Anyone who has an interest in Dunhuang will have heard of Fan Jinshi. The Chinese archaeologist     1     has spent more than half a century researching and preserving the caves at the heart of the ancient Silk Road in Gansu Province     2     (know) as the “Daughter of Dunhuang” in her field, though “protector is probably a more fitting     3     (describe).

Fan has been studying the historical site since the early 1960s, first as an archaeology undergraduate from Peking University, then as a conservationist when she     4     (become) the deputy director of the Dunhunag Research Academy in 1984, which serves to prevent the ancient site from     5     (destroy).

“It is over a thousand years old. It is an old person, an     6     (extreme) weak old person. It has     7     (variety) illness. If you are a little careless, it could be gone. Gone forever,” Fan says.

Today, thanks     8     the work of great archaeologists such as Fan, Dunhuang is proud of the world’s largest and best-reserved collection of Buddhist relics     9     (date) from the fifth to the 13th centuries. The main Mogao site is made up of 735 caves spread across a 1,700.metre-wide cliff face, containing 45,000 square metres of murals (壁画)     10     more than 2,000 colorful sculptures (雕塑).

Today’s festivals have     1     wide range of origins,     2    (include) the seasons of the year, famous figures, important events, and religions. All festivals have the spirit of     3    (share) joy, gratitude, love, or peace in common.

The harvest festival is one of the     4    (much) popular festivals and is celebrated in many cultures. In China, families gather     5    (admire) the shining moon and enjoy delicious mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Customs play a significant role in festivals,     6     they can change over time. For example, some Chinese cities no longer allow firecrackers during the Spring Festival, as they can increase air     7    (pollute). However, these days, festivals     8    (become) more and more commercial, with people     9    (spend) more money on gifts, which results in different opinions.

Festivals are an important part of society. They reflect people’s wishes, beliefs, faiths, and attitudes towards life. They are     10    (occasion) that allow us to relax and enjoy life.

9 . Suddenly one Sunday in August, the streets are filled with colour. A procession (队列) of bands and dancers makes its way slowly through the city. Every evening, crowds of people walk up to the top of the Royal Mile, looking forward to a show of military music. On every shop window and noticeboard, posters have appeared, promoting everything from poetry readings to children’s theatre, art exhibitions (展览) to concerts. It’s festival time.

From its beginning in 1947, the Edinburgh International Festival (the “official” festival) has become a world-famous cultural event. The city turns into a huge arts centre, with its music, dance and exhibitions, all by world-famous artists. Every year more than twenty nations perform (表演) to audiences from all over the world in theatres, halls, schools, churches and the streets of the city. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo adds to the choice of entertainment, with its marching (游行) and military bands in Edinburgh Castle.

The Festival Fringe (the “unofficial” festival) is the biggest event of its kind in the world, with more than 900 shows to choose from and over 6,000 writers and performers taking part. It gives people a first-class opportunity to see many works performed for the first time—several of which go on to successful performances elsewhere.

The Film Festival gives fans an opportunity to widen their knowledge of films. And to show that there is something for everyone, the Jazz Festival has become very popular in recent years. You can hear the very best of music all over the city at this time.

There is no more exciting place to be than in Edinburgh at festival time!

It is obvious that the various festivals are times of     1     (happy), fun and excitement, not of sadness. They have many origins.  

Some are     2     (religion) and some are seasonal. Easter is an important festival for Christians all over the world. People are thankful because their food     3     (gather) for the winter and the agricultural work is over. Some festivals are held     4     (honor) or satisfy and please the dead. In Japan a festival is called Obon. They have lamps on and play music     5     they think this will help the dead back to Earth. The Dragon Boat Festival honors the famous ancient     6     (poem), Qu Yuan. Columbus Day is in memory     7     the arrival of Columbus in the New World. India honors Mohandas Gandhi who helped gain India’s independence from Britain. And     8     most energetic and important festivals are the ones that look forward to the end of winter and to the     9     (come) of spring, such as the Lunar New Year, on which people get together to eat, drink and have fun with each other.  

No matter what the reason is, festivals are always times for great feasts with lots to eat, special and often new clothing to wear and     10     (general) lots of fun.