1 . While some customs like setting off fireworks and counting down the last few seconds seem universal, many countries have their own unique New Year’s Eve traditions.
Denmark: Break plates
A Danish tradition is to throw plates and dishes against friend’s and neighbor’s front doors. It’s a bit of a popularity contest as the bigger the pile of broken china is the next morning, the more friends and good luck you’ll have in the coming year.
Germany: Pouring lead
In Germany, people melt small pieces of lead in a spoon over a candle, then pour the liquid into cold water. The shapes from the lead pouring are supposed to reveal what the year ahead will bring. If the lead forms a ball, luck will roll one’s way, while the shape of a crown means wealth; a cross means death and a star will bring happiness.
Spain: Twelve grapes of luck
In Spain, one New Year’s tradition is to eat 12 grapes, one for each month of the coming year, to secure prosperity (繁荣). You need to eat one grape with each bell strike at midnight. The tradition dates from 1909 when farmers in Alicante came up with this idea to sell more grapes after an exceptional harvest.
Philippines: Round food, round clothes, round everything
In the Philippines, the start of the new year is all about the money. The locals believe that surrounding themselves with round things (to represent coins) will bring money or fortune. As a result, clothes with dots are worn and round food is eaten.
1. What is believed to bring good luck for the coming new year in Denmark?| A．A red candle. | B．Round food. | C．Broken china. | D．A lead cross. |
| A．A way to make coins. | B．An act to keep power. |
| C．A desire to be popular. | D．An idea to gain profit. |
| A．Fashion. | B．Travel. | C．Culture. | D．Entertainment. |
2 . As an old saying in China goes, “The days of the Sanjiu period are the coldest days.” “Sanjiu period”, which is in Minor Cold (小寒), refers to the third nine-day period (the 19th to the 27th day) after the day of the Winter Solstice (冬至). There are many different customs related to Minor Cold in China.
Eating hotpot
During Minor Cold people should eat some hot food to benefit the body and defend against the cold weather. Winter is the best time to have hotpot and braised mutton with soy sauce. But it is important to notice that too much spicy food may cause health problems.
Eating huangyacai
In Tianjin, there is a custom to have huangyacai, a kind of Chinese cabbage, during Minor Cold. There are large amounts of vitamins A and B in huangyacai. As huangyacai is fresh and tender, it is fit for frying, roasting and braising.
Eating glutinous rice (糯米饭)
According to tradition, the Cantonese eat glutinous rice in the morning during Minor Cold. Cantonese people add some fried preserved pork, sausages and peanuts and mix them into the rice.
Eating vegetable rice
In ancient times, people in Nanjing took Minor Cold quite seriously, but as time went by, the celebration of Minor Cold gradually disappeared. However, the custom of eating vegetable rice is still followed today. The rice is steamed and is incredibly delicious. Among the ingredients (原料), aijiaohuang (a kind of green vegetable), sausages and salted duck are the specialties in Nanjing.
1. What do we know about Minor Cold?| A．It lasts twenty-seven days. |
| B．The Sanjiu period is in this period. |
| C．It refers to the Winter Solstice. |
| D．It marks the first day of winter. |
| A．They fry and toast it. |
| B．They eat it for dinner. |
| C．They steam it with soy sauce. |
| D．They mix it with many other things. |
| A．travel | B．culture |
| C．fashion | D．science |
3 . “How much money am I getting this year? That’s the question I ask my mom every February. And every year she replies，”You will see” in her Chinese accent.
February usually marks the month of the New Year according to the Chinese calendar. But for me, Chinese New Year is a payday. Usually I receive red envelopes (“hongbao”) which are the equivalent ( 同等物) of Christmas presents. Instead of wondering what the present will be, it is the amount of money inside that is the mystery. I always have to wait weeks to find out how much money my parents have in store for me.
I never knew how the traditions of Chinese New Year derived,_and I never gave it much thought, until my mom forced me to attend a special Chinese school where I learned about the origins of the traditions behind the famous celebration and had a knowledge of how the hanging of red lanterns or fireworks developed. But before that, the only part of the holiday that had ever concerned me was the “hongbao” and as selfish as it may sound.
But now Chinese New Year is a wonderful holiday for me not because of the “hongbao”， but the profound Chinese culture I have learned from the special school.
The excitement that comes with expecting Chinese New Year is one I will never get tired of. While the real celebrations are taking place in China, my family holds its own traditions. I can always count on my mom to make delicious Chinese food every year, and there is consolation (安慰) in knowing that as my sisters and I open our “hongbaos”， our cousins so many miles away are doing the same.
