每年初春时节，寒气渐消，万物复苏，正是放风筝的好时候。这时，在公园、广场、旷野、草地上，如果抬头观望，常常会看到千姿百态、色彩斑斓的风筝在湛蓝的天空中飞舞，忽高忽低，忽远忽近。
The early spring is a good time for flying kites, when the weather is getting warmer and everything is coming to life. As you look up, in the parks or open fields, on the lawns or squares, nearly everywhere, you can see kites of various shapes and colors flying high and low, far and near in the blue sky.

        风筝也叫纸鸢，在中国民间流行至今已有2000多年。俗话说："二月二，搓麻线；三月三，放风筝"。人们在风筝上寄托了很多美好的涵义和期望。传说中将风筝送上天空后剪断线，任其飘远，它会把一年的病痛和烦恼一同带走。
The kite, also known as "纸鸢" in Chinese, has a history of more than 2000 years. It is said that on the second day of the second lunar month people begin to twist threads for flying kites on the third day of the third lunar month. People have placed many good meanings and hopes in the kite. They believe that if they fly the kite high and then cut off the thread, and let the kite drift away, it will also take away their pains and worries.

        古老的风筝文化同时也孕育了许多能工巧匠，他们用精湛的技艺制作出各式各样的风筝，将风筝文化发扬光大，逐渐推向了世界。
The popularity of kites has also cultivated many consummate kites makers who display exquisite skills, and it is them who have carried forward this culture and spread it all over the world.

        现在，放风筝仍是中国人喜爱的户外运动。一家几口人聚在一起，爸爸脱下厚重的棉衣迎风奔跑，妈妈领着孩子跟在后面追逐，爷爷奶奶仰首远望，边看边笑，一家人其乐融融。在快节奏的都市生活中，这样的画面更显温馨感人。放风筝不但能强身健体，放松心情，更让人们感受到春天的喜悦和情趣，可谓一举多得。
Nowadays, flying kites remains a beloved outdoor activity of the Chinese people. It provides an opportunity for the family members to get together. Just imagine such an affectionate scene of a Chinese family: the father takes off his heavy coat, holds the threads in his hand, and runs against the wind with the kite over his head; the mother together with the child runs behind laughing heartily, while the grandparents look up into the sky with a contented smile. This picture appears more precious and touching especially in this fast-paced urban life. Flying kites is an activity with many benefits, not only does it help to build a strong body and relax the mind, but also provides a good chance for people to enjoy the merriness and delight brought by the spring.

• culture [´kʌltʃə]   n.修养；文化；饲养   (初中英语单词)
• beloved [bi´lʌvd]   a.为....所爱的 n.爱人   (初中英语单词)
• popularity [,pɔpju´læriti]   n.普及；流行；名望   (高中英语单词)
• exquisite [ik´skwizit]   a.精巧的；敏锐的   (高中英语单词)
• affectionate [ə´fekʃənit]   a.亲爱的   (高中英语单词)
• heartily [´hɑ:tili]   ad.衷心地；亲切地   (高中英语单词)
• contented [kən´tentid]   a.满足的；心满意足的   (高中英语单词)
• touching [´tʌtʃiŋ]   a.动人的 prep.提到   (英语四级单词)
• cultivated [´kʌltiveitid]   a.在耕作的；有教养的   (英语六级单词)
• consummate [kɔn´sʌmit]   a.完美的 vt.完成；圆房   (英语六级单词)