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The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Start of Summer, the 7th solar term, usually begins on May 5, 6 or 7. The term Start of Summer originated at the end of the Warring States Period (475–221 BC). As it marked an important time for harvesting summer crops such as wheat and rapeseed (油菜籽), ancient Chinese emperors paid great attention to this day. In the Western Zhou Dynasty, the emperor led officials in a welcome ceremony where decorations, clothing, horses and flags were all arranged in red. This was done to show respect for the god of summer and pray for a good harvest.

The custom of weighing people on Start of Summer dates back to the Three Kingdoms Period (220–280) and is still practiced in parts of southern China today. After lunch, a stool or basket is hung from a beam (梁), and people take turns being weighed while someone records the weight and offers words of blessing. It is believed that being weighed brings good health in the hot summer, while those who are not weighed may suffer from illness.

In ancient China, a round egg was considered a symbol of a happy life, and eating eggs on Start of Summer was seen as a prayer for good health. People boiled eggs together with used tea leaves, creating the earliest “tea egg.” Later, spices were added to improve the taste, and tea eggs eventually became a traditional Chinese snack.

An old saying goes that hanging an egg on a child’s chest can protect them from summer diseases. Therefore, parents often put boiled eggs in knitted bags and hang them around their children’s necks. At school, children gather in pairs to compete by colliding their eggs. The child whose egg remains unbroken wins.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, Start of Summer is a key time to nourish the heart. As the weather gets hotter, dampness and heat can affect people’s health. Therefore, foods that are rich in vitamins and cool in nature are highly recommended. Top choices include vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, watercress and celery, as well as fruits such as watermelons, pears and strawberries.

1.1. What can we infer about Start of Summer from Paragraph 1?

A It fell on the same date.

B It was highly valued in ancient times.

C It mainly celebrated the color red.

D It began in the Western Zhou Dynasty.

解析：选B。B推理判断题。第一段提到立夏标志着收割小麦、油菜籽等重要作物的时节，古代帝王对此非常重视，西周时还举行隆重的迎夏仪式。由此可推断，立夏在古代备受重视。A颠倒是非；C以偏概全（红色只是仪式的一部分）；D张冠李戴（立夏起源于战国末期，西周是举行仪式的时期）。故选B。

2.2. What do the custom of weighing people and the custom of eating eggs have in common?

A They were created by doctors.

B They both require eggs.

C They are done for a good harvest.

D They are about wishing for health.

解析：选D。D推理判断题。称重习俗的目的是“brings good health in the hot summer”，吃蛋的习俗是“a prayer for good health”。因此，两种习俗的共同点都是为了祈求健康。A无中生有；B以偏概全（称重不需要鸡蛋）；C张冠李戴（祈求丰收是第一段迎夏仪式的目的）。故选D。

3.3. The word “colliding” in Paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to _____.

A hiding

B knocking

C painting

D cooking

解析：选B。B词义猜测题。根据第四段语境，孩子们聚在一起进行碰蛋游戏，谁的蛋不破谁就赢。“colliding”描述的是蛋与蛋相碰的动作，因此与“knocking”（碰撞）意思最接近。A（藏）、C（画）、D（煮）均不符合游戏情景。故选B。

4.4. What is Paragraph 5 mainly about?

A Summer exercise tips.

B Weather changes in summer.

C Dangers of hot weather.

D Eating advice for the season.

解析：选D。D段落大意题。第五段从中医角度说明立夏是养心的关键时期，推荐食用凉性且富含维生素的食物，并列举了蔬菜水果。全段核心是立夏时节的饮食建议。A无中生有；B以偏概全（天气变热只是背景）；C无中生有（未提及危险）。故选D。