1. What did the author care about most on Chinese New Year at first?| A．The amount of money she received. |
| B．The traditions behind the celebration. |
| C．Various activities during Chinese New Year. |
| D．The presents that her parents would give her. |
| A．Worked. | B．Continued. |
| C．Began. | D．Changed. |
| A．She has a strong feeling towards China. |
| B．She knows little about Chinese traditions. |
| C．She always gives her children a lot of money. |
| D．She tends to surprise her children on western festivals. |
| A．New Year Hongbao |
| B．My Mom and China |
| C．Closer Attachment to China |
| D．Unforgettable Moments |
4 . The UK's music festivals are world famous but there are plenty more to celebrate in the country.
Burns Night, Scotland
On 25 January, Scots celebrate the life and works of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns by holding a special Burns Supper. This can be a chance for friends to get together with a huge formal dinner. Guests take it in turn to recite Burns' poems or sing one of his songs.
Hay Festival, Hay-on-Wye, Wales
For 10 days each May, the small town of Hay on-Wye on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales is filled with writers, filmmakers, musicians, and people who come to hear them talk and exchange ideas. The festival celebrates great writing of all genres (体裁) and it all takes place in a village in the town.
Camp Festival, Dorset
As a branch of a festival held in Dorset, it's one of the best family festivals in the UK Held every year in the grounds of the historic Lulworth Castle in Dorset, the festival includes top live music acts, but as the organizer say, “kids are king” at Camp Festival, with a wide variety of entertainment, workshops and fun for kids. The 2020 Camp Festival takes place from 25 to 28 July.
Guy Fawkes Day or “Bonfire Night”
All over the UK on 5 November, the British light bonfires and set off fireworks in their back gardens or, more commonly these days, at organized events in public parks. They celebrate the Catholic Guy Fawkes' failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament (议会院) on 5 November, 1605.
1. Which festivals are related to literature (文学)?| A．Hay Festival and Camp Festival. | B．Bums Night and Hay Festival. |
| C．Burs Night and Guy Fawkes Day. | D．Camp Festival and Guy Fawkes Day. |
| A．In July. | B．In May. | C．In January. | D．In November. |
| A．An impressive building. | B．A successful adventure. |
| C．An organized game. | D．A historical event. |
5 . Welcome to Edinburgh, the world's leading festival city.
Edinburgh International Science Festival
Time: 6 April to 20 April
Edinburgh International Science Festival, founded in 1983, is the world's first public science festival. The two-week festival gives audiences amazing experiences through a diverse program of inspiring events. Alongside the annual festival in Edinburgh, the organization has a strong focus on education and runs a touring program that visits schools around Scotland throughout the year.
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Time: 10 August to 20 August
Edinburgh International Book Festival is the largest public celebration of the written word in the world, which was first held in 1997. Every August around 1,000 writers and thinkers from across the world gather with the audiences in Edinburg. Here book lovers can rub shoulders with world-renowned authors --- or just relax in the sunshine with a deckchair, a drink and a favorite read.
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Time: 19 October to 31 October
Beginning in 1989, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival is the largest storytelling event in the world. Drawing heavily on traditional tale-tellers from Scotland — as well as international guests with stories from their own cultures, the festival is a very special celebration of the oral tradition. Skilled storytellers draw their audiences in, bringing together past and present, real and unreal, for an attractive 10 days.
Edinburgh International Children's Festival
Time: 25 May to 2 June
Edinburgh International Children's Festival is the one dedicated specifically to children. It brings some of the world's best theatre, dance and plays made for young people to Edinburgh for nine days of inspiring and entertaining shows and special events. The Festival began in 1980 and is now spread over 10 activity fields, attracting a loyal audience of 10,000 families, schools and artists.
1. What is the duration of Edinburgh International Science Festival?| A．About one week. | B．Less than 10 days. |
| C．About two weeks. | D．More than half a month. |
| A．Meet world-famous authors. | B．Buy all their favorite books. |
| C．Relax by listening to stories. | D．Share stories with audiences. |
| A．Edinburgh International Science Festival. |
| B．Edinburgh International Book Festival. |
| C．Scottish International Storytelling Festival. |
| D．Edinburgh International Children's Festival. |
6 . I had always heard that North Americans value independence, and that Europeans value, togetherness. But I never fully understood it until 2 months ago, when I left my Ph.D. lab in Canada for a 4-month research in a lab in France. On my first day, Pierre — a Ph.D. student whose desk is across from mine — tapped me on the shoulder and asked: "Coffee?" I nodded and followed him down the hallway to the common room, where other grad students were filing in. I sat there, cautiously sipping the bitter liquid five times stronger than my normal Americano and trying hard not to reveal my uncultured tastes, while lab chatter（闲聊）filled the air.
Coffee breaks are a routine part of work life here. The chatter sometimes turns to serious scientific topics. But mostly, the meetups offer a chance to unwind — to share stories about life inside and outside the lab and to connect with people who understand what you're going through.
The lighthearted atmosphere and sense of community is a welcome contrast to my life in Canada, where I spent most of my workdays all alone. I went into the lab each morning with set goals for my day. At lunch, I'd keep my eyes glued to my computer while I shoveled（大量送入）forkfuls of salad into my mouth, trying to power through my to-do list.
Our lab held weekly meetings where we'd take turns presenting our latest, work and getting feedback from colleagues. But we didn't take daily coffee breaks. My labmates and I were too busy collecting data and publishing papers.
Looking back now, I realize how much we were missing. Researchers need community because good ideas don't just come from reading literature and thinking deep thoughts; it's helpful to bounce ideas off others, particularly in a nonthreatening environment. It's also helpful to have a spot to share the day-to-day ups and downs of life as a grad student. How else are you supposed to know that you're not the only one suffering from challenges like anxiety?
1. What can we learn about the author from the first paragraph?| A．He has a European dependent personality. |
| B．He was ill at ease in the new environment. |
| C．He was ashamed of his uncultured background. |
| D．He is too vain to work with other grad students. |
| A．break away from his work life in Canada. |
| B．get involved in serious scientific topics. |
| C．relax and exchange ideas with people. |
| D．collecting data from his colleagues. |
| A．Demanding but satisfactory. |
| B．Impersonal but efficient. |
| C．Challenging and tiresome. |
| D．Stressful and independent. |
| A．Why Scientists Should Take Coffee breaks? |
| B．Coffee Inspires Creativity in Scientists |
| C．Lighthearted Atmosphere Counts |
| D．North American Life VS. European Life |
7 . When you go to a foreign country, you often enter a new culture. The differences between cultures may make you feel stressed and you often find it difficult to adjust to the new surroundings, which is usually called “culture shock”.
The psychological and physical symptoms of culture shock may appear depending on the individuals. Some often feel anxious while adjusting to a new culture—even more so when the cultural distances are wide.
A local club provides the perfect environment to get to know people who have a similar focus, so join one so that you can meet some locals and develop new friendships.
| A．They may lose appetite and have sleep problems. |
| B．Still, the most important change is communication. |
| C．They make a lot of effort to get used to the new surroundings. |
| D．The more of it is understood, the more of the new culture can be understood. |
| E．Learning about your future destination is a great way to get over culture shock. |
| F．Plus, remember that you aren’t alone in your struggle to adjust in a new country. |
| G．Actually, staying in a foreign country helps you to know more of the new culture. |
8 . In the UK, Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated on 5 November and the night skies are filled with color. It’s a special day in honor of a historic event.
In 1606 English Catholics were angry because the King of England, James I, was treating them badly. In protest (抗议), a group of men made a plan, known as the “Gunpowder Plot”, to blow up the House of Parliament in London. An huge explosion was planned for 5 November, the day the king was due to open parliament.
The group chose a man called Guy Fawkes to light the gunpowder. The plot did not succeed — the gunpowder was found before it exploded and all the men involved were arrested, beaten and executed. To celebrate his survival, King James ordered the people of England to have a bonfire on the night of 5 November.
On 5 November people remember the plot by celebrating Bonfire Night. All over Britain there are firework displays and bonfires with models of Guy Fawkes, made from clothes and filled with newspaper, which are burned on the fire. The fireworks are a reminder of the gunpowder that Guy Fawkes hid in the cellar of Parliament.
Children used to take home-made Guys onto the streets and ask for “a penny for the Guy” to collect money to buy fireworks. At the Edenbridge Display in Kent last year, a 9-meter “celebrity” Guy was burned of Wayne Rooney wearing Shrek-style ears and a Manchester United football shirt.
It’s normally quite cold in November in Britain, so on Bonfire Night people wear hats, scarves and gloves to spend the evening outside. Traditional Bonfire Night food is hot baked potatoes. There are also toffee apples and in the north of England they eat a special type of cake called parkin.
