1 . As the birthplace of kites in the world, Weifang, Shandong province of China, produces beautiful, vivid, colorful and high-quality kites. Now, more than 70% of kites in the world are exported from Weifang. If you want to see various shapes and sizes of kites covering the sky, you cannot miss the Weifang Kite Festival held on the third Saturday of every April.

But this year, tens of thousands of Chinese participants gathered in Weifang, from Sept 26 to 29 for the 37th International Kite Festival. Held since 1984, the International Kite Festival is an annual event to “exhibit the excellence of the kite lovers to the public,” according to the festival's website.

During the festival, kite lovers can enjoy stunt (特技表演) kite flying, also known as aerial ballet. Controlled by either a single person or a group, the kites form different shapes in the air. People always devote a lot of time and wisdom to making their own kites. From animals that crawl (爬行) on the ground or swim in the water to legends like Monkey King, everything can fly in the sky at the festival. One of this year's highlights was the giant kites decorated with images of medical staff and the Long March 5 rocket, which reflect the hot topics this year.

“Flying a kite is like flying your dream. All the cultural symbols from ancient and modern times can be found in the sky of Weifang,” noted Medium. After more than three decades of development, the festival has become a place to appreciate kites. But most importantly, it serves as a unique cultural event to promote international exchange.

1. What does the text mainly talk about?

A．A kite festival.	B．A kite birthplace.
C．The future of kites.	D．Kite performances.

2. For what purpose is the kite festival held every year?

A．To enjoy animals flying in the air.	B．To show kite-lovers' brilliance.
C．To perform specialized kite flying.	D．To enhance Weifang's global impact.

3. What can be known from Paragraph 3?

A．It takes a lot of trouble to make a kite.	B．Stunt kite flying is the only highlight.
C．Imagination can be shown in the kite.	D．Decorations matter least in the show.

4. What is the most important role the festival plays?

A．It helps organize an international event.

B．It offers tips on how to appreciate kites.

C．It helps make the place known worldwide.

D．It enhances international cultural exchange.

2 . 假定你是李华．你的美国笔友Tom对中国文化有浓厚的兴趣，恰好你校今年寒假将为外国学生举办一场汉语冬令营活动（Chinese Winter Camp），请你给他发一封电子邮件，内容包括：
1． 时间和地点；
2． 内容：学习日常汉语、了解中国历史和传统文化、参观博物馆等；
3． 报名方式和截止时间．
注意：1． 词数：100左右
2． 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯．
Dear Tom,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

3 . Tomato Festival

Started in 2005, the Tomato Festival has grown into a local tradition in Malta. In recent years, the festival has added amusement park­style rides and a yearly Creature Feature, which screens old horrible movies. There are also dance competitions, parades and pancake breakfast. Third weekend in August.

Address: 833 Tinkham Rd, Fountain Park, Wilbraham, Massachusetts 01095

Phone: (413)599-0010

Brat Days

Don’t mistake this festival for a day filled with poorly behaved children. Begun in 1953, the gathering is the biggest festival in the city each year and features more than 50 stands (摊位) selling the sausage, as well as a contest to see who can quickly eat the most bratwurst (德国式小香肠) in ten minutes.Early August.

Address: 17th and New Jersey sts, Kiwanis Park, Sheboygan, Wisconsin 53081

Phone: (920)457－9491

Hope Watermelon Festival

The festival dates back to the 1920s, when many trains went through this small town and local watermelon growers would sell their watermelon to parched travellers. These days, the festival sees a Watermelon Queen crowned (加冠的) and sometimes a world­record watermelon grown. There are also more than 300 stands selling arts and crafts from a six­state area, as well as a car show and the Watermelon Olympics. Early August.

