1 . When Mark Twain visited Florence (佛罗伦萨) in 1867, he dutifully visited the city’s museums, churches, and tombs. But as he stood by the Arno, he began to sense the Italians’ insistence that it was a river, not a stream. “They all call it a river, and they honestly think it is a river, do these dark and bloody Florentines,” he complained, “I might enter Florence under happier circumstances a month hence and find it all beautiful, all attractive. But I do not care to think of it now, at all.”
It’s normal to feel uncomfortable outside your home culture. Feelings of discomfort, dislocation, and overload among travelers are referred to by many as “culture shock.” But Susan Goldstein, a professor at the University of Redlands says, “ Though the term has existed for many years, ‘Culture shock’ implies a dramatic, unexpected, negative event. Though many travelers will experience such challenges, a real sense of ‘shock’ is untypical. So untypical that many researchers no longer use the term.”
It was the vivid description of culture shock by Canadian researcher Oberg, written in 1960 in response to his own multicultural experiences, that won over audiences. The researcher spoke of the adjustment process as “an occupational disease of people who have suddenly been transplanted abroad” — a “disease” that progressed from a honeymoon phase, through rejecting the new environment, to finally adjusting fully to it. By the 1970s many researchers adopted the idea that, like physical illnesses, culture shock progressed through a remarkably consistent and universal set of stages.
Modern research, however, suggests that the experiences of adaptation are individual, not universal. “People will have their ups and downs, but for the most part, they will become increasingly comfortable and competent over time,” Goldstein says. And while many connect the causes of culture shock to the host culture itself, an individual’s internal expectations and differences are just as important.
As for Mark Twain, the moody author was able to ride out his feelings of upset and dislocation while traveling. He eventually finished out his European tour - and in his bestselling travel memoir The Innocents Abroad, famously remarked that travel is “fatal to prejudice and narrow-mindedness.” With the right attitude - and the willingness to seek help if you need it - it’s more than likely that you, too, can adapt and grow in new settings, building new memories-and toughness - with each new stamp in your passport.
1. How did Mark Twain feel about Italians’ insistence?| A．Annoyed. | B．Calm. | C．Uninterested. | D．Curious. |
| A．It would lead to physical diseases. |
| B．It was regarded as an avoidable thing. |
| C．It was named for people’s adjustment. |
| D．It had gained wide acceptance by the 1970s. |
| A．Suggestions about culture shock. |
| B．A change in understanding culture shock. |
| C．Stress of the importance of culture shock. |
| D．A criticism of previous idea of culture shock. |
| A．To remember him. | B．To inform and anticipate. |
| C．To conclude and encourage. | D．To make the ending humorous. |
2 . There are plenty of opportunities to study and work abroad. But some early-career scientists might face challenges adapting to different communication styles and different workplaces. However, supervisors(主管) and junior researchers can reduce the risk of misunderstandings by actively learning about each other’s cultures and expressing workplace expectations clearly.
It is important to be sensitive (灵敏的) to cultural differences and to avoid misunderstandings. Nanda Dimitrov, director of Western University’s Teaching Support Centre in London, says that she personally experienced directness more often in the United Kingdom than in the United States. She points out that the relationship between junior researcher and supervisor is influenced by many factors including personality, former experiences and the department’s culture.
Keshun Zhang faced this issue after moving from China to the University of Konstanz in Germany to get his PhD in psychology. He was used to following teachers’ suggestions. But the culture in Germany always encourages you to argue, to fight for yourself. With his supervisor’s encouragement, he started pushing back. After his first year, his supervisor said, “Wow, finally you have learnt to say no.” Zhang also realized that he was expected to work independently(独立地). His supervisor urged him to try to solve problems on his own and to ask for guidance only if he became stuck.
“People sometimes brush off a student from another country as ‘rude’, but in their culture, they’re not,” says Amratia, who was a Kenya student at the University of Florida in Gainesville. “Researchers should also remember that their nation’s customs aren’t necessarily best. When you come from a different country, you don’t assume everybody should be doing things your way. I never cared if somebody was different from me as long as it didn’t seriously affect the rest of the lab,” Amratia said.
