1 . April Fool’s Day is widely celebrated all over the world on April 1st every year. It is also referred to All Fool’s Day but until now it isn’t considered as a legal holiday. Even though April 1st is celebrated for years, it is still not included in the official list of holidays every year. All Fool’s Day is widely celebrated, which tolerates jokes and tricks.
In the United States, Canada, France and South Korea, jokes last all day but in some countries such as Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand and the United Kingdom jokes last only until noon. If someone plays a trick on you in the afternoon, he/she will be called an April Fool.
One of the famous April Fool’s tricks in the history was that the Tower of Pisa had fallen over. At this shocking news, many people rang the radio station to confirm the news.
1. April Fool’s Day is on ________ of April every year.| A．the last Sunday | B．the last day | C．the first Sunday | D．the first day |
| A．in the morning | B．in the afternoon | C．in the evening | D．the whole day |
| A．stay at home | B．eat a big meal |
| C．play a trick on others | D．go out with friends |
| A．few people | B．many people | C．no people | D．all people |
2 . “Greetings, all. I’m Zhuojuema, sharing insights on Tibetan black pottery’s evolution.” You might encounter this cheerful 19-year-old at the Jambhala Tibetan Pottery Training Institute in Sichuan’s Zamtang county.
In 2016, Zhuojuema started mastering black pottery at the institute. Since graduating in 2019, she’s been committed to preserving and promoting this 1,000-year-old Tibetan pottery craft. However, its traditional craftsmanship is fading due to lack of interest, especially among young people like Zhuojuema.
Choi Wang, Zhuojuema’s mentor, founded the institute with local government support to revive (复兴) ancient crafts. Zhuojuema noted, “The lack of systematic written records and patterns poses the biggest challenge, as skills were traditionally transmitted orally from master to apprentice.” Zhuojuema and her team compiled materials by consulting historical texts, gathering black pottery, and interviewing senior craftsmen for manufacturing details.
An authentic Jambhala Tibetan pottery is purely handmade, free from modern tools. Fired with highland barley (青稞), it uniquely interacts with local clay, producing its characteristic black color, as explained by Zhuojuema.
Firing pottery items in the kiln (窑) is a key technique. “The size and shape of pottery are closely related to the time and temperature of heating,” Zhuojuema said. Without much previous experience, artisans (工匠) from the institute keep experimenting and consulting seasoned craftsmen.
Young potters like Zhuojuema have revived the craft, master ing Xi’ an and Jingdezhen techniques. Over time, techniques have evolved, enhancing Tibetan Jambhala pottery with polishing for shine and modernity.
“ We’ re making the craft more accessible through small items like teapots and cups,” Zhuojuema notes. Typically used for large storage (5L+), Tibetan Jambhala pottery now adapts to modern needs.
“ To make it well-known, we must adapt,” Zhuojuema said, sharing her pottery- making and daily life videos on Douyin to showcase local culture.
1. What do Zhuojuema and her companions work for?| A．Creating pottery with modern tools. |
| B．Increasing Tibetan pottery production. |
| C．Preserving the art of Jambhala Tibetan pottery. |
| D．Selling Tibetan pottery at reasonable prices. |
| A．By word of mouth. | B．By records in books. |
| C．By pottery patterns. | D．By systematic education. |
| A．Because it decides the pottery’s color. |
| B．Because it makes the pottery shiny. |
| C．Because it uses highland barley as fuel. |
| D．Because it determines the pottery’s size and shape. |
| A．To popularize the Tibetan pottery craft. |
| B．To compete with other artisans in the market. |
| C．To promote the institute where she learned the craft. |
| D．To show off her personal skills in pottery-making. |
3 . For many, Burning Man is more than just an annual festival; it’s a community, a way of life, and a gathering of like-minded individuals who come together in the Nevada desert to celebrate art, self-expression, and the spirit of community. However, this year, the event is facing a significant shift as ticket sales have slumped, leading to a smaller crowd than in previous years.
The festival, always a sell-out, is noticing a shift. Long-time attended a Lenhart observes that while the core group of “absolute friends and family” remains, overall numbers are decreasing. Artist Tim Bremner from Oakland sees this as potentially positive, as it might reduce attendees who are more interested in the experience than the festival’s ethos, potentially making room for a new generation of Burners truly interested in its aim.
Bremner’s perspective is insightful, as he himself was once a newcomer who managed to attend due to last- minute ticket availability. The festival’s policy change in 2011, which required registration in advance, has made it harder for casual attendees to secure a spot. However, the recent drop in sales might once again open the doors to those who previously found it challenging to get tickets.
