1 . We have come a long way from disliking graffiti to supporting colourful paintings in the streets. Cities such as Budapest are now appreciating urban art as a means to greyness. From 30 July to 31 August dozens of public walls will be painted during a whole festival dedicated to this open-air art.
The Colourful City Festival will have concerts, discussions and poetry slams on the program besides the painting, which will be recorded by Hungarian filmmakers.
Gergely Horvath, president of the tourism body, said, “The event supports our aim to call out more to the younger touristic public, so we are backing it. We are hoping that more people will come to stay overnight, also outside the city limits. And we are hoping the event will get more focus in the media.
Megyeri said the movement began by adopting the concept and name from a book by Hungarian-French artist Victor Vasarely with the same title in 1983. In it Vasarely demanded that artists bring out their art to the streets.
Sandor Finta, the Chief Architect of Budapest, added that we should not underestimate new dynamics such as paintings on fire walls. “Artists who make touristic attractions from simple grey fire walls are urban innovators,” he said. “Developing the city is our common cause, so we are happy to cooperate with them.”
District VII will be a central location of the festival. Mayor Zsolt Szikszai said politics must ensure that district is both attractive for tourists and good to live in for its residents.
The curator of the festival, Noemi Nadudvari, said that abroad there is already a long tradition of painting large, empty walls. “Now finally a similar movement is starting here where we have good artists who have already participated at the Urban Art Festival in Munich or Berlin,”she said. “
| A．A film about the festival will be made. |
| B．As the mayor, he is deeply worried about the security of the district. |
| C．He supports the event because it stands for both aims. |
| D．The city will not only become more colourful, but it will be something more for tourists. |
| E．The festival will contribute to the development of all the participants. |
| F．We will let foreign journalists complete some of the paintings. |
2 . From earliest times, the English, for instance, have believed in certain symbols and customs that could bring good fortune as well as keep away evil spirits.
Wood
Back in ancient times, touching the tree was a sign of respect to the gods after a favor has been requested, or thanks to the gods for a request that had been fulfilled.
Horseshoe
The horseshoe is considered a lucky symbol in English customs. It is similar to the other symbols associated with good fortune in other cultures such as “U”. “U” shape is often said to be the symbol of fertility and also possesses power to drive away evil spirits. As they made of iron and used for horses, horseshoes are also linked to strength and power. As a result, combining all these signs of good luck, the horseshoe is regarded as a powerful device to bring fortune and keep evil spirits away.
Coin
Coins, especially gold coins, were said to bring good fortune to the person who possessed them. Gold, like in any other culture, was always a symbol of wealth. In the past, "lucky" gold coins were turned into rings to be worn as a cure for many types of illness. Sometimes, brides put them in a shoe to ensure a good married life. The English also dropped coins into wells to make a wish in the hope that their dreams would come true.
| A．It used to be a common belief that an old boot was a good luck charm. |
| B．Old boots or shoes were said to hold good spirits and courage of their owners. |
| C．Later, the British still held their belief that wood is holy as Christ died on a wooden cross. |
| D．It is usually nailed to the front door to protect the household from uninvited visitors like witches and evils. |
| E．Old customs seldom die, so don’t be surprised because some of these customs are still practiced daily in today’s society. |
| F．This is due to the fact that people at that time believed there were good spirits who lived in the wells, fountains or springs. |
3 . The Chinese people attach great importance to mianzi. There is no corresponding English term for mianzi, but its meaning is somewhere between paying attention to image and honor. In the Chinese language, many derivative(派生的) words and expressions with mianzi as the root have come into being, and all of them reflect important aspects of Chinese culture.
Hao mianzi (to be concerned about image and honor) is widely regarded as a characteristic Chinese cultural feature. When Confucius accepted new students 2,500 years ago, he asked them to give a few kilograms of dried meat as tuition. But the sage was so concerned about mianzi that he called the dried meat presents, not tuition or fees.
