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.

2. What did the students care much about while writing Chinese characters?

A．The writing time.	B．Teachers’ attitude.
C．The beauty of the characters.	D．The school’s Chinese Society.

3. Why did the students eat fish-shaped sweets?

A．To get pocket money.	B．To enjoy delicious fish.
C．To keep with tradition.	D．To expect a rich new year.

4. What made Chinese New Year popular globally?

A．China’s role in the art world.	B．Chinese calligraphy.
C．Chinese instruments.	D．China’s fast development.

2 . Weddings are one of life’s biggest celebrations, and they are observed in just about every country and culture on the planet. Here are some wedding traditions from around the world.

Scotland

Scottish weddings usually feature the handfasting ceremony. During the ceremony, the bride (新娘) and bridegroom each hold a piece of cloth. These are carefully wound around the couple’s joined hands. When they pull their hands apart, the pieces become tied into a knot (结) — a symbol of the new union.

Germany

Guests at a German wedding get to see an interesting sight: the newly married couple — still dressed in their suit and wedding dress — cutting a length of a tree in half with a two-person saw (锯). In this way, they show their ability to work as a team to face any challenge they will meet in life.

Norway

A Norwegian wedding cake is made up of progressively smaller layers of iced cake rings, which give the cake the shape of Christmas tree. The inside is empty and has gifts or even a bottle of wine. The bride and g room lift the top ring of the cake, and the number of layers that stick to it is said to represent the number of children they will have!

England

Brides in England typically wear “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” for their big day. The modern practice comes from a traditional English song, and the things themselves represent protection, cheerfulness, good luck, and purity, respectively.

Though the customs might vary, the feeling remains the same. Across the world, weddings are times to celebrate love, happiness, and family.

1. Why is a two-person saw used in the German wedding?

A．To entertain the wedding guests.	B．To mark the couple’s united efforts.
C．To represent the upcoming challenges.	D．To keep the couple from hurting each other.

2. In which wedding do brides wear different things to represent different wishes?

A．The Scottish wedding.	B．The German wedding.
C．The Norwegian wedding.	D．The English wedding.

3. What does the text show about wedding?

A．Rules to follow.	B．Special customs.
C．Ways to treat guests.	D．Cultural backgrounds.

4 . Festivals are a part of our culture. We have grown up around them and have embraced them as a part of our lives.     1     Festivals to them mean decorations, sweets, gifts, games and lots of other celebrations. However, there are a lot of things that children can learn from celebrating festivals.

Festivals are celebrated with people.     2     This teaches children the importance of community and the joys of working together. When kids take part in preparations for a festival, they make a place for themselves in this community of people.

Festivals also mean that the entire family can be together and celebrate something they believe in. Kids and parents find time to help each other to decorate their house, prepare delicacies, make gifts, etc.     3     Kids are also able to spend time and bond with their grandparents, cousins, and other relatives.

Festivals also mean gift-giving and sharing. The exchange of gifts teaches children to share joys during festivals     4     Children learn to share and care for others who may not be able to celebrate festivals without their help. This teaches them the importance of generosity and humbleness. They also learn to be thankful for what they have and receive.

    5     A child can be taught more about their culture and their country during festival s and celebrations. This teaches them about their roots in the world and makes them proud of their country and culture. It is during festivals when stories of the past come forward to teach children about the past and help them understand the importance of celebration through generations.

A．Festivals have much more to offer to the people.

B．Festivals are a great way to understand one’s culture.

C．This allows children to form a stronger bond with their family.

D．Children are particularly the ones who enjoy festivals more than adults.

E．On these days people from all walks of life come together to celebrate life.

F．Children share sweets and gifts with relatives and friends to spread the joy of celebrations.

G．Celebrations always involve people coming together and helping each other to have a good time.

5 . The following are some markets which have become tourist attractions.

Wiener Christkindlmarkt, Austria

Known as Viennese Dream Christmas Market, Wiener Christkindlmarkt, or Rathausplatz, is one of the Austrian capital’s oldest and most traditional attractions. It has a 150-square-meter children’s ice rink (溜冰场). Tree of Hearts, a giant maple tree with hundreds of shinning red hearts, is a hot favorite with visitors to have a picture.

