Grain Rain, just as the name shows, is a key time for grains to grow. There is     1     old saying, “Rain brings up hundreds of grains,” which indicates the     2     (important) of this season.

In the northern part of China, the first heavy rain usually occurs during this time of year, which     3     (be) the best time for planting rice, corn, and the growth of cotton. It is also a good time for Chinese people     4     (eat) toona (香椿), a delicious seasonal plant,     5     new leaves are as soft as silk. Not only does it taste good, but it is also very good for health. It is very nutritious     6     can improve the immune system.     7     (fresh) made with Chinese tofu, toona is a traditional cold dish for people in the northern part of China.

Drinking tea is an old custom in the southern part of China. The mild temperatures and plentiful rainfall in the season make the spring tea leaves rich in a     8     (various) of vitamins and amino acids (氨基酸),     9     (give) the taste of spring tea a fresh and pleasant smell.

Along the northern coast of China, fishermen    10    (celebrate) the Grain Rain Festival for more than 2,000 years. On this day, fishermen in coastal areas pray for safety and a good harvest.

Minor Snow is the 20th of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese culture. It falls     1     November 22 this year. From this day onwards, temperatures will continue to drop.

During winter, strong fronts of cold air will sweep many parts of China,     2     (generate) a fall in rainfall and a higher chance of snowfall. The snow in this period is likely to be light and short.     3     will fall at night and melt away during the day. Chinese people usually observe it by eating     4     (vary) food with the arrival of Minor Snow. People often eat sticky rice cakes     5     are a symbol of family reunion and a good harvest due to their round shape. As the temperatures continue to drop, people tend to drink hot soup     6     (stay) warm in winter. Mutton and radish soup is one traditional winter favorite. Additionally, honey water, white radish water, and pear water are all     7     (incredible) good choices to prevent dryness and disease. After Minor Snow, the temperatures will sharply decline and the air     8     (become) drier. This is the best time to make     9     (preserve) pork and pickled vegetables. Whether food shortage occurs or not, these kinds of food are intended for     10     (celebration) of winter and Chinese New Year.

Tea drinking originated in China. Legend says that emperor Shennong discovered the leaves     1     could detoxify(解毒) the body. During the Song and Tang dynasties, this drink from the East began to have     2     (globe) significance. About 1,500 years ago, tea     3     (bring) to the Western through the Silk Road routes. Around 800 years ago, tea culture spread to Japan. Japanese monks drank tea while meditating. These gradually evolved into the Japanese tea ceremony. Just 400 years ago, a ship     4     (load) with tea left China for Europe. Since then, Chinese tea     5     (be) a familiar drink and a key import to Europe. The era of tea as     6    mass business began. During its world journey, Chinese tea has been mixed with varied local     7     (culture) and has taken on diverse forms and styles. Tea is now an important cultural heritage shared by people worldwide. And tea culture embraces the essence of China’s culture and is redefined based     8     customs of different regions. Today, when     9     (drink) tea, we are enjoying its elegant and poetic qualities, an Eastern aesthetic charm,    10     also the diverse cultural memories of the world. Now please join me for a refreshing cup of tea.