How to balance economic development     1     cultural heritage protection is likely     2     (be) a complex problem. In Egypt the proposal of building the Aswan Dam met with     3     (protest) for fear of damaging the cultural relics. Most people thought it worth the money     4     (spend) on it to preserve cultural heritage     5     being destroyed. It was thanks to the hard work and contributions of the     6     (globe) community, the project was completed successfully.

The animated film Chang An has become a surprise hit, earning     1    impressive 600 million yuan at the box office of the Chinese mainland within just ten days of its release. It has appealed to audiences of all ages, who     2     (enthusiastic) recite poetry alongside the characters on screen, taking them on a fantastic journey. This film not only identifies with the Chinese people but also allows the world     3     (explore) the rich tradition of Tang poetry and the “Chinese Poetry Universe.”

The story centers around the deep friendship between poet Gao Shi and the romantic poet Li Bai offering a brief look into the glorious history of the Tang era,     4    is known for its economic prosperity and cultural advancement. The 48 Tang poems     5     (feature) in the movie present a view of the most excellent poets of that time as well as their political ambitions and ideals. These poems transport audiences     6     sandy deserts to mist­filled regions along the Yangtze River.

Chang An is undoubtedly a masterpiece that shows the unique     7     (characteristic) of Chinese culture to the world. In China, poets and their poems     8     (consider) national treasures. These poems describe not only the historical changes of a dynasty, but also     9     (people) understanding of the world. The film has raised the audiences’     10     (aware) and enhanced their love and belief in Chinese culture.

Studying abroad in Amman, Jordan, was a life changing experience for me. There were so many challenges and cultural norms I     1     (expose) to. I needed to be familiar with new surroundings and cooperate     2     people from different cultural backgrounds. Fortunately, everyone I met there was understanding and welcoming. Prior to     3     (go) abroad, I applied through International Studies Abroad (ISA), and they were enormously helpful.

Studying abroad enabled me to see things from new angles and learn more about cultures around me.     4     the whole, studying abroad can help     5     (strength) your abilities in cross­cultural communication and improve your general competence.

The Chinese began to accept Western medicine as early as the beginning of 20th century,     1    Chinese medicine is still in doubt among Western people. To them, Chinese medicine, like ancient China, is mysterious and beyond     2     (believe).

Chinese medicines, most of them     3     (be) originally natural herbs, are made through having these materials simmered, roasted, or fried without having specific standards. This is the main reason for     4    they’re not recognized internationally. Chinese medicines usually appear in     5     form of pills, tablets and most commonly herb teas. They are used     6     account of their power in aid of recovery and they tend to produce long­term effects. They might be     7     (slow) in curing the patient of the disease, but they have less serious side effects even if     8     (take) frequently, for each medicinal herb is prescribed (开处方) for the benefit of the patient, causing no harm to the liver or the kidneys.

It is obvious that no matter how strange they may seem to Westerners, Chinese medicines     9     (use) for thousands of years and prove to be extremely effective. It’s up to us     10     (promote) the precious heritage.

10 . Chinese people love food made of flour. In the hands of skilled artisans (手艺人), flour is made into lovely models of people or animals to be enjoyed and played with, which brings a unique kind of pleasure. This art form is called dough figurine (面塑). Among the various art styles of dough figurines, Beijing’s Dough Figurine Lang is a unique folk art, which is filled with the rich history and customs of the capital city. In 2008, it was included in the list of national intangible (非物质的) cultural heritage.

It was created by Lang Shao’an. Most of the dough figurines are animals and characters from legends, historical stories, and local operas. The finished product is either put at the end of a thin stick or on a table for display. Some are mostly for children to eat or play with, with simple forms and vivid decorations, while some are fine pieces of artwork for display only. For this reason, during the making process they are often mixed with additives (添加剂) to better preserve the finished products.

Lang Jiaziyu, born in 1995, is the third-generation inheritor (继承人) of Dough Figurine Lang. When he was 15, he created Beijing Olympic Mascot (吉祥物) shaped dough figurines which were highly praised. He looks a bit more fashionable than other folk artisans. In his skilled hands, pop culture icons (偶像) are popular with young people.

Like most of the other intangible cultural heritage handicrafts in China, Dough Figurine Lang does not get as much attention from the public. Few young people are willing to take the time to master a skill that does not make money, which has led to a decline in the number of those who are devoted to the handicraft. Good handicrafts need the devotion of artisans from one generation to another.