1 . Many cultures follow different calendars and celebrate the New Year at different times. The Lunar New Year is one example.
Getting rid of bad luck
Many cultures have traditions meant to scare off demons (恶魔) and bad luck. This often involves using fire or loud noises—or both—often in the form of fireworks!
Many cultures have certain foods that are said to bring good luck. In the southern part of the United States, people often eat black-eyed peas and pork for good luck in the New Year. In other parts of the U.S., people eat sauerkraut with pork sausage on New Year’s Day. And in Japan, people eat soba noodles on New Year’s Eve,
Clothing traditions
| A．Food for good luck |
| B．All kinds of cultures |
| C．Before they drink, they will always pray to God |
| D．While they eat, they try not to break the long noodles |
| E．Of course, some traditions meant to avoid bad luck do not involve fire at all |
| F．To start the New Year off on the right foot, many people like to wear new clothing |
| G．No matter when you celebrate, there are many traditions around the world for ringing in the New Year |
2 . The Torch Festival (火把节) is a traditional festival which is celebrated among some ethnic groups in southwestern China, such as the Yi, Bai, Hani, Lisu, and Lahu, etc. It usually falls on the 24th or 25th of June, with three days of celebrations. The festival came from worship (崇拜) of fire by ancestors (祖先). For some ethnic groups, it’s a tradition in the festival for elders to share farming experience with young people and educate them about taking care of crops.
During the festival, big torches are made to stand in all villages, with small torches placed in front of the door of each house. When night falls, the torches are lit and the villages are bright. At the same time, people walk around the fields and houses, holding small torches and placing the torches in the field corners. Inside the villages, young people are singing and dancing around the big torches that keep burning throughout the night. Other activities like horse races are also held during the festival.
In a horse race of the Yi people in Yunnan, torches are used to form hurdles for riders to get through. The Hani people in Yunnan traditionally tie fruits to torches with strings. When the strings are broken after the torches are lit, people struggle for the fruits for good luck.
For the Lisu people in Sichuan, the festival is an occasion for holding torch parades. Big torches are carried by teams of people, which is like a fire dragon. If different teams meet, it’s a tradition to exchange the big torches with one another.
1. What can we know about the Torch Festival from the first paragraph?| A．It has nothing to do with farming. |
| B．Its celebrations usually last two days. |
| C．It is a traditional festival of all China. |
| D．It is a festival to show worship of fire. |
| A．ancestors. | B．young people. |
| C．elders. | D．ethnic groups. |
| A．Why the festival is enjoyed. | B．Where the festival is celebrated. |
| C．How the festival is celebrated. | D．What torches are used for the festival. |
| A．Holding torch parades. | B．Tying fruits to torches with strings. |
| C．Struggling for fruits for good luck. | D．Using torches as hurdles for a horse race. |
3 . People often say that the world is getting smaller. By this, they mean that with improved communications and trade, each country is becoming more and more familiar with one another. There seems to be a lot of truth to this. After all, you can buy African food in Norway, or watch a French movie in China.
But in spite of this, countries still have the power to shock people who visit them for the first time. For many of us, there are still real differences in the culture and habits between nations.
Recently, the Daily Mail reported on some culture shocks from around the world. A Serbian student, Milorad Boti, was highly surprised on a school trip to Germany when he found that public bathrooms were very different to those in his home country. He noticed that after using the toilet, the lid(盖子)rotated(旋转)as part of a cleaning process. Milorad was impressed. “That was the best thing that happened on that school trip,” he said.
Most often, however, it’s eating habits that are different between cultures. The Daily Mail article mentioned the shock of an Indian man, Kaushal Braot. When visiting a Western country, he notice people socializing in restaurants, often spending hours in them with friends. Kaushal was surprised because in India, restaurants are for one thing only: eating.
The cultural differences people noticew can seem positive, negative, or simply jst strange. But rather than something to be feared, these differences should be welcomed. Indeed, if the whole world were like one big country, it would be a much duller place. So let’s be proud of our own culture, and at the same time, open to the cultures of others.
1. The world is getting smaller because of ___________.| A．African food in Norway | B．French movies in China |
| C．improved communications and trade | D．differences in culture |
| A．having a dinner with your friends | B．playing basketball with your friends |
| C．chatting with your friends | D．sharing a book with your friends |
| A．The world will become one big country. |
| B．Cultural differences make people feared. |
| C．Chinese culture is the best one in the world. |
| D．We should love our own culture and respect others’. |
| A．support the writer’s opinion | B．make the article interesting |
| C．make the article logical | D．introduce the topic |
4 . The United States is one of the few countries in the world that have an official day on which fathers are honored by their children．On the third Sunday in June, fathers all across the United States are given presents, treated to dinner or otherwise made to feel special.
Historians have recorded that there was a tradition to celebrate a day for fathers even thousands of years ago. Their study say that 4,000 years ago in Babylon a son called Elmesu carved a father's day message on a clay card. In his message Elmesu wished his father a long and healthy life.
However, in modern times the idea for creating a day for children to honor their fathers began in Spokane, Washington. A woman by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd thought of the idea for Father’s Day while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Having been raised by her father, Henry Jackson Smart, after her mother died, Sonora wanted her father to know how special he was to her. Sonora’s father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father’s Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910.
