The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Major Heat, the 12th solar term of the year, begins this year on July 23 and ends August 6. During Major Heat, most parts of China enter the hottest season of the year. The following are some things you should know about Major Heat.

A season of harvesting and planting

During Major Heat, the sunshine, high temperatures, and heavy rainfall are good for agricultural crops. But like Minor Heat, many natural calamities such as floods, droughts and typhoons also happen during Major Heat. Therefore, it's important to harvest and plant in time to avoid setbacks caused by natural disasters.

Sending the Major Heat ship

The ship is filled with various animals for sacrifice such as pigs, sheep, chicken, fish, and shrimps. More than 50 fishermen take turns carrying the ship as they march through the streets. Drums are played and fireworks are lit. Both sides of the street are filled with people praying for blessings. After a series of ceremonies, the ship is finally carried to the wharf. Then, the ship is pulled out of the fishing port and burned at sea. People carry out this ritual to pray for good harvests and health.

Eating litchi and Mizao

On the day of Major Heat, there is a custom of eating litchi, Mizao in Putian, Fujian province, as a celebration of Major Heat. Litchi is a nutritious fruit containing glucose and vitamins. People usually soak litchi in cold well water first and eat it. Mizao is made of fermented rice. On the day of Major Heat, people cook them with brown sugar.

Do you know any other customs about Major Heat?

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1.How many solar terms does the traditional Chinese lunar calendar divide the year into?

A 12

B 7

C 23

D 24

解析：选D。细节理解题。根据第一段第一句The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms.传统的中国农历将年份分为24个节气，故选D。

2.Which of the following is NOT true?

A During Major Heat, the sunshine, high temperatures, and heavy rainfall are good for agricultural crops.

B There might be some floods, droughts and typhoons during Major Heat.

C Setbacks caused by natural disasters cannot be avoided.

D People play drums and light fireworks during Major Heat.

解析：选C。推理判断题。根据第二段最后一句Therefore, it's important to harvest and plant in time to avoid setbacks caused by natural disasters.可知自然灾害造成的困境是能够避免的，故选C。

3.People send the Major Heat ship for ______.

A good harvests and health

B good luck

C a long life

D more money

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句People carry out this ritual to pray for good harvests and health.可知人们进行该仪式是为了祈求丰收和健康，故选A。

4.What's Mizao made of?

A Fruit.

B Fermented rice.

C Litchi.

D Brown sugar.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据短文第四段倒数第二句“ Mizao is made of fermented rice.”可知是发酵米，故选B。

5.What's the best title of the passage?

A Customs about Major Heat.

B Special food of Major Heat.

C Sending the Major Heat ship.

D The hottest season of the year.

解析：选A。主旨大意题。全文一直围绕大暑展开，讲述了一些大暑的习俗，故选A。