Traveling to another country is exciting and fun. But if you don’t learn about local customs, your trip may get into trouble. Here are some cultural taboos (禁忌) in several countries.
Mexico
In Mexico, bringing an expensive gift to someone’s home is a no-no. For local people, some simple things like flowers are good gifts. But you shouldn’t take along red flowers, because in Mexican culture, they are symbols of death and can be connected with witchcraft (巫术) .
The US
Americans have a custom of tipping (给小费) . You should tip nearly anyone with a service job, such as waiters, taxi drivers, hotel doormen, etc.
Pay attention when you talk with Americans. Questions like “How old are you?” may be common between friends. But as tourists in the US, it is not polite to ask people’s age.
Britain
From the supermarket to the underground station, queuing (排队) is very common in Britain. Usually, it takes a British person six months of his or her life in queues. If you jump the queue there, you may make them angry.
Japan
You should never wear shoes indoors in Japan. When visiting someone’s home, it is rude to enter with shoes on. Shoes should be taken off at the door and replaced with indoor slippers. This is also the same when you try clothes on in a clothes shop. You should take off your shoes before going into the fitting room. There are indoor shoes prepared for customers inside.
1. What does the underlined word “they” in Paragraph 2 refer to?It refers to “
2. Who should be tipped in the US?
3. How long does it usually take a British person in queues?
It usually takes a British person
4. Which word means “粗鲁的” in the last paragraph?
It’s “
5. What is the passage mainly about?
It is mainly about
In the 2024 Spring Festival Gala (春节联欢晚会), which program impressed (使……印象深刻) you most? Maybe you will say 《山河诗长安》. And it’s also my favorite program. I was shocked by the scene that thousands of people recite(朗诵) a poem by Li Bai together. Li Bai, who is also called “immortal poet (诗仙) ” is one of the greatest poets in the Tang Dynasty. Most of his poems were produced in the rise and fall period of the Tang Dynasty. Many people think he is romantic (浪漫的) and free, just like an immortal (神仙). However, in the Chinese cartoon movie《长安三万里》, we see a different Li Bai.
In the movie, Li dreams about being an officer. But he faces challenges after challenges. He can’t take keju (科举) because of his family. Later, he makes a mistake and is banished (流放). He has difficulties and problems just like every one of us.
However, his poems give us inspiration and confidence (自信), especially when we are in hard times. When he enjoyed nature, he said, “Its torrent dashes down three thousand feet from high; As if the silver river fell from the blue sky (飞流直下三千尺，疑是银河落九天).” When he had a setback (挫折), he said, “Heaven has made us talents; we’re not made in vain. A thousand gold coins spent, more will turn up again (天生我材必有用，千金散尽还复来).”
Li Bai might not be as perfect as we think. But it doesn’t really matter. Maybe we should thank his imperfect life, or we will lose a great poet in the world. As long as his poems are here with us, he is always the “immortal” in our hearts.
1. How does the writer start the passage?The writer starts the passage by
2. Li Bai is also called
3. In which poem of Li Bai, can we read the lyries “举头望明月，低头思故乡”?
The name of the poem is
4. Why do people love Li Bai’s poems?
Because his poems give people
5. What do you think of Li Bai?
He is
According to the traditional Chinese calendar, there are 24 solar terms in a year. The 24 solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agriculture production (农业生产). But solar term culture is still useful today to guide people’s lives through cultural activities and special foods that go with each term.
There are six solar terms in winter. They are beginning of winter, light snow, heavy snow, winter solstice (冬至), lesser cold (小寒) and greater cold.
Beginning of winter usually falls on November 7th or 8th. After beginning of winter, most parts of the country can start to expect cold weather. On this day, after a year of hard work, people are happy to have a rest and spend time with family. The northern China celebrates beginning of winter as the “Small Spring Festival”. People usually have dumplings on the day.
Light snow usually falls on November 22nd or 23rd and heavy snow is on December 7th or 8th. When winter solstice comes, it brings the shortest days of the year and the longest nights. Many places around the country can expect the coldest weather. People often start counting “nine cold periods” starting from winter solstice. Every cold period has nine days. People believe that after 81 cold days, spring will come.
Greater cold comes after lesser cold. The field is covered with snow. All Chinese are ready to welcome the Spring Festival after it. Of course, a new round of solar terms will start.
1. How many solar terms are there in winter?There are
2. How do people celebrate beginning of winter?
They celebrate it by
3. When is light snow?
It’s usually
4. What does the underlined “it” in the fourth paragraph refer to?
It refers to
5. According to the passage, which solar term is the last one in a year?
In the past, many students practiced English with their pen friends—they sent letters to people all around the world. However, we now send emails to others and chat with people who live quite far away on the Internet.
Here’s some advice on how to succeed in your online language exchanges (交流):
How to start a conversation when speaking English online? When you speak to somebody online, start by asking “Yes or No” questions. Use questions such as “Do you like...?” or “Can you...?” or “Have you ever...?”
Remember your goal. You are trying to learn about the other person. Think about things you enjoy and share your own experiences to find that you have similar interests. If you only ask questions, you will sound like a policeman or a policewoman!
How to keep a conversation going? Listen carefully. In that way, you can get to know somebody well. When you know him or her well, you will have more to talk about. Then ask follow-up questions. After you “listen”, use what you “hear” to learn more about that person. Use “open ended” questions, such as “What do you think of...?” or “What was the most interesting experience...?”
Besides, remember some basic rules for online language exchanges:
Be patient. Do not try to find a good friend right away.
Be careful. Don’t give any personal information on the Internet, especially your address, telephone number, and even your real name. It’s very dangerous.
1. How many pieces of advice does the writer give us?2. Who did many students practice English with in the past?
They practiced English with
3. What should you do in order to find similar interests?
We should think about things we enjoy and
4. What does the writer think of giving personal information online?
It’s
5. What does the writer want to tell us?
The writer wants to tell us
