Fun at the Dragon Boat Festival

The Main Reading Text

Dragon Boat Festival is a happy holiday that many people look forward to. It's a special time for family, delicious food, and exciting games on the water.

One of the best things about this festival is the food called zongzi. Zongzi are made of sticky rice wrapped in green bamboo leaves, like a small present. Inside the zongzi, there can be yummy things like meat, egg yolk, or sweet red beans.

The most exciting part for many people is watching the dragon boat races! Dragon boats are very long and are painted in bright colors. They have a dragon head at the front and a tail at the back. Many people inside the boat use paddles to row together. A drum beats loudly – boom, boom, boom – to help the rowers keep a good rhythm. Everyone tries to row very fast to win the race. It’s a big, splashy game on the river!

Some families also hang special green plants, like mugwort, on their doors. They believe these plants can bring good luck and keep bad things away. People celebrate this festival to have fun, eat good food, and remember an important story about a brave man from long ago.

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Key Learning Points

點擊下方的頁籤，切換不同的學習重點。

look forward to

v. phr.

[lʊk ˋfɔrwɚd tu] — 期待

To feel pleased and excited about something that is going to happen. Note: The "to" is a preposition, so it's followed by a noun or V-ing.

• Many people look forward to this holiday.
  許多人期待這個假日。
• I'm looking forward to seeing you soon.
  我期待很快能見到你。

delicious

a.

[dɪˋlɪʃəs] — 美味的

Having a very pleasant taste or smell.

• It's a special time for delicious food.
  這是享用美食的特別時光。
• My grandmother makes delicious apple pie.
  我的奶奶做的蘋果派非常美味。

wrapped

a.

[ræpt] — 包裹的

Covered in paper or other material. (Past participle of "wrap").

• Zongzi are made of sticky rice wrapped in green bamboo leaves.
  粽子是用糯米做的，並用綠色竹葉包裹起來。
• The present was beautifully wrapped.
  禮物被包裝得很漂亮。

paddle

n.

[ˋpædl] — 槳

A short pole with a wide, flat part at one end or both ends, used for moving a small boat or canoe through the water.

• Many people inside the boat use paddles to row.
  船上的許多人用槳來划船。
• We lost a paddle, so it was hard to steer the boat.
  我們掉了一支槳，所以很難操控船。

rhythm

n.

[ˋrɪðəm] — 節奏

A strong, regular repeated pattern of movement or sound.

• A drum helps the rowers keep a good rhythm.
  鼓聲幫助划船者保持良好的節奏。
• I love the rhythm of this song.
  我喜歡這首歌的節奏。

mugwort

n.

[ˋmʌg͵wɝt] — 艾草

A plant with a strong, pleasant smell, often used in traditional medicine or for protection.

• Some families hang special plants, like mugwort, on their doors.
  有些家庭會掛上特別的植物，像是艾草，在他們的門上。
• The smell of burning mugwort is very distinct.
  燃燒艾草的味道非常特別。

celebrate

v.

[ˋsɛlə͵bret] — 慶祝

To take part in special enjoyable activities in order to show that a particular occasion is important.

• People celebrate this festival to have fun.
  人們慶祝這個節日以尋求樂趣。
• How do you celebrate your birthday?
  你都怎麼慶祝你的生日？