1 . Here are a few interesting facts about Teachers’ Day around the world.
China celebrates Teachers’ Day on September 10. The tradition began in the 1980s to improve teachers lives and status and encourage everyone to respect teachers.
In India, Teachers’ Day is celebrated on September 5, in honor of Dr. Radhakrishnan. He was India’s second president and a person who believed in good education. Traditionally on this day, the teaching is done by the senior students while the teachers get a much-deserved break from their work.
The United Nations (联合国) has made October 5 World Teachers’ Day. This special day was started to let the world see what teachers have done and listen to the teachers’ worries and the things they want to change.
In the United States, National Teachers’ Day is always on the Tuesday of the first week of May, so the actual date is different every year. The history of celebrating this day goes back to 1944.
In Germany, Teachers’ Day is celebrated on June 12 every year. People will express their respect to teachers with many activities. Teachers always receive prizes, presents, beautiful cards and other things.
Teachers’ Day is celebrated in Brunei (文莱) on September 23.
January 15 is Teachers’ Day in Venezuela (委内瑞拉).
North Korea celebrates Teachers Day on September 5.
1. How many countries mentioned in the passage have their Teachers’ Day?| A．7. | B．8. | C．6. | D．9. |
| A．Radhakrishnan was the first president of India. |
| B．Radhakrishnan attached great importance to education. |
| C．On Teachers’ Day the teachers in India are still working hard. |
| D．Teachers’ Day is celebrated on December 5 in India. |
| A．To encourage everyone to respect and honor teachers. |
| B．To let the world realize teachers’ contributions and encourage people to care about and help teachers. |
| C．To see what teachers have done in the year. |
| D．To have a dialogue with teachers. |
| A．India. | B．Germany. |
| C．Brunei. | D．Venezuela. |
2 . If you think about World Heritage Sites, you probably think of places connected with ancient art and culture, historical buildings and monuments. And of course, many of these are on the World Heritage List (WHL) (世界遗产名录). But the WHL contains a lot of sites that are not so obvious. Let’s look at a few of them.
Robben Island in South Africa
This island was used through the centuries a s a prison, a hospital and a military base. But it’s probably most famous as a maximum-security prison for political prisoners in the twentieth century. Nelson Mandela was one of its most famous residents. The WHL says it represents “the victory of democracy (民主) and freedom over oppression (压迫) and racism (种族主义).”
Borders of France and Spain
This is an area of great natural beauty and the mountains have many interesting geological formations. But it is also an area of small farm. People there still use a type of agriculture that used to be common in mountainous areas of Europe but that has almost complete disappeared in modern times.
The city of Brasilia, Brazil
Brasilia is a capital city that was created from nothing in 1956. The WHL calls it “a landmark in the history of town planning”. The different areas of the city and the buildings themselves were all designed at the same time carefully. Every part of the city shows the ideas of the planner and architect.
Simien National Park, Ethiopia
Simien National Park was one of the first sites to be listed in 1978. It is one of the highest mountainous areas in Africa, and the WHL calls it “one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world”. It is also important for its wildlife. The population of some rare animals is getting smaller and smaller.
1. Which of the following sites was listed on the WHL for its political symbol?| A．Simien National Park, Ethiopia. | B．Robben Island in South Africa. |
| C．Borders of France and Spain. | D．The city of Brasilia, Brazil. |
| A．Robben Island in South Africa. | B．Borders of France and Spain. |
| C．The city of Brasilia, Brazil. | D．Simien National Park, Ethiopia. |
| A．the remains of ancient cultures on the WHL |
| B．the household heritage sites on the WHL |
| C．important places of art and culture |
| D．some of the less well-known sites on the WHL |
