1 . Food festivals are a common occurrence in the UK and take place in all sorts of places and at all sorts of times. Whatever your taste, there’s a food festival to match — no matter how specialized.

1. Meatopia

This three-day, London-based festival takes place at the end of August and is a meat lover’s paradise. In addition to a range of legally sourced meat products, from juicy burgers to tender steaks, attendees can listen to live music, watch butchery demonstrations, and attend informal meat-based workshops.

2. The National Honey Show

If you have a sweet tooth, then it could be that the National Honey Show, which started in 1921 and is the largest event of its kind, is the place for you to be. This three-day event attracts many local entries who showcase their sweet golden honey, some of which is sold globally.

3. The Orange Sauce Festival

Have you heard about a festival that is devoted only to orange sauce? Held in Cumbria, this sweet, fragrant festival has been running for 3 years. What attracts people most is a competition to find the best homemade orange sauce. There are thousands of participants from over 30 different countries across the globe, bringing their local snacks to share here.

4. The Ginger and Spice Festival

If you’d prefer something with a little more kick to it, then you could attend The Ginger (姜) and Spice Festival held in Market Drayton. Unlike other food festivals, it celebrates its town’s historic connection to Robert Clive, who returned from India with ginger. Because of this, they specialize in baking gingerbread, but also sell a range of traditional spices from mild to hot.

1. What do Meatopia and the National Honey Show have in common?

A．Both of them last for three days.	B．Both of them hold workshops.
C．Both of them originated from London.	D．Both of them have a long history.

2. If you are interested in foreign food, which festival do you like best?

A．The Meatopia.	B．The Ginger and Spice Festival.
C．The National Honey Show.	D．The Orange Sauce Festival.

3. What is special about the Ginger and Spice Festival ?

A．It has something to do with a historic figure.

B．The ginger used in the festival is from India.

C．It sells spicy food.

D．The food is cooked by Robert Clive.

2 . A music festival is a community event focusing on live performances of singing and instrument playing that is often presented with a theme. On the list are the music festivals for fans around the world. Find your favorite now!

Field Day

January 1, 2023, Sydney

Field Day means New Year’s Day for young people in Sydney. Seen as the city’s original multi-stage party, it’s a gathering of friends coming together for a great fun-filled first day of the year. There’s an air of hope and positive energy on a perfect summer’s day.

The Envision Festival

February 27—March 6, 2023, Uvita

The Envision Festival is an annual gathering in Costa Rica that aims to provide an opportunity for different cultures to work with one another to create a better community. The festival encourages people to practice art, music, dance performances, and education. Meanwhile, our connection with nature is expected to be strengthened.

The McDowell Mountain Music Festival

March 2—4, 2023, Phoenix

The McDowell Mountain Music Festival is Phoenix’s musical celebration of community culture. Since its foundation in 2004, it has been the only 100% non-profit music festival designed to support, entertain and educate the community. The festival attracts thousands of visitors each year from around the country, and it is an opportunity to experience true culture.

The Old Settler’s Music Festival

April 20—23, 2023, Dale

The Old Settler’s Music Festival is a nationally known music festival for American music. The festival is held in the country of Texas at the height of the wild flower season. The Old Settler’s Music Festival offers great music and activities for the whole family.

1. In which city can people enjoy a fun New Year’s Day?

A．Phoenix.

B．Uvita.

C．Sydney.

D．Dale.

2. What is special about the McDowell Mountain Music Festival?

A．It encourages people to receive education.	B．It is not aimed at making money.
C．It provides an opportunity for friend gathering.	D．It focuses on cultural exchanges.

3. Which festivals are connected with nature?

A．Field Day and the Envision Festival.

B．The Envision Festival and the McDowell Mountain Music Festival.

C．The Old Settler’s Music Festival and the McDowell Mountain Music Festival.

D．The Envision Festival and the Old Settler’s Music Festival.

3 . Vietnam aims to solve the relations between economic development and cultural preservation. Vietnamese cultural departments and activists have tried to preserve the historical and cultural relics in the country.

