1 . Winter Solstice (冬至), an important solar term in the traditional Chinese calendar, as the name implies, means the coming of winter. It generally occurs between December 21st and 23rd. According to the traditional Chinese calendar, one year is divided into twenty-four solar terms. On this day, in the Northern Hemisphere the period of daytime is the shortest of the year and the period of night is the longest.

In Northern China there is a custom of eating dumplings during winter solstice. The tradition of eating dumplings during winter solstice has its origin in early times. It is said that dumplings were invented by Zhang Zhongjing, a well-known doctor from the Eastern-Han Dynasty.

One winter, he noticed that many people’s ears were frozen, which made him sad. In order to prevent and cure the freezing injury caused by the cold, he asked his followers to boil mutton, chilies and other ingredients with medicinal properties in a pot for fending off cold. After these were boiled, they ladled (舀取) the mutton and other ingredients out of the pot, cut them into pieces, and then wrapped them with dough skins in the shape of ears. Afterward, they put these into pots to boil again.

On the day of the winter solstice, the people whose ears were frozen were sent to eat the dumplings. People who ate it felt warm from head to toe and had their cold injury healed. Thereafter, every winter solstice people ate dumplings. Then there became a saying that if you eat dumplings during the winter solstice, then you won’t freeze your ears off. Afterwards, Zhang Zhongjing died on the day of winter solstice. In order to honour him, every year on the day of the winter solstice every household makes dumplings.

1. Which of the following should be the best title of the passage?

A．The Custom of Eating Dumplings	B．The Inventor of Dumplings
C．The Importance of Eating Dumplings	D．The Origin of Winter Solstice

2. According to the passage, which is TRUE of the following description?

A．Winter solstice is the most important among twenty-four solar terms.

B．Australia in the Southern Hemisphere has the longest period of daytime on Winter Solstice.

C．If people don’t eat dumplings, they will have their ears frozen off.

D．China has the longest period of daytime on Winter Solstice.

3. What does the underlined phrase “fending off” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Put off.	B．Put out.
C．Keep up.	D．Keep out.

4. According to the passage, people make dumplings to eat every winter solstice because          .

A．they want to honour Zhang Zhongjing, who invented dumplings to cure people’s freezing injury.

B．they want to celebrate the important solar term in the traditional Chinese calendar.

C．dumplings boiled with mutton, chilies and other ingredients with medicinal properties taste delicious.

D．they can feel warm from head to toe and have their freezing injury healed.

2 . Shaanxi kuaiban is a traditional Chinese form of storytelling in the Shaanxi dialect to the rhythm of bamboo clappers. It can be performed by a group or solo. The art form can be traced back to the late Qing Dynasty (1644—1911). At first, the art was used by farmers to share their knowledge and earn money. But now, more people perform Shaanxi kuaiban on different occasions—for example, at festival celebrations, parties and art shows.

Yang Jinlong, 45, is an experienced Shaanxi kuaiban artist. He first learned the art at the age of 9. Before that, he often went with his father, an amateur performer, to watch kuaiban performances.

“As a young boy, I was attracted to the art form because many of the stories are about heroes. The performer tells stories while playing kuaiban, and it's easy for the audience to remember the stories since all the lines rhyme,” Yang said.

He has practiced Shaanxi kuaiban for more than 30 years. Since 2003, he has been teaching the art form to young people. At 9 am on weekdays, he drives to primary and middle schools in Xi'an and teaches students about Shaanxi kuaiban until about 6 pm. Then, he returns home to prepare classes for the next day. On the weekends, he teaches for six hours each day at art education institutions in Xi'an.

Yang has made some adaptations to the art form to relate more to students. When he tells modern stories, Yang abandons the traditional gown and wears a suit. He also integrates many pop elements like tap dance, ballet, jazz dance and the rhythm of popular music into kuaiban performances. His stories focus on more trendy topics, like stories of heroes who have worked to alleviate poverty, as well as the Chinese Olympic team.

“Art education is important for students in China. Just as many students learn to play Western musical instruments like the piano and violin, there are many people learning traditional Chinese folk arts, including Shaanxi kuaiban. They are committed and passionate,” Yang said.

1. What do we know about Shaanxi kuaiban?

A．It dates back to the late Ming Dynasty.	B．People perform it in Shaanxi dialect.
C．It was originally used by teachers for teaching.	D．It focuses on Chinese ancient literature.

2. Why was Yang Jinlong fascinated by Shaanxi kuaiban as a child?

A．Because all the lines rhyme.	B．Because he liked stories about heroes.
C．Because it was a way to earn money.	D．Because he wanted to be like his father.

3. What did Yang Jinlong do to promote Shaanxi kuaiban?

A．He wore local clothes of Shaanxi.

B．He told stories about superheroes.

C．He added pop elements to kuaiban performances.

