大佛) in sitting posture.The Buddha is located in Sichuan Province,facing Minjiang,Qingyi and Dadu rivers.In December,1996,the Buddha was included by UNESCO on the list of the World Heritage (世界遗产名录).
The statue was begun in the year 713 in the Tang Dynasty,and finished in the year 803.The Buddha is 71 meters high.The 8-meter-long instep (脚背) is big enough for one hundred people to sit on and the 28-meter-wide shoulder is large enough to be a basketball playground.
A monk called Hai Tong is connected with the Buddha forever.At that time,wild waters brought out many boat accidents and people just put the disaster down to the presence of a water spirit.So Hai Tong decided to make a statue beside the river thinking that the Buddha would bring the water spirit under control.After 20 years’ begging from door to door,he finally collected enough money for the plan.When some local government officials tried to get this amount of money,Hai Tong said that they could get his eyeballs but not the money raised for the Buddha.After he dug out his eyeballs,these officials ran away scared.The project was half done when Hai Tong passed away,and two of his disciples (门徒) continued the work.After a total of 90 years’ hard work,the project was finally completed.
Having such a long history,the Buddha was nearly destroyed by the wind and rain.The Chinese government began the repairing work in 1963 under the instructions of experts from UNESCO.
1. What’s the main idea of this passage?| A．To explain the Leshan Giant Buddha briefly. |
| B．To tell us how the Leshan Giant Buddha was built. |
| C．To say where the Leshan Giant Buddha is. |
| D．To mention how the Leshan Giant Buddha came into the World Heritage. |
| A．By calling for donation. |
| B．By working on the river. |
| C．By asking the government. |
| D．By selling his eyeballs. |
| A．was completed when Hai Tong was alive |
| B．doesn’t exist now |
| C．played a good role in controlling the river |
| D．has been a World Heritage site for almost twenty years |
| A．make his temple more famous |
| B．show respect to the water spirit |
| C．protect the safety of the local people |
| D．get more people to believe in Buddhism |
| A．generous | B．cruel |
| C．easy-going | D．long-suffering |
【推荐3】The Winter Olympics are also called the White Olympics. At this time, many colourful stamps are published to mark the great Games. The first stamps marking the opening came out on January 25, 1932 in the United States for the 3rd White Olympics. From then on, publishing stamps during the White Olympics became a rule.
During the 4th Winter Olympic Games, a group of stamps were published in Germany in November, 1936. The five rings of Olympics were drawn on the front of the sportswear. It was the first time that the rings appeared on the stamps of the White Olympics.
In the 1950’s, the stamps of this kind became more colourful. When the White Olympics came, the host countries as well as the non-host countries published stamps to mark those Games. China also published four stamps in February 1980, when the Chinese sportsmen began to take part in the White Olympics. Japan is the only Asian country that has ever held the White Olympics. Altogether 14,500 million stamps were sold to raise money for this sports meet.
Different kinds of sports were drawn on these small stamps. People can enjoy the beauty of the wonderful movements of some sportsmen.
1. The White Olympics is _______________.| A．the Games whose color is white. |
| B．the Olympic Games that is held in winter. |
| C．the winter when the stamps are published. |
| D．the Games held in turn by each country. |
| A．In 1932 | B．In 1950 | C．In 1936 | D．In 1980 |
| A．Stamps are published only to mark the Winter Olympics during the Games. |
| B．Only host countries publish stamps. |
| C．Japan is the only one of the countries in Asia published stamps to mark the Games. |
| D．China hasn’t hosted the White Olympics so far. |
| A．the Winter Olympic Games | B．Stamps for the White Olympics |
| C．Olympic Countries | D．the History of the Stamps |
【推荐1】It has been four years since the Flashfood App was set to hit Canadian grocery stores and make it easier for shoppers to buy soon-to-expiry (保质期) food at a discount. Much to my delight, I heard it advertised recently on a radio station and figured it’s time for an update, especially since people became more aware of food waste’s role in the climate crisis.
The first thing I did was download the App. I hadn’t done it before because it was limited to a few locations, but now it’s all over Canada. I could see immediately that many brands of yogurt are all marked down 50 percent. Users pay for the food using the App, and then pick it up at a marked location in the store. There is no need for you to worry about them actually being bad.
It makes sense for retailers to get behind this App because it offers a win-win situation for everyone involved. Flashfood sells 75% of the products made available through its App while saving consumers an average of 50% on those grocery items, and it has 300,000 active users right now. That number is expected to grow naturally as Flashfood partners with more grocers.
“As a food retailer, we are in the business of providing food, not wasting it. The Flashfood program allows us to provide our customers with a convenient and environmentally sustainable (可持续的) way to purchase food. Loblaw sells 77% of the items it puts on Flashfood, moving an average of ＄800 to ＄1,000 worth of goods weekly at each of its largest stores,” said Gord Chem, senior VP with Loblaw’s Real Canadian Superstores.
