Festivals play an important role in a culture’s identity. I can’t think of a better way of appreciating a new culture than by taking part in one of its festivals. Here are some special festivals around the world.

Museums & Attractions—Things to do in London
In the Company of Cooks
Until Sat Jun 19 Imperial War Museum
These cookery exhibits and talks are inspired by the museum’s ‘The Ministry of Food’ exhibition and look at how wartime advice was put into practice. ‘The Kitchen Front’ (May 29) with Valentine Warner and Marguerite Patten explores recipes during the war and tricks and tips used to make the most of limited food supply.
Transport Lambeth North 
Telephone 020 7416 5320
http://www.iwm.org.uk
Italian Renaissance Drawings
Until Sun Jul 25 British Museum
Bringing together artwork from the Uffizi and the BM’s own collections, this major exhibition focuses on 100 drawings made by Italian artists between 1400 and 1510. The show examines how drawing changed from a means of preserving artistic reality to a way of perfecting naturalistic forms, through original works of Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Titian and other masters.
Transport Holborn/Russell Square 
Telephone 020 7323 8181
http://www.britishmuseum.org
The Deep
Until Sun Sep 5 Natural History Museum
This exhibition leads visitors into the deep sea, showing them the environment of sea livings that have to fit themselves in their world in unusual ways. During this special voyage, visitors will learn about the history of deep-sea exploration and how scientists use technology to preserve this ecosystem which is easily destroyed.
Transport South Kensington 
Telephone 020 7942 5000
http://www.nhm.ac.uk
Marvel Super Heroes 4D
Jun 2-Aug 31 Madame Tussaud’s
A new three-story display combining models, 3D animation with special effects to bring to life some of Marvel’s most famous names—including Spider-man, Iron Man, Wolverine and The Invisible Woman. There’s also a chance to ‘turn hero’ in a series of experiences including walking on the ceiling with Spider-Man and stepping into Iron Man’s chest shield.
Transport Baker Street
Telephone  0871 894 3000
http://www.madametussauds.com/london
60. Who will be interested in this guide information?
A. People who like art and culture.                     B. People who like adventures and travels.
C. People who like sports and music.        D. People who like museums and attractions.
61. According to the information where can you go if you arrive in London on Sep. 1st?
A. Madame Tussaud’s.                              B. Imperial War Museum.
C. Natural History Museum.                        D. British Museum.
62. Which website will be visited by one who wants to know more about Italian Renaissance Drawings?
A. http://www.iwm.org.uk               B. http://www.britishmuseum.org
C. http://www.nhm.ac.uk                D. http://www.madametussauds.com/london

Festivals play an important role in a culture’s identity. I can’t think of a better way of appreciating a new culture than by taking part in one of its festivals. Here are some special festivals around the world.
★Boryeong Mud Festival--Boryeong, South Korea
For two weeks in July, millions gather in Boryeong to experience the grey pools and slides. What began as a way of promoting the region’s mineral-rich mud has turned into a festive party , complete with music and fireworks. While the mud is usually only available in cosmetic products, here you can cake yourself in grey as you want.
★Holi--lndia
Holi, the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu celebration full of joy and one of India’s most important holidays. During the day of the last full moon of the lunar month, usually late February or early March, the air is full of bright colored powder. The festival is celebrated differently throughout the country, but the cheerful spirit is common throughout Hindu communities around the world.
★Koninginnedag--The Netherlands
Although their current Queen’s birthday is really during the winter, the Queen still celebrates it on April 30th,the country’s official “Queen’s Day” since 1949. Orange is the national color, and the streets become a sea of feather boas（长围巾）and body paint as crowds gather in the plazas（广场）. Amsterdam is the center of this outdoor party, with many live music acts, but nearly every town is alive with orange on this day.
★National Elephant Day in Thailand
In Thailand, March 13 is regarded as National Elephant Day to show that the Thai elephant plays an important role in the Thai history. Thai Elephant Day has been held on an annual basis since the idea was first approved by the Thai government in 1998. Special events are held at a number of venues in northern Thailand. At the Mae Sa Elephant Camp, it has become a tradition on March 13 for the dozens of elephants there to be treated to a huge feast of fruits and sugarcane

1. 1.

   What we can learn from the passage is that ________

   1. A.
      Boryeong Mud Festival was originally held to advertise for their mineral resources
   2. B.
      people around the world celebrate Holi differently to promote their religions
   3. C.
      Koninginnedag--The Netherlands was celebrated on their current Queen’s birthday
   4. D.
      it is an international custom for the Thai elephant to eat all kinds of fruits and sugarcane
2. 2.

   What is the purpose of the festival held on March 13 in Thailand?

   1. A.
      To call on people to protect these endangered elephants
   2. B.
      To give the Thai elephant a chance to eat fruits and sugarcane
   3. C.
      To stress the importance of the elephant in the Thai history
   4. D.
      To help people relax themselves by feeding the Thai elephant
3. 3.

