1 . Learning about other cultures is a valuable experience. Gaining an understanding of other cultures benefits both you and other people by deepening your understanding of how different people are.
Follow social media about your chosen culture. A great thing about the Internet is that it has made the world smaller and more accessible than ever.
Ask questions online. There are plenty of ways to ask members of a culture questions about that culture online directly. Take a look at local communities and forums that accept questions or conversations.
Look up YouTube videos. YouTube is another form of social media that allows passive watching or interaction. There are many channels on YouTube dedicated to a specific culture or some aspects of a culture.
A.Read online news sources. |
B.Post a question and wait for a response. |
C.Ask what daily life is like in their culture. |
D.There are many ways to attain knowledge about other cultures. |
E.Ask what the major holidays are like there, and how they celebrate them. |
F.You can find people from cultures all around the world on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. |
G.Often, these videos are produced by people that come from that culture, or know a lot about it. |
2 . Few parlor games (室内游戏) have left a larger global impact than mahjong, which is at once a mainstay at immigrant family gatherings.
Mahjong is a four-player game that, like poker, operates on the interplay between chance and skill. Chinese icons are visible in tiles’(麻将牌) “suits”, which include bamboos and circles, which represent ancient Chinese currency; arrows or “dragons”, which symbolize the ancient art of archery; and flowers, which represent the four Confucian plants, including chrysanthemum and orchid.
There are more than 40 versions of the game across the world, according to Annelise Heinz, author of the bestselling Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture. She says the material connection and core tile design keep it recognizable.
The rhythms of mahjong are especially conducive to building community, Heinz says. Whereas the shuffling of cards in between poker games takes mere seconds, mahjong players must sit through extended pauses to reset tiles after every round. The interval encourages conversation.
In the early 1920s, American businessman Joseph P. Babcock brought the game to the U.S., where it became an “enormous national fad” that Heinz says reflected the country’s shifting cultural norms. Dubbed “the game of a hundred intelligences” and “the gift of heaven”, the first imported mahjong sets quickly sold out at Abercrombie & Fitch in New York City.
Over the past century in the US, mahjong has changed into a staple that extends far beyond the Chinese immigrant family. More recently, the record-shattering 2018 romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians, which features a crucial mahjong scene, brought the game back into popular culture, fueling interest among Asian American millennials and Gen Zers. Mahjong’s lasting popularity, Heinz says, speaks to rapid cultural changes that have unfolded over the past century. “It also offers a kind of hopeful vision of positive identity building and community building that this game can be a part of into the future,” she says.
1. Which of the following is the synonym for underlined word “mainstay” in Para.1?A.Backbone | B.Guest | C.Maintainer | D.Decoration |
A.Confucian plants and thoughts. |
B.Chinese arrows or “dragons”. |
C.Ancient forms of art. |
D.Ancient Chinese currency. |
A.Quick shuffling between rounds. |
B.Extended pauses to reset tiles. |
C.Interplay between chance and skill. |
D.Complex game rules and strategy. |
A.The rhythms of mahjong is catchy. |
B.The imported mahjong sets are costly. |
C.It is outdated for the young generations. |
D.It is widely influential and promising. |
3 . It’s been nearly two decades since the traditional clothing style Hanfu first started to reemerge in China. Since then it has gone from a small cultural movement celebrating an ancient fashion to a trend that is booming on social media, having been adopted by China’s Generation Z as a means of connecting with their past. Instead of following other cultures blindly, Generation Z now have different opinions about what trend is by promoting local culture while having an objective view of exotic cultural products.
The new tastes of Generation Z—young people born after 1995—are well represented on Bilibili. In the recent New Year’s Eve gala presented by Bilibili, it attracted more than 100 million views within 48 hours with a colourful set of programmes ranging from Peking Opera to classical Chinese cartoons. The same is also true of movie industry. Last year, for the first time, the top 10 most viewed films in China were all domestic films, while the ticket sales for imported films have dropped to only 16.28 percent.
”Generation Z grew up with the rapid development of China and under good economic conditions. With the development of the Chinese Internet industry, they have more access to diverse international information and culture, which bring them a much broader vision and makes them more open and confident in analyzing foreign culture. Apart from taking pride in China’s rapid development, this generation also pursues individuality and values devotion to the country,“ Professor Zhang Yiwu said.
He also noted that the popular rock and punk culture pursued by the 70s and 80s generation is more of a challenge against real life and local culture. Some people who were born in the 1970s and 1980s did not grow up in the Internet age—they experienced the transformation of China going from poor to rich first-hand. This kind of longing and admiration of the West came from a lack of confidence.
