Xian Xinghai was a famous musician in China ________ wrote one of the greatest pieces of music of the 20th century. He wrote nearly 300 songs and ________ opera during his lifetime.

Xian was born in Macao in 1905. His father died before he was born and he led a poor life with his mother. He learned to play the violin when he was 13. At the beginning, his violin was so cheap and ________ made that he couldn’t perform well. Xian didn’t stop ________ and soon showed his talents. In 1934, he was one of the first Chinese students who were sent to study in a music school in Paris.

Before graduation (毕业), Xian became an excellent student who got high praise ________ his talents.

In 1935, he returned to China to fight against the Japanese enemies. ________, he came to Yan’an to teach music. Although there were no pianos in Yan’an, Xian still wrote some of ________ most important pieces that are of great value, including The Yellow River whose popularity continues to this day.

In May 1940, Xian was sent to the Soviet Union (苏联) by the Chinese Communist Party (共产党)to write music for movies. In the Soviet Union, life was very hard. He had a bad cough and developed a lung (肺) illness and died in 1945. What a pity!

Xian’s music encouraged ________ Chinese people. Wherever he went, his music ________ people courage and strength to fight against enemies during wartime. Now it ________ as our national treasure left for the future world to hear.