07.中国的二十四节气-2025年高考英语一轮复习阅读热点话题

07.中国的二十四节气 1 The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Rain, as the last term in spring, originates from the old saying, “Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains.” Key time for agriculture Grain Rain falls between the end of spring and the beginning of summer, with infrequent cold air moving to the south and lingering cold air in the north. It brings a marked increase in temperature and rainfall and the grains grow faster and stronger. It’s a key time to protect the crops from insect pests. Drinking tea There is an old custom in southern China that people drink tea on the day of Grain Rain. Spring tea during Grain Rain is rich in vitamins and amino acids, which can help to remove heat from the body and is good for the eyes. Eating toona sinensis People in northern China have the tradition to eat toona sinensis during Grain Rain. An old Chinese saying goes, “Toona sinensis before the rain is as tender as silk.” The vegetable is nutritious and can help to strengthen the immune system. Grain Rain Festival The Grain Rain Festival is celebrated by fishing villages in the coastal areas of northern China. Grain Rain marks the start of the fishermen’s first voyage of the year. People worship the sea and stage sacrifice rites on the Grain Rain Festival, praying for a bountiful harvest and a safe voyage for their loved ones. 1．Why is Grain Rain important for agriculture? A．It marks the end of cold weather. B．It brings a slight climatic variation. C．It creates a chance for pests to multiply. D．It provides increased rainfall for crop growth. 2．Why do people eat toona sinensis during Grain Rain? A．To enjoy its best taste. B．To improve their vision. C．To get rid of heat of the body. D．To make their skin smooth. 3．What’s the significance of Grain Rain in the coastal northern China? A．A sign of the end of bitter winter. B．The arrival of the fishing season. C．A celebration of a religious festival. D．A pray for an abundant tea harvest. 2 The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Start of Autumn, the 13th solar term, reflects the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The fruitful season is approaching. The following are several things you should know about it. “Autumn Tiger” Although Start of Autumn indicates the beginning of autumn, hot weather won’t come to an end. The period of hot days after Start of Autumn, is called “Autumn Tiger”. Because of decreasing rainfall, it is even more sweltering (闷热的) during this period than during Major Heat. Eating longans The Start of Autumn period is harvest time for Taiwan longan. People believe that eating longan will help their children become senior officials. Eating red beans Starting from the Tang Dynasty and the Song Dynasty, people in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, have eaten red beans on Start of Autumn day. They take 7 to 14 little beans, swallowing them with well water. When taking the beans, one must face west, it is said, so as not to get dysentery (痢疾) during the autumn. Eating gourds (葫芦) During the Qing Dynasty, people would put gourds outside for a day before the Start of Autumn, and eat them on Start of Autumn day to drive off the summer heat. Today people in Tianjin still keep this custom, believing that eating melons such as towel gourd, white gourd and bitter gourd can prevent diarrhea (腹泻) in autumn. 1．What causes “Autumn Tiger” according to the passage? A．The reducing rainfall. B．The ending of summer. C．The approaching autumn. D．The beginning of the solar term. 2．What is the common belief for people to eat red beans and gourds? A．To avoid heat. B．To keep the custom. C．To prevent diseases. D．To help children become senior officials. 3．In which column of a magazine might the passage be taken from? A．Sports. B．Culture. C．Entertainment. D．Politics. 3 Four Things About the Spring Equinox (春分) The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides a year into 24 solar terms. The Spring Equinox is the fourth term of the year. This term signals the equal length of the day and the night time. Many people hold various activities to celebrate the festival. Here are several things you may not know about it. Kite Flying In ancient times, people did not have good medical resources. So they wrote their health problems on paper kites. When a paper kite was in the air, people would cut off the string to let it fly away, meaning the disease would go away. Later flying kites developed into a popular game in spring. Three Hous The ancient Chinese people divided the fifteen days of the Spring Equinox into three hous or five day parts. As the old saying goes, “Swallows fly back to the North in the first hou; thunder cracks the sky in the second hou; lightning occurs frequently in the third hou, which shows the climate feature during the term.” Spring Vegetables It is a commonly practised custom to eat spring vegetables in many regions of China Spring vegetables refer to the seasonal vegetables that differ from place to place. The ancient teachings in a Chinese classic suggest people eat the seasonal food, especially vegetables, to help preserve health and bring good luck. Egg-standing Games Standing an egg upright (直立的) is a popular game across the country during the Spring Equinox. It is an old custom that can date back to thousands of years ago. People practise this tradition to celebrate the coming of spring. It is said that if someone can make the egg stand he will have good luck in the future. 1．Why did the ancient Chinese people let paper kites fly away in the Spring Equinox? A．To celebrate freedom. B．To celebrate good luck. C．To wish for good health. D．To win the kite-flying game. 2．What does the saying about three hous show? A．Natural phenomena. B．Celebration activities. C．The environmental protection. D．The features of Chinese culture. 3．What can we infer about the Spring Equinox from the ancient Chinese teachings? A．It is the first day of spring. B．It is the first term of the year. C．It is the best time to stand eggs upright D．It is the right time to eat spring vegetables. 4 Oct. 23rd is the beginning of Shuangjiang or Frost’s Descent in English, the 18th of 24 solar terms(节气)in the Chinese lunar calendar. It refers to the time when frost(霜)starts to fall across China, or “the dews(露水)were frozen into frost” because of the coldness, as recorded in ancient Chinese books. By the time of Shuangjiang, most of the harvesting work is already completed in northern China, and farmers are now able to enjoy a period of rest. But in the south the harvest is still on the go. Farmers have to take home the sweet potatoes before they are destroyed by the coming frost. After a year of farming, it is the time to plow the fields and prepare the soil for next year both south and north. Autumn might be the most colorful season China with the leaves turning from golden yellow to red. Hiking has become popular since the ancient times as people can enjoy the special autumnal scenery. Du Mu, a well-known poet from the Tang Dynasty wrote the beautiful scenery in a poem: “I stopped the coach as charmed by the maple woods, Frosted autumn leaves out shine February flowers in redness.” The Double Ninth Festival also falls during the season, a festival for the elders. Going hiking in the highlands is part of the celebrations practiced by the ancient Chinese people. “Keeping warm” becomes a most important thing at this time of the year as the weather is getting colder. Persimmon(柿子)is the favored fruit in many areas. The Chinese believe that persimmons could not only keep off the coldness, but strengthen the muscles and bones. Also, chicken or mutton soup is believed to be good for the sleep and advised for the diet. Shuangjiang brings the frost and freezing wind, and autumn has come to an end. But for most Chinese, it is not necessarily a sad time because in winter, they are able to have different but equally beautiful scenery. 1．Shuangjiang is the ______ of the twenty-four solar terms. A．10th B．15th C．18th D．20th 2．What is the main idea of the 5th paragraph? A．Tell the differences of the harvest in China’s south and north. B．Explain why Shuangjiang gets its name. C．Advise some activities to enjoy the colorful season. D．Introduce the ways to stay warm before the coming of winter. 3．Which of the following statement about Shuangjiang is TRUE according to the text? A．People believe eating persimmons in Shuangjiang can help get rid of coldness. B．Shuangjiang is the best time for people hoping lose weight to take exercises. C．Farmers in the south of China can enjoy a great rest during Shuangjiang. D．Shuangjiang is the end of summer and the beginning of autumn of a year. 4．What’s the best title of the passage? A．What Causes Frost’s Descent B．Time to Say Goodbye to Autumn C．Enjoy the Beautiful Autumn D．Prepare for a Good Harvest 5 The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Minor Snow (小雪) refers to the time when it starts to snow, mostly in China's northern areas, and the temperature continues to drop. Here are four things you should know about Minor Snow. Wearing hats and scarves In China, starting in Minor Snow, the wind blows from the northeast a lot. Because it's still not bitterly cold, many people do not wear hats or scarves yet. In fact, according to an old Chinese saying, "The head is the place where all passages of the body gather". It's sensible to keep one's head warm. Drinking soup During Minor Snow, indoor heating begins to work, which means the air indoors is dry and most people might find their nose and mouth feels a bit dry. According to practices in traditional Chinese medicine, this accumulation of "inner heat" in one's body can cause problems, including oral ulcers and breakouts (口腔溃疡和破损). The solution is to drink more hot soup, such as cabbage and bean curd soup, spinach and bean curd soup, and mutton and radish soup. Making preserved pork After Minor Snow, the temperature declines sharply and the air becomes dry. It is the best time to start making preserved pork, which by the Chinese Spring Festival would be ready to enjoy. In the past, when storage conditions were poor, people developed many ways to store food and preserved pork is one such example. So even in the bitter winter, the whole family could enjoy meat. Some even say preserved pork tastes more delicious than fresh meat. Avoiding spicy food On cold days, people may crave some hot and spicy food to keep warm. Experts say it's wise not to eat overly spicy food, since that will increase your inner heat. 1．Which of the following can best describe Minor Snow? A．Snowy and cold. B．Warm and cozy. C．Golden and windy. D．Comfortable and cool. 2．Why do people drink soup during Minor Snow? A．To save food. B．To keep warm. C．To solve problems caused by "inner heat". D．To chase after fashion and follow the tradition. 3．How to keep warm during Minor Snow? A．Eat overly spicy food. B．Do not go outside and stay in bed. C．Make preserved pork with your family. D．Wear hats and scarves and eat proper hot and spicy food. 6 Something you may not know about End of Heat The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. End of Heat is the 14th solar term of the year, which implies that most parts in China are getting rid of the hot summer and entering autumn. But in some areas, especially in South China, autumn is late in coming and people are still bothered by hot weather. End of Heat is also the busy harvest season for farmers. The following are the things you should know about End of Heat. Time for night-blooming cereus (昙花) The night-blooming cereus is a flower full of mystery, which often blooms during the period of End of Heat. This is because the climate during End of Heat, characterized by warm days and cold nights, is similar to tropical deserts. Night-blooming cereus originates in the tropical deserts from Mexico to Brazil in South America. They blossom at night to avoid the blazing daytime sun. Eating Duck Duck has a sweet flavor and according to Chinese traditional medicine it has a “cool” nature. A folk tradition is to eat duck during the End of Heat period. There are many recipes for cooking duck such as roast duck, cooked duck with lemon, smoked duck with walnut dressing and sautéed duck with ginger shoots. The tradition of eating duck during the End of Heat period is still popular in China. The Fishing Season Festival For fishermen, the End of Heat is a season of harvest. During this period，the Fishing Season Festival is held in regions along the coastline of the East China Sea in Zhejiang province. The festival is held on the day when the fishing ban ends and fishermen can start fishing again. Due to high temperatures in the sea, stocks of fish remain and become mature. People can enjoy many kinds of seafood during this period. 