1 . The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Buds (小满), the 8th solar term of a year, begins on May 21 this year, and ends on June 5. It means that the seeds from the grain are becoming full but are not ripe. Let’s see what we can do during the “Grain Buds” period.
Eating herb of common sow thistle
Grain Buds is a season for eating the herb of the common sow thistle, which is one of the earliest edible potherbs in China. It tastes a little bitter, but also sweet. People in Ningxia Hui autonomous region like to eat it mixed with salt, vinegar, peppers or garlic. It tastes delicious and helps people feel refreshed. Some people boil the herb with water and then squeeze out the juice, which can be used to make soup.
Key period for flower management
This time is a good period of the quick growth of flowers. It is also a season when plant diseases and pests are at an all-time high, which makes caring for your garden even more critical. Flowers need a lot of water and extra care to stay healthy. Weeding should be done as they grow quickly and have to be extirpated in order to keep the soil loose and from competing with the flowers for nutrients.
Celebrating silkworm deity birthday
Silkworm rearing is a traditional byproduct for people in regions south of the Yangtze River. People in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces regard this season as the birthday of the silkworm deity. Those who engage in the silk industry thank the deity by offering sacrifices and staging performances. They pray to the deity for blessings and a boom season for the silk business.
1. Which of the following is true about Grain Buds?| A．It is seen as the birthday of the flower deity. |
| B．It is an essential period to tend to the garden. |
| C．It means that the seeds from the grain are mature. |
| D．It begins on May 21 this year, and ends on July 5. |
| A．offer sacrifices to ancestors | B．pray for a close season |
| C．learn to count their blessings | D．give shows to thank the deity |
| A．Entertainment. | B．Economics. | C．Politics. | D．Culture. |
2 . The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Rain (谷雨), as the last term in spring, starts on April 19 and ends on May 4. Grain Rain originates from the old saying, “Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains,” which shows that this period of rainfall is extremely important for the growth of crops. The Grain Rain signals the end of cold weather and a rapid rise in temperature. Here are five things that you may not know about the Grain Rain.
Key time for agricultureGrain Rain brings a marked increase in temperature and rainfall and the grains grow faster and stronger. It’s a key time to protect the crops from insect pests.
Sandstorms occurGrain Rain falls between the end of spring and the beginning of summer, with infrequent cold air moving to the south and lingering cold air in the north. From the end of April to the beginning of May, the temperature rises much higher than it does in March. With dry soil, an unsteady atmosphere and heavy winds, gales (飓风) and sandstorms become more frequent.
Drinking teaThere is an old custom in southern China that people drink tea on the day of Grain Rain. Spring tea during Grain Rain is rich in vitamins and amino acids (氨基酸), which can help to remove heat from the body and is good for the eyes. It is also said that drinking tea on this day would prevent bad luck.
Grain Rain FestivalThe Grain Rain festival is celebrated by fishing villages in the coastal areas of northern China. Grain Rain marks the start of the fishermen’s first voyage of the year. The custom dates back more than 2,000 years ago, when people believed they owed a good harvest to the gods, who protected them from the stormy seas. People would worship the sea and stage sacrifice ceremonies on the Grain Rain festival, praying for an abundant harvest and a safe voyage for their loved ones.
1. According to the passage, which is the benefit of drinking tea on the day of Grain Rain?| A．Refreshing. | B．Nutritious. | C．Memorable. | D．Protective. |
| A．To celebrate the end of winter. | B．To give thanks for the harvest. |
| C．To honor the gods for protection. | D．To welcome the new fishing season. |
| A．A culture column. | B．A science report. |
| C．An agricultural paper. | D．A tourism advertisement. |
3 . Argentina lies in the South America. There are many festivals in Argentina during the year. Therefore, you can enjoy the different interesting festivals when traveling there.
First of all, we should talk about the Tango (探戈) Festival inArgentina, which is held in the capital of this country — Buenos Aires, from February to March. You ought to know that Argentina is the home of tango, so Argentinians admire this dance very much. Even if you cannot dance perfectly, you should join the people and try to perform this dance.
