1 . Cute lion heads, loud gongs (锣) and drums, an excited crowd- these are all parts of the lion dances you often see during Chinese holidays or at the openings of new shops and restaurants. Ancient Chinese people thought the lion stood for (代表) braveness. It can drive away bad things and bring good luck. As one of the most well- known folk dances in China, the lion dance has been performed for more than 2,000 years. It was very popular during the Tang Dynasty(618﹣907).
Wang Rentao, 41, has been performing the lion dance for 28 years. Born in Zhongkeng village in Dongguan, Guangdong, Wang watched villagers perform it when he was young. “It’s a historical tradition here and the love for lion dance is in everyone’s blood,” Wang said.
Now the head of the village’s lion dance performers, Wang is proud of the group’s achievements. “We’ve won many prizes and taken part in many important events, including the celebration of the 70th birthday of New China at Tian’anmen Square, ” Wang said.
Wang’s group is famous for dancing on quincuncial pile (梅花桩), one of the most difficult lion dance skills. Performers jump from one pile to another at a height of about 2.5 meters. The distance between the piles can be as far as 1.8 meters.
“The training is really difficult. Performers need to have lots of good practice of kung fu skills first. Even with that, they can fall from the pile and get hurt,” Wang said. “But that’s also the amazing part of lion dance, the part that makes it valuable heritage.”
The lion dance is popular not just in China, but in overseas Chinese communities. Many overseas (海外的) Chinese see the lion as a symbol of China. The lion dance reminds them of the culture of their homeland.
1. What did the lion stand for in ancient China?| A．Bad things | B．Good luck | C．Kindness | D．Braveness |
| A．For more than 200 years. | B．For no more than 200 years. |
| C．For over 2,000 years. | D．For less than 2,000 years. |
| A．遗产 | B．资源 | C．友谊 | D．经历 |
| A．You can’t see lion dance at Tian’anmen Square |
| B．Not everyone in Zhongkeng village loves lion dance |
| C．The lion dance was very popular during the Han Dynasty. |
| D．In the eyes of many overseas Chinese, the lion is a symbol of China. |
2 . I am a product of mixed cultures ( dad is Arab , mom is American ), and I have grown up with cultural differences all my life . This has made me very conscious of watching what people do in different cultures around the world . Cross cultural understanding is really necessary if you want to get along with people from other places .
It is very common , and not considered rude to ask a person’ s age in Japan when you meet them for the first time . The Japanese language is a rich and complex language that has different words to use depending on the age or the person you are talking to . Therefore , it’s important for people to know your age range so as not to offend (冒犯) you by showing you less respect than you are due .
Hand gestures and signals are always better to use only in your home country where you understand what they mean . In Turkey , for example , allowing your thumb to protrude ( between your first and second finger in a fist is extremely rude. Also , don’t make an “OK” gesture , unless you mean to call someone a fool .
Don’t touch anyone’s head in Malaysia , especially babies . Pointing is also considered rude in Malaysia , where directions are normally given with an open hand .
Giving gifts in China can get you into trouble . Certain gifts in China can cause great offence, such as giving cut flowers , which is only done at funerals . Giving a clock is seen as bad luck since the words “giving a clock” sound just like the words “attending a funeral”. A gift of shoes would be interpreted as giving a gift of evil (邪恶). Nothing is expected to be associated with the word “four” because it sounds like the word “death”.
1. Why do Japanese like to ask others’ ages ?| A．To express their respect . | B．To satisfy their curiosity . |
| C．To avoid offending others . | D．To appear more friendly . |
| A．A smile . | B．A fight . | C．Some help . | D．An agreement . |
| A．Sending cut flowers to others . |
| B．Opening your hands in the street . |
| C．Putting your hand on a child’s head . |
| D．Purchasing a clock for your friend . |
| A．Cultural Differences Around the World |
| B．The Meaning of Culture in the Author’s Eyes |
| C．Communication Is Important in Modern Society |
| D．Living Abroad Helps to Learn Different Cultures |
| A．Floor 8 | B．Floor 6 | C．Floor 9 | D．Floor 4 |
3 . Using Google’s unique digital technology, the stories of some English Heritage Sites around the country — from Tintagel Castle in Cornwall to Chesters Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall — are brought to life and shared by way of the Google Arts & Culture platform.
