1 . There is more of a connection between food and culture than you may think. On an individual level, we grow up eating the food of our culture. It becomes a part of who we are. Many associate food from our childhood with warm feelings and good memories and it ties us to our families, holding a special and personal value for us. Food from our families often becomes the comfort food we seek as adults in times of frustration and stress.
On a large scale, traditional food is an important part of culture. It also operates as an expression of cultural identity. Immigrants bring it wherever they go, and it is a symbol of pride in their culture and means of coping with homesickness.
Many immigrants open their own restaurants and serve traditional dishes. However, the food does not remain exactly the same. Some materials needed to make traditional dishes may not be readily available, so the taste and flavour can be different from what they would prepare in their home countries. Additionally, immigrants do not only sell dishes to people from the same countries as them, but to people from different countries. Therefore, they have to make small changes in the original dishes to cater to a wider range of customers. Those changes can create new flavours that still keep the cultural significance of the dishes.
We should not only embrace our heritage (传统) through our culture’s food, but also become more informed about other cultures by trying their food. It is important to remember that each dish has a special place in the culture to which it belongs, and is special to those who prepare it. Food is a window on culture, and it should be treated as such.
1. What’s the function of food mentioned in the text?A.To help motivate homesickness. |
B.To show cultural identity. |
C.To reflect a country’s history. |
D.To show a community’s superiority. |
A.The specific traditional food. |
B.The national culture. |
C.A traditional expression of food. |
D.The old-fashioned taste. |
A.To attach cultural importance to their dishes. |
B.To announce the beginning of their life on foreign soil. |
C.To make the dishes popular among customers. |
D.To present their own food culture in a new way. |
A.Negative. |
B.Balanced. |
C.Unfair. |
D.Unchangeable. |
2 . The “24 solar terms” (节气) originated and was first used in China. It was created thousands of years ago on the basis of practical needs of agricultural. Ancient Chinese people used it to guide agricultural production, explain special climate signs and even come up with healthy living tips. Last year, the 24 solar terms was added to UNESCO's world cultural heritage list(联合国教科文组织世界文化遗产名录). Now, it has been brought to life thanks to a creative designer from Southwest China's Guizhou Province.
On the eve of this year's Qingming Festival, Shi Changhong released (发布) his version of reproduced and packaged characters for each solar term in the form of “moving art” of gifs. Since their first release on Zcool on March 29, the gifs have won great praise among the general public and quickly flooded the social media with millions of hits during the festival period.
To maximize publicity, Shi released his work in three forms: the video, the animation and pictures. The background sounds add to the brilliance.
“When I watch the short video, I can strongly feel the Chinese-style elements hidden in it. And it is really cool to liven up traditional Chinese culture in such a unique way.” WeChat user Xiao Feifei said.
“It is really a comfort to me to see so many people like my latest work. To be honest, it would really surprise me if the work had not aroused great interest among Chinese people. The 24 solar terms is a deeply rooted concept that covers the essence of Chinese wisdom. However, only a small portion of people know all the names or the correct order of those terms. My intention is to increase Chinese people’s self-awareness to learn more about our traditional fine culture. Actually, the 24 solar terms work is only a part of my whole design program ‘Charm China’, which I started a year ago.” Shi told China Daily.
1. Which part of the newspaper does the text probably belong to?A.Travel. | B.Culture. | C.Agriculture. | D.Education. |
A.Newspaper. | B.Magazine. |
C.Radio broadcast. | D.Website. |
A.The background sounds of the work make the video more attractive. |
B.It really surprised Shi Changhong to see so many people like his latest work. |
C.Most people know all the names or the correct order of the 24 solar terms. |
D.The 24 solar terms work designed by Shi Changhong was added to UNESCO’s heritage list. |
A.To introduce a creative designer. |
B.To introduce the 24 solar terms work. |
C.To introduce the origin of the 24 solar terms. |
D.To introduce a design program “Charm China”. |
3 . Maybe you have heard the expression—when in Rome, do as the Romans do. So when you want to do business in France, you have to get to know French culture, to make marketing plans, and to run your business by local laws.
The first thing you should do when meeting someone new is to shake his hand firmly and always look the person in the eye. In social meeting with friends, kissing is common.
Use first names only after being invited to.
Dress well.
The French are passionate about food, so lunches are common in doing business in France, which usually consist of an appetizer (开胃菜), a main meal with wine, cheese, dessert and coffee, and normally take up to two hours.
