1 . Here are several not-to-be-missed events. Mark your calendar!

Flowers on the Mimosa Route

The Mimosa Route covers 130 km of wilderness and coastal towns in France, with stops and festivals in bloom to honour a flower that has become the symbol of the Cote d’Azur. This is the perfect opportunity to discover gardens with their feet in the water or the flower floats (花车) of the corsos.

* From 3 to 18 February

Nice Carnival

Mimosa, roses, lilies thrown to the public... The Battle of the Flowers is a highlight of the Nice Carnival and a nod to this France city’s gardening history. The biggest festival on the Cote d’Azur also includes a carnival-style parade, with floats competing in creativity, with dizzying figures up to twenty metres high. The theme of the 2024 edition is “Pop Culture”.

* From 17 February to 3 March

The Menton Lemon Festival

The programme of the Lemon Festival in Menton, France includes various floats. For 15days, the town celebrates its golden fruit with a touch of madness. With the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games just a few months away, the 90th edition of the Lemon Festival promises to be a great event with the theme “From Olympia to Menton”.

* From 17 February to 3 March

The Trail des Merveilles

The Roya Valley in France is the setting for the Trail des Merveilles, which starts in Breil-sur-Roya. Over a distance of around 30 kilometres, with a positive difference in altitude of 2,000 metres, the race takes competitors along wild paths with views of the snow-capped peaks of the Mercantour National Park and the Mediterranean Sea. A shorter, more accessible 17-kilometre route will delight lovers of running and beautiful scenery. Ready, set, go!

*5 March

1. What is the significance of the Battle of the Flowers?

A．To popularize the tradition culture.	B．To vote for the most creative float.
C．To prove people’s passion for flowers.	D．To show respect for the city’s gardening.

2. Which event appeals to sport lovers?

A．Nice Carnival.	B．The Trail des Merveilles.
C．Flowers on the Mimosa Route.	D．The Menton Lemon Festival.

3. What do these four events have in common?

A．They are around the theme of flowers.	B．They are of the same duration.
C．They take place in the same country.	D．They are to celebrate the end of winter.

2 . What does the woman mean?

A．The weather in London is excellent.

B．People hold different attitudes toward the sun.

C．London is worth visiting with friends.

3 . 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。

“Jianbing” stands are common in every Chinese city. At around five in the morning, the vendors (小商贩) appear with everything     1     they need, packed on the back of a bicycle or motorbike. They set up in unused spaces, doorways, or street corners and minutes before the first bing (pancake) becoming available on the hot griddle (鏊子), many people are     2    (ready) waiting for it.

Although these “jianbing” stalls might be temporary, this is no grab-and-go street breakfast. For “jianbing”, there is always     3     long line. You might be late for work, or filled with extreme     4    (starve), but that’s all irrelevant to the vendor behind the griddle.     5    (preserve) the crispness of the pancake and fried wonton wrapper, “jianbing” are never cooked ahead of time, so waiting for your turn     6     (be) part of the culture. Maybe in the midst of our busy days, this moment of     7    (silence) observation, of waiting while someone cooks something especially for you, is the true secret of “jianbing”. Buy a baozi (steamed bun) or other fast food instead, or you     8    (have) nothing fast to eat.

If “jianbing”were that easy to make, it would have taken the world by storm long before now. Part of the challenge in copying the dish is that the batter (面糊) and fillings     9    (use) in “jianbing” differ by region, and even by vendor. Many consider making your own “jianbing” impossible     10     months of practice and tuition from a master.

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。

Since the 17th century, tea from China     1     (transport) to Europe via the Overland Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Road. Whether it is pure tea     2     scented tea made with flowers and spices, tea from China has captured the hearts of many tea lovers. In Germany, drinking tea is not only an enjoyment of flavor, but also people’s yearning for dietary health and sense of well-being.

One of the most     3     (wide) consumed types of tea in Germany is “herbal (药草的) tea”,     4     dates back to the 10th century. This kind of herbal tea ismade with     5     (vary) herbs of medicinal value, so they have the special effects, such as relaxing the mind, helping with sleep,     6     (relieve) coughs and so on. Nowadays, people in Germany still like herbal tea made from chamomile flowers, fennel seeds, and nettle leaves because of     7     (it) mild medicinal function that benefits people’s health.

