Chinese people love food made of flour. In the hands of skilled artisans (手艺人), flour is made into lovely models of people or animals to be enjoyed and played with, which brings a unique kind of pleasure. This art form is called dough figurine (面塑). Among the various art styles of dough figurines, Beijing’s Dough Figurine Lang is a unique folk art, which is filled with the rich history and customs of the capital city. In 2008, it was included in the list of national intangible (非物质的) cultural heritage.
It was created by Lang Shao’an. Most of the dough figurines are animals and characters from legends, historical stories, and local operas. The finished product is either put at the end of a thin stick or on a table for display. Some are mostly for children to eat or play with, with simple forms and vivid decorations, while some are fine pieces of artwork for display only. For this reason, during the making process they are often mixed with additives (添加剂) to better preserve the finished products.
Lang Jiaziyu, born in 1995, is the third-generation inheritor (继承人) of Dough Figurine Lang. When he was 15, he created Beijing Olympic Mascot (吉祥物) shaped dough figurines which were highly praised. He looks a bit more fashionable than other folk artisans. In his skilled hands, pop culture icons (偶像) are popular with young people.
Like most of the other intangible cultural heritage handicrafts in China, Dough Figurine Lang does not get as much attention from the public. Few young people are willing to take the time to master a skill that does not make money, which has led to a decline in the number of those who are devoted to the handicraft. Good handicrafts need the devotion of artisans from one generation to another.
1. What is special about Dough Figurine Lang?| A．It reflects Beijing’s culture. |
| B．It is created by many famous artists. |
| C．It shows people’s lifestyles and beliefs. |
| D．It is popular with both tourists and the locals. |
| A．To make dough figurines taste good |
| B．To keep colors brighter and lasting longer |
| C．To help shape dough into various forms. |
| D．To better preserve the finished products |
| A．Suggestions for other folk artisans. |
| B．Different art styles of dough figurines. |
| C．Lang Jiaziyu’s accomplishments as an artisan |
| D．The popularity of modern dough figurines |
| A．To call on people to master a skill. |
| B．To appeal to people to value this folk art. |
| C．To teach people ways to appreciate the handicraft. |
| D．To persuade people to protect national cultural heritage. |
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【推荐1】Many people trying to sell homes find that an increase in home prices has turned the market in their favor. But sellers can still get the short end of the deal if they aren't careful. Here are a few tips for you:
Don't test your luck. Of course you think anyone who moves into your lovely home should be willing to pay top dollars, especially if you've recently invested in some improvements. But listing a home at a price that's too high above the market price could turn away some buyers.
Buyers noticing that the home still hasn't sold may begin to assume there's something wrong with the house and use that as a reasonable excuse for offering a lower price. And if a home hasn't received any offers after two weeks, it might be time to reset the price.
A price that's too low can bring about an undesired outcome. Listing your home at or slightly below the market price can have the effect of drawing in a large group of buyers and increase the chances that a home will receive multiple offers. But setting the price too low comes with several risks. One possibility is that buyers will get skeptical of the home that is listed for $ 15,000 to $ 20,000 less than similar homes in the area, especially if it's not properly marketed. Once again, people might assume there is something wrong with the home and may not bother to look at it.
Spy on the competition. Going to other people's open houses can give you a better sense of how your home compares to others on the market. Check out the decoration in their kitchens, the size of their backyards and use the information to figure out where your home should fit in the range of the price. But don't set your pricing just on what you see elsewhere.
1. What does the underlined part in Paragraph l probably mean?| A．Be at a disadvantage. |
| B．Get the upper hand. |
| C．Have control over the situation. |
| D．Be unable to fit in. |
| A．Price your house on the basis of its geographic location. |
| B．Price your house slightly above the market price after decorating it. |
| C．Change the price if no offer has been received within a week. |
| D．Price your house at or slightly below the market price. |
| A．buyers might think it not worthwhile to go to have a look |
| B．you are likely to come into conflict with the neighborhood sellers |
| C．your house will be crowded with buyers within a couple of days |
| D．chances of your house being sold at a better price will be greatly increased |
| A．You can pick up some useful lessons on house selling. |
| B．You can get your pricing mainly based on what you see elsewhere. |
| C．You can work out how much money you should ask for your home. |
| D．You can know how to make your house stand out against other houses. |
【推荐2】Scientists have found something strange has been happening among sensitive bird species in the Brazilian Amazon in recent years. Not only were the birds declining in number, but their bodies were also shrinking in size. “We found that size was not only shrinking for those sensitive species-it was declining for everyone, “said researcher Vitek Jirinec of Louisiana State University. Jirinec’s findingsare contained in a new study published in the journal Science Advances last Friday.
