Sports in ancient China

People in ancient China worked long hours each day. To relax, they     1     (invent) many games. Some of them had a long history.

Chuiwan was one of the ball games in ancient China, which was very popular in the Song Dynasty. “Chui” means “hit”     2     “wan” means “ball”. This sport was similar to golf. On a large field, the players were divided into two groups. Usually there were 2 to 10 people in each group. They used a stick     3     (hit) the ball into holes. Only when three hits into the hole were achieved did the player win the point     4     (successful).

First recorded 2,000 years ago, cuju is known as the     5     (early) form of football. The ball was made     6     leather (毛皮) on the outside and filled with rice bran (米糠) inside.     7     (it) rules were similar to football’s. Each team usually had 12 or 16 players. No hands were allowed. Only     8     (foot) and heads could be used. The ball should be hit into the opposite goal.

In the Western Zhou Dynasty, archery was     9     important part of education for a gentleman. At the age of 15, they began learning shooting. The most famous competition was Grand Archery. It     10     (hold) by the emperor. The competitors bowed before shooting and drank together after.

Here is     1     useful and interesting computer game. Let me tell you how to play it. The game is called Draw Something. It needs two     2     (player) to work together.

One draws a picture and the o    3     guesses what it is.

The game gives you three words each time. Then you choose one to draw. Some are easy     4     some are difficult. For example, it is much     5     (easy) to draw a moon than a cat. If your partner guesses the correct word, you both will get one to three “coins”. Coins are very useful. The more pictures he guesses     6     (correct), the more coins you both will get. If you can’t draw any of the words, you can use a “bomb (炸弹)” to get three new words. Of course, the bombs are not f    7    . You need to buy them with the coins.

The game can help you remember English words and practice     8     (draw) pictures.

But you’d better not spend too much     9     it. It will be bad for your eyes.

Now can you play the game? And why not play it with     10     (you) partner?

Why play games? Because they are fun and a lot more. Think about some of the games you p    1     as a young child, such as rope-jumping and hide-and-seek. Such games are entertaining. But perhaps more     2     (important) , they teach children some of the basic rules they will be     3     (expect) to follow the rest of their lives, such as taking turns and cooperating (合作).

Many children’s games have a practical side. Children around the world play games that p    4     them for work they will do as grown-ups. Many sports encourage national or local pride. The most famous games of all, the Olympic Games, bring athletes (运动员) from around the world t    5     to take part in friendly competitions. People who watch the event know that a gold medal (金牌) is a w    6     for a country, not just the athlete who got it.

Sports are also an event that unites people. Soccer is the most p    7     sport in the world. People all over the world play it — some for fun and some for a living. Nicolette Iribarne, a Californian soccer player, has     8     (discover) a way to spread hope through soccer. He created a foundation (基金会) to provide poor children     9     not only soccer balls but also a promising future.

Next time you play your favorite game or sport, think about why you enjoy it, what s    10     are needed, and whether these skills will help you in other sides of your life.

Soap is everywhere. We use it every day and it plays an important role in our lives. It also has an amazing history. The e    1     known soap was used in Babylon around 2800BC. Ancient Egyptians also made soap. At one time, soap-making was very dangerous. That is because lye(碱液), which was used in the process could cause chemical burns or even make people blind. Other dangerous m    2     were also mixed with animal fats and oils. Later, soap became a    3     in stores and people gradually s    4     making it in their homes.

Originally, soap was not m    5     used for cleaning. Instead, it was used as gel(凝胶) for making hair stay in place or smell good. The Arabs first made the soap that we know today. They c    6     coloured, liquid, and hard soaps. They even had soaps which were used for shaving.

Soap became popular in the late 1800s. Advertising in Europe and the US helped people understand the connection between cleanliness and good h    7    . Now, soap is something we wouldn’t want to live without.