The animated film Chang An has become a surprise hit, earning     1    impressive 600 million yuan at the box office of the Chinese mainland within just ten days of its release. It has appealed to audiences of all ages, who     2     (enthusiastic) recite poetry alongside the characters on screen, taking them on a fantastic journey. This film not only identifies with the Chinese people but also allows the world     3     (explore) the rich tradition of Tang poetry and the “Chinese Poetry Universe.”

The story centers around the deep friendship between poet Gao Shi and the romantic poet Li Bai offering a brief look into the glorious history of the Tang era,     4    is known for its economic prosperity and cultural advancement. The 48 Tang poems     5     (feature) in the movie present a view of the most excellent poets of that time as well as their political ambitions and ideals. These poems transport audiences     6     sandy deserts to mist­filled regions along the Yangtze River.

Chang An is undoubtedly a masterpiece that shows the unique     7     (characteristic) of Chinese culture to the world. In China, poets and their poems     8     (consider) national treasures. These poems describe not only the historical changes of a dynasty, but also     9     (people) understanding of the world. The film has raised the audiences’     10     (aware) and enhanced their love and belief in Chinese culture.

As a student with English literature as one of my main    1    (subject), I thought I knew a lot about Hamlet. After all, it’s probably the most important play by Shakespeare, the most important writer in English. Having seen quite a few productions of Hamlet and read    2    play many times, I felt confident until the Peking Opera came to town!

To make a    3    (compare) between Western and Eastern cultures, I went to see The Revenge of Prince Zidan — the Peking Opera version of Hamlet.    4    (date) back to the 18th century, Peking Opera has a history of over two hundred years.

Starting with an orchestra playing traditional Chinese instruments, the opera brought a    5    (complete) new sound to my Western ears and I was surprised to see the performers’     6    (amaze) costumes, masks and the simple stage. Their voices sounded really unique — some of the female voices were    7    high that I was sure they could break glass! Though the performers sang in Chinese, their special techniques helped get the meanings across    8     the audience.   

What I found incredible was the way the characters moved on stage and I even    9    (doubt) whether the performers were really athletes. The audience were so excited that they all stood up    10    (clap). Now I’ve realized that art is universal.