Ink as one of the Four Treasures of the Study (brush, ink, paper and inkstone), is a    1     (necessary) in Chinese painting and calligraphy. Ink is     2     (typical) produced from an ink stick with a little water. Ink stick, the solid form of ink, can last much longer than the liquid variety and is easier     3     (transport). The most famous ink sticks in China are the Hui Ink Sticks produced in Anhui Province. The Hui Ink Sticks use pine wood     4     its main raw ingredient,     5     is then mixed with another about 20 different materials. The manufacturing procedure includes lighting the smoke, blending the materials together, pressing the ink sticks, drying by airing, filling the margin     6     boxing them up. The ink produced from these sticks is shiny black. For centuries, the Hui Ink Sticks     7     (produce) through the traditional methods.     8     simple and single, ink sticks are essential in Chinese calligraphy and painting,     9     (present) the splendid artistic conceptions to people. What’s more, ink sticks make it possible that modern people today still can appreciate the masterpieces     10     (create) tens of centuries ago.

6 . Born in Wuzhen in Zhejiang, Qian Lihuai has a unique bond with bamboo and whether it’s in the form of indoor bamboo bonsai or backyard bamboo groves, the material is an essential element in his home.

Qian grew up in the village known for its bamboo weaving and after studying industrial design at the Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, he began to develop an interest in the technique, learning how to do it himself.

He also traveled widely in Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces to learn local bamboo weaving techniques. “The variations are quite large in amount across the regions, and bamboo weaving comes in a wide arrange of forms. It’s sometimes used to make agricultural tools, sometimes to make daily necessities, and sometimes for artistic purposes.” Qian said. “In Wuzhen, each place focuses on producing a specific item. For instance, our village’s distinguishing feature is in making bamboo trays especially for raising silkworms.”

During a visit to a traditional basket maker in Shengzhou, Zhejiang, Qian saw that instead of using nails to fasten the basket together, the craftsman used a slanting (倾斜的) cut on the bamboo to create a precise fit that caused the joint to not be noticed. “I rarely encounter such a level of craftsmanship. He even creates small molds and modifies tools himself to improve the weaving process,” Qian says.

During his visits, he was moved by the dedication of the weavers to their craft. These experiences inspired him to return to his hometown of Wuzhen and throw himself into the bamboo weaving industry in 2013.

Bamboo techniques he has developed or improved are now widely used in everything from home furnishings to clothing, part of a growing trend toward replacing the use of plastic with bamboo, that demonstrates a continuity of the traditional Chinese culture in which bamboo has long been cherished as a topic for arts and a material for daily objects that we use in our home.

In some parts of northern China, “dikengyuan” in Mandarin, which means “ground hole courtyards,” is a type of cave dwellings (“yaodong”) commonly     1     (find) in the Loess Plateau in northern China. Academic literature mentions they came into     2     (exist) about 7,000 years ago.

The soil of the Loess Plateau,     3     these cave dwellings are built, is an effective substance that can keep people warm during the winter. More     4     (important), the yellow earth of the Loess is not only soft and easy     5     (dig) into, but also strong enough that it can hold together even without support.

While the size of the courtyard     6     (vary), the cave dwellings can go up to 12 meters long. After a ground hole is dug for the courtyard, the rooms     7     (carve) out from the four walls of the sunken courtyard.

Some scholars outside China consider the dwellings to be a natural adaptation to the climatic patterns in that region, with     8     (freeze) and long winters, and extremely burning summer heat.

While these houses have been around for thousands of years,     9     government only listed them as part of China’s intangible cultural heritage in 2011.

Many of these ancient homes, especially in the Shanzhou district of Sanmenxia City in China’s Henan province, have been restored and turned     10     tourist attractions.

Imagine a food that has been popular in China for over two thousand years. This dish is known as “Roujiamo”,     1     translates to “meat sandwich”, and it’s considered one of China’s most popular street foods. You may     2     (hear) about this ancient delicacy, but do you know the fascinating history behind it?

The origins of Roujiamo can be traced back to the Qin Dynasty, where it was     3     (primary) consumed by the emperor’s soldiers. The dish consists     4     a flatbread filled with meat, along with herbs, spices, and a variety of vegetables. Nowadays, you can find this     5     (taste) treat all over China, from street stands to high-end restaurants.

One of the most remarkable things about Roujiamo is     6     (it) multiply function. It can be made with different types of meat, such as beef, pork, or lamb, and even vegetarians are available. The bread used for the sandwich is also     7     important aspect of the dish, with some variations including sesame (芝麻) or whole wheat bread. The result is a delicious and filling meal that can     8     (enjoy) by people from all walks of life.

In     9     (conclude), Roujiamo is not just a burger; it’s a symbol of China’s rich food history. It has stood the test of time,     10     (make) a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

In early June of 2023, Wang Pushi, a young man with a background in Kunqu Opera and also the lead singer of a rock band,     1     (amaze) his audience with a performance at “Youth π Plan”, a music competition show. With its energetic rhythm and beat, the     2     (combine) of ancient and modern melodies, and poetic yet bold lyrics, Wang’s song titled “Ming Song”     3     (skillful) mixed the power of rock with the elegance of Kunqu Opera.

    4     (study) traditional Chinese opera for 11 years, Wang joined the Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre in 2014. Apart from Kunqu Opera, he has been interested in rock music from     5     early age. In 2019, Wang formed a rock band called “Xian Ke” with two friends,     6     he serves as the lead singer and guitarist. He said the band’s name came from a line in “The Book of Songs” that means persistence and devotion. So far, the band has created 45 songs, with one single     7       (reach) over a hundred million plays.

Wang expressed his hope     8     through their music, more young people will become familiar     9     and develop a love for Kunqu Opera. He hopes to promote their songs overseas and perform more exceptional Kunqu Opera on international stages, thus challenging the stereotypes (刻板印象)       10       (associate) with Chinese traditional music.