1 . Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an ancient system of health and wellness that’s been used in China for thousands of years. It has saved millions of lives around China’s vast territory by providing vital information on diagnosis (诊断), treating common medical problems and diseases, and emphasizing prevention. If you do not have previous experience with Chinese culture or medicine, be prepared for a cultural experience.
Several thousand years ago, The Medical Classic of the Yellow Emperor put forward the principle that one should develop yang energy in spring and summer,
According to TCM theory, yang energy is the power for inner organs.
“Sprouting in spring, growing in summer, harvesting in autumn and storing in winter” is the law of development in the nature.
| A．while protecting yin energy in autumn and winter. |
| B．It’s necessary to the function of various body parts. |
| C．The same is true for the way of health preservation. |
| D．when the body engages in active digestive processes. |
| E．It will relieve your medical condition and enrich your life. |
| F．Winter is the season for storage of everything, including energy. |
| G．Summer is a good season to build up your bodies through exercise. |
2 . Symbol of rebirth, but also of protection, Easter eggs are a must. But what are the traditions that centre on them? Here are some curiosities from around the world.
Easter Egg Hunting in England
Among the most original rituals, the English Easter Egg Hunt deserves a place of honour. On Easter Sunday, children go hunting for eggs in parks and gardens, surrounded by people dressed up as Easter bunnies: only those who find the eggs hidden by family members will receive the surprise brought by the Easter Bunny.
Easter Egg Roll at the White House
In the United States, the annual White House Easter Egg Roll was born for the first time on April 22, 1878. A game that consists in letting the eggs slide on the grass for as long as possible without breaking them, where it’s possible to come across well-known personalities in the role of the Easter bunny.
Colourful Confetti (五彩纸屑) in Mexico
In Central America, a cheerful and unusual ritual: los cascarones. That is egg shells (壳) emptied out and filled with coloured confetti. Tissue paper sheets are used to hold the egg together, but not to worry if the result is not accurate. No one complains: this seems to be a custom brought by Marco Polo from China, where the shells were filled with spices (香料).
The Giant Omelette in France
Easter is associated with “abundance”, and the French prepare a giant omelette with over 4,500 eggs in Haux. Legend has it that Napoleon started this tradition after falling in love with the omelette in the town. It is served in the city’s main square and can feed over a thousand people.
1. What do the first two traditions have in common?| A．They feature some animals. | B．They need family members. |
| C．They involve outdoor activities. | D．They focus on children’s activities. |
| A．Eggs are put in parks and gardens. |
| B．Egg shells are full of various spices. |
| C．It is possible to meet famous people. |
| D．The tradition may have its origins in China. |
| A．Colourful Confetti in Mexico | B．The Giant Omelette in France |
| C．Easter Egg Hunting in England | D．Easter Egg Roll at the White House |
3 . Chinese people love food made of flour. In the hands of skilled artisans (手艺人), flour is made into lovely models of people or animals to be enjoyed and played with, which brings a unique kind of pleasure. This art form is called dough figurine (面塑). Among the various art styles of dough figurines, Beijing’s Dough Figurine Lang is a unique folk art, which is filled with the rich history and customs of the capital city. In 2008, it was included in the list of national intangible (非物质的) cultural heritage.
It was created by Lang Shao’an. Most of the dough figurines are animals and characters from legends, historical stories, and local operas. The finished product is either put at the end of a thin stick or on a table for display. Some are mostly for children to eat or play with, with simple forms and vivid decorations, while some are fine pieces of artwork for display only. For this reason, during the making process they are often mixed with additives (添加剂) to better preserve the finished products.
Lang Jiaziyu, born in 1995, is the third-generation inheritor (继承人) of Dough Figurine Lang. When he was 15, he created Beijing Olympic Mascot (吉祥物) shaped dough figurines which were highly praised. He looks a bit more fashionable than other folk artisans. In his skilled hands, pop culture icons (偶像) are popular with young people.
Like most of the other intangible cultural heritage handicrafts in China, Dough Figurine Lang does not get as much attention from the public. Few young people are willing to take the time to master a skill that does not make money, which has led to a decline in the number of those who are devoted to the handicraft. Good handicrafts need the devotion of artisans from one generation to another.
1. What is special about Dough Figurine Lang?| A．It reflects Beijing’s culture. |
| B．It is created by many famous artists. |
| C．It shows people’s lifestyles and beliefs. |
| D．It is popular with both tourists and the locals. |
| A．To make dough figurines taste good |
| B．To keep colors brighter and lasting longer |
| C．To help shape dough into various forms. |
| D．To better preserve the finished products |
| A．Suggestions for other folk artisans. |
| B．Different art styles of dough figurines. |
| C．Lang Jiaziyu’s accomplishments as an artisan |
| D．The popularity of modern dough figurines |
| A．To call on people to master a skill. |
| B．To appeal to people to value this folk art. |
| C．To teach people ways to appreciate the handicraft. |
| D．To persuade people to protect national cultural heritage. |
4 . Each year, the women of Olney and Liberal compete in an unusual footrace. Dressed in aprons(围裙)and headscarves,they wait at both towns-starting lines.Each woman holds a frying pan with one pancake inside. At the signal,the women flip(抛)their pancakes and they're off!
