1 . The Swedish Academy’s mid-October announcement regarding literature seldom fails to cause second-guessing.
Bob Dylan was awarded the big prize this morning, and my social media has been alive with indignation ever since. The Nobel did not go to those excellent novelists but to a songwriter. Some of those same people are still protesting that last year it was warded to Svetlana Alexievich, a “journalist”. They have decided, for whatever reasons, that song lyrics(歌词) are not literature.
And people are upset because Bob Dylan is the voice of some generation other than theirs, because he works in a popular style, because he does not work in this minute’s popular style, because he appeared on a car commercial that aired during the Super Bowl, because his songwriting skills dropped off — he was famous long ago, after all.
You may not think of Dylan as a poet, but Dylan created a climate in which lyrics were taken seriously. And Dylan accomplished something that few novelists or poets or for that matter songwriters have managed to do in our time: he changed the time he lived. Through words, with music, he affected the opinions and ambitions of hundreds of millions of people all over the world.The Nobel Prize in Literature cannot ever be all things to all people, and while this year’s award failed to accomplish various possible objectives, it was not in any way misapplied.
1. What does the underlined word “indignation” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．Curiosity. | B．Happiness. |
| C．Excitement. | D．Anger. |
| A．He failed to represent any generation. |
| B．He didn’t have good songwriting skills. |
| C．He played badly in the Super Bowl. |
| D．He is not popular any longer. |
| A．style | B．influence |
| C．efforts | D．ambitions |
| A．No dish suits all tastes |
| B．Great minds think alike |
| C．Misfortune may be actual blessing |
| D．Judge not according to the appearance |
2 . The rules about how to talk, eat and sit, which are highly limited, are observed in most Western restaurants and homes.
| A．How one sits at the table is also prescribed. |
| B．We were not allowed to talk about anything that made listeners uncomfortable. |
| C．Can’t you think up a better excuse than that? |
| D．They’re completely different from what we find here in China. |
| E．Your hands don’t look dirty! |
| F．The scene is fantastic. |
| G．In general they were all strictly forbidden topics. |
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项
There is a large percentage of Asian people in the US. They’re hard working, respectful but strange sometimes. If you don’t understand the culture, you will get some problems with them. Asian people are different from any other cultures if you think you know them, you might want to think again.
How are they different? When it comes to most Asian culture, respect is everything. You can do anything you want but don't disrespect an Asian man. You will get some real consequences afterward and especially if he is your boss. It’s something called face saving in the Asian culture. It’s ridiculous sometimes but it’s their culture. Sometimes their culture can come in between their relationship at work. Asian people might expect a lot of respect from their co-workers when their co-workers just see them as an equal.
Americans are very different from Asian people. If you’re Asian, you might want to understand the American culture and even adapt to their culture if you work with them. It will be easier for you since you’re in their countries. Imagine an American working in China, expecting Chinese co-workers to get along with him when he criticizes them straight out on every single matter in front of everyone. I think they will take him outside and take care of him. It just doesn’t work that way with Asian people.
If you’re an American boss giving your Asian employee a review, you will see that they will have a problem with your negative remarks. They will think that you don’t like them, disrespectful, and want to get rid of them; when in fact, you’re just doing your job. You just encourage them to do their work better. Of course, it’s not fair for you as an American boss but just expect that it can be something that is on your Asian employee’s mind.
1. The Americans can’t get along well with the Asians probably because______.
| A．their cultures are different |
| B．they don’t like each other |
| C．both of them are too proud |
| D．they have different political views |
| A．saving some money for later use |
| B．making faces to please your boss |
| C．showing some respect to somebody |
| D．helping somebody out of trouble |
| A．for the Asians to accept the culture in America |
| B．for the Americans to adapt to the culture in China |
| C．for people to learn the culture in a foreign country |
| D．for people to follow the culture in their own country |
| A．doesn’t like you any longer |
| B．thinks you are not worth respecting |
| C．doesn’t think you are suitable for the job |
| D．wants you to improve your work |
4 . A good joke can be the hardest thing to understand when people are studying a foreign language. As a recent article in The Guardian noted, “There’s more to understanding a joke in a foreign language than understanding vocabulary and grammar.”
Being able to understand local jokes is often seen as an unbelievable icebreaker for a language learner eager to form friendships with native speakers. “I always felt that humor was a ceiling that I could never break through,” Hannah Ashley, a public relations account manager in London, who once studied Spanish in Madrid, told The Guardian. “I could never speak to people on the same level as I would speak to a native English speaker. I almost came across as quite a boring person because all I could talk about was facts.”
In fact, most of the time, jokes are only funny for people who share a cultural background or understand humor in the same way. Chinese-American comedian Joe Wong found this out first-hand. He had achieved huge success in the US, but when he returned to China in 2008 for his first live show in Beijing, he discovered that people didn't think his Chinese jokes were as funny as his English ones.
In Australia, meanwhile many foreigners find understanding jokes about sports to be the biggest headache. “The hardest jokes are related to rugby because I know nothing about rugby,” said Melody Cao, who was once a student in Australia. “When I heard jokes I didn’t get, I just laughed along.”