Hao mianzi reflects the concept of image and honor. In China, there is a protocol to everything which should be followed to avoid embarrassment. And hao mianzi is all about avoiding embarrassment.
A few months ago, my wife got a phone call from one of her high school classmates living in a neighboring city, inviting her to her son’s wedding. My wife made several phone calls to find out how much the present for the bridegroom should be worth.
In China, when one is invited to attend a wedding, a birthday party or any other special occasion, one is supposed to bring with him or her some present. The values of such presents have been changing with time－four decades ago, it could be an enamel bowl, a thermos flask or a bed sheet but now the best option is cash. The amount should not be too small, or else you could be considered a miser, or too big to become a burden on the receiving party, for he/she has to gift a present of a similar amount in return when the occasion arises.
Such gifts or presents, in Chinese, are called suili, and generally range from a few hundred yuan to more than 1,000 yuan ($156.96), depending on the family’s income.
After my wife found out that the widely accepted sum of suili in the city where her former classmate lived was 600 yuan, she put six 100 yuan bills in an envelope and set off for the neighboring city. Gifting less than 600 yuan would have made my wife diu mianzi (lose face) while by gifting a lot more than that, she could have embarrassed the other guests.
Happy to see my wife, her friend said the fact that she come all the way from Beijing to attend the wedding was so zheng mianzi (face gaining). But her thankful words also implied that if my wife had not attended the wedding, she could have been blamed for bugei mianzi (not giving face).
The Chinese people are very serious about mianzi. There have been reports about immigrant workers spending an entire year’s savings on suili when returning home for Spring Festival during which many weddings are usually held.
But today’s youth do not care much about mianzi. Going Dutch is becoming popular, especially among white collar workers when dining out or traveling together. Also, the youth can always find a good reason to skip ceremonies that require them to gift suili.
For them, mianzi does not depend on how others look at you but on your own level of satisfaction－be it from career achievements or high-quality living.
1. Why was Confucius’ example referred to in the passage?| A．To show that Confucius was also a meat lover. |
| B．To identify mianzi as a cultural feature around the world. |
| C．To honour Confucius’ kindness in accepting students for free. |
| D．To indicate that Confucius was concerned about his image and honour. |
| A．practice. | B．taboo. | C．embarrassment. | D．conflict. |
| A．Chinese tend to think suili a must in their life, especially the youth. |
| B．The values of suili have been settled since decades ago. |
| C．Chinese think of suili as an inevitable burden of life. |
| D．Suili can also be treated as a derivative word with mianzi. |
4 . A huge crowd has gathered to watch China’s new scientific research ship enter the water for the first time. This ship, equipped with on-board labs and the latest scientific kit, will eventually explore the world’s oceans. But it is also going to help China plunge beneath the waves: it will serve as a launch-pad for submarines that can dive to the deepest parts of the ocean. “Humans know much less about the deep oceans than we know about the surface of the Moon and Mars. That’s why I want to develop the facility for ocean scientists to reach the deep seas,” says Prof. Cui Weicheng.
He is the dean of deep sea science at Shanghai Ocean University but he has also set up a private company called Rainbow Fish, which built the new research ship and is busy developing submersibles. One of its unmanned subs reached a depth of 4,000m (13,000ft) in its most recent trial. But Rainbow Fish’s ultimate goal is manned exploration and it plans to take humans to the very bottom of the ocean the Mariana Trench, in the Pacific, at a depth of nearly 11,000m (36,000ft). He shows me around a life-size model of the submarine and explains that there is room inside for a crew of three, who will be protected by a thick metal sphere.”At the moment, we are in the design stage, so we are testing several extremely high-strength materials for it.” It will have to bear immense pressures from the crushing weight of water above. If there are any weaknesses, the submarine will implode. The deepest ocean is a place few people have ever experienced first-hand. The first dive to the Mariana Trench was carried out in 1960 by US Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh and Swiss engineer Jacques Picard. Their vessel, the Bathyscaphe Trieste, creaked and groaned as it made the descent, taking nearly five hours.
