Poetry combines sound and sense, which implies a deeper meaning beyond the words on the page. Readers find it challenging to reveal the     1     (hide) dimensions. Here are some useful     2     (strategy) on how to better understand and appreciate poems.

Firstly, follow your ears. You     3     (advice) to ask “How does it sound?” instead of “What does it mean?” Read it aloud     4     you will feel how the poem sounds. Secondly, approach the poem as if you were an explorer in an unfamiliar landscape. Ask some basic questions to see concrete images in your mind. Then make     5     most of the surroundings to dig up clues to give you a greater understanding of the poem. Thirdly, if you are struggling     6     (interpret) the meaning of a poem with much painstaking effort, just stay patient. Sometimes it takes a lifelong time to understand a poem     7     (thorough). Poems that constantly reveal deeper and previously unrecognized meanings are more interesting     8     those that are easy to understand. Finally, it is     9     (necessary) to fully understand the poem to appreciate it. Sometimes, to find a poem’s inner beauty, you might need to abandon logical thinking.

Poetry’s combination of “sound” and “sense”     10     (allow) you to enjoy your journey in the world of poetry.

No one can foretell the future of technology exactly, because no one can see the future. However, there are reasonable     1     (argue) based on the advances and trends in technology in the past. For example, it’s reasonable to predict that computers will continue to become more powerful, numerous and cheaper. Areas with huge potential,     2     are just beginning to be made use of today, like biotechnology, will continue to produce fruit.

Technology in general will probably continue to improve,     3     (create) both promises and risks. In     4     area of computers, someone might interact with hundreds of embedded microchips (嵌入式微芯片) throughout the home and the office. In the future, it will be many thousands.     5     some have called “ubiquitous computing” —— computers everywhere helping us with everything —— will be caused by increasing bandwidth and decreasing costs. Some viewers, especially Bill Gates, believe the next few decades     6     (characterize) by long-awaited revolutions in robotic technology. Other futurists see trends in automation technology leading to desktop factories that enable users     7     (make) objects from a host of simple     8     (origin) parts.

Apart from above areas, there are dozens if not hundreds of areas that will continue to advance technologically. One thing is     9     sure: the future will have better technology than the past did. But will we put     10     to better use? Only time and effort will tell.

A recent survey has found that many people suffer from sleep problems. Some are     1     (able) to fall asleep, some wake up in the middle of the night, and others     2    (simple) do not get enough sleep. One of the reasons why people fail to get a good night’s sleep     3     (be) pressure from school or work. Noise pollution and light pollution in big cities may also contribute     4     sleep problems. In     5     short term, people with sleep problems often feel tired and have trouble concentrating. In the long term, they may be at increased risk of having a poor memory, being overweight and     6     (suffer) a heart attack. Sleep problems are especially dangerous for     7     (teenager). They are still growing and night is the time when     8     (they) bodies grow faster. Teenagers     9     do not sleep well may experience situations where body development slows down, and their health suffers.

So, if you have trouble getting a good night’s sleep, it might be time     10     (make) some changes in your lifestyle.

Students of a Nanjing senior high school brought joy to the elderly and brightened up their day by     1     (volunteer) at a local nursing home last weekend. The nursing home,     2     (locate) on a housing estate, has more than 150 senior citizens, some of     3     are over 90 years old.

Though it was the first time that many of the students     4     (take) part in a volunteer programme like this, they were eager to share various interesting topics     5     the residents, such as how to use mobile phones and go online on the computer. After lunch the residents and the young volunteers amused themselves with art     6     (activity) which included Chinese painting and calligraphy. They enjoyed each other’s company so much that Su Ming, 16, said he hoped to return to the nursing home     7     (regular) to spend time with the seniors that he made friends with.

Wang Hong, the programme organizer, said, “I was     8     (concern) that the students and the senior residents wouldn’t get along easily, but it turned out     9     (be) the exact opposite. I can say that today’s activities have made     10     big difference to the lives of the residents as well as the students.”

The artists of Dafen can paint like Van Gogh

The village of Dafen was once thought     1     (produce) the most oil paintings in the world every year. Recognized as the “world’s art factory”, Dafen impressed visitors     2     its many workshops, in which painters created mock masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet and Warhol. But the village was always seen     3     (much) as a production line than a place of culture. Today the future of Dafen may depend on     4     it is able to earn respect of the art world.

As the global financial crisis broke out in 2008 and cut down overseas orders, things started to change for Dafen. With more demand     5     (come) from domestic market, artists began painting different subjects. “New customers preferred Chinese styles.” says     6     painter in Dafen. He learnt the art of Shan Shui which involves representing natural landscapes. In some ways Dafen reflected the broader economy. As exports start to decline as a share of GDP, domestic     7     (consume) plays a larger role in driving growth.

China is the world’s second-largest art market.     8     it is not clear where Dafen fits in. Li Jinghu, an artist from nearby Dongguan, often visits the village hoping to discover new talent. But locals say the demand for their paintings     9     (decline) in the past two pandemic-struck years. “Most people would probably be surprised that Dafen still exists. It does and it will,” says Lisa Movius, a writer in Shanghai     10     covers art.

It is known to all that exercise has a range of health benefits. The fact is the     1    (inspire) behind some people’s assumption that if some exercise is good, more is always better. So they tend     2     (exercise) for a long time without stopping. For example, some people run for several hours at a time and some work out for hours at the weekend to make up     3     their lack of exercise during the weekdays.     4    , these may become a serious health risk. Recently, several surveys     5     (make) to know that over 80% of people got injured when doing exercises. Actually, aerobic routines     6     last over 100 minutes have a certain health risk. On the other hand, they should not be     7     (short) than 10 minutes. If you do exercise for only a few minutes, you may not be working out long enough to see any benefits from it. When doing exercise, 30 to 60 minutes     8     (seem) enough for the daily aim. This will prevent you from     9     (get) hurt. Moreover, it will ensure that the exercise you do can     10     (positive) affect your physical health.