1 . Minor Cold is the 23rd solar term of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms. For most areas of China, it marks the start of the coldest days of the year. Still, bitter cold can’t prevent people from enjoying their lives.     1    

Enjoy Mutton hot pot and baked sweet potato.

Mutton hot pot, and baked sweet potato are two recommended foods for Minor Cold.     2     It can help prevent cold from harming their organs. The yang energy in the three types of food is strengthened through their method of cooking: boiling, stir frying and baking.

Eat Laba porridge.

Another important traditional food for Minor Cold is Laba porridge.     3     Local people in Beijing often cook Laba porridge on the night of the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month. After one night’s slow simmering, all the ingredients melt into the porridge in the morning of the eighth day, becoming a warm delicacy to enjoy on cold days.

    4    

People in Nanjing used to take Minor Cold quite seriously, and they still keep a custom of eating vegetable rice to celebrate this solar term. The rice is steamed with aijiaohuang, sausage and salted duck that are all the specialties in Nanjing.

Make Chinese traditional herbal medicine.

    5     Many people need them to prepare new medicines, which will be consumed before the Lunar New Year.

A．Stock up for New Year.

B．Taste Nanjing vegetable rice.

C．It is made from over 20 kinds of nuts, cereals and dried fruits.

D．Minor Cold is also the busiest time for doctors and pharmacies,

E．Here are some things that help us stay warm during Minor Cold.

F．Beef, sesame and walnuts are also good choices for Minor Cold.

G．According to Chinese tradition, people eat food containing more yang energy.

2 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Tea is a healthy drink. Drinking tea in China could be considered as     1     art and away to help people achieve a sense of calm and renewed energy. It is also a way to enjoy life better.

Stories     2     are about the discovery of tea since different depending on the people who you ask, but we know that Chinese people     3     (drink) tea since Shennong, 5, 000 years ago. Usually, tea     4     (believe) to be medicinal, and is so central to     5     (day) life that an old Chinese saying includes tea in a list of seven important     6     (content) to be gathered each morning, along with firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy and vinegar.

Drinking tea together is a sign of respect. In the life of Chinese, it is common     7     (give) guests a cup of tea to welcome them into the home. But tea is more than a key of social customs. It is meant to act     8     a medium through which people can become much     9     (close) to nature. Drinking tea out in nature will create a spiritual connection to the environment and make people     10     (relax) .

3 . While tea may have originated in Asia, now there are many countries all around the world that have tea woven into their food culture and traditions. This is one of the very special parts of tea as it has a way of connecting people all over the world in different ways and ceremonies that finally all results in a group of people sitting together and enjoying a cup of tea.

Chinese tea culture

Since China is viewed as the birthplace of tea, it is no wonder that Chinese tea culture is rich with history and tradition. Today, Chinese tea continues to be used in Chinese medicine and is commonly consumed on both casual and formal occasions both for personal enjoyment and to represent Chinese cultural traditions.

Japanese tea culture

Japan also has a long history with tea, especially Japanese Matcha, which is a kind of ground green tea that is commonly used in Japanese tea ceremonies and only in recent years became popular in western culture.

British tea culture

When many people think about tea, British tea culture is what comes to mind. A hot cup of English Breakfast or Earl Grey tea serves with a little milk and a biscuit in the afternoon as a pick-me-up for the day. Even though tea may not be native to England, this British tea tradition is still going strong today.

Moroccan tea culture

When you visit Morocco, it is hard to miss the outstanding tea culture that is such a large part of Moroccan hospitality. Before any gathering, negotiation, or sale of a product, a pot of mint tea is always prepared and served among the host and guests. This is an expression of Moroccan tradition and hospitality, which should always be accepted by guests as a sign of appreciation and respect to the host.

1. Why can tea find its way into various food cultures?

A．It originates in Asia.	B．It forms different ceremonies.
C．It gets people connected easily.	D．It allows people to sit together.

2. What do Chinese and Japanese tea cultures have in common according to the text?

A．They have a long history.

B．They are used in medicine.

C．They are famous for ground green tea.

D．They’ve long gained worldwide recognition.

3. Why are the Brits keen on tea in the afternoon?

A．To get new energy.	B．To bring out respect.
C．To show hospitality.	D．To observe a tradition.

4 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。

Tea is a healthy drink. Drinking tea in China could be considered as    1    art and a way to help people achieve a sense of calm and renewed energy. It is also a way to enjoy life better.

Stories    2    are about the discovery of tea are different depending on the people who you ask, but we know that Chinese people    3    (drink) tea since Shennong,5,000 years ago. Usually, tea    4    (believe) to be medicinal, and is so central to    5    (day)life that an old Chinese saying includes tea in a list of seven important    6    (content) to be gathered each morning, along with firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy and vinegar.

Drinking tea together is a sign of respect. In the life of Chinese, it is common    7    (give) guests a cup of tea to welcome them into the home. But tea is more than a key of social customs. It is meant to act    8    a medium through which people can become much    9    (close) to nature.    10    (drink) tea out in nature will create a spiritual connection to the environment and make people relaxed.

