1 . “How much money am I getting this year? That’s the question I ask my mom every February. And every year she replies，”You will see” in her Chinese accent.
February usually marks the month of the New Year according to the Chinese calendar. But for me, Chinese New Year is a payday. Usually I receive red envelopes (“hongbao”) which are the equivalent ( 同等物) of Christmas presents. Instead of wondering what the present will be, it is the amount of money inside that is the mystery. I always have to wait weeks to find out how much money my parents have in store for me.
I never knew how the traditions of Chinese New Year derived,_and I never gave it much thought, until my mom forced me to attend a special Chinese school where I learned about the origins of the traditions behind the famous celebration and had a knowledge of how the hanging of red lanterns or fireworks developed. But before that, the only part of the holiday that had ever concerned me was the “hongbao” and as selfish as it may sound.
But now Chinese New Year is a wonderful holiday for me not because of the “hongbao”， but the profound Chinese culture I have learned from the special school.
The excitement that comes with expecting Chinese New Year is one I will never get tired of. While the real celebrations are taking place in China, my family holds its own traditions. I can always count on my mom to make delicious Chinese food every year, and there is consolation (安慰) in knowing that as my sisters and I open our “hongbaos”， our cousins so many miles away are doing the same.
1. What did the author care about most on Chinese New Year at first?| A．The amount of money she received. |
| B．The traditions behind the celebration. |
| C．Various activities during Chinese New Year. |
| D．The presents that her parents would give her. |
| A．Worked. | B．Continued. |
| C．Began. | D．Changed. |
| A．She has a strong feeling towards China. |
| B．She knows little about Chinese traditions. |
| C．She always gives her children a lot of money. |
| D．She tends to surprise her children on western festivals. |
| A．New Year Hongbao |
| B．My Mom and China |
| C．Closer Attachment to China |
| D．Unforgettable Moments |
2 . Edinburgh is the world's festival city. There are 12 festivals throughout the year, half of which are celebrated during the mouths of July and August.
Hundreds of thousands of people visit the Scottish capital during the summer. Here are some of the events they can enjoy:
The Edinburgh International Festival
This is the original Edinburgh festival, which began in 1947. Actors, musicians, dancers and opera singers from all over the world perform to huge audience. You need tickets for most events which take place in theatres around the city.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe (艺穗节)
This is the largest arts festival in the world with thousands of shows taking place across the city, More than 20,000 artists participate in it. as the festival is open to anyone. Visitors can choose from a huge variety of acts. Join thousands of visitors and locals at the Royal Mile, Edinburgh's min street, 10 watch all kinds of performers and shows.
The Edinburgh International Book Festival
The largest book festival in the world began in 1983 and tokes place every year in Charlotte Square Gardens, in the centre of Edinburgh. There are more than 700 events for children and adults who love books. You can meet many authors, talk to them, ask them to sign a book or listen to them talk about their stories. Children can listen to stories and watch illustrators (插画家) draw pictures.
The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival
Music lovers come to this festival to enjoy music shows around the city. One of the highlights of this musical event in the street carnival (嘉年华), which is free to all. Artists perform street theatre, dance and circus shows in amazing costumes, and everyone can join in the dancing.
1. What do we know about the Edinburgh International Festival from the text?| A．It started in 1947. | B．It is held at the Royal Mile. |
| C．It is free to Scottish people. | D．It takes place in July every year. |
| A．The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival. |
| B．The Edinburgh Festival Fringe. |
| C．The Edinburgh International Book Festival. |
| D．The Edinburgh International Festival. |
| A．To introduce some festivals in Edinburgh. |
| B．To perform the beautiful picture of Edinburgh. |
| C．To encourage more tourists to visit Edinburgh. |
| D．To prove that Edinburgh is the world 's art center. |
On a bluestone road, performers in ancient Chinese costumes charge on horses, stretching their arms and shouting all the way through.
The audience stands shoulder to shoulder by the road and on rooftops alongside the ancient alley（小巷）, cheering together with loud drum beats in Xiadongzhai village, in the city of Yangquan in northern China's Shanxi province.
"It is a custom that has lasted for over 1,000 years, and represents the martial（尚武）spirit," said Yuan Yuxiang, Party secretary of the village.
In the Tang Dynasty (公元618年——公元907年), Xiadongzhai was a military relay station, where army messengers found food, shelter and spare horses before moving on to their next destination.
The process of transferring horses and leaving the station was later adapted into a folk performance held once a year, on the day after Lantern Festival.
Many are attracted by the boldness and skills of the riders, who do not use saddles（马鞍）or stirrups during the high-speed charge.
Over the years, the performance has become the most celebrated event in the village.
"No matter how far people are from home, or how busy they are, they try their best to return home for the fair on that day," Yuan said.
This year, nearly 10,000 people gathered on the road, which is 100 meters long and 4 meters wide, to watch the performance.
1. What do the performers wear when they charge on the horses?2. Where does the horse-riding custom happen?
3. What was the main function of Xiadongzhai village in the Tang Dynasty?
4. Why do the people return home for the folk performance on the day after Lantern Festival ?
5. After you finish reading this text, please write at least 30 words to describe another interesting event in Yangquan?
