C 传统文化
The Beginning of Summer falls on 5th May in 2026. It’s the first solar term after spring and also the seventh of the twenty-four solar terms. From the Beginning of Summer, everything begins to grow fast. The Beginning of Summer means farewell to spring, and the entering into summer. So it also means “the end of spring”.
In ancient China, people divided the Beginning of Summer into three periods.
The first period: frogs begin to sing. In early summer, frogs begin to sing and look for food in the fields and ponds. With the voice of frogs, the taste of summer is strong.
The second period:earthworms come out. As the temperature in the ground continues to rise, earthworms climb from the underground to the surface to breathe fresh air.
The third period: the buds of cucumbers blossom.
On the day of the Beginning of Summer, most areas of China have the custom of eating eggs, including boiled eggs and tea eggs. People eat eggs on the Beginning of Summer, hoping that the year will be full. And people also hope to get peace in summer. In addition to eating eggs on the Beginning of Summer, they also “hang eggs”. People put boiled eggs in bags and hang them on children’s chest. As an old Chinese saying goes, “Hanging an egg on children’s chest can prevent them from getting summer diseases.” It also means health, safety and good luck.
According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the Beginning of Summer is a key period for the heart. High temperatures in summer are easy to cause mood problems, and
diet therapy can play an important role. So people also eat a special kind of rice which is called “colourful rice”. There are red beans, green beans, black beans and soybeans in the colourful rice. It is said eating colourful rice can bring good health.
When the weather becomes hotter, high temperatures can be bad for people’s health. Food rich in vitamins is highly recommended. Vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, watercress and celery are top recommendations.
()8. What can people eat to keep healthy in hot summer?
A. Sweet candies.
B. Fresh vegetables.
C. Fried snacks.
D. Cold ice cream.
()9. Why do people eat or hang eggs on the Beginning of Summer?
A. Because eggs are delicious at this time.
B. Because they have enough eggs at this time.
C. Because they can feel cool by doing so.
D. Because they hope to get luck, health and safety.
()10. Which of the following expressions is NOT true according to the passage?
A. The voice of frogs can make humans feel summer is around.
B. Diet therapy can be helpful to mood problems in summer.
C. The date of the Beginning of Summer always falls on the same day.
D. As the weather becomes hotter, food rich in vitamins is good for people’s health.
()11. What’s the best title for the passage?
A. The Beginning of Summer
B. Eating and hanging eggs
C. Special colourful rice
D. Three periods of a solar term