1 . There are many differences in ways of thinking between East and West. Many of them are reflected in daily behaviour. In particular, Chinese people sometimes attach more importance to their appearance and social status than to their inner qualities, while Westerners think the opposite. However, Socrates (Ancient Greek philosopher) and Confucius share significant similarities that are universal.
Both philosophers share several teachings in common; for example, their understanding of the nature of knowledge and their opinions on education. Socrates believed “There is only one good, knowledge;and only one evil, ignorance.” Similarly, Confucius said, “Isn’t it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned?” But both also acknowledge the limits of knowledge. Socrates said: “All I know is that I know nothing.” Similarly, Confucius said, “When you know a thing, to hold you know it; when you don’t know a thing, to allow you don’t know it-this is knowledge.”
However, there are important differences in their understanding of morality. Confucius believed each person should follow certain regulations according to virtue(德行). Everyone should play their role in a society where people are interdependent in order to achieve harmony in the whole society. For instance, when asked how to govern a country, Confucius stated “An emperor should act like an emperor, a subject should act like a subject.” Socrates, however, places self-knowledge over social knowledge.
Another difference between them is their attitude towards political domination(支配). Confucius believed the best way to govern a country isn’t through legal system, but through virtue. Socrates, by contrast, declared that “nothing is more important than justice”.
Why have East and West developed such different cultural values? A widely accepted theory holds that Eastern civilization was an agricultural civilization. Hence the need for a collective society and friendly relations with neighbors was strong. Western civilization, however, was nomadic(游牧的). Their mobility makes them less dependent on society after migration.
In spite of their differences, the two cultures have more in common than differences. The shared concern for moral values in the teachings of Socrates and Confucius also shows us more fundamental similarities between Eastern and Western cultures in their pursuit of virtuous lives.
1. What do the two philosophers share about knowledge?| A．The learning of knowledge is easy. | B．The learning of knowledge is endless. |
| C．A man without knowledge is foolish. | D．A man shall not pretend to understand. |
| A．Nothing is more important than a legal system. |
| B．I am not a Chinese, but a citizen of the world. |
| C．Not everyone should play his own role in society. |
| D．A man does what is proper to the position he is in. |
| A．The difference in political atmosphere. | B．The difference in the length of history. |
| C．The difference in economic development. | D．The difference in levels of social dependency. |
| A．Reasons for similarities of Eastern and Western cultures. |
| B．The introduction of great figures of two different cultures. |
| C．Comparisons of the thoughts of the two great philosophers. |
| D．The contributions of two great philosophers to civilization. |
2 . Canada is diverse and vast, and the festivals celebrated there reflect this. Here are some exciting ones that attract visitors worldwide.
Vancouver Celebration of Light
The largest fireworks competition in the world is held every summer in Vancouver. It consists of concerts, food stalls, and the Seawall Challenge, a popular urban adventure race. The festival, which lasts about a week, makes for a great way to get to know the city from a local standpoint.
Edmonton Folk Festival
From its humble beginning in 1980, Edmonton Folk Festival has grown to be one of the world’s famous folk festivals. Held each August, the lineup of the 10-day-long festival is always outstanding and ticket prices stay reasonable. Edmonton is also a gateway to Jasper and the Canadian Rockies, about two hours away in case you have extra time to explore after the festival.
Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is one of the leading film festivals in the world, ranking closely with Cannes and Sundance. Films such as Hotel Rwanda, American Beauty, and The Big Chill made their premieres (首映) at this famous star-filled event held each September. The 11-day-long festival is also known as the kick-off of awards season, with many films that make their first public performance at TIFF going on to get nominated for Oscars and Golden Globe awards.
Montreal Comedy Festival
Since 1983, Montreal Comedy Festival, or, Just for Laughs as it is more commonly known, has been inviting people to get together just for fun, just for entertainment-just for laughs. The festival, which takes place every year for two weeks in July, has grown in popularity and reputation and today features some of the world’s greatest comedians and it also resulted in a television show that is broadcast internationally.