1．About End of Heat, which of the following statements is true? A．It means the whole China has entered autumn. B．The areas beyond the Great Wall are still hot. C．In south China, the temperature is still high. D．It is the end of the harvest season for farmers. 2．Where did you think the night-blooming cereus initially came from? A．Temperate areas. B．Tropical areas. C．Cold areas. D．Polar areas. 3．Why is it a folk tradition to eat duck during the End of Heat period? A．Because there are no other animals to eat. B．Because the duck has a “cool” nature. C．Because it tastes especially delicious at that time. D．Because there are many recipes for cooking duck. 7 The traditional Chinese lunar calendar(农历）divides the year into 24 solar terms(节气）．Start of Winter, the 19th solar term of the year,begins this year on Nov 7 and ends on Nov 21. Start of Winter is the first solar term of winter,which means winter is coming and crops harvested in autumn should he stored up. In ancient times, the Start of Winter was regarded as the beginning of winter, however,due to geographical factors, the actual winter time varies from place to place. In fact,the Start of Winter is not the beginning of winter in terms of meteorology(气象学）。The weather every year is different, so the beginning of winter could be quite different.And as China is very large, it starts at different times in different areas. The beginnings of the four seasons were important festivals in ancient times. Before the Start of Winter,the ancient emperor would take a shower and have no more meat.On that day,the emperor would lead his officials to the countryside and"welcome the winter". People eat dumplings on the beginning of winter. Legend has it that in the late Eastern Han Dynasty,Zhang Zhongjing invented "Jiao Ear"(娇耳）to treat typhoid(伤寒） patients with ear frostbite(冻疮）.He cooked mutton,hot peppers and herbs to drive out the cold and warm up the body.He put these materials into a dough skin and made them into an ear shape.Since then,people have learned to make the food which became known as "dumpling" or jiaozi. Today there is still a saying that goes "Eat dumplings on Start of Winter Day, or your ears will be frostbitten.” 1．Which of the following is right about Start of Winter? A．It is one of the solar terms in Chinese calendar. B．People begin to harvest crops on this day. C．Winter begins on November 7 this year. D．It begins in different months in different places. 2．What does it in paragraph 4 refer to? A．the Start of Winter B．the change of weather C．the important festival D．the beginning of winter 3．What do the last two paragraphs mainly talk about? A．Importance of Start of Winter. B．Customs of Start of Winter. C．Origin(起源）of Start of Winter. D．Food eaten on Start of Winter. 4．Why do people eat dumplings on Start of Winter day? A．Because dumplings can drive away typhoid. B．Because they wish for good luck for themselves. C．Because eating dumplings can warm up their ears. D．Because they want to prevent the coming of winter. 8 The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Minor Snow, the 20th solar term of the year, begins this year on Nov.22 and ends on Dec.6. Here are five things you should know about Minor Snow. Light snow An ancient Chinese book about plants explains that “in Minor Snow, the weather is cold and it is going to snow, but the snow is light and the earth is not frozen enough.” Drinking soup During Minor Snow, indoor heating begins to work, making most people might find their noses and mouths feel a bit dry. The solution is to drink more hot soup, such as cabbage and bean curd soup, mutton and radish (小萝卜) soup and so on. Eating glutinous (粘的) rice cakes People have glutinous rice cakes around Minor Snow, which in ancient times, were a traditional festival offering to the bull god. Making preserved pork After Minor Snow, the temperature declines sharply and the air becomes dry. It is the best time to start making preserved pork to eat in the bitter winter, especially in the Spring Festival. In the past, when storage conditions were poor, people developed many ways to store food and preserved pork is one such example. Some even say preserved pork tastes more delicious than fresh meat. Avoiding spicy food On cold days, people may be greedy for some hot and spicy food to keep warm.Experts say it’s wise not to eat overly spicy food since that will increase your inner heat. 1．Which of the following is true about Minor Snow? A．It will certainly snow in this term. B．It has the coldest days of the year. C．It is a term used in China’s northern areas. D．It is a term concerned with weather in China. 2．Which food is recommended to eat in Minor Snow? A．Cabbage and bean curd soup. B．Preserved pork. C．Cakes. D．Spicy food. 3．Why did people make preserved pork in the past? A．Because people found it hard to store meat in cold winter. B．Because it was more delicious to eat than fresh meat. C．Because people couldn’t afford to buy fresh pork. D．Because nowhere could people buy fresh pork in winter. 9 The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Major Cold, or da han in Chinese, is the last solar term in the annual solar calendar. Here are some things about Major Cold. Cold current During Major Cold, as the cold current moves southward, the weather is often cold to the extreme. Though the related data in China show that the lowest temperature in a year is usually recorded during the Major Cold period, it may not be as cold as Minor Cold in most areas on the whole since spring is approaching. Dispelling (驱散) cold During Major Cold, the freezing weather has a big influence on Chinese people’s lives. Rather than take up outdoor activities, people tend to reduce movements and choose to stay at home to keep fit in various ways. For example, to stay warm, people in Beijing have a habit of eating dispelling cold cake, a kind of rice cake that is thought good to warm and nourish. Besides, in Chinese, “rice cake” has the same pronunciation with the words “higher in a new year”, which symbolizes good luck and continual promotion. For another example, residents in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province like to drink nourishing chicken soup during Major Cold. The ending and the beginning Major Cold often coincides with the end of the year, so the folk customs of this period have an added sense of farewell to the old and welcoming the new. With the traditional Spring Festival around the corner, people are busy making preparations for it, like stocking up delicacies, sweeping and decorating. The cheerfulness of the reunion adds warmth to the cold winter days. 1．What is the feature of Major Cold? A．Lasting much longer than Minor Cold. B．Being colder than Minor Cold on average. C．Resulting from cold current moving southward. D．Dropping to the lowest temperature of the year. 2．How do Chinese people respond to Major Cold? A．By eating specific food to keep warm. B．By expressing new year’s resolution. C．By doing exercise to keep healthy. D．By decorating their houses to dispel cold. 3．In which part of a newspaper may the text appear? A．Diet. B．News. C．Culture. D．Art. 10 The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Winter Solstice, the 22nd solar term of the year, begins this year on Dec 21. Here are several things you should know about Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice Festival There was a saying in ancient China, “The Winter Solstice is as significant as the Spring Festival.” As early as the Zhou Dynasty, people worshiped the gods on the first day of the Winter Solstice, which also was the first day of the new year. The Winter Solstice became a winter festival during the Han Dynasty. The celebratory activities were officially organized. On this day, both officials and common people would have a rest. During the following dynasties, such as the Tang , Song and Qing dynasties, the Winter Solstice was a day to offer sacrifices to Heaven and to ancestors. Eating dumplings During Winter Solstice in North China, eating dumplings is essential to the festival. There is a saying that goes “Have dumplings on the first day of Winter Solstice and noodles on the first day of Summer Solstice.” Eating tangyuan In places such as Shanghai, people eat tangyuan, a kind of stuffed small dumpling ball made of sticky rice flour, to celebrate Winter Solstice. Eating rice cakes During the Winter Solstice, Hangzhou residents traditionally eat rice cakes. In the past, before the approach of the winter solstice, every household would make the cakes to worship their ancestors or use as gifts for relatives and friends. Today, though fewer families eat homemade cakes, people there still buy rice cakes for the Winter Solstice Festival. Eating mutton and vermicelli soup In Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, people call midwinter the “Ghost Festival”. On that day, it is customary for people there to drink mutton and vermicelli soup and eat the dumplings in the soup. They give the midwinter soup a strange name “brain” and share it with their neighbors. 1．Which of the following statements is true? A．People started to offer sacrifices to ancestors in the Han Dynasty. B．It is an old tradition to worship the gods during the Winter Solstice. C．Only officials could celebrate the Winter Solstice in the Han Dynasty. D．The Winter Solstice became an official festival during the Zhou Dynasty. 2．What may a person living in Beijing eat during the Summer Solstice? A．Tangyuan. B．Rice cakes. C．Dumplings. D．Noodles. 3．In which places will people eat dumplings during the Winter Solstice? A．North China and Hangzhou. B．Hangzhou and Shanghai. C．Shanghai and Ningxia. D．Ningxia and North China. 11 More than 2,000 years ago, ancient Chinese people created an entire framework to mark the passage of time in a year based on observation of the sun’s movement, called “The 24 Solar Terms”. In the international meteorological field, the 24 solar terms are recognized as “the fifth invention of China”. In 2016, the 24 solar terms were included in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The 24 solar terms are: Start of Spring; Rain Water; Awakening of Insects; Spring Equinox; Clear and Bright; Grain Rain; Start of Summer; Grain Buds; Grain in Ear; Summer Solstice; Minor Heat; Major Heat; Start of Autumn; The End of Heat; White Dew; Autumn Equinox; Cold Dew; Frost’s Descent; Start of Winter; Minor Snow; Major Snow; Winter Solstice; Minor Cold and Major Cold. Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice are the two days of the year with the longest and shortest amount of daylight respectively, while Spring Equinox and Autumn Equinox are days with the most balanced amount of daytime and nighttime. Through these four points, a year is divided into four parts: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. In ancient times, this system not only guided agricultural production, helping farmers to expect the changes in temperature, spring planting and autumn harvest, but also directed Chinese folk customs. For example, Winter Solstice was the first one created among the 24 solar terms, and later turned into a festival held in honor of Heaven and ancestors. Every year at Winter Solstice, emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would go to the Temple of Heaven to hold a ceremony to honor Heaven, praying for good weather for their crops, and peace and wealth for the country. Nowadays, the 24 solar terms could not only be applied to farming, but also guide Chinese in everyday life. They remind people to adapt to the changes in the seasons through suitable foods and cultural ceremonies. Seasonal customs still enjoy widespread popularity, such as eating spring pancakes at Start of Spring, sweeping ancestors’ tombs at Qingming, gaining weight to keep warm at Start of Autumn and eating nutritious food to store energy at Start of Winter. They have actually become important traditions in Chinese life. This ancient time system has gained new charm in the new era. It reflects the emotional connection, the wisdom and creativity of the Chinese, who respect and live in harmony with nature. It has a deep impact on the way people think and their principles of conduct. 