The only other manned expedition was carried out by Hollywood director James Cameron, who took a solo plunge in a bright green submarine in 2012. Rainbow Fish wants its sub to be next. The team insists its venture isn’t about politics and that it is looking to collaborate with American, Russian and European scientists. It is, though, a commercial operation. The company plans to charge people to use its research ship and submarines, and is targeting three groups, says managing director Dr. Wu Xin. “The first is definitely the scientists who are interested in studying deep-sea science and technology. The second group is offshore companies and oil companies. The last one is tourists and adventurers [who] want to go down themselves to have a look at what’s going on there,” he says. This kind of entrepreneurial approach may be a new model for science in China. Deep-sea research is a difficult, high-risk activity — and much of the ocean remains unexplored. But Cui, who hopes to be the first Chinese person to reach the Mariana Trench, believes that China could be the nation to truly open up this final frontier.
1. What function does the new scientific research ship serve?| A．As a deep-sea facility for tourist adventures |
| B．As a supply ship for scientific explorations. |
| C．As a station for observing giant squid. |
| D．As a launch-pad for submarines. |
| A．Testing high-strength materials for building submarines. |
| B．Designing a thick metal sphere for bearing space pressure. |
| C．Charting the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean. |
| D．Making plans for his dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. |
| A．Prof. Cui doesn’t rely on government funding. Instead he runs a for-profit business. |
| B．Prof. Cui is bold in his submarine design. |
| C．Prof. Cui, who started the company, is a professor-turned entrepreneur. |
| D．Prof. Cui is the first to offer his ship for tourists. |
| A．Deep-sea science and technology | B．Ocean exploration |
| C．Race to the deep | D．The rising of Rainbow Fish |
5 . Here is some must-know information from a handbook on how people behave in doing business in some countries.
Singapore
Singaporeans shake hands when they meet and often also greet each other with a small, polite bow. Business cards should be offered and received with two hands. Arriving late is considered disrespectful. So be on time. Efficiency is the goal, so meetings and dealings often are fast-paced. Singaporeans are direct in their discussions, even when the subject is about money. Rank is important and authority is respected. This determines how people react in meetings. For example, people avoid disagreeing outright with someone with a higher rank.
United Arab Emirates
In the UAE, status is important, so the most senior or oldest should be greeted first with their titles. The handshake seems to be longer than elsewhere. So, do not pull away the handshake. Women should cover themselves when it comes to dress. Men also tend to be covered from neck to elbows(手肘)and down to the knees. People do not avoid entertaining in their homes, but they also hold business meals at restaurants. Touching or passing food or eating with your left hand is to be avoided. When meetings are one-to-one, if your host offers you coffee, you should refuse. It might seem odd, but it is a cultural tradition. Coffee should only be accepted if it is always set out or presented.
Switzerland
The Swiss tend to be formal and address each other by last name. They are also respectful of private lives. You should be careful not to ask about personal topics. Punctuality is vital, something that comes from a deep respect for other’s time. Arrive at any meeting or event a few minutes earlier to be safe. They also have clear structure in their companies. Higher-ups make the final decisions, even if others might disagree. Neat, clean dress is expected. The Swiss follow formal table manners. They also keep their hands visible at the table and their elbows off the table. It is polite to finish the food on your plate.
1. The passage is mainly about_________.| A．communication types | B．the workplace atmosphere |
| C．customs and social manners | D．living conditions and standards |
| A．They put efficiency in the first place. |
| B．They dislike face-to-face communication. |
| C．They want to finish meetings are quickly as possible. |
| D．They are supposed to obey the person of a higher rank. |
| A．When greeting seniors. | B．When meeting the host alone. |
| C．When attending a presentation. | D．When dining with business partners. |
| A．In Singapore. | B．In the United Arab Emirate. |
| C．In Switzerland. | D．Not mentioned. |
6 . Do you know that all human beings have a “comfort zone” regulating the distances they stand from someone when they talk?
