1 . WUHAN, China (Reuters) — Large crowds took to the streets at midnight on Friday in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, celebrating the arrival of 2021 after a year scarred by a deadly pandemic (大流行) that killed thousands there and required the city to be locked down between the end of January and early April.

According to the tradition, hundreds gathered in front of the old Hankow Customs House building, one of the city’s most popular New Year’s Eve spots. When the building’s old clock reached midnight many people released balloons into the air, cheered and called out “happy new year” .

“I’m so so so incredibly happy,” said 20-year-old student and tourist Yang Wenxuan. “This is my first time in Wuhan. But it was so amazing.”

“I hope that I can successfully obtain my bachelor degree and I hope I can find a boyfriend,” Yang added.

There was a heavy police presence and strict crowd control. Some security personnel were seen telling several of the few people without masks that they must put one on if they wished to stay. Still, the countdown appeared to proceed peacefully, in a relaxed atmosphere.

The festivities came 12 months after the World Health Organization (WHO) said it first received word of cases of a pneumonia (肺炎) of an unknown cause in Wuhan, which later became known as the world’s first outbreak of COVID-19. A team of WHO experts is scheduled to arrive in China in January 2021 to find out the origins of the pandemic.

Wuhan has been largely virus free for months. But a recent small rise in cases in various Chinese cities, including Beijing, has reminded people in Wuhan that the pandemic is not over yet.

1. What is the passage mainly about?

A．A pandemic having killed thousands.	B．A college girl looking for a boyfriend.
C．A thrilling new year celebration in Wuhan.	D．A lock-down to stop the spreading of the virus.

2. What does the tourist want to convey with the 3 “so”s in Paragraph 3?

A．Anxiety.

B．Disappointment.

C．Regret.

D．Excitement.

3. What can we tell from the last 3 paragraphs ?

A．Security was a big concern among the people.

B．The origin of COVID-19 is yet to be identified.

C．People in Wuhan are no longer bothered by the disease.

D．The pandemic is going back to Wuhan from other parts of China.

4. Where can we most probably read the passage?

A．A textbook.

B．A newspaper.

C．A guidebook.

D．A magazine.

2 . Best Outdoor Activities in Orlando

Organ Pipe Cactus (仙人掌) National Monument

This national monument in Arizona is located within the Sonoran Desert, which spans more than 330,000 acres and is one of the few places in the US where you can see the country’s largest cacti. This “green desert” gets its name from the organ pipe cactus, whose branches mimic the musical instrument. Visitors can explore 31 cactus species and wildflowers through the monument’s many hikes, including the Nature Trail, a short and accessible paved trail. Take your camera, because the area is also home to the Sonoyta mud turtle, desert bighorn, and birds such as the Gila woodpecker and cactus wren.

Red Rock State Park

Located in the center of the state, Red Rock State Park is a popular road trip destination and a must-see attraction during a multi-day trip to the Sedona area. The nature preserve features a visitor center and picnic areas that invite visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Arizona red rocks that surround them. With environmental education and conservation top of mind, Red Rock State Park is a primary place that asks visitors to hike lightly, pack out what they pack in and stick to the trails.

Sedona

Sedona is regularly described as one of America’s most beautiful places. Nowhere else will you find a landscape as dramatically colorful. The towering red rocks and jagged sandstone hills matched against an almost always blue sky have attracted professional and young artists for years. Plus, filmmakers have chosen these burning rock formations in north-central Arizona as the backdrop for such box-office hits as “3:10 to Yuma,” “Broken Arrow” and “Midnight Run.”

Orlando Watersports Complex (OWC)

On top of all that exciting lake-borne action, those looking for something exciting can take part in OWC’s Aquapark, a group of LEGO-inspired ships with climbing barriers, slides and more that will wear you and more importantly, your kids out! No special skills are required, life jackets keep things super safe, and hours of fun are virtually guaranteed. The minimum age for the Aqua park is six and reservations are definitely recommended.

1. What can you do at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument?

A．Play musical instruments.	B．Explore unknown tracks.
C．Harvest unusual roses.	D．Take photos of wild animals.