1．Why are the 24 solar terms called “the fifth invention of China”? A．Because they are included in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. B．Because they were created by Chinese people. C．Because they are considered of equal importance to China’s four great inventions. D．Because they mark the passage of time. 2．What role did the 24 solar terms play in ancient China? A．They all turned into important festivals held in honor of Heaven and ancestors. B．They offered guidance for agricultural activities and directions for folk customs. C．They reminded people of everyday changes in temperature. D．They helped ancient emperors to make their country more powerful. 3．What is the main idea of the last but one paragraph? A．The guidance of the 24 solar terms in modern Chinese people’s daily life. B．The foods Chinese people eat in different seasons. C．The popularity of seasonal customs in China. D．The tradition of eating spring pancakes at Start of Spring in China. 4．About the 24 solar terms, which of the following statements is true? A．In 2016, the 24 solar terms were recognized as “the fifth invention of China”. B．Summer Solstice is the day of a year with the shortest daytime. C．Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties created Winter Solstice. D．Through the 24 solar terms, Chinese people show their wisdom and creativity. 12 China has more than 30 intangible cultural heritage(非物质文化遗产) recognized by the UNESCO, including paper-cutting, the Dragon Boat Festival, Peking Opera, acupuncture(针灸) and so on. The organization adopted a decision that China’s “The Twenty-Four Solar Terms”(二十四节气) should be put on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016 in Ethiopia. The Twenty-Four Solar Terms, knowledge of time and practices in agriculture, starts from the beginning of Spring and ends with the Greater Cold, moving in cycles. It developed through the observation of the sun’s annual movement in China. In ancient time, the method of tugui, earth sundial(日暑), was used to measure the shadow of the sun for determining the solar terms. The Twenty-Four Solar Terms came into being and developed in close relationship with Chinese agricultural production. At the initial（最初的） stage of agricultural development, people began to explore the seasonal rules in the agricultural production to meet the needs in seeding, harvesting and other activities. Gradually, they formed the concept of “seed in spring, grow in summer, harvest in autumn and store in winter”. During the spring and autumn periods, the agricultural production was highly influenced by the seasonal changes, thus forming the concept of Solar Terms. As a traditional Chinese knowledge system of time with a history of thousands of years, the Twenty-Four Solar Terms clearly expresses the concepts of respect for nature, and harmony between man and nature. Created by Chinese ancestors, it has functioned as a complete set of weather calendar(日历) to guide the agricultural production in China. It has also been introduced into North Korea, Japan and other neighboring countries and still used in Japan. The Chinese heritage has provably influenced the people’s way of thinking and behaving and will continue to be an important carrier of Chinese cultural identity. 1．According to the first two paragraphs, the Twenty-Four Solar Terms______. A．was used to measure the shadow of the sun B．has not been listed as one intangible cultural heritage of humanity C．repeats from the Beginning of Spring to the Greater Cold every year D．is the best intangible cultural heritage recognized by the UNESCO 2．We can learn from the text that _______ in China in the past. A．the Twenty-Four Solar Terms only influenced spring and autumn B．the Twenty-Four Solar Terms had something to do with agriculture C．people cared about the changes of weather just for fun D．agricultural production highly influenced the seasonal changes 3．We can infer from the text that the Twenty-Four Solar Terms _______. A．is an agricultural calendar merely used in China B．is strongly influenced by North Korea and Japan C．is scarcely connected with natural rules D．is part of traditional Chinese culture 13 In ancient China, people created 24 solar terms (节气) to help with farming. At present, it still helps Chinese farmers. Of all these solar terms, Major Snow (大雪) is the 21st. During Major Snow, the snow is heavy and the temperature drops. Let’s learn more about it. Snowy winter The snow in the north sometimes lasts a whole day. The world turns white. “A snow year, a rich year.” As the snow covers the ground, the low temperature kills some pests (害虫). It is good for farmers to grow. Playing with snow In northern China, people usually go skating at the park or make snowmen. It is a popular activity to play with snow. Even if the weather is cold and icy, they still have fun. Eating mutton Mutton is the best choice for people. It tastes great and is good for the body. People in north like to have mutton soup with their family and friends. Eating porridge Hot porridge could make people warm in cold weather. In China, it’s a tradition to eat red bean porridge in Major Snow. It’s also a symbol of being together and keeping away from bad luck. 1．How many solar terms are there in a year? A．24. B．21. C．12. D．4. 2．During Major Snow, the weather will become very ________ . A．hot B．cold C．dry D．warm 3．The underlined sentence “A snow year, a rich year.” can be translated “________” in Chinese. A．雪落有晴天 B．冬雪回暖迟 C．瑞雪兆丰年 D．雪多雨水多 4．People don’t________ during Major Snow. A．kill some pests B．play with snow C．have mutton soup D．eat red bean porridge 5．Which is NOT true according to the passage? A．The 21st solar term is Major Snow. B．The heavy snow sometimes lasts a whole day. C．Mutton is good for the body. D．People usually go skating in southern China. 14 A year is divided into 24 solar terms on the traditional Chinese solar calendar. Start of Spring, to be first solar term of the year, lifts the curtain of spring. After that, everything turns green and full of energy. Here are some things you should know about Start of Spring. 1. Start of Spring and Spring Festival Start of Spring had entered people’s lives in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC). During the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-AD 24), Start of Spring was set as the Spring Festival. Actually, it was not until 1913 that the Spring Festival was celebrated on the first day of the first month of the lunar year as now. 2. Wearing fabric swallows Wearing fabric swallows, a custom originating during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), is observed in some regions in Shaanxi. Every Start of Spring, people like to wear a swallow made of colorful silk on their chests. The swallow is a sign of spring and a symbol of prosperity (繁荣) and happiness. 3. Welcoming spring People in China began holding a special ceremony on the first day of Start of Spring about 3.000 years ago. They made sacrifices (祭品) to Gou Mang, the god of Spring, who is in charge of agriculture. By the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), greeting spring had become an important folk activity. 4. Flying a kite Spring is the best season for kite-flying, a traditional folk activity with a history of more than 2, 000 years. It can help build one’s health and prevent diseases. Besides, a breath of fresh air outside can discharge the bad smell accumulated in winter. 5. Biting the spring In many parts of China, people observe the custom of “biting the spring” on the first day of Start of Spring. They cat spring pancakes, spring rolls, or a few mouthfuls of carrots. 1．In which year might people celebrate the Spring Festival on Start of Spring? A．In760 BC． B．In 210 BC． C．In 1910. D．In 2023. 2．Which custom first appeared during the Tang Dynasty? A．Flying a kite. B．Biting the spring. C．Wearing fabric swallows. D．Welcoming spring. 3．In which column will you most probably find the text in a newspaper? A．World. B．Business. C．Lifestyle. D．Culture. 15 The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms (节气). The year starts from Beginning of Spring and ends with Greater Cold, moving in cycles. The solar term culture is still useful today to guide people’s lives through special foods, cultural ceremonies and even healthy living tips. Grain Buds (小满) is the 8th solar term of the year. It means that the seeds (种子) from the grain are becoming full. During Grain Buds, the summer harvest is about to begin. A saying about rain during this time mentions, “Heavy rainfall makes the river full.” Because of the great increase in rainfall, rivers are full of water. This is a good time to enjoy fish. It is also a harvest season for fishermen. Frost’s Descent (霜降), the 18th solar term of the year, is the last solar term of autumn. The weather becomes much colder than before and frost begins. The apple is one kind of recommended fruit during Frost’s Descent. There are many sayings about apples’ benefits (益处) in China, such as “ Eat an apple after meals. Even old men can be as strong as young men.” Minor Cold (小寒) is the 23rd one. For most areas of China, it marks the start of the coldest days of the year and people always start preparing for Chinese New Year. According to traditional Chinese medicine thoughts, people need to eat food that has more yang energy to prevent cold from harming their bodies. Another important traditional food for Minor Cold is Laba porridge (腊八粥). 1．Which is the last solar term of a year? A．Frost’s Descent. B．Greater Cold. C．Minor Cold. D．Beginning of Spring. 2．Which solar term do fishermen like best? A．Beginning of Spring. B．Grain Buds. C．Frost’s Descent. D．Minor Cold. 3．Which of the following sentences is closest in meaning to the underlined sentences in Paragraph 3? A．An apple a day keeps the doctor away. B．It’s more useful for old men to eat apples than young men. C．If old men eat apples after meals, they will never die. D．Old men will grow into young men after eating an apple. 4．What are the usual practices for people in most areas of China during Minor Cold? ①prepare for Chinese New Year      ②have Laba porridge ③say goodbye to the coldest days     ④wear warmer clothes A．①②③ B．②③④ C．①②④ D．①③④ 16 The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms, which reflect the Chinese people’s understanding of time. Here several special solar terms are listed. Rain Water Rain Water signals the increase in rainfall and rise in temperature. With its arrival, the river water defreezes, wild geese move from south to north, and trees and grass turn green again. Extra care is needed to cope with a returning cold spell in this period. The wet and damp weather during Rain Water period is considered harmful for people’s spleen (脾) and stomach according to Chinese medical practice. Therefore, a bowl of nutritious porridge is the best choice to nourish the body. Awakening of Insects As the third solar term in the lunar year, its name implies that animals sleeping in winter are awakened by spring thunder and that the earth begins to come back to life. It is the key time for spring agricultural activities. Modern meteorological science shows that around this period, the earth becomes wet, the hot humid air from the north is strong and creates frequent winds. For this reason, thunder often occurs. Spring Equinox Spring Equinox signals the equal length of the day and night time. On the day of the Spring Equinox, the sun is directly above the equator. After the equinox, the sun moves northwards, resulting in gradually longer day time in the Northern Hemisphere. Standing an egg upright is a popular game during this period. It is believed that if someone can make the egg stand, he will have good luck in the future. Grain Rain Grain Rain originates from the old saying, “Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains", which shows that this period of rainfall is extremely important for the growth of crops and people are busy working on the land. Grain Rain falls between the end of' spring and the beginning of summer, with infrequent cold air moving to the south and lingering cold air in the north. With dry soil, an unsteady atmosphere and heavy winds and sandstorms become more frequent. 