(B)

Stories about Kites in Japan

People have flown kites in Japan for more than 1000 years. There are many different kinds of kites there. Some look like bats; others look like birds. Most have pictures on them.

There are many interesting stories about kites in Japan.

One story tells us about a thief who used a kite to fly. He wanted to steal the gold from the top of an old tower. The thief and his friends made a large kite. One dark windy night, the thief caught hold of(抓住) the kite. His friends raised the kite into the air. Then they moved the kite near the top of the tower. The thief was able to steal the gold.

Another story tells about a father and a son who were on a small lonely island in the middle of the Japanese sea. There were no bouts or ships. They couldn’t go back to the mainland. So they made a big kite. His son flew on it back to Japan.

There is a K-Day in Japan. The young men of Japan have kite matches. When the kites are flying the match starts. The young men try to break each other’s kite string(细线). The last kite left in the sky is the winner.

35. Most kites in Japan ____.

A. are very large    B. are very small   C. look like bats    D. look nice with pictures.

36. In the kite match, the young men try to ____.

A. make their kites fly high         

B. stop each other’s kites from flying in the sky   

C. make very large kites themselves    

D. draw beautiful pictures on their kites.

37. The father in the passage made a big kite to help his son to ____.

A. return home  B. fly over Japan   C. win the match   D. steal the gold.

38. which of the following is NOT true?

A. The last kite left in the sky is the winner in the kite match.

B. The thief stole the gold from the top of an old tower.

C. The father and the son in the story were dead in the sea at last.

D. There is K-Day in Japan.

Going to the park with your family is a time-honored tradition during the warmer months whether you live in the city or in a rural area. The most common thing for kids to do at the park is to play on the playground equipment. This is great for kids. For parents, however, playground time is something not quite as exciting. It’s nice to socialize with other parents and enjoy watching the little ones at play, but grown-ups can’t easily participate in the playground fun. In order to make the most of spring and summer park trips parents might want to consider trying a few new activities.
Soft Frisbees and balls are great things to bring to the park and enjoy with kids. Parents can participate in playing catch. They can enjoy the fresh air and physical activity together. Other lawn games and toys like badminton can easily be taken to the park for an afternoon of fun.
If it is a breezy day, it might be just perfect for flying a kite. Kite flying is a wonderful family fun activity. Children who are too small to fly a kite themselves can have fun chasing it and helping older siblings hold the string. Slightly older children can enjoy learning to fly kites. Teens and parents can enjoy the challenge of making kites. Best of all, kites are inexpensive and can be used in almost any open space on a breezy day.
After these, the first thought might be to head home for a meal or a snack. However, bringing a snack or having a picnic can add an exciting element to the day out and can allow the family to enjoy more park time together. Everyday foods like sandwiches and apples can be very appetising. If you decide to pack a picnic, just remember to bring bags for any garbage you might produce!
【小题1】Why is the playground time not quite exciting for parents?

(B)
Stories about Kites in Japan
People have flown kites in Japan for more than 1000 years. There are many different kinds of kites there. Some look like bats; others look like birds. Most have pictures on them.
There are many interesting stories about kites in Japan.
One story tells us about a thief who used a kite to fly. He wanted to steal the gold from the top of an old tower. The thief and his friends made a large kite. One dark windy night, the thief caught hold of(抓住) the kite. His friends raised the kite into the air. Then they moved the kite near the top of the tower. The thief was able to steal the gold.
Another story tells about a father and a son who were on a small lonely island in the middle of the Japanese sea. There were no bouts or ships. They couldn’t go back to the mainland. So they made a big kite. His son flew on it back to Japan.
There is a K-Day in Japan. The young men of Japan have kite matches. When the kites are flying the match starts. The young men try to break each other’s kite string(细线). The last kite left in the sky is the winner.
35. Most kites in Japan ____.
A. are very large    B. are very small   C. look like bats    D. look nice with pictures.
36. In the kite match, the young men try to ____.
A. make their kites fly high         
B. stop each other’s kites from flying in the sky   
C. make very large kites themselves    
D. draw beautiful pictures on their kites.
37. The father in the passage made a big kite to help his son to ____.
A. return home  B. fly over Japan   C. win the match   D. steal the gold.
38. which of the following is NOT true?
A. The last kite left in the sky is the winner in the kite match.
B. The thief stole the gold from the top of an old tower.
C. The father and the son in the story were dead in the sea at last.
D. There is K-Day in Japan.

