Kung fu, also     1    (name) as wushu or Chinese martial arts, is     2    important part of traditional Chinese culture.

It is     3    (probable) one of the earliest and longest lasting sports. The theory(原理)of kung fu is based     4    classical Chinese philosophy. Over its long history it has developed as a unique combination(结合体)of exercise, practical self-defense, and art. There are many     5     (form) of kung fu, namely Shaolin Kung Fu, Wing Chun, Tai Chi, etc. Each form of kung fu     6    (have) its own principles and techniques. It is in the late twentieth century     7    this term was used in relation to Chinese martial arts by the Chinese community.

Historically, the influence of Chinese martial arts can     8     (find) in books and in the performance art. Recently, those influences have appeared in the movies and television that have a much     9     (wide) audience. As a result, Chinese martial arts have spread beyond (超出) its ethnic roots and have a global influence. Nowadays, it is regarded as a traditional sport becoming more and more popular     10    even stands as a representative (代表) of Chinese culture.

It’s not often sunny in Paris, but people still love to walk along the banks of the Seine. They love the view of the city’s old     1     (building), especially Notre Dame Cathedral, with its fantastic spire (尖顶).

    2    , that view has been changed forever. On April 16, a fire     3     (destroy) the spire of the 850-year-old church, and two-thirds of the roof. Parisians were so shocked that they couldn’t help openly    4     (weep). Many citizens gathered around the giant church, praying for the hundreds of firefighters     5     fought the flames. For many in France, it’s not only a house of worship, but a symbol of French culture, architecture and history.

It is no wonder that people felt sad. The cathedral,     6     (construct) in 1163, is home to many religious paintings and sculptures. It is     7     (probable) best known for its relation    8     the story of the Hunchback (驼背人) of Notre Dame. But its French Gothic Architecture remains the biggest     9     (attract) for visitors from around the world. Fortunately,     10     (it) world-famous glass windows survived the fire. And French President has promised to rebuild the invaluable heritage.

5 . Ice climbing is an active winter sport that combines excitement, technique and determination. If you love this sport, here are some of the world’s best places that you shouldn’t miss.

◇Ouray, Colorado, US

Known as the “Switzerland of the US”, Ouray offers climbers easy access to more than 200 named climbs, with free entrance to the park. The ice park also offers guide and instructional services for beginners. Ouray usually hosts the biggest ice festival in North America every January.

◇Shuangqiaogou, Sichuan, China

China has a lot of ice walls, which are located in different mountains in the northern and western parts of the country. Among them, Sichuan Province’s Shuangqiaogou, or Twinbridge Trench, in Mount Siguniang has some of the finest such spots. The ice season in the area usually starts mid-December and runs through late March. Climbers can enjoy various ice formations along with a clean, quiet environment.

◇Valdez, Alaska, US

Alaska’s breathtaking Valdez region has been attracting world-class climbers to the region for decades. Each year, thrill-seekers gather there to follow classic routes such as Sheep Creek and Solomon Gulch, while others explore the area by themselves, hoping to find the next classic site on their own adventures. Other winter sports activities such as glacier hiking and snowcat skiing, skiing and sled trips can also be found there.

6 . Top Festivals In Europe

Dates: 12 Feb, 2023—1 Mar, 2023

The Carnival of Venice, which began in 1979 as an effort to revive the culture of this city, is one of the best festivals featuring masks. Each year, almost 3,000,000 people attend this 20-day-long biggest festivals in Europe. There is a water parade, a grand ball with old and modern music, and a popularity contest for best mask design.

Dates: 22 Jun, 2023—26 Jun, 2023

Of all the famous European music festivals, the Glastonbury Festival has a special place. Held in Somerset, England, since the 1970s, the festival is a major part of the British culture. Major pop act performers are invited to perform and headline. The festival sees as much as 175,000 people in attendance and is the world’s largest greenfield festival.

Dates: 22—24Jul, 2023 & 29—31Jul, 2023

For the music lovers, Tomorrowland is one of the largest electronic music festivals which takes place in Belgium. The festival is hosted at the town of Boom, Belgium. First organized in 2005, this festival has become an annual tradition which is visited by people from far and wide.

Dates: 10—15 Aug, 2023

The Sziget Festival is one of the best cultural festivals in Europe. Started in 1993 and hosted in an island of Budapest, this festival gives an amazing holiday, with around 400,000 fans from around 70 countries. The festival features the non-stop party and amazing live concerts.

9 . Fantastic Fall Festivals You Won’t Want to Miss

Admission to the Seymour Apple Festival is free and so is the entertainment! More than 15,000 people from all over the region come out to take part in the activities, ranging from drawings, vendor booths, food, apple contests, bike decorating contests, and more.

The popular Marionville Apple Festival is home to countless activities and events. The carnival, pony rides, and games will keep the kids busy, while adults will enjoy watching the pie-eating contest and browsing dozens of craft vendor booths.

The Humansville Fall Festival may be hosted by a small town, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking big fun. Perfect for all ages, this fall festival is celebrating its 70th year and will provide three full days of fun. This year’s festival will feature live music from fantastic local musicians, which will definitely make it different from the ones in other years. You’ll also find fun carnival rides, talented artisans selling their goods, and an amazing parade to wrap up the event on Saturday.

The Southside Fall Festival is perfect for family celebrations, with an alcohol-free environment and free admission. Enjoy a colorful parade and float contest, delicious food vendors, live music, karaoke, and more.

Make sure to bring the kids along for this festival that celebrates all things creative. The Fall Into Arts Festival features a host of kid-friendly activities like a lego build, sand art, bubble stations, chalk the sidewalk, a jump house, and more. Parents will have plenty to do as well, with an excellent variety of artists, festival food, a mini film festival, and much more.

Located in the north-east of Italy, Venice is     1     (know) as “The Floating City”. Water has always been a big part of life in Venice, and even today, they remain the most common way to travel around. Unfortunately, water is also putting Venice     2     great danger. Saltwater is slowly damaging the bases of Venice’s buildings. More problems are caused by floods,    3     usually hit the city each winter.     4     these floods could now be a thing of the past thanks to a new flood prevention project.

Venice     5     (lie) in the middle of a lagoon (泻湖), with three     6     (nature) gaps open to the sea. Rain and strong winds cause seawater to travel through the gaps to Venice. Dozens of gates     7     (build) to hold back the sea in the past few years. Each of these gates is 20 metres wide, with the longest about 30 metres long. In the event of a big rise in the water level, the gates will be raised     8     (separate) the city from the sea.

But only time will tell if this project is the right     9     (solve). The important thing is that action is being taken to protect this unique city for future generations. And if it works, it means a longer and     10     (dry) future for Venice.