1 . Presidents' Day in the United States
Washington's Birthday, also known as Presidents' Day, is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February.
Who Is Washington?
George Washington served as the first president of the United States of America. His first term as president was from 1789 to 1793.
Presidents' Day is a public holiday in most U. S. states. However, many businesses are open as usual and many stores hold sales on Washington's Birthday.
What Do People Do?
Washington's Birthday officially honors the life and work of George Washington. The day honors past presidents of the U. S.A. Washington's Birthday is sometimes known as Presidents' Day.
| A．Do People Have to Work? |
| B．Is Presidents' Day a Public Holiday? |
| C．His second term was from 1793 to 1797. |
| D．His image is also used on the one-dollar bill and the quarter-dollar coin. |
| E．Many delivery services, except for the Post Office, have a regular service. |
| F．The day honors presidents of the United States, including George Washington, the U. S.A.'s first president. |
| G．This is because while most states have adopted Washington's Birthday, some states officially celebrate Presidents' Day. |
2 . A Thai town’s popular “monkey festival” returned Sunday after a two-year break caused by the pandemic.
The fun event took place in Lopburi in central Thailand. There, thousands of monkeys ate lots of fruits and vegetables. The animals could be seen climbing on people and colorful fruit formations made of pineapples, bananas and even costly durians(榴莲).
“Today’s special is the durian, which is expensive. Lopburi monkeys like expensive things,” said Yongyuth Kitwatananusont. She has organised over 30 monkey festivals.
The huge fresh meal cost over $3,000. It is a yearly tradition for locals in Lopburi to thank the monkeys for doing their part in bringing tourists to the area. The event takes place on the last Sunday in November.
The theme for this year’s festival was wheelchair monkeys. Yongyuth, the event organiser, planned to give 100 wheelchairs to people who have difficulty in walking.
Tourists have been slowly returning to Thailand after the government started a quarantine-free(免隔离) travel plan for vaccinated(已接种疫苗的) visitors in November. The country saw more than 100,000 travelers in November. That is as many as the number of arrivals in the first 10 months of 2021.
The festival proved to be a popular event this year. Tourists were seen playing with monkeys with their cameras. “I’m really happy to get to see this and now I’m thinking about going to the next festival,” said Ayoub Boukhari, a visitor from Morocco. “It’s quite unexpected and the monkeys are quite lovely.”
The return of the tradition also pleased locals. “It’s the first time in two years that monkeys have got a chance to eat all kinds of fruits and vegetables,” said Lopburi local Thanida Phudjeeb. “I’m happy for them.”
1. What did the monkeys do on this year’s festival?| A．They got whatever they like. | B．They handed out fruits to tourists. |
| C．They were offered a special treat. | D．They were dressed up to amuse visitors. |
| A．To benefit some disabled people. | B．To give tourists 100 wheelchairs. |
| C．To attract more foreign tourists. | D．To introduce local cultural traditions. |
| A．Locals’ passion for the festival. | B．Positive reaction from tourists. |
| C．Requirements visitors need to meet. | D．A big increase in the number of tourists. |
| A．Animals Live Peacefully with Humans Here | B．Tourists Visit Thailand to Watch Monkeys |
| C．Monkeys Make Local Tourism a Success | D．Monkey Festival Returns to Town in Thailand |
3 . Chinese people love food made of flour, whether it be dumplings, or flatbread. In the hands of sill 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 at 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. Their delicate and lovely handicrafts are storytellers of old and new Beijing. In 2008, it was included in the list of national intangible 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 delicate pieces of artwork for display only. For this reason, during the making process they are often mixed with additives (添加剂) to prevent them from breaking up, being eaten by insects or growing moldy. Over the course of his long career, Lang Shao’an developed a set of sill fingers with an elegant artistic sense.
Lang Jiaziyu, born in 1995, is the third-generation inheritor of Dough Figurine Lang. When he was 15, he created Beijing Olympic Mascot shaped dough figurines which were highly praised. He looks a bit more fashionable than other folk artisans. In his skilled hands, pop culture icons such as figures based on Marvel comics characters and Chinese mythological figure Nezha with smoky makeup, are resonating 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 last 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 achievements 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 . It had been a “long” and hard walk from home to the subway station for teenager Mandy Chan when she first put on hanfu in public. Chan is one of the founders of hanfu in Hong Kong. “It was a set with a cream-colored shirt, a brown jacket in China’s Ming dynasty style and a red pleated skirt made by me,” she recalled recently, almost 10 years later.
