1 . Administrators of the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Gansu province, are striving to harmonize tourists’ exploration of the site with the need to safeguard murals and artifacts, through innovative measures such as digital presentations.
Sandstorms, rainfall and tourist visits constitute the most severe threats to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, said Wang Xiaowei, director of the Dunhuang Grottoes Monitoring Center at the Dunhuang Academy.
Since the Mogao Caves opened to the public in 1979, the number of visitors has been growing at an average annual rate of around 20 percent, reaching 2.15 million in 2019 before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the site is expected to receive a record 3 million visitors.
“If you enter the caves during the peak tourism months of July, August and September, you’ll find it hard to breathe,” Wang said. The carbon dioxide and moisture exhaled by visitors accumulate inside the caves and cause damage to the murals, Wang said.
To preserve the caves, the duration of visits is limited and sometimes stopped during rain or dust storms. To try and ensure visitors aren’t disappointed when restrictions are in place, the center provides a digital exhibition, he said.
Currently, the center is being expanded to cater for an additional 3,000 visitors on top of the existing capacity of 6,000.
The Dunhuang Academy began digitally recording and storing images of murals and painted sculptures over 30 years ago. The digitization project has successfully covered over 200 caves, with a dedicated team of 110 experts currently undertaking the work.
The Mogao Caves are immovable, and transporting them is impossible, according to Su Bomin, head of the Dunhuang Academy. And he added, “However, with digitization, we can perfectly replicate Dunhuang art and showcase it worldwide, introducing Eastern culture to the world.”
In 2016, the Digital Dunhuang repository went live, sharing high-definition images and panoramic tours of the most exquisite 30 caves globally. Currently, visitors from 78 countries have accessed the repository, totaling over 16.8 million visits.
Su said Dunhuang can provide diverse cultural exchanges through its cultural relics. “By digitizing these relics, we enable people worldwide to understand Dunhuang’s culture, thereby gaining a deeper appreciation for China’s historical commitment to diverse cultural exchanges — that is, an ethos of inclusivity, mutual learning and a shared future,” he said.
1. Which of the following is NOT the reason for providing a digital exhibition?| A．The factors related to COVID-19 put the caves in grave danger. |
| B．The increasing number of tourists visiting Dunhuang might harm the caves. |
| C．The authority is aimed to balance tourism and relics conservation. |
| D．The duration of visits is limited and sometimes stopped during rain or dust storms. |
| A．Copy. | B．Safeguard. | C．Access. | D．Transport. |
| A．It records and stores images of murals and painted sculptures. |
| B．It shares high definition and panoramic tours of the most exquisite caves. |
| C．It allows for an international exchange of cultures through the relics. |
| D．It enables people to appreciate the lasting beauty of the murals. |
| A．The Significance of the Mural Paintings |
| B．The Restoration in Mogao Caves |
| C．The Innovation on Mogao Caves’ Preservation |
| D．The Dunhuang Spirit in Chinese Culture |
2 . Grain Rain, as the last term in spring, starts on April 19 and ends on May 4.
Key time for agriculture
Grain Rain brings a marked increase in temperature and rainfall and the grains grow faster and stronger.
Sandstorms occur
Grain Rain falls between the end of spring and the beginning of summer, with infrequent cold air moving to the south and lingering cold air in the north.
Drinking tea
There is an old custom in southern China that people drink tea on the day of Grain Rain. Spring tea during Grain Rain is rich in vitamins and amino acids, which can help to remove heat from the body and is good for the eyes.
Eating toona sinensis (香椿)People in northern China have the tradition to eat the vegetable toona sinensis during Grain Rain. An old Chinese saying goes “toona sinensis before the rain is as tender as silk”.
Grain Rain Festival
The Grain Rain festival is celebrated by fishing villages in the coastal areas of northern China. Grain Rain marks the start of the fishermen’s first voyage of the year. The custom dates back more than 2,000 years ago, when people believed they owed a good harvest to the gods, who protected them from the stormy seas.
| A．The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. |
| B．From the end of April to the beginning of May, the temperature rises much higher than it does in March. |
| C．People would stage sacrifice rites to pray for a bountiful harvest and a safe voyage for their loved ones. |
| D．It is also said that drinking tea on this day would prevent bad luck. |
| E．The vegetable is nutritious and can help to strengthen the immune system. |
| F．The Grain Rain signals the end of cold weather and a rapid rise in temperature |
| G．It’s a time to protect the crops from insect pests. |
3 . Following the tradition of wearing new clothes for the Chinese New Year, hanfu, or traditional Chinese clothing, has experienced substantial growth during the festive season. The horse face skirt is particularly popular for its combination of traditional and modern elements, especially among young Chinese.
