1 . Ma Xiaohui, a famous Chinese erhu performer, held a concert in New York City earlier this month. The concert began with an overture (序曲) titled Legend of the Silk Road, and then came the theme song from the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which beautifully celebrated the classic dialogue between erhu and cello (大提琴).
“This beautiful and inspiring concert wonderfully mixed classical, Chinese and cross-cultural themes. It was a feast for the ears and souls. The performance was full of creativity centered around Ma’s mastery of the instrument.” says artist Ranjit Bhatnagar.
“As a guitarist, I had the honor to perform with Ma,” says Tim Kelly. “Her powerful, moving melodies (旋律) inspired both me and the audience. It seems that in her hands, the instrument can touch the heart of every listener.”
Influenced by the lively atmosphere, the 2023 World Madam Global Overall Champion, Sepideh Behboudi, danced to the music many times with his partner Ethan Rimes and other audience.
Ma says music is an international language, and national musical instruments have their own unique characteristics. Using them as messengers, they can spread melodies of truth, goodness and beauty to all. She expresses a hope that the world can feel the charm of Chinese culture, the spiritual beauty of Chinese art and the warmth of the erhu to touch hearts.
According to Ma, her tour was not limited to just music, but also brought a healing experience to the audience. Ma with the Middle Tennessee State University Symphony performed the erhu concerto (协奏曲) Tianshan Shepherdess, as if bringing the audience to the foot of the Tianshan Mountains to see the blue sky, white clouds and the carefree shepherd.
1. Who performed music with Ma Xiaohui?| A．Sepideh Behboudi. | B．Ethan Rimes. |
| C．Tim Kelly. | D．Ranjit Bhatnagar. |
| A．The audience. | B．Unique characteristics. |
| C．International languages. | D．National musical instruments. |
| A．It can make her rich. | B．It can help her with further study. |
| C．It can spread Chinese culture and art. | D．It can give her a chance to be a master. |
| A．Serious and tiring. | B．Natural and relaxing. |
| C．Traditional and loud. | D．Fast and sad. |
2 . Thanksgiving is basically a harvest-related festival which celebrates communal harmony. Though this festival is said to have originated in America, a number of other countries also celebrate harvest-related festivals. The festival is observed with different names and in different seasons. In Australia we can see a number of harvest festivals.
Apple Festival & Grape Festival
The harvest for apples and grapes takes place in the month of March in Australia in the granite belt, a special area. The festival is celebrated for 3-4 days. During the festival, various cultural and fun events are organized. Activities like grape crushing competitions, apple picking competitions, street carnivals (狂欢), and grand parades are also part of the festival.
Renmark Orange Week Festival
In August or September, the large orange growing area along the Murray River in South Australia holds a festival in Renmark, which is called the Renmark Orange Week. All kinds of games, competitions and fun last for a week during the carnival. Fireworks are another feature of the festival. The two varieties that are being harvested in Australia are the Valencia, which is from October to May and the Navel, which is from May to October.
Cane Festival
The cane is harvested from June to December in Australia. Most of the cane crop is grow n in Queensland and some in Maclean, New South Wales. And June is time for cane festivals. Just before harvest, the cane is burnt to remove dead leaves and to drive out pests. Machines are being used to cut the cane to the ground.
Wheat Festival
Wheat is harvested in the month of December and is usually finished by the end of January. Harvesting is done by machines. A new harvester invented by Headlie Taylor makes it easier to harvest crops which get flattened or damaged by bad weather.
1. Which festival takes place in June?| A．Cane Festival. | B．Wheat Festival. |
| C．Renmark Orange Week Festival. | D．Apple Festival & Grape Festival. |
| A．Appreciate fireworks. | B．Taste delicious grape wine. |
| C．Join in apple eating competitions. | D．Take part in grand parades. |
| A．Wheat Festival begins in January. |
| B．Harvest-related festivals originated in America. |
| C．Oranges are being harvested in Australia all the year round. |
| D．Renmark Orange Week Festival takes place in the granite belt. |
3 . Argentina lies in the South America. There are many festivals in Argentina during the year. Therefore, you can enjoy the different interesting festivals when traveling there.
First of all, we should talk about the Tango (探戈) Festival inArgentina, which is held in the capital of this country — Buenos Aires, from February to March. You ought to know that Argentina is the home of tango, so Argentinians admire this dance very much. Even if you cannot dance perfectly, you should join the people and try to perform this dance.
