1 . UNESCO has added Italian opera singing, along with more than 50 other practices from around the world, to its list of Intangible (无形的) Cultural Heritage. The agency created the list in 2008 to help safeguard traditions, festivals, rites of passage, art forms and other practices across the globe. It also recognizes culturally and historically significant buildings, structures and properties with its well-known list of World Heritage Sites. It originates from the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2023.
With UNESCO’s decision, opera singing joins several other Italian traditions on the list, like pizza making. “Performed by people of all genders, Italian opera singing is associated with specific facial expressions and body gestures and involves a combination of music, drama, acting and staging,” writes UNESCO.
The practice dates back to the Medici family in Florence in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Jacopo Peri’s Dafne, which was performed for the Medicis in 1598, is considered the first Italian opera. “This is a confirmation of what we’ve already known: Opera singing is a world excellence,” says Gennaro Sangiuliano, Italy’s culture minister, in a statement.
A wide variety of cultural practices, food dishes and festivals also made the list at UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage meeting in Botswana. The committee narrowed down nominations submitted by 72 nations, ultimately selecting 55 to add to the list. The full list now includes 730 practices from 145 countries. Six of the new additions are “in need of urgent safeguarding”, according to UNESCO. These include Syrian glassblowing, olive cultivation in Türkiye and a traditional Malaysian performance called Mek Mulung. The non-urgent additions include several annual events, such as the Rotterdam Summer Carnival in the Netherlands, the Sango Festival of Oyo in Nigeria, the Junkanoo in the Bahamas and the Shuwalid festival in Ethiopia.
1. Why was Italian opera singing added to the UNESCO’s list?| A．To prove its perfection. | B．To preserve this art form. |
| C．To strengthen its competitiveness. | D．To celebrate this art’s 20th anniversary. |
| A．Its features. | B．Its prospects. | C．Its origin. | D．Its cost. |
| A．It has a long history. | B．It awaits confirmation. |
| C．It has received high recognition. | D．It comes from a well-known performance. |
| A．The Art Forms in Italy |
| B．The Introduction to UNESCO |
| C．730 Practices Are Ready to Be Added to the UNESCO’s List |
| D．The UNESCO’s List Welcomes Italian Opera Singing & Other Practices |
2 . Let’s take a look at some of the big celebrations that happen during spring
Songkran
Songkran is a celebration marking the Thai New Year. The festival usually lasts three days, though festivities can start early or end later in some cities. Water plays a major role in the festival. Symbolically, it washes away the previous year so people can get ready for the next one Therefore, many Songkran traditions are associated with water, such as cleaning homes and pouring water on Buddha statues and the hands of elders. Outside, Songkran is celebrated with street parties and a friendly water fight. In 2023, it began on April 13.
Holi
Known as the festival of colors, Holi is celebrated on the last full moon in the lunar month of Phalguna. This ancient tradition marks the end of winter and honors the victory of good over bad. Celebrators light big fires, throw colorful powder called gulal at each other, eat sweets, and dance to traditional folk music. The annual Hindu celebration was held on March 8, 2023.
Easter
It is a Christian tradition marking the day when Jesus Christ is said to have come back to life. On Easter Sunday, people attend church services where they sing and pray. It’s a day for some fun family activities too, like decorating hard-boiled eggs and searching for the hidden treats around the house or yard. Some kids also receive baskets filled with goodies, and many families have big feasts. In 2023, Easter was celebrated on Sunday, April 9.
Passover
Passover is a time to reflect on Jews’ suffering in ancient Egypt. Jews were believed to have been led to freedom by a religious leader named Moses. Passover is celebrated for seven or eight days in reflection of the suffering. In 2023, Passover began in the evening of April 5 and ended in the evening of April 13.
