1 . China is a country with many colorful days and festivals. The Dragon Head Raising Day (Longtaitou) is one of them. This special day is on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar (阴历). It stands for the start of spring and farming. This year, the day falls on March 4th.

The dragon is important in Chinese culture. We Chinese people call ourselves the “descendants (传人) of the dragon”. Therefore, people celebrate the Dragon Head Raising Day with many customs about dragons.

On the day in ancient times, people put ashes (灰) in the kitchen. This was to “lead the dragon into the house”. People believed that with the help of the dragon, they could have a good harvest in autumn.

Also, people eat special foods on that day. The foods are usually named after dragons. For example, people eat “dragon whisker (细须)” noodles and dumplings called “dragon teeth”.

Today, many customs have faded away. But one that has remained is the cutting of hair. It was said that a haircut during the first lunar month may bring bad luck to the mother’s brothers. So many people have their hair cut on the Dragon Head Raising Day.

1. Why is the dragon deeply rooted (扎根) in Chinese culture?

A．Chinese people think the dragon is a symbol of power.

B．Chinese people see the dragon as a symbol of good luck.

C．Chinese people think the dragon stands for the start of spring and farming..

D．Chinese people consider themselves the descendants of the dragon.

2. The underlined word in the last paragraph means ________.

A．disappear gradually	B．become stronger
C．run away	D．die off

3. On the day in ancient times, why did people put ashes in the kitchen?

A．Because the dragon liked the ashes.

B．Because the ashes led the dragon into the house.

C．Because the ashes brought a good harvest.

D．Because the ashes could bring good luck.

4. Which custom has been kept according to the passage?

A．Putting ashes in the kitchen.	B．Eating dragon whisker noodles and dumplings.
C．Cutting hair.	D．Eating special foods.