1 . For Western designers, China and its rich culture have long been an inspiration for Western creative.
“It’s no secret that China has always been a source(来源) of inspiration for designers,” says Amanda Hill, chief creative officer at A+E Networks, a global media company and home to some of the biggest fashion(时尚) shows.
Earlier this year, the China Through A Looking Glass exhibition in New York exhibited 140 pieces of China-inspired fashionable clothing alongside Chinese works of art, with the aim of exploring the influence of Chinese aesthetics(美学) on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. The exhibition had record attendance, showing that there is huge interest in Chinese influences.
“China is impossible to overlook,” says Hill. “Chinese models are the faces of beauty and fashion campaigns that sell dreams to women all over the world, which means Chinese women are not just consumers of fashion — they are central to its movement.” Of course, not only are today’s top Western designers being influenced by China—some of the best designers of contemporary fashion are themselves Chinese. “Vera Wang, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu are taking on Galliano, Albaz, Marc Jacobs—and beating them hands down in design and sales,” adds Hill.
For Hill, it is impossible not to talk about China as the leading player when discussing fashion. “The most famous designers are Chinese, so are the models, and so are the consumers,” she says. “China is no longer just another market; in many senses it has become the market. If you talk about fashion today, you are talking about China—its influences, its direction, its breathtaking clothes, and how young designers and models are finally acknowledging that in many ways.”
1. What can we learn about the exhibition in New York?| A．It promoted the sales of artworks. | B．It attracted a large number of visitors. |
| C．It showed ancient Chinese clothes. | D．It aimed to introduce Chinese models. |
| A．They are setting the fashion. | B．They start many fashion campaigns. |
| C．They admire super models. | D．They do business all over the world. |
| A．learning from | B．looking down on | C．working with | D．competing against |
| A．Young Models Selling Dreams to the World |
| B．A Chinese Art Exhibition Held in New York |
| C．Differences Between Eastern and Western Aesthetics |
| D．Chinese Culture Fueling International Fashion Trends |
2 . Through your childhood and, let’s be honest, most of your adult life, you may have wondered ⸺ how do you get to Sesame Street? After 50 years, the answer has finally been revealed.
New York City’s Official Sesame Street
In the past, there was guessing about the true location of the street, like Harlem or Alphabet City since both neighborhoods resembled Sesame Street in appearance and population makeup. Recently, in honor of the children’s television show’s 50th anniversary, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio declared that West 63rd Street between Central Park West and Broadway will now officially be known as Sesame Street, close to the Sesame Workshop office.
A Year-long Celebration for the 50th Anniversary
Since 1969, the children’s television show Sesame Street has been a pioneering force in media and education, dealing with issues like racism, loss, poverty and living with a disability. With a mission to help kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder, Sesame Street has brought the life-changing benefits of early learning to children across the globe for 50 years. Today, we reach kids in 150 countries and 70 languages and we’re celebrating our landmark anniversary with fans and families all year long!
Events and Activities Throughout 2019
Fans and families around the world can join their favorite furry friends in celebrating Sesame Street’s past, present, and future, with:
A 50th television season which focuses on the power of possibilities, empowering kids to take safe risks and learn from their mistakes.
A nationwide road trip where Sesame Street characters and friends host community events in ten cities around the country.
A research report that will explore an important issue facing kids and families today.
Celebrity and fan-fueled social media campaigns showcasing favorite Sesame Street memories.
New corporations across fashion, lifestyle, and themed entertainment for fans of all ages.
A November star-studded prime-time special, whose contents include new takes on classic scenes and visits from Sesame Street icons.
1. Where is the official Sesame Street?| A．In Harlem or Alphabet City. | B．Around the corner of the West 63rd Street. |
| C．At the Sesame Workshop office. | D．Between Central Park West and Broadway. |
| A．They can learn to solve all life problems in the childhood. |
| B．They will definitely become smarter, stronger and kinder. |
| C．They may get positive help meaning much to their later life. |
| D．They are likely to make friends with kids from 150 countries. |
| A．A new season of the television show . | B．A 10-city journey for lucky fans. |
| C．A special TV program in November. | D．A report good for kids and families. |
3 . Americans think much about time. From children they learn to value(珍惜) time. As children, they are taught to be on time to go to school, to work and to do everything. When they are having a good time, they say that time flies. When a person is dying, they say he is living on borrowed time.