1. How do people going abroad avoid misunderstanding according to Paragraph 1?| A．By facing challenges bravely. |
| B．By introducing their own ideas. |
| C．By creating more communication chances. |
| D．By learning different cultures and expressing job expectations. |
| A．Don’t be too sensitive to different cultures. | B．People should experience different cultures. |
| C．British are more direct than Americans do. | D．The relation among junior researchers is simple. |
| A．Trying to support one’s own opinions. | B．Accepting advice of elders. |
| C．Pushing back supervisor’s encouragement. | D．Turning to others for help often. |
| A．Working independently and hard. | B．Respecting others’ different cultures. |
| C．Encouraging yourself to fight for yourself. | D．Talking with people with the same culture. |
3 . Thanksgiving is a time of year when we get together with our families and celebrate peace over a giant feast including roast turkey and pumpkin pie.
There are many reasons why the pumpkin pie is made for Thanksgiving, one of which is related to the season. In the USA, Thanksgiving sits at the beginning of the fall season, and this is celebrated over a feast made up of seasonal food. Pumpkins are harvested in North America and Canada during the fall; therefore, being a seasonal crop, it is in richness at this time.
In 1621 some of the earliest American settlers came across pumpkins for the first time and were new to eating it. Early recipes (食谱) describe ways of cooking pumpkins, which would have included hollowing out (挖空) a pumpkin and filling it with milk and honey. They would have then roasted this on a fire. It became a tradition for the Native Americans to bring the pumpkins to the settlers as gifts, and they showed them how to cook and prepare pumpkins.
Pumpkin pie recipes began to appear in English-written American cookbooks in 1670. Some recipes included adding apples for added flavor (味道). Most recipes have continued to follow the basis of using pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, salt, butter, and so on.
The biggest pumpkin pie in the world was made on September 25, 2010, at the New Bremen Pumpkin Fest in Ohio. To make this large pie, 2,796 eggs, 525 pounds of sugar, and 1,212 pounds of canned pumpkin were used. After baking, the total weight of the pie was 3,699 pounds.
The pumpkin pie was a creation made with the help and guidance of Native Americans and is an important part of celebrating Thanksgiving.
1. Why are pumpkins used to celebrate Thanksgiving according to Paragraph 2?| A．Pumpkins are in season in autumn. |
| B．People relate pumpkins to being rich. |
| C．People in North America love eating pumpkins. |
| D．Pumpkins stand for people’s wish for a happy life. |
| A．The celebrations on Thanksgiving. | B．The history of early American settlers. |
| C．The early recipes for making pumpkin pie. | D．The origin of cooking pumpkin on Thanksgiving. |
| A．To show the pumpkin pie was extremely big. |
| B．To describe the good taste of the pumpkin pie. |
| C．To stress the difficulty in gathering pumpkins. |
| D．To explain the process of making the pumpkin pie. |
| A．Growing Crops for Thanksgiving | B．Eating Pumpkin Pie at Thanksgiving |
| C．The Biggest Pumpkin Pie in the World | D．Traditions of Celebrating Thanksgiving |
4 . Four Festivals From Around The World
It seems every country has its inviting events on the annual calendar. Here we’ve boiled down the options to add to your bucket list.
Boryeong Mud Festival, Republic of KoreaThe extensive beneficial qualities of the mud in Boryeong coastal region have prompted wellness-related lines, as well as an entire coastal festival. The festival celebrates the natural benefits of this precious resource with a dose of pops, beach fun and street food, drawing visitors from around the world to get messy and learn about the region’s resources.
Rock Oyster Festival, EnglandRock Oyster Festival is a summer event on the Cornish coast. With musical performances from the huge names, the three day festival also showcases some of the best chefs and restaurants from around Cornwall as well as cooking demonstrations. Big shots in the food world like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Olia Hercules and Andi Oliver share their stories, while over at Mussel Beach, there’s a celebration of live fire cooking in all its glory.
Copenhagen Photo Festival, DenmarkCopenhagen Photo Festival showcases s international contemporary photography in a stunning, dramatic setting at the water’s edge. The Festival Centre and exhibition park are located in an urban coastal wilderness, formerly an industrial shipyard site. With the theme “Entanglement” for the 2024 edition of the festival, it encourages people to think relations on all the ways we are co-dependently connected.
Noosa Festival of Surfing, AustraliaNoosa is an iconic surf spot on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Big waves crash on to the sunny and expansive beaches, backed by bars, cafes and the Noosa National Park. The annual festival is a homage to global surf culture and talent. Exhibitions, art shows and live music punctuate the moments between the actions on the water, while lighthearted activities such as dog surfing competitions accompany the more serious contests.
