Grandparents’ Day is a warm holiday that allows children and adults an opportunity to show their appreciation for their Grandparents. Grandparents’ Day and the weeks just before it are the time when children all over the country start thinking about what to get their Grandmothers and Grandfathers as presents for Grandparents’ Day. Of course, giving presents is just one way of celebrating Grandparents’ Day, but how to give gifts requires planning.
Choosing presents for Grandparents’ Day can be a very difficult task. Because Grandparents’ Day and holidays of its kind are meant to honor some of the most important people in our lives, the task of choosing presents that will be appropriate can be challenging. You don’t know what they like and what can show how much you love and care for them. Especially for those children who do not have much money, finding the suitable Grandparents’ Day present at the right price is a very difficult task.
One solution to the difficulty is not to buy anything at all. Rather than buying a material item that is almost sure to be short of expressing the depth and sincerity (诚心诚意) of your feelings for your Grandmother or Grandfather, consider another kind of choice entirely. One way that you can show a Grandparent that you really care is to make them something. A handmade card or flower or a written poem can go a long way towards expressing your love on Grandparents’ Day. Of course, there are also a lot more other ways to celebrate Grandparents’ Day than by just giving presents to your parents.
1. What does Grandparents’ Day mean to people? (No more than 10 words)2. What is challenging when you choose presents? (No more than 10 words)
3. What’s the meaning of the underlined word “appropriate”? (one word)
4. What gifts can best show your love to your grandparents? (No more than 10 words)
5. What gift would you prepare for Grandparents’ Day? And Why? (No more than 25 words)
2 . Economic development is necessary if we want to improve society. There comes a time when the old must give way to the new, and it is not possible to keep everything from our past as we move towards the future. Finding and keeping the right balance between progress and the protection of cultural sites can be a big challenge.
Big challenges, however, can sometimes lead to great solutions. In the 1950s, the Egyptian government wanted to build a new dam (坝) across the Nile in order to control floods, produce electricity, and supply water to more farmers in the area. But the idea led to protests (抗议). Water from the dam would likely damage a number of temples and destroy cultural relics (遗迹) that were an important part of Egypt’s cultural heritage (遗产). After listening to the scientists who had studied the problem, and citizens who lived near the dam, the government turned to the United Nations for help in 1959.
A committee was established to limit damage to the Egyptian buildings and prevent the loss of cultural relics. The group asked for contributions from different departments and raised funds within the international community. Experts investigated the issue, ran several tests, and then made a suggestion for how the buildings could be saved. Finally, a document was signed, and the work began in 1960.
The project brought together governments and environmentalists from around the world. Temples and other cultural sites were taken down piece by piece, and then moved and put back together again in a place where they were safe from the water. In 1961, German engineers moved the first temple. Over the next 20 years, thousands of engineers and workers rescued 22 temples and countless cultural relics. Fifty countries donated nearly $80 million to the project.
When the project ended in 1980, it was considered a great success. Not only had the countries found a path to the future that did not run over the relics of the past, but they had also learnt that it was possible for countries to work together to build a better tomorrow.
The spirit of the Aswan Dam project is still alive today. Perhaps the best example is shown by UNESCO, which runs a programme that prevents world cultural heritage sites around the world from disappearing. If a problem seems too difficult for a single nation, the global community can sometimes provide a solution.
1. In writing Paragraph 1, the author aims to ________.| A．present an argument | B．make a comparison |
| C．reach a conclusion | D．introduce a topic |
| A．The idea of building a dam has gained popularity. |
| B．The floods of the Nile destroy many temples and cultural relics every year. |
| C．A new idea met with a challenge. |
| D．A new dam was to build to protect Egypt’s cultural heritage. |
| A．To raise money for the dam. |
| B．To complete the dam as soon as possible. |
| C．To find a way to reduce the loss of cultural heritage. |
| D．To show that the government is taking this problem seriously. |
| A．The buildings were rebuilt in safe areas. |
| B．They were sold to other countries. |
| C．The buildings were taken down piece by piece. |
| D．The government finally gave up the dam project. |
| A．From Problems to Solutions |
| B．How to Build a Dam? |
| C．Protecting Cultural Heritage |
| D．The Aswan Dam |
3 . When people get old and have difficulty working full time, they retire and begin a new, more relaxing lifestyle. But what about old industrial buildings? Can they start anew?