2. Why does Sedona appeal to quantities of filmmakers?

A．Colorful scenery.	B．Touching legends
C．Burning hot weather.	D．Steep mountains.

3. Which of the following destinations needs advance booking?

A．Red Rock State Park	B．Sedona
C．OWC’s Aquapark	D．Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

3 . The Albuquerque Balloon Festival

Every autumn, the sky above the city of Albuquerque in the south-western United States turns into a mass of bright colours. This is the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, a nine-day event.

The first festival was held in 1972 to celebrate the 50th birthday of the local radio station. There were about 12 hot-air balloons and they took off from the car park in the middle of Albuquerque. From these small beginnings the festival has grown steadily. This year at least a thousand balloons are expected at its current out-of-town site.

What to do

The pilots light up the burners of their balloons at the same time. These are known as “balloon glows”. However, you must arrive just after night has fallen or before 5:30 am to see these “glows” as the balloons rise into the dark sky.

During the day, you can walk around among the balloons. The balloons come in all sizes and colours, some in the shapes of animals or cartoon characters.

In the afternoon, why not take to the sky yourself by booking a balloon flight with the Rainbow Ryders? This company is allowed to take guests during flight. Another possibility is to take the cable car (缆车) to the top of the nearby mountains and enjoy a bird's-eye view of the festival.

There are other attractions for visitors of all ages, including balloon races.

Practical advice

Tickets are available online. Buy them in advance and save yourself a long wait to get into the festival site. Wear several layers of clothing. At night and in the early morning it can be quite cool, but during the day sunglasses are necessary. Bring a flashlight for night-time events and, of course, bring your digital camera for evening and night-time pictures.

1. What do we know about the Albuquerque Balloon Festival?

A．It runs for nine days.

B．It started as a big event.

C．It takes place every two years.

D．It was held in memory of a pilot.

2. What can you do with the Rainbow Ryders during the festival?

A．Take a cable car tour.

B．Ride a hot-air balloon.

C．Enter balloon competitions.

D．Make balloons in different shapes.

3. What are you advised to do to attend the festival?

A．Wear cool clothes.

B．Buy tickets online.

C．Arrive in the early morning.

D．Take pictures in the daytime.

4 . The harvest season falls at different times of the year depending on region and climate, but festivals celebrating its arrival are held all over the world Some are the start of the season and the fist crops, while other are celebrations to give thanks for the blessing of a harvest.

Rice Harvest Festival (May ~ June)

The harvest festival is dedicated to Dewi Sni-the goddess of rice and fertility(丰产) celebrated by the people of Bali, Indonesia.

Mid-Autumn Festival (September ~ October)

Mooncakes and tea are served on Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Moon Festival, because it coincides with the full moon on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It is also a time of family gatherings.

Yam Festival (August or September)

Men are carrying yams(山药) at the Yam Festival on the Trobriand Islands, Papua NewGuinea. The people there celebrate the end of the rainy season and the first appearance of yams.

Sukkoth (September ~ October)

Jewish people decorate the family Sukkah for the Jewish festival of Sukkot. A Sukkah is a temporary building where meals are taken for the week. The 8-day festival gives thanks to the harvest.

Pongal (January)

The 4-day festival of Pongal is a celebration of the rice harvest period. Held after the winter solstice(冬至), it celebrates the return of longer days of life-giving sunlight. Its name comes from a Tamil word, meaning “to boil”, and is also the name given to a rice dish that is prepared during this time.

1. Which festivals are related to rice?

A．Yam Festival and Sukkoth.

B．Mid-Autumn Festival and Yam Festival.

C．Rice Harvest Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival.

D．Pongal and Rice Harvest Festival.

2. What can you enjoy if you visit China during the Mid-Autumn Festival?

A．Mooncakes.

B．Dumplings.

C．Sweet dumplings.

D．Zongzi.

3. What will the Jewish people prepare for Sukkoth?

A．Rice dishes.

B．Special houses.

C．Tea

D．Flowers

5 . Canada is home to many diverse cultures and people from across the world.     1     because the government encourages everybody to be part of social, cultural, economic, and political affairs.

