A guide to Russian culture

廣東 涂麗平

俄羅斯的文化是豐富多彩的——有著聞名世界的文學作品、芭蕾舞蹈、繪畫藝術和古典音樂等。

主題語境：歷史與文化 篇幅：337詞 建議用時：6分鐘

1Russia has a long and rich cultural history, steeped in literature, ballet, painting and classical music.Here is a brief overview of Russian customs and traditions.

2When many people think of Russia,they think of vast frozen tundra.That's not all there is to the country's geography.There are plains, taigas, steppes, plains and mountains.An amazing feature of Russia's geography is Lake Baikal.It is the world's largest lake and holds 20 percent of the world's supply of fresh water.It is also the world's oldest lake, which is home to approximately 1700 to 1800 endemic plant and animal species.

3Ballet is a popular notable art form coming out of Russia.Founded in 1776, the Bolshoi Ballet is a classical ballet company based at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and known throughout the world.Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, a 19th-century Russian composer,is world renowned forSwan Lakeand1812 Overture.There are several museums, including his childhood home, showcasing his personal belongings and musical artifacts.

4Russian nesting dolls are well-known symbols of the country.These sets of dolls consist of a wooden figure that can be pulled apart to reveal another smaller version of the same image inside, and so on, often with six or more dolls nested inside one another.The painting of each doll usually symbolizes a Russian peasant girl in traditional costume.

5If you are invited to a Russian home for a meal, bring a small gift.Male guests are usually expected to bring flowers.Don't bring yellow flowers, as some Russians see them as signifying separation or betrayal.Do not give a baby a gift until after the baby is born.It's bad luck to do so sooner.Russians often protest when they are offered a gift.Replying that“it's just a little something” and offering the gift again will usually be graciously accepted.

Reading Check

1.What does paragraph 2 mainly talk about Russia?

A.Literature.B.Geography.C.Economy.D.Climate.

2.What genre of music is Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky famous for?

A.Rock music.B.Jazz music.

C.Classical music.D.Pop music.

3.Russian nesting dolls are symbolic of ________.

A.the Russian military

B.Russian urban lifestyle

C.Russian political figures

D.Russian peasant girls in traditional costume

4.When you're invited to a Russian home for a meal, what is considered bad luck?

A.Bringing a small gift.

B.Giving a gift to a baby before it's born.

C.Offering the host flowers.

D.Asking the host to give a gift back.

Language Study

Ⅰ.日積月累

steepedadj.浸透的；沉浸在……中的

endemicadj.地方性的；某地特有的

renownedadj.有名的；著名的

showcasev.展示

artifactn.人工制品；手工藝品

graciouslyadv.親切地；和藹地

frozen tundra 凍土；苔原

fresh water supply 淡水供應

classical ballet company 古典芭蕾舞團

personal belongings 個人物品

it's just a little something 這只是一點小意思

Ⅱ.語法填空

Many of us think we can recognize Russian folk music when we hear 1.________.Plenty of people assume it's all accordions (手風琴) and 2.________(violin), and melodies that sound like the theme song fromTetris.Russian folk music often 3.________(feature)the balalaika, a three-cornered string instrument, and the bayan, 4.________ accordion.Songs tell stories of daily life, nature 5.________ Russian past.They can be fast dances like the “troika” or slow, 6.________(emotion) songs.Russian singers use a wide range 7.________ vocal styles.During festivals, music comes with traditional dances with 8.________(color) costumes and lively steps.Russian folk music is a key part of the nation's heritage, full of history and emotion.

Most of us, too, are familiar with Cossack dancing 9.________(involve) a combination of skillful squatting, kicking and slapping manoeuvres (技術動作).Many tourists who are eager to participate have gotten this one wrong.But for those with a love of folk music,classical music, opera and ballet, Russia offers so much more 10.________ the stereotypical songs and dances that are so typically used to represent Russia in TV and film.