B
When it comes to Chinese literature works about a mother's love, few can compete with Tang Dynasty poet Meng Jiao's poem Song of the Travelling Son. The poem presents a mother who sews clothes for her son by hand. Bathed in candlelight, she also worries about his travel away from home.
Meng's description of the mother shows the composition of the earliest form of the Chinese character “劳”. Found on oracle bones(甲骨) from over 3,000 years ago, it was made up of two characters. There was “火(fire)” on top and “衣(clothes)” below, with three dots(点) that look like stitches. The lower part was later replaced by “力(strength)” and a form symbolizing a house appeared above. The Analytical Dictionary of Chinese Characters explains the form as “When a house is on fire, it takes hard work to put it out.”
While the form of the character has been simplified, its meaning has expanded to refer to work, labor(劳动) or toil. It is also associated with feelings like fatigue(疲劳). Since ancient times, Chinese society has looked down upon those who sponge off others. In modern times, the idea that “labor is glorious” has taken root. People who work hard and make great contributions to their community or country are respected as model workers.
Since the 1980s, “劳” has become one of the five key qualities that China's education system seeks to cultivate in students, along with “德(virtue)” “智(intelligence)” “体(physical fitness)” and “美(appreciation for beauty)”. Primary and middle school students typically have at least one hour of “labor class” each week for labor theory and skills.
However, cognitive(认知的) labor and manual(体力的) labor are not always considered equal. As ancient Chinese philosopher Mencius said, “Those who labor with their minds govern (统治), while those who labor with their strength are governed.” Throughout history, many Chinese writers have had pity on people who worked hard to survive as poor farmers. In his poem Watching the Wheat Harvest, famous poet Bai Juyi expressed his shame at taking hundreds of kilograms of grain every year as his pay without doing any farm work.
No matter it is cognitive labor or manual labor, overwork can have serious results, which can cause illness or even death. To avoid such things, people are encouraged to achieve a balance between work and rest.
()5. Which of the following is the earliest form of the Chinese character “劳”?
A.
B.
C.
D.
()6. What does the underlined phrase “sponge off” in Paragraph 3 mean in the passage?
A. Laugh at.
B. Learn from.
C. Look after.
D. Depend on.
()7. What can you learn from the passage?
A. The character “劳” meant fatigue in the very beginning.
B. Bai Juyi governed the poor farmers without getting paid.
C. Cognitive labor is considered to be equal to manual labor.
D. Chinese students are expected to have the five key qualities.
()8. The main purpose of this passage is to .
A. discuss the different types of labor in China
B. explore the cultural meaning of labor in China
C. introduce the history of the Chinese character “劳”
D. compare ancient and modern Chinese literature works
When it comes to Chinese literature works about a mother's love, few can compete with Tang Dynasty poet Meng Jiao's poem Song of the Travelling Son. The poem presents a mother who sews clothes for her son by hand. Bathed in candlelight, she also worries about his travel away from home.
Meng's description of the mother shows the composition of the earliest form of the Chinese character “劳”. Found on oracle bones(甲骨) from over 3,000 years ago, it was made up of two characters. There was “火(fire)” on top and “衣(clothes)” below, with three dots(点) that look like stitches. The lower part was later replaced by “力(strength)” and a form symbolizing a house appeared above. The Analytical Dictionary of Chinese Characters explains the form as “When a house is on fire, it takes hard work to put it out.”
While the form of the character has been simplified, its meaning has expanded to refer to work, labor(劳动) or toil. It is also associated with feelings like fatigue(疲劳). Since ancient times, Chinese society has looked down upon those who sponge off others. In modern times, the idea that “labor is glorious” has taken root. People who work hard and make great contributions to their community or country are respected as model workers.
Since the 1980s, “劳” has become one of the five key qualities that China's education system seeks to cultivate in students, along with “德(virtue)” “智(intelligence)” “体(physical fitness)” and “美(appreciation for beauty)”. Primary and middle school students typically have at least one hour of “labor class” each week for labor theory and skills.
However, cognitive(认知的) labor and manual(体力的) labor are not always considered equal. As ancient Chinese philosopher Mencius said, “Those who labor with their minds govern (统治), while those who labor with their strength are governed.” Throughout history, many Chinese writers have had pity on people who worked hard to survive as poor farmers. In his poem Watching the Wheat Harvest, famous poet Bai Juyi expressed his shame at taking hundreds of kilograms of grain every year as his pay without doing any farm work.
No matter it is cognitive labor or manual labor, overwork can have serious results, which can cause illness or even death. To avoid such things, people are encouraged to achieve a balance between work and rest.
()5. Which of the following is the earliest form of the Chinese character “劳”?
A.
B.
C.
D.
()6. What does the underlined phrase “sponge off” in Paragraph 3 mean in the passage?
A. Laugh at.
B. Learn from.
C. Look after.
D. Depend on.
()7. What can you learn from the passage?
A. The character “劳” meant fatigue in the very beginning.
B. Bai Juyi governed the poor farmers without getting paid.
C. Cognitive labor is considered to be equal to manual labor.
D. Chinese students are expected to have the five key qualities.
()8. The main purpose of this passage is to .
A. discuss the different types of labor in China
B. explore the cultural meaning of labor in China
C. introduce the history of the Chinese character “劳”
D. compare ancient and modern Chinese literature works
答案
5. B
6. D
7. D
8. B
6. D
7. D
8. B