The next festival in Argentina is Open Polo (马球) Tournament. You should go to Palermo to see this festival in Argentina. This festival is held every year and is the most important polo tournament in Argentina.This kind of sport is considered the most important in Argentina.
Attending this festival in Argentina, you will be able to communicate with different people and admire the fascinating competition between the teams of different countries, such as Argentina, England, Australia, as well as the US. This festival in Argentina is usually held between November and December every year. So don’t miss the opportunity if you travel to Argentina at this time.
The other festival in Argentina is the Semana Musical Liao Liao. This is a festival of classical music. The festival was created in 1993 and is held at the Liao Liao Hotel, near Bariloche. The festival is held yearly in October. So if you admire this kind of music, you should travel toArgentina in October.
There are also many carnivals in Argentina in summer. Of course, it’s impossible to put everything about festivals in Argentina into just one article. We hope that you have found this article interesting and eye-catching.
1. What would be the best title for the passage?| A．Entertainments in Argentina | B．Festivals in Argentina |
| C．Travel to Argentina | D．A brief introduction to Argentina |
| A．is organized by the government |
| B．welcomes everyone to take part in it |
| C．is held in summer |
| D．holds parties for different dances |
| A．Open Polo Tournament. | B．Every carnival in Argentina. |
| C．The Tango Festival. | D．The Semana Musical Liao Liao. |
| A．Buenos Aires in spring | B．Palermo in April |
| C．Palermo in winter | D．Bariloche in October |
4 . World No Tobacco Day (世界无烟日) is observed around the world annually on May 31st. It is a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco use and to advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco (烟草) consumption.
Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide and is responsible for numerous health problems, including various types of cancer, heart disease, respiratory diseases, and other chronic conditions. Currently, more than 8 million deaths are caused annually worldwide, including 1.2 million deaths from second-hand smoke exposure in non-smokers.
The Member States of the WHO created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco and the preventable death and disease it causes. In 1987, the World Health Assembly passed Resolution WHA40.38, calling for 7th April 1988 to be a world no-smoking day. “In 1988, Resolution WHA42.19 was passed, calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on 31st May.
On World No Tobacco Day, numerous activities and initiatives take place globally to promote tobacco control. These can include public awareness campaigns, educational programs in schools and communities, smoking cessation support, advocacy for stronger tobacco control policies, and various events to encourage individuals to quit smoking.
Each year, the WHO chooses a specific theme for World No Tobacco Day to focus on a particular aspect of tobacco control. The theme may address issues such as the impact of tobacco on lung health, ‘the dangers of tobacco industry marketing strategies, or the importance of providing assistance to individuals who want to quit smoking. This theme then becomes the central component of the WHO’s tobacco-related agenda for the following year. The WHO oversees the creation and distribution of publicity materials related to the theme, including brochures, fliers, posters, websites, and press releases.
The ultimate purpose of World No Tobacco Day is to raise awareness, encourage individuals to quit tobacco use, and prevent young people from starting smoking. Since 1988, the WHO has presented one or more awards to organizations or individuals who have made exceptional contributions to reducing tobacco consumption.