Vietnam now has more than 40,000 historical relics. These relics of various forms and history are treasures for future generations.

However, hundreds of relics are severely damaged due to the negative influence of time, war and human activities. Head of Hanoi Relics Management Board, Nguyen Doan Tuan, says rescue work must preserve the relics’soul: “We cannot replace ruined construction with new materials. We must preserve its shape, size and style. We need to pay attention to every brick replaced so that it looks exactly like the original.”

Most relics have to rely on tourist fees for repair and rescue work. Director of Van Mieu Cultural and Science Center, Dang Kim Ngoc, says that the relics must be promoted widely to attract more visitors and bring in more income for repair and preservation: “We provide constant guide services for visitors so that they understand more about our relics. At the same time, a natural surrounding of the relic has been ensured, including the grass field and garden to improve its scenic value.”

The local government agreed that the relics must be turned to the community for shared efforts in the preservation work. Director of Vietnam Revolution Museum Dang Quoc Quan, said that the community must be guided in the preservation and protection, “The UNESCO aims to let local community take part in the preservation of relics. We have seen limitations in the preservation of relics, especially festival-related groups of buildings. This requires management and guidance by the government.”

Nguyen Thi Minh Ly from the Department of Heritage says the community should be guided in proper behaviors towards relics: “This will ensure the protection of cultural relics in later generations Creative restoration (修复) must be based on previous(先前的) values.”

Experts have called for a systematic(系统的)guidance by the state in local level preservation while promoting creative thinking in restoration for each relic.

1. Where is the passage most probably taken from?

A．A government survey.

B．A research paper.

C．A newspaper report.

D．A travel guide

2. Which of the following is not the reasons for the damaged relics in Vietnam?

A．Human activities.

B．Poor building materials.

C．Wat influence.

D．The passing of time.

3. What might be the best title for the passage?

A．Guide the Community in Proper Behaviors

B．Replace the Ruined Construction with a New Style

C．Hundreds of Relics in Vietnam Are In Ruins

D．Experts Call for a Systematic Way to Preserve Relics

4 . From the moment you arrive at Houtong Village in northern Taiwan, you’ll have no trouble knowing who the real stars are. There’s a cat-shaped bridge, pet food bowls on the side of the walkways, street signs with cat pictures, cat-themed cafes and, of course, furry friends wandering freely everywhere.

In the early 1900s, Houtong, in New Taipei City, was the biggest and most technologically advanced coal-mining site in Taiwan. It was a prosperous town with about 6,000 residents and workers, before the mine fell into disuse in 1990.

As most young residents moved away for better opportunities, Houtong became a sleepy village with about 100 residents. But in 2010, Houtong gained popularity after a cat-lover and photographer started blogging about the village’s growing stray (无主的) cat population.

Houtong was transformed into a cat-lover sight while also providing a source of income for local villagers. Many of the stray cats, now given affectionate nicknames, are taken care of by local villagers as well as a troop of volunteers.

In addition to the village’s many cute kitty-themed shops and cafes, the local government has also seized the opportunity to highlight its long history.

An award-winning pedestrian cat bridge was built. A cat information and education center opened in 2014, featuring higher cat walkways in front of the building. A museum park dedicated to the town’s former mining life opened in 2010, later hosting a cat lantern festival in 2012.

But Houtong, now under the spotlight, isn’t completely perfect. According to local reports, the town has become an attraction for those looking for a place to abandon their unwanted pets. During the most recent survey, it was estimated that the village is now home to about 286 cats—50 heads more than two years ago.

With the constant patting and feeding from visitors, some also flagged concerns about the health of the furry residents. The department works with local residents and volunteers to vaccinate (接种疫苗) the cats and provide regular medical treatment. Signs have been set up around town advising visitors how to behave while also pleading for the pet owners’ responsibility.

1. Why does Houtong become popular recently?

A．Because it is a town with the biggest coal-mining site.

B．Because it is a town with a long history.

