1. Describe a historical period you would like to learn more about
（你想了解的历史时期）

I'd like to talk about a historical period connected to a Chinese traditional festival — the time of Qu Yuan, who lived during the Warring States period over two thousand years ago in ancient China.

Qu Yuan was a patriotic poet and a government official in the state of Chu. He was very loyal to his country, but unfortunately, he was misunderstood and exiled. When he heard that his country had been invaded, he was heartbroken and drowned himself in a river. To honor him, local people threw rice dumplings into the water so that the fish wouldn’t eat his body. This later became the origin of a traditional Chinese festival food — Zongzi.

I think this story is very moving, and I’d like to learn more about that time in history — how people lived, what kind of poems Qu Yuan wrote, and why he is still remembered today. I think learning about the past through a meaningful story like this helps us better understand our culture.

Actually, we still celebrate the festival every year, which is called the Dragon Boat Festival. It usually falls in early summer, around the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, which was May 31st this year.

So this historical period — the time of Qu Yuan and the Warring States — really interests me. It’s not just about war and politics, but also about poetry, loyalty, and the origin of a very special food I enjoy.

2. Describe a traditional food in your country
（中国的传统食物）

I’d like to talk about Zongzi, a traditional Chinese food that people eat during the Dragon Boat Festival. This festival usually falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, which was May 31st this year.

Zongzi is made of sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. Inside the rice, there are different fillings depending on the region. Some are sweet, like red beans or purple rice, and some are savory, with ingredients like pork belly or salted egg yolk. Personally, I prefer the salty ones. I really like the soft, sticky texture and the smell of the bamboo leaves when you unwrap it.

This food is not only delicious but also has a deep cultural meaning. It was created to honor a patriotic poet named Qu Yuan, who lived during the Warring States period in ancient China. He drowned himself in a river out of sorrow for his country. Local people threw rice dumplings into the river so the fish would eat the dumplings instead of his body. That’s how Zongzi became part of the festival.

In Chinese culture, we believe food carries memory and history, and Zongzi is a great example. Every time I eat it, I’m reminded of the old story and the values of loyalty and love for one’s country. That’s why I think Zongzi is not just a traditional food, but also a symbol of our culture and history.