| A．Clothes. | B．A plant. | C．A season. |
2 . 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.
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.
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.
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.
| 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. |
3 . The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides a year into 24 solar terms (节气). Cold Dew (寒露), the 17th solar term of the year, begins this year on Oct. 8 and ends on Oct. 23. At this time, the dew is greater and colder and there will be less rain. Autumn crops will be ripe. Here are three things you should know about Cold Dew.
Foggy autumn
Temperatures drop significantly in October. When the cold air encounters autumn rain, the abundant water vapor in the air soon reaches saturation (饱和状态), and then it turns into fog. When the humidity is high, there will be foggy regions formed in many areas of China.
Season for fishing
People always say that fishing in shallow water in autumn makes sense. That’s because during the Cold Dew period, temperatures decrease quickly and sunshine doesn’t reach deep water thoroughly. Fish swim to shallow water areas where the water temperature is relatively high.
Season for drinking chrysanthemum (菊花) wine
Chrysanthemum is the iconic flower of Cold Dew. To prevent autumn dryness, many regions in China have the custom of drinking chrysanthemum wine. This is a tradition of the Double Ninth Festival, which often falls around Cold Dew. According to ancient records, drinking wine made with chrysanthemums, poria cocos mushroom and pine oleoresin grants (给予) people long-lasting youth.
1. What is NOT the characteristic of Cold Dew?| A．Wet weather. | B．Low temperatures. |
| C．Foggy conditions. | D．Fully-grown crops. |
| A．Because fish become mature in autumn. |
| B．Because fish move slowly in cold water. |
| C．Because fish eat more in low temperatures. |
| D．Because fish tend to gather in warm areas. |
| A．Celebrating Cold Dew. | B．Relieving people from autumn dryness. |
| C．Ensuring people a stronger build. | D．Keeping people warm in low temperatures. |
4 . End of Heat, the 14th solar term of the year, implies that most parts in China are getting rid of the hot summer and entering autumn.
Enjoying clouds
When the End of Heat comes, summer heat is gone. Clouds in the sky scatter around forming different shapes. There is a saying that goes, “Enjoying the clouds of various forms in July and August (lunar month).”
Autumn weariness
There is a saying that goes, “People tend to feel sleepy in spring, doze in summer and feel tired in autumn.” As the weather becomes cool during End of Heat, many people will feel tired and weary, which is called “autumn weariness”.
Eating Duck
Duck has a sweet flavor and according to traditional Chinese medicine it has a “cool” nature.
The Fishing Season Festival
| A．It is a sign that the human body needs rest. |
| B．For fishermen, the End of Heat is a season of harvest. |
| C．End of Heat is also the busy harvest season for farmers. |
| D．People can enjoy many kinds of seafood during this period. |
| E．A folk tradition is to eat duck during the End of Heat period. |
| F．The following are things that you should know about End of Heat. |
| G．The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. |