China seems to find a good solution for them. In recent years, many abandoned factories, railway yards, warehouses and mills have been transformed into cultural and tourist sites. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, there are now 194 items on the country’s national industrial heritage list.
The 798 Art Zone in Beijing is an iconic example. Built in the 1950s as No 798 Joint Factory, it was gradually abandoned in the 1990s as production slowed down. In 2006, Beijing’s municipal government invested over 120 million yuan and improved its infrastructure condition, turning the factory complex into a cultural and creative industrial base. Now the art zone holds about 200 galleries, art centers as well as fashionable boutiques, cafes and restaurants, which also earns it a place on the bucket list (心愿单) of many tourists, noted The Paper.
Jack Liu is a frequenter of the art zone who visits it every weekend. “In the art zone, you can refresh memories of the development of Chinese manufacturing through its old buildings,” said the 28-year-old to Teens. “However, in art galleries here you will feel pulled into a fashionable, modern world. It’s amazing.”
Industrial heritage sites, which used to be filled with the rumbling of machines, are now “precious pages of the book on the industrial culture of China,” noted People’s Daily.
Since these heritage sites are rich and diverse in content, cities in China also spare no effort to explore new ways and models to protect and utilize them.
For example, a beer museum has been set up inside a century-old plant of the Tsingtao Brewery in Qingdao, Shandong province, bringing people closer to the long history of the brewery. Some abandoned plants in Beijing have also been renovated for city explorers to take adventures in.
Just as the elderly need our care and love, these industrial heritages are also expected to be injected with vitality through protection and development. “It is not only an inevitable trend of the innovation-driven development of cities, but a necessity for fostering (促进) new drivers of development,” noted People’s Daily.
1. What is China’s solution for old industrial buildings?| A．Expanding their space and uses. |
| B．Upgrading them to become attractions. |
| C．Integrating them with new buildings. |
| D．Returning them to their original condition. |
| A．It was established in the 1990s. |
| B．It mainly provides venues for fashion shows. |
| C．It’s China’s first cultural and creative industrial base. |
| D．It’s a successful example of transforming old industrial sites. |
| A．The buildings which are out of date should be torn down. |
| B．They are the refreshments of Chinese manufacturing. |
| C．The once deserted buildings are full of vitality now. |
| D．He is amazed with the mixture of old and new galleries. |
| A．To show the popularity of industrial heritage sites. |
| B．To explain the importance of renovating old plants. |
| C．To introduce the features of industrial heritage sites. |
| D．To illustrate how industrial heritage sites can be used effectively. |
| A．They deserve to be brought back to life. |
| B．They can be drivers for city development. |
| C．They should give way to modern buildings. |
| D．They are reminders of a city’s development. |
4 . According to the National Audubon Society, about 60 percent of all North American bird species have experienced northward shift during migration over the past four decades. This is symbolic of habitat loses from human development, as well as climate change. Without taking action to protect migratory bird’s habitats, many of these species will eventually die out, which in turn can destroy the ecosystems that depend on the bird species. While these numbers are based in North American, bird extinction is a worldwide problem.
World Migratory Bird Day was established in 2006 as a holiday to help educate the public and raise awareness about the growing problems that are affecting the habitats of bird species around the world. It has since become a holiday recognized by the United Nations, and it helps to organize events in numerous countries. World Migratory Bird Day was established at the height of the age in which humans were starting to understand the influence of climate change.
Since World Migratory Bird Day is held over the second weekend of May, the dates can differ. In 2014, the holiday started on Saturday, May 10th. In 2015, the starting date was May 9th. Celebrating the holiday over an entire weekend gives families and bird enthusiasts alike a chance to get outdoors and learn more about migratory birds.
Education is at the center of World Migratory Bird Day celebration. The number of programs and festivals continue to grow each year, the content differing by area. World Migratory Bird Day provides people with the opportunity to learn about their favourite birds, and there are often bird watching tours planned for that weekend.
