How much do you know about the Silk Road? It is a historically important international trade route between China and the Medier-ranean (地中海). It began during the Western Han Dynasty and has been a bridge between East and West for over 2,000 years.

The ancient road started from Chang’an (now Xi’an) and ended in Eastern Europe, near today’s Turkey and the Mediterranean Sea. It was about 6,500 kilometers long and went across one-fourth of the planet.

The Silk Road got its name in the 19th century because Chinese silk used to be carried along this road. Silk, jade, ceramics and iron went west to Rome. And from the west came glass, gems and food like carrots.

The Silk Road was very important to both China and the rest of the world. It was more than an ancient international trade route. Besides trade, knowledge about arts, science and literature, as well crafts and technologies was shared across the Silk Road. In this way, languages and cultures developed and influenced each other.

Today, China is trying to build the “21 st Century Marine (海洋的) Silk Road”. With the help of APEC held in Beijing in November 2014, the dream of One Belt One Road (the “Silk Road Economic (经济的) Belt” and “21st Century Marine Silk Road”) (“一带一路”) is coming true.

The Silk Road went from China to Eastern Europe. It went along the north of China, India, and Persia and ended up in Eastern Europe near today’s Turkey and the Mediterranean Sea.

It was called Silk Road because one of the major products (产品) traded was silk cloth from China. Chinese silk was soft and of high quality. So people all over the Asia and Europe loved it very much.     1     Even the Romans called China the “land of silk”.

Besides silk, the Chinese also sold tea, salt, sugar and porcelain (陶瓷) .     2     This was because it was a long trip and traders didn’t have a lot of room for goods.

Traders travelled in large caravan (旅行队). They would have many guards with them.     3     Most of the road was through dry land. So camels were popular animals for transport.

Although there was some trade between China and the rest of the world for some time, the silk trade developed quickly during the Han Dynasty which ruled from 206 BC to 220 AD.     4     During this time the Mongols (蒙古) controlled most of the trade road, and Chinese traders travel safely. Also, traders had a higher social position during the Mongol rule.

    5     It not only helped to develop trade between different countries, but also helped for ideas, culture and inventions to spread across the world.

3 . The Silk Road was an ancient trade route (古代贸易路线) that connected (连接) the East and the West together. It is more than six thousand miles from Asia to Europe. The Silk Road got its name from the silk.

Few traders went along the Silk Road. The route was too long. There were also difficulties along the way. In some places, people along the road didn’t think the traders were right. Some countries would not let traders from other countries go through their countries.

Traders thought of an idea. They made staging points (中转站) on the Silk Road. They put their goods (货物) at one point. Then they traveled to another point. There, they would give the goods to the next group of drivers.

Traders from the East brought silk, gold and other useful things to the West. People wanted to have treasures from far-off lands very much.

More goods were moved along the Silk Road. Ideas from other lands were moved, too. They heard new languages. Knowledge about science was passed along.

4 . The Great Sphinx of Giza (吉萨狮身人面像) is one of the most famous places of interest in the world. Most scientists believe it was built around 2,500 B.C. (公元前). But John Anthony West, a writer and film-maker, says that it’s much older. If he’s right, everything that we have learned about ancient civilizations (文明) would have to be completely revised.

West began to study ancient history after studying the work of a French researcher. The researcher said Egyptian (埃及的) civilization could have developed as early as 30,000 years ago rather than 4,500 years ago, as most experts believe.

West joined a scientist to do research together. Their research suggested that the Sphinx had been worn out (磨损) over the years by water rather than by sand and wind.

Wait a minute? Water? The Sphinx is in the Sahara Desert, which has been dry for 12,000 years! However, it was very green before that time. If it’s true that water wore down the Sphinx, then West thinks that it must have been built centuries earlier.

Whether West is right or wrong, it’s important to challenge accepted ideas. That’s how science progresses. West gave some advice to kids: If you are interested in a topic, read everything that you can find on it. Do your own research. Don’t always believe everything. Ask lots of questions, and find your own answers.

5 . Hundreds of years ago, a Roman army came north from England to make war on Scotland. The Scots, a brave people, loved their country very much. They fought hard to drive the enemy out of Scotland, but there were too many of the Romans. It looked as if the Romans would win.

One night, the leader of Scots marched his soldiers to the top of a hill. “We will rest here tonight, my men,” he said ,“Tomorrow we will fight one more battle. We must win or we will die.”