The expectation among the “new generation” of Burners is obvious, as evidenced by the posts on the Burning Man 2024 Facebook group. Katie Kritzell, a self-proclaimed newbie, expresses her eagerness to share experiences. Her enthusiasm is a testament to the festival’s lasting popularity and its ability to attract fresh blood into the fold.
On the other hand, some first-times like Mike Morrow have a more skeptical view. His post, which remarks about skipping the event even if weather is favorable and crowds are smaller, has sparked debate within the community. Morrow’s words make us wonder what really makes the Burner experience.
In short, the drop in ticket sales at Burning Man might not be bad. It could let the festival change and bring in new people who really get what it’s about. It will be fun to watch how Burning Man keeps its special spirit as it grows and changes.
1. What does the underlined word “ethos” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Purpose. | B．Influence. | C．Location. | D．Tradition. |
| A．It had no significant impact on attendance. |
| B．It attracted more common attendees to get tickets. |
| C．It made it harder for casual attendees to participate in it. |
| D．It led to an increase in the number of overall attendees. |
| A．It is hard to attract new participants. |
| B．It is losing its appeal among new generations. |
| C．It is only popular among experienced attendees. |
| D．It continues to be popular and attractş new attendees. |
| A．The Art of Burning Man | B．Burning Man for Everyone |
| C．The Decline of Burning Man | D．Burning Man’s Changing Tides |
4 . For many people, moving to a new home means a beginning of the next phase in their lives. In China, some people take it extra seriously.
1. Choose an auspicious day
When Chinese people move to a new home, they first choose an auspicious day.
2. Get up early for moving
The best time to move into the new house is early in the morning, preferably before noon. But people will make sure to move in before sunset.
3.
On the moving day, when everyone walks into the new house for the first time, they shouldn’t enter empty-handed. They must hold something valuable or some daily necessities in their hands to symbolize the fortune or a stable life.
4. Housewarming
5. Keep the lights on for a night
Chinese people believe that keeping all the lights on the first night at a new home will increase the Yang energy and reduce the bad influence on the household.
| A．Hold valuables when entering new home |
| B．Don’t enter a new home empty-handed |
| C．There are many traditions to follow when it comes to moving |
| D．It is important to observe Chinese traditions about moving new home |
| E．Or rather, they avoid unfavorable days to prevent disasters from occurring |
| F．They believe it’s a bad sign which means going out early and coming home late for work |
| G．After moving to a new home, hosts will invite friends and family over to celebrate, the more the merrier |
5 . At the “I Am Mbare” community school near Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, over 30 children sat in neat rows in the small schoolyard. Their eyes were wide with curiosity as I unrolled my calligraphy work, displaying the Chinese characters “sheng sheng bu xi” as my encouragement for the kids to grow healthily.
I read the words aloud and explained their meaning. I was touched as the children excitedly tried to imitate (模仿) me, showing their interest in my calligraphy and the Chinese language. The small yard was filled with their enthusiasm.
This happened during a field trip I took from July 1 to 9 as part of the Tsinghua University Global Competency Overseas Practicum Course. The course sent four teams to various countries as part of a summer program in 2024, and I was selected as a member of the team visiting Zimbabwe.
This small-scale, in-depth course wants to help students to have a global vision, facilitating future people-to-people connections.
During my time in Zimbabwe, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my calligraphy talents played a significant role in cultural exchanges. One of the highlights was a forum (论坛) where we engaged in a series of activities with local artists. While my fellow team members sang Welcome to Beijing, I created four calligraphy pieces and presented these pieces on stage at the end of the song, receiving an enthusiastic response.
In addition to my performance at the forum, I devoted time each evening to creating calligraphy tailored for the people we were to visit the next day. My efforts were well-received, as the Zimbabweans’ initial surprise at my calligraphy turned into delight, recognition, and gratitude after I explained the meanings to them. This gave me a sense of achievement and firsthand experience in cultural exchanges.
This experience in Zimbabwe has made me realize the power of art to bridge differences. These valuable connections will stay with me, inspiring me to continue sharing Chinese culture while remaining open to others.
1. How did the author feel about the children’s reaction?| A．Curious. | B．Interested. | C．Impressed. | D．Grateful. |
| A．To develop students’ life skills. |
| B．To connect with other universities. |
| C．To help students obtain a global vision. |
| D．To do voluntary work in poor countries. |
| A．Chinese songs. | B．Teaching experience. |
| C．A sense of achievement. | D．Chinese calligraphy. |
| A．To share an unforgettable experience. |
| B．To call on people to care for children. |
| C．To stress the importance of international help. |
| D．To introduce a program of Tsinghua University. |
6 . Living in a foreign culture can be exciting, but it can also be confusing. A group of Americans who taught English in other countries recently discussed their experiences. They found that miscommunication was always possible, even over something as simple as “yes” and “no”.
