1 . Shaanxi kuaiban is a traditional Chinese form of storytelling in the Shaanxi dialect to the rhythm of bamboo clappers. It can be performed by a group or solo. The art form can be traced back to the late Qing Dynasty (1644—1911). At first, the art was used by farmers to share their knowledge and earn money. But now, more people perform Shaanxi kuaiban on different occasions—for example, at festival celebrations, parties and art shows.
Yang Jinlong, 45, is an experienced Shaanxi kuaiban artist. He first learned the art at the age of 9. Before that, he often went with his father, an amateur performer, to watch kuaiban performances.
“As a young boy, I was attracted to the art form because many of the stories are about heroes. The performer tells stories while playing kuaiban, and it's easy for the audience to remember the stories since all the lines rhyme,” Yang said.
He has practiced Shaanxi kuaiban for more than 30 years. Since 2003, he has been teaching the art form to young people. At 9 am on weekdays, he drives to primary and middle schools in Xi'an and teaches students about Shaanxi kuaiban until about 6 pm. Then, he returns home to prepare classes for the next day. On the weekends, he teaches for six hours each day at art education institutions in Xi'an.
Yang has made some adaptations to the art form to relate more to students. When he tells modern stories, Yang abandons the traditional gown and wears a suit. He also integrates many pop elements like tap dance, ballet, jazz dance and the rhythm of popular music into kuaiban performances. His stories focus on more trendy topics, like stories of heroes who have worked to alleviate poverty, as well as the Chinese Olympic team.
“Art education is important for students in China. Just as many students learn to play Western musical instruments like the piano and violin, there are many people learning traditional Chinese folk arts, including Shaanxi kuaiban. They are committed and passionate,” Yang said.
1. What do we know about Shaanxi kuaiban?| A．It dates back to the late Ming Dynasty. | B．People perform it in Shaanxi dialect. |
| C．It was originally used by teachers for teaching. | D．It focuses on Chinese ancient literature. |
| A．Because all the lines rhyme. | B．Because he liked stories about heroes. |
| C．Because it was a way to earn money. | D．Because he wanted to be like his father. |
| A．He wore local clothes of Shaanxi. |
| B．He told stories about superheroes. |
| C．He added pop elements to kuaiban performances. |
| D．He performed Shaanxi kuaiban in Western countries. |
| A．Determined and creative. | B．Patient and capable. |
| C．Talented and modest. | D．Humorous and responsible. |
1. Who does this advertisement want to attract?
| A．Students who want to do physical exercise. | B．Foreigners not good at communication. |
| C．Students who want to learn traditional art. | D．Foreigners interested in Chinese culture. |
| A．RMB 350. | B．RMB 1600. | C．RMB 2300. | D．RMB 3200. |
| A．In an art museum. | B．On a website. |
| C．In a tourist brochure. | D．In a reference book. |
3 . Cultural heritage is a symbol of the history, traditions and culture of a country, but through various causes like wars and natural disasters, there are many properties of precious tangible and intangible cultural heritage which are currently placed at risk. International cooperation to protect cultural heritage not only shows respect for the cultures of others, but also creates a stable foundation for the international community. Accordingly, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been concentrating on that as one of the pillars its diplomatic (外交的) policy.
For tangible cultural heritage, Japan is taking part in the international system of protection established through the World Heritage Convention. It has also been donating money for the protection of the historic ruins and buildings in various countries through the Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Preservation of the World Cultural Heritage set up through UNESCO, and by employing the excellent repair skills developed in Japan.
For intangible cultural heritage, Japan began well-developed domestic efforts for their protection with the establishment of the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties in 1950, far ahead of other countries. Since then, it has been using the knowledge that it gained through that experience to take a leading role in the creation and enforcement of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the. Intangible Cultural Heritage. In addition, Japan has also been financially supporting the conservation of traditional dances, music, and craftsmanship in various countries through the Japanese Funds-in-Trust.
Cultural diplomacy may take a long time to yield results. Nevertheless, Japan believes the support for the cultural heritage is the pride of people in a nation which touches the hearts of people directly. This kind of aid does not stop with just material but also conveys Japan’s knowledge, skills and heart, which can bring about a great long-term benefit.
1. What does-the underlined word “that” in paragraph 1 refer to?| A．Building an international community |
| B．Creating a stable foundation for the world. |
| C．Showing respect for the cultures of other countries. |
| D．Cooperating with other countries for cultural heritage. |
| A．Donating money. | B．Using repair skills. |
| C．Making relevant laws. | D．Setting a good example. |
| A．It helps to sell of Japan’s skills. |
| B．It brings about immediate benefits. |
| C．It advances international relationship. |
| D．It strengthens the national pride of Japanese. |
| A．Japan’s Cultural Heritage at Risk |
| B．Japan’s Cultural Diplomatic Policy |
| C．The Benefits of Cherishing Culture |
| D．The Classification of Cultural Heritage |
4 . From baking pumpkin pie to celebrating the moon, here’s how autumn is celebrated across the globe.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the biggest and most widely celebrated harvest festivals in the world. It is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. In many Asian countries including China, the festival is celebrated as a public holiday, with families gathering and giving thanks for the harvest and full moon.