While World Migratory Bird Day can be a fun way to learn about birds and their habitats, the weekend holiday is also focused on some serious notes surrounding conservation. At events and festivals, the public can learn exactly how their native birds’ habitats are being destroyed, and more importantly, people can learn how to stop the destruction.
1. What does the first paragraph mainly talk about?| A．The destruction of ecosystems. |
| B．The seriousness of bird extinction. |
| C．The reason to protect migratory birds. |
| D．Causes of migratory birds’ habitat losses. |
| A．Climate change is the main cause of bird extinction. |
| B．Migratory birds’ habitat losses may endanger our ecosystem. |
| C．Bird extinction is a matter of course of historical development. |
| D．There is no doubt that bird migration can speed up global warming. |
| A．Worthy but impractical. |
| B．Timely and educational. |
| C．Simple but beneficial. |
| D．Meaningless and wasteful. |
| A．It is suitable for people of certain ages. |
| B．The dates of celebrations are changeable. |
| C．It is held by bird enthusiasts and experts. |
| D．It aims to provide chances for families to unite. |
| A．People can watch the whole process of bird migration. |
| B．People have the chance to have a direct connection with birds. |
| C．Learning to recognize birds is the key purpose of celebration. |
| D．The holiday lets people appreciate and encourage protection of birds. |
5 . Live music fans all over the world are constantly on the lookout for live musical events and concerts. There are indeed a great number of festivals that take place all over the globe to cater to this great demand for music and entertainment. Among these events one of the more popular festivals is the UK Cardiff Big Weekend, which is famous for its featured talent that includes famous musical bands and artists and much revelry that has made a popular audience draw.
The event has taken place every year since 1995 and it is organized around by Cardiff Council. It is known as the country’s largest free music event, thus attracting hundreds of thousands of music lovers and enthusiasts. The celebrations go on for three days featuring different styles of live entertainment. What is more, the occasion also features a number of lively outdoor events that are celebrated around Cardiff’s Civic Centre. The participants can also look forward to the fireworks display every night that takes place during the closing of the performances.
It features not just budding talent, but also established artists as well as those who have made a name for themselves on the international entertainment scene. Generally, on Friday nights, the concert features Welsh Bands. For those who take part in the event, they can look forward not just to good music but also a fun-filled fairground atmosphere with all the attractions of a fair. Thus it is a popular spot for not just the young but also those who are young at heart looking to have a great time and hear a wide range of musical styles.
Festival participants can make use of the different hotel packages on offer from various UK hotels. Hotel chains such as Millennium & Copthorne Hotels UK have a number of attractive offers such as rooms with breakfast, long-stay packages and advance booking packages. Even if you are a last-minute planner, there are great deals not to be missed.
1. The underlined part “cater to” in the first paragraph can best replaced by “________”.| A．avoid | B．create | C．reduce | D．satisfy |
| A．It lasts two days. | B．It is free of charge. |
| C．It is held every two years. | D．It has a history of 30 years. |
| A．meet some well-known artists | B．watch Welsh bands perform on Sunday |
| C．visit a local fair near Cardiff’s Civic Centre | D．watch fireworks when performances begin |
| A．what we shouldn’t miss during the festival |
| B．what we should keep in mind when making plans |
| C．there are a lot of cheap hotels in the United Kingdom |
| D．good deals on hotels are available during the festival |
| A．A news story. | B．A research paper. | C．A music magazine. | D．A history book. |
6 . National Bird Day
National Bird Day is a holiday which has been celebrated on January 5th. The purpose of this holiday is to bring attention to the situation of our friends — birds. This holiday is also a good day to appreciate the beauty and the diversity of these creatures.
However, National Bird Day shouldn't be confused with Bird Day — one of the oldest bird holidays. Bird Day is a holiday that is celebrated annually in the United States on May 4th since the late 19th century.
History
National Bird Day is a holiday which has been celebrated for over a decade now. Bird Day, on the other hand, goes back a lot further. According to the Library of Congress, Bird Day was established by Charles Almanzo Babcock in 1894.
Facts About Birds
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are almost 10,000 different species of birds. But almost 900 of them are on the verge of extinction(濒临灭绝).