Address: 108 W 3rd St, Hope, Arkansas 71801

Phone: (870) 777-3640

Oyster Festival (牡蛎节)

Featuring appearances from tall ships and oyster boats, this festival has regularly drawn 60,000 visitors a year since it began in 1978. More than 3,000 volunteers make the festival possible each year. Norwalk is less than a two­hour drive from many of New England’s larger cities, making it easy to attend the festival during a trip to New York or Hartford. Weekend after Labor Day.

Address: Sea view Ave, Veteran’s Park, East Norwalk, Connecticut 06855

Phone: (800) 866-7925

1. Which of the following festivals has the longest history?

A．Oyster Festival.

B．Tomato Festival.

C．Brat Days.

D．Hope Watermelon Festival.

2. In which of the following activities can you enjoy the frightening films?

A．The Creature Feature.

B．The Watermelon Olympics.

C．The Eating­bratwurst Contest.

D．Dance Competitions.

3. If it is August 15 today this year, you might still attend .

A．Brat Days

B．Tomato Festival

C．Hope Watermelon Festival

D．Oyster Festival

4 . As most of you know, I don’t like running. I never go jogging, and I wouldn’t run a marathon even if I was paid for it. One thing that would make me run for my life would be if there were several hundred bulls running after me.

That’s exactly what people from all over the world are coming here to do tomorrow. I’m at the annual San Fermin Fiesta in Pamplona, Spain. This festival began in the Middle Ages, and has   grown in popularity ever since. It lasts for a week in July, when the city is changed into an ocean of red and white, the official colors of the festival.

Before the bullring (斗牛场）was built, bull fights were held in a large square in the city. The custom of running ahead of the bulls started when the bulls had to be moved from the outskirts（市郊）of the city to the bullring. Some of the customs have changed over the years, but certain things are still the same.

Anyone who wants to take part in the run has to enter the special area by 7:30 am. The gates are then closed, and they won’t be opened to let you leave after that. At just before 8:00 am, the runners ask the statue of San Fermin to protect them. At eight o'clock, two fireworks are fired. With the first firework , the gates of the bull enclosure（围场）are opened, and with the second, the bulls are set free to run. They run after the runners down the length of the bull run, which is about 800 meters. The whole thing lasts about two minutes.

It sounds easier than it is. You can’t just run straight ahead. The route goes up and down narrow streets, with few places for runners to hide except doorways of buildings. The end of the run, just before the bulls enter the ring, is one of the most dangerous places. People running with the bulls have fallen here, and have been injured.

Don’t worry if you’re reading this, Mom. No one under the age of 18 is allowed to take part. I’ll be watching from the safety of the balcony!

1. What do we know about the San Fermin Fiesta?

A．It is attended only by locals.

B．Some of its traditions have survived.

C．Bull fights have been held in the same place.

D．It lasts seven days in June.

2. What can we learn about the race?

A．There are many places to hide from the bulls.

B．The race lasts more than thirty minutes.

C．Runners are no allowed to change their mind.

D．The race gets easier toward the end.

3. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To introduce an ancient festival.

B．To tell his mother about his travels.

C．To advertise a coming event.

D．To share his personal experience.

4. What kind of text is this?

A．An email.	B．A newspaper ad.
C．A magazine article.	D．A blog.

5 . 假如你的英国朋友John对中国的传统美食很感兴趣，请你写个E-mail向他简单介绍中国传统美食--饺子，包括如下内容：
1．历史：大约1500年
2．文化习俗：新年食物，家庭团聚，好运象征
3．做法：蒸、煎、煮等
注意：1．词数100左右
2．可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯
3．象征 symbolize  vt.    蒸 steam      煎 fry
Dear Joan，
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours，

Li Hua

6 . Hanging stocking(长袜) by the chimney(烟囱) with care is one of the most popular Christmas traditions, but many families wonder why.

A popular origin(起源) tale starts with none other than St. Nicholas, who was thought to be the original Father Christmas. In the third and fourth centuries, St. Nicholas was a Christian bishop in modern-day Turkey who made helping others his life purpose, and he caught wind of a family in need.

