1 . Every year there is a Spring Festival in China. Usually it is in January or February. It is the most important festival in China. So before it comes, everyone has to prepare things. They buy pork, beef, chicken, fruits and many other things. And they often make a special kind of food — “dumplings”. It means “ come together ”. On the day before the festival, parents buy new clothes for their children. Children also buy presents for their parents. On the Spring Festival Eve (除夕), all the family members come back to their hometown. This is a happy moment. Some sing and dance, some play cards and others get the dinner ready. When they enjoy the meal, they give each other the best wishes for the coming year. They all have a good time.
1. Which is the most important festival in China?| A．The Mid-Autumn Festival. | B．The Spring Festival. |
| C．Children’s Day. | D．Dragon Boat Day. |
| A．In March or April. | B．In May or June. |
| C．In January or February. | D．In July or August |
| A．Chicken | B．Dumpling | C．Fish | D．Beef |
| A．Look up. | B．Help yourself. | C．Be happy | D．Come together. |
| A．give each other the best wishes | B．buy each other presents |
| C．sing, dance and play cards | D．get together |
2 . There are some Christmas traditions between the United Kingdom and the United States.
Letters to Santa Claus
In the United States, kids usually write letters to Santa and put them in the mailbox. However, in England we throw them directly into the fire. We don't plan to make kids cry because burning the letters can send them to the North Pole where Santa can read your Christmas wishes in the smoke. It may seem strange but it does save on postage.
Hanging stocking
Traditionally, American kids hang stockings around the fireplace for Santa to fill with presents. But in the UK. we hang stockings around the bed; being surrounded by presents is a fantastic way to wake up on Christmas morning.
Christmas pudding
Americans prefer to have pumpkin and pecan pies for the Christmas dessert; while we British are fond of Christmas pudding. which is a cake flavored with dried fruits and spices.
Dealing with Christmas tree
We British chose to take down the Christmas trees and the decorations within 12 days of Christmas, because we hold the belief that keeping then beyond that time can bring bad luck. This is probably a tradition that Americans should consider adopting. I have seen people keep their old, brown, dry and withered Christmas trees until almost July 4.
1. How do the British people deal with "Letters to Father Christmas"?| A．Emailing them to Santa. | B．Hiding them in the mailbox. |
| C．Putting them in the stockings. | D．Throwing them straight into the fire. |
| A．To stop it from drying | B．To expect good luck. |
| C．To save money. | D．To reuse it for the next year. |
| A．Writing letters to Santa. | B．Making pumpkin pudding. |
| C．Hanging stockings around the bed. | D．Keeping Christmas trees for months. |
3 . The Four Famous Embroideries (刺绣) of China refer to the Xiang embroidery in Hunan Province, Shu embroidery in Sichuan Province, Yue embroidery in Guangdong Province and Su embroidery in Jiangsu Province.
Xiang embroidery
The earliest piece of Xiang embroidery was unearthed at the No. 1 Tomb of Mawangdui, Changsha City of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. —A.D. 220). The weaving technique was almost the same as the one used in modern times, which shows that embroidery had already existed in the Han Dynasty. In its later development, it absorbs the characteristics of traditional Chinese paintings and reaches a high artistic level. Xiang embroidery crafts include valuable works of art, as well as products for daily use.
Shu embroidery
Shu embroidery has formed its own unique characteristics: smooth, bright, neat, etc. The works choose flowers, animals, mountains, rivers and human figures as their themes. The craftsmanship of Shu embroidery involves a combination of fine art and practical uses, such as the facings of quilts, pillowcases, coats and screen covers.
Yue embroidery
Influenced by national folk art, Yue embroidered pictures are mainly of dragons and phoenixes (凤凰), and flowers and birds, with neat designs and strong, contrasting colors.
Gold-and-silk thread embroidery is widely used, even for crafts of daily use.
Su embroidery
The weaving techniques of Su embroidery are characterized by the flat surface, dense lines, even pictures and harmonious colors. Su embroidery products fall into 3 major categories: costumes, decorations for halls and crafts for daily use. Double-sided embroidery is an excellent representative of Su embroidery.
1. The unearthed embroidery at Mawangdui shows Xiang embroidery’s _______.| A．time-honoured history | B．excellent designs |
| C．artistic value | D．advanced techniques |
| A．Xiang embroidery | B．Shu embroidery |
| C．Yue embroidery | D．Su embroidery |
| A．All are rooted in folk art. | B．All are valuable artworks. |
| C．All share the same themes. | D．All have practical use. |
4 . Kites have been around for a long time. The Chinese invented kites over 2000 years ago. A determined man named Mo Zi had an idea as he watched hawks(鹰) fly. He spent three years making a wooden hawk “kite”. It broke after one flight! Mo Zi and his Chinese friends did not give up. Soon they perfected the art of creating kites.
