1 . Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd. Take some time to find out about how one man, who was determined to change the way we treated our planet, didn’t stop until he had made a difference.
In 1963, Senator Gaylord Nelson wasn’t happy with the earth’s condition. He wanted to clean up the planet, solve pollution and environmental problems. A senator is someone US citizens choose to help make laws, so Gaylord had a lot of power. He went to John F. Kennedy, the President at the time, with his concerns. The President agreed that the planet’s environment was a serious issue, so President Kennedy went around the country on a five-day tour to promote the idea of cleaning up the planet. People began making small changes but it wasn’t enough.
A few years later, Senator Nelson decided to put one day aside every year for the cause of saving the planet. On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated. Since then, Earth Day has become an international holiday. People all over the world are doing something to make Earth a cleaner, better place.
A rock band named Dramarama wrote a song about Earth Day in 1993 called What are We Gonna Do. People are paying more and more attention to save the earth.
1. From the passage we know that Mr. Gaylord Nelson _____.A.had a little power |
B.was a President |
C.was the first to put forward Earth Day |
D.was the first who decided to save the earth |
A.Earth Day is an international holiday. |
B.Earth Day is a holiday that is only celebrated in the U.S. |
C.John F. Kennedy was chosen by the US citizens to make laws. |
D.On April 22, 1963, the first Earth Day was celebrated. |
A.have a good rest at home |
B.have a five-day tour |
C.choose someone to make laws to protect the earth |
D.do something to make the planet a cleaner, better place |
①What are We Gonna Do was written.
②The first Earth Day was celebrated.
③Senator Nelson formed the idea of cleaning up the planet.
④Present Kennedy agreed to promote the idea.
A.③④②① | B.①③④② | C.④①③② | D.②④①③ |
A.Earth Day — Having a good holiday. |
B.Earth Day — Cleaning up our planet. |
C.Earth Day — Celebrating it. |
D.Earth Day — Learning about it. |
2 . In America, the first Halloween celebrations were a way to mark the end-of-year harvest season, and the food that was served mainly consisted of homemade seasonal treats like caramel apples and mixed nuts. There were no soul cakes — or candies, for that matter — to be found.
It wasn't until the 1950s that trick-or-treating gained popularity in the US. Following the Great Depression and World War II, the suburbs were booming, and people were looking for excuses to have fun and get to know their neighbors. The old practice of souling came back to life again and was made into an excuse for kids to dress up in costumes and roam (漫游) their neighborhoods. Common trick-or-treat offerings included nuts, coins, and homemade baked goods.
That changed when the candy companies got their hands on the holiday. They had already convinced consumers that they needed candy on Christmas and Easter, and they were looking for an equally lucrative opportunity to market candy in the fall. The new practice of trick-or-treating was almost too good to be true. Manufacturers downsized candies into smaller, bite-sized packages and began marketing them as treats for Halloween. Adults were grateful to have a convenient alternative to baking, kids loved the sweet treats, and the candy companies made billions.
Today, it's hard to imagine Halloween without Skittles, chocolate bars, and the perennial candy corn debates. But when you're digging through a bag or bowl of Halloween candy this October, remember that you could have been eating soul cakes instead.
1. What did people enjoy on earlier Halloween?A.Caramel apples. | B.Soul cakes. | C.Candies. | D.Peanuts. |
A.The Great Depression. | B.World War II. |
C.The kids’ practice. | D.Christmas and Easter. |
A.Confident. | B.Beneficial. | C.Unforgettable. | D.Changeable. |
A.Candies in America. | B.Halloween Celebrations. |
C.Candies and Halloween. | D.Americans and Festivals. |
3 . Live at Leeds Festival, United Kingdom
A weekend of indie music taking over Leeds for one day in May, Metronomy, Sundara Karma and Tom Grennan will headline, but there’s a focus on the city’s newer bands, with the festival aiming to bring new artists into the spotlight. Events take place across the city, with wristbands giving you access to all the places. And to go to this festival, you need to be over 14 years old.
Time: 4 May, 2019
Midnight Sun Film Festival, Finland
Almost a hundred miles north of the Arctic Circle, Sodankylä is where Finnish film director brothers Aki and Mika Kaurismäki rock up every summer for their Midnight Sun Film Festival, a five-day-and-night celebration of new cinema. A mix of silent films, contemporary Finnish ones, recent festival hits and box-office classics are screened around the clock.