1. What do Vancouver Celebration of Light and Edmonton Folk Festival have in common?| A．They feature fireworks. | B．They require admission tickets. |
| C．They consist of concerts | D．They are held annually. |
| A．Edmonton Folk Festival. | B．Montreal Comedy Festival. |
| C．Vancouver Celebration of Light. | D．Toronto International Film Festival. |
| A．Vancouver. | B．Edmonton. | C．Toronto. | D．Montreal. |
3 . While attending a conference on campus last spring, Cecilia Miao, Fangdi Pan, and Mupe Niu took a quick look around the room. They couldn’t help but feel disillusioned with whom they saw — or rather, whom they didn’t see.
The conference was funded by the Wisconsin China Initiative, an effort housed in the Division of International Studies and created to, among other goals, strengthen ties between the University of Wisconsin (UW) and higher education institutions in China. Yet the three Chinese natives saw an absence of American-born students at the conference — a reminder of their first days, weeks, and months on campus. Back then, they had felt unwelcome and alone, struggling to adapt to life in Wisconsin.
The three recent graduates found their own approaches to fitting in, but they are now taking action to ease the transition (过渡) for future Chinese students. Motivated by their experience at last spring’s conference, they launched Channel C, a YouTube series of talk show videos that discusses cross-cultural concerns. Their goal was to tear down the social barrier between Chinese and American students at the UW — a wall, they say, that has been put up from accumulated disinterest and stereotyping (刻板印象) by both groups.
The show’s topics range from standards of beauty, to the secret of making conversations with different people, to the initial culture shock of the campus’s party. One video — “Why Don’t Chinese Students Speak English?” — has more than 100,000 views and 400 comments. Miao, Pan, and Niu say they never expected to reach such a large audience; they are receiving feedback from undergraduates across the nation, as well as younger Chinese students who aim to study in the United States.
“I’m just hoping students at the UW can be more sensitive towards someone with an entirely different background,” Miao says. “I think that’s the goal of liberal arts education (人文教育), anyway to be able to talk to and connect with people. And that’s our goal, too.”
1. What does the underlined word “disillusioned” mean in Paragraph 1?| A．Disappointed. | B．Angry. |
| C．Impatient. | D．Impressed. |
| A．Their competence in cooperation with others. |
| B．Their participation in last year’s conference. |
| C．Their successful adapt action to life at the UW. |
| D．Their support for the Wisconsin China Initiative. |
| A．Creative. | B．Inspiring. |
| C．Ambitious. | D．Successful. |
| A．By receiving liberal arts education. | B．By improving their language skills. |
| C．By reaching out with an open mind. | D．By following the talk show Channel. |
4 . Let’s take a look at these traditional events in the UK.
World Gurning Championships
Gurning is a British word meaning to pull a funny facial expression. The World Gurning Championships sets out to crown(加冕) a contestant who can pull the strangest face of all. The contest takes place every year in Egremont, Cumbria, as part of the town’s Crab Fair, which dates back to 1267.
Nettle eating contest
Hosted by the Bottle Inn pub in Marsh wood, Dorset every year, this 20-year-old nettle eating contest sees dozens of competitors take part in eating as many nettle stalks(荨麻茎) as possible within one hour. Winners normally eat around 70ft of nettle stalks!
Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival
Every January, the Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival takes place, which dates back more than 200 years. The strange festival consists of a performer wearing a five-stone metal and straw bear costume, while parading through the town streets with a group of Appalachian and Morris dancers.
Wife carrying race
If you think your husband is strong enough to carry you in a race, then you may be in with a chance of winning this odd tradition, held in Dorking, Surrey every March. The sport actually originates from the Viking invasion(入侵) of 793 AD. The tradition wasn’t revived in the UK until 2008, but now comes with a friendlier feel. The winner receives £100, while the carrier of the heaviest wife is given a pound of sausage.
1. What do we know about World Gurning Championships?| A．It was briefly banned. | B．It is part of another activity. |
| C．It attracts funny-looking players. | D．It originates from an English word. |
| A．Wife carrying race. | B．Nettle eating contest. |
| C．Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival. | D．World Gurning Championships. |
| A．They are held in the wild. | B．They are yearly events. |
| C．They are invented by farmers. | D．They’re only for strong players. |
5 . For Lydia Koniordou, a famous Greek actress and former Greek minister of culture and sports, cultural preservation is essential to help people know who they are and learn what they should do in the future.
