1 . Yunnan offers exciting experiences of unique customs. If you are already planning to visit Yunnan, see our festival tours.
The Torch (火把) Festival
Date: July /August (days 24 to 26 of the sixth lunar month)
Location: Lijiang
It is a traditional festival among the Yi, Naxi, and Bai minority (少数民族) groups. According to the ancient rule of the Naxi people, the Torch Festival should last three days, and every family should light a big torch in front of their doors for the three days.
Recommended Tour: 3-Day Ancient Lijiang Tour
The Water Splashing (泼酒) Festival
Date: April 13 to 15
Location: Xishuangbanna
It is the most important festival observed by the Dai people of Xishuangbanna in southen Yunnan. It involves splashing water, lantern floating and other joyful activities.
Recommended tour: 6-Day Xishaungbanna Tour
The Horse Race Festival
Date: May/June (5th of the fifth lunar month)
Location: Shangri-la
Falling on the same date as the Dragon Boat Festival, it is the biggest gathering of Tibetans in Yunnan and usually lasts about 3 days. During the celebrations, traditional performances and competitions like horse racing and wrestling (摔跤) will beheld.
Recommended tour: 8-Day Yunnan Tour of the Nu River and Tengchong
The Third Month Fair of the Bai Group
Date: April /May(days 15 to 21 of the third lunar month)
Location: Dali
It is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Bai people in Dali in western Yunnan. During the March Fair, the streets of Dali Ancient Town are packed with people selling amazing minority items.
Recommended tour: 6-Day Yunnan Minorities Tour
1. What do the Torch Festival and the Water Splashing Festival have in common?| A．The date. | B．The location. |
| C．The lasting time | D．The celebratory events. |
| A．The Torch Festival. | B．The Water Splashing Festival. |
| C．The Horse Race Festival. | D．The Third Month Fair of the Bai Group. |
| A．A business research. | B．A newspaper report. |
| C．An educational magazine. | D．An advertising leaflet. |
2 . The Dragon Boat Festival is a folk festival which has a history of more than two thousand years. We also call it Duanwu Festival. There are many activities on the day.
Dragon boat race
The dragon boat race is an important competition during the festival. People held dragon boat races in the river to remember the poet, Qu Yuan. Now, the dragon boat race is a traditional activity for Chinese people.
Wearing sweet-smelling bags
During the Dragon Boat Festival, children usually wear sweet-smelling bags to avoid bad things. In some areas of China, a sweet-smelling bag is also used as a symbol of love between lovers.
Girls’ Day
A long time ago, a married daughter would return to her parents’ home during the Dragon Boat Festival. So the Dragon Boat Festival is also called Girls’ Day.
Eating zongzi
Eating zongzi is also a custom for Chinese people. Zongzi is a kind of food called rice dumpling with different designs and styles. For thousands of years, the custom of eating rice dumplings has been popular in China and has spread to Korea, Japan and countries in Southeast Asia.
1. The Dragon Boat Festival is ________.| A．the Spring Festival | B．Yuanxiao Festival |
| C．Mid-autumn Festival | D．Duanwu Festival |
| A．admire a famous scientist | B．have good luck |
| C．remember Qu Yuan | D．celebrate the harvest |
①Take part in a dragon boat race.
②Adults wear bags that have sweet smells.
③Eat rice dumplings.
④Splash water at each other.
⑤Eat mooncakes.
⑥A married daughter returns to her parents’ home.
| A．①②⑥ | B．②③④ | C．①③⑥ | D．③④⑥ |
| A．good things | B．bad things |
| C．funny things | D．exciting things |
| A．Tangyuan. | B．Dumplings. |
| C．Mooncakes. | D．Rice dumplings. |
3 . This Summer’s Classical Music Festivals around Europe
Edinburgh International Festival, Scotland
Edinburgh International Festival is Edinburgh’s arts offering, and in 2023 welcomes violinist Nicola Benedetti in her first year as festival director. Picking up the baton (指挥棒) from previous director, Fergus Linehan, the Scotish violinist has described the role as “the honour and responsibility of a lifetime” and she is—perhaps unbelievably —the first Scottish and the first female festival director since the festival began in 1947.