Time: 12 - 16 June, 2019
Fuji Rock Festival, Japan
The first ever Fuji Rock Festival was held at the bottom of Mount Fuji back in 1997 and has brought in music and rock fans from all over the world. The festival is now held in the Naeba Ski Resort and is celebrating its 23th anniversary this year. The artists who perform aren’t all rockers. Your wristband has to be checked at the entrance. We offer facilities for children, but they can’t be left unaccompanied.
Time: 26 - 28 July, 2019
The White Nights Festival, St. Petersburg, Russia
The White Nights Festival is held at the city’s famous Mariinsky Theatre and shows some of the world’s best opera and ballet. It’s the best time to visit St. Petersburg because it’s held during the magical summer period when there’s almost 24 hours of sunlight a day.
Time: 11 May - 31 July, 2019
1. Which festival lasts the longest time?A.Live at Leeds Festival. | B.Midnight Sun Film Festival. |
C.Fuji Rock Festival. | D.The White Nights Festival. |
A.In Leeds, United Kingdom. | B.In Sodankylä, Finland. |
C.In the Naeba Ski Resort, Japan. | D.In St. Petersburg, Russia. |
A.They are of the same music style. | B.They focus on new artists. |
C.They require entrance wristbands. | D.They have age limits. |
4 . Chinese New Year has been welcomed in Britain with its biggest ever program of events and celebrations.
From London's Trafalgar Square to major cities across Britain,tens of thousands of British people have joined Chinese communities to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. In Manchester there was a Dragon Parade(舞龙表演),led by a very impressive 54-meter long dragon,ending in Chinatown where there was traditional Chinese entertainment, more than 6, 000 lanterns,street food villages and a fireworks show. Celebrations also took place in Liverpool, Birmingham, Durham, Edinburgh, Leeds and Newcastle.
Academic Dr Wu Kegang said that the Chinese New Year event in Britain “is now bigger than ever and it is growing every year”. When Wu arrived in Britain 26 years ago from Guangdong,the first thing he noticed was that Chinese New Year was celebrated mainly in towns and cities with big Chinese communities. “You would go to London Chinatown and join your countrymen to celebrate, or to Chinatowns in places like Liverpool and Manchester for events almost only held for Chinese people, ”Wu recalled.
“Now it is so different, and we are seeing local communities all over the country taking part alongside their own Chinese populations, ” he said. “It is clear to me that the celebrations will continue to grow in Britain. Chinese New Year has earned its place in the calendar of events in Britain,and is here to stay. ”
1. Where did the Dragon Parade take place?A.In London. | B.In Liverpool. |
C.In Manchester. | D.In Birmingham. |
A.celebrated mainly by Chinese communities |
B.celebrated by local communities all over the country |
C.only celebrated in London, Liverpool and Manchester |
D.celebrated by tens of thousands of British people with Chinese people |
A.It will lose its attraction. |
B.It will become a British official holiday. |
C.More and more British people will join in the celebrations. |
D.It will become the most important one in the calendar of events in Britain. |
A.How Chinese New Year is celebrated in Britain. |
B.Where Chinese New Year is celebrated in Britain. |
C.Chinese culture is more attractive than British culture. |
D.Chinese New Year has become more and more popular in Britain. |
5 . “The grass looks greener on the other side of the fence(篱笆).”That’s an old saying in English. It means that other places often look better, more interesting than the place where you live.“Let’s go to KFC for dinner and then watch some Japanese cartoons!”We all know it: more and more Chinese kids love American and Japanese food and movies. Some people worry that young Chinese are beginning to feel that way. They see young Chinese ignoring Chinese culture and, instead, buying Japanese cartoon books, watching Korean soap operas and even celebrating western holidays.
Foreign books and soap operas are good, but Chinese writers and actors are just as good. As for holidays, Christmas is nice, but it can never have the meaning for Chinese that the Spring Festival has, and the West has nothing to compare with the Mid-Autumn Festival. China has lots of cool things in its culture: calligraphy, Beijing Opera, quick meals on the streets, and even Jay Chou! And let's not forget the part of Chinese culture I like best: its friendliness. Not all countries are as warm as China.
It’s good to enjoy other cultures and to learn from them, but they can never replace your own culture. It’s good to look on the other side of the fence, but make sure you take a good long look. You will find that the grass isn’t always greener.
Although some people become worried about that, I don’t think they should. Will we get more powerful without learning from other countries? Will Chinese people live more happily without American fast food? Besides, it's fun to learn about different cultures. Chinese kids can learn about other cultures and have fun, but they also need to learn more about their own culture. Be proud of Chinese culture and of being Chinese!
