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9.中国烹饪的特点（the features of Chinese cuisine）

1) Chinese cuisine has made great contribution to the world of food.

2) Cuisine in China is a harmonious integration of color, taste, shape and the fineness of instruments.

3) Colorfulness, aroma and delicacy are major characteristics of China's varied cuisines. 4) Cantonese cuisine is famous for its meat roasting and grilling, fried rice, and seafood. 5) The province of Fujian is noted for multitudinous selection of soups and seafood dishes.

6) The light, elegant Beijing-Shandong style originated the famous Beijing Duck, and is highly acclaimed for its subtle and artful use of seasonings. 7) Sichuan is known for its hot, spicy dishes.

8) Chinese cuisine is widely seen as representing one of the richest and most diverse culinary cuisines and heritages in the world. It originated from different regions of China and has become widespread in many other parts of the world.

9) As is well known throughout the world, rice is a critical part of much of Chinese cuisine. However, in many parts of China, particularly northern China, wheat-based products including noodles and steamed buns predominate.

10) Although vegetarianism is not uncommon or unusual in China as in the West, it is still only practised by a relatively small proportion of the population.

11) In traditional Chinese culture, cold beverages are believed to be harmful to digestion of hot foods, so items like ice-cold water or soft drinks are traditionally not served at meal time.

12) Besides soup, if any other beverages are served, they would most likely be hot tea or hot water. Tea is believed to help in the digestion of greasy foods.

10.重要日子的食物（ food on important days）

1) To celebrate the birthday is important in one's life. When one is young, usually he or she will

eat noodles before their birthday, because long noodles indicate longevity in China.

2) After middle age, one's birthday will be grander. In addition to the above, peaches in many forms will be added to symbolize the longevity and immortality, as well as delightful couplets and candles.

3) On the wedding day, it is also customary to serve Chinese dates, peanuts, longyan and chestnuts together as wish that the couple will soon have a baby.

4) To most Chinese people, returning home after long absence or departure from home is significant. The return home is greeted with noodles and off home while a farewell is offered with dumplings. This is especially popular in northeast China.

5) During the Dragon Boat Festival, though many people cannot watch the boat race, almost all of them eat the unique food-zongzi, a pyramid-shaped dumpling made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves.

6) On the eighth day of the last month in the Chinese lunar calendar, people will enjoy a nourishing porridge called \"labazhou\". In ancient times, monks would kindly share all sorts of food grains with people and made them delicious porridge on this particular day. People today still keep this convention.

7) In Central China, when a baby is born, the happy father will send red-boiled eggs to announce the news.

8) Fish has always been used to suggest the accumulation of prosperity and wealth, so it's often served on New Year's Eve.

9) One of the main snack foods in the Spring Festival is New Year cake, or \"niangao\" in Chinese. \"Gao\" in Chinese has the same pronunciation as \"promotion\Eve feast.

11.健康食物（health food）

1) The benefits of olive oil may go way beyond its wonderful taste. 2) Regular consumption of garlic is believed to protect against cancer.

3) Studies have shown that fish is one of the world's healthiest foods. Fatty fish such as salmon is packed with protein.

4) Eating fish once a week may even slow the rate of cognitive decline. It's really a great natural health food.

5) Fiber-rich tomatoes are a natural health food low in calories and high in vitamins C and A.

6) When I feel like snacking, I usually grab a handful of nuts. They are natural health food. Eating nuts are a convenient way to make sure that you get enough protein.

7) A steaming bowl of fresh cooked oatmeal is the perfect natural health food to start your day with, especially if you try to prevent or are currently dealing with heart disease or diabetes.

8) It's good to eat lots of vegetables and fruits. Try picking from the rainbow of colors available to maximize variety.

9) I enjoy eating non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, carrots, broccoli or green beans with meals.

10) I prefer whole-grain food to processed grain products.

11) I usually choose lean meats like cuts of beef. I like to remove the skin from chicken and turkey.

12) I choose non-fat dairy such as skimmed milk, non-fat yogurt and non-fat cheese.

12.在餐馆吃和在家吃 1) Eating out

1. We all love to have food prepared for us, whether it is take-out, fast food or at a sit-down

restaurant. We don't have to cook or wash the dishes一it's great!

2. Most of us spend a sizeable part of the day away from home so it's inevitable that we eat out

as well.

3. International fast-food chains have also become popular, and offer a quick and hygienic

option for people on the move.

4. Eating out does have its advantages: it takes a lot less time and hassle. You needn't prepare

and wash up afterwards.

5. We are more likely to savor foods from other ethnic groups or cuisines while eating out. In

addition, eating out exposes one to a rich variety of foods. That is something those of us with limited cooking skills may not be able to adhere to at home!

6. Some street food and restaurant hygiene standards are a little dubious. Food sold on

side-walks may be at risk of being contaminated by dust and other pollutants. 7. Some ready-to-eat foods have more oil, salt and sugar than home-cooked food.

