Chinese calligraphy (书法) is an art form that    1    (involve) the skilled and deliberate use of brush and ink to create beautiful and expressive characters.

The origins of Chinese calligraphy can be traced back thousands of years to the Shang Dynasty, making it one of the     2     (old) continuous artistic traditions in the world. Its evolution is accompanied with the development of the Chinese writing system,     3     consists of thousands of characters, each with its own artistic structure and stroke order (笔顺).

Calligraphy in China    4    (regard) as one of the highest forms of artistic expression. It is not only a means of communication     5     a way to develop one’s character, discipline, and spirituality. The practice of calligraphy requires     6    (patient), concentration, and a deep understanding of the balance between empty space and solid forms.

Different styles of calligraphy have emerged throughout history, each with its own distinct characteristics and artistic conventions. The most famous    7    (style) include regular script (kaishu), running script (xingshu), cursive script (caoshu), and seal script (zhuanshu).

Chinese calligraphy has a profound influence     8     other art forms, such as     9    (paint), poetry, and seal carving. It is often considered as an important part of the Chinese traditional culture, where scholars and artists would gather in a     10    (culture) salon to appreciate and discuss calligraphic works.

“End of Heat”, the fourteenth solar term (节气),     1     (fall) on August 23th this year. When the heatwave of summer passes, “End of Heat” has     2     (official) begun. It’s a period when people welcome the autumn, celebrate the harvest and worship their ancestors.

People can enjoy the gradual change of scenery     3     late summer to early autumn. For example, clouds scatter around in the sky, forming     4     (vary) patterns and shapes. Meanwhile, get ready to appreciate the night-blooming cereus (昙花),     5     often blooms at night to avoid the heat.

“End of Heat” is a busy harvest season for farmers and also a time to express thanks for blessings     6     (receive). For example, fishermen in some coastal areas will hold a grand Fishing Festival     7     (send) fishermen off to sea.     8     wide range of seafood makes it to people’s dining tables. During this time, people also drink herbal tea and eat duck meat for relief from the dry weather.

Showing the     9     (wise) of Chinese people to live according to the rhythm of the seasons, the solar terms     10     (regard) as the fifth great invention of China.

7 . In China, people in different areas have their own ways to celebrate the Spring Festival. Especially between Northern China and Southern China, there are many differences.    1    

One is about the food on the night before the Spring Festival. In Northern China, people usually eat dumplings during this time. For luck, people may put sugar in dumplings.    2    People in the south usually eat Niangao or Tangyuan on New Year’s Eve. Both foods are also considered to bring a better life. There are many causes. For example, Northern China grows lots of wheat (小麦) while Southern China grows lots of rice.    3    People in Northern China usually love food made by wheat.

    4    In Northern China, people often put up paper cuttings on windows to wish for happiness of the coming year. In many parts of the south, people no longer put up paper cuttings for the Spring Festival. Instead, they decorate their house with a kumquat (金橘) tree bearing fruit.

It’s true that Northern China and Southern China have differences in celebrating the Spring Festival.    5    After all, many Chinese are moving from one place to another. When reaching a new place, they also bring their customs there. So now many people in Northern China also eat Tangyuan.

Today’s skiers are used to relying on ski lifts at resorts to take them to the top of a mountain before     1     (experience)the addictive thrill of skiing down the mountain.     2    , in some snow-covered villages in Altay prefecture (辖区) of Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, it’s common in winter to see local herdsmen, with boards     3     (attach) to their feet, climb the snowy slopes without any other forms of assistance.

The pair of boards are wrapped with horsehide(马革),     4     serves a double purpose. Remarkably, the horsehide not only can provide friction (摩擦) to prevent skiers from slipping while going up, but also helps them slide more     5     (smooth)down the slopes.

According to rock carvings uncovered in the area by archaeologists, such     6     (ski) have served for around 12,000 years     7     a means of transportation for the snowfield inhabitants of Altay. The fur skiing boards gradually lost     8     (they) popularity in recent decades after paved roads linked houses to the outside world.

However, Altay plans to protect and promote its skiing culture. The local government department     9     (want) to pass its skiing tradition to future generations. The prefecture is working     10     (develop)the area as a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders. As a result, the ancient fur skiing boards and the craft of making them have found a new lease of life in modern times.

9 . Unique and distinct to Rwanda, milk bars make many of our communities get together. They are places to meet for breakfast or lunch. They are also places to socialize with people of different backgrounds. While it is difficult for strangers to understand these local milk bars, they reflect a little-known truth about how intrinsic cows and milk are to Rwandan culture.

Pascal Kubwimana, a taxi-moto operator who has been coming to Kuruhimbi almost every day for two years, says he is not going anywhere. “I love the milk here,” he said, washing down his bread and beans with a litre of hot milk. “It helps me feel good all day when I have it for breakfast. I even take some home in the evening. My children love it.”

With around 70% of Rwanda’s population engaged in agriculture, cows are an economic advantage as well as a symbol of wealth and social status in rural areas. In fact, cows are held in such high regard here that it’s common to include the animal into your child’s name. Many traditional Rwandan dances are also inspired by cows. In the Umushayayo, which is often characterized as a sort of Rwandan ballet, women imitate the gentle movements of cows while showing their beauty and grace. And in the Ikinyemera, Igishakamba and other dances, men and women stretch their arms upward to represent cow horns.

In Rwanda, when you want to wish someone well, you say “gira inka” (may you have a cow) or “amashyo” (have thousands of cows), and you’ll hear the response, “amashongore” (have thousands of female cows). When you want to express profound gratefulness, you say “nguhaye inka” (I give you a cow).