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Duanwu Festival, or Loong Boat Festival, falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the lunar calendar every year. It is a 2,000-year-old tradition celebrated nationwide in various forms to show respect to the ancient poet Qu Yuan, who committed suicide out of love for his country. Then how do people usually celebrate it?

Hold loong boat races. Loong boats are named because the boat is in the shape of a traditional Chinese loong. They have been held for centuries. The races were inspired by villagers’ brave attempts to save Qu Yuan from the Milo River.

Eat zongzi. Zongzi is a pyramid-shaped sticky rice dumpling wrapped in leaves. In north China, people favor sweet zongzi, while in the south salty ones filled with fresh meat or egg yolk are more popular. Nowadays, zongzi already becomes a common food, which can be easily found in supermarkets and food stores. However, some families still maintain the tradition of making zongzi on the festive day.

Hang wormwood and calamus (菖蒲). It is said that hanging wormwood and calamus leaves on doors or windows can protect people from evil spirits. From a scientific point of view, Loong Boat Festival falls in hot summer, when pests and other poisonous animals are active; both the leaves give off a special smell, which can clean the air and drive out pests, thus helping people stay away from diseases.

Wear scented sachets (香包). It has the same purpose as hanging calamus and wormwood, as the sachets are always filled with Chinese herbs which can drive away poisonous animals and evil things. Nowadays, it is more popular among children and they are usually made into various shapes, including the traditional zongzi pattern, various animals, pumpkins and flowers.

Put a picture of Zhong Kui on doors or windows. Zhong Kui is a famous exorcist (驱魔人) in Chinese folk stories. His picture, a fierce-looking male brandishing (挥舞) a magic sword, is hung up in Chinese houses to scare away evil spirits and demons, especially during Loong Boat Festival.

Besides, there are some customs popular in certain areas, including egg balancing competitions, wearing five-color silk thread, drinking xionghuangjiu, eating eggs boiled with tea, etc.

1.Why did people row boats on the Milo River?

A To show respect to Qu Yuan.

B To try to get Qu Yuan out of water.

C To copy the shape of loong.

D To show their love for the country.

解析：选B。B推理判断题。根据第二段最后一句“The races were inspired by villager’s brave attempts to save Qu Yuan from the Milo River.”可知，这些比赛的灵感来自于村民们从汨罗江中救出屈原的勇敢尝试，即人们最初在汨罗江划船是为了救起屈原。故选B。

2.What’s the tradition of zongzi?

A Getting them from supermarkets.

B Filling them with fresh meat.

C Making zongzi by hand at home.

D Filling them with sweet beans.

解析：选C。C细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句“However, some families still maintain the tradition of making zongzi on the festive day.”可知，在过端午节期间，一些家庭仍然保留着自己在家里包粽子的传统。故选C。

3.What’s the scientific reason to hang calamus leaves?

A Attracting children.

B Scaring evil spirits.

C Curing diseases.

D Avoiding pests.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第四段中的“From a scientific point of view...both the leaves give off a special smell, which can clean the air and drive out pests”可知，从科学的角度来看，挂艾草和菖蒲是因为它们会散发出特殊的气味，这些气味可以驱赶害虫，从而帮助人们远离疾病。故选D。

4.Which of the following is NOT used to drive out evil spirits?

A Calamus leaves.

B Scented sachets.

C Picture of Zhong Kui.

D Eggs boiled with tea.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据最后四段可知，挂艾草和菖蒲、佩戴香包、贴钟馗像都是可以辟邪的，并不包含吃茶叶蛋。故选D。