With a history of 600 years, Kunqu Opera,    1     (bear) in the region of Kunshan in today's Suzhou, Jiangsu province, is considered China’s oldest opera form and one of the most     2     (influence) theatrical traditions.    3     many traditional art forms, it was also once on the edge of extinction.

In 2001, Kunqu Opera was listed as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, which helped the ancient art form to receive more protection     4     contributed to its revival. Yang Fengyi, artistic director and head of the Northern Kunqu Opera Theater,     5     (travel) with her performers to the UNESCO headquarters to witness the historic moment.

Kunqu Opera has distinguished     6     (it) by the virtuosity (精湛技巧) of its rhythmic patterns and its pieces are     7     (close) linked with Chinese literature. In 2003, the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theater worked with Chinese -American writer Kenneth Hsienyung Pai     8     (produce) the “youth version” of a Kunqu Opera production, The Peony Pavilion,     9     classic Ming Dynasty play by playwright Tang Xianzu. Since its premiere in Taiwan in 2004, this version has clocked in about 400     10     (perform), attracting a growing young audience, who consider the art form to be deep, elegant and complicated.

Layue falls on the     1     (twelve) month of the traditional Chinese calendar. The Chinese character “La” holds historical significance,     2     (appear) in ancient texts such as Book of Changes and Rites of Zhou.     3     (original), “La” meant “cured meat”. Layue is also the month with the richest traditional customs in one year.

The eighth day of Layue marks the Laba Festival, whose custom on this day is to enjoy Laba porridge. It is a delightful     4     (mix) of grains, peanuts, chestnuts, red dates, lotus seeds, and other ingredients (配料), all of     5     are mixed together to make it a main course of the Laba Festival. In the northern part of China, there is a saying, “Children, don’t be too eager; right after Laba, the new year is     6     its way.” Celebrating Laba means the approach of the Chinese New Year.

The Kitchen God Festival is a widespread custom     7     (observe) across the country. On this day, people would hang images of the Kitchen God     8     his wife around the kitchen stove (炉子). Today, many rural areas still uphold this tradition.

Layue     9     (regard) as preparation for the upcoming Spring Festival. If the Spring Festival is considered the most joyful celebration of the year, many would agree that the joy, noise and expectation of Layue are no     10     (little) significant than the main event.

Shortly after the silk and feather umbrellas became popular in China, their manufacturers managed     1     (discover) a new kind of material from wood paper, enabling the     2     (create) of highly stylized, decorative and lightweight umbrellas.

In addition to providing protection from sun and limited protection from rain, oil-paper umbrellas     3     (view) as symbols of wealth, and power in the past. During the height of umbrella popularity in China, you could easily recognize the owners by the designs and colors of their umbrellas—royal family members used yellow or red colors,     4     the wealthy carried blue. Even in today’s Chinese and Japanese society, umbrellas play     5     important role. They are one of the most essential items     6     (present) to newly -wed brides, symbolizing blessing, protection from evil spirits and wishes    7     more babies.

The beauty of the Chinese paper umbrellas had     8     an impact on worldwide trends that their     9     (elegant) crafted materials and their canopy designs showcasing dragons, flowers, and landscapes quickly traveled via trade routes to distant Europe. Paper umbrellas today represent one of the best -known Chinese traditional exports, with businessmen selling them to     10     (passer-by) on streets worldwide.