Students control shadow puppets(皮影木偶) as the singing voice of 71-year-old Liu Aibang echoes(回荡) across the classroom. They use thin straight pieces of wood to make shadow puppets step onto the “stage”—a cloth screen. Those sitting in front of the stage play music on drums, suona horns and other instruments.
This is a Daoqing shadow puppetry class at Longdong University. Except Liu,the other performers of the show are all college students.
Starting in the Han Dynasty, Daoqing shadow puppetry has been included in the national intangible cultural heritage list(国家非物质文化遗产名录) since 2006. For years, shadow plays were welcomed by people of all ages. and were often performed during the festivals. However, with films and TV series becoming popular in the late1980s,many performers moved on to other jobs. Faced with the choice between protecting this art and making a good living, Liu chose to stay on.
One day in 2020, Liu received a phone call from Zhao Zhixue, head of the music school at Longdong University. Zhao told him that the school planned to introduce Daoqing shadow puppetry into college classrooms and develop young students’ long-term interest in intangible cultural heritage. Excited by the news. Liu dropped his farmwork and became a part-time teacher at the college.
Liu hopes to train more young people. “Just as true love is not a one-man show the learning and keeping of cultural heritage needs efforts(努力)from both the old and the young,” Liu said.
1. Where do music performers sit during the shadow puppetry class?2. When was Daoqing shadow puppetry included in the national intangible cultural heritage list?
3. What did many performers do when films and TV series became popular in the late 1980s?
4. How did Liu feel on hearing about the news from Zhao Zhixue?
5. What’s the meaning of Liu’s words in the last paragraph?
2 . Our old, artificial Christmas tree was in rough shape by the time we retired it. At least a decade had passed since my wife and I bought the tree, a medium-size fake tree with built-in lights, at a Target in Brooklyn and carried it on the subway to our tiny apartment. Over the years, we dragged that tree from apartment, jammed it onto a moving truck to Los Angeles and later packed the weathered box onto another moving truck, this time to Chicago and our current home. By the end, layers of duct tape (强力胶布) held the box together, the wear and tear of a decade of delivering holiday cheer.
Our little tree looked run down, but it was the only tree our family ever knew. It stands proud and glowing in the background of photos of me and my pregnant wife during our last Christmas in Brooklyn without children. Our oldest was born a month later during a January snowstorm. The tree shows up again in the next year’s photos, this time surrounded by holiday gifts for a boy about to turn 1. Then it appears in photos of our son and his 1-month-old brother, this time with California palm trees just outside the door. And in more recent photos, our tree lights up windows overlooking shining Chicago snow. This year, after much debate, we decided to retire our dear old tree, with its bent branches and the lights that had burned out years ago. Rather than feel depressed, we used the moment to launch a new family tradition: our first real Christmas tree.
So here’s a toast to all your family’s traditions—the old and the new. I hope you enjoy this issue, which we have filled with stories of seasonal joy and holiday cheer. Happy holidays!
1. Where is the author’s present home?A.In Chicago. | B.In Brooklyn. | C.In California. | D.In Los Angeles. |
A.His budget was tight. | B.He was attached to it. |
C.It was in good condition. | D.It was environmentally-friendly. |
A.An editor. | B.A salesman. | C.A delivery man. | D.A home designer. |
A.The finest diamond must be cut. |
B.Out with the old, in with the new. |
C.Old friends and old wine are best. |
D.All things in their being are good for something. |
3 . International Day of Education
24 January
Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed (宣布) 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. Today, 250 million children and youth are out of school, and 763 million adults are illiterate (文盲的). Their right to education is being violated (侵犯) and it is unacceptable. It’s time to transform education.
International Day of Clean Energy
26 January
The International Day of Clean Energy on 26 January was declared by the General Assembly as a call to raise awareness and mobilize action for a just and inclusive transition (过渡) to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet. 26 January is also the founding date of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a global intergovernmental agency established in 2009 to support countries in their energy transitions.
World Health Day
7 April
It is celebrated annually and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. The date of 7 April marks the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948.
The theme for World Health Day 2024 is “My health, my right”, which was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions.
