Photographer Zhang Zhongzeng has taken a series of photos showing people's lives around 40 years ago in Beijing. Born in 1957, Zhang has witnessed (目睹) China's changes since the reform and opening-up period began in 1978.

Playing with birds

Date: 1983

Location: Deshengmen

During the 1980s, there were many elderly men who loved playing with birds. In the early morning, you could always see them holding bird cages, walking in the park or hutongs, on the road or under a tree. The hobby of playing with birds became popular during the Tang Dynasty and reached its heyday during the Qianlong period of Qing Dynasty.

Now there are fewer Beijingers with birds, as elderly citizens' lives get richer and hutongs disappear from the city.

Carriages (马车) in the city

Date: 1989

Location: Hepingli

In the 1980s, the trolley bus (无轨电车) and bus ran across empty roads, while carriages carrying goods or vegetables kept pace. During that time, traffic in Beijing was quite smooth, and three—wheeled motor vehicles, walking tractors and auto trucks could make use of the streets. The most commonly seen transportation was the bicycles, with different brands (品牌), styles and functions.

Sugar—coated haws on a stick

Date: 1988

Location: Qian men Watchtower

Among well-known Beijing snacks, bingtanghulu (sugar - coated haws on a stick) is probably the most famous, a city trademark.

For children living in the 1980s in Beijing, when there were no Me Donald's or KFC's. bingtanghulu was their favorite snack. Now, for them a bite of bingtanghulu brings reminiscence and nostalgia (怀旧).

1.Why do fewer and fewer elderly citizens in Beijing play with birds?

A.Because there are fewer birds

B.Because they have richer lives.

C.Because they hate birds.

D.Because they are very busy.

2.What was the most popular transportation in 1989?

A.Motor vehicles. B.Walking tractors. C.Autotrucks. D.Bicycles.

3.What does the underlined word "reminiscence" mean in English?

A.Luck. B.Memories. C.Interest. D.Treasure.

That cold January night, I was growing sick of my life in the city I lived. There I was walking home at one in the morning after a tiring practice at the theatre. I was having trouble dealing with my part-time job at the bank and my acting at night at the same time. As I walked, I thought seriously about giving up both acting and the life in this awful place.

As I walked down the empty street under tall buildings, I felt very small and cold. "Run!" I told myself and began to do so, both to keep warm and keep away from any possible danger.

About a block from my flat, I heard a noise behind me. I turned quickly, but the street was empty. The noise had made me nervous, so I started to run faster. I didn't realize what the noise had been until I reached my flat. It had been my wallet falling to the street.

I wasn't cold or tired any more. I ran back to where I had heard the noise. Although I searched the street for fifteen minutes, my wallet was nowhere to be found.

Just as I was about to give up the search, I heard a rubbish truck stop next to me. A voice called from the truck driver, "Alisa Camacho?” I thought I was dreaming. How could this man know my name? The door opened and a man jumped out. "Is this what you're looking for?" he asked, holding up a small square shape.

It was nearly 3 a. m. by the time I got into bed. I wouldn't get much sleep that night. But I had got my wallet back. I also had got back some enjoyment of city life.

1.How many jobs did the writer do in the city she lived?

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2.Why did the writer run in the street that night?

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3.When did the writer realize that the noise had been her wallet falling to the street?

___________________________________________________

4.How long did the writer herself spend looking for her wallet?

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5.Who found the wallet for the writer?

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