The traditional Chinese solar (太阳的) calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Major Heat, Dashu in Chinese, is the 12th solar term of the year.
During Major Heat, the sunshine, high temperatures, and heavy rainfall are good for crops. But many natural disasters such as floods and droughts also happen during Major Heat. Therefore, it’s important to collect and plant crops in time to avoid loss.
Sending the Major Heat ship is a tradition in Taizhou, Zhejiang province. The ship is filled with various animals for sacrifice (祭祀) such as pigs, sheep, chicken, and fish. More than 50 fishermen take turns carrying the ship as they walk through the streets. Drums are played and fireworks are lit. Both sides of the street are filled with people. After a series of ceremonies, the ship is finally carried to the port. Then, it is pulled out of the port and burned at sea. People carry out this to hope for good harvests and health.
Major Heat is a season with the largest number of crickets (蟋蟀) that can be found in the fields along the countryside. Cricket fighting is very popular for some people in China during this period. This custom dates back more than 1,000 years to the Tang Dynasty.
On the day of Major Heat, people in Putian, Fujian province often eat litchi. People usually put litchi in cold well water first and eat it. In southern Shandong province, it is a custom to drink mutton (羊肉) soup during Major Heat. It’s called “summer mutton soup.” Grass jelly, Xiancaodong in Chinese, is eaten in Guangdong during Major Heat. It is described in a popular saying that goes, “eating herb jelly in Major Heat will make you stay young like the immortals (神仙).”
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1.During Major Heat, _________.
A the rain increases
B there are fewer sunny days
C the weather becomes drier
D the temperature becomes lower
解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据第二段中的“the sunshine, high temperatures, and heavy rainfall”可知，大暑期间，阳光充足、气温高、雨量大。故选A。
2.Major Heat is important for _________.
A sick people
B farmers
C gardeners
D fishermen
解析：选B。B 推理判断题。根据第二段内容尤其是“it’s important to collect and plant crops in time to avoid loss.”可知，大暑期间及时收割和播种农作物非常重要。即大暑对农民非常重要。故选B。
3.What does the underlined word “this” refer to?
A The ship.
B The custom.
C The walking.
D The burning.
解析：选B。B 词意指代题。根据第三段内容可知，该段主要讲的是浙江台州送大暑船的习俗，这一习俗的举行是为了祈祷丰收和健康。故选B。
4.In which province will people drink mutton soup during Major Heat?
A Fujian.
B Guangxi.
C Guangdong.
D Shandong.
解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第五段的“In southern Shandong province, it is a custom to drink mutton soup during Major Heat.”可知，在山东南部，大暑期间有喝羊肉汤的习俗。故选D。
5.Where does the passage probably come from?
A A newspaper.
B A history movie.
C A culture magazine.
D A story book.
解析：选C。C推理判断题。根据全文内容可知，文章主要描述了中国传统24节气之大暑期间的相关习俗，属于中国的传统文化。故选C。
