The fillings (馅料) inside the dumplings or Yuanxiao are either sweet or salty. Sweet fillings are made of sugar, walnuts (核桃), sesame（芝麻）, osmanthus flowers (桂花), rose petals（花瓣）. A single ingredient (原料) or any combination can be used as the filling. The salty variety is filled with minced meat (肉末儿), vegetables or a mixture.
The way to make Yuanxiao also varies between northern and southern China. The usual method followed in southern provinces is to shape the dough (生面团) of rice flour into balls, make a hole, insert the filling, then close the hole and smooth out the dumpling by rolling it between your hands. In North China, sweet or nutmeat stuffing is the usual ingredient. The fillings are pressed into hardened cores, dipped lightly in water and rolled in a flat basket containing dry glutinous rice flour. A layer of the flour sticks to the filling, which is then again dipped in water and rolled a second time in the rice flour. And so it goes, like rolling a snowball, until the dumpling is the desired size.
The custom of eating Yuanxiao dumplings remains. This tradition encourages both old and new stores to promote their Yuanxiao products. They all try their best to improve the taste and quality of the dumplings to attract more customers.
1. Which of the following is NOT true?
| A．Sweet Yuanxiao are usually made in southern China. |
| B．Sugar, rose petals and minced meat are all fillings of Yuanxiao. |
| C．The custom of eating Yuanxiao dates back to the fourth century. |
| D．People in northern China usually make Yuanxiao by rolling like a snowball. |
| A．southwestern and northwestern |
| B．eastern and western |
| C．southeastern and northeastern |
| D．northern and southern |
① make a hole and insert the filling
② roll the dough between your hands
③ shape the dough of rice flour into balls
④ close the hole
⑤ prepare some rice flour
| A．⑤③②①④ | B．⑤③①④② |
| C．③①④②⑤ | D．③⑤①②④ |
| A．The Lantern Festival |
| B．The ingredients of Yuanxiao |
| C．China’s traditional food—Yuanxiao. |
| D．The difference between Yuanxiao and Tangyuan. |
| A．Because it’s a tasty food. |
| B．Because it’s a tradition. |
| C．Because we love our country. |
| D．Because it’s promoted by both old and new stores. |
The British isles refer to the main islands and several thousand small ones as well, which you can see on the map. Great Britain, or Britain, refers to the larger of the two main islands. But the word “Britain” is often used as a short form for the United Kingdom or you call it the UK .
Now as for England, it refers simply to the largest of the three countries on the island of Great Britain. The United Kingdom is the name of the state and the official name of the country, which many people popularly refer to England.
Finally, the Britain commonwealth is the usual name for what is left of the British Empire. This change shows the weakening of British Empire and the rising of the national liberation movements throughout the world today.
1. According to the passage, we know that ____ .
| A．Great Britain has the same meaning as Britain |
| B．the United Kingdom has the same meaning as Britain or England |
| C．all the names in the first paragraph have the same meaning |
| D．all the names refer to England |
| A．Britain, England and the UK. |
| B．the two main islands and thousands of small ones |
| C．three countries and several islands |
| D．Great Britain or the United Kingdom |
| A．B>BI>E | B．BI>E>B | C．E>B>BI | D．BI>B>E |
| A．Edinburgh, England |
| B．Edinburgh, Great Britain |
| C．Scotland, Edinburgh, England |
| D．Great Britain, Scotland, Edinburgh |
3 . Here is some must-know information from a handbook on how people behave in doing business in some countries.
In Brazil
Brazilians are warm and friendly. They often stand close when talking and it is common for them to touch the person on the shoulder. People often greet each other (particularly women) with light cheek kisses. Schedules tend to be flexible, with business meetings sometimes starting later than planned. But to be safe, be on time. Meals can stretch for hours — there’s no such thing as rushing a meal in Brazil. Lunches also can start in the mid to late afternoon. Brazilians are social, preferring face-to-face communication over mails or phone calls.