Do not begin eating until the host says “bon appetite”. Pass dishes to the left, keep wrists above the table and try to eat everything on the plate.
A.The French draw information about people based on their appearance. |
B.This is a time for relationship building. |
C.Remember to be as polite as possible. |
D.Language should be the focus of anyone planning to do business in France. |
E.Be careful with adding salt, pepper or sauces to your food. |
F.Use Monsieur or Madame before the surname. |
G.Make an appointment with your business partner in advance. |
4 . The Statue of Liberty is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom. It was extremely generous of the people of France to give it to the American people, especially as the money was raised by donations from the public who recognized what the countries had in common. After all, both nations had fought revolutions to secure their nationhood.
Nowadays, it seems as though the gift has been returned with interest with the foundation of Euro Disney near Paris. Nevertheless, many French people feel it symbolizes a kind of “cultural colonialism”. To tell the truth, I would not welcome the presence of such a theme park in the middle of England, for the same reason. Mind you, neither England nor France has ever been afraid to export their own culture and values.
Anyway, it is not difficult to understand why they chose to build Euro Disney near Paris. It is a geographically logical site, in the centre of continental Europe, right by the capital city with its own attractions and so on. All the same, was it a culturally logical decision? There is the issue of “cultural colonialism” which I have already mentioned. What’s more, do the French need Mickey Mouse when they have their own cartoon hero in the form of the brave little Gaul, Asterix? Euro Disney’s rival the Parc Asterix has proved a popular destination for families wanting a day out. By the way, Parc Asterix is an easy drive from Paris too. Millions of dollars have been poured into Euro Disney to provide a top class attraction but the thing is, can visitors expect an authentic American welcome? The answer must surely be “no”! There again, Euro Disney is a cheaper option for most Europeans than going all the way to the States.
All in all I would rather create theme parks which celebrated my own heroes than accept those from elsewhere. In a word, this is because it is not always possible to transport culture—like some wines they do not travel well. In the future I will take my family to Florida to Disney World and the Magic Kingdom.
However, until that day arrives we won't be going to Euro Disney. There is a time and place for everything.
1. As for Euro Disney, many French people________.A.are unhappy with it | B.show no interest in it |
C.treat it with extreme caution | D.think it a reward for the Statue of Liberty |
A.partner | B.competitor | C.neighbor | D.customer |
A.Euro Disney can’t provide real American service. |
B.Parc Asterix is more expensive than Euro Disney. |
C.Theme parks should accept popular heroes. |
D.American culture isn’t popular around the world. |
A.The Development of Euro Disney |
B.French’s Argument against Euro Disney |
C.The Popularity of Euro Disney |
D.French’s Disagreement about American Culture |
5 . It is always said that China is the homeland of tea, which has a very long history of tea.
➢Color
➢Flavor(味道)
New tea is extremely clear and transparent with strong aroma(芳香), while old tea is characterized by brown color and weak fragrance. Take green tea and black tea for example, new green tea tastes a little bitter first, and then the fresh sweet taste begins to surface gradually, leaving a long and memorable after taste in mouth.
➢Place of origin
There is great gap of quality among various places of origin.
A.Every tea leaf has its own shape. |
B.Some varieties are identified by tightness of the leaves. |
C.It is always advised to select tea from its main producing areas. |
D.While you’re selecting tea, you should pay attention to following aspects. |
E.For foreigners in China, drinking tea may seem like simple refreshment(提神). |
F.Generally, new tea leaves look fresh and pleasing, with light green or dark green. |
G.On the contrary, if bitter taste takes the lead and fresh sweet taste subsides(减弱), it is black tea. |
6 . If you learned about Thanksgiving in an American elementary school, chances are that the holiday is in honor of how the Pilgrim(清教徒)of Plymouth, Mass, celebrated the harvest by enjoying a dinner with their friendly Indian neighbors. This story is inspired by a real 1621 meal, which reflects neither the 17th century nor the 21st century understanding of it.
An 1889 novel that described Thanksgiving as an outdoor feast became a best-seller. The growing ad industry helped spread popular images of the tale. By the 1920s, Thanksgiving was the most talked-about holiday in U.S. classrooms. The parts that made the colonists(殖民者)look bad were left out.
