It’s the Year of the Rat!
Millions of people crowded onto trains and buses across China on Wednesday. They were hurrying home to be with their families for the country’s most important holiday, the Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival. Thursday marked the end of the Year of the Pig, and the beginning of the Year of the Rat. But for a while, it looked as if severe winter weather in some regions of China would put a deep freeze on the celebrations. Due to dangerous conditions, airlines, railways and highways across the country were forced to shut down for the past few weeks. Many travelers were worried that they would not make it home for the holidays. Luckily, the crisis started winding down just in time for some roads and railways to reopen on Lunar New Year’s Eve.
More than one billion people worldwide celebrate the Lunar New Year. In China, people from Beijing to Guangzhou enjoy a holiday. Businesses and government offices are closed. Many people go to temples to pray for good fortune for the future. The Lunar New Year is celebrated at the second new moon after the winter solstice（冬至）.
On Lunar New Year’s Eve, the Chinese celebrate with fireworks, family gatherings, and festivals. One of t
he most popular ways to celebrate the holiday is with the lion dance. The lion is considered a holy animal. During celebrations, dancers dressed as lions（or holding up elaborate paper lions in the air）perform to 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 drive away bad luck. The 15-day New Year season is celebrated with firecrackers, dragon dances and visits to friends and families. The celebrations end with the Lantern Festival, when brightly colored lamps are hung in parks around China.
49. When the Spring Festival comes, trains and buses are usually crowed because________.
A. millions of people hurried to go abroad for travelling
B. millions of people are hurrying home to get together with their folks
C. at this time the transportation cost is at the lowest point
D. million of people hurried to send firecrackers to their home
50. Why were many travellers worried whether they would go home for the Year of the Rat?
A. Because a deep freeze hit some regions of China.
B. Because many transportation companies have a holiday
C. Because some roads and railways won’t reopen in a long time.
D. Because businesses and government offices are closed.
51. Where do people usually go to beg for their good luck?
A. Government offices B. Business offices
C. Temples D. Beijing
52. In order to bring good luck to the people 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