The next festival in Argentina is Open Polo (马球) Tournament. You should go to Palermo to see this festival in Argentina. This festival is held every year and is the most important polo tournament in Argentina.This kind of sport is considered the most important in Argentina.
Attending this festival in Argentina, you will be able to communicate with different people and admire the fascinating competition between the teams of different countries, such as Argentina, England, Australia, as well as the US. This festival in Argentina is usually held between November and December every year. So don’t miss the opportunity if you travel to Argentina at this time.
The other festival in Argentina is the Semana Musical Liao Liao. This is a festival of classical music. The festival was created in 1993 and is held at the Liao Liao Hotel, near Bariloche. The festival is held yearly in October. So if you admire this kind of music, you should travel toArgentina in October.
There are also many carnivals in Argentina in summer. Of course, it’s impossible to put everything about festivals in Argentina into just one article. We hope that you have found this article interesting and eye-catching.
1. What would be the best title for the passage?| A．Entertainments in Argentina | B．Festivals in Argentina |
| C．Travel to Argentina | D．A brief introduction to Argentina |
| A．is organized by the government |
| B．welcomes everyone to take part in it |
| C．is held in summer |
| D．holds parties for different dances |
| A．Open Polo Tournament. | B．Every carnival in Argentina. |
| C．The Tango Festival. | D．The Semana Musical Liao Liao. |
| A．Buenos Aires in spring | B．Palermo in April |
| C．Palermo in winter | D．Bariloche in October |
4 . Dragons, a famous imaginary beast born from fantasy, are often present in stories in the west and east. In both cultures, dragons are generally recognized as massive creatures capable of flight. They have great power and are often associated with magical abilities. However, due to their different cultural roots and images, there exist significant differences in the way dragons are regarded in the west and east, particularly in China.
Chinese dragons most resemble snakes, and have four claws and no wings. They often have features of other animals, including carp, tigers, and eagles. In the contrast, Western dragons look like huge lizards with big claws and large bat-like wings, and are often shown with spines or rough scales.
In traditional Chinese culture, a dragon is a symbol of luck, power and high status. They can cause weather changes and bring rainfall to the fields to ensure rich harvests. They are considered divine creatures, which hold an important position as the head of the four spirits. Therefore, to symbolize their power, ancient Chinese emperors decorated their clothes with dragon patterns. These clothes are known as dragon robes. Many Chinese view the dragon as a national symbol, proudly referring to themselves as “descendants of the dragon”. In the west, however, a dragon symbolizes an evil creature that spreads violence and terror throughout the land. They are believed to be transformed by the devil, with the ability to breathe fire or spit poison. Many western tales show dragons being defeated and killed to protect people from danger.
Today, dragons continue to evolve, exceeding traditional boundaries and finding new significance in global culture. They are no longer associated with evil or good, but rather as complex characters with their own unique personalities and motivations. For example, Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon begins as a dangerous dragon but evolves into a misunderstood being with love and compassion. This challenges the idea of dragons as naturally evil, presenting them as complex beings with emotions and motivations.
1. What do western dragons and eastern dragons have in common?| A．They are huge and powerful. | B．They have rough skin. |
| C．They are in the shape of snakes. | D．They have big claws and wings. |
| A．Western dragons are a symbol of authority and violence. |
| B．Dragons are believed to cause chaos in western culture. |
| C．Chinese dragons can control rainfall and breathe fire. |
| D．Dragons in China can protect people from danger. |
| A．They have more diverse feelings and characters. |
| B．They have complicated motivations with born love. |
| C．They are commonly regarded as adventurous creatures. |
| D．They tend to represent human spirits facing challenges. |
| A．The Images of Dragons in Western Traditions. | B．The Origin of Dragons in Chinese History. |
| C．The Magical Animals in Different Countries. | D．The Dragon Elements in Global Culture. |
5 . Here are several not-to-be-missed events. Mark your calendar!
Flowers on the Mimosa Route
The Mimosa Route covers 130 km of wilderness and coastal towns in France, with stops and festivals in bloom to honour a flower that has become the symbol of the Cote d’Azur. This is the perfect opportunity to discover gardens with their feet in the water or the flower floats (花车) of the corsos.