Oktoberfest is another major autumn celebration that, while originating in Germany, has inspired local versions around the globe. The world’s largest folk festival begins in September and runs for about two weeks, featuring traditional Bavarian food, music, clothing, and most importantly, lots of beer!
Thanksgiving is also an important celebration for Americans that takes place in late November every year, with seasonal dishes like yams smothered and pumpkin pies always having a place at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Walks, hikes and trips to see the changing foliage are also hugely popular, with locations like Asheville and North Carolina, boasting of some of the most beautiful autumn scenery around.
There are also several cultural and religious events that occur throughout October and November. Dia de Los Muertos, on the 1st and 2nd November, is a Mexican celebration that honours the lives of those who have passed away with food, drinks and activities that those loved ones enjoyed when they were alive. Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is another spiritual celebration of the victory of light over darkness, and good over evil, which falls on 14th November. Lighting candles all around the house and hoping for health and wealth are the chief rituals of the festival.
1. Which festival features food and trips?| A．The Mid-Autumn Festival. | B．Oktoberfest. |
| C．Thanksgiving. | D．Dia de Los Muertos |
| A．They will enjoy full moon. |
| B．They will have traditional Bavarian food. |
| C．They will eat pumpkin pies. |
| D．They will light candles. |
| A．They are celebrated for harvest. |
| B．They are held all over the world. |
| C．They are cultural and religious celebrations. |
| D．They fall in autumn. |
5 . Before war and time destroy more of our important cultural sites, we need to save them in 3-D digital libraries. Across 163 different countries, 1,000 natural and cultural historic places make up our most precious human heritage, which UNESCO calls World Heritage Sites.
We lose a little of that heritage every day. War, climate change and pollution have a bad effect, as do wind and rain. The $4 million a year that UNESCO spends on preservation is not nearly enough to take care of even the four dozen sites considered at approaching risk of being lost forever. Now there’s a better choice. New digital-conservation technologies let us hold on to them, at least virtually (虚拟地), through 3-D scanning, modeling and digital storage. Such projects can be accomplished (完成) through cooperation between governments, universities, industry and non-profit organizations.
To make a 3-D model, a laser (激光) scanner bounces light off an object and records the results. To reproduce every corner and opening, the scanner collects overlapping (重叠的) images from all possible angles. A computer then sews them together into one large surface image and draws lines from one point to another to create a wire-frame model. High-resolution digital cameras add color and texture. When fully put together, the models can be viewed, printed or operated.
These scans do more than preserve a memory in a database. With highly accurate measurements, archaeologists (考古学家) can find hidden passages or reveal ancient engineering tricks. School kids can explore places they might otherwise never see. And when a site is destroyed, the scans can even be used to reconstruct what was there. That has already happened for one World Heritage Site, the Kasubi Tombs in Uganda. Built of wood in 1882, they were destroyed by fire in 2010 and rebuilt in 2014, based in large part on 3-D models made in 2009. More than 100 World Heritage Sites have been already preserved as 3-D models, and conservationists are racing to record as many more as possible.
1. How does the author show the necessity for 3-D digital libraries in the first two paragraphs?| A．By listing the threats to our human heritage. |
| B．By introducing some damaged historical sites. |
| C．By quoting some experts’ views on heritage protection. |
| D．By explaining UNESCO’s research on World Heritage Sites. |
| A．The function of a laser scanner is to add color and texture to the image. |
| B．The reflection of light off an object is recorded in a computer. |
| C．The process of making a 3-D model is successfully carried out with the help of a laser scanner, a computer and high-resolution digital cameras. |
| D．High-resolution digital cameras make the models viewable, printable, and operable. |
| A．It is metal-framed. |
| B．It is still in its original condition. |
| C．It was once destroyed in an earthquake. |
| D．It was reconstructed thanks to 3-D models. |
| A．Never ignore the destructive power of war. |
| B．Take action to reduce pollution in historic places. |
| C．Take advantage of 3-D technology to keep history. |
| D．Invest more money to preserve World Heritage Sites. |
6 . Quebec City Summer Festival
When: July 4—14，2021
Where: Toronto, Quebec
300 shows, 10 places and 11 days of music make this festival one of Canada’s biggest music festivals. Every year, this festival attracts over one million festivalgoers to Quebec City’s historic district for concerts by international superstars and top talents.
