Liu Ruying,
“Sometimes I was tired,“ she said. ”I had to balance my studies and other
When Liu got the news that her region would have a cultural exchange with other countries, she had the idea of
“I
2 . Around the world,people have different traditional foods to celebrate different festivals.Traditional foods also show a new year of good luck and good health:An English Christmas dinner has a meal of turkey,and it also includes pies and plum puddings(李子布丁).In Germany,Christmas is celebrated with bread cookies and cakes,which are made like Christmas trees.In France,Christmas dessert is a cake filled with butter cream.
In southern parts of India,there is a three-day festival in mid-January called Pongal.It includes rice and a dish of rice cooked with sugar that is shared with families and friends.
Japan celebrates New Year with a seven-day festival.It begins from January 1st.Food is prepared before the festival so people don't need to cook during the festival.On New Year's Day,various dishes called Osechi ryori(御节料理) are served — each dish is a wish for the New Year.
In most Asian countries,the New Year begins with the first full moon of the first Chinese Lunar(阴历的) month.Each place has its special food to welcome the coming year:People in China prepare their food ahead of time to avoid the possibility that using a knife during New Year's time might "cut luck",Foods with lucky names are popular,such as fish,which sounds like "surplus(剩余)".
1. What do you learn from the passage?A.people have different traditional foods to celebrate different festivals. |
B.New Year begins from January 10th in Japan. |
C.In France,Christmas dessert is a cake filled with butter. |
D.Traditional foods only show a new of good luck. |
A.Christmas. | B.Pongal. | C.New Year. | D.Lantern Festival. |
A.different | B.same | C.expensive | D.few |
Before my visit to a friend in Australia, I had done some research on the country
When I arrived in Sydney, my friend shared many different meals with me,
After being there for several days, my biggest impression is the complicated mix of peoples and cultures. Although the main cultural influence since 1788
4 . Customs on either side of the Atlantic
We all know that Britain and the US are two countries connected by a common language. But in fact,
When someone knocks into you.
If someone bumps into an American, the victim will most likely look the accidental aggressor in the face and expect an apology. If however,
Britons don’t all change into evening dress for supper like what you may have seen in popular TV shows like Downton Abbey. But they do tend to make an effort when going out for dinner somewhere nice. Americans, however, will probably wear a casual shirt to a fancy eatery.
When you don't finish your food.
When dining out at a restaurant,
When you get into a taxi.
Britons will give the cab driver an address, then assume that’s it for the interaction until it’s time to pay. Even if they’re being taken in a roundabout way,
A.When you get dressed for dinner |
B.When you go out with your friends |
C.the differences are more fun to observe |
D.they’re very unlikely to say anything |
E.the victim happens to be British |
F.Britons wouldn’t think to take the leftovers home |
G.they will point it out immediately and politely |
Earth Day,
6 . Music festivals in Europe
Visiting a festival abroad can be a great reason to travel and a way to experience different cultures. These days there is such a number of choices that it’s possible to spend the whole summer watching live music in exciting places. Of course, it’s also a chance to meet people from across the world.
Melt! Festival, Germany
This festival takes place on the site of an open air museum for industrial machinery. There’s also a lake which can be used for swimming when it’s hot. This year’s line-up has over 120 different bands (乐队). Around 90% of the people attending the festival are German providing a perfect chance to practise speaking the language.
Exit Festival, Serbia
Set on the banks of the Danube in an old fortress (城堡), the festival began as a way to show people’s dissatisfaction with the government. These days it’s less political (政治的) but still worries about people who are poor, ill, old, etc and tries to help them. This year’s festival will host many famous bands. From electronic music and dance music to hard rock, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Open’er Festival, Poland
Held in an airfield near the northern city of Gdansk, each year Open’er has a seriously good selection of bands. This year is no exception, with many famous bands set to play. Not only are there amazing artists, but both Poland and the festival itself also provide very excellent value for money.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Scotland
Set on a Scottish estate (庄园) near Inverness, this year Belladrum will welcome artists from around the world. The most enjoyable part of the weekend is the ceilidh (traditional Scottish dance and party) which is always a lively event. It doesn’t even matter if you’re a beginner because the band teaches you each dance.
1. What is special about Melt! Festival?A.It provides German lessons. | B.It is held by a local museum. |
C.The bands are from 120 countries. | D.Most of the festival goers are German. |
A.For political reasons. | B.For personal reasons. |
C.To help stop a fight. | D.To offer help to the poor. |
A.It falls in summer. |
B.It is a live music festival. |
C.It teaches people Scottish dances. |
D.It invites the most famous bands. |
Our grandparents seems to have magic powers sometimes. Give them a Chinese lunar calendar
What's the secret? They are following the 24 Solar Terms (节气),
The 24 Solar Terms
It is honored as China's
A.Tennis shoes. | B.Music records. |
C.Nothing yet. |
Foreign tourists are often confused(困惑的)in Japan because most streets there don’t have names. In Japan, people use landmarks(地标)in their directions instead of street names. For example, the Japanese will say to travelers, “ Go straight down to the corner. Turn left at the big hotel and go past a fruit market. The post office is across from the bus stop.”
In the countryside of the American Midwest, there are not usually many landmarks. There are no mountains, so the land is very flat. In many places there are no towns or buildings within miles. Instead of landmarks, people will tell you directions and distances. In Kansas or Iowa, for example, people will say, “ Go north two miles. Turn east, and then go another mile.
People in Los Angeles, California, have no idea of distance on the map. They measure distance in time, not miles. “ How far away is the post office?” you ask. “ Oh,” they answer, “ it’s about five minutes from here.” You say, “ Yes, but how many miles is it?” They don’t know.
It’s true that a person doesn't know the answer to your question sometimes. What happens in such a situation? A New Yorker might say, “ Sorry, I have no idea.” But in Yucatan, Mexico, no one answers “ I don't know”. People in Yucatan believe that “I don't know” is impolite. They usually give an answer, often a wrong one. A tourist can get very, very lost in Yucatan!
1. When a tourist asks the Japanese the way to a certain place, they usually _______ .
A.describe the place carefully |
B.show him a map of the place |
C.tell him the names of the streets |
D.refer to recognizable buildings and places |
A.New York. | B.Los Angles. |
C.Kansas C. Iowa |
A.in order to save time | B.as a test |
C.so as to be polite | D.for fun |
A.It’s important for travelers to understand cultural differences. |
B.It’s useful for travelers to know how to ask the way properly. |
C.People have similar understanding of politeness. |
D.New Yorkers are generally friendly to visitors. |