1 . You might think of martial arts movies when you see people performing graceful moves down the river, all standing on a bamboo strip, but actually it is a form of intangible cultural heritage: bamboo drifting (漂流).
Over 2,000 years ago, the high-quality wood, nanmu, in Guizhou was in great demand by the royal court more than 2,000 kilometers to the north. With no better transportation, people had to stand on one log (原木) to drift down the river. Later, local people began to compete along the way and the game of wood drifting was born. In the Qing Dynasty, wood drifting became bamboo drifting because of bamboo’s lower price. Due to the skills it takes for one to master this act, bamboo drifting was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list last year.
Yang Liu, a 24-year-old inheritor of bamboo drifting, learned it at 7. “Usually, the bamboo under your feet is about 9 meters long, and the bamboo in your hands is about 5 meters. If the length or diameter (直径) of the bamboo is not long enough, it will not float. Keeping our feet firmly positioned on the narrow bamboo pole is the key, so we should fight against the current by constantly changing the angle. I lost my balance and fell in the water many times while practicing. Once I fell, I gave it another try until I knew how to handle the most difficult part, ” she said.
The love for the ancient skill keeps Yang going. In the past 17 years, she has drifted all year round, in winter cold and summer heat. A hanfu culture has been on the rise, Yang started wearing hanfu while performing, creating a more beautiful feel. In 2020, Yang began to post her videos on social media. “I’m extremely proud to get responses from viewers that bamboo drifting makes the line between what is possible and impossible unclear. It’s my mission to keep it alive and known to more people,” Yang Liu told China Daily.
1. What can be learned from the first two paragraphs?A.The martial arts movie is a form of cultural heritage. |
B.Nanmu was delivered to the north by land. |
C.Bamboo was costly in Guizhou 2,000 years ago. |
D.Bamboo drifting involves lots of skills. |
A.Finding the proper bamboo. | B.Holding the bamboo firmly in hands. |
C.Maintaining a fixed angle. | D.Keeping balance. |
A.Unbelievable. | B.Elegant. | C.Confusing. | D.Complicated. |
A.Transporting Bamboo down the River |
B.Intangible Cultural Heritage in Guizhou |
C.Balancing with Grace |
D.Yang Liu: A Creative Performer |
2 . Here are four activities in October. Go and get yourself out of your house.
Activity 1: Hope with Every Step 5K Race
It will be held on Saturday, October 7 at Taglienti Field on the Spruce Mountain High School campus. This event is held in honor of Josh Brochu, 13 and his sister Brook Brochu, 10, both of whom have a rare disease that affects children. All the money collected from the event will go to the A-T Childrens’ Project, a non-profit (非盈利的) organization which raises money for medical research and health centers. Visit www. atcp. org for more information.
Activity 2: A Free Movie Supported by Farmington Baptist Church
It will be shown at 7: 00 pm on October 3 at 194 Whittier Road in Farmington. The movie When the Game Stands Tall tells the true story of the De La Salle Spartans High School football team, which set 151-game winning streak (连胜) record. Football coach Bob Ladouceur’s belief always was, “We don’t expect you to play perfectly, but to give a perfect effort.”
Activity 3: Wilton Free Public Library’s Birthday Party
The library is turning 100 years old! All are welcome to attend the party celebrating 100 years of the beautiful library building. From 10: 00 am to 1: 00 pm on October 3, families are welcome to come to the library for some food and fun! There will be historical displays, fun book-themed food, face painting, and games and presents for kids. Please come and celebrate!
Activity 4: The Fourth Annual Pumpkin Festival
It will take place on Saturday, October 7. There will be various family activities, including movies, dog shows and children’s gifts.
All events will take place in the Front Street Neighborhood. For more information, please visit the website: farmingtonpumpkin festival. net.
