Zhuazhou is regarded as one of the most important customs on a child’s first birthday anniversary. As a traditional, long-time custom in China, Zhuazhou is essentially a test where parents place a variety of articles in front of their child to choose from. The selected items are used to predict the child’s interests, career and inclination (倾向) in the future.

In the past, the Zhuazhou ceremony usually took place before the longevity noodle at lunchtime. A wealthy family would put a table on the bed where stamps, classic Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist books, a Chinese brush pen, ink, paper, an ink stone, abacus (算盘), coins, an accounting book, jewelry, flowers, rouge (胭脂), food and toys were placed. If the baby was female, the following items were added: a scoop, a cooker, scissors, a ruler (representing sewing items), thread and a design book (representing embroidery<刺绣>).

The practice, however, was much more simplified in a common family. Usually a bronze tray (铜盘) instead of a table was placed on the bed and a book from old-style private schools, like the Three-Character Primer, was put on top, including a Chinese brush pen, abacus and a cake. Scissors and a ruler were added for a girl. The parents then seated the baby in front of the table or the tray. Without help or guidance from anyone, the baby was then free to choose anything in front of them.

Selecting the stamp meant the child would be an officer in the future; if he or she chose the stationery first (like a Chinese brush pen, ink and paper), the baby would be hard-working and show great literary talents; the abacus suggested an interest in statistics and financing. A girl baby who first grabbed a sewing item or cookers would be a good housewife. On the other hand, when the child picked a cake or a toy, he or she would know how to enjoy the pleasures in life. All in all, parents and relatives pinned high hope on the future of their children, and the custom of Zhuazhou was a method of expressing their good wishes.

1.What’s the characteristics of Zhuazhou?

A Romantic and shared.

B Local and unique

C Complex and influential.

D Time-honored and conventional.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第一段中的“As a traditional, long-time custom in China, Zhuazhou is...”可知，抓周是中国悠久的传统习俗。故选D。

2.Which of the following is specially prepared for a baby girl?

A Paper.

B Jewelry.

C Food.

D A ruler.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第二段中的“If the baby was female, the following items were added: a scoop, a cooker, scissors, a ruler (representing sewing items)”可知，选项中尺子是特别为抓周的女宝宝准备的，代表缝纫物品。故选D。

3.What an ordinary family might not prepare?

A A book.

B Ink.

C Abacus.

D Scissors.

解析：选B。B细节理解题。根据第二段内容和第三段内容对比可知，普通家庭可能没有准备墨。故选B。

4.Which of the following represents a pleasant life?

A The stamp.

B The abacus.

C Food or a toy.

D A cooker.

解析：选C。C细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“when the child picked a cake or a toy, he or she would know how to enjoy the pleasures in life.”可知，当小孩选择蛋糕（食物）或玩具，代表他/她将知道如何享受生活。故选C。