1. Which festival is most likely to appeal to people who are health-conscious?| A．Boryeong Mud Festival. | B．Rock Oyster Festival. |
| C．Copenhagen Photo Festival. | D．Noosa Festival of Surfing. |
| A．Take part in a cooking contest. | B．Meet masters in food industry. |
| C．Visit an industrial shipyard site. | D．Make alive fire cooking freely. |
| A．Free food is available. | B．Celebrities are invited there, |
| C．They provide live music shows. | D．They take place in coastal areas. |
5 . The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Double Fifth Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. It is a time for family reunions, dragon boat races, and the eating of zongzi (rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves).
The Origin of the Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival is said to commemorate the ancient poet Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the Miluo River during the Warring States period. People paddled dragon boats to search for his body and threw rice dumplings into the river to feed the fish, hoping to prevent them from eating Qu Yuan's body.
Festival Customs
Dragon Boat Races: The most exciting part of the festival is the dragon boat races. Teams of rowers compete in long, narrow boats painted with dragon heads and tails. The races are held on rivers and lakes, attracting crowds of spectators.
Eating Zongzi: Zongzi, made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, are a traditional food eaten during the festival. They can be filled with different ingredients such as red beans, dates, and meat. Eating zongzi is a way to remember Qu Yuan and his patriotism.
Wearing Sachets: Wearing sachets filled with herbs and spices is a custom that is believed to protect people from evil spirits and diseases.
Modern Challenges
However, with the rapid development of society and the popularity of Western festivals, some traditional customs of the Dragon Boat Festival are gradually being forgotten. Many young people are unaware of the significance and origins of the festival, and some even consider it just another holiday to have fun and relax.
Preserving the Tradition
Efforts are being made to preserve and promote the tradition of the Dragon Boat Festival. Cultural festivals and exhibitions are held to educate people about the history and customs of the festival. Schools also organize activities such as dragon boat races and zongzi-making workshops to engage students in the tradition.
1. What is the main purpose of the Dragon Boat Festival?| A．To celebrate a victory in a war. | B．To commemorate the poet Qu Yuan. |
| C．To hold dragon boat races. | D．To promote tourism. |
| A．Eating zongzi. | B．Wearing sachets. |
| C．Lighting fireworks. | D．Watching dragon boat races. |
| A．The author believes that traditional customs should be preserved at all costs. |
| B．The author is indifferent to the fading of traditional customs. |
| C．The author is concerned about the fading of traditional customs. |
| D．The author thinks that new customs should replace old ones. |
6 . International Day of Education
24 January
Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed (宣布) 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. Today, 250 million children and youth are out of school, and 763 million adults are illiterate (文盲的). Their right to education is being violated (侵犯) and it is unacceptable. It’s time to transform education.
International Day of Clean Energy
26 January
The International Day of Clean Energy on 26 January was declared by the General Assembly as a call to raise awareness and mobilize action for a just and inclusive transition (过渡) to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet. 26 January is also the founding date of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a global intergovernmental agency established in 2009 to support countries in their energy transitions.
World Health Day
7 April
It is celebrated annually and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. The date of 7 April marks the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948.
The theme for World Health Day 2024 is “My health, my right”, which was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions.
World Environment Day
5 June
World Environment Day, held annually on 5 June, brings together millions of people from across the globe, engaging them in the effort to protect and restore the Earth. People from more than 150 countries participate in this United Nations international day, which celebrates environmental action and the power of governments, businesses and individuals to create a more sustainable world. The event has been led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) since its start in 1973.
1. On what day is the event about world energy marked?| A．24 January. | B．26 January. | C．7 April. | D．5 June. |
| A．International Day of Education. |
| B．International Day of Clean Energy. |
| C．World Health Day. |
| D．World Environment Day. |
| A．They have a common goal. | B．They have a long history. |
| C．They’re international events. | D．They benefit world environment. |
7 . A new course on world heritage and its conservation offers a good opportunity for the young people to learn about the legacy (遗产) of humanity and gain a sense of responsibility to help protect the planet we live on.
According to a world heritage education programme jointly launched by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and China’s Ministry of Education, the course will first be offered at several schools in Beijing before being included as a mandatory course (必修课) for high school students nationwide.
The new course covers photos, slide shows and documentaries on the magnificence of the world heritage sites. The class aims to tell children what world heritage is and why and how it should be protected. A total of 177 nations, including China, have signed the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Listed are 754 sites all over the world, of which 29 are in China — the third most after Spain and Italy. Currently, protection of the country’s cultural and natural resources leaves much to be desired. Education is undoubtedly the best way to cultivate people’s sense for protecting cultural and natural resources.