During the Spring Festival, many performers and tourists in Luoyang, Henan Province, showcased the horse face skirts. Gorgeous hanfu shows in Caoxian County, Shandong Province, one of the major hanfu production bases in China, highlighted the elegance of the long tradition of Chinese clothing.
Consumers expressed their desire to promote traditional Chinese culture as hanfu styles become more common.
The sales of horse face skirts are booming, leading production enterprises to optimize processes to meet demand. With annual sales surpassing 7 billion yuan, the sales of new year’s clothes for the Year of the Dragon, primarily horse face skirts, exceeded 300 million yuan in Caoxian County.
Data from e-commerce platforms indicate a significant surge in the search volume for hanfu since January. Among the various hanfu styles, the horse face skirt has become the most popular item, with sales of many hot-selling items surpassing one million yuan.
Zhang Mingqiang, the general manager of Haining Xucun Mingji Fabric Factory, expressed both happiness and concern due to the steady stream of daily orders. He currently faces a pile of more than 30,000 orders for horse face skirts.
Expanding production capacity is a top priority for many local enterprises. Newly purchased fabric production equipment is being installed and commissioned by the fabric manufacturer and will be put into use after the Spring Festival holiday.
Additionally, local companies are making efforts to the production and development of more Chinese-style clothing fabrics. The new trend of Chinese-style fashion, led by horse face skirts, is gaining popularity among overseas consumers as well.
1. Why is the horse face skirt particularly popular?| A．Because of its sustainable growth. | B．Because of its combined elements. |
| C．Because of its display by people in Luoyang. | D．Because of its long tradition. |
| A．Unclear. | B．Neutral. | C．Supportive. | D．Opposed. |
| A．Because he was happy with the quality of his products. |
| B．Because he was pleased with the production capacity of his company. |
| C．Because he was worried about the slow-selling of horse face skirts. |
| D．Because he gained steady orders but couldn’t keep up with them. |
| A．The efforts local companies make to horse face skirts. |
| B．The improvement of production capacity. |
| C．The popularity of horse face skirts overseas. |
| D．The fame of horse face skirts in other seasons. |
4 . Ugandan student’s study and adaptation of traditional Chinese craft helps build bridges through art. With its balanced, rounded pot and cups, the tea set seems like Chinese ceramic (陶瓷) at first glance. But closer inspection of its pattern reveals an ancient Ugandan design. “My projects always aim to join some aspects of Chinese and Ugandan culture together,” says the tea set’s creator, Ocen Robert.
In 2015, Robert arrived in China from the East African nation to pursue a higher education in ceramic arts at Jingdezhen Ceramic University in East China’s Jiangxi province. The Ugandan is also enrolled in a PhD program focusing on design, with his art pieces sold at national-level exhibitions in China.
He says, “I love it here not only because of its safety, but the raw materials and the production techniques for ceramics here are also among the best in the world.” During his time in China, Robert was given many opportunities to participate in ceramic production, exhibitions and even access to experts-all helping to grow the space where he could express his creativity.
To deepen his understanding and passion for traditional Chinese culture, Robert spends most of his free time in local museums’ culture and history sections. He also gets to know Chinese professionals inside and outside the ceramic world. “I would love to solidify my career as an artist here while helping to link Uganda and China,” Robert says.
“Ugandans are thankful, curious, and passionate about Chinese culture. I would love to introduce the artists back home to study and create ceramic artworks in China and promote them to the world.”
Robert says, “To be a modern artist in Chinese ceramics, one needs to comprehend the full flow of production, which requires years of practice and learning.” One of the most challenging areas of creating his pieces involves creating the “ideal shape and thickness”. He says “I fail at times, but I always practice and try again and again.” Robert has attained the essential spirit of Chinese ceramic arts——accepting and integrating the differences.
1. What is the goal of Robert’s art projects?| A．To promote traditional Chinese ceramics in Uganda. |
| B．To combine elements of Chinese and Ugandan culture. |
| C．To compete in the international exhibitions. |
| D．To restore and preserve ancient Ugandan arts. |
| A．He intended to earn money in China. |
| B．He desired to achieve a doctoral degree abroad. |
| C．China has the best ceramic materials and craft. |
| D．China is safer than any other country. |
| A．By visiting famous masters of Chinese history. |
| B．By comparing it with Ugandan traditions and customs. |
| C．By acquiring related knowledge from local museums. |
| D．By participating in art festivals and academic meetings. |
| A．Creative and perseverant. | B．Kind and knowledgeable. |
| C．Humorous and passionate. | D．Courageous and intelligent. |
5 . 24 Solar Terms: 4 things you should know about Grain Buds
The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms, which reflect changes in weather, scenery, and even people’s lives. In China, the 24 solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production.
