Big Fun with the Dragon Boat Festival　　五月五，过端午

Big Fun with the Dragon Boat Festival五月五，过端午

As one of the major summer celebrations, the Dragon Boat Festival is a special time for families and communities. It is observed on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, and this year, it falls on June 23. The holiday got its name because it is celebrated around the summer solstice, the day with the longest period of sunlight. The sun is associated with the dragon, which is one reason why these mythical creatures are linked to the festival.

There are many methods to celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival. One of the primary ways is to eat zongzis, savory rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves. They can be found in markets and restaurants or prepared at home as part of a family tradition. Another fun pastime that children especially love is standing eggs on end. During this particular time of year, eggs will stand straight up on their widest ends at noon. Doing this is said to bring good luck for the year. For adults, realgar wine is enjoyed. Realgar is a mineral that was regarded as the antidote for all poisons. The wine is drunk for good health.

作为夏季重大的节庆之一，端午节对各个家庭和社区群体来说都是个特别的时节。人们会在农历五月五日这一天来庆祝这个节日，而今年的端午节则是落在国历六月二十三日。这个节日之所以得名是因为它落在夏至的前後，而夏至就是日照时间最长的一天。太阳又和龙有关，这也就是为什麽这些神话中的生物会和这个节日产生关联的原因之一（编按∶因为太阳从东边升起，而在中国传统里，龙是代表东方的圣物，所以两者常被牵扯在一起）。

庆祝端午节的方式既丰富又多元。这当中最主要的一种方法就是吃粽子，也就是一种包在竹叶里的可口饭团。这种食物常常可以在市场和餐厅里看到，或是於家中为人们所准备，作为家庭习俗的一部份。另一项深受孩子们喜爱的有趣消遣就是立蛋。每年在这个特别的时节里，人们可以在正午时分用蛋最圆的那一端将蛋竖直起来。据说这麽做会为一整年带来好运。成年人则会品尝雄黄酒。雄黄是一种矿物，被人们视为是一种可以化解所有毒素的解毒剂。人们正是为了健康的因素而饮用雄黄酒。

1. major a. 主要的，非常重要的
   Smoking is one of the major causes of lung cancer.
   抽菸是导致肺癌的主因之一。
2. community n. 群体；社区
   Residents are working together to keep the community clean and safe.
   住户们都同心协力维护社区的整洁和安全。
3. primary a. 首要的，主要的
   Finding other sources of green energy is our primary goal right now.
   寻找其他种类的绿色能源是我们现在的目标。
4. wrap vt. 包，裹
   Terry gave me a gift wrapped in paper with a beautiful pattern on it.
   泰瑞送我一份礼物，是用印有漂亮图案的包装纸包起来的。
5. pastime n. 娱乐，消遣
   Vincent's favorite pastime is playing video games at home.
   文森最爱的娱乐活动就是在家里打电动。
6. particular a. 特定的
   The travel agent asked Mark if he had any particular needs for the in-flight meal.
   旅行社人员询问马克对於机上餐点是否有任何特别的要求。
7. be said to + 原形动词据说……
   This home remedy is said to stop pimples from forming.
   这种居家疗法据说能够抑制青春痘的形成。
8. be regarded as...被认为是……
   This statue is regarded as one of the artist's masterpieces.
   这座雕像被视为是该位艺术家的杰作之一。
9. lunar calendar n. 农历，阴历
10. summer solstice n. 夏至
11. savory a. 美味可口的；咸味的
12. rice dumpling n. 粽子
13. realgar n. 雄黄（本文中作形容词用）
14. mineral n. 矿物
15. antidote n. 解毒剂

Stand作及物动词
stand 在本文中作及物动词，表『使站立』之意，以下介绍 stand 当及物动词时的其他意思及用法∶
1. 表『忍受，容忍』，常用於否定句或疑问句。
I can't stand Sam's negative attitude toward everything.
（我无法忍受山姆对任何事都表现出负面的态度。）
2. 意指『禁得起』。
These plants can stand extremely hot and dry climates.
（这些植物禁得起极度炎热和乾燥的气候。）
3. 用於片语"stand + 人 + up"中，指『放某人鸽子，爽约』。
Tom's girlfriend was upset because he stood her up last night.
（汤姆的女友很生气，因为他昨晚放她鸽子。）