WHAT’S ON

STAGE

Russian dances: The famous “Little White Birth” Dance Troupe will travel from Russia to present performances in Beijing.

   The troupe, founded in 1948, is famous for their combination of Russian folk dances and classical dancing art.

   It has been invited by the Beijing Foreign Culture Exchange Co. in order to give four performances in Beijing.

   Tickets are available through ticket hotlines and website such as www. paio. com. cn, www. Chinaticket. com and www. ticket. elong. com.

* Time: 7: 30 pm, January 18 - 21

* Place: Beizhan Theatre, 135, Xiwai Dajie,

Xicheng District

* Tel: 6606-4258

EXHIBITIONS

Kite show: All together 81 kites collected by the China National Art Museum is on show in the Yanhuang Art Museum.

   Kong Xiangze, an expert on Chinese kites, published a book on kites, explaining the origins of the kite-making process. The exhibited kites are made in a traditional Chinese style.

* Time: 9 am-5 pm until February 11

* Place: 9 Huizhong Lu

* Tel: 6491-2902       CONCERTS

Folk music: A concert of classics of Chinese folk music will greet audiences on the first day of the Year of Snake at the Beijing Concert Hall.

   The China Song and Dance Ensemble will perform dozens of traditional instrumental pieces, such as “Full of Joy”, “Colourful Cloud Chasing the Moon” and “Spring Festival Suite”.

* Time: 7: 30 pm, January 24   

* Place: 1, Beixinhuajie, Xicheng District

* Tel: 6559-8285

EVENTS

Flower festival: The Beijing Botanical Garden is bringing people a blooming festival with the beautiful flowers in its tropical plants greenhouse.

   The garden has introduced nearly 80 kinds of flowers abroad for the exhibition.

   There is also an exhibition of potted narcissus (水仙) landscapes (盆景). More than 300 mini landscapes involving imported narcissus will be displayed, people can get a preview of the show by visiting www.beijingbd.com, the garden’s website.

* Time: 8:30 am-5 pm until January 28

* Place: Wofosi Lu near the Fragant Hills

* Tel: 8259-5547

1. Suppose you are too far away from Beijing or you can’t spare time to go there in person, which of the following shows can you enjoy all the same?

A. Russian dances.          B. Kite show                     C. Folk music                    D. Flower festival

2.The phrase “get a preview of” used in the passage means ______.

A. watch in advance                                          B. see more clearly

C. get good position of                                        D. get a general idea of

3.f you and your classmates have a free evening to spend on the 19th of January, which is a useful number to call?

A. 6606-4258         B. 6491-2902                 C. 6559-8285        D. 8259-5547

In Asia, there are special competitions where kites have complex designs and are fitted with instruments that make musical sounds as the wind blows through them. Although all kites have a similar structure （结构）, they are widely different in size and shape. Kite-fighting competitions are also held, in which competitions us their kites to attack and bring down their opponents’（对手）kites or cut their strings（线）.

For more than 15 years, the Big Wind Kite Factory has been giving kite-making and kite flying classes for the children on an island in Hawaii. In its kite-making lessons, students can make kites in as little as 20 minutes! Children as young as four years old can learn how to fly a kite. Jonathan Socher and his wife Daphne started the kite factory in 1980. Their kites are made of nylon（尼龙）.Their designs are Hawaiian themes created by Daphne. The designs are cut out of the nylon with a hot knife that seals the edges and then fastened directly onto the kite. 

The kite that is used to give lessons is regular diamond kite with a rainbow pattern. The difference between this kite and the ones they make during the lessons is that it is a two-string controllable kite. Big Wind employees fly the kite and for a few minutes show students how pulling on one line and then on the other controls the direction the kite goes in. Then the controls are given to the students.

Jonathan insists that it is not necessary to make a huge impressive kite to have fun making and flying kites. Even the simplest structure can work, and can give hours of fun. Go on, give it a try!

1.Which of the following is true according to the text?

2.What is different about the kite used for flying lessons?

3.According to Jonathan, what do you need to have fun with kites?

4.What is mainly described in the text?