The traditional Chinese year has 24 solar terms. Major Snow is the 21st term. During this time, it snows more heavily and the snow remains on the ground. The weather gets much colder, and there are some special customs!

Winter Flowers

In some southern cities, winter flowers like plum blossoms bloom in mid or late December. Plum trees are hardy in cold winters. In Chinese culture, plum trees, pine trees, and bamboo are called the “Three Friends of Winter.”

Eating Lamb

People love to eat lamb during Major Snow. It keeps the body warm and is good for people’s health. In Chongqing, families and friends like to have lamb soup together. In Nanjing, people cook lamb with sweet potatoes or red dates to make it healthier.

Making Pork Sausages

In southern cities like Nanjing and Hangzhou, people make pork sausages for the Spring Festival. They use fresh pork and dry them in a cool and windy place. After about a week, the sausages are ready to eat. People boil or fry them first before eating.

Warm Porridge

Warm porridge warms up the body on cold days. On the first day of Major Snow, many people have red bean porridge. Before the lunar New Year, people eat “eight-treasure porridge.” There is also porridge with wheat, sesame seeds, or walnuts.

根据短文内容补全句子（每空限填一词）

1.1.Major Snow is the ________ solar term in the traditional Chinese year.

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解析：选21st。21st 细节理解题。根据文章第一句“Major Snow is the 21st term.”可知，大雪是第21个节气。

2.2.Plum trees, pine trees and bamboo are ________ as the “Three friends of Winter” in Chinese culture.

A

B

C

D

解析：选known。known 细节理解题。第二段明确指出，“In Chinese culture, plum trees, pine trees, and bamboo are called the ‘Three Friends of Winter.’”，在中国文化中，松、竹、梅被称为“岁寒三友”;be known as 表示“作为……而出名”，“... are called” 与 “are known as” 在此语境下同义，均表示“被称为”。

3.3.Eating lamb during Major Snow helps to keep the body ________.

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B

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D

解析：选warm。warm 细节理解题。第三段指出，人们在大雪节气吃羊肉是为了“It keeps the body warm”，即保暖。

4.4.People make pork sausages to ________ for the Spring Festival.

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B

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D

解析：选prepare。prepare 细节理解题。根据第四段说明的“In southern cities like Nanjing and Hangzhou, people make pork sausages for the Spring Festival.”可知，人们制作猪肉香肠为春节做准备；prepare for 表示“为……做准备”。

5.5.On the first day of Major Snow, many people enjoy red bean________ to warm up.

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解析：选porridge。porridge 细节理解题。最后一段提到“On the first day of Major Snow, many people have red bean porridge.”在大雪节气的第一天，很多人都会吃红豆粥。