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According to the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, we officially welcome the Year of the Horse better than others.
The horse has played an important role throughout human history all over the world. Horses were used for thousands of years as a means of transportation, a weapon of war and a plougher of fields(犁地农具), but "the horse was more than just a vehicle - it had more character than a car, a tank or a tractor," Clare Balding wrote for The Telegraph.
In the Middle Ages in Western societies, the horse was a symbol of chivalry（骑士神）and nobility(贵族). In fact, the word "chivalry" comes from "cheval" in Old French, which meant horse. The idea of chivalry helped to fashion the 19th-century "gentleman", which was about good manners, courage and honesty to friends.
Nowadays, because of economic(经济) development, people in Western societies are less likely to see or ride horses. People living in cities, in particular, hardly ever experience horses except through movies, paintings or books. But horse racing, and betting .money on horse races, is still popular. The Kentucky Derby is one of the most popular sporting events every year in the US.
In the UK, the royal police still go around the city on horseback and the Queen rides in a traditional horse-drawn carriage on "ceremonial occasions (正式场合)”．
Some sayings about horses are still used in English today. For example, people still say "hold your horses" to mean “slow down". If someone seems too proud, people might tell him or her to "get off his or her high horse". And since horses are strong and energetic, there are expressions such as "as strong as a horse", "workhorse" and "horsing around". .
Interestingly, the horse also appears in many Chinese sayings, such as Qianlima, which means a talented person. Other Chinese horse sayings include Madaochenggong (instant success) and Baimawangzi (prince charming).
Besides their physical strengths, horses are smart and have "excellent memories", according to Discovery News. Maybe that's why Chinese people say, "An old horse never gets lost".
Since the horse is honored as a symbol of many great qualities, people born in the Year of the Horse are said to share them.
1.According to Chinese tradition, which year is welcomed best officially?
A. the Year of the Snake B. the Year of the Tiger
C. the Year of the Mouse D. the Year of the Horse
2.According to the passage, which is NOT the role of the horse nowadays?
A. A weapon of war.
B. The royal police's transportation to go around in the UK.
C. Race horses.
D. Animal actors in movies.
3.If a friend of yours is overconfident, what are you supposed to tell him or her?
A. Hold your horses. B. Get off your high horse.
C. Be as strong as a horse D. An old horse never gets lost
4.According to the passage, which is NOT the reason why people like horses?
A. The horse has played an important role throughout human history all over the world
B. The horse was a symbol of chivalry and nobility in the Middle Ages in Western societies.
C. Besides their physical strengths, horses are smart and have “excellent memories".
D. Horses are only used as a means of transportation like a car, a tank or a tractor.
5.From the passage we know that .
A. Economy develops a lot, so people in Western societies hardly see or ride horses nowadays.
B. The Kentucky Derby is one of the most popular betting events every year in the US.
C. Qianlima in Chinese means a person who can run one thousand kilometers a day.
D. Since the horse is honored as a symbol of many great qualities, people born in the Year of the Horse are said to be as strong as a horse.
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According to the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, we officially welcome the Year of the Horse better than others.
The horse has played an important role throughout human history all over the world. Horses were used for thousands of years as a means of transportation, a weapon of war and a plougher of fields(犁地农具), but “the horse was more than just a vehicle – it had more character than a car, a tank or a tractor,” Clare Balding wrote for The Telegraph.
In the Middle Ages in Western societies, the horse was a symbol of chivalry (骑士精神) and nobility(贵族). In fact, the word “chivalry” comes from “cheval” in Old French, which meant horse. The idea of chivalry helped to fashion the 19th-century “gentleman”, which was about good manners, courage and honesty to friends.
Nowadays, because of economic(经济) development, people in Western societies are less likely to see or ride horses. People living in cities, in particular, hardly ever experience horses except through movies, paintings or books. But horse racing, and betting money on horse races, is still popular. The Kentucky Derby is one of the most popular sporting events every year in the US.
