1 . Wherever we go, we are surrounded by history. Across the globe, cultural heritage is passed down through the generations. It is in the buildings and structures around us. It is in the arts and artifacts (手工艺品) we treasure. It lives in the languages we speak and the stories we tell. But today, it is under attack as never before. Not only are the damages of time threatening our cultural heritage, but conflicts, climate change, globalization and tourism are all exacting a heavy price. Technology is now the most important weapon in the battle. Here’s how technology is preserving our cultural heritage.
As you can imagine, creating the replicas (复制品) by 2D images is extremely time-consuming. Increasingly, artificial intelligence(AI)algorithms (算法) allow millions of images to be stored in a matter of hours. AI will also make restoration and preservation of existing cultural heritage far easier and better than previous methods.
Virtual reality (VR) technology will play a leading role in preserving our cultural heritage in the coming years. Many of the most important sites and architecture are easily damaged. Human interaction with these locations is doing a great deal of harm. Wastes pile up everywhere, causing serious problems. As more cultural heritage sites and objects are digitally mapped and recorded, VR technology will increasingly become the way that people experience them. We’ll all finally be able to walk through places, look at (and touch) artifacts and works of art without ever seeing them with our own eyes.
Finally, our cultural heritage will be preserved by technology. Efforts in research, data sharing and project work will help promote and preserve the cultural heritage of countries all across the world.
1. What does the underlined word “exacting” in paragraph 1 mean?| A．Cutting. | B．Paying. | C．Receiving. | D．Demanding. |
| A．It generates 2D images. | B．It makes preservation safer. |
| C．It makes restoration easier. | D．It creates replicas in seconds. |
| A．By recycling huge amounts of waste. |
| B．By reducing human impact on the site. |
| C．By forbidding visitors from touching artifacts. |
| D．By educating people about the sites’ importance. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Objective. | C．Neutral. | D．Disapproving. |
2 . Cultural heritage is a variety of local treasures from different places. These treasures often increase people’s pride in their hometown. Thus, protecting cultural heritage is of great significance and importance. In protecting cultural heritage, countries around the world should join hands further to deal with issues. Today there are shared measures to preserve cultural heritage. However, countries still have different views on cultural heritage preservation.
Asian and European architecture is very different, for example. European buildings are often stone structures that can stand damage caused by wind and rain, while those in the East are more often wooden structures which require renovation(翻新). This leads to different views on how to preserve ancient architecture.
From the very beginning, Europeans have the opinion that people should take fewer measures in the process of protecting cultural heritage. For example, the ruins of the Roman Colosseum have simply been left as they are, but Asia has a tradition of renovation of cultural relics and we believe that this measure will not affect their authenticity(真实性). The Ise Grand Shrine building in Japan is rebuilt every 20 years from one generation to the next. Such tradition caused a debate in international cultural heritage preservation circles, as some thought that the rebuilding process would harm its authenticity. Experts around the world travelled to Japan especially to conduct on-site check and discussions, and they finally recognized that the term “authenticity” actually varies from culture to culture.
The importance of these international exchanges is that they will help the world understand Asia, and accept Asian ways to protect cultural heritage.
1. What can we learn from Paragraph 1?| A．Protecting cultural heritage is of little significance. |
| B．Countries have the same views on cultural heritage preservation. |
| C．Cultural heritage often makes people proud of their hometown. |
| D．Countries work alone without sharing in protecting cultural heritage. |
| A．Structures. |
| B．Buildings. |
| C．Damages. |
| D．Views. |
| A．European experts fail to protect cultural relics. |
| B．Protecting cultural heritage causes many issues. |
| C．Many European ancient buildings are made of wood. |
| D．Ways to protect cultural heritage are different from area to area. |
| A．International communication is needed. |
| B．We should follow western experts’ advice. |
| C．Cultural heritage will be damaged through rebuilding. |
| D．Asian ways to protect cultural heritage are unacceptable. |
3 . Scientists recently discovered that pictures on cave walls at Creswell Crags are the oldest know in Great Britain. But they didn’t find in the usual way.
Archaeologists often date cave art with a process called radiocarbon dating. The technique can measure the age of carbon found in charcoal(木炭) drawings or painted pictures. Carbon is an element(成分)found in many things, including charcoal and even people. But in this case, there was no paint things or charcoal to test. People carve the pictures of animals and figure into the rock using stone tools. The scientists had an “aha!” moment when they noticed small rocks stuck to the top of the drawings. The small rocks must have formed after the drawings were made. “It is rare to be able to scientifically date rock art,” said Alistair Pike, and archaeological scientist at Britain’s University of Bristol. “We were very fortunate that some of the engravings (雕刻) were covered by stalagmites(石笋).”
