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Dragon Head Raising Day: time for a haircut

China is a country with many colorful days and festivals. The Dragon Head Raising Day (Longtaitou) is one of them.

This special day is on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar (阴历). It stands for (代表) the start of spring and farming. This year, the day fell on March 10.

The dragon is important in Chinese culture. We Chinese people call ourselves the “descendants (传人) of the dragon”. Therefore, people celebrate the Dragon Head Raising Day with many customs about dragons.

On the day in ancient times, people put ashes (灰) in the kitchen. This was to “lead the dragon into the house”. People believed that with the help of the dragon, they could have a good harvest (收成) in autumn.

Also, people eat special foods on that day. The foods are usually named after dragons. For example, people eat “dragon whisker (细须)” noodles and dumplings called “dragon teeth”.

Today, many customs have faded away (消退). But one that has remained is the cutting of hair. It was said that a haircut during the first lunar month may bring bad luck to the mother’s brothers. So many people have their hair cut on the Dragon Head Raising Day.

1．The Dragon Head Raising Day is one of the ______ festivals.

A．English

B．French

C．Chinese

D．American

2．______ was the Dragon Head Raising Day this year.

A．March 10

B．February 2

C．March 4

D．March 8

3．On the day in ancient times, why did people put ashes in the kitchen?

A．Because the dragon liked the ashes.	B．Because the ashes stood for the harvest.
C．Because the ashes led the dragon into the house.	D．Because the ashes could bring good luck.

4．One custom that has remained is ______ according to the passage.

A．the cutting of hair

B．the dragon boating

C．to eat Zongzi

D．to eat mooncakes

5．Which of the following is not true?

A．The Dragon Head Raising Day is on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar.

B．The dragon is important in Chinese culture.

C．People eat “dragon whisker” noodles and dumplings called “dragon teeth” on the Dragon Head Raising Day.

D．The Dragon Head Raising Day stands for the start of spring and harvest.