Maze Fist, also known as Mi Zhong Quan, is a traditional martial art from China. It     1     (know) for its clever footwork and advanced techniques.

Maze Fist masters use complex footwork     2     involves constantly changing directions and angles,     3     (make) it hard for opponents to predict and attack. They are also skilled at tricking opponents with tricky movements and mis-directions. Besides its     4     (effective) in fighting, Maze Fist also focuses on developing the mind and body. In fact, apart     5     improving physical strength, endurance and coordination, Maze Fist trainers also build discipline and concentration when practising.

Deeply     6     (root) in Chinese culture and history, Maze Fist represents Chinese martial arts’ wisdom and philosophy, emphasizing the balance between body and mind. Practicing Maze Fist leads to personal growth and self-improvement.     7     (master) Maze Fist, one needs dedication and continuous practice. It not only provides just a means to defend oneself but also     8     (promote) one’s self-discipline, respect, and humility. And it offers both     9     (practice) self-defense skills and a path to personal growth. All in all,     10     you are interested in martial arts or want an all-round approach to well-being, Maze Fist ensures you a rewarding experience.

Everybody likes watching acrobats (杂技演员). The acts sometimes seem scary and dangerous, and there is thrill and wonder.     1     Chinese acrobatics troupes (表演团) travel internationally, they are not commonly seen by audiences outside the country. While in China you might want to see the     2     (amaze) feats of balance and skill.

The acrobats developed their styles     3     (base) on traditional ancient arts such as dance, theater, martial arts, and magic shows and they are distinctive and incorporate traditional skills and physical exercises. Chinese acrobats tend to emphasize balance and extreme     4     (flexible) more than the troupes do in Russia or the West. This might be due to the influence of martial arts styles. Chinese acrobats     5     (intensive) practice timing and coordination. The individual performers practice to cooperate precisely. They use martial arts skills in     6     thrilling and sometimes comedic fashion. The Beijing Red Theater’s “Legend of Kungfu” show is an example. Many of the shows will have traditional Chinese music that is recorded or performed live by musicians     7     (play) traditional instruments. The costumes or the themes may     8     (draw) from a familiar opera. The acrobats may perform scenes from popular legends, stories,     9     novels of the ancient past such as The Monkey King. You might not recognize the story or the music, but you’ll still enjoy the sound, color, and     10     (usual) costumes.

Chinese opera,     1    (date) back to the Tang Dynasty, is one of the three oldest dramatic art forms in the world. During the Qing Dynasty, it became     2    (fashion) among ordinary people.     3    (perform) were watched in tearooms, restaurants and even around makeshift stages.

    4    (accompany) by traditional musical instruments like the Erhu, the Huqin and the flute, actors present unique melodies as well as dialogues which are     5    (beautiful) written. What appeals     6     foreigners most may be the different styles of facial make-up which requires special techniques of painting. This technique may have originated from ancient religions and dance. Besides, people     7    (impress) with another technique, the acrobatics (杂技). Actors can make fire out of their mouths when they act as ghosts. This reflects     8     famous saying among actors: “One minute on stage takes ten years of practice.” Over the past 800 years, Chinese opera     9    (grow) into many different regional varieties based on local accents. Today, there are over 100 impressive regional opera styles, among     10     is Beijing opera, the best-known Chinese opera style formed from the mixture of different styles.