The Yingge dance, also named “Dance of the Heroes”, has a history dating back to the Ming Dynasty. It is a folk art form that mixes opera, dance and martial arts (武术). It is quite popular in Guangdong Province in south China and Puning is home to over 100 Yingge teams. In 2006, Puning Yingge dance was listed as part of China’s national intangible cultural heritage (非物质文化遗产).

The Yingge dance usually gets inspiration from The Water Margin, one of China’s Four Great Classical Novels. During major festivals, the sound of Yingge drums fills cities and villages. The dancers wear colorful traditional costumes, put on beautiful facial makeup (化妆) and dance joyfully. When watching the dance, people can always feel the spirit of fighting for the good besides a lively air with energy and youth.

Typically, in the Yingge dance, the lead dancer acts like a snake as the snake means being flexible (灵活的) and wise, which gives the dance deep cultural importance. Holding a cloth snake, the lead dancer copies the snake’s movements. When he makes his way through the dance team, he also guides the team’s direction. His fine steps and skillful movements make him the focus of the performance.

During performances, dancers hold the Yingge sticks at their mid-points, waving them and forming the shape of number 8. At the same time, their fingers create continuous movements. Moreover, each dancer jumps sideways and hits the sticks to the drum beats as if they are riding a horse. Their heads and bodies move naturally to the beat too.

Traditionally, only adult men could join the Yingge teams. Today, the Yingge dance has greeted both men and women. Also, modern dance is added while the most important part of traditional dance is kept, which suits the taste of people today.

1.1．What do we know about the Yingge dance?

A It comes from Puning.

B It mixes opera, dance and magic.

C It enjoys great popularity in south China.

D It belongs to the world intangible cultural heritage.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第一段 “It is quite popular in Guangdong Province in south China” 可知，英歌舞在华南地区很受欢迎，C 选项正确。A 选项错误，文中说普宁有很多英歌队，但未说其起源于普宁；B 选项错误，英歌舞融合的是戏曲、舞蹈和武术，而非魔术；D 选项错误，英歌舞是中国国家级非物质文化遗产，并非世界非遗。故答案选C。

2.2．What can people feel when enjoying the Yingge dance?

A The dream to get young.

B The hope for looking good.

C The love for classical music.

D The spirit of fighting for the good.

解析：选D。细节理解题。根据第二段 “When watching the dance, people can always feel the spirit of fighting for the good besides a lively air with energy and youth.” 可知，人们观赏英歌舞时能感受到为正义而战的精神，D 选项正确。A、B、C 选项在文中均未提及。

3.3．Which of the following about the lead dancer is true?

A He holds a cloth dragon.

B He dances through the team.

C He dresses up like a snake.

D He copies teammates’ action.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第三段 “When he makes his way through the dance team, he also guides the team’s direction.” 可知，领舞者会穿过舞队，B 选项正确。A 选项错误，领舞者手持的是布蛇而非布龙；C 选项错误，领舞者模仿蛇的动作，而非打扮成蛇；D 选项错误，领舞者是引导队伍，而非模仿队友动作。故答案选B。

4.4．What does the underlined word “them” in Paragraph 4 most probably refer to?

A The sticks.

B The heads.

C The fingers.

D The performances.

解析：选A。词义猜测题。第四段开头提到 “dancers hold the Yingge sticks at their mid-points”，随后说 “waving them and forming the shape of number 8”，结合语境，“them” 指代前文的 “the Yingge sticks”（英歌棒），A 选项正确。

5.5．What is a change in today’s Yingge dance?

A Putting on facial makeup.

B Including men in the team.

C Wearing traditional costumes.

D Borrowing from modern dance.

解析：选D。细节理解题。根据最后一段 “Also, modern dance is added while the most important part of traditional dance is kept” 可知，如今英歌舞的变化是融入了现代舞蹈，D 选项正确。A、B、C 选项中，化妆、男性加入（传统上就有男性）、穿传统服饰均为传统元素，并非变化。