江苏 吴自江

许多在山西的留学生在对山西和中国有了更多的了解后，从他们的角度分享了山西的面貌，讲述了当地的环境、习俗、文化以及他们的个人经历。

题材体裁文化记叙文382★★★文章词数难度建议用时7分钟

I have been in Taiyuan, the provincial capital of Shanxi, for two years since I was admitted to a PhD program at Shanxi University as an international student from Bangladesh. Over the two years, I have found myself falling in love with Shanxi and China as I got more integrated with local lives and got more familiar with the city, the province and the country.

I must admit that it's normal to feel lonely when you start a new life in a new place. You have to adapt to everything—food, language and culture. But for me,the adaptation didn't take a long period of time. I have got used to eating noodles for breakfast and using online payment via my smartphone very quickly.

My experience in Shanxi, China, I think, is an opportunity to help broaden my perspectives and life here is full of surprises. The pleasant changes are made possible with the help of my teachers,schoolmates and friends. My tutors at Shanxi University are excellent teachers.They highly value critical thinking among students and encourage us to conduct research in an innovative manner.

After a while at university,I didn't feel much pressure in my study. There is still enough spare time to allow me to visit various parts of Taiyuan and other places in Shanxi and to make friends with locals.My favorite sport is cycling and I find China is very cyclist-friendly because it is convenient to hire bicycles in every city in the country. I like to cycle on the streets in Taiyuan and visit places I encounter randomly. The cycling tours helped to deepen my understanding of the city.

In my eyes, Taiyuan is a city with both history and modernity. The city has a history of more than 2,500 years, among the longest among all cities in China. An abundance of well-preserved ancient structures, like the temples in Jinci, and the double pagodas in Yongzuo Temple, are the material evidence to help you get a glimpse into what ancient China looked like.

Taiyuan is also a fast-growing modern city. It is ranked among the world's top 500 cities in terms of scientific research according to a Nature Index rating. I hope more international students come to study at Shanxi University and to live and work in China as the country is full of opportunities.

Reading Check

1. What's the author's attitude to the teachers of Shanxi University?

A. Suspicious.B. Tolerant.

C. Indifferent.D. Favorable.

2. Why does the author choose cycling as his favorite sport?

A. Cycling is free of charge.

B. Cycling is environment-friendly.

C. Cycling can make the author better understand Taiyuan.

D. Cycling can make the author have friendship easier.

3. What do we know from the last paragraph?

A. Taiyuan is the most ancient city in China.

B. It is worthwhile for people from other countries to study in China.

C. The author plans to live and work in China after graduation.

D. There isn't much study pressure for foreigners to study in China.

4. What's the purpose of the text?

A. To share an experience.

B. To advertise Taiyuan.

C. To advocate studying abroad.

D. To show the value of travel.

Language Study

Difficult sentences in the text

1. Over the two years, I have found myself falling in love with Shanxi and China as I got more integrated with local lives and got more familiar with the city,the province and the country. 在这两年里，我发现自己越来越喜欢山西和中国，因为我越来越融入当地的生活，越来越熟悉这个城市、这个省和这个国家。

【点石成金】本句是一个主从复合句，as引导的是原因状语从句。get integrated with意为“（使）融入群体”，be familiar with意为“熟悉……”。

2. My favorite sport is cycling and I find China is very cyclist-friendly because it is convenient to hire bicycles in every city in the country. 我最喜欢的运动是骑自行车，并且我发现中国对骑自行车的人非常友好，因为在这个国家的每个城市租自行车都很方便。

【点石成金】本句是一个主从复合句，because引导的是原因状语从句。 “It is+adj.+to do sth”意为“做某事是……的”。