As the story goes, a single father was raising three daughters but realized he didn’t have enough money to pay for their dowries(嫁妆), without which they couldn’t get married. As a poor man, the father wouldn’t be able to support his daughters for long.

St. Nicholas heard of the family’s trouble but knew they were too proud to accept handouts. To make sure they didn’t refuse his generosity(慷慨), he anonymously sent them gold at night. Some people say he dropped gold down the chimney, and the gifts landed in the stockings that were laid by the fire to dry, while others say St. Nicholas himself climbed down from the chimney. Someone --- either the father or the daughters, depending on the tale--- caught St. Nicholas in the act and thanked him for his help. The gifts were enough for the daughters to marry and live happily ever after.

St. Nicholas’ feast day was on December 6, and finally, the tradition of leaving gifts in stockings was paired up with Christmas celebrations.

Some other scientists say the stocking tradition might have started even before Christianity in Scandinavian cultures. The Norse god Odin was said to come during Yule, riding on an eight-legged horse. Children would leave sugar and carrots in their shoes to feed the horse, and Odin would leave them gifts in return.

We’ll never know for sure the true origin of the stocking tradition, but stockings have a strong foothold in Christmas tradition. The gift-giving origins show generosity and kindness as long as you’re on St. Nicholas’ nice list, of course.

1. Why did St. Nicholas decide to help the family?

A．The father raised three daughters.	B．The family had no money to support themselves.
C．The daughters couldn’t get married.	D．The father wasn’t willing to pay for the dowries.

2. What does the underlined word “anonymously” in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．Honestly.

B．Simply.

C．Secretly.

D．Immediately.

3. What do the two stories about St. Nicholas have in common?

A．St. Nicholas met the family on purpose.

B．St. Nicholas hid the gold in the stockings.

C．St. Nicholas placed the girls’ stockings beside the fire.

D．St. Nicholas wanted to help the family through the chimney.

4. What can be learnt from the last paragraph?

A．Children were rewarded for their kindness.

B．Children hung up their shoes to beg for gifts.

C．People hung up stockings in memory of Odin.

D．Scandinavian cultures valued the stocking tradition.

7 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Culture conflicts can occur anytime you travel, but every once in a while they happen in some     1     (true) unexpected ways. From shopping with many coins to     2     (light) up a cigarette outdoors, these are strange and embarrassing travel mistakes     3     (travel) would do their best to avoid. For example,     4     is illegal to feed pigeons on the streets of San Francisco. The city     5     (know) for the Golden Gate Bridge blames the common birds for spreading disease and damaging property. Anyone     6     is caught providing food to San Francisco’s pigeons could face a heavy fine. Moreover, citizens     7     (encourage) to report pigeon feeders to the city’s police department. For another example, you’d better think twice before you smoke in Singapore. Singapore has     8     (serious) smoking penalty（处罚）in the world. Smoking in public will earn a tough fine. More surprisingly, if you’re shopping in Canada, don’t expect cashiers     9     (accept) many coins as your sole method of payment. According to Canada’s Currency Act, stores can legally refuse excessive amounts     10     coins. With pennies, for example, customers’ payments may be rejected if they try to use more than 25 one-cent coins at a time.

8 . Almost all calligraphy(书法) lovers agree that writing characters with a brush and ink on straw paper offers a way to communicate with not only history and culture, but also oneself. But now Chinese character handwriting is under threat from computers and mobile phones.

A college graduate looking for a job was reportedly turned down by a company because he wrote 24 characters incorrectly in a 400­character handwritten resume. A survey by HorizonKey, covering people from 12 major cities in China, found that nearly one third of those interviewed often experience “character amnesia(遗忘)”， with 94 percent saying this is a problem for them.

The main reason is that most Chinese rely too much on the pinyin­based Chinese language input method, which is replacing the tradition of writing characters stroke(笔画) by stroke. The software will conveniently choose the right characters according to the context or word frequency, as there are dozens of characters with the same pronunciation in Chinese.

