Activity 2 Reading
Read the following article and finish the following mini tasks.
Shopping in China
There are many exotic and unusual things to buy in China which make wonderful souvenirs and gifts for relatives and friends back home. The following is a sample of the amazing range of goods available.
Silk
Chinese silk is famous all over the world for its magnificent quality, color and variety. Silk products from Hangzhou, Sichuan, Suzhou and Dandong are particularly good.
Tea
There are hundreds of varieties of Chinese tea. They can be classified into five categories—green tea, black tea, brick tea, scented tea, and oolong tea.
The top ten teas in China are as follows; any of them would make a wonderful gift for your friends.
● Longjing produced near West Lake, Hangzhou, Zhejiang
● Biluochun from Wu County in Jiangsu
● Huangshan Maofeng from Mt. Huangshan in Anhui
● Junshan Silver Needle from Qingluo Island on Dongting Lake
● Qimen Black Tea from Qimen County in Anhui
● Lu’an Guapian from Lu’an County in Anhui
● Xinyang Maojian from Xinyang in Henan
● Duyun Maojian from Duyun Mountain in Guizhou
● Wuyi Rock Tea from Wuyi Mountain in Fujian
● Tieguanyin from Anxi County in Fujian
Wines and Spirits
Alcoholic drinks, in ancient China, were regarded as sacred and were used only in sacrifices.Today, however, wines and spirits are becoming popular as accompaniments to Chinese food.
The following wines and spirits have won many international awards:
● Yanghe Daqu and Shuanggou Daqu from Jiangsu
● Gujing Tribute Liquor from Anhui
● Maotai and Dong Liquor from Guizhou
● Wuliangye, Jiannanchun and Luzhou Laojiao from Sichuan
● Fenjiu Liquor from Shanxi
Antiques
If you’re an antique enthusiast, China is the place for you! Fascinating antique and curio shops and market stalls are to be found in most cities and country towns. Care is needed,however, when you are buying expensive items to ensure, for example, that the item carries the official red seal of the shop and the sale documents are in order. Chinese law forbids the export of antiques dated earlier than 1795.
Chinese Medicinal Materials
Traditional Chinese medicine is an integral part of Chinese life and culture. With its unique diagnostic methods, systematic approach, abundant historical literature and materials,traditional Chinese medicine has found many adherents in western countries.
The use of traditional herbs and potions lies at the core of Chinese medicine. Mostly made from animal and plant materials, these medicines have proved effective for treating a wide range of illnesses and disorders. Tonics based on herbs are also popular. Examples of the materials used in the preparation of medicines and tonics are ginseng, antler, rhubarb horse-tails, bezoars, angelica, tianqi, licorice root, apricot kernel and the root of balloon flower.
In recent years, for the sake of protecting endangered animals, the preparation of medicinal materials from rare animals, such as musk, antler, leopard and tiger bone, rhinoceros horn and elephant skin, has been restricted. Such medicines cannot be exported from China.However, tourists can buy Chinese herbs with a total value of less than 300 RMB (per person).
Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts products make ideal souvenirs and gifts. These include bronze ware,cloisonné, folk toys, jade, kites, lacquer wares, paper-cutting, porcelain, pottery, seal, prints and scrolls, silk, embroidery and printed and dyed fabrics. Cloisonné made in Beijing, porcelain made in Jingdezhen in Jiangxi, embroidery from Suzhou, Hunan, Guangdong and Sichuan, Tang tri-color pottery horses and camels, and batik from Guizhou and Yunnan are all highly recommended.
The “four treasures of study”—namely writing brush, ink stick, ink slab, paper—play an important part in Chinese culture. You may want a set for your own study or to give as a unique gift to your friends. The best writing materials are said to be Xuan paper and Hui ink stick from Anhui, Duan ink slab from Guangdong and Hu writing brush from Zhejiang.
Mini Task 1 Questions
(1) According to the text, what goods made in Zhejiang Province are popular?(https://www.daowen.com)
(2) What’s the development of traditional Chinese medicine all over the world?
(3) What materials can make medicines and tonics?
(4) Has the Chinese government made some restraints on the export of antiques?
(5) Where is famous for ink slab?
Mini Task 2 True or false
(1) Alcoholic drinks, in ancient China, were considered as sacred and were used only in sacrifices. ( )
(2) Fenjiu Liquor is from Henan Province. ( )
(3) Tang tri-color pottery horses and camels, and batik are from Guizhou. ( )
(4) The “four treasures of study” includes pencils, ink sticks, ink slabs, and paper. ( )
(5) With the development of the society, the traditional Chinese medicinal materials are becoming more and more easily obtained. ( )
Mini Task 3 Please translate the following dialogue into Chinese.
Li Lei: Now, the boat is starting off.
Mr. Brown: The air is very fresh and the breeze is cool.
Li Lei: And now we can take a fine view on both sides of Xiangjiang River.
Mr. Brown: Ah, this city has so many high buildings.
Li Lei: Yes, we have a better, cleaner, more exciting, and more dynamic city to show the world.
Mr. Brown: Oh, that’s great!
Li Lei: Look, that is Orange Island.
Mr. Brown: Orange Island? The name sounds very interesting.
Li Lei: It’s noted for lots of orange trees. Mature oranges in autumn make the small island more beautiful.
Mr. Brown: How I wish it were autumn now!
Mini Task 4 Complete the following dialogues.
(1) A: Look at those flowers! How pretty!
B： _______________________________________.（这是个参观游览的好地方。你可能会流连忘返的。）
A: How I envy the people here for _______________________________________!
（他们每天都能欣赏到这自然美景！）
B: Yes, most people here enjoy mountain climbing.
A： _______________________________________.（登山是一项很好的体育锻炼。）
（2） A： What a magnificent temple！_______________________________________？（你喜欢那红色的墙和琉璃瓦吗？）
B： Yes， _______________________________________.（它们给古庙增加了一种庄严的感觉。）
（3） A： Now we are approaching the top of the mountain.__________________________________. （从山顶我们可以鸟瞰这座古城。）
B: The view from the hilltop is magnificent.
A: So it is.
B： _______________________________________.（这座城市有许多古老的建筑。）
A: Yes, there are many known historic sites around here.
B： _______________________________________.（这些建筑物给人留下了深刻的印象。）