The year 2009 is the Year of Ox.The ox is a representative of the farming 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 who live 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 farming.
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.