In the UK, the royal police still go around the city on horseback and the Queen rides in a traditional horse-drawn carriage on “ceremonial occasions (正式场合)”.
Some sayings about horses are still used in English today. For example, people still say “hold your horses” to mean “slow down”. If someone seems too proud, people might tell him or her to “get off his or her high horse”. And since horses are strong and energetic, there are expressions such as “as strong as a horse”, “workhorse” and “horsing around”.
Interestingly, the horse also appears in many Chinese sayings, such as Qianlima, which means a talented person. Other Chinese horse sayings include Madaochenggong (instant success) and Baimawangzi (prince charming).
Besides their physical strengths, horses are smart and have “excellent memories”, according to Discovery News. Maybe that’s why Chinese people say, “An old horse never gets lost”.
Since the horse is honored as a symbol of many great qualities, people born in the Year of the Horse are said to share them.
1. According to Chinese tradition, which year is welcomed best officially?
A. the Year of the Snake B. the Year of the Tiger
C. the Year of the Mouse D. the Year of the Horse
2.According to the passage, which is NOT the role of the horse nowadays?
A. A weapon of war.
B. The royal police’s transportation to go around in the UK.
C. Race horses.
D. Animal actors in movies.
3. If a friend of yours is overconfident, what are you supposed to tell him or her?
A. Hold your horses. B. Get off your high horse.
C. Be as strong as a horse D. An old horse never gets lost
4. According to the passage, which is NOT the reason why people like horses?
A. The horse has played an important role throughout human history all over the world
B. The horse was a symbol of chivalry and nobility in the Middle Ages in Western societies.
C. Besides their physical strengths, horses are smart and have “excellent memories”.
D. Horses are only used as a means of transportation like a car, a tank or a tractor.
5. From the passage we know that ____________.
A.Economy develops a lot, so people in Western societies hardly see or ride horses nowadays.
B. The Kentucky Derby is one of the most popular betting events every year in the US.
C. Qianlima in Chinese means a person who can run one thousand kilometers a day.
D. Since the horse is honored as a symbol of many great qualities, people born in the Year of the Horse are said to be as strong as a horse.
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What is your zodiac（生肖） animal? According to the Chinese lunar calendar（农历）, 12 animals mark 12 different years. It is the basis of the Chinese zodiac. Nowadays, Chinese zodiac animals have worldwide fame and are increasingly popular among western people.
The zodiac is an important part of Chinese culture. People believe that the characteristics of a zodiac animal influence the personality of every person born in that year. For example, people born in the Year of the Tiger are considered powerful and brave.
Zodiac animals also have some social functions. When people think it is not proper to ask: “How old are you”, they may change their question to “What is your zodiac animal?” With this question, you can figure out roughly which year someone was born and the person’s age.
Zodiac animals are not special to China. Many countries share a similar zodiac culture with China. For example, in the Japanese Zodiac, a wild boar（野猪）takes the place of a pig and the Vietnamese（越南的）zodiac has a cat instead of a rabbit.
But have you ever wondered how these 12 animals were chosen to represent each year? According to legend, the Jade Emperor（玉皇大帝）invited all the animals to join him for Chinese New Year. Only 12 animals went to see him. As a reward he named a year after each one in the order they arrived. The ox would have been the first to arrive, but the rat sat on his back and jumped off just before they arrived to come in first place.
1.The characteristics of a zodiac animal may influence the _____ of every person born in that year.
A．appearance B．personality C．hobby D．education
2.“What is your zodiac animal?” is a question used to find out a person’s______.
A．age B．name C．job D．weight
3.In the Japanese zodiac, we don’t see the zodiac animal：_______
A．wild boar B．rabbit C．dragon D．pig
4.According to the last paragraph, we know that ____ was the first animal to arrive.
A．ox B．rat C．pig D．cat
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What is your zodiac（生肖） animal? According to the Chinese lunar calendar（农历）, 12 animals mark 12 different years. It is the basis of the Chinese zodiac. Nowadays, Chinese zodiac animals have worldwide fame and are increasingly popular among western people.
