1 . In the long history of about 5,000 years, numerous Chinese traditional festivals were celebrated in memory of gods or some significant days, some of which are passed down from generation to generation and people always practice special traditional activities in each festival.
Qingming Festival
Qingming Festival is on the 15th day after Spring Equinox, round April 4 or April 5 every year.
Double Ninth Festival
Winter Solstice(冬至)
Winter Solstice is on around December 22 or 23 of solar calendar each year. From Winter Solstice on, the daytime will be longer and longer.
In China, this festival is in late January or early February, the last day of the Lunar year. People celebrate it by having a family reunion dinner, setting off fireworks and staying up late. Breaking the dishes and bowls is a thing all the people scare, but if you did it, you have to say: “sui sui ping an”.
A.New Year’s Eve |
B.Spring Festival |
C.People will go to worship their ancestors. |
D.People always visit their friends and relatives. |
E.That day people in different regions eat different food. |
F.It is a pun(双关语), meaning you will be healthy every year. |
G.It is celebrated on Sept. 9th of the Lunar Calendar, around October. |
2 . China is a country with many colorful days and festivals. The Dragon Head Raising Day (Longtaitou) is one of them. This special day is on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar (阴历). It stands for the start of spring and farming. This year, the day falls on March 4th.
The dragon is important in Chinese culture. We Chinese people call ourselves the “descendants (传人) of the dragon”. Therefore, people celebrate the Dragon Head Raising Day with many customs about dragons.
On the day in ancient times, people put ashes (灰) in the kitchen. This was to “lead the dragon into the house”. People believed that with the help of the dragon, they could have a good harvest in autumn.
Also, people eat special foods on that day. The foods are usually named after dragons. For example, people eat “dragon whisker (细须)” noodles and dumplings called “dragon teeth”.
Today, many customs have faded away. But one that has remained is the cutting of hair. It was said that a haircut during the first lunar month may bring bad luck to the mother’s brothers. So many people have their hair cut on the Dragon Head Raising Day.
1. Why is the dragon deeply rooted (扎根) in Chinese culture?A.Chinese people think the dragon is a symbol of power. |
B.Chinese people see the dragon as a symbol of good luck. |
C.Chinese people think the dragon stands for the start of spring and farming.. |
D.Chinese people consider themselves the descendants of the dragon. |
A.disappear gradually | B.become stronger |
C.run away | D.die off |
A.Because the dragon liked the ashes. |
B.Because the ashes led the dragon into the house. |
C.Because the ashes brought a good harvest. |
D.Because the ashes could bring good luck. |
A.Putting ashes in the kitchen. | B.Eating dragon whisker noodles and dumplings. |
C.Cutting hair. | D.Eating special foods. |
3 . 116th Annual Florence County Fair
August 23-24-25, 2019
Florence County Fair Park
5505 County Highway N; Florence, WI
This Florence County Fair marks the 116th annual anniversary celebration of our family-friendly tradition. While many items and activities have changed throughout the years, one very important item has not changed. The Florence County Fair is a celebration of varied talents of our Florence County residents as well as serving as a showcase of our County’s agricultural and natural resources.
New Contests and Activities Added
We have added multiple new contests and activities, such as the Secret Life of My Pets Tea Party, special exhibit contests, a Polka mass and music by Jerry Voelker and the Jolly Gents.
Low Admission Prices
Adults (ages 12 & older) $10.00 per person
Kids (ages 11 & under) Free
Seniors (ages 65 & older) $5.00 per person
Exhibitors $5.00 per person
Parking
No charge for parking at the Florence County Fair Park; however, space is limited. Parking will be restricted on County N near the two entry gates for vehicles entering and exiting the fairgrounds.
Additional Costs to Participate
Once you are at the fair, most of the entertainment and activities are free to watch and participate in. Out of all those activities, there are some which require an additional entry fee for you to participate in-the Classic Car and Motorcycle Show, the Mud Bog, and the ATV/UTV games.
All of our music, old-fashioned kids games, Magic Show and Air-Powered Rocket Workshop, horse pull, Grandma’s Garden, plus many more activities are all free to attend and participate in.
Our goal is to keep our 116th Annual County tradition a family-friendly event affordable for everyone who is attending. We hope to see you there!
Contact Us
If you have questions regarding the fair, please let us know.
Call the Fair Office at 906-282-9153.