“The taller you want to grow, the deeper your roots must be. Our cultural past is our roots. If we don’t have really strong roots and depth in our perception (认识) of our identity, we cannot grow. Without these roots, we will be torn out very easily with the currents,” she told the journalist in a recent interview, adding cultural heritage is in fact very much alive and relevant today.
Speaking of her teaching experience overseas, Koniordou said she was very much impressed by her Chinese students when she gave seminars on ancient Greek tragedy at the Shanghai Theatre Academy in 2014-15. When the students worked on Alcestis, an Athenian tragedy by ancient Greek playwright Euripides, they thoroughly researched the costumes they would be wearing, the set, and the lights, among others, she recalled. “I feel they evolved and were transformed by this experience as I was transformed. They did not just play a role, but created a whole world and that is why the production had so much interest also for the spectators,” she said.
Koniordou participated in the production of Euripides ‘Electra’ together with Greek director Kostas Tsianos. “Tsianos did something very important for Greek culture. He connected folk forms of art, folk dances, songs and poetry with our classical past. We presented this performance in many places around the world, and the feeling that it stirred in the audience was quite similar, even though they didn’t always understand the language,” she said.
The Chinese civilization is a huge tree with very deep roots, and Greece also has a rich ancient civilization, she said, adding she believes that the two countries could promote cooperation and exchanges in many fields, such as in preservation of antiques.
1. What can we learn from paragraph 2?| A．Cultural heritage is easily damaged. |
| B．The importance of cultural preservation. |
| C．The taller growth wants the deeper roots. |
| D．We are easily torn out with the currents. |
| A．She played a role and was loved by the spectators. |
| B．She researched the costumes, the set, and the lights. |
| C．She studied the art of Chinese performance as a student. |
| D．She promoted the students’ understanding of Greek culture. |
| A．To indicate her friendship with Tsianos. |
| B．To show Koniordou was also expert at directing. |
| C．To popularize and promote traditional Greek culture. |
| D．To introduce the art achievement of Tsianosin. |
| A．Cultural preservation in China. |
| B．The way to preserve cultural heritage. |
| C．The introduction of other Greek art productions. |
| D．Cooperation between Chinese and Greek culture. |
6 . Bactrian camels (骆驼) in the Gobi usually give birth to a baby camel every second year. But because of the terrible weather conditions, it is common for a mother or baby to die during or after delivery. The result is often lonely babies and sad mothers who need one another.
After centuries in the desert, the locals have developed a unique musical practice (惯例) when they want a mother camel to accept a newborn baby camel. When the practice starts, a musician plays his instrument, usually a Mongolian flute. The mother and baby are tied together, and another musician begins to sing: “khuus, khuus, khuus.”
At first, the mother either pays no attention to the baby or treats it badly. The “coaxer (劝诱者),” at this point，changes the music based on the behavior. The singer begins to copy the sound of the camel’s walking, running and voices. After many hours of this, the mother and baby are in tears, and are joined for life.
However, each year fewer and fewer young peopel are willing to learn and pass on this tradition. In addition, more and more Mongolian families are sending daughters away to study and live in cities, and those who leave almost never return. The young men who remain in the desert struggle then to find wives and raise families that can help raise camels and keep the traditions alive. On top of that, many have discovered that motorbikes are cheaper than camels. All of this are killing the traditional way of life.
A few Mongolians have turned to the United Nations to help save this practice. In 2015, they added it to their “List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding,” but it’s hard to know what influence this can have beyond recognizing the existence of the practice.
