Directions: You are expected to study this section in class. Don’t preview.

Word Pretest

For each italicized word or expression, choose the best meaning below.

1. The swallows arced across the sunset sky.
A. flew B. flew in a curve C. sang
2. You can breathe the incense of cedar in the garden.
A. sweet smell B. bad smell C. fresh air
3. The old cathedral is dwarfed by the skyscrapers that surround it.
A. made appear small
B. made become bigger
C. made appear newer
4. The bus stumbles to the countryside.
A. moves quickly
B. moves slowly and heavily
C. send passengers
5. The romance of the sea beckoned the old sailor.
A. repelled B. promised C. attracted
6. It was one of those English country housed with cavernous rooms.
A. vast and dark B. small and dark C. vast and brihgt
7. A detective story usually has an intricate plot.
A. simple B. clear C. complicated
8. Before dinner there’s always a hustle and bustle in the kitchen.
A. quietness B. busy action C. noisy movement
9. Alexander Gramham Bell astounded the world by his invention of the telephone.
A. confused B. astonished C. helped
10. The museum has a display of valuable antiques.
A. ancient and valuable objects
B. modern and valuable objects
C. ancient and valueless objects
11. The doctor’s dilemma was whether he should tell the patient the truth.
A. subject of study
B. difficult choice
C. only job
12. A gourmet always wants the best food, not the most.
A. person who can eat a lot
B. person who is on diet
C. person who is expert in the choice of food

Key: 1. B 2. A 3. A 4. B 5. C 6.A 7. C 8. B 9. B 10. A 11. B 12. C

Text A

1. Background Information
2. Text：The Unforgettable Hong Kong 　

　　The plane arcs softly into its final descent at Hong Kong International Airport. Below, Victoria Harbour, and the silent rhythms of countless ships. Beyond, sloping mountains fence in a breathtaking city view that seems to stretch forever.
　　This is no ordinary airport. This is no ordinary city.
　　An elderly man passes by wearing pyjamas, bearing a brightly feathered bird singing merrily in its cage.
　　Professionals gather at a roadside kitchen for noodles, congee and shrimp.
　　Incense from a tiny Taoist temple drifts into the pounding beat of rock music pouring out of a discotheque.
　　A ferry travels on the nearby water regularly, taking passengers to an isolated island 40 minutes away, where Buddhist temples and tiny fishing villages dot the landscape.
　　Hong Kong. Here, 161 km. South of the Tropic of Cancer, beats the pulse of Southeast Asia’s heart. Where East greets West, and past colours present.
　　Where does one start?
　　The streets are exciting with the sheer force of so many lives, and so many contrasts, moving in so many different directions.
　　Even transportation proves an experience. A double-decker tram provides a bird’s eye view of neon signs twisted into huge Chinese characters, dwarfing the human parade below.
　　Another tram, in operation since 1888, stumbles 396 m. straight up Victoria Peak. You see the city stretches out mute at your feet. The islands of the South China Sea are beyond, and further, the mountains of China.
　　The Star Ferry makes its way across the harbour, leaving nothing but wonder in its wake. So much to see. So much to do.
　　A Buddhist temple stands proud in the middle of the city. Inside, all is dark and quiet. The glow of the joss sticks beckons from across the cavernous room, grains of dust whirling upward in the reflected light.
Within Walled Village, hidden societies observe an age-old lifestyle. Steps away from the roar of the Hong Kong metropolis, they remain centuries removed.
　　Further back in time, Sung Dynasty Village recreates the Chinese era from A.D. 960 to 1279. Beautifully constructed shops and houses, intricate costumes, typical wares and skilled craftsmen bring a past to life.
　　The beaches of Repulse Bay, Stanley and Shek O, where sun worshippers and water sports reign. The Botanical Gardens, with exotic plants and animals. Golf, tennis, dancing, shopping or a harbour cruise.
　　This is Hong Kong. And it’s only the beginning.