In the other two major English-speaking countries, the sense of humor is also different. British comedian Simon Pegg believes that while British people use irony(反话)——basically, saying something they don’t mean to make a joke—every day, people in the US don't see the point of using it so often. “British jokes tend to be more subtle and dark, while American jokes are more obvious with their meanings, a bit like Americans themselves,” he wrote in The Guardian.
1. It is implied in the noted sentence in Paragraph 1 that __________.| A．making jokes is a possible way for one to learn a foreign language better |
| B．humor is always conveyed to foreigners through vocabulary and grammar |
| C．vocabulary and grammar help you understand jokes in a foreign language |
| D．there tends to be something behind the words of a joke in a foreign language |
| A．She thought that Spanish people generally did not have much of a sense of humor. |
| B．She believed that one had better rely on facts when speaking a foreign language. |
| C．She found that humor was a barrier to her to get along well with Spanish people. |
| D．She had a better command of Spanish language than English language. |
| A．suggest that there are cultural differences in humor |
| B．show that it’s hard to put jokes into another language |
| C．prove that local people have different taste in humor |
| D．show that expressing ability affects the sense of humor |
| A．jokes about sports are difficult for all foreigners to understand |
| B．Americans are generally more humorous than British people |
| C．not all English speakers can understand English jokes easily |
| D．British people’s dark jokes often make people uncomfortable |
5 . Celebrate!
Piñatas
In Mexico, children often get piñatas on their birthday. Their parents put chocolates and other sweets inside the piñata and hang it on a tree. Then the children hit the piñata with a stick.
Noodles
In China, people often celebrate birthdays by eating with family or friends, and the last dish of the meal is always noodles. The noodles are long and thin.
Business birthdays
A business birthday shows that a company is successful. Many businesses in the USA celebrate important birthdays, like 10, 50 or 150 years.
Sometimes they make TV advertisements. It is a good chance to advertise the business.
Name days
As well as a birthday, many people in Southern Europe also celebrate their name day.
People have big parties and open their houses to anybody who wants to come. People bring small gifts, often flowers or a box of sweets.
Islamic New Year
In Muslim countries across the world, people celebrate Eid. Eid means festival or celebration. During Eid, people visit family and friends, as well as people who are sick or in hospital.
| A．You have to eat them in one piece. |
| B．They go out for a meal to celebrate. |
| C．Companies hold parties and send cards. |
| D．They give presents, such as sweets and food. |
| E．It breaks and the sweets fall out on to the ground. |
| F．This is one of the two important festivals in this country. |
| G．In Greece, name days are more important than birthdays. |
While many people in China 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 that 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 the drawbacks 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 to introduce Confucius and Chinese culture to the West.
As for the old thinker, he will not be forgotten by people in the West, even if his birthday is.
1. The purpose or the first paragraph is mainly to ________.
| A．attract the readers’ interest in the subject |
| B．provide some key facts about Confucius |
| C．show great respect for the ancient thinker |
| D．prove the popularity of modern birthday celebrations |
| A．take an active part in Chinese competitions |
| B．try to get high scores in Chinese exams |
| C．fight for a chance to learn Chinese |
| D．show great interest in studying Chinese nowadays |
| A．Forgotten Wisdom in America |
| B．Huge Fans of the Chinese Language |
| C．Old Thinker with a Big Future |
| D．Chinese Culture for Westerners |
Countries set up customs posts at their borders. Foreign travellers must go through a customs inspection before they are allowed to travel in the country. Usually travellers have to carry special papers such as passports and visas(签证). Some countries even limit the number of visitors to their country each year. Others allow tourists to visit only certain areas of the country, or they may require that travellers be with an official guide at all times during their stay.
Many of those barriers to travel also act as barriers to communication.
When two governments disagree with each other on important matters, they usually do not want their citizens to exchange news or ideas freely. Countries often try to keep military or industrial information secret.
Today, people have the ability to travel, to communicate, and to transport goods more quickly and easily than ever before. Natural barriers that were difficult or dangerous to cross a hundred years ago can now be crossed easily. The barriers that people themselves make are not so easy to overcome. But in spite of all the different kinds of barriers, people continue to enjoy travel and the exchange of goods and ideas.
1. The examples in paragraph 1 are used to tell the readers that _______
| A．people have been allowed to travel freely within the country |
| B．people have not been permitted to travel freely for various reasons |
| C．travellers have to carry special papers such as passports and visas |
| D．customs posts are necessary at the borders of the countries |
| A．they intend to keep their national secrets unknown to others |
| B．they think such freedom will lead to wars |
| C．they often disagree with each other on important matters |
| D．they want to show their authority over communication |
| A．people do not care about the removal of barriers between countries |
| B．people can not remove the obstacles made by themselves |
| C．man-made barriers are sometimes harder to overcome than natural ones |
| D．barriers should be taken for granted as they always exist |
| A．Barriers Made by People |
| B．Functions of Communication |
| C．Restrictions on Transportation |
| D．Progress of Human Society |
Heritage is our legacy (遗产) from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable (无可取代的) sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Great Wall of China make up our world's heritage.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.