Time is money. Time is knowledge. Time is everything in America. A working American has to work hard for 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week.This is the working time. In his spare time, he also works hard for money. Even on Saturday and Sunday he also works hard as usual. In the street you can hardly see that a man walks slowly. They walk very fast. In fact, they are running.
They love time because time can bring money and a lot of things. But sometimes they also hate time, because they feel they have become servants of the clock.
1. What do the Americans teach their children to do on time?| A．To go to school | B．To work |
| C．Both A, B and D | D．To do everything |
| A．work hard for more money | B．play football |
| C．go out for a trip | D．drink beer |
| A．6 | B．7 | C．5 | D．2 |
| A．children | B．money | C．life | D．time |
4 . You can tell a lot about a country by what's on its television sets. Britain's TV screens are completely steeped in class, and have long been so.
From laughing at poor people in reality shows to laughing at posh people in Downton Abbey, this is how Britain likes to unwind in the evening: by laughing at other classes, and laughing at people for laughing about class.
Like it or loathe it, many see the class system as a quite essential element of British life, together with our obsession for tea and cake and talking about the weather.
Whether you are a lord, a lady, or just the king of your own middle class kingdom, everyone in the UK fits into the class system. How the class system works is a hard question even for a British person to answer.
There are four main groups in the British class system: lower, working, middle and upper class. Although recently the BBC has tried to confuse everyone even more by adding three more categories.
The British are very aware of class; it is often said that we have an in-built 'class radar'; we pick up on subtle social clues which indicate which class a person comes from. Class is not just about your job, where you live and how much you earn. It's about who you are.
1. According to the passage ,what Britain are not likely to talk about?| A．Weather | B．Class |
| C．Jokes | D．Tea and cake |
| A．Five | B．Three |
| C．Seven | D．Four |
| A．Because many see the class system as a typical part of British life. |
| B．Because class is about who you are. |
| C．Because how the class system works is a hard question even for a British person to answer. |
| D．Because there are different groups in the British class system. |
5 . Ready to take a gap year？ A "Gap Year" is a period of time when a student takes a break before going to university. It is often spent travelling or working．
Gap years are popular with European and Australian students, but remain less popular in America. However, in recent years, more and more American students are preparing for college by taking a gap year. The advantages of taking a gap year are as follows：
Although you don't have to go abroad to experience gap years, most gap year students catch the chance to travel abroad. You are able to work out who you are and what you are for. The experiences of different cultures offer you interesting lessons. You can learn more about the world and get to know yourself better．
Face challenges and have fun
A gap year is not only a time to take a vacation, but also a time to face challenges. Gap year students usually work, volunteer or take service projects. You have to learn how to get along in the real world. This process isn't always easy, but it is an important part of growing up．
Save money and improve your college admission chances
There's a common thought that gap years are only for rich students, but it's not true. Actually, taking a gap year can save your money. Gap year students often take a part-time job. Besides, at the end of a gap year, students are much more likely to know what to study in college.
| A．Learn about the world and yourself |
| B．Only in this way can you enjoy life and have fun． |
| C．Check out your gap year choices before making the right decision． |
| D．It can give young people useful learning experiences and new skills． |
| E．Imagine an admission officer trying to admit only one between two students． |
| F．More students than ever before are taking a gap year before going to university． |
| G．Clear learning goals can keep the students working hard instead of wasting time and money playing． |
6 . Chinese people are, quite rightly, proud of their food. However, when foreigners like Britons and Americans think of Chinese food, their impression of it is different to what you might think.
Growing up in the UK, the Chinese food I was used to eating was food I now recognize as being from Guangdong. For example, a typical dish I would order would be pork in sweet and sour sauce, probably with some rice and spring rolls on the side. This is the type of food we generally eat because most Chinese immigrants(移民) to the UK have come from Guangdong. You can tell, because when most British people try to copy the sound of Chinese, they actually copy the sound of Guangdong people—hearing the real Putonghua is sometimes a shock to British people who have grown up thinking it sounds completely different!