The study examined 77 species over a 40-year period, during which time the rainforest had become warmer. It found they were rapidly evolving perhaps because smaller birds remove heat more efficiently as they have more surface area in relation to volume. Brian Weeks of the University of Michigan explained it this way: “You could imagine lots of little ice cubes in a glass of water, as opposed to one big ice cube, and the little ice cubes melt faster because smaller things have larger surface area-to-volume ratios(比)，so they exchange heat more quickly. “Weeks didn’t work on this particular study, but he did research the size of more than50 species of migratory (迁徙的) birds in North America a few years back. He too found that nearly all of them were shrinking decade by decade.
The two studies strengthen the idea that birds all over the planet, migratory or not, may be changing shape due to a warming climate. Weeks said these sorts of changes should concern all of us. “All around the world, people depend on natural systems. Complete natural systems provide more economic benefits to humanity than the entirety of the world’s GDP, so they matter to you whether or not you know it, Weeks said. Jirinec thought the timing of his paper’s publication could not be more fitting. The study came out on the same day as the conclusion of the UN climate change conference in Glasgow. So those results really stressed the common consequences of the actions for the planet.
1. What was a cause of the birds becoming smaller in size?| A．The decrease of birds’ number. | B．The sensitiveness of birds. |
| C．A warming climate. | D．The development of birds. |
| A．By example and comparison. | B．By analyzing the data. |
| C．By giving enough evidence. | D．By observation and research. |
| A．Dangerous. | B．Concerning. |
| C．Demanding. | D．Fantastic. |
| A．To introduce two studies. | B．To explain a natural phenomenon. |
| C．To praise the conference in Glasgow. | D．To make people focus on climate change. |
【推荐3】I always listen to my local public radio station while I’m driving. My focus often changes as I stare out at the road ahead. But I became fully attentive on a recent morning once I realized the entire newscast was dedicated to local wildlife.
There was something about the pack of some 30 to 50 javelinas (野猪) that ruined a golf course near Sedona, Arizona, followed by talk of the recent sighting of a jaguar (美洲虎), a species that ranged across Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, until construction of the border wall blocked the way. Finally, there was an update on Mexican wolf reintroduction efforts in New Mexico and Arizona. The results were mixed: Nine of the wolves had died or been killed recently.
As I sat in my car, listening to the news, I felt helpless, even mournful. What would it take for most of us to understand that the javelinas’ behavior on that heavily irrigated golf course in the desert was a sign that maybe the course shouldn’t be in the desert to begin with? The way I saw it, the javelinas weren’t invading (入侵) the site; they were reclaiming it. After all, the javelinas’ needs—for food and space—are more basic than a few privileged humans’ desire to play golf.
As for the Arizona Mexican wolf pup reintroduction effort that I heard about in the news, for the past 25 years, scientists have been working hard to restore the native wolf population, and yet are unable to remove its greatest threat. Today, almost 250 Mexican wolves are believed to be in the wild, and every year, humans illegally kill one out of ten. The wolf recovery effort is necessary, but it’s extremely difficult because we humans keep getting in the way.
I need to tackle my helplessness, because helplessness leads to no longer wanting to take care of what matters most. Therefore, I think that it must be a good sign that my local news now regularly covers the challenges of coexistence and possible solutions to our problems. That’s progress and fuels my hope.
