Grain Rain marks a significant period in the traditional Chinese calendar. As the     1     (six) of the 24 Solar Terms, Grain Rain usually falls around April 20 and lasts until the beginning of May. This period is     2     (traditional) associated with the onset of the rainy season, providing much-needed water that helps crops grow.

Grain Rain symbolizes the end of spring and marks the time     3     (begin) preparations for summer, making it crucial for farmers to ensure that their crops     4     (plant) in time to take full advantage of the growing season. During this time, activities like planting rice, corn, and beans are common due     5     the favorable conditions of warmer temperatures and increased rainfall. Grain Rain’s significance extends beyond just agriculture. It represents     6     time of growth, both in nature and within communities.

Grain Rain is a period rich with festivals, cultural events and communal gatherings. Communities often celebrate with various festivities,     7     (appreciate) nature’s renewal. It’s common to see people engaging in outdoor activities, celebrating with traditional performances, and enjoying the blooming of spring flowers,     8     are especially significant during Grain Rain.

Grain Rain not only highlights the practical aspects of agricultural planning but also embodies a deeper connection to the cycles of nature and the community’s cultural practices. It is a     9     (reflect) of the wisdom embedded in the traditional Chinese way of life, where observing natural phenomena guides daily activities and     10     (season) preparations.

We entered the Year of the Dragon. Or should that be the Year of the Loong? That is a question that has been     1     subject for debate in China, as some say there is a difference between the two in Chinese and Western mythology.

They point to dragons in the West being usually thought of as evil creatures. Dragons, they say, are     2     (typical) seen as symbols of chaos,     3     (describe) as enemies in Western mythology and literature. In Chinese culture, Loong are seen as symbols of power,     4     (excellent), and good luck. The Loong     5     (be) a central concept in Chinese culture for thousands of years, and its origins can be traced back to early Chinese civilization through mythology and religious beliefs.    6     Loong were believed     7     (have) control over natural phenomena such as rain, and water, and were associated with the productivity of the land, Loong became symbols of strength and good fortune.

The differences     8     the belief of the mythical creatures in China and the West     9     (root) in their different cultural values. Thus the answer to the question at the beginning is clear: Whether or not to use Loong instead of dragon is not important. What is important is     10     as we enter a new lunar year people globally appreciate the cultural values embodied in such Chinese symbols as Loong.

On February 20, leading Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com reported that sales of traditional Hanfu clothing had surged over 300 percent year on year since January. This trend was mirrored on Taobao,     1    , over the Double 11 shopping festival sales topped 730,000 units. Sales and search data signal a widespread and growing     2     (fascinate) with traditional Chinese clothing styles.

The horse face skirt is a traditional Chinese skirt     3     (feature) a distinct pleated (有褶的) design. It is     4     (occasional) referred to in a more generic sense as an apron. This type of skirt is     5     key component of Hanfu, serving as a lower garment (衣服). It is celebrated     6     one of the most emblematic styles of ancient Chinese skirts, showcasing a rich cultural heritage through     7     (it) unique appearance and historical significance.

Influencers and content creators play a significant role in promoting Hanfu and fostering a sense of community. To date, the horse face skirt on Douyin     8     (attract) more than 17.6 billion views across related topics and short videos. Meanwhile, on Xiaohongshu,     9     (search) for the same term have resulted in over 880,000 posts.

    10     the horse face skirt’s popularity reflects is the growing appetite for Hanfu-inspired designs as well as a deeper cultural revival for classical Chinese aesthetics.

Six decades ago, China and France established diplomatic ties.     1     their differences and multiple challenges, Chinese and French people have shown mutual respect and worked together towards achieving many common goals.

Over the past six decades, this dynamic relationship     2     (witness) numerous historic milestones and tangible accomplishments. China is now France’s largest trading partner in Asia, while France ranks as China’s third-largest trading partner     3     the third-largest source of investment in real terms within the European Union (EU).

Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin believes that it is the love for peace that brings them together. As a     4     (culture) ferryman between China and France, he hopes more young people from both nations will venture to the “other side” and know each other better.

