1 . The Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt, is one of civilization’s greatest mysteries. No one knows for sure exactly when, why or how it was built. It is an enormous sculpture, believed to be the biggest ever created. It measures about 241 feet(73.5 meters) long and 66 feet(20 meters) high. Due to its unknown origin, this massive creation has puzzled locals, tourists, historians, and archaeologists for centuries.
The Sphinx has the body of a lion and the head of a man, which gives it the appearance of a mythical(神话里的)creature. It remains mostly intact today, with the exception of its nose. Many legends surround the missing nose, but a widely accepted explanation is that a former ruler had the nose carved off at some point after its creation.
Most archaeologists believe that the Sphinx was built about 4,600 years ago by a pharaoh(法老), or ruler, named Khafre. His pyramid, the giant tomb that holds Khafre’s body, is located directly behind the Sphinx. Stone blocks cut out in order to carve the Sphinx’s face were used to build the Khafre Valley Temple at about the same time. Some historians also believe the Sphinx’s face was modeled after the face of Khafre.
For most of its existence, the Sphinx was buried in sand. One story claims that around 1400 BC, the pharaoh Thutmose IV dreamed that the Sphinx ordered him to clear away the sand in return for the crown of Egypt. The sand soon buried the Sphinx again, however. In the 1850s, the sand was partially cleared, and in the 1930s, the Sphinx was completely exposed. Now, however, wind, humidity(湿热）,and smog are causing the Sphinx to crumble. Archaeologists must act quickly to preserve this mysterious symbol of Egypt.
1. Why is the Sphinx considered to be mysterious?| A．It is the biggest sculpture ever made. |
| B．Wind and smog didn’t break it down. |
| C．People know little about it. |
| D．It was buried in the sand for centuries. |
| A．complete | B．magical |
| C．mysterious | D．confusing |
| A．The history of Khafre’s famous tomb. |
| B．Khafre’s great achievement in building the Sphinx. |
| C．Documents recording Khafre’s ruling of Egypt. |
| D．Evidences supporting Khafre’s building of the Sphinx. |
| A．Dig out the Sphinx completely. |
| B．Take action to protect the Sphinx. |
| C．Make the Sphinx the symbol of Egypt. |
| D．Beautify the Sphinx to attract more archaeologists. |
2 . “Where did the Christmas basket sitting on our front porch come from? ” I thought to myself. I’d just returned from the bank, where I’d withdrawn enough cash to get us through the holidays. Life was a struggle, raising two teenagers as a single mom while working two part-time jobs and taking college courses at night. I was extremely tired.
Looking for a card or note, I searched the basket which was filled with all sorts of holiday foodstuffs. However, there was none. Had someone entered my name into a charity? The timing couldn’t have been better. It would support us through a period of difficult time.
At that very moment I felt a bit guilty (内疚). Wasn’t there someone else out there who needed it more? Yes, my kids and I were struggling, but my grandparent relied only on the state pension (国家抚恤金) to get by. At least I could always pick up extra hours at work. And when I finished my degree, things would improve a lot.
My conscience (良心) won the debate. I drove to Grandma and Grandpa’s little two-room house. Grandma opened the door. “Merry Christmas, Grandma!” I said, handing the Christmas basket to her. Grandma was thrilled. “Oh, thank you, Connie! We’ll be able to have such a nice dinner this Sunday. This will really help us until our pension come. But what about you?” “We’ll be fine,” I said. After a short visit I excused myself. “I still have a lot of work to do, so I should head back.”
On the way home, thinking about Grandma’s smile, I knew the basket had gone to the right place. But like Grandma said, what about us? I still worried about how I could afford to make Christmas special for my kids. Then I saw it in front of my house, in the same spot as before — an identical Christmas basket, every bit as lovely as the first.
1. What kind of life did the author live according to the passage?| A．Tough. | B．Comfortable. | C．Ordinary. | D．Adventurous. |
| A．Because she had no idea where the basket came from. |
| B．Because she kept the basket to get through the holidays. |
| C．Because she was too exhausted to move on. |
| D．Because she realized she was not the one needing the basket most. |
| A．She was shocked that the author didn’t informed her in advance. |
| B．She was extremely happy to receive it. |
| C．She was upset about the upcoming miserable life. |
| D．She was confused about the author’s coming. |
| A．My Struggling Christmas Holidays |
| B．Grandma’s Smile |
| C．Christmas Gift That Kept on Giving |
| D．Christmas Wishes |
3 . Four interesting festivals:
Grand Old Days:
Phone number: (651) 699-0029 E-mail address: fo@grandave.com
Grand Old Days is one of the Midwest’s largest one-day festivals. It’s held every year on the first Sunday in June. It starts at 7:45 am until 5:00 pm. You should pay $8 for a ticket to enter the live music festival gardens and you must be at least 21 years old. There are a lot of interesting activities for the whole family.
