The Silk Road

The Silk Road was one of the most important arteries (干线) of trade and culture in the world history.     1    planes and trains brought our world close together, it was the first link that ever connected the East and the West     2    the life blood of international trade in ancient time. Many merchants (商人) have traveled on this route between China and Mediterranean bank area for more than 2, 000 years. The trading activity has brought culture exchange, religions spreading and contrasts to the connected     3    (region) and formed a remarkable culture tie featured by Asian, European and the Mediterranean bank.

Starting from the ancient China capital city Chang’an (Xi’an at present), it stretched more than 7,000 kilometres,     4    (reach) the Mediterranean bank. The route was firstly created by an envoy called Zhang Qian assigned by the king of Han Dynasty to deliver gifts     5    was mainly silk for those local loads in west China area     6     (hold) their loyalty. Since the Chinese highly qualified silk     7    (make) its fame to the western countries, the merchants sought the opportunity of trading Chinese silk along this route and gained a great fortune.

Few people would     8    (real) finish the whole silk route journey, because they just traded certain local crafts such as silk, blanket and carpet, etc. with other merchants. Many people took part and numerous goods     9    (trade) in the great international trade at that time. The main cities     10    the Silk Road had grown larger and more important in helping the trade and merchants.

In Asia, especially the so-called “rice bowl” cultures of China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, food is usually eaten with    1    (chopstick).

Chopsticks are usually two long, thin pieces of wood or bamboo. They can also    2     (make) of plastic or mental. Sometimes chopsticks are quite artistic.    3    (true) elegant chopsticks might be with Chinese characters. Skilled workers also combine various hardwoods    4    metal to create special designs.

Five thousand years ago, Chinese people probably cooked their food in large pots,    5    (use) branches to remove it. Food in small pieces could be eaten easily with branches     6    gradually turned into chopsticks.

Some people think that the great Chinese scholar Confucius, who lived     7    551 to 479 BC, influenced the     8    (develop) of chopsticks. Confucius believed knives would remind people of killings and     9    (be) too violent for use at the table.

Chopsticks are not used everywhere in Asia. In India, most people traditionally eat     10    their hands.