1 . Grain Rain is the sixth solar term (节气) in the twenty-four solar terms, which is from an old Chinese saying — rain produces hundreds of grains.
The Chinese name of Grain Rain was originated from a folk story. When Cang Jie, an official in the Yellow Emperor period, created a set of characters from observing the tracks of animals, countless grain came down from the sky like rainfall.
Seeing peonies (牡丹) three days after Grain Rain has become a tradition in northern China. Because the flowering of the peonies happens during Grain Rain, it is also known as the “Flower of the Grain Rain”.
| A．There is an interesting folk story about Grain Rain |
| B．The customs of Grain Rain vary from place to place |
| C．Therefore, the Yellow Emperor named this day as guyu |
| D．The flower represents grace and honor in Chinese culture |
| E．They play an important role in our traditional farming society |
| F．This means the rain is important for the growth of grain at this time of year |
| G．On the day of Grain Rain, people will come to pick some new tea and drink it |
2 . “A fish out of water.” “A bike without a chain.” There are many metaphors for culture shock, all of which attempt to describe the unique experience of being far from one’s home country and culture.
Scientists have studied culture shock for over a century. Rather than focus on the purely negative aspects, psychologists describe it as a process of stress and adjustment. The first stage is the honeymoon phase, when we are filled with excitement about being in another country. Eventually, as daily challenges arise, we enter a state of crisis and anxiety, harboring unfriendly feelings about the host culture. The longer we are immersed in the culture, we adjust and recover from those negative feelings. Finally, after some time we adjust even more and fully accept the new culture.
One of the factors that determines how we react to cultural stress is our personality. Not surprisingly, extraverts (外向者) tend to have an easier time adjusting to new cultures. That is because being in a new country means meeting many new people and spending a lot of time around them, and extraverts thrive in these situations. But introverts simply prefer to be alone after spending time in groups, and only have limited energy to spend in social settings.
Cultural intelligence, or CQ, also plays its part. Cultural intelligence is defined as the capability of an individual to function effectively in situations characterized by cultural diversity. It has to do with our interest in interacting with people from culturally diverse backgrounds, and our ability to adapt to new cultural context. It is argued that the higher our CQ, the lesser the effect of culture shock on our ability to cope in new situations.
Many effective coping strategies are interpersonal. A recent study found that relating to others with empathy is significantly associated with lower stress levels abroad. The more we are able to take on other people’s points of view, the more positive our interpersonal relationships and thus our adaptation to the stress of culture shock.
1. What is the function of the first paragraph?| A．Explaining the quotes. | B．Raising an argument. |
| C．Introducing the topic. | D．Presenting an example. |
| A．Anxious. | B．Thrilled. | C．Shocked. | D．Grateful. |
| A．An active boy interested in anything new. |
| B．A shy boy unwilling to socialize with strangers. |
| C．A quiet girl open to diverse cultural backgrounds. |
| D．A communicative girl fluent in the local language. |
| A．Lowering the stress level. | B．Developing self-awareness. |
| C．Analyzing the cause of discomfort. | D．Understanding others with sympathy. |
3 . On the bustling streets of Sydney, Australia, Dong Min, a young Chinese woman, dressed in elegant Chinese traditional clothing — hanfu, gracefully holds a dizi, the bamboo flute of China, fascinating passersby with the melodies of traditional Chinese music.
Dong Min, a talented musician was born in 1990. Seeing a female performer playing the bamboo flute on TV fired her interest in this Chinese traditional instrument at the age of 8. Soon her interest blossomed into talent. At the age of 10, winning a provincial-level Chinese musical instrument competition earned her one of only four spots for further studies in Beijing. After graduating from Minzu University of China with a major in Chinese bamboo flute in 2015, she enrolled at the University of New South Wales in Australia to study cultural leadership where she initiated street performances, featuring Chinese traditional instruments. One year later, she formed a band and founded the Sydney Meya Institute of Chinese Music to teach various Chinese traditional instruments to more people.
Apart from street performances and her institution, Dong also offers online dizi lessons to a global audience and organizes online exchange concerts for her students worldwide. “Our students range from 4-year-olds to 80-year-olds, reflecting the timeless appeal of Chinese music across generations,” Dong said.
