Chinese Paper Cutting

    As traditional Chinese art, paper cutting has a long history. The first and earliest pa per cutting was found in China 1,500 years ago. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Luckily, Voyo Woo, a Chinese immigrant（移民）in America, is trying to bring this art back to life.

    One Saturday in 2014, Ms. Woo held a paper cutting show at a shopping center near Washington. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. She hoped more people would enjoy the art of paper cutting.

    Ms. Woo began to study the art of paper cutting as a 14-year-old girl in her hometown in China. She said all the students at school had to learn paper cutting. But she had a deep love for it. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Later, she won the second prize in a national painting and art competition. Ms. Woo went to America after she finished college in 2008. Soon after that, she took part in an activity to promote（宣传）Chinese paper cutting. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. “It is important to promote this art to Americans or anyone who is interested in it. Maybe it will make this art more popular.” Woo said.

    From the art of paper cutting, people can know about Chinese cultural values, history and stories of people's life. Ms. Woo uses the art as a tool to show Chinese culture to people who know little about it. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}, but also for people all over the world. 

    Earth Hour started at 7:30 p.m. on March 31,2007 in Sydney, Australia. More than 2.2 million homes and businesses turned off their lights for an hour.

    A year later, March 29,Earth Hour 2008 became a global(全球的)activity.50 million people in 35 countries took part in it.

    On March 28, 2009, more than2100 cities in 88 countries joined in it. And the idea “Earth hour” came to China. What were people doing during the Earth Hour? Here are some people's answers:

    Ann: I'm a university student. I invited some of my friends to go out. During the Earth Hour, we were having a candle light concert on the playground. We also talked about the happy times we spent in the university.

    Julie: I turned off the lights in my house and went for a walk during the Earth Hour. It was a little strange to walk in the dark. But I think it is exciting and meaningful.

（A）

:I think kids learn better by studying for tests. If you actually sit and study what you are supposed to learn, you'll remember it. Hands-on projects might end up making a kid feel stressed if they are trying to finish on time, and If you are stressed, you might not learn as much.  {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

:When people study, they remember what was in the book. If they know they have a test, they will most likely to take notes on all the important information to help them with the test, so they will learn it better.  {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

:With a hands-on project, you can be creative while you learn. It's also a lot more fun than sitting at a desk with flashcards. Plus, with a hands-on project, you can learn more than you expected. It's more satisfying to learn on your own without someone explaining it to you.  {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

:Hands-on projects are better. When you are studying for a test, it can get boring and then you can get distracted(注意力分散的). You learn better doing projects because it is not boring and you experience new things depending on what you are doing.  {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

:I think kids learn hands-on projects because they have to consider the topic, instead of just memorizing information that they'll forget about after the test. Also, completing a project is good for spending time with your friends or family.  {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    When traveling with your family or friends（especially on your own），you have to prepare something well. Tips on safety，health and planning will certainly make your trip more enjoyable.

A.    B.    C.     D.

    According to the traditional Chinese custom, 2018 is just the year of Dog. Ranking as the eleventh animal in the Chinese zodiac-the Shengxiao, Dog is a symbol of loyalty(忠诚)and honesty.

      ①  

    Words and phrases including dogs (Gou in Chinese) are commonly used by young people when telling jokes about themselves. For example, you can say "Valentine's Day has nothing to do with me since I am a single dog." It is believed that dog related words and phrases usually have good humour.

      ②  

    Among some young people, adding“dog”to a friend's name has the meaning of a close relationship. One of the most famous examples in China is that the actor Lin Gengxin is called Lin Gou by his close friends and fans.

      ③  

    Kids with pleasant names are easy to bring up, according to an ancient Chinese saying. Parents in the countryside prefer to give nicknames(绰号)including Gou Sheng and Gou Dan to their kids in the hope that they are as easy to be raised as dogs.

      ④  

    Since dogs are considered to have many good qualities(品质), the word is included in more than 10 Chinese metaphors. For example, "serve like a dog or a horse" is used to describe someone who is ready to work hard for the people who have powers.

    What do you think of when talking about India? The Taj Mahal(泰姬陵)? Song and dance? The list goes on and on. India is an interesting and mysterious country with a long history. It is one of the four oldest civilizations(文明) in the world.

    Home to more than 1.2 billion people, India is the country with the second largest population in the world. The country is also the birthplace of many famous people. Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) is a great poet. His poems use fresh and beautiful language to describe nature and his love for India. Many Chinese children learn his works at school.

    Besides, fast economic development is making India a rising power. India is strong in the information technology (IT) industry. By the end of 2012, 2.5 million Indian people were working at its IT companies. One third of them worked in Bangalore. The city is called the Silicon Valley(硅谷) of India. It is the centre of the IT industry in India. IT products from India are common in people's lives. If you buy a computer, some of the software may have been made in India.

    Many young people love Bollywood films. Most of these films tell stories with a happy ending. They have exciting music and dance. Some of the best ones are Slum-dog Millionaire (2008) and 3 idiots (2009). Yoga comes from ancient India. It helps people deal with their stress. It is said that curry was made in India more than 5,000 years ago. Traditional Indian curry is spicy. Indian people usually have curry with rice. Curry soup is also one of their favourites.