Center of Gravity
When: July 28—30, 2021
Where: Kelowna, British Columbia
Canada’s hottest beach festival is back! Now in its 10th year, the biggest and exciting festival to hit the Okanagan includes three days packed with extreme sports, sandy beaches, and some of the biggest DJ names in the world.
Future Forest
When: August 5—7, 2021
Where: Fredericton, New Brunswick
Future Forest is an outdoor camping festival with a focus on electronic music. The festival originated in 2012 as a fundraiser for a brilliant DJ, Jay Hamilton，who came down with cancer. Future Forest proudly shows the idea that there are no audience at the event but rather participants who in some way contribute to the overall experience.
1. What can people do in the Quebec City Summer Festival?| A．Do some extreme sports. |
| B．Play on the sandy beaches. |
| C．Enjoy the performances of superstars. |
| D．Learn more about Quebec City’s history. |
| A．They are held in the same month. |
| B．They date back to the same year. |
| C．They are festivals held on the beach. |
| D．They focus on the electronic music. |
| A．In a history book. | B．In a novel. | C．In a dairy. | D．In a newspaper. |
7 . There is something very wrong with the system of values in a society that has only unkind terms like nerd and geek for the intellectually curious and academically serious. We all know what a nerd is: someone who wears thick glasses and ugly clothes: someone who knows all the answers to the chemistry or math homework but can never get a date on a Saturday night. And a geek, according to Webster's New World Dictionary, is a street performer who shocks the public by biting off heads of live chickens. It is an obvious fact about our language and our culture that someone devoted to the pursuit of knowledge is compared to such a strange person.
Even at a famous educational institution like Harvard, anti-intellectualism is widespread: Many students are ashamed to admit how much they study. The same thing happens in US primary and high schools.
Enough is enough. The anti-intellectual values that have spread throughout American society must be fought. There are very few countries in the world where anti-intellectualism runs as high in popular culture as it does in the US. In most industrialized nations, especially in East Asia, a kid who studies hard is praised. But in America, average professional ballplayers are much more respected and better paid than professors of the best universities.
How can a country where typical parents are ashamed of their children studying mathematics instead of going dancing be expected to compete in the technology race with Japan? How long can America remain a world-class power if we constantly put social skills and physical strength over academic achievement and intellectual ability?
Do we really expect to stay afloat largely by bringing in our scientists and intellectuals from abroad, as we have done for a major portion of this century without making an effort to also cultivate a prointellectual culture at home?
1. Why does the author mention Webster's New World Dictionary in Paragraph 1?| A．To show that vocabulary use is always up-to-date. |
| B．To show the unfairness of calling intelligent people. |
| C．To convince readers with reference from an authoritative. |
| D．To prove that words the author uses in this article are accurate. |
| A．The US government doesn't mean to spend much money on education |
| B．Anti-intellectualism is not popular in industrialized countries in East Asia. |
| C．Few students work hard for their grade in famous universities like Harvard. |
| D．Professors earn more than professional basketball players on average in the US. |
| A．Concerned. | B．Supportive. | C．Neutral. | D．Objective. |
| A．Life | B．Science | C．Education | D．Politics |
8 . Every year, workers put up a big, freshly cut evergreen tree in a historic building in Asbury Park, New Jersey to celebrate Christmas. But recently workers put up a very different kind of Christmas Tree instead.
Unlike an evergreen, it requires little care and can never die. That is because the 2021 Christmas Tree is made wholly of a thick and strong paper material called cardboard. When the winter holidays end, the “tree” is to be recycled. The piece uses natural and artificial lighting to darken parts of the tree while shining light on others. In this way, the piece’s appearance changes throughout the day. The tree’s creators sought to honor elements of Asbury Park’s natural environment, cityscape and rich musical history.
Opinions on the tree are mixed. “I like that it’s different…It’s pretty interesting,” said local man Chris Trifari. Local Elizabeth Khimitch offered similar praise. “I think it’s very creative.” She had come to the Grand Arcade to take pictures of her dogs in front of the tree. Others on the boardwalk were not as pleased by the tree. Antony Solimando said it looked like “an Amazon package.” “Can’t we just have our traditional tree?” added Amy Mackey.
Michael Lavallee, a local artist who goes by the name Porkchop, created the piece with Brad Hoffer. They call it The Giving Tree. He said the company told him there would not be a natural Christmas tree at Convention Hall this year. “I was asked to come in and do something festive-ish,” said Porkchop. Festive means celebratory, especially in connection with a holiday.