* From 3 to 18 February
Nice Carnival
Mimosa, roses, lilies thrown to the public... The Battle of the Flowers is a highlight of the Nice Carnival and a nod to this France city’s gardening history. The biggest festival on the Cote d’Azur also includes a carnival-style parade, with floats competing in creativity, with dizzying figures up to twenty metres high. The theme of the 2024 edition is “Pop Culture”.
* From 17 February to 3 March
The Menton Lemon Festival
The programme of the Lemon Festival in Menton, France includes various floats. For 15days, the town celebrates its golden fruit with a touch of madness. With the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games just a few months away, the 90th edition of the Lemon Festival promises to be a great event with the theme “From Olympia to Menton”.
* From 17 February to 3 March
The Trail des Merveilles
The Roya Valley in France is the setting for the Trail des Merveilles, which starts in Breil-sur-Roya. Over a distance of around 30 kilometres, with a positive difference in altitude of 2,000 metres, the race takes competitors along wild paths with views of the snow-capped peaks of the Mercantour National Park and the Mediterranean Sea. A shorter, more accessible 17-kilometre route will delight lovers of running and beautiful scenery. Ready, set, go!
*5 March
1. What is the significance of the Battle of the Flowers?| A．To popularize the tradition culture. | B．To vote for the most creative float. |
| C．To prove people’s passion for flowers. | D．To show respect for the city’s gardening. |
| A．Nice Carnival. | B．The Trail des Merveilles. |
| C．Flowers on the Mimosa Route. | D．The Menton Lemon Festival. |
| A．They are around the theme of flowers. | B．They are of the same duration. |
| C．They take place in the same country. | D．They are to celebrate the end of winter. |
6 . Some Christmas traditions are pretty standard in mainstream（主流）American culture: put up the tree, string up the lights, visit grandma, and so on.
Then there’s the one my Colombian family does every year: the Novena de Aguinaldos. We pray（祈祷）for nine days without a stop, and this Novena counts down the nine days before Christmas. Most Americans have never heard of it, but in Colombia, it’s a big deal.
Like all good traditions, especially around the holidays, this tradition is about community and getting together with friends and family. My family immigrated（移民）from Colombia when I was just two months old. Every year, we gather with a group of Colombian friends for as many of the nine nights as we can.
There are three parts to the Novena de Aguinaldos. The first is the reading: each kid takes turns to read a book. Next comes the gozos, which means “The Joys”. That’s where the music comes in, and everyone gets an instrument, a maraca, a drum, a tin can—whatever you can use to make a sound. And then, the villancicos——Spanish Christmas carols（颂歌）come.
I’ve lived my whole life in the US. There’s not a lot of Colombian culture that we still hang onto. Why do we still carry on with the tradition of celebrating the Novenas, then?
When I asked my parents the other day, the answer was that immigrants didn’t belong anywhere—not where you were, nor where you were from. So my parents helped create a space where we did. Even if the Novenas were nothing like what we might have celebrated if we’d stayed in Colombia, the Novenas became the heart of our community.
But our Novenas are starting to feel a little more breakable. It’s getting harder and harder for everyone to get together each year. Last year, I was studying abroad in Italy and couldn’t make it to any gathering; my brother went off to college and had exams late into December; my sister just moved to a new city, and my parents have taken up jobs in different countries.
1. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?| A．The process of celebrating the Novena. |
| B．The development of a Colombian tradition. |
| C．The background of the Colombian family. |
| D．The differences between the Novena and Christmas. |
| A．To remember their dead friends. | B．To find a sense of belonging. |
| C．To show their respect for Americans. | D．To understand the local culture. |
| A．Lack of money. | B．Their separate busy life. |
| C．American laws. | D．Friends’ complaints. |
| A．Growing Up | B．Colorful Culture |
| C．Exploring American Christmas Traditions | D．Colombian Family’s Novena in the US |
7 . Early in my time in China, I asked a coworker if she noticed anything Americans do that is strange. “You’re always fighting, even with your best friend.” she said. She had never seen me fight with my friend, so I was surprised, until I realized she was referring to a philosophical debate. Though passionate, my friend and I would hardly have considered it a fight. According to him, many Chinese wouldn’t tell their friend to “shut your mouth when you speak to me” or tell them, “your logic is so dumb — you don’t have object permanence”, which is opposed to social harmony.
Words are metaphors, serving to comprehend abstract ideas or beliefs. Each language possesses an inner logic, influencing how its speakers structure sentences and understand words. This uniqueness extends beyond mere vocabulary; it spreads to the system of expression, shaping thoughts and ideas. Regardless of how skilled one becomes at communicating, or how many dictionaries they’ve read, they can not guarantee that the listener understands them correctly.