1. When did Thai people start to celebrate the New Year in 2023?| A．On March 8. | B．On April 5. | C．On April 9. | D．On April 13. |
| A．Songkran. | B．Holi. | C．Easter. | D．Passover. |
| A．The season of celebration. | B．The widespread use of water. |
| C．The sad holiday atmosphere. | D．The bright decorating colors. |
3 . The first word on an ancient Roman scroll carbonized by Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 C.E. has recently been decoded, opening the door to eventually decoding the rest of the texts which haven’t been read in the past 2,000 years.
The scroll, along with some 800 scrolls unearthed in the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum, looks more like a burnt log. It’s so fragile (易碎的) that it would fall apart if researchers tried to unroll it. Early attempts to unroll and read it caused irreversible (不可逆的) damage and no such attempts have been made since the 19th century.
Brent Seales, a computer scientist from the University of Kentucky has been perfecting CT scan technology to see what’s inside the scrolls without actually touching them, a process he calls “virtual unwrapping”. Because commonly the ink contains metal, it can be seen on Seales’ CT scans. Unfortunately, the Herculaneum scrolls were written in carbon-based ink made from charcoal (木炭) and water. When Seales scanned them, nothing appeared to the naked eye.
Earlier this year, Seales’ team launched “the Vesuvius Challenge”, encouraging people to use AI to further explore researchers’ scans. In early August, a contestant called Casey Handmer got a reward of $10,000 for being “the first person to find substantial, convincing evidence of ink within the unopened scrolls.” As a follow-up, a 21-year-old computer science student Luke Farritor drew inspiration from his discovery and created a machine-learning algorithm (算法) that identified ten clear letters spelled as the English word “purple”, marking the first dive into an unopened ancient book.
These discoveries are critical steps toward decoding the remaining unopened scrolls. “Some 95 percent of the material from this important philosophical periods of humanity is lost,” says Robert Fowler, a classicist at the University of Bristol. “Recovering them would transform our knowledge of the ancient world in ways we can hardly imagine. The impact could be as great as the rediscovery of manuscripts during the Renaissance,” he adds.
1. Which of the following can be the reason why the scroll has become fragile?| A．It was made of a burnt log. | B．It was unearthed 200 years ago. |
| C．It was unrolled by some researchers. | D．It was carbonized by a volcanic eruption. |
| A．Because the scrolls were wet with water. |
| B．Because the carbon-based ink dirtied the scrolls. |
| C．Because the writing material contained no metal. |
| D．Because virtual wrappers were touched by hands. |
| A．The influence of the research. | B．The further plans to unroll the scrolls. |
| C．The reason for launching the program. | D．The process of decoding the text with AI. |
| A．Imaginary. | B．Groundbreaking. | C．Conventional. | D．Unidentifiable. |
4 . Professor Zhu Yunxia, an award-winning researcher and educator at the University of Queensland and has an international reputation in cross-cultural management and strategy, believes that anyone can learn to overcome cultural barriers with the right approach. She offers the following suggestions.
Be prepared for surprises.
One country might contain different cultures—China, for example, is composed of 56 ethnic groups—and within these, people may act in different ways in different contexts and with different groups of people.
While speaking the language is not necessary to understand the culture, it is important to know basic greetings and courtesies (客气话) for social interaction such as “hello” and “thank you”. These everyday phrases and rituals (礼节) are entry points which allow you to access the culture. People will also appreciate that you have made the effort.
Learn to “make strange”.
In day-to-day life, we tend to take many of our own customs and behaviors for granted without recognizing that these might appear odd from others’ point of view.
Use a “cultural bridge”.
The customs of another culture can be too strange or too foreign to understand.
Don’t focus on yourself.
| A．Learn the“cultural grammar”. |
| B．Consequently, wait for the unexpected. |
| C．Develop and expand cooperative awareness. |
| D．Sometimes an “insider” can help us to bridge the gap. |
| E．Be open-minded and always try to aim for a win-win situation. |
| F．Being too self-conscious can harm your ability to interact and learn. |
| G．Learn to look at situations with fresh eyes, starting with our own culture. |
5 . Pu’er is the home of the world-known tea of the same name. Since other tea-growing centers in Pu’er may have a larger output, more famous brands (品牌) and heritage surrounding the history of the Tea-horse Ancient Road, Jingmai , also in Pu’er, may not be people’s first choice to look for the best Pu’er Tea.