The zodiac is an important part of Chinese culture. People believe that the characteristics of a zodiac animal influence the personality of every person born in that year. For example, people born in the Year of the Tiger are considered powerful and brave.
Zodiac animals also have some social functions. When people think it is not proper to ask: “How old are you”, they may change their question to “What is your zodiac animal?” With this question, you can figure out roughly which year someone was born and the person’s age.
Zodiac animals are not special to China. Many countries share a similar zodiac culture with China. For example, in the Japanese Zodiac, a wild boar（野猪）takes the place of a pig and the Vietnamese（越南的）zodiac has a cat instead of a rabbit.
But have you ever wondered how these 12 animals were chosen to represent each year? According to legend, the Jade Emperor（玉皇大帝）invited all the animals to join him for Chinese New Year. Only 12 animals went to see him. As a reward he named a year after each one in the order they arrived. The ox would have been the first to arrive, but the rat sat on his back and jumped off just before they arrived to come in first place.
1.The characteristics of a zodiac animal may influence the _____ of every person
born in that year.
A．appearance B．personality C．hobby D．education
2.“What is your zodiac animal?” is a question used to find out a person’s______.
A．age B．name C．job D．weight
3.In the Japanese zodiac, we don’t see the zodiac animal：_______
A．wild boar B．rabbit C．dragon D．pig
4.According to the last paragraph, we know that ____ was the first animal to arrive.
A．ox B．rat C．pig D．cat
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What is your zodiac（生肖） animal? According to the Chinese lunar calendar（农历）, 12 animals mark 12 different years. It is the basis of the Chinese zodiac. Nowadays, Chinese zodiac animals have worldwide fame and are increasingly popular among western people.
The zodiac is an important part of Chinese culture. People believe that the characteristics of a zodiac animal influence the personality of every person born in that year. For example, people born in the Year of the Tiger are considered powerful and brave.
Zodiac animals also have some social functions. When people think it is not proper to ask: “How old are you”, they may change their question to “What is your zodiac animal?” With this question, you can figure out roughly which year someone was born and the person’s age.
Zodiac animals are not special to China. Many countries share a similar zodiac culture with China. For example, in the Japanese Zodiac, a wild boar（野猪）takes the place of a pig and the Vietnamese（越南的）zodiac has a cat instead of a rabbit.
But have you ever wondered how these 12 animals were chosen to represent each year? According to legend, the Jade Emperor（玉皇大帝）invited all the animals to join him for Chinese New Year. Only 12 animals went to see him. As a reward he named a year after each one in the order they arrived. The ox would have been the first to arrive, but the rat sat on his back and jumped off just before they arrived to come in first place.
1.The characteristics of a zodiac animal may influence the _____ of every person born in that year.
A. appearance B. personality
C. hobby D. education
2.“What is your zodiac animal?” is a question used to find out a person’s______.
A. age B. name
C. job D. weight
3.In the Japanese zodiac, we don’t see the zodiac animal：_______
A. wild boar B. rabbit
C. dragon D. pig
4.According to the last paragraph, we know that ____ was the first animal to arrive.
A. ox B. Rat
C. pig D. Cat
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What is your zodiac（生肖） animal? According to the Chinese lunar calendar（农历）, 12 animals mark 12 different years. It is the basis of the Chinese zodiac. Nowadays, Chinese zodiac animals have worldwide fame and are increasingly popular among western people.
The zodiac is an important part of Chinese culture. People believe that the characteristics of a zodiac animal influence the personality of every person born in that year. For example, people born in the Year of the Tiger are considered powerful and brave.
Zodiac animals also have some social functions. When people think it is not proper to ask: “How old are you”, they may change their question to “What is your zodiac animal?” With this question, you can figure out roughly which year someone was born and the person’s age.
Zodiac animals are not special to China. Many countries share a similar zodiac culture with China. For example, in the Japanese Zodiac, a wild boar（野猪）takes the place of a pig and the Vietnamese（越南的）zodiac has a cat instead of a rabbit.
