中南大学英语考试翻译部分内容
process printing. As an old form of folk art in China, this kind of paintings all has festival themes and a sharp contrast in colors (年画是中国画的一种，它采用木刻套印的方法作画，内容喜庆、色彩对比强烈，是中国古老的民间美术形式). They are specially created for decoration of homes, warding off evil spirits and ominous occurrences in the celebration of the Chinese New Year (它是专门为过农历新年时装饰环境、除凶辟邪而创作的). That is why they are called New Year’s paintings.
The Lantern Festival 元宵节
The 15th day of the first lunar month is the Chinese Lantern Festival, which coincides with the first full-moon night of the year (这一天正好是新年的第一个月圆之夜). The major activities of the day include watching painted lanterns, solving riddles, setting off fireworks, and eating yuanxiao元宵(sweet dumplings) made of glutinous rice flour （糯米面，糯米粉）.
Eating Yuanxiao吃元宵Eating yuanxiao元宵on the day of the Lantern Festival symbolizes family reunion and happiness. Yuanxiao are made with glutinous rice flour dough, stuffed with a variety of food such as red bean paste, sesame, mixed nutlets with sugar. Minced meat is another favored flavor (元宵用糯米粉包馅制成，馅儿有豆沙、芝麻、各类果仁加白糖，还有肉糜馅等). In southern China, people also eat tangyuan汤圆(like yuanxiao元宵). Watching Painted Lanterns 赏花灯On the night of the Lantern Festival, lines of painted lanterns are hung around the courtyard and along both sides of the street. The colorful lights against the full moon create quite a visual feast for people to enjoy (人们观灯赏月，其乐融融). Solving Lantern Riddles 猜灯谜Solving riddles written or printed on lanterns is another way of entertaining visitors on the night.