National Handwriting Day     1     (fall) on January 23rd. Its aim is to stress the significance of the skill of handwriting. Handwriting is of practical     2     (important) in today’s world where people use a computer keyboard more than a pen or pencil. Some people are worried that in the future, handwriting might become a     3     (lose) art.

The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA)     4     (start) National Handwriting Day in 1977. The day January 23rd was chosen because this is the birthday of John Hancock,     5     was the first person to sign the American Declaration of Independence — one of the most important documents in America’s history. WIMA says: “National Handwriting Day is     6     chance for all of us to re-explore the purity and power of handwriting.”

Handwriting is more like an art rather than     7     (simple) writing. We can use it to express     8     (we) and be creative. A higher art form is calligraphy (书法). People can study how to write a single letter for many years. Everyone’s handwriting is unique. We only need to see the front of a letter     9     (recognize) the handwriting of someone we know. Experts can even analyze our handwriting and explain     10     kind of personality we have. What does your handwriting say about you?

2 . There once lived a monster named Nian, who lived deep in the sea and climbed up to eat cattle and ______ people.

Then, one New Year’s Eve, the villagers were in a great ______ to run away. Some were closing windows and locking doors, some were ______ and others were driving cattle and sheep. There came a beggar (乞丐), saying “I’ll drive away the ______ .”

Around ______ Nian rushed into the village. He found the grandmother’s house was bright with red paper ______ on the doors. The monster gave a loud cry, looked ______ for a moment and went to the door. There suddenly came the sounds of explosions (爆炸). Shaking all over, the monster dared not take a step ______ . It turned out that the colour ______ flames and explosions were what Nian feared the most. The monster ran away quickly in the darkness. All the villagers felt ______ and came back to thank the beggar.

To ______ such good luck, the villagers put on their ______ clothes and hats and went to their relatives and friends to send their ______ and congratulations. These ______   have been passed down through the generations, which is the ______ of the Spring Festival.

6 . 5 of the Most Interesting Customs in the World

Switzerland—Honesty shopping

There are little shops in the middle of the Swiss Alps that allow you to buy your fresh cheese, milk, bread, honey, and butter without anyone to watch you. In fact, no one watches these shops because they are owned by farmers who are out taking care of the animals.

South Korea—NOT tipping

Tipping is in the blood for someone who is raised in the United States along with many other European countries. But in South Korea, employees in the food service industry are given fair wages and take pride in their work, and it is insulting to attempt to tip them.

Iceland—Christmas Eve books giving

People puzzle over the eternal question of Christmas gifts. Iceland has solved this problem with the Christmas Eve tradition of giving a book. After everyone unwraps the books, they spend the evening reading together.

Japan—Pushers on the subway

Japan's subway is crowded during rush hours. But instead of settling for the inefficiency that personal space demands, Japan has "pushers". They are exactly what they sound like-employees whose only job during rush hour is to push more people onto the train.

Russia—Offering vodka

It is the custom to welcome new friends with shots of vodka. What better way to break the ice than with some stomach- warming shots of this Russian tradition? That's something we can all toast to, or, as they say in Russia, "Na zdorovye!".

A Sweet Art— Sugar Painting

In and around China’s southwestern Sichuan province, one can often find folk artists producing sugar     1     (painting) with liquid sugar along the streets and in the parks.

According to some academic studies, sugar painting originated from the Ming Dynasty when sugar animals and figures     2     (make) in molds (模具) as part of a sacrifice in religious ceremony. In the Qing Dynasty, sugar painting gained more     3     (popular). The production techniques were upgraded and the patterns became more various, most of     4     stood for good luck such as fish, dragon and monkey. Afterward, the folk artists in Sichuan     5     (develop) this art by adding techniques of Chinese shadow puppet and Chinese paper cutting. The molds were also replaced     6     a small bronze spoon. As time passed by, the contemporary form of sugar painting has     7     (gradual) evolved.

Although the number of sugar painters has decreased, due to its unique charm, a certain number of artists are making efforts     8     (preserve) it by offering classes, holding relevant activities such as sugar painting contests and applying for the National Non-material Cultural Heritage.

Nowadays, this art is getting support again from the general public     9     it has already been listed as Provincial Non-Material Culture Heritage by the Sichuan Government. Moreover, the sugar painting artists have gained     10     (increase) recognition.