Richard is the author of The New Age of Invention, which has just been published. The title of the book suggests that the present day is a new age for inventions,     1     many people might think that the great age of invention is over. Richard thinks it is an interesting point. There     2    (be) golden ages of invention throughout history. There were the four great     3    (invention) in Ancient China. These things     4    (change) the world forever. Then came the great Western inventions. And now, we find     5    (us) in the great new age of technology. In other words, most of the inventions toady are tech-based. In addition, thanks     6     increasing computing power, important advances have been made in medicine and environmental science. New inventions like 3D printers have been used     7    (make) replacement hearts and bone parts.     8    (use) GPS technology, we can travel to different places. What’s more, huge advances in solar technology mean it can be eco-friendly as well. So what is it that inspires us to invent things? In fact, most inventions start with recognising a problem that needs a     9    (solve). Take the wheel in ancient times as an example, which much     10    (late) developed into the car. In terms of a time machine, Richard thinks we still have a long way to go.

Yuan Longping, known as the “father of hybrid rice”, is one of China’s     1     (much) famous scientists. Yet, he considers himself a farmer because he continually works the land in his research. Indeed, his slim but strong body is just like     2     of millions of Chinese farmers, to     3     he has devoted his life. After     4     (graduate) from Southwest Agricultural College in Chongqing in 1953, he worked as a researcher. Yuan     5     (convince) that the answer could be found in the creation of hybrid rice.

Through intense effort, Yuan overcame enormous technical     6     (difficult) to develop the first hybrid rice that could be used for farming in 1974. This hybrid enabled farmers to expand their output greatly.

Today, it is estimated that about 60 percent of domestic rice     7     (consume) in China is     8    (comprise) of crops generated from Yuan’s hybrid strains, and his strains have allowed China’s farmers     9     (produce) around 200 million tons of rice per year.

    10     impresses people most about Yuan Longping is his ongoing ability to fulfil his dreams. He succeeded in producing a kind of rice that could feed more people at home and abroad. Despite his advanced years, Yuan Longping is still young at heart and full of vision, and everyone is waiting to see what he will dream up next.

Humans successfully reached the top of the world, Mount Qomolangma, for the first time in 1953. On May 23, 70 years later, a Chinese expedition team reached its peak and     1     (carry) out scientific research, which celebrated the historical adventure. The journey to the top is     2    (extreme) dangerous and takes both bravery and good physical health     3    (complete). Climbers fight against the harsh (恶劣的) environment and go beyond     4     (they) limits.

The main reason why scientists fearlessly continue this climb to the top can be the rich information that Mt Qomolangma provides. Due to its biodiversity, it can     5     (see) as a “micro Earth”. The drop in altitude (海拔) from the top is huge, forming     6     wide range of climates and creating its own ecosystem. Also, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (青藏高原),    7    Mt Qomolangma is located, is an important ecological resource.

“The expedition has transformed from ‘I want to conquer you’ to ‘I want to understand you’,” said Yao Tandong, team     8     (lead) of the expedition. The scientists’ work was beyond     9     (collect) samples. Advanced equipment like drones (无人机) and 3D laser scanning, was used to better monitor pollutants and changes in glaciers. With those new technologies, the expedition resulted     10     important international influence.

I made up my mind to climb Mount Huashan to meet the beautiful dawn at the top of the peak.    1     arriving at the foot of the mountain, I began climbing immediately with great joy and     2    (determine).

During the process, a sudden light rain made the stone floor wet and slippery. I had the idea of giving up, but the crowd encouraged me to continue the trip. As the steps became     3    (narrow) and steeper, everyone lined up,    4    (grasp) the chains and slowly moved forward. I was moved by the unity and strength of a group of strangers.

When I nearly reached the top of the mountain, I nearly had run out of strength,    5     made me want to give up. Then I heard a voice saying, “Relax, don’t be afraid, as long as you climb up, you are the best!”    6    (hear) this, I realized if I     7    (frighten) by the difficulties just now I could have defeated myself. So I gathered all the courage and finally made     8    !

At the moment of sunrise, the rolling sea of clouds and the amazing scenery on the mountain changed     9     (dramatic). Only with all the way of sweat and the confidence can you climb to the summit of the mountain     10     (enjoy) a brighter life.