On her first day in Micronesia, an island in the Pacific, Lisa thought people weren’t paying any attention to her. The day was hot. She went into a store and asked, “Do you have cold drinks?” The woman there didn’t say anything. Lisa repeated the question. Still the woman said nothing. She later learned that the woman had answered her: She had raised her eyebrows (眉毛), which in Micronesia means “yes”.
Jan remembered an experience she had in Bulgaria, a country in Europe. She went to a restaurant that was famous for its cabbage. She asked the waiter, “Do you have cabbage today?” He nodded his head. Jan waited, but the cabbage never came. In that country, a nod means “no”.
Tom had a similar problem when he arrived in India. After explaining something in class, he asked his students if they understood. They answered with many different nods and shakes of the head. He thought some people had not understood, so he explained again. When he asked again, they did the same thing. He soon found out that his students did understand. In India, people nod and shake their heads in different ways depending on where they come from. You have to know where a person is from to understand whether they mean “yes” or “no”.
1. The Americans teaching English in other countries found that they________| A．had problems with communication | B．needed to learn foreign languages |
| C．should often discuss their experiences | D．should go abroad for vacations |
| A．By nodding their heads. | B．By raising their eyebrows. |
| C．By shaking their heads. | D．By saying “no”. |
| A．In Bulgaria, nodding heads means “no”. | B．Jan taught English on a Pacific island. |
| C．Lisa was trying to buy some cabbage. | D．In India, only shaking heads means “yes”. |
| A．Because he didn’t know where the students came from. |
| B．Because he didn’t explain anything dearly enough. |
| C．Because some students didn’t understand his questions. |
| D．Because he did not know much about Indian culture. |
7 . An optional college course named “Appreciation of the Jiangxi Opera” has been taught in a packed house recently at Nanchang University in east China’s Jiangxi Province due to the professor’s innovative way of teaching—putting on actual opera performances in her classrooms.
Waving water sleeves, and spinning folding fans while wearing traditional makeup and costumes, Chen Li, the instructor of this course, displayed the enchanting charm of Jiangxi Opera, a several-hundred-year-old local opera, in front of the students. Many of the students recorded the performances and posted the video clips of the class on social media platforms, receiving millions of views and likes from netizens.
Instead of adopting the traditional form of stage play, Chen devotes more attention to her students’ interactive experience. “I invite my students to come to the stage and experience the whole process of the performance by themselves,” Chen said.
The course which she teaches has been open for many years, mainly introducing the history, tunes and performance characteristics of Jiangxi Opera. It’s not well known that this course, which is full of people now, was originally rarely attended. “Before, I used to focus on the form of speech and lectures while the teaching effect was unsatisfying: the classroom was quiet and the students seemed uninterested, many even playing on their phones in class,” said Chen. To stir the enthusiasm of the students, Chen decided to put on a costume and turn the class into a stage to perform. With traditional garments (服装) and brandishing water sleeves, students are immersed in the world of Jiangxi Opera.
Faced with the unexpected fame, Chen was satisfied but also realized that a greater responsibility now rested on her shoulders. “I hope that even though the popularity of the Jiangxi Opera fades, this art can still be passed down through generations.” Chen said.
1. What is Ms Chen’s teaching method?| A．Recording video clips of opera performances. |
| B．Giving speeches and lectures about the opera. |
| C．Employing the traditional forms of stage play. |
| D．Acting out the opera on the spot in the classroom. |
| A．Give likes for her videos. |
| B．Invite more fans to the class. |
| C．Experience the opera in person. |
| D．Wave arms during the performance |
| A．Disappointing. | B．Astonishing. | C．Entertaining. | D．Satisfying |
| A．The crowded classroom means a lively class |
| B．Teaching Jiangxi Opera wins likes from students |
| C．A teacher performs in class to attract fans for her videos |
| D．Opera professor turns classrooms into performance stages |
8 . Book Festivals
Savannah Book Festival
Dates: February 16-19
Price: Free.
The Savannah Book Festival hosts book signings at seven places across three historic squares in downtown Savannah. Although the new author line-up (阵容) has not been shown yet, past author headliners have included Jon Grisham, Jodi Picoult, and Colson Whitehead.
North Texas Teen Book Festival
Dates: March 3-4
Price: Free.