8. A common problem with eating out is a greater temptation to eat more than one would at

home. Large extra-value portion sizes can seem tempting because of cost savings. 2）eating at home

1. Conversations during the meal provide opportunities for the family to bond, plan, connect,

and learn from one another.

2. Family meals foster warmth, security and love, as well as feelings of belonging. It can be a

unifying experience for all.

3. Family mealtime is the perfect opportunity to display appropriate table manners, meal

etiquette, and social skills.

4. Meals prepared and eaten at home are usually more nutritious and healthy. They contain more

fruits, vegetables, and dairy products along with additional nutrients.

5. Home-cooked meals are usually not fried or highly salted, plus soda and sweetened beverage

consumption is usually lower at the dinner table.

6. Meals purchased away from home cost two to four times more than meals prepared at home. 7. Children today are missing out on the importance of knowing how to plan and prepare meals.

Basic cooking, baking, and food preparation are necessities for being self-sufficient.

13.中国传统及现代婚礼仪式（the traditional and modern Chinese wedding etiquette）

1) On the day of the wedding, the groom would send a sedan chair over to the bride's family to bring the, bride home. The sedan chair was decorated in red and carried by four servants.

2) As the groom's procession arrived, the groom's spokeswoman would enter the bride's house and carry the bride on her back. The bride couldn't touch the ground with her feet until she arrived at the groom's house.

3) Firecrackers were set off to frighten away evil spirits as the bride departed in the sedan chair. 4) The bride and groom were conducted to the family altar, where they paid homage to the Heaven and Earth. Then the bride and groom bowed to each other.

5) After the bride arrived at the groom's house, the couple would worship the ancestors and the

Heaven and Earth. Then they would serve tea to the groom's parents.

6) The large Chinese character, Double Happiness, on a red piece of paper or in paper cut is always put on each side of the gate.

7) Nowadays the groom takes a car, usually a luxury car decorated with flowers, to bring the bride home. There are usually dozens of other cars accompanying.

8) The bride doesn't wear the traditional red gown nowadays, but like western brides, she will wear white wedding dress and carry a bouquet.

9) In many cases, the bride and groom will exchange wedding rings.

A special meal

The most unforgettable meal I had was the Spring Festival feast last year. You know, the Spring Festival is the most important festival in China. It's a festival for family reunion.

Last Spring Festival my family had a big dinner at home. My brother, who lives in Canada, returned with his Canadian wife and three-year-old son. It was the first time for my sister-in-law and nephew to come to China. The whole family was immersed in the joy of reunion. My mother, who is good at cooking，cooked a lot of delicious food for us，including pork braised in brown sauce, steamed fish, sweet and sour meatballs, and of course, dumplings and New Year cakes.

My sister-in-law and nephew had never tasted Chinese food before. They were very curious about the dishes，especially the traditional food dumplings. My nephew asked，\"Grandma, how did you put the fillings into the dumplings? I cannot find the opening!” His funny words stirred our laughter. My mother showed him and my sister-in一law how to make dumplings, and told them Chinese cake, or \"gao\" in Chinese as the same pronunciation as \"promotion”. So we usually eat it on festivals to pray for good luck in the next year.

My brother's family was reluctant to depart after the festival. They said they would come back the next year. I always recalled the dinner because it was the first time for the whole family to get together. I hope we can have dinner together before long.

Wedding

I took part in my best friend Chris's wedding last summer. It was an imposing ceremony with a combination of both Chinese and western features.

The wedding ceremony was held at a five-star hotel .When the bride stepped out of the luxurious car decorated with flowers, the fireworks were let off and confetti was scattered on the newly-weds. Like western brides, Chris wore the white wedding dress and carried a bouquet. The ceremony began with the opening words of the officiator. After the welcoming words, he made the wedding readings from a love poem，which was elegant and sentimental. When the newly-weds exchanged wedding rings, solemn music was played and all the guests applauded. Then according to the Chinese tradition，they served tea to the groom's parents.

The feast was served after the etiquette，which was the climax of the ceremony. The bride changed

her dress into a traditional one, a red qipao. The dress added charms to her. According to Chinese wedding customs，they should toast every guest present. The guests also gave their sincere wishes to the newly-weds, congratulating them for finding the perfect other half. The groom's friends made jokes with the bride and urged the groom to drink.

It was really a neatly crafted wedding. In my opinion, a wedding is a wonderful occasion. It is an important ritual filled with hopes, dreams and excitement.

Part 1

1. Q: How often do you eat at a restaurant?

A1: I have at least one meal at a restaurant each day. It may be a fast-food restaurant or a snack bar. I spend a sizeable part of the day away from home so it's inevitable to eat out as well.

A2: I seldom eat at a restaurant. I eat my lunch in the cafeteria in our office block and cook supper at home.

