Question

    Chinese painting, known as “guó huà” in Chinese, is done with no oils but a brush put in colored or black ink on paper or silk. “Landscape painting” and “Bird-and-flower painting’’ are considered the two most popular forms. The first one usually covers “mountains, rivers” and the second one covers “flowers, birds, insects or fishes”. Plum blossoms, orchids, bamboos, and chrysanthemums (梅兰竹菊) are good symbols to choose.

Plum blossoms are highly praised for their beauty. And also, Chinese people think they are brave and not afraid of the heavy weather in the cold winter when other flowers wither (凋谢). In addition, they are a symbol of good luck for the coming spring.

Orchids are known for their sweet smell. They’re much loved by people because of a clean and beautiful look. In China, the true friendship is often compared to “the orchid friendship”.

Bamboos can also deal with the cold winter. In the ancient tradition, it was a custom to set off fireworks, which were made of bamboos, to say goodbye to the old and bring peace to the new. So bamboos are used as a symbol of peace and safety in Chinese paintings.

Chrysanthemums bloom (开花) in late fall. No matter how strong the wind is. they don’t drop a petal(花瓣). The ancient poets always used them to describe pure people. The famous poet Tao Yuanming in the Eastern Jin Dynasty described his peaceful life through his best-known poem “While picking chrysanthemums’ neath the Eastern fence, my gaze upon the Southern mountain rests.”

To Chinese, plum blossoms, orchids, bamboos, and chrysanthemums not only mean four plants, but also mean the personality and behavior that Chinese admire. That’s why they are known as “Four Gentlemen” in traditional Chinese art and literature.

1.What things does the “landscape painting” usually cover?

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2.Do the plum blossoms bloom in fall?

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3.Which is a better way to praise the friendship, drawing a picture of orchids or bamboo?

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4.How did Tao Yuanming describe his peaceful life?

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5.Why are plum blossoms, orchids, bamboos, and chrysanthemums called “Four Gentlemen”?

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Answer

1.Mountains and rivers.

2.No.

3.(Drawing a picture of) Orchids.

4.Through his best-known poem (“While picking chrysanthemums’ neath the Eastern fence, my gaze upon the Southern mountain rests.”).

5.Because they not only mean four plants, but also mean the personality and behavior that Chinese admire.

【解析】

文章大意：本文从中国的国画引出花鸟画中常见的梅兰竹菊，并详细介绍了这四种花及其代表的含义和品质。

1.细节理解题。根据第1段中“‘Landscape painting’ and ‘Bird-and-flower painting’ are considered the two most popular forms. The first one usually covers ‘mountains, rivers’ …”可知山水画主要包括山和水。故答案为：Mountains and rivers.

2.细节理解题。根据第2段中“And also, Chinese people think they are brave and not afraid of the heavy weather in the cold winter when other flowers wither.”可知梅花在韩玲的冬天开放，此处用否定回答。故答案为：No.

3.细节理解题。根据第3段中“In China, the true friendship is often compared to ‘the orchid friendship’.”可知真正的友谊被比作“兰花友谊”，用话一副兰花来赞美友谊更好。选择疑问句根据实际情况作答。故答案为：(Drawing a picture of) Orchids.

4.细节理解题。根据倒数第二段中“The famous poet Tao Yuanming in the Eastern Jin Dynasty described his peaceful life through his best-known poem ‘While picking chrysanthemums’ neath the Eastern fence, my gaze upon the Southern mountain rests.’”可知陶渊明通过他的诗“采菊东篱下，悠然见南山”来描写和平生活。故答案为：Through his best-known poem (“While picking chrysanthemums’ neath the Eastern fence, my gaze upon the Southern mountain rests.”).

5.细节理解题。根据最后一段中“To Chinese, plum blossoms, orchids, bamboos, and chrysanthemums not only mean four plants, but also mean the personality and behavior that Chinese admire. That’s why they are known as ‘Four Gentlemen’ in traditional Chinese art and literature.”可知它们被称为“四君子”是因为它们不仅是四种植物，而且代表着中国人景仰的人格和行为。故答案为：Because they not only mean four plants, but also mean the personality and behavior that Chinese admire.