Meet Beijing’s Mascots

     BEIJING surprised the world last Friday，by unveiling(揭曉)five 2008 Olympic mascots. The doll—like figures represent the Olympic Flame and four of China’s most popular animals. Their design represents a circle of five children at play．

    The fish and water are symbols of prosperity and harvest in Chinese traditional culture．A  fish is a symbol of surplus in China，a measure of a good year and a good life．

    Jingjing makes children smile and that’s why he brings the blessing of happiness wherever he  goes．He is noted for strength

    Huanhuan is the big brother．He is a child of five，symbolizing the Olympic flame and the  pillion of sport．He stands in the centre as the core of the Olympic spirit．Huanhuan is open and  inviting．

    Yingying，an antelope is a symbol of the vastness of China’s landscape．He carries a wish  for harmony with nature．The figure shows Beijing’s commitment to host a green Olympics．

    Nini is a lovely and happy swallow．Her design draws on the shape of a kite．In traditional  Chinese thought，the swallow stands for good luck．

1．How many animals are there among the mascots?

   A．4            B．5                  C．3              D．none

2．What does the word“surplus”mean?

   A．充足的     B．多余的                 C．不足的         D．強(qiáng)盛的

3．Based on the passage，what’s Jingjing noted for?

   A．He is very weak                   B．He is very clever

   C．He is very strong                    D．He is very lovely

4．What place does Yingying like to live in possibly?

   A．山東       B．北京             C．蒙古    D．西藏

5．What does Nini stand for?

   A．Surplus          B．Happiness     C．Harmony D．Good luck