Tai Chi, also noted as Taijiquan, is a     1     (tradition) Chinese martial art that has evolved into a popular form of exercise and meditation. Originated from China’s Fujian Province, Tai Chi has a history of over 1,000 years and is deeply     2     (root) in Chinese philosophy and culture. It     3     (characterize) by slow, flowing movements that promote balance,     4     (flexible), and relaxation.

In recent years, Tai Chi     5     (gain) worldwide recognition for its health benefits. Studies have shown that practicing Tai Chi can also be helpful for people     6     (reduce) the risk of falls in older adults.

Tai Chi is often practised in groups or classes,     7     students learn from a qualified instructor. There are many different styles of Tai Chi, each with its own unique set of movements and techniques. Beginners are encouraged to start with the most basic movements and     8     (gradual) build up their skills and knowledge over time.

    9     you are looking for a low-impact exercise, a way to reduce stress, or a close connection to Chinese culture, Tai Chi offers something for everyone. With regular practice, you can experience the transformative power of this ancient art form and discover     10     deeper sense of balance and harmony in your life.

2 . 假如你是李华，“学校科技节”即将到来，你校英文报正在开展主题为“Scientists who changed the world”的征文活动，请用英文写一篇文章，介绍你最崇拜的科学家。文章内容包括以下三个方面：

1.科学家的成就；

2.他（她）对世界的影响；

3.你崇拜他（她）的理由。

注意：

1.词数80左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

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4 . Dragon Head-raising Day: time for a haircut

China is a country with many colorful days and festivals. Dragon Head-raising Day (the Longtaitou Festival) is one of them.

This special day is on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar (阴历). It stands for the start of spring and farming. This year, the day fell on February 21.

The dragon is important in Chinese culture. We Chinese people call ourselves the “descendants (传人) of the dragon”. Therefore, people celebrate Dragon Head-raising Day with many customs about dragons.

On the day in ancient times, people put ash in the kitchen. This was to “lead the dragon into the house”. People believed that with the help of the dragon, they could have a good harvest in autumn.

Also, people eat special foods on that day. The foods are usually named after the dragon. For example, people eat “dragon whisker (须)” noodles and dumplings called “dragon teeth”.

Today, many customs have faded away. But one that has remained is to have hair cut. It is said that a haircut during the first lunar month may bring bad luck to the mother’s brothers. So many people have their hair cut on Dragon Head-raising Day.

7 . Mass media are tools of communication. They allow us to record and pass information rapidly to a large, scattered audience. They extend our ability to each other by helping us overcome limits caused by time and space. Mass media can be divided into two groups: print media and electronic media. By print media, we mean books, newspapers and magazines. Electronic media include television, radio and movie.

There are a number of ways in which mass media make daily life easier for us. First, they inform and help us keep a watch on our world. They gather and pass on information we would be unlikely or unable to gain on our own.

Second, mass media help us to arrange our time and life. What we talk about and what we think about are greatly influenced by the media. When people get together, they tend to talk about certain happenings on the newspapers or on TV. Because we are provided with differing points of view through different kinds of media every day, we are able to comment on all sides of a certain issue.

Third, mass media help us to connect with various groups in society. Through mass media, we are able to keep in contact with politicians in the world; with famous actors and actresses, and with our beloved singers.

Fourth, the media help to socialize us. We learn about the preferred behavior and values from the people we meet as well as from the media. Through portrayals of people, the media tell us what proper behaviors are. By doing so, they teach us standards of behavior and values, and help us in our daily life.

Fifth, the media are used to persuade people. A good example is advertisements through the media. Newspapers, magazines and TV are filled with all kinds of colorful, persuasive advertisements. Though many advertisements may not say openly that they want you to buy a certain product, they describe their products in such a way that you may want to buy them.

Sixth, the media entertain. All of the media make some effort trying to entertain their audience. For example, even though the newspaper is a main medium of information, it also contains entertainment features. Many newspapers offer their readers at least some of the following: comics, fiction books and puzzle games, televisions and magazines are devoted mainly to entertainment. It is guessed that in the future, the entertainment function of mass media will become even more important than it is now.

9 . Hey everyone! Welcome back to Wonders on the Earth. What follows are just a few of the global destinations given World Heritage status by UNESCO. They could be your family’s next vacation.

Wildlife Wonders

The Okavango Delta in northern Botswana is one of southern Africa’s biggest and most biodiverse freshwater watersheds (流域) and a dream destination for animal lovers of all ages. It sustains the planet’s most endangered animals, including the largest remaining elephant population, cheetahs, African wild dogs, wattled cranes, and great white pelicans.

Fairy Chimneys

Central Turkey’s Göreme National Park is a dry region of volcanic stone that takes fantastic forms, which are often called fairy chimneys (仙女烟囱). Some of the most striking sights are villages carved into the volcanic stone. The Göreme Open Air Museum, valley hikes, cave hotels, hot air balloon rides, and guided tours are highlights for all ages.

The Earliest Mummies

Wrapped simply in reeds and decorated with hair and clay masks, Chile’s Chinchorro mummies are 2,000 years older than Egypt’s. At San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum, only a few of the 300 samples are on view, while at Colón 10, visitors can see 48 mummies buried in the earth through a glass floor.

Dinosaur Fossils

Dinosaur Provincial Park in Canada gives some paleontologists (古生物学者) a chance to explore landscapes. Although visitors are not permitted to dig in this fragile environment, the park offers a full schedule of family-friendly fossil tours, guided activities, and dinosaur displays. Families can camp out under the stars and dream of the days when various dinosaurs inhabited this region.

10 . Training for a marathon requires careful preparation and steady, gradual increases in the length of the runs.     1    , buy the best-fitting, best-built running shoes you can find. No one can say which brand will work best for you or feel best on your feet, so you have to rely on your experience and on the feel of each pair as you shop. When you have found shoes that seem right, walk in them for a few days to double-check the fit.    2    . As always, you should stretch (伸展) at least ten minutes before each run to prevent injuries.

During the first week, do not think about distance, but run five minutes longer each day. After six days, it is wise to take a day off to rest. But during the next week, set a goal of at least a mile and a half per run. With each day, increase the distance by a half mile. After two weeks, start timing yourself.    3    . Depending on the kind of race you plan to enter, you can set up a timetable for the remaining weeks before the race.