Customs, Traditions, and Celebrations
National Bird Day can be celebrated in many different ways. Participants can watch birds, and they can take part in one of the activities for the protection of birds. In schools across the US, children often are given the task of researching into birds on this day or drawing a nice picture of birds for the classroom.
1. What can we learn about National Bird Day?| A．It is celebrated all over the world. |
| B．It was set up earlier than Bird Day. |
| C．It has a history of more than 100 years. |
| D．It is celebrated earlier than Bird Day every year. |
| A．0.8%. | B．0.9%. | C．8%. | D．9%. |
| A．Buy some birds. | B．Feed some birds. |
| C．Study some birds. | D．Set some birds free. |
7 . Something you may not know about End of Heat
The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. End of Heat is the 14th solar term of the year, which implies that most parts in China are getting rid of the hot summer and entering autumn. But in some areas, especially in South China, autumn is late in coming and people are still bothered by hot weather. End of Heat is also the busy harvest season for farmers.
The following are the things you should know about End of Heat.
Time for night-blooming cereus (昙花)
The night-blooming cereus is a flower full of mystery, which often blooms during the period of End of Heat. This is because the climate during End of Heat, characterized by warm days and cold nights, is similar to tropical deserts. Night-blooming cereus originates in the tropical deserts from Mexico to Brazil in South America. They blossom at night to avoid the blazing daytime sun.
Eating Duck
Duck has a sweet flavor and according to Chinese traditional medicine it has a “cool” nature. A folk tradition is to eat duck during the End of Heat period. There are many recipes for cooking duck such as roast duck, cooked duck with lemon, smoked duck with walnut dressing and sautéed duck with ginger shoots. The tradition of eating duck during the End of Heat period is still popular in China.
The Fishing Season Festival
For fishermen, the End of Heat is a season of harvest. During this period，the Fishing Season Festival is held in regions along the coastline of the East China Sea in Zhejiang province. The festival is held on the day when the fishing ban ends and fishermen can start fishing again. Due to high temperatures in the sea, stocks of fish remain and become mature. People can enjoy many kinds of seafood during this period.
1. About End of Heat, which of the following statements is true?| A．It means the whole China has entered autumn. |
| B．The areas beyond the Great Wall are still hot. |
| C．In south China, the temperature is still high. |
| D．It is the end of the harvest season for farmers. |
| A．Temperate areas. | B．Tropical areas. | C．Cold areas. | D．Polar areas. |
| A．Because there are no other animals to eat. |
| B．Because the duck has a “cool” nature. |
| C．Because it tastes especially delicious at that time. |
| D．Because there are many recipes for cooking duck. |
8 . There are now many products and services on the market which are similar in content though produced by different companies. It is vital, therefore, for a company to distinguish itself from its competitors by having a strong company image which is immediately recognizable.
Logos are part of this image. They are symbols which often include a name or initials to identify a company. The logo establishes a visual identity for the company, just as different groups of young people express their identity through hairstyles and clothes. All groups from all cultures and throughout the ages have used colors and symbols to show their identity.
In different cultures, different colors carry different meanings. Some colors may be connected with coldness in one culture and with warmth in another; some colors represent life in one culture but death in another. International companies have, therefore, to make sure that their logos will not be misunderstood in different countries.
The logos of large international companies are instantly recognizable throughout the world. One of the most famous logos is that of Coca-Cola. The design of the words "Coca-Cola" has not changed since 1886, although the surrounding design has been changed from time to time. Many companies have, over the years, renewed their logos to fit in with contemporary design and to present more powerful images. Company logos can be emotive and can inspire loyalty by influencing the subconscious （潜意识的）. Some logos include an idea of the product: the steering wheel in the Mercedes logo, for example, and the aero plane tail of Alitalia.
Logos are used on packaging and brochures as well as on the product itself. They may also appear in newspapers or on television as part of an advertising campaign. Companies need to have a strong corporate identity. The logo helps to promote this image and to fix it in the minds of the consumers. Logos, therefore, need to be original and to have impact and style.
