阅读理解。
The year 2009 is the Year of Ox. The ox is a representative of the fanning culture of China. In the farming
economy (经济), oxen are the major animals pulling plows (犁).
Of course, the good of oxen is not limited to plowing. In fact, they are seen as "boats on land" for their
ability to carry loads. Besides, the whole body of an ox is full of treasures. Their meat and milk are food full
of nutrition, and their skin can be used to make clothes and shoes. With all these qualities, oxen are regarded
as generous creatures.
In the past, oxen played an important role in the spiritual life of the Chinese. Even today, oxen still play a
special part in some folk activities. For example, some people who1ire in southwest China will cook cattle bone
soup and share it among family members when holding the ceremony for children who reach 13. They believe
that the cattle bone soup represents the blood relationship among family members. In order to express their
love for oxen, people in some other areas will run to shake off diseases on the 16th day of the first month by
the lunar calendar (农历), and during their run they will take their oxen along, which indicates they regard the
creature as human.
Because of the contribution of oxen in their lives, the Chinese people are very grateful to the animal. In
addition, the use of oxen in ceremonies and the thanks people owe to oxen help to develop various traditional
customs, which becomes an important part of the folk culture of the Chinese nation.
1. The words "boats on land" underlined in Paragraph 2 refer to _____.
A. animals for taking goods
B. creatures for pulling plows
C. treasures of the folk culture
D. tools in the farming economy
2. From the third paragraph, we know that _____.
A. oxen are no more important today than in the past
B. ceremonies are held when people cook cattle bone soup
C. oxen are treated as human in some areas of China
D. people run with oxen to shake off diseases every month
3. Which of the following helps to develop traditional customs?
A. The special role of oxen in frowning.
B. People's respect and love for oxen.
C. The practical value of an ox's body.
D. The contribution of oxen to the economy.
4. Why does the author write the text?
A. To stress the importance of oxen in farming.
B. To introduce the Chinese folk culture.
C. To describe how to celebrate the Year of Ox.
D. To explain how to develop agriculture with oxen.
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