1. What’s the main idea of paragraph 2?| A．Worldwide tobacco use. |
| B．Great harm caused by tobacco use. |
| C．Preventable deaths caused by tobacco use. |
| D．Death caused by second-hand smoke exposure. |
| A．World No Tobacco Day was passed on 7th April 1988. |
| B．Celebration date of World No Tobacco Day is not fixed. |
| C．World No Tobacco Day is celebrated with many activities and initiatives. |
| D．Currently, over 8 million deaths are caused by second-hand smoke exposure. |
| A．It is always about the dangers of second-hand smoke. |
| B．It highlights the positive effects of tobacco on health. |
| C．It advocates for effective policies to increase production. |
| D．It changes annually to focus on different aspects of tobacco control. |
| A．To prevent young people from quitting smoking. |
| B．To encourage individuals to give up tobacco use. |
| C．To raise awareness about health risks related to tobacco use. |
| D．To advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. |
5 . 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 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 are huge and powerful. | B．They have rough skin. |
| C．They are in the shape of snakes. | D．They have big claws and wings. |
| A．Western dragons are a symbol of authority and violence. |
| B．Dragons are believed to cause chaos in western culture. |
| C．Chinese dragons can control rainfall and breathe fire. |
| D．Dragons in China can protect people from danger. |
| A．They have more diverse feelings and characters. |
| B．They have complicated motivations with born love. |
| C．They are commonly regarded as adventurous creatures. |
| D．They tend to represent human spirits facing challenges. |
| A．The Images of Dragons in Western Traditions. | B．The Origin of Dragons in Chinese History. |
| C．The Magical Animals in Different Countries. | D．The Dragon Elements in Global Culture. |
6 . People in different regions of China consume different foods on the day according to local customs on Tomb-Sweeping Day. Here are seven traditional foods people eat on the special day.
Green rice ball
Green rice balls, are widely consumed in China’s Jiangnan area-the region south of the Yangtze River. The seasonal delicacies are usually made from glutinous rice mixed with pounded mugwort—an edible wild herb thought to prevent toxic insect bites.
Sanzi
In both northern and southern China, it is an age-old tradition to eat sanzi, or fried dough twists. However, the sanzi in North and South China are different from each other in terms of size and material. Northern people prefer larger ones made from wheat, while people in the south enjoy smaller ones made from rice.
Thin pancake
The thin pancake is a popular food for people in Xiamen in Southeast China’s Fujian province. To make it tastier, they usually add dried seaweed, omelet, veggies and chili sauce to the pancake.
Spring onion and omelet
In Qingdao in East China’s Shandong province people eat spring onion and omelet. They believe the special combination helps improve eyesight and makes eyes brighter. In ancient times, pupils often sent eggs to their teachers to show respect on the day.
Steamed rice with leaf mustard
In many places in Southeast China’s Fujian province, people thought eating steamed rice with leaf mustard could help prevent scabies and other skin diseases for the whole year.
Zitui bun
This steamed bun is named after Jie Zitui, a famous hermit of the Spring and Autumn Period(770-476BC). People in Shanxi province have a tradition of eating the bun. Colorful dough animals and flowers are frequent decorations, while eggs and jujubes are added inside to increase sweetness.
Ai ban
To Hakka people in China, ai ban, or dumplings made from wormwood and rice, are a festival must-eat made by blending wormwood paste and glutinous rice powder together. They also feature peanuts and black-eyed beans for a more diversified flavor. After steaming the dumplings for15-20minutes, the food is ready to serve.
1. What is special about sanzi?| A．People in South China prefer sanzi made from wheat. |
| B．The sanzi varies in different places. |
| C．People in North China prefer smaller size of sanzi. |
| D．It is only accessible on Tom-Sweeping Day. |
| A．Green rice ball and ai ban | B．Sanzi and ai ban |
| C．Thin pancake and Zitui bun | D．Spring onion and omelet and ai ban |
| A．Colorful flowers | B．Dough eggs | C．Dough animals | D．Jujubes |
7 . Chinese food is well-known for its rich sorts and distinct flavors from different areas. This article highlights four classic dishes that represent the wide range of Chinese cooking.
Dongpo porkDongpo pork is a delicious dish from Zhejiang Province, China. It’s made by cooking streaky pork (五花肉) slowly with ingredients like soy sauce, ginger, and sugar. This makes the meat very soft and full of flavor. The tasty sauce is great for mixing with rice. The dish is named after a famous poet, Su Dongpo.
Hot candied milk tofuHot candied milk tofu is a sweet specialty from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It is crisp (酥脆的) on the outside and soft on the inside. It tastes sweet and is suitable for people of all ages to eat. It’s also great for getting more calcium.