Each language barrier exists within speakers of the same language. In 2013, I worked with a British man who had lived in China for a decade and spoke Chinese fluently. It took him about 10 years to fully understand the culture. Either I’m silly, or he was kidding me.
I can confidently say that after all this time, I’m even more confused than I was then...The concepts and ideas I learn about Chinese culture expand endlessly, and I suspect that will always be true. If I’m lucky, I’ll have another 30 years of life, less time than more intelligent men than I have spent studying culture.
Perhaps I’m not meant to understand China. There is acceptance and peace in that. With my foreign friends, I will joke and even tease them and with my Chinese friends, I will ask questions to avoid giving the impression I am fighting with them. I will embrace cross-cultural confusion and persist in understanding my Chinese friends, family, coworkers and neighbors, because that knowledge bears gifts of wisdom and joy. My life is better for it.
1. What impression does the author leave on his Chinese friend?| A．He specializes in debating. | B．He is kind of rude to friends. |
| C．He argues with others much. | D．He is passionate about philosophy. |
| A．Its inner logic | B．Its significant complexity |
| C．Its abstract origin | D．Its changing structure |
| A．Profound Chinese culture | B．His British friend’s, experience |
| C．Little time spent with family | D．Different understanding of humor |
| A．He will take China as it is. | B．He will return to his motherland. |
| C．He will be more serious in China. | D．He will persist in academic study. |
8 . It may seem as if Mother’s Day was invented by a company named Hallmark, but people have been taking time on the calendar to give a shout-out to Mom for a long time. The Greeks and Romans had mother goddess festivals — although their celebrations didn’t involve the menfolk taking their underappreciated mothers out to dinner. A more recent tradition was Mothering Sunday, which developed in the British Isles during the 16th century. On the fourth Sunday in April, young men and women who were living and working apart from their families were advised to return to their mothers’ houses.
Mother’s Day as it is observed in the United States started in the 1850s with Ann Jarvis, a West Virginia woman who held “Mothers’ Work Days” to promote health and hygiene (卫生) at home and in the workplace. During the Civil War, Jarvis organized women to improve sanitary conditions for soldiers on both sides, and after the war she became a peacemaker, furthering the cause by bringing together mothers of Union and Confederate soldiers and promoting a Mother’s Day holiday.
Jarvis’s work inspired another 19th-century woman, Julia Ward Howe. In 1870 Howe published her “Mother’s Day Proclamation”, which envisioned the day not as appreciation of mothers by their children but as an opportunity for women to exercise their collective power for peace. Howe started holding annual Mother’s Day celebrations in Boston, her hometown, but after about a decade she stopped footing the bill and the tradition faded away.
It was Jarvis’s daughter Anna who succeeded in getting Mother’s Day recognized as a national holiday. After her mother died, in May 1905, Anna started holding yearly ceremony on the anniversary and conducting a tireless PR campaign to have the day made a holiday. In 1908 she succeeded in enlisting the support of John Wanamaker, the Philadelphia department store magnate and advertising pioneer, and by 1912 West Virginia and a few other states had adopted Mother’s Day. Two years later, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution declaring the second Sunday in May a national holiday.
It wasn’t long, though, before whatever ideals the day was supposed to celebrate were buried under an amount of greeting cards and candy. By the 1920s Anna Jarvis was campaigning against the holiday she had been instrumental in creating. “I wanted it to be a day of emotionalism, not profit,” she said.
1. The first paragraph suggests that ________.| A．mothers didn’t get enough appreciation |
| B．Mother’s Day was invented by Hallmark |
| C．young people returned to their mothers’ houses |
| D．Greeks and Romans were the first to celebrate Mother’s Day |
| A．Ann Jarvis. | B．Julia Ward Howe. |
| C．Woodrow Wilson. | D．Anna Jarvis. |
| A．Because it was an emotional day. |
| B．Because the festival was not profitable. |
| C．Because the celebrations went against the original spirit. |
| D．Because the day was buried under greeting cards and candy. |
| A．The Objection to Mother’s Day |
| B．The Argument on Celebrating Mother’s Day |
| C．The Story Behind the Creation of Mother’s Day |
| D．Different Form of Celebrations on Mother’s Day |
9 . I hesitated when my friend suggested that we join the school’s new Tai Chi club. I used to think that tai chi was for the elderly. However, the first class changed my previous understanding of tai chi. A year later, I can say that tai chi has had a huge impact on me.