5 . New Year’s Day is meant for food. As the new year arrives around the world, there could be special cakes and breads, for example, long noodles representing long life, field peas representing coins, and pigs representing good luck. The particulars vary, but the general theme is the same: Enjoy food and drink to bring in a year of prosperity. Here are some of the New Year’s food traditions around the world.

Hoppin’ John, American South

A major New Year’s food tradition in the American South, Hoppin’ John is a dish of pork-flavored field peas or black-eyed peas—symbolizing coins—and rice, frequently served with cooked greens—as they’re the color of money and cornbread—the color of gold. The dish is said to bring good luck in the new year.

Twelve grapes, Spain

The people of Spain traditionally watch a broadcast from Puerta del Sol in Madrid, where people gather in front of the square’s clock tower to ring in the New Year. Those out in the square and those watching at home take part in an unusual annual tradition: At the stroke of midnight, they eat one grape for every toll of the clock bell. Some even get their grapes ready—peeling and seeding the—to make sure they will be as efficient as possible when mid-night comes.

Tamales, Mexico

Tamales, corn dough filled with meat, cheese and other delicious additions and wrapped in a banana leaf or a corn husk, make appearances at pretty much every special occasion in Mexico. In many families, groups of women gather together to make hundreds of the little packets to hand out to friends, family and neighbors.

Soba noodles, Japan

In Japanese households, families eat buckwheat soba noodles, or toshikoshi soba, at mid-night on New Year’s Eve to say goodbye to the year gone by and welcome the year to come. The tradition dates back to the 17th century, and the long noodles symbolize longevity and prosperity.

1. The common theme of food for New Year’s Day is _______.

A．to show its deliciousness and sell well in market

B．to celebrate new year and wish for blessings from nature

C．to eat and drink well and hope for a fancy new year

D．to say farewell to the old year and welcome the new year

2. Which dish is believed to bring good luck in the new year?

A．Twelve grapes.

B．Hoppin’John.

C．Tamales.

D．Soba noodles.

3. Which group of people would share fond with neighbors on New Year’s Day?

A．The Americans.

B．The Mexicans.

C．The Spanish.

D．The Japanese.

6 . The baguette, a long, thin French bread, is being added to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. UNESCO experts gathering in Morocco this week decided that the simple French bread—made only of flour, water, salt, and yeast—was worth U.N. recognition, after France’s culture ministry warned of a “continuous drop” in the number of traditional bakeries(烘焙坊), with some 400 closing every year over the past half century.

The UN cultural agency’s chief, Audrey Azoulay said, “the decision honors more than just bread; it recognizes the ‘graceful skills of bakers’ and ‘a daily ritual (仪式)’.” Azoulay added, “It is important that such baking knowledge and social practices can continue to exist in the future.”

With the bread’s new status (地位), the French government said it planned to create a baguette day, called the “Open Bakehouse Day”, to connect the French better with their heritage. Bakers in France seemed proud, if unsurprised. “Of course, it should be on the list because the baguette symbolizes the world. It’s universal,” said Asma Farhat, a baker at Julien’s Bakery. “If there’s no baguette, you can’t have a proper meal. In the morning you can toast it, for lunch it’s a sandwich, and then it accompanies dinner.”

Despite the decline in traditional bakery numbers, France’s 67 million people still buy baguettes at a variety of sales points, including in supermarkets. According to France’s “Bread Observatory”, the French eat 320 baguettes of one form or another every second. The problem is, observers say, that they can often be poor in quality. “It’s very easy to get bad baguette in France. It’s the traditional baguette from the traditional bakery that is in danger. It’s about quality not quantity,” said one local resident, Marine Fourchier.

1. What was UNESCO’s decision about the French bread?

A．Including it on the ICH list.

B．Creating a baguette day.

C．Closing traditional baguette bakeries.

D．Improving the traditional baking skills.

2. What did Audrey Azoulay think of UNESCO’s decision?

A．Creative.

B．Unclear.

C．Shocking.

D．Meaningful.

3. What can we learn from Asma Farhat’s words?

A．Baguettes are common in the French diet.

B．Baguettes are easy to get in supermarkets.

C．Baguettes and sandwiches are equally important.

D．Baguettes are the most popular around the world.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．Freshly baked baguettes go bad easily.

B．Traditional baking are to be promoted.

C．Eating baguettes becomes a new tradition.

D．Traditional baguettes gain official attention.

8 . Afternoon tea became popular about 150 years ago, when rich ladies invited their friends to their houses for a cup of afternoon tea. Usually taken in the late afternoon, it is also called “low tea” as it is served at a low table. Since this isn’t a meal, but rather like a late afternoon snack, finger foods such as sandwiches, scones and pastries are common. People are taking tea not only to get what their bodies need or satisfy hunger, but to take time to relax, chat and enjoy the company of dear friends. In England, the traditional time for tea is four or five o’clock in the afternoon and no one stays after seven o’clock.

This very British tradition is said to have been started in the 1840s by Duchess Anna Maria, wife of the 7th Duke of Bedford, England. During the long time between an early lunch and a very late dinner, she experienced what she called “a sinking feeling” at about 4 or 5 in the afternoon. So she asked her serving girl to bring her a pot of tea, a little bread and butter and cake in her room. She found this arrangement so pleasing that she began asking her friends to join her.