1. What is the morning news about?| A．Dangers of local wildlife. |
| B．Efforts to reintroduce wildlife. |
| C．Issues of human-wildlife coexistence. |
| D．Distribution of wildlife around the world. |
| A．To meet basic needs. |
| B．To protect the desert. |
| C．To oppose golf playing. |
| D．To attack human beings. |
| A．They are bound to go extinct. |
| B．Humans threaten their survival. |
| C．Their number has greatly increased. |
| D．10% of them have been reintroduced. |
| A．Unclear. | B．Negative. |
| C．Optimistic. | D．Indifferent. |
【推荐1】Kites, invented over 2,000 years ago in China, are believed to be the earliest flying objects created by humans. After centuries of development, kites have become one of the country’s well-known traditional handicrafts (手工艺品), and kite-making technique was included in the list of China’s national intangible (非物质) cultural heritage in 2006.
Weifang in Shandong is known as a global center of kite culture and is widely regarded as the birthplace of these popular flying toys. The themes of Weifang kites are unbelievably diverse, including birds, fish, insects, cultural relics, historical figures. Today in Weifang, there are actually no limitations on the shapes or sizes of kites, which can be made to stand for people’s hopes. This diversity can be observed at the annual Weifang International Kite Festival, which has been held on the third Saturday of every April since 1984.
Unlike the wide variety of forms seen in Weifang, Nantong kites in Jiangsu are mostly rectangular (长方形). Each of these relates to the traditional Chinese idea of “heaven, earth, and humans living in harmony” as well as the theory of the five elements (fire, water, wood, gold, and earth). Yet the most obvious feature of Nantong kites is the attachment of whistles of different sizes, which can range in number from 100 to 300. As such, they have picked up the name “air symphonies (交响曲)”.
Lhasa kites have gained popularity in various regions of Tibet such as Lhasa, Shigatse, and Zedang, and have even spread to neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan. During the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912), they were especially favored by upper-class Tibetans. The skill of kite-flying in Lhasa is shown through air races. Skilled players can make their kites rise and fall rapidly, turn and roll left or right. In such competitions, battles often follow on, with the winner cutting the string of the loser mid-flight, causing it to float into the air. Lhasa kites are seasonal and are mostly made for sale in cities like Lhasa and Shigatse during autumn.
1. When was Weifang International Kite Festival created?| A．In 1636. | B．In 1912. | C．In 1984. | D．In 2006. |
| A．They are all rectangular. | B．They are the earliest flying toys. |
| C．They stand for people’s dreams. | D．They have unique sound effects. |
| A．The choice of the time. | B．The painting of the kite. |
| C．The quality of the string. | D．The shape and size of the kite. |
| A．By analyzing reasons. | B．By offering arguments. |
| C．By making comparisons. | D．By describing processes. |
| A．A news report. | B．A historical story. |
| C．An art advertisement. | D．A heritage introduction. |
【推荐2】Valle Helps to Save the Colosseum
Diego Della Valle, best known as the CEO of Tod’s, has given $33 million toward restoring the Colosseum, one of the most famous attractions. In doing so, he has shifted responsibility for Italy’s cultural protection from the gridlocked government that lacks funds to a private philanthropist (慈善家).
For the past few years, water has flowed gently and steadily over the ancient gritty stones of the Colosseum in Rome. Handled by the brushstrokes of teams of restorers, the coagulated crud (凝结的脏东西) has come off. Beneath that is the crud from Mussolini’s day, Garibaldi’s, Michelangelo’s, the Dark Ages’, and finally back to the early Christian era. And what has emerged is something not only just lighter and brighter than before — the shade of the newly cleansed travertine (凝灰石) has been variously described as ivory or oatmeal — but also, if possible, even more spectacular and breathtaking. Suddenly the Colosseum has given a different atmosphere.
In its long life as a ruin — going on 1,500 years, or three times as long as it was actually used — the Colosseum has suffered through many “restorations”. It has been struck by earthquakes, fires, vegetation, and various actions in which popes and noblemen removed its innards (内部结构) for pet projects, including St. Peter’s Basilica. But the latest repair job, funded by 25 million euros (then roughly $33 million) from Della Valle, the chairman of the luxury-goods manufacturer Tod’s, is clearly the most respectful. Since 2013, restorers have been fixing, buffing, manicuring, and weeding the place.