However, being cut off from the outside by rivers, this mountainous area has become a perfect place for an ancient planting technique, growing tea trees under forest, known as the “under-story” method, which filters (过滤) sunshine while ensuring water.
Nan Kang, former head of Mangjing village, said, “Compared to modern plantations, we’ll surely produce less tea in the ancient forest. But we have to respect our tradition and belief. Birds eat insects to protect the tea and the fallen leaves from trees provide fertilizer. Everything improves the other, but also limits each other. It is the way of nature.”
Nan is an old-time Blang leader’s grandson. Following an old leader named Pa Aileng, his ancestors (祖先) came to settle near the Jingmai Mountain centuries ago. It is believed that Pa Aileng found that tea leaves made his people recover from diseases they suffered from during their moving to other places, so the hero is also considered as a “tea ancestor”. Blang people chose a mountain to remember him. They call it Peak Aileng.
“We Blang people believe tea has its own spirit,” Nan says. “The first planted tea tree in every field is called the Tea Spirit Tree. That means the field has an owner. And the symbol also makes everyone follow moral codes and protect the plants.”
Now, this mountain of tea, also a storehouse of the time-tested traditions of local ethnic groups, attracts global attention. The Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er was named as a World Heritage Site, becoming China’s 57th entry on the list.
1. What is Jingmai famous for in planting Pu’er Tea?| A．A larger production. | B．More famous brands. |
| C．Its unique planting method. | D．Its transport system. |
| A．It is widely used in Pu’er. | B．It was invented by Nan Kang. |
| C．It follows the laws of nature. | D．It makes sure to produce more tea. |
| A．Main food. | B．Gifts for friends. |
| C．Medical treatment. | D．A kind of nice drink. |
| A．The Long History of Pu’er Tea | B．A Tea Planting Tradition to Treasure |
| C．The Main Planting Areas of Pu’er Tea | D．A Mountainous Climate Fit for Pu’er Tea |
6 . The annual Redhead Days Festival in Tilburg, Netherlands, drew thousands of red-haired people from around the world in August, 2023. The three-day event is a celebration of red hair, a feature only shared by only 1%-2% of the global population. And although redheads can be found all over the world, the numbers are higher for people from the north of Europe, where the rate (比率) is between 2% and 6%.
For many attendees, like 30-year-old Scottish Liam Hunter, the festival is an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging and self-acceptance. Hunter, who has experienced bullying (霸凌) due to his hair color, expressed a sense of satisfaction and unity at the event. “I don’t feel alone anymore. I feel together, a part of something,” he said.
The event, which attracted about 5, 000 redheads from various countries, offered a range of activities including painting workshops, make-up and skincare knowledge, photo shoots, musical performances, and speed-meet events.
Interestingly, the festival’s start was somewhat accidental. Bart Rouwenhorst, an artist and the event’s organizer, placed an advertisement in the local newspaper in 2005 seeking 15 red- haired models for a painting project. Surprisingly, he received responses from 150 individuals. Although Rouwenhorst is not a redhead himself, he decided to organize a group photo with all the respondents. The gathering got much attention and was considered a success, leading the organizers to establish it as an annual event.
Now the festival serves as a special stage for redheads to celebrate their differences, develop a sense of community, and raise awareness about the challenges they face, such as bullying and increased sensitivity (过敏) to the sun. It also provides an opportunity for non-redheads to learn about and appreciate the uniqueness of red hair.
