
When Xiong Chuanfa, 34, blows a lifelike tiger out of sugar in just minutes, kids look at him in surprise thinking he is a magician.
Xiong has been blowing sugar figurines (吹糖人) for over twenty years. Blowing sugar figurines is a Chinese traditional folk (民间) art with a history of over 600 years and has been listed as a state-level intangible cultural heritage.
Every morning, Xiong prepares the sugar and drives to different markets in Nanchang to start his magic show.
He heats (加热) the sugar, pulls off a little to make a ball and blows it into different shapes — a rabbit, a monkey, and even Bing Dwen Dwen, the mascot of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
People, especially little kids, are interested in his skills. ________, he also stops by colleges.
Many college students have been drawn to the art, waiting in line for hands-on experience. Among them, Simon, a foreign student, couldn’t help having a try. Though it looked easy, he found it difficult to make it. Thanks to Xiong’s help. Simon finally saw a horse slowly taking shape.
Simon was deeply moved after learning about the art. “I just can’t believe the traditional folk art can be kept so well here. I love it. Chinese culture should be spread around the world,” he said.
This art has been passed down for four generations (代) in Xiong’s family. His 6-year-old son often blows sugar balloons, just like what he used to do as a child.
“We will pass on the intangible heritage,” said Xiong.
(1). From the passage we can learn that Xiong Chuanfa is ________.
| A. | 26 years old | B. | 34 years old | C. | a bus driver | D. | a foreign magician | 
(2). Which of the following can be put in the ________?
| A. | To draw young people closer to the art | B. | To help young people learn drawing skills | 
| C. | To teach little kids the skills of drawing | D. | To make little kids more interested in the art | 
(3). According to the passage, we can infer (推断) that Simon will most probably ________.
| A. | stay in China to blow sugar horses | B. | offer Xiong a helping hand in class | 
| C. | learn more about Chinese culture | D. | blosy perfect sugar figurines next time | 
(4). Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
| A. | Xiong and His Folk Art of Sweet Blows | B. | A Magic Folk Art and Chinese Culture | 
| C. | Xiong’s Family and Sugar Figurine Skills | D. | A Guide and the Intangible Heritages |