Black History Month

Every February, all Canadians are welcome to enjoy the festivities and celebrations of Black History Month.     2     and celebrates the achievements and contributions of individuals that have made an incredibly positive contribution to the economy and wealth of Canada. Since the 1950s, Canada has organized annual events and awareness campaigns to draw attention to the remarkable work of black Canadians in medicine, education, art, public service, politics, and human rights.

Asian Heritage Month

    3    , with events and activities taking place across the country. This is a time when Canadians from all walks of life enjoy the unique culture which has made Canada a country of kind-heartedness, variety, and wealth. Each year, a significant contribution is selected and 2015’s pick is Sportsmen and women that are of Asian origin.

The Holocaust

As a crime against humanity, the Holocaust is an event that will never be forgotten. Every year, Canada stands together with the rest of the world to pay tribute to the people who were affected by this tragedy.     4     — where more than one million people were sent to gas chambers and to their agonizing deaths during the Holocaust — was liberated and now, over 50 years later, the date is marked as a day of remembrance.

    5    

Citizenship and Immigration Canada organizes the activities surrounding the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). This is a United Nations convention that promotes universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction based on race, sex, language, or religion.

A．Human Rights

B．Citizenship and Immigration

C．Canadian culture is influenced by European traditions

D．People call Canada their home

E．Canadians celebrate the Asian heritage in May

F．This praises black Canadians of the past and present

G．On January 27, 1945, the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps

6 . Auckland, New Zealand, Jan 29

A Chinese New Year gala, co-organized by the China Cultural Centre and the Huaxing Arts Troupe, was unveiled by Maori Haka. Contemporary dances, cross-talk, Peking opera, Qipao display and violin solo have featured the event, which won thundering applause from local audiences. “Tonight brings back familiar memories from my hometown,” said Sun, a Chinese born in Hubei.

Jersey, Britain, Jan 22

A traditional Chinese dragon dance was performed through St Helier street, which announced the start of Chinese New Year celebration. The event will last from Jan 22 to Feb 5, including tai chi performances, Chinese cuisine stalls and a photo exhibition. The local post office also issued a special stamp, featuring a rabbit holding a cabbage, illustrated by Chinese artist Wang Huming.

Paris, France, Jan 16

After a three-year interval due to the COVID-19, people gathered again to celebrate Chinese New Year. The French capital’s Chinatown has organized a series of celebrations that last from Jan 16 through Saturday including exhibitions of hanfu, music concerts and shows with Franco-Chinese comedians. Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, was present for a parade which attracted over 20, 000 people.

Suva, Republic of Fiji, Feb 5

A Lantern Festival gala was hosted in the Republic of Fiji on Feb 5, joined by about 300 government officials and representatives from Fiji’s Chinese communities. President Maivalili Katonivere, along with first lady, attended the event and gave a speech, in which he said the Lantern Festival is important as the lanterns play a vital role in lighting the path ahead, signifying hope and good fortune.

1. What gala performances could locals enjoy in Auckland?

A．Contemporary dances and music concerts.

B．Qipao display and comedy shows.

C．Cross-talk and tai chi.

D．Peking opera and violin solo.

2. When could locals taste the Chinese food at the celebrations?

A．On Jan 16.

B．On Jan 29.

C．On Feb 6.

D．On Feb 9.

3. Which column of China Daily is the passage probably taken from?

A．Travel.

B．Regional.

C．Culture.

D．Forum.

7 . “I left Carrara when I was 26, and I was the youngest stone-cutter on the Abu Simbel worksite,” says Luciano Paoli. Aged 78, he is one of the workers with first-hand experience of this international adventure: the rescue of the Ramesses II temples in Egypt from the rising waters of the Aswan High Dam.

A green hand from the marble (大理石) caves of Carrara who helped cut the temples of Abu Simbel into blocks, Paoli attended the event celebrating the 50th anniversary (周年纪念) of the adventure, hosted by Salini Impregilo and the Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum) in Turin, Italy.

On February 4, 2019, the rescue of the world heritage site was celebrated at an event held at the museum with Chief Executive Pietro Salini, Museo Egizio Director Christian Greco and UNESCO Regional Director Ana Luiza Thompson-Flores attending.

