Mamianqun, also known as “Horse-faced Skirt”, is     1     kind of traditional Chinese dress. Actually, the name “Mamianqun” has nothing to do with the animal. There is a theory that the “skirt doors” of Mamianqun     2     (close) look like “Ma Mian”, a kind of structure used for defense on the ancient city walls, so the skirt got the name “Mamianqun”. But this is still a question to be verified.

Mamianqun, dating back     3     the Song Dynasty, had become the most typical style for women by the Ming and Qing dynasties. It became prominent due to     4     (it) use by nobility and the rich as a status symbol. The style of Mamianqun     5     (go) through a series of changes since it emerged. However, the “Ma Mian” structure has always been deeply rooted.

Silk, the most revered (受尊敬的) fabric in ancient China, was the     6     (prefer) material for making a Mamianqun, particularly for the upper class of society. Mamianqun has numerous pleats (褶) on either side,     7     (create) uniquely beautiful and graceful waves when walking. The most attractive aspect is the elegant patterns on the skirt     8     represent people’s beautiful aspirations in Chinese clothing culture, such as the Depiction of Birds Adoring the Phoenix and Prosperity and Blooming Flowers.

Mamianqun, with deep historical roots, has transitioned into modern fashion, where it serves as a bridge between the past     9     present. Nowadays, Mamianqun is gaining increasing     10     (popular) among both Chinese and foreigners.

China is known as Xia for its grand etiquette (礼仪) culture, and known as Hua for its beautiful attire (衣裳). With the     1     (change) in society, economic development, and cultural development, clothing has evolved over thousands of years. However, while the forms may have been changed, the essence (本质)     2     (remain) constant.

“In ancient China, emperors like Huangdi. Yao, and Shun brought peace to the world through their clothing.” Clothing holds     3     significant place in Chinese culture. It is not only used for daily wear,     4     (cover) the body and protect it from cold but also as an instrument of management. In ancient Chinese society, there were strict rules and dress codes about clothing. The presence of clothing distinguished civilization     5     barbarism (野蛮), while changes in color and style     6     (gradual) developed into a form of etiquette. Their design conveyed behavioral norms and     7     (they) patterns were rich in cultural significance. Moreover, ancient attire were also an important carrier of morality. China has always been known as a nation     8     values formal attire and etiquette.

What is the Chinese style? It is something that makes people think of China as soon as they see it. For example, the horse-face skirt, which     9     (favor) by international brands and Chinese people for many years, will continue to be attractive. Chinese clothing, as a classical style. has been known to the world overnight with good opportunities. It’s not just a traditional costume style but also a source of     10     (admire).

The official mascots (吉祥物) of the 19^th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 — three sporty robots    1    (name) Congcong, Lianlian, and Chenchen —    2     (introduce) to the public at a digital launch ceremony in Hangzhou, China    3    April 3, 2020. Each represents a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the host city.

The robot Congcong represents the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City. Its name comes from the Cong jade pendant (玉琮) — a classic relic unearthed from the Ruins    4    dates back around 5000 years. The robot Lianlian represents West Lake and its name means the endless lotus (莲花)     5     (leaf) on West Lake. The robot Chenchen represents the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, and it takes its name from the Gongchen Bridge, a landmark structure on    6    Hangzhou section of the Grand Canal. They stand for not only the joy of sports but the peak of     7     (culture) and economic development.

Raja Randhir Singh, the acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia, said    8    the mascots showed the smart intelligence of the modern world     9    the energy of the future. “The mascots are rich in content, combining Chinese culture, the characteristics of the city of Hangzhou, and the spirit of the Asian Games and the Asian continent.” Together, they are calling out to Asia and the world, inviting everyone    10     (meet) in Hangzhou for the Asian Games 2022.

Almost everything inspired the ancestors of Chinese to create diverse decorative patterns on objects ranging from daily life needs to pure artworks. They carried good and lucky     1    (mean) and were possessed of high value, driving numerous people to protect them. However, the huge number of these decorations increases the difficulty of conservation efforts. Fortunately, many Chinese artists have been considering various ways to pass down this culture     2     the next generation. Huang Qingsui,     3     Zhuang ethnic art designer, numbers among these artists. He started collecting decorative patterns from rural areas and recorded them in an online database in 2013 that now     4    (contain) more than 20,000 traditional decorations.

Managing the database consists of three steps. The first is collecting these traditional patterns through various channels, including investigating and visiting places where these decorations may have been passed down or     5    (contact) museums and experts. After tracking down a decorative pattern, Huang and his team fake photos and     6    (digital) reproduce the patterns on computer. During the process, they often need to restore damaged patterns, especially     7     it comes to decorative patterns on clothing because they tend to be faded or misshapen. The last step involves collecting the data and checking and correcting any mistakes     8     may have occurred during the earlier steps.

The beauty     9    (hold) in traditional patterns has inspired Chinese designers to find     10    (they) own style and emotional bonds instead of just caring about function and form when designing their works.

Whoever has ever been to a Chinese restaurant may have experienced    1    unique set of utensils(餐具). Instead of a fork, you may have been handed two long    2    (stick). What are we talking about? Chopsticks, of course! Experts believe they originated in China. Chopsticks    3    (be)around for over 5, 000 years. For example, a pair of bronzè chopsticks from 1200 В.C. has been found in China. Experts believe the earliest chopsticks were likely used to stir a fire or serve food during    4    (cook).

Chopsticks you get in a Chinese restaurant are    5    (usual)made of wood. However, they are also commonly made of bamboo. You can also find chopsticks    6    (make)out of metal and bone. In China, chopsticks are called kuaizi,    7    is a word made up of characters meaning quick and “bamboo”. The English word “chopsticks” may come    8    a common phrase that means “quickly chop”.

Chopsticks    9    (mean) to be useful but difficult to handle. They are held by the main hand and used to pick up food. It takes a bit of practice    10    (feel)comfortable when you use chopsticks to eat. With a little work, you'll be eating with chopsticks in no time.