I. Please read the text after the speaker 

Cultural traditions in China

1．①China is a country withthousands of years of history and civilization. Many Chinese culturaltraditions are still remembered and observed, and have an influence on Chinesepeople’s everyday life.

2.  One of the mostinteresting aspects of Chinese culture is jade culture. Jade is a preciousstone that was recorded in the early Chinese dictionary known as Shuo WenJie Zi.②There are two kinds of jade: softjade, which is native to China; and hard jade, which is mostly from Myanmar. Jade is importantin China not only because of its beauty, but also for its virtues and culturalmeanings given by people.③Confucius said that jade has 11virtues, which include loyalty and sincerity. The Chinese character for jade, “玉”, is often used in names and sayings to reflect these qualities.

3．Another important Chinese cultural tradition isbamboo culture. ④Bamboo is one of the four popular plants in China, theso-called “Four Gentlemen”. To Chinese people, bamboo is a symbolof integrity, resolution, and modesty. The bamboo culture isdeeply rooted in theeveryday life of the Chinese. They depend on bamboo for many things, from foodto building materials. Bamboo is also a favorite subject of traditional Chinesescholars and artists.   

4. Dragon culture maybe the most important and well-known part of Chinese culture. The Chinese havelong been known as the descendantsof the dragon. ⑤However, nobodyreally knows where the dragon comes from. Many believe that dragon culturecan be traced back to thetime of the Yellow Emperor, who is considered one of the ancestors of Chinese people. Chinesepeople see the dragon as a symbol of power, fortune, and wisdom. ⑥Chinese emperorsmay have believed that they were the real dragons and the sons of heaven,calling their beds “dragon beds” and their robes “dragon robes”. During many Chinesefestivals, activities related to the dragon are held, for example, dragondancing and dragon boat racing.

II. Text analysis

Text analysis

①China is a country withthousands of years of history and civilization.

译文：中国是拥有几千年历史和文明的国家。

②There are two kinds of jade:soft jade, which is native toChina; and hard jade, which is mostly from Myanmar.

译文：玉分两种：软玉和硬玉。软玉产自中国，硬玉则大多源自缅甸。

③Confuciussaid that jade has 11 virtues, which include loyalty and sincerity.

译文：孔子曾说玉有11种美德，包含忠贞、真诚等。

④Bamboo is one of the four popularplants in China, the so-called “Four Gentlemen”.

译文：竹子在中国是最受喜爱的、被称为“四君子”的植物之一。

⑤However, nobody really knowswhere the dragon comes from.

译文：然而，无人知晓龙从何而来。

⑥Chinese emperors may havebelieved that they were the real dragons and the sons of heaven, calling theirbeds “dragon beds” and their robes “dragon robes”.

译文：中国古代帝王可能相信自己是真龙天子，称自己的床为“龙榻”，自己的袍服为“龙袍”。

III. Test

1．①China is a country withthousands of years of history and civilization. Many Chinese culturaltraditions are still remembered and observed, and have an influence on Chinesepeople’s everyday life.

2.  One of the mostinteresting aspects of Chinese culture is jade culture. Jade is a preciousstone that was recorded in the early Chinese dictionary known as Shuo WenJie Zi.②There are two kinds of jade: softjade, which is native to China; and hard jade, which is mostly from Myanmar. Jade is importantin China not only because of its beauty, but also for its virtues and culturalmeanings given by people.③Confucius said that jade has 11virtues, which include loyalty and sincerity. The Chinese character for jade, “玉”, is often used in names and sayings to reflect these qualities.

3．Another important Chinese cultural tradition isbamboo culture. ④Bamboo is one of the four popular plants in China, theso-called “Four Gentlemen”. To Chinese people, bamboo is a symbolof integrity, resolution, and modesty. The bamboo culture isdeeply rooted in theeveryday life of the Chinese. They depend on bamboo for many things, from foodto building materials. Bamboo is also a favorite subject of traditional Chinesescholars and artists.

4. Dragon culture maybe the most important and well-known part of Chinese culture. The Chinese havelong been known as the descendantsof the dragon. ⑤However, nobodyreally knows where the dragon comes from. Many believe that dragon culturecan be traced back to thetime of the Yellow Emperor, who is considered one of the ancestors of Chinese people. Chinesepeople see the dragon as a symbol of power, fortune, and wisdom. ⑥Chinese emperorsmay have believed that they were the real dragons and the sons of heaven,calling their beds “dragon beds” and their robes “dragon robes”. During many Chinesefestivals, activities related to the dragon are held, for example, dragondancing and dragon boat racing.