霜降里的餐桌与秋色
Frost’s Descent, or Shuangjiang in Chinese, is the eighteenth of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms. As the last solar term of autumn, it usually begins around October 23 or 24. This year, it falls on October 23.
As the name suggests, it marks the end of autumn and the beginning of winter as temperatures drop sharply across China. During this time, the first frost makes its appearance in our country’s northern regions and the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures reaches its widest point of the year. As a folk saying goes, “Cold Dew isn’t truly cold, but Frost’s Descent brings a real change in the weather.”
People observe many customs during Frost’s Descent. They go outdoors to enjoy late autumn views and golden chrysanthemums. Eating persimmons is popular because people believe the fruit helps keep the cold away. In the countryside, there is even a fun belief that your lips will crack if you forget to eat persimmons during this time! Many families also have duck meat or mutton soup to fortify their bodies before winter comes. These foods are rich and warm, and they help people become stronger for the cold days ahead. Other foods are good choices, too. Pears can help clear heat and reduce coughs. Chestnuts are warm and sweet, and they are good for the stomach.
As winter draws near, all living things slow down and save their energy. Frost’s Descent teaches people to follow the order of nature — to rest, stay warm, and wait quietly for the new life that spring will bring.
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1.1.When does Frost’s Descent usually start?
A In late October.
B In early autumn.
C In cold winter.
D In late November.
解析：选A。A 细节理解题。原文第一段说霜降节气“usually begins around October 23 or 24”，十月的23日或24日属于十月下旬，因此A项“In late October”正确。B“初秋”不对，因为霜降是秋季最后一个节气；C“寒冬”不对，霜降只是标志冬天开始临近；D“十一月下旬”与原文时间不符。故选A。
2.2.What happens during Frost’s Descent in China?
A Days get much longer.
B Nights become much warmer.
C First frost hits north.
D Rain stops in north.
解析：选C。C 细节理解题。原文第二段明确提到“the first frost makes its appearance in our country’s northern regions”，即初霜出现在北方地区，因此C项“First frost hits north”正确。A“白天变长”文中未说；B“夜晚变暖”与原文“气温急剧下降、温差最大”相反；D“北方停止下雨”文中没有依据。故选C。
3.3.What does the fun belief mainly suggest?
A Persimmons are good for you.
B Autumn makes lips crack.
C Country people are funny.
D Fruit is cheap in autumn.
解析：选A。A 推理判断题。原文的“有趣的说法”是your lips will crack if you forget to eat persimmons during this time——不吃柿子嘴唇就会裂，可见当地人相信吃柿子对身体有好处，所以选A。B把“裂嘴唇”的原因说成秋天本身，可原文怪的是“忘了吃柿子”；C“乡下人很有趣”——文中只用了funny形容这个说法，没有评价乡下人；D“秋天水果便宜”全文没有提到价格。故选A。
4.4. What does the underlined word “fortify” mean?
A Cool down.
B Stretch out.
C Clean up.
D Build up.
解析：选D。D 词义猜测题。原文第三段说人们吃鸭肉或羊肉汤“to fortify their bodies before winter comes”，后文又说这些食物“help people become stronger”，可知fortify是“增强、强健”的意思，因此D项“Build up”正确。A“冷却”与吃温补食物相反；B“伸展”和C“清理”都不符合语境。故选D。
5.5. What does the writer want to tell us at the end of the text?
A To fight against nature.
B To follow natural rules.
C To grow plants in winter.
D To stay busy all season.
解析：选B。B 写作意图题。结尾段说霜降教会人们“follow the order of nature — to rest, stay warm, and wait quietly for the new life that spring will bring”，即要遵循自然规律，休息、保暖、静待春天，因此B项“To follow natural rules”正确。A“与自然对抗”与原文相反；C“冬天种植物”文中未提，也不符合“休息、积蓄能量”；D“整个季节保持忙碌”与原文“slow down and save their energy”相反。故选B。