1 . Suddenly one Sunday in August, the streets are filled with colour. A procession (队列) of bands and dancers makes its way slowly through the city. Every evening, crowds of people walk up to the top of the Royal Mile, looking forward to a show of military music. On every shop window and noticeboard, posters have appeared, promoting everything from poetry readings to children’s theatre, art exhibitions (展览) to concerts. It’s festival time.
From its beginning in 1947, the Edinburgh International Festival (the “official” festival) has become a world-famous cultural event. The city turns into a huge arts centre, with its music, dance and exhibitions, all by world-famous artists. Every year more than twenty nations perform (表演) to audiences from all over the world in theatres, halls, schools, churches and the streets of the city. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo adds to the choice of entertainment, with its marching (游行) and military bands in Edinburgh Castle.
The Festival Fringe (the “unofficial” festival) is the biggest event of its kind in the world, with more than 900 shows to choose from and over 6,000 writers and performers taking part. It gives people a first-class opportunity to see many works performed for the first time—several of which go on to successful performances elsewhere.
The Film Festival gives fans an opportunity to widen their knowledge of films. And to show that there is something for everyone, the Jazz Festival has become very popular in recent years. You can hear the very best of music all over the city at this time.
There is no more exciting place to be than in Edinburgh at festival time!
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?| A．The history of the Edinburgh International Festival. |
| B．The growth of the Edinburgh International Festival. |
| C．The festive scene of the Edinburgh International Festival. |
| D．The coming events of the Edinburgh International Festival. |
| A．In churches. |
| B．In Edinburgh Castle. |
| C．In theatres. |
| D．Along the Royal Mile. |
| A．It has become an official event. |
| B．Most artists taking part in it are well-known. |
| C．It is as big as the Edinburgh International Festival. |
| D．Some performances can be watched for the first time. |
| A．A tourist guide. | B．An official report. |
| C．A history paper. | D．A geography textbook. |
2 . 24 Solar Terms: 5 things about Major Snow
Major Snow, the 21st solar term of the year, which falls on Dec 7 this year. During Major Snow, the snow becomes heavy and begins to accumulate on the ground. The temperature drops significantly. Here are 5 things you should know about Major Snow.
Snowy winter
The snow in North China may last a whole day, breaking tree branches and blocking the road. In the south, snowflakes fall and the world turns white. A proverb about the snow says, "A timely snow promises a good harvest".
The red plum blossoms (梅花) in contrast with the white snowy world is a feast for the eyes and have inspired many great poems. The plum blossom, which originated in China, is respected in Chinese culture for its bravery against severe winters.
Eating lamb
Lamb is a favorite food for Chinese people during Major Snow.
Making sausages
During Major Snow, people in southern China make sausages, an important part of preparation for the Spring Festival.
Preventing respiratory (呼吸道的) illness
During this period, Chinese people watch for outbreaks of respiratory illness, which can be prevented by wearing a warm scarf to protect the neck and properly drinking water.
| A．Writing poems about snow |
| B．Appreciating plum blossoms |
| C．But you should not drink too much water at a time |
| D．Drink as much water as you can whenever possible |
| E．The best meat for this delicacy comes from the bottom of the pig |
| F．As the snow covers the ground, the low winter temperature kills pests |
| G．It promotes blood circulation and provides protection against the cold |
3 . If you're from the northern hemisphere (北半球), you'll find Christmas to be rather different in New Zealand.
New Zealanders continue the British tradition of having a family dinner during the middle of the day on Christmas Day.It usually begins on Christmas morning by exchanging presents which will be left under the Christmas tree in the home.
It may seem a bit strange to hear songs, such as White Christmas or Deck the Halls, in the middle of summer！Nevertheless, Christmas carols (颂歌) are popular.
New Zealand is an extremely(极端地) diverse(多样的) society.People from many cultures do not recognize Christmas in the same way as the early European settlers.
| A．They all stop on Christmas Day. |
| B．The most obvious difference is the weather. |
| C．Most New Zealanders do not go to church regularly. |
| D．However, Christmas is a special time for all New Zealanders. |
| E．Many towns and cities in New Zealand hold Christmas celebrations. |
| F．The Christmas meal itself is increasingly becoming a relaxing affair. |
| G．People will hear them played or sung in shopping malls during the holiday season. |
4 . Edinburgh is the world’s festival city. There are 12 festivals throughout the year, half of which are celebrated during the months of July and August.