1．What can we know about Rain Water? A．River water starts to freeze. B．Taking off the thick coats is advisable. C．Lively spring-like scenery can be seen. D．It falls between the end of spring and the start of summer. 2．What do Awakening of Insects and Grain Rain have in common? A．Farming season. B．Animal activities. C．Air temperature. D．Frequent thundering. 3．In which solar term would people most probably put on masks? A．Rain Water. B．Grain Rain. C．Spring Equinox. D．Awakening of Insects. 17 The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms (节气). Start of Summer (立夏), the 7th term of the year, begins on May 6 and ends on May 21 this year. Start of Summer signals the change of seasons. On this day, the sun’s rays reach an angle of 45 degrees to the earth. The temperature will rise quickly during this period. Here are four traditions to learn about the Start of Summer. Greeting Start of Summer The term Start of Summer was originated at the end of the Warring States Period (239BC). Since it is a key time for the harvest of summer crops, ancient Chinese emperors in different dynasties attached great importance to the Start of Summer. They encouraged people to seize the key time to do farm work. It’s said that most of the decorations were arranged in the color red in order to show respect for the god of summer and pray for a good harvest. Checking one’s weight The custom of weighing people at the Start of Summer originated from the Three Kingdoms Period (220-180) and is still popular in South China today. It was believed this practice would bring health and good luck to the people weighted. After lunch on this day, people would hang a basket from a beam (房梁). The young and old took turns to get weighed while the person calculating the weight would offer good wishes. It is said that those who were weighed would stay healthy in the hot summer and those who weren’t would suffer illness. Eating eggs In ancient China, people believed a round egg symbolized a happy life and eating eggs on the day of Start of Summer was a prayer for good health. They put leftover tea into boiled water together with eggs and the original “tea egg” was created. Later people improved cooking methods and added spices (香料) to the eggs to make them taste delicious. Today tea egg has become a traditional snack in China. Egg Competitions As an old Chinese saying goes “hanging an egg on children’s chest can prevent them from getting summer diseases”, parents will prepare boiled eggs and put them in a bag before hanging them on their child’s chest. When at school, children gather together to play egg competitions by hitting each other’s eggs in pairs and the one whose egg is not broken wins. 1．People believe that if one is weighed on Start of Summer, he or she will ________. A．have a good harvest B．have respect for god C．be fortunate D．suffer illness 2．Which tradition is particularly designed for children? A．Greeting Start of Summer B．Checking one’s weight C．Eating eggs D．Egg Competitions 3．What is the difference between the tradition “Greeting Start of Summer” and the other three? A．It is very old. B．It has nothing to do with health. C．It was only popular in Zhou Dynasty. D．It is organized by the emperor. 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $$ 07.中国的二十四节气 1 The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Rain, as the last term in spring, originates from the old saying, “Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains.” Key time for agriculture Grain Rain falls between the end of spring and the beginning of summer, with infrequent cold air moving to the south and lingering cold air in the north. It brings a marked increase in temperature and rainfall and the grains grow faster and stronger. It’s a key time to protect the crops from insect pests. Drinking tea There is an old custom in southern China that people drink tea on the day of Grain Rain. Spring tea during Grain Rain is rich in vitamins and amino acids, which can help to remove heat from the body and is good for the eyes. Eating toona sinensis People in northern China have the tradition to eat toona sinensis during Grain Rain. An old Chinese saying goes, “Toona sinensis before the rain is as tender as silk.” The vegetable is nutritious and can help to strengthen the immune system. Grain Rain Festival The Grain Rain Festival is celebrated by fishing villages in the coastal areas of northern China. Grain Rain marks the start of the fishermen’s first voyage of the year. People worship the sea and stage sacrifice rites on the Grain Rain Festival, praying for a bountiful harvest and a safe voyage for their loved ones. 1．Why is Grain Rain important for agriculture? A．It marks the end of cold weather. B．It brings a slight climatic variation. C．It creates a chance for pests to multiply. D．It provides increased rainfall for crop growth. 2．Why do people eat toona sinensis during Grain Rain? A．To enjoy its best taste. B．To improve their vision. C．To get rid of heat of the body. D．To make their skin smooth. 3．What’s the significance of Grain Rain in the coastal northern China? A．A sign of the end of bitter winter. B．The arrival of the fishing season. C．A celebration of a religious festival. D．A pray for an abundant tea harvest. 2 The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Start of Autumn, the 13th solar term, reflects the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The fruitful season is approaching. The following are several things you should know about it. “Autumn Tiger” Although Start of Autumn indicates the beginning of autumn, hot weather won’t come to an end. The period of hot days after Start of Autumn, is called “Autumn Tiger”. Because of decreasing rainfall, it is even more sweltering (闷热的) during this period than during Major Heat. Eating longans The Start of Autumn period is harvest time for Taiwan longan. People believe that eating longan will help their children become senior officials. Eating red beans Starting from the Tang Dynasty and the Song Dynasty, people in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, have eaten red beans on Start of Autumn day. They take 7 to 14 little beans, swallowing them with well water. When taking the beans, one must face west, it is said, so as not to get dysentery (痢疾) during the autumn. Eating gourds (葫芦) During the Qing Dynasty, people would put gourds outside for a day before the Start of Autumn, and eat them on Start of Autumn day to drive off the summer heat. Today people in Tianjin still keep this custom, believing that eating melons such as towel gourd, white gourd and bitter gourd can prevent diarrhea (腹泻) in autumn. 1．What causes “Autumn Tiger” according to the passage? A．The reducing rainfall. B．The ending of summer. C．The approaching autumn. D．The beginning of the solar term. 2．What is the common belief for people to eat red beans and gourds? A．To avoid heat. B．To keep the custom. C．To prevent diseases. D．To help children become senior officials. 3．In which column of a magazine might the passage be taken from? A．Sports. B．Culture. C．Entertainment. D．Politics. 3 Four Things About the Spring Equinox (春分) The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides a year into 24 solar terms. The Spring Equinox is the fourth term of the year. This term signals the equal length of the day and the night time. Many people hold various activities to celebrate the festival. Here are several things you may not know about it. Kite Flying In ancient times, people did not have good medical resources. So they wrote their health problems on paper kites. When a paper kite was in the air, people would cut off the string to let it fly away, meaning the disease would go away. Later flying kites developed into a popular game in spring. Three Hous The ancient Chinese people divided the fifteen days of the Spring Equinox into three hous or five day parts. As the old saying goes, “Swallows fly back to the North in the first hou; thunder cracks the sky in the second hou; lightning occurs frequently in the third hou, which shows the climate feature during the term.” Spring Vegetables It is a commonly practised custom to eat spring vegetables in many regions of China Spring vegetables refer to the seasonal vegetables that differ from place to place. The ancient teachings in a Chinese classic suggest people eat the seasonal food, especially vegetables, to help preserve health and bring good luck. Egg-standing Games Standing an egg upright (直立的) is a popular game across the country during the Spring Equinox. It is an old custom that can date back to thousands of years ago. People practise this tradition to celebrate the coming of spring. It is said that if someone can make the egg stand he will have good luck in the future. 1．Why did the ancient Chinese people let paper kites fly away in the Spring Equinox? A．To celebrate freedom. B．To celebrate good luck. C．To wish for good health. D．To win the kite-flying game. 2．What does the saying about three hous show? A．Natural phenomena. B．Celebration activities. C．The environmental protection. D．The features of Chinese culture. 3．What can we infer about the Spring Equinox from the ancient Chinese teachings? A．It is the first day of spring. B．It is the first term of the year. C．It is the best time to stand eggs upright D．It is the right time to eat spring vegetables. 4 Oct. 23rd is the beginning of Shuangjiang or Frost’s Descent in English, the 18th of 24 solar terms(节气)in the Chinese lunar calendar. It refers to the time when frost(霜)starts to fall across China, or “the dews(露水)were frozen into frost” because of the coldness, as recorded in ancient Chinese books. By the time of Shuangjiang, most of the harvesting work is already completed in northern China, and farmers are now able to enjoy a period of rest. But in the south the harvest is still on the go. Farmers have to take home the sweet potatoes before they are destroyed by the coming frost. After a year of farming, it is the time to plow the fields and prepare the soil for next year both south and north. Autumn might be the most colorful season China with the leaves turning from golden yellow to red. Hiking has become popular since the ancient times as people can enjoy the special autumnal scenery. Du Mu, a well-known poet from the Tang Dynasty wrote the beautiful scenery in a poem: “I stopped the coach as charmed by the maple woods, Frosted autumn leaves out shine February flowers in redness.” The Double Ninth Festival also falls during the season, a festival for the elders. Going hiking in the highlands is part of the celebrations practiced by the ancient Chinese people. “Keeping warm” becomes a most important thing at this time of the year as the weather is getting colder. Persimmon(柿子)is the favored fruit in many areas. The Chinese believe that persimmons could not only keep off the coldness, but strengthen the muscles and bones. Also, chicken or mutton soup is believed to be good for the sleep and advised for the diet. Shuangjiang brings the frost and freezing wind, and autumn has come to an end. But for most Chinese, it is not necessarily a sad time because in winter, they are able to have different but equally beautiful scenery. 1．Shuangjiang is the ______ of the twenty-four solar terms. A．10th B．15th C．18th D．20th 2．What is the main idea of the 5th paragraph? A．Tell the differences of the harvest in China’s south and north. B．Explain why Shuangjiang gets its name. C．Advise some activities to enjoy the colorful season. D．Introduce the ways to stay warm before the coming of winter. 3．Which of the following statement about Shuangjiang is TRUE according to the text? A．People believe eating persimmons in Shuangjiang can help get rid of coldness. B．Shuangjiang is the best time for people hoping lose weight to take exercises. C．Farmers in the south of China can enjoy a great rest during Shuangjiang. D．