C．Because it is a town where the mine falls into disuse.

D．Because it is a town featuring cats culture.

2. What does Houtong worry about nowadays?

A．Young residents moved far away for better opportunities.

B．The development of the village cannot meet the demands.

C．There are not enough volunteers in the village.

D．The cats are not in good health condition.

3. What does the underlined word “pleading” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Applying.	B．Begging.
C．Fighting.	D．Registering.

5 . Since early February, 218 people have been removed and taken to hospitals after testing positive for the novel coronavirus. Many remain quarantined on the ship, which originally set sail on Jan. 20th with 2,666 passengers and 1045 crew. Because they've been confined to their rooms for over 11 days, passengers feel almost as though they are on the ship alone.

But Friday is Valentine's Day, the holiday of love. It is not a day many people want to spend in isolation. Luckily, it seems Cupid's arrow is far-reaching. The captain and crew did a few things to try to lift passengers’ spirits on Valentine's Day. “I'd like to read you a poem: Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends,” said the captain through the loudspeaker.

Besides, guests were offered special selections for dinner and lunch. Breakfast included a chocolate croissant, decorated red for the holiday. Smith, a passenger on Diamond Princess, also tweeted a photo of other delicious treats provided by Princess Cruise, including a rose and dark chocolate. Yardley Wong, a passenger, who has been tweeting updates throughout the quarantine, shared an image of the menu provided by Diamond Princess’s crew ahead of the Valentine's Day.

Passengers also created Valentine’s messages for the crew. Dan Ponce, a television anchor from Chicago, posted on Twitter that his mother-in-law was quarantined on the ship and created Valentine’s messages for the crew, which she taped on her cabin door.

“My mother-in-law Linda is among the passengers quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan,” he wrote. “Today she used manicure scissors to make valentines for the crew. So thoughtful!”

“Thank you for taking care of us,” one of the hearts read.

As the quarantine continues with more new cases confirmed, passengers are becoming more and more anxious. “But I believe love can help us conquer all things,” said one of the passengers on the ship.

1. How many people went aboard Diamond Princess?

A．218.

B．1,045.

C．2,666.

D．3,711.

2. What did the captain do on Valentine’s Day?

A．He made an announcement.	B．He rushed patients to hospital.
C．He read passengers a poem.	D．He created a Valentine Card.

3. Why did Linda create Valentine presents?

A．To express her anxiety.	B．To express her gratitude.
C．To show off her talent.	D．To comfort other passengers.

6 . Tell a Joke Day

On August 16, make everyone around you laugh by telling them a joke because it is Tell a Joke Day.     1     Yet we can all safely believe that the creator of this unofficial holiday was aiming to make the world a happier place by encouraging people to tell and listen to jokes.

    2     They can be verbal like in the case of a whole story or in the form of a question and answer, where the answer provides the humor. Jokes can also be physical such as in the case of a practical joke, where the act rather than the words provides the humor.     3    

Jokes have been an integral (不可分割的）part of human history and a great many minds have spent time and energy trying to understand what makes jokes funny.

The day is known in the US as National Tell a Joke Day.     4     Every time you meet someone on this day, tell them a joke. Just make sure the jokes are proper to the setting.       5     Watch your favorite comedians do their thing either on TV or on stage and enjoy a few hours of humorous entertainment. Fancy yourself as a comedian. Play a harmless trick on your co-worker or friend.

A．A joke can be of different types.

B．Everyone enjoys being with pleasant people.

C．The origins of this very funny day are unknown.

D．But don’t be confused with International Joke Day on July 1.

E．Pick up a joke book and spend your lunch hour reading it.

F．Either way, the main purpose of a joke is to provide humor.

G．You may want to know how to become a person with humor.

7 . The meaning of silence varies among cultural groups. Silences may be thoughtful, or they may be empty when a person has nothing to say. A silence in conversation may also show stubbornness, uneasiness, or worry. Silence may be viewed by some cultural groups as extremely uncomfortable; therefore attempts may be made to fill every gap（间隙）with conversation. Persons in other cultural groups value silence and view it as necessary for understanding a person's needs.