British attitudes to Chinese food may be changing, though. Chinese-American chef Ken Hom has been on British TV for 30 years, and he told BBC Food: “Chinese food at the beginning of the 80s (in the UK) was sweet and sour pork, mainly. Most Brits had the unchangeable view of Chinese food. Now you are seeing more local Chinese food from Sichuan, Hunan and other areas of China. It is no longer just Guangdong food.” Similarly, to most Americans, Chinese food doesn’t go too far past orange chicken and fortune cookies, but more Chinese local dishes are becoming successful, especially in big cities like New York.
Attitudes have not quite changed completely, though. Many foreigners who live in China will be familiar with this question from a relative back at home: “Have they given you dog yet?” Yes, perhaps because people still know too little about Chinese culture, many people believe that Chinese people love to eat dog meat. And of course, some people do eat dogs, which to Americans is like “eating a member of one’s family” according to Vision Times. Also, Chinese people eat many other things people in the West do not—chicken claws, duck heads and some animals’ organs.
But what do foreigners think when they come to China and taste real Chinese food? You’ll be glad to know that in my experience, the impressions have been very good.
1. Why are some British people surprised when they hear the real Putonghua?| A．Because it sounds too funny to believe. |
| B．Because it’s different from what they hear. |
| C．Because they all find it hard to learn. |
| D．Because nobody has been to China before. |
| A．Popular. | B．Tastier. |
| C．Richer | D．Best. |
| A．By giving examples. | B．By making inferences. |
| C．By analyzing. | D．By reasoning. |
| A．Foreigners don’t like eating dog meat at all. |
| B．Chinese hate dogs so they often eat them. |
| C．Chinese eat everything including dog meat. |
| D．There are differences between cultures. |
7 . The USA is a society formed by many different immigrant cultures that produced a new and mixed culture. Most Americans celebrate different customs which started in other countries and start several new traditions and cultures.
Americans always keep advancing with the times.
In the USA, the most common family unit consists of the parents and children living under one roof. Most American children are taught to compete, through organized sports and education, as well as speak out their minds and have confidence to stand up for what they believe in.
When people from different cultures get married and have children, they may have issues when it comes to maintaining their unique traditions and mixing shared customs at the same time.
| A．Many Americans find happy life is important. |
| B．They are also taught to respect their parents at all costs. |
| C．It can be a challenge to find the perfect balance between cultures. |
| D．According to socialists, the American family culture has many unique aspects. |
| E．American children refuse to follow their parents’ advice and always argue with them. |
| F．Changing rather than sticking to tradition is considered by many Americans as improvement. |
| G．The difference is easy to deal with if parents can meet halfway and stand in the other’s shoes. |
8 . Many Americans buy an evergreen tree for Christmas. They put the tree in their home and hang small lights and colorful things on it. The evergreen is usually a pine or a fir tree (冷杉树). It remains green during the cold, dark months of winter in the northern part of the world. So it is a sign of everlasting life.
Early long ago, Romans probably planted evergreen trees during a celebration in honor of their god of agriculture. The Christmas tree may have developed from a popular play performed hundreds of years ago in what is now Germany. Traditionally, the play was on December 24th, the day before Christmas. The play was about the first people that God created—Adam and Eve. People put apples on an evergreen tree to represent the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden.
By the year 1600, some Germans began bringing evergreen trees into their homes. They put fruit, nuts and sweets on the trees. They gave the food to the family members and friends after the holiday season. Some people say the German religious reformer (宗教改革者) Martin Luther was the first person to add lighted candles to the tree. They say he did this to show how wonderful the stars had appeared as he travelled one night.
In the early 1800’s, German settlers in the state of Pennsylvania were the first to celebrate the holiday with Christmas trees in the United States. The Christmas tree tradition spread to many parts of the world. Today, some form of the Christmas tree is part of most Christmas celebrations.
1. Why do people choose the evergreen tree for the Christmas tree?| A．It suffers from cold and dark months. |
| B．It’s evergreen and represents long life. |
| C．It’s convenient for people to put things on it. |
| D．It can be found everywhere in winter. |
| A．The Christmas tree dates back to ancient times. |
| B．It was in a film that the Christmas tree was first used. |
| C．Early Romans honored the god of wisdom with trees. |
| D．The Christmas tree was considered as the tree of wealth. |
| A．German settlers celebrated the holiday with fir trees |
| B．Germans would give each other the food on the trees at Christmas |
| C．Martin Luther was the first person to decorate the Christmas tree |
| D．many people in the world follow the Christmas tree tradition |
| A．How to Celebrate Christmas |
| B．The Use of Evergreen Trees During Christmas |
| C．The History of the Christmas Tree |
| D．How to Decorate Christmas Tree |
9 . It was once common to regard Britain as a society with class distinction. Each class had unique characteristics.
