The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. White Dew is the 15th solar term of the year. White Dew indicates the real beginning of cool autumn. From then on, the temperature declines gradually.

Varying by geographical location, autumn comes earlier in the west and northeast of China. Right now Kanas in Xinjiang, Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan and the Greater Khingan Mountains in Northeastern China are entering the most beautiful season of the year. Here are several things you should know about White Dew.

For some people in Nanjing, whose hometowns are in Zhejiang province or the southern part of Jiangsu province, it is traditional to make White Dew Wine during this season. The wine is made of cereals, such as polished glutinous rice (糯米) and kaoliang and tastes a little sweet. In the past, country people in those regions all made the wine and served it to guests when entertaining.

Many regular tea drinkers in Nanjing favor White Dew Tea. Tea during White Dew has gone through the hot summer and is in its best state of growth. White Dew Tea is different from spring tea, which is usually too tender and doesn’t last long. It is also different from summer tea, which is dry and has a bitter flavor. White Dew Tea instead tastes sweet with a sweet fragrance.

People in Wenzhou, East China’s Zhejiang province, have a tradition of gathering 10 herbal medicines on the first day of White Dew. The names of these herbal medicines all contain the Chinese word “bai” which means white, such as baimujin. People believe that stewing (炖) these herbal medicines with black-bone chicken or duck can nourish the human body.

In Tancheng county, East China’s Shandong province, children play with swallow handcarts, a sharpened wooden cart in the shape of a swallow, on the first day of White Dew. People of every household there can make this kind of wooden toy, which can even make pleasing sounds. Pushing the swallow carts while running can help the children resist the cold and improve their bodily constitutions.

1.Which of the following is NOT true about White Dew according the first two paragraphs?

A It marks the real beginning of cool autumn.

B The temperature rises gradually after White Dew.

C Autumn comes earlier in the west and northeast of China.

D Kanas is entering its most beautiful seasons during White Dew.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据第一段中的“From then on, the temperature declines gradually.”可知，随着白露节气的到来，气温有迅速下降的明显特点。故选B。

2.What’s the tradition in Zhejiang during White Dew according to the text?

A Enjoying the autumn.

B Drinking tea.

C Making wine.

D Eating grapes.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第三段种的“For some people in Nanjing, whose hometowns are in Zhejiang province or the southern part of Jiangsu province, it is traditional to make White Dew Wine during this season.”可知，江苏或浙江南部，每年白露一到，人们就会酿白露米酒。故选C。

3.What does the underlined word “nourish” probably mean?

A Describe.

B Strengthen.

C Change.

D Affect.

解析：选B。B 词义猜测题。根据划线单词前文的“a tradition of gathering 10 herbal medicines”“People believe that stewing these herbal medicines with black-bone chicken or duck”浙江温州地区在白露那天有一个习俗：食白。这“白”是一种药膳：人们采集来“十样白”，煨一锅乌鸡汤汤或者鸭汤。由此可推知，人们认为这样可以滋补身体。故选B。

4.What good is it for children to play with swallow carts during White Dew?

A Building up their bodies.

B Pleasing their parents.

C Making more friends.

D Attracting people’s attention.

解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据最后一段内容可知，燕车是一种木质玩具，几乎每家每户都有，孩子们在推着燕车跑步时，燕车还能发出好听的响声。结合最后一句“Pushing the swallow carts while running can help the children resist the cold and improve their bodily constitutions.”孩子们推着燕车跑步御寒，可增强体质。故选A。