Practical English Writing: An EFL Composition Course Assignment #5: Writing About Food [SC]

Rice Dumplings by Daisy Yang

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- O R I G I N A L -

Rice dumplings, a popular food in many parts of Asia, are traditionally made of rice, peanuts and egg yolk. They have many interesting shapes, such as cylinder, triangle, etc. In China, we have three important festivals: the New Year's Day, the Dragon Boat festival, and the Moon festival. Why is the Dragon Boat festival so important? There is an ancient tale which touches everyone deeply. In the next paragraph, I'll tell you this story.
In the Warring States Era (BC 403-221), each country's ruler tried to make war. Chu Yuan was appointed as a trusted, favoured counselor of Huai Wang, the ruler of Ch'u. His unpopular political advocacy caused his rival courtiers to intrigue successfully against him. Ch'u Yuan was banished to the south of the Yangtze River by Huai's successor, Ching Hsiang. Though he lamented and resented falling into such plight, he took good care of the common people. He eventually drowned himself in despair in the Mi-lo River eventually. People threw bamboo tubes which were full of rice into the Mi-lo River in order to keep fish from eating his corpse. According to legend, the day he jumped in, Chinese hold a festival on the fifth day in May of the Chinese lunar year, originated as a search for the his body.
In China, most people earned a living by growing crops. They worked so hard that they had little entertainment. So, to row the dragon boat became another important entertainment gradually. As time goes by, people improve11 rice dumplings by changing their content, left, and cooking way. We can use bamboo or lotus leaves to wrap it. After that, we put it into boiling water or on a bamboo steamer. Till now, whether big or small, vegetarian or meat, rice dumplings can satisfy you. However, I must remind you to control your appetite, because of stomach ache and calorie.

- Q U E S T I O N S -

1. How expensive are rice dumplings?

2. Are rice dumplings sold only during the Dragon Boat Festival?

3. Will readers of this essay know the location of the ancient kingdom of Ch'u?

4. How old was Chu Yuan when he killed himself?

5. Did you notice any English mistakes worth correcting?

- R E V I S I O N -

Rice dumplings, a popular food in many parts of Asia, are traditionally made of rice, peanuts and egg yolk and come in many interesting shapes. They are eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival and based on an interesting story.
In the Warring States Era (403-221 BC), many warlords in China fought against each other. Chu Yuan was appointed as a trusted, favoured counselor of Huai Wang, the ruler of Ch'u - a kingdom located in Hunan and Hubei provinces of central-eastern China. His unpopular political advocacy caused his rival courtiers to intrigue successfully against him. Ch'u Yuan was banished south of the Yangtze River by Huai's successor, Ching Hsiang. Though he lamented falling into such plight, he took good care of the common people. He eventually drowned himself in despair in the Mi-lo River. People threw bamboo tubes which were full of rice into the Mi-lo River in order to keep fish from eating his corpse. According to legend, ever since the day he jumped in, Chinese have held a festival on the fifth day in May of the Chinese lunar year.
The Dragon Boat Festival developed as an important form of entertainment for many rural Chinese. Moreover, over time people improved rice dumplings by changing their ingredients and manner of preparation. We can use bamboo or lotus leaves to wrap them, then put them into boiling water or bamboo steamers. Whether big or small, vegetarian or meat eater, rice dumplings can satisfy you. However, if you eat too much, you may get heartburn or gain weight.