2. Q: Do you enjoy cooking?

A1: Yes it’s certainly enjoyable to do cooking at home. I enjoy the feeling of creating something. Plus, it's more hygienic to cook at home than to eat out.

A2: No, I have no interest in cooking at all. I don't want to spend my leisure time in the kitchen

and my cooking skill is very limited. Now that the restaurants provide a rich variety of foods, I'd rather take advantage of them. 3. Q: Which type of food do you like best?

A1: Fresh vegetables and fruits are my favorites. But it doesn't mean I am a vegetarian. I just keep a regular intake of them daily.

A2: Seafood is my favorite, especially shrimps. Besides the delicious taste, they are low in calories and fat. They are natural health food.

A3: I love anything spicy, from curry beef to Sichuan hotpot. They are appetizing.

4. Q: Do you think there are any changes in the restaurants nowadays compared with before?

A1: Yes. Today's restaurants have become more individual in decoration and menu. When I was a child, the restaurants in the streets resembled each other, but nowadays we have different style restaurants with ethnic or foreign cuisines.

A2: Yes, there are more restaurants with exotic flavors nowadays. In Beijing, you can find Thai restaurants, Japanese restaurants, and western-style restaurants. They provide a rich variety of food for us.

5. Q: Do Chinese often go to the restaurants?

A1: Yes. I think today's Chinese people eat out more often than before, especially the young generation. With a sizeable part of the day away from home, it's inevitable to eat at the restaurants.

A2: Well, it depends. For the middle-classed families, it's very common to eat at the restaurants for convenience. But for most lower-classed families and workers, frequent eating out is unaffordable.

Part 3

1. Q: Are there any changes in the eating habit of Chinese?

A1: Yes. The eating habit of Chinese has changed a lot recently. At first, we pay more attention to eating health food. The quality but not the quantity has become people's concern. Besides, with the popularity of international fast-food chains and restaurants, most city dwellers eat out more frequently than before.

A2: I don't think there is a significant change in Chinese people's eating habit. Rice and wheat-based products are still the main food of most Chinese. We adhere to the typical traditional food on special festivals, such as jiaozi (dumplings) for the Spring Festival and zongzi for the Dragon Boat Festival.

2. Q: What will people's eating habits be like in the future?

A1: I suppose people will put more emphasis on health food. Most people will go for a healthier diet with sufficient nutrients such as vitamins, fibers and minerals. The fast food high in fat and calories will be cast off slowly.

A2: I suppose people will tend to eat out much more often in the future. One reason is the pace of people's life will grow faster and faster and cooking at home will become \"mission impossible\" for many people. It's also because today's young people are less self-sufficient and lack necessary cooking skills.

3. Q: Why do lots of people like to eat out?

A: Primarily, it takes a lot less time and hassle to eat out. You needn't prepare and wash up afterwards. Besides, you are more likely to savor foods from other ethnic groups or cuisines while eating out.

4. Q: What are the benefits of eating at home?

A: At first, meals prepared叨d eaten at home are usually more nutritious and healthy. They contain more fruits, vegetables, and dairy products along with additional nutrients. In addition to that, family meals foster warmth, security and love, as well as feelings of belonging. It can be a unifying experience for all family members.

5. Q: What do you think is the most important to a good restaurant?

A1: A good restaurant should be distinctive in its menu. It can offer specialties that other restaurants lack. So the skill of the chef is the most critical. Besides, the decoration style should be charming and unique.

A2: I think good service is the key to a good restaurant. Now that most restaurants have similar foods, the considerate and complaisant service is something that can impress the guests and appeal to them for a second visit.

6. Q: What do you think is health food?

A1: Fresh fruits and vegetables are natural health food because they are high in vitamins and minerals. For example, fiber-rich tomatoes are a natural health food low in calories and high in vitamins C and A.

A2: Studies have shown that fish is one of the world's healthiest foods. Fatty fish such as salmon is packed with protein. Eating fish once a week may even slow the rate of cognitive decline. It's really a great natural health food.

A3: Health food should be organic and less processed. They are not contaminated by chemicals or processing aids during the growth and processing. 7. Q: What special food do Chinese eat for birthdays?

A: To celebrate the birthday is important in one's life. When one is young, usually he or she

will eat noodles, because long noodles indicate longevity in China. For elderly people, peaches in many forms will be added to symbolize longevity and immortality. 8. Q: What are the differences between Chinese weddings and Western ones?

A1: I don't think there is a significant difference between them, except that Western religious weddings are usually held in the church and officiated by the priest. In China there are fewer religious weddings but the ritual process resembles that of Western weddings.

A2: Well, I don't know much about western weddings, but I learn from films that Western weddings are more personal events, while in China weddings are family events, and the whole extended family will be invited.

9. Q: Are there any changes in weddings in China nowadays?

A: Compared with the past, there are more western elements in today’s wedding, like the white wedding dress, bouquet, wedding rings and other things. At the same time, some old Chinese customs haven't been followed.