However, Generation Z now have the confidence to look at Western culture with equal status. This kind of cultural confidence will result in China being more active and creative in its development on the international stage in the future.
1. What does the underlined word ”exotic“ in Paragraph 1 mean?A.Foreign. | B.Fashionable. | C.Traditional. | D.Elegant. |
A.To confirm the rise of new media. |
B.To promote Chinese Internet industry. |
C.To highlight the popularity of domestic art. |
D.To show the popularity of New Year’s Eve gala. |
A.They have a stronger cultural identity. |
B.They are longing for cultural diversity. |
C.They have made China develop rapidly. |
D.They are more fond of foreign culture. |
A.Confident China, Better Future |
B.China’s Progress Results in Cultural Confidence |
C.China’s New Generation Redefine Local Culture as Trendy |
D.Hanfu Style, Connector of Ancient Fashion and Modern Trend |
4 . The Rise of “China-chic”
Over past years, guochao, or “China-chic” has been gaining popularity among Chinese consumers. Guochao conveys the cultural heritage and values of China.
The idea of guochao was first borrowed from some international brands, and began to win over Chinese consumers in 2015.
In its third stage, guochao became more common in everyday life. Over the past decade, guochao has expanded from consumer goods to experiential products. As consumers are showing greater interest in cultural identity and creativity, productions like the TV program National Treasure, and the dance show Night Banquet in Tang Dynasty Palace integrate cultural and historical elements with the latest audio-visual technologies.
Nowadays, guochao is moving to the next stage. No matter how the trend evolves, Chinese people’s positive attitude toward the country’s development and their recognition of and growing confidence in national culture won’t change.
A.The trend grew in the following years |
B.They give the viewers a totally new experience |
C.The next stage saw the rise of China’s native fashion trends |
D.It also expresses national pride and confidence in a new era |
E.The second period of guochao mainly features hi-tech sectors |
F.Its success will rely first and foremost on gaining cultural confidence |
G.The concept of “Made in China” was recognized as the representation of Chinese culture |
Longleat is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Giant lanterns take the shape of some of the park’s animals, and there are also lots of characters in Beatrix Potter’s book, such as Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle Duck, Squirrel Nutkin, to mark the 150th anniversary of the author’s birth. There is also a 20-metre-high birthday cake.
▲£27.85, adult/£20.65, child/under-threes, free.▲15Dec. to 2 Jan.
Christmas Glow, RHS Wisley, Surrey
The garden is glowing with giant lighted flowers. Some of the trees are brilliant, too. The glasshouse is decorated like a gingerbread house, and displays seasonal plants. There are lanterns around the lake. The cafe serves hot chocolate and apple juice.
▲£9.90, adult/£3.60, child.▲20 Dec. to 2 Jan.
Christmas at Kew Gardens, London
Kew is a special place to visit at any time of the day or year, but the festive light show gives it a magical twist, as the mile-long trail through the garden is decorated with 60,000 lights. Some of the garden’s oldest and tallest trees are also beautifully lit along the way.
▲£l6, adult/£l0, child/£48, family/under-fours, free.▲24 Dec. to 2 Jan.
1. Who are probably attracted by Longleat Safari Park?
A.Flower lovers. | B.Garden lovers. |
C.Lovers of animal characters. | D.Big fans of shows. |
A.£36. | B.£26 | C.£42 | D.£16 |
A.They are located in Canada. | B.They are in the cheerful atmosphere. |
C.They are free for kids under four. | D.Their opening and closing dates are the same. |
6 . Less than two months away from the Spring Festival, sales on travel websites start to hit a seasonal high. As the influence of Chinese New Year expands, international tourism also helps to introduce this indispensable cultural heritage to every corner of the world, which means in 2023, more Chinese people choose to spend their holidays overseas.
Big time for family trips
According to the statistics posted by Ctrip, one of the biggest platforms for travel products, the top 10 most visited countries by Chinese tourists will be Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, the United States, Malaysia, Philippines and Italy.
Over 70 percent of travelers decide to have a family vacation abroad. “The bookings on our website have risen 32 percent compared with the Spring Festival season last year. And the prices are 10 percent higher,” said Zou Qingling, outbound tourism manager of Lvmama. “Some of our packages to Europe or the US have already been fully booked.”