In Singapore
Singaporeans shake hands when they meet and often also greet each other with a small, polite bow. Business cards should be offered and received with two hands. Arriving late is considered disrespectful. So be on time. Efficiency(效率) is the goal, so meetings and dealings often are fast-paced. Singaporeans are direct in their discussions, even when the subject is about money. Rank is important and authority is respected. This determines both people interact in meetings. For example, people avoid disagreeing outright with someone with a higher rank.
In the United Arab Emirates
In the UAE, status is important, so the most senior or oldest should be greeted first with their titles. The handshake seems to be longer than elsewhere. So, do not pull away the handshake. Women should cover themselves when it comes to dress. Men also tend to be covered from neck to elbows(肘部) and down to the knees. People do not avoid entertaining in their homes, but they also hold business meals at restaurants. Touching or passing food or eating with your left hand is to be avoided. When meetings are one-to-one, if your host offers you coffee, you should refuse. It might seem odd, but it is a cultural tradition. Coffee should only be accepted if it is always set out or presented.
In Switzerland
The Swiss tend to be formal and address each other by last name. They also are respectful of private lives. You should be careful not to ask about personal topics. Punctuality (守时) is vital, something that comes from a deep respect for others’ time. Arrive at any meeting or event a few minutes early to be safe. They also have clear structure in their companies. Higher-ups make the final decisions, even if others might disagree. Neat, clean dress is expected. The Swiss follow formal table manners. They also keep their hands visible at the table and their elbows off the table. It is polite to finish the food on your plate.
1. The passage is mainly about _____________.| A．communication types |
| B．the workplace atmosphere |
| C．customs and social manners |
| D．living conditions and standards |
| A．They put efficiency in the first place. |
| B．They dislike face-to-face communication. |
| C．They want to finish meetings as quickly as possible. |
| D．They are supposed to obey the person of a higher rank. |
| A．When greeting seniors. |
| B．When meeting the host alone. |
| C．When attending a presentation. |
| D．When dining with business partners. |
| A．In Brazil. | B．In Singapore. |
| C．In the United Arab Emirate. | D．In Switzerland. |
4 . Should we allow modern buildings to be built next to older buildings in a historic area of a city? In order to answer this question, we must first examine whether people really want to preserve the historic feel of an area. Not all historical buildings are attractive. However, there may be other reasons—for example, economic (经济的) reasons—why they should be preserved. So, let us assume that historical buildings are both attractive and important to the majority of people. What should we do then if a new building is needed?
In my view, new architectural styles can exist perfectly well alongside an older style. Indeed, there are many examples in my own home town of Tours where modern designs have been placed very successfully next to old buildings. As long as the building in question is pleasing and does not dominate (影响) its surroundings too much, it often improves the attractiveness of the area.
It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt (破坏) the area they are in, but the same can be said of some old buildings too. Yet people still speak against new buildings in historic areas. I think this is simply because people are naturally conservative(保守的)and do not like change.
Although we have to respect people’s feelings as fellow users of the buildings, I believe that it is the duty of the architect and planner to move things forward . If we always reproduced what was there before, we would all still be living in caves. Thus, I would argue against copying previous architectural styles and choose something fresh and different , even though that might be the more risky choice.
1. What does the author say about historical buildings in the first paragraph?| A．Some of them are not attractive. |
| B．Most of them ate too expensive to preserve. |
| C．They are more pleasing than modern buildings. |
| D．They have nothing to do with the historic feel of an area. |
| A．We should reproduce the same old buildings. |
| B．Buildings should not dominate their surroundings. |
| C．Some old buildings have spoilt the area they are in. |
| D．No one understands why people speak against new buildings. |
| A．destroy old buildings |
| B．put things in a different place |
| C．respect people’s feelings for historical buildings |
| D．choose new architectural styles |
| A．To explain why people dislike change. |
| B．To argue that modern buildings can be built in historic areas. |
| C．To warn that we could end up living in caves. |
| D．To admit how new buildings have ruined their surroundings. |
“The lift becomes this interesting social space where etiquette (礼仪) is sort of odd (奇怪的),” Gray told the BBC. “They [elevators] are socially very interesting but often very awkward places.”
We walk in and usually turn around to face the door. If someone else comes in, we may have to move. And here, according to Gray, liftusers unthinkingly go through a set pattern of movements. He told the BBC what he had observed.
