Paper cutting is a folk culture with so long a history. When Chinese Lunar New Year is coming, it is a custom     1     northern people to paste the papercuts on the window.Gradually, it develops into an art form, one of the     2    (popular) traditional decoration arts.

In early times, people made images of humans and subjects by paper    3    (bury) together with the body in the tomb or to burn on the funerals. With such    4    (symbol) meaning, paper cutting    5    (use) as decorations on sacrificing ceremonies.In 105 AD, Cai Lun improved the paper making technique and a large amount of paper was produced,    6     laid a foundation for the spread of paper cutting.Beautiful patterns were created and gradually, the patterns were     7    (wide) used in other fields later.

There were more records of paper cutting after 960 AD (Song dynasty). Professional paper cutting artists appeared,    8    (specialize) in different patterns. Some were good at cutting flowers     9     others were expert at characters’cutting. Thus, the patterns were abundant and colorful. One of the most important    10    (contribution) of paper cutting in the Song dynasty was that patterns were used on the china.

Yu Rong, a Chinese artist, thinks of a new way to introduce     1     ancient story of Hua Mulan in her picture book. In the book, I Am Hua Mulan, she tells the story by     2     (combine) Chinese paper-cutting with international artistic styles. She places Shaanxi papercuts over western-style pencil sketches (素描)    3     (create) typical presentation of Chineseelements (要素), which turns out to be a     4     (success) and impressive breakthrough.

Hua Mulan,     5     story has been told by generations in China, was a fighter from the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). As a devoted daughter, she dressed herself as a man to serve in the army     6     place of her father. Mulan’s character, such as courage, kindness and a disinterested attitude towards fame and fortune, made     7     (she) one of the most respected historical Chinese heroines. Mulan’s story has been adapted     8     (frequent) in modern media. For example, in 1998, Disney produced a film named Mulan, which     9     (consider) a great success by critics and the public right after its release.

To better tell the story, Yu Rong takes inspiration from her several     10     (visit) to sites of ancient battles and Henan Province’s Yu Opera. After years of preparation she finally makes this extraordinary work.

Several countries in Asia celebrate the Lunar New Year in their own way. But dragon and lion dances in Chinatowns all over the world have helped to make China’s New Year the most famous. These days growing     1     (number) of people who are not of Chinese origin are joining in. In Tokyo window cleaners dress up     2     the animals of the Chinese Shengxiao. America, Canada and New Zealand have published memorial stamps for the year of the chicken. Last year New York City made the Lunar New Year     3     school holiday for the first time.

The spread of the Spring Festival is    4     (part) due to recent immigration from China: 9.5 million Chinese people     5     (move) abroad since 1978, many of     6     are far richer than earlier waves of immigrants.

Aware of China’s growing economic and political influence, foreign leaders have noticed the occasion. Britain’s prime minister, Theresa May, has given video address, a tradition     7     (start) in 2014 by her predecessor(前任). This year’s World Economic Forum in Davos was held a week earlier than usual     8     (avoid) conflicting with China’s New Year.

China hopes the festival will promote     9     (it) cultural “soft power” abroad. So it may give the Chinese people     10     (satisfy) to see foreigners enjoy such festivities.

Traditional Chinese culture is beginning to capture the attention of the world. Kung fu,       1     (special), has had a great effects     2     the millions of people who first learned about China through it. From that, they may come to China and learn about some other     3     (aspect) of this culture. Other Asian nations have long known about the     4     (great) of ancient Chinese culture. Their own cultures are     5     mix of native ones and those Chinese characteristics. Korea and Japan long ago adopted Confucianism, something that continued today even as it     6     (challenge)by pop culture. This strength comes from the ideas     7     (give)in the Four Books of Confucianism, which built upon the ideas of an even     8     (much)ancient period codified (编纂)in the Five Classics. From them, the West learns     9     is uniquely Chinese, for example, feng shui. So far China has taken steps     10     (further) this spread of its culture by establishing Chinese Cultural Centers in such places as the United States and Europe.

David was one of     1     most helpful students that we ever had. In 2004, he went to university in London and became interested in Chinese culture.

After his     2     (graduate) from university, he went to China to study Chinese at Beijing Language and Culture University. Two years later, he was able to speak Chinese     3     (fluent) and achieved high grades in all subjects.     4     (finish) his studies, he started travelling in China. Some of the cities in China he likes most     5     (be) Beijing, Shanghai, Harbin and Nanjing. In China he develops an interest in teaching English to Chinese students. Most of the students whom he taught       6     (become) his friends ever since.

When he returned to Britain two months ago, he brought back from China many     7     (interest) books, dictionaries, paintings and photos     8     (spread) Chinese culture. He donated (捐赠) most of them to our school library. Some of the books were gifts     9     he got from his Chinese friends and students. The paintings that David donated to the school are being shown in the exhibition room. Teachers and students at our school wish to thank David     10     his kindness.

The Yangko Dance is a traditional Chinese folk dance     1     (create) by the farmers when they worked in the rice fields     2     (hundred) of years ago. Many Chinese people like the dance and take it     3     an important method of relaxing, no matter when there is the Spring Festival or when there are some special     4    (celebrate).

Before the Yangko Dance starts, the music     5     (perform) and a rhythm to follow. As the dance content comes from special folk legends, men and women performing the dance are dressed in     6     (color) costumes and necessary props are used.

During the dance, the dancers are wagging their body and walking at     7    exaggerated (夸张的) pace to present old stories to the audience in a new style. The dance also shows     8     (they) happy mood and life. While the dancers are dancing on the ground, there is usually a big crowd around them,     9     (appreciate) and sharing the feelings of the dancers there.

During the busy farming season the dancers work in the fields,     10     when the lunar New Year comes around they put on their costumes to perform the Yangko Dance, ushering in the new year and carrying on an age-old tradition.

Chinese New Year also    1    (know) as the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in China. It is also the important celebration for family members who can have 7 days off.

    2    there are many interesting stories and legends    3    (explain) the start of the Chinese New Year Festival, the main reason for the festival is to celebrate a year of hard work, have a good rest and relax with family.

Chinese people believe that a good start of the year will lead    4    a lucky year. The Chinese    5    (tradition) celebrated the start of a new year of farm work and wished for    6    good harvest. This has now changed into celebrating the start of a new business year and wishing for profits and success in    7    (difference) vacations.

Chinese New Year is a time for family members to get together. Wherever they are, they will come home    8    (celebrate) the festival with their families. The New Year’s Eve dinner    9    (call) reunion dinner,    10    is considered as the most important meal of the year. Families of several generations sit around the tables, and enjoy the happy time.