解读雅思口语话题—— “A Cultural Event in China”

　　The Chinese are very superstitious and that means they take symbolismseriously. Locals come to market to buy good luck charms. Customers at snack arescooping up all sorts of New Year's treats.这段话总述了中国人过年的表现，在后面的内容中将具体讲述如何过年和特殊的习俗。

　　It's a tradition for all of us Chinese to get these sesame balls duringChinese New Year. We use them to worship our ancestors and we say if we havemore sesame balls at home then more gold and silver will come into our house.It's really to bring us more wealth in the New Year. Roasted melon seedssymbolize coins, so this means scooping up lots of money. Rice cakes in theshape of fish are big sellers too. In Cantonese the word for fish sounds thesame as the word for savings.这段话从传统的饮食细节上进行描述，这一点是很多同学所忽视的。朗阁海外考试研究中心分析发现，大部分同学仅仅告诉考官我们有deliciousfood，但忽视了和文化有关的饮食习惯;换句话说delicious food可以放在任何一个场合，而非是针对该题目的描述。

　　Another item that locals want to buy for the New Year for good luck is redunderwear. Red symbolizes wealth and prosperity and the Chinese want new clothesfor the New Year from head to toe and underneath. My aunt buys three lingeriesets every New Year, believing red will bring her good luck. Lunar New Year isthe most profitable time of year for this lingerie store.

　　The banks are also very busy with customers ordering brand-new bills togive away as New Year's gifts to younger relatives or junior colleagues. It'sconsidered good luck for the giver and recipient.除了饮食习俗外，春节中还有很多其他的风俗，所以这个部分的内容最好要比饮食多一些，来突出更多新颖的内容，如传统的红色和压岁钱。这样做的目的也是为了增加回答内容的丰富性和多样性。

　　除了描述春节之外，其实还有很多其他的cultural event值得一说，相对大众的文化传统节日如中国传统的“鬼节”the GhostFestival，重阳节the Double Ninth Festival;具有地方特色的文化活动可以选择“成都的麻将节the MahjongFestival，重庆的火锅节the Hotpot Festival inChongqing”等。这里我们选择中国传统的“鬼节”作为例子，相信考官一定没有在考场中听过考生描述这类的主题。

　　The seventh lunar month in the traditional Chinese calendar is called GhostMonth. On the first day of the month, the Gates of Hell are open to allow ghostsand spirits access to the world of the living. The spirits spend the monthvisiting their families, feasting and looking for victims.总体介绍该文化活动的情况，初步解释。