August 4-August 27, eif.co.uk
Verbier Festival, Switzerland
The festival, marking its 30th anniversary, has become known for attracting the biggest soloists (独奏者) in the world. But the real magic of Verbier is connecting great musicians at the height of their careers with young artists through the Verbier Festival Academy. This year, 223 students from all over the world will receive training and attend master classes with the greats.
July 14-July 30, verbierfestival.com
Puccini Festival, Italy
Since 1930, the festival has been presenting Puccini’s masterpieces to crowds of thousands every summer. We’re picturing the Italian summer days closing with a gentle warmth, accompanied by fine opera and a cool glass of wine in hand, and the waters of Lake Massaciuccoli and the Tyrrhenian Sea rippling nearby.
July 14-August 26, puccinifestival.it
Granada International Festival, Spain
In 2023, as in previous years, the festival will team up with University of Granada to invite students to take part in the Manuel de Falla Courses, which offer master classes and workshops in composition, musical analysis, performance and more.
July 21-August 19, granadafestival.org
1. What is special about this year’s Edinburgh International Festival?| A．The performers. | B．The tailored baton. |
| C．The woman director. | D．Edinburgh’s art works. |
| A．They have a history of 30 years. | B．They are hosted by universities. |
| C．They allow guests to sing solos. | D．They provide students with masterclasses. |
| A．Verbier Festival. | B．Granada International Festival. |
| C．Puccini Festival. | D．Edinburgh International Festival. |
4 . When I was ten years old, I went to the US to visit some family friends. We travelled all the way from California to Las Vegas. I noticed something funny about the way everyone spoke English. I was thinking, “This is the way they speak in films!”
At the beginning of the holiday, one of my friends asked me if I wanted to order “French fries.” I couldn’t imagine what French fries were. What was fried and French?! Snails? Cheese? She was amazed that I had never tried them and she ordered a portion for us to share. When the waiter brought us some chips, I asked her where the French fries were. She pointed to the plate of chips! Later that week she said she was going to buy some “chips” from the supermarket. She came out with a packet of crisps!
During that holiday we were also offered “biscuits and gravy” with our lunch. This was a very strange idea to me, because in England biscuits are sweet. Gravy is a salty, meat-based sauce. I later realized that “biscuits” in America are savoury snacks. What we call “biscuits,” they call “cookies.”
One day, I saw an “eggplant” pizza on the menu in a restaurant! Eggs do not grow on plants, I thought. What on earth could an “eggplant” be? Something eggy and leafy? My dad ordered this pizza and it was covered in aubergines. I asked him where the “eggplant” was. He laughed and pointed to the aubergines. He told me, “They call this ‘eggplant’ in America!”
Although the same “language” may be spoken in different countries, there are likely to be many differences, not just in vocabulary but also in spelling, grammar and pronunciation! I think part of the excitement of learning a language is discovering the differences in how it is spoken in different places.
1. What can we learn from paragraph 2?| A．Holiday is a good time to relax. | B．French fries are popular worldwide. |
| C．The waiter provided poor service. | D．Chips and crisps are the same food. |
| A．America. | B．France. | C．England. | D．Italy. |
| A．Excited. | B．Regretful. | C．Anxious. | D．Confused. |
| A．Advantages of travelling. | B．High-end restaurants. |
| C．Food and tradition. | D．Cross-cultural misunderstanding. |
5 . Summer is approaching and with it, festival season. These are Europe’s best classical music festivals, not to be missed!
Bergen International Festival, Norway
Bergen Festival was established to promote Nordic artists and has become the largest festival of music and arts in Scandinavia. As well as attracting world-class performers, it is special for taking place in unique historical spots in the heart of Bergen and its coastal surrounds, including Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s own home, and the 13th-century King Hakon’s Hall.
