Pamela Reif, one of the world’s most popular fitness influencers, has become an     1     (inspire) for many people worldwide, offering pathways to fat-burning, increased energy, and improved sleep quality. Lately , she has added baduanjin—a traditional Chinese fit ness exercise     2     her workout videos. The nearly two-minute video has become     3     hit on Chinese social media, with many netizens leaving comments such as “    4     ( apparent), no one can resist the charm of baduanjin”.

Baduanjin, originally     5     (create) over 800 years ago during the Song Dynasty, is a set of traditional Chinese fitness exercises     6     ( combine) physical movement with breathing and meditation. The practice doesn’t require much space or time.

Reif's video has helped introduce the ancient exercise to a wider audience, especially to young people. Film stars and fitness influencers     7     do baduanjin have also shared videos online, which has attracted many new practitioners. Compared with other types of qigong exercise, such as tai chi and wuqinxi, baduanjin is     8     (suitable) for beginners thanks to its simple, gentle movements. Since it also relates to meditation and breathing exercises, it     9     ( regard) as a way for young people to relax and cope with stress.

From online exercise to temple spiritual practices, young Chinese fall in love with it and are keen     10     (spread) Chinese traditional fitness around the world.

Cheng Yongmao was born in a village in Huairou, Beijing and began to learn the skill of building under the     1     (guide) of his uncle in 1972. Although he didn’t receive a     2     ( high) education, his practical experience enabled him to readily take in the theories, which in turn     3     (improve) his skills significantly.

Cheng received his first Great Wall assignment in 2004. He led a construction team of dozens of members, most of     4     came from mountainous areas in neighboring Hebei province and were     5     (consequent) good at hiking up and down the peaks.

In 2016, he started to work on the Jiankou section, which     6     (consider) one of the most dangerous parts of the Great Wall in Beijing and is known by hikers as the “Wild Wall”. The toughest place is called Yingfei Daoyang (Eagle Flies Upside Down),     7     (suggest) that even an eagle would have to fly straight up,     8     its beak pointing up directly toward the sky to fly over this spot. Working there is dangerous, but under Cheng’s leadership, the workers adapted to the     9     (challenge) environment and built up their strength.

After years of efforts, the section has regained its historical appearance. “Protecting the Great Wall is my responsibility,” he said, “As long as I can climb up the mountain, I’ll do my best to lead my team, especially to assist them in gaining experience     10     making their due contributions.”

The Great Wall of China was built in sections over a period of around 2,000 years, the most famous parts of     1     were built from stone. However, in some areas it was built using “rammed earth (夯土).” This is when soil and rocks are pressed together. Over time, wind and rain can easily wear down rammed earth, so scientists have often questioned how these old sections of the Great Wall     2     (manage) to survive for such a long time.

A group of researchers from China Agricultural University examined     3    370-mile-long section of the wall and found that more than two thirds of it     4     (cover) by biocrust (生物土壤结皮). The scientists took some     5     (sample) of the biocrust back to their lab for testing and discovered that the natural material was     6     (actual) stronger than the rammed earth. Some pieces of the plant-based layer were up     7     three times stronger. This means that the biocrust has strengthened the wall and protected it from     8     (destroy) by weather over the years.

These findings could be important for people who manage ancient structures around the world. Although biocrust may not look     9     (appeal), its natural ability to preserve things could be a very useful tool for experts attempting     10     (protect) precious ancient buildings.

Xiangsheng, or crosstalk, is arguably the most popular comic performance in China, appealing to people of all ages.

Xiangsheng first appeared in China during the Ming Dynasty. But it was not until the middle and late Qing Dynasty     1     xiangsheng, established itself as     2     unique and independent art form.

Performed mainly in Beijing or Tianjin dialect, xiangsheng is     3     (essential) known for its humorous and satirical (讽刺的) nature. It could be a comedic monologue, dialogue or multiplayer sketch.

As the     4     (early) form of xiangsheng, dankou, or monologue, is performed by an actor who mainly cracks jokes or simply narrates humorous stories. It’s known as qunkou when it is performed by three or more people.

But most of the time, xiangsheng is performed by two actors,     5     is called duikou. The two actors usually discuss or argue over a subject or a social phenomenon     6     a satirical and humorous manner. The main purpose is     7     (cause) laughter among the audience.

In the early years, xiangsheng performers typically came from a humble background,     8     (start) off as street performers. The most popular     9     (venue) of xiangsheng used to be Beijing Tianqiao, Tianjin Quanyechang and Nanjing Confucius Temple. Later, they began to perform in teahouses and theaters. With the     10     (arrive) of radio and television, xiangsheng began to reach audiences everywhere.

Plan your Chengdu tour? When night falls, it is     1     (undoubted) advisable to have a leisurely walk in the old area of the three alleys (巷子), namely Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley and Jing Alley in the downtown. These three alleys are often called “Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi” in Chinese.

All the three alleys have been gentrified (改造) to be like the old alleys     2     (date) back to the Qing Dynasty in Chengdu. It is one of the three historical relic protection     3     (site) in Chengdu. In the early Qing Dynasty, the Qing government built     4     walled city here as the living place for the Eight Banners soldiers     5     their families. In the sixtieth year of Kangxi’s Reign, General Nian Gengyao in Chengdu recommended the government     6     (send) 1,600 people and station them in Chengdu permanently.

During the fortieth year of Qianlong’s Reign, in order to     7     (strength) the southwest border, the court set up the Jiangjun Yamen in Chengdu, built for the general of the Shao city,     8     both the soldiers and their families lived.

At one time, the walled city     9     (compose) of 42 lanes. Kuan Zhai Xiang Zi is the hutong culture extended     10     the Northern China to the Southern China.

Doctors at Gansu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recently received     1     thank-you letter from doctors in the United States.

Xue Jianjun, director of the hospital’s anesthetic (麻醉) medicine center, received the letter from Frank Yurasek, director of acupuncture (针灸) at the Cook County Health and Hospitals Systems in Chicago.     2     (learn) how to combine TCM with Western anesthetic technology, Yurasek and co-worker Robert Fischer visited the hospital     3     a couple of weeks in September 2018.

Ding Fanfan, a doctor at Gansu Provincial Hospital of TCM, said the two US doctors     4     (attend) the morning shift meeting every day. The center also formulated a study plan for the doctors as well as courses for     5     (they) to study basic TCM theories. “They often visited the operating room to see how acupuncture     6     (use) during operations,” Ding said,     7     (add) that he was impressed by their love for TCM.

Yurasek wrote that his team had begun to use and research acupuncture-assisted anesthesia. “Combination of acupuncture and anesthesia is proving     8     (effect) in our hospital, one of the oldest and largest hospitals in the US. I’m excited to tell all of you     9     the training we received achieved here,” he said. None of the work would have been possible without the incredible training and the     10     (confident) they felt after being trained by Xue’s staff, he stressed.