1 . Some foreigners who love Chinese culture try to explain China to the world. Some of them write books, while others have become vloggers. They provide a different perspective to understand Chinese people and culture.
Fuchsia Dunlop
Fuchsia Dunlop is an English writer and cook. She is the author of the book A Sweet-Sour Memoir of Eating in China. She writes about her fascinating journey as she explores China through first-hand experiences. From Sichuan and Gansu, to Fujian and Jiangsu, Dunlop shows the diverse food culture in China in a humorous way.
Peter Hessler
American writer Peter Hessler came to China in 1996 and travelled the country for over 10 years. He published a series of non-fiction works about China, including River Town, Oracle Bones and Country Driving. These works are mainly about modern life in China and include his own experiences and interviews in China.
Jerry Kowal
Jerry Kowal is an American YouTube vlogger. He became popular in China for his videos on cultural differences between China and the US. For example, he made a series of videos showing and explaining the COVID-19 pandemic in both China and the US.
Takeuchi Ryo
Takeuchi Ryo is a Japanese director. His documentary Long Time No See, Wuhan was brought into the spotlight in 2020. It presents the real lives of 10 ordinary families in Wuhan after the city lifted the lockdown. He has lived in Nanjing, Jiangsu, for seven years. He said that he wanted to promote understanding among people in the two nations. “That’s the key reason why I live in China,” he said.
1. From which book can the readers learn about Chinese food culture?| A．A Sweet-Sour Memoir of Eating in China. | B．River Town. |
| C．Oracle Bones. | D．Country Driving. |
| A．Fictional account. | B．Food culture. |
| C．Contemporary life. | D．Current affairs. |
| A．They are vloggers from English speaking countries. |
| B．They came to live in China for the same reason. |
| C．Their works mainly explain cultural differences. |
| D．They both try to promote mutual understanding between people in two countries. |
2 . Born in Wuzhen in Zhejiang, Qian Lihuai has a unique bond with bamboo and whether it’s in the form of indoor bamboo bonsai or backyard bamboo groves, the material is an essential element in his home.
Qian grew up in the village known for its bamboo weaving and after studying industrial design at the Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, he began to develop an interest in the technique, learning how to do it himself.
He also traveled widely in Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces to learn local bamboo weaving techniques. “The variations are quite large in amount across the regions, and bamboo weaving comes in a wide arrange of forms. It’s sometimes used to make agricultural tools, sometimes to make daily necessities, and sometimes for artistic purposes.” Qian said. “In Wuzhen, each place focuses on producing a specific item. For instance, our village’s distinguishing feature is in making bamboo trays especially for raising silkworms.”
During a visit to a traditional basket maker in Shengzhou, Zhejiang, Qian saw that instead of using nails to fasten the basket together, the craftsman used a slanting (倾斜的) cut on the bamboo to create a precise fit that caused the joint to not be noticed. “I rarely encounter such a level of craftsmanship. He even creates small molds and modifies tools himself to improve the weaving process,” Qian says.
During his visits, he was moved by the dedication of the weavers to their craft. These experiences inspired him to return to his hometown of Wuzhen and throw himself into the bamboo weaving industry in 2013.
Bamboo techniques he has developed or improved are now widely used in everything from home furnishings to clothing, part of a growing trend toward replacing the use of plastic with bamboo, that demonstrates a continuity of the traditional Chinese culture in which bamboo has long been cherished as a topic for arts and a material for daily objects that we use in our home.
1. Why does he has a special bond with bamboo?| A．Because of the living environment. | B．Because of university majors. |
| C．Because of his interest. | D．Because of his family background. |
| A．There are cultural differences in different regions. |
| B．Bamboo grows in many places. |
| C．Bamboo weaving techniques have diversity and uniqueness. |
| D．Bamboo weaving techniques are used in raising silkworms. |
| A．His bamboo weaving experiences. |
| B．His experience of visiting bamboo weaving craftsmen. |
| C．The rare level of craftsmanship among craftsmen. |
| D．Craftsmen’ s dedication to bamboo weaving. |
| A．Weaving the wonder of bamboo. |
| B．Development of Bamboo techniques. |
| C．Bamboo woven items at home. |
| D．A visit to a traditional basket maker. |
3 . Here are a few interesting facts about Teachers’ Day around the world.
