Preparing the Chinese New Year
1．Of all the traditional Chinese festivals, the New Year is the most elaborate, colorful, and important. This is a time for the Chinese to congratulate each other and themselves on having passed through another year, a time to finish out the old, and to welcome in the New Year. Common expressions heard at this time are Guonian （to have made it through the old year） and Bainian （to congratulate the New Year）.
2．The Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first day of the first month in the lunar calendar. The corresponding date in the solar calendar varies from as early as January 21st to as late as February 19th. The Chinese New Year, as the Western New Year, signifies turning over a new leaf. Socially, it is a time for family reunions, and for visiting friends and relatives. This holiday, more than any other Chinese holiday, stresses the importance of family ties. The Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner gathering is among the most important family occasions of the year.
3．Preparations for the Chinese New Year in old China started well in advance of the New Year's Day. The 20th of the Twelfth Moon was set aside for the annual housecleaning, or the "sweeping of the grounds". Every corner of the house must be swept and cleaned in preparation for the new year.
4．After the house is cleaned, it is time to bid farewell to the Kitchen God （Zaowang）. In Chinese folklore, the Kitchen God is regarded as the guardian of the family health. He is considered the inventor of fire as well as the censor of household morals. As the folktale goes, the Kitchen God leaves the house on the 23rd of the last month to report to heaven on the behavior of the family. At this time, the family would do everything possible to obtain a favorable report from the Kitchen God. On the evening of the 23rd, the family would give the Kitchen God a ritualistic farewell dinner with sweet food and honey. Some say this is a bribe; others say it seals his mouth from saying bad things.
5．Free from the watchful eyes of the Kitchen God, who is supposed to return on the first day of the New Year, the family now prepares for the upcoming celebrations. In China, most stores usually close shop on the last day of the year and remain closed for the first week of the New Year. Consequently, families are busy in the last week of the old year, stocking up on foods and gifts. Chinese New Year presents are similar in spirit to Christmas presents, although the Chinese tend more often to give food items, such as fruits and tea. The last days of the old year are also the time to settle old debts.
Paragraph 1_____.
A.Giving Presents for the Chinese New Year B.Preparing for the Upcoming Celebrations C.Brief Introduction to the Chinese New Year D.Time and Importance of the Chinese New Year E.The Annual Housecleaning F.Bidding Farewell to the Kitchen God正确答案C