1. Why do the locals develop the Mongolian practice?| A．To help baby camels get along with hosts. |
| B．To make mother camels give birth more often. |
| C．To calm down mother camels during delivery. |
| D．To strengthen mother and baby camels’ relationships. |
| A．It requires great skills. |
| B．It lasts for a few days. |
| C．The music is slow and sad. |
| D．The practice is still popular today. |
| A．Because of the useless of camels. |
| B．Because of the difficulty of the practice. |
| C．Because of the changes in locals’ lifestyle. |
| D．Because of the terrible weather in the desert. |
| A．Confident. | B．Uncertain. |
| C．Enthusiastic. | D．Upset. |
7 . Of all the crazy Spanish festivals, none is wilder than the Carnival celebrations in late February. Carnival is thought to come from the Roman festival, the Saturnalia, where participants had much drinking and dancing. Carnival in Spain is celebrated nationwide though the craziest festivities are in the Tenerife and Cadiz. While each town has its own unique way of celebration, they are both devoted to having a good time. In these main towns during Carnival it seems that no one sleeps as the drinking and dancing go on from dusk till dawn. You’ll see beautiful costumes and people in masks everywhere, and you’ll have a lot more fun joining in the masquerades(化妆舞会)than just watching.
The Carnival in the Tenerife is possibly the biggest party held in Europe and the one most like the famous Carnival of Rio. One of the most popular events of the Carnival in Tenerife is the choosing of the Queen of Carnival. Keep in mind that you need tickets for many of the competitions. But if you can’t get tickets you can still head to the open air parties. The celebrations take place in the whole city, and everyone is eager to have a good time.
Off the southern coast of Spain, you’ll find a different sort of Carnival in Cadiz. While it’s a match for the Carnival in Tenerife in terms of fun and partying, the Carnival in Cadiz is special for its music. The crowded streets are full of musical groups, mostly singing mocking songs. The people in Cadiz are known to have the best sense of humor in Spain, and the music of Carnival reflects this. The costumes have a focus on cleverness.
1. What can we learn about the Carnival in Spain from the first paragraph?| A．Saturnalia is the origin of the Carnival. |
| B．Carnival is celebrated in Spain every month. |
| C．People can have a drink for free. |
| D．Everyone should have a unique way of dancing. |
| A．Carnival celebrated in the Tenerife is the largest worldwide. |
| B．The Queen of Carnival is chosen from those who dance best. |
| C．It costs people nothing if they go to the open air parties. |
| D．People should book their tickets for all competitions ahead of time. |
| A．having fun. | B．music. | C．partying. | D．costumes. |
| A．The history of Spanish Carnival |
| B．The spirits of Spanish Carnival |
| C．The warmth of the Spanish Carnival |
| D．The crazy Spanish Carnival |
8 . While established by Woodrow Wilson as a holiday in the United States in 1911, the practice of recognizing mothers on a specific day or time of year has spread to more than 40 countries. Here's a look at the various traditions.
France
Mother's Day in France only started in the 1950s. After World War I, it was celebrated on the last Sunday in May, unless it conflicted with the Pentecost（五旬节）. If it did, mothers were celebrated on the first Sunday of June. Regardless of the day, a traditional gif is a flower-shaped cake.
Japan
Following WWI, Mother's Day in Japan gained some popularity, and it is now celebrated on the second Sunday of May. Gifts include red or pink conations（康乃馨） as they symbolize sweetness and purity. Children will often draw pictures of their mothers and present them to mom in addition to preparing dishes that their mothers have taught them.
Sweden
Celebrated on the last Sunday in May, the day isn't all that different from the U. S. version. There's breakfast in bed and homemade cards and the like. One difference is that the Swedish Red Cross collects money by selling red plastic flowers. The money from the flowers goes to mothers and children in need.
Thailand
While all mothers are recognized during Mother's Day in Thailand, the holiday is largely centered on Sirikit, the queen mother of Thailand. Mother's Day is celebrated on her birthday, August 12, and public places and households are decorated with lights and pictures of Sirikit. Flowers like jasmine are popular gifts.