But have you ever wondered how these 12 animals were chosen to represent each year? According to legend, the Jade Emperor（玉皇大帝）invited all the animals to join him for Chinese New Year. Only 12 animals went to see him. As a reward he named a year after each one in the order they arrived. The ox would have been the first to arrive, but the rat sat on his back and jumped off just before they arrived to come in first place.
1. The characteristics of a zodiac animal may influence the _____ of every person born in that year.
A. appearance B. personality
C. hobby D. education
2.“What is your zodiac animal?” is a question used to find out a person’s______.
A. age B. name C. job D. weight
3.In the Japanese zodiac, we don’t see the zodiac animal：_______
A. wild boar B. rabbit
C. dragon D. pig
4. According to the last paragraph, we know that ____ was the first animal to arrive.
A. ox B. rat C. pig D. cat
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The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 periods. Winter Solstice(冬至), the 22nd period of the year, begins this year on Dec 22 and ends on Jan 4.
On the first day of Winter Solstice, the sun shines directly at the Tropic of Capricorn(南回归线). As a result, the northern part of the world experiences the shortest day and the longest night in the year. From then on, the days become longer and the nights become shorter. The Winter Solstice also marks the arrival of the coldest season in the year. Here are three things you should know about Winter Solstice.
The Winter Solstice Festival
There was a saying that went in ancient China, “The Winter Solstice is as important as the Spring Festival.” As early as Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-256BC), people honored the gods on the first day of the Winter Solstice, which was also the first day of the new year. The Winter Solstice became a winter festival during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220AD).
Eating dumplings
During Winter Solstice in North China, eating dumplings is necessary for almost everyone. 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 rice cakes
During the Winter Solstice, people in Hangzhou traditionally eat rice cakes. In the past, people used to make rice cakes themselves to honor ancestors there. Today, though few families have home-made cakes, people there still buy rice cakes for the Winter Solstice Festival.
1.Why does the northern world enjoy the shortest day on Dec 22 this year?
A.Because the southern part of the world enjoys the longest days.
B.Because the sun shines straightly at the Tropic of Capricorn.
C.Because the days get longer and the nights get shorter,
2.What does the underlined word “mark” mean?
A.打分 B.启动 C.标志
3.During Winter Solstice, people ________.
A.are supposed to eat the same kind of food
B.memorize the ancestors all over China.
C.keep the tradition of eating rice cakes in Hangzhou
4.Which of the statement is TRUE about the passage?
A.People started the custom of Winter Solstice thousands of years ago.
B.Winter Solstice lasts for less than 10 days this year.
C.The first day of Winter Solstice means the start of a new year now.
5.What is the main idea of the passage?
A.The introduction to Winter Solstice.
B.The customs on Winter Solstice.
C.The importance of Winter Solstice.
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The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms (节气). Winter Solstice (冬至), the 22nd solar term of the year, begins this year on Dec 22 and ends on Jan 4.
On the first day of Winter Solstice, the Northern Hemisphere (北半球) experiences the shortest day and the longest night in the year, as the sun shines directly at the Tropic of Capricorn.(南回归线) 36. 1.. The Winter Solstice also marks the arrival of the coldest season in the year. As early as Zhou Dynasty (周期), people worshiped the gods on the first day of the Winter Solstice, which was also the first day of the new year. The Winter Solstice became a winter festival during the Han Dynasty. 37. 2.. On this day, both official. (官员) and common people would have a rest.
When midwinter comes, people always stay indoors. In this period, eating some nuts(坚果) is necessary, such as peanuts, walnuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts and almonds. 38. 3.. Traditional Chinese medical science teaches that nuts play an important role in nourishing the kidneys (肾脏)and making the brain and heart stronger.