1. Where will the Fourth Annual Pumpkin Festival be held?A.At 194 Whittier Road. | B.At Taglienti Field. |
C.In Wilton Free Public Library. | D.In the Front Street Neighborhood. |
A.To collect money. | B.To explore nature. |
C.To celebrate something. | D.To start an organization. |
A.At 10: 00 am on October 3. | B.At 7: 00 pm on October 3. |
C.At 7: 00 pm on October 7. | D.At 1: 00 pm on October 7. |
3 . Having spent more than a decade on the dance floor, ROME — Niccolo Filippi, a 23-year-old Italian dance performer, recently decided to explore Chinese culture and its traditional dance forms and believes that this experience will not only boost his career, but also broaden his horizons beyond the world of dance.
His interest in diversifying his skills grew after he stumbled upon a short video of traditional Chinese-styled dance on YouTube. “I saw it as an art that combines tradition and modernity, which was mostly the reason why I liked it,” says Filippi.
Ever since, he has been closely following Chinese dance performers and watching numerous videos to learn more about the traditional style that he admires. “I prefer the traditional style because of its light movements. It also reflects my personality with elegance,” he adds.
Filippi’s chance came when he was invited to perform for a Chinese New Year celebration in the central Italian city of Florence. He has since fully committed himself to the art form, learning several pieces and putting his newfound passion into practice.
“The biggest difference that I found (compared to other disciplines) is the change of mood and emotional expressions among dances,” says Filippi, adding that he needed to shift from the dynamic moves of hip-hop to the graceful and fluid movements of Chinese dance. Despite various obstacles, Filippi’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Two of his friends shared videos of his performances on social media, and the response was overwhelming. One video garnered 500,000 views, while the other received 200,000 views.
Filippi believes that learning about different cultures is priceless, and he sees it as a means of personal growth. “I like to think of a person as a book,” he says. “Embracing different traditions and cultures, such as Chinese culture and many others, is like adding new chapters to my book, making it more diverse and wonderful.”
1. What is the main reason why Filippi falls in love with traditional Chinese dance?A.Its potential to boost his career. | B.Its mix of traditional and modern elements. |
C.Its graceful and light movements. | D.Its true reflection of his elegant personality. |
A.By listing numbers. | B.By giving an example. |
C.By sharing a story. | D.By making a comparison. |
A.Filippi thinks little of learning from other cultures. |
B.People prefer to write down their past experiences. |
C.Accepting various cultures boosts personal growth. |
D.A book with chapters on traditions is more wonderful. |
A.Chinese-styled dance videos go viral on social media. |
B.An Italian’s dance journey towards specialization starts. |
C.Filippi’s desire for Chinese culture extends beyond dance. |
D.An Italian dancer shows passion for Chinese-styled dance. |
4 . Traveling without a map in different countries. I find out about different ways of giving directions every time I ask “How can I get to the post office?”
Foreign tourists are often puzzled in Japan because most streets there don’t have name signs. In Japan, people use landmarks (标志性建筑) to give directions instead of street names. For example, the Japanese will say to travelers, “Go straight down to the comer. Turn left at the big hotel and go past a fruit market. The post office is across from the bus stop.”
People in Los Angeles, the US, have no idea of distance on the map; they measure distance by time, not miles. “How far away is the post office?” you ask. “Oh,” they answer, “It’s about five minutes from here.” You don’t understand completely. “Yes, but how many miles away is it, please?” To this question you won’t get an answer, because most probably they don’t know it themselves.
People in Greece sometimes do not even try to give directions because tourists seldom understand the Greek language. Instead, a Greek will often say, “Follow me.” Then he’ll lead you through the streets of the city to the post office.
Sometimes a person doesn’t know the answer to your question. What happens in the situation? A New Yorker might say. “Sorry, I have no idea.” But in Yucatan, Mexico, no one answers “I don’t know.” People there believe that “I don’t” is impolite. They usually give an answer, but often a wrong one. So a tourist can get lost very easily in Yucatan! However, one thing will help you reach your destination everywhere in the world. It’s body language.
