2 . When Mark Twain visited Florence (佛罗伦萨) in 1867, he dutifully visited the city’s museums, churches, and tombs. But as he stood by the Arno, he began to sense the Italians’ insistence that it was a river, not a stream. “They all call it a river, and they honestly think it is a river, do these dark and bloody Florentines,” he complained, “I might enter Florence under happier circumstances a month hence and find it all beautiful, all attractive. But I do not care to think of it now, at all.”

It’s normal to feel uncomfortable outside your home culture. Feelings of discomfort, dislocation, and overload among travelers are referred to by many as “culture shock.” But Susan Goldstein, a professor at the University of Redlands says, “Though the term has existed for many years, ‘Culture shock’ implies a dramatic,unexpected, negative event. Though many travelers will experience such challenges, a real sense of ‘shock’ is untypical. So untypical that many researchers no longer use the term.”

It was the vivid description of culture shock by Canadian researcher Oberg, written in 1960 in response to his own multicultural experiences, that won over audiences. The researcher spoke of the adjustment process as “an occupational disease of people who have suddenly been transplanted abroad” — a “disease” that progressed from a honeymoon phase, through rejecting the new environment, to finally adjusting fully to it. By the 1970s many researchers adopted the idea that, like physical illnesses, culture shock progressed through a remarkably consistent and universal set of stages.

Modern research, however, suggests that the experiences of adaptation are individual, not universal. “People will have their ups and downs, but for the most part, they will become increasingly comfortable and competent over time,” Goldstein says. And while many connect the causes of culture shock to the host culture itself, an individual’s internal expectations and differences are just as important.

As for Mark Twain, the moody author was able to ride out his feelings of upset and dislocation while traveling. He eventually finished out his European tour - and in his bestselling travel memoir The Innocents Abroad, famously remarked that travel is “fatal to prejudice and narrow-mindedness.” With the right attitude - and the willingness to seek help if you need it - it’s more than likely that you, too, can adapt and grow in new settings, building new memories-and toughness - with each new stamp in your passport.

1. How did Mark Twain feel about Italians’ insistence?

A．Annoyed.

B．Calm.

C．Uninterested.

D．Curious.

2. What can be inferred about culture shock?

A．It would lead to physical diseases.

B．It was regarded as an avoidable thing.

C．It was named for people’s adjustment.

D．It had gained wide acceptance by the 1970s.

3. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．Suggestions about culture shock.

B．A change in understanding culture shock.

C．Stress of the importance of culture shock.

D．A criticism of previous idea of culture shock.

4. Why is Mark Twain mentioned in the last paragraph?

A．To remember him.	B．To inform and anticipate.
C．To conclude and encourage.	D．To make the ending humorous.

3 . I received my architectural training in Italy, earning a traditional degree that didn’t involve working with Computer-Aided Design (CAD). However, my journey with computers began through my passion for music, using sound sampling systems, which catch the “sound reality” of an instrument, and also computer-assisted music composition systems. Little did I know that this exploration would greatly influence my approach to computer science and AI in the years to come.

Self-taught in computer science during my architectural studies, I sought opportunities to specialize further. Ultimately, my journey led me to a pioneering laboratory in Marseille, France, known for its groundbreaking work in computer science applied to architecture. Surrounded by a community of innovators, I improved my skills to explore the transformative power of technology in preserving cultural heritage.

In 2019, the world watched in horror as Notre Dame de Paris (巴黎圣母院) was consumed in flames. Determined to contribute to the restoration efforts, I took the lead in developing a digital ecosystem for the restoration operation. We developed groundbreaking AI tools generating 3D representations from photographs. By tracking the position and shape of voussoirs (拱石), and digitizing them from photographs, we were able to use the fine geometric information of the voussoirs to reconstruct the arch, thus giving valuable information to the architects about the structure, the exact geometry, and especially about constructive details of the oldest areas of the church from the 13th century. Notably, AI played a pivotal role in the process.

As the restoration project progresses, the AI-driven preservation continues to advance. This knowledge will definitely serve as raw material to be used for AI systems, for example, for studies that can be extended to other buildings. Today, the restoration project is in an extremely advanced state. We hope to complete the restoration work before the 2024 Paris Olympics, so that this architectural masterpiece can regain its former glory.

1. What led the author to computer science initially?

A．Composing music with CAD.	B．Exploring computers for music.
C．Studying for a degree in architecture.	D．Developing sound sampling systems.

2. What is the third paragraph mainly about?

A．The application of AI in restoration.	B．The structure of Notre Dame de Paris.
C．The destruction of Notre Dame de Paris.	D．The development of AI digital ecosystem.

3. What does the underlined word “pivotal” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Secondary.

B．Independent.

C．Discouraging.

D．Crucial.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards the AI-driven preservation?

A．Indifferent.

B．Skeptical.

C．Optimistic.

D．Objective.

5 . Thanksgiving is basically a harvest-related festival which celebrates communal harmony. Though this festival is said to have originated in America, a number of other countries also celebrate harvest-related festivals. The festival is observed with different names and in different seasons. In Australia we can see a number of harvest festivals.