A good season for eating fish
During the Grain Buds period, the summer harvest is about to begin. A saying about rain during this time mentions, “A heavy rainfall makes the river full.” Because of the great increase in rainfall, rivers are full of water, which gives rise to great tasting fish and shrimp. This is a good time to enjoy them.
Eating herb of common sow thistle
Grain Buds is a season for eating the herb of the common sow thistle (苦菜), which tastes a little bitter and sour, but also sweet. It has the function of cooling the blood and detoxifying (解毒) the body. It can be made into different types of dishes.
Tips on health preserving in Grain Buds
Key period for flower management
This time is a good period of the quick growth of flowers. It is also a season when plant diseases and pests are at an all-time high, which makes caring for your garden even more critical.
| A．It is also a harvest season for fishermen. |
| B．A lot of water and extra care for wild flowers. |
| C．High temperatures are common during the Grain Buds period. |
| D．Therefore, flower trimming and clipping (修剪) is important. |
| E．However, the solar term traditional culture is still useful today. |
| F．It means that the seeds from the grain are becoming full but are not ripe. |
| G．People in Ningxia like to eat it mixed with salt, vinegar, peppers or garlic. |
6 . Do you like Chinese traditional painting and dance? They are two important parts of the traditional Chinese art. But what about when they meet each other?
This year, a dance drama titled Poetic Dance: The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting (《只此青绿》) was staged on CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala and became popular.
According to CCTV, this poetic dance program was inspired by the 900-year-old Chinese painting A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains (《千里江山图》), created by Song Dynasty painter Wang Ximeng at about 18. The painting is amazing in its sweeping size, rich coloration and the expressive details, reported by CCTV. It shows a Chinese blue-green landscape: mountains and groupings of infinite (无限的) rise and fall between cloudless sky and rippling (涟漪的) water.
When the dancers moved elegantly, audiences seemed to be looking at the moving mountains and rivers. “It brings me a pure experience of beauty. It is not only a drama but also an exhibition. Vast mountains and rivers are coming to life!” Internet user Mo Weisha wrote in a review. “More than a thousand years later, green mountains and rivers still impress people as they did long ago.” Some people even decided to watch the dance again when it was staged in the theaters later. In fact, in recent years, more and more modern shows have featured Chinese traditional culture and received warm welcome. As for the reason, it is due to people’s great love for traditional culture.
“The younger generations have grown up with a more open mind. They accept Chinese culture and are proud of it,” Yao Wei, director of Henan TV Station’s Innovation Center, told China Daily.
1. What’s the writing purpose of paragraph 1?| A．To raise a question. | B．To introduce the topic. |
| C．To describe the art world. | D．To show a doubtful thought. |
| A．CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala. | B．A Chinese blue-green landscape. |
| C．Song Dynasty painter Wang Ximeng. | D．An old Chinese traditional painting. |
| A．Traditional culture is accepted and loved by people. |
| B．Green mountains and rivers greatly impress people. |
| C．The poetic dance can be staged in the theaters later. |
| D．Increasing modern shows feature Chinese traditional culture. |
| A．It explains why Chinese art enjoys popularity. |
| B．It shows us art can come to life through dance. |
| C．It highlights the beauty of Chinese traditional art. |
| D．It tells us the love for Chinese traditional painting. |
7 . Who first proposed the holiday for workers? It’s not entirely clear, but two workers can make a solid claim to the Founder of Labor Day title.
Some records show that in 1882, Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, suggested setting aside a day for a “general holiday for the laboring classes”. But many believe that machinist Matthew Maguire, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday.
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday.
Many Americans celebrate Labor Day with parades (游行), picnics and parties — festivities very similar to those outlined by the first proposal for a holiday, which suggested that the day should be observed with a street parade to exhibit “the strength and spirits of the trade and labor organizations” of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day.
Speeches by important official men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909,the Sunday before Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to (致力于) the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
American labor has raised the nation’s standard of living and contributed to the greatest production the world has ever known and the labor movement has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy.
