1 . 阅读短文，在空白处填入适当的内容或括号内单词的正确形式。

Although Start of Autumn, the 13th traditional Chinese solar term, often indicates the     1     (begin) of autumn, heat waves will not come to an end. The period of high temperatures,    2     (call) “Autumn Tiger”, usually lasts for about 30 days. Because of decreasing precipitation(降水), it is even hotter during this period than Major Heat. As the saying goes, “If it rains     3    the day of Start of Autumn, a good harvest is expected.”

2 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。

1. Which season does the woman like best?

A．Winter.

B．Summer.

C．Autumn.

2. Why does the man dislike driving in the rain?

A．The roads are crowded.

B．The lights are too bright.

C．The tires need to be replaced.

3. When did the woman probably use her truck to help the man?

A．During the winter.

B．During the summer.

C．During the autumn.

3 . 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.

4 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Which season does the man like best?

A．Winter.

B．Spring.

C．Autumn.

2. What does the woman say about the weather in her country?

A．It isn’t very cold in winter.

B．It isn’t hot in summer.

C．It often snows in winter.

3. How often do hurricanes occur in the woman’s country?

A．About once every two years.

B．About once a year.

C．About three times a year.

5 . 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.

6 . 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

7 . 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。

The beginning of March brings some funny weather to China as temperatures rise and rainfall is accompanied by thunder. Welcome to a season     1    (know) as Jingzhe, or the “Awakening of the Insects”.

Falling     2    (usual) on March 5, it is one of the solar terms in the Chinese lunar calendar, which used to instruct ancient Chinese people’s daily lives and     3    (farm).

The Chinese classics recorded a time when spring thunder revived insects     4     had been hibernating(冬眠)for the winter. They rise up from the earth, and plenty of other creatures also put in their first     5    (appear) of the year. Soon, peach blossoms     6    (be) in full bloom while orioles will sing from tree branches.”

Chinese farmers attach great importance     7     Jingzhe, since it kicks off spring plowing, one of the     8    (busy) times in the farmlands. With insects buzzing, it is time to protect the crops from these pests. Poultry and livestock also need protecting from diseases.

Spring     9    (consider) the most precious time of the year for agriculture. At     10     beginning of the year, farmers till the soil, giving crops the best possible environment and more nutrition. In the north, irrigation needs to be timely while in the south, it is almost time to plant rice and corn.

8 . 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。

In Chinese tradition, the autumn season is associated with the color white, the sound of weeping, the emotions of both courage and sadness. Autumn, however, for westerners, is considered to be the direction of dreams and visions.

What does all this mean? It’s the very system     1     describes how nature works. To the Chinese, nature means more than just the cycling of the seasons. Nature is within and around us, in all things. The basic cycles of nature, as understood by the ancient Chinese,     2     (be) easily comprehensible by Western students of nature. They ring true. After all, Chinese civilization flourished for many centuries before the Roman Empire     3     (come) to be. Today we know it’s part of Chinese culture to maintain and add to ancient     4     (wise).     5     contrast, the Western world tend     6     (replace) old ideas with new ideas.

Here is     7     simple example. While summer is associated with the emotion of joy, autumn is associated with both courage and sadness. You can     8     (probable) feel the truth of that association for yourself, because, in autumn, things are dying. The light is dying, as Earth’s orbit around the sun and tilt(倾斜) on its axis(轴) combine to carry us in this hemisphere further away from     9     (receive) the sun’s rays most directly. The days are getting     10     (short). Plants and trees are winding down their cycle of growth. Sadness and courage are natural emotions as these changes are taking place.

9 . 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。

Minor Cold is the 23rd solar term of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms and also the 5th solar term in winter, which     1     (arrive) on January 5, 6 or 7 every year. This years Minor Cold stars on January 5. After the Winter Solstice (冬至), the temperature continues to drop, and hits its lowest point on the occasion of the Minor Cold and Major Cod. The nine periods     2     (follow) the Winter Solstice are the coldest days in China. And Minor Cold is just in the per id of the second and third nine days.

As the name implies, Minor Cold means that the weather in this period is cold     3     not yet the coldest. However, in north China, the weather during the Minor Cold is colder than     4     of the Major Cold. Therefore, in the north, there is a     5     (say) that the Minor Cold is colder.than the Major Cold. But for some areas in the south, the     6     (low) temperature of the year will still appear in the Major Cold.

Minor Cold     7     (divide) into three 5-day phases in ancient times. In     8     first phase, wild geese would leave the warm places, and start to fly back to the north in     9     (group). In the second phase, magpies (喜鹊) that, are     10     (common) seen in nor them China would begin building nests for young birds. In the third phase, pheasants (野鸡) would crow in search of a mate.

10 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the speaker’s favorite season?

A．Spring.

B．Summer.

C．Fall.

2. What does the speaker say about winter?

A．It is cool and mild.

B．It causes inconvenience.

C．It is a hot topic for people.

3. Where does the speaker probably live?

A．In the countryside.

B．Close to downtown.

C．In the warm south.