Flexible schedules favored
Though the holiday officially spans Feb. 4 to 10, many choose to leave their office in advance or postpone the return date. In this way, they will manage to avoid the crowds at the airports, and save a considerable sum on hotels and flight tickets.
If you haven’t planned anything yet, here is an important tip — leave before Jan. 31 or after Feb. 6. The most expensive time to travel is between Feb. 2 and 6, with an average of over 10,000 yuan per person.
Different places, same customs
Family trips pay special attention to tradition and customs, especially during the most conventional holiday in Chinese culture. Many people still believe that the Spring Festival is about family and the joy of reunion. To create a homey experience overseas, travel agencies design a variety of events including a New Year’s Eve dinner on the Nile, making dumplings at a Parisian castle, and a Chinese New Year gala at a five-star hotel in Amman. World-famous landmarks also receive a Spring Festival makeover. From Feb. 2 to Feb. 17, Universal Studios Hollywood will dress its cartoon characters in traditional Chinese costumes.
If you are one of those who want to celebrate the Spring Festival at home, enjoy your homecoming. But if you haven’t made up your mind for the moment, it’s never too late to try something new and plan a family trip abroad during the New Year.
1. To save money, your family is most likely to travel abroad between ________.A.Feb. 1 and 5. | B.Feb. 2 and 6. | C.Feb. 5 and 10. | D.Feb. 7 and 11. |
A.India has been rated among the top 10 most visited countries by Chinese. |
B.It is impossible to reserve any package tour to the US from Lvmama now. |
C.One will find the trip fairly cheap as long as avoiding it between Feb 2 and 6. |
D.A Chinese family may experience a festival atmosphere abroad during the New Year. |
A.To introduce the growing popularity of international tourism. |
B.To give suggestions on appropriate time for traveling abroad. |
C.To recommend making overseas tours in the Spring Festival. |
D.To promote the role traveling plays in spreading Chinese culture. |
7 . Four schools from Beijing were in Hull to put on a show.
The schools, all from the Fengtai District in Beijing, have close ties to the city. Groups of students from Beijing and Hull regularly visit each other as part of a cultural and educational exchange programme.
Today’s special performance at Hull City Hall included various forms of traditional Chinese music, dance and acrobatics (杂技).
Lewis Anderson, 26, started learning Chinese at the age of 13 and acts as a translator and organiser when the Chinese students visit the UK. He also currently studies at a university in China.
He said: “Cultural exchanges are really important because children start to appreciate everything in life. They start to learn that there isn’t only their view on things and they start to look at other cultures and appreciate their history and beauty. For example, when Hull students visit China, they might visit the Great Wall and enjoy traditional dancing and opera, and then they come home and think ‘What do we have that is the equivalent (相等的东西) of that?’ and they look at all the different things that we have and it starts to open their minds.”
The Chinese students are on a 12-day visit to the UK, visiting eight different cities, including four days in Hull. As part of their visit to Hull, they were invited to visit various museums, galleries and tourist sites in the city.
Lewis said: “The children love exploring Hull because it’s rich in history and everywhere you look it’s old, beautiful and attractive.”
At Hull City Hall the Chinese students performed a traditional Peking Opera, which combines music, vocal performance, dance and acrobatics. The performance is famous for featuring fantastic costumes and dazzling make-up.
1. What did the students do at Hull City Hall?A.They went to the opera. |
B.They performed Peking Opera. |
C.They taught the locals Peking Opera. |
D.They introduced their schools to the locals. |
A.They bring tradition to life. |
B.They should get more public attention. |
C.They benefit students in their development. |
D.They inspire more children to study in China. |
A.It was a week-long tour. |
B.It was a journey into history. |
C.It changed their attitudes to the UK. |
D.It put them on the road to self-discovery. |
A.A short story. | B.A play review. |
C.A travel journal. | D.A news report. |
8 . Symbol of rebirth, but also of protection, Easter eggs are a must. But what are the traditions that centre on them? Here are some curiosities from around the world.
Easter Egg Hunting in England
Among the most original rituals, the English Easter Egg Hunt deserves a place of honour. On Easter Sunday, children go hunting for eggs in parks and gardens, surrounded by people dressed up as Easter bunnies: only those who find the eggs hidden by family members will receive the surprise brought by the Easter Bunny.
Easter Egg Roll at the White House
In the United States, the annual White House Easter Egg Roll was born for the first time on April 22, 1878. A game that consists in letting the eggs slide on the grass for as long as possible without breaking them, where it’s possible to come across well-known personalities in the role of the Easter bunny.