1. Which of the following is probably an example of Japanese directions?A.“The post office is at Street Kamira.” |
B.“Turn right at the hospital and go past a school.” |
C.“The post office is about five minutes from here.” |
D.“Go south two miles. Turn west and then go another mile.” |
A.They prefer to lead you the way. |
B.They prefer to use body language. |
C.They use landmarks to give directions instead of distance. |
D.They often have no idea of distance measured by miles. |
A.Using street names. | B.Leading the way. |
C.Using landmarks. | D.Giving people a wrong direction. |
A.people in Mexico know street names well |
B.body language makes you get lost in Yucatan |
C.people in Mexico prefer to use body language |
D.people in Yucatan sometimes give wrong directions |
5 . When my family moved to America in 2010 from a small village in Guangdong, China, we brought not only our luggage, but also our village rules, customs and culture. One of the rules is that young people should always respect (尊敬) elders. Unluckily, this rule led to my very first embarrassment in the United States.
I had a part-time job as a waiter in a Chinese restaurant. One time, when I was serving food to a middle-aged couple, the wife asked me how the food could be served so quickly. I told her that I had made sure they got their food quickly because I always respect the elderly. As soon as I said that, her face showed great displeasure. My manager, who happened to hear what I said, took me aside and gave me a long lecture about how sensitive (敏感) Americans are and how they dislike the description “old”. I then walked back to the table and apologized to the wife. After the couple heard my reason, they understood that the problem was caused by cultural differences, so they laughed and were no longer angry. In my village in China, people are proud of being old. Not so many people live to be seventy or eighty, and people who reach such an age have the most knowledge and experience. Young people always respect older people because they know they can learn from their rich experience.
However, in the United States, people think “growing old” is a problem since “old” shows that a person is going to retire or that the body is not working well. Here many people try to keep themselves away from growing old by doing exercises or jogging, and women put on makeup, hoping to look young. When I told the couple in the restaurant that I respect the elderly, they got angry because this caused them to feel they had failed to stay young. I had told them something they didn’t want to hear.
After that, I changed the way I had been with older people. It is not that I don’t respect them any more; I still respect them, but now I don’t show my feelings through words.
1. Jack brought the couple their food very fast because ______.A.the manager asked him to do so | B.he respected the elderly |
C.the couple wanted him to do so | D.he wanted more pay |
A.Nervous | B.satisfied | C.unhappy | D.excited |
A.people dislike being called “old” | B.people are proud of being old |
C.many people reach the age of seventy or eighty | D.the elderly are the first to get food in restaurants |
A.lost his job in the restaurant | B.made friends with the couple |
C.no longer respected the elderly | D.changed his way with older people |
6 . Many small American towns are known for their beautiful scenery, but very few have something special to offer. The following are known for their unique styles.
Scottshoro, Alabama
This attractive town is known as“The Lost Luggage Capital of the World”thanks to the unclaimed luggage center, where lost items such as snow skis, instruments and engagement rings are for sale. In addition to the store, which has become one of Alabama’s top tourist and shopping attractions, the city’s parks and heritage centers are popular places to visit.
Hope, Kansas
Hope is a city in southern Dickinson County, Kansas, with a population of 317.It’s the home of Klipsch Museum of Audio History, President William Jefferson Clinton’s birthplace and several antique shops. Hope’s motto,which is also the name of the town’s song, is “There will always be ’Hope’ in Kansas”.
Branson, Missouri
Although its population is just over 10,000,Branson hosts over 9 million visitors each year. When the best-selling novel, The Shepherd of the Hills, written by Harold Bell Wright, was released in 1907, readers rushed to the Ozark hills to experience its famous views. Now tourists also get to visit the World’s Largest Toy Museum, the world’s largest Titanic Museum Attraction and the record-breaking theme park, Silver Dollar City.
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth is a European-inspired destination, offering a collection of outdoor activities all year long. It welcomes almost 2million tourists each year and is home to the Nutcracker(胡桃夹子)Museum, which has more than 7,000 nutcrackers from around the world. Many of its visitors travel to the village in December during its annual holiday festival to see it light up with more than one million Christmas lights.
