What year were you born in? Are you a dragon? That is to say, were you born in the Year of the Dragon?

As we know, the Year of the Dragon has arrived with us for a while, and everyone is excited about talking about dragons. Many of them have noticed that more and more people are using the word “loong” instead of “dragon” in their daily life. Actually, the loongs in Chinese culture, believe it or not, are far different from the dragons in Western culture.

First, let’s talk about their origins (起源). Loongs are connected to stars and rain. They are believed to have to do with the power of emperors in the past. Dragons, however, are related to floods and dangerous waters underground.

Second, let’s dig into their stories. Loongs are like messengers between the sky and the earth. They help out the rulers, who become kings because of them. Dragons, though, are troublemakers. They fight with the rulers and can even beat them! But as time passes, dragons lose their shine and heroes start killing them.

Third, let’s look at what they mean. Since loongs represent (代表) power, they are seen as a symbol of the emperor and an important part of ceremonies and traditions. Dragons, though, are bad news. They are a symbol of evil (恶), and beating the dragons is seen as a victory over evil.

Lastly, let’s check out how they look. Loongs are like a mix of animals, with heads like camels and necks like snakes. They don’t need wings to fly because they are already skilled at it. Dragons are more like snakes, living underground and causing problems. They don’t have wings either, but people add those to make them look more impressive.

1.Why does the writer start the passage by asking questions?

A To make a report.

B To do a survey.

C To introduce a normal year.

D To catch readers’ interests.

解析：选D。D. 推理判断题，通过提问的方式是为了吸引读者的目光，激发读者的兴趣。A选项做报道，B选项做调查，C选项介绍一个自然年 D选项吸引读者的兴趣。所以选D。

2.What are loongs connected with according to the passage?

A Stars and the moon.

B The power of emperors.

C Troublemakers and evil.

D Dangerous waters underground.

解析：选B。B. 细节理解题，根据第三段第二句“Loongs are connected to stars and rain. They are believed to have to do with the power of emperors in the past.”可知，龙连接着星星和雨，它们被认为跟过去的君主的权利相关联。

3.What does the underlined word “them” in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A Rulers.

B Snakes.

C Heroes.

D Loongs.

解析：选A。A. 词义代替词，由“They fight with the rulers and can even beat them!”这句话可知，所以them代表的是规则，它们可以对抗规则甚至打败它们！因此选A选项。

4.What can we learn from the passage?

A Loongs have wings.

B Dragons are good news.

C Loongs are used in ceremonies.

D Dragons’ heads are like camels.

解析：选C。C. 细节理解题，A选项最后一段“They don’t need wings to fly because they are already skilled at it. ”可知Loongs没有wings；B选项，“ Dragons, though, are bad news.”可知龙是代表坏消息；C选项正确 D选项，“Dragons are more like snakes”而不是像骆驼。

5.What’s the main idea of the passage?

A The origins of dragons and loongs

B The meanings of dragons and loongs.

C The stories between dragons and loongs.

D The differences between dragons and loongs.

解析：选D。D.主旨大意题，全文讲的都是dragon和loongs的区别，A选项dragon和Loong的来源，B选项dragon和Loong的含义，C选项dragon和Loong之间的故事。ABC选项只涉及到了文章的一部分，因此选D选项。