1 . The Bedford School has held activities to celebrate the Chinese New Year before the winter vacation—this time with a unique change compared to other years. The celebration is a blend (融合) of traditional food, calligraphy, and a performance using Chinese instruments.
The school’s Chinese Society introduced an art form that attracted the students: Chinese calligraphy. The students were surprised at the combination (结合) of visual art and the interpretation (解读) of literary meaning as they wrote Chinese characters with grace. And they tried their best to make what they wrote correct and beautiful. The students also enjoyed delightful Chinese New Year foods, including spring rolls, rice cake, dumplings. They ate fish-shaped sweets with great enjoyment, symbolizing abundance (富足) for the coming year as the Chinese character for “fish” can also mean “surplus”. The idea behind this is that if we manage to have something left over at the year’s end, then more can be made in the new year. Keeping with tradition, the students exchanged red envelopes filled with sweets, symbolizing good luck and prosperity (繁荣). In Chinese culture, the color red symbolizes good luck and good fortune for the year ahead. This is why red decorations are used during many important cultural festivals and significant events.
Due to(由于)China’s rocketing economy and reputation (声誉), Chinese New Year has become a worldwide event. The Bedford School provided a great opportunity for the students to gain (获得) a deeper understanding of Chinese tradition and culture.
1. What can we know about the celebration of this year?| A．It celebrated the winter vacation. | B．It focused more on Chinese traditional cultures. |
| C．It was aimed at raising school’s reputation. | D．It was celebrated the same way as before. |
| A．The writing time. | B．Teachers’ attitude. |
| C．The beauty of the characters. | D．The school’s Chinese Society. |
| A．To get pocket money. | B．To enjoy delicious fish. |
| C．To keep with tradition. | D．To expect a rich new year. |
| A．China’s role in the art world. | B．Chinese calligraphy. |
| C．Chinese instruments. | D．China’s fast development. |
2 . Celebrate!
Birthdays in Mexico
In Mexico, children often get pinatas (皮纳塔) on their birthdays. Their parents put chocolates and other sweets inside the pinata and hang it on a tree. Then the children hit the pinata with a stick. It breaks and the sweets fall out onto the ground.
Business birthdays
A business birthday shows that a company is successful. Many businesses in the USA celebrate important birthdays, like 10, 50 or 150 years. Companies hold parties and send cards. Sometimes they make TV advertisements. It is a good chance to advertisements. It is a good chance to advertise the business.
Name days
As well as a birthday, many people in Southern and Eastern Europe also celebrate their name days. In Greece, name days are more important than birthdays. People have big parties and open their houses to anybody who wants to come. People bring small gifts, often flowers or a box of sweets.
Islamic New Year
In Muslim countries across the world, people celebrate Eid. Eid means festival or celebration. During Eid, people visit family and friends, as well as people who are sick or in hospital. They give presents, such as sweets and food. Children receive toys, too. Children often wear special traditional clothes during the Eid celebrations.
Birthdays in China
In China, people often celebrate birthdays by eating with family or friends, and the last dish of the meal is always noodles. The noodles are long and thin. You have to eat them in one piece. You can’t cut them. In Chinese culture, long noodles mean you will have a long life.
1. Where do people celebrate business birthdays according to the text?| A．In China. | B．In Mexico. |
| C．In America. | D．In Greece. |
| A．Holding parties. |
| B．Visiting parents. |
| C．Sharing sweets and food. |
| D．Making TV advertisements. |
| A．Noodles in China are delicious. |
| B．Noodles represent the reunion of family. |
| C．Noodles are a traditional and popular food. |
| D．Noodles symbolize longevity in Chinese culture. |
3 . Christmas is a very important festival in the west. However, different countries celebrate Christmas in different ways.
In England
Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. Christmas dinner is usually a roast turkey with Christmas pudding for dessert. Christmas decorations must be taken down on the twelfth day after Christmas otherwise it brings bad luck for the rest of the year.