The North Texas Teen Book Festival brings authors and readers together to celebrate teen literature, develop a love of reading and inspire lifelong readers. They have not yet announced their author attendees yet, since the author submission deadline is this month.
Imaginarium Book Festival
Dates: May 20-21
Price: General admission is free, but there are VIP ticket options that give you access to signing rooms, one drink or a buffet with authors.
The Imaginarium Book Festival celebrates all fantastic things, like science fiction and works of fantasy. In addition to a Lit Talk where authors will answer your questions, you’ll get to meet and acquire signed books from your favourite authors. The authors who have already confirmed attendance are: Chelsea Abdullah, Kalynn Bayron, and so many more!
Book Bonanza
Dates: June 23-24
Price: $250.
Book Bonanza was started by Colleen Hoover and her sisters. It nets a huge list of famous author attendees. What makes Book Bonanza stand out, however, is not its list of attendees but the charitable focus. All proceeds (收入) are donated to charitable causes, which in the past have included charities that benefit women and children. It will feature Colleen Hoover, Mia Sosa and a whole lot more.
1. If you are interested in teen literature, which festival should you attend?| A．Savannah Book Festival. | B．North Texas Teen Book Festival. |
| C．Imaginarium Book Festival. | D．Book Bonanza. |
| A．Have a free drink. | B．Buy books signed by authors. |
| C．Ask some authors questions. | D．Meet and talk with friends |
| A．It offers a buffet. | B．It focuses on charity |
| C．It celebrates science fiction. | D．It hosts book signings in several places. |
9 . Ollivier, 25, a vlogger from France living in China, spoke about his initial (最初) impressions of China. Just like his family and friends, he saw China as a distant and mysterious place with a culture entirely different from France and other Western countries.
The idea of visiting China first came to him when his uncle returned with endless praise for the China. “Everything, from the food to the scenery, was incredibly appealing to me,” he recalled.
Later, a Chinese woman introduced him personally to the everyday life of Chinese people, which is a different way of living. The woman later became his wife, and they moved to Beijing together in 2022, which Ollivier described as “eye-opening” for him. “She took me to see the flag-raising ceremony and I was deeply moved. It’s a country of strength, unity, and love,” he said.
When Ollivier visited his wife’s hometown for the first time, he couldn’t speak much Chinese. While he was riding a bike, a group of relatives of his wife started shouting “waiguoren”, which means “foreigner”, and ran after him. He understood that this was their way of showing interest and hospitality (好客).
Apart from his personal experiences in China, Ollivier noticed that friendly interactions between the two countries are also increasing. “I’m overjoyed to host them during the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations, showcasing China’s modern development and rich history,” he said. “I may be just an ordinary person with limited influence, but everyone can be a cultural ambassador (大使).”
1. What attracted Ollivier come to China initially?| A．A flag-raising ceremony. | B．An amazing anniversary. |
| C．His wife’s introduction. | D．His uncle’s admiration. |
| A．He found it hard to fit in. | B．He felt welcomed and included. |
| C．He was treated as a VIP guest. | D．He ran into something annoying. |
| A．Ollivier’s enthusiasm for China. |
| B．Ollivier’s personal experiences in China. |
| C．The Cultural exchanges between China and France. |
| D．Ollivier’s being appointed as a cultural ambassador. |
| A．By time, from early to later events. |
| B．Geographically, from one place to another. |
| C．Structurally, With a clear beginning, middle, and end. |
| D．By topic, first personal experiences then broader issues. |
10 . There are many customary differences between the West and the East, of which are some of China’s eating habits, which many Westerners would find quite hard to understand.
Not eating food dropped on a table
I’ve seen the disgust (恶心) in people’s faces here when I’ve dropped food on the table only to then pick it up and eat it.
Westerners don’t want their food near the floor. Dust, germs, etc. are far more likely to get into the rice. I’ve been in several restaurants and nearly everyone I’ve seen puts their rice cookers on the floor.
Eating dessert before a meal
Every Western child’s dream would be to live in China for the purpose that he/she could eat the dessert before they eat their main meal. I’m not sure about this Western tradition of eating dessert last. In China, it doesn’t matter.
Drinking hot water with your meal
Often, it has been my experience that many. Chinese will not have a drink (water, tea, etc. ) with a meal. But, when they do, it is usually hot water.
| A．Putting rice cookers on the floor. |
| B．The following are just some of them |
| C．Having noodles or rice every day. |
| D．Americans do eat a lot of hamburgers. |
| E．You can have ice cream before your meal. |
| F．I’ve often heard that hot water is better for digestion than cold water. |
| G．In the West, we clean our tabletops quite well. |