The introduction of such a programme in Chinese classrooms will certainly help our young people realize the significance of common heritage, learning about world heritage sites, the history and traditions of different cultures, ecology, and the importance of protecting biological and cultural diversity.
More importantly, it will help cultivate a sense of responsibility in the minds of young participants. This is critical in protecting these cultural and natural legacies, as well as our living environment and the limited resources for sustainable development.
1. Which of the statements is TRUE according to the passage？| A．The world heritage education programme was jointly launched by the United States and China’s Ministry of Education. |
| B．The course will first be offered at all the schools in Beijing. |
| C．Protection of the country’s cultural and natural resources has been perfect thanks to people’s efforts. |
| D．China ranks high among the countries with 29 sites listed on the list. |
| A．What world heritage is. |
| B．Why we should protect world heritage. |
| C．How world heritage should be protected. |
| D．All of the above. |
| A．distribute | B．exploit | C．develop | D．improvise |
| A．To inform us of the reason for protecting the heritage. |
| B．To tell us the way to protect the heritage. |
| C．To tell us a new course. |
| D．To tell us heritage preservation starts with education. |
8 . Different countries celebrate festivals in their own unique ways. The same goes for the New Year. Let’s take a look at some unique New Year traditions from around the world.
Smashing (打碎) platesIf you walked out of your front door to find a load of smashed plates, you might be a bit confused. But that’s exactly what people in Denmark hope to find after midnight, as it represents good luck. Danish people go and smash a plate in front of a friend’s door on New Year’s Eve to bring good luck over the next 12 months.
Dropping thingsIn New York City, Times Square is the centre of the countdown to midnight. But the thing that everyone is looking forward to is called the “ball drop”, which is when a glowing (发光的) ball is lowered down a big flag pole (旗杆), marking the start of the New Year. Other cities in America now have their own traditions of dropping things on New Year’s Eve. For example, in Vincennes, Indiana, people drop watermelons from high places.
Eating grapesWhen the clocks hit midnight in Spain, you’ll find people reaching for grapes. This is because there is a tradition of eating one grape each time the clock strikes midnight. The idea is that this will bring people 12 lucky months in the year ahead.
Walking with an empty suitcaseIn some South American countries like Colombia, you might see some people on New Year’s Eve walking around with an empty suitcase. Some hold the belief that taking a “suitcase walk” means they will have a year full of adventures.
1. Why do Danish smash plates on New Year’s Eve?| A．To have fun. | B．To honor a poet. |
| C．To celebrate the harvest. | D．To bring good luck. |
| A．They exchange gifts. | B．They eat grapes. |
| C．They dress up as bears. | D．They drop halls from high places. |
| A．Denmark. | B．USA. | C．Colombia. | D．Spain. |
9 . The setting of leap month is a way to fill the gap of days between the solar calendar and lunar calendar in one year, which is 11 or 12 days, so as to make sure the four seasons basically fit the months. “Leap month” refers to a repetitive month and there are some traditions and customs during leap month in China, which are varied in different places.
Send special-made pastry (糕点) to parents
In some parts of China’s Henan Province, daughters will prepare wild goose-shaped pastries for their parents before the leap month comes, wishing for good luck. In some parts of East China’s Shandong Province, the married daughters will send dough-made (面团) fish and toad (蟾蜍) to their parents, which symbolize “wealth” and “health” respectively.
Drink tea
People living near Mount Wuyi in China’s southeast Fujian Province have the tradition of drinking tea at leap month, and only women are proper to participate.
In Southeast China’s Taiwan Province, leap month has such traditions as well. The married daughter has to buy pig feet and thin noodles for her mother, usually two front feet and six bunches of thin noodles, and the noodles have to be tied with red silk threads and spring flowers.
Eat dinner together
Just like other festivals, a reunion dinner is essential among the traditions of the leap month.
| A．When leap month comes |
| B．Here are some special customs |
| C．Buy parents some special food |
| D．Give mother pig feet and thin noodles |
| E．Women in the village take turns holding the tea party |
| F．While men are not allowed to take part in the chatting |
| G．It is said that the dough fish is for a mother and the dough toad is for a father |
10 . There is an old saying in China that goes, “The days of the Sanjiu period are the coldest days.” “Sanjiu period”, which is in Minor (较小的) Cold, refers to the third nine-day period (the 19th 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 (腌制的) pork, sausage 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), sausage and salted duck are the specialties in Nanjing.
1. What do we know about Minor Cold?| A．The Sanjiu period is in this period. | B．It refers to the Winter Solstice. |
| 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．travel | B．fashion | C．culture | D．science |
