奇速英语官网—英语在线学习平台_让学英语更快乐_更快速

The Chinese Lantern Festival, also known as Shangyuan Festival, is an important traditional festival in China. It happens on the 15th day of the first lunar month, two weeks after the Spring Festival, marking the return of Spring. It also marks the final day of the festival celebrations. After the Lantern Festival, Spring Festival taboos (禁忌) are no longer in effect, and all New Year decorations are taken down. Here’s how Chinese people celebrate the festival.

____#1____

The main activity of the Lantern Festival is lighting and appreciating lanterns. Lighting lanterns symbolizes “lighting up the future”. It’s a way for people to hope they have a smooth future and to express their best wishes for their families. The traditional lanterns are always red to hope for good fortune. During the Lantern Festival, many big lantern fairs are held in China.

____#2____

Solving lantern riddles, which began in the Song Dynasty, is also one of the most important and popular activities of the Lantern Festival. People who own lanterns write riddles on paper notes and stick them on the colorful lanterns. Crowds of people gather to guess the answers. If someone thinks they know the answer, they can go to the lantern owner to check if they are correct. If they are right, they usually get a small gift as a prize.

____#3____

Eating tangyuan is another important custom of the Lantern Festival. Tangyuan, also called yuanxiao in northern China, are balls made from glutinous (糯的) rice and boiled in sweet soup. As tangyuan sounds like “tuanyuan”, Chinese people think the round shape of tangyuan symbolizes togetherness.

____#4____

As two of the most famous traditional folk dances in China, dragon and lion dances are definitely common during the Lantern Festival. Chinese people see the lion as a symbol of bravery and strength and believe it can drive away bad luck and protect people and their livestock. They also worship the dragon and see it as a sign of good luck.

1.1.What can we know about the Chinese Lantern Festival from Para. 1?

A It falls on different days every year in the lunar calendar.

B It means the real beginning of the summer season.

C It marks the end of the Spring Festival period.

D It is a symbol of people missing the past.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第一段内容可知，元宵节在每年农历正月十五这天；它标志着春季的复苏；元宵节也意味着春节的庆祝活动全部结束；并未提及元宵是人们怀念过去的象征。故选C。

2.2. Why are traditional lanterns usually red?

A Because red is the most popular color in China.

B Because red lanterns look more beautiful.

C Because people believe red brings good luck.

D Because red symbolizes fire and warmth.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第二段的“The traditional lanterns are always red to hope for good fortune.”可知，传统灯笼通常是红色的，因为人们认为红色能带来好运。故选C。

3.3. What is the significance of eating tangyuan during the Lantern Festival?

A They are believed to bring good luck.

B They represent the first full moon of the lunar year.

C They are a traditional gift for the festival.

D Their shape represents wholeness and togetherness.

解析：选D。细节理解题。根据第四段的“As tangyuan sounds like ‘tuanyuan’, Chinese people think the round shape of tangyuan symbolizes togetherness. ”可知，圆圆的汤圆寓意着家人团圆。故选D。

4.4. Which is the right order for #1, #2, #3 and #4? ①Watching Dragon Dances and Lion Dances ②Guessing Lantern Riddles ③Lighting and Watching Lanterns ④Eating Tangyuan (Yuanxiao)

A ①②④③

B ③②④①

C ①②③④

D ④②①③

解析：选B。主旨大意题。根据文章内容可知，第二段主要讲了点灯笼赏灯笼，第三段主要讲了猜灯谜，第四段主要讲了吃汤圆，最后一段讲了观看舞狮舞龙。故选B。