Her effort paid off eventually. Her performances grew in popularity. Many audiences traveled all the way from cities like Melbourne and Brisbane to Sydney just to attend her performances.” Many music schools now offer courses on Chinese instruments. I hope to create a platform for music enthusiasts to connect and cultivate friendships through their shared love for music. Thus, we can not only raise awareness of Chinese traditional music in Australia but also share the richness of Chinese culture through music with the international audience.” Dong Min said.
1. Which of the following is true?| A．Dong Min founded the institution at 26. |
| B．Dong Min taught dizi through street performances. |
| C．Dong Min majored in Chinese bamboo flute in Australia. |
| D．Dong Min wished to gain popularity through her performances. |
| A．By analyzing reasons. | B．By providing examples. |
| C．By making comparisons. | D．By following time order. |
| A．Brave and humorous. | B．Gifted and passionate. |
| C．Creative and stubborn. | D．Patient and experienced. |
| A．Chinese Traditional Music: From China to Australia. |
| B．Bamboo Flute: Chinese Instrument Shared in Australia. |
| C．Dong Min: A Culture Messenger Bridging Cultures through Music. |
| D．Dong Min: A Talented Chinese Girl Spreading Chinese Instruments. |
4 . Harvest Festivals Around the World
The harvest season falls at different times of the year depending upon region, climate, and crop, but festivals celebrating its arrival are held the world over. The following list highlights four particular harvest festivals.
Rice Harvest Festival in Indonesia (May 1 — June 30)
The Rice Harvest Festival that is held in Bali, Indonesia, is a feature of the island’s Hindu culture. The harvest time, which follows the New Year by about one month, is dedicated to the rice goddess and is a time of joyous celebration. Sculptures of the goddess are placed in the fields in thanks, towns are decorated with colored flags, and special bull races are held.
Yam Festival in Ghana (August or September)
The Ewe people of Ghana in Africa celebrate the end of the rainy season and the first appearance of yams, a staple crop. The duration and exact days of the celebration vary according to place, in hopes of driving away hunger in the coming year. People gather and hold huge feasts and activities such as dances and parades.
Sukkoth in Israel (September-October)
Sukkoth, the “Feast of Booths (棚子),” is held shortly after the High Holy Days of the New Year celebration. Special booths are constructed to recall the period of the Exodus, recorded in the local religion, when their ancestors lived in booths in the desert before entering the Promised Land.
Pongal in India (January)
The four-day festival of Pongal is a celebration of the rice harvest period. Held after the winter solstice (冬至), it celebrates the return of longer days of life-giving sunlight. Pongal is similar to other festivals held in South and Southeast Asia, but its name comes from a local word meaning “to boil” and is also the name given to a rice dish that is prepared during this time.
1. What is special about Rice Harvest Festival?| A．Its connection with Hindu culture. | B．Its celebration of the rainy season. |
| C．Its respect for their ancestors. | D．Its similarity to other festivals. |
| A．In Indonesia. | B．In Ghana. | C．In Israel. | D．In India. |
| A．Rice Harvest Festival. | B．Yam Festival. | C．Sukkoth. | D．Pongal. |
5 . With a few hours until curtain call, a quiet but noticeable energy fills the backstage dressing room of the famous Sunbeam Theatre, known as “Hong Kong’s Grand Palace for Cantonese Opera” Tonight, it’s the annual Rose family performance.
Some of the performers are eating takeout boxes of food, sure to sustain them through the bows-long show ahead. Others are getting a head start on their make-up. A few are being helped into their colorful costumes by eager assistants.
But there is something unexpectedly unusual about this particular performance that becomes obvious as soon as the curtains rise some of the people on stage aren’t Chinese.
Mike Brady, who comes from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, stands on stage in full costume. But he has never seen a Cantonese Opera, let alone been in one. As a background character, he has no spoken lines.
This unlikely actor owes his first performance to Lyle Rose, a fellow American who stands next to him in a similar costume. When it comes to performing, Lyle, a native New Yorker who now lives in Hong Kong, is not as green of a performer as Mike; in fact, he is the mastermind behind tonight’s show.
The entire Rose family is on stage. Mike himself is actually a new addition to the group: his daughter recently married Lyle’s younger son.