Kites became part of many Chinese festivals. Pictures of kites were also on vases and in paintings. But kites were meant to fly in places other than China! Marco Polo visited China in the 13th century and brought kites back to Europe with him. Europeans loved them, and the art of kiting “took off”!
Many kites have stories behind them. One Chinese novel, called Journey to the West, was written around 1400 AD. In the story, a priest(僧侣) traveled with three students. One student was a monkey. The second student was a man with pig ears. The third student was a former river monster. These characters often appear on Chinese kites. Another splendid(壮观的) Chinese kite is the dragon kite. A dragon kite is made of many round discs strung together. Often the dragon is bright red, with fat horns and white teeth. The dragon is the king of beasts in Chinese myths. It represents goodness, even though it looks scary. Two kinds of kites have pictures of birds on them. One kite is called the phoenix(凤凰) bird kite. The phoenix bird symbolizes peace. Another kite shows the redheaded crane(鹤).The crane represents happiness, good fortune, and a long life.
Kites come in all shapes and sizes. Flat or bowed kites have a simple shape, such as a diamond or a rectangle(长方形). Delta(三角形) kites are triangular. Rokkaku kites are six-sided and often bear a striking image. Sometimes these kites “fight” each other until one kite drops from the sky. The other kite then wins the “battle”.
1. Who introduced Chinese kites to Europe?| A．A foreigner from Europe. | B．Three students in Journey to the West. |
| C．The priest in Journey to the West. | D．A Chinese artist. |
| A．The novel Journey to the West mainly talks about the art of kiting. |
| B．The characters in the novel Journey to the West are often painted on kites. |
| C．The dragon kite represents happiness, good fortune and a long life. |
| D．A phoenix bird is a main character in the novel Journey to the West. |
| A．Kites became part of many Chinese festivals. |
| B．There are many different kinds of kites. |
| C．The dragon kite is the most splendid Chinese kite. |
| D．Kites were invented 2000 years ago. |
5 . Welcome to the Civic Art Museum's Exhibit of West African Art, showing pieces from our collections.
Background
The peoples of West Africa, including the Yoruba, the Dogon, the Igbo, and the Akan, have a long art tradition. Tribes (部落) in the area have developed different styles of art and architecture that are suited to the climate and available materials and based on their traditions.
Gallery A: Photographs of Traditional West African Architecture
This section shows historical and contemporary photographs of traditional West African architecture. Of particular interest are the photographs of the Dogon village. The design of the Dogon village is based on the human figure. Certain types of buildings are placed in particular areas according to the Dogon's complex philosophical tradition. For example, the men's houses are placed in the “head” of the village, the leader's house is in the “chest,” and the women's houses are in the “hands.”
Gallery B: West African Masks
The art of mask making is well developed in West Africa. Masks are important to West African traditions and have clear social, political, and economic roles. However, most masks are worn only at particular times or on special occasions. For example, among the Dan and the Kota, certain people wear special masks to show their power when they act as judges and policemen within the community. Among the Bambara of Mali, headdresses are worn during planting and harvest celebrations.
Gallery C: West African Sculptures
West African sculptures are made from materials such as metal or wood. They are based on tribal traditions and are quite different. The Dogon are especially known for making figures of their ancestors (祖先). They believe their ancestors, called Nommo, came down from the sky at the beginning of time. Nommo figures are often shown with their hands reaching out to the sky. The collection contains several wonderful examples of Nommo sculptures.
1. What is special about Dogon houses?| A．They are shaped like human beings. |
| B．They are designed by the village leader. |
| C．They are grouped according to tradition. |
| D．They have many photographs inside them. |
| A．have recently developed |
| B．play many different roles |
| C．are mainly worn at harvest time |
| D．show the everyday life of the Dan |
| A．They are afraid of Nommo figures. |
| B．They make statues of their ancestors. |
| C．They believe they will return to the sky. |
| D．They straighten their arms to show respect. |
| A．In Beijing. | B．In Tokyo. | C．In London. |
7 . Christmas may be the time of year for giving and spending time with loved ones, but not everyone feels an overwhelming sense of joy when festivities begin. Thousands of Reddit users have revealed the things they hate about Christmas.
PETER: It causes a heavy financial burden.
“Having to spend a substantial (大量的、实质的) amount of money on family members. I have to buy gifts for my grandparents, my parents, my siblings, my wife’s parents and her siblings, the dogs...and one cousin, because we do Secret Santa amongst the cousins. I love Christmas, but it costs me too much!”
MCCAIN: Exams ruin everything.
“In the UK we have our exams in January so that your Christmas holiday can be used to study. I didn’t have an enjoyable break until I finished university.”
SUSAN: Awkward family gatherings.
“Having everyone point out that I’m still single at family gatherings as if I’m unaware.”
JANET: Choosing presents.
“I don’t really want items anymore, so I don’t expect anything on Christmas, but I am expected to give gifts, but I usually just don’t know what to give.”
ELIZABATH: Shopping hell.
“I hate the way people act when shopping for Christmas. It’s almost like Black Friday every weekend at the big stores.”
