Chinese opera is one of the oldest dramatic art forms in the world. During the Tang Dynasty, the Emperor Xuanzong set up an opera school with the poetic name Liyuan (Pear Garden). From that time on, performers of Chinese opera were referred to     1     “Disciples(弟子) of the Pear Garden”. Since the Yuan Dynasty it has been encouraged by officials and emperors and has become a     2    (tradition) art form. During the Qing Dynasty, it became fashionable among ordinary people and was watched in tearooms and     3    (restaurant).

It developed from folk songs, dances, talking and especially distinctive dialectical music, and     4    (gradual) combined music, art and literature into one     5    (perform) on the stage.     6    (accompany) by Chinese musical instruments like the erhu and the suona, actors present unique melodies and dialogues which are beautifully written. For Chinese, especially older folks, to listen to this kind of opera is a real pleasure.

    7     appeals to foreigners most might be the different styles of facial make-up, which requires distinctive techniques of painting. Always, exaggerated designs     8    (paint) on each performer’s face to symbolize a character’s personality and role. Audiences     9     are familiar with opera can know the character by     10    (observe) the facial painting as well as the costumes.

Chinese opera has developed into many different regional varieties. Today, there are over 300 amazing regional opera styles.

2 . Follow this four-day route, and you’ll lose yourself in the wizarding world of Harry Potter.

Day 1 Overview Edinburgh

It was in Scotland’s capital city that J. K. Rowling started to plot the adventures of Harry and his pals. With stoned streets, winding alleys and medieval (中世纪的) architecture, the city certainly has a few things in common with the settings from the books and films. She wrote the early chapters in various cafes around the city’s Old Towns.

Day 2 Overview travel to Fort William

Travel by train from Edinburgh to Glasgow. From there, you can take the West Highland Line toFort William. This is a great way to see some famous spots from the window, including the mysterious Rannoch Moor, the place where Death Eaters board the train in the movie Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.

Day 3 Overview all aboard the Hogwarts Express

Witness the sweeping cinematic scenery of the movie Harry Potter by booking a seat on the Jacobite Steam Train. Stop for lunch in Mallaig and then make the return journey to Fort William. Please be sure to book the steam train in advance, as it is exceedingly popular. By the way, it runs seasonally.

Day 4 Overview lakes and glens (峡谷)

In the films, mysterious, misty landscapes frame the background of Harry’s tale, so it’s no surprise that the film producers chose the Highlands for many scenes. Spend a day wandering through some of these beautiful spots and feel the magical atmosphere.

3 . Peru is famously known as the “land of the Incas”. Á trip to Peru has been on my wish list for quite a while. It was finally time for me to visit the country.

My first day started in Lima, the capital of Peru. I met with the G Adventures representative(代表) here about the tour. G Adventures is an organization that helps you to connect with other like-minded people in small group-based travel activities. They played a big part in helping to make Peru an unforgettable experience for me! In Lima, my representative discussed the plan of my tour, and I also had the chance to explore Lima in my own time, with many activities, including a city tour, show, biking tour, and more.

Day two had me taking a flight from Lima to Cusco. Many people visit Cusco for shopping but for me the main reason for spending a day or two in Cusco was to acclimatize(适应)to the altitude(海拔). As I’d decided to reach the wonder of Machu Picchu, acclimatizing had become important to avoid altitude sickness. I was happy to spend a day exploring Cusco. Cusco was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Today, it’s famous for its artists, paintings, clothing and traditional instruments. There’s something for everyone in this city.

The day finally came! Day three had me enjoying a lovely guided visit to Machu Picchu at sunrise. I had free time to explore these ruins(遗迹) on my own as well as with my guide. It was a lot to take in! I had to stop for a moment and felt the energy(能量) of such an ancient city. The history here was unbelievable and I will never forget my time here for as long as I live!

4 . For the British, the home is a private place in which he or she goes to hide away from the troubles of life. It is very seldom that one would be invited to a British person’s home. It is rude to knock on a person’s door if you are not invited. If you are invited, don’t ask to see more than the downstairs that your British host invites you into. Never ask how much the house or any of the items in it cost.

To the American, most of them want their home to be a place where they can entertain (款待) and share their lives with their friends. They may be delighted to give you a full tour of their houses. They may also be pleased when you show your interest and pleasure in their houses.

Both British and American people will engage in quite a bit of chat and a drink or two before the meal is served. After the first mouthful, you should say how delicious the food is and ask something about it. Remember, never eat with your mouth open and make very little noise while eating. It would be nice of you to help your host in any way. Maybe offer to pour some drinks or clear up after the meal.

6 . One day when I was 5, my mother scolded (责骂) me for not finishing my breakfast and I got angry. I wanted to play outside and not to be made to finish eating my breakfast. When angrily opening the screen door with my foot, I kicked back about a 12-inch part of the lower left hand corner of the new screen door. But I had no remorse, for I was happy to be playing in the backyard with my toys.

Today, I know if my child had done what I did, I would have scolded my child, and told him about how expensive this new screen door was, and I would have delivered a spanking (打屁股) for it. My parents never said a word. They left the corner of the screen door pushed out, creating an opening, a breach (裂缝) in the defense against unwanted insects.

For years, every time I saw that corner of the screen, it would constantly make me think about my mistake. For years, I knew that everyone in my family would see that hole and remember who did it. For years, every time I saw a fly buzzing (嗡嗡) in the kitchen, I would wonder if it came in through the hole that I had created with my angry foot. I would wonder if my family members were thinking the same thing, silently blaming me every time a flying insect entered our home, making life more terrible for us all. My parents taught me a valuable lesson, one that a spanking or stern (严厉的) words perhaps could not deliver. Their silent punishment for what I had done delivered a hundred stern messages to me. Above all, it has helped me become a more patient person and not burst out so easily.

9 . Two heroic teenage lifesavers were praised after rescuing(救援) a drowning man from Lake Mulwala.

Grace Creenaune, and Erica Montgomery, 18, were on duty _________ as lifeguards at the local water park on Tuesday, when two men bought tickets to go into the park.

Workers _________ the men had been drinking and they were _________ to leave. After getting their money back, the men left quietly crossing the road to Lake Mulwala where they _________ into the water. They were swimming out of sight of the workers when one of them got into _________. So his partner ran for _________, straight back to the park where they had been asked to leave.

Grace said that was when their training _________. “He was probably about 20 metres out, and when we got to him, he was completely underwater and we _________ to pulled him back onto shore (岸),” Grace said.

The pair had _________ been lifeguards for a short period of time. Erica said it was quite a(n) __________. “Looking back on it, now it’s a lot more __________ than it was at the time.”

The girls’ boss said she was extremely __________ of them, saying they had put themselves in danger. “There is no __________ that if they had no training or quick response (反应), the man would not have __________, she said. “I really appreciate their courage to take the __________.”