Another characteristic type of tea in Germany is “fruit tea”. This type of drink is made with scented dried fruit and tea leaves.     8     (example) of such drinks include wild raspberry tea, tea made with plum and peach.     9     (compare) with herbal tea, fruit tea has a pleasant sweet and sour taste. Its rich fruity aroma makes it particularly tempting. That’s exactly why fruit tea has become immensely popular     10     the local people.

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。

Whether tiny and used for delicate needle work     1     large and employed to make clothing, as well as for other purposes , traditional Chinese scissors are distinctive.

Scissors were once handmade by a Chinese man who also made metal     2    (knife) in his shop. Today’s scissors, often made of steel rather than iron, are produced in larger workshops     3    (employ) a combination of traditional and modern methods. These workshops produce a range of all-purpose scissors capable     4     cutting anything from sheet metal to fine silk.

No scissor producer in China is more famous than the Zhang Xiaoquan Scissors Factory,     5    (found) in 1663 in Hangzhou,     6     currently produces about 45 million pairs of 120 different styles each year.     7    (original), production required 72 steps, but this has been reduced to 24. One unique feature of the Zhang Xiaoquan brand is that beautiful landscapes and images of birds, flowers, and animals are still hand-carved along the surface of each pair. The     8    (company) scissors won various international honors, besides having been designated(指定) as “Imperial Palace Scissors” by the Qing emperor’s court. Up to now, identified as deserving protection along with     9    (diversity) centuries-old craft products, Zhang Xiaoquan     10    (recognize) as a laozihao or “heritage brand”.

6 . 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。

The Cun BA basketball tournament, one of China’s popular grassroots sports competitions, plans more interactions with NBA professionals in the current season. “We plan to take the championship team to     1     exchange program with the NBA, allowing them     2     (experience), learn from and interact with professional NBA players,” Cen Jianglong, head of Taipan and co-organizer of the tournament, said on Friday.

The basketball games, originally held to mark a local festival,     3     (go) viral in 2022, garnering online views of more than 1.5 billion that year. In 2023, the event received over 55 billion views,     4     (far) consolidating its status as a cultural and sporting phenomenon.

In its     5     (three) year, Cun BA remains both a basketball competition and a carnival. On opening day, singers performed,     6     the aim of conveying cultural confidence to the audience and improving awareness of preserving traditional culture, according to the organizers,     7     hope that such activities will attract even more     8     (spectator) to the games.

The Cun BA phenomenon has not only energized the local economy, but has also contributed to the overall development of Taipan village and the surrounding regions. Sports events,     9     (combine) with entertainment activities at the grassroots level,     10     (drive) local cultural and tourism development in a number of regions across the country.

7 . 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。

In front of a packed hall at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, on Friday, dancer Hao Ruoqi     1     (graceful) moved across the stage as she waved her sword against her opponent. Hao, playing     2     heroine Hua Mulan, was the star of Ningbo Performing Arts Group’s Chinese dance drama Mulan.

Based on the beloved folklore of family devotion, loyalty and love, Mulan tells the tale of a young woman in ancient China who disguises herself as a man     3     (take) her father’s place in the army.

This modern interpretation re-imagines the classic tale of the     4     (distinguish) female Chinese warrior Hua Mulan through remarkable and compelling dance numbers and exquisite music,     5     (explore) the themes of self-identity and empowerment.

Hao, a member of the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater, said there might be a thousand     6     (version) or Mulan in a thousand people’s eyes, but there are things common to the audience     7     the cultural and geographical differences. “I think the love and peace brought out from Mulan is understandable and acceptable both in China and the United States,” she told China Daily.

Lisa Richards Toney, president and chief executive officer of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, said     8     impressed her was the true warrior spirit that Mulan displayed     9     her love for humanity.

The story of Hua Mulan     10     (inspire) numerous productions in the globe over centuries, including Disney’s 1998 animated film and 2020 live-action movie.

8 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入一个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

It is believed that Chinese knotting, also known as zhongguojie, originated for recording information and exchanging messages     1     writing was invented. Over the past thousands of years, knots     2     (play) an important part in the life of Chinese.    3     (initial), Chinese knots acted as good -luck charms to drive away evil spirits. Today, Chinese knots are widely used to decorate homes during festivities.

