1 . When it comes to popular symbols of marriage, one can not look past the wedding ring. The wedding ring serves as a perfect symbol of everlasting love — a ring is a circle and thus has no beginning or end, representing the never-ending union of marriage. Wedding rings have long and rich histories.
Evidence suggests that wedding rings were used in ancient Egypt around 6,000 years ago. However, unlike the metals and gemstones used today, they were crafted from materials such as reeds, leather or bone. In the centuries that followed, the wedding ring tradition was picked up in the West, where it spread first in ancient Rome and Greece, subsequently throughout Europe during the Middle Ages and eventually to Eastern culture. Throughout history, the circular shape of the ring has endured, and so has the tradition of wearing it on the fourth finger of the left hand. The latter practice stemmed from an ancient belief that a vein ran directly from this finger to the heart. Although this belief has since been proved false, the custom has persisted.
Regarding customs surrounding wedding rings, there was a time when only the bride wore a wedding ring. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that the practice of grooms wearing rings gained popularity. This change was influenced by soldiers going off to war, who wore rings as reminders of their loved ones waiting for them at home. Today, the exchange of wedding rings remains an integral part of the wedding ceremony, symbolizing the commitment and love shared between two individuals embarking on a life together.
Wedding rings hold a symbolic significance that binds the two members of a married couple. In an ever-changing world, the wedding ring stands as an ancient tradition that is likely to continue for generations to come, reflecting the timeless and eternal love celebrated through marriage.
1. What is the main reason wedding rings are considered symbols of marriage?A.They are made of precious materials. | B.They have profound histories. |
C.They are worn on left hands. | D.They have circular shapes. |
A.Women were wearing wedding rings long before men were. |
B.One finger on the left hand contains a vein leading to the heart. |
C.Both ancient Romans and Egyptians wore the ring on the same finger. |
D.The wedding ring tradition began in Egypt thousands of years ago. |
A.How the tradition of it spread around the world. |
B.What couples do with their wedding rings. |
C.How to choose suitable wedding rings. |
D.Materials used to make early rings. |
A.It will most likely last forever. | B.It has already fallen out of date. |
C.It should be taken more seriously. | D.It holds no significance in modern society. |
2 . The National Heritage Responders is a volunteer network of around 100 experts in cultural heritage conservation from around Puerto Rico. They assist individuals and institutions in figuring out how to save important objects and buildings after disasters. Their crisis hotline has been busier than ever in recent years because of more frequent and severe weather brought on by climate change. In 2023, there have been around 70 calls so far, up from fewer than 10 in 2008, when the hotline first appeared.
Ann Frellsen, the Atlanta-based book and paper conservator, is a longtime heritage responder volunteer with more than three decades of experience in helping out cultural institutions after disasters. She was among those sent to Puerto Rico over several visits starting a couple of months after two hurricanes hit it in 2017.
After providing initial support via the phone, Frellsen and her team came in to help La Casa del Libro and other local institutions in crisis with equipment, supplies and advice. In fact, much of the advice the hotline provides is via phone or video-chat; volunteers are sent out into the field in certain cases, on an as-needed basis.
“There were no stoplights and signs on the highways because they’d all been blown away,” Frellsen said. She added that figuring out how to reach the more than 20 institutions that needed assistance in Puerto Rico was challenging—not to mention the on-the-job hazards.
When Frellsen isn’t heading into disaster zones to help save artifacts (文物) from fires, hurricanes and floods, she trains others in the heritage conservation field to do the same. Some of the participants may eventually take the test to become National Heritage Responders. But at this moment, they are deep in a hands-on training exercise, based on an imaginary situation cooked up by Frellsen and her co-trainers.
