The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington kicked off a six-month celebration on March 16 of the 50th anniversary of the arrival of two giant pandas, celebrating the close cooperation between China and the United States in panda exchanges and preservation.
The first pandas from China in the US－Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing－arrived at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute on April 16, 1972. “We are going to have six months of celebrations both online and at the zoo. People can come to see the cubs(幼崽) and the mom and dad,” Brandie Smith, director of the national zoo, said.
Smith said one of the highlights will be a “screening of the film, The Miracle Panda, which is our story of the giant pandas at the national zoo. And we also are going to have an event with the Chinese embassy(大使馆). The embassy is going to come and provide treats for people as they see the pandas.” The documentary The Miracle Panda, by the Smithsonian Channel, will be screened for a limited time at the zoo’s Visitor Center Theater on April 16 and 17.
Annalisa Meyer, the zoo’s deputy director of communications, said the celebrations will run through August 27. The zoo will hold online events, as well as on-site events on April 8 and 21. Also on April 16, from 9 am to 2 pm, visitors can enjoy lion dance performances, panda-shaped Bao buns and calligraphy demonstrations. They also can speak with the zoo’s scientists who study giant panda biology and ecology, and they can watch the pandas receive special treats.
The Giant Panda Family Tree Photo Gallery in the outdoor giant panda exhibit has already been set up, allowing visitors to explore the zoo’s successful giant panda breeding program and to follow how cubs born at the zoo contribute to their species’ survival in China.
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1.What event took place in history of Washington 50 years ago?
A China helped the local national zoo set up a panda house.
B The US exchanged the pandas with China through a zoo.
C China’s pandas first entered the Smithsonian National Zoo.
D D.China and the US started research into the giant pandas.
解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第二段的“The first pandas from China in the US－Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing－arrived at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute on April 16, 1972.”可知，1972年4月16日，第一批中国大熊猫玲玲和兴兴来到美国史密森尼国家动物园和保护生物研究所。故选C。
2.What is the film The Miracle Panda mainly about?
A Something about the celebrations in the past.
B The panda’s long journey from China to the US.
C The Chinese embassy’s activities for the pandas.
D What happened to the giant pandas in the national zoo.
解析：选D。D 推理判断题。根据第三段的“The Miracle Panda, which is our story of the giant pandas at the national zoo.”可知，《奇迹熊猫》这部影片是关于国家动物园里大熊猫的故事。故选D。
3.How long will the celebrations last according to the passage?
A For about 165 days.
B For about 160 days.
C For about 145 days.
D For about 140 days.
解析：选A。A 数字计算题。根据第一段的“The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington kicked off a six-month celebration on March 16”以及第四段的“the celebrations will run through August 27.”可知，庆祝活动从3月16日起至8月27日，即16天+30天+31天+30天+31天+27天=165天。故选A。
4.What CAN’T visitors involve themselves in during the zoo’s celebrations?
A Enjoy food and performances.
B Receive special treats in the zoo.
C Communicate with the zoo’s scientists.
D Enjoy a gallery about the panda family.
解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据第四段的“and they can watch the pandas receive special treats.”可知，游客们可以观看大熊猫享用“零食”的过程，而并非他们在动物园里得到特别的款待。故选B。
