节日餐桌：传统节日之专属美食
Chinese people prefer to combine food with festivals and important occasions. Different occasions are associated with different cuisines.
Jiaozi (Chinese Dumplings)
The dumpling which is important in Northern China households during the holidays, is the representative of traditional Chinese food. It is shaped like gold or silver ingots (锭), the ancient Chinese currency (货币). On the New Year’s Eve, all family members gather to eat together. People may hide a coin in a dumpling when they make it, and the person who finds the coin will likely make a fortune in the coming New Year.
Nian Gao (New Year Cake)
Nian gao is an important food in Chinese New Year for the meaning of thriving in the New Year. It is a kind of Chinese cake, made with sticky rice flour and brown sugar. It is Southerners’ favorite New Year food. The shape is round. In Chinese, “gao” has the same pronunciation as the word meaning “high”, and “Nian” means year. So “nian gao” is a symbol of gaining improvement in life year by year. What’s more, the round shape means the family reunion.
Zongzi
Zongzi is a traditional food for the Dragon Boat Festival. Generally speaking, zongzi is made from sticky rice with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves. Different regions of China have their own flavors of zongzi. Making zongzi can be challenging. People make the bamboo or reed leaves into a funnel (漏斗) shape and place the rice inside, and then use string or thread to fasten it.
Tangyuan
Tangyuan is a typical food during Chinese Lantern Festival. It’s a kind of dumplings in China. The fillings inside tangyuan are various. There is a slight difference between northern and southern China. The filling is usually salty in northern China, while it is sweet in southern China.
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1.1. What does the shape of jiaozi symbolize in Chinese culture?
A Family reunion.
B Longevity.
C Wealth.
D Health.
解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第二段“It is shaped like gold or silver ingots, the ancient Chinese currency.”可知，饺子的形状与中国古代的金锭、银锭形状类似，所以饺子也是财富的象征。故选C。
2.2. What is the main purpose of eating nian gao during the Chinese New Year?
A To wish for good health.
B To symbolize thriving in the New Year.
C To celebrate family reunions.
D To pray for a successful year.
解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第三段的“Nian gao is an important food in Chinese New Year for the meaning of thriving in the New Year.”可知，年糕是春节期间的重要食物，这种传统食物象征着繁荣。故选B。
3.3. Which word can describe the process of making zongzi?
A Tough.
B Funny.
C Simple.
D Costly.
解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据第四段的“Making zongzi can be challenging.”可知，制作粽子的过程比较复杂。故选A。
4.4. What is the main idea of the passage?
A Traditional Chinese festivals.
B How to make traditional Chinese food.
C The history of traditional Chinese food.
D Traditional Chinese food and its meanings in festivals.
解析：选D。主旨大意题。文章主要介绍了中国人在不同节日和重要场合喜欢搭配的不同美食及其寓意。故选D。