1 . Before war and time destroy more of our important cultural sites, we need to save them in 3-D digital libraries. Across 163 different countries, 1,000 natural and cultural historic places make up our most precious human heritage, which UNESCO calls World Heritage Sites.
We lose a little of that heritage every day. War, climate change and pollution have a bad effect, as do wind and rain. The $4 million a year that UNESCO spends on preservation is not nearly enough to take care of even the four dozen sites considered at approaching risk of being lost forever. Now there’s a better choice. New digital-conservation technologies let us hold on to them, at least virtually(虚拟的), through 3-D scanning, modeling and digital storage. Such projects can be accomplished through cooperation between governments, universities, industry and non-profit organizations.
To make a 3-D model, a laser(激光) scanner bounces light off an object and records the results. To reproduce every corner and opening, the scanner collects overlapping(重叠的) images from all possible angles. A computer then sews them together into one large surface image and draws lines from one point to another to create a wire-frame model. High-resolution digital cameras add color and texture. When fully put together, the models can be viewed, printed or operated.
These scans do more than preserve a memory in a database. With highly accurate measurements, archaeologists(考古学家) can find hidden passages or reveal ancient engineering tricks. School kids can explore places they might otherwise never see. And when a site is destroyed, the scans can even be used to reconstruct what was there. That has already happened for one World Heritage Site, the Kasubi Tombs in Uganda. Built of wood in 1882, they were destroyed by fire in 2010 and rebuilt in 2014, based in large part on 3-D models made in 2009. More than 100 World Heritage Sites have been already preserved as 3-D models, and conservationists are racing to record as many more as possible.
1. How does the author show the necessity for 3-D digital libraries in the first two paragraphs?| A．By listing the threats to our human heritage. |
| B．By introducing some damaged historical sites. |
| C．By quoting some experts’ views on heritage protection. |
| D．By explaining UNESCO’s research on World Heritage Sites. |
| A．The function of a laser scanner. | B．The reflection of light off an object. |
| C．The process of making a 3-D model. | D．The development of 3-D digital technology. |
| A．It is metal-framed. | B．It is still in its original condition. |
| C．It was once destroyed in an earthquake. | D．It was reconstructed thanks to 3-D models. |
| A．Never ignore the destructive power of war. |
| B．Take action to reduce pollution in historic places. |
| C．Take advantage of 3-D technology to keep history. |
| D．Invest more money to preserve World Heritage Sites. |
2 . Sometimes it’s hard to let go. For many British people, that can apply to institutions and objects that represent their country’s past-age-old castles, splendid homes… and red phone boxes.
Beaten first by the march of technology and lately by the terrible weather in junkyards (废品场), the phone boxes representative of an age are now making something of a comeback. Adapted in imaginative ways, many have reappeared on city streets and village greens housing tiny cafes, cellphone repair shops or even defibrillator machines (除颤器).
The original iron boxes with the round roofs first appeared in 1926. They were designed by Giles Gilbert Scott, the architect of the Battersea Power Station in London. After becoming an important part of many British streets, the phone boxes began disappearing in the 1980s, with the rise of the mobile phone sending most of them away to the junkyards.
About that time, Tony Inglis’ engineering and transport company got the job to remove phone boxes from the streets and sell them out. But Inglis ended up buying hundreds of them himself, with the idea of repairing and selling them. He said that he had heard the calls to preserve the boxes and had seen how some of them were listed as historic buildings.
As Inglis and, later other businessmen, got to work, repurposed phone boxes began reappearing in cities and villages as people found new uses for them. Today, they are once again a familiar sight, playing roles that are often just as important for the community as their original purpose.
In rural areas, where ambulances can take a relatively long time to arrive, the phone boxes have taken on a lifesaving role. Local organizations can adopt them for l pound, and install defibrillators to help in emergencies.
Others also looked at the phone boxes and saw business opportunities. LoveFone, a company that advocates repairing cellphones rather than abandoning them, opened a mini workshop in a London phone box in 2016.
The tiny shops made economic sense, according to Robert Kerr, a founder of LoveFone. He said that one of the boxes generated around $13,500 in revenue a month and cost only about $400 to rent.
Inglis said phone boxes called to mind an age when things were built to last. “I like what they are to people, and I enjoy bringing things back,” he said.
1. The phone boxes are making a comeback ______.| A．to form a beautiful sight of the city |
| B．to improve telecommunications services |
| C．to remind people of a historical period |
| D．to meet the requirement of green economy |
| A．They were not well-designed. | B．They provided bad services. |
| C．They had too short a history. | D．They lost to new technologies. |
| A．their new appearance and lower prices | B．the push of the local organizations |
| C．their changed roles and functions | D．the big funding of the businessmen |
3 . The Chinese word “Shanzhai” means a small mountain village, but now it becomes an accepted name for fakes, after “Shanzhai Cell-phones” produced by small workshops in southern China became popular in the mainland market over the past two years. Besides “Shanzhai” electronic products, there are “Shanzhai” movies, “Shanzhai” stars and even a “Shanzhai” Spring Festival Gala, a copy of the 25-year-old traditional show presented by CCTV on Chinese Lunar New Year’s Eve.
