1 . Kung fu is one of the most popular topics of discussion among foreigners talking about China. As a discipline of kung fu with the largest number of practitioners in China, Tai Chi is gaining popularity worldwide. Tai Chi is sweeping the world thanks to its deep cultural roots and the health benefits coming from practicing it.
The philosophy of Tai Chi features the concept of yin and yang, which is typical of Confucianism and Taoism. Tai Chi also takes in ideas from traditional Chinese medicine, including anatomy (解剖学) and physiology (生理学). It is a practice that couples hardness with softness, and it is a perfect example of traditional Chinese culture.
Through lasting practice, learners begin to feel the positive impact (影响) of Tai Chi on their health. Unlike kung fu practices that focus on attacking and defending against enemies, Tai Chi focuses more on shaping good characters and keeping fit. By practicing Tai Chi, people will feel an improvement in their physical and psychological health by promoting a balance between yin and yang within their bodies. This is similar to Western medicine’s improving people’s self-healing ability and immune system.
Tai Chi is playing an important role in presenting Chinese culture to the rest of the world, acting like a bridge between China and other countries. Recent years have seen a lot of international communication on Tai Chi. In provinces like Hebei, Henan, Shanxi and Shaanxi, where Tai Chi teaching and learning are particularly active, local governments and non-governmental institutions often organize activities and competitions for learners and fans to attend and participate in. Large sporting events hosted by China such as the Asian Games and Olympics have featured Tai Chi performances or contests. These activities have opened a window for the outside world to know more about Tai Chi, paving the way for its overseas wide spread.
Today, Tai Chi not only belongs to China, but also to the whole world and to everyone who loves it.
1. Why is Tai Chi becoming popular around the world?| A．Chinese culture spreads quickly. |
| B．A good many people practice it. |
| C．Foreigners show more interest in it. |
| D．It has deep culture roots and health benefits. |
| A．The ideas of medicine. |
| B．The traditional Chinese culture. |
| C．The characteristic of yin and yang. |
| D．A practice of hardness and softness. |
| A．restore people’s immune system |
| B．help people keep healthy and get good characters |
| C．defend the body from being attacked |
| D．improve people’s self-healing ability |
| A．Tai Chi has become a sport event. |
| B．Tai Chi is active only in central China. |
| C．Tai Chi promotes cross-culture communications. |
| D．Tai Chi opens a window for people to know about the world. |
2 . When mentioning China, what comes to mind? As a country with a history of more than 5000 years, China is rich in civilization and culture. What best represents China?
Confucius (551BC - 479 BC)
Confucius was a teacher and philosopher from the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. The philosophy of Confucius stresses individual morality including kindness, fairness, politeness, and sincerity. Confucius’ principles have a broad basis in common Chinese tradition and belief.
Dragon
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with winding or crawling characters. The dragon symbol is frequently used on ancient Chinese emperor’s items including chairs or costumes. It is considered a representation of power.
Peking Opera
Peking Opera is considered the essence of China. As the larger form of Chinese opera, it has many “firsts” in Chinese dramas: the abundance of talents, the number of artists, opera groups and audience.
The Great Wall
There is an old saying that goes, “He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man.” The Great Wall, one of the greatest wonders of the world, is a destination one must see when visiting China.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Developed in China, TCM has a tradition dating back to more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, cupping, massage, exercise (Qigong), and dietary therapy.
1. What do we know about Confucius according to the passage?| A．He died at the age of 82. |
| B．He put stress on teamwork spirits. |
| C．He was a teacher in the Warring States Period. |
| D．He created common Chinese tradition and belief. |
| A．Confucius. | B．Dragon. | C．Peking Opera. | D．The Great Wall. |
| A．Learn to exercise Qigong. | B．Appreciate Peking Opera. |
| C．Pay a visit to the Great Wall. | D．Experience the treatment of cupping. |
| A．Cultural Symbols of China | B．Rich in Civilization and Culture |
| C．Famous People and Places in China | D．One of the Greatest of the World |
Where: Becket, Massachusetts
When: Jun.15---Aug.24
Each summer, this influential dance center presents a number of classes and performances by more than 50 companies from around the world. Highlights in this season include the Dance Theater of Harlem’s production of Alvin Ailey’s “The Lark Ascending”, which opens the festival.
Many events are free. Ticketed performances start at $22. Jacobspillow.org.
Moab Music Festival
Where: Moab, Utah
When: Aug.29---Sept.9
This area is better known for mountain biking than for music . But since 1992, it has hosted a private festival that brings classical, jazz, Latin and other types of music to the land. This year there will be 16 concerts, including three “Grotto Concerts”, where guests take a 45-minute boat ride down the Colorado River to performances.
Events start at $25. Moabmusicfest.org.
Cheyenne Frontier Days
Where: Cheyenne, Wyoming
When: July19---28
There is something for everyone at this 117-year-old festival, from an “Indian village” and Old West museum to country concerts. But the competition is still the main attraction, with cowboys and cowgirls competing for major money in the world’s largest outdoor stage.
Competition tickets start at $18, and concert tickets at $23. Cfdrodeo.com.
The Glimmerglass Festival
Where: Cooperstown, New York
When: July6---Aug.24
Each summer, opera lovers from around the country (and the world) travel to upstate New York to watch productions that include stars like Nathan Gunn and Ginger Costa-Jackson. This year’s performances include Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” and Verdi’s “King for a Day”, in honor of the 200th birthdays of both composers.