Many Native Americans value silence and feel it is a basic part of communicating among people, just as some traditional Chinese and Thai persons do. Therefore, when a person one of these cultures is speaking and suddenly stops, what may be implied（暗示）is that the person wants the listener to consider what has been said before continuing. In these cultures, silence is a call for reflection.

Other cultures may use silence in other ways, particularly when dealing with different conflicts among people or in relationships of people with different amounts of power. For example, Russian, French, and Spanish persons may use silence to show agreement between parties about the topic under discussion. However, Mexicans may use silence when instructions are given by a person in authority rather than be rude to that person by arguing with him or her. In still another use, persons in Asian cultures may view silence as a sign of respect, particularly to an elder or a person in authority.

Nurses and other care-givers need to be aware of the possible meanings of silence when they come across the personal anxiety their patients may be experiencing. Nurses should recognize their own personal and cultural construction of silence so that a patient's silence is not interrupted too early or allowed to go on unnecessarily. A nurse who understands the healing（治愈）value of silence can use this understanding to assist in the care of patients from their own and from other cultures.

1. What does the author say about silence in conversations?

A．It is content-based.	B．It develops friendship.
C．It implies anger.	D．It is culture-specific.

2. Which of the following people might regard silence as a call for careful thought?

A．The French.	B．The Mexicans.
C．The Russians.	D．The Chinese.

3. What does the author advise nurses to do about silence?

A．Make use of its healing effects.

B．Let it continue as the patient pleases.

C．Break it while treating patients.

D．Evaluate（评估）its harm to patients.

4. What may be the best title for the text?

A．Sound and Silence.

B．What It Means to Be Silent.

C．Silence to Native Americans.

D．Speech Is Silver, Silence Is Gold.

8 . America is a nation built upon immigrants. There was time when everyone was a first-generation American, but centuries have passed since then and traditions have been established. No matter how “American” you might look, or how perfect your English is, there’s always something that’s going to give away your status as a foreigner. And that “thing” usually shows up on your plate.

1. Peanut butter and jelly was a joy you weren’t familiar with until adulthood. And if you’re smart, you’re making up for lost time by eating as many as you possibly can now.

2. Actually, all your sandwiches were different from other kids’ at school. The bread was hard with covering or the contents were anything but American cheese slices.

3. Having friends over for dinner was the most horrifying experience of your young life. Your parents decide to cook up “special” dish, like raw steak for the occasion, not understanding that your new friend would rather die than eat raw meat and will probably never speak to you again for having to do so at your house.

4. Breakfast at your house was usually not as good as breakfast elsewhere. No matter how nice the morning meal at your house was, it wasn’t pancakes with eggs and bacon. And even if no one else you knew was eating that Monday morning either, it was all you could think about as you ate your non-American food before heading out to school.

5. It took your parents much effort to prepare the Thanksgiving meal which did not include the sweet potato casserole green bean casserole, pumpkin pie and possibly even a turkey. You didn’t understand why anyone really cared about this holiday. That is until the day you had the opportunity to eat a proper Thanksgiving meal as a guest at a friend’s house. One bite of pecan pie and you quickly changed your belief and finally a true American.

1. What is mainly talked about in the passage?

A．Traditional foods American people eat every day.

B．People are keeping off American traditional food gradually.

C．Inviting your friend to a proper Thanksgiving meal.

D．The food you eat can tell if you are a true American.

2. What’s the real meaning behind the underlined words “the most horrifying experience” in the passage?

A．It was not easy to invite your friend over to eat dinner at your house.

B．Steak eaten raw with blood is considered as true American food.

C．You were scared by your friend who wanted to die after the dinner.

D．You felt terribly sorry for your friend’s manners at your house.

3. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．You started to believe that true Americans value Thanksgiving day.

B．You believed that you were not from a true American family.

