While it’s impossible to understand China if you don’t speak Chinese, knowing the language does not mean you automatically understand China.

My first real Chinese friend was HuanHuan. Huan Huan was the first friend I made after my Chinese language skills     1    (catch)up with my personality, and he invited me     2    (visit) him at his family’s village for Chinese New Year. At the table were Huan Huan’s parents, uncles, and his little brother. I worked at being a model guest,     3    (pay)especially close attention to my pleases and thank you. At some point during the meal, I realized Huan Huan was looking     4    (increase)upset. After I thanked his mother for more rice, Huan Huan finally called me outside     5     a private chat.

“Are you uncomfortable in there?”

“No, very comfortable.”       

“Is the food to your liking?” Is everyone being     6    (respect)?

“Then you’ve got to stop saying thank you. Our guests are taking     7     the wrong way,” he said. “Among friends, there is no need for thank you. You thank strangers for kindnesses. They     8    (expect)of friends.”

Actions speak     9    (loud)than words. To compliment Huan Huan’s mother’s food, I ate more of it. She glowed, wordlessly. It was HuanHuan     10     taught me the silent language of the give and take of relationships in China.

Berck-sur-Mer is a little gem of a seaside resort in the North of France. The sandy beaches run for 12 kilometers, making the city     1     ideal location for sand yachters and kite flyers. The tourist season there begins in April with the International Kite Festival, the largest and     2    (influence) kite-themed event in France.

The festival this year from April 20 to 28 is     3    (unprecedented) anticipated, as China will become the guest country of honor. It’s the first time that the festival     4    (introduce) the concept of guest countries since its establishment in 1987. The China Cultural Center in Paris will join hands with Weifang city —known as the “kite capital of the world” —    5    (showcase) authentic Chinese kite art to the audience. Spectators are sure to be blown away by a 100-meter-long dragon kite     6    (take) flight to kick off the nine-day event.

The festival offers a wide range of activities from kite-making camps to keep kids     7    (occupy) to a series of kite-flying competitions     8     over 400 enthusiasts test their skills and show off the creativity behind their colorful designs. Meanwhile, kite lovers unable to attend     9     person can join an online competition by sharing their kite-flying videos via a social media mini-program. Presenting a metaverse version of the kite festival, this virtual space makes it impossible for people to resist the     10    (tempt) to explore the awe-inspiring and fun-packed event.

Today’s festivals have     1     wide range of origins, including the seasons of the year, famous figures, important events, and religions. All festivals have the spirit of     2     (share) joy, gratitude, love, or peace in common. 

The harvest festival is one of the most popular festivals and is celebrated in many cultures. In China, families gather     3     (admire) the shining moon and enjoy delicious mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Customs play a significant role in festivals, but they can change over time. For example, some Chinese cities no longer allow firecrackers during the Spring Festival, as they can increase air     4     (pollute). However, these days, festivals are becoming more and more commercial, with people     5     (spend) more money on gifts, which results in different opinions.

March 8 is International Women’s Day. It’s a time to celebrate women’s achievements, demand equality and fight for basic rights and freedoms.

International Women’s Day takes place every year on 8 March. It is an opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements     1     create positive changes for women and girls. All around the world, people are demanding gender equality and protesting about situations     2     women do not have basic rights and freedoms. International Women’s Day is a time to do this work together.

International Women’s Day started with a protest that     3     (take) place in New York City in 1908. Fifteen thousand women went out onto the streets to demand equal rights and working conditions.    4     particular, they wanted     5     (short) working hours, better pay and the right to vote.

At the International Conference of Working Women in Denmark in 1910, a woman     6     (call) Clara Zetkin proposed the idea of an international day for women. Everyone agreed it was a good idea     7     (make) use of the same day every year to take action for women's rights. The first International Women’s Day happened the     8     (follow) year, in 1911.

    9     (general), people celebrate International Women’s Day in many different ways and for a     10     (various) of reasons, but a common goal is gender equality.