X. Fill in each blank with a word from the box.
models by through origami together upstream folding taught
Origami is the Japanese word for paper (1)__________. ORI means to fold and KAMI means paper. (2)__________, they form the word, “origami.” It is an art form that has been handed down from parent to child (3)__________ many generations. Origami involves the creation of paper forms usually entirely (4)__________ folding. Animals, birds, fish, geometric shapes, puppets, toys and masks are among the (5)__________ that even very young children can learn to make in just one sitting.
In Japan, at one time origami was (6)__________ in schools but today, children are generally taught origami at home. Holidays are celebrated with colorful (7)__________ decorations made by the family. On children’s day (formerly boy’s day), children make colorful carp: a fish that swims (8)__________, against the current. This symbolizes strength.
XI. Read the text carefully, then choose the correct answers.
For 3,000 years, Mongolians have lived in the rural areas, adopting a pastoral way of life, moving in the search of new pastures. They depend largely on their livestock for a living and sustain themselves with what they can get from the land. Today, approximately half of Mongolia’s population is still roaming the vast plains living in the ger and moving their camping several times a year. Nomadic life thrives in summer and survives in winter. When temperatures are warm, they work hard on their farms to get milk and make airag, consuming meat from their sheep and goats. Once winter comes, temperatures dip extremely low and they stay indoors and survive on horse meat.
With the rise of technology, changes in the Mongolian nomadic lifestyle are almost inevitable. While they still lead their lifestyle as pastoral herders, many use motorbikes to herd cattle and horses. To move their homes, trucks have taken the place of ox carts. Solar panels are also becoming an addition to the ger, giving them access to electricity without being confined to one place. The nomads use solar energy to power television sets and mobile phones.
1. Mongolians regularly move from place to place in order to _________.
A. look for food for their family B. find pastures for their livestock
C. herd their cattle and horses D. sell their animals and farm products 2. How many Mongolians still live a traditional nomadic life?
A. Close to 40 percent B. More than 50 percent
C. About 50 percent D. Approximately 60 percent
3. What is a ger?
A. A portable, round tent B. A thatched house
C. A circular house made of snow D. A wooden hut
4. What is the Mongolian’s main food in winter?
A. airag B. goat meat C. sheep meat D. horse meat
5. Today, Mongolian nomads _________.
A. don’t lead their lifestyle as herders any more
B. use ox carts to move their homes
C. use solar energy to power electronic devices
D. have the advantage of urban life
6. Which of the followings is NOT true about Mongolian nomads?
A. They live in the countryside.
B. They live by and for their livestock.
C. They work hard in winter when the temperature dip very low.
D. They are now taking advantage of technology.
Revision for Midterm test - 1st term – English 8 Page 4
XII. Read the text carefully, then decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). The Muong are among the ethnic minority groups that have big populations in Vietnam. The Muong share an estimate of 1.3 million people from their six sub-groups, such as Mol, Mual, Moi, Moi Bi, Au Ta and Ao Ta. They are largely concentrated in the provinces of Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa particularly in mountainous districts. Their language belongs to the Viet-Muong group and they hold many ceremonies year round. The Muong have practiced farming for a long time and wet rice is their main food staple. Most of their family’s other income is generated through the exploitation of forest products including mushrooms, dried fungus, ammonium, and sticklac. The men are known for basketry as women are skilled in silk spinning and loom weaving.
The Muong have diverse folk arts including folk songs and poems, sorcerer’s worshiping songs, tales, proverbs, lullabies, and riddle songs. The gong is the most popular musical instrument along with the flute, the two-string violin, the drum, and the panpipe.
_____ 1. The Muong is one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam.
_____ 2. The Muong are also called Mol, Mual, Moi, Mol Bi, Au Ta and Ao Ta.
_____ 3. The Muong don’t have their own language, so they speak Vietnamese.
_____ 4. The Muong live mainly on forest products, such as mushrooms and dried fungus. _____ 5. Muong women are very good at making baskets and loom weaving.
_____ 6. The Muong have a rich treasure of folk arts.
