【推荐1】Lixia, the Beginning of Summer

Lixia, also called the Beginning of Summer, is the 7th out of the 24 solar terms in China, which happens usually on May 5, 6 or 7.    1     People used to regard the day as the start of significant increase of temperature and thunderstorms. This day also marks the beginning of the peak season for the growth of plants. Lixia is not an official day that is celebrated by the public. It is just a sign to show the coming of hot summer so as to let people pay attention to keep away from hot weather.

Lixia egg is one of the typical foods. People use black tea leaves or walnut shells to boil eggs till they turn dark red.     2    , therefore, eating red eggs on this day symbolizes a kind of protection of heart and also provides people with enough strength to survive the coming hot summer days. Children usually hang nettings over their neck and put eggs in the netting. Playing with eggs can help children stay away from summer fever.     3    , which was very popular in the old days. People use red, yellow, black, green beans and peas, together with sticky rice to make a bowl of five-color rice. This color-rich rice will bring people good harvests in the summer.

Weighing people is traditional custom which dates from the Three Kingdoms Period.     4    , if the child was heavier than the previous year, it meant the child was becoming healthier and parents wouldn't have any worries for the hot summer.

After Lixia, the temperature is gradually rising and hot weather can be strain on your heart. As a result, people may easily feel tired during summer days. Having good rests becomes very important. Do not take up violent sports but do some slow activities.     5    . Besides, eating more fruits and vegetables and less hot and dry food can help tonify（滋补）your liver and kidneys.

A．People used to weigh their children on this day.

B．Also, having a nap at noon time can help maintain your vigor（活力）

C．People like to weigh themselves at least once a week.

D．It is said that the shape of an egg looks like a heart.

E．The heart pumps blood round the body.

F．As the name suggests, it means spring is over and the summer begins.

G．Another traditional food is Lixia rice.

【推荐2】Summer has finally arrived, which means kids are bound for the outdoors. It can be exciting for kids and parents to have a great opportunity to go swimming, picnicking or on adventures. This time of year is also a dangerous time of year as almost half of all injury-related deaths in children occur between May and August. Whether it be in the pool, on bike, out in the sun or in the backyard is always important. Here are some tips to keep the family safe over the summer.

Water Safety

At this time of year, drowning deaths among children skyrocket（飞涨） compared to the rest of the year. Never leave your child alone in the water, even in shallow water. A child can drown in as little as one inch of water. Enroll your children in swimming lessons. Some swim schools offer class for children as young as 6 months.

Sun Safety

We are fortunate enough to live in the Sunshine State, where sun shines year-round. But with all the time you and the kids will be spending outdoors this summer, it’s important to protect yourself. Make sure to use a widely-used sunscreen(防晒霜) that blocks both UVA and UVB sunlight. Cotton clothing has an estimated SPF of only 6, so even if your kids are going out wearing T-shirts and shorts, make sure they are covered up.

Bike Safety

Nothing says summer like a nice neighborhood bike ride. But bikes are not toys and can certainly cause injury. Don’t forget to always wear a helmet. Head injuries are reduced by 85 Percent when riders wear a helmet and other safety equipment like knee and wrist pads. It’s estimated that 75 percent of bicycle-related deaths could have been prevented with bicycle helmets. When riding on the street, make sure kids understand all riding hand signals, ride with the traffic flow and stay as far right as possible.

1. Summer is called a dangerous time because children             .

A．are easily injured

B．enjoy staying in the sun

C．want to learn swimming

D．refuse to accept advice

2. What can be learned from the passage?

A．Kids only need to wear T-shirts and shorts.

B．Bikes, like toys, seldom lead to injury.

C．Some swim schools offer children class for free.

D．Deaths from drowning increase suddenly in summer.

【推荐3】When the leaves begin to change their colors and the birds head south, we know the season is starting to change. On September 7 comes White Dew (白露), the 15th solar term (节气) of the year. It indicates (标志着) the beginning of the cool autumn. As the temperature falls, white dew is often seen on the grass and trees at night.

For w riters and poets, autumn is a difficult season to describe. It ’s the end of the summer, and therefore a little sad. The days seem to get shorter, and when you wake in the morning, t here’s mist(薄雾) and it’s cooler. Winter is just around the corner.

American writer Ernest Hemingway wrote in his book A Moveable Feast (《流动的盛宴》), “You expected to be sad in the fall. Part of you died each year when the leaves fell from the trees and their branches (枝条) were bare (光秃秃的) against the wind and the cold, wintry light. ”

But on the other hand, autumn has its good side. There are so many changes at this time of year, such as the colorful leaves and cooler nights. French w riter Albert Camus even thought autumn was a second spring,   “when every leaf is a flower.” This view is also found in the most famous autumn poem in English literature, To Autumn by John Keats. In that poem, Keats says that autumn has its own songs, just like spring.

Another theme of this season is wisdom (智慧). The arrival of autumn is thought to be similar to a person becoming mature (成熟的).

The great Irish poet W.B. Yeats used this idea in his poem The Wild Swans at Coole (《库尔的野 天鹅》), writing about the changing seasons in Coole Park in the west of Ireland. Seeing and counting 59 swans, he remembers first making the count as a young man. Seeing the swans do the same thing for all those years, he’s reminded (提醒) that even though we get older, our hearts always stay the same age.

1. What can be concluded about White Dew ?

A．It is often ignored by w riters and poets.	B．It is the time of year with the most rainfall.
C．It is when the temperature begins to drop.	D．It indicates the end of the autumn.

2. A Moveable Feast was mentioned to ______.

A．point out that autumn is very cold	B．present the sad part of autumn
C．show that winter w ill soon come	D．express sadness about the end of life

3. What does “this idea” in the last paragraph refer to?

A．Autumn is an important season for man.	B．We can always stay young at heart.
C．Autumn is related to one’s grow ing old.	D．Nature is full of lessons to be learned.

4. What’s the article mainly about?

A．The solar term White Dew.	B．Why autumn is a sad season.
C．Autumn weather and activities.	D．Famous writers’ description of autumn.