【中考英语·传统文化热点】小年 Little New Year

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Little New Year, also known as Xiaonian in Chinese, is a significant traditional festival in China. It marks the beginning of the Spring Festival preparations and is a warm prelude to the most important festival of the year.

小年，在中文里也被称为“Xiaonian”，是中国一个重要的传统节日。它标志着春节准备工作的开始，也是一年中最重要节日的温暖序幕。

The date of Little New Year varies slightly in different regions of China. In northern China, it usually falls on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month; while in southern China, it is on the 24th day. This difference has a long history and is closely related to ancient customs.

中国不同地区的小年日期略有不同。在中国北方，它通常在农历腊月二十三；而在中国南方，小年则在腊月二十四。这种差异有着悠久的历史，并且与古代习俗密切相关。

There are many interesting and meaningful customs on Little New Year. The most important one is "sweeping the dust". People will do a thorough cleaning of their houses, including walls, floors, windows and furniture. They believe that this can sweep away all the bad luck and troubles of the old year, and welcome new good luck.

小年有许多有趣且有意义的习俗。最重要的一项是“扫尘”。人们会彻底打扫自己的房子，包括墙壁、地板、窗户和家具。他们相信这样做可以扫去旧年所有的坏运气和烦恼，迎接新的好运气。

Another important custom is offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God. The Kitchen God is believed to be in charge of the family's food and fortune. On this day, people will prepare sugar melons, a kind of sweet and sticky food, to offer to him. They hope that the sweet sugar melons can make the Kitchen God speak good words for their family when he reports to the Jade Emperor.

另一项重要的习俗是祭灶神。人们认为灶神掌管着家庭的饮食和福气。在这一天，人们会准备糖瓜——一种又甜又黏的食物，来供奉灶神。他们希望甜甜的糖瓜能让灶神在向玉皇大帝汇报时，为自己的家庭说好话。

Besides, people also start to prepare for the Spring Festival on Little New Year. They will buy new clothes, prepare special New Year food, paste paper-cuts and write Spring Festival couplets. All these preparations are full of people's expectations for a happy and peaceful new year.

除此之外，人们也会在小年开始为春节做准备。他们会买新衣服、准备特色年菜、贴窗花、写春联。所有这些准备工作，都充满了人们对幸福、安宁新年的期盼。

Little New Year is not just a festival with interesting customs, but also a carrier of Chinese traditional culture. It teaches us to respect traditions, cherish family and look forward to the future.

小年不仅仅是一个有着有趣习俗的节日，更是中国传统文化的载体。它教会我们尊重传统、珍惜家庭、憧憬未来。

1.When is Little New Year in northern China? 

A. On the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month. 

B. On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month. 

C. On the first day of the Spring Festival.

2. What is the most important custom on Little New Year? 

A. Offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God. 

B. Eating mooncakes. 

C. Sweeping the dust.

3. Why do people eat sugar melons on Little New Year?

A. To make the Kitchen God speak good words for their family. 

B. To keep healthy. 

C. To welcome friends from other places.

4. Which of the following is NOT a preparation for the Spring Festival on Little New Year? 

A. Buying new clothes. 

B. Preparing special New Year food. 

C. Watching dragon boat races.

1.Little New Year is a ________ (tradition) Chinese festival.

2. People want ________ (sweep) away bad luck and troubles. 

3. The date of Little New Year is different in different ________ (region). 

4. They ________ (prepare) sugar melons to offer to the Kitchen God now. 

5. This custom ________ (carry) people's expectations for a happy new year.

1.小年标志着春节准备工作的开始。Little New Year ________ the beginning of the Spring Festival preparations.

2. 人们在小年彻底打扫房子，以迎接好运气。People do a thorough cleaning of their houses on Little New Year ________ good luck.

3. 不同地区的小年日期略有不同。The date of Little New Year ________ in different regions.