“Shanzhai” has become a culture of its own, meaning anything that imitates something famous. In Chongging, “Shanzhai” version “Bird’s Nest” and “Water Cube” woven by farmers with bamboo attracts wide attention from tourists. Both are copies of the famous Olympic buildings in Beijing.
A literature critic said that taking the “Shanzhai” Gala as an example, when the traditional CCTV program becomes less and less attractive to the audience, the “Shanzhai” version appears timely to attract people. “Although it is often connected with poor techniques and operation, ‘Shanzhai’ culture meets the psychological needs of common people and could be a comfort to their minds,” he said.
To the mainstream culture, the rise of “Shanzhai” culture is a challenge and a motivation. People believe different kinds of cultures developing together is a perfect way and it is for the public to choose.
1. The Chinese word “Shanzhai” may have started with ________.| A．fake (假的) cell-phones | B．electronic products |
| C．Spring Festival Gala | D．Olympic buildings |
| A．the action that a person imitates famous people |
| B．products with poor techniques and quality |
| C．anything that are copies of something famous |
| D．those similar names to famous brands |
| A．is held back by “Shanzhai” culture |
| B．is the challenge of “Shanzhai” culture |
| C．will be replaced by “Shanzhai” culture |
| D．may develop faster because of the challenge of “Shanzhai” culture |
4 . Take a look at teenagers around,dressed in baggy-pants,drinking soft drinks such as coke,reading Japanese cartoons.Whether you are in Beijing,Wuhan or Hong Kong,you will get the same impression.But should we copy others or should we maintain our differences?
It sounds convenient that people around the world speak the same language,dress in the same style,eat the same food and play the same games.If the world was like this,you won’t feel strange in any corner of the world.But just imagine living in such a strange world.How dull and colourless it would be!
Different kinds of food that people can taste,the colorful and fashionable clothes that we wear and different languages we speak are all part of the different cultures that our ancestors left us.These differences represent their creativity and talent.And we all enjoy different cultures in our daily lives.When you travel to other places,you want to see different things.When you talk to foreigners you expect to listen to interesting stories.These differences in culture make life colourful.
But the whole world is shrinking into a small village as globalization takes effect and many different cultures are disappearing.In most big cities around the world people wear the same clothes.Fast food stores are everywhere.Hollywood movies are kicking traditional performing arts out of our lives.The colours of our life are disappearing.
There is a joke that even the panda and zebra want to live a colourful life.So let’s take action to protect our colourful culture before it becomes as simple as black and white.
It’s not difficult.Learning some folk songs,trying on a traditional clothing and even eating local food instead of going to KFC can help.And I’m sure you will enjoy it.
1. The passage is written to .| A．explain cultural differences |
| B．convince readers to maintain cultural differences |
| C．predict the future of globalization |
| D．show some cultural phenomena(现象) |
| A．mentioning certain cultural phenomena |
| B．mentioning his view at the very beginning |
| C．mentioning the opposite view at the very beginning |
| D．giving examples of cultural differences |
| A．expanding | B．disappearing |
| C．becoming smaller | D．growing in number |
| A．food | B．clothing |
| C．language | D．architecture |
5 . Teachers’ Day is, interestingly, not celebrated on the same day all over the world. In some countries it is marked by a holiday, in others it is a working day.
International Teachers’ Day is celebrated on October 5. Being held ever since 1994, it is in honor of teachers’ organizations worldwide. Its aim is to encourage supports for teachers and to meet the needs of students.
China ― In 1939, Teachers’ Day was set for August 27, Confucius’ birthday. In1951, the celebration was stopped. However, it was founded again in 1985, and the day was changed to September 10.
India ― Teachers’ Day is celebrated on September 5 in honour of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the second president of India, whose birthday falls on that day.
Russia ― In Russia, Teachers’ Day was celebrated on the first Sunday of October between 1965 and 1994. Since 1994, the day is observed on the October 5, just the same day as World Teachers Day.
The US ― In the US, Teachers’ Day is non-official holiday. It is celebrated on the Tuesday of the first full week of May. A number of activities are organized in schools to honor teachers. The celebrations can continue for the whole week of May.
Thailand ― In Thailand, National Teachers’ Day is celebrated every year on January 16. The first Teachers’ Day was held in 1957. The day is a holiday in schools.
