Important as face masks(口罩)are in our current world, they have a major impact on     1    environment. Now scientists have demonstrated a novel method for     2     (clear) away old masks—by using them     3     (make) batteries.

First, the researchers disinfect(给......消毒)the masks, then put them into a special liquid. Next, the masks     4     (press) together and heated to 140℃, forming small conductive balls that work as the electrodes(电极)of a battery. These are separated by a layer     5     is also made of old masks, then the whole thing is put into an electrolyte (a liquid that allows electricity to pass through it) and     6     (final) covered in a protective shell. The shell is made of a different type     7     medical waste—drug blister packs.

Of course, cleaning up face masks     8     (be) only part of the issue, and it wouldn’t be much help if the batteries weren’t any good. But the team claims that they’re surprisingly     9     (success). The best—performing version of the battery continues to have 82 percent of its power after 1,500 cycles, and can deliver energy for more than 10 hours.

The team says that these batteries have a number of other     10     (benefit) too. Using waste products means they’re low—cost, and they can be made thin and flexible.

Wang De, who is a blacksmith by trade and an inheritor of the 500-year-old art of dashuhua that     1     (literal) means “creating tree flowers”,     2     (live) in Yuxian county of Zhangjiakou.

Wang and his assistants put     3     over a dozen dashuhua performances for villagers and tourists as part of Spring Festival celebrations each year. The folk artist hopes the revival of the tradition can bring more visitors to his hometown of Zhangjiakou.

Dashuhua is a traditional form of fireworks performance that takes place during certain festivals.     4     (create) molten iron fireworks, waste iron is melted to 1,600℃ and thrown against a cold wall. The mix bursts into sparks that look like glittering tree branches.

But the high-risk tradition is still only reserved for     5     brave. Due to the nature of the performance-handling superheated coal and molten iron, it’s easy for performers to suffer injuries. During a performance a few years ago, Wang suffered severe     6     (burn) on his leg and took two months to recover.

There are only four people     7     (leave) in China who have mastered the ancient practice, three of     8     are either middle-aged or elderly. Both Wang’s father and grandfather were blacksmiths. Wang said     9     was his responsibility to pass this craft on to the next generation. Otherwise, it will be lost.

The art of dashuhua requires extraordinary courage, skill and     10     (strong). Now, The molten iron fireworks performance has become a major tourist attraction.

Red Cross is an international organization that cares for people     1     are in need of help. The Red Cross     2     (exist) in almost every country around the globe. A man in a Beijing hospital who needed blood, a woman in Turkey who     3     (injure) in an earthquake, and a family in Indonesia that lost their home in Tsunami may all be aided by the Red Cross.

The idea of     4     (form) an organization to help people in need began with Jean Dunant. In 1859, he     5     (careful) observed how people were suffering on a battlefield in Paris. He wanted     6     (help) the wounded soldiers despite which side they were fighting for. His efforts brought on the Geneva Convention (公约), an international treaty. It protects     7     (prisoner) of war, the sick and wounded, and other citizens during a war.

Aside from being     8     activist, Henry Dunant was also a businessman and author. He wrote the book A Memory of Solferino to keep his memories of Battle of Solferino. He was among those who witnessed the battle in Italy. The book is what led     9     the foundation of International Committee of the Red Cross — ICRC in 1863. Though he was     10     (success) at some point in his life, he later went from riches to rags (穷人).