When a test proved that the stalagmites formed 12,800years ago, the scientists knew the art underneath them had to be at least that old. And some of the animals shown, like the European bison, are now extinct, another tip-off (征兆) that the art is quite old.
The artists came to Creswell Crags. This place is one of the farthest points north reached by our ancient ancestors during the Ice Age. At that time, much of the North Sea was dry, so people could move about more easily.
Some tools and bones found there are 13,000 to 15,0000 years old. They show that the travelers hunted horses, reindeer, and arctic hares. Their artwork is similar to art in France and Germany. It tells scientists that the Creswell Crags artists must have had a close connection to peoples several thousand kilometers away---- another important evidence of understanding how humans spread out across the world.
1. When the scientists found rocks stuck to the top of the drawing, they__________.| A．felt pleased and surprised | B．dated the pictures with radiocarbon dating |
| C．found carbon in the cave pictures | D．carved some pictures of animals into the rock |
| A．The art was carved into the stone with stone tools. |
| B．Most animals carved into the stone are extinct. |
| C．The cave is one of the farthest points in the world. |
| D．Some pictures were covered by stalagmites more than 10,000 years old. |
| A．when ancient people crossed the North Sea |
| B．why some of the animals have died out |
| C．how humans spread out across the world |
| D．what ancient people had for food at that time |
| A．Cave Art About Animals Is Most Beautiful | B．Cave Art Is Found in an Unusual Way |
| C．Cave Art Turns Out to Be Britain’s Oldest | D．Cave Art Has a Great Influence on Britain |
4 . For the British, the home is a private place in which he or she goes to hide away from the troubles of life. It is very seldom that one would be invited to a British person’s home. It is rude to knock on a person’s door if you into. Never ask how much the house or any of the items in it costs.
To the American, most of them want their home to be a place where they can entertain and share their lives with their friends. They may be glad to show you around their houses. They may also be pleased when you show your interest and pleasure in their houses.
Both British and American people will engage in (参与) quite a bit of chat and a drink or two before the meal is served. After the first mouthful, you should say how delicious the food is and ask something about it. Remember, never eat with your mouth open and make very little noise while eating. It would be nice of you to help your host in any way. Maybe offer to pour some drinks or clear up after the meal.
1. British people ________invite friends to their home.| A．often | B．always | C．seldom | D．never |
| A．you can use anything you like | B．you can ask how much his house is |
| C．you may ask the cost of the items in it | D．you are not free to go wherever you wish |
| A．angry | B．happy | C．sad | D．worried |
| A．Differences between British and American home. |
| B．Differences between British and American table manners. |
| C．Development of table manners of British and the United States. |
| D．Some manners on visiting British and American people’s home. |
5 . The second Sunday in May is Mother’s Day. American children of all ages give their mothers something special. Children, young and old, try to show their love to mothers on the day. However, do you know that Mother’s Day celebration is no recent thing?
England was the first country to set a day for mothers. In the United States, Mother’s Day became an official holiday in 1910. An American girl, Anna, asked their governor to set a festival for mothers that they loved. Therefore, they set the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day and a year later all the other states celebrated it.
In the morning of Mother’s Day, some American children serve their mothers breakfast in bed. Other children will give their mothers presents which they made themselves or bought in stores. Adults give their mothers red carnations (康乃馨)，the official Mother’s Day flower. If their mothers left the world, they may bring white carnations their grave sites (墓地)，This is the busiest day of the year for American restaurants. On this special day, family members do not want their mother to cook dinner!
1. In America, who asked the government to set a festival for their loved mothers?| A．Mike. | B．Alice. | C．Tom. | D．Anna. |
| A．On the second Sunday in May. | B．On the first Sunday in April. |
| C．On the second Sunday in July. | D．On the fourth Sunday in September. |
| A．Blue carnations. | B．White carnations. |
| C．Red carnations. | D．Green carnations. |
6 . If you are a fruit grower—or would like to become one—take advantage of Apple Day to see what’s around. It’s called Apple Day but in practice it’s more like Apple Month. The day itself is on October 21, but since it has caught on, events now spread out over most of October around Britain.
