13.For forty一three years,the Smithsonian Folklife Festival has been bringing cultures from the United
States and from around the world to Washington,D.C.Visitors to this year's festival can explore the mu-
sic,history,art and food of Wales.This small country is known for its music,beautiful natural areas and ancient history.Visitors to the festival can also learn about the country's language and industry.
Visitors to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival can start their exploration of Wales by learning about its
native language,Welsh.Wels is one of the oldest languages in the world.
Visitors can learn more from Iona Hughes,a Welsh teacher in the country's capital,Cardiff.Welsh
and English are now the official languages of Wales.But the English people did not always support the use of Welsh.Today,about twenty percent of the population in Wales speak the language fluently.
Iona Hughes said,"It's quite wonderful to see how the language has developed especially in the last
thirty years.I remember as a child actually saying that Welsh was a dying language,but now I'm proud
to say that actually it's a living language"
The Welsh are serious about their language and the spoken words.They hold matches to celebrate
their language.In one part of the Smithsonian Festival,people tell funny stories,and this part is the most popular among American visitors.
The festival events also tell about Welsh industries.You can see an expert make thread(线)out of
wool from sheep.Or you might learn about traditional Welsh building materials.
21.The Smithsonian Folklife Festival of this year is toB
A.teach ancient languages to Americans
B.introduce Welsh culture
C.tell funny stories about American folk life
D.bring cultures from England to Washington D.C.
22.Which of the following things of Wales is NOT shown in the festival?D
A.Music.
B.Food.
C.Industry.
D.Sports.
23.What does Iona Hughes think of Welsh?A
A.She sees it as a language that is alive.
B.She thinks it is an easy language to learn.
C.She suggests it should be replaced by English.
D.She wants it to be the only official language in Wales.
24.What activity are Americans most interested in according to the text?B
A.Making thread.
B.Listening to stories.
C.Learning from Iona Hughes.
D.Learning about building materials.
25.What can we learn about Wales from the text?C
A.Its industry has developed quickly.
B.It has three official languages.
C.It is famou for its long history.
D.Half of its population speak Welsh.