There are certain things on the Earth that we must not lose. The great animal migration across the Serengeti Plains or the towering pyramids of Egypt are such examples. Every country is proud of    1     (it) cultural or natural heritage sites, all of     2     must be protected. We are lucky to have UNESCO to oversee such     3    unique task. It sees heritage as our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass down     4     future generations as well as irreplaceable sources of inspiration.

The incredible splendour of heritage sites is a       5     (remind) of the power of nature and the genius of man. As a nature reserve, Jiuzhaigou Valley is home to snow-capped mountains, thick forests, impressive waterfalls and lakes. This dream-like scenery makes us realize that nature has     6     (literal) created a masterpiece. Similarly, standing in the shadow of the Borobudur Temple, as the sun rises over this grand historic building, we     7     (impress) with the effort and determination of the people     8     (establish) it with only primitive tools.

It is in heritage sites like this    9    we cannot help but be humbled, come to understand our limitations as human beings, and know that our duty is to protect them for generations     10     (come).

Falling on December 7 this year, Major Snow, also known     1     “Da Xue” in Chinese, is the 21st solar term of the Chinese lunar year and the third solar term of winter，    2    marks the start of the midwinter season. During Major Snow, the temperature drops     3    (significant), and snowfall becomes more frequent. It is a time when the entire landscape     4     (cover) in a pristine white blanket, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere. The falling snowflakes transform the world into a winter wonderland, bringing joy and     5     (excite) to people of all ages.

In ancient China, Major Snow was an important time for farmers. They would use this period     6     (prepare) for the upcoming winter by storing food and firewood. It was also a time to repair tools and equipment,     7    (ensure) they were ready for the challenges of the cold season.

Major Snow is also closely    8     (relate) to traditional Chinese medicine. According to ancient wisdom, this is the time when the “yang” energy reaches its lowest point, and the “yin” energy begins to rise.     9     is believed that during this period, our bodies are easier to suffer from cold and illnesses. Therefore, it is important to take extra care of our health by keeping warm, eating nourishing foods, and getting enough rest.

Major Snow is not just     10    change in weather; it is a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the importance of adaptation. As high school students, let us embrace the beauty of the season, take care of ourselves, and appreciate the wisdom passed down through generations.

The Puxian Opera was performed on the stage of China Media Group’s 2023 Spring Festival Gala (春节联欢晚会). This was the first time that this opera style     1     (take) the stage of the Spring Festival Gala, bringing the long-lasting art form to a global audience.

The Puxian Opera is a local one with a long history in Fujian Province,     2     can date back to the Tang and Song dynasties (618—1279). The opera was later popularized over time, and now there are more than 5,000 plays     3     (preserve) in modern day times.

The rich tunes of Puxian Opera tell many ancient stories and folk tales, reflecting the lifestyle     4     values of ancient people. The opera     5     (sing) in a Fujian dialect by performers and is accompanied by stage     6     (performance) inspired by puppet (木偶) shows.     7     (it) long history and rich cultural values have made Puxian Opera “a living fossil of the opera of South China”.

Puxian Opera was listed     8     an intangible cultural heritage (非物质文化遗产) of China in 2006. With more people     9     (develop) interest in the Puxian Opera in recent years, the cultural heritage is under better protection. There are hundreds of Puxian Opera troupes (剧团) in Fujian, whose fans can     10     (easy) get show tickets both online and offline.

The 2022 Shanghai Book Fair took place at the Shanghai Exhibition Center from Nov. 18 to 22, when about 120 publishers presented more than 20,000 books    1    about 100 reading activities were held.

The book fair has taken place annually since    2    (it) launch in 2004, except for 2021, when the event    3    (cancel) because of COVID-19.

“People tell me that every year when the Shanghai Book Fair opens, they feel as if they are hearing alarm clocks ringing, reminding them about the    4    (important) and benefits of reading,” says Xu Jiong, head of the municipal bureau for press and publication.

The annual celebration of reading has become the most    5    (excite) event for publishers and readers. As a result    6    COVID-19, many events have been held online, but face-to-face communication has been irreplaceable, Xu adds.

Kan Ninghui, president of the Shanghai Century Publishing Group, says although this year’s book fair was smaller,    7    ( compare)with the one held in 2020, the event, the core value of    8    is promoting good books and quality publication, attracted many relevant people at home and abroad,

Kan says he was happy    9    (see) publishers and video bloggers live-streaming(网络直播) almost all the events during the 2022 fair. “Such interaction between online events and on-site participation has    10    (large) expanded the space of the Shanghai Book Fair,” he says.

Chinese New Year is a     1     (celebrate) marking the end of the winter season and the beginning of spring. This is why decorating the house with plants, fruits and flowers     2     (carry) special significance. They represent the earth     3     (come) back to life and best wishes for new beginnings.

These are some of the most popular in many parts of the country:

Oranges: Orange trees are more     4     decoration; they are a symbol of good fortune and wealth. They are regarded as great gifts and you see them quite often     5     (decorate) with red envelopes and messages of good fortune.

Bamboo: Chinese love their “Lucky Bamboo” plants and you will see them often in their homes and office.     6     (certain) during the holiday period, this plant is     7     must. Bamboo plants are related     8     health, abundance and a happy home. They are easy     9     (care) for and make great presents.

Branches of Plum Blossoms (梅花): The     10     (beauty) long branches covered with pink-colored buds make fantastic decorations. The plum trees are the first to flower even as the snow is melting . They represent the promise of spring and a renewal of life.

China is a big old country    1    has a history of more than five thousand years. We are proud of     2     (it) culture and part of the culture even influences the world    3     (great), for example, the thought of Confucius (孔子). As Chinese economy develops very fast and plays     4    important role in the world, more and more    5    (foreigner) learn Mandarin (普通话) in Confucius institutions. The Chinese traditional culture can     6     (test) by the time. It unites (团结) the whole nation and no matter what kind of disaster comes, we will fight together for the county’s future. Today, many young people lose faith in traditional culture and they are crazy    7    the western culture. They follow the western fashion,     8    (think) we are the old style. But some day, they    9     (realize) they are wrong     10    (ignore) traditional culture.