“Taking down two temples piece by piece, putting them back together elsewhere and perfectly rebuilding the landforms (地貌) around them was a great idea and showed us a new frontier (领域) for cultural protection,” said Salini. “It also showed the world that progress did not have to come at the expense of a world heritage site. Today, 50 years after this fantastic project, we remember with great admiration all those people from different countries and cultures, who, with their unique skills, achieved this impressive achievement for future generations.”

The work of moving the temples, in which Impregilo took part, was done with the support of 50 countries and some 2, 000 people in little more than 1,100 days.

This unique project is also being celebrated with the publication of “Nubiana”, a multimedia tome (多媒体巨著) that tells the story of the temples built more than 3,000 years ago in honour of the great Pharaoh Ramesses II. It also describes the engineering challenges of their rescue by international teamwork.

1. Why did Paoli leave Carrara at age 26?

A．To learn stone-cutting skills.

B．To work on an international team.

C．To attend a 50th anniversary event.

D．To fight against a rising flood in Egypt.

2. What can we learn from Salini’s words in Paragraph 4?

A．He thought highly of the great project.

B．He had a long wait for the anniversary.

C．He called on us to protect cultural heritage.

D．He expected future generations to work together.

3. What do we know about “Nubiana”?

A．It is the fruit of international effort.

B．It is part of the anniversary celebration.

C．It is in honour of the Pharaoh Ramesses II.

D．It shows the engineering of building temples.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Impregilo’s huge success as an organiser.

B．Paoli’s great achievement as a stone-cutter.

C．Two processes in the rescue of Abu Simbel.

D．The celebration of the Abu Simbel rescue.

8 . China’s National Day holiday, otherwise known as National Day golden week, is an annual seven-day public holiday, the longest public holiday other than Chinese New Year, which typically falls around February.

Beijing is the biggest city to host celebrations, particularly at Tiananmen Square, which features a special flag-raising ceremony around sunrise. Other common nationwide activities include flag raisings, song and dance performances, and firework displays.

People typically like to travel domestically during the October holiday, with many visiting their hometown. During the holiday period, offices, embassies, factories and restaurants will likely close for at least a day or two—making it the perfect occasion to catch up with family and friends.

Falling in autumn, the weather during the holiday is generally pleasant and sunny, with a cool breeze and low humidity—creating perfect travel conditions. 

In 2019, as a Briton living in China, I faced the same dilemma local citizens did—with pretty much everyone in the country wanting to enjoy a week off work and wondering, “where can I go to enjoy myself without getting stuck in crowds?” I did plenty of research to find a hidden gem in China, somewhere I could avoid the flocks of tourists. It seems there were plenty of options, but I left it to the last moment and discovered flight and train tickets were all sold out, so I decided to just spend some time in the city I was living in: Shanghai. After my first National Day holiday as a foreigner in China, I learned what not to do over this period, that is, try to avoid traveling to popular destinations during the golden week.

Allow me to recall my trip to The Bund in 2017. I first took the metro to East Nanjing Road; I was floored as the queue for the security check was almost 100 people long. On my normal commute to work, I went straight through, scanning my bag in less than 10 seconds, so naturally, I was shocked. Once I finally reached the metro, the doors opened and people swarmed off in the hundreds, while just as many piled on. Once I exited the metro, what would normally be a 10-minute walk took around an hour, as I slowly walked down East Nanjing Road, shoulder to shoulder with other tourists all looking to catch a glimpse as the impressive Bund lit up at night.

Being from a small town in England, I had never before seen so many people gather in one space. I found it fascinating to hear all the different dialects, accents, and people seemingly unphased by so much noise and such a large crowd.

Once I finally reached the front of The Bund, I managed to squeeze through the selfie sticks and tour group flags to gaze in amazement at the buildings that appeared to touch the sky.

1. What sentence best describes the author’s feeling about China’s National Holiday?

A．It is a time when people enjoy travelling abroad.

B．It is a time when people can have family reunions.

C．It is a holiday as important and long as the Spring Festival.

D．It is a holiday falling in very pleasant weather conditions.