Steamed Chinese cabbage in supreme soupSteamed Chinese cabbage in supreme soup is a famous Sichuan cuisine. It is made with the hearts of Chinese cabbage from the north. It’s cooked with chicken, duck, and pork bones to make a clear flavourful soup, which is seasoned with minced chicken or pork. Some chicken oil is drizzled on top. The Chinese cabbage, cooked in the soup, keeps its crisp freshness and soaks up (吸收) the soup, offering a tasty experience.
Steamed fish head with chopped hot chilli peppersIn Hunan Province, the love for spicy food is obvious in a famous traditional dish, steamed fish head with chopped hot chilli peppers. The fish head is marinated (腌) with a generous amount of red chilli peppers and then steamed to perfection. The combination of the fish’s natural freshness and the chilli peppers’ heat creates an unforgettable taste experience.
1. What is the first dish named after?| A．A famous chef. | B．A historical figure. |
| C．A traditional festival. | D．A specific cooking technique. |
| A．Dongpo pork. |
| B．Hot candied milk tofu. |
| C．Steamed Chinese cabbage in supreme soup. |
| D．Steamed fish head with chopped hot chilli peppers. |
| A．Sweet and sour. | B．Sweet and fresh. |
| C．Salty and sweet. | D．Spicy and fresh. |
8 . Administrators of the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Gansu province, are striving to harmonize tourists’ exploration of the site with the need to safeguard murals and artifacts, through innovative measures such as digital presentations.
Sandstorms, rainfall and tourist visits constitute the most severe threats to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, said Wang Xiaowei, director of the Dunhuang Grottoes Monitoring Center at the Dunhuang Academy.
Since the Mogao Caves opened to the public in 1979, the number of visitors has been growing at an average annual rate of around 20 percent, reaching 2.15 million in 2019 before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the site is expected to receive a record 3 million visitors.
“If you enter the caves during the peak tourism months of July, August and September, you’ll find it hard to breathe,” Wang said. The carbon dioxide and moisture exhaled by visitors accumulate inside the caves and cause damage to the murals, Wang said.
To preserve the caves, the duration of visits is limited and sometimes stopped during rain or dust storms. To try and ensure visitors aren’t disappointed when restrictions are in place, the center provides a digital exhibition, he said.
Currently, the center is being expanded to cater for an additional 3,000 visitors on top of the existing capacity of 6,000.
The Dunhuang Academy began digitally recording and storing images of murals and painted sculptures over 30 years ago. The digitization project has successfully covered over 200 caves, with a dedicated team of 110 experts currently undertaking the work.
The Mogao Caves are immovable, and transporting them is impossible, according to Su Bomin, head of the Dunhuang Academy. And he added, “However, with digitization, we can perfectly replicate Dunhuang art and showcase it worldwide, introducing Eastern culture to the world.”
In 2016, the Digital Dunhuang repository went live, sharing high-definition images and panoramic tours of the most exquisite 30 caves globally. Currently, visitors from 78 countries have accessed the repository, totaling over 16.8 million visits.
Su said Dunhuang can provide diverse cultural exchanges through its cultural relics. “By digitizing these relics, we enable people worldwide to understand Dunhuang’s culture, thereby gaining a deeper appreciation for China’s historical commitment to diverse cultural exchanges — that is, an ethos of inclusivity, mutual learning and a shared future,” he said.
1. Which of the following is NOT the reason for providing a digital exhibition?| A．The factors related to COVID-19 put the caves in grave danger. |
| B．The increasing number of tourists visiting Dunhuang might harm the caves. |
| C．The authority is aimed to balance tourism and relics conservation. |
| D．The duration of visits is limited and sometimes stopped during rain or dust storms. |
| A．Copy. | B．Safeguard. | C．Access. | D．Transport. |
| A．It records and stores images of murals and painted sculptures. |
| B．It shares high definition and panoramic tours of the most exquisite caves. |
| C．It allows for an international exchange of cultures through the relics. |
| D．It enables people to appreciate the lasting beauty of the murals. |
| A．The Significance of the Mural Paintings |
| B．The Restoration in Mogao Caves |
| C．The Innovation on Mogao Caves’ Preservation |
| D．The Dunhuang Spirit in Chinese Culture |
9 . The Chinese Students and Scholars Association in the UK held a Spring Festival gala (庆典) on Wednesday in London to count down to the Chinese New Year. More than 900attendees, including representatives from British universities and education institutions, as well as Chinese students and scholars, joined to enjoy a feast of Chinese culture.