D．He performed Shaanxi kuaiban in Western countries.

4. Which of the following best describes Yang Jinlong?

A．Determined and creative.	B．Patient and capable.
C．Talented and modest.	D．Humorous and responsible.

4 . Indonesia’s festival scene is one of the most popular festivals in Southeast Asia, attracting thousands of music and party lovers every year. Make sure to keep an eye on these events.

We The Fest

Born in 2014, We The Fest has become the pioneer on the southeast Asian music festival scene. By mixing the pleasures of art, music, fashion and food, it's a must-go event for festival lovers. In 2017 it lasted over three days for the first time, with more than 50, 000 participants. Great names like The Kooks, Phoenix, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have played on We The Fest stage.

Djakarta Warehouse Project

Djakarta Warehouse Project is the biggest EDM festival in southeast Asia, since 2014. When it was born, it wasn't a festival, but a party organized by clubs in Jakarta. The event usually takes place in December. Past editions featured world-class DJs, including Carl Cox, Cashmere Cat, Robin Schulz and many others. Before going, make sure to pack your dancing shoes and get ready for a good dance.

Java Jazz Festival

Feeling inspired for some jazz music? Java Jazz Festival history goes back to 13 years ago: they are the pioneers of music festivals in Indonesia and held their 14th edition in 2018. They organize many other wonderful music projects around the country. This one is unmissable.

A: M Festival

Last but for sure not least is A: M（Absence of Mute） Festival. 2018 has been its first edition, held in Kuningan City Ballroom with a lineup filled with famous local names. Their mission is to help new musicians enter the industry. Shout out for that and look forward to the next year.

1. Why does DJakarta Warehouse Project differ from other festivals?

A．It started as a club gathering.

B．It features Indonesia’s best DJs.

C．It aims at helping new musicians.

D．It is the pioneer on the music festival scene.

2. Which of the following festivals has the longest history?

A．We The Fest.	B．A:M Festival.
C．Java Jazz Festival.	D．DJakarta Warehouse Project.

3. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To show the popularity of music.

B．To attract more visitors to Indonesia.

C．To compare different Indonesia’s festivals.

D．To introduce Indonesia’s festivals to the public.

6 . May 14 marks the beginning of National Smile Month in the UK. The campaign is organized by the Oral Health Foundation to promote dental (牙齿的) health. The Foundation hopes that a month of smiling across the nation will make people think about the importance of brushing their teeth regularly, culling down on sugary foods, and making regular appointments with the dentist.

The British, in fact, have a reputation for bad teeth. The Internet's Urban Dictionary has an entry (条目) for “British Smile”, defining it as “Any smile with bad teeth”. On the other side of the Atlantic, however, the “Hollywood Smile” gets its name because American movie stars are so proud to show off their sparkling beautiful teeth.

But what about smiling in the UK in general? Do the British smile a lot, or do they look sad all the time? It's said that the British practice the “stiff upper lip”, meaning that they don't often show their emotions; they neither smile nor cry. But this is false: A British person likes to smile as much as anyone else.

As far as smiling in Britain is concerned   just like everywhere else, it all depends on the situation. For example, you wouldn't expect anyone to smile at a funeral (葬礼). But if you were at a party of any kind, you'd find everyone smiling from ear to ear. However, smiling is sometimes not allowed under some circumstances (情形). For instance, since 2005 Britain hasn't allowed smiling in passport photographs. At other times, for example at work and school, you simply smile when it's natural to smile.

So the British are no more and no less likely to smile than anyone else. But smiling is good for you, no doubt about it, even if you do have a few bad teeth. And smiling is good for those around you too. This alone makes National Smile Month a great idea. As the essayist William Hazlitt wrote, “A gentle smile, a kind word, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles”.

1. Why is National Smile Month held in the UK?

A．To build a more friendly society through smiling.	B．To guide people to care their teeth.
C．To promote the health benefits of smiling.	D．To teach people how to protect their teeth.

2. What does the underlined word “sparkling” refer to?

A．flashing

B．white

C．smiling

D．aging

3. What can we learn from the article about smiling in the UK?

A．People can smile when taking passport photos.

B．British people are less likely to smile than others.

C．People often smile at a party of any kind.

D．British people often hide their true emotions with a smile.

4. What does the author think of National Smile Month?

A．It lasts too long.	B．It is a time-consuming event.
C．It achieves its purpose.	D．It should be promoted around the world.

7 . Every culture has set rules about how people should act. Patterns of good behavior, or manners, show respect and care for others.     1    

Greeting people cheerfully is almost always considered polite.    2     For example, when you enter a store in France, you should always greet the person working there. Other cultures also value greeting people. But of course the greetings vary as people speak different languages.

