Last year, Chinese from far-off cities flocked to Rongjiang County to watch an amateur village football super league, the VSL, or, CunChao. There was an audience of 50,000 once     1     (attract) to just one game, with millions more watching on Weibo and Douyin.

Football in Rongjiang County has a time-honored history,     2     (date) back to the 1940s. Back then, villagers made appointments to“play football together,”which could happen on any surface — whether it was on a grassland     3     on a concrete courtyard. At present, Rongjiang County has 14 standard football fields, all of     4     open for free. Every village has     5     (it) own team or even teams, with over 1000 players registered in the county. Let’s “play football together,”— a line villagers have     6     (repeat) said for over eight decades, has taken on an evolving implication with time.

The league’s cultural     7     (diverse) is another draw. During breaks in the matches, performances like the grand song of the Dong ethnic group, and the Lusheng dance of the Miao ethnic group were on show just on the pitch with their traditional ethnic costumes     8    .

People’s hopes for the     9     (harmony) countryside as well as the vigor of rural life     10    (bring) out to the fullest on this CunChao game.

2 . Tai Chi, a gentle martial art originating from China and involving slow movements with a focus on breathing and on what your body is doing in that moment, provides numerous benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Here are five convincing reasons to bring Tai Chi into your routine.

●It’s easy on the body.

Tai Chi offers gentle exercise suitable for individuals of all ages and fitness levels.     1    , as muscles remain relaxed without any stretching or straining. It’s an exercise that can be easily adapted for less able people, including those in wheelchairs.

●It could prevent falls.

A review of studies conducted in 2019 indicated that Tai Chi could lower the risk of falls among older people. Certainly, the emphasis is on balance, with sideways and backwards movements aiding in the strengthening of the muscles necessary for stability.     2    .

●It may boost brain power.   

    3    . Research shows that practising Tai Chi on a regular basis can enhance cognitive abilities in older adults, both those with and without memory issues. Given that it’s considered safe and suitable for the elderly, this is a definite win.

●    4    .

A reduction in stress and anxiety, along with an increase in confidence, is another mental health benefit of Tai Chi, as indicated by research findings, though further research is needed to comprehensively understand and confirm these effects.

●You can do it at home.

Attending classes can be beneficial for receiving structured instruction and connecting with like-minded individuals.     5     , providing an alternative for practicing at home. You’re bound to find one that matches your fitness level and exercise preferences. Practicing Tai Chi at home can also offer unparalleled convenience and flexibility.

Yours sincerely,

Li Hua

Chinese martial arts,     1     (know) as Chinese Kungfu by most foreigners, is a traditional Chinese physical activity with thousands of years of history. As a precious element of China’s cultural heritage, Chinese Kungfu has also won its fame all around the world.

The origin of Chinese Kungfu, according to some historical records and antique discoveries, can date back even     2     prehistoric times. Survival back then     3     (mean) scrambling (争夺) to take or protect food from others and animals. Kicking and boxing were a part of daily life, thus forming the     4     (early) series of Kong-fu movements and performances.

In modern times, Chinese Kungfu was first introduced abroad to the United States by Chinese-American Kungfu master Bruce Lee,     5     movements in his great movies swept American audiences off their feet. From then on, Chinese Kungfu learners can     6     (find) everywhere.

As one of film genres, Kung Fu Film has     7     (main) been produced in China, peaking in the 1970s, and has been dominated by Hong Kong action cinema. Bruce Lee is one of the famous     8     (actor). Martial arts fiction is     9     great hit for Chinese Kungfu lovers, too. Even though some novels are filmed into TV shows or movies, some people still like to read the original version, because     10     is more authentic.

10 . Thrown from his horse three times and repeatedly got wet to the skin while camping in a heavy rain, Chris Walker, the farmer from Gloucestershire was, at 55, the oldest of the competitors in this year’s 1,000 km race across the steppe (大草原). Despite the hardships of his eight-day journey, Walker was delighted to finish third in the annual contest.

The Mongol Derby, described as the world’s toughest horse-riding endurance race, began in 2009 as an annual event. Competitors race between checkpoints 35 km (22 miles) apart, where they change horses to ensure the animals are healthy. They spend nights at one of 28 stations, set up their own camp or enjoy the warm welcome of friendly Mongolian families.

Walker, was an hour ahead of his competitors as the race entered its eighth day but unfortunately he faced an hour and a half penalty because during one of the regular checks his horse had a high heart rate, which is forbidden during the contest.

Walker said he had gone to Mongolia to “give it a go” but realised that he stood a chance of winning after teaming up with Patrick Heffron, a competitor from Ireland, who finished third equal alongside his companion.

“The horses are quite wild. I got thrown off three times. I fell off in a marmot (土拨鼠) hole,” he said. “You’re going along and you suddenly disappear. You have to hang on to your horse for dear life or it goes off.”

Walker said it was important to form a team, mainly because falling off alone means that there was no one to help you with your horse. “Neither of us had prior desires to win this race but we realised: ‘We’re in front.’ So we pushed,” he said.

Asked whether he was attracted to return to see if he could win, Walker replied: “Probably, though I’m getting a bit old.”