The noble idea of celebrating Father's Day became quite popular in US so much so that President Woodrow Wilson approved of the festival in 1916. President Calvin Coolidge too supported the idea but it was President Lyndon Johnson who signed a Presidential Proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father's Day in 1966. Then in 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday of June.
Most commonly, children give Father's Day cards and flowers to their father. Neckties are a popular gift on the occasion of Father's Day. Due to the tradition of giving gifts, cards makers, florists and gift sellers campaign for Father's Day Festival in a big way and cash in on the sentiments of the people.
1. What is the author’s intention in Paragraph 2?| A．To introduce a record of Father’s Day. |
| B．To support the findings of historians. |
| C．To tell us the story of Elmesu. |
| D．To prove the source of modern Father’s Day. |
| A．She created Father’s Day in 1909. |
| B．She bore deep love to her father. |
| C．She refused to celebrate Mother’s Day. |
| D．She was abandoned by her mother. |
| A．About 4,000 years. | B．About 65 years. |
| C．About 56 years. | D．About 6 years. |
| A．Actions. | B．Incomes. |
| C．Activities. | D．Feelings. |
5 . Some Famous Libraries in the World
The Royal Library of AlexandriaThe Royal Library of Alexandria in Alexandria, Egypt is probably known as the largest and the most famous library in the ancient world. It is said that the ancient library was burned three times over the centuries. A likeness of the ancient library was built in Alexandria and was opened on October 16，2002.
Celsus LibraryCelsus Library was built in what had been a monument tomb of the governor of the Province of Asia, Celsus Polemaeanus in Ephesus, Turkey. It used to be the third richest of ancient times in the world，which had more than 12,000 works of art, but it was destroyed in wars, leaving some ruins. Even so, it is now still so world-famous for its beautiful structure that many visitors come to see it. There is a statue of Athena at its entrance as she is the Goddess of Wisdom. It remains delicate and appealing.
Bodleian LibraryBodleian Library is attached to Oxford University and mainly used as a research library. It is also a copyright library, which means it has a right to every book published in the United Kingdom. The library was designed by the architect, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Construction was completed in 1940.
The British LibraryThe British Library was set up in 1973 and is one of the world’s greatest libraries. This library has PACCAR gallery of living and workshop of words. The sounds and images offer shows and different programs at the theme exhibitions. They also have a wide collection of stamps of the world which are on show for visitors. The library also offers events like music and discussions.
1. Which of the following libraries has been reconstructed?| A．The Royal Library of Alexandria. | B．Celsus Library. |
| C．Bodleian Library. | D．The British Library. |
| A．Read books. | B．Borrow books. |
| C．See a stamp exhibition. | D．Enjoy the beautiful remains. |
| A．It belongs to a university. |
| B．It was once destroyed by fires. |
| C．It is one of the famous ancient libraries. |
| D．It is well-known for its beautiful structure. |
6 . As an old saying in China goes, “The days of the Sanjiu period are the coldest days.” “Sanjiu period” , which is in Minor Cold, refers to the third nine-day period (the l9th to the 27th day) after the day of the Winter Solstice(冬至). There are many different customs related to Minor Cold in China.
Eating hotpot
During Minor Cold people should eat some hot food to benefit the body and defend against the cold weather. Winter is the best time to have hotpot and braised mutton with soy sauce. But it is important to notice that too much spicy food may cause health problems.
Eating huangyacai
In Tianjin, there is a custom to have huangyacai, a kind of Chinese cabbage, during Minor Cold. There are large amounts of vitamins A and B in huangyacai. As huangyacai is fresh and tender, it is fit for frying, roasting and braising.
Eating glutinous rice (糯米饭)
According to tradition, the Cantonese eat glutinous rice in the morning during Minor Cold. Cantonese people add some fried preserved pork, sausages and peanuts and mix them into the rice.
Eating vegetable rice
In ancient times, people in Nanjing took Minor Cold quite seriously, but as time went by, the celebration of Minor Cold gradually disappeared. However, the custom of eating vegetable rice is still followed today. The rice is steamed and is unspeakably delicious. Among the ingredients (原料), aijiaohuang (a kind of green vegetable), sausages and salted duck are the specialties in Nanjing.
1. What do we know about Minor Cold?| A．It refers to the Winter Solstice. |
| B．The Sanjiu period is in this period. |
| C．It lasts twenty-seven days. |
| D．It marks the first day of winter. |
| A．Eating hotpot. | B．Having vitamin A and B pills. |
| C．Having huangyacai. | D．Buying cabbage. |
| A．They fry and toast it. |
| B．They eat it for dinner. |
| C．They mix it with many other things. |
| D．They steam it with soy sauce. |
| A．travel | B．culture | C．fashion | D．science |
Different cultures emphasize(强调)the importance of relationship building to a greater or lesser degree.For example,business in some countries is not possible until there is a relationship of trust.Even with people at work,it is necessary to spend a lot of time in “small talk”,usually over a glass of tea,before they do any job.In many European countries—like the UK or France—people find it easier to build up a lasting working relationship at restaurants or cafés rather than at the office.
