The Chinese calendar has 24 solar terms. Start of Summer is the seventh term. It begins around May 5. This term marks the start of warm weather. In northern China, the weather stays comfortable, not too hot.
Start of Summer has a history of over 2,000 years. It began in the Warring States Period. Ancient kings cared about this term because it was time to harvest crops like wheat. During the Zhou Dynasty, emperors held special ceremonies. They wore red clothes and used red flags. This showed respect to summer gods. Farmers worked hard in their fields.
A fun tradition comes from the Three Kingdoms Period. People in South China still practice it today. After lunch on Start of Summer Day, families hang a scale from the roof. Everyone gets weighed. The person who checks the weight says nice wishes. People believe this brings health. Those who don’t weigh might get sick in summer.
Eggs are important during Start of Summer. Long ago, people thought eggs meant happiness and health. They boiled eggs with tea leaves. This made the first “tea eggs”. Now people add spices (香料) to make them tasty. Tea eggs are a popular snack today.
Parents put boiled eggs in pretty bags. They hang them around children’s necks. An old saying says this stops summer sickness. At school, kids play egg games. They knock eggs together. The child with the unbroken egg wins!
Chinese doctors say Start of Summer is good for heart health. Hot weather can make people feel sick. Doctors suggest eating food rich in vitamins and cool in nature. Try cucumbers, and tomatoes instead of longan. Fruits like pears and strawberries are also great.
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1.1. Why did ancient kings care about the Start of Summer?
A To welcome new year.
B To harvest crops.
C To fight in wars.
D To travel around.
解析：选B。B 推理判断题。根据第二段的“it was time to harvest crops like wheat”可推知，古代帝王重视立夏是因为这时是收割小麦等作物的节气。故选B。
2.2. What does the word “scale” mean in the third paragraph?
A A musical instrument.
B A type of fish.
C A tool for weighing.
D A map legend.
解析：选C。C 词义猜测题。根据第三段中的“families hang a scale from the roof”和“Everyone gets weighed”可知scale指 “称重工具”。故选C。
3.3. What can we infer about tea eggs?
A Their taste has changed over time.
B They were first made with spices.
C They are only eaten during Start of Summer.
D People don’t like tea eggs now.
解析：选A。A 推理判断题。根据第四段内容可知，以前人们用茶叶煮鸡蛋做出最早的茶叶蛋，现在人们会加香料让它们更美味。由此可推断，茶叶蛋的味道随着时间发生了变化。故选A。
4.4. What is the main purpose of hanging eggs around children’s necks?
A To play games.
B To prevent sickness.
C To cook snacks.
D To decorate houses.
解析：选B。B 推理判断题。根据第五段中的“They hang them around children’s necks. An old saying says this stops summer sickness.”可知，在儿童的脖子上挂蛋的目的是“预防夏季疾病”。故选B。
5.5. Which food is NOT recommended during Start of Summer?
A Pears.
B Cucumbers.
C Strawberries.
D Longan.
解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“Try cucumbers, and tomatoes instead of longan. Fruits like pears and strawberries are also great.”可知，中医推荐清凉食物如黄瓜、番茄、梨和草莓等，不要吃龙眼（龙眼是热性食物）。故选D。
