Question

Have you ever shoveled (鏟) snow after a snowstorm? Most people try to remove snow. But in February, in Sapporo, Japan, trucks actually bring snow into the city! People shovel the snow into large piles, and these piles of snow become outdoor cafes, concert stages, and beautiful sculptures (雕像).

Artists from all over the world come to Sapporo’s Snow Festival every year to enter the sculpture competition. But the sculptures aren’t made of stone, metal or wood – they are made of snow and ice! Artists sometimes work 11 to 12 hours a day to make amazing sculptures. Many of the sculptures are huge and very detailed. During the day, the sculptures shine in the winter sun. At night, colorful lights shine on them. Millions of people go to see them every year.

The Snow Festival had not always been so popular. It started in 1950 as something very small. People in Sapporo wanted to go outside and have fun during the long, boring winter, so the city held a one-day fair in a park. People listened to music and danced. They watched movies and dog races. But some high school students had a great idea and built six large interesting snow sculptures. People really liked the sculptures, and the Snow Festival was born.

Five years later, soldiers nearby brought tons of snow into the city. They made the snow into large blocks and used ladders to build huge sculptures. These sculptures were amazing, and the small festival turned into an international event.

More than 60 years have passed. Today, the festival is seven days long. Every year, millions of people wear their warmest coats and go outside to celebrate the snow!

1.Artists go to Sapporo every winter mainly to ______.

A. listen to music and dance

B. watch movies and dog races

C. have a one-day fair in a park

D. enter the sculpture competition

2.In 1950, some ______ built six large interesting snow sculptures.

A. artists B. high school students

C. soldiers D. movie stars

3.What is the passage mainly about?

A. Winter activity.

B. Sapporo, Japan.

C. The Snow Festival.

D. Outdoor sculptures.

Answer 1