China is widely known for its ancient civilisation, and one of the main    1    is the Chinese writing system. The earliest written Chinese was a picture-    2    language. There were animal    3    and shells on which symbols were     4    . Later the symbols became a well-developed writing system. Over time, it developed into different forms, because the Chinese people were divided geographically at that time, leading to many    5    of dialects and characters. It was after Emperor Qinshihuang united the seven     6     states that the Chinese writing system began to develop in one    7    . Written Chinese has become an important means by which China’s present is connected with its past. People in modern times can read the     8     works which were written by Chinese in ancient times. Today, the Chinese writing system is still an important part of Chinese culture. As China plays a great role in     9    affairs, an increasing number of international students are beginning     10    China’s culture and history.

I always wanted to look like the slim girls on TV even though I knew that it was impossible. I     1     about my weight and tried every new    2     I read about online. I tried no-fat, low-fat, 5:2, only bananas, no bananas -- I almost went bananas, too.

Then I     3     an article that said instead of asking “Am I fat?” I should be asking “Am I fit?” I had no idea a letter could make such a     4    ! Once I started thinking about     5     rather than weight, things began to change. Instead of saying “I want to lose three kilos” I would say “I want to run two kilometers in eight minutes” or “I want to be able to do 30     6    ”. Rather than cutting out the foods I enjoyed, I added healthy foods to my meals. I could still have a burger now and then, but I would add a salad or an apple.

Finally, I stopped     7     myself with actresses and models and looking for things that were wrong with my face or body.     8    , I made a list of the things I liked about myself. By being     9     about myself and my body, I became both happier and     10    .

As a player, Lang Ping brought     1     and glory to her country. As a coach, she led the China women’s volleyball team to     2     at world championships and the Olympics. As a person, Lang Ping is loved by fans at home and abroad. When the Chinese team was preparing for the 2015 World Cup, her determination was tested. The team that Lang Ping had built was falling     3     . One of the best players had been injured, and the team     4     had to leave because of heart problems. Losing two important players was a big     5     , but Lang Ping did not lose heart. She had faced difficulties before, and she knew that her young players could win if they worked together as a team. Two weeks later, they were world     6     ! Then in 2016, Lang Ping led her volleyball team to Olympic gold in Brazil.

When Michael Jordan’s feet left the ground, time seemed to stand still. The player who became known as “Air Jordan” changed basketball with his graceful moves and jumps. Jordan’s skills were impressive, but the mental     7     that he showed made him     8     . 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     9     . “I can accept failure; everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” Losing games taught him to     10     harder and never give up. In life, Jordan has learnt to share his success with others. The Boys and Girls Club which he started in Chicago has been helping young people since 1996.

As a player, Lang Ping brought    1    and glory to her country. As a coach, she led the China women’s volleyball team to    2    at world championships and the Olympics. As a person, Lang Ping is    3    by fans at home and abroad. When the Chinese team was    4    for the 2015 World Cup, her determination was tested. The team that Lang Ping had built was falling    5    . One of the    6    players had been injured, and the team captain had to leave because of heart problems.    7    two important players was a big challenge but Lang Ping did not lose heart. She had faced difficulties before, and she knew that her young players could win if they    8     together as a team. Two weeks later, they were world    9    ! Then in 2016, Lang Ping    10    her volleyball team to Olympic gold in Brazil.

Just like spoken language, body language     1    from culture to culture. The crucial thing is using body language in a way that is    2     to the culture you are in. For example, making eye contact—looking into someone’s eyes—in some countries is a way to display interest. In other countries, by contrast, eye contact is not always    3    of. For example, in many Middle Eastern countries, men and women are not socially permitted to make eye contact. In Japan, it may     4     respect to look down when talking to an older person.

The     5    for “OK” has different meanings in different cultures. In Japan, someone who       6       another person employing the gesture might think it means money. In France, a person encountering an identical gesture may interpret it as meaning zero. However, you should avoid making this gesture in Brazil and Germany, as it is not considered polite.

Even the gestures we use for “yes” and “no”     7     around the world. In many countries, shaking one’s head means “no”, and nodding means “yes”. By comparison, in Bulgaria and southern Albania, the gestures have the opposite meaning. There are also differences in how we touch each other, how close we stand to someone we are talking to, and how we act when we meet or part. In countries like France and Russia, people may kiss their friends on the    8     when they meet. Elsewhere, people    9     shaking hands, bowing from the    10    , or nodding the head when they meet someone else.