With more recognition than Halloween and less than Christmas, Valentine’s Day as an imported festival faces a dangerous situation in China, where it’s caught between forces of tradition and fashion. Valentine’s Day has a natural enemy in China. And it is not the Chinese equivalent, which falls on the seventh day of the seventh month on the lunar calendar, usually around half a year away from Feb. 14. It is the Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, that will influence the Feast of Saint Valentine.
The real disagreement between East and West probably took place over a century ago, when China’s door was forced open by Western powers and Chinese scholars supported westernization as a means to strengthenour nation’s ability to compete. The introduction of the solar calendarand Western measurements was both an acknowledgment of their influence and an effort to be accepted by the world order.
For a full century, we have had two systems running in parallel. When it comes to the eventual outcome, practicality usually beats all other concerns. Laws can help, such as the three traditional festivals of Tomb Sweeping, Dragon Boat and Mid-Autumn gaining legal status in 2008 and giving every Chinese citizen a day off, but laws cannot push what people have no feelings for. So, the celebration or boycott of imported holidaysor homegrown ones should be no cause for worry. If they are irrelevant, no social media will change the public’s mind; and if they are accepted, there must be a need which they happen to satisfy.
Since we have no global Qin Shihuang to force one system on every country, we can always rely on a dual(双重) approach by which we share with the outside world on one hand but preserve our own ways of life on the other.
1. What does the author say about Valentine’s Day in China?
A. It is better received than Christmas.
B. It brings potential danger to people.
C. It becomes increasingly popular.
D. It happens to have a natural enemy.
2. The underlined word “equivalent” in the first paragraph refers to ________.
A. theChinese Valentine’s Day
B. theSpring Festival
C. fashion
D. custom
3. Which of the following can decide what to celebrate according to the author?
A. Laws. B. Media. C. Needs. D. Tradition.
4. The author believes that ________.
A. the conflict between East and West causes more trouble
B. two different systems of festivals can co-existin China
C. westernization is a symbol of a nation’s competitive ability
D. homegrown festivals are more important than imported ones
When young people begin to live independently, home-hunting can bring some stress. But they would do well to remember that a new alternative is available—micro-home.
Called “tiny houses”, these houses have all living necessities in a small package, including kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Generally under 50 square meters, most tiny houses accommodate just one or two people though some claim the space for more. What’s lost in size is not lost in design as these homes are often quite unique and modern in design.
Besides an attractive appearance, tiny houses can also have unique practical features. Making the best of urban space, the 72- to122-centimeter-wide Keret House in Warsaw, the world’s narrowest home, fills in an alley. The Ecocapsule home uses solar power, wind power and rainwater collection to enable its owner to live practically anywhere. A system of rails allows the DALE micro-home to adjust room size and number as well as adding the option of an open or enclosed courtyard.
Visually appealing as micro-homes are, there are a few drawbacks to consider before getting cozy on a mini-couch. Moving into a tiny house requires the removing of most non-essentials, regardless of the emotional connection to them. Guests will also mostly be out of the question as the limited space may even cause a solitary (独居的) individual to experience some cabin fever (幽闭症). And finally, a micro-home is likely a temporary living option for most people since they will probably start families and acquiremore possessions.
Though the limitations will scare some, there is usually a benefit. A small size results in a small price tag and small bills, making tiny houses easier to save up for and budget. And though you won’t have much stuff around the house, this can provide the comfort of simple living and repairs. Micro-homes are also practically mobile and have eco-friendliness that can’t be matched by other homes. They probably aren’t for everyone or forever, but when it comes to your next (or first) home, they could be just what you need.
1.What can be learnt about micro-homes from the second paragraph?
A. People have to eat out as there is no cooking area.
B. These homes are poorly designed due to the small size.
C. All of the houses are under 50 square meters in size.
D. Such houses aren’t necessarily inconvenient though tiny.
2.The third paragraph is mainly developed ________.
A. by giving examples
B. by making comparisons
C. by following the time order
D. by describing the process
3.Micro-homes are especially fit for ________.
A. a young couple in hope of settling down permanently
B. an individual constantly suffering from cabin fever
C. a college graduate on a tight budget for the time being
D. a family of five in favor of environmental protection
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A. Is Your House Tiny Enough?