Uptown Art Fair:
Phone number: (612) 823-4581 E-mail address: info@uptownminneapolis.com
There is a wide variety of artwork you can buy from only a few dollars to thousands of dollars. There are also activities held by some artists. Uptown Art Fair starts on August 5th and ends on August 7th. It is free to attend. The opening time and closing time are Friday 11 am-8 pm, Saturday 10 am-8 pm, and Sunday 10 am-6 pm.
Minnesota State Fair:
Phone number: (651) 288-4400 E-mail address: fairinfo@mnstatefair.org
It is one of the most popular fairs in Minnesota. It starts on August 25th and goes through Labor Day on September 5th. Tickets for adults (aged 13-64) are $11, seniors (aged 65 and older) $9, kids (aged 5-12) $8 and children under 5 are free of charge. It opens at 6 am and closes at midnight. The State Fair has lots of fun activities, bands, games, and rides.
Nativity County Fair:
Phone number: (651) 696-5401 E-mail address: info@nativitycountyfair.com
The Nativity County Fair is a kid’s fair, but it has some fun things for adults as well. You can buy tickets for the rides and games, and the price depends on how many tickets you want to buy. It starts from September 16th to September 18th.
1. Which of the following lasts the longest?| A．Grand Old Days. |
| B．Minnesota State Fair. |
| C．Uptown Art Fair. |
| D．Nativity County Fair. |
| A．17 dollars. |
| B．19 dollars. |
| C．22 dollars. |
| D．30 dollars. |
| A．(651) 699-0029 |
| B．(612) 823-4581 |
| C．(651) 288-4400 |
| D．(651) 696-5401 |
| A．advertise some popular festivals. |
| B．introduce some festival activities. |
| C．give advice on kids’ festival safety. |
| D．compare the costs of different festivals. |
| A．In a museum guide. |
| B．In a business report. |
| C．In a book review. |
| D．On a tourist website. |
4 . Diwali（Deepavali）is a festival of lights observed in October or November each year in Canada. During the festival, various community groups, businesses, schools and associations celebrate it in different ways. Some companies have Diwali dinners and some communities organize gatherings that feature firework displays, dances, street lighting, and plays.
Many women wear fine jewelry and silk outfits to celebrate Diwali. Some women and girls use Mehendi, a dye decoration which can last a limited time, on their palms, and then they will finally get colorful hand paintings. Many homes that celebrate Diwali have various types of sweets, salty and spiced food as well as Diwali herbs （香料）. Various lights, candles and sparklers are lit inside and outside homes, particularly in courtyards, on Diwali. Diwali is not a nationwide public holiday in Canada but it is a prevalent festival celebrated in many towns and cities. There may be traffic jams and parking places may be full in areas where events are held to celebrate Diwali. Some Indian businesses may close early on Diwali.
Diwali is called the "Festival of Lights" and is celebrated to honor Rama, a hero who once fought and won a battle against the demons（恶魔）. In the past, people lit their houses to celebrate his victory over demons（light over darkness）. At the same time, every household did careful and complete cleaning at home in advance. It is believed that the goddess of happiness and good fortune, Lakshmi travels around the Earth on this day and enters the house that is pure, clean, and bright.
Diwali celebrations may vary in different communities but its spiritual meaning is generally "the awareness of the inner light". As the word “Deepavali” means “a row or cluster of light”, the festival symbolizes the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness.
