1 . The most important holiday for the Chinese is the Chinese New Year, also called Spring Festival. During the festival period, everyone goes back to their hometown and spends several days with their family.
Beijing has several fairs during the period. The fairs are held at various ancient temples, so they are called “temple fairs”. Temple fairs in Beijing have a very long history, and saw a boom especially during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368—1912) as well as the Republic of China (1912—1949) period. Major temples all have their own festivals, some of which are held regularly. During Spring Festival, the temple fair is one of the most important activities, and a traditional cultural event that features all kinds of Chinese folk art. So far, there have been more than 10 major temple fairs held each year in Beijing.
In traditional temple fairs in Beijing, there are performances and booths demonstrating (演示) traditional arts and selling crafts. The fairs have lots of games to play and lots of food to eat, and have lots of performances and people. In the temple fair you can taste numerous kinds of local snacks and other dishes. Most temple fairs feature dragon and lion dances, waist drum dances, lotus blossom fairy dances as well as other folk performances, and some even stage traditional wedding ceremonies.
For foreigners, the temple fair is definitely a cultural experience, because it airs Chinese culture from a very detailed perspective. While enjoying the Chinese delicacies, you can appreciate craftsmanship and artworks displayed by local artisans.
1. What can be learned about the history of temple fairs?| A．They date back to about 300 years ago. |
| B．They were greatly popularized during the Ming Dynasty. |
| C．They started losing the attraction from the Qing Dynasty. |
| D．They reached the peak during the Republic of China period. |
| A．What temple fairs offer. |
| B．Where temple fairs are held. |
| C．Why temple fairs are held. |
| D．How temple fairs have changed. |
| A．Because they can experience Chinese culture. |
| B．Because they can learn Chinese from local people. |
| C．Because they can learn how to cook Chinese food. |
| D．Because they can attend traditional wedding ceremonies. |
| A．To comment on temple fairs. |
| B．To entertain readers. |
| C．To make an announcement. |
| D．To provide information. |
2 . Over the past few years, China’s aerospace industry has witnessed many landmark events. Apart from celebrating these scientific achievements, the public has also developed a growing interest in the missions’ unique names, of which many are derived from China’s myths and legends.
China’s spacecraft are called Shenzhou. This literally means “heavenly ship” in Chinese, and is also a homonym for the Chinese words “divine land”, which is a term used in literary works to refer to the country. China’s moon exploration project and its lunar probe(月球探测器)are both named after a Chinese goddess of the moon,Chang’e. In 2013,the Chang’e-3 lunar probe landed on the moon and was carried around by a lunar rover(月球车)called Yutu. The two names perfectly match the legend of the moon fairy and her pet. In another example,the relay satellite for the Chang’e-4 moon exploration mission is called Queqiao, or “magpie bridge”. The magpie bridge, in a Chinese folk tale, was formed by millions of magpies, so that a separated couple could meet each other despite the Milky Way. Likewise,the Queqiao relay satellite serves as a “space-bridge”for communication between the moon and the earth.
Chinese people’s eagerness for the universe dated back to ancient times, some even tried to explore. Luban, a great inventor living in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, made a flying wood bird. Others created many myths and legends, such as “Kuafu Chases the Sun”, to explain phenomena that they could not explain. These traditional stories have become the source of inspiration for Chinese scientists in the naming of major space missions.
The famous spacecraft and rovers built by the United States include the Challenger,the Opportunity and the Spirit, whose names reflect a positive and enterprising spirit. This is quite unlike how the Chinese name their spacecraft,which reflects the Chinese people’s sense of romance and awe for space as well as their efforts to pass down traditional culture and their ancestors’ spirit of scientific discovery. Nevertheless, all these names, Chinese or foreign, showcase the dreams of humankind and our collective pursuit to discover the secrets of space.
When Apollo 11 prepared to land on the moon, the control center on earth told the astronauts onboard to “watch for a lovely girl with a big rabbit”, which refers to Chang’e and her rabbit Yutu. With the rapid progress of China’s aerospace industry, more and more Chinese stories embodying Chinese romanticism will be shown to the world.