E-mail us at florencecountyfair@hotmail.com.
1. What can we learn about Florence County Fair?A.It has a history of 161 years. |
B.It has added some fresh activities. |
C.It is open for about a month. |
D.It is free for all the kids and the old. |
A.Old-fashioned kids games. | B.A Polka mass and music. |
C.The Mud Bog. | D.Grandma’s Garden. |
A.To inform the readers. | B.To remind the readers. |
C.To educate the readers. | D.To amuse the readers. |
Jul 1-Jul 30, 2018
Location : Several locations tn New York
The Blue Note Jazz Festival in New York City is the city’s most popular jazz festival and focuses on bringing big-name artists to small crowds and up-and-coming acts to the public. The event takes over 15 places across the city and includes Questlove, Michael Bolton and Aretha Franklin.
Grant Park Music Festival 2018
Jun 14-Aug 19, 2018
Locations: Jay Pritzker Pavilion, South Shore Cultural Center, & Harris Theater for Music and Dance | 201 East Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois
Listening to classical music is said to improve your intelligence. Whether that’s true or not, the Grant Park Music Festival will provide you with free, classical music, and you’d be smart to attend. The music at these concerts will leave you begging for more. It’s free to attend, so come and enjoy some great music with your family and friends.
Lake Park Friends Wonderful Wednesdays 2018
Jun 21-Jul 26, 2018
Location: Lake Park | Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Energy is way too contained (被压抑) in an indoor music place. Let that energy go where it wants through a series of outdoor concerts with Lake Park Friends Wonderful Wednesdays. Wednesday is no longer the most boring day of the week. This time, there’s something fun to do. A list of live music acts has made the middle of the week something to look forward to.
YouthCUE Festival of Youth Choirs (合唱队) 2018
Augl0-Aug 22, 2018
Locations: Washington National Cathedral | 3101 Wisconsin AVE NW Washington, DC
YouthCUE Festival of Youth Choirs in Washington gives students the rare opportunity to perform in the Washington National Cathedral, a famous historic place. The festival is a showcase of student choirs (唱诗班) from all over the local professional orchestra.
1. What can people enjoy at the Blue Note Jazz Festival?A.Performances by famous singers. |
B.Lively performances by public. |
C.Performances by artists from 15 countries. |
D.High quality performances with free admission. |
A.Blue Note Jazz Festival |
B.Grant Park Music Festival |
C.Lake Park Friends Wonderful Wednesdays |
D.YouthCUE Festival of Youth Choirs |
A.New York. | B.Chicago. |
C.Milwaukee. | D.Washington DC. |
Foreign tourists are often confused(困惑的)in Japan because most streets there don’t have names. In Japan, people use landmarks(地标)in their directions instead of street names. For example, the Japanese will say to travelers, “ Go straight down to the corner. Turn left at the big hotel and go past a fruit market. The post office is across from the bus stop.”
In the countryside of the American Midwest, there are not usually many landmarks. There are no mountains, so the land is very flat. In many places there are no towns or buildings within miles. Instead of landmarks, people will tell you directions and distances. In Kansas or Iowa, for example, people will say, “ Go north two miles. Turn east, and then go another mile.
People in Los Angeles, California, have no idea of distance on the map. They measure distance in time, not miles. “ How far away is the post office?” you ask. “ Oh,” they answer, “ it’s about five minutes from here.” You say, “ Yes, but how many miles is it?” They don’t know.
It’s true that a person doesn't know the answer to your question sometimes. What happens in such a situation? A New Yorker might say, “ Sorry, I have no idea.” But in Yucatan, Mexico, no one answers “ I don't know”. People in Yucatan believe that “I don't know” is impolite. They usually give an answer, often a wrong one. A tourist can get very, very lost in Yucatan!
1. When a tourist asks the Japanese the way to a certain place, they usually _______ .
A.describe the place carefully |
B.show him a map of the place |
C.tell him the names of the streets |
D.refer to recognizable buildings and places |
A.New York. | B.Los Angles. |
C.Kansas C. Iowa |
A.in order to save time | B.as a test |
C.so as to be polite | D.for fun |
A.It’s important for travelers to understand cultural differences. |
B.It’s useful for travelers to know how to ask the way properly. |
C.People have similar understanding of politeness. |
D.New Yorkers are generally friendly to visitors. |