Recently, 16 Chinese online novels have been added to the collection of the British Library.     1     (cover) themes of science fiction, history, reality and fantasy, these works are considered the classics of Chinese online literature from the past 20 years.

The library usually selects works     2     (base) on their popularity or by considering an item’s value. Readers can check the information about the 16 books on the library’s website, and borrow printed     3     (copy). As one of the current key parts of mass cultural consumption,     4     began with “fast food” romanced, fantasies and mysteries, the Chinese online literature industry has received increasing     5     (recognize) from home and abroad.

One of the 16 novels, Happiness in Palm tells a story about love and delicacies (美食) in ancient times. The author created a     6     (represent) heroine who was tough and intelligent, facing up to hardships with courage, perseverance and optimism. “It’s     7     surprise to me that online fiction can be added to the collection of a foreign library.     8     feels like the path of online novel writing is becoming much     9     (wide)” the writer says.

Great Power, Heavy Industry tells of how China’s manufacturing industries     10     (grow) stronger in recent decades, and foreign readers can learn about the Chinese system and culture behind the country’s swift economic development, getting to know China better in the process.

3 . Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important festivals in Chinese calendar. The festival typically involves family getting together to share mooncakes while watching the moon. Typical Chinese mooncakes are round in shape, and measure around 10 cm in diameter and 4-5 cm in thickness. Most mooncakes consist of a thin tender skin enveloping a sweet, dense filling.

    1    . It is a custom for housewives to prepare mooncakes at home when the festival is approaching. Now let's learn to make traditional Chinese mooncakes.

Above all, full preparations should be made, including materials such as dough (生面团), flour, water, sugar and vegetable oil, and fillings—lotus seed paste (莲子蓉) and eggs.

Mix together all the materials to get a dough.     2    

Next, separate the egg yolks from the whites and salt the steamed yolks. While the oven is preheating to 180 degrees Celsius, roll the lotus paste and the dough into small balls.     3    .

Then, shape up with each consisting of a dough wrapper, one ball of lotus paste, and one half of a salted egg yolk. Make a hole in a ball of lotus and put the yolk inside. Similarly, cover the lotus ball (with the yolk inside) with a wrapper.     4    . Then shape it with the mold (模具).

    5    . Take them out after 5 minutes and brush them with the egg wash. Put the mooncakes back until they become golden brown.

Remember to wait to eat the mooncakes for two days when they will be soft and also look shiny.

Core route showcasing Beijing’s history

When deciding on some popular     1     (spot) to visit in Beijing for a taste of the city’s history and culture, the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City and the Qianmen area are among those that spring to mind. All these venues are located along the Chinese capital’s central axis (中轴线), for     2     the city government is now seeking UNESCO World Heritage status.

It’s the longest urban central axis in the world,     3     (extend) 7. 8 kilometres from the Bell and Drum Towers in the north to the Yongding Gate in the South. As the backbone of Beijing, the central axis smartly     4     (organize) the palaces, temples and streets in ancient times. The original designers attached importance     5     the traditional Chinese concept of “respecting the center” in urban construction, presenting     6     (harmony) relationship between man and nature.

Nowadays, no matter how big the city grows, the axis is     7     “invisible root” linking tradition and fashion, ancient and modern. To date, mass relocation and restoration projects     8     (carry) out by the local government. Having it     9     (name) a World Heritage site will showcase Beijing’s history and make the axis better known     10     (global).

Grain Buds, or Xiaoman, the     1     (eight) of the 24 solar terms of a year, usually falls on May 21,marking the     2     (arrive) of hot summer and downpours.

Just like its English name “ Grain Buds”, Xiaoman is a period of time when the grains are about to ripen but are not quite there yet,     3     is also referred to as the waterfall in the southern area of China. If the rainfall is sufficient, the following season of rice planting     4     (guarantee). When it arrives, rainfall increases across the country and temperature     5     (gap) between north and south narrow. During the period, waves of wheat are bright, pomegranate are red as fires, and lotus buds stand upright,     6     (create) a charming early summer scene.

The flavor (气味) for this period of time combines sweet and bitterness. Cherry with sweet and juicy taste is     7     (definite) the best choice for the beginning of summer. Bitter herbs, rich in diversified vitamins and mineral substances, are     8     must during the summer period.

Xiaoman, always used     9     a metaphor for the best state of life in Chinese culture,     10     (indicate) we should maintain a constant state of balance in the character and attitude towards life.

After the Spring Equinox (春分), the sun moves northwards,     1     (result) in gradually longer day time in the Northern Hemisphere and longer night in the Southern Hemisphere. Swallows fly back to the North, thunder cracks the sky and lightning occurs frequently,     2     vividly reveals the climate feature during the Spring Equinox.

It is believed that if someone can make the egg stand, he     3     (have) good luck in the future. Some believe that the Spring Equinox is the best time     4     (play) this game. In the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty     5     imperial family held religious ceremonies in Ritan park every Spring Equinox. The Ritan park then gradually became a common place for public     6     (recreate).

As the Spring Equinox comes, both the     7     (farmer) and the cattle start to become busy. Farmers will reward cattle with     8     (stick) rice balls to express their gratefulness.     9    , people will also make sacrifice to birds, to thank them bringing signals for farm work and to ask them not to eat grains     10    (late) in the year.