The art of paper-cutting in China may date back to the second century, since paper    1    (invent)by Cai Lun in the Eastern Han Dynasty in China. As paper became more affordable, paper0cutting became one of the most important    2    (type) of Chinese folk art. Later,    3     different regions adopting their own cultural styles, this art form spread to other parts of the world.    4     (usual), the artworks are made of red paper, as red is associated with    5    (happy) in Chinese culture, but other colors are also used.

With    6    (it) long history, paper-cutting,    7    originated in China, has been very popular among the ordinary Chinese people. People put up papercuts on walls, windows and doors at wedding ceremonies or festivals     8    (strengthen) the cheerful atmosphere.

Chinese papercuts are rich in content. The auspicious（吉祥的）designs symbolize good luck and the avoidance of evil. The child, lotus and bat designs suggest a family with    9    large number of children and grandchildren. Birds, livestock, fruit, fish and worms are also familiar objects    10    (accept) by Chinese farmers. In a word, papercuts used in different occasions have different meanings.

The Blue Note Jazz Festival in New York City is the city’s most popular jazz festival and focuses on bringing big-name artists to small crowds and up-and-coming acts to the public. The event takes over 15 places across the city and includes Questlove, Michael Bolton and Aretha Franklin.

Locations: Jay Pritzker Pavilion, South Shore Cultural Center, & Harris Theater for Music and Dance | 201 East Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois

Listening to classical music is said to improve your intelligence. Whether that’s true or not, the Grant Park Music Festival will provide you with free, classical music, and you’d be smart to attend. The music at these concerts will leave you begging for more. It’s free to attend, so come and enjoy some great music with your family and friends.

Energy is way too contained (被压抑) in an indoor music place. Let that energy go where it wants through a series of outdoor concerts with Lake Park Friends Wonderful Wednesdays. Wednesday is no longer the most boring day of the week. This time, there’s something fun to do. A list of live music acts has made the middle of the week something to look forward to.

YouthCUE Festival of Youth Choirs in Washington gives students the rare opportunity to perform in the Washington National Cathedral, a famous historic place. The festival is a showcase of student choirs (唱诗班) from all over the local professional orchestra.

5 . On March 17 the color green will spread all around the world in celebration of St Patrick's Day. The Irish (爱尔兰人)traditionally wear something green on this day, as the color is associated with Ireland.     1    

Usually these jokes will be about Irish stupidity, their famous thirst for alcohol, or their fame for telling tall (untrue) tales. These characteristics are all based on the most common Irish stereotypes (成见):that the Irish are hot-tempered drinkers who love to fight and will do anything to avoid a day's work.

    2     These stereotypes may have rung true back in the 19th century when they started, but they're far from true today, with the exception, perhaps, of the drinking.

Today, the Irish are admired for their storytelling ability, musical talent and strong education.     3     Or that many of the most famous music acts of all time, such as singer Enya and rock band U2, were Irish born and bred. And in December, Ireland's education system was ranked 11th in the world in a new global top 50 ranking, website independent.ie reported.

    4     They can date back to the 19th century, which was a very bad time to be Irish. At that time, Ireland was poverty-stricken and starving. Many Irish moved to the US to escape famine, but there they had to compete ——occasionally with their fists ——for jobs and housing with other immigrant groups. It was on the US，streets that the Irish earned their reputation for street fighting.

    5       Drinking in Ireland is a predilection (偏好)，but it's not necessarily something to criticize. It was the Irish after all who created one of the world's best-loved beers Guinness.