In Australia
In Australia, it never snows at Christmas because Christmas is in the summer holiday. A traditional Christmas dinner is often held in the backyard for BBQ’s, picnics in the garden or even on the beach. People call the Christmas season the “silly season”. Christmas is a deeply religious festival. The Christmas season officially begins on December 8th. Christmas Eve is known as the “Good Night”.
In Germany
In Germany, people hold special markets every December that specialize in selling decorations and other Christmas related goods. People make and drink a special wine, which is called “mulled wine”. Christmas goose is also needed by many people. Families gather together on Christmas Eve to open their presents.
In Russia
Russian Christmas is very interesting because they celebrate Christmas twice and Christmas on December 25th is not for many Russians with religious beliefs. They celebrate Christmas on January 7th to commemorate (纪念) the birthday of Jesus. However, even more influential is still on December 25th when the streets and main venues of Christmas decorations are colorful. Christmas goose is traditionally eaten by people on Christmas Eve.
1. Why do British take down Christmas decorations on the twelfth day after Christmas?| A．To present them to relatives. | B．To sell them in special markets. |
| C．To make small gifts. | D．To avoid bad luck. |
| A．England. | B．Australia. | C．Germany. | D．Russia. |
| A．People celebrate Christmas twice a year. |
| B．People eat Christmas goose on Christmas Eve. |
| C．People celebrate Christmas in the summer holiday. |
| D．People make and drink a special wine on Christmas Eve. |
| A．Tips on how to have a pleasant Christmas. |
| B．Different ways to celebrate Christmas in four countries. |
| C．Comparison between different attitudes towards Christmas. |
| D．Suggestions given to tourists when travelling during Christmas. |
4 . Themysteriousworld is where you can explore unknown and most interesting facts about living planet, universe and lifestyle of people. We tried our best to cover all possible information about a particular subject within the posts on our site online. Here are some top unmissable festivals in the world.
Rio Carnival, Brazil
It is a five-day festival which takes place forty days before Easter. Rio de Janeiro has earned its title as the Carnival capital of the world with its famous samba dancing, colorful eye-catching costumes and live music.
Holi Festival, India
Holi is a Hindu spring festival, also known as the “festival of colors”. It is a sign of the victory of good over evil, the end of winter, and the arrival of spring. Starting with a nighttime bonfire where people gather, sing and dance, Holi is celebrated the next day by people throwing colored powder and water at each other.
St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland
Held on March 17 every year, it is a celebration to mark the death of Ireland’s patron saint (守护神) Saint Patrick. Since 1996, an entire festival of parades, fireworks as well as food and drinks has surrounded the celebration. Enjoy traditional song and dance, watch musical street theater shows and get decorated in all green as you celebrate Irish heritage and culture.
Burning Man Festival, United States
As a week-long event at the end of August in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, it attracts tens of thousands of people from all over the world each year. Tickets to Burning Man are not cheap. But once you’re there, you will surely have an unforgettable experience. The main event is burning a giant wooden statue on Saturday night, followed by a big dance party that lasts all night long.
1. Which festival lasts the longest in celebration?| A．Rio Carnival. | B．Holi Festival. |
| C．St. Patrick’s Day. | D．Burning Man Festival. |
| A．There is no need to buy tickets. |
| B．People are all dressed in traditional clothes. |
| C．Dance is a generally accepted way to celebrate. |
| D．They center on specific traditions of a religion. |
| A．A guidebook. | B．A newspaper. |
| C．A website. | D．A travel brochure. |
5 . Happy Campers Summer Retreat
As a parent, your child’s health and happiness are the most important things to you, which can be difficult to achieve. The Happy Campers Summer Retreat was developed to help parents with this challenge.
Founded in 1998 by Michael Gibson, our summer camp is open to children during the holidays, from May to September. We look after lots of children every single year. Our camp is based in the Colorado Mountains, and it offers a lot of different activities for children.