Shuangjiang is the end of summer and the beginning of autumn of a year. 4．What’s the best title of the passage? A．What Causes Frost’s Descent B．Time to Say Goodbye to Autumn C．Enjoy the Beautiful Autumn D．Prepare for a Good Harvest 5 The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Minor Snow (小雪) refers to the time when it starts to snow, mostly in China's northern areas, and the temperature continues to drop. Here are four things you should know about Minor Snow. Wearing hats and scarves In China, starting in Minor Snow, the wind blows from the northeast a lot. Because it's still not bitterly cold, many people do not wear hats or scarves yet. In fact, according to an old Chinese saying, "The head is the place where all passages of the body gather". It's sensible to keep one's head warm. Drinking soup During Minor Snow, indoor heating begins to work, which means the air indoors is dry and most people might find their nose and mouth feels a bit dry. According to practices in traditional Chinese medicine, this accumulation of "inner heat" in one's body can cause problems, including oral ulcers and breakouts (口腔溃疡和破损). The solution is to drink more hot soup, such as cabbage and bean curd soup, spinach and bean curd soup, and mutton and radish soup. Making preserved pork After Minor Snow, the temperature declines sharply and the air becomes dry. It is the best time to start making preserved pork, which by the Chinese Spring Festival would be ready to enjoy. In the past, when storage conditions were poor, people developed many ways to store food and preserved pork is one such example. So even in the bitter winter, the whole family could enjoy meat. Some even say preserved pork tastes more delicious than fresh meat. Avoiding spicy food On cold days, people may crave some hot and spicy food to keep warm. Experts say it's wise not to eat overly spicy food, since that will increase your inner heat. 1．Which of the following can best describe Minor Snow? A．Snowy and cold. B．Warm and cozy. C．Golden and windy. D．Comfortable and cool. 2．Why do people drink soup during Minor Snow? A．To save food. B．To keep warm. C．To solve problems caused by "inner heat". D．To chase after fashion and follow the tradition. 3．How to keep warm during Minor Snow? A．Eat overly spicy food. B．Do not go outside and stay in bed. C．Make preserved pork with your family. D．Wear hats and scarves and eat proper hot and spicy food. 6 Something you may not know about End of Heat The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. End of Heat is the 14th solar term of the year, which implies that most parts in China are getting rid of the hot summer and entering autumn. But in some areas, especially in South China, autumn is late in coming and people are still bothered by hot weather. End of Heat is also the busy harvest season for farmers. The following are the things you should know about End of Heat. Time for night-blooming cereus (昙花) The night-blooming cereus is a flower full of mystery, which often blooms during the period of End of Heat. This is because the climate during End of Heat, characterized by warm days and cold nights, is similar to tropical deserts. Night-blooming cereus originates in the tropical deserts from Mexico to Brazil in South America. They blossom at night to avoid the blazing daytime sun. Eating Duck Duck has a sweet flavor and according to Chinese traditional medicine it has a “cool” nature. A folk tradition is to eat duck during the End of Heat period. There are many recipes for cooking duck such as roast duck, cooked duck with lemon, smoked duck with walnut dressing and sautéed duck with ginger shoots. The tradition of eating duck during the End of Heat period is still popular in China. The Fishing Season Festival For fishermen, the End of Heat is a season of harvest. During this period，the Fishing Season Festival is held in regions along the coastline of the East China Sea in Zhejiang province. The festival is held on the day when the fishing ban ends and fishermen can start fishing again. Due to high temperatures in the sea, stocks of fish remain and become mature. People can enjoy many kinds of seafood during this period. 1．About End of Heat, which of the following statements is true? A．It means the whole China has entered autumn. B．The areas beyond the Great Wall are still hot. C．In south China, the temperature is still high. D．It is the end of the harvest season for farmers. 2．Where did you think the night-blooming cereus initially came from? A．Temperate areas. B．Tropical areas. C．Cold areas. D．Polar areas. 3．Why is it a folk tradition to eat duck during the End of Heat period? A．Because there are no other animals to eat. B．Because the duck has a “cool” nature. C．Because it tastes especially delicious at that time. D．Because there are many recipes for cooking duck. 7 The traditional Chinese lunar calendar(农历）divides the year into 24 solar terms(节气）．Start of Winter, the 19th solar term of the year,begins this year on Nov 7 and ends on Nov 21. Start of Winter is the first solar term of winter,which means winter is coming and crops harvested in autumn should he stored up. In ancient times, the Start of Winter was regarded as the beginning of winter, however,due to geographical factors, the actual winter time varies from place to place. In fact,the Start of Winter is not the beginning of winter in terms of meteorology(气象学）。The weather every year is different, so the beginning of winter could be quite different.And as China is very large, it starts at different times in different areas. The beginnings of the four seasons were important festivals in ancient times. Before the Start of Winter,the ancient emperor would take a shower and have no more meat.On that day,the emperor would lead his officials to the countryside and"welcome the winter". People eat dumplings on the beginning of winter. Legend has it that in the late Eastern Han Dynasty,Zhang Zhongjing invented "Jiao Ear"(娇耳）to treat typhoid(伤寒） patients with ear frostbite(冻疮）.He cooked mutton,hot peppers and herbs to drive out the cold and warm up the body.He put these materials into a dough skin and made them into an ear shape.Since then,people have learned to make the food which became known as "dumpling" or jiaozi. Today there is still a saying that goes "Eat dumplings on Start of Winter Day, or your ears will be frostbitten.” 1．Which of the following is right about Start of Winter? A．It is one of the solar terms in Chinese calendar. B．People begin to harvest crops on this day. C．Winter begins on November 7 this year. D．It begins in different months in different places. 2．What does it in paragraph 4 refer to? A．the Start of Winter B．the change of weather C．the important festival D．the beginning of winter 3．What do the last two paragraphs mainly talk about? A．Importance of Start of Winter. B．Customs of Start of Winter. C．Origin(起源）of Start of Winter. D．Food eaten on Start of Winter. 4．Why do people eat dumplings on Start of Winter day? A．Because dumplings can drive away typhoid. B．Because they wish for good luck for themselves. C．Because eating dumplings can warm up their ears. D．Because they want to prevent the coming of winter. 8 The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Minor Snow, the 20th solar term of the year, begins this year on Nov.22 and ends on Dec.6. Here are five things you should know about Minor Snow. Light snow An ancient Chinese book about plants explains that “in Minor Snow, the weather is cold and it is going to snow, but the snow is light and the earth is not frozen enough.” Drinking soup During Minor Snow, indoor heating begins to work, making most people might find their noses and mouths feel a bit dry. The solution is to drink more hot soup, such as cabbage and bean curd soup, mutton and radish (小萝卜) soup and so on. Eating glutinous (粘的) rice cakes People have glutinous rice cakes around Minor Snow, which in ancient times, were a traditional festival offering to the bull god. Making preserved pork After Minor Snow, the temperature declines sharply and the air becomes dry. It is the best time to start making preserved pork to eat in the bitter winter, especially in the Spring Festival. In the past, when storage conditions were poor, people developed many ways to store food and preserved pork is one such example. Some even say preserved pork tastes more delicious than fresh meat. Avoiding spicy food On cold days, people may be greedy for some hot and spicy food to keep warm.Experts say it’s wise not to eat overly spicy food since that will increase your inner heat. 1．Which of the following is true about Minor Snow? A．It will certainly snow in this term. B．It has the coldest days of the year. C．It is a term used in China’s northern areas. D．It is a term concerned with weather in China. 2．Which food is recommended to eat in Minor Snow? A．Cabbage and bean curd soup. B．Preserved pork. C．Cakes. D．Spicy food. 3．Why did people make preserved pork in the past? A．Because people found it hard to store meat in cold winter. B．Because it was more delicious to eat than fresh meat. C．Because people couldn’t afford to buy fresh pork. D．Because nowhere could people buy fresh pork in winter. 9 The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Major Cold, or da han in Chinese, is the last solar term in the annual solar calendar. Here are some things about Major Cold. Cold current During Major Cold, as the cold current moves southward, the weather is often cold to the extreme. Though the related data in China show that the lowest temperature in a year is usually recorded during the Major Cold period, it may not be as cold as Minor Cold in most areas on the whole since spring is approaching. Dispelling (驱散) cold During Major Cold, the freezing weather has a big influence on Chinese people’s lives. Rather than take up outdoor activities, people tend to reduce movements and choose to stay at home to keep fit in various ways. For example, to stay warm, people in Beijing have a habit of eating dispelling cold cake, a kind of rice cake that is thought good to warm and nourish. Besides, in Chinese, “rice cake” has the same pronunciation with the words “higher in a new year”, which symbolizes good luck and continual promotion. For another example, residents in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province like to drink nourishing chicken soup during Major Cold. The ending and the beginning Major Cold often coincides with the end of the year, so the folk customs of this period have an added sense of farewell to the old and welcoming the new. With the traditional Spring Festival around the corner, people are busy making preparations for it, like stocking up delicacies, sweeping and decorating. The cheerfulness of the reunion adds warmth to the cold winter days. 1．What is the feature of Major Cold? A．Lasting much longer than Minor Cold. B．Being colder than Minor Cold on average. C．Resulting from cold current moving southward. D．Dropping to the lowest temperature of the year. 2．How do Chinese people respond to Major Cold? A．By eating specific food to keep warm. B．By expressing new year’s resolution. C．By doing exercise to keep healthy. D．By decorating their houses to dispel cold. 3．In which part of a newspaper may the text appear? A．Diet. B．News. C．Culture. D．Art. 10 The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Winter Solstice, the 22nd solar term of the year, begins this year on Dec 21. Here are several things you should know about Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice Festival There was a saying in ancient China, “The Winter Solstice is as significant as the Spring Festival.” As early as the Zhou Dynasty, people worshiped the gods on the first day of the Winter Solstice, which also was the first day of the new year. The Winter Solstice became a winter festival during the Han Dynasty. The celebratory activities were officially organized. On this day, both officials and common people would have a rest. During the following dynasties, such as the Tang , Song and Qing dynasties, the Winter Solstice was a day to offer sacrifices to Heaven and to ancestors. Eating dumplings During Winter Solstice in North China, eating dumplings is essential to the festival. There is a saying that goes “Have dumplings on the first day of Winter Solstice and noodles on the first day of Summer Solstice.” Eating tangyuan In places such as Shanghai, people eat tangyuan, a kind of stuffed small dumpling ball made of sticky rice flour, to celebrate Winter Solstice. Eating rice cakes During the Winter Solstice, Hangzhou residents traditionally eat rice cakes. In the past, before the approach of the winter solstice, every household would make the cakes to worship their ancestors or use as gifts for relatives and friends. Today, though fewer families eat homemade cakes, people there still buy rice cakes for the Winter Solstice Festival. Eating mutton and vermicelli soup In Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, people call midwinter the “Ghost Festival”. On that day, it is customary for people there to drink mutton and vermicelli soup and eat the dumplings in the soup. They give the midwinter soup a strange name “brain” and share it with their neighbors. 