World Environment Day
5 June
World Environment Day, held annually on 5 June, brings together millions of people from across the globe, engaging them in the effort to protect and restore the Earth. People from more than 150 countries participate in this United Nations international day, which celebrates environmental action and the power of governments, businesses and individuals to create a more sustainable world. The event has been led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) since its start in 1973.
1. On what day is the event about world energy marked?A.24 January. | B.26 January. | C.7 April. | D.5 June. |
A.International Day of Education. |
B.International Day of Clean Energy. |
C.World Health Day. |
D.World Environment Day. |
A.They have a common goal. | B.They have a long history. |
C.They’re international events. | D.They benefit world environment. |
4 . Five Tips to Boost Your Self-Confidence
The following tips might help boost your self-confidence so you can feel more comfortable with whom you are.
Think about what makes you feel attractive. Make a list of things that make you attractive. You might begin with qualities that make you a good friend, parent, or co-worker.
Set goals for yourself.
Be grateful and helpful. Doing good things for others can make us feel good about ourselves. The smallest gestures, like smiling or holding the door for someone, can make a big difference to someone.
Do something brave once a week. It can be frightening to put ourselves out there, but sometimes the risk can be worth the reward.
A.Avoid criticizing others. |
B.Focus on strengths, not self-criticism. |
C.Take small steps to boost your confidence. |
D.You can also consider taking an active role in volunteering. |
E.Achieving goals is one way to feel accomplished and confident. |
F.Then, you might list some of the physical features that make you unique. |
G.Taking risks doesn’t necessarily mean going bungee(蹦极) jumping or mountain climbing. |
5 . What is moderation (适度)? Basically, it means eating only as much food as your body needs. You should feel satisfied at the end of a meal, but not too full.
Take your time. It's important to slow down and think about food as something nutritious rather than just something to eat in between meetings.
Eat with others whenever possible. Eating alone, “specially in front of the TV or computer, often leads to mindless overeating. And be careful about the foods you keep at hand. It's more challenging to eat in moderation if you have unhealthy snacks at the ready, like cookies.
Control emotional (情绪的) eating.
A.Eat properly throughout the day. |
B.We don't always eat just to satisfy hunger. |
C.Don't swallow a meal on the way to work. |
D.Most of us need to double the amount we eat. |
E.Instead, surround yourself with healthy choices. |
F.For many of us, moderation means eating less than we do now. |
G.That won't lead to cheating or giving up on your new eating plan. |
6 . Knowledge is power, and the more you learn about mental health, the better the position you may be in to help those facing mental health battles. Consider doing the following things to support those closest to you.
Attend a training course
Listen
If someone approaches you in their time of need, it’s not always easy to know what you’re supposed to do, and it may be more beneficial for you to just listen.
While being a listening ear is sometimes all someone needs to feel better, you can also become an ongoing source of support. Check in with the person experiencing a mental health problem like depression so that they know you are always there for them. Make contact with them regularly to see how they are feeling. Just knowing someone cares can make a world of difference.
Call emergency services
Your support, guidance, and listening ear can be of great value to anyone going through a tough time.
A.Check in with them |
B.Suggest support services |
C.However, it’s essential to know your limits |
D.Such a course may just help you to prevent someone’s depression |
E.They may not need you to offer solutions or even give them a hug |
F.Sometimes, the best thing you can do is encourage them to seek professional help |
G.You don’t have to be in a professional health role to attend depression prevention training |
7 . Accents in English
Accents are fascinating and usually come with kinds of information.
Thanks to the development of technology, various handy accesses are available for people to share and pick up accents. English actor and accent coach Sarah Valentine is an expert in teaching the tones which can change the English language.
Valentine has been working in TV since the 1990s. She appears to have found success coaching other actors to speak in a variety of dialects.
“
Everyone has an accent. A dialect coach like Valentine can help one learn to speak differently, for an acting job or for fun.
A.In fact, all accents are worthy of pride |
B.One’s birthplace can affect his accent |
C.However, not all accents are worth learning |
D.While much work with actors is done in one-on-one coaching |
E.They can signal one’s living places, education and personality |
F.On TikTok, she gives examples of simple phrases repeated in over 20 accents |
G.A region’s location has a direct influence on the development of a local language |
8 . Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise hits Disney’s streaming service alongside its arrival at cinemas. As such, you’ll have to pay $30 on top of your subscription fee to see it — a high price for a solo viewing, but a great deal for a family session. That’s good news, because this really is a winner of a family movie, thanks to the production values you’d come to expect from a Disney blockbuster (大片) and the chemistry between Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.
