1 . The winter solstice(冬至) is an important solar term in the traditional Chinese calendar, and means the coming of winter. It generally occurs between December 21^st and 23^rd. According to the traditional Chinese calendar, one year is divided into twenty-four solar terms. On this day, in the northern hemisphere(半球) the period of daytime is the shortest of the year and the period of night is the longest.

In northern China there is a custom of eating dumplings during the winter solstice. It is said that dumplings were invented by Zhang Zhongjing, a well-known doctor in the Eastern Han Dynasty.

One winter, he noticed that many people’s ears were frostbitten(冻伤的), which made him sad. In order to prevent and cure the freezing injury caused by cold, he asked his followers to boil mutton, chilies and other ingredients in a pot for fending off cold. After these were boiled, they cut them into pieces and then wrapped them in dough skins in the shape of ears. Afterwards, they put these into the pot to boil again.

On the day of the winter solstice, people whose ears were frostbitten were sent to eat the dumplings. People who ate dumplings felt warm from head to toe and had their cold injury healed. Thereafter, people ate dumplings every winter solstice.

Afterwards, Zhang Zhongjing died on the day of the winter solstice. In order to honour him, every year on the day of the winter solstice every household makes dumplings.

1. Which of the following should be the best title for the passage?

A．The Custom of Eating Dumplings

B．The Inventor of Dumplings

C．The Importance of Eating Dumplings

D．The Origin of the Winter Solstice

2. Which of the following description is TRUE?

A．The winter solstice is the most important among twenty-four solar terms.

B．Zhang Zhongjing boiled dumplings only for poor people.

C．If people don’t eat dumplings, they will have their ears frostbitten.

D．China has the shortest period of daytime on the winter solstice.

3. According to the passage, people make dumplings on the winter solstice because ________.

A．dumplings taste delicious

B．they want to honour Zhang Zhongjing

C．they want to celebrate the important solar term

D．they can feel warm and have their cold injury healed

2 . 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.

2. Why do the British prefer the afternoon tea?

A．To show kindness.

B．To get new energy.

C．To bring out respect

D．To observe a tradition.

3. What word can best describe Moroccan people?

A．Honest.

B．Confident.

C．Grateful.

D．Friendly.

3 . People perform graceful moves, all while standing on a bamboo strip in the river. You may think it’s a scene from an art movie, but actually it is a form of intangible cultural heritage: bamboo drifting(独竹漂).

Bamboo drifting dated back to over 2,000 years ago in the Chishui River area of Guizhou. During the Qin Dynasty,the Bozhou district of Zunyi city was known for its high-quality nanmu. It was in great demand by the royal court more than 2,000 kilometers to the north. With no transportation along the Chishui River， 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.

Now, communities in Guizhou hold bamboo drifting competitions every year during Dragon Boat Festival. Due to the great strength and balance it takes for one to get the hang of this act, bamboo drifting was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list.

Yang Liu,24,is an inheritor(继承人) of bamboo drifting.Yang said the most challenging part of bamboo drifting was keeping one’s balance. “I fell in the water several times when I was practising,” she said.

But 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.

Yang also produces new ideas when spreading the culture of bamboo drifting. For example, she connects dance with bamboo drifting to make it more graceful and wears hanfu when performing, creating a beautiful feel. In 2020, Yang registered on social media platforms and posted her videos. “I want to spread it to other countries so that more people around the world will like Chinese culture,” she told China Daily.

1. Why did bamboo drifting replace wood drifting?

A．The bamboo was cheaper.	B．The bamboo was more beautiful.
C．The bamboo was more convenient.	D．The bamboo was much easier to control.

2. What does the underlined phrase “get the hang of” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．Prepare.

B．Change.

C．Master.

D．Improve.

3. What is the most difficult for bamboo drifting in Yang Liu’s opinion?

A．Designing moves.	B．Transporting goods.
C．Choosing bamboos.	D．Keeping balance.

4. What can we infer about Yang Liu?

A．She inherits bamboo drifting creatively.

B．She learned bamboo drifting very easily.

C．She has become the leader of bamboo drifting.

D．She began learning bamboo drifting at 17.

5 . During the five-day International Labor Day holiday that began on April 30, tourist attractions that offered ancient Chinese, or guofeng, experiences attracted large crowds, some members of whom wore traditional clothing and makeup to enhance the authenticity (真实性) of their experiences.

Qujiang New District in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, charmed tourists with a new attraction on the theme of a TV serial The Longest Day in Chang’an. It offered visitors a chance to “travel back in time” and experience a day in the life of people living in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Xi’an, known as Chang’an back then, was the capital.

The World Rural Tourism Town in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, held a cultural festival with a silk and Song Dynasty (960-1279) theme. During the first three days of the holiday, the place received nearly 30,000 visits, putting it into an online list of the 10 most popular Huzhou attractions.