1．Which of the following statements is true? A．People started to offer sacrifices to ancestors in the Han Dynasty. B．It is an old tradition to worship the gods during the Winter Solstice. C．Only officials could celebrate the Winter Solstice in the Han Dynasty. D．The Winter Solstice became an official festival during the Zhou Dynasty. 2．What may a person living in Beijing eat during the Summer Solstice? A．Tangyuan. B．Rice cakes. C．Dumplings. D．Noodles. 3．In which places will people eat dumplings during the Winter Solstice? A．North China and Hangzhou. B．Hangzhou and Shanghai. C．Shanghai and Ningxia. D．Ningxia and North China. 11 More than 2,000 years ago, ancient Chinese people created an entire framework to mark the passage of time in a year based on observation of the sun’s movement, called “The 24 Solar Terms”. In the international meteorological field, the 24 solar terms are recognized as “the fifth invention of China”. In 2016, the 24 solar terms were included in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The 24 solar terms are: Start of Spring; Rain Water; Awakening of Insects; Spring Equinox; Clear and Bright; Grain Rain; Start of Summer; Grain Buds; Grain in Ear; Summer Solstice; Minor Heat; Major Heat; Start of Autumn; The End of Heat; White Dew; Autumn Equinox; Cold Dew; Frost’s Descent; Start of Winter; Minor Snow; Major Snow; Winter Solstice; Minor Cold and Major Cold. Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice are the two days of the year with the longest and shortest amount of daylight respectively, while Spring Equinox and Autumn Equinox are days with the most balanced amount of daytime and nighttime. Through these four points, a year is divided into four parts: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. In ancient times, this system not only guided agricultural production, helping farmers to expect the changes in temperature, spring planting and autumn harvest, but also directed Chinese folk customs. For example, Winter Solstice was the first one created among the 24 solar terms, and later turned into a festival held in honor of Heaven and ancestors. Every year at Winter Solstice, emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would go to the Temple of Heaven to hold a ceremony to honor Heaven, praying for good weather for their crops, and peace and wealth for the country. Nowadays, the 24 solar terms could not only be applied to farming, but also guide Chinese in everyday life. They remind people to adapt to the changes in the seasons through suitable foods and cultural ceremonies. Seasonal customs still enjoy widespread popularity, such as eating spring pancakes at Start of Spring, sweeping ancestors’ tombs at Qingming, gaining weight to keep warm at Start of Autumn and eating nutritious food to store energy at Start of Winter. They have actually become important traditions in Chinese life. This ancient time system has gained new charm in the new era. It reflects the emotional connection, the wisdom and creativity of the Chinese, who respect and live in harmony with nature. It has a deep impact on the way people think and their principles of conduct. 1．Why are the 24 solar terms called “the fifth invention of China”? A．Because they are included in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. B．Because they were created by Chinese people. C．Because they are considered of equal importance to China’s four great inventions. D．Because they mark the passage of time. 2．What role did the 24 solar terms play in ancient China? A．They all turned into important festivals held in honor of Heaven and ancestors. B．They offered guidance for agricultural activities and directions for folk customs. C．They reminded people of everyday changes in temperature. D．They helped ancient emperors to make their country more powerful. 3．What is the main idea of the last but one paragraph? A．The guidance of the 24 solar terms in modern Chinese people’s daily life. B．The foods Chinese people eat in different seasons. C．The popularity of seasonal customs in China. D．The tradition of eating spring pancakes at Start of Spring in China. 4．About the 24 solar terms, which of the following statements is true? A．In 2016, the 24 solar terms were recognized as “the fifth invention of China”. B．Summer Solstice is the day of a year with the shortest daytime. C．Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties created Winter Solstice. D．Through the 24 solar terms, Chinese people show their wisdom and creativity. 12 China has more than 30 intangible cultural heritage(非物质文化遗产) recognized by the UNESCO, including paper-cutting, the Dragon Boat Festival, Peking Opera, acupuncture(针灸) and so on. The organization adopted a decision that China’s “The Twenty-Four Solar Terms”(二十四节气) should be put on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016 in Ethiopia. The Twenty-Four Solar Terms, knowledge of time and practices in agriculture, starts from the beginning of Spring and ends with the Greater Cold, moving in cycles. It developed through the observation of the sun’s annual movement in China. In ancient time, the method of tugui, earth sundial(日暑), was used to measure the shadow of the sun for determining the solar terms. The Twenty-Four Solar Terms came into being and developed in close relationship with Chinese agricultural production. At the initial（最初的） stage of agricultural development, people began to explore the seasonal rules in the agricultural production to meet the needs in seeding, harvesting and other activities. Gradually, they formed the concept of “seed in spring, grow in summer, harvest in autumn and store in winter”. During the spring and autumn periods, the agricultural production was highly influenced by the seasonal changes, thus forming the concept of Solar Terms. As a traditional Chinese knowledge system of time with a history of thousands of years, the Twenty-Four Solar Terms clearly expresses the concepts of respect for nature, and harmony between man and nature. Created by Chinese ancestors, it has functioned as a complete set of weather calendar(日历) to guide the agricultural production in China. It has also been introduced into North Korea, Japan and other neighboring countries and still used in Japan. The Chinese heritage has provably influenced the people’s way of thinking and behaving and will continue to be an important carrier of Chinese cultural identity. 1．According to the first two paragraphs, the Twenty-Four Solar Terms______. A．was used to measure the shadow of the sun B．has not been listed as one intangible cultural heritage of humanity C．repeats from the Beginning of Spring to the Greater Cold every year D．is the best intangible cultural heritage recognized by the UNESCO 2．We can learn from the text that _______ in China in the past. A．the Twenty-Four Solar Terms only influenced spring and autumn B．the Twenty-Four Solar Terms had something to do with agriculture C．people cared about the changes of weather just for fun D．agricultural production highly influenced the seasonal changes 3．We can infer from the text that the Twenty-Four Solar Terms _______. A．is an agricultural calendar merely used in China B．is strongly influenced by North Korea and Japan C．is scarcely connected with natural rules D．is part of traditional Chinese culture 13 In ancient China, people created 24 solar terms (节气) to help with farming. At present, it still helps Chinese farmers. Of all these solar terms, Major Snow (大雪) is the 21st. During Major Snow, the snow is heavy and the temperature drops. Let’s learn more about it. Snowy winter The snow in the north sometimes lasts a whole day. The world turns white. “A snow year, a rich year.” As the snow covers the ground, the low temperature kills some pests (害虫). It is good for farmers to grow. Playing with snow In northern China, people usually go skating at the park or make snowmen. It is a popular activity to play with snow. Even if the weather is cold and icy, they still have fun. Eating mutton Mutton is the best choice for people. It tastes great and is good for the body. People in north like to have mutton soup with their family and friends. Eating porridge Hot porridge could make people warm in cold weather. In China, it’s a tradition to eat red bean porridge in Major Snow. It’s also a symbol of being together and keeping away from bad luck. 1．How many solar terms are there in a year? A．24. B．21. C．12. D．4. 2．During Major Snow, the weather will become very ________ . A．hot B．cold C．dry D．warm 3．The underlined sentence “A snow year, a rich year.” can be translated “________” in Chinese. A．雪落有晴天 B．冬雪回暖迟 C．瑞雪兆丰年 D．雪多雨水多 4．People don’t________ during Major Snow. A．kill some pests B．play with snow C．have mutton soup D．eat red bean porridge 5．Which is NOT true according to the passage? A．The 21st solar term is Major Snow. B．The heavy snow sometimes lasts a whole day. C．Mutton is good for the body. D．People usually go skating in southern China. 14 A year is divided into 24 solar terms on the traditional Chinese solar calendar. Start of Spring, to be first solar term of the year, lifts the curtain of spring. After that, everything turns green and full of energy. Here are some things you should know about Start of Spring. 1. Start of Spring and Spring Festival Start of Spring had entered people’s lives in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC). During the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-AD 24), Start of Spring was set as the Spring Festival. Actually, it was not until 1913 that the Spring Festival was celebrated on the first day of the first month of the lunar year as now. 2. Wearing fabric swallows Wearing fabric swallows, a custom originating during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), is observed in some regions in Shaanxi. Every Start of Spring, people like to wear a swallow made of colorful silk on their chests. The swallow is a sign of spring and a symbol of prosperity (繁荣) and happiness. 3. Welcoming spring People in China began holding a special ceremony on the first day of Start of Spring about 3.000 years ago. They made sacrifices (祭品) to Gou Mang, the god of Spring, who is in charge of agriculture. By the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), greeting spring had become an important folk activity. 4. Flying a kite Spring is the best season for kite-flying, a traditional folk activity with a history of more than 2, 000 years. It can help build one’s health and prevent diseases. Besides, a breath of fresh air outside can discharge the bad smell accumulated in winter. 5. Biting the spring In many parts of China, people observe the custom of “biting the spring” on the first day of Start of Spring. They cat spring pancakes, spring rolls, or a few mouthfuls of carrots. 1．In which year might people celebrate the Spring Festival on Start of Spring? A．In760 BC． B．In 210 BC． C．In 1910. D．In 2023. 2．Which custom first appeared during the Tang Dynasty? A．Flying a kite. B．Biting the spring. C．Wearing fabric swallows. D．Welcoming spring. 3．In which column will you most probably find the text in a newspaper? A．World. B．Business. C．Lifestyle. D．Culture. 