1 . We usually divide a year into four seasons. However, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, there are five seasons — spring, summer, late summer, fall, and winter. Each of the five has many features which guide us to change our habits to keep the balance between our body and the external environment.

Winter in TCM

The ancient Chinese believed that winter is the Yin “阴” season in nature.     1     So, winter is the time of year to reflect on health, save strength and regain energy, preparing ourselves for the start of new life in the spring. Different aspects of our lives like exercise, diet and emotions can influence our health and, therefore, our well-being in winter.

    2    

In TCM theory, winter is a season to feed ourselves both spiritually and physically. Activities in the season have a turn inwards. For example, we can do more writing, reading and other soul-nourishing (滋养灵魂的) activities. Although energetic exercise should be avoided, it’s important to keep our body healthy with gentle exercise, especially outdoor activities, in which we can get fresh air and sunlight. In addition, we should also go to bed earlier to save more energy.     3    

Foods for winter

The principle of harmony between what we eat and the season is based on hundreds of years of experience in TCM. It suggests that we embrace locally-grown and seasonable foods, which is the way nature intends us to eat. During the winter, there are many foods beneficial to us.     4     — pumpkins, potatoes, root vegetables, winter greens, carrots, cabbage, mushrooms, and pears. Besides, hot soup, whole grains and roasted nuts also offer nourishment to feed the body in cold winter months. But always remember, moderation in all things is important.

Moods in winter

According to TCM theory, stress, depression and unresolved anger can also weaken our immune system, allowing external factors to affect our body in winter.     5     Meditation (冥想) and breathing techniques are particularly helpful, especially in relieving stress. TCM also offers a variety of treatments such as massage (按摩) and herbal formulas to manage our moods.

A．Activities in winter

B．Exercises in winter

C．Most of them naturally grow in this season

D．It is inactive, cold and dark, which makes us slow down.

E．If you exercise properly in winter, you can enjoy yourself.

F．Everyone can enjoy winter if they live and exercise appropriately.

G．So, keeping a good mood is especially important in this cold season.

2 . 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(不多于3个词)。

As the weather warms up and spring ingredients(食材)become available, chefs in Beijing are experimenting with fresh and flavorful dishes     1     (particular) with tender and flavorful spring bamboo shoots(竹笋).

Beijing restaurant Xin Ming Yuen greets spring     2     warming soups. The eight seasonal soups     3     (select) by chef Li Xiang in response to the vibrant(充满生机的)and relaxing nature that spring brings. The double-boiled turtle soup with Chinese herbs and pigeon is     4     standout. In this soup, cordyceps flowers(虫草花),     5     are neither cold nor dry to the body, are simmered with pigeon and turtle to produce a golden soup with a lingering flavor.

Xunchu Jitang,a restaurant from Jiangsu and Zhejiang province, will update both     6     (it) menu and environment this spring. Fried shepherd’s purse with spring bamboo shoots, a     7     (combine) of freshness, is the must try. Fried broad bean with garlic is another signature as the broad bean is one of the most popular beans     8     (produce) in spring time.

Modern Yunnan cuisine restaurant Ban Shan Yao from Under Clouds is bringing the spring of Yunnan to the capital. The spring menu, themed “wildness”,     9     (feature) bulb fennel(茴香)salad, preserved pork with bamboo shoots and fried red beans with mint. The new dish is worthy of     10     (try) as it blended with a black truffle sauce from Yunnan.

3 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the talk mainly about?

A．Ways of saving energy.

B．The history of Daylight Saving Time.

C．The role of Daylight Saving Time in wartime.

2. When are clocks set back an hour in the United States?

A．In the spring.

B．In the summer.

C．In the autumn.

3. What was people’s opinion about Benjamin’s plan for Daylight Saving Time at first?

A．Clever.

B．Confusing.

C．Ridiculous.

4. When were the beginning and ending dates of Daylight Saving Time fixed in the U.S.?

A．In the 1960’s.

B．In the 1790’s.

C．During World War II

4 . 现在正是春暖花开的时节，对你来说春天意味着什么呢？请你以“What spring means to me”为题写一篇英语短文，参加你校英文报举办的春季征文大赛，内容包括：
1. 春天对你的影响；
2. 你对春天的感悟。
注意：
1. 词数100左右；
2. 题目已为你写好。
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5 . Autumn Equinox (秋分) lies at the midpoint of autumn, dividing autumn into two equal parts. After that day, the location of direct sunlight moves to the south, making days shorter and nights longer in the northern hemisphere.     1     Autumn Equinox, the 16th solar term of the year, begins this year on Sept 23 and ends on Oct 7.

Here are things you should know about Autumn Equinox.

Cool autumn

As it is said in the ancient book, The Detailed Records of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC), “It is on Autumn Equinox day that the Yin and Yang are in a balance of power. Thus the day and night are of equal length, and so are the cold and hot weather.”

    2     When the cold air heading south meets the declining warm and wet air, rain is the result. The temperature also drops frequently.

    3    

In South China, there is a custom popularly known as “having Qiucai (an autumn vegetable) on the Autumn Equinox day”. Qiucai is a kind of wild plant. Every Autumn Equinox day, all the villagers go to pick Qiucai in the wild. Qiucai is fresh and green in the field, thin, and about 20 cm in length.

    4    

By Autumn Equinox, olives, pears, chestnuts, beans, and other plants are mature. It is time to pick and eat them.

Season for enjoying chrysanthemums

    5    

A．Eating Qiucai

B．Season for eating nuts

C．Season for eating various plants

D．But the moon won’t be full during Autumn Equinox.

E．The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms.

F．Autumn Equinox also is a good time to enjoy chrysanthemums in full bloom.

G．By Autumn Equinox, most of the areas in China have entered the cool autumn.