1. How is paragraph 2 developed?| A．By making comparisons. |
| B．By describing processes. |
| C．By giving examples. |
| D．By analyzing causes. |
| A．Because this name can draw public attention. |
| B．Because this name comes from a Chinese folk tale. |
| C．Because this name reflects Chinese romanticism. |
| D．Because this name indicates the function of the relay satellite. |
| A．The ancient Chinese explored the space to create myths and legends. |
| B．Some spaces missions’ names are originated from traditional stories. |
| C．China and the US name their spacecraft differently because of different pursuits. |
| D．China’s aerospace industry has changed the world. |
| A．Space Missions’ Names. |
| B．How to name Space Missions? |
| C．Space Missions’ Names Embody Chinese Romanticism. |
| D．Chinese Myths and Legends. |
3 . We have been doing cultural and environmental studies to understand the area. We work with local people who live there, work there and know the land. Wherever we can, we avoid disturbing cultural heritage sites.
Consult with the natives
We will fully cooperate with the Inquiry by the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia. We are also continuing to support the government of Western Australia in the review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA). We are committed to engaging with the rest of the industry, Traditional Owners, and federal and state governments across a number of areas relating to cultural heritage approvals and processes, and the broad contribution of the resources sector to Australia.
Avoid Disturbance
Site Conservation
| A．Work with Governments in Australia |
| B．What the government can do? |
| C．Where we have to disturb land |
| D．We work with native peoples to look after cultural places or objects |
| E．Cultural mapping is closely linked to ethnographic recording. |
| F．Where an area is identified as being of high cultural significance |
| G．This can include carefully securing and managing heritage sites |
4 . Against the backdrop of sweeping economic globalisation, interactions and exchanges among ethnic(民族的) groups, races, and nationalities have become increasingly frequent countries have taken the way of “shared learning” with regards to cultural exchange.
Spring Festival is the most celebrated festival in China, and now is expanding its presence across the world. As Chinese youths celebrate Christmas, Westerners also acknowledge Spring Festival. It indicates the trends of shared learning and harmonious coexistence between civilisations.
Spring Festival marks the first day on the Chinese lunar calendar. On that day and over the following two weeks, people greet each other saying “good luck in whatever you do” or “happiness for all your family”. Streets and houses are decorated by Chinese knots (结) and other articles of red colour. In many foreign countries, traditional Chinese activities are performed as fixed programme, namely the dragon dance and the Peking Opera, adding diversity to local cultures.
Why is a time-honored festival so vibrant and even celebrated in other countries? The answer lies in the rich, positive connotation (内涵) of Spring Festival.
Spring Festival reflects spirit of amity (友善关系). More than 2,000 years ago, Confucius said all people in the world are sisters and brothers. The spirit of amity has shaped Chinese people’s concept of and expectation for intrafamily and inter-state relations as well as state governance.
Spring Festival is a time for expressing gratefulness. During Spring Festival people are reminded of the sense of gratefulness by honoring their ancestors and parents in traditional ways.
Spring Festival is also a salute to another Chinese virtue, diligence (勤奋).Chinese people believe that only with their own hands can people create a happy and beautiful life.
Spring Festival also calls for sharing, a value long respected by Chinese. Mencius told his pupils what a man of virtue is like, “In desperate straits they would develop their own goodness. Successfully, they would share their goodness with the whole world.”
Nowadays the culture, calling for friendship, gratefulness, diligence and sharing, is contributing to the world civilisation for a happy, harmonious, and beautiful future for humankind.
1. What do the first two paragraphs mainly talk about?| A．Intercultural learning. | B．Economic globalisation. |
| C．Festival celebrations. | D．The widespread Spring Festival. |
| A．Dragon dance. | B．The Peking Opera. |
| C．Red knots. | D．Honoring the ancestors. |
| A．Busy and noisy. | B．Old and fading. |
| C．Bright and strong. | D．Exciting and attractive. |
| A．Spring Festival Carrying Positive Values | B．Spring Festival Celebrated in China and Beyond |
| C．Festivals Celebrated Around the World | D．Great Persons Shaping Chinese Virtues |
5 . Beijing Opera is a kind of Chinese opera.
The Peking Opera band mainly consists of an orchestra and percussion (打击乐) band.
It is believed that Beijing Opera gradually came into being after 1790.
In 1828, some famous Hubei troupes came to Beijing. They often jointly performed in the stage with Anhui troupes. The combination gradually formed Beijing opera’s main melodies.
| A．Many people like to watch Beijing Opera |
| B．Beijing Opera has a 200yearlong history |
| C．Beijing Opera enjoys a higher reputation |
| D．Most of them are middleaged or elderly men |
| E．The former frequently accompanies peaceful scenes |
| F．It is widely regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China |
| G．At that time the famous four Anhui opera troupes came to Beijing |
6 . The origins of the Christmas traditions are the most fascinating of any holiday. All our favourite activities can be traced (追溯) back to specific points in history, and knowing how these things came about just makes celebrating Christmas much more wonderful.
