ACT Reading Practice Test 27

HUMANITIES: Mythology of the Chinese Zodiac

Everyday, one takes for granted the ease of finding out what date it is. This is simplified to such a great degree by following the Gregorian calendar, based on the solar cycle, which keeps track of 365.25 days

Line 5 each year. This has not always been the case, however. In ancient China, the calendar was based on the lunar cycle, and consisted of a repeating twelve-year sequence, each named for a different animal. The origin of the twelve animals is mythological,

10 with the story being passed down from generation to generation. A common telling of the tale recounts a celebration to honor the Jade Emperor; all of the animals were expected to pay tribute to him on the night of the New Year and the first twelve to arrive would

15 receive a great distinction. In order to reach the Emperor’s Palace, the animals were required to cross a fast-moving river. The cunning rat arrived first, climbed atop the ox, who was a much stronger swimmer than the rat, and jumped off

20 of the ox right before reaching shore, so as to win the race. The ox received second place, followed shortly thereafter by the tiger – the strength of both animals allowed them to finish quickly. The rabbit followed, with his agility, by jumping from stone to stone across

25 the river. Next came the mighty and majestic dragon, who flew across the river. When asked why he was not first, he replied that he needed to make rain for the people of Earth and was thus delayed. His kindness earned him the fifth place in the cycle. During the

30 dragon’s explanation there was a galloping sound, signaling the arrival of the horse. Suddenly, hidden coiled around the leg of the horse, appeared the snake – nearly as cunning as the rat – who darted in front of the horse taking sixth place. The horse settled for seventh, just
35 as a raft reached the shore with three more animals. The sheep (eighth), the monkey (ninth), and the rooster (tenth) had worked together to build a raft and traverse the river using their combined efforts. For this show of teamwork they were rewarded in the order that they

40 stepped off of the raft. Next to arrive was the dog, who was met with questioning looks. Supposedly the best swimmer, the dog’s lateness was due to his taking a bath in the refreshing waters of the river. His vanity nearly cost him the race. Lastly was the lazy pig, who

45 stopped on the other side of the river for a feast before a attempted to cross, and was so weighed down by its meal that it arrived only moments before the Emperor declared the race to be finished. Missing from this list of animals is the cat. Sadly,

50 he was a victim of the rat’s cunning; the day before the race the rat informed the cat that he would awaken him prior to the race, so as to allow the cat to rest and save its strength for the race. The day of the race arrived, and the cat continued to sleep while the rat took his
55 spot atop the ox. When the cat awoke, the race was finished, and it has hated the rat for what it did ever since. Beyond the twelve-year distinctions that the animals of the Zodiac lend to the calendar, there is an

60 additional ten-year overlay of five elements: water, wood, fire, metal, and earth. Each of these elements occurs two years in a row, in balance with the Yang and Yin, the governing forces of all things. Even numbered years are considered Yang, and odd numbered years
65 are considered Yin. When all factors are combined, a sixty-year repeating calendar results, the current cycle of which began in 1984. Despite its complexity, the Calendar is followed to a certain degree, and the Chinese New Year is

70 celebrated by many. Primary among the great astrological purposes to the Zodiac is the common belief that the animal that governs the time of a person’s birth will influence that person’s personality for life. Whether or not that is true is a matter of debate that is sure to
75 continue for many years to come.