Open time: November 10 — December 26

Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland

Basel Christmas Market is divided into two different sections at Barfusserplatz and Munsterplatz. Family attractions include the Christmas fairy tale tree at Munsterplatz with activities such as gingerbread and candle decorating, a star workshop and a festive train.

Open time: November 23 — December 23

Strasbourg Christmas Market, France

One of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets, Strasbourg began back in 1570, drawing in over two million people every year. Place Klebe is probably its most popular place thanks to the great Christmas tree.

Open time: November 24 — December 24

Brussels Winter Wonders, Belgium

Brussels really comes to life at Christmas time thanks to Winter Wonders, which is more like a festival than a market. A light and sound show, ice skating, and pleasure ground rides are among the activities to enjoy, while visitors can also stare in wonder at the huge Christmas tree set up in Grand Place.

Open time: November 11 — December 31

1. What can visitors do at Rathausplatz?

A．Appreciate a sound show.	B．Enjoy a train ride in an ice rink.
C．Take photos with many red hearts.	D．Ride wooden horses in a playground.

2. What do the four Christmas markets have in common?

A．They have a great tree.	B．They own a good place for skating.
C．They hold various activities for tourists.	D．They are the oldest one in their own country.

3. Which market is open for the longest time?

A．Wiener ChristkindImarkt, Austria.	B．Brussels Winter Wonders, Belgium.
C．Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland.	D．Strasbourg Christmas Market, France.

7 . People around the world take celebrating seriously, and many of them are willing to go to great effort and expense to plan and participate in public celebrations.

Exactly when and where human beings began coming together in public to celebrate as a group can date back to hunter-gatherer societies, when success in the never-ending search for food, clothing, and shelter must have aroused the need to celebrate together.

Besides the need for food and survival, there are records of religious parades dating back to 3000 B.C. Parades were also used to demonstrate military power and celebrate military victories; to attract customers to events such as the circus by giving the public a sample of the entertainment; or to celebrate ethnic (民族的) connection and holidays. The New York Times of October 28, 1917, summed it up by saying, “If you take the parades out of history, you have precious little history left.”

Of course, many modern celebrations are not connected to any religion. In the Internet era, electronic communication makes it possible to organize celebrations almost instantly. “Flash mobs” are a new way of gathering and celebrating. Secretly planned online, they bring together tens, hundreds, or thousands of individuals to perform some unusual or funny act in a public place. Flash mobs not only reflect the increased speed of communication but also a lighter attitude to celebration. No longer is public celebrating something necessarily linked to human survival, religion, or deep traditions.

This does not mean, however, that modern celebrations are not socially conscious. One striking image inspiring community spirit is Edwards’ photograph of crowds in Australia, who were gathering in the rain for a music festival to raise funds for wildfire relief. Throughout history, across countries and cultures, celebrations are always worth significant amount of time and money spent planning, preparing, organizing, and carrying out an event. The priority given to celebrating seems to put it alongside food, shelter, love, and freedom as a basic need of humanity.

1. According to the passage, which one of the following events can make celebrations happen?

A．A business has made a huge profit.	B．It has been sunny for a week.
C．Farmers harvest in the autumn.	D．A new museum opens in the city center.

2. What does the underlined sentence (paragraph 3) imply?

A．If there is no parade, human history will be more precious.

B．Students should be taught the importance of parades in history class.

C．Only parades can be recorded in history books.

D．Many significant historic moments featured a parade.

3. Which of the following best describes a flash mob?

A．Four strangers meet at a concert and then decide to perform together in a public square.

B．Someone announces openly a series of performances to take place at school.

C．An online group plans and performs a dance in a crowded train station.

D．The number of people watching a street performer grows to several hundred.

4. Which of these is the best title for the passage?

A．Why We Celebrate?	B．Celebration and Social Responsibility
C．Planning a Parade	D．The Origin of Celebration

8 . Kids Fleet Summer Day Camp

        Summer camp is a lot of fun when you’re a Kids Fleet Camper! Kids’ fleet is an exciting and fun-filled Summer Day Camp with rock climbing, golfing, swimming, creative activities and outdoor entertainment!

