1. 1. In Chinese lunar calendar, the 7th day of the seventh lunar month is regarded as the Chinese Valentine's Day. 2. Before the Spring Festival, people clean their houses, put red couplets on their gates, and set off firecrackers, according to fairy tale, for driving a demon, named Nian, away. 3. According to historical data, China began to grow tea about two thousand years ago during the Warring States (403-221 B.C.). 4. Chinese names are given in the reverse of Western names. The surname is said first, and then the given name.

2. 5. In Chinese culture, the color red is one of good luck and prosperity, gold is the imperial color, white is the color of death and black symbolizes misfortune. 6. During the Mid-autumn Festival, Chinese people eat moon-cakes and spend the evening outdoors enjoying the beauty of the full moon. 7. When the bride has crossed the threshold of the groom’s house she becomes part of the groom’s family. 8. Traditionally ， when a Chinese baby is born, he/she is already considered to be a year old: age is calculated from the date of conception, not the date of birth.

3. 1. Treasures fill the home. 2.Business is booming; trade is brisk. 3. Peace all year round 4. Harmony brings wealth. 5. May all your wishes come true. 6. The country flourishes and people live in peace. 7. Money and treasures will be plentiful. 8. Be promoted step by step.

4. 1. Every family longs for a well-off life with treasures filling the home. 2. Trade has been brisk since the store started business. 3. Let’s wish your baby health and peace all year round. 4. One of the secrets of his success is the conviction of “harmony brings wealth”.

5. 5. May all your wishes come true in the coming new year. 6. In the past decade, China enjoys favorable weather, with the country flourishing and people living in peace. 7. Business people in China believe that with the statue of Guan Yu money and treasures will be plentiful. 8. Through hard work, he has been promoted step by step.

6. John: 小王，你能给我讲讲中国龙吗？ 王 : Sure. As you know, the dragon is a mythical monster in fairy tales and legends. John: 我听说龙在很长一段内都代表邪恶。好几 百年里都有关于这种蛇形怪兽四处游荡、一路吞 噬生灵的说法。 王 : However, the Chinese adopted the dragon as a symbol of nobility. Until 1912, the dragon was the national emblem of China. John: 很多中国人认为龙是神，应该顶礼膜拜， 是吗？

7. 王 : Yes, dragons appear in every area of Chinese culture. They decorate colorful lanterns at festival time, shop fronts at Chinese New Year and are delicately embroidered on silk clothing. John: 我大学时的中国老师告诉我龙在中国文学 中的作用也很重要。 王 : In fact, children's books are full of the legendary appearances of dragons and, frequently the dragon is found helping a poor or unfortunate victim overcome his enemies. John: 嗯，龙在中国人的生活里无处不在啊！

8. 农历５月５日的端午节是为了纪念投江自尽 的古代诗人和忠臣屈原。最初人们将以竹叶 包扎好的糯米粽子投入屈原自尽的那条江。 今天，人们在端午时节举行龙舟比赛，而粽 子则由活生生的人来享用。

9. The Dragon Boat Festival on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month ( around early June ) is celebrated in memory of QuYuan, an ancient poet and loyal minister who drowned himself. Zongzi, a kind of glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, were dropped into the river where Qu Yuan drowned himself. Today, however, dragon boat races are held during the festival and the zongzi are consumed by the living.

10. 农历８月１５日的中秋节是观赏满月的日子。 圆圆的月亮象征着圆满，进而象征着家庭团 圆。中秋节的特制食品是一种圆形的月饼， 内含核桃仁，蜜饯，豆沙或蛋黄的食物。

11. The Mid-autumn Festival which occurs on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month (around mid-September ) is an occasion for viewing the full moon. The round moon is a symbol for completeness, and by extension, family reunion. The specialty of the day is the yuebing ( mooncake ), a round pastry filled with nuts, candied preserved fruits, bean paste, duck egg yolks, ect.

12. 春节是中国的农历新年，春节的日期按农 历而定，通常出现在公历２月前半期的某 一天。大吃大喝历来是春节的主要内容。 除了常见的海鲜，家禽和肉类之外，人们 还要按照各自的地方风俗烹制一些传统菜 肴，例如北京的饺子，上海的八宝饭和广 州的米羹。

13. The Spring Festival, the Chinese lunar New Year, is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, and generally occurs some time in the first half of February. Usually, Lavishing consumption of food and drink is a major activity. In addition to the popular seafood, poultry and meat, people prepare some dishes according to regional custom and traditional favorites, for example, Jiaozi( boiled dumplings ) in Beijing, babaofan ( a steamed sweet glutinous rice pudding )in Shanghai and the soup of small rice-balls (cooked with pork and chicken )in Guangzhou.