Stand-up is one of the most well-known and well-loved types of comedy. In observational comedy, the comedian makes jokes about     1    (humour) things he or she observes in everyday life. Prop comedians use props to tell their jokes, physical comedians make use     2     their bodies to make jokes     3     impressionist comedians act or speak like a well-known person,     4     is called doing an impression of the person.

Billy Crystal is one of the most famous stand-up comedians.     5     has also become famous as a film and television actor later on in life. His popularity with all age groups and his ability     6    (amuse) people all over the world prove that stand-up can     7    (enjoy) by everyone.

Doctors     8    (research) the effect stand-up and other forms of comedy have on people have discovered that people who laugh a lot live     9    (long) than those who do not. This agrees with the English     10    (say) “Laughter is the best medicine.”

The Flynn effect，first described in the 1980s by researcher James Flynn，refers to the finding that scores on IQ tests       1    （increase）in the past century. One research paper，published by psychologist Lisa Trahan and her colleagues，combined the results of other     2    （publish）studies and found that IQ scores have indeed increased since the 1950s.    3    there have been exceptions，IQ scores have generally increased over time. Trahan and her colleagues observed，“The existence of the Flynn effect is     4    （rare）disputed. ”

Researchers have put forward several theories to explain the Flynn effect. One explanation has to do with improvements in health and nutrition. For example，the past century has seen     5    decrease in smoking and alcohol use in pregnancy，improvements in the prevention and treatment of     6    （infection）disease，and improvements in nutrition. As Scott Barry Kaufman writes for Psychology Today，“The Flynn effect serves     7    a reminder that when we give people more opportunities to prosper，more people do prosper. ”

Another explanation for the Flynn effect     8    （relate）to societal changes. In a TED talk，Flynn explains that the world today is “a world where we've had to develop new mental habits，new habits of mind”. Flynn has found that IQ scores have increased the most rapidly on questions that ask us to find     9    （similar）between different things，and more abstract types of problem-solving，both of     10    are things that we need to do more of in the modern world.

The 18th China Theater Festival is set     1     (show) in Hangzhou, capital of East China’s Zhejiang province, from Nov 8 to 27, local media reported.     2     (found) in 1988, the festival is held     3     (two) a year and serves as a significant platform for the national     4     (drama) community to show excellent creative achievements.

The festival will host     5     total of 48 performances in Hangzhou, offering     6     (rough) 36,000 tickets, with prices ranging from 50 yuan to 480 yuan. Over 20, 000 tickets priced at or under 100 yuan will be available. The organizer will also introduce an online discount of at least 20 percent. Theater lovers can purchase tickets online through platforms such as Damai, Maoyan,     7     buy tickets     8     person at the appropriate theater box offices. Free viewing opportunities     9     (offer) to representatives from the Asian Games and Asian Para Games as well as volunteers and staff     10     are working behind the scenes.

The Yellow River Fairs

The Yellow River, China’s second longest river, is considered     1     birthplace of Chinese civilization. For thousands of years, the people living along its banks have     2    (continuous) developed their rich and lively cultures that have lasted to this day.

To make people familiarize themselves     3    its rich culture and plentiful products, Shandong province has organized fairs     4     (name) after the river throughout the year, with some events held in communities to involve more people. At the fairs, all are available from handicrafts, agricultural products, local delicious foods to performances.

At one fair in a community in Jinan, the capital city of Shandong, in late October, more than ten     5     (type) of handicrafts were on show. The fair builds a bridge between intangible cultural heritage (非物质文化遗产) producers     6     consumers. Using items that represent     7     (tradition) culture is a good way to pass on culture.

At the fair, 60-something Yu Shaoqing,     8     was selling animal-shaped textile (纺织品) products, attracted a lot of buyers. Many young people     9     (show) an interest in his products and bought them to decorate their rooms and cars. Yu said the fair had provided them with an opportunity     10     (improve) their products and exchange ideas. Folk crafts need new ideas to make them popular with modern consumers.