Our program helps improve:
• Physical fitness
• Problem-solving skills
• Social skills
• Sports ability and experience
The Happy Campers Summer Retreat can benefit all children. Some children are good at school, but rarely active. Our program will help encourage an interest in sports. Other children are mainly interested in sports. These children will not only play sports, but will also learn new skills, such as teamwork skills, social skills, and communication skills. Children will also have the chance to try new activities. Our program is designed to help develop a complete and fully active child.
At very affordable prices, our program is available to any family in America. Your child’s stay can be as short as a week or as long as six weeks.
Why not call us today or click here to join our camp? Take action now and give your child this great chance!
1. How long does the camp last every year?| A．One week. | B．Five months. |
| C．Six weeks. | D．One month. |
| A．How to deal with people. | B．How to choose a strong team. |
| C．How to avoid physical problems. | D．How to stay interested in something. |
| A．To describe the history of the camp. |
| B．To compare the camp with other activities. |
| C．To encourage parents to send their children to the camp. |
| D．To tell parents about the benefits of outdoor activities. |
6 . Four interesting festivals
Grand Old Days:
Phone number: (651) 699-0029 E-mail address: fo@grandave.com
Grand Old Days is one of the Midwest’s largest one-day festivals. It’s held every year on the first Sunday in June. It starts at 7:45 am until 5:00 pm. You should pay $8 for a ticket to enter the live music festival gardens and you must be at least 21 years old. There are a lot of interesting activities for the whole family.
Uptown Art Fair:
Phone number: (612) 823-4581 E-mail address: info@uptownminneapolis.com
There is a wide variety of artwork you can buy from only a few dollars to thousands of dollars. There are also activities held by some artists. Uptown Art Fair starts on August 5th and ends on August 7th. It is free to attend. The opening time and closing time are Friday 11 am-8 pm, Saturday 10 am-8 pm, and Sunday 10 am-6 pm.
Minnesota State Fair:
Phone number: (651) 288-4400 E-mail address: fairinfo@mnstatefair.org
It is one of the most popular fairs in Minnesota. It starts on August 25th and goes through Labor Day on September 5th. Tickets for adults (aged 13-64) are $11, seniors (aged 65 and older) $9, kids (aged 5-12) $8 and children under 5 are free of charge. It opens at 6 am and closes at midnight. The State Fair has lots of fun activities, bands, games, and rides.
Nativity County Fair:
Phone number: (651) 696-5401 E-mail address: info@nativitycountyfair.com
The Nativity County Fair is a kid’s fair, but it has some fun things for adults as well. You can buy tickets for the rides and games, and the price depends on how many tickets you want to buy. It starts from September 16th to September 18th.
1. Which of the following lasts the longest?| A．Grand Old Days. | B．Minnesota State Fair. |
| C．Uptown Art Fair. | D．Nativity County Fair. |
| A．17 dollars. | B．19 dollars. |
| C．22 dollars. | D．30 dollars. |
| A．(651) 699-0029 | B．(612) 823-4581 |
| C．(651) 288-4400 | D．(651) 696-5401 |
| A．compare the costs of different festivals. |
| B．introduce some festival activities. |
| C．give advice on kids’ festival safety. |
| D．advertise some popular festivals. |
7 . Christmas Glow, RHS Wisley, Surrey
The garden is flowing with large lighted flowers. Some of the trees are brilliant, too. The glasshouse is decorated like a gingerbread house, and displays (展览) seasonal plants. There are lanterns around the lake. The cafe serves hot chocolate and apple juice.
●£9.90, adult £3.60, child
●20 Dec. to 2 Jan.
Festival of Light, Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire
Longleat is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Large lanterns take the shape of some of the park’s animals, and there are also lots of characters in Beatrix Potter’s book, such as Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle Duck, Squirrel Nutkin, to mark the 150th anniversary of the author’s birth. There is also a 20-metre-high birthday cake.
