Cold Food Festival is a     1       (tradition) Chinese holiday celebrated before Qingming Festival, which usually falls on April 4 or 5.

Legend has     2     that Chong'er, a prince of Jin, experienced many hardships while he moved around the warring states. Once, when the prince suffered from     3     (starve), Jie Zitui, offered him food. Later, when Chong'er became the duke of Jin, he ordered a search for Jie who had gone into hiding in the remote mountains with his mother. The duke wanted Jie to serve     4     one of his ministers. Contrary to     5    many people might assume, Jie, who preferred living a simple life in the Mianshan Mountain to     6     (become) a politician, refused the duke's invitation. Chong'er ordered the mountain to be burned down to force Jie out of hiding.     7     (fortune), Jie did not give in and the fire ended up killing him and his mother. Feeling extremely sorry, Chong'er required that the setting of fire     8     (forbid) on the anniversary of Jie's death. This meant all food was eaten cold. Therefore the festival is thus named.

Mianshan Mountain,     9    the tragedy happened, is now a famous tourist destination in Shanxi province. In many areas of Shanxi, locals still remember this tradition.     10    cold food is not the only choice for people during the celebration, the practices of making typical cold dishes for the event have been preserved.

This weekend many families in America will celebrate Mother’s Day. The event dates back to   May 9, 1914,     1     America’s President Wilson   established the official     holiday. Some people had begun campaigning for the holiday a few years     2     (early).   Finally in 1914, the president made it official. He declared that each second Sunday in May     3     (dedicate) to thanking the nation’s mothers. He also ordered all government     buildings     4     (display) the national flag on that day. According to President Wilson, this was done “as a public expression of …love …for the mothers of our country.”

Before long, people in other   countries     5     (begin) asking for a similar   holiday to celebrate their mothers. Mexico celebrated its first official Mother’s Day on May 10, 1922. May 10th became their annual holiday because the country preferred a fixed date to     6     that changed.

Other countries are happy to share the day with the United States. Some on the list include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Japan and Turkey.

Oddly enough, the U.S. Congress rejected a Mother’s Day resolution at first. Today, though, Mother’s Day is a highly popular holiday. It’s also very successful commercially. Along with giving cards,   candy   and flowers,     7     (take) moms out for brunch is a very popular gesture. America’s National Restaurant Association says Mother’s Day is the year’s most popular day for eating out.

But why do we honor our mothers? Many moms lovingly dedicate their lives to their children. Moms sacrifice time, sleep and often their own dreams. Moms try to provide a strong foundation     8     children   can   build   their   lives. With     9     (love)   care,   mothers guide their children toward adulthood.

When we consider everything our mothers have done for us, how can we not honor them? There’s no need to wait for a national holiday, though. Every day is a great opportunity to tell our mothers     10     they mean to us.

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；

3.开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。

I’m writing to tell you something about it Chinese Character Writing Day in our city. __________________

You are welcome to join US.

Yours,

Li Hua