Hundreds of thousands of people visit the Scottish capital during the summer. Here are some of the events they can enjoy:
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 theaters around the city.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe
This is the largest arts festival in the world with thousands of show taking place across the city. More than 20,000 artists take part, as the festival is open to anyone. Visitors can choose from a huge variety of acts. Join thousands of visitors and locals at the Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s main street, to watch all kinds of performers and shows.
The Edinburgh International Book Festival
The largest book festival in the world began in 1983 and take place every year in Charlotte Square Gardens, in the centre of Edinburgh. There are more than 700 events for children and adults who love books. You can meet many authors, talk to them, ask them to sign a book or listen to them talk about their stories. Children can listen to stories and watch painters draw pictures.
The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival
Music lovers come to this festival to enjoy music shows around the city. One of the highlights of this musical event is the street carnival, 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 of the festivals is the most attractive to the bookworms around the world?| A．The Edinburgh International Festival | B．The Edinburgh Festival Fringe |
| C．The Edinburgh International Book Festival | D．The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival |
| A．They can take part in a street carnival. |
| B．They can enjoy the performances of a great many performers. |
| C．They communicate with some famous authors from all over the world. |
| D．They can join the locals at Charlotte Square Gardens to watch all kinds of shows. |
| A．In a history book. | B．In a tourist brochure |
| C．In an encyclopedia | D．In an art magazine. |
5 . A British friend told me he couldn’t understand why Chinese people love eating sunflower seeds（嗑瓜子）as a snack so much. “I’ve met a lot of older Chinese and many have a crack in their front teeth, I believe that’s from cracking the seeds,” he said.
I had never noticed the habit, but once he mentioned it, I suddenly became more aware. I realized that whenever I’m watching TV or typing a report, I always start mindlessly cracking sunflower seeds. My friend doesn’t like sunflower seeds, and, to him, it seems unnecessary to work so much just to get one small seed.
When we were young, the whole family would usually get together for Chinese New Year. Then, we all lived close to one another, usually in a small city, and sometimes even neighbors would go door-to-door on Chinese New Year’s Eve to check out what every household was making.
I remember my parents would be in the kitchen cooking. Out in the living room, a large table would already be laid out, complete with fancy tablecloth, ready-made dumpling fillings, and dishes full of candy, fruits and sunflower seeds. Some of the dishes were to be offered to our ancestors later, while others were for neighbors and children to eat before the evening feast. I must have learned how to crack sunflower seeds back then.
I don’t think it’s right to criticize one’s choice in food or eating habits, no matter how strange they may seem.
It’s not only in China. When I went abroad, I found people had all sorts of strange habits when it came to food. In Denmark, they put salted red fish on bread and eat it for dinner, no matter how much it ruins your breath. They think it’s。delicacy（美味佳肴）, and it’s connected to their certain culture. I think it’s a wonderful tradition.
1. Why can the British friend not understand when he found Chinese love eating sunflower seeds?| A．Because the seeds are too hard to crack. |
| B．Because he thinks they art harmful to teeth. |
| C．Because he doesn’t think the seeds are good. |
| D．Because he doesn’t thinks the seeds are worth eating. |
| A．The families get together for it. | B．Eating sunflower seeds is related to it. |
| C．The traditions of celebrating it disappear. | D．Children can eat delicious food on that day. |
| A．indifferent | B．critical | C．understandable | D．doubtful |
| A．It is good to form healthy eating habits. |
| B．Eating habits come from a certain culture. |
| C．Changing your eating habits will change your life. |
| D．One kind of food doesn’t necessarily suit everyone. |
6 . On Christmas Eve─the night before Christmas Day─children all over Britain put a stocking at the end of their beds before they go to sleep. Their parents usually tell them that Father Christmas will come during the night.
Father Christmas is very kind and hearted. He gets to the top of each house and climbs down the chimney into the fireplace. He fills each of the stockings with Christmas presents.
Of course, Father Christmas isn't real. In Jim and Kate's house, "Father Christmas" is really Mr Green. Mr Green doesn't climb down the chimney. He waits until the children are asleep. Then he quietly goes into their bedrooms and fills their stockings with small presents. When they were very young, Mr Green sometimes wore a red coat. But he doesn't do that now. The children are no longer young, and they know who "Father Christmas" really is. But they still put their stockings at the end of their beds.
