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Winter Solstice (冬至) is the 22nd solar term of the year. It usually begins between December 21 and 23. On the Winter Solstice, the Northern Hemisphere (半球) experiences the shortest day and the longest night in the year, as the sun shines directly at the Tropic of Capricorn (南回归线). From then on, the days become longer and the nights become shorter. The Winter Solstice also marks the arrival of the coldest season in the year.

There was a saying in ancient China, “The Winter Solstice is as significant as the Spring Festival.” As early as the Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC-256 BC), people worshipped (敬奉) the gods on the Winter Solstice, which also was the first day of the new year. The Winter Solstice became a winter festival during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). The celebratory activities were officially organized. On this day, both officials and common people would have a rest. During the following dynasties, such as the Tang (618-907), Song (960-1279) and Qing dynasties (1644-1911), the Winter Solstice was a day to give offerings to Heaven and to ancestors.

During Winter Solstice, people eat differently in different parts of China. In North China, eating dumplings is extremely important to the festival. There is a saying that goes “Have dumplings on the Winter Solstice and noodles on the Summer Solstice.” In parts of southern China, such as Shanghai, people eat tangyuan (rice dumplings) to celebrate Winter Solstice. But no matter where you are in China, as the midwinter comes, eating some nuts, such as peanuts, walnuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts and almonds, is good for your body. According to traditional Chinese medical science, they help to keep your kidneys, the brain and heart healthy.

1.Which statement is TRUE about the Winter Solstice?

A It begins on the same day every year.

B Southern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day.

C Days begin to become shorter in the Northern Hemisphere.

D Northern Hemisphere experiences the longest night.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第一段内容可知，每年的冬至在12月21日至23日开始，并非每一年都在同一天开始；在冬至这天，北半球的白天最短，黑夜最长，并且从那天后开始，白天开始变长，夜晚开始变短。故选D。

2.People in __________ celebrated the Winter Solstice as the Spring Festival.

A the Zhou Dynasty

B the Tang Dynasty

C the Song Dynasty

D the Qing Dynasty

解析：选A。A细节理解题。根据第二段第二句“As early as the Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC-256 BC), people worshipped the gods on the Winter Solstice, which also was the first day of the new year.”可知，周朝的人在冬至这天会祭天并且把这天作为新年的第一天(即春节)。故选A。

3.What did people in the Han Dynasty do on the Winter Solstice?

A They worshipped the gods.

B They all had a day off.

C They gave offerings to Heaven.

D They honored their ancestors.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第二段“The Winter Solstice became a winter festival during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD)....On this day, both officials and common people would have a rest.”可知，在汉代的冬至那天，官员和老百姓都会休息一天。故选B。

4.What does the writer suggest everyone eat during the coldest season?

A Dumplings.

B Tangyuan.

C Nuts.

D Sweet food.

解析：选C。C细节理题解。根据最后一段倒数第二句的“But no matter where you are in China, as the midwinter comes, eating some nuts...is good for your body.”可知，作者建议大家都可以在最冷的季节吃适量坚果。故选C。

5.In which part of a newspaper can we find the passage?

A Food.

B Culture.

C History.

D Health.

解析：选B。B推理判断题。本文主要描述的是中国的二十四节气之冬至，属于传统文化方面的内容。故选B。