2. Why did the author advise people to avoid travelling to popular destinations during the golden week?

A．Because he was stuck in the crowd during his first National Day Holiday.

B．Because he experienced being trapped in the crowded metro in 2017.

C．Because he discovered no flight and train tickets left during the holiday.

D．Because he had unpleasant experiences on his first National Day holiday and sometime in 2017.

3. It can be inferred that the author will ________ during next National Day holiday.

A．remain in the city he lives in

B．travel to a famous place

C．return home to visit his family

D．enjoy being alone at home

9 . For the sixth year in a row, a Florida Chick-fil-A (CFA) celebrated the birthday of a longtime customer who has been coming to the restaurant on a regular basis for over 20 years! The CFA location in Oldsmar, Florida, USA, hosted a 104th birthday party for beloved customer Mr. Steve on Nov.8.

In a Facebook post, the restaurant said Mr. Steve visited every morning for over two decades until 2018. He sat at the same table, ordered the same breakfast and read the morning paper during his daily visits. Now, he visits on a regular basis.

“His visit was a daily highlight and our team would take five to ten minutes each day to sit and talk with him,” the post said. He is described as one of the “sweetest, most genuine, kind, and humble people we have had the pleasure to know” by the restaurant employees, many of whom have developed a special relationship with him over the years.

The restaurant shared pictures from each celebration. When he turned 100, the location said it went “big” by dedicating a table to Mr. Steve and gifting him free CFA for life. The celebration resulted in national news attention and the opportunity for Mr. Steve to film a Chick-fil-A commercial in New York City.

In 2020 for Mr. Steve’s 102nd birthday, CFA team members showed up to his home and celebrated him with a socially distanced party in the driveway. In 2021, the restaurant opened its dining room just for Mr. Steve in order to celebrate his 103rd birthday.

“As we celebrated 104, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to return even a portion of the love that he shares with our team, and for the bond that we have been able to build over the past six years of birthdays,” the restaurant wrote on Facebook.

1. When did the Florida Chick-fil-A begin to celebrate Mr. Steve’s birthday?

A．When he was 97.	B．When he was 98.
C．When he was 99.	D．When he was 100.

2. What impressed the restaurant employees about Mr. Steve?

A．His long life.

B．His personality.

C．His life experience.

D．His commercial success.

3. What made Mr. Steve attract national media attention?

A．His getting free CFA for life.

B．His visiting the CFA every day.

C．The CFA’s opening its dining room for him.

D．The special celebration of his 100th birthday.

4. What’s the purpose of the restaurant’s post on Facebook?

A．To express gratitude.

B．To attract customers.

C．To share an experience.

D．To make an announcement.

10 . How to Make the Most of Your Summer Vacation

From taking on a project to discovering a new part of town, summer is the best time to have loads of fun and prepare yourself for the next school year or the world beyond the classroom.

Learn a language to make new friends. There are few things more fun than being able to speak another language.    1    . Then find learning resources online. You can also look for opportunities to experience your new language in your community. For example, if you’re learning French, browse your local free newspaper to find French cultural activities in your area.

    2    . You can learn to create a website from the very beginning with HTML. Or, you can learn to create a website without computer language skills on a publishing platform like WordPress.    3    when your website is up and running. You can share links to your website on social media to build your personal brand, which looks great on college and job applications.

Find a job to earn some money.    4    . To make the most of your vacation and earn enough cash for fun activities, apply for jobs that interest you. If you like animals, for example, consider applying for a part-time job at a pet store.

Research colleges to find out which one suits you. Every college has a website, so start by visiting college websites that have majors that interest you. You can also read college review websites like USA Today and The Princeton Review to get a sense of things like how much colleges cost and what students think about their schools.     5    . If they’re free, they might even organize a fun road trip or two around campus visits.

A．Create a website to learn about web publishing.

B．Sign up to volunteer in local restaurants and stores.

C．Restaurants and stores often hire teens during the summer.

D．Consider asking your parents to take you on campus visits.

E．Consider publishing your photos, videos and original writings.

F．A foreign language is always a useful tool to learn another culture.

G．For maximum fun, choose one you’ve always been interested in learning.