Apple Festival & Grape Festival

The harvest for apples and grapes takes place in the month of March in Australia in the granite belt, a special area. The festival is celebrated for 3-4 days. During the festival, various cultural and fun events are organized. Activities like grape crushing competitions, apple picking competitions, street carnivals (狂欢), and grand parades are also part of the festival.

Renmark Orange Week Festival

In August or September, the large orange growing area along the Murray River in South Australia holds a festival in Renmark, which is called the Renmark Orange Week. All kinds of games, competitions and fun last for a week during the carnival. Fireworks are another feature of the festival. The two varieties that are being harvested in Australia are the Valencia, which is from October to May and the Navel, which is from May to October.

Cane Festival

The cane is harvested from June to December in Australia. Most of the cane crop is grow n in Queensland and some in Maclean, New South Wales. And June is time for cane festivals. Just before harvest, the cane is burnt to remove dead leaves and to drive out pests. Machines are being used to cut the cane to the ground.

Wheat Festival

Wheat is harvested in the month of December and is usually finished by the end of January. Harvesting is done by machines. A new harvester invented by Headlie Taylor makes it easier to harvest crops which get flattened or damaged by bad weather.

1. Which festival takes place in June?

A．Cane Festival.	B．Wheat Festival.
C．Renmark Orange Week Festival.	D．Apple Festival & Grape Festival.

2. What can people do during Apple Festival & Grape Festival?

A．Appreciate fireworks.	B．Taste delicious grape wine.
C．Join in apple eating competitions.	D．Take part in grand parades.

3. What can be known from the text?

A．Wheat Festival begins in January.

B．Harvest-related festivals originated in America.

C．Oranges are being harvested in Australia all the year round.

D．Renmark Orange Week Festival takes place in the granite belt.

6 . Did you grow up in one culture, your parents came from another, and you are now living in a totally different country?     1    

The term “third-culture kids” was invented in the 1960s by U.S. sociologist Dr. Ruth Hill Useem. She first encountered this phenomenon when she researched North American children living in India.     2     Caught between two cultures, they form their own. While growing up as third-culture kids may sound challenging, these children often benefit from their multicultural background. In general, they often reach excellent academic results.     3    

Ginny, aged 20, was born in the U.K. Since her early childhood, she had lived abroad moving around with her parents every few years, before she returned to the U.K. to study. When returning to the U.K. to go to university, she realized she had benefited a lot from her years overseas.     4     While many other undergrads seemed unable to cope on their college life, she was easy to adjust to it.

Yet being a third-culture kid is not always easy. In fact, many hardships may arise from this phenomenon. A third-culture kid may not be able to adapt themselves completely to their new surroundings as expected.     5     Besides, when they return home, the home country can prove to be more foreign than anything they came across before. The peer group they face does not match the idealized image children have of “home”. This often makes it hard for them to form their own identity.

As a part of the growing “culture”, TCKs may find it a great challenge for them to feel at home in many places.

A．If so, then you are a third-culture kid!

B．About 90 percent of them have a university degree.

C．The languages picked up abroad were really useful.

D．The only problem was that she caught the travel bug.

E．After many years, these kids still could not adapt to their host culture.

F．Instead, they may always remain an outsider in different host cultures.

G．These children often get along well with those who suffer from the same confusion.

7 . Family-Friendly Outdoor Festivals

Here are some of the best outdoor festivals for families.
Strawberry Music Festival: Groveland, CA
When: May and August

Held in Yosemite National Park, the Strawberry Music Festival, held twice a summer, is famous for its programming, swimming, and hiking at Birch Lake, superb arts and crafts, and more. The program offers activities like arts and crafts, nature programs, dance and music workshops, and storytelling. Free for kids aged 6 and under.

Lake Eden Arts Festival: Black Mountain, NC
When: May and October

Just 20 minutes outside of Asheville, LEAF is an arts festival that’s super kid-friendly. Families can camp out, go canoeing (划独木舟) and swimming in Lake Eden, and create crafts, and enjoy music and poetry performed on seven stages. Free for kids aged 9and under.

Joshua Tree Music Festival: Joshua Tree, CA
When: May and October

Twice a year, this kid-friendly global music festival draws thousands of families to the Mojave Desert at the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park. There are performances from dozens of musical artists from around the world, while Kidsville is filled with arts and crafts, yoga, dance parties, music workshops, and circus shows. Free for kids aged 10 and under.

Bumbershoot: Seattle: WA
When: September

Since 1971, Bumbershoot has been one of Seattle’s premier culture and arts festivals, drawing families from all over the Pacific Northwest. The program shows the best of comedy, dance, film, literary arts, performing arts, and theater, but it’s the strong music al program of top act s that makes this festival a must. Free for kids aged 7 and under.

1. When can visitors admire Strawberry Music Festival?

A．In April.

B．In May.

C．In September.

D．In October.

2. Which of the following may suit a camping lover?

A．Bumbershoot.	B．Strawberry Music Festival.
C．Lake Eden Arts Festival.	D．Joshua Tree Music Festival.

