1 . The Qingming Festival is celebrated with a three-day national holiday, whose name originates from the saying “Plants start to revive and prosper at Qingming in a clean and bright way. Thus, the festival is called Qingming,” which means clean and bright.     1    . Tomb sweeping aims to commemorate family ancestors while going on a spring outing allows everyone the chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery and enjoy the season.

Traditional customs

Tomb sweeping.     2     on this day, the whole family gathers in front of their ancestral tombs. They offer fruit and wine to their ancestors and clean the weeds from around the tomb. Finally, they kowtow and pray, hoping for their ancestors' blessing for the rest of the year.

Spring outing. The time around the Qingming Festival is one of the most suitable seasons fora spring outing, as plants are thriving and flowers are blooming. People can have a great time outdoors with their friends and family.     3    

Traditional food

Qingtuan, a green rice ball tiny enough to fit into your hand, is also called Qingmingguo or Aiguo.     4     It is a mixture of sticky rice powder and green vegetable juice. stuffed with sweetened bean paste, Qingtuan tastes sweet with the fresh fragrance of Aicao, a green spring vegetable, In celebration of Qingming, people from Shaanxi make steamed buns, known as Huamo, made into different shapes.     5     Some are for peaceful family life while others represent the wish for health.

A．With each different look comes a good blessing.

B．The tradition of tomb sweeping originates from the Qin Dynasty.

C．The two main activities over the festival include tomb sweeping and going on a spring outing.

D．Family members gather together to celebrate and taste the food.

E．Playing football and flying kites are popular activities.

F．Many traditional customs are practiced to show respect for our ancestors.

G．It is popular in the southern regions of the Yangtze River.

2 . 假定你是李华，你的留学生朋友Jack要寒假回美国，打算为他的妈妈准备几件富有中国特色的礼 物，特来向你咨询。请你给他回复一封邮件，内容包括：
1. 建议礼物旗袍（cheongsam）和中国结（Chinese       knot）；
2. 说明礼物的意义；
3. 表达祝福。
注意：1. 词数100左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

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3 . The Lantern Festival is a traditional Chinese festival with great significance, which is on the 15^th of the first lunar month, marking the end of New Year celebrations. Here are several things you should know about the Lantern Festival.

♦ The Origins of Chinese lanterns

The origins of Chinese lanterns date back to the Stone Age. The coming of the Bronze Age saw the development of various kinds of lanterns, of which palace lanterns were the most fascinating.     1     Various lantern festivals became a hit during the Sui Dynasty, and during the Southern Song Dynasty, the custom of writing riddles on lantern arose. During the Qing Dynasty, magnificent exhibitions of lanterns were held in the capital city.

♦ Eating small dumpling balls

Just as the name implies, an important part of the Lantern Festival, or Yuan Xiao Festival, is to eat small dumpling balls made of sticky rice flour. We call these balls Yuan Xiao, or Tang Yuan.     2     The dumpling symbolizes family unity, completeness and happiness.

♦     3    

When it comes to the Lantern Festival, “Guessing lantern riddles” is an essential component. Lantern owners will write riddles on a piece of paper and post them on the lanterns in advance. If visitore can answer the riddles, they will get a little gift.

♦ Watching fireworks

At night, in addition to lighted lanterns, fireworks form a grand scene. Most families save some fireworks from the Spring Festival and set them off during the Lantern Festival.     4    

♦ Dragon dance

The dragon dance is often performed during the Chinese New Year period.     5     They are believed to bring good luck to people, therefore the longer the dragon in the dance, the more luck it will bring to the community.

A．Guessing lantern riddles

B．Chinese dragons are a symbol of China.

C．The ways of celebrating the Lantern Festival

D．Obviously, they get the name from the festival.

E．All the Chinese people like watching dragon dance.

F．Later, decorative lanterns came to be used in festivals.

G．Some local governments will even organize a fireworks display.