●£27.85, adult £20.65, child under-threes, free
●15 Dec. to 2 Jan.
Festival of Light, Enchanted Park, Gateshead
Enchanted Park is an interactive walk through Saltwell Park, just south of the town centre, along a trail of light with performances and sculptures. “The story being told is Midwinter Night’s Tale, inspired by the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death.” Visitors can join stories and songs with Santa, and attend decorating workshops.
●£8, adult £2, child under-fours, free
●11-27 Dec.
Christmas at Kew Gardens or London
Kew is a special place to visit at any time of the day or year, but the festive light show gives it a magical twist, as the mile-long trail through the garden is decorated with 60,000 lights. Some of the garden’s oldest and tallest trees are also beautifully lit along the way.
●£16, adult £10, child under-fours, free
●24 Dec. to 2 Jan.
1. Which of the following events last the longest?| A．Christmas Glow, RHS Wisley, Surrey. |
| B．Festival of Light, Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire. |
| C．Festival of Light, Enchanted Park, Gateshead. |
| D．Christmas at Kew Gardens or London. |
| A．Learn to write stories. | B．Play with wild animals. |
| C．Pay a visit to glasshouses. | D．Sing songs with Santa. |
| A．£16. | B．£26. | C．£36. | D．£48. |
8 . From a live music festival that champions Mother Nature to the sporting artistry of the HSBC Women’s World Championship, Singapore’s dynamic line-up of events in February will have you at the edge of your seat. Here are the concerts, festivals and celebrations that await you in the Lion City.
Chinatown CNY Celebrations
Immerse yourself in the rich culture and tradition of the Lunar New Year at the Chinatown CNY Celebrations. The seven-week long festivities include a slew of activities for the young and old alike, with nightly street shows, a festive bazaar (街市), and an international Lion Dance competition.
For two months, the streets of Chinatown will be decorated with lanterns and interesting motifs (图案), from gold coins to the mythical zodiac animals of the Chinese lunar calendar.
Date: 2 Jan - 22 Feb Venue: Chinatown
Dahlia Dreams
Inspired by the Lunar New Year, this enchanting floral showcase tells the mythological story of the Chinese zodiac animals. Weave your way through the Flower Dome’s elaborate topiary like sculptures, amidst more than 70 dahlia cultivars (品种) and indulge in an unforgettable visual feast. Date: 17 Jan - 23 Feb
Venue: Gardens by the Bay, Flower Dome
Have a Squeaky New Year!
Animal lovers can take a walk on the wild side at this Chinese New Year-themed event, happening across the Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Bark and Night Safari.
Keeping in theme with this year’s Chinese zodiac animal, visitors can check out the gambian pouched rat, clouded rat, speckled mousebird and more.
The event will be accompanied by lion dance performances, themed mascots and a special Zoo-diac trail to reveal your fortune forecast.
Date: 25 Jan - 8 Feb
Venue: Singapore Zoo, River Safari, Jurong Bird Bark and Night Safari
Chingay Parade Singapore 2020
Join Singaporeans as they celebrate the largest street performance and float parade in Asia. An annual celebration of Singapore’s multicultural tapestry (织锦), this year’s entertainment is themed ‘Colours in Harmony’, and will feature a mix of dazzling spectacle and dynamic performances.
Grab some street food and participate in games at the carnival along the parade route, and don’t forget to drop by NS Square for River Hongbao to marvel at the lanterns and fireworks.
Date: 31 Jan – 1 Feb Venue: F1 Pit Building
1. At the Chinatown CNY Celebrations, people could ______.| A．buy the lanterns and interesting motifs |
| B．enjoy an international Lion Dance competition |
| C．hear the mythological story of the Chinese zodiac animals |
| D．check out the gambian pouched rat and speckled mousebird |
| A．Chinatown. | B．Singapore Zoo. |
| C．Flower Dome. | D．F1 Pit Building. |
| A．To attract visitors. |
| B．To describe events. |
| C．To compare festivals. |
| D．To evaluate activities. |
9 . Famous food festivals around the world
Food festivals are held all across the world every year, and people from different parts come to these festivals in large numbers to satisfy their taste buds（味蕾）.