15 The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms (节气). The year starts from Beginning of Spring and ends with Greater Cold, moving in cycles. The solar term culture is still useful today to guide people’s lives through special foods, cultural ceremonies and even healthy living tips. Grain Buds (小满) is the 8th solar term of the year. It means that the seeds (种子) from the grain are becoming full. During Grain Buds, the summer harvest is about to begin. A saying about rain during this time mentions, “Heavy rainfall makes the river full.” Because of the great increase in rainfall, rivers are full of water. This is a good time to enjoy fish. It is also a harvest season for fishermen. Frost’s Descent (霜降), the 18th solar term of the year, is the last solar term of autumn. The weather becomes much colder than before and frost begins. The apple is one kind of recommended fruit during Frost’s Descent. There are many sayings about apples’ benefits (益处) in China, such as “ Eat an apple after meals. Even old men can be as strong as young men.” Minor Cold (小寒) is the 23rd one. For most areas of China, it marks the start of the coldest days of the year and people always start preparing for Chinese New Year. According to traditional Chinese medicine thoughts, people need to eat food that has more yang energy to prevent cold from harming their bodies. Another important traditional food for Minor Cold is Laba porridge (腊八粥). 1．Which is the last solar term of a year? A．Frost’s Descent. B．Greater Cold. C．Minor Cold. D．Beginning of Spring. 2．Which solar term do fishermen like best? A．Beginning of Spring. B．Grain Buds. C．Frost’s Descent. D．Minor Cold. 3．Which of the following sentences is closest in meaning to the underlined sentences in Paragraph 3? A．An apple a day keeps the doctor away. B．It’s more useful for old men to eat apples than young men. C．If old men eat apples after meals, they will never die. D．Old men will grow into young men after eating an apple. 4．What are the usual practices for people in most areas of China during Minor Cold? ①prepare for Chinese New Year      ②have Laba porridge ③say goodbye to the coldest days     ④wear warmer clothes A．①②③ B．②③④ C．①②④ D．①③④ 16 The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms, which reflect the Chinese people’s understanding of time. Here several special solar terms are listed. Rain Water Rain Water signals the increase in rainfall and rise in temperature. With its arrival, the river water defreezes, wild geese move from south to north, and trees and grass turn green again. Extra care is needed to cope with a returning cold spell in this period. The wet and damp weather during Rain Water period is considered harmful for people’s spleen (脾) and stomach according to Chinese medical practice. Therefore, a bowl of nutritious porridge is the best choice to nourish the body. Awakening of Insects As the third solar term in the lunar year, its name implies that animals sleeping in winter are awakened by spring thunder and that the earth begins to come back to life. It is the key time for spring agricultural activities. Modern meteorological science shows that around this period, the earth becomes wet, the hot humid air from the north is strong and creates frequent winds. For this reason, thunder often occurs. Spring Equinox Spring Equinox signals the equal length of the day and night time. On the day of the Spring Equinox, the sun is directly above the equator. After the equinox, the sun moves northwards, resulting in gradually longer day time in the Northern Hemisphere. Standing an egg upright is a popular game during this period. It is believed that if someone can make the egg stand, he will have good luck in the future. Grain Rain Grain Rain originates from the old saying, “Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains", which shows that this period of rainfall is extremely important for the growth of crops and people are busy working on the land. Grain Rain falls between the end of' spring and the beginning of summer, with infrequent cold air moving to the south and lingering cold air in the north. With dry soil, an unsteady atmosphere and heavy winds and sandstorms become more frequent. 1．What can we know about Rain Water? A．River water starts to freeze. B．Taking off the thick coats is advisable. C．Lively spring-like scenery can be seen. D．It falls between the end of spring and the start of summer. 2．What do Awakening of Insects and Grain Rain have in common? A．Farming season. B．Animal activities. C．Air temperature. D．Frequent thundering. 3．In which solar term would people most probably put on masks? A．Rain Water. B．Grain Rain. C．Spring Equinox. D．Awakening of Insects. 17 The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms (节气). Start of Summer (立夏), the 7th term of the year, begins on May 6 and ends on May 21 this year. Start of Summer signals the change of seasons. On this day, the sun’s rays reach an angle of 45 degrees to the earth. The temperature will rise quickly during this period. Here are four traditions to learn about the Start of Summer. Greeting Start of Summer The term Start of Summer was originated at the end of the Warring States Period (239BC). Since it is a key time for the harvest of summer crops, ancient Chinese emperors in different dynasties attached great importance to the Start of Summer. They encouraged people to seize the key time to do farm work. It’s said that most of the decorations were arranged in the color red in order to show respect for the god of summer and pray for a good harvest. Checking one’s weight The custom of weighing people at the Start of Summer originated from the Three Kingdoms Period (220-180) and is still popular in South China today. It was believed this practice would bring health and good luck to the people weighted. After lunch on this day, people would hang a basket from a beam (房梁). The young and old took turns to get weighed while the person calculating the weight would offer good wishes. It is said that those who were weighed would stay healthy in the hot summer and those who weren’t would suffer illness. Eating eggs In ancient China, people believed a round egg symbolized a happy life and eating eggs on the day of Start of Summer was a prayer for good health. They put leftover tea into boiled water together with eggs and the original “tea egg” was created. Later people improved cooking methods and added spices (香料) to the eggs to make them taste delicious. Today tea egg has become a traditional snack in China. Egg Competitions As an old Chinese saying goes “hanging an egg on children’s chest can prevent them from getting summer diseases”, parents will prepare boiled eggs and put them in a bag before hanging them on their child’s chest. When at school, children gather together to play egg competitions by hitting each other’s eggs in pairs and the one whose egg is not broken wins. 1．People believe that if one is weighed on Start of Summer, he or she will ________. A．have a good harvest B．have respect for god C．be fortunate D．suffer illness 2．Which tradition is particularly designed for children? A．Greeting Start of Summer B．Checking one’s weight C．Eating eggs D．Egg Competitions 3．What is the difference between the tradition “Greeting Start of Summer” and the other three? A．It is very old. B．It has nothing to do with health. C．It was only popular in Zhou Dynasty. D．It is organized by the emperor. 参考答案 1 【答案与解析】本文是一篇应用文。主要介绍了“谷雨”节气的一些习俗活动。 1．细节理解题。根据Key time for agriculture部分中的“It brings a marked increase in temperature and rainfall and the grains grow faster and stronger. (它带来了温度和降雨量的显著增加，谷物生长得更快、更强壮。)”可知，谷雨对农业很重要是因为它为作物生长提供了更多的降雨。故选D。 2．细节理解题。根据Eating toona sinensis部分中的“An old Chinese saying goes, “Toona sinensis before the rain is as tender as silk.” The vegetable is nutritious and can help to strengthen the immune system. (中国有句古话叫“雨前香椿嫩如丝”。这种蔬菜营养丰富，有助于增强免疫系统。)”可知，谷雨时节人们吃香椿是为了享受它最好的味道。故选A。 3．细节理解题。根据Grain Rain Festival部分中的“The Grain Rain Festival is celebrated by fishing villages in the coastal areas of northern China. Grain Rain marks the start of the fishermen’s first voyage of the year. (谷雨节是中国北方沿海地区的渔村庆祝的节日。谷雨标志着渔民们一年中第一次航海的开始。)”可知，谷雨在中国北方沿海代表捕鱼季节的到来。故选B。 2 【答案与解析】本文是一篇说明文，主要介绍了立秋这一节气的一些信息。 1．细节理解题。根据“Autumn Tiger”下面的“The period of hot days after Start of Autumn, is called ‘Autumn Tiger’. Because of decreasing rainfall, it is even more sweltering (闷热的) during this period than during Major Heat.(立秋后的一段炎热的日子，被称为‘秋老虎’。由于降雨量减少，这段时间比大暑时期更闷热。)”可知，“秋老虎”是立秋后的一段炎热日子，这个时候的炎热是降雨量减少引起的。故选A。 2．推理判断题。根据“Eating red beans”下面的“When taking the beans, one must face west, it is said, so as not to get dysentery (痢疾) during the autumn.(据说，吃豆子时必须面朝西方，以免在秋天患痢疾。)”和“Eating gourds (葫芦)”下面的“Today people in Tianjin still keep this custom, believing that eating melons such as towel gourd, white gourd and bitter gourd can prevent diarrhea (腹泻) in autumn.(时至今日，天津人仍保留着这一习俗，认为在秋天吃丝瓜、冬瓜、苦瓜等瓜可以预防腹泻。)”可知，吃红豆是为了避免在秋天患痢疾，吃葫芦瓜类是为了预防腹泻，由此可推测出，人们吃这些东西是为了预防疾病。故选C。 3．推理判断题。根据第一段中的“Start of Autumn, the 13th solar term, reflects the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The fruitful season is approaching. The following are several things you should know about it.(立秋，第13个节气，反映夏末秋初。硕果累累的季节即将到来。以下是你应该了解的几件事。)”可知，本文主要介绍了中国传统节气之一——立秋——的一些事情，与文化有关，因此最有可能出现在杂志的“文化”板块。故选B。 3 【答案与解析】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了在中国传统的节气春分这一天，人们为了庆祝这个节日所举行的活动。 1．细节理解题。根据Kite Flying部分中的“When a paper kite was in the air, people would cut off the string to let it fly away, meaning the disease would go away. (当纸风筝在空中时，人们会剪断风筝线让它飞走，这意味着疾病会消失)”可知，古代中国人会在春分时放飞纸风筝是为祈求身体健康。故选C。 2．细节理解题。根据Three Hous部分中的“As the old saying goes, “Swallows fly back to the North in the first hou;thunder cracks the sky in the second hou; lightning occurs frequently in the third hou, which shows the climate feature during the term.”(俗话说：“一候玄鸟至，二候雷乃发声，三候始电”)”可知，春分三候展示了一些自然现象。故选A。 3．推理判断题。根据Spring Vegetables部分中的“The ancient teachings in a Chinese classic suggest people eat the seasonal food, especially vegetables, to help preserve health and bring good luck.(中国古代的教义建议人们吃时令食品，尤其是蔬菜，以帮助保持健康和带来好运)”可推知，从中国古代的教义中，春分是吃春菜的好时机。故选D。 4 【答案与解析】这是一篇说明文。作者通过这篇文章主要向我们描述了中国农历24节气中的第十八节气霜降的时间，风俗等。 1．细节理解题。根据文章第一段“Oct. 23rd is the beginning of Shuangjiang or Frost’s Descent in English, the 18th of 24 solar terms(节气)in the Chinese lunar calendar.(10月23日是霜降的开始，是中国农历24节气中的第18个节气。)”可知，霜降是二十四节气中的第十八个节气。故选C。 2．主旨大意题。根据本段第一句““Keeping warm” becomes a most important thing at this time of the year as the weather is getting colder.(保暖成了一年中这个时节最重要的事情，因为天气正在转凉)”以及下文的提到的吃柿子、喝鸡汤以及羊肉汤保暖，可知本段主要介绍了一些在冬季来临前保暖的方法。故选D项。 12．细节理解题。根据第五段的“The Chinese believe that persimmons could not only keep off the coldness, but strengthen the muscles and bones.(中国人相信柿子不仅能御寒，还能强身健骨。)”可知，人们相信在霜降吃柿子可以驱寒。故选A项。 3．主旨大意题。根据文章的主要内容，尤其最后一段的“Shuangjiang brings the frost and freezing wind, and autumn has come to an end. But for most Chinese, it is not necessarily a sad time because in winter, they are able to have different but equally beautiful scenery.(霜降带来了霜和刺骨的寒风，秋天已经到了尽头。但，对于大多数中国人来说，这也不是一个悲伤的时节，因为在冬天，他们可以欣赏到等同漂亮的不同美景)”可知，本文主要讲述霜降的到来意味着秋天的结束和冬天的到来。在这个重要的节气，人们忙着收成，忙着为冬天做准备。由此可知“对秋天说再见的时刻”可以作为本文标题。故选B项。 5 【答案与解析】这是一篇应用文。文章介绍了小雪节气时的衣食习惯。 ．推理判断题。根据第一段第二句“Minor Snow (小雪) refers to the time when it starts to snow, mostly in China's northern areas, and the temperature continues to drop.(小雪指的是在中国北方大部分地区开始下雪的时节，气温持续下降)”可知，小雪节气时天气多雪而寒冷。故选A。 2．细节理解题。根据Drinking soup段落下的“According to practices in traditional Chinese medicine, this accumulation of “inner heat” in one's body can cause problems, including oral ulcers and breakouts (口腔溃疡和破损). The solution is to drink more hot soup(根据传统中医的研究，这种“内热”在人体内的积累可能会导致问题，包括口腔溃疡和破损。解决办法是多喝热汤)”可知，人们在小雪节气时喝汤是为了缓解“内热”。故选C。 3．推理判断题。根据Wearing hats and scarves段落下的“Because it's still not bitterly cold, many people do not wear hats or scarves yet.(因为天气还不是非常冷，许多人还没有戴帽子或围巾)”及“It's sensible to keep one's head warm.(保持头部温暖是明智的)”可知，可以用帽子和围巾保暖；根据Avoiding spicy food段落下的“On cold days, people may crave some hot and spicy food to keep warm. Experts say it's wise not to eat overly spicy food, since that will increase your inner heat.(在寒冷的日子里，人们可能希望通过一些辛辣的食物来保暖。专家说，不要吃过辣的食物是明智的，因为那会增加你的内热)”可知，也可通过食用适当的辛辣食物保暖。综上，故选D。 6 【答案与解析】这是一篇应用文。文章介绍中国24节气之一——处暑。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段中“But in some areas, especially in South China, autumn is late in coming and people are still bothered by hot weather. (但在一些地区，尤其是中国南方，秋天来得晚，人们仍然受到炎热天气的困扰)”可知，处暑时节南方的天气仍然很热。故选C项。 