Greeks, others of the Eastern Mediterranean (地中海), and many of those from South America normally stand quite close together when they talk, often moving their faces even closer as they warm up in a conversation. North Americans find this awkward and often back away a few inches. Studies have found that they tend to feel most comfortable at about 21 inches apart. In much of Asia and Africa, there is even “more space between two speakers in conversation.
This difference applies also to the closeness with which people sit together, the extent to which they lean over one another in conversation, how they move as they argue or make an emphatic point. In the United States, for example, people try to keep their bodies apart even in a crowded elevator; in Paris they take it as it comes!
North Americans have a relatively wide “comfort zone” for talking:
| A．However, they communicate a great deal with their hands, not only with gesture but also with touch. |
| B．The “comfort zone” presents the different cultures of countries over the world. |
| C．This distance varies in interesting ways among people of different cultures. |
| D．The small change of space shows the difference of speaking styles. |
| E．This greater space intelligently brings an air of dignity and respect. |
| F．They readily take someone’s arm to help him across a street or direct him along an unfamiliar route. |
7 . People from different cultures have different ways of doing things. For example, in some parts of the world, people read the date 2/1/2005 as the second of January in 2005. They put the day before the month. In other parts of the world, people read this date as February 1, 2005. They put the month before the day.
For business people, differences like this can cause serious misunderstandings. These misunderstandings can destroy business relationships. To avoid this, many businesspeople attend classes to learn about other cultures. They study the customs of other countries.
Here are a few things they learn.
Greeting clients correctly is important in the business world. However, customs for greeting people vary from one culture to another.
Entertaining is important in the business world. It’s often necessary to invite a client to lunch or dinner. However, customs about eating also vary from culture to culture. Some people don’t eat meat; others don’t drink alcohol. In the West, people eat with knives and forks; in the East, they eat with chopsticks. In some cultures, it’s okay to discuss business while eating.
Sometimes business people visit the homes of their clients. In most countries, it’s the custom to take a small gift. But what do you take? Again, the customs vary. For example, in England, giving a knife is bad luck. In some countries, it’s rude to give white flowers or a watch or clock.
Doing business with people from different cultures is both fascinating and challenging. Many business people try to learn about other cultures. They do their best to avoid cultural misunderstandings.
| A．Talking about business over nice meals is acceptable in many countries. |
| B．North American men and women often shake hands when they meet. |
| C．Another difficulty is how much money to spend on a gift. |
| D．In other cultures, talking about business during a meal is rude. |
| E．Some people tend to ignore body language and customs in a different country. |
| F．A simple gesture can also have a different meaning from one culture to another. |
8 . It is hard to calculate the number of festivals and holidays around the world because there are simply too many of them! People have all kinds of local festivals, and some international festivals are celebrated in different ways in various countries. Have you ever wondered why people need festivals?
Some of the festivals come from religious beliefs, such as Christmas. It originated among Christians but has now become a public holiday for everyone around the world. However, there are other reasons why we hold festivals. They break up the flow of the year and blind us together as families and communities.
Festivals and holidays are fun escape from our regular schedules. Without holidays our weeks would run together into years of boredom. What is October without children ringing our doorbells asking for candy? What is November without turkey on the table and family around it? What is February with no heart-shaped boxes decorating the kitchen counter? The answer is : boring months.
We also celebrate festivals because they are reasons to reconnect with family and long lost friends. Many people do not have the freedom to meet families and close friends at any time. Festivals and holidays give us the chance. Furthermore, festivals, festivals bring us together as a community. Many people make holidays the times they reach out to other people. The bright and hearts decorating department stores in February, the blinking lights hanging on lamp posts in December—these help us feel connected to something larger than ourselves.
In a world where get-togethers and barbecues do not happen as much as they used to in decades past, in a world where no one borrow sugar from his or her neighbor any longer or bakes a cake when someone moves on to the block, festivals tie us together.
Therefore, everyone should make the most of their festival times. Get out and decorate your home at Christmastime. Surprise your spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend with a Valentine’s Day gift. And definitely have fun at Halloween. Even if you do not enjoy Halloween, I guarantee the children in your neighborhood will appreciate your dressing up, putting a graveyard in your front yard and passing out candy!