This year’s Chinese New Year falls on Saturday, and 2024 is the year of the dragon based on the Chinese zodiac. The dragon is considered by the Chinese people to represent dignity, prestige, and fortune.
The festival gala, with a theme of “Soaring Dragon’s Spring Melody”, featured Chinese folk music, dance, singing, martial arts performance and more.
During the event, Zheng Zeguang, China’s ambassador to the UK, made a speech to the attendees, highlighting major accomplishments achieved in the past year and stating China’s future development focuses.
He pointed out that China will determinedly pursue high-quality development and Chinese modernization to advance the great rejuvenation (复兴) of the Chinese nation. China will also call for an equal and orderly multipolar (多级的) world as well as for inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, Zheng noted. “Our motherland has bright prospects for future growth,” he said.
The ambassador praised Chinese students and scholars for being hardworking and behaving in a controlled way, saying that the number of Chinese students in the UK has significantly increased due to the transformation of China. “I hope you will carry on the tradition of patriotism. I hope you will ai m high and work hard. I hope you will unit e and help each other, as well as make friends widely. I hope you will grow into the backbone of the nation in the near future,” he said.
Alistair Fitt, vice-headmaster of Oxford Brookes University, extended warm wishes of good fortune and prosperity in the year of the dragon and expressed hope for progress in Sino-British relations. “I am very sure that our two great nations will continue to expand all of our very successful relationships,” he said.
1. What does the underlined word “prestige” in Paragraph 2 mean?| A．The condition of being strange and alone. | B．The condition of being respected and admired. |
| C．The condition of being large and frightening. | D．The condition of being followed and monitored. |
| A．Advertising activities have been organized well in China to promote British universities. |
| B．Chinese students are most attracted by the scenery in the UK. |
| C．The education fees in the UK have been reduced. |
| D．Great changes have taken place in China. |
| A．His suggestions. | B．His surprises. | C．His arrangements. | D．His expectations. |
| A．Spring Festival gala brings joy to Chinese students in UK |
| B．Chinese students in UK count down to Chinese New Year |
| C．Warm wishes of good fortune expressed in year of dragon in UK |
| D．China’s ambassador to UK states China’s future development focuses |
10 . The harvest season falls at different times of the year depending on region and climate, but festivals celebrating its arrival are held all over the world. Some are the start of the season and the fist crops, while others are celebrations to give thanks for the blessing of a harvest.
Rice Harvest Festival (May ~ June)
The harvest festival is devoted to Dewi Sni-the goddess of rice and fertility (丰产) celebrated by the people of Bali, Indonesia.
Mid-Autumn Festival (September ~ October)
Mooncakes and tea are served on Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Festival, because it goes with the full moon on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It is also a time of family gatherings.
Sukkoth (September ~ October)
Jewish people decorate the family Sukkah for the Jewish festival of Sukkot. A Sukkah is a temporary building where meals are taken for the week. The 8-day festival gives thanks to the harvest.
Pongal (January)
The 4-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. Its name comes from a Tamil word, meaning “to boil”, and is also the name given to a rice dish that is prepared during this time.
1. Which festivals are related to rice?| A．Yam Festival and Sukkoth. |
| B．Mid-Autumn Festival and Yam Festival. |
| C．Rice Harvest Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival. |
| D．Rice Harvest Festival and Pongal. |
| A．Mooncakes. | B．Dumplings. | C．Sweet dumplings. | D．Zongzi. |
| A．4 days. | B．8 days. | C．3 days. | D．7 days. |