1. What can we learn about Diwali from the first two paragraphs?| A．It is celebrated on a fixed day. |
| B．It centers on various local food. |
| C．People stay up late to prepare for It. |
| D．People from all walks of life enjoy celebrating it. |
| A．Popular. | B．Free. |
| C．Serious. | D．Funny. |
| A．To pray for good journey. |
| B．To expect joy and good luck. |
| C．To create a romantic atmosphere. |
| D．To welcome their friends to visit. |
| A．Showing respect for others. |
| B．Staying straight and positive. |
| C．Valuing your family members. |
| D．Improving your living environment. |
| A．To stress the importance of a public holiday. |
| B．To tell an interesting story about a Canadian festival. |
| C．To briefly introduce a traditional festival in Canada. |
| D．To show different holiday celebrations in Western cultures. |
5 . Something you may not know about End of Heat
The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. End of Heat is the 14th solar term of the year, which implies that most parts in China are getting rid of the hot summer and entering autumn. But in some areas, especially in South China, autumn is late in coming and people are still bothered by hot weather. End of Heat is also the busy harvest season for farmers.
The following are the things you should know about End of Heat.
Time for night-blooming cereus (昙花)
The night-blooming cereus is a flower full of mystery, which often blooms during the period of End of Heat. This is because the climate during End of Heat, characterized by warm days and cold nights, is similar to tropical deserts. Night-blooming cereus originates in the tropical deserts from Mexico to Brazil in South America. They blossom at night to avoid the blazing daytime sun.
Eating Duck
Duck has a sweet flavor and according to Chinese traditional medicine it has a “cool” nature. A folk tradition is to eat duck during the End of Heat period. There are many recipes for cooking duck such as roast duck, cooked duck with lemon, smoked duck with walnut dressing and sautéed duck with ginger shoots. The tradition of eating duck during the End of Heat period is still popular in China.
The Fishing Season Festival
For fishermen, the End of Heat is a season of harvest. During this period，the Fishing Season Festival is held in regions along the coastline of the East China Sea in Zhejiang province. The festival is held on the day when the fishing ban ends and fishermen can start fishing again. Due to high temperatures in the sea, stocks of fish remain and become mature. People can enjoy many kinds of seafood during this period.
1. About End of Heat, which of the following statements is true?| A．It means the whole China has entered autumn. |
| B．The areas beyond the Great Wall are still hot. |
| C．In south China, the temperature is still high. |
| D．It is the end of the harvest season for farmers. |
| A．Temperate areas. | B．Tropical areas. | C．Cold areas. | D．Polar areas. |
| A．Because there are no other animals to eat. |
| B．Because the duck has a “cool” nature. |
| C．Because it tastes especially delicious at that time. |
| D．Because there are many recipes for cooking duck. |
6 . For the British, the home is a private place in which he or she goes to hide away from the troubles of life. It is very seldom that one would be invited to a British person's home. It is rude to knock on a person's door if you are not invited. If you are invited, don't ask to see more than the downstairs that your British host invites you into. Never ask how much the house or any of the items in it cost.
To the American，most of them want their home to be a place where they can entertain (款待) and share their lives with their friends. They may be delighted to give you a full tour of their houses. They may also be pleased when you show your interest and pleasure in their houses.
Both British and American people will engage in quite a bit of chat and a drink or two before the meal is served. After the first mouthful, you should say how delicious the food is and ask something about it. Remember, never eat with your mouth open and make very little noise while eating. It would be nice of you to help your host in any way. Maybe offer to pour some drinks or clear up after the meal.
1. British people _____ invite friends to their home.| A．often | B．always | C．seldom | D．never |
| A．see anything you like |
| B．ask how much his house is |
| C．ask the cost of any of the items in it |
| D．only see the downstairs that you’re invited into |
| A．angry | B．happy | C．sad | D．worried |
| A．陷入 | B．参与 | C．回避 | D．限制 |
| A．Some manners on visiting British and American people's home. |
| B．Different table manners between British and American people. |
| C．Different ideas about the home between British and American people. |
| D．Different ideas about how to get along well with neighbors between British and American people. |
Dear Rose,
I like your programs very much. I’m now writing to ask you something about American social customs. My American friends want me to join them in their dinner party. I am very happy and have decided to go, but I’m a little worried about it, too.
The social customs in my country are very different from here, so I’m afraid of making mistakes. Should I bring a present, such as sweets or flowers? Should I arrived on time or a little late? At the dinner table, how can I know which fork or knife to use? How can I let the family know that I’m thankful for their kindness?
Wang Lin
Letter B
Dear Wang Lin,
It’s a good idea to bring a small present when you go to a dinner party. Flowers are always nice, or you may bring a bottle of wine if you know that your friend drink it.
You should arrive on time or five to ten minutes late. Don’t get there early. If you are going to be more than fifteen minutes late, you should call and tell them.
