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Chinese Paper Cutting or Jianzhi is the first type of paper-cutting design, since paper was invented by Cai Lun in the Eastern Han Dynasty in China.

It’s a very distinctive visual art of Chinese handicrafts. The art form later spread to other parts of the world with different areas adopting their own cultural styles. After hundreds of years of development, now they’ve become a very popular means of decoration among country folk, especially women. The paper-cuts are also used to decorate doors and windows, and therefore they’re sometimes referred to “chuang hua”, meaning Window Flower. Paper-cuts are chiefly used as decorations. However, today Chinese paper-cuts are also used for religious and ceremonial purposes, and they’re buried with the dead and burned at funerals.

Chinese people believe the red paper-cuts on the door can bring good fortune and happiness to the whole family. The paper-cuts are more often seen during traditional Chinese festivals, particularly in Chinese New Year—the Spring Festival. They’re also given as gifts to friends or other family members.

Paper-cuttings aren’t produced by machine, but by hand. There are two methods of manufacture: one using scissors, the other using knives. Knife cuttings are fashioned by putting several layers of paper on a relatively soft foundation. Following a pattern, the artist cuts the motif(图案) into the paper with a sharp knife that he usually holds vertically(垂直地). The advantage of knife-cuttings is that considerably more paper cuttings can be made in one operation than with scissor cuttings.

It’s easy to learn about cutting a piece of paper but difficult to master it with perfection. One must grasp the knife in an upright fashion and press evenly on the paper with some strength. Flexibility is required but any hesitation will damage the whole image.

People find hope and comfort in expressing wishes with paper-cuttings. For instance: for a wedding ceremony, red paper-cuttings are a traditional decoration on the tea set, the dressing table glass, and on other furniture. A big red paper character “Xi” (happiness) is a traditional must on the newlyweds' door.

1.What can we know about paper-cutting from the second paragraph?

A Paper-cuts are mainly used as presents.

B Females are better at paper-cutting than males.

C Paper-cutting is a bit different from area to area.

D Paper-cuts are used in various ceremonies but funerals.

解析：选C。推理判断题。根据第二段The art form later spread to other parts of the world with different areas adopting their own cultural styles.可推断不同区域的剪纸其风格有所不同，故选C项。

2.In China red paper-cuts are thought to be a sign of ______.

A wisdom

B bravery

C harmony

D good luck

解析：选D。细节理解题。根据第三段Chinese people believe the red paper-cuts on the door can bring good fortune and happiness to the whole family.可知红色的剪纸在中国被视为好运的象征，故选D项。

3.What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?

A The forms of paper-cutting.

B The process of paper-cutting.

C The advantages of knife cuttings.

D The characteristics of paper-cutting.

解析：选B。主旨大意题。根据第四段Paper-cuttings aren’t produced by machine, but by hand. There’re two methods of manufacture: one using scissors, the other using knives.可知此段旨在介绍剪纸的方法，即程序，故选B项。

4.In the author’s opinion, it is easy to _______.

A be good at paper-cutting

B cut paper in a flexible way

C make mistakes while cutting paper

D choose proper paper-cuts for decoration

解析：选C。推理判断题。根据第五段It’s easy to learn about cutting a piece of paper but difficult to master it with perfection…Flexibility is required but any hesitation will damage the whole image. 可判断剪纸的过程易出错，故选C项。

5.How does the author develop the last paragraph?

A By giving an example.

B By making comparisons.

C By making a list of facts.

D By giving a detailed analysis.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据最后一段For instance: for a wedding ceremony可知该段使用了举例的说明手法，故选A项。