Tea comes from China, and Chinese tea culture has a long history. Now, enjoying a nice cup of tea is a habit around the world. Not only is drinking tea a     1    (relax) moment, but tea is an endless drink with so many different types to get, each with     2    (it) own unique flavor (味道). But if you’re a tea-time beginner and find yourself just     3    (put) an old tea bag in hot water and steeping (浸泡)     4    (simple) and carelessly, you could be missing out on tons of flavor and the chance to experience the moment of tea-drinking     5    (happy). There are a few important     6    (thing) that can affect the taste of tea, including the types of tea, the water temperature, and the steeping time. To make a cup of perfect tea, firstly, instead     7     tea bags, you’d better prepare loose-leaf tea     8     has a strong and lasting flavor. Loose-leaf tea also produces generally     9    (little) rubbish than tea bags. Secondly, you should start with fresh water and not let the water get too hot. Remove the water right when it     10    (start) boiling for the best flavor. Finally, set a timer and start steeping according to the suggested time on your tea’s packaging.

Spring Festival is an important traditional festival in China, which has many unique     1     (custom). Here are three readers’ accounts, who shared their experiences and views about it.

Tom Jenkins spent Spring Festival with his host family in Nanjing. A week before the festival, the house was cleaned     2     (thorough). His host mother said this was     3    (sweep) away the dirt of the past year. Next, the Chinese character Fu     4     (attach) upside down to the front door to welcome happiness. At the night before Spring Festival, they sat together to enjoy a big dinner.

For Xu Gang, he usually plans his trip home weeks before Spring Festival as it is difficult to book train tickets or flights.     5     (surround) by Shanxi accents on the train, he knows that he is heading home. When he arrives home, his parents will tell him     6     has been happening. It’s great to be back together with the family and talk of old times.

To Li Yan, who has been     7     (retire), the joy of a family     8     (gather) is the most important. She and her husband get ready for their children’s homecoming early. The house buzzes     9     activities when everyone comes home. The children run around     10     (play) and the adults talk about the past year. They also have fun making jiaozi, a sign of wishes for health and happiness in the coming year.

Whoever has ever been to a Chinese restaurant may have experienced    1    unique set of utensils(餐具). Instead of a fork, you may have been handed two long    2    (stick). What are we talking about? Chopsticks, of course! Experts believe they originated in China. Chopsticks    3    (be)around for over 5, 000 years. For example, a pair of bronzè chopsticks from 1200 В.C. has been found in China. Experts believe the earliest chopsticks were likely used to stir a fire or serve food during    4    (cook).

Chopsticks you get in a Chinese restaurant are    5    (usual)made of wood. However, they are also commonly made of bamboo. You can also find chopsticks    6    (make)out of metal and bone. In China, chopsticks are called kuaizi,    7    is a word made up of characters meaning quick and “bamboo”. The English word “chopsticks” may come    8    a common phrase that means “quickly chop”.

Chopsticks    9    (mean) to be useful but difficult to handle. They are held by the main hand and used to pick up food. It takes a bit of practice    10    (feel)comfortable when you use chopsticks to eat. With a little work, you'll be eating with chopsticks in no time.