China celebrates Teachers’ Day on September 10. The tradition began in the 1980s to improve teachers lives and status and encourage everyone to respect teachers.
In India, Teachers’ Day is celebrated on September 5, in honor of Dr. Radhakrishnan. He was India’s second president and a person who believed in good education. Traditionally on this day, the teaching is done by the senior students while the teachers get a much-deserved break from their work.
The United Nations (联合国) has made October 5 World Teachers’ Day. This special day was started to let the world see what teachers have done and listen to the teachers’ worries and the things they want to change.
In the United States, National Teachers’ Day is always on the Tuesday of the first week of May, so the actual date is different every year. The history of celebrating this day goes back to 1944.
In Germany, Teachers’ Day is celebrated on June 12 every year. People will express their respect to teachers with many activities. Teachers always receive prizes, presents, beautiful cards and other things.
Teachers’ Day is celebrated in Brunei (文莱) on September 23.
January 15 is Teachers’ Day in Venezuela (委内瑞拉).
North Korea celebrates Teachers Day on September 5.
1. How many countries mentioned in the passage have their Teachers’ Day?| A．7. | B．8. | C．6. | D．9. |
| A．Radhakrishnan was the first president of India. |
| B．Radhakrishnan attached great importance to education. |
| C．On Teachers’ Day the teachers in India are still working hard. |
| D．Teachers’ Day is celebrated on December 5 in India. |
| A．To encourage everyone to respect and honor teachers. |
| B．To let the world realize teachers’ contributions and encourage people to care about and help teachers. |
| C．To see what teachers have done in the year. |
| D．To have a dialogue with teachers. |
| A．India. | B．Germany. |
| C．Brunei. | D．Venezuela. |
4 . Wu Ming is a young German born after 1995. Wu is a big fan of Chinese culture, such as the Shaolin kung fu, a traditional Chinese martial art. He has been learning traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) since 2016, almost seven years. Now he is studying for his master’s degree at Henan University of Chinese Medicine.
As he thought some diseases can’t be treated thoroughly with Western medicine, he decided to dig into TCM. Wu came to Central China’s Henan province in 2015, where a strong TCM culture can be enjoyed. After one-year of learning Chinese language, he started to learn Chinese medicine. “TCM is one of the best-protected aspects of Chinese culture”, said Wu. He hopes to solve problems and understand Chinese culture deeply by learning TCM.
In the early stages, Wu always tasted some Chinese herbal medicine by himself, just like ShenNong, a character in ancient Chinese stories, who tasted most of the herbal medicine himself. To overcome difficulties in communicating, he also learned and practiced Chinese, especially the Henan dialect, as his teachers, schoolmates, and even some patients speak in Henan dialect in their daily conversations. Although sometimes he still has trouble telling the difference between Mandarin and the dialect, he can use the Henan dialect to communicate with others.
Studying TCM also changed Wu’s mind and lifestyle. He used to be addicted to electronic devices and stay up late every night, trapped in this fast but unhealthy daily life. But now, according to the Yin-Yang principle in TCM, he lives a balanced and peaceful life, practicing good habits such as drinking tea and reading ancient books.
In Wu’s opinion, there’s no big difference between China and Western countries. “We are the same. Misunderstanding comes from being out of touch”, said Wu. He plans to run a traditional Chinese clinic in China or Germany after graduation, which could serve as a bridge between the two countries and attract public attention to TCM and its culture.
1. What is Wu’s purpose of studying TCM?| A．To get his master’s degree. | B．To prove his learning abilities. |
| C．To test some Chinese herbal medicine. | D．To better treat diseases and understand Chinese culture. |
| A．By reading ancient Chinese books. |
| B．By learning and practicing the Henan dialect. |
| C．By asking his teachers, schoolmates and patients for advice. |
| D．By studying the difference between Mandarin and the Henan dialect. |
| A．He stays up late every night. | B．He lives a fast and healthy lifestyle. |
| C．He is addicted to electronic devices. | D．He develops a good habit of drinking tea. |
5 . Welcome to Yale University’s Thanksgiving festivities! Join us for a variety of events, blending tradition and community spirit for everyone.