On the day I visited in December, work on the facade (外立面) was nearly complete and the scaffolding that had gradually rotated around the circumference was all but gone with only a final chunk by the main entrance remaining to be cleaned. The water-powered cleaning process had stopped altogether in case visitors end up as wet as the marble.
Keeping the Colosseum open during restoration has not been easy. The first phase of the process was finished in July, 2014, when Della Valle and his team officially handed it back to the Italian people. However, at that point, the job was still only half finished — next came the restoration of the hypogeum (地下建筑) at its center where gladiators and wild animals awaited their turns on stage. After that, a new tourist center will be built next to the Arch (拱门) of Constantine, and the Colosseum’s inner galleries — even more blackened than the exterior — will be renovated.
According to current projections, getting the Colosseum into shape will take about as long as it took to build, and even that may be optimistic. Still, by taking up the mission, Della Valle, 62 now, may have made himself the most important man at the Colosseum since the emperors Vespasian who began erecting it around 72 AD, and his son Titus who finished it up eight years later.
1. The underlined sentence in paragraph 2 means that ________.| A．the Colosseum has been ruined and rebuilt for many times in history |
| B．restorers have succeeded removing dirty stones of the Colosseum |
| C．people have coated the Colosseum with layers of travertine for decades |
| D．the Colosseum has witnessed different periods of Roman history |
| A．500 years. | B．1,000 years. | C．1,500 years. | D．4,500 years. |
| A．Della Valle fixed and buffed the Colosseum with great respect. |
| B．The Colosseum was closed during the first phase of the restoration. |
| C．The Colosseum has suffered both natural and man-made disasters. |
| D．The hypogeum in the Colosseum was restored and reopened to the public in 2014. |
| A．The construction of the Colosseum was completed in 80 AD during the rule of Vespasian. |
| B．Della Valle may fail to see the completion of the Colosseum’s restoration in his 60s. |
| C．A tourist center will be built underground next to the Arch of Constantine at the Colosseum. |
| D．It took about eight years to complete the first stage of the Colosseum’s restoration. |
【推荐3】The Mogao Grottoes were a center of Buddhist life and some of the world’s great cultures for hundreds of years. However, by the late Qing Dynasty they had been abandoned and nearly forgotten and many of the caves had become damaged by the elements. Around 1900, with the discovery of a library of thousands of ancient documents, the caves received new interest from Chinese and foreign researchers. Unfortunately, this resulted in tens of thousands of items from the caves being taken to foreign museums
In the 1940s, many researchers and artists visited the area to study traditional Chinese art. Copies of some of the artwork painted by respected artists such as Zhang Daqian and GuanShanyue helped people all over the country learn about Dunhuang. These artists were also inspired by the artwork they saw in the caves and it began to influence their painting styles. Others staved in the desert for much longer, Chang Shuhong stayed for the rest of his life — struggling to record the cultural treasures and protect them from the weather. As a result of their efforts the Dunhuang Academy was formed to protect and study the Mogao Grottoes.
In 1987, the Mogao Grottoes were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the caves are open to the public, access is now limited in order to protect the artwork. However, the caves can be seen online in digital form so that people around the world can study and enjoy them.
Despite its remoteness, the Mogao Grottoes continue to draw visitors. And just as the sand and desert have survived largely unchanged through the centuries, this small art gallery in the desert has also survived largely unchanged providing an amazing look at a world long ago past.
1. When did the Mogao Grottoes regain the world’s attention?| A．Hundreds of years ago. |
| B．In the late Qing Dynasty. |
| C．In the late eighties of the 20th century. |
| D．Around the beginning of the 20th century. |
| A．To learn about their works. |
| B．To show how hard they worked. |
| C．To compare their different styles. |
| D．To appreciate their contributions. |
| A．they can do researches online |
| B．they can enjoy the digital versions |
| C．they can watch copies in art galleries |
| D．they can study them in foreign museums |
| A．The Mogao Grottoes — Center of Buddhist Life |
| B．The Mogao Grottoes — Art Gallery in the Desert |
| C．Respected artists — Protectors of the Mogao Grottoes |
| D．An Amazing Tourist Attraction — The Mogao Grottoes |