June 24-July 7, fib. no
Granada International Festival, Spain
In 2023, performances by Icelandic pianists Víkingur Olafsson, Philippe Herreweghe in music by Mozart and Beethoven are among the classical music highlights(亮点).As in previous years, the festival will team up with University of Granada to invite enormous students to take part in the Manuel de Falla Courses.
June 21-July 19, granadafestival. org
Verbier Festival, Switzerland
Verbier Festival shows fine music at the heart of the beautiful Swiss Alpseach summer in 2023. As well as experiencing these fantastic performers in some of the most impressive alpine scenery Europe has to offer, the real magic of Verbier is that it connects great musicians at the height of their careers with determined young artists, through the Verbier Festival Academy.
May 14-June 30, verbierfestival. com
Edinburgh International Festival, Scotland
There’s a wonderful atmosphere on the historic streets of Edinburgh in August. In 2023,the festival welcomes violinist Nicola Benedetti in her first year as festival director. We will also see Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra from closer to home.223 outstanding students from all over the world will take part in it.
August 4-August 27, eif. Co. uk
1. Which of the following highlights the Bergen International Festival?| A．The locations. | B．The performers. |
| C．The composers. | D．The coastline. |
| A．Music by Mozart. | B．Student participation. |
| C．Violinists’ performances. | D．Cooperation with universities. |
| A．Verbier Festival. | B．Bergen International Festival. |
| C．Granada International Festival. | D．Edinburgh International Festival. |
6 . Harbin Ice Festival 2023/2024
The annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival opens in late December and lasts for around 2 months, till late February of the next year. The official opening ceremony is on January 5th, 2024, but the ice and snow sculptures are open to public viewing from December 17th, 2023.
When winter comes, Harbin turns into a kingdom of ice and snow. Attend the Festival to make your snow king/queen dream come true.
Annual activity schedule
| Dates | Activities |
| Early December | Ice harvest |
| December | Carving and building |
| Christmas Period | Unofficial opening |
| Jan. 5 of Each Year | Opening Ceremony |
| Late Feb. to early Mar. | Ice and snow sculptures start to melt |
New features in 2024
The huge Snowflake Ferris Wheel has already been built inside the Ice and Snow World. You can ride on the Ferris wheel to overlook the ice castles and exhibits and take awesome photos.
Booking
Official online booking is only open to Chinese travelers with a Resident Identity Card. For foreign passport holders, you can buy on arrival or fill in an application form online. We’ll contact you to contum the booking once the tickets are available.
Attention
But remember, as long as the ice and snow sculptures are open to visitors, it is impossible to take photos of the charming ice buildings without any visitors in. If you have plenty of time, to avoid the rush hours, you may consider entering before 2 p.m. and re-entering after 8 p.m. for night views. Two entrance tickets are needed if you choose to visit in this way.
1. When can visitors admire ice sculptures in the festival?| A．On 30th November, 2023. |
| B．On 3rd December, 2023. |
| C．On 23rd January, 2024. |
| D．On 15th March, 2024. |
| A．By buying the ticket in person. |
| B．By making an application online. |
| C．By calling the reception in advance. |
| D．By booking with a Resident Identity Card. |
| A．It lasts for about three months. |
| B．You can have a ride on the Snowflake Ferris Wheels. |
| C．You needn’t pay again if you re-enter on the same day. |
| D．You’d better come in the afternoon to avoid rush hours. |
7 . Jingdezhen is famous as China’s porcelain (瓷器) capital. It was one of thestops of a group of international youths as they visited Jiangxi Province.
The group’s visit to Jingdezhen was organised by the 2022 Global Young Leaders Dialogue (GYLD) China Tours program. The program offers young people around the world a chance to experience Chinese culture, learn about the life of the nation’s people, and appreciate China’s beautiful scenery through interesting visits and exchanges that take them all over the country.
