1 . Accompanied by the rhythmic sound of bamboo strips (竹板), Yang Ziqi, 17, from Xi’an Qujiang No l High School, listens to interesting stories in the Shaanxi dialect. The stories range in subject greatly from the story of the Monkey King to instructions on garbage sorting.

“Shaanxi kuaiban is amazing. It can not only bring you great joy, but also broaden your horizons” said Yang. Shaanxi kuaiban is a traditional Chinese form of storytelling in the Shaanxi dialect to the rhythm of bamboo clappers. In June, it was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage at the national level. It can be performed by a group or solo. The art form can be traced back to the late Qing Dynasty (1644 — 1911). According to its performers, the art was originally used by farmers to share their knowledge and earn money. But now, more people perform Shaanxi kuaiban on different occasions-for example, at festival celebrations, parties and art shows.

Yang Jinlong, 45, is an experienced Shaanxi kuaiban artist. He first learned the art at the age of 9. Before that, he often went with his father, an amateur performer, to watch kuaiban performances.

“As a young boy, I was attracted to the art form because many of the stories are about heroes. The performer tells stories while playing kuaiban, and it’s easy for the audience to remember the stories since all the lines rhyme,” Yang said. He has practiced Shaanxi kuaiban for more than 30 years. Since 2003, he has been teaching the art form to young people. At 9 am on weekdays, he drives to primary and middle schools in Xi’an and teaches students about Shaanxi kuaiban until about 6 pm. Then, he returns home to prepare classes for the next day. On the weekends, he teaches for six hours each day at art education institutions in Xi’an.

Yang has made some adaptations to the art form to relate more to students. When he tells modern stories, Yang abandons the traditional gown and wears a suit. He also integrates many pop elements like tap dance, ballet, jazz dance and the rhythm of popular music into kuaiban performances. His stories focus on more trendy topics, like stories of heroes who have worked to alleviate poverty (扶贫), as well as the Chinese Olympic team.

“Art education is important for students in China. Just as many students learn to play Western musical instruments like the piano and violin, there are many people learning traditional Chinese folk arts, including Shaanxi kuaiban. They are committed and passionate,” Yang said.

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.

Do you know Dunhuang? Dunhuang is home to the Mogao Grottoes,     1     UNESCO World Heritage Site, elements of which are     2     display in an ongoing exhibition at the National Base for International Cultural Trade in Beijing. Painted sculptures and other splendid items of cultural heritage have been reproduced, while the caves     3     are now closed have been reproduced in digital form.

The exhibition area,     4     (cover) some 1,600 square meters, features the results of research on nearly 50 sets of cultural relics from the Dunhuang Academy.     5     the real grotto in Dunhuang is no longer open to the public, the digitally     6     (restore) grotto can be preserved forever in the digital space.

Opening in July, the exhibition will last for three years. It is the first time that the Dunhuang Academy     7     (hold) such a long exhibition in Beijing. By the end of 2021, the “digital Dunhuang project” had completed the digital    8     (collect)of 268 grottoes. Such projects have provided a means of preserving China’s splendid cultural heritage for future generations, while making it more     9     (wide) available both at home and abroad. It is hoped that the “digital Dunhuang” will not only allow more audiences to experience the artistic charm of Dunhuang,     10     also promote exchanges between cultures along the Belt and Road under new historical conditions.