It was not the looks from others but her limited knowledge on the traditional Chinese clothing that had made her uncomfortable. Chan added, “If anyone had asked what I was wearing, or the history behind it, I would have been afraid I couldn’t tell them the whole picture.”
However, her uneasiness had gradually gone with more in-depth research on traditional Chinese culture. Hanfu was the traditional clothing of China’s Han ethnic group that was formed in the main residential areas of the Han people in ancient China. The historical clothing has untold stories and ideas in every detail. The cutting and stitching line in the middle part of hanfu fits the spine (脊椎) of the human body and helps people to dress properly. This design, which has transcended (超越) itself as mere decoration, points to the qualities of the wearers as upright and moderate (温和的) individuals.,
“Instead of imitating people like what I used to do, I have jumped out of my comfort zone and found the style that suits me best,” Chan said. “Through hanfu, I have found myself and so many unexplored things in my life.” Chan added that she had found her lifelong passion through hanfu, which is a goal and dream that has never been absent from her life. Chan found she was not alone after falling in love with hanfu. She believes that classics will never go out of style and she herself has incorporated (使并入) hanfu into her everyday life.
1. Why did Chan feel uneasy when she first wore hanfu in public?| A．Her clothes were worn out. |
| B．She didn’t like looks from others. |
| C．Her clothes didn’t fit her properly. |
| D．She had a limited knowledge of hanfu. |
| A．It never goes out of fashion. |
| B．It shows personal qualities of its wearers. |
| C．It has many different styles for choice. |
| D．It appeals to people of all ages and social groups. |
| A．Hanfu has a strong influence on Chan. |
| B．Hanfu will be a big business in China. |
| C．Hanfu will take the lead in the fashion. |
| D．Hanfu allows her to get to know more people. |
| A．Health. | B．Travel. | C．Sports. | D．Culture. |
5 . Most people buy a lot of gifts just before Christmas. But some people think we buy too much. They have started a special day called “Buy Nothing Day”. They don't want anyone to go shopping on that day.
Buy Nothing Day is November 29. It's 25 days before Christmas. It's after Thanksgiving and often the first day of Christmas shopping. At this we see ads in newspapers and on TV telling us to “buy buy, buy!”.
The idea of Buy Nothing Day started in Vancouver, British Columbia. Now people all over the world celebrate Buy Nothing Day. In California, parents and children get together to read stories, sing songs and paint pictures. This year, in Manchester, England, people dressed up to tell people that we buy too much.
In Albuquerque. New Mexico, high school students wanted to tell other students about Buy Nothing Day. They organized a Spaghetti dinner to give people information about Buy Nothing Day. They asked restaurants in the neighborhood to donate the food. They made posters and talked to other students about it. The dinner was a big success, and many students agreed not to buy anything on November 29. The students at the high school like the idea of this new tradition. Next year, they want have another dinner to tell more people about “Buy Nothing Day”.
1. Which of the following is NOT the day for people to celebrate Buy Nothing Day?| A．November | B．days before Christmas. |
| C．After Thanksgiving. | D．The first day after Christmas. |
| A．In California, parents and children get together to play games. |
| B．In England, people celebrated by performing plays. |
| C．In Mexico, high school students dressed up. |
| D．They bought nothing and persuaded others not to buy things |
| A．They donated the food of their own. | B．They talked to others about it. |
| C．They made some slogans for it. | D．They organized a luxurious dinner. |
| A．A Free Dinner | B．A Big Success |
| C．Buy Nothing Day | D．A New Christmas Day |
6 . My brush was tiny, more like something you'd use for nail polish. That was suitable because I was struggling to paint the toenails of my dragon shadow puppet(皮影戏偶). Mao Zhongbo, our teacher, noticed my struggle and showed me how to keep my brush from becoming overloaded with pigment(颜料). It was an unexpected personal touch from the resident master at a Beijing hotel.
Shichahai Shadow Art Performance Hotel is a step back in time. Surrounded by a forest of sky scrapers, this little inn is in a hutong. Once you open its massive wooden doors, you enter a calm space that directs your gaze to the framed shadow puppet art that decorates the walls. The mission here is clear: to educate guests about a dying part of Chinese culture before it's too late.
I visited here last winter. As a theater lover, I hoped to get a behind-the-scenes look into a completely different performing art. The inn provides English interpreters who help make the cultural offerings accessible to its foreign guests. These include performances in the private puppet theater at the hotel and several classes taught by master Mao.
