2 . For some, the New Year is running in on when the calendar turns from December 31 to January 1.     1     The Lunar New Year is an international holiday celebrated in many Asian countries, the date of which changes depending on the year. But regardless of the date, each culture celebrating it has lasting customs, traditions and beliefs. Here is what you need to know about the Lunar New Year.

How long is it?

    2     The amount of celebration days depends on the culture. Some observances are longer than others. In 2023, it begins on January 22 and ends on February 5. The first day of it is called the Spring Festival, and the final day is the Lantern Festival in Chinese culture.

Who celebrates it?

It is celebrated throughout many Asian cultures. Among those are Chinese, South Korean, Vietnamese, Singaporean, Malaysian and Indonesian culture.     3     For example, in South Korea, it is called Seollal.

What symbolic meaning does it have?

Similar to western New Year, it represents (象征) letting go of the past year to bring in the new one. Another key aspect to Lunar New Year is reunion.     4     It’s also important for families to pay respects to the older generations.

What does the Year of the Rabbit represent?

In the Chinese Zodiac, there are 12 animals, each with its own characteristics. For the rabbit, people born in its year are seen as caring, attentive and likely to follow rules.     5    

A．They clean rooms to get rid of bad luck.

B．But many others celebrate it on a different day.

C．Additionally, each has its own name for New Year.

D．Unlike western New Year, it lasts longer than one day.

E．Younger people will receive red envelopes with money.

F．Family members will gather together and practice cultural customs.

G．They are also said to be successful in their careers and good at making friends.

3 . After heating some syrup(糖浆), Wang Chunjing drew out a small part to make a ball which is empty inside, putting the edges together and pulling it into a tube (管子). She then blew air into the tube and created a lifelike rabbit in minutes. Children around her stared with mouths open as they watched the process, thinking she was more like a magician.

The 32-year-old, who has been blowing sugar figures, a traditional Chinese folk art, for more than a decade, understands the children’s reactions because she too once watched in amazement as her father did the same thing when she was a child.

Showing both interest and talent, Wang was able to make easy types when she was 6. After graduating from senior high school, she moved to Harbin with her family in search of a better life. She tried several jobs there, including as an assistant at a clothing shop and a mobile phone shop. However, she still dreamed of becoming a figurine(小雕像) maker to create magic like her father. She spent three years mastering the skills, after which she traveled to different provinces to earn a living by making sugar figures. In 2015, Wang returned to Harbin, starting sugar figurine business.

In 2019, Wang was granted the title of provincial-level inheritor(继承者) of sugar figures, but she never stops her attempt to develop this intangible cultural heritage. She always tries to make the sugar figures into different colors rather than only brown color and has tried out ideas for new shapes and figures.

Every month since 2017, Wang and a group of folk artists visit rural schools in Harbin, teaching students about traditional art forms such as sugar figurines, paper cutting and clay sculptures. “We were all very happy to discover that the students were really interested in these traditional arts,” she said. “I hope to teach more people about the art and traditional culture.”

1. What did Wang do when creating the sugar rabbit?

A．She heated syrup for a minute.	B．She filled the ball with syrup.
C．She put a tube into the ball.	D．She blew air into the tube.

2. Why did Wang choose to be a figurine maker?

A．She hoped to give her family a better life.	B．She failed to do well in other jobs.
C．She dreamed to create magical works.	D．She wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps.

3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．Wang’s deep interest in traditional culture.

B．The important developments of sugar figures.

C．The achievement Wang has won in this business.

D．Wang’s further exploration in making sugar figures.

4. Why does Wang visit rural schools in Harbin?

A．To discover new forms of folk art.	B．To practice making sugar figures.
C．To introduce traditional arts to students.	D．To help students to learn about history.

4 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

    1    the Year of the Tiger approaching, all kinds of items     2    (relate)to the Chinese zodiac (生肖) have been selling rapidly.

Since last month,the sales value of goods featuring tiger elements     3    (rise) 9.4 times year-on-year,according to e-commerce platform JD.The popularity of the zodiac illustrates people’s growing     4    (recognize) of traditional Chinese culture,both at home and abroad.

In China,the tiger     5    (know) as the “king of all beasts” and it is     6    symbol of bravery and power.In ancient times,tiger patterns were carved on bronze or golden seals as symbols of military authority.In traditional culture,the tiger was regarded as an auspicious animal       7    drove away evil spirits and brought blessings and peace.

The zodiac element has been applied to almost many consumer goods,     8    (include) hand bags, cosmetics, stationery, snacks—and clothing, of course. On Dec 17,the Nanjing Yunjin research Institution and fashion Teenie Weenie     9    (joint) launched a new series to celebrate the Year of Tiger.A week before the launch,consumers responded positively to a preview,with a large number of resale bookings.After the     10    (office) launch,the series saw sales of 10 million yuan in just two weeks.

5 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式

Xi'an,or Chang'an as it was called for many centuries,has been a built-up urban area for over 3,000 years,and once     1    （serve）as capital for 13 dynasties.It is home     2     many immovable cultural heritages,three of     3     are on the UNESCO 's world cultural heritage list.

These days,the city has made     4    （effect）exploration in building modernity while preserving historical legacy（遗产）.A recent piece of news     5    （announce）by Shaanxi's cultural relic authority caused nationwide attention,that a ruin of ancient capital dating back to Qin Dynasty was unearthed during the construction of the Xi 'an MetroLine5.In order to protect the ruin,the metro line may have to change     6    （it）route.

    7     （face）the heavy and important task of protecting cultural relics while promoting urban construction,Xi’an made active    8    （attempt）.Rails of the metro system are built 15 to 20 meters underground in order to protect the ancient tombs which are     9     （usual）buried in the layer within5meters from the surface level.Besides,the metro constructors have also painted the walls inside the stations with historical stories,presenting       10     visual feast for citizens.