阅读理解。

Soap operas from South Korea have been popular in China for more than twenty years now. So it is not the first time for the soap operas made in China to feel less popular. But this time, they are facing more difficulties, for The Heirs (继承者) and My Love from the Star (来自星星的你) really made a full success, which even attracted some top officials.

A senior official said he sometimes watched soap operas from South Korea, as well as House of Cards (纸牌屋), an American opera about politics (政治). These operas made both in South Korea and in America have a lot of lovers in China.

Many people agree that China's soap operas can't be much loved by most Chinese, because they are not as interesting and exciting as those operas from South Korea and America, such as My Love from the Star, a Korean love story between a time traveling professor and a famous movie star.

    However，Korean shows not only provide soap operas but also some programmings (综艺节目). Dad, Where Are We Going? is not an original (独创的)Chinese show. We learned it from South Korea although not many in China realize that fact.

Actually, China has a closer culture with South Korea. Shows from this neighbor seem to do better with their exciting stories on the Cinderella theme (灰姑娘主题). Yet they have created many popular shows whose stories tell there's no difference between men and women even though in their country men are certain to play a more important role.

    In Britain, people usually begin their talks with weather. For example, they will say“It's a fine day, isn't it?”“Do you think it will rain?”

    Many people believe that they are able to tell what the weather will be like. But they never agree with each other. One man may say, “How cloudy (阴的) it is now! It's going to rain.” Another man will say, “No, it's going to be fine later.”

    People always hope the weather they want. For example, when a farmer needs water, he looks for something to tell him it's going to rain. When a man wants to travel, he is sure the weather will be fine quickly.

    Now almost everyone listens to the weather report. It doesn't always tell us the weather we want, it only tells us what the weather will be like. But sometimes it makes mistakes(错误).

根据短文内容，选择正确答案。

    A nationwide survey released earlier this year said an average Chinese adult read less than eight books in 2015, among which 4.58 were paper books and 3.26 e-books. With digital books becoming more popular, many people would find it hard to remember the last time they sat down in a bookstore and enjoyed a quiet moment.

    But this does not mean that bookstores are losing their customers. To lure more readers, bookstores are now bigger, more beautiful and grander. Here are some of them.

    Zhongshuge

    Walking into a Zhongshuge bookstore is like entering a sea of books, above the ceiling overhead, beneath the floor under your feet, on the walls, and under the steps of the staircases. Zhongshuge is known for its beautiful designs. The brand now has chains in Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Yangzhou.

    The Bookworm

    The bookworm is a bookshop, bar and café all in one. Hidden in downtown Beijing's Sanlitun bar area, the place is among the most popular for foreigners looking for some international experiences in the Chinese capital.

    In addition to a larger variety of books, the European-style shop also holds lectures and cultural events. It's often possible for visitors to meet famous authors unexpectedly in the comfortable place.

    Paradise Time Travel Bookstore

    Tibet（西藏）is a must-visit on many people's travel lists. You can find the beauty of the ancient Tibetan style. Paradise Time Travel Bookstore is decorated in this way. But if you look closely, you will find it is a foreignlanguage bookshop. This kind of mixture is a great surprise, isn't it?

    The Paradise Time Travel Bookstore is located near the princess Wencheng Theater in Lhasa(拉萨).

    Poplar Kid's Republic

    The Poplar Kid's Republic, sitting in Beijing's CBD area, is a fairyland of picture books for children. Thebookshop was selected among one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world by Flavorwire, a popular US news website about art and culture, in 2012.

    The colorful designs inside are aimed at encouraging kids to explore books. Pushing the glass doors open, you will see children's drawings and craftworks(工艺)hanging on the pink walls, leading you into a world full of imagination.

    Some British and American people like to invite friends for a meal at home.You should not be upset if your English friends don't invite you home.It doesn't mean they don't like you!

    Dinner parties usually start between 7 and 8 p. m. and end at about 11 p.m. Ask your hosts what time you should arrive.It's polite to bring flowers,chocolates or a bottle of wine as gifts.

    Usually dinners start with drinks and snacks.Do you want to be extra polite?Say how much you like the room,or the pictures on the wall.But remember－it's not polite to ask how much things cost.

    In many families,the husband sits at one end of the table and the wife sits at the other end.They eat with their guests.

    You'll probably start the meal with soup or something small,then you'll have meat or fish with vegetables,and the dessert.It's polite to finish everything on your plate and to take more if you want.

    Did you enjoy the evening?Call your hosts the next day,or write them a short “thank you” letter.British and American people like to say “thank you,thank you,thank you” all the time.

    Mary is having a birthday party. There will be a cake with candles. Some people will bring birthday presents. Let's look at birthdays in some different countries around the world.

    Argentina(阿根廷): Ear pulling. If it is your birthday, they will pull your ear. They will pull your ear one time for each year of your age. If you are 13, they will pull your ear thirteen times.

    Denmark(丹麦): Flag(旗). If it is your birthday in Denmark, a flag will fly outside a window of your home.

    Philippines(菲律宾): Coloured lights. Some people put coloured lights outside their home if someone is having a birthday party.

    Russia: Birthday pies. Many Russian children get a birthday pie, not a birthday cake.

    When it is your birthday, here is a message for you: “Happy Birthday” from all around the world.