Galway International Oyster(牡蛎) and Seafood Festival
Galway, Ireland
September 26 to September 29, 2020
This is the world’s longest running oyster festival, first appeared in 1954. Apart from the excellent seafood that is served, the festival also features some exciting events such as oyster eating contest, live music, tasting parties, etc.
International Mango(芒果) Festival
New Delhi, India
June 30 to July 2, 2020
This festival is a celebration of everything about mangoes. It features the different kinds of mangoes and the various food items that are made from them. The festival also holds a number of special events such as mango-eating competitions, mango-tasting events, quiz competitions, and plenty of traditional and folk performances.
Garlic (大蒜) Festival
The Isle of Wight, England
August 17 to August 18, 2020
This is one of the largest events that the Isle of Wight hosts each year, and it shows recipes made from garlic. Some foods made out of garlic and garlic beer are available(可得到的) there. The festival also features live music and a country fair.
The Crave Sydney International Food Festival
Sydney, Australia
October 1 to October 31, 2020
This festival attracts a number of famous international chefs each year as visitors to experience the best of Australian food. From fine dining at famous restaurants to street food to cooking classes, this event has a lot in store for a visitor.
1. If you are only free at the beginning of July you can go to ______.| A．Garlic Festival. |
| B．International Mango Festival. |
| C．The Crave Sydney International Food Festival. |
| D．Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival. |
| A．Galway | B．Sydney |
| C．New Delhi | D．the Isle of Wight |
| A．Garlic Festival. |
| B．International Mango Festival. |
| C．The Crave Sydney International Food Festival. |
| D．Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival. |
10 . The Sahara Festival is a celebration of the very recent past. The three-day event is not fixed to the same dates each year, but generally takes place in November or December. It is well attended by tourists, but even better attended by the locals.
During the opening ceremonies, after the official greetings from the government leaders, people who attend the festival begin to march smartly before the viewing stands, and white camels transport their riders across the sands. Horsemen from different nations display their beautiful clothes and their fine horsemanship. One following another, groups of musicians and dancers from all over the Sahara take their turn to show off their wonderful traditional culture. Groups of men in blue and yellow play horns and beat drums as they dance in different designs. On their knees in the sand, a group of women in long dark dresses dance with their hair: their long, dark, shiny hair is thrown back and forth in the wind to the rhythm of their dance.
The local and visiting Italian dogs are anxious to run after hares. The crowd is on its feet for the camel races. Camels and riders run far into the distance, and then return to the finish Line in front of the cheering people.
Towards the evening, there comes the grand finale of the opening day, an extremely exciting horserace. All the riders run very fast on horseback. Some riders hang off the side of their saddles（马鞍）. Some even ride upside down—their legs and feet straight up in the air—all at full speed. Others rush down the course together, men arm in arm, on different horses. On and on they went. So fast and so wonderful!
1. The Sahara Festival is a festival which _____.| A．has a very long history in North Africa |
| B．is held in the same place on the same day |
| C．is attended mainly by the people in the Sahara |
| D．is celebrated mostly by travelers from different countries |
| A．musicians, dancers, horses and hares |
| B．camel riders, musicians, dogs and hares |
| C．horsemen, dancers, camels and dogs |
| D．musicians, officials, camels and horses |
| A．first part | B．last part | C．middle | D．whole |
| A．how animals race on the first and the last days of the Sahara Festival |
| B．how people celebrate during the three-day Sahara Festival |
| C．what takes place at the closing ceremonies of the Sahara Festival |
| D．what happens on the opening day of the Sahara Festival |