One night, I watched Mao and several other hotel employees perform the classic tale "“Turtle and Crane". The animals' supple(灵活的) movements made me forget that puppeteers controlled them. Afterward, I tried my hand at controlling the many sticks needed to make each puppet move effortlessly. My awkward attempts to operate several sticks at once showed why it takes years to master something that looks simple. I asked Mao whether anyone could learn to be a shadow puppet performer. He paused, then answered, "Like ballet, some have a talent for this and some don't. Making a puppet seem real comes from the hands, the brain and the heart." It also takes passion.
At the end of my stay, I went to the lobby to get my dragon shadow puppet. I noticed Mao giving a class to a group of local youngsters, confirming me in my belief that he would inspire a new generation of masters.
1. What was the author doing according to Paragraph 1?| A．Polishing her toenails. |
| B．Taking a shadow puppet class. |
| C．Learning Chinese painting skills. |
| D．Choosing pigment for her shadow puppet. |
| A．Find foreign lovers of shadow puppetry. |
| B．Save the dying art of shadow puppetry. |
| C．Make shadow puppetry easy to understand. |
| D．Attract buyers for the shadow puppets on its walls. |
| A．It is all about talent. |
| B．It is effortless but boring. |
| C．It looks easier than it is. |
| D．It involves dealing with animals. |
| A．Indifferent. | B．Optimistic. |
| C．Suspicious. | D．Pessimistic. |
7 . Unique and Weird New Year's Eve Traditions
German
In some parts of Germany, they do lead （铅）pouring. Pour a dollop （团）of lead into cold water and the shape it dorms may be telling you about the year to come. A heart shape, naturally, means love will come your way. A crown predicts wealth and fortune. A star indicates happiness. But if you see a cross, you're almost dead!
Latin America
If you are in Latin America, make sure you have some colourful underpants to ring in the New Year. End — of — the — year partiers put on colourful underwear to ensure certain types of outcomes of the following year, red for love and yellow for success.
Naples, Italy
Neapolitans like throwing things out of the windows, at least on New Year's Eve. Furniture, kitchen machines, grandma.. Well, maybe not the last one. Let's hope not, anyway. This tradition is meant to symbolize an out — with — the — old gesture and get a new beginning of the new year. These days people are a bit more mindful of what they throw into the street below.
Spain
In 1909, winegrowers in the Alicante region of Spain had a brilliant idea: Start and promote an annual tradition that would involve people in having to buy and eat more grapes. Everyone must eat 12 grapes on New Year's Eve to pray for wealth of the coming year. Now, it's a popular custom in Spain. But the problem is that people have to eat a grape for each bell striking at midnight.
1. Germans would like to see the following shapes of lead Except ________.| A．a heart | B．a cross |
| C．a star | D．a crown |
| A．They hate cooking at home. |
| B．They are more careful about what to throw now. |
| C．They throw their grandma out of the window. |
| D．They like making gestures in front of the windows. |
| A．They buy lots of wine. |
| B．They pray with 12 grapes. |
| C．They eat as many grapes as possible. |
| D．They eat a grape for each bell striking, |
8 . Whatever she likes, you can always find something perfect for your mom, whether it is wine, coffee or clothes.
►For the bookworm
For the woman who took you to the library to get your very first card, show how much you appreciate her love of language and words with one of these book-themed cups for a Mother’s Day gift. You can choose from a good old-fashioned library card, a funny banned book’s pattern, or ones featuring your favorite literary characters, including Edgar Allen Poe and Alice in Wonderland. These are some of the most meaningful Mother’s Day gifts that moms have ever received. Library Card Cup, $ 18.49, Amazon. com.
►For the business traveler
When she’s not busy teaching her children how to tie their shoes and mind their manners, the mom you love is flying across the country for an important client meeting. She needs clothes that don’t give her anything else to worry about. It dries quickly and resists wrinkles. Florence Travel Dress by Orvis, $ 119, Amazon. com.
►For the gardener
If gardening is your mom’s beloved pastime, introduce her to the rapidly growing world of succulents (多肉植物) with this DIY kit (工具箱). Inside, you’ll find a white moss ball planter, a metal chain and hanging hook, two colors of reindeer moss (驯鹿苔), planting instructions, and an optional live succulent. Succulent Kokedama String Garden Kit, $ 33.97, windowbox. com.
►For the coffee lover
Every kid knows the number one rule of the household: Don’t talk to mom until she’s had her coffee. Show your understanding with a monthly brew (酿造) subscription. The coffee beans come from all over the world, including Peru, Brazil, Papua New Guinea and more. Atlas Coffee Club Subscription, $ 60 for three months, atlascoffeeclub. com.