A major characteristic of Chinese knots is that they are often tied from a single continuous length of string. The knots are commonly named     4     the shape it takes. Chinese knots are created in a     5     (various) of colors such as gold, green, blue, or black, though the most commonly used color is red,    6     symbolizes good luck and prosperity.

Crafting the Chinese knot is a three-step process     7     (involve) tying knots, tightening them and adding the finishing touches. The knots     8     (pull) tightly together and are strong enough to be used for binding or wrapping, making them very practical.

Today, most of such knots are often mass manufactured in factories. Skilled knot artists weave complex knots that you might see     9     (sell) as souvenirs that you can take back with you. If you have time, why not try your hand at it? Perhaps these age-old charms can add     10     touch of good luck to your daily life?

9 . As Christmas Eve approached, I found myself in New York City, far from my family and friends in Taiwan. I was feeling homesick and lonely, but my Jewish friend, Rachel, who, like me, doesn’t get connected with Christmas due to any religious things, invited me to join her for a dinner in a Chinese restaurant. She explained that it was a tradition for many Jewish people to celebrate this holiday by eating Chinese food on Christmas Eve.

We went to Jing Fong, a fancy restaurant in Chinatown. The place was packed with people, and the atmosphere was lively and festive. We ordered a variety of dishes. Everything was delicious, and I felt grateful to be sharing this experience with Rachel. As we ate, we talked about our families and our cultures. We laughed and joked, and for a moment, I forgot about my homesickness.

A moment later, a group of carolers (唱圣诞歌的人) came into the restaurant, singing Christmas songs. At first, I was puzzled. Why were they singing in a Chinese restaurant? But then I realized that this was part of the magic of New York City. People from all different cultures and backgrounds could come together and celebrate the holidays in their own way. Rachel and I joined in the singing, and soon the whole restaurant was filled with music. It was a beautiful moment, and I felt blessed to be part of it.

What a night! I learned that even when you’re far from home, you can still find joy and connection with others. Rachel and I may come from different cultures, but we shared amazing food, joyful music, and most importantly heartfelt company. And that’s exactly what all the holidays are all about.

1. Why did Rachel invite the author to join her for dinner?

A．To show respect to God

B．To celebrate Christmas in the Jewish way

C．To share stories about their families

D．To forget about their homesickness

2. What was the author’s initial reaction to the carolers?

A．Fearful	B．Joyful
C．Disappointed	D．Confused

3. How did the author want people to approach Christmas?

A．By focusing on religious traditions

B．By celebrating with family and friends

C．By enjoying a variety of festive dishes

D．By embracing diverse ways of celebration

4. Where is the text most probably taken from?

A．A personal blog	B．A commercial promotion brochure
C．A travel guide of New York	D．An academic article

10 . 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。

Young Chinese bring hanfu to the world during Spring Festival

Young people dressed in hanfu, the traditional clothing of the Han ethnic group in China,    1     (spot) in many    2     (locate) around the world during this year’s Spring Festival holiday.

An initiative launched in late January by Xiaohongshu,     3     Chinese lifestyle-focused social media platform, invited users to upload photos or videos of themselves and friends wearing hanfu at landmarks around the world from January 28 to February 19.

The first two weeks of the initiative saw some 10,000 Xiaohongshu users share their photos     4     (take) from around 30 countries and regions around the world. One user even posted photos from Antarctica.

Many young Chinese people working or studying overseas also invited     5     (they) foreign friends to wear     6     (tradition) Chinese costumes to celebrate the Spring Festival together.

Hanfu, as well as other traditional forms of Chinese costume,     7     (experience) a surge in popularity in recent years. Clothes featuring traditional Chinese elements combined with modern designs,     8     are dubbed the “new Chinese style” have developed into a fashion trend among the     9     (young) generations not only in China, but also worldwide.

Analysts say the rise     10     “China chic” reflects young Chinese people’s confidence in their own culture. Wearing Chinese-style costumes not only reflects the wearer’s Eastern temperament, but also presents Chinese aesthetics to the world.

From: chinadaily.com.cn