1. The most basic function of a company's logo is to ______.| A．project a positive image of the company and its products or services |
| B．make the products and services of the company more recognizable |
| C．distinguish the company from its realistic and potential competitors |
| D．describe the business the company is engaged for the consumers |
| A．The name or initials of a company. |
| B．A visual image of the company in colors. |
| C．Symbols and colors representing the company. |
| D．Symbols including the name or initials of the company. |
| A．Colors are not the best tools to identify a company. |
| B．Colors may be misinterpreted in different cultures. |
| C．Colors may represent death in some cultures. |
| D．International companies are careful about the use of colors. |
| A．explain the name of a company should remain unchanged |
| B．illustrate the importance of having a recognizable image |
| C．state the surrounding design of the logo can always be changed |
| D．ensure that the logo should not be misinterpreted in different cultures |
| A．fitting in with the contemporary design | B．inspiring loyalty from the consumers |
| C．displaying originality and impact | D．promoting a strong corporate identity |
9 . Festivals and celebrations of all kinds have been held everywhere since ancient times. Most ancient festivals would celebrate the end of cold weather, planting in spring and harvest in autumn .Today's festivals have many origins: some are seasonal, some for special people and some for special events.
Dragon Boat Festival celebrations take place in China on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. They are held in memory of Qu Yuan, a famous person who wrote poems in Ancient China. It was the first traditional Chinese festival added to UNESCO'S List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Thanksgiving is celebrated mainly in North America, in October or November. Traditionally, it was a chance to give thanks for a good year, Now. i is also a time for families to get together for a big dinner.
May Day s a festival to celebrate the start of summer, with celebrations held across Europe and in parts of North America. People prepare decorations with flowers and dance around poles.
The Spring Festival that is also called Chinese New Year is one of the most important Festivals in China.It stars with a new moon and ends 15 day later on the full moon, marking the beginning of spring .During this festival,people eat dumpling, fish and meat and may give children lucky money in red paper. Nowadays, more and more countries around the world are holding celebrations for Chinese Spring Festival.
Festivals let us enjoy life , be proud of our customs and forget our work for a little while.
1. How many festivals are introduced in the text?| A．Two. | B．Three | C．Four | D．Five. |
| A．May Day. | B．Thanksgiving. |
| C．The Spring Festival. | D．Dragon Boat Festival |
| A．Pies and chicken. | B．Dumplings and fish. |
| C．Noodles and meat. | D．Sandwiches and Turkey. |
| A．In China | B．Across Europe. |
| C．in North America | D．In South Africa. |
| A．The introduction of some festivals. | B．The activities of some festivals. |
| C．The customs of some festivals. | D．The history of some festivals. |
Dear Rose,
I like your programs very much. I’m now writing to ask you something about American social customs. My American friends want me to join them in their dinner party. I am very happy and have decided to go, but I’m a little worried about it, too.
The social customs in my country are very different from here, so I’m afraid of making mistakes. Should I bring a present, such as sweets or flowers? Should I arrived on time or a little late? At the dinner table, how can I know which fork or knife to use? How can I let the family know that I’m thankful for their kindness?
Wang Lin
Letter B
Dear Wang Lin,
It’s a good idea to bring a small present when you go to a dinner party. Flowers are always nice, or you may bring a bottle of wine if you know that your friend drink it.
You should arrive on time or five to ten minutes late. Don’t get there early. If you are going to be more than fifteen minutes late, you should call and tell them.
Try to be free at the dinner table. If you don’t know about choosing the right fork or knife, just watch the other people, and follow them. If you still have no idea of what to do, ask the person next to you.
If you like the food, say so. Of course, you’ll thank them for the meal and for their kindness. It’s also a good idea to send a thank-you card the day after.
Rose
1. Wang Lin wants to _______.| A．make friends with Rose | B．know some social customs for a dinner party |
| C．make her friends happy | D．give her friends a surprise |
| A．a good housewife | B．a member of the dinner party |
| C．a TV hostess | D．a friend of Wang Lin’s |
| A．some fruit | B．a bottle of wine | C．some flowers | D．a knife and fork |
| A．Get there 15 minutes earlier | B．Make yourself at home |
| C．Follow others to use forks and knives | D．Thank your friends for the meal |
| A．difficult | B．friendly | C．enjoyable | D．helpful |
