清明節(jié)

王玉峰

◆Helper

division n.分開，分隔 plow

v.犁耕

sow v.播（種） minority n.少數(shù)，少數(shù)民族ethnic adj.少數(shù)民族的成員 decease n.<律>死亡 cemetery n.墓地，公墓simplify v.簡化 incense n.杳 memorial tablet紀(jì)念碑 in contrast to相比之下uniqueness n.獨(dú)特性 sapling n.幼樹，樹苗 arbor n.樹木

Chinese Brief Introduction

清明節(jié)是農(nóng)歷二十四節(jié)氣之一，在仲春與暮春之交，也就是冬至后的第108天，節(jié)氣是按照陰歷制定的。中國漢族傳統(tǒng)的清明節(jié)大約始于周代，距今已有二干五百多年的歷史。清明一到，氣溫升高，正是春耕春種的大好時節(jié)，也是植樹的好時節(jié)。清明節(jié)是一個祭祀祖先的節(jié)日，傳統(tǒng)活動為掃墓。

明清時期，清明掃墓更為盛行。古時掃墓，孩子們還常要放風(fēng)箏。有的風(fēng)箏上安有竹笛，經(jīng)風(fēng)一吹能發(fā)出響聲，猶如箏的聲音。踏青早在唐代就已開始，歷代承襲成為習(xí)慣。踏青除了欣賞大自然的湖光山色、春光美景之外，還開展各種文娛活動，增添生活情趣。北宋時期清明踏青活動很是普遍，家喻戶曉的張澤端的《清明上河圖》描繪的就是北宋徽宗年間清明時節(jié)東京汴梁（開封）汴河兩岸的人物風(fēng)貌。從2008年開始，中國將清明節(jié)定為法定節(jié)假日。

◆Exercise

Ⅰ. Questions：

1. What is it that is proper for farmers to do during the Qingming Festival？

2. Why do we say the Qingming Festival combines sadness with happiness？

3. Why is there the custom of spring outings during the Qingming Festival？

4. When does the Chinese Arbor Day fall every year？

Ⅱ.written work

情景作文：假設(shè)你是紅星中學(xué)高三（1）班的學(xué)生李華，為響應(yīng)綠化祖國的號召，你班4月12日去郊區(qū)植樹，請根據(jù)以下四幅圖的先后順序，介紹植樹活動的全過程，給某英文雜志的“綠色行動”專欄寫一篇以《Green Action in Our Class》為題的英文稿件。

注意：詞數(shù)不少于80

提示詞：郊區(qū)suburbs

內(nèi)容要點(diǎn)：（1）騎車去植樹（2）植樹（3）安插提示牌（4）照相

說明：內(nèi)容要點(diǎn)可用不同方式表達(dá)

Suggested answers：

Ⅰ.Questions：

1. It is proper for farmers to plow and sow.

2. Not only is this the most important day of sacrifice， when people offer sacrifices to their ancestors and sweep the tombs of the ancestors， but also they enjoy hope of spring on this day.

3. Because it is a time when the sun shines brightly， the trees and grass become green and nature is again lively. lt's proper to go out.

4. March 12 according to the Gregorian calendar.

Ⅱ. written work

Green Action in Our Class

April 12 is memorable because our class had a meaningful experience on that day. In the morning， we bicycled to the suburbs to plant trees， talking and laughing all the way. Upon arrival， we began to work immediately. Some were digging holes. Some were carrying and planting young trees. Others were watering them. After getting the work done， we put up a board reminding people to protect the trees. Before leaving we took some photos to record our green action. Seeing the lines of trees， we all had a sense of achievement. We feel it's our duty to protect and beautify our environment.