【題目】The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Grain Rain (Chinese: Gu Yu),as the last term in spring, starts on April 19 and ends on May 4.
Grain Rain came from the old saying, “Rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains,” which shows that this period of rainfall is extremely important for the growth of crops. The Grain Rain marks the end of cold weather and a rapid rise in temperature. Here are five things that you may not know about the Grain Rain.
Key time for agriculture
Grain Rain brings a marked increase in temperature and rainfall and the grains grow faster and stronger. It’s a key time to protect the crops from insect pests.
Sandstorms occur
Grain Rain falls between the end of spring and the beginning of summer, with infrequent cold air moving to the south and wandering cold air in the north. From the end of April to the beginning of May, the temperature rises much higher than it does in March. With dry soil, an unpredictable atmosphere and heavy eastern winds, gales and sandstorms become more frequent.
Drinking tea
There is an old custom in southern China that people drink tea on the day of Grain Rain. Spring tea during Grain Rain is rich in vitamins and amino acids (氨基酸), which can help to remove heat from the body and is good for the eyes. It is also said in the south that drinking tea on this day would prevent bad luck.
Eating toona sinensis

People in northern China have the tradition to eat the vegetable toona sinensis during Grain Rain. An old Chinese saying goes “toona sinensis before the rain is as tender as silk”. The vegetable is nutritious and can help to strengthen the immune system. It is also good for the stomach and skin.
Grain Rain Festival
The Grain Rain festival is celebrated by fishing villages in the coastal areas of northern China. Grain Rain marks the start of the fishermen’s first voyage of the year. The custom dates back to more than 2,000 years ago, when people believed they owed a good harvest to the gods, who protected them from the stormy seas. People would worship the sea god and stage sacrifice food on the Grain Rain festival, praying for a wonderful harvest and a safe voyage for their loved ones.
【1】Grain Rain got its name to show ________.
A. the cold weather is already gone
B. rain at this time is important to the crops
C. The highest temperature
D. the last term in lunar calendar
【2】People in southern China drink tea on this day ________.
A. to prevent bad luck
B. to cure the eye diseases
C. to fight against the sandstorm
D. to strengthen the immune system
【3】It is a custom to eat the vegetable toona sinensis ________.
A. in the coast areasB. in the south
C. in the northD. in the east
【4】If a fisherman wanted to get fish in the sea in the past, he would ________.
A. get the fresh vegetables
B. drink tea in this festival
C. fight against the sandstorm
D. worship the sea god