Talk and silence may also be different in some cultures.I once made a speech in Thailand.I had expected my speech to be a success and start a lively discussion;instead there was an uncomfortable silence.The people present just stared at me and smiled.After getting to know their ways better,I realized that they thought I was talking too much.In my own culture,we express meaning mainly through words,but people there sometimes feel too many words are unnecessary.
Even within Northern Europe,cultural differences can cause serious problems. Certainly, English and German cultures share similar values;however,Germans prefer to get down to business more quickly.We think that they are rude.In fact,this is just because one culture starts discussions and makes decisions more quickly.
People from different parts of the world have different values,and sometimes these values are quite against each other.However,if we can understand them better,a multicultural environment(多元文化环境)will offer a wonderful chance for us to learn from each other.
1. In some countries,eating together at restaurants may make it easier for people to .
| A．develop closer relations | B．share the same culture |
| C．get to know each other | D．keep each other company |
| A．the English prefer to make long speeches |
| B．too many words are of no use |
| C．people from Thailand are quiet and shy by nature |
| D．even talk and silence can be culturally different |
| A．By sharing different ways of life. |
| B．By accepting different habits. |
| C．By recognizing different values. |
| D．By speaking each other’s languages. |
| A．Multicultural Environment |
| B．Cross-Cultural Differences |
| C．How to Understand Each Other |
| D．How to Build Up a Relationship |
W: Yes, I have lived there for10 years, why?
M: Tomorrow I will go to an American friend's home to celebrate Christmas.
W: OK. No problem.
M:
W: Both are OK. Don’t get there early.
M:
W: If you're going to be more than fifteen minutes late, I advise calling your hosts to tell them.
M:
W: Certainly Flowers are always nice.
M:
W: Just watch the other guests and follow them.
M: Thank you.
A. Should I arrive on time or five to ten minutes late?
B. What should I do at the dinner table?
C. Have you got some flowers?
D. Could you give me some advice?
E. I worry I might meet terrible traffic.
F. Should I bring a gift?
G. Should I arrive early ?
9 . Mother’s Day is a time of memory and celebration for Mom. The earliest Mother’s Day celebrations date back to ancient Greece in honour of Rhea, the Mother of Gods. During the 1600s, England celebrated a day called “mothering Sunday”. Celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent(四旬斋)，“mothering Sunday” honoured the mothers England.
During the time many of the England’s poor worked as servants for the wealthy.AS most jobs were located far from their homes, the servants would live at the houses of their employers. On Mothering Sunday, the servants would have the day off and were encouraged to return home and spend the day with their mothers. A special cake, called the mothering cake, was often brought along.
As Christianity(基督教) spread throughout Europe, the celebration changed to honour the “Mother Church”---the spiritual power that gave them life and protected them from harm. Over time the church festival combined with mothering Sunday celebration. People began honouring their mothers as well as the church.
In the United States Mother’s Day was first suggested in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe as a day devoted to peace. Then in 1907 Ana Jarvis, from Philadelphia, began a campaign(运动) to establish a national Mother’s Day. Ms Jarvis persuaded her mother’s church in Grafton, Virginia to celebrate Mother’s Day on the second anniversary of her mother’s death, the 2nd day Sunday of May. By the next year Mother’s Day was also celebrated in Philadelphia.
Ms Jarvis and her supporters began to write to ministers, businessmen, and politicians demanding to establish a national Mother’s Day. It was successful as by 1911 Mother’s Day was celebrated in almost every state. President Woodrow Wilson, in 1914, made the official announcement that Mother’s Day was a national holiday and it was to be held each year on the 2nd Sunday of May.
While many countries of the world celebrate their own Mother’s Day at different times throughout the year, there are some countries such as Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, and Belgium which also celebrate Mother’s Day on the 2nd Sunday of May.
1. What is the author’s purpose in writing the first paragraph?| A．To raise questions. | B．To introduce the topic. |
| C．To interest readers. | D．To solve problems. |
| A．mark the birth of Greece | B．prepare for the autumn harvest |
| C．honour the Mother of Gods | D．honour the mothers of England |
| A．the feast of Mother’s Day in the U.S. |
| B．the origin of Mother’s Day in the U.S. |
| C．the development of Mother’s Day in the U.S. |
| D．the celebration of Mother’s Day in the U.S. |
| A．give readers some information | B．persuade readers |
| C．report a story | D．amuse readers |
10 . New Year’s Day in China
National holidays in China are those festivals decided by the government that everyone gets to enjoy.
Because of the different longitudes (经度) upon which countries lie in the world, the time of the celebration changes. China is the twelfth country to celebrate the event and the people are rewarded with one day’s vacation.
| A．“Yuan” means “at the beginning”. |
| B．Many colorful programs are shown on TV. |
| C．It’s a day for the working people worldwide. |
| D．New Year’s Day is a big holiday for the Chinese people. |
| E．Everyone has the right to get off work during these holidays. |
| F．You can read about how, where，and when to watch the program. |
| G．Great hopes for an excellent year are planted in everyone’s mind. |
