Rong Hong, also     1     (know) as Yung Wing, was a pioneering figure in China’s modern history. He was born in 1828 in Guangdong Province of China. Rong is best known as the first Chinese person to graduate from     2     American university.

In 1854, Rong graduated from Yale University,     3     (mark) a significant milestone in the history of Chinese overseas education. His time in America     4     (shape) his perspective on education and     5     (modern), leading him to advocate Western-style education in China.

Upon returning to China, Rong worked to bridge the cultural and educational gap between China and the West. His most     6     (exception) achievement was the Chinese Educational Mission, a program     7     sent Chinese students to study in America in the late 19th century.

Rong believed that introducing Western science and technology would help China modernize and strengthen. While his ideas     8     (meet) with resistance in his time, his efforts laid the groundwork     9     future generations of Chinese students studying abroad.

Rong Hong was a pioneer for Chinese education and international exchange. His vision for a modernized China and his efforts     10     (promote) Western education have left a lasting impact on the country’s development.

According to legend, the Yellow River flooded during the period of Emperor Yao, and the people     1     (force) to leave their villages, and went to live in trees or on mountain tops. The flood     2     (bring) great misfortune to the people. So Yao assigned (指派) Gun to regulate it. Gun wanted to cut off the flood with stones     3     failed. Then, Shun assigned Yu, Gun’s son, to continue the work. Having learned     4     (he) father’s lesson, Yu dredged (疏浚) new river     5     (channel) as outlets, guiding water into river and river into sea. Day by day, year by year, Yu spent thirteen years     6     (govern) the flood without a break. It was said that during the thirteen years, he passed his home three times, but did not enter     7     his task was completed. His efforts not only solved the flood problem, but contributed to the     8     (develop) of agriculture.

In the face of difficulties, we should have the wisdom     9     (overcome) difficulties and the spirit of public selflessness. We also need powerful spirit and strong faith, only     10     that way can we work together to deal with a variety of difficulties.

In Shanxi Province, there is a tradition of taking afternoon naps, which means people take a short rest in the middle of the day. You can see people of all ages, men or women     1    (take)their naps. To them, it’s a peaceful and quiet time     2    the busy streets become empty and still.

Taking an afternoon nap is a tradition that     3    (be)around for a long time in Shanxi. It has been passed down from generation     4     generation. Parents teach their children the     5    (important)of rest and encourage them to do it. Through naps, they hope the young ones can learn to take care of     6    (they)and enjoy a quick break from a busy day.

Actually, the tradition of afternoon naps     7    (believe)to have many benefits. It helps people feel     8    (great)refreshed for the rest of the day. It also gives their bodies and minds a chance to relax and recover from all the activities in the morning.

So, if you ever visit Shanxi, don’t be     9    (surprise)if you see people taking naps in the early afternoon. And when you feel tired during the day, try finding somewhere comfortable and taking a good afternoon nap. Who knows, a little shut-eye might make     10    difference in making you feel great and your day even better!

Young Chinese bring hanfu to the world during Spring Festival

Young people dressed in hanfu, the traditional clothing of the Han ethnic group in China,    1     (spot) in many    2     (locate) around the world during this year’s Spring Festival holiday.

An initiative launched in late January by Xiaohongshu,     3     Chinese lifestyle-focused social media platform, invited users to upload photos or videos of themselves and friends wearing hanfu at landmarks around the world from January 28 to February 19.

The first two weeks of the initiative saw some 10,000 Xiaohongshu users share their photos     4     (take) from around 30 countries and regions around the world. One user even posted photos from Antarctica.

Many young Chinese people working or studying overseas also invited     5     (they) foreign friends to wear     6     (tradition) Chinese costumes to celebrate the Spring Festival together.

Hanfu, as well as other traditional forms of Chinese costume,     7     (experience) a surge in popularity in recent years. Clothes featuring traditional Chinese elements combined with modern designs,     8     are dubbed the “new Chinese style” have developed into a fashion trend among the     9     (young) generations not only in China, but also worldwide.

Analysts say the rise     10     “China chic” reflects young Chinese people’s confidence in their own culture. Wearing Chinese-style costumes not only reflects the wearer’s Eastern temperament, but also presents Chinese aesthetics to the world.

From: chinadaily.com.cn

Everyone makes     1     mistake at some point, but when we hurt our parents     2     love us all their life, it’s especially heartbreaking. The good news is that their big hearts have room for forgiveness if we just ask. Anna, a senior high school student, argued with her parents, and she     3     (write) a letter to his parents for forgiveness yesterday.

I’m sorry about my argument with you. I haven’t been the girl as you are expecting. My behavior was impolite. All I have done was just so stupid. I haven’t been focusing     4     what is more important. The two of you are always working hard for my brother and me. I’m sorry to miss the understanding of how hard you have been working for our family, and I just didn’t value anything I have. I now realize how you want everything to be perfect for     5     (we). It is wrong of me     6     (take) advantage of you giving me the first, the second, and the     7     (three) chances. I know if I keep     8     (perform) badly like this, I will never be a winner in the future. I want to go to college, and I want to make you take     9     (proud) in me. I promise to do better from now on.

Yours,

Anna.

Such an apology(道歉) letter is a     10     (use) way to start a conversation, and Anna’s parents forgave her.