JACKSON: Feeling like you have to buy presents.
“The pressure of buying gifts. Can’t we just enjoy each other’s company without comparing who bought the better stuff?”
Mr Green: Christmas jingles.
“I pretty much can’t stand most Christmas music.”
Prof Smith: It’s too commercial.
“The commercialization of it. Even as an atheist (无神论者), I think the Christ part has been taken out of it.”
Dr Martin: Putting up decorations too early.
“People put up Christmas decorations way before Christmas.”
CAROL: The office Christmas party.
“My office Christmas party. We have to pay to go and it’s so boring. Saying that you don’t want to attend is like pulling teeth.”
1. Who is possibly forced into a marriage?| A．Dr. Martin. | B．JACKSON. |
| C．SUSAN. | D．PETER. |
| A．They hate to spend much money on Christmas gifts. |
| B．They have to give gifts to everyone in the family. |
| C．They are happy to compare gifts while purchasing. |
| D．They are faced with the problems caused by gift giving. |
| A．Exams follow the Christmas holiday in Britain. |
| B．Christmas music makes too much noise. |
| C．People are clear about what Christmas gifts to buy. |
| D．Colleagues enjoy their office Christmas parties a lot. |
8 . The International Day of Disabled Persons, an international observance declared by the United Nations since 1992, is observed on December 3, aiming to promote an understanding of disability issues and get support for the rights of people with disabilities. The day takes place annually and focuses on a different issue each year. In South Africa, December 3 also marks the beginning of the Disability Awareness Month.
Since the first celebration, people with disabilities have gained recognition of their rights by states across the globe and of their rightful place in society. But there is still much work ahead of us to turn those legal rights into a true revolution, in which diversity is fully accepted and lived.
The estimated one billion people living with disabilities worldwide face many obstructions of inclusion in many key aspects of society. As a result, people with disabilities can't enjoy the equal rights as normal people, which include employment, education as well as social and political participation. The right to participate in public life is essential to create stable democracies , active citizenship and reduce inequalities in society.
In many cases, people with disabilities must be able to fulfill their role in society. It is important to focus on the ability and not on the disability of an individual. It is important to note that disability is part of the human condition, and that all of us either are or will become disabled to one degree or another during the course of our lives.
By promoting empowerment , real opportunities for disabled people are created. This supports them in setting their own priorities. Empowerment involves investing in them — in jobs, health, nutrition, education, and social protection. When disabled people are empowered, they are better prepared to take advantage of opportunities, and they can more readily accept their civic responsibilities.
1. What is the International Day of Disabled Persons meant for?| A．To raise money for the disabled. |
| B．To stress the value of the disabled. |
| C．To make an international celebration. |
| D．To make ablebodied people care about the disabled. |
| A．Chances. | B．Types. |
| C．Barriers | D．Regrets. |
| A．The number of them is too large. |
| B．They can't be fully accepted by society. |
| C．Few of them seek legal rights. |
| D．They think poorly of their role in society. |
9 . Music Festivals in 2019
Snowattack
Type: Electronic
Where: Les Orres, France
When: January 26-February 2, 2019
Camping: No
Snowaltack is a mid-winter event celebrating electronic music and ski culture. The festival takes place yearly at the Les Ores ski area in France with over 100 kilometers of slope (斜坡) and 19 lifts, giving great pleasure to tourists and music lovers.
Treefort Music Festival
Type: Hip-hop
Where: Boise, ID
When: March 20—March 24, 2019
Camping: No
It may sound strange lo choose Boise in Idaho as the city for such a large festival, but the Treefort festival continues to give us surprise year after year. Treefort takes place the week after another big music festival, South by Southwest, to attract artists on the way back to the northwest. The festival has grown in size to include things beyond music, like film, yoga and beer.
Black Deer Festival
Type: Country
Where: Eridge Park, Kent
When: June 21—June 23, 2019
Camping: Yes
Black Deer is going to bring a great deal of real Americanna and country music to the UK. The new festival promises to bring a wonderful mixture of excitement, experience and love with tasty food and drink, artisan wares (工艺品) and fantastic music.
Noise Pop Festival
Type: Pop
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: February 15-February 25, 2019
Camping: No
The Noise Pop Festival takes place every February across San Francisco. The show also includes activities about art and film along with some of the best musical artists. If you’re planning a winter-time trip, this is a special way to experience the fashion of the city.
1. Which festival should you go to if you are a hip-hop lover?| A．Snowattack. | B．Noise Pop Festival. |
| C．Black Deer Festival. | D．Treefort Music Festival. |
| A．It will allow for camping. | B．It will last for a whole week. |
| C．It will bring different musical styles. | D．It will include many kinds of activities. |
| A．Try an exercise like yoga. | B．Go skating to exciting music. |
| C．Play with country music lovers. | D．Enjoy the fashion of San Francisco. |
| A．A festival. | B．Foods. | C．TV programs. |