1. What can we say about Puerto Rico?A.It calls on people to keep in contact. | B.Natural disasters are increasing there. |
C.It works hard to build highways. | D.The weather is really nice there. |
A.It teaches individuals how to protect themselves. |
B.New volunteers can join it with no tests required. |
C.Victims all over the world can contact it by hotline. |
D.It sends experts to the disaster areas when necessary. |
A.Dangers. | B.Skills. | C.Trainings. | D.Rights. |
A.Taking various tests. | B.Entering a new disaster area. |
C.Conducting a practical exercise. | D.Restoring priceless artifacts. |
Qiang embroidery(羌绣)is a peculiar flower in China’s folk handicrafts and reflect the wisdom of the Qiang people. It dates back to the Han Dynasty
Chen Yunzhen, from Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County in Sichuan Province, is a master of Qiang embroidery. As part of her efforts to stop the endangered technique from disappearing, Chen began visiting the
To breathe new life into Qiang embroidery, Chen has continued to keep an open mind, introducing new products
According to Chen, the Qiang people do not have a
Spring cleaning is a tradition ingrained in societies worldwide, with roots
Before the Lunar New Year, it’s common to clean the home of bad luck and misfortune in China. Known as “sweeping the dust,” cleaning makes way
In Thailand, it’s customary to deep clean homes, schools, and public spaces to
As spring comes, it is sensible to open the windows
The lantern fair in Zigong, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, which
Covering
To mark the Year of the Dragon, many of the lanterns
The lantern show is also expressing the concept of environmental protection. For example, a dragon lantern
This year’s show received more than 3,000 children’s artworks from around the world. Some of the art pieces were turned into lanterns by
Famous for lantern-making, Zigong saw its lanterns lighting 80 cities across China during the Spring Festival holiday and Zigong lanterns
A.For a wrong order. | B.For a word spelling. | C.For a culture difference. |
Chinese opera, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. There are various types of Chinese opera, each with its own unique characteristics and traditions. Kunqu Opera, for example,
One of the
The stories
In
Wearing traditional Chinese dress,some foreigners in Shanghai
A series of activities including
The market drew some foreign Hanfu
It was the first time for Katrina Andrushkevich from Belarus to wear Hanfu.“I am
There is an interactive experience area
9 . Here are several not-to-be-missed events. Mark your calendar!
Flowers on the Mimosa Route
The Mimosa Route covers 130 km of wilderness and coastal towns in France, with stops and festivals in bloom to honour a flower that has become the symbol of the Cote d’Azur. This is the perfect opportunity to discover gardens with their feet in the water or the flower floats (花车) of the corsos.
* From 3 to 18 February
Nice Carnival
Mimosa, roses, lilies thrown to the public... The Battle of the Flowers is a highlight of the Nice Carnival and a nod to this France city’s gardening history. The biggest festival on the Cote d’Azur also includes a carnival-style parade, with floats competing in creativity, with dizzying figures up to twenty metres high. The theme of the 2024 edition is “Pop Culture”.
* From 17 February to 3 March
The Menton Lemon Festival
The programme of the Lemon Festival in Menton, France includes various floats. For 15days, the town celebrates its golden fruit with a touch of madness. With the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games just a few months away, the 90th edition of the Lemon Festival promises to be a great event with the theme “From Olympia to Menton”.
* From 17 February to 3 March
The Trail des Merveilles
The Roya Valley in France is the setting for the Trail des Merveilles, which starts in Breil-sur-Roya. Over a distance of around 30 kilometres, with a positive difference in altitude of 2,000 metres, the race takes competitors along wild paths with views of the snow-capped peaks of the Mercantour National Park and the Mediterranean Sea. A shorter, more accessible 17-kilometre route will delight lovers of running and beautiful scenery. Ready, set, go!
*5 March
1. What is the significance of the Battle of the Flowers?A.To popularize the tradition culture. | B.To vote for the most creative float. |
C.To prove people’s passion for flowers. | D.To show respect for the city’s gardening. |
A.Nice Carnival. | B.The Trail des Merveilles. |
C.Flowers on the Mimosa Route. | D.The Menton Lemon Festival. |
A.They are around the theme of flowers. | B.They are of the same duration. |
C.They take place in the same country. | D.They are to celebrate the end of winter. |
1. 祝贺;
2. 回顾;
3. 期待。
注意:
1. 写作词数应为80左右;
2. 可适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
Dear Peter,
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Yours,
Li Hua