1. Why is Scottsboro called“The Lost Luggage Capital of the World”?A.It sells unclaimed lost items. |
B.It has fancy heritage centers. |
C.It features amusing city parks. |
D.It offers top shopping attractions. |
A.Take part in festivals. |
B.Shop at antique shops. |
C.Visit theme museums. |
D.Watch light shows. |
A.Hope,Kansas. |
B.Branson,Missouri. |
C.Scottsboro,Alabama. |
D.Leavenworth,Washington. |
7 . Accompanied by typical Jin opera music, a red-faced performer with a long beard showed up at the hall of a high school in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province. All the students in the hall stood up and craned (伸长) their necks to get a better look. In their eyes, Jin opera was something from the past.
They are not alone. It goes without saying that kids nowadays are much more familiar with popular music than traditional opera, which is why performing artist Wu Lingyun, together with his colleagues, goes to campuses to promote the art.
Wu Lingyun is best known for his role as Guan Gong, a general during the late Han Dynasty period.
Wu began playing the role in 1985, at the age of 21, and has been associated with it ever since.
Wu was significantly influenced by his parents, both of whom are also famous Jin opera performers. With a natural talent for performing and great effort, Wu was soon recognized by audiences and later awarded the Chinese Drama Plum Blossom Award in 2000, the highest award for Chinese drama performing arts.
Given Wu’s considerable fame, one might think he would now prefer to enjoy a life of leisure. However, this is far from the case. Deep down, Wu has a big dream. He pictures a growing future for Jin opera. Wu expected more chances for more people to get to know about the art, hoping Jin opera could become a worldwide art.
Wu has also made some changes to the traditional art to bring it up-to-date.“Jin opera should keep pace with the times if we want to bring it back to life and get the young generation to accept it,“ he says. “An art without life can never survive”“
1. How did the students react to the performance at the hall?A.They became bored. | B.They got disappointed. | C.They felt curious. | D.They looked casual |
A.He got a top award in 2000. | B.He started his performance in his teens. |
C.He now enjoys a leisure life. | D.He became famous because of his parents. |
A.It’ll be studied as a college major. | B.It’ll be officially recognized. |
C.It’ll have an easier performing form. | D.It’ll be popular across the world. |
A.Humorous. | B.Kind-minded. | C.Cautious. | D.Devoted. |
8 . There are four fun festivals throughout the year in Brazil.
Festa Junina
Festa Junina is celebrated all over Brazil for the entire month of June as a yearly celebration of Saint John. It celebrates country life with typical clothes, food and dances inside a large tent, with decorations such as colored flags, beautiful table cloths and balloons.
Oktoberfest
The Germanic roots of the south of Brazil brought this traditional German festival to Brazil, where it has become one of the most popular beer festivals. Held in the middle of October every year in Blumenau, it celebrates typical German cuisine and plenty of beer. There’re all kinds of German foods at the festival.
Festival de Cachaça
Every year in the town of Paraty, Festival de Cachaça is held for cachaça, the national alcohol (酒) made from sugarcane (甘蔗). This festival is held over a long weekend in August and it gives you a chance to try cachaça. There are also shows of samba (桑巴舞) and food trucks. It’s also a great opportunity to get to know the beautiful town of Paraty.
Parintins Folklore Festival
The festival held every year in Parintins is the second largest in Brazil after the carnival. It goes over a period of three days at the end of June and celebrates the Amazonian legend of a resurrected ox (复活的牛). The main attraction of the festival is the competition between the two teams Garantido and Caprichoso that compete to retell the story of the ox through a mix of dancing and singing.
1. Which festival lasts the longest time?A.Oktoberfest. | B.Festa Junina. |
C.Festival de Cachaça. | D.Parintins Folklore Festival. |
A.Taste German food. | B.Watch shows of samba. |
C.Drink the national alcohol. | D.Listen to the story of the ox. |
A.They are yearly activities. |
B.They enjoy global popularity. |
C.They focus on food and dancing. |
D.They are celebrated all over Brazil. |
9 . Williams is a creative, cultural commons (公共用地). There’s a lot of opportunities to engage with and experience world-class scholars, speakers, artists and performers.