C．You held it that other people care about the food at Thanksgiving Day.

D．It cannot be a Thanksgiving meal without sweet potato casserole.

4. In which part of the newspaper can you most likely find the article?

A．Entertainment.

B．Travel

C．Culture.

D．Economy.

9 . Chinese culture values family bonds （纽带）very much. Family members don't just gather during the holidays. In fact, they often live under one roof all year round.

    1    Family in the East and West are very different from each other.

In most East Asian cultures, extended families（大家庭）are common.     2    According to a survey, 90 percent of children in Shanghai and 70 percent of children in Beijing were cared for by their grandparents. Chinese people believe that “ a grandparent is a treasure to their family”.

In many Western countries, most families are nuclear families （小家庭）.These are made up of children and their parents.

Besides, the duties parents have toward their children can also be different.

    3    It's normal for parents to pay for their children's college, help them find a job, or buy them an apartment. Chinese adults also consider their parents' opinions when making major life decisions.

In most Western countries, however, kids usually move out of the house after they turn eighteen.     4    If they choose to keep living with their parents after becoming an adult, it can be seen as a failure on their part.

While the East cares more about close family bonds, the West values privacy （隐私）and independence.     5    Families will always be a source of love, warmth, and care for people around the world.

A．But in the end, east or west——home is best.

B．But different cultures have different family values.

C．Nuclear families are the most common type in China.

D．Both Easterners and Westerners value quality family time.

E．These families have three or even four generations living together.

F．In China, many parents look after their children all the way into adulthood.

G．Many young people need to take out loans and work part - time jobs to pay for college.

10 . “When I think of England, I think of the queen taking her dogs for walk in the countryside,” says Carsten Haferkamp, a dog-owning German working in London. Data from Tractive, a firm that provides GPS tracking for pets, show that Britons walk their dogs more than their European neighbors do.

The British love for dog-walking may have more to do with the walking than the dogs. Britons are big walkers –they came fifth in the world in a study in 2017, the highest in Europe. Dogs provide walkers with company and a purpose, so it may be that walking encourages dog-ownership.

But Julien Dugnoille, an expert at Exeter University, suspects dog-walking has a deeper significance. Dogs, he suggests, are a useful aid to a socially awkward nation. “Britons tend to have a chat with strangers and exchange a few jokes and comments about the weather without putting themselves in danger.”

A tradition among the British nobles of owning and training dogs also leads Dr Dugnoille to assume that dog-walking is a way to keep ancient honor. “When people in the park say Max is very well-behaved,” says Dr Dugnoille, “that is a way to show their authority in the art of dog training compared to those dog owners who are not in control of their own dog.”

But it’s not just about showing off, in his view. He believes walking with one’s best friend creates a time and space where dogs and humans meet as species and connect as individuals.

Still, Britons should not congratulate themselves too much on their behavior towards their dog companions. According to Dr Carri Westgarth of Liverpool University, “People say that a dog needs a walk every day, but they will find reasons why their dog doesn’t need a walk. They’ll say: he’s got company indoors, he’s nervous or he doesn’t like the rain.”

1. The queen is mentioned in paragraph 1 to show _______.

A．the queen’s love for dogs	B．a foreigner’s impression of England
C．the British devotion to walking dogs	D．the importance of dog-walking for Europeans

2. What does Dr Dugnoille most probably agree with?

A．Britons see dogs as protectors from danger.

B．Dog-walking is related to the British traditional culture.

C．Britons prefer to walk rather than walk the dog.

D．Dog-walking is a close link between the British and nature.

3. Dr Westgarth’s comment on the British dog-walking suggests that_______.

A．Britons are proud of dog-walking	B．dogs are a good companion for Britons
C．he is doubtful of the British love for dogs	D．weather is a popular topic among Britons

4. What would be the best title for the text?

A．Love Your Dog, Walk Your Dog	B．How Do Britons Walk Their Dogs?
C．Opinions on Dog-Walking in Britain	D．Why Do Britons Love to Walk Dogs?