3. What can people do in Bumbershoot?

A．See a movie.	B．Create crafts.
C．Go swimming.	D．Perform comedy themselves.

9 . “A fish out of water.” “A bike without a chain.” There are many metaphors for culture shock, all of which attempt to describe the unique experience of being far from one’s home country and culture.

Scientists have studied culture shock for over a century. Rather than focus on the purely negative aspects, psychologists describe it as a process of stress and adjustment. The first stage is the honeymoon phase, when we are filled with excitement about being in another country. Eventually, as daily challenges arise, we enter a state of crisis and anxiety, harboring unfriendly feelings about the host culture. The longer we are immersed in the culture, we adjust and recover from those negative feelings. Finally, after some time we adjust even more and fully accept the new culture.

One of the factors that determines how we react to cultural stress is our personality. Not surprisingly, extraverts (外向者) tend to have an easier time adjusting to new cultures. That is because being in a new country means meeting many new people and spending a lot of time around them, and extraverts thrive in these situations. But introverts simply prefer to be alone after spending time in groups, and only have limited energy to spend in social settings.

Cultural intelligence, or CQ, also plays its part. Cultural intelligence is defined as the capability of an individual to function effectively in situations characterized by cultural diversity. It has to do with our interest in interacting with people from culturally diverse backgrounds, and our ability to adapt to new cultural context. It is argued that the higher our CQ, the lesser the effect of culture shock on our ability to cope in new situations.

Many effective coping strategies are interpersonal. A recent study found that relating to others with empathy is significantly associated with lower stress levels abroad. The more we are able to take on other people’s points of view, the more positive our interpersonal relationships and thus our adaptation to the stress of culture shock.

1. What is the function of the first paragraph?

A．Explaining the quotes.	B．Raising an argument.
C．Introducing the topic.	D．Presenting an example.

2. How will a person feel the moment he arrives in a foreign country?

A．Anxious.

B．Thrilled.

C．Shocked.

D．Grateful.

3. Who will most probably be affected by the cultural shock?

A．An active boy interested in anything new.

B．A shy boy unwilling to socialize with strangers.

C．A quiet girl open to diverse cultural backgrounds.

D．A communicative girl fluent in the local language.

4. What is important for dealing with the cultural shock?

A．Lowering the stress level.	B．Developing self-awareness.
C．Analyzing the cause of discomfort.	D．Understanding others with sympathy.

10 . About a decade ago, wearing hanfu, a traditional style of clothing worn by China’s Han ethnic group, was considered more of a hobby, with a relatively small number of Chinese individuals participating in the trend. Currently, there is a notable shift as young consumers in China are urging brands to acknowledge their heritage and adapt to it to influence the market. The hanfu movement rather suits this rhetoric, advocating cultural autonomy infused with a touch of patriotism.

Many Chinese Gen Zs have come to realize that fashion is not exclusive to Western styles; they have also recognized the allure and appeal of their own traditional garments. Cultural confidence has played a significant role in popularizing these traditional clothing choices.

Jun Baoyuan, a 24-year-old graduate from the Beijing Institute of Technology, said that people who develop an interest in hanfu will in turn learn more about the traditional skills rooted in Chinese culture, including cloth weaving and traditional jewelry handicrafts. She also noted that many of her close friends today had entered her life as a result of their shared passion for hanfu. Jun often shares her hanfu-clad adventures on Douyin, where she has gathered a 60,000-strong following.

As her reputation as a high-flying hanfu model grew, she started collaborating with museums in China and participating in a range of events. But Jun also warned that with the popularity of hanfu events and the rising number of enthusiasts who want to join the movement, some merchants have fueled unfair competition by selling poor-quality hanfu garments at high prices. These days, making sure you get your money’s worth requires a good deal of knowledge.

The hanfu movement is among the most significant currents in the contemporary young Chinese cultural narrative. They have brought a sense of pride and Chinese aesthetics to social media, where overseas Chinese, too, can express their heritage. Psychologically and culturally, the hanfu movement is playing a major role in shaping the new generation of young Chinese, blending modernity with tradition. It is nothing short of remarkable to see China’s Gen Zs coming together to embrace and celebrate their customs. Although the future path of the hanfu movement has yet to unveil itself, it’s surely a phenomenon worth monitoring. The revival of Chinese culture has gained force and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

1. What contributes to the revival of hanfu?

A．The brands’ desire for more profit.

B．The experts’ advocacy of patriotism.

C．The youth’s recognition of traditional culture.

D．The economic development of Han ethnic group.

2. What do we know about Jun?

A．She is expert in hand-made products.

B．She gained popularity for her adventures.

C．She cooperated with museums for her reputation.

D．She expanded her social circle thanks to her passion.

3. What is Jun’s attitude towards the current hanfu movement?

A．Disapproval.

B．Objective.

C．Suspicious.

D．Defensive.

4. What is the main idea of Paragraph 5?

A．The future prospect of the hanfu movement.

B．The great significance of the hanfu movement.

C．The potential risks coming with the hanfu movement.

D．The Gen Zs’ quality reflected by the hanfu movement.