2．细节理解题。根据第三段中“Night-blooming cereus originates in the tropical deserts from Mexico to Brazil in South America. (昙花起源于南美从墨西哥到巴西的热带沙漠)”可知，昙花最初来自于热带地区。故选B项。 3．细节理解题。根据第四段中“Duck has a sweet flavor and according to Chinese traditional medicine it has a “cool” nature. (鸭肉味道香甜，中医认为鸭肉属凉性)”可知，人们喜欢在处暑时吃鸭肉是因为在中医学上鸭肉属凉性食物，适合这个季节食用。故选B项。 7 【答案与解析】本文是一篇说明文，文章介绍了二十四节气中的立冬节气，解释了立冬节气的含义，时间和人们在立冬时节的风俗习惯。 1．细节理解题。根据文章第一段第二句，“Start of Winter, the 19th solar term of the year,begins this year on Nov 7 and ends on Nov 21.”（立冬是一年中的第19个节气，今年立冬节气开始于11月7号，结束于11月21号）可知，立冬是二十四节气中的一个。故选A。 2．代词指代词。根据上一句话，“The weather every year is different, so the beginning of winter could be quite different.”（每年的天气是不一样的，所以冬天的开始也可能是不一样的），再根据代词的指代原则，“代词指代上句出现的人，物或事”，可知，本句的it代指上一句中的the beginning of winter。故选D。 3．主旨大意题。根据倒数第二段，“Before the Start of Winter,the ancient emperor would take a shower and have no more meat.On that day,the emperor would lead his officials to the countryside and"welcome the winter"”（在立冬之前，古代的皇帝会洗澡，戒肉。在当天，皇帝会带领他的官员们来到乡村迎接冬天），以及最后一段，“He            cooked mutton,hot peppers and herbs to drive out the cold and warm up the body.”（他会炖羊肉，辣椒和草药来驱赶寒冷，温暖身体），可知，文章后两段主要在讲古代的时候，在立冬节气人们的一些习俗。故选B。 4．推理判断题。根据文章最后一段最后一句，“Today there is still a saying that goes "Eat dumplings on Start of Winter Day, or your ears will be frostbitten.””（今天仍然有谚语，“立冬时节吃饺子，否则耳朵冻下来”）可知，现在的生活条件提高了，人们吃饺子不再只是为了驱寒，而是是带着一种对自己的美好愿望。故选B。 8 【答案与解析】这是一篇说明文。本文介绍了谷雨这个节气。在谷雨时，雨水开始频繁，促进作物的生长。北方的人们在谷雨期间吃香椿，南方的人喝茶。在北方渔村，人们会庆祝谷雨节。 1．细节理解题。根据Light snow中An ancient Chinese book about plants explains that “in Minor Snow, the weather is cold and it is going to snow,but the snow is light and the earth is not frozen enough.”一本关于植物的中国古籍解释说：“小雪天气寒冷，即将下雪，但雪很轻，土地不够冻结。”由此可知，Minor Snow是一个有关中国天气的术语。故选D。 2．细节理解题。根据Drinking soup中The solution is to drink more hot soup, such as cabbage and bean curd soup, mutton and radish (小萝卜) soup and so on.解决办法是多喝热汤，如白菜豆腐汤、羊肉萝卜汤等。由此可知，在小雪时，建议吃白菜豆腐汤。故选A。 3．推理判断题。根据Making preserved pork中In the past, when storage conditions were poor, people developed many ways to store food and preserved pork is one such example.在过去，当储存条件很差的时候，人们发明了很多储存食物的方法，腊肉就是一个这样的例子。由此可知，过去人们之所以做腊肉是因为人们发现在寒冷的冬天很难储存肉。故选A。 9 【答案与解析】这是一篇应用文。文章主要介绍了中国传统节日大寒的特点和节日活动。 1．细节理解题。根据第二段中“During Major Cold, as the cold current moves southward, the weather is often cold to the extreme.(大寒期间，随着冷流南下，天气往往冷到极点)”可知，大寒的特色是降至一年中最低温度。故选D。 2．细节理解题。根据第三段中“For example, to stay warm, people in Beijing have a habit of eating dispelling cold cake, a kind of rice cake that is thought good to warm and nourish. Besides, in Chinese, “rice cake” has the same pronunciation with the words “higher in a new year”, which symbolizes good luck and continual promotion. For another example, residents in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province like to drink nourishing chicken soup during Major Cold. (例如，为了保暖，北京人有吃驱寒糕的习惯，这种年糕被认为具有保暖和滋补的作用。此外，在汉语中，“年糕”与“新的一年更高”谐音，象征着好运和不断晋升。再比如，江苏南京的居民喜欢在大寒期间喝滋补鸡汤)”可知，中国人通过吃特定的食物来保暖来应对大寒。故选A。 3．推理判断题。根据第一段“The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Major Cold, or da han in Chinese, is the last solar term in the annual solar calendar. Here are some things about Major Cold.(中国传统的阳历将一年分为24个节气。大寒，或中国的大寒，是每年阳历的最后一个节气。这里有一些关于大寒的事情)”可推知，文章选自文化部分。故选C。 10 【答案与解析】这是一篇应用文。文章主要介绍了中国冬至节日的一些饮食习俗。 1．细节理解题。根据第二段中“As early as the Zhou Dynasty, people worshiped the gods on the first day of the Winter Solstice, which also was the first day of the new year.(早在周朝，人们就在冬至的第一天祭拜神灵，这一天也是新年的第一天)”可知，B选项“冬至祭拜神灵是一个古老的传统”正确。故选B。 2．细节理解题。根据第三段中“There is a saying that goes “Have dumplings on the first day of Winter Solstice and noodles on the first day of Summer Solstice.”(俗话说：“冬至吃饺子，夏至吃面条。”)”可知，住在北京的人在夏至期间可以吃面条。故选D。 3．细节理解题。根据第三段中“During Winter Solstice in North China, eating dumplings is essential to the festival.(在中国北方，冬至期间吃饺子是必不可少的)”以及最后一段中“On that day, it is customary for people there to drink mutton and vermicelli soup and eat the dumplings in the soup.(在这一天，那里的人们习惯喝羊肉和粉丝汤，吃汤中的饺子)”可知，在宁夏和中国北部，人们会在冬至吃饺子。故选D。 11 【答案与解析】本文是一篇说明文。主要介绍24节气以及24节气在我国农业生产，传统习俗及人们生活方式等方面的影响。 1．推理判断题。根据第二段“In the international meteorological field, the 24 solar terms are recognized as “the fifth invention of China”.(在国际气象领域，24节气被公认为“中国的第五项发明”)”可知，二十四节气被称为“中国的第五项发明”是因为国际气象领域认为24节气与中国的四大发明同等重要。故选C。 2．细节理解题。根据第五段中“In ancient times, this system not only guided agricultural production, helping farmers to expect the changes in temperature, spring planting and autumn harvest, but also directed Chinese folk customs.(在古代，这一制度不仅指导了农业生产，帮助农民预测气温的变化、春耕秋收，还指导了中国的民俗习俗)”可知，24节气在古代指导农业生产及民间习俗。故选B。 3．主旨大意题。根据倒数第二段“Nowadays, the 24 solar terms could not only be applied to farming, but also guide Chinese in everyday life. They remind people to adapt to the changes in the seasons through suitable foods and cultural ceremonies. Seasonal customs still enjoy widespread popularity, such as eating spring pancakes at Start of Spring, sweeping ancestors’ tombs at Qingming, gaining weight to keep warm at Start of Autumn and eating nutritious food to store energy at Start of Winter. They have actually become important traditions in Chinese life.(如今，二十四节气不仅可以用于农业，还可以指导中国人的日常生活。它们提醒人们通过适当的食物和文化仪式来适应季节的变化。季节性的习俗仍然很受欢迎，比如立春吃春饼，清明扫墓，立秋增肥保暖，立冬吃营养食物储存能量。它们实际上已经成为中国人生活中的重要传统)”可知，倒数第二段的主旨是现代中国人日常生活中的二十四节气的指导作用指导。故选A。 4．细节理解题。根据最后一段中“It reflects the emotional connection, the wisdom and creativity of the Chinese, who respect and live in harmony with nature.(它反映了中国人尊重自然、与自然和谐相处的情感联系、智慧和创造力)”可知，D选项“通过24节气，中国人展示了他们的智慧和创造力”正确。故选D。 12 【答案与解析】本文是一篇说明文。本文主要介绍了中国传统文化的二十四节气在2016年入选了世界非物质文化遗产目录。 1．细节理解题。根据第二段“The Twenty-Four Solar Terms, knowledge of time and practices in agriculture, starts from the beginning of Spring and ends with the Greater Cold, moving in cycles.（二十四节气是关于时间和农业实践的知识，从春季开始，到大寒结束，循环往复）”可知，中国的二十四节气从春分开始，以大寒结束，周而复始，不断循环。故选C . 2．细节理解题。根据“The Twenty-Four Solar Terms, knowledge of time and practices in agriculture, starts from the Beginning of Spring and ends with the Greater Cold, moving in cycles.（二十四节气是关于时间和农业实践的知识，从春季开始，到大寒结束，循环往复）”可知，中国的二十四节气是于农业有关的知识。故选B. 3．推理判断题。根据最后一段“As a traditional Chinese knowledge system of time with a history of thousands of years, the Twenty-Four Solar Terms clearly expresses the concepts of respect for nature, and harmony between man and nature. Created by Chinese ancestors, it has functioned as a complete set of weather calendar to guide the agricultural production in China.（二十四节气作为中国传统的时间知识体系，有着几千年的历史，它清晰地表达了尊重自然、人与自然和谐相处的理念。它是中国先民创造的一套完整的气象日历，指导着中国的农业生产）”可以推断出，中国的二十四节气是中国传统文化的一部分。故选D. 13 【答案与解析】这是一篇说明文。文章主要说明了一些大雪节气的习俗和活动。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段“In ancient China, people created 24 solar terms (节气) to help with farming.(在中国古代，人们创造了24个节气来帮助农业)”可知，一年有24节气。故选A。 41．细节理解题。根据第一段“During Major Snow, the snow is heavy and the temperature drops.(在大雪期间，雪很大，温度下降)”可知，大雪期间，天气会变得很冷。故选B。 2．句意猜测题。根据划线句后文“As the snow covers the ground, the low temperature kills some pests (害虫). It is good for farmers to grow.(当雪覆盖地面时，低温杀死了一些害虫。它对农民有好处)”可知，下雪的一年预示着来年的丰收，故划线句意思是“瑞雪兆丰年”。故选C。 3．细节理解题。根据第三段“Playing with snow(玩雪)”；倒数第二段“People in north like to have mutton soup with their family and friends.(北方人喜欢和家人朋友一起喝羊肉汤)”以及最后一段“In China, it’s a tradition to eat red bean porridge in Major Snow.(在中国，大雪天吃红豆粥是一种传统)”可知，大雪期间人们不杀害虫。故选A。 4．细节理解题。根据第三段“In northern China, people usually go skating at the park or make snowmen. It is a popular activity to play with snow. Even if the weather is cold and icy, they still have fun.(在中国北方，人们通常去公园滑冰或堆雪人。玩雪是一项很流行的活动。即使天气又冷又冰，他们仍然玩得很开心)”可知，D选项“在中国南方人们通常去滑冰”不正确。故选D。 14 【答案与解析】本文是一篇应用文。文章主要介绍了二十四节气之一的立春及其习俗。 1．推理判断题。根据第二段中“During the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-AD 24), Start of Spring was set as the Spring Festival. Actually, it was not until 1913 that the Spring Festival was celebrated on the first day of the first month of the lunar year as now.(西汉时期（公元前206年-公元24年），立春被定为春节。事实上，直到1913年，春节才像现在一样在农历正月初一庆祝)”可知，1910年，人们在立春这一天庆祝春节。故选C项。 2．细节理解题。根据第三段中“Wearing fabric swallows, a custom originating during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), is observed in some regions in Shaanxi.(在陕西的一些地区，人们看到了一种起源于唐朝（618-907）的风俗——佩燕子)”可知，佩燕子这一习俗起源于唐朝。故选C项。 3．推理判断题。根据第一段中“A year is divided into 24 solar terms on the traditional Chinese solar calendar. Start of Spring, to be first solar term of the year, lifts the curtain of spring. After that, everything turns green and full of energy. Here are some things you should know about Start of Spring.(在中国传统的阳历中，一年分为24个节气。立春，是一年中的第一个节气，拉开了春天的帷幕。在那之后，一切都变绿了，充满了活力。这里有一些关于立春你应该知道的事情)”可知，文章主要介绍了二十四节气之一的立春及其习俗。由此推知，这篇文章有可能出现在文化专栏。故选D项。 15 【答案与解析】本文是一篇说明文，文章主要介绍了中国24节气中的3个节气：小满、霜降和小寒。 1．细节理解题。根据第一段中“The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms (节气). The year starts from Beginning of Spring and ends with Greater Cold, moving in cycles. (传统的中国农历将一年分为24个节气。一年从立春开始，以大寒结束，循环往复。)”可知，中国农历的24节气从立春开始，以大寒结束；因此，一年中最后一个节气是大寒。故选B。 2．细节理解题。根据第二段第一句“Grain Buds (小满) is the 8th solar term of the year.(小满是一年中的第八个节气。)”以及最后三句“Because of the great increase in rainfall, rivers are full of water. This is a good time to enjoy fish. It is also a harvest season for fishermen.(由于降雨量大大增加，河流充满了水。这是享受鱼的好时机。对渔民来说，这也是一个收获的季节。)”可知，小满对渔民来说，这也是一个收获的季节；由此可知，渔民最喜欢的节气是小满。故选B。 3．词句猜测题。根据第三段中的“The apple is one kind of recommended fruit during Frost’s Descent. (苹果是霜降期间推荐的一种水果。)”以及划线句“There are many sayings about apples’ benefits (益处) in China, such as “ Eat an apple after meals. Even old men can be as strong as young men.”(关于苹果的好处，中国有很多说法，比如‘Eat an apple after meals. Even old men can be as strong as young men’)”中的“There are many sayings about apples’ benefits (益处) in China, such as”可知，划线句Eat an apple after meals. Even old men can be as strong as young men为一句谚语，阐述吃苹果的有益健康，建议大家吃苹果，因此“Eat an apple after meals. Even old men can be as strong as young men(饭后一苹果，老头赛小伙)”与A选项“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.(一天一苹果，医生远离我)”所表达的意思一致，都说明吃苹果有益身体健康，建议吃苹果。故选A。 4．细节理解题。根据最后一段“Minor Cold (小寒) is the 23rd one. For most areas of China, it marks the start of the coldest days of the year and people always start preparing for Chinese New Year. According to traditional Chinese medicine thoughts, people need to eat food that has more yang energy to prevent cold from harming their bodies. Another important traditional food for Minor Cold is Laba porridge (腊八粥).(小寒是第23个节气。对于中国的大部分地区来说，它标志着一年中最冷的日子的开始，人们总是开始为中国新年做准备。根据中医的思想，人们需要吃更多阳气的食物来防止寒冷伤害他们的身体。另一种重要的小寒传统食物是腊八粥。)”可知，在小寒是24节气中的第23个，标志着一年中最冷的日子开始，人们开始为春节做准备，吃腊八粥，吃更多阳性食物、穿更暖和的衣服来御寒。因此，在小寒期间，中国大部分地区的人们通常的习俗有①prepare for Chinese New Year(为春节做准备)、②have Laba porridge(喝腊八粥)以及④wear warmer clothes(穿暖和的衣服)；故选C。 16 【答案与解析】这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了中国24节气中的“雨水”、“惊蛰”、“春分”和“谷雨”这四个节气，让我们进一步了解这四个节气的气候和习俗。 1．细节理解题。根据第二段第二句“With its arrival, the river water defreezes, wild geese move from south to north, and trees and grass turn green again.(随着它的到来，河水解冻，大雁由南向北迁徙，树木和草又变绿了)”可知，雨水之后热闹的春色随处可见。故选C项。 2．判断推理题。根据第三段中“It is the key time for spring agricultural activities.(这是春季农业活动的关键时期)”可知，惊蛰是农业的关键，以及最后一段第一句“Grain Rain originates from the old saying, ‘Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains’, which shows that this period of rainfall is extremely important for the growth of crops and people are busy working on the land.(谷雨源于古语“雨生百谷”，说明这一时期的降雨对农作物的生长极为重要，人们正忙于耕作)”结合来看，可得知惊蛰和谷雨这两个节气对农业来说都很重要，是耕作的季节。故选A项。 3．推理判断题。根据最后一段最后一句“With dry soil, an unsteady atmosphere and heavy winds and sandstorms become more frequent.(由于土壤干燥，大气不稳定和强风，沙尘暴变得更加频繁)”可推测，在谷雨时沙尘暴经常出现，所以人们最可能需要佩戴口罩保护自己。故选B项。 17 【答案与解析】本文为一篇说明文。介绍了“迎夏”的四个习俗。 1．细节理解题。根据“Checking one’s weight”中“It is said that those who were weighed would stay healthy in the hot summer and those who weren’t would suffer illness.”可知，称过体重的人将会保持健康，而未称体重的人将会生病。因此称过体重的人将会更加幸运，而不会患病。故选C项。 2．细节理解题。根据“Egg Competitions”中“As an old Chinese saying goes “hanging an egg on children’s chest can prevent them from getting summer diseases”, parents will prepare boiled eggs and put them in a bag before hanging them on their child’s chest.”可知，父母会将煮好的鸡蛋挂在孩子们脖子上，孩子们可以进行鸡蛋比赛，这是为孩子们设计的特有的习俗。故选D项。 3．细节理解题。根据“Greeting Start of Summer”中“It’s said that most of the decorations were arranged in the color red in order to show respect for the god of summer and pray for a good harvest.”及结合其他三个习俗可知，“Greeting Start of Summer”仅仅是为了对于神表示尊重，而另外三个习俗均与健康有关。故选B项。 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $$