There are 24 solar terms in a year. Start of Autumn(立秋) is the 13th one. It usually starts on 7 August and ends on 22 August. Here are some things about the solar term.
Start of Autumn means summer is over and autumn begins, but the weather is still hot during the first month of autumn. People call the hot days after the Start of Autumn “Autumn Tiger”. It’s even hotter than some days in summer because there is little rain.
On the first day of the Start of Autumn, people often weigh themselves. If they are lighter than they were at the Start of Summer, they will eat many different kinds of delicious food. In Shandong, people make and eat dumplings on the day. In Zhejiang, people eat watermelons on this day. Families come together to enjoy sweet and juicy watermelons as a way to say goodbye to cold food. They all call it “Eating the Autumn”.
Start of Autumn is important for farmers. They work hard for months and wait for the harvest. They hope it rains on the first day of the Start of Autumn. They think there will be a good harvest by the Autumn Equinox(秋分) if it rains on the day.
1. When does the Start of Autumn usually begin each year?（不超过5个词）

2. What do farmers hope will happen on the first day of the Start of Autumn?（不超过5个词）

3. How do you celebrate the Start of Autumn?（不超过10个词）

1. On 7 August.
2. They hope it rains.
3. Eating peaches and red beans,and enjoying the autumn scenery.（言之有理即可）

【分析】本题为阅读理解细节题与开放性问答题，需先定位原文对应信息，再按要求作答。第1题需查找立秋开始时间，定位原文第一段；第2题需查找农民的愿望，定位原文第四段；第3题需结合文中立秋习俗给出合理庆祝方式，符合字数要求即可。
【解析】1. 从原文第一段“It usually starts on 7 August”直接提取对应答案；2. 从原文第四段“They hope it rains on the first day of the Start of Autumn”提取对应答案；3. 结合文中提到的立秋相关习俗，给出符合要求的合理表达，与参考答案示例一致。
【答案】1. On 7 August.
2. They hope it rains.
3. Eating peaches and red beans,and enjoying the autumn scenery.
【知识点】阅读理解细节理解，开放性表达
【点评】本题考查学生对短文细节信息的定位提取能力及简单开放性表达能力，难度适中，多数学生可完成作答。
【难度系数】0.7