1. The author thinks young Chinese ________.A.are ignoring our own culture | B.are foolish in learning our own culture |
C.are interested in our own culture | D.are hating our own culture |
A.Japanese cartoon books. | B.Korean soap operas. |
C.The Mid-Autumn Festival. | D.Christmas. |
A.Hard-working. | B.Friendly. | C.Brave. | D.Honest. |
A.Chinese culture and western culture | B.Simple young Chinese |
C.Interesting western culture | D.That grass is not always greener |
6 . You might think that simple things like saying hello and goodbye are the same in every culture. Think again!
Shaking hands to say hello or goodbye was a Western custom at first.
Traditionally, the Chinese custom for greeting was to hold one’s hands together and nod their head a little.
Japanese people greet each other by bowing.When greeting an older or more important person, it is usual to bow lower and for longer.
People in European countries such as Italy often greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks (脸颊). Even men greet each other like this.
Eskimos, a group of people living in the very cold northern areas of North America, greet each other by lightly rubbing their noses together.
When you’re not sure what the customs are in a new country, there’s one greeting that is the same all over the world: a smile.
A.Kissing is only for close family or women friends. |
B.However, Eskimos never greet each other with a bow. |
C.Everyone understands a smile so don’t be afraid to use it! |
D.In some cultures, it is usual to kiss on the cheek three times! |
E.This custom probably started because of the freezing weather |
F.Bowing was also traditional in many European countries in the past. |
G.But it is now becoming international, especially in business situations. |
7 . It is always said that China is the homeland of tea, which has a very long history of tea.
➢Color
➢Flavor(味道)
New tea is extremely clear and transparent with strong aroma(芳香), while old tea is characterized by brown color and weak fragrance. Take green tea and black tea for example, new green tea tastes a little bitter first, and then the fresh sweet taste begins to surface gradually, leaving a long and memorable after taste in mouth.
➢Place of origin
There is great gap of quality among various places of origin.
A.Every tea leaf has its own shape. |
B.Some varieties are identified by tightness of the leaves. |
C.It is always advised to select tea from its main producing areas. |
D.While you’re selecting tea, you should pay attention to following aspects. |
E.For foreigners in China, drinking tea may seem like simple refreshment(提神). |
F.Generally, new tea leaves look fresh and pleasing, with light green or dark green. |
G.On the contrary, if bitter taste takes the lead and fresh sweet taste subsides(减弱), it is black tea. |
8 . An 85-year-old primary school constructed in 1935 in Shanghai has been lifted off the ground in its entirety and relocated using new technology called the “walking machine.” The project marks the first time this “walking machine” method has been used in Shanghai to relocate a historical building.
Urbanization(都市化)has continued to significantly threaten architectural heritage. In the capital Beijing, for instance, more than 1,000 acres of its historic hutongs and traditional courtyard homes were destroyed between 1990 and 2010.
In the early 2000s, cities including Nanjing and Bejjing-due to the critics’ protest about the loss of old neighborhoods-drew up long-term plans to preserve what was left of their historic sites, with protections introduced to safeguard buildings and restrict developers.
These conservation efforts have taken different forms. In Beijing, a near-ruined temple was transformed into a restaurant and gallery, while in Nanjing, a cinema from the 1930s was restored to its original form, with some additions providing it for modern use. In 2019, Shanghai welcomed Tank Shanghai, an arts center built in renovated(重修的)oil tanks.
“Relocation is not the first choice, but better than destroying,” said Lan, the Shanghai primary school’s project supervisor. “I’d rather not touch the historical buildings at all.” Building relocations he said however, are “a workable option.” “The central government is putting more emphasis on the protection of historical buildings. I’m happy to see that progress in recent years.”
Shanghai has arguably been China’s most progressive city when it comes to heritage preservation. The survival of a number of 1930s buildings and 19th-century “shikumen” (or “stone gate”) house have offered examples of how to give old buildings new life.
“We have to preserve the historical building no matter what, ” Lan said. “The relocation has challenges, but in general, it is cheaper than destroying and then rebuilding something in a new location.”
1. How did cities respond to the loss of historical sites?A.They criticized the developers. | B.They rebuilt the historic hutongs. |
C.They ended the significant threat. | D.They proposed the protection project. |
A.All original form. | B.A new addition. | C.A cinema. | D.A temple. |
A.Provide strong evidence. | B.Introduce different opinions. |
C.Summarize previous paragraphs. | D.Add some background information. |
A.Walking Machine: a New Technology | B.Rebuilding: a New Option for Relics |
C.Old Building Torn down for Modern Use | D.Historical Site “Walks” to New Life |
9 . Holiday Celebrations Throughout Orlando
It's time again for our best free holiday events in Orlando! This year we could all use a little extra holiday cheer. Thankfully, despite some changes, there are still lots of free holiday events in Orlando and throughout Central Florida.