Kids Fleet Summer Day Camp runs for select weeks during the summer. Please check back in February 2017 for dates, prices and information for Kids’ Fleet Summer Day Camp 2017.

Registration (登记):
Begins: March 7, 2017
Need: $100 deposit (定金) and completed Registration Form
2017 Camp Age Requirements: 6—14 years old children
In Person: “First come first served” registration service
Mailing is an option (选择)
720 Proudfoot Lane
London, ON N6H 5G5
If you have any questions, please call:
519-472-9310   x233 Rose Tucker-Camp Manager
What did Kids Fleet Parents from past years have to say about Kids Fleet Summer Day Camp?

“My son thought that the camp had just the right amount of activities to keep the children interested. The rock climbing, golfing, as well as the outdoor activities and swimming were perfect. He was very tired but in a good way. My son wants to return next year and I will recommend (推荐) this camp to others.”

—Mrs White

“I think this is one of the best day camps (if not the best) that my children have taken part in. The people in charge of the camp are warm-hearted and friendly. The program is excellent and it is the only camp that they ask us to go back to.”

—Kristin and Doug

“My children had an excellent time at your camp. I was very impressed with both your friendly, helpful staff and the excellent way that the entire camp was organized and run. I will recommend it to my friends and will consider next year!”

—Joseph McRae
     “One of the best organized summer camps we’ve ever experienced. I’m glad that my child was in a safe, responsible and fun environment.”
—George Kerhoulas
1. What can we learn about the camp?

A．It will be held every month in 2017.

B．There is no age limit for the campers.

C．All the children can take part in it for free.

D．The campers can register by mailing.

2. To get more information about the camp, you can ______.

A．pay $100 in advance	B．call the manager of the camp
C．send an e-mail to the camp	D．ask registration service first

3. What is parents’ attitude to the camp?

A．Favorable.	B．Uncaring.
C．Doubtful.	D．Negative.

10 . Directions: Read the following passage and complete the brief outline that follows. Write no more than 5 words for each blank.

Interesting Traditions Around the World

Traditions are passed down from generation to generation to inform us of our history. Some are widespread and taken on by one and all, like celebrating New Year and birthdays, and then there are some that are quite strange or interesting and practiced only by a small group of people.

Famadihana, also called the turning of the bones, is a festival in Madagascar that honors the dead and celebrates family ties. Every seven years or so, families who can afford rich dinners for guests and new clothes for the living families and the dead, celebrate the festival. They give out gifts for the dead and crying is discouraged during the celebration.

Bali’s Day of Silence, or Nyepi, as they call it, is a holiday celebrated with eating little or no food as well as meditation, the practice of thinking deeply in silence. The whole island shuts off all sounds, lights, and all other activities, so there is peace all around. Days before the actual celebration, Balinese people make the ogoh-ogoh (dangerous animals) statues (雕像) that will be used and paraded through the streets the day before Nyepi. The statues are then usually burnt after supposedly attracting dangerous animals.

Having started in Middle Ages, flag throwing has long been popular in Tuscany. As the Italians love a good celebration, army parades were held with marching bands and flag bearers. Since flags are considered sacred, the flag bearers have to make sure that they do not fall to the ground. Today, flag throwing is not just popular in Tuscany but also in the whole of Italy.

Some traditions may sound strange, yet people hold them close to their hearts and still practice the age-old rituals to this day. These rituals are part of their culture and history and are able to shape and describe people.

Outline:
I. Introduction

As a form of historic culture, some traditions are shared altogether and others are     1     and celebrated by only a few.

II. Body part

People in Madagascar celebrate Famadihana to honor the dead and     2    .

During Nyepi in Bali, people eat little or no food and     3    ; days before the festival, statues are made and later they will be burnt.

Flag throwing features army parades and gains popularity in Italy.

III. Conclusion

People still hold fast to some age-old rituals, because these traditions can     4    .