How does a place become a World Heritage Site? It takes a lot of people to decide.
1) If a country wants one of its places to be on the World Heritage List, it has to ask UNESCO. The place must be important and special. UNESCO put the Great Wall on the list in 1987 because, it said, it was a great part of Chinese culture and beautifully made to go with the land. When a country asks, it must also make a plan for taking care of the place.
2) The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO talks about different places and decides whether to put them on the list. The committee meets every June. Many experts help the committee to decide.
3) After a new place goes on the list, UNESCO gives money to help keep it looking good. If a place is in serious danger, it may be put on the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger. UNESCO gives special care and help to those places.
4) Countries have to give UNESCO regular reports about places on the list. If UNESCO thinks a country isn't taking good enough care of a place, the site will be taken off the list.
1. What is the main purpose of Paragraph 1?
| A．To tell us what is heritage. |
| B．To stress the importance of heritages. |
| C．To explain the aims of protecting heritages. |
| D．To introduce some places of interest in the world. |
| A．identification | B．application |
| C．protection | D．conservation |
| A．can ask UNESCO for more money and help |
| B．should continue to take special care of it |
| C．won’t take trouble of caring for it |
| D．will try to put it on the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger |
| A．to attract more tourists from other countries |
| B．to get more money and help from other countries |
| C．to have it taken better care of |
| D．to make it known to other countries |
The early immigrants（移民）who were English Puritans settled down in northeast part of America from 1607 to 1892. Frontiers were pushed further west. The frontiersmen looked for a land of rich resources and a land of promise, opportunity and freedom. Actually they looked for a better life. So individualism(个人主义), self-reliance, and equality of opportunity have perhaps been the values most closely associated with the frontier heritage（遗产）of America.
In history, people from different countries in the world rushed to America three times. They brought their own culture to America and later on, different cultures were mixed together. Thus the unique American culture was formed, a common cultural life with commonly shared values.
The fundamental American belief in individual freedom and the fight of individuals to practice their own religion is at the center of religious experience in the United States. The great diversity of ethnic backgrounds has produced religious pluralism(多元化); almost all of the religions of the world are now practiced in the United States.
Nowadays, we can see the continual influence of the three elements in the current American society. American family is typically parents and their unmarried children. Middle-aged and elderly people generally do not live with their married children. The people in America have a very strong desire to start a new life in a new place. Quite a number of people change residences every year. The average American moves fourteen times in his lifetime.
1. We can learn from this article that ________.
| A．the population of the United States includes a large variety of ethnic groups |
| B．the early immigrants brought about the unique American culture |
| C．people in the world once rushed to America because of its unique culture |
| D．the American family members don't get along well with each other |
| A．He is critical of it. |
| B．He admires it very much. |
| C．He just states the facts. |
| D．He looks down upon it. |
| A．the family structure in American society |
| B．the influence of the three elements in the current American society |
| C．the new life style of American family |
| D．the reason why American people like to change residences |
| A．The Immigrants in America |
| B．Why American Culture Is Unique |
| C．The Influence of American Culture |
| D．Plural Religion and American Culture |
But popularity might be the destruction of such archaeological treasures．Take Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings for example．It lay untouched for more than 3,000 years until the British archaeologist Howard Carter uncovered it in 1922．Now more than 1,000 people a day walk through it．
But as more and more people visit, the temperature and humidity inside the tomb change．As a result, the beautifully decorated plaster is coming away from the rock．
In order to preserve its heritage, a replica (复制品) of the monument is being opened about 1 kilometer away from the actual burial site．Specialists have recorded every detail of Tutankhamun’s tomb and used the data to recreate it．
Adam Lowe from the organization behind the project says the copy is identical to the original．He believes visitors will want to become part of the force that protects it rather than a force that is leading to its destruction．So they won’t mind seeing a replica．
But for historian Tom Holland, a copy is still a copy．He believes that although preservation is important, there is something unique about places like Tutankhamun’s tomb．He says it was built by people who believed in the world of the spirits, the dead and the supernatural．You don’t have to believe in a god or gods to feel a place is consecrated (使圣化) and has a particular quality that can’t be reproduced．
What about you? Would you visit a replica of a monument rather than the original to help preserve it?
1. What may account for the destruction of some archaeological treasures like Tutankhamun’s tomb?
| A．Climate change． |
| B．Copies． |
| C．Popularity． |
| D．Thieves． |
| A．Decorating the monument again． |
| B．Building a replica of the monument． |
| C．Limiting the number of visitors． |
| D．Moving the tomb away from the actual site． |
| A．superior |
| B．Sensitive |
| C．Exposed |
| D．similar |
| A．some unique ancient places can’t simply be replaced by replicas |
| B．visitors are advised to see replicas because preservation is first |
| C．ancient civilizations are consecrated and can’t be redecorated |
| D．visitors to ancient civilizations must believe in a god or gods |