1. What do Japanese children usually do for their mothers on Mother's Day?| A．Buy pictures. | B．Cook meals. | C．Grow flowers. | D．Present cards. |
| A．France. | B．Japan. | C．Thailand. | D．Sweden. |
| A．To tell us how different countries celebrate Mother's Day. |
| B．To protect traditions of Mother's Day in different places. |
| C．To introduce the origin and development of Mother's Day. |
| D．To call on us to show respect for our mother on Mother's Day. |
9 . It is generally supposed that the English Romantic Movement began in 1798. However, it is not a sudden outbreak but the result of long and gradual growth and development. The Romanticism is a literary movement which took place in Britain and throughout Europe between 1770 and 1848. Politically, it was inspired by the revolutions in America and France. Emotionally, it expressed an extreme claim of the self and the value of the individual experience together with the sense of the limitless and the transcendental (超验的) . In Britain, Romantic writers of the first generation included Wordsworth and Coleridge, Blake and Burns. The second generation of British Romantics—Byron, Shelley and Keats absorbed these influences, wrote quickly, travelled widely and their life stories and letters became almost as important for Romanticism as their poetry.
Romanticism does not mean one thing or one characteristic. It is, in fact, a collective term to mean certain characteristics, such as mysticism, humanism, supernaturalism, love of beauty, love of nature, love of equality. The chief characteristics of romantic poetry are as the following:
Subjectivity: All romantic literature is subjective. It is an expression of the inner urges of the soul of the artist. The poet gives free expression to his feelings, emotions, experiences, thoughts and ideas and does not care for rules and regulations. The emphasis is laid on inspiration and intuition (直觉).
Love of Nature: Enthusiasm for the beauties of the external world characterizes all romantic poetry. Romantic poetry carries us away from the uncomfortable atmosphere of cities into the fresh company of the outdoor world. All poets were lovers of nature and looked at the beautiful aspects of nature. To them, nature was a friend, a lover, a mother, sister and a teacher.
Imagination and Emotion: The romantic poets laid emphasis on imagination and emotion. The Wordsworth’s romantic poem I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud deals with subjects of creative imagination, childhood memories, beauty of nature, the role of nature as a guiding spirit.
1. What can we know about the English Romantic Movement?| A．It emphasized the value of policies. |
| B．It originated at the end of 18th century. |
| C．It was affected by the Russian revolution. |
| D．It was caused by sudden growth and development. |
| A．It hides the inner desires of poets. |
| B．It focuses on inspiration and reality. |
| C．It is controlled by rules and regulations. |
| D．It is a term involving some certain features. |
| A．Keeping us enjoying the company of nature. |
| B．Showing us another way to read novels. |
| C．Making us always be enthusiastic. |
| D．Asking us to respect city atmosphere. |
| A．By asking a question. |
| B．By using a quotation. |
| C．By giving an example |
| D．By making a comparison. |
10 . Top Music Festivals in 2021
Coachella
Selling out fast every year, the Indio desert becomes a fashionable place where the coolest bands are watched by trendy people and celebrities. Near the top of everyone's bucket list of festivals, Coachella is a constant source of annual expectation and a hotbed for musical discussion.
When &. where: April 9-11 &. 16-18, 2021; Indio
Ultra Music Festival
Seen as the ultimate gathering for electronic music fans across the nation and globe, the streets of Miami turn into a bold and bumping party with popular DJs playing what will be the sounds of summer.
When & where: March 26-28, 2021; Miami
South By South West
Regarded as the ultimate trend-setter and launcher of careers, SXSW is an annual showcase of music, films and interactive highlights enjoyed through performances, showcases, talks, screenings and more. Virtually taking over the city of Austin, everyone in the world of music from fans to media flock here to discover the next big thing.
When &, where: March 16-20, 2021; Austin
The Governors Ball Music Festival
Another event which proves the music loving potential of Randall's Island Park is Governors Ball, an exciting and infectious mix of rock, hip-hop, electronic, pop and folk. Providing a variety of music and food tastes, whether you look to kick back and relax or dance to the beats, Governors Ball has what you want.
When & where: June 11-14, 2021; New York
1. Which music festival lasts the most days?| A．Coachella | B．Ultra Music Festival. |
| C．South By South West | D．The Governors Ball Music Festival. |
| A．It's held in a park. |
| B．It features electronic music |
| C．It's a gathering of popular DJs. |
| D．It's the most popular in the country. |
| A．Indio. | B．Miami. | C．Austin | D．New York. |