In Jingdezhen, they visited Imperial Kiln (御窑) Museum. “Before I came to the Imperial Kiln Museum, I had no idea it would take such a complicated (复杂的) process to restore (修复) a piece of porcelain left over from ancient times,” American TV host Steven Weathers said. “Even with the help of high technology, it is hard to imagine how many modern means have played a part in the process of cultural relic protection,” he added.
Daria Lisaia, a researcher from Vanke Urban Research in Shenzhen, shared Weathers’ opinion. Some porcelain musical instruments have been produced with these imperial kilns from ancient days and traditional tools for making porcelain, so we can “hear the music” from hundreds of years ago, she said. “It’s like ancient culture is reborn,” she explained.
In addition to exploring the porcelain art, the group also came to Huangling Village in Wuyuan County, an ancient village around 80 km east of Jingdezhen. Huangling was once packed with run-down houses and buildings. Changes began to take place in 2009, with over 80 percent of the old houses restored. Today, many people come here to enjoy its historic scenes and natural beauty. In early autumn, large bamboo baskets filled with crops, such as chilies, pumpkins and chrysanthemum flowers, are placed in front of the local houses. Locals dry and preserve their crops for winter. Today, the longstanding practice has become a symbol of local culture and an important part of tourism.
1. What is the purpose of the 2022 GYLD China Tours program?| A．To protect traditional Chinese culture. |
| B．To let people know more about China. |
| C．To attract more people to Jingdezhen. |
| D．To learn ancient skills from local people. |
| A．It is not an easy job. |
| B．It is very easy to learn. |
| C．Traditional ways are better. |
| D．New technologies speed the process. |
| A．To create new instruments. |
| B．To keep up with the times. |
| C．To bring back ancient music. |
| D．To show good porcelain skills. |
| A．It is losing its traditions. |
| B．It is now a tourist attraction. |
| C．It should speed up its progress. |
| D．It should develop a new industry. |
8 . White Nights Festival
St. Petersburg, Russia (May 26 July 23)
Picture a sunny walk down the streets of one of Europe’s most beautiful and cultured cities. Stop to observe grand canals, parks architecture, and many other historical landmarks, all in the middle of the night! The White Nights Festival aims to improve cultural exchanges between Russia and the rest of the world. It was also created to improve the image of Russia and promote it as a world center for the arts.
Songkran Festival
Thailand (April 13-15)
Songkran Festival, marking the traditional Thai New Year, takes place across the country. In addition to sightseeing at local temples, people flood the streets to take part in large water fights. The throwing of water is a sign of respect and well-wishing, as believers hope to remove bad luck.
Exit Festival
Novi Sad, Serbia (July 6-9)
Exit Festival is a multi-type music festival in Novi Sad, Serbia. Hugely respected throughout Europe and across the globe, the festival has becomé a regular (常客) on “best in the world” lists. Known for its huge variety, Exit Festival welcomes global stars of rock, pop, dance, hip-hop and more to the Petrovaradin Fortress on the banks of the Danube.
Snow Star Festival
Sinakara Valley, Peru (Dates vary between May June)
Tens of thousands of pilgrims (朝圣者) crowd the Sinakara andean valley in the Cusco region with dancers in beautiful skirts performing non-stop over three days. Known as the Snow Star Festival, the gathering falls in line with the reappearance of the star cluster (星团)(Pleiades in the Southern Hemisphere, marking the abundance of the harvest season).
1. What makes the White Nights Festival different from the other three festivals?| A．It is held in summer every year. |
| B．It connects worldwide people together. |
| C．It is a unique way to promote arts. |
| D．Viewers can enjoy scenery at night. |
| A．St. Petersburg, Russia |
| B．Thailand |
| C．Novi Sad, Serbia |
| D．Sinakara Valley, Peru |
| A．It has a lot to do with harvest. |
| B．Its opening time is not fixed. |
| C．It is in honor of the Pleiades. |
| D．It attracts many good dancers. |
9 . Growing up in Georgia, Thanksgiving for me meant driving a couple hours south to my mom’s house in Augusta on Wednesday night and staying up late playing. First thing the next morning,at around 4 or 5 a.m., my mom would put the bird in the oven and roast it low and slow for eight hours, applying oil to it every 30 minutes and watching it like hawks. For this practice, for years I thought turkey was the absolute hardest thing to cook in the world.