Lefevre Michele,     5     18-year-old pre-college student at Fudan University, found that Chinese TV dramas, like Meteor Garden, have been well-received in France,     6     (particular) among many female French viewers. It was her love for these dramas that sparked her initial interest in Chinese culture, leading her to     7     (far) her studies in China.

Oceane Rivoire, now a student     8     (major) in Chinese language and literature at Tongji University in Shanghai, found the homonyms in Chinese extremely interesting, such as the word “bat”,     9     has the same pronunciation as the word “fortune”, and “red dates and peanuts” are usually used     10     (extend) good wishes for the newlyweds to have a baby soon.

Shadow play, a conventional form of theatrical entertainment,     1     (survive) for centuries. The origins of shadow play     2     (believe) to date back to ancient China where it was later spread to other parts of the world.

The creation of puppets (木偶) is such a complex process that it demands extreme precision     3     is a test of the commitment as well as skills of craftsmen (匠人). These puppets are in     4     (they) works of art. Distinguishable character qualities appropriate for shadow performances are presented through the     5     (adopt) of realistic and abstract approaches.

In a typical shadow play performance, puppets are held behind a screen, with light cast onto the screen     6     (create) shadowy images that tell a story. The themes and characters     7     (feature) in shadow play performances vary widely depending on the cultural context.

While     8     (tradition) shadow play often involves fancy handmade puppets and fascinating storytelling, contemporary artists have explored new techniques, pushing the boundaries of     9     is possible with shadow play.

Despite the rise of digital entertainment, shadow play, a timeless tradition that goes beyond borders and generations, continues to exist     10     a valuable art form in many parts of the world.

Located within Huzhou, Zhejiang province, Xiaoxi Street stands as a historical and cultural protection block. It gracefully preserves its rich heritage       1     embracing the essence of modernity perfectly.

With       2     (impress) buildings dating back to the late Qing Dynasty, this historic place, situated alongside the Caodu River, once       3     (serve) as a junction place for ancient canal transportation. The river, acting as a vital channel linking the mountainous regions of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces       4     Huzhou city, played a significant role in the prosperity of this greatly respected block.

Throughout history, Xiaoxi Street attracted honored families, rich merchants, and government officials, resulting in the       5     (create) of masses of architectural wonders that have stood the test of time.

Among these treasures, the residence(豪宅) of Niu Fubao,       6     unusual Qing Dynasty official, stands as a noticeable highlight. Constructed by a merchant from Huizhou, the complex,       7     (display) distinctive Huizhou-style architecture, was later acquired by the Niu family. Remarkably, the complex boasts delicate stone carvings on       8     (it) doors and a rare high-level beam structure, carefully     9     (preserve) to this day. Since 2013, the local government has undertaken a comprehensive project aimed at protecting this historic block. Meanwhile, modern cultural industries, including galleries, pottery-making workshops and public libraries,       10     (integrate) to breathe youthful vitality into the area, transforming the block into a center of cultural and creative industries.

During the 2023 Spring Festival Gala, an acrobatics how titled “Me and Grandpa Walking on Stilts” impressed global audiences. With children    1     (show) off their stilt-walking skills, the show definitely brought the joyful atmosphere to the world.

Stilts walking, or Cai Gao Qiao in Chinese, is a popular traditional folk performance often    2     (see) during the Spring Festival. It often appears at circuses or parades across China,    3    has the meaning of standing tall and having one step up in the new year.

Stilts walking has a long history in China and has been listed    4    a national intangible cultural heritage.    5    is believed that the practice started with ancient Chinese people using stilts to harvest fruits on trees and for fishing in ponds. Later, the practical use of stilts     6     (transform) into an art form with brightly-colored costumes, make-up, and even acrobatic moves.

The stilts are mostly made of wood with    7    support point in the middle partition (隔板)    8    can be used as a standing platform by the performers. Stilt walking requires a high degree of skill land the walkers must be brave enough to get around with merely two thin sticks tied to their    9     (foot). They need to practice a lot to learn to be steady while walking and to perform more beautiful movement patterns, they need to be even more     10     (exceptional) skillful.