Heart and Soul of a People
　　Hong Kong may have been established in 1841 by British traders, but its roots extend far deeper.
　　Small farming and fishing communities were scattered throughout the territory in the third century B.C.
　　Today, this heritage remains strong, in a land of extraordinary customs and fascination beliefs.l
　　Of an Eastern culture thriving amid one of the world’s most contemporary cities.
　　Behind you, between briefcases and three-piece suits, an old man with his cages bird makes his way to morning tea.
　　Symbolism exerts a powerful influence. Stone lions are everywhere, protecting banks and businesses from misfortune. Goldfish keep away evil influences.
　　The graceful movements of Tai Chi colour the early morning street. This graceful martial art, practiced by young and old, lends a surreal touch to the normal hustle and bustle.
　　Festivals and celebrations dominated the calendar.
　　The Dragon Boat Festival, with paddlers competing in the territory’s harbours; the Festival of Hungry Ghosts, when local people set out trays of food for the spirits believed to be temporarily released from hell; Chinese New Year, celebrating the coming of the new Lunar Year, a time to visit family.
　　The beautiful lantern-lit mid Autumn Moon Festival; the Bun Festival on Cheung Chau Island; and the Ching Ming Festival, a time to visit the graves of dearly departed.
　　One day it’s the Queen’s Birthday, another is the Birthday of Tin Hau, goddess of fishermen.
　　A respect for tradition, a firm faith in all things spiritual, mystical and familial. These are the keys to the mysterious Chinese soul beating at the heart of Hong Kong; to a culture that never ceases to fascinate.

Earthly Treasures
　　“If you can’t find it in Hong Kong, it doesn’t exist.”
　　The truth of this saying becomes abundantly clear.
　　The variety of goods, both Western and Oriental, is astounding.
　　Duty-free prices only add to the temptation.
　　Turn left, and a sophisticated department store attracts you with designer labels from around the world.
　　Turn right, and a street market herbalist offers dried root, snakes and tea.
　　Jade, porcelain, pearl and gold weigh down store shelves.
　　Antiques, both Oriental and Occidental, are pre-international market and pre-international priced.
　　Everywhere ---- watches. Strikingly attractive designs, every maker under the sun. And stereos in every size, colour, shape and sound.
　　Local tailors appraise your form as you pass. Their craft is flawless, their prices ---- peerless.
　　Beyond the tailors wait ready-to-wear clothes from the world’s famous designers.
　　Whatever you’re looking to buy, Hong Kong is looking to sell.

The Endless Night
　　The sun sets. Neon light blinds the night.
　　Time stops, and you’re about to experience the magic go a city that works as hard at pleasure as it does at business.
　　The evening begins with a pre-dinner cocktail high up in a hotel overlooking the harbour. You gaze out the window, wondering where in all this wonderful glitter you’d like to go first.
　　Perhaps a dinner on a sampan, or a Chinese theatre-restaurant.
　　Afterwards, Chinese opera can envelop you in the magnificence of another world, another time. The discos and nightclubs are set to toast the rising sun.
　　At the two racetracks, advanced computers monitor the action on the track and in the stands.
　　Hopeful bets are placed, tense decisions made and Hong Kong’s most passionate spectator activity is underway.
　　Movie houses show American, European and, of course, Cantonese films.
　　There are plays, recitals, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and arts festivals.
　　Simply go for a midnight, moonlight stroll. Take in the colourful street life that never stops.
　　Or ride a romantic ferry and let the world carry on without you.
　　There is endless magic in the Hong Kong night.

A Taste of the Extraordinary
　　Like a child in a candy shop, the food lover in Hong Kong has little chance of knowing where to begin. You consider Cantonese, but remember that great little Chiu Chau place you passed in the afternoon.
　　You’ve heard Shanghainese is a taste all its own, but maybe a fine Szechuan is in order.
　　Then, there are the Vietnamese, Korean, French, Indian, Indonesian, Italian and other foods too many to mention.
　　The dilemma. The delightful, mouthwatering dilemma.
　　There are about 6,000 restaurants in Hong Kong ---- one for every craving.
　　You won’t make it to every one, but you’ll have an unforgettable time trying.
　　Dish after dish comes steaming to your table; snake, beggar’s chicken, eel cooked in wine, Peking duck, Mongolian hot pot, shark’s fin soup.
　　Or “Dim Sum” ---- Cantonese for “to touch the heart” ---- a lunchtime tradition dating back to the tenth century.
　　Huge floating restaurants in Aberdeen, tiny dinner sampans floating in Causeway Bay, or dai pai dong open-air street stalls.
　　For gourmets and for those with a no less enthusiastic passion for food in all its glory, dreams do come true. In Hong Kong.

Total Words: 1350 words
Total Reading Time _______
_______
The text is based on “The Unforgettable Hong Kong”, Hong Kong Highlights, Hong Kong Tourist Association.

Detailed Study of Text A

◆ Reading Skill ─ Scanning
Read each of the questions first, locate the relevant part of the text, and then find the correct answer.