1. Which of the following statements is NOT true?| A．Holidays and festivals are an important part of culture. |
| B．People celebrate the same festivals in different ways. |
| C．Festivals make us feel closer to each other. |
| D．Christmas is a festival only for Christians. |
| A．take place | B．celebrate | C．come into being | D．invite |
| A．Because people have the chance to meet each other. |
| B．Because department stores and lamp posts are decorated. |
| C．Because we can't escape from work and fixed schedules. |
| D．Because we feel we are a community. |
| A．People do not go to barbecues nowadays. |
| B．We don’t have as strong as a sense of community as we used to. |
| C．Few people give food to neighbors. |
| D．There are fewer social activities we enjoy during festivals. |
9 . The Chinese words for “fish” and “plenty” are homonyms (同音异义词). A whole fish, eaten on the eve of the lunar new year - which this year fell on February 1st - represents a wish for abundance to come. It can be braised, deep-fried or roasted in a pan, but if you live on a coast, or have access to first-rate fish, steaming is the way to go. These new-year meals are suffused with symbolism. Enough fish should be cooked to ensure leftovers, which signify hopes for a surplus in the year ahead. Spring rolls, with their fanciful resemblance to gold bars, represent hopes for wealth and uncut noodles symbolize longevity.
On New Year’s Day in America, black southerners have long eaten Hoppin’ John, a delicious dish of rice and black-eyed peas or cowpeas, cooked with salt pork or smoked ham hock (interest in African-American culture has made the recipe popular elsewhere).
Whether anyone actually believes in a causal relationship between eating these foods and receiving the promised benefits is unclear. Mainly these culinary traditions continue for the same reason that other traditions do.
Fish and noodles, bread and apples, beans and greens appear regularly on Chinese, Jewish and southern tables.
| A．Sweet rice cakes anticipate a better future. |
| B．Such customs are not unique to the Chinese world. |
| C．The peas symbolize coins, and the greens that are usually served as well stand for dollar bills. |
| D．Diverse as these dishes arc, they all imply an optimistic and democratic view of good fortune. |
| E．They are neither costly nor exotic, suggesting that luck is not something bought expensively or sought with difficulty. |
| F．People have fond memories of observing them with their parents and want to pass them down to their own offspring. |
10 . Make traditional treasures come alive
The Palace Museum Director Shan Jixiang delivered a cultural heritage speech on Feb 27 in Beijing, which was co-organized by the Beijing Diplomatic Service Bureau and Beijing Housing Service Corporation for Diplomatic Missions.
On the theme The World of the Palace Museum and the Palace Museum of the World, the 64-year-old director shared his ideas about how to make traditional treasures come alive again. During the speech, which lasted two and a half hours, Shan touched on topics including upgrading museum infrastructure（基础设施）, restoring cultural sites, digitalizing online museums, setting up restoration hospitals, providing better visitor experiences and promoting the Palace Museum’s cultural items.
“The abundant collection of cultural objects at the Palace Museum is the inspiration for the creative souvenirs and cultural items available,” Shan said. “
John Aquilina, Malta’s ambassador to China said that Shan’s speech showed a totally different Palace Museum to foreign people. “China enjoys a long and profound culture and many of the national treasures have been preserved at the Palace Museum. It is no easy task to preserve them well.
| A．I truly express my respect for Shan and his team for their contributions. |
| B．With regard to cultural heritage restoration, Shan said the museum opened a restoration hospital at the end of 2016. |
| C．A total of 600 people from all walks of life, including over 100 foreign guests, participated in the activity. |
| D．Iwill learn more about Chinese culture from the magnificent ancientobjects. |
| E．Our design teams often study consumer demands and create cultural items that are nice to look at and practical to use. |
| F．Traditional craftsmanship is combined with modern methods, and thelives of ancient cultural objects will be lengthened by the so-called doctors. |
