Nowadays, most young people have little understanding of     1     a shadow play is despite its 2000-year-old history. Like Peking Opera and other traditional national arts in China, Piyingxi or the shadow play show,     2     (know) as a Chinese cultural heritage, has spread to many     3     (country). Vivid design and a rich variety of colors, beautiful costumes, change of lighting, and unique singing, together make up the     4     (fascinate) world of a shadow play.

As     5     old form of storytelling and entertainment, shadow play artists use plain figures in front of a bright cloth     6     (create) the illusion (错觉) of moving images. The figures     7     (move) by people behind a thin screen. Shadow play is not     8     (entire) a show of shadows but rather a show of silhouettes (剪影).

That day I     9     (watch) a shadow play show at the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and was fascinated by the wonderful performance. It is a pity that nowadays young people don’t know how to appreciate this traditional art. Shadow play is our precious folk art, and let’s preserve     10    .

2 . Consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has increased over the past 20 years. UPFs (超加工食品) contain few or no whole foods, are industrially produced, are ready-to-eat or ready-to-heat, and include additives (添加剂). The ultra-processing of food reduces its nutritional value. It has been known that higher UPF consumption is associated with overweight and heart disease. Now, research has been extended to examine its impact on mental health.

In a new study, over 72,000 participants who were at least 55 years old and didn’t have dementia (痴呆) at the start of the study were followed for an average of 10 years, during which they filled out questionnaires regarding their diet. By the end of the study, 518 people were diagnosed (诊断) with dementia. After adjusting for other factors that could affect risk of dementia such as age, gender, and heart disease, researchers found every 10 percent increase in daily intake of UPFs was associated with a 25 percent higher risk of dementia. They also found replacing 10percent of UPFs with unprocessed or minimally processed foods was associated with a 19 percent lower risk of dementia.

In another study, researchers found individuals who consumed the most UPFs had significant increases in the symptoms (症状) of mild depression, “mentally unhealthy days”, and “anxious days”. Eric Hecht, Founder and Executive Director of the Institute of Etiological Research, said, “More than 70 percent of packaged foods in the US are classified as UPFs and represent about 60percent of all calories consumed by Americans. Considering the degree of exposure to and effects of UPF consumption, this study has great significance in clinical practice and public health. It might help improve future development of dietary guidelines.”

Facing such alarming data, maybe it’s time for Americans to reconsider their food choices. Researchers recommend taxes on UPFs and carrying out policies to reduce the consumption. They also support programs and policies to increase the availability and affordability of whole foods, especially among disadvantaged populations.

Notice

4 . British cinema boasts a rich diversity of films that weave appealing narratives with stunning landscapes and fascinating characters. These films celebrate the diverse beauty and cultural heritage of Britain.

Local Hero digs into the conflict between a giant US oil company and a remote Scottish village when the former plans to build a refinery (精炼厂). However, the exceptionally beautiful landscapes and the firm attitude of the villagers sway the company’s decision. The story has been a lasting appeal to audiences, even after over four decades.

British director Ken Loach’s first triumph, Kes, describes the touching narrative of a young Yorkshire boy taking the journey of capturing and training an eagle. The film offers a rare description of Yorkshire, filled with a tender lens that celebrates its essence.

The delightful counties surrounding London are vividly depicted in The Dig, set against the peaceful countryside of Suffolk before World War II. Ralph Fiennes, a famous actor, plays the role of a self-taught archaeologist unearthing the mysteries of an Anglo-Saxon graveyard, adding to its fun.

Irish director Michael McDonagh’s films set in Ireland are undoubtedly attractive, often integrating Ireland’s picturesque scenery into the story. Among these, Calvary, stands out. It records the difficult and tiring journey of a moral priest, dealing with the evil forces within his area.

7 . Two weeks ago my grandfather passed away. It really put me into deep ________ because my grandfather held a ________ position in my life. For me, my grandpa was not only a ________ family member but a tutor (导师) who encouraged me to work hard and ________ well.

I’ll never forget the first time I read a long piece of his writing. It was when I ________ for Princeton and he offered to write to the university on my behalf. He wrote in beautiful ________ and used poetic language, unafraid of sounding too “flowery”. I read the ________ out loud so I could hear the rhyming sounds.

My grandfather ________ hard work. Every time he came to visit us in New York, he would ________ my brothers and me for our good performance, which made me feel ________. I knew he had worked hard to ________ the big family during the Great Depression. He was awarded many military ________ for winning many battles in the Navy in World War II.

At the funeral, a friend of my grandfather walked to me and said that my grandfather had told him about a small book I had written. After it came out, I sent it to my grandfather ________ received no reply. This man told me that my book hit my grandfather’s heart and brought tears to his eyes. My grandfather said he was so ________ of me.

Now I feel even more deserved to write well because I know my grandfather ________ it. I know he lives in my heart forever.