1 . In recent years, Hollywood has been trying to catch the eyes of Chinese audience by showing the elements of Chinese culture. In Roland Emmerich’s latest sci-fi disaster movie Moonfall, many Chinese elements are presented to Chinese viewers. Several conversations in the Chinese language are included in them.
Moonfall tells about how a team of heroes try to save the Earth from a disaster.
Emmerich has already been famous.
With the Chinese elements, Moonfall has easily interested Chinese audience. Rao, founder of the Future Affairs Administration, however, pointed out that most Hollywood movies are not properly introducing the elements of Chinese culture.
| A．Two skilled spacemen are included |
| B．China’s national strength is growing quickly |
| C．But the new movie has made him get more attention |
| D．He added that there is still some room for improvement |
| E．The Chinese are working together in the face of a danger |
| F．He has appeared in such a movie as 2012, which has drawn the crowds |
| G．The conversations take place between a US boy and a Chinese exchange student |
2 . Spring is a great time to take a well-deserved break closer to home.
Whether you’re looking for a city break or a beach holiday, we’ve got destinations to suit all tastes. Take advantage of this quieter travel time and book yourself a spring getaway. You won't regret it!
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is a dream in spring. It’s the hottest of the Canary Islands, with average temperatures of 19°C, so you can comfortably hit its beaches. You’ll find several fairs and festivals throughout the island, whether that’s full moon parties, sporting events or the popular religious event of Semana Santa in March/April, when the island comes alive. It’s also the perfect climate to hike Lanzarote’s volcanoes, and witness natural delights.
Portugal
Spring is an ideal time to visit Portugal. You may have the odd drop of rain, but the average temperatures make up for it, between 10°C and 22°C! It’s a proper time to hike or bike the trails along the Via Algarviana, and venture into the many nature parks with cherry tree blossom. If you’re a football lover then you can enjoy the drama of the final leg of the Portuguese League in May, or you could visit the Iberian Mask Festival in Lisbon, where you’ll find a celebration of local music and handicrafts.
Santorini
While there are occasional rainy spells, you’ll often find the sun gloriously shining during the spring months of Santorini. Most of the hotels open by April, and the streets pop with inviting blooms. It’s a romantic, tranquil time to visit. You’ll often find the churches of Santorini alive with activity, as bells ring out to celebrate Easter. For a deeper dive into history, visit the ancient archaeological site of Akrotiri.
1. Which destination should you choose if you are a music lover?| A．The Canary Islands. | B．Via Algarviana. |
| C．Lisbon. | D．Akrotiri. |
| A．Historic sites. | B．Sporting events. |
| C．Festival atmosphere. | D．Occasional rain. |
| A．A pre-travel checklist. | B．A tourist brochure. |
| C．A travel agency website. | D．An entertainment magazine. |
3 .
| Spring marks the start of China’s tea harvest. From late March to September, farmers across the country would be hard at work picking and harvesting tea leaves. Tea that sprouts in early April is considered to be of the highest quality. Xinyang has 400 square kilometers of tea farms and 300,000 farmers working in its tea industry with a production over 38,000 tons of tea in 2018. The full industry chain output was one billion U.S. dollars. |
When people preparing and drinking tea, the handmade purple clay teapot is one of the most popular items. But the craftsmanship of making that teapot is facing a challenge and even at risk of disappearing. Whereas in Yixing, Jiangsu Province, the birthplace of purple clay teapots, 29-year-old Wu Zhiqiang has attracted many fans to his store via the internet. Here they learn how to make purple clay teapots. Many younger masters use the internet to promote their craft arousing young people’s interests in the art in modern and customized ways. |
“People elsewhere say Sichuan people are so lazy, because everyone – young or old – hangs out in tea shops every day,” said Li Qiang, owner of Guanyinge, a teahouse. “But look what goes on in these teahouses – matchmaking, trading goods… A teahouse is a miniature society.” The social interaction is considered more important than just enjoying a good cup of tea. “You can joke around with anyone in a teahouse,” said Li. “It’s certainly impossible elsewhere. Even if you’re not from here, two sentences can bring strangers close.” |
| A．China’s tea harvests only in Spring. |
| B．Xinyang has China’s largest tea farms. |
| C．Handmade purple teapot will never disappear. |
| D．Internet is more important than craft itself. |
| A．how tea change people’ life. |
| B．how tea integrate into people’s life. |
| C．how tea improve people’s life. |
| D．how tea simplify people’s life. |
| A．They are all about tea in China. |
| B．They are all about tea economy. |
| C．They are all about tea art. |
| D．They are all about teapots. |
4 . While tea may have its origins in Asia, now it has found its way into their food culture and traditions in many countries. It is a special way of connecting people all over the world in different ways and ceremonies. That finally all results in a group of people sitting together and enjoying a cup of tea.