Inside Out
Just when we thought Pixar was on the decline, it released Inside Out, one of its most thoughtful and powerful movies. Featuring the voices of Amy Poehler, Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling, Inside Out made over $850 million at the box office upon its 2015 release. It wasn’t just a commercial success, as it scored 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Free Solo
Free Solo is one of the best documentaries ever made. Telling the story of Alex Honnold, the first man to “free solo” El Capitan, it’s a character study of a man who makes the impossible look almost ordinary; an Oscar-winning story that culminates (到达极点) — quite literally — in a close-up view of one of humanity’s wildest achievements.
Aladdin
You can agree or you can disagree, but I believe that Aladdin has the best song lineup of any animated movie that Disney has ever produced. A Whole New World, Prince Ali, Friend Like Me, Arabian Nights — banger after banger (一部接一部). That’s reflected in the critical response: Aladdin is one of the best-rated Disney movies ever, with a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
1. What do we know about the movie Jungle Cruise?A.It takes a total of $30 to see it. |
B.It doesn’t require a subscription. |
C.It is mainly intended for children. |
D.It stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. |
A.Its music. | B.Its voice actors. |
C.Its approval rating. | D.Its dialogues. |
A.Jungle Cruise. | B.Inside Out. | C.Free Solo. | D.Aladdin. |
9 . Each ARTS FIRST festival is a unique annual celebration of the Harvard community's artistic creativity. We invite you to join us for the coming ARTS FIRST. We look forward to welcoming you as we showcase the creativity of the Harvard arts community through performances, art exhibitions and art-making activities. The festival is a public event for Harvard and community members of all ages.
Light Awash in WatercolorLearn about the materials and qualities of watercolor paint with experts from the Harvard Art Museums Materials Lab. Try your hand at some of the painting tricks used by artists whose works will be in the upcoming exhibition of American Watercolors 1880-1990: Into the Light.
Spineless Artists: Invertebrate CreativityFrom webs to cocoons, invertebrates (无脊椎动物) create some of nature's most delicate and beautiful designs. Join Javier Marin from the Harvard Museum of Natural History to learn how insects and other invertebrates dance, inspire fashion and create art, while making your own spineless artists out of craft (手工艺) materials.
Wheel ThrowingJoin instructors from the Ceramics Program and great potters from Quincy, Cabot and Mather Houses for demonstrations using the potter's wheel. Then create your own masterpiece!
Knitting and Pom-Pom MakingJoin the Harvard Undergraduate Knitting Circle to make pom-poms and tassels out of thread, or pick up a pair of needles and learn to knit (编织).
1. What do we know about ARTS FIRST?A.It is an exhibition of oil paintings. | B.It offers art courses for all ages. |
C.It presents recreational activities. | D.It is a major tourist attraction. |
A.Light Awash in Watercolor. | B.Spineless Artists: Invertebrate Creativity. |
C.Wheel Throwing. | D.Knitting and Pom-Pom Making. |
A.Practice a traditional dance. | B.Make handcrafts. |
C.Visit a local museum. | D.Feed invertebrates. |
10 . Overtourism Is For Real: How Can You Help?
Travel promotes understanding, expands our minds, makes us better people, and boosts local economies and communities, but the rapid growth of travel has led to overtourism in certain regions and destinations.
●Choose mindfully. Overvisited destinations are that way for a reason: they’re special. With so many online posts featuring the same places, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out. Go somewhere only when the landscape, culture or food deeply draws you.
●Get creative. The best way to ease pressure on over-touristed destinations is to go somewhere else. Though overtourism is described as a problem affecting the entire world, it’s actually concentrated to a small number of extremely popular spots. That means you have tons of less-visited options to choose from.
●
Visiting a place that others call home is a privilege (荣幸). Do your part to preserve what makes a destination special in the first place.
A.Visit during off-peak times. |
B.So, should we stop traveling? |
C.Travel for you and no one else. |
D.Can overtourism be avoided then? |
E.You can still find relatively undiscovered places. |
F.You’ll find yourself virtually alone, or close to it. |
G.Consider giving back to the communities you’re visiting. |