China is known for its brilliant civilization that     1    （continue）since the ancient times despite the many ups and downs in its history. It is     2    （wide）accepted that one of the reasons has been the Chinese writing system.

Several thousand years ago written Chinese was only symbols     3    （carve）on animal bones or shells. During the Shang Dynasty, these symbols became a well-developed writing system in a     4    （vary）of forms. This, however, changed in Qin Dynasty. Emperor Qin Shihuang united the seven major states into one unified country     5     the Chinese writing system began to develop in one direction. That writing system was     6     great importance in uniting the Chinese people and culture.

Written Chinese also serves as a vital way     7    （connect）China's present with its past. People in modern times can learn about the ancient Chinese by reading their classic works or     8    （appreciate）Chinese calligraphy.

Today, with China playing     9     greater role in global affairs, the Chinese writing system has established     10    （it）as a window through which more and more international students can access China's culture and history.

Marco Polo was an Italian merchant, explorer, and writer, who     1    (bear)in Venice in 1254. His father, Nicolo Polo, and his uncle were both wealthy traders and     2    (regular)travelled to parts of the East. It is said that they visited China and became friends with Kublai Khan. It was only when they returned to Italy from China     3    Marco, who was 15 years old at that time, first met his father.

Under his father and his uncle's influence, Marco became interested in China, and joined them for their trip. They     4    (spend)more than three years travelling to Shangdu, the capital of China at that time. Kublai Khan gave them a warm welcome and they were allowed to stay     5    a huge marble place. Soon young Marco established a good relationship with Kublai Khan and became one of his most     6    (trust) friends. During his stay, Marco travelled around a lot and talked to many people. As a result, he learnt the language and customs of the Chinese.

After nearly 17 years in the East, Marco and his father prepared     7    (return) home. Not long after Marco came home, he was caught during     8    battle at sea. While he was a prisoner, he met a writer called Rustichello     9    wrote down the long story that Marco told him about his travels. The book is known as The Travels of Marco Polo.

Recently,     10    some scholars from both China and the West questioned if Marco has really been to China.They found some descriptions of China in the book were not reliable. No agreement has been reached, though, and the truth remains to be found out.

People used to keep large amounts of cash at home during difficult times.     1     in the coronavirus (冠状病毒) crisis, things are different. These metal coins and paper bills can be a    source of worry rather than hope.

The fear is that these objects, possibly     2     (touch) by thousands of people, could be a way for the disease to spread. Health experts say that     3     risk is small. Still, some businesses refuse to accept them, and some countries have suggested that their citizens should stop     4     (use) them altogether.

Britain and Australia are leading the trend in     5     (expect) of going cashless in the near future. Sweden, Finland and Canada have also     6     (gradual) reduced cash use to the point where using it in large amounts seems unusual. And in China, cash use     7     (drop) dramatically as electronic payment services increased in popularity over the past ten years.

Though in Iran there are no international bank cards, new signs have appeared at some gas stations. Service     8     (do) through debit cards (借记卡) only, making the payment process much     9     (easy).

Then will cash disappear? Probably not in a short time. Cash use is still common in places     10     many people cannot pay for the cost of banking services, like countries in West and Central Africa. And technology is also a problem. Experts say the world will not be cashless until everyone and every country has reliable access (能使用) to the internet.

On April 1,2017.China announced that it would build the Xiongan New Area in Hebei province.This will be     1     the same importance as the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and the Pudong New Area,according to the State Council.

The area,about 100 kilometers southwest of downtown Beijing,will cover three counties    2     sit at the center of the triangular area formed by Beijing,Tianjin,and Shijiazhuang.

The Xiongan New Area has great potential for growth,    3    (report) People's Daily.It has a broad space    4     (develop) and will expand to cover 2,000 square kilometers.The transportation of the area is convenient,with only an     5    (hour) drive to Beijing and Tianjin.

The new area also has    6    sound natural environment.It is home to Baiyangdian,one of the    7    (large) freshwater wetlands in North China.    8    more than 140 lakes,the wetland is known as the "pearl" of the North China Plain.

Once    9    (build),the area will reduce the heavy burdens on Beijing.For example,many companies,universities and scientific research centers will move from Beijing to the area.

International experts and media also think highly of this new area,saying that it    10    (set) an example to developing countries,noted Xinhua.