Liu Wenwen holds the first doctorate (博士学位) in suona performance in China. She is using her ________ to introduce the musical instrument to the world.

Liu was born in Jining, Shandong Province. Both of ________ parents are suona performers. Liu ________ to learn to play the suona at the age of 3 or 4. The sound of the instrument was so ________ that it made the neighbors angry when she practiced at home. So her mother woke her up at 4: 30 a. m. every day and took her to a nearby park to ________. During summer and winter vacations, her mother took her to Beijing and Shanghai to visit great suona players to take lessons and ________ her skills. She worked very hard.

However, some of her classmates ________ her, saying suona was old-fashioned. Liu felt very sad about that. She once ________ giving up playing the suona. But her parents, whose families both have a long history of playing the suona, insisted (坚持) that their only daughter should carry on the ________ . “For my parents, suona is not ________ a musical instrument. It’s about family and history and it runs in their blood,” Liu says.

Luckily, Liu didn’t give up. ________ years of hard work, she went to Shanghai Conservatory of Music (上海音乐学院). In 2023 ________ her doctorate in suona performance. Now she understands her parents. “I am doing the same thing now and I am ________ to tell people that I play the suona,” Liu says.

Liu teaches suona at Shanghai Conservatory of Music. She loves talking about suona-playing skills with her ________ . “It’s wonderful to see the young people carrying on the cultural heritage (文化遗产).” Also, she often travels to other ________ to play the suona, wishing foreign people to know more about the traditional Chinese instrument.

When I visited the Tengwang Pavilion in Nanchang, Jiangxi this summer, I was very     24    . It has been known for over 1, 300 years. I     25     enjoyed climbing to the top of the Tengwang Pavilion, where I could admire the beautiful views. I saw the rivers, the people and the     26    nearby, and I was truly amazed. The gardens and green plants     27     left a deep impression on me.

The Tengwang Pavilion is a special monument （纪念碑） that shows the     28     of Chinese architecture（建筑） and culture. It was rebuilt many times over the centuries, and it has been the subject of many poems, and     29     works of art throughout Chinese history. It shows the creativity and wisdom of the Chinese people.

Visiting the Tengwang Pavilion     30     me a deeper love for Chinese culture and history. It was fascinating     31     about the different dynasties. It was also heartwarming to see     32     the local people have worked hard to protect this cultural landmark.

In a word, my     33     to the Tengwang Pavilion was one of the highlights of my trip to China. I would highly recommend（推荐） it to     34     who is interested in learning more about Chinese history, culture and architecture.

Do you like drinking tea? In some cultures, tea drinking is a social event with some customs. China and the UK are two countries with well-developed tea cultures.

In China, there are traditional customs for tea drinking, from how to fill the teacup to ways of thanking the server. For example, a tea drinker can thank the server by knocking on the table with the index finger (食指) and middle finger.

▲ Offering tea to the elders, for example, is a way of showing respect. A newly-married couple may serve tea during their wedding ceremony to express thanks to their parents. In other situations, pouring tea for someone can be a way to say sorry.

In the UK, afternoon tea is the most famous tea tradition. It started in the 1840s. It usually happens at around 4 p. m., but it can be a little earlier or later. It is a time for conversation and relaxation, when people take a break from their day. Traditionally, afternoon tea is taken with cakes and sandwiches.

In the UK, high tea is a variation (变化) on afternoon tea. In the past, high tea was for working-class families that could not pay for a proper dinner. It happens a little later than afternoon tea and is served with a hot meal, including meat, home-made bread, vegetables…

Tea customs play an important role in both China and the UK. In China, tea customs are a way to express feelings. In the UK, they let people relax and rest during a busy day.

A．

B．

C．

D．

While we usually consider New Year’s Day as the beginning of a new year, the Chinese think differently. According to the Chinese calendar, what marks the start of a new year is Chinese New Year.

① ________

Chinese New Year is a traditional and very important Chinese holiday. It was originally a festival to honor ancestors as well as sacred beings（神灵）. It is also known as the Spring Festival.

② ________

Chinese New Year is celebrated through a number of traditions.

Red envelopes: Red is an important color in Chinese culture as it symbolizes good luck, wealth and joy. Money is given in red envelopes. The amount（金额） people receive is usually an even number. The amount cannot have four, as in Chinese tradition,   it means death.

Firecrackers: Firecrackers are popular during Chinese New Year. They are thought to scare off evil spirits. Some countries have stopped the use of firecrackers as they can be dangerous.

Lion and dragon dances: These dances are performed by highly-skilled acrobats（杂技演员）, under huge dragon and lion costumes. Drums are played along with the dance, to frighten away bad spirits. The dragon dance is a highlight（亮点） of the festivals around the world, and large crowds get together to watch it.

Food and families: It’s common for Chinese families to have a reunion dinner the night before Chinese New Year festivities begin. Chicken and prawns represent happiness, while noodles represent long life.

③ ________

Each year is named after a different animal. The story goes that the Jade Emperor requested the animals have a race so that he could decide the order of the Chinese years. He would name each year depending on the order the animals finished the race. Rat won the race, with the pig coming in last.