1. Which of the following has the same meaning as the underlined word “observed”?| A．stopped | B．held |
| C．celebrated | D．fell |
| A．China has celebrated Teachers’ Day since the year 1931. |
| B．Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s birthday is in September |
| C．Teachers’ Day is an official holiday in the United States. |
| D．Teachers’ Day is a working day in schools of Thailand. |
| A．The first Teachers’ Day was held in 1965 in Thailand |
| B．Teachers’ Day falls on Confucius’ birthday in China |
| C．International Teachers’ Day aims to benefit the students |
| D．A lot of activities are held on Teachers’ Day across the world |
6 . Natural sites and historic buildings, when left alone, can slowly be in bad condition.
“World Heritage" is the title given to places chosen from natural sites and buildings around the world. These places are considered special, valuable and require protection. They may be places of nature or cultural heritages that are the pride of the people in the country.
Even extremely beautiful natural environments can be in bad condition if they are left alone.
| A．They may also be home to endangered species(物种). |
| B．Today there are 183 Natural Heritage sites around the world. |
| C．People can change these places too, just as the wind and rain can. |
| D．Natural Heritage is valued for geographical characteristics and beautiful scenery. |
| E．That's why measures are being taken around the world to protect them. |
| F．It can reduce the risk of people accidentally stepping on valuable plants. |
| G．There are even security guards there who can arrest people that break the rules. |
7 . In the 1600’s when the Spanish moved into what later was to become the southwestern United States, they came across the ancestors of the modern-day Pueblo, Hopi, and Zuni peoples. These ancestors, known variously as the basket makers, the Ancient ones, had lived in the area for at least 2000 years. They were an advanced agricultura people who used irrigation to help grow their drops.
The Anasazi lived in houses constructed of earth and wood. Anasazi houses were originally built underground and were entered from the roof. But around the year 700 A. D., the Anasazi began to build their homes above ground and join them together into multistoried complexes, which the Spanish called villages. Separate underground rooms in these villages—known as kivas or holy places—were set aside for religious ceremonies. Each kiva had a fireplace and a hole that was believed to lead to the underworld. The largest villages had five stories and more than 800 rooms.
The Anasazi family was ruled by women. The sacred objects of the family were under the control of the oldest female, but the actual ceremonies were conducted by her brother or son. Women owned the rooms in the village and the crops, once they were harvested. While still growing, crops belonged to the men who, in contrast to most other Native American groups, planted them. The women made baskets and pottery; the men wove cloth and made jewelry.
Each village had two chiefs. The village chief dealt with land arguments and religious affairs. The war chief led the men in fighting during occasional conflicts that broke out with neithboring villages and directed the men in commnity building projects. The political and social organization of the Anasazi made it almost impossible for outer groups to conquer them.
1. The Anasazi people were considered agriculturally advanced because of the way they ______ .| A．stored their crops | B．harvested their crops |
| C．watered their crops | D．planted their fields |
| A．A 20- year – old man | B．A 20- year – old woman |
| C．A 50- year – old man | D．A 50- year – old woman |
| A．The presence of the Spanish destroyed Anasazi society. |
| B．The Anasazi benefited from trading relations with the Spanish. |
| C．Anasazi society exhibited a clear division of labor. |
| D．Conflicts between neighboring Anasazi villages were easily solved. |
In Western countries, people usually celebrate New Year at midnight on January 1st. People may go to parties, dress in formal clothes -- like tuxedos (小礼服) and evening gowns, and drink champagne at midnight. During the first minutes of the New Year, people cheer and wish each other happiness for the year ahead. But some cultures prefer to celebrate the New Year by waking up early to watch the sun rise. They welcome the New Year with the first light of the sunrise.
It is also a common Western custom to make a New Year’s promise, called a resolution. New Year’s resolutions usually include promises to try something new or change a bad habit in the new year.
Many cultures also do special things to get rid of bad luck at the beginning of a new year. For example, in Ecuador, families make a big doll from old clothes. The doll is filled with old newspapers and firecrackers. At midnight, these dolls are burned to show the bad things from the past year are gone and the new year can start afresh (again). Other common traditions to keep away bad luck in a new year include throwing things into rivers or the ocean, or saying special things on the first day of the new year.
Other New Year traditions are followed to bring good luck is to eat grapes on New Year’s Day. The more grapes a person eats , the more good luck the person will have in the year. In France, people eat pancakes for good luck at New Year. In the United States, some people eat black-eyed peas (豇豆) for good luck -- but to get good luck for a whole year you have to eat 365 of them!