The original Nicholas was born in 280 A.D. in the small country of Lycia, which is now part of modern Turkey. Nicholas became first a priest (牧师) and then a bishop (主教) in the early Christian church. The first paintings of him show Nicholas wearing the clothes of a Christian bishop—red decorated with white. When we see Santa’s suit today, we’re still seeing the two kinds of colors.
Nicholas became famous for gift-giving. In the early fourth century, a story began to spread about Nicholas coming at night to the home of three poor girls who did not have money and therefore could not get married. While the girls slept, Nicholas left gold coins in their stockings, which were drying by the fire. That’s how the tradition of Santa filling stockings got its start.
In 1841, Santa first appeared at a department store in Philadelphia. This Santa tried to climb down a chimney to impress the children who were watching, but he got stuck halfway down. In 1890, department store Santas began appearing all over America, especially on the East Coast around Boston. Parents in other countries joined together and hired passenger trains to take their families to see these Santas.
At the same time, Ralph E. Morris of the New England Telephone Company suggested that strings of lights be hung on Christmas trees. After all, lights would be much safer than candles. Our modern-day image of Santa as a fat man is based on ads of the Coca-Cola company in the 1930s. Artist Hans Sundblom used a retired salesman named Les Prentice as his model.
1. What can we learn from Paragraph 1?| A．Christmas is the most important holiday. |
| B．The traditions of Christmas are based on facts. |
| C．There was not any record of Christmas in the past. |
| D．More and more people begin to celebrate Christmas. |
| A．He set up the first Christian church. |
| B．He was called Santa Claus when he was born. |
| C．His clothes are similar to Santa’s suit in color. |
| D．His image is the same as the modern-day Santa. |
| A．prove that Nicholas used to be a rich man |
| B．tell of the origin of Santa filling stockings |
| C．show Christmas was set up mainly for the poor |
| D．describe a famous story in the early fourth century |
| A．Santa didn’t become popular until the year 1890. |
| B．Candles have never been used on Christmas trees. |
| C．The Coca-Cola company designed the image of Santa. |
| D．Santa began giving gifts by climbing down chimneys in 1841. |
7 . A fun way to learn about the people in the destinations you travel to around the globe is to drop into a friendly local bar off the beaten tourist track and enjoy a sip of something the region is famous for. To help you have fun, we’ve rounded up how to say “Cheers!” around the world.
Who doesn’t dream of living the good life in France? The food alone is well worth the trip since the French basically invented fine cuisine. They also invented a little golden liquid called the Champagne! Just before your first sip, look at your friends in the eyes and simply say their “cheers”: avotresante!
Is it just us, or is the Italian treat called prosecco sweeping the nation by storm? It’s lovely anytime: brunch, to celebrate something, or just to slowly sip while catching up with a dear friend. It originated in Italy’s Veneto region but is now available all over the world. When in Italy, the most common toast is “salute” or “cincin” (pronounced ChinChin), which has its origins in China. However, do not use this as a toast in Japan. It is what could get you kicked out of a bar or possibly the entire country. If you find yourself in the land of the rising sun, stick with “Kampai!” which means, “Cheers!”
If you haven’t been to Ireland — what are you waiting for? It’s the friendliest place, and one of the funniest on the planet, and the pubs are full of stories, where locals and visitors gather to lift a glass of Guinnessor. The Irish language can be a bit tricky for visitors to grasp but, again, practice makes perfect. Simply say, “SlainteItsw,” pronounced Slawn (to rhyme with pawn) cha (as in cha cha cha). Bottoms up!
1. What does the underlined word “It” in Paragraph 3 refer to?| A．An Italian wine. | B．A toast from China. |
| C．A Japanese custom. | D．A french expression. |
| A．It is famous for food. |
| B．Its language is simple. |
| C．It makes perfect wines. |
| D．It is well worth visiting. |
| A．Ways of making friends in bars. |
| B．World famous wines that can’t be missed. |
| C．Suggestions on drinking regionally. |
| D．Some famous tourist destinations. |
8 . Living in two different cultures has its benefits and challenges. Although I was born in America, my parents emigrated (移民) to the US from Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is an island off the coast of India. The customs, traditions, and culture are the same in India as it is in Sri Lanka. When my parents came to the US, they continued to perform their customs and hold onto their beliefs and traditions. This has influenced me in several ways.
