Numerous Chinese cultural and art treasures have been put on show in many parts of the world over the past years, showcasing the fantastic Chinese civilization on the global stage and     1     (promote) cultural exchanges.

In December, 2018. New Zealand's national museum started a four- month exhibition, where both terracotta warriors (兵马俑) and more than 160 ancient antique pieces    2    (make) of gold, jade and bronze were displayed. On the opening day, local citizens    3    (line) up to enjoy this "once in a lifetime" experience. The exhibition,    4    provided visitors with some knowledge of long standing Chinese civilization, was    5    (high) appreciated for the individuality of each terracotta warrior and the unbelievable creativity needed to build the army.

Treasures showing the lives of emperors and empresses from the Qing Dynasty also went on display in museums in Washington. D. C.and Moscow in 2019.     6    over 100 pieces put on show, including realistic    7    (painting), furnishings and jewelry from the Palace Museum in Beijing. The exhibition was also    8    huge success.

Chinese and foreign museums have been making exchanges to encourage dialogue between civilizations and foster people’ s    9    (understand) of and engagement with cultures that interest     10    (they). It is an important job for museums to bring the world closer.

The lion is a special animal to Chinese people. A pair of stone lions, a male and a female, are     1     (common) seen in front of the gates of traditional buildings. The lion     2     (regard) as the king in the animal world so it represents power. The stone lions are also used to indicate the     3     (rank) of officials. It is interesting to note that China had no lions originally. The earliest stone lions were sculpted     4     the beginning of Eastern Han Dynasty with     5     introduction of Buddhism into ancient China. In the Buddhist faith, the lion,     6     can protect the truth and keep off evils, is considered a holy animal of nobleness and dignity. In Chinese folk tales, the lion has become a symbol of     7     (brave), power and good luck.It was also popular     8     (decorate) bridges with sculpted stone lions for the same reason. The     9     (well) known of these is the Lugouqiao (also as Marco Polo Bridge),     10     (build) from 1189 to 1192. A famous proverb says, “The lions on the Lugouqiao are uncountable.”

Benjamin West,     1     was the father of American painting, showed his talent for art when he was only six years of age. But he did know about brushes before a visitor told him he needed one. In those days, a brush was made from the camel’s hair. There were no camels nearby, for     2     Benjamin decided that the cat’s hair would work instead. He cut some fur from the family cat to make a brush.

The brush did not last long. Soon Benjamin needed more fur. Before long, the cat began to look ragged. His father said that the cat must be sick, as a result of     3       Benjamin had to admit what he had been doing.

The cat’s lot was about to improve. That year, one of Benjamin’s cousins, Mr Pennington,     4     came to visit, was impressed with Benjamin’s drawings. When he went home, he sent Benjamin a box of paint and some brushes. He also sent six engravings by an artist     5     were the first pictures and first real paint and brushes     6     Benjamin had ever seen.

In 1747, when Benjamin was nine years old, Mr. Pennington returned for another visit     7     he was amazed at what Benjamin had done with his gift. He asked Benjamin’s parents if he might take the boy back to Philadelphia for a visit.

In the city,     8     Mr Pennington gave Benjamin materials for creating oil paintings, the boy began a landscape painting. William Williams, a well-known painter,     9     came to see his work, was impressed with Benjamin and gave him two classic books on painting to take home. The books were long and dull. Benjamin could read only a little, having been a poor student. But later he said, “Those two books were my companions by day, and under my pillow at night.” While it is likely that he understood very little of the books,     10     were his introduction to classical paintings, the nine-year-old boy decided then that he would be an artist.

Since an early age, I have developed an interest in art. I must admit that I am crazy about the paintings by Vincent van Gogh(1853-1890).

    1     (consider) as one of the greatest artists all the time, this Dutch Post-Impressionist artist had a great influence on the 20^th century art. His father was a church minister,     2     belief lay in God. Vincent spent his early adult life working for a firm of art dealers. After a brief period as a teacher, he tried to be a minister too, but he was not     3     (success). Van Gogh had mental problems and was often emotional, which made     4     difficult for him to succeed. It is not until 1880     5     Vincent began his career as an artist. However, during the last ten years of his life, he produced more than 2,000 pieces, including around 900 paintings and 1,100 drawings. Most of his best-known works     6     (produce) during his final two years, when he was     7     (serious) ill.

In 1890, at the age of 37, van Gogh shot himself in the chest. The only painting he sold during his lifetime, The Red Vineyard, was created in 1888. It is now     8     exhibition in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, Russia. Several     9     (painting) by van Gogh rank among the most expensive in the world. On March 30, 1987, van Gogh’s painting Irises was sold for a record of $53.9 million. On May 15, 1990, his Portrait of Doctor Gachet was sold for $83.5 million, thus     10     (set) a new price record.