2 . The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms.     1     It lifts the curtain of spring. After that everything turns green and full of energy and people clearly see that the daytime is becoming longer and the weather is becoming warmer.

Spring is the best season for kite-flying. As a traditional folk activity, it has a history of more than 2, 000 years.     2     It also has the effect of promoting blood circulation and speeding up metabolism(新陈代谢).

Wearing fabric swallows is a custom in some regions in Shaanxi.     3     The custom originated during the Tang Dynasty (618—907). The swallow is a harbinger(预兆) of spring and a symbol of prosperity and happiness.

Skilled artists build the frame of an ox out of bamboo strips and the legs with wood. Then they paste(粘贴) some paper and paint onto it.    4     It is said that if more red and yellow paper is used, then there will be a good harvest that year.

People in China began holding a special ceremony on the first day of the Start of Spring about 3, 000 years ago. They made sacrifices to Gou Mang, the God of Spring, who is in charge of agriculture. By the Qing Dynasty (1644—1911), welcoming spring had become an important folk activity.

3 . Tracy: You know the weather     1    (be) awful so far this summer.

Dean: I know. This is very unusual for Japan. Usually by now it’s really hot and humid. I’m not sure why, but this summer we’ve had very little rain and     2    (surprising) cool temperatures.

Tracy: Well, either way I love it. I remember last summer. Oh, it was terrible. I didn’t have an air conditioner, and my apartment was on the     3    (five) floor. Every night I slept on top of my bed     4     the windows open and a fan six inches from my face.

Dean: That     5    (sound) pretty rough. I guess I’ve got used to the heat,     6     I don’t notice it as much. However, last year was definitely a lot     7     than this year. And, to be honest, I am enjoying the break.     8     are summers like in your hometown?

Tracy: For one thing, there’s little humidity. Seattle is right on     9     ocean so we always have a nice offshore breeze     10    (blow) in, and it doesn't really get hot until late July. That's why I found it so oppressive(闷热的) last year. Our summers are just so different.

Dean: Interesting. Seattle sounds like a great place to visit during the summer.