However, many classrooms are beginning to change. And on a recent Saturday morning in Washington D.C., about two dozens teachers went to the National Museum of the American Indian to learn a better way to teach the Thanksgiving story. When Gokey, the museum’s teacher-services worker, explained that early Thanksgivings celebrated the burning of a Pequot village in 1637 and the killing of Wampanoag leader Massasoit’s son, listeners felt shocked.
“I look back now and realize I was teaching a lot of wrong facts and ideas,” Tonia Parker, a second-grade teacher told TIME.
Teachers like the ones at the workshop know that change is coming, and state social-studies standards increasingly encourage students to look at history from multiple angles. Moreover, teaching a better lesson about thankfulness is something anyone can support.
At the workshop in Washington, after learning something new, participants learned to say Wado. That Cherokee word means “Thank you”.
1. What did Americans learn about Thanksgiving from the elementary school?A.It was first celebrated in 1889. |
B.It was a family feast for the Pilgrims. |
C.It reflected the real history of the 17th century. |
D.It showed the friendship between the Pilgrims and Indians. |
A.To confirm the importance of the holiday. |
B.To prepare for the changing of the classroom. |
C.To find a more appropriate way to teach Thanksgiving. |
D.To correct their misunderstanding about Thanksgiving. |
A.Wado means “Thank you ”in Cherokee. |
B.Lessons about thankfulness are increasingly popular. |
C.Participants at the workshop learned to support each other. |
D.Students are encouraged to see history from different aspects. |
A.The Importance of Thanksgiving Education |
B.Thanksgiving: a Holiday with a Hidden Truth |
C.Thanksgiving: a Holiday Popularized by a Novel |
D.The Reform of Education in American Classrooms |
7 . International tourism is becoming interestingly popular, and large numbers of people from all over the world come to visit famous places such as the Great Wall of China and the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.
As for the damage, there are many different causes. For example, the paintings in the Sistine Chapel are being damaged by people breathing onto them when they visit.
In short, it is necessary to control tourism at famous places.
A.For example, special paths can be built. |
B.What can we do to deal with these problems? |
C.The Great Wall was built over 2,000 years ago. |
D.However, these visitors have caused many problems. |
E.Traveling is the best way for us to get to know the world. |
F.If we do not do this, these places will disappear from our planet. |
G.Their breath contains very small drops of water that are present in the air. |
8 . Edinburgh is the world’s festival city. There are 12 festivals throughout the year, half of which are celebrated during the months of July and August.
Hundreds of thousands of people visit the Scottish capital during the summer. Here are some of the events they can enjoy:
The Edinburgh International Festival
This is the original Edinburgh festival, which began in 1947. actors, musicians, dancers and opera singers from all over the world perform to huge audiences. You need tickets for most events which take place in theaters around the city.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe
This is the largest arts festival in the world with thousands of show taking place across the city. More than 20,000 artists take part, as the festival is open to anyone. Visitors can choose from a huge variety of acts. Join thousands of visitors and locals at the Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s main street, to watch all kinds of performers and shows.
The Edinburgh International Book Festival
The largest book festival in the world began in 1983 and take place every year in Charlotte Square Gardens, in the centre of Edinburgh. There are more than 700 events for children and adults who love books. You can meet many authors, talk to them, ask them to sign a book or listen to them talk about their stories. Children can listen to stories and watch painters draw pictures.
The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival
Music lovers come to this festival to enjoy music shows around the city. One of the highlights of this musical event is the street carnival, which is free to all. Artists perform street theatre, dance and circus shows in amazing costumes, and everyone can join in the dancing.
1. Which of the festivals is the most attractive to the bookworms around the world?A.The Edinburgh International Festival | B.The Edinburgh Festival Fringe |
C.The Edinburgh International Book Festival | D.The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival |
A.They can take part in a street carnival. |
B.They can enjoy the performances of a great many performers. |
C.They communicate with some famous authors from all over the world. |
D.They can join the locals at Charlotte Square Gardens to watch all kinds of shows. |
A.In a history book. | B.In a tourist brochure |
C.In an encyclopedia | D.In an art magazine. |
9 . If Confucius(孔子)were still alive today and could celebrate his September 28 birthday with a big cake, there would be a lot of candles. He'd need a fan or a strong wind to help him put them out.
While many people in China will remember Confucius on his special day, few people in the United States will give him a passing thought. It's nothing personal. Most Americans don't even remember the birthdays of their own national heroes.