Cantonese Opera is a family affair for Lyle. Every year, Lyle, his wife, Cynthia Hu-Rose, a Hong Konger, and two sons put on a performance to raise money for local charities. But their true purpose for doing it is simply to introduce people to it. Though Cantonese Opera remains an important part of Hong Kong culture, it has to compete with many other forms of entertainment for the attention of younger generations, who associate n with their grandparents. “We love Cantonese Opera,” Lyle said. “We want people of all ages to come and watch.”
1. What scene is described in Paragraph 2?| A．Actors are practicing a play backstage. |
| B．Actors are getting ready for an upcoming show. |
| C．The audience are lending a hand to a performer. |
| D．The audience are eagerly waiting for a big show. |
| A．Some of its performers are American. |
| B．Most of its performers have no spoken lines. |
| C．Some of its performers wear newly styled costumes |
| D．Most of its performers have never performed before |
| A．He lacks performing experience. |
| B．He has seldom seen Cantonese Opera. |
| C．He directs and plays a part in tonight’s show. |
| D．He always plays a background character in opera shows. |
| A．To make a living abroad. |
| B．To collect money for local charities. |
| C．To change elders’ opinions about operas. |
| D．To attract younger audiences to Cantonese Opera. |
6 . Dragons, a famous imaginary beast born from fantasy, are often present in stories in the west and east. In both cultures, dragons are generally recognized as massive creatures capable of flight. They have great power and are often associated with magical abilities. However, due to their different cultural roots and images, there exist significant differences in the way dragons are regarded in the west and east, particularly in China.
Chinese dragons most resemble snakes, and have four claws and no wings. They often have features of other animals, including carp, tigers, and eagles. In the contrast, Western dragons look like huge lizards with big claws and large bat-like wings, and are often shown with spines or rough scales.
In traditional Chinese culture, a dragon is a symbol of luck, power and high status. They can cause weather changes and bring rainfall to the fields to ensure rich harvests. They are considered divine (神圣的) creatures, which hold an important position as the head of the four spirits. Therefore, to symbolize their power, ancient Chinese emperors decorated their clothes with dragon patterns. These clothes are known as dragon robes. Many Chinese view the dragon as a national symbol, proudly referring to themselves as “descendants of the dragon”. In the west, however, a dragon symbolizes an evil creature that spreads violence and terror throughout the land. They are believed to be transformed by the devil, with the ability to breathe fire or spit poison. Many western tales show dragons being defeated and killed to protect people from danger.
Today, dragons continue to evolve, exceeding traditional boundaries and finding new significance in global culture. They are no longer associated with evil or good, but rather as complex characters with their own unique personalities and motivations. For example, Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon begins as a dangerous dragon but evolves into a misunderstood being with love and compassion. This challenges the idea of dragons as naturally evil, presenting them as complex beings with emotions and motivations.
1. What do western dragons and eastern dragons have in common?| A．They have rough skin. | B．They are huge and powerful. |
| C．They are in the shape of snakes. | D．They have big claws and wings. |
| A．Western dragons are a symbol of authority. |
| B．Dragons in China can protect people from danger. |
| C．Chinese dragons can control rainfall and breathe fire. |
| D．Dragons are believed to cause chaos in western culture. |
| A．They are regarded as adventurous creatures. |
| B．They are closely associated with evil or good. |
| C．They have more diverse emotions and personalities. |
| D．They tend to represent human spirits facing challenges. |
| A．The Dragon Elements in Global Culture |
| B．The Origin of Dragons in Chinese History |
| C．The Magical Animals in Different Countries |
| D．The Images of Dragons in Western Traditions |
7 . It was May 1945 when what would become one of America’s most common home-cooking techniques first entered the English vocabulary. In her cookbook, How to Cook and Eat in Chinese, 55-year-old Chinese immigrant Chao Yang Buwei described a process common in China, wherein cooks would cut meat and vegetables into small pieces and then tumble (翻) them rapidly together over heat. “The Chinese term for the technique, ch’ao, cannot be accurately translated into English,” Chao decided, “We shall call it ‘stir-fry’ for short.” The term has since taken on a life of its own. Nowadays, stir-frying isn’t just a method — “stir-fry” has become its own category of recipe.
Chao came to cooking unexpectedly. She moved to America with her husband in 1921 after her husband, the famed linguist Chao Yuenren, was offered a job at Harvard. Bored at home and only able to speak a little English, she turned to cooking dishes that reminded her of China. She eventually agreed when a friend earnestly persuaded her to write a cookbook, which was then translated by Chao’s daughter and polished up by her linguist husband.
