As an old saying in China goes, “The days of the Sanjiu period are the coldest days.” “Sanjiu period” , which is in Minor Cold, refers to the third nine-day period (the l9th to the 27th day) after the day of the Winter Solstice(冬至). There are many different customs related to Minor Cold in China.
Eating hotpot
During Minor Cold people should eat some hot food to benefit the body and defend against the cold weather. Winter is the best time to have hotpot and braised mutton with soy sauce. But it is important to notice that too much spicy food may cause health problems.
Eating huangyacai
In Tianjin, there is a custom to have huangyacai, a kind of Chinese cabbage, during Minor Cold. There are large amounts of vitamins A and B in huangyacai. As huangyacai is fresh and tender, it is fit for frying, roasting and braising.
Eating glutinous rice (糯米饭)
According to tradition, the Cantonese eat glutinous rice in the morning during Minor Cold. Cantonese people add some fried preserved pork, sausages and peanuts and mix them into the rice.
Eating vegetable rice
In ancient times, people in Nanjing took Minor Cold quite seriously, but as time went by, the celebration of Minor Cold gradually disappeared. However, the custom of eating vegetable rice is still followed today. The rice is steamed and is unspeakably delicious. Among the ingredients (原料), aijiaohuang (a kind of green vegetable), sausages and salted duck are the specialties in Nanjing.
1.What do we know about Minor Cold?
A. It refers to the Winter Solstice.
B. The Sanjiu period is in this period.
C. It lasts twenty-seven days.
D. It marks the first day of winter.
2.What is a special custom in Tianjin in Minor Cold？
A. Eating hotpot. B. Having vitamin A and B pills.
C. Having huangyacai. D. Buying cabbage.
3.How do the Cantonese eat glutinous rice?
A. They fry and toast it.
B. They eat it for dinner.
C. They mix it with many other things.
D. They steam it with soy sauce.
4.This text may be taken from the ________ column (栏目) of a newspaper.
A. travel B. culture C. fashion D. science
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Why did the animals come together?
A. To see who was the happiest.
B. To see who was the most beautiful.
C. To see who was the biggest.
2.What happened to the snake?
A. She wanted to own the crown.
B. The animals said that she was ugly.
C. She dropped the crown into the pool.
3.When should the snake give the rooster(公鸡) the crown?
A. The next morning. B. In this evening. C. The next evening.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What happened to the man this morning?
A. He was late. B. He saw an accident. C. He was fined.
2.What is everyone talking about at present?
A. Private cars. B. Air pollution. C. Clean energy.
3.What transportation does the woman suggest?
A. The bus. B. The car. C. The subway.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What did the woman do in Canada?
A. Visited her friend. B. Did a research program. C. Went sightseeing.
2.What do we know about the research program?
A. It will be finished in March.
B. It was finished before Christmas.
C. Part of it has been finished.
3.What day does Boxing Day fall on?
A. December 24. B. December 25. C. December 26.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What did the woman spend much time doing in her honeymoon?
A. Queuing. B. Waiting for bus. C. Looking for hotels.
2.Where did the man go for holiday?
A. To Florida. B. To Bali Islands. C. To Paris.
3.What didn’t the man do there?
A. He went diving.
B. He played table tennis.
C. He took photos in the ocean.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How does the man feel about English?
A. Interesting. B. Easy. C. Difficult.
2.What is the woman’s second favorite?
A. English. B. PE. C. Math.
3.What do we know about Nancy?
A. She loves Chinese.
B. She does best in Math.
C. She doesn’t like science.