I have learned to speak three languages, including English. I eat a variety of foods and celebrate different holidays that have to do with my religion and culture. It is very fun when I get to interact with people of my nationality and speak to them in a different language. It is also a benefit because I get to celebrate with all my family and have different foods and learn new things about my culture. Sharing my culture and information about my nationality to others is very important to me. I feel that people should have a good understanding of who I am and what my life is like. I always try to incorporate (吸收) both American and Indian traditions, customs and foods.
Even though this can be a major advantage, there are many setbacks to be part of two cultures. All of my family was born in Sri Lanka, so I’m not a person of several different nationalities, such as Greek, Italian, German, and others. My cousins, my siblings and I are the only ones born out of Sri Lanka. Speaking a language at home and speaking another language at school can make me get confused. This is because sometimes I have trouble expressing my thoughts in English.
I have felt stuck between the two cultures at times, but I try not to think of two cultures as a setback, but as an advantage of being able to participate in different celebrations and get on with my American and Indian friends.
1. What does the author find important?| A．To learn American customs. |
| B．To speak three different languages. |
| C．To follow his own customs. |
| D．To share his own culture. |
| A．Achievements. | B．Problems. |
| C．Benefits. | D．Performances. |
| A．Living between two cultures. |
| B．Ways to live in a foreign country. |
| C．The ability to learn foreign languages. |
| D．Efforts to hold on to original traditions. |
9 . Britain is divided into different areas. Britain is one of the most diverse nations in Europe with over 250 different languages being spoken in London alone. With such a various culture, adapting to it can be a challenge for anyone.
Forget the stereotypes (陈旧观念). Many of the long-formed stereotypes simply have nothing to do with Britain today. Don’t think that everyone enjoys drinking tea or beer. Abandoning some old ideas of people and culture will allow you to be more open-minded and easily get into the culture.
Get used to small spaces. Like all European nations, Britain does not have the luxury of space. Houses, apartments and cars are all smaller.
Accept the jokes.
| A．Be polite |
| B．Make friends with them |
| C．Don’t play jokes on others |
| D．Understand the differences |
| E．Following these steps should be of great help to you |
| F．Therefore, trying to become familiar with smaller areas is very necessary |
| G．One of the most confusing aspects of British culture is humour |
10 . While telling others your zodiac sign (星座), you are being evaluated (评估). Evaluations are being made about your luck, your personality, future development and how you will do in a given year. So what is the Chinese zodiac, exactly? It’s a 12-year cycle labeled (标记) with animals, starting with a Rat and ending with a Pig. For example, if you were born in 2004, you are a Monkey.
The Chinese believe some animals are luckier than the others, such as the Dragon. Unlike in Western tradition, the Chinese Dragon stands for power, strength and wealth. It’s everyone’s dream to have a Dragon baby. Ma Yun’s parents must have been very proud. And they are not the only ones. In 2012, the Year of the Dragon, the birthrate in China increased by about 5%. That means another one million more babies. With a traditional preference for baby boys, the boy-girl ratio that year was 120 to 100. When those Dragon boys grow up, they will face much more serious competition in love and job markets.
According to the BBC and Chinese government reports, January 2015 saw a peak of cesarean sections (剖腹产术高峰). Why? That was the last month for the Year of the Horse. It’s not because they like horses so much, it’s because they try to avoid having unlucky Goat babies.
Tiger is another unwelcome animal, because of its dangerous and unstable (不稳定的) personality. Many Chinese places saw a considerable decline of birthrate during those years.
Perhaps one should consider zodiac in a different way, as those Tiger and Goat babies will face much less competition. Maybe they are the lucky ones. I went through the Forbes top 300 richest people in the world, and it’s interesting to see the most unwelcome two animals, the Goat and Tiger, are at the top of the list, even higher than the Dragon. So maybe we should consider that it’s much better to have less competition.
1. What can we infer from Paragraph 2?| A．Dragon boys are much more competitive when growing up. |
| B．There were about one million dragon babies in 2012. |
| C．There were 20% more boys than girls born in 2012. |
| D．Ma Yun is proud that he is a Dragon. |
| A．People wanted to have Horse babies very much. |
| B．People considered Goat babies to be unlucky. |
| C．It’s the first month of the year. |
| D．People tried to avoid dangers. |
| A．Drop. | B．Need. |
| C．Increase. | D．Change. |
| A．They have fewer competitors. |
| B．They are difficult to get along with. |
| C．They will be more popular in job markets. |
| D．They will become richer than Dragon babies. |
