悌道：兄友弟恭 笃爱意诚
In traditional culture, the relationship between siblings (兄弟姐妹) is very important. An old saying compares siblings to a person’s “hands and feet”, implying they are indispensable parts of each other, and many other idioms attest to the importance of this relationship.
Kind elder brother and respectful younger brother
In Confucian teachings, the bond between brothers is very important. Just as children are supposed to be filial to their parents, younger brothers have to show respect to their elder brothers, which is known as “ti” (悌). In return, older brothers need to take care of and be nice to their younger siblings.
Burn the mugwort (艾蒿) and share the pain
Zhao Kuangyin, Emperor Taizu of the Song dynasty, was historically known as a good brother. According to the History of Song, when his younger brother Zhao Guangyi got sick, Emperor Taizu burned mugwort and put it on his brother’s acupoints (穴位). This was thought to be helpful but painful, so Emperor Taizu burned himself with mugwort to share his brother’s pain. Eventually, this saying came to describe deep affection between siblings.
Boiling beans with beanstalks
Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, sons of famous warlord Cao Cao, were both good at writing poems, but Cao Zhi had a better reputation. After their father died, the older brother Cao Pi inherited the throne of the State of Wei. Out of jealousy, he wanted to kill Cao Zhi. He told Cao Zhi to write a poem in seven steps or else he would be killed. Cao Zhi saw through his brother’s intentions, and produced a poem to express how heartbroken he was:
People burn the beanstalk to cook beans,
The beans in the pot cry out.
They are born of the same root,
Why should they hound each other to death?
This poem became very famous and it was summarized into a chengyu describing brothers harming one another.
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1.1. What does the underlined word “indispensable” probably mean?
A Unnecessary.
B Distinct.
C Embarrassing.
D Essential.
解析：选D。词义猜测题。根据划线单词前面的“An old saying compares siblings to a person’s ‘hands and feet’”可知，将兄弟姐妹比作手足，因此可推测“手足”一词是用来强调这种关系的重要性，他们是彼此非常重要的存在。故选D。
2.2. According to the first idiom, what was the expected behavior of younger brothers towards their elder brothers?
A They should be competitive.
B They should show respect and obedience.
C They should be distant and independent.
D They should be treated as equals.
解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第二段中的“younger brothers have to show respect to their elder brothers”可知，正如孩子应该孝顺父母一样，弟弟也必须对哥哥表现出兄弟般的尊重，能够顺从长上，这称作“悌”。故选B。
3.3. Why did Emperor Taizu burn himself with mugwort?
A To test the effectiveness of the treatment.
B To gain sympathy from his brother.
C To show his deep affection for his brother.
D To punish himself for his brother’s illness.
解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第三段中的“so Emperor Taizu burned himself with mugwort to share his brother’s pain”可知，宋太祖赵匡胤看到弟弟“灼艾”痛苦的样子，十分心疼，就用艾蒿在自己身上灼烧，要与弟弟同甘共苦，希望以此分担弟弟的痛苦，这显示了他对弟弟的深厚感情。故选C。
4.4. What did Cao Zhi’s poem express?
A His happiness at inheriting the throne.
B His jealousy of his brother’s reputation.
C His sorrow and despair at being harmed by his brother.
D His hope for getting along with his family.
解析：选C。推理判断题。根据文章第三个成语可知，曹植是在曹丕的威胁下创作的诗，此诗用“同根而生的萁和豆”来比喻同父共母的兄弟，用“萁煎其豆”来比喻同胞骨肉的哥哥残害弟弟，诗中表达了曹植被兄弟伤害的伤心绝望之情。故选C。