The Double Seventh Festival or Qixi Festival known as Chinese Valentine’s Day (情人节) falls on the 7^th day of the 7th lunar month. For girls, Qixi has another    1    (mean), because it is time of a year to pray to Goddess Zhinu for ingenuity (心灵手巧). That’s the start of    2    (it) another name, Qiqiao Festival. The festival    3    (celebrate) since the Han Dynasty. It is     4    day full of exciting moments because of an ancient love story in China about Niulang and Zhinu. There are different kinds of     5    (interest) activities on that romantic day. Traditionally, the festival was very popular among young girls. They wore traditional Chinese clothes    6    (ask) for ingenuity. Some people showed respect for the Moon, prayed to Zhinu for Skillful Hands an date Qiaoguo. Now people    7    (usual) celebrate Chinese Valentine’s Day by giving    8    (flower), chocolates, and other presents to their sweethearts, instead     9    doing the traditional customs. Although the Western Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 has been popular in China for years, Chinese people attach more importance to Qixi, their own Valentine’s Day,    10    is a valuable opportunity to rebuild the connection with the cultural root and keep the tradition alive.

Closely related to the development of hanzi was the development of Chinese calligraphy. While calligraphy began merely as a way to pass on information, it quickly developed as a form of art. This     1     (be)in part due to the fact that the characters began as pictographs (象形文字), and in part because calligraphy used     2     same medium and techniques used in Chinese ink-wash painting. Literally, through calligraphy one would be painting word pictures. Given this close relationship between paintings     3     calligraphy, it’s common to see that ancient Chinese landscape paintings have a poem     4    (write)in calligraphy in one corner. The poem, the painting, the artist’s seal, and the calligraphy all work together to form a complete piece.

In ancient society, being able to produce good calligraphy     5     (consider)the mark of being educated and cultured. Since calligraphic skills were rated so     6    (high), in Chinese history there were many people who were famous     7     calligraphers in their own day and are still admired even today. One is Ouyang Xun (557—641),     8     was a master of regular script. His calligraphy became influential for future     9     (generation), and not just in China. For centuries, beginners have learned calligraphy by     10     (copy)his works.

Previously, my first idea at mealtimes was     1     (eat) at a restaurant. I was eager     2     (try) new restaurants.     3     (dine) out was also a social activity, allowing me     4     (boost) the relationship with my friends. It didn’t change until last month when I came across a cooking app. There are a variety of recipes in the app     5     (choose) from, which offer     6     (detail) instructions so that others can follow them step by step. When I picked a popular recipe and gave it a try, I discovered it was not that difficult     7     (make) a simple and tasty dish. After a lot of practice, now I am good at     8     (cook) a couple of dishes. My plan is     9     (invite) my friends over at the weekend     10     (show) them my new-found skills.

I applied to the international school in Africa     1    a job as an English teacher. I hoped I could apply what I learned in the university     2    the teaching career. Much to my delight, I was chosen from hundreds of     3     (apply) and now I am applying myself to     4     (teach) the students.

Last year, I had the chance to study at a British secondary school     1     an exchange student. Every secondary school student in the UK must study English, Maths and the Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In year ten, students usually have to study nine subjects, and they can also choose     2    (study) other subjects, such as History, Art and Business. I enjoyed most of the classes, but some of them were quite     3    (challenge). Technology classes were fun. I made a clock to take home. The teacher helped me put the parts together. I like it so much     4     I still use it as my alarm! There     5    (be) not as much homework as I was used to, but it was still tough for me.     6    (fortunate), my teachers and classmates were always helpful and gave me lots of     7    (encourage). My language skills improved over time. After school, there were many clubs to join.     8     attracted me most was the Rugby Club. Also, I enjoyed     9    (act) in the Theatre Club. Joining clubs was a great way     10    (meet) British students and make friends with them.