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The Chinese solar calendar has 24 solar terms, and Summer Solstice or xiazhi, is the 10th one. On this day, the northern hemisphere gets the most sunlight. But the really hot days come 20-30 days later.

Long ago, people made the 24 solar terms to help with farming. Even today, these terms still guide our lives. For example, we eat special foods and follow healthy living tips. Here are some cool things about Summer Solstice.

First, it’s the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. In Mohe, Heilongjiang, the day lasts nearly 17 hours. It’s also a great time to see the aurora (极光) there.

In ancient China, Summer Solstice was a big festival. Before the Qing Dynasty, people had a day off. Song Dynasty records show officials could rest for three days. Women gave fans and sachets to each other to stay cool and drive away mosquitoes.

In Mojiang, Yunnan, there’s an amazing sight. The sun shines directly overhead, and we can see “an upright pole with no shadows”. The Hani people celebrate this with sacrifices (祭品).

Many Chinese people, like those in Shandong and Beijing, eat noodles on this day. In Shaoxing, Zhejiang, they hold dragon boat races on Summer Solstice, not on Dragon Boat Festival.

There’s also an interesting idiom story. A man named Du Xuan thought there was a snake in his cup at a Summer Solstice banquet. Later he found it was just a bow’s shadow. The idiom “杯弓蛇影” now means being too suspicious.

1.1. When do the hottest days usually come in the northern hemisphere?

A On Summer Solstice.

B 10 days after Summer Solstice.

C 20 - 30 days after Summer Solstice.

D 40 days after Summer Solstice.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第一段的“But the really hot days come 20 - 30 days later.”可知，北半球最热的天通常在夏至后20到30天到来。故选C。

2.2. What makes the Summer Solstice special in Mohe?

A Shortest night.

B Heaviest rain.

C Earliest sunrise.

D Strongest wind.

解析：选A。A 推理判断题。从第三段的“First, it’s the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. In Mohe, Heilongjiang, the day lasts nearly 17 hours.”可推理出，在漠河夏至日白天长，那么夜晚相对久最短。故选A。

3.3. Who could rest for three days on Summer Solstice in the Song Dynasty?

A Teachers.

B Farmers.

C Women.

D Officials.

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。依据第四段的“Song Dynasty records show officials could rest for three days.” 可知，在宋代官员在夏至节可以休息三天。故选D。

4.4. Where do people hold dragon boat races on Summer Solstice?

A In Yunnan.

B In Shandong.

C In Beijing.

D In Zhejiang.

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。依据倒数第二段的“In Shaoxing, Zhejiang, they hold dragon boat races on Summer Solstice”可知，浙江绍兴在夏至举行龙舟赛。故选D。

5.5. What caused Du Xuan’s fear at the banquet?

A A real snake.

B A bow’s shadow.

C A strange sound.

D A sudden smell.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据最后一段的“A man named Du Xuan thought there was a snake in his cup at a Summer Solstice banquet. Later he found it was just a bow’s shadow.”可知，是弓的影子让杜宣以为杯子里有蛇。故选B。