I also thought that turkey was, on principle, meant to be dry. The thing is, roasting a great, juicy turkey isn’t as complicated(复杂的) as people make it out to be. For me, I’ve found that the best method is to just roast it like a chicken. No black magic.
Defrost your turkey (if it’s frozen). Ideally you’d let this happen gradually in a 40°F refrigerator. Bring your turkey to room temperature. A fridge-cold bird will not cook as evenly as a room-temperature bird. Truss(捆绑) your turkey, which will ensure even cooking. Season your turkey in the sink. This is very important. Most people season their turkeys straight in its roasting pan, leading to extra salt at the bottom. Another issue is that if you’re applying melted(融化的) butter and some of that drips off into the pan, the milk fats can burn, and the one thing we don’t want on Thanksgiving Day is for the smoke alarm to go off. Roast your turkey. Many recipes(食谱) call for a high start and a low finish. But I like to roast my turkey from start to finish at a moderate 350°F. Rest your turkey. Do not carve the bird until it’s rested for at least 30 minutes. Don’t worry, it’ll still be hot—better yet, the juices will have spread all over and you’ll be looking at the tenderest, juiciest turkey of your life.
1. How does the author introduce the topic?| A．By raising a question. | B．By giving an example. |
| C．By making some comments. | D．By explaining a phenomenon. |
| A．Make use of. | B．Sort out. |
| C．Separate something from. | D．Add something to. |
| A．The milk fats on the pan catch fire. |
| B．The butter applied to the turkey melts. |
| C．The temperature of roasting the turkey is high. |
| D．Some extra salt is left at the bottom of the pan. |
| A．A simplest way to cook your turkey. | B．A celebration for Thanksgiving Day. |
| C．Roasting turkey is a traditional custom. | D．The turkey symbolizes Thanksgiving Day. |
10 . Bactrian camels (骆驼) in the Gobi usually give birth to a baby camel every second year. But because of the terrible weather conditions, it is common for a mother or baby to die during or after delivery. The result is often lonely babies and sad mothers who need one another.
After centuries in the desert, the locals have developed a unique musical practice (惯例) when they want a mother camel to accept a newborn baby camel. When the practice starts, a musician plays his instrument, usually a Mongolian flute. The mother and baby are tied together, and another musician begins to sing: “khuus, khuus, khuus.”
At first, the mother either pays no attention to the baby or treats it badly. The “coaxer (劝诱者),” at this point，changes the music based on the behavior. The singer begins to copy the sound of the camel’s walking, running and voices. After many hours of this, the mother and baby are in tears, and are joined for life.
However, each year fewer and fewer young peopel are willing to learn and pass on this tradition. In addition, more and more Mongolian families are sending daughters away to study and live in cities, and those who leave almost never return. The young men who remain in the desert struggle then to find wives and raise families that can help raise camels and keep the traditions alive. On top of that, many have discovered that motorbikes are cheaper than camels. All of this are killing the traditional way of life.
A few Mongolians have turned to the United Nations to help save this practice. In 2015, they added it to their “List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding,” but it’s hard to know what influence this can have beyond recognizing the existence of the practice.
1. Why do the locals develop the Mongolian practice?| A．To help baby camels get along with hosts. |
| B．To make mother camels give birth more often. |
| C．To calm down mother camels during delivery. |
| D．To strengthen mother and baby camels’ relationships. |
| A．It requires great skills. |
| B．It lasts for a few days. |
| C．The music is slow and sad. |
| D．The practice is still popular today. |
| A．Because of the useless of camels. |
| B．Because of the difficulty of the practice. |
| C．Because of the changes in locals’ lifestyle. |
| D．Because of the terrible weather in the desert. |
| A．Confident. | B．Uncertain. |
| C．Enthusiastic. | D．Upset. |