In recent years, many writers have begun to speak the ‘decline of class’ and ‘classless society’ in Britain. And in modern day consumer society everyone is considered to be middle class.
But pronouncing the death of class is too early. A recent wide-ranging society of public opinion found 90 percent of people still placing themselves in particular class; 73 percent agreed that class was still a vital part of British society; and 52 percent thought there were still sharp class differences. Thus, class may not be culturally and politically obvious, yet it remains an important part of British society. Britain seems to have a love of stratification (分层).
One unchanging aspect of a British person’s class position is accent. The words a person speaks tell her or his class. A study of British accents during 1970s found that a voice sounding like a BBC newsreader was considered as the most attractive voice. Most people said this accent sounded ‘educated’ and ‘soft’. The accents placed at the bottom in this study, on the other hand, were regional accents. These accents were seen as ‘common’ and ‘ugly’. However, a similar study of British accents in the US turned these results upside down and placed some regional accents as the most attractive and BBC English as the least. This suggests that British attitudes towards accent have deep roots and are based on class prejudice (偏见).
In recent years, however, young upper middle-class people in London, have begun to adopt some regional accents, in order to hide their class origins. This is an indication of class becoming unnoticed. However, the 1995 pop song ‘Common People’ puts forward the view that though a middle-class person may ‘want to live like common people’, they can never appreciate the reality of a working-class life.
1. A recent study of public opinion shows that in modern Britain ________.| A．it is time to end class distinction |
| B．most people belong to middle class |
| C．it is easy to recognize a person’s class |
| D．people regard themselves socially different |
| A．regional | B．educated |
| C．standard | D．unattractive |
| A．have a long tradition | B．are based on regional status |
| C．are shared by the Americans | D．have changed in recent years |
| A．The middle class is expanding. | B．A person’s accent reflects his class. |
| C．Class is a key part of British society. | D．Each class has unique characteristics. |
10 . In many countries, authority is seldom questioned, either because it is highly respected, or because it is feared. Because rank has been important in certain societies for a long time, people have been trained never to question those in authority. For example, children are not expected to question their teachers in school. It may be considered improper for young businessmen to suggest ideas that differ from those of older, more experienced members of the business.
In other countries, including America, children are trained to question and search for answers. When a child asks a question, he will often be told to go to the library and find the answer for himself. By the time students reach the age of 14 or 15, they may be developing exciting new ideas in all fields of science and arts. To encourage such creativity, there are many national prizes offered to students every year for their scientific discoveries and artistic accomplishments.
This interest in questioning and searching may be considered by some people as bad for young people’s manners, that young people lack respect for authority. This impression may be created when visitors notice young Americans asking questions and arguing with older people. However, this is because many Americans have a different attitude toward authority than may exist in other areas of the world. In a work or business situation, ideas are freely and openly discussed and argued. It is important to remember that it is the person’s ideas that are being questioned, not the individual himself. The two are quite separate. The purpose of the searching, questioning, and arguing is to find the facts in a particular situation, and therefore a solution, so that the work of the business can progress in the most effective manner possible.
As was mentioned earlier, you may notice the same questioning in social conversations. Although some individual may think that Americans are rude because of the direct manner with people, they are merely trying to learn more about your ideas.
1. In many countries authority is seldom questioned for the following reasons EXCEPT that _________.| A．people show great respect for it |
| B．people are afraid of it |
| C．people don’t care about it |
| D．people are not trained to question those in authority |
| A．the students of this age are very curious |
| B．the students often go to the library and find the answer to a question for themselves |
| C．the students may be developing exciting new ideas in all fields of science and arts |
| D．the students are encouraged to develop their creativity |
| A．young people lack respect for authority in America |
| B．what matters is that the questioning of authority leads to an effective solution |
| C．questioning a person is impolite and his ideas as well |
| D．American young people always give the impression of being rude to others |
| A．Developing the Quality of Questioning |
| B．Rude or Honest?—True Americans |
| C．Questioning the Authority Is Impolite |
| D．Bad Manners or Good Ways |