The first few tai chi classes were fun and easy, and the moves with descriptive names really caught my imagination, like “white crane spreading its wings” and “golden rooster standing on one leg.” When I asked my coach where these interesting names came from, he told me about the history of tai chi. Zhang Sanfeng, a 13th-century Taoist, was said to have invented tai chi after drawing inspiration from a fight between a snake and a bird. However, nowadays people tend to believe that Chen Wangting, a 17th-century master of Chinese martial arts, developed tai chi based on martial arts skills.
After the first few basic tai chi lessons, I found myself bored and aching from doing the same slow moves over and over again. Fortunately, my coach taught me how to relax my muscles and focus on peace of mind during ever, day practice. With these requirements of tai chi in mind, I found to my satisfaction that my balance and flexibility slowly improved, that I was able to do more difficult moves, and that my love for tai chi returned stronger than ever.
Meanwhile, I started to explore the ancient Chinese culture behind tai chi. I discovered that tai chi is deeply rooted in the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang, which are believed to form the the unity of opposite. Neither can exist independent of the other. The practice of tai chi aims to keep the balance of yin and yang in the body through opposite movements: forwards and backwards, up and down, left and right, breathing in and breathing out. Ultimately, tai chi brings about a state of physical balance and mental peace.
The experience of a year of tai chi has affected my everyday life positively. I sleep more soundly at night, and feel more energetic during the day. I feel happier and more confident. Tai chi has taught me to relax my mind, enabling me to stay calm in stressful situations. I am sure I will continue to practise tai chi and enjoy the benefits it has brought me.
1. Why did the author join the Tai Chi Club?| A．Because of his friend’s advice. | B．Because of his interest in it. |
| C．Because of the school’s request. | D．Because of his parents’ suggestion. |
| A．Quick and beautiful. | B．Quick and free. |
| C．Slow and beautiful. | D．Slow and boring. |
| A．Tai chi is influenced by Laozi’s philosophy of water. |
| B．Tai chi can have a positive effect in people’s lives. |
| C．You can find the origin of tai chi in the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang. |
| D．Tai chi can make people feel energetic and confident. |
| A．Finally | B．Sometimes | C．Firstly | D．Constantly |
10 . The Biggest Events in the States
Mardi Gras
Mobile, Alabama
Attendance: One million
Believe it or not, the Mardi Gras celebration in Mobile is even older than the one in New Orleans since this Gulf Coast city has much of the same French and Cajun culture as the latter. The celebration dates back to 1703 and includes nearly a month of parades, running from mid-January up through Late February.
Mount Marathon Race
Seward, Alaska
Attendance: 40, 000
This 103-year old tradition is the 10th-oldest foot race in America, but it’s by far the most scenic. The short-but-dangerous competition is held every July 4, racing up the side of Seward’s Mount Marathon through cliffs, waterfalls, and breathtaking views of southeast Alaska. Once at the top, racers look back down to the finish line with top finishers completing the three-mile roundtrip in just over 40 minutes.
Little Rock Riverfest
Little Rock, Arkansas
Attendance: 100, 000—200, 000
This annual music festival held along the Arkansas River has been running for over 40 years, bringing some of the biggest names in rock music. The festival runs every Memorial Day weekend, and this year featured Peter Frampton, Young the Giant, and Highly Suspect.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Norwich, Connecticut
Attendance: 300,000
In just five short years, little Norwich, Connecticut, has developed one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the country, with an estimated 300, 000 people coming to this town of 40, 000 for bagpipes, beer, and plenty of Irish food. The mile-long parade is held on March 4, the early date giving people with other St. Patrick’s plans the chance to have two holidays, which might be a big reason for its popularity.
1. What do Mobile and New Orleans have in common?| A．They are coastal cities. |
| B．They have large populations. |
| C．They are related to French culture. |
| D．They enjoy a history of about 300 years. |
| A．It has the most participants of all. |
| B．Racers see striking scenery along the way. |
| C．Racers run great risks on the mountaintop. |
| D．It is the oldest marathon event in America. |
| A．Mardi Gras. | B．Little Rock Riverfest. |
| C．Mount Marathon Race. | D．St. Patrick’s Day Parade. |
