Peking opera, known as China’s national opera, is a combination of music, dance and art and is widely regarded as a full expression of Chinese culture. Today, this art form is facing the danger of extinction as the younger generation is mostly interested in pop culture.
A Peking opera project for primary and secondary schools was launched by China’s Ministry of Education. But it has met with a cold reaction from the public. More than half of the 1, 000 respondents from ten big cities expressed doubts about the practical meaning of the project in the survey conducted by the Social Survey Institute of China.
The project plans to add 15 Peking opera pieces into music courses in 200 schools in ten provinces. The pilot programs will last from March to July next year. At present, teaching materials and video tapes are still in production, China News Service reported. The Ministry of Education hopes that the promotional course can help students better appreciate Chinese culture and cultivate a love for the mother country.
The surveyed people do recognize Peking opera as a comprehensive (综合性的) art form and a representative of the traditional culture. They also understand the purpose of the educational project. However, they wonder whether it is necessary for every student to learn to sing Peking opera, when they are already stressed from endless exams. In fact, most music teachers themselves know little about this ancient art form, and thus are not confident in arousing (激起) students’ Interest in its slow pace and abstruse (深奥的) lyrics.
1. What’s Peking opera widely regarded as? (No more than 10 words)2. What does the underlined word “extinction” in Paragraph I mean? (No more than 3 words)
3. Why did China’s Ministry of Education launch a Peking opera project for primary and secondary schools? (No more than 20 words)
4. Why are most music teachers not confident in teaching Peking opera pieces? (No more than 10 words)
5. What do you think of the Peking opera project for schools? (No more than 20 words)
2 . For the British, the home is a private place in which he or she goes to hide away from the troubles of life. It is very seldom that one would be invited to a British person's home. It is rude to knock on a person's door if you are not invited. If you are invited, don't ask to see more than the downstairs that your British host invites you into. Never ask how much the house or any of the items in it cost.
To the American，most of them want their home to be a place where they can entertain (款待) and share their lives with their friends. They may be delighted to give you a full tour of their houses. They may also be pleased when you show your interest and pleasure in their houses.
Both British and American people will engage in quite a bit of chat and a drink or two before the meal is served. After the first mouthful, you should say how delicious the food is and ask something about it. Remember, never eat with your mouth open and make very little noise while eating. It would be nice of you to help your host in any way. Maybe offer to pour some drinks or clear up after the meal.
1. British people _____ invite friends to their home.| A．often | B．always | C．seldom | D．never |
| A．see anything you like |
| B．ask how much his house is |
| C．ask the cost of any of the items in it |
| D．only see the downstairs that you’re invited into |
| A．angry | B．happy | C．sad | D．worried |
| A．陷入 | B．参与 | C．回避 | D．限制 |
| A．Some manners on visiting British and American people's home. |
| B．Different table manners between British and American people. |
| C．Different ideas about the home between British and American people. |
| D．Different ideas about how to get along well with neighbors between British and American people. |
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 |