1. Christmas Eve is __________.| A．the night of Christmas Day | B．the evening of Christmas Day |
| C．Christmas Day | D．the night before Christmas Day |
| A．into children's hats | B．into children's stockings |
| C．under children's beds | D．into children's shoes |
| A．know that Father Christmas is real |
| B．ask their mother to fill their stockings with presents |
| C．know that Father Christmas is really their father |
| D．know that Father Christmas is really their friend |
| A．chimney | B．back door |
| C．front door | D．window. |
7 . Have you ever been in a situation where your name is spelled incorrectly on a Starbucks cup even after you spell out every single letter to the barista(咖啡师)？ What would you feel when a room freezes into a sudden silence as soon as you start talking — living with a foreign accent is difficult？
Recently a gentleman in his 40s noticed my accent, and asked me where I was from. Then he inquired about what I majored in and how long I’d been in the US to learn English. After a polite exchange, he said sympathetically that he couldn’t imagine how hard it was for me to deal with reading long English texts. Furthermore, he seemed genuinely puzzled to the fact that I learned to speak English “so well” in an African country. Usually I would have shown my defensive self, pointing out his ignorance and telling him how sad I felt that his education had failed him. But I didn’t.
Sometimes these everyday experiences can drive me crazy. I even think of trying to actively “sound American” as a way to escape the stereotypes(模式化观念) that people have. But if I practiced an American accent enough, would people actually focus on what I say rather than how I say it?
Actually, to speak in our accent itself is to tell a story of identity. My housemates and I come from seven different countries: Jamaica, USA, Gambia, Yemen, China, Ecuador and SA. None of us speak native-like English, but we understand each other perfectly and get along harmoniously. If we all sounded the same, I think that would be boring. Together, we make up a cocktail of beautifully crafted accents with seasoned experiences. None of us owes anyone an explanation about why we don’t sound like how you expect us to.
Accepting that people sound different and embracing them for that reason is important. We are a generation of different languages, dialects, and accents. The world is more and more diverse with various cultures, and if that means making extra efforts to understand someone’s accent and learning how to spell their name, that’s just how it’s going to be.
Deal with it.
1. What purpose do the two questions serve in the first paragraph?| A．To introduce the topic of the passage. | B．To share some unpleasant experiences. |
| C．To show it’s hard to live with an accent. | D．To express disappointment at the service. |
| A．An English teacher. | B．An international student. |
| C．A Starbuck waiter. | D．A university professor. |
| A．Ashamed. | B．Amazed. | C．Amused. | D．Annoyed. |
| A．Efforts should be made to get rid of accents. |
| B．We should speak the way we are expected to. |
| C．Acceptance of accents is needed in the society. |
| D．Education contributes to native-like English. |
Different cultures emphasize(强调)the importance of relationship building to a greater or lesser degree.For example,business in some countries is not possible until there is a relationship of trust.Even with people at work,it is necessary to spend a lot of time in “small talk”,usually over a glass of tea,before they do any job.In many European countries—like the UK or France—people find it easier to build up a lasting working relationship at restaurants or cafés rather than at the office.
Talk and silence may also be different in some cultures.I once made a speech in Thailand.I had expected my speech to be a success and start a lively discussion;instead there was an uncomfortable silence.The people present just stared at me and smiled.After getting to know their ways better,I realized that they thought I was talking too much.In my own culture,we express meaning mainly through words,but people there sometimes feel too many words are unnecessary.
Even within Northern Europe,cultural differences can cause serious problems. Certainly, English and German cultures share similar values;however,Germans prefer to get down to business more quickly.We think that they are rude.In fact,this is just because one culture starts discussions and makes decisions more quickly.
People from different parts of the world have different values,and sometimes these values are quite against each other.However,if we can understand them better,a multicultural environment(多元文化环境)will offer a wonderful chance for us to learn from each other.
