The Silk Road is in fact a    1    (relative) recent term. These ancient roads had no particular name     2     in the middle of the 1800s, Baron Ferdinand Von Richthofen named the trade and communication network the Silk Road. Since then the term has been accepted globally.

In the       3    (nineteen) century, a new type of travelers stepped onto the Silk Road: archaeologists and geographers, enthusiastic explorers who were eager       4    (look) for adventure. Researchers who came from many countries traveled through the Taklamakan Desert, which is now in Xinjiang, to explore ancient sites along the Silk Road, leading     5    many discoveries and     6     (study), and most of all,a renewed interest in the history of these routes.

Today, many historic buildings and monuments still stand,       7     (mark) the passage of the Silk Road through hotels, ports and cities. What's more, the long-standing legacy（遗产）of this    8    (remark) network is reflected in a large number of cultures, languages, customs and religions that     9    (develop) for many years along these routes. The passage of merchants and travelers of many different nationalities resulted not only in commercial exchange, but in a widespread and continual process of cultural interaction. Obviously,it has become     10    driving force in the formation of diverse societies.

In ancient China the kite was known as “Zhiyuan”.     1     (original) regarded as a technology, it also featured in many art collections, and was considered to have unique artistic value.

It first     2     (appear) in the ware (陶器) of the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC—476 BC). According to historical records, Mo Zi spent three years     3     (construct) a wooden kite which failed after one day’s flight. One book noted that the master carpenter Lu Ban also made some that     4     (use) to spy on the situation of the enemy. Now the basic procedure of making kites remains the same, but styles of kite-making vary       5     different regions. These in the “World Kite Capital” of Weifang in Shandong Province are well known for     6     (they) craftsmanship, materials, painting, sculpture and flexible flying movement. One of these kites,     7     was over 300 meters long, won first place in the International Kite Festival     8     (hold) in Italy. Even this year, the festival is held there and is expected to draw many fans with a passion for flying kites.     9     you are interested in flying a kite, you should choose a sunny and windy day so you can enjoy the open air, and take care to avoid electric wires and cars. And of course, a pair of sunglasses may prove useful in protecting your eyes     10     bright sunshine.

An exhibition of zodiac (生肖) sculptures,     1     (call) Peak Life and Water, opened in Chengdu, Southwest China’s Sichuan Province on Saturday.

The 12 zodiac signs are     2     (traditional) used in Chinese culture to mark each year. Each zodiac sign also corresponds to twelve hours in the day. In addition     3     the traditional calendar function, the 12 zodiac signs are also a kind of folk custom and culture,     4     reflects Chinese people’s understanding of the year.

Each sculpture     5     (base) on a single zodiac animal. For example, the tiny golden birds     6     (stand) on the head of an ox remind visitors of birds settling on an ox, chewing the worms they have just captured. In another, a monkey balances     7     golden peach on the head. For the dragon sculpture, a golden and glorious ball floats in front of the intimidating dragon.

The expressions of these zodiac sculptures are vivid but calm. Some of them seem to be resting, content in their mediation. Only the snake has     8     (it) eyes open. If you see a snake’s eyes are closed, that     9     (mean) it is in hibernation (冬眠). The elegant and exquisite modelling has delighted visitors so much that even before the opening ceremony of the exhibition, some collectors expressed a desire     10     (buy) the sculptures.

Flames in kilns (窑炉) around China have been burning since the Xia and Shang dynasties. Along the way     1     (bear) porcelain (瓷器).

Porcelain is made by heating materials, often a mix of China stone and kaolin clay, in a kiln at a temperature as high as 1,200 degree Celsius. Temperature is key to     2     (make) porcelain. Going through the fire of reinvention at a high temperature blesses porcelain with strength and colors. Celadon (青瓷) produced in Longquan, Zhejiang Province, which is     3     technique passed down for more than 1,600 years, is a     4     (character) example of workers’ long-standing dream. It takes 72 steps to produce perfect green. Porcelain has also been a carrier for cultural exchanges. In company with China’s silk and tea, porcelain was one of the first goods     5     (receive) worldwide trade. As it travelled around the globe through the ancient Maritime Silk Road, porcelain enjoyed great     6     (popular) among royal families and upper classes in Europe, most of     7     were attracted to these beautiful artworks. Porcelain     8     (begin) as a practical container and evolved     9     pieces of art. Even when broken into pieces and     10     (bury) deep in mud, cultural values attached to porcelain would exist.

As a memory that is felt with both hands, porcelain is touchable history.