Thanksgiving Parade and Campus Potluck (百家餐)
Time: Thanksgiving Day, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Yale Old Campus
Activities: Immerse yourself in the vibrant Thanksgiving parade featuring spirited floats, the Yale marching band, and talented performers. Following the parade, join the campus potluck on Old Campus. Contribute a dish to share and connect with fellow Yale students. This cherished tradition is an excellent opportunity to experience the warmth of the Yale community.
Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Showcase
Time : Thanksgiving Morning, 9:00 AM
Location: Yale Art Gallery
Activities: Discover a diverse array of arts and crafts meticulously crafted by Yale’s talented artists. Find unique, handmade gifts for the upcoming holiday season and enjoy live performances and local food vendors. Kick-start your holiday shopping while supporting the artistic talents thriving within the Yale community.
Turkey Dash 5K Run
Time: The Weekend Before Thanksgiving, 9:30 AM
Location: Yale Bowl
Activities: Begin your Thanksgiving weekend with a spirited 5K run or walk around the picturesque Yale Bowl. Open to all fitness levels, participants are encouraged to bring extra goods to give them to local charities, promoting wellness and community support.
Gobble ‘n’ Games Family Fest
Time: The Saturday Before Thanksgiving, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Beinecke Plaza
Activities: Bring your family for an afternoon of joy and games at Beinecke Plaza. Enjoy sack races (袋鼠跳), face painting, pumpkin decorating, and a pie-eating contest. Local food trucks will be on-site to keep you fueled. This family-friendly event is a delightful way to usher in the holiday season with laughter and connection.
1. What do Thanksgiving Parade and Campus Potluck, and Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Showcase have in common?| A．Both events occur on Thanksgiving Day. |
| B．Free handmade gifts are provided at both events. |
| C．Participants should be students on old campus. |
| D．Both activities have a long history. |
| A．Bringing a Turkey for Thanksgiving Day. |
| B．Donating food to organizations for helping people in need. |
| C．Wearing costumes representing who you are. |
| D．Having a recommendation from your own community. |
| A．Face painting. | B．A pie-eating contest. | C．Pumpkin decorating. | D．Truck racing. |
6 . The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Start of Autumn, the 13th solar term, reflects the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The fruitful season is approaching. The following are several things you should know about it.
“Autumn Tiger”
Although Start of Autumn indicates the beginning of autumn, hot weather won’t come to an end. The period of hot days after Start of Autumn, is called “Autumn Tiger”. Because of decreasing rainfall, it is even more sweltering (闷热的) during this period than during Major Heat.
Eating longans
The Start of Autumn period is harvest time for Taiwan longan. People believe that eating longan will help their children become senior officials.
Eating red beans
Starting from the Tang Dynasty and the Song Dynasty, people in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, have eaten red beans on Start of Autumn day. They take 7 to 14 little beans, swallowing them with well water. When taking the beans, one must face west, it is said, so as not to get dysentery (痢疾) during the autumn.
Eating gourds (葫芦)
During the Qing Dynasty, people would put gourds outside for a day before the Start of Autumn, and eat them on Start of Autumn day to drive off the summer heat.
Today people in Tianjin still keep this custom, believing that eating melons such as towel gourd, white gourd and bitter gourd can prevent diarrhea (腹泻) in autumn.
1. What causes “Autumn Tiger” according to the passage?| A．The reducing rainfall. | B．The ending of summer. |
| C．The approaching autumn. | D．The beginning of the solar term. |
| A．To avoid heat. | B．To keep the custom. |
| C．To prevent diseases. | D．To help children become senior officials. |
| A．Sports. | B．Culture. | C．Entertainment. | D．Politics. |
7 . In 2018, the town of Carefree, in the USA was seeking a pumpkin carver to help their newly-planned Enchanted Pumpkin Garden Festival become an instant success. Luckily for them, the sculptor Ray Villafane fell in love with the four-acre Carefree Desert Gardens and agreed to carve pumpkins for the tourists. Then, the festival became a hit in 2018. Now the annual event, which began to take place from October 19 to October 28, in 2011, includes many fun activities for both kids and adults. However, it is the pumpkin carvings that remain the star attraction.
This year, Villafane and his team reached the garden in early October to carve the popular “pickled pumpkins”. Placed inside tanks resembling some kinds of plants to fit in with the environment, the 3D pumpkin artworks were put in a special liquid that helped preserve them for a longer period of time.