Chinese tea culture
Since China is considered as the birthplace of tea, it is no wonder that Chinese tea culture is rich in history and tradition. Today, Chinese tea continues to be used in Chinese medicine and is commonly used on both formal and informal occasions either for personal enjoyment or as a Chinese cultural tradition.
Japanese tea culture
Japan also has a long history with tea, especially Japanese Matcha, which is a kind of ground green tea. Japanese tea is commonly used in Japanese tea ceremonies and only in recent years has become popular in western culture.
British tea culture
When it comes to British tea, British tea culture is what comes to mind. A hot cup of Earl Grey tea often serves with a little milk and a biscuit in the afternoon as a pick-me-up for the day, which makes you feel better and more energetic. Even though tea may not be native to England, this British tea tradition is still going strong today.
Moroccan tea culture
When you visit Morocco, it is hard to miss the outstanding tea culture that is such a special way to welcome guests. Before any gathering, a pot of mint(薄荷)tea is always prepared and served among the host and guests. This is an expression of Moroccan tradition and kindness, which should always be accepted by guests as a sign of appreciation and respect to the host.
1. What do Chinese and Japanese tea cultures have in common?| A．They have a long history. |
| B．They are used in medicine. |
| C．They are well known for green tea. |
| D．They have long been widely recognized. |
| A．To show kindness. |
| B．To get new energy. |
| C．To bring out respect |
| D．To observe a tradition. |
| A．Honest. |
| B．Confident. |
| C．Grateful. |
| D．Friendly. |
5 . Top Four Festivals in the World
Saint Patrick’s Day, Ireland
Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated anywhere in the world where there are the Irish. If you’re going to get involved, there’s no better place than Dublin. This festival runs for five days and five nights in March along with performing arts, literature, tours and food events.
Holi Festival, India
It’s also called the “festival of love” as on the full-moon day in March people get together, forgetting all types of bad feeling towards each other. You’ll mostly see Holi Festival across India and Nepal, but also in other areas with large Hindu populations. It starts by lighting a night-time bonfire (篝火)where people sing and dance. People throw coloured water and powder (粉末) to their friends and families to show love and respect.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Scotland
One of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture in the world, the festival runs for three weeks every August throughout the Scottish capital. Artists and performers take to hundreds of stages all over the city to present shows for every taste. The Fringe is run by the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Society to support and encourage the Scottish arts.
Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland
There are plenty of music festivals in Europe, but Montreux Jazz Festival held in October near the Lake Geneva is truly one of a kind and is the second-largest jazz festival in the world. It’s not just jazz, though. You’ll find broad-ranging concerts from pop to rock and blues, and best of all, most of the performances are free.
1. When does Saint Patrick’s Day take place?| A．In March. | B．In April. | C．In August. | D．In October. |
| A．Throw coloured water. | B．Taste Irish food. |
| C．Dance near a bonfire. | D．Watch art shows. |
| A．Holi Festival. | B．Montrcux Jazz Festival. |
| C．Saint Patrick’s Day. | D．Edinburgh Festival Fringe. |
6 . In the Chinese lunar calendar, san fu refers to the three 10-day periods that are said to be the hottest days of the year, which are called tou fu, zhong fu and mo fu. San fu is usually between mid-July and mid-August.