Education is another problem. In college, most homework and papers are printed out, instead of handwritten. And few teachers use chalk and blackboards, with Microsoft's PowerPoint the most­often used software to teach knowledge to students.

The number of electronic devices in the classroom is thought to be another reason why students are easily satisfied with just a poor knowledge of the Chinese language and characters. It is quicker to look up a character in an electronic dictionary, but traditional printed dictionaries offer more detailed information on the usage and meaning of the characters. Students pay more attention to remembering a character's pronunciation, but not the other knowledge related to it, which e­dictionaries rarely provide.

Another worry is the “pollution” of Chinese characters by Internet language. Young people regard using Internet language as cool and fashionable. After they learn to use these expressions, they automatically include them in their writing.

1. With the example of a college graduate, the author shows ________.

A．that practicing can improve writing

B．why certain people are poor writers

C．that there are differences in students' writing

D．why Chinese character handwriting is in great danger

2. By saying “...those interviewed often experience ‘character amnesia(遗忘)’”， the writer means those interviewed ________.

A．are not good at handwriting

B．can't write characters accurately

C．show no interest in handwriting

D．find jobs much more difficultly

3. What phenomenon is described in Paragraph 5?

A．Dependence on electronic devices.

B．Advantages of electronic dictionaries.

C．Mastery of knowledge of the characters.

D．Disadvantages of published dictionaries.

4. What's the writer's attitude towards the Internet language?

A．Favorable.	B．Uncaring.
C．Disapproving.	D．Friendly.

9 . If you're planning on hitting up a festival this summer, make sure you check out the latest packing guide to camping music festivals.

Quebec City Summer Festival

When: July 4-14

Where: Toronto, Quebec

300 shows, 10 places and 11 days of music make this festival one of Canada's biggest music festivals. Every year, this festival attracts over one million festivalgoers to Quebec City's historic district for concerts by international superstars and top new talents.

Center of Gravity

When: July 28-30

Where: Kelowna, British Columbia

Canada's hottest beach festival is back! Now in its 10th year, the biggest and exciting festival to hit the Okanagan includes three days packed with extreme sports, sandy beaches, and some of the biggest DJ names in the world.

Future Forest

When: August 5-7

Where: Fredericton, New Brunswick

Future Forest is an outdoor camping festival with a focus on electronic music. The festival originated in 2012 as a fundraiser for a brilliant DJ, Jay Hamilton, who was diagnosed with cancer. Future Forest proudly shows the idea that there are no audience at the event but rather participants who in some way contribute to the overall experience.

Shambhala Music Festival

When: August 9-10

Where: Salmo River Ranch, British Columbia

This is Canada's earliest electronic music festival. Cutting edge talent, lights and sound come together to give life to this event. Seeing it for yourself is the only way to understand exactly what is Shambhala.

1. What can people do in the Quebec City Summer Festival?

A．Enjoy the performances of superstars.	B．Learn about Quebec City's history.
C．Do some extreme sports.	D．Play on the sandy beaches.

2. What was Future Forest set up for at first?

A．To honor brilliant Jay Hamilton.	B．To raise money for a cancer patient.
C．To provide outdoor camping activities.	D．To promote electronic music.

3. Which festival is Canada's earliest electronic music festival?

A．Quebec City Summer Festival.	B．Center of Gravity.
C．Future Forest.	D．Shambhala Music Festival.

10 . 假定你是李华，你的美国朋友Peter写信询问你是如何庆祝中国最重要的节日春节的。请你用英语回信介绍一下情况：
1. 介绍春节；
2. 邀请 Peter 来中国体验春节
注意：
1.词数 100 左右；
2.开头和结尾已写好，不计入总词数。
Dear Peter,

I’m glad to hear that you are interested in Chinese traditional Spring Festival.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Best wishes.

Yours,

Li Hua