16.
Do you have a lucky number?What is it?Many people have a special number that they hope will bring them good luck.
In Chinese culture,some numbers are believed to be lucky or unlucky based on the Chinese word that the number sounds similar to.
For example,the word for the number 8sounds similar to the word for"making a fortune".So,people consider it a very lucky number.Some people will even spend a lot of money to have 8s in their phone numbers or vehicle license plate (車牌照) numbers.The opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics began at 8:08p.m.on August 8,2008.
The number 9is also a lucky number because of its connection to the emperors of China.There were nine dragons on emperors'robes (龍袍) and Chinese myth held that the dragon has nine children.The number 9also stands for"long lasting".That's why a man always proposes to a woman with 99or 999roses.?
So what's a"bad luck"number in China?It might be 4.Many Chinese people see 4as a"bad luck"number because it sounds similar to the character for"death".
Because of this,many buildings skip the fourth floor,and simply call it the fifth floor.In Hong Kong,some buildings even skip all floors numbered with 4,such as,4,14,24,34and all 40-49floors.Some buildings also skip the 13th floor,as this is considered an unlucky number in many Christian countries.As a result,a building whose highest floor is 50may have only 35physical floors.
53.How do lucky or unlucky numbers come in Chinese culture?They come mostly ofC.
A.people's hope for good luck
B.people's belief in certain numbers
C.similar sounds of Chinese numbers and words
D.Chinese traditions
54.What can we learn from the passage?B
A.Many people like the number 8because it can bring them much money.
B.Much money is sometimes spent on 8s in people's car numbers in China.
C.9is a lucky number in Chinese culture for only one reason.
D.4is an unlucky number because it predicts death to the Chinese.
55.What is the passage mainly about?B
A.Good luck and bad luck in China.
B.Lucky and unlucky numbers in China.
C.Some facts with lucky or unlucky numbers.
D.Lucky and unlucky numbers in culture.