Visiting an apple event is a good chance to see and often taste many kinds of apples. To people who are used to the limited choice of apples such as Golden Delicious and Royal Gala in supermarkets, it can be quite an eye opener to see the range of classical apples still in existence, such as Decio which was grown by the Romans. Although it doesn’t taste of anything special, it’s still worth a try, as is the knobbly (多疙瘩的) Cat’s Head which is more of a curiosity than anything else.
There are also varieties developed to suit specific local conditions. One of the very best varieties for eating quality is Orleans Reinette, but you’ll need a warm, sheltered place with perfect soil to grow it, so it’s a pipe dream for most apple lovers who fall for it.
At the events, you can meet expert growers and discuss which ones will best suit your conditions, and because these are family affairs, children are well catered for with apple-themed fun and games.
Apple Days are being held at all sorts of places with an interest in fruit, including stately gardens and commercial orchards (果园). If you want to have a real orchard (果园) experience, try visiting the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale, near Faversham in Kent.
1. What’s the day of Apple Day?| A．The whole October. | B．October 21 |
| C．November 21 | D．December 21 |
| A．Attend experts’ lectures. | B．Visit fruit-loving families. |
| C．Plant fruit trees in an orchard. | D．See and taste many kinds of apples. |
| A．It is a new variety. | B．It has a strange smell. |
| C．It was grown by the Romans. | D．It has a special taste. |
| A．To show how to grow apples. | B．To introduce an apple festival. |
| C．To help people select apples. | D．To promote apple research. |
7 . Each year Canada Chocolate Town, St. Stephen, New Brunswick, celebrates our community’s rich and delicious heritage with our annual Chocolate Fest. Now in its 30th year, this week-long, family-oriented festival is “choc-full” of activities, fun events, and all things chocolate-related. Our beloved mascot, the Great Chocolate Mousse, and his lovely wife Tiffany, invite you to join us this August for the sweetest festival of the year — Chocolate Fest!
Carma Charlotte County Coffee Morning
9:30 a.m. to 12 noon
Location: St. Stephen Town Square
Come out and join us for a Starbucks coffee, cup of tea or juice and scrumptious home-baked goods, many featuring chocolate. Sponsored (赞助) by Carma Charlotte County and adoption programs — caring for homeless and feral cats.
Dots Delecto Birthday Party
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Boys and Girls Club of Charlotte County
Who does St. Stephen love? Dot Larsen! Please join us for chocolate cake and chocolate milk and help celebrate Dot’s birthday. Come and play in our indoor/outdoor playground, have your face painted and enjoy a barbecue to help raise funds for the Barracuda Swim Team. For details call BGCCC, 466-4300.
Lucy the Lady Bug’s 1st Birthday Party
12 noon to 3 p.m.
Location: Kingsbrae Garden, St. Andrews
Come to celebrate with Lucy and her friends for a picnic on our front lawn (草坪) — bring your own picnic or have lunch at our Garden Cafe. At 2 p.m., join Lucy and her friends for an amazing race adventure through the big maze (迷宫), find treasure in the fantasy garden and much, much more!
Cost: $38/Family Day Pass, $16/Adult, $12/Students and Seniors, Free/Children 6 and younger.
1. What is special about Carma Charlotte County Coffee Morning?| A．It offers programmes to look after cats. | B．It requires additional payment for adults. |
| C．It allows one to enjoy outdoor activity. | D．It provides a Starbucks coffee as award. |
| A．9:30 a. m. — 12:00 a. m. | B．11:00 a. m. — 2:00 p. m. |
| C．12:00 a. m. — 3:00 p. m. | D．2:00 p. m. — 3:00 p. m. |
| A．$12. | B．$32. | C．$38. | D．$44. |
8 . What do you think of your Chinese? If you think your Chinese is good enough, you can take part in the competition named Chinese Characters Dictation Competition (中国汉字听写大会).
Today teenagers are using more and more smart phones. They spend too much time in shopping, chatting, playing games and so on. Many of them cannot stop using smart phones to help with their study. Overuse of smart phones will make students too lazy to think and write. Some of them even forget how to write Chinese characters by hand. Teachers and parents are very worried about it.
In order to draw people’s attention to the problems above, in 2013 CCTV held the first Chinese Characters Dictation Competition. About 200 students from 32 teams took part in it. They stood on the stage to write down Chinese characters by dictation. Lu Jialei, a 14-year-old girl from Zhejiang, got first place.