Throughout the festival, Villafane and his team also held several live demonstrations, adding to the impressive carved pumpkins on exhibition. They also volunteered to give many pumpkin-carving fans valuable tips.
Besides the wonderful carvings, guests had the chance to go into a pumpkin world, complete with tales. The tales featured pumpkin dead bodies running through the grass, and a group of helpless pumpkins attempting to free their peers imprisoned by a scary-looking figure with only bones. Then, there were the hard-working rats who were sewing a pumpkin.
The highlight of the festival came on October 27, when Villafane transformed a huge pumpkin into a dinosaur. The festival also featured activities including pie-eating matches, story-telling, face painting, and pumpkin-carving matches.
Villafane’s skill first came to light in 1996 after he sculpted a pumpkin for his students during Halloween. In 2007, while still teaching, he decided to use his skills to create action figures for Marvel Comics. Over the next two years, the artist created numerous popular characters. In 2009, Villafane accepted a full-time position about carving toys at DC Comics. In 2013, he finally decided to go after his true love — pumpkin carving. Since he first began carving, the expert has sculpted 2,576 pieces of outstanding works in 102 cities around the world.
The expert using basic carving tools for his most complex creations stands out in the festival.
1. How did the festival held in Carefree become very popular and successful in 2018?| A．Thanks to the fantastic songs and dances. |
| B．Owing to the pumpkins carved by Villafane. |
| C．Due to the four-acre Carefree Desert Gardens. |
| D．On account of quite a few celebrities attending it. |
| A．Some large mouses eating a pumpkin. |
| B．Pumpkin dead bodies running through the forest. |
| C．Pumpkins trying to fight against a figure with only bones. |
| D．A pumpkin dinosaur attempting to free helpless pumpkins. |
| A．In1996. | B．In 2007. | C．In 2009. | D．In 2013. |
| A．Sports. | B．Innovation. | C．Politics. | D．Culture. |
8 . One of the world’s oldest preserved human settlements has been significantly damaged by pouring rain in Pakistan as the country battles the worst floods in its history.
Moenjodaro, a World Heritage site in the Indus River valley 508 kilometers (316 miles) from Karachi, was built in the Bronze Age, some 5,000 years ago. “Unfortunately we witnessed the mass destruction at the site,” reads a letter from the Cultural, Tourism & Antiquities Department of Singh state sent to UNESCO and signed by director Ihsan Ali Abbasi and architect Naveed Ahmed Sangah. The letter adds the site was being used as temporary accommodation for surrounding residents whose own homes had flooded.
Moenjodaro’s significance can’t be underestimated when it was added to UNESCO’s register in 1980, the organization wrote that Moenjodaro “bears exceptional proof to the Indus civilization,” comprising “the most ancient planned city on the Indian subcontinent”.
The letter explains some of the immediate actions the site team has taken to mitigate the flood damage, like bringing in water pumps and repairing brickwork. But it’s clear that these measures will not be enough.
Abbasi and Sangah ended their letter by asking for 100 million Pakistani rupees ($45 million) to cover the costs of full repairs. UNESCO has responded to the request for help, allocating $350,000 from its emergency fund for damaged historic sites in Pakistan during UN Secretary General António Guterres’s visit to the flood-stricken country this week.
The funds will go to Moenjodaro and other sites including the Amri Museum. While the sum is far less than needed to fully repair the sites, it will pay for urgent work while UNESCO and local organization consider the best way forward. Sadly, the conservators of Moenjodaro have known for some time that flooding could bring a serious risk to the site.
In their letter, Abbasi and Sangah express concern that Moenjodaro could be added to the list of UNESCO sites in danger, which the preservation body updates periodically to highlight historic places that are at severe risk of ruin.
