Are you ready to graduate to see what Chinese people actually eat? This hot and spicy soup is the perfect thing to warm you up on those cold winter days!

    Malatang is a common type of Chinese street food that can be found all over China. It originated in Sichuan Province. Malatang is named after its key ingredient, mala sauce, which is flavored with a combination of Sichuan pepper (which represents the “ma” or the numbing flavor) and dried chili pepper (which represents the “la” or the spicy sauce) . The word málà is composed of the Chinese characters for “numbing” (麻) and “spicy” (辣), referring to the feeling in the mouth after eating the sauce.

    Malatang is said to originate from the Yangtze River near Sichuan. In ancient times, boating was a big industry and many people made a living by pulling boats. Working under the damp (湿气重的) and foggy weather made boat trackers feel very sick. And when they were hungry, they cooked herbs in a pot and put Sichuan pepper and ginger into the soup to get rid of dampness. Malatang was created, then vendors discovered the business opportunity, and spread it throughout China. And now it is becoming an international food.

    Unlike hot pot, which is made to order and shared only by diners at a private table, malatang originates from street food cooked in a communal pot. Diners can quickly pick their raw vegetables and noodles and meats, and either eat on the spot or take away. In addition to largely being considered a street food in China, there have been many excellent chain restaurants that have sprung up in the last 10 years and these restaurants offer a great variety of sauces and ingredients.

    Do you like malatang? Travel to China and taste the delicious food.

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1.1. What can we know from the second paragraph?

A Why malatang is popular.

B How malatang got its name.

C The best place to eat malatang.

D The best time to eat malatang.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第二段的“Malatang is named after its key ingredient, mala sauce”可知，麻辣烫之名源自锅底的主要成分。故选B。

2.2. Why did boat trackers add Sichuan pepper and ginger to their soup?

A To make it more delicious.

B To create a new type of cuisine.

C To remove dampness and sickness.

D To attract more customers.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第三段的“Working under the damp (湿气重的) and foggy weather made boat trackers feel very sick. And when they were hungry, they cooked herbs in a pot and put Sichuan pepper and ginger into the soup to get rid of dampness.”可知，在潮湿多雾的天气下工作使船工们感到很不舒服。饿的时候，他们就在锅里煮草药，在汤里放花椒和姜，以驱除湿气。故选C。

3.3. Which of the following statements about Malatang is TRUE?

A Diners can choose to eat it on the spot or take it away.

B It is only shared by diners at a private table.

C It has become an international food only recently.

D It is cooked with a variety of herbs but no meat.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据第四段的“Diners can quickly pick their raw vegetables and noodles and meats, and either eat on the spot or take away.”可知，吃麻辣烫的食客们可以选择在店里吃或打包带走。故选A。

4.4. Who is this article mostly intended for?

A The parents whose children love Chinese culture.

B Chinese students who will graduate from university.

C Foreign students planning their trips to China.

D The officials who work in the government.

解析：选C。推理判断题。根据文章开头“Are you ready to graduate to see what Chinese people actually eat?”你准备好毕业去看看中国人真正吃的是什么了吗？以及文章最后一句“Travel to China and taste the delicious food.”去中国旅行，品尝这道美味的食物，可推断本文是向外国人介绍麻辣烫这道中国美食。结合选项，只有C项的“计划来中国旅游的外国学生”符合题意。故选C。