Try to be free at the dinner table. If you don’t know about choosing the right fork or knife, just watch the other people, and follow them. If you still have no idea of what to do, ask the person next to you.
If you like the food, say so. Of course, you’ll thank them for the meal and for their kindness. It’s also a good idea to send a thank-you card the day after.
Rose
1. Wang Lin wants to _______.| A．make friends with Rose | B．know some social customs for a dinner party |
| C．make her friends happy | D．give her friends a surprise |
| A．a good housewife | B．a member of the dinner party |
| C．a TV hostess | D．a friend of Wang Lin’s |
| A．some fruit | B．a bottle of wine | C．some flowers | D．a knife and fork |
| A．Get there 15 minutes earlier | B．Make yourself at home |
| C．Follow others to use forks and knives | D．Thank your friends for the meal |
| A．difficult | B．friendly | C．enjoyable | D．helpful |
8 . When you enter high school this fall, you’ll find yourself immersed (沉浸) in traditional Chinese culture.
In January, the Ministry of Education worked out a new set of curriculum standards (课程标准) for high school students, People’s Daily reported. One of the biggest changes will be a greater focus on traditional Chinese culture.
According to Professor Han Zhen from Beijing Foreign Language Studies University, the new standards echo (回应) President Xi Jinping’s call for strengthening education. “The standards help students build cultural confidence,” he told People’s Daily.
The new standards call for students to be able to recite 72 ancient poems or articles. The number used to be 14. Recommended classic literature from ancient China includes The Analects of Confucius, Records of the Grand Historian and more.
Apart from Chinese language, other subjects such as fine arts, music and physical education will also focus more on traditional Chinese culture. For example, fine arts will include new lessons on Chinese alligraphy and painting.
China has also seen a growing interest in traditional culture in the private education sector. According to Southern Metropolitan Daily, since 2004, more than 3,000 traditional private schools have been built. They mainly teach traditional Chinese classics.
According to Fu Yan, a Chinese language teacher at Hangzhou Xuejun High School, learning about traditional Chinese culture is a good thing for students.
“At their age, the students may be too young to understand some classics,” Fu told Qianjiang Evening News. “However, as their life experience builds up, they may develop their own thoughts about the wisdom of the classics, which could be a driving force for their growth.”
Ancient Chinese culture is gaining popularity in China. This is reflected not only in the new curriculum standards, but also in the increasing interest in cultural TV programs.
For example, the weekly show National Treasure has become a big hit. It was first aired on China Central Television (CCTV) last December. The show uses dramatic performances to present some of China’s finest cultural treasures.
Other cultural TV programs such as The Chinese Idiom Competition and The Chinese Poetry Competition have also made more people fall in love with traditional Chinese literature.
Throughout China’s history, scholars and authors have written many classics worth studying. Those classic writings also interest people.
Here are some of the country’s most well-known works:
● Three Character Classic ● Tao Te Ching
● The Book of Poetry ● The Great Learning
● The Four Books ● Mencius
1. Which of the following is TRUE about the new curriculum standards?
| A．They came out last year. |
| B．There will be no change for students. |
| C．They focus more on culture worldwide. |
| D．They will help students develop cultural confidence. |
| A．be able to recite 72 ancient poems or articles |
| B．introduce classic works to their classmates |
| C．spend two hours a day learning about traditional Chinese culture |
| D．take extra classes on Chinese calligraphy and painting |
| A．learning the Chinese language is a good thing |
| B．students are too young to learn about classics |
| C．students need to develop their own thoughts |
| D．the classics could help students with their personal growth |
| A．2 | B．3 | C．4 | D．5 |
| A．High school students like learning about traditional Chinese culture. |
| B．The new curriculum standards focus more on traditional Chinese culture. |
| C．China is making efforts to become an educational power. |
| D．People’s interest in traditional Chinese culture is growing. |
9 . Nobody laughed when the UK comedy show Little Britain toured the US. Americans didn’t find the “British stereotypes(刻板印象)”funny. One character was a woman who was sick whenever she saw a foreigner.Another was a loud and rude 15-year-old girl cursing(骂)at her teachers.But back home,British people were laughing,thinking,“Yes!That’s exactly what we’re like!”
A laugh is a laugh in any language,but the reasons for it can be very different.Britons and Americans speak the same language,but humor does not always translate.