    3    It creates and keeps the harmony （和谐）of human relationships_? and is used as greetings, encouragement and so on. In American society people usually widely use praise and compliments, which plays an important role in communication. The right answer to other's praise and compliments is “Thank you”. However, refusing a compliment is accepted and even approved of in China.

Some of the biggest cultural differences have to do with table manners.    4    That means chewing with your mouth closed and not slurping （出声地喝）your soup. The same goes for burping （打嗝）. But in parts of Asia, slurping shows that you are enjoying your meal. And burping is a sign of being full and content.

    5     Saying “please" and "thank you, “ for example, is almost always polite. If you show appreciation and try to follow local customs, people will generally respond well. Showing kindness can bring people together, no matter what culture they come from.

A．Yet the details of how to express respect vary.

B．Yet there are also similar points across cultures.

C．Diversity （多样化）exists when it comes to the choice of food.

D．Attitudes to praise and compliments can be different.

E．But it's more important in some cultures than others.

F．It's polite to eat as quietly as possible In North America.

G．Praise and compliments is a kind of communicative action.

9 . Whether it is for a special festival, to express thanks or to just let someone know that you care about them, giving gifts is a common custom. The purpose of giving gifts may be similar, but the tradition varies from country to country. A gift of respect in one place may be considered rude in another. Take a look at three unique gift-giving traditions.

India

If you’re invited to someone’s home in India, you should bring a small gift, whether it’s a box of chocolates or some flowers. Gifts shouldn’t be wrapped (包裹) in black or white colors. because they are considered unlucky. Instead, use bright colors such as green, red or yellow. When giving money for any occasion, it should have an odd number (奇数) value. That’s believed to bring good luck. Instead of receiving a gift with both hands, Indians generally only use their right hand because left hands are considered unclean.

Japan

For most Japanese, the ritual (礼节) of giving presents is more important than the gifts themselves. The correct way is to present or receive gifts with both hands. Every gift should be wrapped. That’s because uncovered gifts are considered disrespectful. To show politeness and thanks, those who are receiving the gift may turn it down once or twice before finally accepting it. Gifts should be given in pairs, but four should be avoided just like in China. Lucky numbers also include eight. Eight is said to bring prosperity.

Native America

While it may be common for guests to prepare gifts for hosts, this is different in Native American communities. From weddings to birthday celebrations, guests are the ones who receive gifts. Gifts are usually homemade arts and crafts that are made by hand to show love, respect and appreciation.

1. What kind of gift would you bring to an Indian home?

A．Some chocolates in a green box.	B．Flowers wrapped in black paper.
C．Sixty dollars in a yellow envelope.	D．Seventy-five rupees wrapped in white paper.

2. Why don’t Japanese accept a gift at once?

A．To get another better gift.	B．To be more polite and thankful.
C．To refuse one’s kindness.	D．To be more outgoing and active.

3. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To list some attractive festivals.	B．To compare some countries.
C．To recommend some formal gifts.	D．To introduce some gift-giving traditions.

10 . The United States celebrates Valentine's Day each year on February 14. Many other countries celebrate Valentine's Day, too, each in their own way. Here is a look at the Valentine's Day traditions in three countries.

Wales：land of love spoons

In Wales, it is called St. Dwynwen's Day, which takes place on January 25. The traditional romantic gift on this day is a love spoon.

Beginning in the 17th century, Welsh men made beautiful wooden spoons as a show of their love for that special person in their lives. Each shape of the spoons has a different meaning. For example, horseshoes mean good luck；keys represent the key to a lover's heart；and wheels are a sign of support.

Argentina：a week of sweets

Argentina celebrates Valentine's Day in February, but also gives a whole other week to love in July. They call it Sweetness Week. If you kiss someone, they have to give you a sugary treat.

Sweetness Week started in 1989 with a candy company called Arcor. They made an advertisement called “Candy for a Kiss". The idea was to give the company's chocolates and other candies in exchange for a sweet kiss on the cheek. The campaign had a stronger effect than the company expected—it led to a new holiday!

Every July, couples who take part give each other candies and kisses all week long.

South Korea: three is a charm

For South Koreans, Valentine's Day happens in three parts：February 14, March 14 and April 14.

On February 14, women traditionally give men gifts of chocolate to show their love. One month later, on a holiday known as White Day, men show their thanks by giving women a sweet gift. The name “White Day" comes from the custom of giving white-colored gifts.

Let's not forget Black Day on April 14. Single people who did not get gifts on February 14 or March 14 often gather on Black Day to eat noodles with black bean soup.

1. What does a key-shaped spoon mean?

A．Deep love.

B．Good luck.

C．Strong support.

D．Real thanks.

2. When is Sweetness Week celebrated?

A．In February.

B．In March.

C．In April.

D．In July.

3. What would be a good gift on White Day?

A．Brown chocolates.

B．Black beans.

C．White milk candies.

D．Silver spoons.