It’s the Year of the Rat! Millions of people crowded onto trains and buses acros

It’s the Year of the Rat!

Millions of people crowded onto trains andbuses across China on Wednesday. They were hurrying home to be with theirfamilies for the country’s most important holiday, the Lunar New Year, or theSpring Festival. Thursday marked the end of the Year of the Pig, and thebeginning of the Year of the Rat. But for a while, it looked as if severewinter weather in some regions of China would put a deep freeze on thecelebrations. Due to dangerous conditions, airlines, railways and highwaysacross the country were forced to shut down for the past few weeks. Manytravelers were worried that they would not make it home for the holidays.Luckily, the crisis started winding down just in time for some roads andrailways to reopen on Lunar New Year’s Eve.

More than one billion people worldwidecelebrate the Lunar New Year. In China, people from Beijing to Guangzhou enjoya holiday. Businesses and government offices are closed. Many people go totemples to pray for good fortune for the future. The Lunar New Year is celebratedat the second new moon after the winter solstice（冬至）.

On Lunar New Year’s Eve, the Chinesecelebrate with fireworks, family gatherings, and festivals. One of the mostpopular ways to celebrate the holiday is with the lion dance. The lion isconsidered a holy animal. During celebrations, dancers dressed as lions（or holding up elaborate paperlions in the air）performto bring good luck to the people they visit at their homes or businesses.People often wear red, which symbolizes fire. Legend has it that fire can driveaway bad luck. The 15-day New Year season is celebrated with firecrackers,dragon dances and visits to friends and families. The celebrations end with theLantern Festival, when brightly colored lamps are hung in parks around China.

49. When the Spring Festival comes, trainsand buses are usually crowed because________.

A. millions of people hurried to go abroadfor travelling

B. millions of people are hurrying home toget together with their folks

C. at this time the transportation cost isat the lowest point

D. million of people hurried to sendfirecrackers to their home

50. Why were many travellers worriedwhether they would go home for the Year of the Rat?

A. Because a deep freeze hit some regionsof China.

B. Because many transportation companieshave a holiday

C. Because some roads and railways won’treopen in a long time.

D. Because businesses and governmentoffices are closed.

51. Where do people usually go to beg fortheir good luck?

A. Government offices                      B.Business offices

C. Temples                                             D.Beijing

52. In order to bring good luck to thepeople they visit, dancers dress themselves________.

A. as lions to have a dance  B. as tigers to have a dance

C. as rats to have a dance   D. as cats to have a dance

试题答案

【答案】

 B

 A

 C

 A

【解析】