Colourful Confetti (五彩纸屑) in Mexico
In Central America, a cheerful and unusual ritual: los cascarones. That is egg shells (壳) emptied out and filled with coloured confetti. Tissue paper sheets are used to hold the egg together, but not to worry if the result is not accurate. No one complains: this seems to be a custom brought by Marco Polo from China, where the shells were filled with spices (香料).
The Giant Omelette in France
Easter is associated with “abundance”, and the French prepare a giant omelette with over 4,500 eggs in Haux. Legend has it that Napoleon started this tradition after falling in love with the omelette in the town. It is served in the city’s main square and can feed over a thousand people.
1. What do the first two traditions have in common?A.They feature some animals. | B.They need family members. |
C.They involve outdoor activities. | D.They focus on children’s activities. |
A.Eggs are put in parks and gardens. |
B.Egg shells are full of various spices. |
C.It is possible to meet famous people. |
D.The tradition may have its origins in China. |
A.Colourful Confetti in Mexico | B.The Giant Omelette in France |
C.Easter Egg Hunting in England | D.Easter Egg Roll at the White House |
9 . Chinese Festivals
As an ancient country, China has various festivals.
The Spring Festival
In the evening before the Spring Festival, families get together and have a big meal. Children also get lucky money from parents.
The Lantern Festival
During this festival, there is special food called “tang yuan”, which is said to symbolize both the first full moon and family unity and completeness. Part of the Lantern Festival tradition involves a game to guess riddles attached to the lanterns.
Stilt walking, drumming and dragon and lion dancing are the main entertainment forms of the Lantern Festival.
The Dragon Boat Festival
The day is to celebrate the patriotic (爱国的) poet Qu Yuan, a loyal and highly respected minister, who brought peace and prosperity to the state but ended up drowning himself in a river as a result of being vilified (诽谤).
The Double Seventh Festival
On the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, there is a traditional festival full of romance.Recently the youth have celebrated it as Valentine’s Day in China.
The MidAutumn Festival
It is a conventional festival for both the Han and minority nationalities in China.The custom of worshipping the moon can be traced back to the ancient Xia and Shang Dynasties.The MidAutumn Festival is also a holiday for members of a family to get together.
The Double Ninth Festival
On the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, people celebrate the Double Ninth Festival. People usually climb mountains and eat doubleninth cakes, which means our life will become better and better.
1. Which is NOT involved in the entertainments of the Lantern Festival?A.Guessing riddles. | B.Dragon dancing. |
C.Stilt walking. | D.Delicious food and lucky money. |
A.The Spring Festival. | B.The Dragon Boat Festival. |
C.The Double Seventh Festival. | D.The Double Ninth Festival. |
A.Families’ getting together. | B.A festival for the Han nationality. |
C.Worshipping the moon. | D.Symbolizing the first full moon. |
10 . There are four fun festivals throughout the year in Brazil.
Festa Junina
Festa Junina is celebrated all over Brazil for the entire month of June as a yearly celebration of Saint John. It celebrates country life with typical clothes, food and dances inside a large tent, with decorations such as colored flags, beautiful table cloths and balloons.
Oktoberfest
The Germanic roots of the south of Brazil brought this traditional German festival to Brazil, where it has become one of the most popular beer festivals. Held in the middle of October every year in Blumenau, it celebrates typical German cuisine and plenty of beer. There’re all kinds of German foods at the festival.
Festival de Cachaça
Every year in the town of Paraty, Festival de Cachaça is held for cachaça, the national alcohol (酒) made from sugarcane (甘蔗). This festival is held over a long weekend in August and it gives you a chance to try cachaça. There are also shows of samba (桑巴舞) and food trucks. It’s also a great opportunity to get to know the beautiful town of Paraty.
Parintins Folklore Festival
The festival held every year in Parintins is the second largest in Brazil after the carnival. It goes over a period of three days at the end of June and celebrates the Amazonian legend of a resurrected ox (复活的牛). The main attraction of the festival is the competition between the two teams Garantido and Caprichoso that compete to retell the story of the ox through a mix of dancing and singing.
1. Which festival lasts the longest time?A.Oktoberfest. | B.Festa Junina. |
C.Festival de Cachaça. | D.Parintins Folklore Festival. |
A.Taste German food. | B.Watch shows of samba. |
C.Drink the national alcohol. | D.Listen to the story of the ox. |
A.They are yearly activities. |
B.They enjoy global popularity. |
C.They focus on food and dancing. |
D.They are celebrated all over Brazil. |