1 . Suddenly one Sunday in August, the streets are filled with color. A group of bands and dancers makes its way slowly through the city. Every evening, crowds of people walk up to the top of the Royal Mile, looking forward to a show of military music. On every shop window and noticeboard, posters have appeared, advertising everything from poetry readings to children’s theatre, art exhibitions to concerts. It’s festival (节日的，欢乐的) time.
From its beginning in 1947, the Edinburgh International Festival (the “official” festival) has become a world-famous cultural event. The city turns into a huge arts centre, with its music, drama, dance and exhibitions, all by artists of international fame (名声). Every year more than twenty nations perform to audiences from all over the world in theaters, halls, schools, churches and the streets of the city. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo adds to the choice of entertainment (娱乐), with its marching and military bands in Edinburgh Castle.
The Festival Fringe (the “unofficial” festival) is the biggest event of its kind in the world, with more than 900 shows to choose from and over 6,000 writers and performers taking part. It gives people a first-class opportunity to see many works performed for the first time—several of which go on to give successful performances elsewhere.
The Film Festival gives fans an opportunity to widen their knowledge of films. And to show that there is something for everyone, the Jazz Festival has become very popular in recent years. You can hear the very best of music all over the city at this time.
There is no more exciting place to be than in Edinburgh at festival time!
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?| A．The growth of the Edinburgh International Festival |
| B．The coming events of the Edinburgh International Festival. |
| C．The festive scene of the Edinburgh International Festival |
| D．The history of the Edinburgh International Festival |
| A．Along the Royal Mil. | B．In Edinburgh Castle. | C．In theaters. | D．In churches. |
| A．It is as famous as the Edinburgh International Festival |
| B．Many leading artists take part in it |
| C．It has become an official event |
| D．Some plays are performed for the first time |
| A．a tourist guide | B．A geography textbook | C．A history paper. | D．An official report |
2 . Customs of the Lantern Festival
Eating yuanxiao
Yuanxiao, also called tangyuan in the south, is the special food for the Lantern Festival. It is believed that yuanxiao is named after a palace maid, Yuanxiao, of Emperor Wu Di of the Han Dynasty. Yuanxiao is a kind of sweet dumpling, which is made with sticky rice flour filled with sweet stuffing (甜馅). And the Lantern Festival is named after the famous dumpling, It is very easy to cook—simply drop them in a pot of boiling water for a few minutes—and eaten as a dessert.
Guessing lantern riddles
Guessing lantern riddles (谜语) is also a necessary part of the Festival. Lantern owners write riddles on a piece of paper and post them on the lanterns. If visitors have answers to the riddles, they can pull the paper out and go to the lantern owners to check their answers. If they are right, they will get a little gift. The activity during people’s enjoyment of lanterns appeared in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). As riddle guessing is interesting and full of wisdom, it has become popular among all of China.
Watching fireworks
On the night of the Festival, except for great lanterns, fireworks form a beautiful scene. Most families spare some fireworks from the Spring Festival and let them off in the Lantern Festival. Some local governments will even organize a fireworks party. On the night when the first full moon enters the New Year, people are really excited by the fireworks and the bright moon in the sky.
1. What can we know about yuanxiao?| A．It is difficult to cook. | B．It is made with sticky rice flour. |
| C．It is named after a famous poet. | D．It is the special food for the Spring Festival. |
| A．A free meal. | B．A new lantern. | C．A new riddle. | D．A small present. |
| A．Health. | B．Education. | C．Culture. | D．Entertainment. |
3 . You might think that simple things like saying hello and goodbye are the same in every culture. Think again!
Shaking hands to say hello or goodbye was a Western custom at first.
Traditionally, the Chinese custom for greeting was to hold one’s hands together and nod their head a little.
Japanese people greet each other by bowing.When greeting an older or more important person, it is usual to bow lower and for longer.
People in European countries such as Italy often greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks (脸颊). Even men greet each other like this.
Eskimos, a group of people living in the very cold northern areas of North America, greet each other by lightly rubbing their noses together.
When you’re not sure what the customs are in a new country, there’s one greeting that is the same all over the world: a smile.
| A．Kissing is only for close family or women friends. |
| B．However, Eskimos never greet each other with a bow. |
| C．Everyone understands a smile so don’t be afraid to use it! |
| D．In some cultures, it is usual to kiss on the cheek three times! |
| E．This custom probably started because of the freezing weather |
| F．Bowing was also traditional in many European countries in the past. |
| G．But it is now becoming international, especially in business situations. |
4 . It is always said that China is the homeland of tea, which has a very long history of tea.
➢Color
➢Flavor(味道)
New tea is extremely clear and transparent with strong aroma(芳香), while old tea is characterized by brown color and weak fragrance. Take green tea and black tea for example, new green tea tastes a little bitter first, and then the fresh sweet taste begins to surface gradually, leaving a long and memorable after taste in mouth.