They were all very tired, so they ate their supper quickly and fell asleep. There were four guards on duty, but they too, were very tired ,and one by one, also fell asleep.

The Romans were not asleep. Quickly they gathered at the foot of the hill. Slowly they climbed up the hillside, taking care not to make a sound. Closer and closer they came to the sleeping Scots. They were almost at the top. A few minutes more, the war would be over. Suddenly, one of them put his foot on a thistle (蓟). He cried out and his sudden cry woke the Scots. In a moment, they were on their feet and ready for battle. The fighting was hard but it did not last long. The Scots wiped out the Romans and saved their country.

The thistle is not a beautiful plant. It has sharp needles all over it. Few people like it. But the people of Scotland liked it so much that they made it their national flower.

7 . The Silk Road is the name of different roads that long ago connected Europe, Africa and Asia. People reached these different places along these roads. Scientists believe people began to travel the Silk Road about 3,000 years ago. By the time the Chinese silk trade became important in the world, the Silk Road covered almost 6,500 kilometers. It spread (传播) from Rome to China, which is from the West to the Far East.

Traders travelling along the Silk Road carried silk, of course. They also carried and traded spices (香料), cloth, valuable stones and gold.

There is a famous old story along the old road. It is said that Roman soldiers (士兵) travelled through central Asia. They started to live somewhere near the ancient Chinese village of Liqian. Some of these Romans married local Chinee women and the story of blue-eyed villages of China started.

During its busiest time, the Silk Road allowed people from many different cultures and countries to meet each other and mix (融合). The Silk Road allowed the sharing of valuable goods and new ideas. All these people travelled the Silk Road, and they shared goods, stories, languages, and cultures.

In modern times, People still use the old Silk Road routes, but now they cross by trains instead of camels and horses. There is even a Silk Route Museum in Jiuquan in China. It has over 35,000 objects from all along the Silk Road. In this way, China protects the history of many countries and peoples.

8 . The Silk Road is the name of different roads that connected Europe, Africa and Asia long ago. It _______ by Fvon Richthofen, who was _______ famous German geographer. Scientists believe people began to travel the Silk Road about 3000 years ago and that people _______ these different places along these roads. By the time the Chinese silk trade became important in the world, the Silk Road covered almost 7, 000 kilometers. It went _______ China to the West.

Businessmen travelled along the Silk Road to carry silk, of course. _______ also carried and traded _______ things like spices（香料）, cloth, jewels and gold.

Along and around these ancient paths（小路）, many fascinating（吸引人的）and mysterious stories happened.

It is said that Roman soldiers who _______ a war travelled through central Asia. They decided _______ somewhere near the ancient Chinese villagers. Some of these Romans _______ local Chinese women and the stories of the blond-haired, blue eyed tribes（部落）of China was started.

During its ________ period, the Silk Road allowed people from many different cultures and countries ________ each other and mix. The Silk Road allowed the sharing of valuable things and new ideas. It included people and trading goods from different areas. All these people travelled the Silk Road, ________ they shared goods, stories, languages and cultures.

In modern times, the old Silk Road route（路线）are still used, but now they are crossed ________ train instead of camels and horses. There ________ even a Silk Route Museum in Jiuquan in China. It has over 35, 000 objects from all along the Silk Road. ________ China protects the history of many countries and people.

The captain stood on the high wall of the city of Troy. “The Greeks have gone ______ we’ve won,” he said. “They’ve tried to capture our city for ten years. Now they’ve ______ and sailed away!”

“But look over there,” a soldier said. “They’ve left a huge ______ horse.”

“Ah, yes,” the captain said, “it’s too big. The Greeks didn’t want to take it with them. Get some ______ and pull it into the city.”

That night, in the main square of the city, all the Trojans celebrated. They sang and danced ______ the horse, and made jokes about the stupid Greeks. “I haven’t laughed ______ this since my childhood,” the captain said. ______ the party, they locked all the gates of the city and then all went to sleep.

By midnight, the main square was ______ , except for the huge horse. ______ a secret door opened on the side of the horse. The horse was ______ Greek soldiers! They quietly climbed out of the horse one ______ one.

The soldiers opened the main ______ . The Greek army entered the city.

______ ten years, the Greeks could not capture the city by ______ .

In one night, however, they ______ in capturing it through a clever trick.