Zhuazhou is a special tradition in China that takes place on a child’s first birthday. Parents place different things in front of their child to choose from. The picked thing is said to give predictions about their future interests and talents. This custom started a long time ago, during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279).

Zhuazhou does not mean big parties or exorbitant gifts: the hosts do not even send out invitations. Instead, relatives just come over naturally to celebrate. They usually bring simple gifts like toys or a little bit of food, not expensive things like gold or silver.

The Zhuazhou ceremony usually takes place before lunchtime. People put a table on the bed and things like a book, a Chinese brush pen, an abacus (算盘), coins, a cake and toys are placed on the table. If the baby is a girl, the following things might be added: a scoop, a cooker, scissors and a ruler. They stood for skills like cooking and sewing back then.

What children pick can be really exciting! For example, picking a book or pen might mean they will be smart and love studying, while choosing an abacus could mean they’ll be good with numbers. Picking up a toy or a piece of cake suggests they’ll know how to enjoy life.

Even though some parents don’t really believe this will tell the future, they still enjoy the tradition because it’s a fun way to guess what their child might grow up to be like. It’s also a way for everyone in the family to show their love and hopes for the child’s future. That’s why Zhuazhou has been a popular tradition for many generations and is still celebrated today.

1.Zhuazhou _________.

A is popular around the world

B usually comes with parties

C takes place on birthdays

D has a long history

解析：选D。D推理判断题。根据第一段最后一句“This custom started a long time ago, during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279).”可知抓周的历史悠久。故选D。

2.What does the underlined word “exorbitant” mean?

A Expensive.

B Handmade.

C Complex.

D Boring.

解析：选A。A词义猜测题。根据第二段划线部分后文“not expensive things like gold or silver”可知，礼物通常并不贵重。故选A。

3.Which of the following things is specially prepared for girls?

A A book.

B A pen.

C A cake.

D A cooker.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第三段中的“If the baby is a girl, the following things might be added: a scoop, a cooker, scissors and a ruler.”可知，如果抓周的是女孩，则可能会增加勺子、炊具、剪刀和尺子。故选D。

4.Picking up food means __________.

A being good at cooking

B feeling good about life

C being smart but lazy

D loving going shopping

解析：选B。B推理判断题。根据倒数第二段中的“Picking up a toy or a piece of cake suggests they’ll know how to enjoy life.”可知，选择玩具或者一块蛋糕（食物）代表知道如何享受生活。故选B。

5.What’s the writer’s attitude to Zhuazhou?

A Positive.

B Worried.

C Negative.

D Angry.

解析：选A。A推理判断题。根据最后一段中的“it’s a fun way”“a popular tradition”“is still celebrated today”等正面用词可知，作者对抓周这个传统持积极的态度。故选A。