   You can experience the Festival of Colors in _______

   1. A.
      South Korea
   2. B.
      Thailand
   3. C.
      the Netherlands
   4. D.
      India
4. 4.

   What is the main purpose of the text?

   1. A.
      To tell people how to enjoy and relax themselves
   2. B.
      To introduce some unique festivals around the world
   3. C.
      To get people to celebrate different kinds of customs
   4. D.
      To show the importance of celebrating different festivals

Festivals play an important role in a culture’s identity．I can’t think of a better way of appreciating a new culture than by taking part in one of its festivals. Here are some special festivals around the world．

★ Boryeong Mud Festival－Boryeong, South Korea

For two weeks in July, millions gather in Borueong to experience the grey pools and slides．What began as a way of promoting the region’s mineral-rich mud has turned into a festive party, complete with music and fireworks．While the mud is usually only available in cosmetic products, here you can cake yourself in grey as you want．

★Holi－India

Holi, the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu celebration full of joy and one of India’s most important holidays, During the day of the last full moon of the lunar month, usually late February throughout the country, but the cheerful spirit is common throughout Hindu communities around the world．

★Koninginnedag－The Netherlands

       Although their current Queen’s birthday is really during the winter, the Queen still celebrates it on April 30^th, the country’s official “ Queen’s Day” since 1949．Orange is the national color, and the streets become a sea of feather boas（长围巾）and body paint as crowds gather in the plazas（广场）．Amsterdam is the center of this outdoor party, with many live music acts, but nearly every town is alive with orange on this day．

★National Elephant Day in Thailand

In Thailand, March 13 is regarded as National Elephant Day to show that the Thai elephant plays an important role in the Thai history．Thai Elephant Day has been held on an annual basis since the idea was first approved by the Thai government in 1998．Special events are held at a number of venues in northern Thailand．At the Mae Sa Elephant Camp, it has become a tradition on March13 for the dozens of elephants there to be treated to a huge feast of fruits and sugarcane．

62．What we can learn from the passage is that        ．

A. Boryeong Mud Festival was originally held to advertise for their mineral resources

B. people around the world celebrate Holi differently to promote their religions

C. Koninginnedag－The Netherlands was celebrated on their current Queen’s birthday

D. it is an international custom for the Thai elephant to eat all kinds of fruits and sugarcane

63．What is the purpose of the festival held on March 13 in Thailand?

A．To call on people to protect these endangered elephants．

B．To give the Thai elephant a chance to eat fruits and sugarcane．

C．To give the importance of the elephant in the Thai history．

D．To help people relax themselves by feeding the Thai elephant．

64．You can experience the Festival of Colors in       ．

A．South Korea           B．Thailand           C．the Netherlands D．India

65．What is the main purpose of the text?

A．To tell people how to enjoy and relax themselves．

B．To introduce some unique festivals around the world．

C．To get people to celebrate different kinds of customs．

D．To show the importance of celebrating different festivals．

I grew up in a house where the TV was seldom turned on and with one wall in my bedroom entirely lined with bookshelves, most of my childhood was spent on books I could get hold of. In fact, I grew up thinking of reading as natural as breathing and books unbelievably powerful in shaping perspectives (观点) by creating worlds we could step into, take part in and live in.

With this unshakable belief, I, at fourteen, decided to become a writer. Here too, reading became useful. Every writer starts off knowing that he has something to say, but being unable to find the right ways to say it. He has to find his own voice by reading widely and discovering which parts of the writers he agrees or disagrees with, or agrees with so strongly that it reshapes his own world. He cannot write without loving to read, because only through reading other people’s writing can one discover what works, what doesn’t and, in the end, together with lots of practice, what voice he has.

Now I am in college, and have come to realize how important it is to read fiction (文学作品)．As a law student, my reading is in fact limited to subject matter—the volume (量) of what I have to read for classes every week means there is little time to read anything else. Such reading made it all the clearer to me that I live in a very small part in this great place called life. Reading fiction reminds me that there is life beyond my own. It allows me to travel across the high seas and along the Silk Road, all from the comfort of my own armchair, to experience, though secondhand, exciting experiences that I wouldn't necessarily be able to have in my lifetime.

What can be inferred about the author as a child?

A.  He never watched TV.            B.  He read what he had to.

C.  He found reading unbelievable.    D.  He considered reading part of his life.

The underlined word "voice" in the second paragraph most probably means “       ”.

A. an idea                                            B. a sound quality

C. a way of writing                                          D. a world to write about

What effect does reading have on the author?

A. It helps him to realize his dream.       B. It opens up a wider world for him.

C. It makes his college life more interesting .D. It increases his interest in worldwide travel.

Which of the following can be the best title of this text?

A. Why do I read?                                           B. How do I read?

C. What do I read?                                   D. When do I read?