Her cookbook succeeded, going into multiple printings by 1945. English-language Chinese cookbooks had been published as far back as 1911 in America, but Chao’s was the first that refused to Westernize Chinese cooking. “I’ll show you how to cook crab dishes with real crabs,” Chao told readers in a passage where she forbade them from-using sea crabs in place of the freshwater variety. Using the former, she reasoned, would result in “a caricature (夸张的描述) of the Chinese dish.” During Chao’s era, it might have been easier for foreign cooks in America to please the American taste with substitutions. She wore her Chinese heritage with pride. She didn’t follow suit.
Chao pioneered a new cooking method in America. Unwilling to compromise, she was a true visionary. Sadly, her death in 1981 didn’t make headlines despite her contributions to American food culture. Shortly thereafter even her name ended up falling through pop culture’s cracks.
1. What can be learned about “chao”?| A．It is a recognized cooking method now. |
| B．It was accurately translated into “stir-fry” by Chao. |
| C．It means tumbling many big pieces of ingredients overheat. |
| D．It was a common term already used in American cooking before 1945. |
| A．She happened to take an interest in cooking. |
| B．She didn’t know any American way of cooking. |
| C．She was bored to stay at home only to learn English. |
| D．She missed her homeland and her country’s cuisine. |
| A．It was the first to be faithful to real Chinese cooking and recipes. |
| B．It was the most successful cookbook published on Chinese cooking. |
| C．It was the first to emphasize the use of freshwater crabs over sea crabs. |
| D．It tried to please the American tastes as other similar cookbooks. |
| A．Academic and unfailingly helpful. | B．Pioneering and culturally proud. |
| C．Recognized and linguistically talented. | D．Adaptable and technically achieved. |
8 . As Christmas Eve approached, I found myself in New York City, far from my family and friends in Taiwan. I was feeling homesick and lonely, but my Jewish friend, Rachel, who, like me, doesn’t get connected with Christmas due to any religious things, invited me to join her for a dinner in a Chinese restaurant. She explained that it was a tradition for many Jewish people to celebrate this holiday by eating Chinese food on Christmas Eve.
We went to Jing Fong, a fancy restaurant in Chinatown. The place was packed with people, and the atmosphere was lively and festive. We ordered a variety of dishes. Everything was delicious, and I felt grateful to be sharing this experience with Rachel. As we ate, we talked about our families and our cultures. We laughed and joked, and for a moment, I forgot about my homesickness.
A moment later, a group of carolers (唱圣诞歌的人) came into the restaurant, singing Christmas songs. At first, I was puzzled. Why were they singing in a Chinese restaurant? But then I realized that this was part of the magic of New York City. People from all different cultures and backgrounds could come together and celebrate the holidays in their own way. Rachel and I joined in the singing, and soon the whole restaurant was filled with music. It was a beautiful moment, and I felt blessed to be part of it.
What a night! I learned that even when you’re far from home, you can still find joy and connection with others. Rachel and I may come from different cultures, but we shared amazing food, joyful music, and most importantly heartfelt company. And that’s exactly what all the holidays are all about.
1. Why did Rachel invite the author to join her for dinner?| A．To show respect to God |
| B．To celebrate Christmas in the Jewish way |
| C．To share stories about their families |
| D．To forget about their homesickness |
| A．Fearful | B．Joyful |
| C．Disappointed | D．Confused |
| A．By focusing on religious traditions |
| B．By celebrating with family and friends |
| C．By enjoying a variety of festive dishes |
| D．By embracing diverse ways of celebration |
| A．A personal blog | B．A commercial promotion brochure |
| C．A travel guide of New York | D．An academic article |
“What is your favorite Chinese dish?” Ask any foreigner this question, and most answers you get must be Kung Pao chicken! But how much do you know this foreigner’s favorite Chinese dish?
What is the meaning of Kung Pao? We need to look at the four Chinese words. ”gong“ means ”palace”; “bǎo” means guard “(保卫)”; “jī” means chicken; “dīng” means small pieces. If we put them together, it can be understood as “palace guards” chicken pieces“.