1. Which of the following gifts should you send your mother if she loves reading?| A．A cup with a library card. | B．A fashioned library card. |
| C．A banned book’s pattern. | D．A book with literary characters. |
| A．It can resist being wet. | B．It’s convenient to carry. |
| C．It seems cheap to buy. | D．It can be wrinkle-free. |
| A．Moms looking after kids require more coffee. |
| B．Atlas Coffee Club provides world-class coffee beans. |
| C．People must purchase succulents in advance. |
| D．Succulents are popular nowadays. |
9 . As the birthplace of kites in the world, Weifang, Shandong province of China, produces beautiful, vivid, colorful and high-quality kites. Now, more than 70% of kites in the world are exported from Weifang. If you want to see various shapes and sizes of kites covering the sky, you cannot miss the Weifang Kite Festival held on the third Saturday of every April.
But this year, tens of thousands of Chinese participants gathered in Weifang, from Sept 26 to 29 for the 37th International Kite Festival. Held since 1984, the International Kite Festival is an annual event to “exhibit the excellence of the kite lovers to the public,” according to the festival's website.
During the festival, kite lovers can enjoy stunt (特技表演) kite flying, also known as aerial ballet. Controlled by either a single person or a group, the kites form different shapes in the air. People always devote a lot of time and wisdom to making their own kites. From animals that crawl (爬行) on the ground or swim in the water to legends like Monkey King, everything can fly in the sky at the festival. One of this year's highlights was the giant kites decorated with images of medical staff and the Long March 5 rocket, which reflect the hot topics this year.
“Flying a kite is like flying your dream. All the cultural symbols from ancient and modern times can be found in the sky of Weifang,” noted Medium. After more than three decades of development, the festival has become a place to appreciate kites. But most importantly, it serves as a unique cultural event to promote international exchange.
1. What does the text mainly talk about?| A．A kite festival. | B．A kite birthplace. |
| C．The future of kites. | D．Kite performances. |
| A．To enjoy animals flying in the air. | B．To show kite-lovers' brilliance. |
| C．To perform specialized kite flying. | D．To enhance Weifang's global impact. |
| A．It takes a lot of trouble to make a kite. | B．Stunt kite flying is the only highlight. |
| C．Imagination can be shown in the kite. | D．Decorations matter least in the show. |
| A．It helps organize an international event. |
| B．It offers tips on how to appreciate kites. |
| C．It helps make the place known worldwide. |
| D．It enhances international cultural exchange. |
10 . We know that St. Patrick's Day festivities may include a little bit of drinking. But there are plenty of kid-safe St. Patrick's Day events around metro Phoenix, too. Here are the lucky St. Patrick's Day celebrations for kids.
3/17: Lucky St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes
Kids can make their own treats at the Children's Museum of Phoenix this St. Patrick's Day. Children can make and decorate their-cupcakes with rainbow candies and chocolate pots of gold. To-go containers will also be provided.
Details：1-3 p. m, Friday, March 17. Children's Museum of Phoenix, 215 N.7th Street, Phoenix. $3 for members. $4 for non-members. 602-253-0501.
3/17-19: Fountain O'Green Artisan Market
This community festival will include sculptures paintings, handcrafted jewelry and apparel from selected local and regional artists, live music and dance performance throughout the weekend. There will also be a food court.
On Friday, emerald-colored water will shoot from the town's fountain at noon. Take the kids to see the annual tradition and picnic in the park.
Details: 10 a. m.-5 p. m., Friday-Sunday, March 17-19. Avenue of the Fountains and Saguaro Boulevard, Fountain Hills. Free. 480-488-2014.
3/17: St Patrick's Day Party at AZ Air Time
Kids above 12 years old can collect their free, green glow necklaces and jump for three hours, scale the rock climbing wall or dive into the giant pit of foam. Jump sacks required.
Details: 8-11 p. m. Friday, March 17. AZ Air Time. 13802 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 145, Scottsdale. $15, which is a $14 savings, 480-427-2000.
1. In which program can kids find the food court?| A．St. Patrick's Day at the Irish Cultural Center. | B．Fountain O' Green Artisan Market. |
| C．St. Patrick's Day at AZ Air Time. | D．Lucky St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes. |
| A．Lucky St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes. | B．St. Patrick's Day at the Irish Cultural Center. |
| C．Fountain O'Green Artisan Market. | D．St. Patrick's Day at AZ Air Time. |
| A．Parents of younger children. | B．People addicted to alcohol. |
| C．Organizers of festivals. | D．Educators and businessmen. |