Take The Office as an example.This was originally a UK TV series but it was changed for the US.Both the US and UK series are set in a boring workplace in a boring town.But David Brent,the boss of the UK office,is not a nice guy like Michael Scott in the US version. “We had to make Michael Scott a slightly nicer guy,”wrote series creator Ricky Gervais.“He couldn’t be too mean.”
Gervais said British people are different from Americans because“Britons cruelly make fun of people we like or dislike…and of ourselves”. He believes the differences between the American and British senses of humor are because of“our upbringing”.
“Americans are brought up to believe they can be the next president of the United States,”he wrote.“Britons are told,‘It won’t happen for you’.”
Things usually turn out fine at the end of every US Office episode(集). Even if they’re not perfect, the characters “learn a lesson” for the future.
But in David Brent’s office—and in lots of UK comedies—the last scene is often sad. You are often left with the feeling that things just couldn’t get worse. For British people, this seems truer to life and so much funnier.
It’s not just Britain and the US that have comic differences. Few foreigners would understand a Chinese cross-talk show,for example.
Cultural differences are no laughing matter. But comic differences can be a window into a culture.
1. What is the purpose of the first paragraph?| A．To show that British humor is not funny at all. |
| B．To show that American people don't understand British people. |
| C．To show that Britain and America have different stereotypes. |
| D．To show how humor may mean different things in different cultures. |
| A．Unkind. | B．Great. | C．Average. | D．Ugly-looking. |
| A．David Brent is quite a nice guy. |
| B．Michael Scott is a rather mean guy. |
| C．Episodes in the UK version often end on a hopeless note. |
| D．Episodes in the US version often end in a boring way. |
| A．Britons do not like to make fun of others. |
| B．British comedy often has a moral message. |
| C．American people are brought up to be more positive. |
| D．Jokes are difficult to translate from one language into another. |
| A．They are slight differences that can be ignored. | B．They can partly show cultural differences. |
| C．They show stereotypes of different cultures. | D．They help people communicate with each other. |
10 . Every year, the Palace of Fine. Arts Theatre in San Francisco fills up with dance lovers. They come to take in experimental works of art that all have one thing in common — hip hop. This weekend the San Francisco International Hip Hop DanceFest, the mission of which is to encourage the evolution of hip hop dance culture while preserving its legacy, celebrates 20 years of presenting exciting hip hop performances.
Each DanceFest has diversity of style and group size, and a balance of local and out-of-town companies. The festival has drawn impressive international talents. In fact, outstanding technical dance skills are only a basic standard that the festival organizers are looking for. They look for much more groups or solo artists that think outside the box. Artists that use hip hop in a theatrical way or use it to address social issues are sure to stand out. For instance, the 2010 performance “Tables and Chairs” served to highlight the negative effects of alcoholism on society, warning people against the addiction to alcohol.
It would be terribly irresponsible not to mention the founder, Micaya, in any introduction to DanceFest. A popular hip hop dance instructor, Micaya began producing high energy dance shows in the heart of San Francisco in 1993. Students love her classes so much that a San Francisco newspaper once called her “Best Dance Instructor”.
However, Micaya was concerned about the doubtful reputation of hip hop. She made it her goal to get hip hop the same recognition and respect as other dance forms. In 1999 she started DanceFest. It was the first festival of its kind to honor the creativity of hip hop dance in a non-competitive atmosphere. To Micaya, competitive formats leave little room for the magic that comes from true expression. One review said, Micaya's festival challenges us “to reconsider just how diverse ... and embracing hip hop can now be.” Indeed, Micaya brings out the best in dancers, and has given San Francisco one of its finest festivals.
1. Why is the San Francisco International Hip Hop DanceFest held?| A．To attract international talents. |
| B．To encourage people to play hip hop. |
| C．To show the diversity of hip hop style. |
| D．To promote the development of hip hop dance culture. |
| A．Handle. | B．Discuss. |
| C．Recognize. | D．Record. |
| A．She was a popular hip hop composer in 1993. |
| B．She made hip hop dance less diverse in 1999. |
| C．She popularizes hip hop dance through the DanceFest. |
| D．She contributes to the increasing competition of hip hop dance. |
| A．The Rise and Fall of Hip Hop | B．A Unique Hip Hop DanceFest |
| C．A Famous Hip Hop Dancer | D．The Development of Hip Hop DanceFest |