But where did the name come from? We need to talk about Ding Baozhen-the man who gave us Kung Pao chicken. Ding was a governor of Sichuan during Qing Dynasty. When Ding was a child, be fell into a river. He could not swim, but a family passing by saved him and brought him home. At their home, they served Ding a delicious chicken dish(the earliest Kung Pao chicken). Ding loved it very much and always remembered it. Years later, when Ding became a rich and powerful man, he invited that family to his house. The family cooked him the same dish and Ding soon made this dish popular all over Sichuan. In the late 1800s, Ding was given the title of ”gōng bǎo“(the person who guards the palace). Soon, people started calling him Ding Gongbao, and giving his favorite dish a name after him-Gongbao chicken. The English name Kung Pao sounds just the same as Chinese.
This dish appears on the menus almost everywhere in the world. Different countries and even cities in China have different ways to cook it. ▲ You have to ask some old cooks in Sichuan. They think three things-dried Sichuan peppers, sugar and vinegar—are the key to the most traditional Kung Pao chicken. The Sichuan pepper is the most important one. It is hard to buy it for many people outside Sichuan. That is probably why they cannot get the best taste.
Next time, when you are eating Kung Pao chicken with others, you can tell them many fun facts about this dish!
1. The writer starts this passage by__________.| A．giving numbers | B．asking questions | C．chowing a report | D．telling a story |
| A．But where you can eat the most traditional Kung Pao chicken? |
| B．So it is impossible to get the most traditional taste of this dish. |
| C．But how can we cook the most traditional Kung Pao chicken? |
| D．And people in different places have different ideas about this. |
| A．Sichuan pepper is the most important to make good Kung Pao chicken. |
| B．The words ”gōng bǎo“ mean the strong and rich person in Qing Dynasty. |
| C．Ding created this dish by himself when he was the governor of Sichuan. |
| D．At first Ding did not like Kung Pao chicken but later he really missed it. |
| A．A Stony of the Great Palace Guard, Ding Baozhen | B．The Way to Make the Best Kung Pao Chicken |
| C．Different Opinions on Making Kung Pao Chicken | D．The Delicious History of Kung Pao Chicken |
10 . The year 2023 witnessed the occurrence of significant cultural events, with culture and tourism becoming even more closely connected. Let’s review the major cultural events of 2023 as we bid farewell to the year and embrace the new year of 2024!
Museum visits rise in popularity in summer
Tourists were seen queuing for long hours in front of museums and obtaining entrance tickets became more challenging. In response to the growing demand, 46 museums in Beijing canceled their customary Monday closures and remained open daily until August 31. The rise in “museum fever” can be credited to various factors, including the public’s increasing enthusiasm for traditional Chinese culture, the booming market for youth educational tours and summer camps, as well as the continuous innovation of museums.
Old tea forests in Pu’er win World Heritage Site title
The newly named heritage site, located in Lancang Lahu autonomous county in Pu’er, Yunnan province, consists of five large-scale, well-preserved old tea forests, which stand 1,250 to 1,500 meters above the sea level, three protective barrier forests, and nine ancient villages in the old tea forests, which are mainly inhabited by Blang and Dai ethnic groups. The cultural landscape was jointly created by the ancestors of the Blang people—who immigrated to the Jingmai Mountain in the 10th century AD and later discovered and domesticated wild tea trees—and the native Dai people.
Protection plan released for Beijing’s Central Axis
The plan is said to be one of the necessary steps toward bidding for UNESCO World Heritage status. Alongside regulations on the protection of the Central Axis carried out earlier, the plan is in line with the requirements of World Heritage conservation. The 21 member countries of the World Heritage Committee will decide on whether Beijing’s Central Axis can be added to the World Heritage List at the committee’s 46th annual conference in 2024. If the application succeeds, it will reinforce Beijing’s top position among cities worldwide by number of World Heritage Sites.
1. Which of the following is NOT the reason for the rise in “museum fever”?| A．Museums’ ceaseless innovation. |
| B．The constant innovation of summer camps. |
| C．The growing market for youth educational tours. |
| D．People’s growing passion for traditional Chinese culture. |
| A．46 museums in Beijing stayed open all year round. |
| B．The Blang people are the natives in Jingmai Mountain. |
| C．The heritage site in Pu’er consists of four large old tea forests. |
| D．Beijing’s Central Axis hasn’t been added to the World Heritage List yet. |
| A．Wonders of the Natural World | B．Scientific Exploration |
| C．Chinese Culture Research | D．Art and Architecture |
