The values of artistic works, according to cultural relativism(相对主义), are simply reflections of local social and economic conditions. Such a view, however, fails to explain the ability of some works of art to excite the human mind across cultures and through centuries.
History has witnessed the endless productions of Shakespearean plays in every major language of the world. It is never rare to find that Mozart packs Japanese concert halls, as Japanese painter Hiroshige does Paris galleries, Unique works of this kind are different from today’s popular art, even if they began as works of popular art. They have set themselves apart in their timeless appeal and will probably be enjoyed for centuries into the future.
In a 1757 essay, the philosopher David Hume argued that because“the general principles of taste are uniform(不变的) in human nature,”the value of some works of art might be essentially permanent. He observed that Homer was still admired after two thousand years. Works of this type, he believed, spoke to deep and unvarying features of human nature and could continue to exist over centuries.
Now researchers are applying scientific methods to the study of the universality of art. For example, evolutionary psychology is being used by literary scholars to explain the long-lasting themes and plot devices in fiction. The structures of musical pieces are now open to experimental analysis as never before. Research findings seem to indicate that the creation by a great artist is as permanent an achievement as the discovery by a great scientist.
1.According to the passage, what do we know about cultural relativism?
A. It introduces different cultural values.
B. It explains the history of artistic works.
C. It relates artistic values to local conditions.
D. It excites the human mind throughout the world.
2.In Paragraph 2, the artists are mentioned in order to show that _____ .
A. great works of art can go beyond national boundaries
B. history gives art works special appeal to set them apart
C. popular arts are hardly distinguishable from great arts
D. great artists are skilled at combining various cultures
3.According to Hume, some works of art can exist for centuries because_____ .
A. they are results of scientific study
B. they establish some general principles of art
C. they are created by the world’s greatest artists
D. they appeal to unchanging features of human nature
4.Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage?
A. Are Artistic Values Universal?
B. Are Popular Arts Permanent?
C. Is Human Nature Uniform?
D. Is Cultural Relativism Scientific?
It’s not easy being a teenager– nor is it easy being the parent of a teenager. You can make your child feel angry, hurt, or misunderstood by what you say without realizing it yourself. It is important to give your child the space he needs to grow while gently letting him know that you’ll still be there for him when he needs you.
Expect a lot from your child, just not everything. Except for health and safety problems, such as drug use or careless driving, consider everything else open to discussion to help them grow up more independently. If your child is unwilling to discuss something, don’t insist he tell you what’s on his mind. The more you insist, the more likely that he’ll clam up. Instead, let him attempt to solve things by himself. At the same time, remind him that you’re always there for him should he seek advice or help. Show respect for your teenager’s privacy (隐私). Never read his mail or listen in on personal conversations.
Teach your teenager that the family phone is for the whole family, which can make them more mature. If your child talks on the family’s telephone for too long, tell him he can talk for 15 minutes, but then he must stay off the phone for at least an equal period of time. This not only frees up the line so that other family members can make and receive calls, but teaches your teenager moderation (节制). Or if you are open to the idea, allow your teenager his own phone that he pays for with his own pocket money or a part-time job.
1.The main purpose of the text is to tell parents ______.
A. how to get along with a teenager B. how to respect a teenager
C. how to understand a teenager D. how to help a teenager grow up
2.What does the phrase “clam up” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?
A. become excited B. show respect
C. refuse to talk D. seek help
3.The last paragraph is about how to teach a teenager ______.
A. to use the phone in a proper way B. to pay for his own telephone
C. to share the phone with friends D. to answer the phone quickly
4.What should parents do in raising a teenager according to the text?
A. Not allow him to learn driving or take drugs.
B. Give him advice only when necessary.
C. Let him have his own telephone.
D. Not talk about personal things with him.
Two Chinese-themed films -- "Go Back to China" and "Baby" -- will be screened at the 20th annual Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF) this week.
The film "Go Back to China," written and directed by Chinese American filmmaker Emily Ting, tells the story of fashionista, Sasha Li, a spoiled rich girl living in the United States,who burns through her trust fund (信托基金) and is forced to return to China to work for the family toy business.The second Chinese film, "Baby" was directed by Liu Jie and produced by Shan Gao, and will be on its first show at China Onscreen Biennial. In the film, a Chinese girl, Jiang Meng, who is a lowly cleaner working in a children's hospital, swears to save a baby born with the same congenital defects(先天性缺陷) she was born with, whose father has abandoned it as too expensive to treat.