I love looking for discount deals at the grocery store and always keep an eye out for the hot pink clearance stickers. But it’s always random, and I never know what I’m going to get from week to week. The appeal of Flashfood is that I can see what’s available, pre-purchase it, and leave it off my shopping list.
1. What can we know about the food on the Flashfood?| A．It’s delivered directly to the customers. | B．Much of it is charged at half the price. |
| C．Users can pay for it in the marked store. | D．It’ll be a month away before it goes bad. |
| A．beneficial | B．popular | C．creative | D．reliable |
| A．By listing some examples. | B．By making a comparison. |
| C．By explaining the cause. | D．By introducing the result. |
| A．Customers can buy much cheaper food on a recent app. |
| B．A win-win situation has been set for Canadians involved. |
| C．Canadians have a smart approach to reducing food waste. |
| D．Canadians adopt a new way of protecting the environment. |
【推荐2】In November, temperatures across China begin to drop. Do you experience a change of mood as it turns to winter?
Many people do. For about one in 20 people in the northern half of the United States, cooling temperatures and shorter, darker days may show the start of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, a type of depression that typically arrives in the fall or winter, The New York Times reported.
Not every mild blue feeling in winter is SAD. SAD symptoms make it difficult for people to function. It tends to start with an increased desire for foods like lollipops or ice cream, the eagerness to sleep longer hours, difficulty getting up in the morning and feeling wiped out at work, according to Males Online.
The exact cause of this disorder remains unknown. But the good news is that because SAD is tied to the changing seasons, “You can predict its start and ward it off.” Michael Terman, a professor at Columbia University, US, told The New York Times.
“There’s been a fair bit of research since about the 1980s supporting light therapy (疗法) as being effective for seasonal kinds of depression,” Rakhi Chand told The Guardian. But she also advised using this type of therapy under the guidance of a professional.
While light therapy is the first recommended treatment for SAD, getting outside regularly can offer other opportunities to get some light. “You might want to act like bears in winter, but don’t.” Norman E. Rosenthal, the doctor whose research team identified and named the disorder in the 1980s, told The New York Times. “Walking outside even 20 or 30 minutes each day could make a huge difference,” he added. Therefore, outdoor activities like skiing are highly recommended.
Also, instead of giving in to food rich in sugar, it is important to choose foods that are known to improve one’s mood such as dark chocolate and nuts, according to Egypt Today.
Too nervous to enter winter?Remember, SAD is seasonal. If winter comes, can spring be too far behind?
1. Which of the following is the symptom of SAD?| A．Having a sweet tooth | B．Feeling cheerful. |
| C．Working energetically. | D．Staying up at night |
| A．boost it | B．prevent it | C．count on it | D．stick with it |
| A．Working out in the gym. |
| B．Taking in more favorite food. |
| C．Using light therapy on one’s own at home. |
| D．Going out for a walk for about half an hour every day. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Hopeful. | C．Concerned. | D．Indifferent. |
【推荐3】If you watch British television on March 15, you might be surprised to see celebrities (名人) wearing funny red noses and joking around. But don’t worry. They’re not mad. It's all part of a money raising event called Red Nose Day.
Founded in 1985 by two British comedians, the aim of the event is to raise money to fight poverty and injustice in the UK and Africa. Celebrities and public figures support the event by making appearances on comic TV shows. For example, the former UK Prime Minister David Cameron once appeared in a music video by One Direction, which the band produced for the event.
Britons don’t just raise money for charitable causes on one day a year, but they do it all year round. One way of doing so is by shopping in charity shops. These small shops sell clothes, books and household goods just like any other shop except that they’re all second-hand.
There are nearly 10,000 charity shops in the UK. Their business model is simple: anybody who has things they don’t want anymore can donate them to a charity shop, where they are checked for damage, cleaned and priced. The money that is made by selling them is used for a charitable cause.
The idea of buying used clothes may sound unpleasant, but for shoppers who have less spending money, it has been a welcome option. Now, shopping at charity shops is also becoming popular with young people looking for alternative fashion. “You can find very unique clothes for a very cheap price. It doesn’t bother me that other people may have worn them. I simply wash them before I wear them.’’ said Anne Marie, a 19 year old from the US.
So next time you spot a charity shop, why not go inside? Who knows, you might find a lovely dress for just a few pounds. Even better, you can enjoy wearing it in the knowledge that your money helped a good cause.
1. Why did Cameron appear in One Direction’s music video?| A．To earn a living. | B．To support the band. |
| C．To help raise money. | D．To entertain the audience. |
| A．Local bands. | B．People’s donation. |
| C．British comedians. | D．The UK government. |
| A．Red Nose Day. | B．British celebrities. |
| C．Charity in Britain. | D．Second-hand shops. |