Dance Workshop: Dunham Technique, Afro-Modern Dance
Saroya Corbett, Bolin Fellow of Dance, will share again her professional knowledge in Dunham Technique — an Afro-Modern dance technique — with the Williams community. As a certified instructor and life-long practitioner of Dunham Technique, Saroya will discuss the dance technique as an overall practice and the work of Katherine Dunham, the technique’s creator.
Date: Thu, Oct 27, 2022
Venue: ‘62 Center for Theatre & Dance
MIDWEEKMUSIC
Bring a friend and enjoy our popular midday and midweek concert series. Williams student musicians value the atmosphere of MIDWEEKMUSIC and use it to try out something new, show off something that doesn’t fit in other concert formats, or just to have some fun. Instructors are encouraged to have their students present themes together, and the freestyle mini-lecture can also be part of the enjoyment.
Date: Wed, Nov 2, 2022
Venue: Thompson Memorial Chapel
Zambezi Marimba Band — Family Days Concert
The Zambezi Marimba Band features danceable and melodious marimba music from Zambia and Zimbabwe. More a joyous celebration than just a concert, the band wins over every audience with its energy. This is an event for the whole family.
Date: Sat, Oct 29, 2022
Venue: Chapin Hall
Williams JazzDay — Noon to Night!
Williams JazzDay is a new way to present the college’s active jazz scene. Fans can look forward to a number of smaller combos (小型乐队) and a mix of soloists (独奏者), guests, and presentations.
The guest group will be Sarah Hanahan Quartet — alto sax, piano, bass, drums
Noon - 2 pm: two fantastic student combos are playing in Baxter Great Hall.
7:30 - 10:30 pm evening concert: Featured guest group Sarah Hanahan Quartet; student combos; and the Williams Jazz Orchestra led by director Kris Allen.
Date: Sat, Nov 5, 2022
Venue: Chapin Hall
1. Where is the Afro-Modern dance workshop hosted?A.At Chapin Hall. | B.At Baxter Great Hall. |
C.At Thompson Memorial Chapel. | D.At ‘62 Center for Theatre & Dance. |
A.Sad and depressing. | B.Energetic and traditional. |
C.Relaxed and informal. | D.Calm and peaceful. |
A.Dance to marimba music. | B.Listen to mini-lectures. |
C.Learn some performing skills. | D.See family shows. |
10 . Let’s celebrate some festivals in summer.
The Cariwest Festival
It is one of Edmonton’s most colourful summer festivals! It’s three days of fun as Caribbean Canadians share their music, cuisine and carnival culture! Local performers bring you amazing dance, music and fun. Bring Cariwest atmosphere into your home this year with these amazing online events.
Indigenous Festival
The annual Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF) in Edmonton has done a wonderful job to make their annual off-line festival a number of online events this year because of COVID-19. The events take place from June 1 to 21. SSIF has partnered with BMO to provide Education Days for students to learn together about indigenous history. These classes for which only a small fee will be charged include art workshops, book readings and museum tours.
Bluegrass Festival
Just 45 minutes from the heart of downtown Edmonton is the town of Stony Plain that works hard to keep ties to its agricultural background, and here you’ll see old-styled lamp posts and historical wall paintings with a long history everywhere. It’s also the site of Western Canada’s largest bluegrass festival, which has been a main attraction for more than 25 years and in July every year draws in all the big names, including Grammy winners.
Cowboy Festival
You like poetry, music, art and cowboys? Then you can’t miss it. Heading into its 24th year, Cowboy Festival in Stony Plain in August is a showcase of the cowboy life. The events include good old-fashioned BBQ meals and some other entertainment.
1. What is true about SSIF?A.It takes place in two cities. | B.It focuses on students. |
C.It is annually held online. | D.It is free of charge. |
A.It’s a city with modern appearance. | B.It has produced many musicians. |
C.It has deep roots in agriculture. | D.It often hosts national festivals. |
A.Cowboy Festival. | B.Indigenous Festival. |
C.Bluegrass Festival. | D.The Cariwest Festival. |