Winter Park "Ye Olde Hometown" Parade(游行)
December 5,2020, starts at 9: 00 a.m.
Central Park on Park Avenue, Winter Park
The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the 68th annual Winter Park Ye Olde Hometown Christmas Parade. The event has been held each December for more than 60years, making it the oldest continuous holiday parade in Central Florida. Reserved spaces for the live event are full, but the parade will be streamed live via Facebook.
20th Annual Christmas Parade
December 5, 2020, starts at 10;00 a.m.
Downtown Mount Dora
Enjoy this annual parade through the streets of downtown Mount Dora. Pets are notallowed.
Winter at Lake Eola Park
December 12, 2020, 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Lake Eola Park
There is an annual tree-lighting, announcement of holiday art contest winners and, of course, Santa Claus at Lake Eola Park. Masks and social distance are among the safety measures to be in place.
9th Christmas Light Ride
December 12,2020,7:00 p.m.
Retro City Cycles, Orlando
Ride through Ivanhoe Village and College Park to take in the great light displays. Ride starts at Retro City Cycles and will be about 6 miles at a casual pace; all bikes are welcome! Don't forget to decorate your bike !
1. What do we know about the event in Winter Park?A.It enjoys a long history. | B.It has lost its popularity. |
C.It is hosted by Facebook. | D.It requires reservations online. |
A.Winter Park. | B.Downtown Mount Dora. |
C.Lake Eola Park. | D.Ivanhoe Village. |
A.Wear face masks. | B.Keep social distance. |
C.Make your bike more beautiful. | D.Arrive at Ivanhoe Village before 7 :00 a.m. |
10 . Wang Tao, a Chinese fashion designer, released her fall-winter 2019 collection in New York on February 9, the tenth time her brand, Taoray Wang, has been featured at the New York Fashion Week.
Sitting on the front row of the show were U. S. President Donald Trump's younger daughter Tiffany Trump with her mother Marla Maples, as well as former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle.
Tiffany Trump, a fan of Taoray Wang, wore a white double-breasted coat by Wang to her father's inauguration(就职典礼)ceremony in January 2017.
Wang's latest collection, Eternity, is partly inspired by Tiffany Trump. In this collection, Wang combines the unconventional beauty of the 1970s, represented by famous American model Lauren Hutton and the female look favored by people such as Tiffany Trump.
The two women are from two different age groups with two different styles but both are confident and brave, said Wang while attending her show in Manhattan. "Beauty is not about time or age. It's all about attitude."
Along with China's growing economic strength, Chinese fashion has gradually gained worldwide attention, said Wang, adding that only when more and more foreigners wear clothes designed by Chinese people, will it mean a real rise of Chinese fashion on the global stage.
Wang has a diverse background. With a degree in history from East China Normal University in Shanghai, Wang got a second degree in fashion from Japan's top fashion institute Tokyo Mode Gakuen, where she received five international awards in design. She was selected by Junko Koshino—a well-known Japanese designer, to head the studio as the chief men's designer.
To realize her global career ambitions, Wang then left Japan to go to the UK where she worked as a leading designer. In 2002 she returned to China and led the repositioning of broadcast: bo, making it one of the top 10 Chinese women's labels. Wang is currently a board member of the Shanghai Ribo Fashion Group.
1. Why are Tiffany Trump and Lauren Hutton mentioned in the passage?A.They share the same hobby. |
B.They are famous American models. |
C.They are both confident and brave. |
D.They have given Wang's inspiration for her latest collection. |
A.The fall-winter 2019 collection was her first international award in design. |
B.She majored in design while studying in East China Normal University. |
C.It was the tenth time that her brand, Taoray Wang had appeared at the New York Fashion Week. |
D.She once left Japan for the UK to make her fortune. |
A.both Taoray Wang and bo are popular fashion brands |
B.Wang Tao is the most famous fashion designer in China |
C.Tiffany Trump and her mother Marla Maples are fans of Wang Tao |
D.more and more foreigners are wearing clothes designed by Chinese people |
A.China's fashion industry |
B.The New York Fashion Week |
C.Taoray Wang—a famous fashion brand |
D.Wang Tao—a famous Chinese fashion designer |