China is a country with many colorful days and festivals. The Dragon Head Raising Day (Longtaitou) is one of them.
This special day is on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar (阴历). It stands for the start of spring and farming. This year, the day fell on March 10.
The dragon is important in Chinese culture. We Chinese people call ourselves the “descendants (传人) of the dragon”. Therefore, people celebrate the Dragon Head Raising Day with many customs(传统) about dragons.
On the day in ancient times(古代), people put ashes (灰) in the kitchen. This was to “lead the dragon into the house”. People believed that with the help of the dragon, they could have a good harvest (收成) in autumn.
Also, people eat special foods on that day. The foods are usually named after dragons. For example, people eat “dragon whisker (细须)” noodles and dumplings called “dragon teeth”.
Today, many customs have faded away (消退). But one that has remained is the cutting of hair. It was said that a haircut during the first lunar month may bring bad luck to the mother’s brothers. So many people have their hair cut on the Dragon Head Raising Day.
1.The Dragon Head Raising Day is one of the ______ festivals.
A. English B. French C. Chinese D. American
2.______ was the Dragon Head Raising Day this year.
A. March 10 B. February 2 C. March 4 D. March 8
3.On the day in ancient times, why did people put ashes in the kitchen?
A. Because the dragon liked the ashes.
B. Because the ashes stood for the harvest.
C. Because the ashes led the dragon into the house.
D. Because the ashes could bring good luck.
4.One custom that has remained is ______ according to the passage.
A. the cutting of hair B. the dragon boating C. to eat Zongzi D. to eat mooncakes
5.Which of the following is not true?
A. The Dragon Head Raising Day is on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar.
B. The dragon is important in Chinese culture.
C. People eat “dragon whisker” noodles and dumplings called “dragon teeth” on the Dragon Head Raising Day.
D. The Dragon Head Raising Day stands for the start of spring and harvest.
A wise man was walking from one town to another with a few of his followers, and they happened to pass a lake. So they stopped there to ______ for a while, and the wise man said to one of his followers, “I am very ______. Could you please ______ me some water from the lake?”
The follower walked to the lake ______ the wise man requested. Some people were washing clothes in the water, and right at that moment, several carts (手推车) started crossing the lake.______, the water became very muddy(泥泞的).
Then he went back and told the wise man that the water was very muddy and not ______to drink.
After they had rested for about half an hour, the wise man again asked the ______ follower to go back to the lake and get him some water to drink. As requested, the follower went to the lake again. This time he found that all the mud had settled(沉淀) to the ______. The water was very ______ and looked fit to drink. So he ______ his water bottle and took it to the wise man.
The wise man took the water bottle and drank, then looked up at the follower. “See what you did to make the ______ clean?” he said. “You let it be for a while and the mud settled down on its own, ______ you could get some clear drinking water. Your mind can also be like that lake when it is disturbed(被搅乱的) by something. If you just let it be and give it a little______, it will most likely settle down on its own ______ being put in any effort(努力) at all to ______ it.”
1.A. rest B. look C. watch D. see
2.A. hungry B. thirsty C. happy D. sad
3.A. get B. give C. take D. carry
4.A. while B. before C. as D. until
5.A. However B. Instead C. In fact D. As a result
6.A. fit B. able C. important D. interesting
7.A. different B. same C. other D. left
8.A. top B. side C. bottom D. lake
9.A. dirty B. clear C. fresh D. sweet
10.A. got B. finished C. reached D. filled
11.A. juice B. water C. food D. drink
12.A. so that B. in order to C. because D. when
13.A. water B. money C. time D. air
14.A. without B. with C. after D. like
15.A. prevent B. calm C. protect D. fix
— Tom, is there anything else you want to know about Jiangyan?
— Yes, I am still wondering .
A. how does Jiangyan food taste
B. how many gardens are there in Jiangyan
C. what Renmin Park looks like
D. where is the Jiangyan Railway Station
― It was a wonderful trip. So, which city did you like better, Paris or Rome?
― . There were good things and bad things about them.
A. It’s hard to say B. I didn’t get it
C. You must be kidding D. Couldn’t be better
— Lisa, I know you’re confident about getting that job but remember __________.
So why don’t you send your application forms to a few more companies?
— Sounds good!
A. don’t put all your eggs in one basket B. the early bird catches the worm
C. actions speak louder than words D. every dog has its day
— Who can help me carry the heavy box?
— I think Ted is __________ to do it. But the door is __________for him to go through.
A. too strong; too narrow
B. so strong; narrow enough
C. enough strong; narrow enough
D. strong enough; too narrow