But this doesn't mean that Americans don't care about Confucius. In many ways he has become a bridge that foreigners must cross if they want to reach a deeper understanding of China.
In the past two decades, the Chinese studies programs have gained huge popularity in Western universities. More recently, the Chinese government has set up Confucius Institutes in more than 80 countries. These schools teach both Chinese language and culture. The main courses of Chinese culture usually include Chinese art, history and
philosophy(哲学). Some social scientists suggest that Westerners should take advantage of the ancient Chinese wisdom to make up for the drawbacks(缺陷)of Western philosophy. Students in the United States, at the same time, are racing to learn Chinese. So they will be ready for life in a world where China is an equal power with the United States. Businessmen who hope to make money in China are reading books about Confucius to understand their Chinese customers.
So the old thinker's ideas are still alive and well.
Today China attracts the West more than ever, and it will need more teachers to introduce Confucius and Chinese culture to the West.
As for the old thinker, he will not soon be forgotten by people in the West, even if his birthday is.
1. The opening paragraph is mainly intended to______________.A.provide some key facts about Confucius |
B.attract the readers' interest in the subject |
C.show great respect for the ancient thinker |
D.prove the popularity of modern birthday celebrations |
A.have a great interest in studying Chinese |
B.take an active part in Chinese competitions |
C.try to get high scores in Chinese exams |
D.fight for a chance to learn Chinese |
A.Forgotten Wisdom in America |
B.Huge Fans of the Chinese Language |
C.Chinese Culture for Westerners |
D.Old Thinker with a Big Future |
A.a personal biography | B.a history paper |
C.a cultural newspaper | D.a philosophy textbook |
10 . Earth Day was founded in 1970 as a day of education about environmental issues, and Earth Day 2020 occurs on Wednesday, April 22—the holiday’s 50th anniversary. The holiday is now a global celebration that’s sometimes extended into Earth Week, a full seven days of events focused on green living.
By the early 1960s, Americans were becoming aware of the effects of pollution on the environment. Rachael Carson’s 1962 bestseller Silent Spring pointed out the dangerous effects of pesticides(杀虫剂) on the American countryside. Later in the decade, a 1969 fire on Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River shed light on the problem of chemical waste disposal. Until that time, protecting the planet’s natural resources was not part of the national political plan. Only a small portion of the American population was familiar with environmental issues—let alone practiced-recycling.
Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1962, Senator(参议员) Gaylord Nelson was determined to convince the federal government that the planet was at risk. In the fall of 1969, Nelson, considered one of the leaders of the modern environmental movement, announced the Earth Day concept at a conference in Seattle and invited the entire nation to get involved. He later recalled: “The response was electric. Telegrams, letters and telephone inquiries poured in from all across the country. The American people finally had an opportunity to express their concern about what was happening to the land, rivers, lakes and air.”
The first Earth Day was effective at raising awareness about environmental issues and changing public attitudes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), “Public opinions polls(投票) indicate that in May 1971, 25 percent of the U.S. public declared protecting the environment to be an important goal, a 2,500 percent increase over 1969.”
Earth Day kicked off the “environmental decade with a bang,” as Senator Nelson later put it. During the 1970s, a number of important environmental laws were passed, among them the Clean Air Act, the Water Quality Improvement Act and the Endangered Species Act, etc. Another key development was the establishment of the EPA in December 1970, which was tasked with protecting human health and safeguarding the natural environment—air, water and land.
1. What do we learn about the circumstances in America before Earth Day was founded?A.The overuse of pesticides had little impact on the American countryside. |
B.The fire on Cuyahoga River was caused by improper chemical waste disposal. |
C.The government highly valued protecting the natural resources on this planet. |
D.Only a few Americans were familiar with environmental issues and practiced-recycling. |
A.Nelson convinced the federal government that the planet was at risk. |
B.Nelson organized the modern environmental movement all by himself. |
C.The Earth Day successfully aroused the public’s interest in environmental issues. |
D.The electric power supply had been cut off due to numerous telephone inquiries poured in. |
A.collect public opinions. | B.kick off the environmental decade. |
C.change public attitudes. | D.protect human beings and nature. |
A.Earth Day celebrations have grown and spread around the globe. |
B.EPA protect human health and our natural environment. |
C.The environmental laws come into effect. |
D.Senator Nelson’s remarkable achievements. |