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In ancient times, silk from China found its way overland to India, the Middle East and Rome, along what became known as the Silk Road. A trading route across the sea was also     1     along the coasts of the Indian Ocean centred around Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Here, merchants from China and many other places met to     2     trade deals, which also led to more     3     of each other’s cultures. Over the centuries, further trading allowed more exploration of the regions to the west of China, as     4     in Du Huan’s Record of My Travels in the eighth century.

Later, the Ming Dynasty further     5     relations with these regions. Between 1405 and1433, seven large fleets sailed west on voyages of trade and exploration. These fleets were a sight to behold and were in a league of their own at that time. Under the     6     of Zheng He, they set sail from the South China Sea across the Indian Ocean to the mouth of the Red Sea, and then to the east coast of Africa. African     7     families sent gifts such as giraffes as gestures of friendship in     8     for gold, silk, and spices. Although China     9     from further expeditions after 1433, these land and sea routes remained     10     channels between other cultures for centuries.

Emperor Qinshihuang united the seven major states into one     1     country where the Chinese writing system began to develop     2     one direction. That writing system was of great     3     in uniting the Chinese people and culture. Even today, no matter where Chinese people live or     4     dialect they speak, they can all still communicate in writing.

Written Chinese has also become an important     5     by which China’s present is connected with its past. People in modern times can read the     6     works which were written by Chinese in ancient times. The high regard for the Chinese writing system can be     7     in the development of Chinese characters as an art form, known as Chinese     8     . which has become an important part of Chinese culture.

    9     China plays a greater role in global affairs, an increasing number of international students are beginning to     10     China’s culture and history through this amazing language.

Imagine mountains wrapped in silver water, shining in the spring sun. Summer s    1     the mountains turn bright green with growing rice. During autumn, these same mountains are gold, and in winter they are covered in s    2     of white frost. These are the colours of the Longji Rice Terraces.

These terraces were built by the local Zhuang and Yao people. R    3     as far as the eye can see, these terraces cover tall mountains, often from the bottom to the very top.

So why did these people go     4     so much trouble to turn the entire mountains into terraces? Firstly, building the terraces meant that they could increase the areas in which they could grow rice. Secondly, the     5     terraces catch the rainwater and prevent the soil from being washed away.

But perhaps what is most significant is the way in which people have worked in     6     with nature to make these terraces and grow rice. The terraces are cleverly designed, with hundreds of waterways that     7     with each other. During the rainy season, it is along these waterways that rainwater moves down the mountains and into the terraces. The sun heats the water     8     turns it into vapour. This forms clouds from which rain falls down onto the mountain terraces once again.

Although modern technology could help produce more crops, these terraces still mean a lot to the local people for     9     traditions hold much value. Today, the Longji Rice Terraces attract thousands of visitors who come to admire this great wonder c    10     by people and nature working together.

Tangshan started to     1     itself and get back up on its feet. With strong support from the government and the tireless     2     of the city’s people, a new Tangshan was built upon the earthquake     3    . The new city has become a home to more than seven million people, with great improvements in transportation, industry, and environment. Tangshan city has proved to China and the rest of the world that in times of     4    , people must     5     and show the wisdom to stay positive and rebuild for a brighter future.

When Michael Jordan’s feet left the ground, time seemed to stand still. The player who became     1         2     “Air Jordan” changed basketball with his graceful moves and jumps. Jordan’s skills were i    3    , but the mental s    4     that he showed made him unique. In the final seconds of a game, Jordan always seemed to find a way to win. Jordan says that the secret to his success is learning from his failures. “I can accept failure; everyone     5     at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” Losing games taught him to practice harder and never g    6         7    .

A committee     1     to limit damage to the Egyptian buildings and prevent the loss of     2     relics. The group asked for     3     from different departments and raised funds     4     the international community. Experts     5     the issue, conducted several tests, and then made a     6     for how the buildings could be saved. Finally, a    7     was signed, and the work began in 1960.

The project     8     together governments and environmentalists from around     9     world. Temples and other cultural sites were taken     10     piece by piece,    11     then moved and put back together again in a place     12     they were safe from the water. In 1961, German engineers moved the     13     temple. Over the next 20 years, thousands of engineers and workers     14     22 temples and countless relics. Fifty countries donated nearly $80 million to the project. When the project ended in 1980, it was considered a great     15    .

I know that Chinese is a very difficult language, but I hope to be     1     when I graduate. My adviser     2     that I should sign     3     for advanced literature because I like English and I’m good at it.