1. What can we learn from the first paragraph?| A．Redheads celebrate their festival with various activities. |
| B．Red hair is a common disease among the global population. |
| C．The Redhead Days Festival is celebrated around the world. |
| D．Population in northern Europe has a higher rate of redheads. |
| A．The redheads enjoy a high social position. | B．The redheads take pride in their difference. |
| C．The redheads face discrimination sometimes. | D．The redheads have trouble keeping up with others. |
| A．The origin of the festival. | B．The popularity of the festival. |
| C．Customs during the festival. | D．Activities during the festival. |
| A．Challenging. | B．Informal. | C．Remarkable. | D．Meaningless. |
7 . Music Festivals You Need to Attend
Tomorrowland (July 21--30)
Tomorrowland is known as one of the largest, if not the largest, EDM music festivals in the world. Located at De Schorre Provincial Recreational Park in Boom, Belgium, the festival is a one- of-a-kind experience. Visitors are surrounded by beautifully crafted stages while listening to all of their favorite DJs. It’ll be a party, and most definitely a fun time.
Glastonbury (June 22--26)
It may be cloudy and rainy for most of the year, but England shines bright when it’s time for Glastonbury. Not only does this festival have some of the best musicians, it also has dance performances, comedy, theatrics, and more. There’s no need to worry about being too hot because England has the best summer weather for events like this. Artists including Elton John, Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey, and Wizkid are all on the lineup (阵容) this year.
Outside Lands (August 11--13)
With San Francisco as its backdrop (背景幕布), Outside Lands is always a popular festival. There are always some famous faces in the crowds, and in years past we have seen Vanessa Hudgens and Kim Kardashian. This year, the lineup is incredibly strong, featuring Megan Thee Stallion, Lana Del Rey, Lil Yachty, Maggie Rogers, and so many others.
Mysteryland (August 25--28)
This is a festival for the EDM lovers out there. The Netherlands hosts Mysteryland each year, bringing in all of the top DJs and artists from around the world. The festival is the first of its kind in the country, so it’s a unique experience for everyone involved. Bring your rave energy because this festival isn’t for just anyone.
1. Which music festival begins the earliest?| A．Tomorrowland. | B．Mysteryland. | C．Outside Lands. | D．Glastonbury. |
| A．Lana Del Rey. | B．Megan Thee Stallion. | C．Maggie Rogers. | D．Elton John. |
| A．They’re both held once a year. |
| B．They’re both attractive to EDM lovers. |
| C．They’re both the first of its kind in the country. |
| D．They’re both the largest music festivals in the country. |
8 . Tea culture is varied in different countries by the way tea is made and drunk, and by the places for tea drinking. How to make tea may be different. According to the ways of making tea, tea is classified (分类) into white tea, green tea, black tea, etc. And how to prepare tea may be different, too. In Tibet, tea is commonly boiled with salt and butter. People may drink tea at home or in public, for example, at tea houses.
As part of culture, tea has a relationship with history, health, education, communication and so on. It is commonly used at social activities. For example, afternoon tea is a British custom. Families or friends can communicate with each other while having afternoon tea.
Tea has remained a way of daily life in China and drinking tea has a lot of advantages. It makes people less tired, clears heat in the human body and helps people lose weight.
Chinese people are good at using tea to make other things delicious. Tea, originally (最初) served as a medicine in ancient times, is now not just a kind of drink, but also excellent seasoning (调味品). Here are two delicious dishes made with tea:
Tea Eggs: You can find them cooked and sold in street markets in almost every city in China. Dragon Well Tea Shrimp (龙井虾仁). It’s one of the most well-known dishes in Hangzhou. Before you drink tea, please check the following tips:
♦ Drink tea hot.
♦ The best time to drink is in between meals. It is bad for your stomach if you drink tea just before meals, during meals or soon after meals.
♦ Do not drink too much strong tea.
1. Afternoon tea in Britain is a _________ according to the passage.| A．way of communication | B．hobby |
| C．game | D．weekend activity |
| A．a medicine | B．a drink | C．seasoning | D．a dish |
| A．just before meals | B．during meals |
| C．soon after meals | D．in between meals |
| A．ways of making tea | B．places to drink tea |
| C．tools for drinking tea | D．advantages of drinking tea |
9 . Traditional Chinese culture featured noticeably in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Hangzhou Asian Games. While they stressed the solar terms, the he-he culture, meaning harmony and cooperation, was a common thread that ran through them.