➢Place of origin
There is great gap of quality among various places of origin.
| A．Every tea leaf has its own shape. |
| B．Some varieties are identified by tightness of the leaves. |
| C．It is always advised to select tea from its main producing areas. |
| D．While you’re selecting tea, you should pay attention to following aspects. |
| E．For foreigners in China, drinking tea may seem like simple refreshment(提神). |
| F．Generally, new tea leaves look fresh and pleasing, with light green or dark green. |
| G．On the contrary, if bitter taste takes the lead and fresh sweet taste subsides(减弱), it is black tea. |
5 . Sites of cultural heritage(遗产) often carry a large degree of value. Famous World Heritage Sites like the Pyramids of Giza or the Forbidden City in Beijing are truly impressive.
However, cultural relics(遗迹) are more than just valuable in art—they tell a story of human history. Everything that makes up our society (our values, our language, our traditions, our way of life, etc.) comes from our ancestors.
So it is important to set an international rule to be followed during a war in order to greatly reduce the harms to cultural relics.
| A．They are worth protecting. |
| B．They are beautiful pieces of art. |
| C．Recently there have been many terrible acts. |
| D．Cultural heritage is important for many reasons. |
| E．Cultural relics are the only means we have of connecting with our past. |
| F．The harms do not only influence our present - day society, but all of our future. |
| G．This is the case, for example, with the laws about attacking common people in a war. |
6 . For many years, school children in the US have been taken on “field trips” to cultural institutions such as museums of art. Educators arrange them in the belief that schools exist not only to teach economically useful skills, but also to produce civilized young people who appreciate the art and culture. While there are parents who will take their children to cultural places in their free time, there are plenty of other children who will never have this kind of opportunity unless schools offer it. So you could say that taking school students on field trips is a means of giving everyone equal access to their cultural heritage.
However, the attitude towards field trips in recent years is changing, with the number of tours organized for school groups falling significantly in museums all around the country. The most obvious reason is the issue of finance. Because there are increasing demands on their funds, after all, computers and sports facilities aren’t cheap, schools are forced to make a difficult choice about how to spend the limited money they have. Faced with this dilemma, field trips are an obvious thing to cut since they are seen by many as too expensive.
Additionally, the nature of these field days is also changing. Schools increasingly use trips to amusement parks or sporting events as a treat for students rather than an opportunity for cultural learning. This shift could have a basis in generational differences between teachers’ reasons for organizing days out of school. A recent survey conducted among 500 Arkansas teachers showed that older teachers were significantly more likely to take the primary purpose of a field trip as a learning experience than younger teachers, who view it as fun.
Some evidence shows the trend of fewer trips may have a negative effect on children’s development. A research led by Jay Greene at Arkansas University found that students who received a tour of an art museum greatly improved their knowledge of and the ability to think critically about art. They also display stronger historical interest and were more likely to visit cultural places in the future. The researchers warm that if schools cut field trips or switch to less educational destinations, valuable opportunities to broaden and enrich children’s learning experiences are lost.
1. What is the original purpose of field trips to cultural institutions?| A．To teach students useful skills in economics. |
| B．To encourage parents to take their children there. |
| C．To educate students to preserve cultural heritage. |
| D．To make art culture accessible to every student. |
| A．The decrease in school funds. |
| B．The lack of school funds. |
| C．Students’ demand for fun. |
| D．Teachers’ generational differences. |
| A．The switch from old generations to young generations. |
| B．The switch from sporting events to cultural experiences. |
| C．The change from an opportunity for learning to a treat for entertainment. |
| D．The change from educational destinations to unique attractions. |
| A．Students are rewarded with more cultural awareness. |
| B．Amusement parks enrich children’s learning experiences. |
| C．Cutting field trips is critical to the future of the museum. |
| D．Field trips ensure better future academic performance. |
7 . No matter where you go around the globe, everybody loves to celebrate. And when it comes to celebration, festivals offer something for everyone.
Mardi Gras （New Orleans, Louisiana）
Also known as Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a cultural event. Though the celebration
is held every year on the day before Ash Wednesday, the festivities last for months, banning in November throughout January and early February. And if you love music, check out the annual Galactic concert at the world-famous Tipitina’s on Lundi Gras (the day before Mardi Gras).
La Tomatina （Valencia, Spain）
Launched way back in 1945, La Tomatina is one of the oldest festivals on our list. It's also easily the happiest but the messiest, coming off like the world's biggest food fight.
Legend has it that the whole thing started when some local boys joined a parade alongside musicians. The boys made the performers so angry that they tried hit the boys, and a vendor's (小摊贩)vegetable stand fell victim to the incident.
If you go, please follow some simple rules: Don't throw hard objects, squash the tomato before throwing it, stay a safe distance away from tomato trucks, and stop in time.
Montreux Jazz Festival （Switzerland）
Founded back in 1967, Montreux is one of the oldest music festivals in the world. It's also the second largest jazz festival, after the Montreal International Jazz Festival. That Canadian concert may attract more visitors-around 2 million annually. But Montreux benefits from its pretty location on the attractive shores of Lake Geneva. The area is particularly beautiful in late June/early July, when the festival is held.
