Question

【题目】 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.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】A

【2】D

【3】B

【4】C

【解析】

传统的中国农历把一年分为24个节气，本文介绍了24节气中的冬至。

【1】根据上文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.可知，在冬至的第一天，因为太阳直射南回归线，北半球会经历一年中最短的白昼和最长的黑夜，冬至过后，白昼逐渐边长，黑夜逐渐变短。故选A。

【2】根据The Winter Solstice became a winter festival during the Han Dynasty.可知，在汉代，冬至成为一个冬季节日，所以此处是庆祝活动正式组织起来。故选D。

【3】根据下文Traditional Chinese medical science teaches that nuts play an important role in nourishing the kidneys (肾脏)and making the brain and heart stronger.可知，中国传统医学认为，坚果在滋养肾脏、增强大脑和心脏方面发挥着重要作用，所以此处是坚果对我们的身体有好处。故选B。

【4】根据下文However, people there still buy rice cakes for the Winter Solstice Festival.可知，不过，那里的人们还是会为冬至节买年糕，与前一句是转折关系，所以此处是现在很少有家庭吃自制的蛋糕了。故选C。