Since then, the competition has been popular among teenagers. Many people are interested in this kind of competition, too. They like to write down the characters while the competitors(参赛者) are writing them.
Can you be the next winner?
1. The underlined word “overuse” in Paragraph 2 probably means ________.| A．eating too much | B．walking too much |
| C．using too much | D．singing too much |
| A．About 400. | B．About 300. | C．About 200. | D．About100. |
| A．Lu Jialei, a girl from Zhejiang. | B．Lu Jialei, a girl from Guangxi. |
| C．Liao Yilin, a girl from Zhejiang. | D．Liao Yilin, a girl from Guangxi. |
| A．Chinese Dancing Competition |
| B．Chinese Children Reading Competition |
| C．Chinese Teachers Writing Competition |
| D．Chinese Characters Dictation Competition |
9 . Thanksgiving Day is a special holiday in the United States and Canada. Families and friends gather to eat and give thanks on Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving Day is really a harvest festival. This is why it is celebrated in late fall, after the crops are in. But the first thanksgiving in America had nothing to do with a good harvest.On December 4,1619, the Pilgrims(新来移民)from England landed near what is now Charles City, Virginia, where they knelt down and expressed thanks for their safe journey across the Atlantic.
The first New England Thanksgiving did celebrate a rich harvest. The Pilgrims landed at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. They had a difficult time and the first winter was cruel. Many of the Pilgrims died. But the next year, they had a goo harvest. So Governor Bradford declared a tree-day feast. The Pilgrims invited Indian fiends to join them for their special feast. Everyone brought food.
AS time went by, other colonies(殖民地) began to celebrate a day of thanksgiving. But it took years before there was a national Thanksgiving Day. During the Civil War, Sarah Josepha Hale persuaded Abraham Lincoln to do something about it. In 1863, he proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving. Today, Americans celebrate this happy harvest festival on the fourth Thursday in November. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving Day in much the same way as their American neighbours. But the Canadian Thanksgiving Day falls on the second Monday in October.
Thanksgiving Day is observed by church services and family reunions; the turkey dinner is a reminder of the four wild turkeys served at the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving feast There are slight differences in Canada’s and the United States, Thanksgiving in dates but the tradition is very similar. Other countries celebrate Thanksgiving Day as well.
1. The first group of people in America to have thanksgiving were ________.| A．some people from England | B．the American Indians |
| C．Sarah Josepha Hale | D．Governor Bradford |
| A．in the U. S. A. | B．in Great Britain |
| C．in Canada | D．on some island off the Atlantic |
| A．knew | B．believed | C．declared | D．considered |
| A．It’s about how Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the U.S.A. |
| B．It’s about how Thanksgiving Day came into being and the different ways it is celebrated. |
| C．It’s about that Thanksgiving Day is in fact a harvest holiday. |
| D．It’s about how the way to celebrate Thanksgiving Day changed with time and places |
10 . An American woman Anna Jarvis was the first person to decide that mothers should have a holiday in their honor each year. Miss Jarvis started her campaign in 1906 in her home city Philadelphia. She wrote thousands of letters to congressmen (国会议员)，city officials, teachers and newspaper publishers, suggesting an official holiday for mothers. She traveled all over America, trying to get support for the idea.
In 1914 the Congress declared (宣布) the second Sunday in May each year as Mother’s Day. Anna Jarvis wanted Mother’s Day to be a simple event. She thought children could honor their mothers by spending some time with them as an act of love and respect. However, the holiday turned out to be a major event for department stores, flower shops and greeting card industry, which Miss Jarvis didn’t like.
Americans spend millions of dollars on gifts for their mothers on this day. Younger children often try to prepare and serve breakfast for their mothers. Fathers may offer to take care of children so that mothers can enjoy themselves. The holiday becomes an important time for family gathering.
1. Miss Jarvis ________ .| A．was the first British woman to suggest Mother’s Day |
| B．declared the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day |
| C．kept writing letters to get support for her idea of having an official holiday for mothers |
| D．kept writing letters to persuade people to love and respect their mother |
| A．offering them expensive gifts | B．spending some time with them |
| C．eating in restaurants together | D．taking care of children for them |
| A．are closed | B．have fewer customers |
| C．only have women customers | D．are full of people |
| A．the way people spend Mother’s Day | B．flower shops |
| C．greeting-card industry | D．department stores |