Running from April 25 to May 2, the Newport Beach Film Festival boasts over 60 narrative films and over 200 shorts in its line-up this year. These films and shorts are carefully selected by many countries which includes China, Chile, Ireland, South Korea, Europe, Japan, South America and Australia. Film fans are invited to attend the Pacific Rim Showcase Party this Wednesday, honoring the best in Chinese, Asian and Australian filmmaking.
NBFF Executive Director, Gregg Schwenk, said of the festival, " This year, the theme is the Power of Ideas. We've always focused on diverse, strong filmmaking, and we're most proud of how we've been embraced, not just by our audience, but by the filmmaking community."
1.Which one is TRUE about the two films according to the text?
A. Both of the two films will be on their first show in this festival.
B. Both of the main characters in the films are Chinese girls.
C. Both of the two films will be screened during the festival .
D. Both of the films are carefully selected by all the countries.
2.What is the topic of the 20th annual NBFF?
A. Selecting the top films from over 60 films and over 200 shorts.
B. Praising how they have been embraced by all the devoted fans.
C. Showing the power of ideas and focus on powerful filmmaking.
D. Honoring the best in Chinese, Asian and Australian filmmaking.
3.What’s the main idea of the text?
A. Introduce a film festival named the Pacific Rim Showcase Party.
B. Introduce two fantastic Chinese films about two girls to readers.
C. Inform participants of the plan of Newport Beach Film Festival.
D. Give readers some information about a significant film festival.
4.Where can we find the text?
A. in a tour guide B. in a newspaper
C. in a novel D. in a text book
Qingming Festival, which falls on April 5 this year, is known as Tomb-Sweeping Day. The festival always appears about the beginning of April when spring has come. Not only is it a period for commemorating the dead, it is also a time for people to go out and enjoy nature.Where is the best place to go during the festival? Here are 3 popular tourist attractions.
Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area
In the spring, the sight of the Jiuzhaigou Valley is refreshing and touching. The ice and snow begin to melt, water and streams begin to flow and mountain flowers blossom. The air is filled with the fragrance of spring. The soft and lazy spring sun kisses the surface of the lake and new growth.
Huanghuacheng Great Wall
Huanghuacheng is the only lakeside part of the Great Wall in Beijing. It is one of the most popular destinations for a Great Wall hiking tour. It is a hit because of the "train for spring", namely a train that travels through fields full of cherry blossoms.It is extremely romantic to take this train in spring with someone you love.
Mount Huangshan
Of all the notable mountains in China, Mount Huangshan is probably the most famous and is found in the southern part of East China's Anhui province. It is known for its breathtaking natural scenery.In the spring, Mount Huangshan is fresh, tender and full of wild flowers, and the sound of birdsong also is pleasant in the quietness
1.Which one is TRUE about the Qingming Festival?
A. It falls on April 5 every year.
B. We sweep tombs on that day.
C. It is all about enjoying spring
D. All of the world are celebrating the festival.
2.What do the common point the first two attractions have?
A. They are in Beijing.
B. They are beside lakes.
C. They are attractions for couples.
D. They are famous for cherry blossoms.
3.What can we learn about Mount Huangshan according to the text?
A. It is very attractive because of its amazing view.
B. It is the greatest mountain in China.
C. Thanks to its quietness, it is pleasant.
D. It is in the south of China.
假设你是李华，你的英国朋友Mark希望向你了解国画的有关知识，已约定见面时间，现你因故需要推迟。请给Mark写一封邮件，说明情况。要点包括：
1. 表示歉意；
2. 说明原因；
3. 重约见面讨论的时间。
提示词：国画 traditional Chinese paintings
要求：1. 词数100左右
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯
Dear Mark,
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。错误涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（＼）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Li Ming is a friend of mine. I'm glad he changed greatly in the past two years. I clearly remember he was quite fat two years before. He got tired so easy that he couldn't take exercise, that made him very upset. Later, he realized unless he went on like that, he would end up achieve nothing. So, he made up his minds to make a change. He went running every morning and played the basketball every afternoon. Besides, he followed a diet of more vegetables or less meat. Gradually he began to lose weight. He is now an energetic boy in good health. So when faced with problems, we should overcome it with great determination and strong willpower.
