Dough sculpture (面塑), also known as dough (面团) flowers,     1     (date) back to the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220). Across north China     2     the folk art is widely spread, people take dough works as religious offerings and wedding gifts.

“The dough is made of wheat starch (淀粉), glutinous rice flour and honey,” said Liu Zenghui, a dough sculpture inheritor (继承人) in Binzhou, Shandong Province. Liu started to learn dough sculpture at an early age. His works center on     3     (hero) of ancient Chinese myths and classics. Each figure,     4     the shape, hair to the muscles and looks, is so vivid and eye-catching.

Watching Liu work is     5     visual delight. After he first shapes the colorful dough into a simple outline, it     6     (attach) to a small stick. With a knife, thread, and toothpicks, he then refines it and eventually creates a lifelike and visually     7     (strike) dough sculpture. “You can’t be too careful to control the knife, because once there is a wrong cut, you need to start all over again. Concentration is fundamental (基础的),     8     ensures minimal (最少的) noise and disturbance.” Liu said in his quiet workshop.

Also, Liu is glad to be invited     9    (give) lectures at schools. “Making the traditional art accessible to children     10    (mean) not only fun but a way to keep it alive,” he said.

Listed as a national­level intangible cultural heritage (非物质文化遗产) in 2006, Qinqiang Opera has gradually seen a return     1     popularity in recent years. The revival (复兴) of Qinqiang Opera     2     (attract) more young audience since then.

“Ten years ago, our audience     3     (be) mostly old people. We were afraid we would lose them one day. Now we have lots of young audience members     4     our performances are     5     (warm) welcomed,” said Hou Yan to China Daily.

The number of young     6     (performer) increased as well. The average age of Hou’s opera team is 30. “As we become more confident about our culture, more young people will like     7     (tradition) culture as a fashionable trend and become promoters (推广者) of     8     (they) own culture,” Hou said to China Daily.

The revival of Qinqiang Opera in the past decades has reflected the country’s cultural development,     9     surprises the public. Hou’s attitude to her career has also changed. “As an opera actor, I’m very confident in our culture. I couldn’t imagine it decades ago. So I consider it our duty     10     (make) it well received.”

6 . Hans is a young German born after 1995, who is a big fan of Chinese culture. He has been learning traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) since 2016. Now he is studying for his master’s degree at Henan University of Chinese Medicine.

Hans came to Central China’s Henan Province in 2015, where a rich TCM culture can be enjoyed because Henan Province is the hometown of Zhang Zhongjing, the medical master of ancient China. After one year of learning the Chinese language, he started to learn Chinese medicine.

Without a language barrier, Hans read some of the ancient Chinese medical classics, such as Huangdi Neijing and Yi Jing. He believes different aspects of traditional Chinese culture interact with each other.

Studying TCM also changed Hans’ mind and lifestyle. He used to be addicted to electronic devices and stay up late every night, trapped in this fast-paced but unhealthy daily routine. But now, according to the Yin-Yang theory in TCM, he lives a balanced and peaceful life, practicing good habits as well as reading ancient books.

He plans to run a traditional Chinese clinic in China or Germany after graduation, which could serve as a bridge between the two countries and publicize TCM and its culture.

There are many Festivals in Chinese cultures. How much do you know about it?

The Mid-Autumn Festival is in September or October,     1     is celebrated traditionally by the Chinese people all over the world. On this special occasion for Chinese families, people like to meet in the evening and    2    (admire) the full moon, and eat moon cakes of all     3    (kind), even till midnight.

The Lantern Festival    4    (fall) on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month,     5    (mark) the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. During the festival, people light lanterns    6     (decorate) with pictures to celebrate the power of light over     7     (dark), and eat the special food — sweet dumplings served in hot water.

The Dragon Boat Festival comes    8    the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar year. As it is in early summer, it marks the     9    (begin) of the hottest season of the year. People take part in     10    (vary) dragon boat races and enjoy the fun. The special food for the festival is called zongzi, which is sticky rice in fresh bamboo leaves.

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.