Shortly after the silk and feather umbrellas became popular in China, their manufacturers managed     1     (discover) a new kind of material from wood paper, enabling the     2     (create) of highly stylized, decorative and lightweight umbrellas.

In addition to providing protection from sun and limited protection from rain, oil-paper umbrellas     3     (view) as symbols of wealth, and power in the past. During the height of umbrella popularity in China, you could easily recognize the owners by the designs and colors of their umbrellas—royal family members used yellow or red colors,     4     the wealthy carried blue. Even in today’s Chinese and Japanese society, umbrellas play     5     important role. They are one of the most essential items     6     (present) to newly -wed brides, symbolizing blessing, protection from evil spirits and wishes    7     more babies.

The beauty of the Chinese paper umbrellas had     8     an impact on worldwide trends that their     9     (elegant) crafted materials and their canopy designs showcasing dragons, flowers, and landscapes quickly traveled via trade routes to distant Europe. Paper umbrellas today represent one of the best -known Chinese traditional exports, with businessmen selling them to     10     (passer-by) on streets worldwide.

Scientists have observed adult male jaguars(美洲豹), who usually like to be alone, forming friendships that can last for    1    (year). Male jaguars don’t usually interact with other jaguars unless they are mating or fighting over territory. But    2    recent study found evidence of the big cats patrolling territories, resting,    3    eating together. Researchers gathered information about jaguars across South America using tracking devices and camera traps-a camera that    4    (take) a picture when a sensor detects movement. They found friendships between jaguars. One pair in Brazil stayed together from 2006    5    2014. Another pair in Venezuela spent time together from 2013 to 2018. No one    6    (exact) knows if they are still together. Other pairs    7    (spot) too but each was seen only once. The scientists think these friendships could be a response to jaguar habitats being destroyed by human,    8    forces more of the animals into    9    (small) areas. The theory is that some male jaguars prefer to share territory and potential mates, rather than risk    10    (lose) it all to another male.

Antarctica is a place of extremes. It is the coldest, highest, driest and windiest continent on Earth. Antarctica is a continent     1     (cover) by an inland ice sheet up to 4.8km thick,     2     (hold) about 90% of the world’s fresh water. The ice sheet is     3     heavy that it has pushed the land below sea level in places.

The South Pole is 1, 235km from the closest coastline and is located high on the polar plateau (高原) (height 2, 800m). Here it may be as cold as - 75℃ , but the world’s     4     (low) temperature record is from an even more remote Antarctic station, Vostok,     5     recorded a temperature of -89℃.

Only about 0.4% of the surface of Antarctica is free     6     snow and ice. The tops of mountains stick up through the ice — the highest is Mount Vinson, 4,900m above sea level.

Over the past few decades, Britain     7     (play) a major role in the exploration and study of Antarctica. Captain James Cook was the first person     8     (cross) the Antarctic circle in     9     1770s. Later explorations involved searching for commercial (商业的) opportunities, usually hunting for seals or whales. At the start of the twentieth century,     10    (explore) Scott and Shackleton made scientific explorations, a tradition which continues to the present.