He explained that when you are the only one inside a lift, you can do whatever you want – it’s your own little box.
If there are two of you, you go into different corners, standing diagonally (对角线地) across from each other to create distance.
When a third person enters, you will unconsciously form a triangle. And when there is a fourth person it becomes a square, with someone in every corner. A fifth person is probably going to have to stand in the middle.
New entrants to the lift will need to size up the situation when the doors slide open and then act decisively. Once in, for most people the rule is simple – look down, or look at your phone.
Why are we so awkward in lifts?
“You don’t have enough space,” Professor Babette Renneberg, a clinical psychologist at the Free University of Berlin, told the BBC. “Usually when we meet other people we have about an arm’s length of distance between us. And that’s not possible in most elevators.”
In such a small, enclosed space it becomes very important to act in a way that cannot be construed (理解) as threatening or odd. “The easiest way to do this is to avoid eye contact,” she said.
1. The main purpose of the article is to _____.
| A．remind us to enjoy ourselves in the elevator |
| B．tell us some unwritten rules of elevator etiquette |
| C．share an interesting but awkward elevator ride |
| D．analyze what makes people feel awkward in an elevator |
| A．turn around and greet one another |
| B．look around or examine their phone |
| C．make eye contact with those in the elevator |
| D．try to keep a distance from other people |
A． | B． |
C． | D． |
| A．judge | B．ignore |
| C．put up with | D．make the best of |
| A．someone’s odd behaviors |
| B．the lack of space |
| C．their unfamiliarity with one another |
| D．their eye contact with one another |
6 . The speed and convenience of modern travel means that destinations that used to take a long time to travel to can now be reached quickly and easily. Even though” faraway” countries may now seem closer thanks to air travel, they may still be different from your home country.
Avoid topics of conversation that you think may be sensitive.
Finally, if you are traveling on business, or plan to stay with a host to family, and you wish to take a gift, do some research.
Wherever you go in the world, always be tolerant of the local customs. Avoid being critical; try instead to show respect for the values of the country you are in, even if you do not necessarily agree with them.
| A．Keep in mind that in many cultures, display affection in public is considered taboo. |
| B．Consider the main lifestyle of the country you plan to visit. |
| C．Never raise your voice in order to make yourself understood. |
| D．If a topic is sensitive in your own culture, it will more than likely be the same in other cultures. |
| E．The idea of the perfect gift varies greatly from country to country. |
| F．The opening of gifts is also treated very differently around the world. |
| G．Therefore, it is important to adapt your behavior not to offend the local people. |
7 . Visitors to Britain may find the best place to sample local culture is in a traditional pub. But these friendly pubs can be dangerous places of potential gaffes (失礼) for the newcomers. A team of researchers have discovered some of the unknown customs of British pubs-starting with the difficulty of getting a drink. Most pubs have no waiters-you have to go to the bar to buy drinks. A group of Italian youths waiting 45 minutes before they realized they would have to fetch their own. This may sound inconvenient, but there is a hidden purpose.
Pub culture is designed to promote sociability (社交) in a society known for its reserve. Standing at the bar for service allows you to chat with others waiting to be served. The bar counter is possibly the only site in the British Isles in which friendly conversation with strangers is considered entirely suitable and really quite normal behavior. “If you haven't been to a pub, you haven't been to Britain.” This tip can be found in a booklet, Passport to the Pub: The Tourists' Guide to Pub Etiquette, a customers' rule of conduct for those wanting to sample “a central part of British life and culture”.
The trouble is that if you do not follow the local rules, the experience may fall flat. For example, if you are in a big group, it is best if only one or two people go to buy the drinks. Nothing annoys the regular customers and bar staff more than a group of strangers blocking all access to the bar while they chat and hesitate about what to order.