1. Hong Kong is described in the first part as the place where _______.
A. East greets West
B. past colours present
C. both A and B
2. Within Walled Villages, we find _______.
A. an age-old life style
B. modern people and buildings
C. foreign shops and houses
3. If you want to se exotic plants and animals, you can go to _______.
A. Sung Dynasty Village
B. Republic Bay
C. the Botanical Gardens
4. Stone lions are believed to be able to _______.
A. bring money to banks
B. keep away diseases from misfortune
C. protect businesses from misfortune
5. All the following festivals are mentioned except _______.
A. the Festival of Hungry Ghosts
B. Christmas
C. Chinese New Year
6. The keys to the Chinese soul beating at the heart of Hong Kong is _______.
A. a respect for tradition and a determination to refuse modern life
B. a respect for tradition and a faith in things spiritual, mystical and familial
C. a determination to forget tradition and faith in modern life
7. If you want to do some shopping in Hong Kong, you might look for information in the section titled _______.
A. Heart and Soul of a People
B. Earthly Treasure
C. The Endless Night
8. In which section can you find information about the night life of Hong Kong?
A. Earthly Treasure
B. The Endless Night
C. The Other Side
9. In Hong Kong you can buy a variety of goods from _______.
A. Hong Kong only
B. East and West
C. Britain only
10. Can you go to see a Chinese opera after dinner?
A. Yes.
B. No.
C. It is not mentioned.
11. In which section can you find information about restaurants and food in Hong Kong?
A. Earthly Treasure
B. The Endless Night
C. A Taste of the Extraordinary
12. Gourmets’ dreams come true in _______.
A. the restaurants
B. Hong Kong
C. The candy shop

Key : 1. C 2. A 3. C 4. C 5. B 6. B 7. B 8. B 9. B 10. A 11. C 12. B

Vocabulary Building

I. Fill in each blank with one of the given words in its correct form.

descent 　　count　　 vibrant 　　typical 　symbolism
dominate 　compete 　depart 　　family　　 booming
1. She _______ the bored housewife.
2. Do you know the _______ motive in his behavior?
3. Many of his families have high blood pressure; it is a _______ disease.
4. Their exports are becoming less price _______.
5. His footsteps upstairs make the old house _______.
6. The sun _______ behind the hills.
7. His _______ for France increased her sense of frustration.
8. There has been a big travel _______ in the past few years.
9. There are _______ ships in the river.
10. A dove _______ peace.

Key: 1.typifies 2.dominant 3.familial 4.competing 5.vibrant
6.descended 7.departing 8.booms 9. countless 10. symbolizes

II. Fill in the blanks with words that are often confused.

1. recreate, recreation
a. His only _______s are drinking beer and working in the garden.
b. The play _______ life before the war.
c. Gardening is a form of _______.
2. rhyme, rhythm
a. The music those tribesmen are playing contains some incredibly complicated _______.
b. To amuse his colleagues he wrote his report in _______.
c. Beef _______ with leaf.
d. That girl will be a great dancer---- she’s got natural _______.

Key: 1.a. recreation b.recreates c.recreation
2. a. rhythm b. rhyme c.rhymes d. rhythm

Ⅲ. Glossary
Atlanta 　　　 Belfast　　　 　Birmingham 　　Chicago 　　　Detroit
Edinburgh　 Honolulu　　　　Johannesburg 　　Las Vegas　 Lexington
Liverpool　　 Los Angeles 　　Philadelphia 　　San Diego 　　San Francisco
Melbourne 　Sydney 　　　　Montreal 　　　　Toronto 　　　Canberra


4. Cloze
Fill in each blank with one suitable word.

　　Sydney’s best feature is her harbor. Most Sydneysiders can see at least a glimpse of blue _______ from their windows. Nearly everyone lives _______ an hour from a beach. On weekends sails ______ all shapes, sizes and colors glide across the water. Watching the yacht races is a favorite Saturday activity.
The harbor _______ Sydney into north and south sections. The harbor bridge connects the two. It was built in 1932. It cost $20 million to _______.
　　Another Sydney symbol stands on the harbor shore. Sydney’s magnificent opera house _______ its 20th anniversary last year. Danish designer Jorn Urzon won an international contest with his design. The structure contains several auditorium and theatres. But not all concerns are held _______ the building. Sunday afternoon concerts on the building’ s outer walk _______ many listeners.
　　Sydney’s trendy suburb is Paddington. Houses are tightly packed _______. Many were first built for Victorian artists. Now fashionable shops, restaurants, art galleries and interesting people fill the area. The best time to visit is Saturday, _______ vendors sell everything.
So there is one of the world’s most attractive cities ---- Sydney, Australia.

Key : 1.ocean 2. within 3. appear 4. divides 5. complete
6.celebrated 7. in 8. attract 9.there 10. when