1. Why was 5 November chosen by “Gunpowder Plot”?| A．There would be a protest |
| B．There would be an explosion |
| C．James I would open parliament |
| D．James I would put Catholics to death |
| A．Scolded. | B．Punished. |
| C．Injured. | D．Killed. |
| A．Celebrities. | B．Fireworks. |
| C．Models of Guy Fawkes. | D．Bonfire Night foods. |
| A．Bonfire Night | B．Guy Fawkes |
| C．Gunpowder Plot Failed | D．Edenbridge Display Made It |
9 . Places to Spend Christmas in Canada
Quebec City
Quebec City would be a great place to spend the holidays, with stone streets, soft white snow, and some of the most historic and striking architecture in Canada. And there's a lot going on in the capital of La Belle Province, including an authentic German Christmas market where you can drink hot wine and look for gifts, and the chance to meet Santa Claus himself at Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac Hotel.
St. John's, Newfoundland
In St. John's, Newfoundland, people would disguise （伪装）themselves in whatever small objects they could find in their homes and show up on their neighbours doorsteps singing, dancing and celebrating—and not removing their masks until the neighbours correctly guessed their identities. This fun and festive tradition lives on with an annual Christmas festival, complete with workshops and a big parade that shows these simple disguises.
Niagara Falls, Ontario
The illumination （照明）of the magnificent waterfalls is part of Niagara Falls' annual Winter Festival of Lights, which sees more than three million lights lighted throughout the city. There are also weekly fireworks over the falls during the whole festival, and a number of other festive events, including musicals, shopping fairs and concerts.
Saskatoon
There are few bigger thrills than being a kid at Christmas, especially if you live in Saskatoon. A recent study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that Saskatoon has the highest number of candy and toy stores, in the country, and a very good probability of having snow on December 25. It's the perfect combination for a magical Christmas! Grown-ups will also appreciate the booming food scene.
1. Which place will you go if you are interested in historic buildings?| A．Quebec City. | B．St. John's. |
| C．Niagara Falls. | D．Saskatoon. |
| A．Market. | B．Wine. |
| C．Light. | D．Snow. |
| A．Babies. | B．Children. |
| C．Grown-ups. | D．Senior citizens. |
10 . SuperCamps
We are a leading provider of childcare in the UK, offering OFSTED registered holiday camps to children aged 4 to 14 throughout the school holidays. Operating at 60＋ locations, we have holiday camps available in London and the South East, as far south as Cornwall and all the way up to North Yorkshire. Whether you are looking for fun holiday clubs and kid activities, a five-day specialist holiday camp for older children or a combination of the two to keep your children entertained throughout the school holidays, we have your childcare covered!
Our multi-activity holiday camps offer an abundance of fun, age-oriented(导向的)activities(4-5-year-olds, 6-9-year-olds and 10-12-year-olds), from swimming and go-karting to arts and crafts and LEGO workshops. These day camps are a great choice for parents looking for regular childcare service, available as individual days or a week at a time.
For children looking for a school holiday experience, our specialist holiday camps are the ideal choice. Our Cookery: International Cuisine, a 5-day specialist course is a cookery camp with a difference, where children can really master their cooking skills!
Bushcraft: Rainforest Adventure is the perfect outdoor adventure camp for children with a passion for bush craft and survival skills, with activities like Laser Tag and making campfires to inspire the interest of young adventurers !
Meanwhile, our LEGO Play course is a holiday camp focusing on the art of building amazing creations with LEGO bricks. This camp really motivates the imagination of children in a way that only uses LEGO bricks !
All new for 2019, our Chelsea Foundation FC Camps invite all football fans to take a shot at our Multi-Dimensional soccer camps! Children will receive hours of on-pitch training and competition with Chelsea FC approved coaches, as well as hours of off-pitch sessions around nutrition, recovery and lifestyle!
To find your nearest holiday camp, simply enter your postcode or town in the box above or choose your camp by county here and BOOK ONLINE TODAY!
1. What’s the author’s purpose in writing the text?| A．To advertise holiday camps. | B．To encourage donations. |
| C．To introduce camping skills. | D．To tell the history of SuperCamps. |
| A．It operates camps all over the world. |
| B．It provides camps for people of all ages. |
| C．It asks parents to send children to the nearest camp. |
| D．It organizes different activities for different age groups. |
| A．Cookery: International Cuisine. | B．Bushcraft: Rainforest Adventure. |
| C．LEGO Play. | D．Chelsea Foundation FC Camps. |