When san fu is mentioned, people can’t stop thinking of san futie, which is a bandage(绷带) made of traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Those who have experienced traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) believe that receiving san futie during the hottest summer days is effective for coughs. The treatment is based on the TCM principle of yin and yang, which believes the balance of both elements(要素) in the body is important for good health. San futie contains a paste of herbs that are “hot” in nature.
Tou fu is the first stage of san fu. When the hot days come, people tend to lose their appetites. As the weather in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, is hot with heavy rainfall in summer people there eat chicken especially a rooster during tou fu. They believe that the rooster is “yang” and can clear the damp(湿气). There is an old saying that goes “A rooster at the start of san fu, a healthy body the whole year.” Another favourite food during this stage is jiaozi, which is thought to refresh people’s feelings toward food. In fact, jiaozi is an all-time classic with 2,000 years of history.
The second stage of san fu is called zhong fu, which traditionally is a time for eating noodles because it is believed to help people sweat and remove internal heat.
When mo fu or the third fu arrives, it is still very hot at noon and the sun is very strong. People feel uncomfortable, so they call this period “Autumn Tiger”. During mo fu, people, especially those living in North China, customarily eat Chinese egg pancakes.
During san fu time when yang energy is at its prime, it’s also beneficial to have food which is “cold” in nature, like watermelon and cucumber, according to Chinese dietary therapy.
1. How does san futie work to treat coughs?| A．By using a kind of unique bandage. |
| B．By using materials for sweating. |
| C．By stopping the heat from coming into the body. |
| D．By keeping the balance of yin and yang. |
| A．San fu is a good time to sell roosters. |
| B．Meat from a rooster is delicious. |
| C．Eating roosters in San fu is good for health. |
| D．People who like eating can avoid catching a cold. |
| A．To show the hope for a long life. | B．To let the heat in the body out. |
| C．To enjoy the family atmosphere. | D．To feel the moment of excitement. |
| A．Customs of San fu | B．Products Sold in San fu |
| C．Ways to Learn About San fu | D．The Magical Medicine in San fu |
7 . In Oaxaca, Mexico, there is a special festival on December 23 called la Noche de Rábanos, or the Night of the Radishes(萝卜). Every year, artists from all over the country show their amazing radish sculptures. The artists work very hard, since the winner receives money and becomes champion. On the day, locals and tourists line up starting in the afternoon to see the sculptures.
More than one hundred years ago, there was a market on December 23 called la Vigila de Navidad. It was a special Christmas market with decorations. It’s said that local businessmen at this market used to carve radishes as decorations. The carved radishes became very popular, and people started to buy them and take them home.
Now, you might be thinking, “Why radishes?” Probably because there are lots of radishes at this time of year. Also, their red and white colors are perfect for making designs. Over the years, people started to compete to see who could make the best sculptures. Finally that tradition has become today’s yearly festival, which brings tourists from all over the world.
Every year people are excited to see what designs the artists will create. There are two types of sculptures: traditional designs and free designs. The traditional designs are related to Christmas, or designs related to Oaxaca. The free designs can be anything.
As you walk through the radish art, you’ll hear live music, and you can even see the fireworks at the end. Close by there is delicious street food, Christmas markets, and many stores.
If you want to travel for Christmas, Oaxaca is an excellent place to visit. There are lots of different events along with la Noche de Rábanos. The weather in December is usually warm, and the sky is often sunny.
1. What can we know about la Noche de Rábanos?| A．It is a new radish. | B．It has a long history. |
| C．It is an old market. | D．It falls on Christmas. |
| A．Their leaves. | B．Their tastes. | C．Their colours. | D．Their shapes. |
| A．Attend artists’ lectures. | B．Enjoy the fireworks. |
| C．Plant some radishes, | D．Take any radish for free. |
| A．To introduce a festival. | B．To remember an artist. |
| C．To share his work experience. | D．To show his love for radishes. |
8 . Hans is a young German born after 1995, who is a big fan of Chinese culture. He has been learning traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) since 2016. Now he is studying for his master’s degree at Henan University of Chinese Medicine.