1. In some countries,eating together at restaurants may make it easier for people to .
| A．develop closer relations | B．share the same culture |
| C．get to know each other | D．keep each other company |
| A．the English prefer to make long speeches |
| B．too many words are of no use |
| C．people from Thailand are quiet and shy by nature |
| D．even talk and silence can be culturally different |
| A．By sharing different ways of life. |
| B．By accepting different habits. |
| C．By recognizing different values. |
| D．By speaking each other’s languages. |
| A．Multicultural Environment |
| B．Cross-Cultural Differences |
| C．How to Understand Each Other |
| D．How to Build Up a Relationship |
9 . March, April and May are months full of festivals and events all over the world. Here are some wonderful festivals around the world that happen in spring.
SongKran--Thailand
Dates: 13th-15th, April
In Thailand, it’s time to celebrate the coming monsoon season, which will bring the rain many people have been looking forward to. They celebrate it with a festival called Songkran，when people head out to the streets with water guns to spray(喷，洒）everyone who walks past. If you walk on the streets where the festival is celebrated, prepare to get soaked!
Naghol--Vanuatu
Dates: Every Saturday from April to May
Every year, villagers come together to celebrate the harvest of yams, an important part in the people’s diet in Vanuatu. The festival is most famous for its “land diving ceremony”. During the ceremony men and boys dive to the ground from high wooden towers with only two thin vines(藤条) attached to their ankles(脚踝). The divers’ heads have to lightly touch the ground when they jump---something very dangerous if the vines are not measured properly.
Cherry Blossom Viewing ---Japan
Dates: The cherry blossom season is different from year to year depending on the weather forecast.
The cherry blossom season has huge importance to the people of Japan, who celebrate the days when the flowers finally blossom. Only a few days later, the petals(花瓣）fall to the ground, like pink snowflakes. This is one of the most beautiful things to see. In Japan, almost everyone has picnics in the parks to view the flowers.
1. What does the underlined word “soaked” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．tired | B．interested | C．wet | D．crazy |
| A．the divers may injure their heads if the vines aren’t measured properly |
| B．the divers’ ankles may get injured if the vines are tied too tightly |
| C．the divers may fall onto the ground if the thin vines break |
| D．the divers may bump into(撞在…上)the wooden tower on the way down |
| A．people usually stay at home for celebration during the cherry blossom season |
| B．the time for the Cherry Blossom Celebration in Japan can be different yearly |
| C．the Cherry Blossom Celebration usually lasts a long time in Japan |
| D．the Cherry Blossom Celebration is the most important festival in Japan |
10 . Over 40 years ago, a country music DJ convention (大会) was held every year in Nashville, Tennessee. Many country performers used to attend (参加) the convention to give their performances. Fans would go to Nashville hoping to see their favorite performers. In the end, so many fans began showing up in Nashville that a festival named Fan Fair was born.
The first Fan Fair was held in April 1972, in Nashville for four days. Some of country music's biggest stars attended. There were about fifty thousand fans. The first Fan Fair was so successful that planning began almost immediately for 1973. The date was changed to June, when the weather would be better. Over one hundred thousand fans attended the second Fan Fair.
Every year brought so many performers and fans to Fan Fair that, in 1982, it was moved to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Fan Fair stayed at the fairgrounds for another nineteen years.
There was always the unexpected during the festival. In 1974, former Beatle Paul McCartney attended. In 1992, more than six hundred reporters from Europe, Asia, and South America went to cover the appearance of a popular star, Billy Ray Cyrus, who had introduced a new country line dance. In 1996, Garth Brooks, who made a surprise appearance, signed autographs (签名) for 23 hours.
In 2001, Fan Fair returned to downtown Nashville as the world's biggest country music festival. Now, over one hundred and twenty-five thousand country music fans go to Nashville every June. As you can imagine, those who want to attend Fan Fair must plan ahead. For example, they need to buy a ticket several months ahead of time. Of course, there’s much more to prepare.
1. According to the text, Fan Fair _____.| A．has a history of more than 50 years |
| B．lasts almost half a month every year |
| C．is the most important music festival in America |
| D．is a time when country music lovers get together |
| A．was held in the spring of 1972 |
| B．was more popular than the first one |
| C．was moved from Nashville to the fairgrounds |
| D．was attended by former Beatle Paul McCartney |
| A．show why Fan Fair has been popular |
| B．introduce three famous musicians |
| C．explain how Fan Fair started |
| D．ask people to attend Fan Fair |
| A．Advice for fans. |
| B．Music in America. |
| C．Education in Nashville. |
| D．The future of country music. |