1. Which culture celebrates New Year in the morning?
| A．The passage doesn’t say. | B．Spain. |
| C．France. | D．The United States. |
| A．Something you say. | B．Something you eat. |
| C．Something you burn. | D．Something you wear. |
| A．Bringing good luck. |
| B．Remembering the past. |
| C．Planning for the next year. |
| D．Keeping away from bad luck. |
| A．Black-eyed peas taste bad. |
| B．The peas are very difficult to cook. |
| C．One pea brings one day of luck. |
| D．It is bad luck to eat a lot of black-eyed peas. |
9 . Food festivals around the world
Stilton Cheese Rolling
May Day is a traditional day for celebrations, but the 2,000 English villagers of Stilton must be the only people in the world who include cheese rolling in their annual plans. Teams of four, dressed in a variety of strange and funny clothes, roll a complete cheese along a 50-metre course. On the way, they must not kick or throw their cheese, or go into their competitors' lane（赛道）. Competition is fierce and the chief prize is a complete Stilton cheese weighing about four kilos (disappointingly, but understandably the cheeses used in the race are wooden ones). All the competitors are served with beer or port wine, the traditional accompaniment for Stilton cheese.
Fiery Foods Festival—The Hottest Festival on Earth
Every year more than 10,000 people head for the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. They come from as far away as Australia, the Caribbean and China, but they all share a common addiction—food that is not just spicy（辛辣）,but hot enough to make your mouth burn, your head spin and your eyes water. Their destination is the Fiery Food and BBQ Festival which is held over a period of three clays every March. You might like to try a chocolate-covered habanero pepper—officially the hottest pepper in the world—or any one of the thousands of products that are on show. But one thing's for sure—if you don't like the feeling of a burning tongue, this festival isn't for you!
La Tomatina—The World's Biggest Food Fight
On the last Wednesday of every August, the Spanish town of Bunol hosts Ea Tomatina—the world's largest food fight. A week-long celebration leads up to an exciting tomato battle as the highlight of the week's events. The early morning sees the arrival of large trucks with tomatoes—official fight-starters get things going by casting tomatoes at the crowd.
The battle lasts little more than half an hour, in which time around 50,000 kilograms of tomatoes have been thrown at anyone or anything that moves, runs, or fights back. Then everyone heads down to the river to make friends again—and for a much-needed wash!
1. In the Stilton cheese rolling competition, competitors on each team must .| A．wear various formal clothes |
| B．roll a wooden cheese in their own lane |
| C．kick or throw their cheese |
| D．use a real cheese weighing about four kilos |
| A．In New Mexico. |
| B．In the Caribbean. |
| C．In Australia. |
| D．In China. |
| A．three days |
| B．seven days |
| C．less than three days |
| D．more than seven days |
| A．The chief prize for the Stilton cheese rolling competition is beer or port wine. |
| B．More than 10,000 Chinese take pail in the Fiery Food and BBQ Festival. |
| C．Thousands of spicy foods are on show in the Fiery Food and BBQ Festival. |
| D．An exciting tomato battle takes place at the beginning of La Tomatina. |
10 . Facial expressions carry meaning that is determined by situations and relationships. For example, in American culture (文化) the smile is in general an expression of pleasure. Yet it also has other uses. A woman’s smile at a police officer does not carry the same meaning as the smile she gives to a young child. A smile may show love or politeness. It can also hide true feelings. It often causes confusion (困惑) across cultures. For example, many people in Russia consider smiling at strangers in public to be unusual and even improper. Yet many Americans smile freely at strangers in public places (although this is less common in big cities).Some Russians believe that Americans smile in the wrong places; some Americans believe that Russians don’t smile enough. In Southeast Asian cultures, a smile is frequently used to cover painful feelings. Vietnamese people may tell a sad story but end the story with a smile.
Our faces show emotions (情感), but we should not attempt to "read" people from another culture as we would "read" someone from our own culture. The fact that members of one culture do not express their emotions as openly as do members of another does not mean that they do not experience emotions.
Rather, there are cultural differences in the amount of facial expressions permitted. For example, in public and in formal situations many Japanese do not show their emotions as freely as Americans do. When with friends, Japanese and Americans seem to show their emotions similarly.
It is difficult to generalize about Americans and facial expressiveness because of personal and cultural differences in the United States. People from certain cultural backgrounds in the United States seem to be more facially expressive than others. The key is to try not to judge people whose ways of showing emotion are different. If we judge according to our own cultural habits, we may make the mistake of "reading" the other person incorrectly.
1. What does the smile usually mean in America?| A．Love. | B．Politeness. |
| C．Joy. | D．Thankfulness. |
| A．show friendliness to strangers |
| B．be used to hide true feelings |
| C．be used in the wrong places |
| D．show personal habits |
| A．Learn about their relations with others. |
| B．Understand their cultural backgrounds. |
| C．Find out about their past experience. |
| D．Figure out what they will do next. |
| A．Cultural Differences |
| B．Smiles and Relationship |
| C．Facial Expressiveness |
| D．Habits and Emotions |