As he thought some diseases can’t be treated thoroughly with Western medicine, he decided to research into TCM. Hans came to Central China’s Henan Province in 2015, where a rich TCM culture can be enjoyed because Henan Province is the hometown of Zhang Zhongjing, the medical master of ancient China. After one year of learning the Chinese language, he started to learn Chinese medicine. Hans thought TCM is one of the best-preserved aspects of Chinese culture. He hopes to solve problems and understand Chinese culture deeply by learning TCM.
Without a language barrier, Hans read some of the ancient Chinese medical classics, such as Huangdi Neijing and Yi Jing. He believes different aspects of traditional Chinese culture interact with each other.
Studying TCM also changed Hans’ mind and lifestyle. He used to be addicted to electronic devices and stay up late every night, trapped in this fast-paced but unhealthy daily routine. But now, according to the Yin-Yang theory in TCM, he lives a balanced and peaceful life, practicing good habits such as drinking tea and meditating, as well as reading ancient books.
Hans also uses what he has learned to help his family. Previously, acupuncture tools and Chinese medicine were necessities when he went back to his home in Germany. With acupuncture and Chinese-style massages, various physical disorders of his family have been well-treated. Now, he always provides his family members with some advice about staying fit after he checks their skin or tongues online. Over time, his family gradually began to understand his passion for TCM.
He plans to run a traditional Chinese clinic in China or Germany after graduation, which could serve as a bridge between the two countries and publicize TCM and its culture.
1. What attracted Hans to Henan Province to study TCM?| A．Its rich TCM culture. | B．Its unique language. |
| C．Its beautiful scenery. | D．Its famous university. |
| A．His family’s support. | B．His financial situation. |
| C．His language learning. | D．His previous experience. |
| A．He has made a big fortune. | B．He has known many medical experts. |
| C．He has set up a clinic in Germany. | D．He has developed a healthy lifestyle. |
| A．Ambitious. | B．Brave. | C．Humorous. | D．Good-mannered. |
9 . Edinburgh is the world’s festival city. There are 12 festivals throughout the year. Half of them are celebrated during the months of July and August, which attracts hundreds of thousands of people. Here are some of the events:
The Edinburgh International Festival
This is the original Edinburgh festival, which began in 1947. Actors, musicians, dancers and opera singers from all over the world perform to huge audiences. You need tickets for most events which take place in theatres around the city.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe
This is the largest arts festival in the world with thousands of shows taking place across the city. More than 20,000 artists take part in it, as the festival is open to anyone. Visitors can watch all kinds of performers and shows.
The Edinburgh International Book Festival
The largest book festival in the world began in 1983 and takes place every year in Charlotte Square Gardens, in the center of Edinburgh. You can meet many authors, talk to them, ask them to sign a book or listen to them talk about their stories here.
The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival
One of the highlights of this musical event is the street carnival (嘉年华), which is free to all. Artists perform street theatre dance and circus shows in amazing costumes, and everyone can join in the dancing.
1. Which is the largest arts festival in the world?| A．The Edinburgh Festival Fringe. |
| B．The Edinburgh International Festival. |
| C．The Edinburgh International Book Festival. |
| D．The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival. |
| A．Try on amazing costumes. | B．Join a singing competition. |
| C．Take part in a street carnival. | D．Get pictures from famous painters. |
| A．A. A novel. | B．A guidebook. | C．A newspaper. | D．An announcement. |
10 . In North America, October usually means pumpkin fields, Halloween or mountain tours. But in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the beginning of October brings you a different but impressive scene.
Started in 1972, the Albuquerque International Fiesta enjoys its 50th anniversary this year.
The Balloon Fiesta claims to be the most photographed event in the world, and it’s easy to understand why.
| A．The balloons are of different sizes |
| B．It has now become a 9-day international event |
| C．You’ll be amazed by a skyful of hot air balloons |
| D．It is not about speed, but simply reaching the sky |
| E．The event is staged from the 365-acre Balloon Fiesta Park |
| F．In Albuquerque you can enjoy different entertainments, especially ballooning |
| G．The mass uprising of all the balloons is the most picturesque scene of the week |