1. What can we know from paragraph 2?| A．People’s views about the founder of Labor Day vary. |
| B．The author considered Matthew Maguire the founder. |
| C．Peter J. McGuire wanted to set a few days for a holiday. |
| D．Labor Day was originally set up for American machinists. |
| A．The real meaning of Labor Day | B．The development of Labor Day |
| C．The reason of setting Labor Day | D．People’s emphasis on Labor Day |
| A．Manners | B．Approaches | C．Rewards | D．Celebrations |
| A．It is known that America develops very fast. |
| B．The original meaning of Labor Day changes |
| C．It is worthwhile to set a day for the laborer |
| D．The labor movement makes the life unsteady |
8 . The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms (节气). The year starts from Beginning of Spring and ends with Greater Cold, moving in cycles. The solar term culture is still useful today to guide people’s lives through special foods, cultural ceremonies and even healthy living tips.
Grain Buds (小满) is the 8th solar term of the year. It means that the seeds (种子) from the grain are becoming full. During Grain Buds, the summer harvest is about to begin. A saying about rain during this time mentions, “Heavy rainfall makes the river full.” Because of the great increase in rainfall, rivers are full of water. This is a good time to enjoy fish. It is also a harvest season for fishermen.
Frost’s Descent (霜降), the 18th solar term of the year, is the last solar term of autumn. The weather becomes much colder than before and frost begins. The apple is one kind of recommended fruit during Frost’s Descent. There are many sayings about apples’ benefits (益处) in China, such as “ Eat an apple after meals. Even old men can be as strong as young men.”
Minor Cold (小寒) is the 23rd one. For most areas of China, it marks the start of the coldest days of the year and people always start preparing for Chinese New Year. According to traditional Chinese medicine thoughts, people need to eat food that has more yang energy to prevent cold from harming their bodies. Another important traditional food for Minor Cold is Laba porridge (腊八粥).
1. Which is the last solar term of a year?| A．Frost’s Descent. | B．Greater Cold. |
| C．Minor Cold. | D．Beginning of Spring. |
| A．Beginning of Spring. | B．Grain Buds. |
| C．Frost’s Descent. | D．Minor Cold. |
| A．An apple a day keeps the doctor away. |
| B．It’s more useful for old men to eat apples than young men. |
| C．If old men eat apples after meals, they will never die. |
| D．Old men will grow into young men after eating an apple. |
①prepare for Chinese New Year ②have Laba porridge
③say goodbye to the coldest days ④wear warmer clothes
| A．①②③ | B．②③④ | C．①②④ | D．①③④ |
9 . Interested in different cultures? Take a look at these communities around the world, discover how they celebrate their traditional festivals, and see just how they like to throw a party.
Naadam Festival, Mongolia
Naadam Festival is an annual celebration in mid-summer that consists of the “Three Games of Man” strength, horsemanship and marksmanship. The festival is believed to have existed for centuries, first in the form of military and sporting displays that followed wedding and spiritual gatherings, and then as a way to train soldiers for battle. The festival begins as a colorful opening ceremony before the three sports.
Day of the Dead, Mexico
Taking place over two colorful days in Mexico and Latin America. this festival honors all things relating to the dead, and is not as scary as it sounds, as it focuses on people taking joy in lite, and showing love and respect for dead family members and friends. On November 1 and 2. participants dress up, hold parties and make offerings to the dead to welcome spirits back to the land of the living.
Zimei Festival, China
Every year, on the 15 day of the 3’d lunar month, the Miao people of South China celebrate the Zimei Festival, known as “Nong ga liang”. The festival is a good opportunity for young girls and boys to meet and fall in love. Wearing traditional costumes, people gather on the village square. Young women, singing and dancing, travel from village to village and offer Zimei rice to boys they like.
Holli, India
Holli is a Hindo (印度教的) festival that marks the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring and is also a time for people to meet, spend time together and repair broken relationships. On the first night people gather in front of a bonfire and pray for their inner evil to be destroyed. The next morning people take to streets and spray colored powder and water to each other.
1. What can we learn from the first two festivals?| A．Naadam Festival has a history of several thousand years. |
| B．Day of the Dead is celebrated in mid-summer every year. |
| C．The celebrations of Naadam Festival have changed over time. |
| D．On Day of the Dead, the dead will visit the land of the living. |
| A．People who like sports. | B．Young men who are unmarried. |
| C．People believing in Hindo. | D．Children enjoying playing with water. |
| A．A travel booklet. | B．A science magazine. |
| C．An academic article. | D．A geography book. |
10 . 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. |
