China has a history of over 5000 years and has created a wonderful traditional culture. And cooking has taken an important place in Chinese culture.

China started the cooking as early as the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. From the Spring and Autumn Period to the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the Chinese dishes began to divided into Southern and Northern tastes.

During the period of Tang and Song Dynasties, people began to care for the medical uses of different plants. Many kinds of “medicinal (药用) food ” had been cooked to cure diseases for health care.

?? As time went by, local tastes were added to the Chinese dishes, such as the Northern food, the Southern food, the Chuan food and so on. Records about each kind of dishes have been handed down. The four oldest types of Chinese food were those of Sichuan, Guangdong, Shandong and Huaiyang. Later on, eight types by little after the Dang Dynasty. Each of these groups had its own long history and special traditional techniques.

The Chinese cooking culture has been developed for many centuries. With the growth and development of society during different periods, people have been always working on new way of cooking.

1.When did China start cooking?

From the ________ and _______ Dynasties.

2.What happened during the period of the Tang and Song Dynasties?

People began to ________ the medical uses of different plants.

3.What does the underlined phrase “handed down” mean in Chinese?

It means “___________”in Chinese.

4.How many types of Chinese food were there during the Yuan Dynasty according to the passage?

There were ______ types of Chinese food during the Yuan Dynasty.

5.How long has the Chinese cooking culture been developed?

It has been developed for _______________.

Do you know what Oscar is? When did it start? Maybe you can find the background of the awards in the following passage.

The awards started in 1929. Their full title is “The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards”. The Academy is a group of people who have worked in the film industry for many years. They decide who will receive the awards. The awards are often referred to as the “Oscar”. This is a nickname given to the awards by a lady called Margaret Herrick. She was once the director of the Academy and she once said that the little gold statue(雕像) reminded her of her uncle Oscar!

The Oscar is always an exciting event. Each year, at least one unusual thing happens. When the Italian actor and director Roberto Benigni won an Oscar for best foreign film, he danced on stage! When Gwyneth Paltrow, the star of Shakespeare in Love won the Oscar for best actress, she could not make her acceptance speech because she was crying so much with happiness!

In 1987, Roberto Benigni won the award for best director for a film about the last emperor of China. Since then, Chinese film and actors have started to make an impact at the award. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was a huge success and it won the award for best foreign language film in 2001. It also won several technical awards for its amazing “flying” people. We expect to see more awards for Chinese film in the near future.

It’s time for the Oscar again. Once more, the stars will dress up in their finest and go to Kodak Theater. There, they will find out who had won the awards for best actor, best actress and best director. Millions of people watch the awards every year to find out who the winners are. Some people watch it to see the stars crying and laughing as they receive their awards.

1.Who give the awards?

A. In 1927.

B. Oscar.

C. The Academy of Nicknames. 

D. A group of people who have worked in the film industry for many years.

2.What did Gwyneth Paltrow win an Oscar for?

A. Best Director.   B. Best Foreign Film.   C. Best Actress.  D. Best Actor.

3.Which Chinese film won an award for best foreign film?

A. Crouching Dragon, Hidden Tiger.

B. Crouching and Hidden Dragon and Tiger.

C. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

D. Crouching, Dragon, Hiding Tiger.

4. Where are the Oscars held?

A. At the Academy.                     B. in a Los Angeles restaurant. 

C. At Oscar’s house.                    D. At Kodak Theater.

5.Why do some people watch Oscars?

A. To see the restaurant.                 B. To see the fashion. 

C. To see a film.                      D. To see the stars crying and laughing.

When Lewis Hamilton crossed the finishing line in the last F1 race of 2008, he said to his team over the team radio, "Do I have it? Do I have it? I am too happy!” He really couldn’t believe that he became the youngest F1 World Champion, and the first black man to win it.

In 2007, Lewis entered the Fl world. His talent(天赋) for racing and his performances soon amazed everyone. He did a great job in his first fifteen races. But the last two races were nightmares(恶梦). He lost them, and lost the world champion title in the end by just one point.

2008 was a hard year for Lewis. Many Fl fans criticized(责难) him, and most F1 racers didn't talk to him any more. He was lonely. But his wish to win kept him strong. He raced very well., and had a seven-point lead before the last race in Brazil. He won 4 points from this race, just enough to win the world champion title.

There's no reason he can't win a lot more.

1.What did Lewis say when he won the F1 race of 2008?

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2. When did Lewis start his F1 world? What did people think of him?

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3. In 2007, he lost the F1 race, didn't he?

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4. How did he do before the last race in Brazil?

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5. 请将文中画线的句子翻译成汉语。

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