During die Winter Solstice, people in Hangzhou traditionally eat rice cakes. In the past, before the winter solstice came, every family would make rice cakes to worship their ancestors or use as gifts for relatives and friends. 39. 4.. However, people there still buy rice cakes for the Winter Solstice Festival. Do you know more about Chinese traditional culture? Let’s share together and make a stronger and better China!
A. From then on, the days become longer and the nights become shorter.
B. They are good for our body.
C. Fewer families eat home-made cakes today.
D. The celebratory activities were officially organized.
E. During Winter Solstice in North China, eating dumplings is common at the festival.
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The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Rain (谷雨), as the last term in spring, starts on April 19 and ends on May 4.
Grain Rain comes from the old saying, “Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains”, which shows that this period of rainfall is very important for the growth of crops. Here’s something that you may not know about the Grain Rain.
| 1. ________ Grain Rain falls between the end of spring and the beginning of summer, and the temperature rises much higher than it does in March. With dry soil and heavy winds, sandstorms may happen more often. | 2. ________ There is an old custom in southern China that people drink tea on the day of Grain Rain. Spring tea during Grain Rain is good for the eyes. It is also said that drinking tea on this day would prevent bad luck. |
| 3. ________ People in northern China have the tradition to eat the vegetable toona sinensis during Grain Rain. An old Chinese saying goes “toona sinensis before the rain is as tender as silk (嫩如丝)”. The vegetable is good for the stomach and skin. | 4. ________ The Grain Rain Festival is celebrated by fishing villages in northern China. Grain Rain marks the start of the fishermen’s first voyage (航行) of the year. The custom dates back to more than 2000 years ago. |
1. When Grain Rain ends, ________ starts.
A. spring B. summer C. autumn
2.The underlined word “crops” refers to ________.
A. plants in the field B. trees in the forest C. fishes in the sea
3. The people in southern China ________ on the day of Grain Rain.
A. drink tea
B. eat toona sinensis
C. start the first voyage
4.We can infer that “toona sinensis” must be a kind of vegetable which ________.
A. can bring good luck
B. is delicious and healthy
C. grows at the seaside
5.The right order of the titles from 1 to 4 should be ________.
a. Eating toona sinensis
b. Sandstorms happen
c. Grain Rain Festival
d. Drinking tea
A. b-a-d-c B. b-c-a-d C. b-d-a-c
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The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Rain as the last term in spring, starts on April 19 and ends on May 4.
Grain Rain comes from the old saying, “Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains”, which shows that this period of rainfall is very important for the growth of crops.
Here is something that you may not know about the Grain Rain.
| 1. Grain Rain falls between the end of spring and the beginning of summer, and the temperature rises much higher than it does in March. With dry soil and heavy winds, sandstorms may happen more often. | 2. There is an old custom in southern China that people drink tea on the day of Grain Rain. Spring tea during Grain Rain is good for the eyes. It is also said that drinking tea on this day would prevent bad luck. |
| 3. People in northern China have the tradition to eat the vegetable toona sinensis during Grain Rain. An old Chinese saying goes “toona sinensis before the rain is as tender as silk (嫩如丝)”.The vegetable is good for the stomach and skin. | 4. The Grain Rain Festival is celebrated by fishing villages in northern China. Grain Rain marks the start of the fishermen’s first voyage (航行）of the year. The custom dates back to more than 2000 years ago. |
1.When Grain Rain ends, starts.
A. spring B. summer C. autumn D. winter
2.The underlined word “crops” refers to .
A. plants in the field B. trees in the forest
C. fishes in the sea D. tea in the south
3.The people in southern China on the day of Grain Rain.
A. drink tea B. eat toona sinensis
C. start the first voyage D. eat rice dumplings
4.We can infer that “toona sinensis”must be a kind of vegetable which____.
A. can bring good luck B. is delicious and healthy
C. grows at the seaside D. is good for the old
5.The right order of the titles from 1 to 4 should be .
a. Eating toona sinensis b. Sandstorms happen
c. Grain Rain Festival d. Drinking tea
A. b-a-d-c B. b-c-a-d C. b-d-a-c D. a-d-b-c