The Chinese zodiac, also known as Sheng Xiao or Shu Xiang, is a     1     (repeat) circle of 12 years. Each year     2     (represent) by an animal. Chinese New Year 2024 is a year of the Loong.

Chinese Zodiac Loong is the     3     (five) of the 12 zodiac animals, following the Rot, Ox, Tiger and Rabbit. People born in the year of the Loong — an animal no one knows if it existed in real world—are enveloped in mystery, and very charming.

Back in the pre-Qin period over 2,200 years ago, there was already the Chinese zodiac signs theory. So it is     4     (reason) that Chinese Zodiac years are in agreement with the beginning of Chinese Lunar New Year. If you have an idea of Lunar Calendar, you will know     5     Chinese zodiac year often starts from late January and ends in middle February of the next year.

Therefore, to see what your Chinese zodiac animal is,     6     to confirm whether you are a Loong, you need to change your Gregorian calendar birthday to Lunar Calendar of the year you were born. For example, if you were born     7     February 16, 1988 (a year of the Loong), the Lunar New Year’s Eve, which was very close to Loong year, but you are a Rabbit.

    8     is also worth mentioning is that if two people were born in the different Loong years, they may have very different     9     (personality), and horoscope, due to the Five Elements, which are Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Each element     10     (come) in a 60-year cycle.

Led by China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration, the country’s first conference     1     (dedicate) to future trends in cultural relic conservation through high-technology was held on Wednesday in Chongqing.

The conference focused     2     China’s innovations in recent years in technological equipment for protecting cultural relics. It also looked into the challenges in the field     3     discussed future paths to better integrating high-tech designs into the country’s archeological     4     (project).

The experts discussed initiatives such as application of big data in the archeological field, the use of nuclear technology     5     (conserve) relics, and the application of Radar Technology Equipment in the archeological field.

Li Qun, director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, said that the cultural relic protection equipment has become     6     “indispensable” means of the preservation of cultural heritage in China.

In 2018, experts from China and Italy gathered in Chongqing to share exchanges on technological inventions,     7     (address) issues such as stone relic restoration and new materials for wooden relic     8     (restore).

Aside from the main conference, an exhibition called Crafts First: Technology and Equipment for Cultural Relics Preservation     9     (launch) as part of the event. The show features 64 items of technological equipment such as a wearable smart piece     10     provides visitors with immersive experiences from inside the cave temples.

The Wuhan silk flower is a famous specialty of Hubei. It has been produced and sold for many years and enjoys a high reputation.

Over the past hundred years, Wuhan silk flower     1     (adopt) the traditional silk flower making techniques from the royal courts. It draws spirit from the folk silk flower making techniques throughout China, while perfecting     2     (it) on the basis of the traditional flower skills that have been known far and wide due to its fine workmanship.

Silk flowers are the flowers     3     (typical) made with silk, satin and other high-grade fabrics. The flowers look vivid and are unique skills. Whether due to its long history or the strong     4     (decorate) effect, silk flowers were common accessories of the ancient women.

Among Chinese traditional skills, making flowers     5     fabrics emerged more than 1,700 years ago. In the Tang Dynasty, it was recorded     6     women wore flowers made with silk.

The silk flower     7     (artist) in Wuhan have handed down and carried forward silk flower workmanship from generation to generation, making silk flower     8     art craft specialty with local characteristics. The varieties of the flowers     9     (make) with silk include peony, rose, Chinese rose, and other flowers in total of more than 400 varieties. The finished flowers are classified into inserted flowers, hat flowers and more,     10     (enjoy) great popularity among consumers.

It is believed that Chinese knotting, also known as zhongguojie, originated for recording information and exchanging messages     1     writing was invented. Over the past thousands of years, knots     2     (play) an important part in the life of Chinese.    3     (initial), Chinese knots acted as good -luck charms to drive away evil spirits. Today, Chinese knots are widely used to decorate homes during festivities.

A major characteristic of Chinese knots is that they are often tied from a single continuous length of string. The knots are commonly named     4     the shape it takes. Chinese knots are created in a     5     (various) of colors such as gold, green, blue, or black, though the most commonly used color is red,    6     symbolizes good luck and prosperity.

Crafting the Chinese knot is a three-step process     7     (involve) tying knots, tightening them and adding the finishing touches. The knots     8     (pull) tightly together and are strong enough to be used for binding or wrapping, making them very practical.

Today, most of such knots are often mass manufactured in factories. Skilled knot artists weave complex knots that you might see     9     (sell) as souvenirs that you can take back with you. If you have time, why not try your hand at it? Perhaps these age-old charms can add     10     touch of good luck to your daily life?

Chinese holidays and festivals are quite different     1     holidays and festivals in other countries. We have many     2     (tradition) festivals and national holidays such as Chinese New Year (or the Spring Festival), the Lantern Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival. The     3     important one for the Chinese is the Spring Festival. It is     4     January 1st (lunar calendar). On the Eve of the Spring Festival, all family members have a big     5    (dinner) together and eat dumplings for good luck. The Lantern Festival is on January 15th (lunar calendar). It makes the end of the Spring Festival. People watch lantern shows and eat Tangyuan on this day. Qingming is also     6     (call) Tomb-sweeping Day, usually comes on April. It is a day for the living to show love and respect to their dead friends     7    relatives. People sweep the tombs (墓碑) and put food and wine in     8     of the tombs. The Dragon Boat Festival is on May 5th (lunar calendar). It is a day to commemorate (纪念) Qu Yuan, a great poet in ancient China. People eat rice dumplings (Zongzi) and     9     (watch) Dragon Boat races. The Mid-Autumn Festival is on August 15th (lunar calendar). On this day, people watch the moon     10     eat moon cake.