山东省济宁市嘉祥县第三中学2020-2021学年九年级下学期英语第一次月考试卷（含听力音频）

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the year staring on Feb 12 will be the Year of the Ox. Many Chinese people believe it will be a good year, partly because they have a strong liking for the animal itself. So, let's learn something about the ox in the Year of the Ox.

In Chinese culture the ox stands for the spirit of hard work and unselfishness. We often say that the ox is enduring(忍耐的) and generous(慷慨的). The term "Iaohuangniu" describes those who help others and ask nothing for themselves. Just as Chinese writer Lu Xun once wrote," Cows eat grass, but give milk".

But in the West, people have a different opinion about the animal," Bull-headed" people are very stubborn (固执的) and will not listen to advice.

If you scorch on the internet for the word" bull", you'll also find other interesting English expressions.

For example. if someone behaves" like a bull in a china shop", he or she behaves in a clumsy(笨的) manner when they should be more careful.

With the new year coming, we hope that all of us will work just as hard as the ox does. Avoid anything that might make you as angry as" a red flag to a bull". We hope you can always" take the bull by the horns (不畏艰险) when you have to deal with a difficult situation.

Dear classmates,

The entrance examination of high school coming in three months.