The Jizhou Kiln scenic area in Jiangxi province held a tourism festival with a Song Dynasty theme. Tourists, wearing period costumes and makeup, tried their hand at the ancient Chinese game of touhu — throwing arrows into a distant pot — and tasted yonghe tofu, one of the top 10 Jiangxi dishes.

COVID-19 has accelerated changes in the needs of consumers, who are increasingly pursuing comfortable and safe tourism products that benefit both the environment and people’s health. For tourism businesses, it’s important to highlight the cultural elements of tourism products by drawing inspiration from China’s traditional culture.

Hotels also took advantage of the guofeng craze to feed the growing passion for traditional Chinese culture. A guofeng hotel provided replica (仿制品) costumes from online games based on the Chinese classic Journey to the West, which the guests could try on for photos.

1. What does the underlined word “enhance” in Paragraph 1 mean?

A．Increase.	B．Explore.
C．Seek.	D．Examine.

2. For what did Qujiang New District attract so many tourists?

A．Its delicious food.

B．Its beautiful scenery.

C．Its themed tourist attraction.

D．Its geographical location.

3. What did the World Rural Tourism Town and the Jizhou Kiln scenic area have in common?

A．They featured local snacks.

B．They were popular online.

C．They offered traditional costumes.

D．They shared the Song Dynasty theme.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Guofeng Varies from Place to Place

B．The Traditional Culture Brings Changes

C．COVID-19 Affects China’s Tourism

D．The Ancient Culture Adds to Holiday Attraction

6 . Fantastic Fall Festivals You Won’t Want to Miss

Seymour Apple Festival

Admission to the Seymour Apple Festival is free and so is the entertainment! More than 15,000 people from all over the region come out to take part in the activities, ranging from drawings, vendor booths, food, apple contests, bike decorating contests, and more.

Marionville Apple Festival

The popular Marionville Apple Festival is home to countless activities and events. The carnival, pony rides, and games will keep the kids busy, while adults will enjoy watching the pie-eating contest and browsing dozens of craft vendor booths.

Humansville Fall Festival

The Humansville Fall Festival may be hosted by a small town, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking big fun. Perfect for all ages, this fall festival is celebrating its 70th year and will provide three full days of fun. This year’s festival will feature live music from fantastic local musicians, which will definitely make it different from the ones in other years. You’ll also find fun carnival rides, talented artisans selling their goods, and an amazing parade to wrap up the event on Saturday.

Southside Fall Festival

The Southside Fall Festival is perfect for family celebrations, with an alcohol-free environment and free admission. Enjoy a colorful parade and float contest, delicious food vendors, live music, karaoke, and more.

Fall Into Arts Festival

Make sure to bring the kids along for this festival that celebrates all things creative. The Fall Into Arts Festival features a host of kid-friendly activities like a lego build, sand art, bubble stations, chalk the sidewalk, a jump house, and more. Parents will have plenty to do as well, with an excellent variety of artists, festival food, a mini film festival, and much more.

1. Which festivals are free of charge?

A．Seymour Apple Festival and Southside Fall Festival.

B．Southside Fall Festival and Fall Into Arts Festival.

C．Humansville Fall Festival and Fall Into Arts Festival.

D．Seymour Apple Festival and Marionville Apple Festival.

2. What makes Humansville Fall Festival special this year?

A．Fun activities on Saturday.

B．The duration of the festival,

C．The area of the hosting town.

D．Musicians’ live performance.

3. Fall Into Arts Festival is specially welcomed by_________.

A．families with kids	B．modern artists
C．visitors of all ages	D．Movie lovers

7 . Nature Festival in South Australia

The Nature Festival, with over 100 events for various ages, is a ten-day program starting from 25th September 2020. It provides a wide range of both free and ticket experiences, ranging from adventure and learning experiences to slowing down and helping out experiences. There will be something for everyone. Here are just some of the events.

Build-a-birdbox Workshop

Saturday 26th September@ 9 a.m.

Explore the role of tree hollows and learn how to build a backyard bird box.

Byards Road Wetland Nature by Night

Tuesday 29th September@ 6 p.m.

Take your torch and discover, on a guided walk, the creatures that come out at night.

For the Love of Trees

Tuesday 29th September@ 12: 30 p.m.

Hear Dr Ralph Body share his understanding of artist Hans Heysen.

Grey-headed Flying-fox Bat Ramble

Thursday 1st October@5: 45 p.m.

Walk with local bat experts and hear how the grey-headed flying-fox bat came to our city.

Coastal Dune Walk

Sunday 4th October@ 9: 30 a.m.

Walk along the coastline and learn about the work being done at the dunes(沙丘).

Port River Alive

Sunday 4th October@11 am

See a short film about who and what lives in the Port River.