1. What makes Moenjodaro special to Pakistan?| A．The geographic feature it bears. |
| B．The role it played in fighting floods. |
| C．The mass destruction it suffered in history. |
| D．The value it holds in history and architecture. |
| A．Reduce. | B．Suffer. | C．Avoid. | D．Assess. |
| A．Creative. | B．Worrying. | C．Impractical. | D．Satisfactory. |
| A．Pakistan’s Deadly Floods Causing Widespread Damage |
| B．Moenjodaro Calling for Attention to Its Severe Damage |
| C．Moenjodaro Added to the List of UNESCO Sites in Danger |
| D．Pakistan UNESCO Site Moenjodaro Badly Damaged by Flooding |
9 . Traditional Chinese culture featured noticeably in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Hangzhou Asian Games. While they stressed the solar terms, the he-he culture, meaning harmony and cooperation, was a common thread that ran through them.
Each of the 24 solar terms coincides with (与……一致) events in the natural world. The terms were put forward more than 2,000 years ago to guide not only agricultural activities, but also customs concerning food, dressing and social life. Nowadays, although Chinese people refer to more modern systems in daily life, except for in the agricultural area, they maintain a strong emotional and cultural bond with the solar terms as reminders of the wit (才智), creativity and diligence (勤奋) of their ancestors.
“I previously had no connection to Hangzhou, but now, after the closing ceremony, I think I share a special bond with this city, said Wan Li, a 22-year-old college student at Fujian Normal University. “Watching the ceremony was also a wonderful chance for me to learn about the he-he culture, in which I was uninterested before.”
Kong Xianglong, a research assistant who worked in Hangzhou on an Asian Games research program and watched the ceremonies, expressed his admiration for the show as well as the Asian Games volunteers, who he said were walking examples of the he-he culture.
“The dance performances were absolutely attractive, a perfect display of the he-he idea and a highlight of the Asian Games,” Kong told Beijing Review. “The considerate service the volunteers provided every day actually invited people to learn about the he-he culture, which moved me a lot.”
Pakistani cricketer Muhammad said he believes that the opening and closing ceremonies played an important role in bringing people from different countries together. “I saw a lot of different countries’ athletes coming together, sharing their cultures and performing. I see a huge success,” he told Xinhua News Agency.
1. What can be learned about the solar terms?| A．They thoroughly guide modern life. | B．They belong to the past. |
| C．They lend to be ignored. | D．They apply to farming. |
| A．It stimulated her passion for Chinese culture. |
| B．It strengthened her bond with the world. |
| C．It deepened her understanding of the Games. |
| D．It restored her confidence in the athletes. |
| A．They bridge cultural differences. | B．They show Chinese philosophy. |
| C．They ensure athletes’ better performances. | D．They demonstrate the power of China. |
| A．A guidebook. | B．A news report. | C．Science fiction. | D．A textbook. |
10 . Food festivals are a common occurrence in the UK and take place in all sorts of places and at all sorts of times. Whatever your taste, there’s a food festival to match — no matter how specialized.
1. Meatopia
This three-day, London-based festival takes place at the end of August and is a meat lover’s paradise. In addition to a range of legally sourced meat products, from juicy burgers to tender steaks, attendees can listen to live music, watch butchery demonstrations, and attend informal meat-based workshops.
2. The National Honey Show
If you have a sweet tooth, then it could be that the National Honey Show, which started in 1921 and is the largest event of its kind, is the place for you to be. This three-day event attracts many local entries who showcase their sweet golden honey, some of which is sold globally.
3. The Orange Sauce Festival
Have you heard about a festival that is devoted only to orange sauce? Held in Cumbria, this sweet, fragrant festival has been running for 3 years. What attracts people most is a competition to find the best homemade orange sauce. There are thousands of participants from over 30 different countries across the globe, bringing their local snacks to share here.
4. The Ginger and Spice Festival
If you’d prefer something with a little more kick to it, then you could attend The Ginger (姜) and Spice Festival held in Market Drayton. Unlike other food festivals, it celebrates its town’s historic connection to Robert Clive, who returned from India with ginger. Because of this, they specialize in baking gingerbread, but also sell a range of traditional spices from mild to hot.
1. What do Meatopia and the National Honey Show have in common?| A．Both of them last for three days. | B．Both of them hold workshops. |
| C．Both of them originated from London. | D．Both of them have a long history. |
| A．The Meatopia. | B．The Ginger and Spice Festival. |
| C．The National Honey Show. | D．The Orange Sauce Festival. |
| A．It has something to do with a historic figure. |
| B．The ginger used in the festival is from India. |
| C．It sells spicy food. |
| D．The food is cooked by Robert Clive. |
