阅读理解。
Chrysanthemums (菊花) are to the fall what tulips are to the spring.
In ancient China, chrysanthemums (or 'mums' for short) were first planted thousands of
years ago. People chose the chrysanthemum as their Flower for October, a symbol of the rest and ease
that followed the season's final harvest. Then they symbolized a scholar in retirement (隐居) and were
one of the four noble plants, along with bamboo, the plum flower, and orchid.
The Japanese hold the chrysanthemum as a symbol of the sun. They consider the orderly unfolding of
its petals to be a symbol of perfection. They also think that a single chrysanthemum petal placed in the
bottom of a wine glass encourages a long and healthy life. The Japanese even have a National
Chrysanthemum Day on September 9, known as the Festival of Happiness.
In the United States during colonial times, its popularity grew such that mums now reign as "Queen of
the Fall Flowers." Mums remain the most widely grown pot plant in the country and the largest
commercially produced flowers. Chrysanthemums generally represent cheerfulness and rest. So they are
welcomed throughout the British Isles and North America for any occasion, such as football games and
parties. In other countries such as Italy, Belgium and Austria, however, their association with the dead
makes chrysanthemums acceptable only for funerals and graves.
1. Why did people in ancient China choose the chrysanthemum as their Flower for October,
a symbol of ________?
A. having a month of celebration.
B. having relaxation after one year's of hard work.
C. loving this kind of flowers during this month.
D. having another good harvest the next year.
2. The Japanese consider the chrysanthemum as a symbol of the sun because________.
A. people like the flower just as they like the sun
B. the flower with its nice petals represents a symbol of perfection
C. people find the flower having no perfect petals when it is unfolding
D. the flower unfold its petals orderly just like the sun
3. Mums are loved not only in the Unite States but in the British Isles as they stand for ________.
A. cheerfulness and rest
B. happiness and joy
C. wealth and health
D. luck and chance
4. In some European countries people use chrysanthemums to express their feeling of _______.
A. regret
B. cold
C. sorrow
D. approval