Each of the 24 solar terms coincides with (与……一致) events in the natural world. The terms were put forward more than 2,000 years ago to guide not only agricultural activities, but also customs concerning food, dressing and social life. Nowadays, although Chinese people refer to more modern systems in daily life, except for in the agricultural area, they maintain a strong emotional and cultural bond with the solar terms as reminders of the wit (才智), creativity and diligence (勤奋) of their ancestors.
“I previously had no connection to Hangzhou, but now, after the closing ceremony, I think I share a special bond with this city, said Wan Li, a 22-year-old college student at Fujian Normal University. “Watching the ceremony was also a wonderful chance for me to learn about the he-he culture, in which I was uninterested before.”
Kong Xianglong, a research assistant who worked in Hangzhou on an Asian Games research program and watched the ceremonies, expressed his admiration for the show as well as the Asian Games volunteers, who he said were walking examples of the he-he culture.
“The dance performances were absolutely attractive, a perfect display of the he-he idea and a highlight of the Asian Games,” Kong told Beijing Review. “The considerate service the volunteers provided every day actually invited people to learn about the he-he culture, which moved me a lot.”
Pakistani cricketer Muhammad said he believes that the opening and closing ceremonies played an important role in bringing people from different countries together. “I saw a lot of different countries’ athletes coming together, sharing their cultures and performing. I see a huge success,” he told Xinhua News Agency.
1. What can be learned about the solar terms?| A．They thoroughly guide modern life. | B．They belong to the past. |
| C．They lend to be ignored. | D．They apply to farming. |
| A．It stimulated her passion for Chinese culture. |
| B．It strengthened her bond with the world. |
| C．It deepened her understanding of the Games. |
| D．It restored her confidence in the athletes. |
| A．They bridge cultural differences. | B．They show Chinese philosophy. |
| C．They ensure athletes’ better performances. | D．They demonstrate the power of China. |
| A．A guidebook. | B．A news report. | C．Science fiction. | D．A textbook. |
10 . Food festivals are a common occurrence in the UK and take place in all sorts of places and at all sorts of times. Whatever your taste, there’s a food festival to match — no matter how specialized.
1. Meatopia
This three-day, London-based festival takes place at the end of August and is a meat lover’s paradise. In addition to a range of legally sourced meat products, from juicy burgers to tender steaks, attendees can listen to live music, watch butchery demonstrations, and attend informal meat-based workshops.
2. The National Honey Show
If you have a sweet tooth, then it could be that the National Honey Show, which started in 1921 and is the largest event of its kind, is the place for you to be. This three-day event attracts many local entries who showcase their sweet golden honey, some of which is sold globally.
3. The Orange Sauce Festival
Have you heard about a festival that is devoted only to orange sauce? Held in Cumbria, this sweet, fragrant festival has been running for 3 years. What attracts people most is a competition to find the best homemade orange sauce. There are thousands of participants from over 30 different countries across the globe, bringing their local snacks to share here.
4. The Ginger and Spice Festival
If you’d prefer something with a little more kick to it, then you could attend The Ginger (姜) and Spice Festival held in Market Drayton. Unlike other food festivals, it celebrates its town’s historic connection to Robert Clive, who returned from India with ginger. Because of this, they specialize in baking gingerbread, but also sell a range of traditional spices from mild to hot.
1. What do Meatopia and the National Honey Show have in common?| A．Both of them last for three days. | B．Both of them hold workshops. |
| C．Both of them originated from London. | D．Both of them have a long history. |
| A．The Meatopia. | B．The Ginger and Spice Festival. |
| C．The National Honey Show. | D．The Orange Sauce Festival. |
| A．It has something to do with a historic figure. |
| B．The ginger used in the festival is from India. |
| C．It sells spicy food. |
| D．The food is cooked by Robert Clive. |
