Chinese scientists have created starch(淀粉) using carbon dioxide, hydrogen and electricity, according to a study     1     was published in the journal Science on Sept 24.

It's the first time in the world that synthesis(合成) of starch from CO₂     2     (achieve). Scientists believe it will have a     3     (revolution) impact on future agricultural production and bio-manufacturing.

According to Ma Yanhe,     4     author of the study, the process of plants     5     (create) carbohydrates like starch through photosynthesis(光合作用)is complex and     6     (efficient). It takes a plant about 60 steps of metabolic(新陈代谢的) reactions to turn CO₂, water and sunlight into starch. But now Chinese scientists have simplified the process from 60 steps into 11.

Creating carbohydrates more efficiently is so important for     7     (sustainable) on Earth, noted ChinaDaily. If such an approach can be scaled up(扩展) to the level of industrialization, it     8     (save) more than 90 percent of the farm land and freshwater resources, and avoid negative effects on the environment     9     pesticides and chemical fertilizers(肥料), and it will improve food     10     (secure) and promote sustainable societies, according to Cai Tao, another author of the study.

My time here in China is going well. I love my new school     1     classmates. Over the October holiday, my parents and I are planning to go to Xi’an to see the Terracotta Army. I’ve heard that it is an    2    (amaze) sight, and I can’t wait to go. To me, the story of the Terracotta Army is almost unbelievable. It’s amazing that there are more than 8,000     3     (statue), and no one in modern times knew about     4     (they) until the1970s.

We’re also planning to visit several other places in Xi’an. My dad and I are both looking forward to    5     (go) to the Shaanxi History Museum, because my dad loves history and I have heard that this museum is known    6    a “Chinese treasure house”！We’re also going to the Xi’an City Wall and a few other famous     7     (sight).

We’re taking the train，    8    (leave)the day before the October holiday begins. We’re arriving at 9:30 a.m. and will start sightseeing right away, so I hope we sleep well on     9    train!

I guess that’s all for now! I’ll write again soon and send photos! Do you have any plans for the     10    (come) holiday? Hope to hear from you soon.

Your friend,

Richard

Rice wine has been a part of Chinese culture for thousands of years. It is also     1     (wide) known as yellow wine. Drinking rice wine in China offers the chance     2     (experience) China’s rich culture.

Perhaps one of the most interesting     3     (tale) of rice wine’s heritage was that of Du Kang, who became an important     4     (rule) during the Xia Dynasty. His special wine     5     (love) throughout the land. He was so good at making wine     6     it was said that a man who spent the night     7     (drink) his wine could stay drunk for three years.

It is important to note that although rice is the main ingredient (原料), other grains like wheat are sometimes used to make rice wine. The wine making process varies greatly depending on the methods     8     (use) and the ingredients.

Shaoxing Wine is one popular type of rice wine. It is named for its birthplace: Shaoxing, which is located     9     Zhejiang province. It is aged in the famous Shaoxing wine pots for extended periods of time and featuring     10     unique herb mixture that gives it a distinct flavor.

The Goddess of the Luo River comes alive in a video, which was shared by Henan TV Station on social media platform Sina Weibo. The ancient tale of romance is given     1     new setting and still provides attractive viewing for a modern audience. The tale is presented in    2       seems like slow motion. Not     3       (surprise), it became popular and has been viewed more than 20 million times.

The story of the Goddess of the Luo River has been the     4       (inspire) for countless contemporary artists, who have described the goddess of unmatched beauty through     5       (variety) art forms, like movies and dance dramas.

But the reason why the video,     6       runs for around two minutes and is titled Rhapsody on the Luo River Goddess, created such an impression and has generated such a wave of publicity, is that it     7     (shoot) underwater. He Haohao plays the role of goddess. She masters not only her art but the technique of holding her breath as her lungs struggle to carry out    8     (they) function. All this is done    9     the most peaceful facial expression.

It's not the first time that Henan TV Station has gained attention with its appealing videos    10     (highlight) traditional Chinese culture. On Feb 13th, a dance piece, titled A Tang Dynasty Banquet, which is less than six minutes long, was staged during a gala aired on Henan TV Station to mark Spring Festival.

Today I'm going to be talking to you about the International Space Station—the ISS, which is a joint project between 20 countries.     1     you can imagine，people always want to know something about the ISS，so I will run through the most common questions     2     are often asked by people. Well, you need to be good friends with the others because it is a small place! The first routine of the day is     3     (ensure) all is well with the many systems. Then this is followed by breakfast，which is timed to take     4     (precise) half an hour.

Experts have decided that togetherness around the dining table is psychologically important，so pre-packed food       5     (eat) together. Mail, which is received overnight, is read around the table,     6     (follow) by a daily conference. Recreational time is pretty limited! I used to stare out the window,     7     (look) at the beautiful Earth below. Then each day, in order to soften the ill     8     (effect) of being caged in such a small place，we have two hours for physical movement. Working time takes up twelve hours     9     Monday to Saturday. Sundays are for rest and     10     (communicate), via emails and video conferencing，with family back home on Earth.

Are all changes good?

It is a commonly held belief that as people get older, they become resistant to change. Their complaints that things used to be better in the past or     1     some new development is no good can be dismissed as the unavoidable thoughts of people who    2     (simple) don't like change and are therefore     3     (able) to see the benefits of progress.

But is this automatically true? Are the views of an older person on a new development always to be disregarded? This would suggest that every new development must be a good     4     and surely that cannot logically be    5     case.

Take    6     (architect) for example. In the 1950s and 1960s, many older British people were highly critical of the new concrete housing blocks that suddenly sprang up in cities,     7     (say) that they were ugly and depressing places to live in. They were     8     (tell) that they were simply being old-fashioned and that they were incapable of appreciating the advantages of these new buildings, which had replaced the streets of small houses that they were familiar with.     9     decades later, these very same blocks were being pulled    10    , as new generations decided they were both ugly and bad for society.