Baiyang Lake, also known as Lake Baiyangdian, is located in the Xiong’an New Area of Baoding. As the largest freshwater lake in North China, it has gained     1     (recognize) as the “Pearl of North China” due to its breathtaking scenery and unique ecological functions. It is referred to     2     the Kidney of North China.

The old Chinese movie “Zhang Ga, the Soldier Boy” is famous for the lake     3     Zhang Ga lived. With the beautiful lotus, flourishing reeds and plenty of fish. Lake Baiyangdian is     4     (precise) like that lake.

    5     (serve) as a crucial waterway, Baiyangdian Lake occupies an import ant location in the ancient basin of the North China Plain. Throughout the Northern Song Dynasty, the imperial court continually     6     (expand) the marshlands, resulting in the formation of a winding “Water Great Wall.” Over time, Baiyangdian Lake     7     (remain) steadfast (不变的) in fulfilling crucial ecological roles from storing floodwater to regulating the climate.

However, the lake almost dried out because of climate change from 1983 to 1988. Local governments launched 26 rehabilitation projects in 2005     8     (restore) and improve Lake Baiyangdian’s ecological environment. Now, the beauty of Lake Baiyangdian resembles the one     9     (describe) in “Zhang Ga, the Soldier Boy”, attracting visitors who hope to take     10     glance at the vivid lotus, flourishing reeds and the clear lake water.

The Duan inkstone, one of the four most famous inkstones in China,     1     (originate) in the mountains by the Duanxi River in Guangdong Province. Since the Tang Dynasty, it has been the     2     (center) region for Duan inkstone production and even today, most of the villagers still earn their living by making inkstones.

Throughout hundreds of years, villagers have developed     3     scientific production system. The process involves stone selection, material screening, shape designing, carving, and wooden box matching, among     4     stone selection and carving are the two most important steps.

Purple     5     color, Duan inkstones are glossy and as smooth as silk. They enjoy a great reputation as they never crack even when     6     (place) in low temperatures. It is a long and laborious process to handpick flawless Duan stones. Miners dig in tunnels less than one meter high at the riverside, and using tools such as dynamite (炸药)     7     (forbid).

Carving involves good conception, and highlights the fine shape of the stones     8     carving skills. In addition to natural designs, flying dragons, flowers and birds, figures, mountains and waters are common     9     (image) carved on the stones. The matching boxes are also carefully chosen and are often made of purple sandalwood and rosewood. The Duan inkstone has various styles, and new-style products are designed one after another     10     (meet) increased export demands.

The core value of Chinese traditional culture is the concept of harmony. Harmony is, in fact, a complete cultural system that consists of not only     1     (value) but also a philosophy with its own world outlook. Harmony means “proper and balanced cooperation between things”.

    2     harmony at the heart, traditional Chinese principles suggest that there is a built-in dynamic in the universe that turns imbalance into balance. This concept, deeply     3     (mix) into the history of Chinese society, advocates for a balanced and     4     (peace) coexistence within the individual, between people, and between humanity and nature.

At the centre of Chinese cultural harmony is the belief in the interconnectedness of all things. It     5     (reflect) in various aspects of Chinese life, from the emphasis on family unity and social bond     6     the practice of traditional arts and the governance of the state.

The significance of harmony in Chinese culture cannot be overstated. It has shaped China’s approach to international relations,     7     (highlight) harmonious coexistence and shared benefit. In taking care of the environment,     8     inspires efforts to live according to natural cycles and to respect all forms of life. Moreover, the concept of harmony,     9     has enabled China to maintain social stability and cultural consistency despite the challenges of history, offers a model for settling conflicts and promoting a sense of community and belonging. As the world becomes     10     (steady) interconnected, the principles of Chinese cultural harmony offer valuable insights for creating a more balanced and sustainable global society.

During the 2023 Lanzhou International Marathon, all eyes were on the elderly couple—Hu Yingfu, 86, and his wife Wang Zhangmin, 77. Many doubted their ability to finish the race,     1     Hu completed the half marathon in two hours and twenty minutes.

Against initial struggles, Hu found a way to motivate himself by counting electric poles while running. “The distance between each electric pole is 50 meters. I run as fast as I can, passing a dozen or so poles.” said Hu.     2     (gradua), his endurance improved, along with his physical condition.

The couple’s love for running started as a way     3     (improve) their fitness, but it quickly became a passion, They participated in a national athletics event     4     the elderly in 2004,     5     (mark) their first-ever national competition. To their surprise, Wang achieved     6     impressive result—the fourth place.

Since then, the elderly couple have become regular     7     (participate) in national athletics events, consistently winning medals, and they     8     (recognize) as well-known figures in the running community.

With a     9     (combine) age of 163, the couple have participated in over 100 marathon races nationwide, whose impact has motivated     10     (count) young individuals to become part of the running community.

In the popular film Full River Red, a score (配乐)     1    (combine) Yuju Opera and electronic and rock’ n’ roll music, created     2     exciting atmosphere, sparking young Chinese moviegoers’ interest in this traditional opera style.

In the past few years, novel ways to popularize traditional operas     3     (adopt), such as through TV dramas, New Year galas (春节联欢晚会) and outdoor stages thanks     4     digital technology. Besides this, traditional opera elements have also been used in popular art forms. Some tunes from traditional operas have become hits at home and abroad after making     5     (they) way to audio and video platforms.