1. When is Galactic concert held?| A．On Mardi Gras. | B．On Lundi Gras. |
| C．On Montreux Jazz Festival. | D．On La Tomatina. |
| A．Punish naughty boys. | B．Enjoy musicians' performance. |
| C．Throw tomatoes without hurting. | D．Catch people who destroy tomatoes. |
| A．News report. | B．Academic journal. |
| C．Conceit brochure. | D．Travel magazine. |
8 . It can be very easy to stick with what you know, instead of trying to meet people who are different from you.
Become self-aware.
Talk to someone from a different cultural background. Try and get to know someone from a different cultural background better.
Be more accepting. Sometimes, for one reason or another, it's not all that easy to understand some cultural differences.
| A．Do your own research. |
| B．Think beyond stereotypes. |
| C．Practice being sympathetic towards people. |
| D．Work out your own beliefs, values and personal biases. |
| E．Instead of asking them questions directly, treat them as friends. |
| F．And the best approach is to acknowledge people are different and to accept that's okay. |
| G．However, trying to understand people from other countries can help you experience more. |
9 . Best Mexican Festivals to Attend
The country of Mexico has more to offer besides its beauty and the following festivities prove that well. Take a look at them and save your dates because you definitely can't afford to miss them.
Día de Muertos
Día de Muertos is a celebration of life! November l and 2 are important. While the l st is dedicated(专用的) to children and is called the”Day of the Innocents”, the second is dedicated to the people who have passed away. Graves are decorated with flowers, feasts are prepared, and families come together to remember their loved ones.
Date: 1st- 2nd November
Where: All over Latin America
Día de la Independencia
Día de la Independencia is the day when the entire country celebrates the start of Mexico's war of independence. Today, a couple of weeks are celebrated with artists putting up shows and exhibitions, Mexican music filling the streets, and even some costume parties!
Date: 16th September
Where: Mexico
Guelaguetza Festival
A spectacular vision of art, dance, and music, the annual celebrations of Guelaguetza are . a wonderful cultural experience， especially for tourists. Since the tickets to this festival's cultural program are sold in advance, you can plan a trip around this event.
Date: 22nd-27th July
Where: Oaxaca，Mexico
Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe
As the legend goes, Virgin Mary appeared in front of Juan Diego, one of the most loved patron(守护神) saints of Mexico. The apparition(神秘的现象) occurred in Mexico City and a church has been built at that spot. The religious festival of Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe pays respect to this event. The story goes forward and mentions a few relics too. This also makes it one of the most religiously significant monuments.
Date: 12th- 13th December
Where: Mexico City
1. What does Día de la Independencia celebrate?| A．The start of life. | B．A war of independence. |
| C．The coming of spring. | D．The arrival of Virgin Mary. |
| A．Día de Muertos. | B．Día de la Independencia. |
| C．Guelaguetza Festival. | D．Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe. |
| A．To introduce. | B．To educate. | C．To advertise. | D．To persuade. |
10 . A British friend told me he couldn’t understand why Chinese people love eating sunflower seeds（嗑瓜子）as a snack so much. “I’ve met a lot of older Chinese and many have a crack in their front teeth, I believe that’s from cracking the seeds,” he said.
I had never noticed the habit, but once he mentioned it, I suddenly became more aware. I realized that whenever I’m watching TV or typing a report, I always start mindlessly cracking sunflower seeds. My friend doesn’t like sunflower seeds, and, to him, it seems unnecessary to work so much just to get one small seed.
When we were young, the whole family would usually get together for Chinese New Year. Then, we all lived close to one another, usually in a small city, and sometimes even neighbors would go door-to-door on Chinese New Year’s Eve to check out what every household was making.
I remember my parents would be in the kitchen cooking. Out in the living room, a large table would already be laid out, complete with fancy tablecloth, ready-made dumpling fillings, and dishes full of candy, fruits and sunflower seeds. Some of the dishes were to be offered to our ancestors later, while others were for neighbors and children to eat before the evening feast. I must have learned how to crack sunflower seeds back then.
I don’t think it’s right to criticize one’s choice in food or eating habits, no matter how strange they may seem.
It’s not only in China. When I went abroad, I found people had all sorts of strange habits when it came to food. In Denmark, they put salted red fish on bread and eat it for dinner, no matter how much it ruins your breath. They think it’s。delicacy（美味佳肴）, and it’s connected to their certain culture. I think it’s a wonderful tradition.
1. Why can the British friend not understand when he found Chinese love eating sunflower seeds?| A．Because the seeds are too hard to crack. |
| B．Because he thinks they art harmful to teeth. |
| C．Because he doesn’t think the seeds are good. |
| D．Because he doesn’t thinks the seeds are worth eating. |
| A．The families get together for it. | B．Eating sunflower seeds is related to it. |
| C．The traditions of celebrating it disappear. | D．Children can eat delicious food on that day. |
| A．indifferent | B．critical | C．understandable | D．doubtful |
| A．It is good to form healthy eating habits. |
| B．Eating habits come from a certain culture. |
| C．Changing your eating habits will change your life. |
| D．One kind of food doesn’t necessarily suit everyone. |
