1 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. When should you arrive when invited to a party at 8:00 in America?

A．From 8:00 to 8:30.

B．From 8:30 to 9:00.

C．From 9:00 to 9:30.

2. What will be provided at a party besides alcohol and food?

A．Music.

B．Cigarettes.

C．Games.

3. What would probably be served at midnight during a party?

A．Beer.

B．Wine.

C．Cookies.

4. What do we know about the man?

A．He will attend a party.

B．He has never been to a party.

C．He is good at dancing.

2 . 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.

2. What do we know from paragraph 3?

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.

3. What is new about dragons in today’s global 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.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

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

3 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What interests the man most?

A．Chinese history.

B．Chinese opera.

C．Chinese music.

2. Why does the man learn Chinese poetry and novels?

A．To develop a new interest.

B．To take part in a competition.

C．To get a better understanding.

3. What impresses the man about Chinese literature?

A．Imagination.

B．Language.

C．Development.

6 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入一个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

In China, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, or “loong,” as is known in Chinese. This creature appears on many cultural artifacts     1     (pass) down through Chinese history.

Unlike Western dragons,     2     are often depicted as aggressive, fire-breathing, flying lizards, Chinese loongs     3     (traditional) symbolize strong and favourable powers. In Chinese mythology ( 神 话 ), the loong is credited with ensuring a good harvest. The unique appearance of the Chinese loong distinguishes it    4     its Western counterparts.

For thousands of years, the Chinese have respected the loong,     5     (believe) that they can bring harmony and prosperity. According to Chinese mythology, the Yan Emperor’s mother had seen a loong just before she was pregnant and soon the Yan Emperor       6       (bear). So the Chinese regard the Yan Emperor as their forefather, and they sometimes refer to     7       (they) as “descendants of the loong (龙的传人).”

At a historical site in Liaoning Province, a stone sculpture of a loong was discovered in 1994.       8       (measure) 19.70 meters in length, the sculpture       9       (date) back to more than 7,600 years ago. The idiom “龙年大吉” means “good luck in the year of the loong.” We wish all of us       10       happy and lucky Chinese New Year!

7 . 假设你是在重庆新华中学就读的美国交换生Eric，刚刚在重庆度过了一个有意义的端午节（Dragon Boat Festival），现在给你的父母写一封邮件介绍端午节，要点如下：
(1)日期和起源；
(2)你参加的活动；
(3)你的感想。
注意：(1)词数100左右；
(2)可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
(3)开头已给出，不计入总词数。
参考词汇：dragon-boat racing 划龙舟   zongzi 粽子   herb 香草
Dear parents,

How are you doing?

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Yours,

Eric