Amy Quinn is Asbury Park’s deputy mayor. Quinn said the city is not involved in the Convention Hall decisions, but that she likes the piece. She said, “I love that it’s different. Love it or hate it, people are talking about it. ”
1. According to the text, which one is NOT the characteristic of the paper Christmas tree?| A．It can be reused next year. | B．It needs less care. |
| C．It can change throughout the day. | D．It can be recycled. |
| A．They are both environmentalists. |
| B．They wanted to show respect to Asbury Park’s natural landscape. |
| C．They thought the paper Christmas tree was something much more impressive. |
| D．They wanted to create a totally different Christmas for the local people. |
| A．Dramatic. | B．Spectacular. | C．Substantial. | D．Celebratory. |
| A．A local newspaper. | B．A travel guide. |
| C．A food magazine. | D．A Science report. |
9 . No matter where you live, giving gifts is a common way for us to express thanks, concern or love. Although the reasons for giving gifts are about the same around the world, the traditions of giving gifts can be quite different from one another.
In Europe, don’t accidentally cut yourself out of someone’s life.
In the US, a set of kitchen knives seems like the perfect gift idea for a wedding or holiday. However, in certain European countries like Germany, superstition (迷信) defines that a knife presented as a gift will end your friendship. There is a way to beat this superstition: tie a penny to the knife or gift box. The receiver then returns the penny to you as a “payment” to drive away the bad luck.
In Native America, your host gives gifts rather than receives them.
The Native American gift giving custom is exactly the opposite to that of any other culture. Traditionally, during weddings and some big celebrations (birthdays aren’t always included), guests are the receivers of gifts rather than the host.
In Japan, presentation is paramount.
The Japanese place great emphasis on the act of gift giving, and presentation plays a big role in determining how your gift is received. For example, it’s considered unpleasant to uncovered cash. So whether you’re sending money as a gift or just leaving a tip, place your money in an envelope to ensure it’s received in a respectful manner.
In China, red envelopes and even denominations (偶数的面额) bring good luck.
Chinese New Year has a rich set of traditions. One of the most popular customs of this holiday is giving out money in red envelopes. Known as yasuiqian, these gifts are meant to bring good luck. In addition to how you give money, there’s also superstition relating to the amount you give. Giving an odd numbered amount of money is considered bad luck. It’s important to make sure that even the first digit is even as numbers like 30 and 50 are considered odd.
1. Where will you probably receive a gift when attending a wedding?| A．In Europe. | B．In Native America. |
| C．In Japan. | D．In China. |
| A．It is impolite to give money as a gift in Japan. |
| B．How you give a gift is very important in Japan. |
| C．Presenting gifts is not a common activity in Japan. |
| D．The act of gift giving is more important than the gift itself. |
| A．Giving a knife with a penny as a gift in Germany. |
| B．Receiving gifts from a Native American host at his birthday party. |
| C．Sending uncovered cash to a friend as a gift in Japan. |
| D．Giving three hundred yuan to a Chinese child during the New Year. |
10 . While established by Woodrow Wilson as a holiday in the United States in 1911, the practice of recognizing mothers on a specific day or time of year has spread to more than 40 countries. Here's a look at the various traditions.
France
Mother's Day in France only started in the 1950s. After World War I, it was celebrated on the last Sunday in May, unless it conflicted with the Pentecost（五旬节）. If it did, mothers were celebrated on the first Sunday of June. Regardless of the day, a traditional gif is a flower-shaped cake.
Japan
Following WWI, Mother's Day in Japan gained some popularity, and it is now celebrated on the second Sunday of May. Gifts include red or pink conations（康乃馨） as they symbolize sweetness and purity. Children will often draw pictures of their mothers and present them to mom in addition to preparing dishes that their mothers have taught them.
Sweden
Celebrated on the last Sunday in May, the day isn't all that different from the U. S. version. There's breakfast in bed and homemade cards and the like. One difference is that the Swedish Red Cross collects money by selling red plastic flowers. The money from the flowers goes to mothers and children in need.
Thailand
While all mothers are recognized during Mother's Day in Thailand, the holiday is largely centered on Sirikit, the queen mother of Thailand. Mother's Day is celebrated on her birthday, August 12, and public places and households are decorated with lights and pictures of Sirikit. Flowers like jasmine are popular gifts.
1. What do Japanese children usually do for their mothers on Mother's Day?| A．Buy pictures. | B．Cook meals. | C．Grow flowers. | D．Present cards. |
| A．France. | B．Japan. | C．Thailand. | D．Sweden. |
| A．To tell us how different countries celebrate Mother's Day. |
| B．To protect traditions of Mother's Day in different places. |
| C．To introduce the origin and development of Mother's Day. |
| D．To call on us to show respect for our mother on Mother's Day. |