B. Why Not Enlarge Your House?
C. East Or West, Home Is the Best!
D. Micro-homes—More Than Tiny!
Walking down a path through some woods in Georgia, I saw a small pool of water ahead on the path. I changed my direction to go around it on the part of the path that wasn’t covered by water or mud. As Ireached the pool, I was suddenly attacked! Yet I did nothing for the attack. It was so unpredictable andfrom somewhere totally unexpected. I was surprised as well as unhurt though I had been struck four or fivetimes. I backed up a foot and my attacker stopped attacking me. Had I been hurt, I wouldn’t have found itamusing. And I was laughing. After all, I was being attacked by a butterfly!
Having stopped, laughing, I took a step forward. My attacker rushed me again. He charged towards me at full speed, attempting to hurt me but invain. For a second time, I took a stepbackwards while myattacker paused. I wasn’t sure what to do. After all, it’s just not everyday that one is attacked by a butterfly. I stepped back to look the situation over. My attacker moved back to land on the ground. That’s when I discovered why my attacker was charging at me onlymoments earlier. He had a mate andshe wasdying.
Sitting close beside her, he opened and closed his wings as if to fanher. I could only admire the loveand courage of that butterfly in his concern for his mate. He had taken it up on himself to attack me forhis mate’s sake, even though she was clearly dying and I was so large. He did so just to give herthose extra few precious moments of life. His courage inattacking something thousands of times larger and heavier than himself just for his mate’s safety seemedadmirable. I couldn’t do anything other than reward him by walking on the more difficult side of the pool. He had truly earned those moments to be with her, undisturbed.
Since then, I’ve always tried to remember the courage of that butterfly whenever I see huge barriers facing me.
1. Why did the writer change his direction while walking down a path?
A. To get close to a butterfly.
B. To look the bad situation over.
C. To escape a sudden attack.
D. To avoid getting his shoes dirty.
2.What did the man find funny?
A. Making the attacker pause.
B. Being attacked by a butterfly.
C. Stepping on a butterfly.
D. Discovering the energetic butterfly.
3. Which of the following words can best describe the male butterfly?
A. Careless. B. Amusing.
C. Courageous. D. Aggressive.
4.From this experience the man learned ________.
A. what he should do when faced with trouble
B. people should show sympathy to the weak
C. how he should deal with attacks
D. people should protect butterflies
假如你是学生会主席李华，你校将于12月25日接待美国友谊校来访师生，请根据以下提示写一份书面通知。
活动安排：1. 9:00在校操场举行欢迎仪式；
2. 12:00-13:00 在校体育馆进行中美学生篮球赛；
3. 18:00 在校礼堂举办中美学生文艺晚会。
活动要求： 全体穿着校服，举止得体。
注意：1. 100词左右；2. 可以适当增加细节使行文连贯。
参考词汇：友谊校 sister school；校礼堂 the school auditorium
NOTICE
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December 19, 2015 The Students’ Union
阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。
Mr. Robinson had to travel on business. As he was in a hurry, he decided to go 1. air. When he got aboard the plane, he tried to look for 2. window seat and he found only one was left. There was a soldier 3. (sit) in the seat beside it. Mr. Robinson at once went towards it.
When he reached it, 4. , he saw that there was a notice on it. It was written in ink and said, “This seat 5. (preserve) for proper load balance, thank you.” Never 6. Mr. Robinson seen such an unusual notice in a plane before, but he thought the plane must be carrying something 7. (particular) heavy, so he walked on and found another empty seat.
Several 8. (passenger) tried the same but they also read the notice and went on. When the plane was nearly full, a very beautiful girl hurried into the plane. The soldier, 9. was watching people coming in, quickly took the notice off the seat. And 10. was in this way that he succeeded in having the company of the girl during the whole trip.
单句改错
1.To tell you truth, your proposal surprised us.
2.He was too shocked that he couldn’t even say a word.
3.As well as know some Russian, she speaks English very well.
4.The news which he won the scholarship inspired us all.
5.Though facing with difficulties, Frank decided not to give up.