The culture of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) became     1     (increasing) popular with the arrival of the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu in July, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province. “We mainly promote TCM culture by displaying TCM     2     (element) such as TCM-themed backdrops, samples, 3D paintings made from acupuncture (针灸) tools, and herbal bags,” explained Deng Hongyuan,     3     staff member at the TCM culture area.

Visitors to the TCM culture area     4     (treat) to live shows of therapeutic massages (治疗性按摩) , Taijiquan, and Wuqinxi, a set of exercises     5     (inspire) by the movements of five animals as well as Baduanjin. Baduanjin, a form of gentle exercise that is a part of TCM culture,     6     is similar to Taijiquan and other TCM therapies, became a hit for its health benefits. Ancient Chinese medical books, TCM equipment, and medicinal materials unique     7     Sichuan are also on display.

“Foreign guests particularly enjoyed experiencing Chinese therapeutic massages. They were highly     8     (appreciate) of our massage services. They even asked if they could have this experience every day,” Deng noted.

“TCM culture is an important part of traditional Chinese culture and we are committed to     9     (broaden) its reach through the World University Games of Chengdu. We hope to enable more people     10     (learn) about TCM culture,” Deng concluded.

As the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine. Laughing is like a super drug for your health that can lift your mood, lessen pain, and protect you from the     1     (harm) effects of stress.

Journalist, author and professor Norman Cousins was     2     well-known supporter of laughter as a form of medicine and an outstanding figure     3     the field of health and wellness. Diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (强直性脊柱炎) in the late 1960s, Cousins     4     (age) about 50, had little hope of recovery; just one in 500 chances. However, Cousins     5     (notice) that his pain decreased when he involved in laughter, according to the Newport Academy. So, he began to schedule funny movies for     6     (he) on a regular basis.     7     (remarkable), he lived another 25 years post-diagnosis and conducted in-depth research on the medical benefits of laughter, with the support of California University Hospital.

Since then, research has continuously confirmed the effectiveness of laughter in relieving pain     8     improving overall well-being. It’s been found that a hearty laugh can lessen physical tension,     9     (leave) muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes. Importantly, these physical improvements have a significant positive impact on mental health, as the mind and body     10     (connect).

Cui Zhenshuo and Yang Bo discovered that because of the far location of most paper workshops and lifestyles of the paper-making craftsmen, their products are unable to reach the market     1     (easy). Therefore, Cui and Yang came up     2     the idea of establishing their own studio that could serve as a bridge to connect far workshops with buyers to advance     3     (tradition) Chinese handmade paper.

Chu is a kind of tree.     4     (it) bark (树皮) is a common material that was used in papermaking in ancient times. Han Yu, a famous     5     (write) during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) called paper Mr. Chu in his work Biography of Mao Ying. Since then, it     6     (use) as a nickname (昵称) for paper by Chinese scholars. In 2019, Cui and Yang named their own studio “I am Mr. Chu.”, and they focused on     7     (run) it.

Du Weisheng, an expert in the restoration (修复) of ancient books at the National Library of China, told them that, in     8     1990s, many Chinese paper relics needed to be repaired with handmade paper that allowed people to find information on various paper styles.

The two began to create the series of handmade paper products from 2021. Each volume is made up of thirty types of handmade paper, each of     9     is sourced from its place of origin. At present, two volumes of the series have been produced, and they plan     10     (make) ten volumes.

As a part of the 2023 Beijing Culture Forum’s extra activities, the     1     (eight) Beijing October Literature Festival opened in September. Some     2     (respect) writers took part in discussions on literature with readers at various meetings and events related to literature.

On Saturday, a meeting     3     (hold) for famous persons from three different     4     (generation)—people born in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, including writers, critics and media figures to explore the topic of “literary life in the digital age”. They discussed a series of topics,     5     “survival and life in the Internet age”, as well as “transformative power of literary expression”.

Throughout the festival, bookstores, museums and local communities hosted a series of literature-related activities. Writers also had the chance to gather materials for their literary works, all of     6     lead to developing a wide reading culture. Besides, a discussion between foreign translators and Chinese writers took place. People     7     (presence) at the festival discussed how to advance and spread modern Chinese literature through translation and cross-cultural exchange.

It was reported     8     a closing event hosted in the form of a symphony (交响乐) concert was designed     9     (end) this literary festival. The Beijing Symphony Orchestra performed at the National Cultural Palace,     10     (play) background music of film and television productions that are from literary classics.

Fayuansi, or Fayuan Temple is     1     key Buddhist temple in the south of Beijing. It dates back more than a thousand years. Its     2     (surround) neighborhood is one of the few old hutong communities in the city,     3     has a rich historical and cultural value.

Many celebrities (名人) once lived or participated in events in this area, adding     4    its rich cultural     5    (significant). Chairman Mao Zedong once led an anti-warlord movement here in 1920 when he was young. The famous Indian poet Tagore and his Chinese friend Xu Zhimo     6    (visit) Fayuan Temple together in 1924.

However, the area’s out-of-date infrastructure (设施) has     7     (gradual) forced this community to make a change. So a new project aiming     8     (look) for solutions to renovating (修复) the Fayuansi area through sustainable development had been widely expected.

Fortunately, a well-rounded plan for the renovation of the Fayuansi area     9     (make) earlier this year. According to the plan, most of the historic architecture will be preserved, but the work will balance the local residents’ need for improved living standards, while attempting to maintain the     10    (origin) architecture.