Tickets start at $26. Glimmerglass.org.
1. If you want to enjoy a “Grotto Concert”, which date suits you best?
| A．September 4. | B．July 19. |
| C．August 24. | D．June 15. |
| A．$18. | B．$41. | C．$360. | D．$22. |
| A．Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival |
| B．Moab Music Festival |
| C．Cheyenne Frontier Days |
| D．The Glimmerglass Festival |
| A．Education. | B．Literature. |
| C．Business. | D．Art. |
4 . Culture means any human behavior that is learned in human society. All of the meaningful parts of a culture are passed on to different generations through tradition or social learning.
Culture is necessary for the survival and existence of human beings as human beings. Practically everything humans know, think, value, feel, and do is learned through taking part in a sociocultural system.
Kamal was a terrible-looking being, the head, a big ball of something covering the shoulders.
Children learn human language in the same way they learn other kinds of human behavior—by taking part in a cultural community.
| A．From this viewpoint, all human groups have a culture. |
| B．Close at its heels there came another terrible creature exactly like the first, but smaller in size. |
| C．Human beings can only develop human abilities by the local people. |
| D．This statement is well supported by some well-written cases. |
| E．These children were the ghosts described by the local people. |
| F．Culture refers only to the high art and classical music of a particular society. |
| G．They learn a certain human language as well as certain kinds of human behavior through their membership in a certain cultural community. |
People thank each other everywhere in England, all the time. When people buy something in a shop, customers and retail assistants in most cases thank each other twice or more. In Germany, it would be exceptional to hear more than one “thank you” in such a conversation. British students thank their lecturers when leaving the room. English employers thank their employees for doing their jobs, as opposite to Germans, who would normally think that paying their workers money is already enough.
Another thing I observed during my stay was that English people rarely criticize others. Even when I was working and mistakes were pointed out to me, my employers emphasized (强调) several times that none of their words were intended as criticism. It has been my impression that by avoiding criticism, English people are making an effort to make others feel comfortable. This is also shown in other ways. British men still open doors for women, and British men are more likely to treat women to a meal than German men. However, I do need to point out here that this applies to English men a bit more than it would to Scottish men! Yes, the latter (后者) are a bit tightfisted.
1. What is the author’s attitude towards English politeness?
| A．He appreciatesit. | B．He gives no personal opinion. |
| C．He thinks it is unnecessary. | D．He thinks it goes too far. |
| A．A customer never says thank you to a retail assistant. |
| B．They may say thank you only once. |
| C．It’s always a retail assistant who says thank you. |
| D．They always say thank you to each other. |
| A．are not so willing to spend money for women |
| B．are more polite than English men |
| C．treat women in an impolite way |
| D．are more likely to be involved in a fighting |
| A．giving reasons | B．telling stories | C．giving comments | D．making comparisons |
请认真阅读下列短文，从短文后各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Usually, when your teacher asks a question, there is only one correct answer. But there is one question that has millions of current answers. That question is “What’s your name?” Everyone gives a different answer, but everyone is correct.
Have you ever wondered about people’s names? Where do they come from? What do they mean?
People’s first names, or given names, are chosen by their parents. Sometimes the name of a grandparent or other member of the family is used. Some parents choose the name of a well-known person. A boy could be named George Washington Smith; a girl could be named Helen Keller Jones.
Some people give their children names that mean good things. Clara means “bright”; Beatrice means “one who gives happiness”; Donald means “world ruler”; Leonard means “as brave as a lion”.
The earliest last names, or surnames, were taken from place names. A family with the name Brook or Brooks probably lived near brook(小溪)；someone who was called Longstreet probably lived on a long, paved road. The Greenwood family lived in or near a leafy forest.
Other early surnames came from people’s occupations. The most common occupational name is Smith, which means a person who makes things with iron or other metals. In the past, smiths were very important workers in every town and village. Some other occupational names are: Carter — a person who owned or drove a cart; Potter —a person who made pots and pans.
The ancestors of the Baker family probably baked bread for their neighbors in their native village. The Carpenter’s great-great-great-grandfather probably built houses and furniture.
Sometimes people were known for the color of their hair or skin, or their size, or their special abilities. When there were two men who were named John in the same village, the John with the gray hair probably became John Gray. Or the John was very tall could call himself John Tallman. John Fish was probably an excellent swimmer and John Lightfoot was probably a fast runner or a good dancer.
Some family names were made by adding something to the father’s name. English-speaking people added –s or –son. The Johnsons are descendants of John; the Roberts family’s ancestor was Robert. Irish and Scottish people added Mac or Mc or O. Perhaps all of the MacDonnells and the McDonnells and the O’Donnells are descendants of the same Donnell.
1. Which of the following aspects do the surnames in the passage NOT cover?
| A．Places where people lived. | B．People’s characters. |
| C．Talents that people possessed. | D．People’s occupations. |
| A．owned or drove a cart | B．made things with metals |
| C．made kitchen tools or contains | D．built houses and furniture |
| A．Beatrice Smith | B．Leonard Carter |
| C．George Longstreet | D．Donald Greenwood |
| A．later generations | B．friends and relatives |
| C．colleagues and partners | D．later sponsors |