1. The underlined word “sample” in the first paragraph probably means “________”.| A．taste | B．experience | C．test | D．record |
| A．encourage people to communicate with each other |
| B．encourage more people to consume drinks |
| C．attract more tourists to the pubs |
| D．form its own character of culture |
| A．you won't buy good local drinks |
| B．you may annoy the regular customers and bar staff |
| C．you may fail to feel the local culture |
| D．you might get into a dangerous place |
| A．Self-service Pubs in Britain | B．British Local Pubs: Special Chat Places |
| C．Local Pub Culture in Britain | D．Manners in British Local Pubs |
Tea remained scarce and very expensive in England until the ships of the East India Company began to bring it direct from China early in the seventeenth century. During the next few years so much tea came into the country that the price fell and many people could afford to buy it.
At the same time people on the Continent were becoming more and more fond of tea．Until then tea had been drunk without milk in it, but one day a famous French lady named Madame de Sevigne decided to see what tea tasted like when milk was added．She found it so pleasant that she would never again drink it without milk. Because she was such a great lady her friends thought they must copy everything she did, so they also drank their tea with milk in it. Slowly this habit spread until it reached England and today only very few Britons drink tea without milk.
At first, tea was usually drunk after dinner in the evening. No one ever thought of drinking tea in the afternoon until a duchess (公爵夫人) found that a cup of tea and a piece of cake at three or four o'clock stopped her getting “a sinking feeling” as she called it. She invited her friends to have this new meal with her and so, tea-time was born.
1. Which of the following is true of the introduction of tea into Britain?
| A．The Britons got expensive tea from India. |
| B．Tea reached Britain from Holland. |
| C．The Britons were the first people in Europe who drank tea. |
| D．It was not until the 17th century that the Britons had tea. |
| A．the history of tea drinking in Britain |
| B．how tea became a popular drink in Britain |
| C．how the Britons got the habit of drinking tea |
| D．how tea-time was born |
| A．in eighteenth century | B．in sixteenth century |
| C．in seventeenth century | D．in the late seventeenth century |
| A．it tasted like milk |
| B．it tasted more pleasant |
| C．it became a popular drink |
| D．Madame de Sevigne was such a lady with great social influence that people tried to copy the way she drank tea |
due to the influence of ________.
| A．a famous French lady | B．the ancient Chinese |
| C．the upper social class | D．people in Holland |
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的适当形式。
People often have trouble
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中选出最佳选项。
It was unusually quiet in the emergency room on December 25. I was the nurse on duty that day. I didn’t think there would be any patients, sighing about having to work on Christmas. Just then five people showed up at my desk, a pale woman and four small children.
“Are you all sick?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said weakly and lowered her head.
But when it came to descriptions of their problems, things got a little unclear. Two of the children had headaches, but it seemed that their headaches didn’t cause any suffering. Two children had earaches, but only one could tell me which ear was affected. The mother complained of a cough but seemed to work to produce it.
Something was wrong, but I didn’t say anything but explained that it might be a little while before a doctor saw her. She responded, “Take your time; it’s warm here.”
When I checked the form they filled out, there was no address—they were homeless. I looked out at the family gathering close together by the Christmas tree. The little one was pointing at the television and saying something to her mother. The oldest one was looking at something on the Christmas tree.
The nurses on duty felt pity for this family just trying to get warm on Christmas. We planned to prepare a meal for our Christmas guests. We needed presents. We put together oranges and apples in a basket. We collected from different candies and other things available that could be presents. Our team worked to meet the needs of a family who just wanted to be warm on Christmas Day.
Later, as the family walked to the door to leave, the four-year old came running back, gave me a hug and whispered, “Thanks for being our angels today.”
1. What kind of person do you think the author is?
| A．Hardworking and bad-tempered. |
| B．Serious and careful. |
| C．Hardworking and warmhearted. |
| D．Serious and stubborn. |
| A．Something was wrong with one of the children’s head. |
| B．The pale woman forgot to write the address. |
| C．One of the children had a language problem. |
| D．The whole family pretended to be sick. |
| A．the woman was suffering a bad cough |
| B．there was only one doctor treating patients on Christmas Day |
| C．the family appeared in the emergency room on Christmas Eve |
| D．the woman and four small children were satisfied and grateful |
| A．Working on Christmas Day |
| B．Christmas Day is Coming |
| C．A Happy Family |
| D．A Pale Woman and Four Small Children |
