The Beginning of Winter falls __1__ November 7 this year on the Gregorian calendar. Across China, the wind starts to grow __2__(cold) and the days shorter, as winter is officially here. As fall fades away, crops that __3__ once ripe just a few months ago have already been stored in warehouses.
今年的立冬是在公历的11月7日。在中国各地，随着冬天的正式到来，风开始变冷，白昼变短。随着秋天的消逝，几个月前成熟的庄稼已经被存放在仓库中。
Many animals hide in caves, the natural shelters __4__ they hibernate. For humans, though hibernation is unnecessary, the Chinese people do have a tradition of eating a big meal on this day.
许多动物躲在洞穴里，这是它们冬眠的天然庇护所。对于人类来说,虽然冬眠是不必要的，但中国人确实有在这一天吃一顿大餐的传统。
Around the beginning of winter, rainfall in most places of China decreases __5__(sharp). The forms of precipitation vary, changing from rain into snow, sleet, and even hail. As the weather grows colder, the earth in __6__(north) China freezes and ice begins to form on the surface of lakes and rivers. Early in the morning, the dew that once appeared on crops has now turned to frost, __7__(create) a white blanket over the land. Meanwhile, in the south of the country, it's time to sow seeds for winter crops such as winter wheat.
在冬季开始时，中国大部分地区的降雨量急剧减少。降水的形式各不相同，由雨转为雪，或者雨夹雪，甚至还有冰雹。随着天气越来越冷,北方地区的湖泊和河流的表面都开始结冰。清晨，凝结在庄稼上的露水现在已经冻成霜,在大地_上形成了一层白色的毯子。与此同时，在我国南部，正是冬小麦等冬季作物
As many fruit trees stop growing in winter, this is the time for farmers __8__ (give) them a "haircut," which means to prune withered or insect-plagued branches. Doing this allows the tree __9__(branch) more space to get enough sunshine and ventilation, and also, for nutrients to flow evenly to each branch. These "haircuts" __10__ every year at the beginning of winter and although creating the image of a "skeleton" tree, they are actually very helpful for the tree when spring rolls around.
由于许多果树在冬天停止生长，这是农民给它们"理发"的时候了，即修剪枯萎或有虫害的树枝。这样做可以让树枝有更多的空间来得到足够的阳光，使其通风良好，并且还可以让营养物质均匀地流向每段树枝。“理发"是每年初冬时做的。虽然理过的树形似"骷髅"，但这样的修剪在春天到来时,对树的健康生长是非常有好处的。
1.on. 2.colder 3.were 4.where
5.sharply 6.northern 7.creating
8.to give 9.branches 10.are done