 Stonehenge Skyscape | The English Heritage’s Stonehenge Skyscape enables people around the world to experience the skies above the stone circle, and learn about movements of the sun, moon and planets. Experience live and special sunrise over Stonehenge, see the journey of the stars and the moon from within the stone circle and learn more about the design of Stonehenge and how its builders may have understood their place in the universe. |
 Osborne House, the Isle of Wight | Take a 360⁃degree video tour of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s palatial (富丽堂皇的) holiday home on the Isle of Wight in the company of English Heritage director Michael Hunter, including the Italian terraces (露台) with views over the Solent, which reminded Prince Albert of the Bay of Naples, and the Indian-inspired Durbar Room, designed to show Queen Victoria’s position as Empress of India. |
 Audley End House and Gardens, Essex | Explore the story of one of the greatest houses of early 17th-century England deep in the heart of the Essex countryside, and fly over the great formal gardens designed by Capability Brown. |
 Tintagel Castle, Cornwall | Explore this medieval (中世纪的) castle set high on Cornwall’s north coast. Linked with the legend of King Arthur, for centuries this impressive castle has inspired the imaginations of writers and artists. Discover the early medieval history of a distant outpost (偏远村镇) trading objects from Spain, North Africa and Turkey. |
| A．Stonehenge Skyscape. |
| B．Osborne House, the Isle of Wight. |
| C．Audley End House and Gardens, Essex. |
| D．Tintagel Castle, Cornwall. |
| A．Both were built for their kings. |
| B．Both were built in the same age. |
| C．Both are related to previous rulers. |
| D．Both were palatial holiday homes for the rulers. |
| A．Language. | B．Education. | C．Geography. | D．Culture. |
4 . Despite usually being associated with the Chinese, the Lunar New Year is also celebrated in other countries. Here are several places in America to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
New York City
New York City, which has one of the largest populations of ethnic（少数民族）Chinese people outside of Asia, is a great place to experience the Lunar New Year. There are around 10 different Chinatowns in New York City. Visitors will find parades, performances and foods in most of these areas but some of the festival characteristics are unique to the particular district.
San Francisco
San Francisco's lunar New Year celebrations are the longest runnings in America. They date back to the 1860s, during the “Gold Rush” period. Today, numerous events take place around the Bay Area, but the headline is the massive Chinese New Year Parade that draws as many as 1 million viewers.
Washington DC
Washington DC has a historic Chinatown. There is a parade here with floats, firecrackers, dancers and music. The Smithsonian American Art Museum can host hands on arts and crafts events that feature performers invited from China. The Kennedy Center stages themed performances, including folk music and symphonies from China.
Chicago
Despite low temperatures in January and February, Chicago celebrates the Lunar New Year in a big way. There are two parades, usually held on different days of the same weekend. One is in the city's traditional Chinatown on the South Side, and the other takes place on Argyle Street. Asian culture is on full display during these parades, and other Chicago com munities also take part.
1. Which city has the longest history of celebrating the Lunar New Year?| A．New York City. | B．San Francisco. |
| C．Washington DC. | D．Chicago. |
| A．Serve Chinese food. | B．Show Chinese dancers. |
| C．Play Chinese court music. | D．Invite Chinese art performers. |
| A．Festival parades. | B．English concerts. |
| C．The American culture weekend. | D．The American-style art exhibitions. |
5 . Christmas in the United States is traditionally a time of gift-giving and family gatherings. But small towns across the country have their own traditions.
Middleburg, a small town in the state of Virginia, is known for its horses. For more than 50 years, Middleburg has organized a yearly Christmas parade(游行). Men and women ride horses through the woods and fields. They follow hunting dogs as they search for a wild fox. But first, these hunters ride in the yearly parade, wearing their bright red hunting clothes and hats.
John Hale, a citizen of Middleburg says many city people visit his town. “We have a lot of people from an urban area that come to visit, but it incorporates a lot of the o1d traditions.” The nighttime hay ride is one such tradition. Small groups gather under the moonlight on an open wagon filled with hay. The passengers sing as farm horses pull the wagon slowly across the fields.
There are some newer traditions, too. Trey Matheu works at the nearby Salamander Resort. He says a visit to Middleburg is a chance to slow down for a day. He says Middleburg can be a calming, peaceful place without tension.
“Middleburg is an opportunity to take a step back, to take a deep breath, and understand that even though life is moving on at a very fast pace, there’s really an opportunity where you’re allowed to step off for a little bit.”
Parade organizers say more than 13,000 people attend even in below-freezing weather. But if you ask, you will hear many different reasons why people come to watch the parade:
“I come here because I’m from a small town. I like how everybody comes together. ”“I live right down that street; right there. And that’s my dog.”
Middleburg looks its best at Christmastime. That may be why so many people return each year.
1. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?| A．Middleburg Christmas parade |
| B．A small town known for horses |
| C．Christmas traditions in Middleburg |
| D．Newer traditions at Christmastime |
| A．visit friends and families |
| B．feed farm horses with hay |
| C．hunt for dogs in the woods |
| D．ride in the yearly parade |
| A．To relax themselves. |
| B．To enjoy the fresh air. |
| C．To escape competition. |
| D．To challenge themselves. |
| A．It makes a large profit from tourism. |
| B．It attracts many people each year. |
| C．It is a good place for family gatherings. |
| D．It doesn’t respect Christmas traditions. |