High tea, a term often mixed with afternoon tea, usually takes the place of supper. In the past the British working population did not have afternoon tea. They had meals at about noon and after work between five and seven o’clock. The table would be set with dinner foods like meat, bread, butter, potatoes, cheese and of course tea. It was called “high tea” because it was eaten at a high dining table rather than a low tea table.

How much do people enjoy the afternoon tea moment? As a famous writer named Henry James said, “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”

1. How does the term “low tea” come about?

A．The tea is served in the late afternoon.	B．The tea is provided to treat friends.
C．The tea is drunk at a low table.	D．The tea is enjoyed to relax.

2. Who started the tradition of afternoon tea?

A．Duchess Anna Maria.	B．The 7th Duke of Bedford.
C．Henry James.	D．Some unknown working people.

3. What does the underlined phrase “a sinking feeling” refer to?

A．A feeling of being annoyed.	B．A feeling of hunger.
C．A feeling of missing friends.	D．A feeling of shyness.

4. Why does the author mention Henry James’ words?

A．To show the difference between afternoon tea and high tea.

B．To tell us that afternoon tea is in fact a ceremony.

C．To tell us how the name “afternoon tea” comes out.

D．To show how popular afternoon tea is among people.

9 . While tea may have its origins in Asia, now it has found its way into their food culture and traditions in many countries. It is a special way of connecting people all over the world in different ways and ceremonies. That finally all results in a group of people sitting together and enjoying a cup of tea.

Chinese tea culture

Since China is considered as the birthplace of tea, it is no wonder that Chinese tea culture is rich in history and tradition. Today, Chinese tea continues to be used in Chinese medicine and is commonly used on both formal and informal occasions either for personal enjoyment or as a Chinese cultural tradition.

Japanese tea culture

Japan also has a long history with tea, especially Japanese Matcha, which is a kind of ground green tea. Japanese tea is commonly used in Japanese tea ceremonies and only in recent years has become popular in western culture.

British tea culture

When it comes to British tea, British tea culture is what comes to mind. A hot cup of Earl Grey tea often serves with a little milk and a biscuit in the afternoon as a pick-me-up for the day, which makes you feel better and more energetic. Even though tea may not be native to England, this British tea tradition is still going strong today.

Moroccan tea culture

When you visit Morocco, it is hard to miss the outstanding tea culture that is such a special way to welcome guests. Before any gathering, a pot of mint(薄荷)tea is always prepared and served among the host and guests. This is an expression of Moroccan tradition and kindness, which should always be accepted by guests as a sign of appreciation and respect to the host.

1. What do Chinese and Japanese tea cultures have in common?

A．They have a long history.

B．They are used in medicine.

C．They are well known for green tea.

D．They have long been widely recognized.

2. Why do the British prefer the afternoon tea?

A．To show kindness.

B．To get new energy.

C．To bring out respect

D．To observe a tradition.

3. What word can best describe Moroccan people?

A．Honest.

B．Confident.

C．Grateful.

D．Friendly.

10 . Chinese cuisine is widely known and enjoyed all around the world. Who doesn’t long for a favorite Chinese dish? But there is one interesting concept concerning Chinese food which is almost unheard of in the West, and which is becoming increasingly ignored by the youth of the East—the ancient custom of “tonic food”.

Tonic food is food which is consumed to improve one’s well-being or avoid sickness. For instance, it was once the custom for new mothers to eat a sesame oil(麻油) chicken soup every day for the first month after giving birth. It was believed that this dish would benefit the muscles, reduce pain, improve circulation, stimulate sweating, and warm the body. Some foods, such as goat meat and spinach, are seen as “hot”, while others, such as Chinese cabbage and radishes, are seen as “cold”. One should be careful not to eat too much of either “hot” or “cold” food. However, how much “hot” or “cold” food one should eat depends on the time of the year, how the food is prepared and what it is prepared with, and the individual’s health.

The custom of employing tonic food for a healthier life also influences the catering industry. Chinese herbal medicines, such as wolfberry(枸杞子), can be found on many a restaurant menu, either added to fruit tea or as a beneficial addition to a dish. These herbs attract customers, such as overworked office staff, in need of a modest pick-me-up.

So, whether you need to boost your strength with a large helping of chicken soup, or increase your mental powers with a serving of fish soup, you may find that this ancient Chinese custom could be just the tonic you were looking for.

1. What is the present situation of tonic food?

A．It is catching less attention.	B．It is enjoyed by many young people.
C．It is well-known worldwide.	D．It is becoming increasingly popular.

2. What is believed to benefit new mothers?

A．Chinese cabbage.	B．Fruit tea.
C．Sesame oil chicken soup.	D．Fish soup.

3. Which of the following best explains “catering” underlined in Paragraph 3?

A．Medicine.

B．Restaurant.

C．Manufacture.

D．Agriculture.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．The Charm of Chinese Cuisine	B．The Popularity of Tonic Food
C．An Introduction of Chinese Tonic Food	D．Differences Between “Hot” Food and “Cold” Food