The Chinese word “Shanzhai” means a small mountain village, but now it becomes an accepted name for fakes (假货) after “Shenzhen Cellphones” produced by small workshops in southern China became popular in the mainland market over the past two years.
Besides “Shanzhai” has electronic products, there are “Shanzhai” movies, “Shanzhai” stars and even a “Shanzhai” Spring Festival Gala, a copy of the 25-year-old traditional show presented by CCTV on Chinese Lunar New Year’s Eve.
“Shanzhai” has become a culture of its own, symbolizing anything that imitates something famous.
The phenomenon has caused a public debate over whether it is healthy or sick being a copycat.
In southwestern China’s Chongqing Municipality, a “Shanzhai” version “Bird’s Nest” woven by farmers with bamboo attracts wide attention and the “Shanzhai” version “Water Cube” is popular with tourists too. Both are copies of the famous Olympics buildings in Beijing.
Xie Xizhang, a literature critic, said that taking the “Shanzhai” Gala as an example, when the traditional CCTV program becomes less and less attractive to the audience, the “Shanzhai” version appears naturally to attract people.
“In spite of its poor techniques and operation, ‘Shanzhai’culture meets the psychological demands of common people and could be a comfort to their minds,” Xie said.
Tian Huiqun, a professor at Beijing Normal University, said that “Shanzhai” culture never copies classic things, only trendy products. In that sense, it’s like a computer virus, multiplying without meaning.
Though controversial, “Shanzhai” culture is becoming a widely accepted phenomenon.
To the mainstream culture, the rise of “Shanzhai” culture is a challenge as well as a motivation, said Xie.
Tian said different kinds of cultures developing together is an ideal situation and it is for the public to choose.
1. The Chinese Word“Shanzhai”may have its origin in _________.
A. fake cellphones B. electronic products
C. Spring Festival Gala D. Olympics buildings
2. A. The underlined word “imitates” is closest in meaning to _______.
A. steals B. copies C. advertises D. cheats
3. A. According to the passage, “Shanzhai” culture refers to ________.
A. The action that a person imitates famous people
B. anything that imitates something famous
C. those similar names to famous brand
D. products with poor techniques and quality
4. A. We can infer that the mainstream culture ________.
A. Will be held back by “Shanzhai” culture
B. will sooner or later be replaced by “Shanzhai”culture
C. may develop faster because of the challenging of “Shanzhai”culture
D. thinks nothing of the challenge of “Shanzhai”culture
5. Which of the following might be the best title of passage?
A.“Shanzhai”culture will definitely fade out
B.“Shanzhai”culture –the mountain village culture
C.“Shanzhai”culture – the mainstream culture
D.“Shanzhai”culture takes on life of its own