In this age of information and cultural     6     (diverse), high efficiency and rapid pace drive people, especially the young,     7     (have) a “fast food” type of lifestyle. So the slow pace and long notes of traditional operas do not fit their entertainment tastes. Therefore, it is necessary to get more youths     8     (involve) in traditional operas so that they can become interested in them and help them to be passed down.

Many     9     (innovate) methods have shown young people that traditional operas are not “old-fashioned” or “out of date”,     10     are actually treasures of Chinese culture that can be appreciated today through modern technology.

Many people may throw away the pits (核) or nuts after eating fruits, but inheritors (传承人) of nut carving have instead collected them and turned them into artworks.

“One nut,    1     (range) from 0.8 to 6 centimetres, can be made into delicate fan pendants (扇坠), earrings, buttons, seals, ect,” said Tan Wanhai,    2     inheritor of Weifang nut carving.

Weifang nut carving     3     (date) back to the Qing Dynasty. During that time, retired imperial craftsman Wang Dayan spread the skill to the local people in Shandong Province. Craftsmen back then often used peach pits     4     (show) off their artistic skills. Due to the rigorous (严谨缜密的) carving skills    5     its rich artistic content, Weifang nut carving    6     (list) as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

Tan couldn’t forget    7     impressed he was when he first saw a nut carving. Yet, the 48-year-old craftsman also admitted that the journey of bringing this kind of masterpiece to life is not all smooth sailing. “Unlike some pits    8    a flat surface, each peach pit has its own unique texture (纹理),” Tan said, adding that craftsmen have to study and trace each peach pit to carefully plan out their artwork.

“Now, the number of inheritors is about 1,000. But I believe it could be     9     (high) as more craftsmen give up the tradition of passing down the skill only through the family and open up the     10     (occupy) to anyone who is interested,” added Tan.

China plans to start building a lunar base in about four years,    1     (kick) off with bricks made of moon soil, according to scientists related to the project, the local news agency reported. Ding Lieyun,     2     leading scientist at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, told local media that the first brick     3    (make) from moon soil during the Chang’e 8 mission around 2028.

China has previously said its lunar base will likely be powered by nuclear energy, and will include a lander, hopper, orbiter and rover, all of     4    would be constructed by the Chang’e 6, 7 and 8 missions. It wasn’t immediately clear in the interview     5     the entire base will be built with lunar soil.

“Eentually, building habitation     6     the Earth is essential not only for all humanity’s quest for space exploration, but also for China’s    7     (strategy) needs as a space power,” Ding said in a separate interview.

The moon is believed     8     (contain) a source of waste-free nuclear energy that could meet global energy demands for 250 years, meaning potentially hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of resources.

Yu Dengyun, from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, provided an    9     (update) timeline for the next three Chang’e missions. Chang’e 6 will launch in 2025 to collect samples from the far side of the moon, Chang’e 7 will blastoff the following year to search for water-ice,    10     Chang’e 8 should land some two years after that.

Shadow play, a conventional form of theatrical entertainment,     1     (survive) for centuries. The origins of shadow play     2     (believe) to date back to ancient China where it was later spread to other parts of the world.

The creation of puppets (木偶) is such a complex process that it demands extreme precision     3     is a test of the commitment as well as skills of craftsmen (匠人). These puppets are in     4     (they) works of art. Distinguishable character qualities appropriate for shadow performances are presented through the     5     (adopt) of realistic and abstract approaches.

In a typical shadow play performance, puppets are held behind a screen, with light cast onto the screen     6     (create) shadowy images that tell a story. The themes and characters     7     (feature) in shadow play performances vary widely depending on the cultural context.

While     8     (tradition) shadow play often involves fancy handmade puppets and fascinating storytelling, contemporary artists have explored new techniques, pushing the boundaries of     9     is possible with shadow play.

Despite the rise of digital entertainment, shadow play, a timeless tradition that goes beyond borders and generations, continues to exist     10     a valuable art form in many parts of the world.

Located within Huzhou, Zhejiang province, Xiaoxi Street stands as a historical and cultural protection block. It gracefully preserves its rich heritage       1     embracing the essence of modernity perfectly.

With       2     (impress) buildings dating back to the late Qing Dynasty, this historic place, situated alongside the Caodu River, once       3     (serve) as a junction place for ancient canal transportation. The river, acting as a vital channel linking the mountainous regions of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces       4     Huzhou city, played a significant role in the prosperity of this greatly respected block.

Throughout history, Xiaoxi Street attracted honored families, rich merchants, and government officials, resulting in the       5     (create) of masses of architectural wonders that have stood the test of time.

Among these treasures, the residence(豪宅) of Niu Fubao,       6     unusual Qing Dynasty official, stands as a noticeable highlight. Constructed by a merchant from Huizhou, the complex,       7     (display) distinctive Huizhou-style architecture, was later acquired by the Niu family. Remarkably, the complex boasts delicate stone carvings on       8     (it) doors and a rare high-level beam structure, carefully     9     (preserve) to this day. Since 2013, the local government has undertaken a comprehensive project aimed at protecting this historic block. Meanwhile, modern cultural industries, including galleries, pottery-making workshops and public libraries,       10     (integrate) to breathe youthful vitality into the area, transforming the block into a center of cultural and creative industries.