The full Nature Festival program is available on the website: https: //www.naturefestival.org.au. If interested in any of the experiences above, please register as soon as possible.

1. What do we know about the Nature Festival?

A．It lasts approximately half a month.

B．It welcomes visitors of different ages.

C．It requires visitors to pay for their tickets.

D．It calls on people to protect nature.

2. In which event will visitors be directed by guides?

A．Port River Alive.	B．Coastal Dune Walk.
C．Build-a-birdbox Workshop.	D．Byards Road Wetland Nature by Night.

3. When can visitors appreciate the amazing work being done on the hills of sand?

A．On 4th October.	B．On 1st October.
C．On 29th September.	D．On 26th September.

8 . In today’s world, cultural heritage — a term Yale University President Peter Salovey referred to as “the record of humanity” — is increasingly under attack by threats ranging from climate change, theft, mass tourism, and war. Historic buildings, works of art, traditions, and even local languages are disappearing at an increasingly rapid rate.

Yale is leading a new organization, the Global Consortium for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (GCPCH), to work on the preservation of cultural heritage. The first official meeting of the organization took place in Milan, Italy, which gathered 36 international university officials and experts from around the world to determine next steps for advancing GCPCH’s mission(使命).

During the meeting, experts and officials determined that the mission of GCPCH is to share knowledge and to promote relationships between the parties that seek to protect various forms of cultural heritage worldwide. More specifically, GCPCH will create a map of education programs and field experiences, research projects, and funding sources.

The two-day meeting of GCPCH was hosted by Bocconi University. It kicked off with an address by UNESCO Director — General Irina Bokova. “Knowledge-sharing gets all stakeholders(有利益关系者) involved at a global level,” said Bokova in her inspiring speech. “Together we need to strengthen the networks and build more bridges between all actors.”

Stefano Baia Curioni, vice-president of ASK Research Center of Bocconi University. commented on what an honor it was for Bocconi to host the meeting. “It is with great pleasure that we gather such a set of leaders who bring so many valuable points of view on challenges related to the preservation of cultural heritage,” Baia Curioni said. “We know how important the work of this body is to advancing our collective work, and are honored to support such efforts.”

1. Why is cultural heritage in need of protection?

A．It is faced with threats from both nature and human.

B．It is under attack by some forms of illegal conduct.

C．Cultural heritage sites are disappearing in wars.

D．Some traditions are not identified as cultural heritage.

2. What did Yale do to help protect cultural heritage?

A．It hosted a meeting.	B．It formed a new organization.
C．It gathered some experts.	D．It invited a UNESCO official.

3. What is the mission of GCPCH?

A．Spreading preservation knowledge and bridging gaps in preservation efforts.

B．Organizing educational courses field trips and fund-raising activities.

C．Creating different forms of heritage protection and teaching them to students.

D．Sharing research findings and promoting communication between universities.

4. What does “address” in Paragraph 4 possibly mean?

A．A meeting place.	B．A formal speech.
C．An official report.	D．An important mission.

10 . The British are known for their sense of humour. However, it is often difficult for foreigners to understand their jokes. The reason is that the British often use understatement.

Understatement means saying less than you think or feel. For example, if someone gets very wet in a shower of rain, he might say, “It’ a little damp (潮湿的) outside.” Or, if someone is very impolite and shouts at another person, someone else might say, “She isn’t exactly friendly.” Understatement is often used in an unpleasant situation or to make another person look silly. Understatement plays an important part in British humour.

Another key to understanding British humour is that the British like to make fun of themselves as well as others. They often laugh about the silly and unpleasant things that happen to their everyday life when someone accidentally falls over in the street. They also like to make jokes about people from different classes of society. They like to make jokes about their accents, the way they dress and the way they behave. What’s more, the British love to watch comedies (喜剧) about people who do not know how to behave in society. The comedy series Mr. Bean is a good example of this kind of humour.

Mr Bean doesn’t talk often, and instead he uses his body movements and facial expressions to make people laugh. Perhaps what makes Mr Bean so funny is that he does things that adults in the real world cannot do. Mr. Bean is popular in many countries around the world because you do not have to speak English to understand the humour. Because of this, many people have become familiar with the British sense of humour.

1. Why is it difficult for foreigners to understand British jokes?

A．The British often enlarge the fact.

B．British jokes are connected with many different cultures.

C．British jokes are not as funny as jokes in other countries.

D．The British usually use understatement.

2. The author explains understatement by ________.

A．describing a process	B．making comparisons
C．following the time order	D．using examples

3. Mr Bean makes people laugh by ________.

A．using his body movements and facial expressions	B．making jokes about others’ accent
C．copying how others behave	D．telling funny stories

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．British humour in comedy	B．Humour in different cultures
C．Understanding British humour	D．Developing your sense of humour