This “pancake racing”tradition is said to have started on Shrove Tuesday, 1445, in Olney. Shrove Tuesday is the day before the Christian season ofLent(大斋戒)begins.During Lent,many people decide to give up sugary or fatty foods.
Legend says that in 1445, an OIney woman was making pancakes to use up some of her sugar and cooking fats before Lent. She lost track of time and suddenly heard the church bells ring. signaling the beginning of the Shrove Tuesday serviceRealizing that she was going to be late for church, she raced out, still wearing her apron and headscarf and holding her frying pan with a pancake in it.
In the following years, the woman’s neighbors imitated(模仿)her dash to church and pancake racing was bon.Olney women continue this Shrove Tuesday tradition more than 500 years later.
In 1950, inspired by a picture of the OIney Pancake Race in a magazine, a resident of Liberal wanted his town to join in the fun.He called Olney to set up a friendly competition,and the people of Olney accepted.
The rules are simple. Racers must wear the traditional headscarfand apron. They must flip their pancakes twice once before starting and once after crossing the finish line.After the race, there are Shrove Tuesday church services.Then Liberal and Olney connect through a video call to compare race times and declare a winner.
In both towns, the races have grown into larger festivals. OIney's festival is an all-day event starting with a big pancake breakfast.Liberal's festival lasts four days, including a parade(游行)，a talent show, and contests that feature eating and flipping pancakes.
1. What can we know about Olney Pancake Race?| A．It begins during Lent. |
| B．It was founded by a Olney woman. |
| C．It has been held annually since 1445. |
| D．Its origin can date back to 15th century. |
| A．Wear their own clothes. | B．Hold the pancake all the way. |
| C．Throw and catch the pancake twice. | D．Have the pancake cooked while running. |
| A．Olney's festival is held for four days. |
| B．Liberal’s festival has varieties of activities |
| C．Olney’s festival has more various competitions. |
| D．Liberal’s festival starts with a delicious breakfast. |
| A．Positive. | B．Negative. | C．Objective. | D．Subjective. |
5 . Music Festivals
1. Why do people in the Buku Music Festival need to catch up on their sleep?
| A．Sleep during the night is difficult. | B．Buku has a post-industrial setting. |
| C．The performances will last overnight. | D．The tickets for the festival are very expensive. |
| A．Buku Music Festival. | B．Horizon Festival. |
| C．Gasparilla Music Festival. | D．Golden Plains Festival. |
| A．On a mountain. | B．In a downtown square. |
| C．In a music hall. | D．In an open-air theatre. |
6 . The other day, my friend Jane was invited to a 40th birthday party. The time printed on the invitation was 7:30 p. m. Jane went off with her husband David, expecting a merry evening of wine, food, and songs.
By 9:45, everybody was having great fun, but no food had appeared. Jane and David were restless. Other guests began whispering that they, too, were hungry. But no one wanted to leave, just in case some food was about to appear. By 11:00, there was still no food, and everyone was completely off their heads. Jane and David left, hungry and angry.
Their experience suggests that the words on the printed invitations need to be made clearer. Everyone reads and understands the invitations differently. Most of us would agree that 6:30-8:30 p. m. means drinks only, that after 8:00 p. m. or 8:30 p. m. means possible dinner, and that 9:30 p. m. and any time thereafter means no food — eat beforehand and roll up late.
But this is not always the case. If asked to a students' party at 6:30 p. m., it is normal for guests not to appear before midnight, if at all, and no one cares. Being the first to arrive — looking eager — is social death. When my mother is asked to a party at 6:30, she likes to be there, if not on time, then no later than seven. My age group (late thirties) falls somewhere between the two, but because we still think we're young, we're probably closer to student-time than grown-up time.
The accepted custom at present is confusing, sometimes annoying, and it often means you may go home hungry, but it does lend every party that precious element (要素) of surprise.
1. The underlined words "off their heads" probably mean " ".| A．tired | B．crazy | C．curious | D．hot |
| A．party invitations can be confusing |
| B．party-goers usually get hungry at parties |
| C．people should ask for food at parties |
| D．birthday parties for middle-aged people are dull |
| A．very difficult |
| B．particularly thoughtful |
| C．friendly and polite |
| D．socially unacceptable |
| A．It's safe to arrive late just when food is served. |
| B．It's wise to eat something before going to a party. |
| C．It's important to follow social rules of party-going. |
| D．It's necessary to read invitations carefully. |
