The Winter Solstice Festival (冬至) is one of the most important     1     (festival) celebrated by the Chinese on or around December 22. As early as 2,500 years ago, China determined the point of the Winter Solstice by     2     (observe) movements of the sun with a sundial (日晷).

The Winter Solstice became a festival during the Han Dynasty. The Han people     3     (regard) the Winter Solstice as a “Winter Festival”, so officials would organize activities. On this day, both officials and common people would have     4     rest. In the Tang and Song dynasties, the Winter Solstice was a day to offer sacrifices (供奉)     5     Heaven and ancestors. The Qing Dynasty even had the record that “the Winter Solstice is as formal as the Spring Festival,” showing the great     6     (important) attached to this day.

The Chinese often celebrate the Winter Solstice Festival together with     7     (they) families.     8     people eat generally depends on where they come from. In some parts of North China, people     9     (traditional) eat dumplings on this day, while in parts of South China, the whole family will get together to have a meal     10     (make) of red-bean and sticky rice to drive away bad things.

The annual Water Splashing Festival of the Dai ethnic minority falls during the New Year period of the Dai Calendar. It is the most important festival    1     (observe) by the Dai ethnic people of Xishuangbanna Prefecture.

The festival lasts for three days . The first two days'    2    ( activity ) are concentrated on the banks of the Lancang River. On the first day, a grand    3    (celebrate) marks the beginning of the festival.

An outdoor market is set up    4    locals go for New Year shopping . Artists create sand carvings on open space close to the market. A dragon boat race    5     (hold) on Lancang River     6     (ring) out the old year in the afternoon. At night, the banks of the river are    7     (colorful) lit, and locals float river lanterns on the river.

The third day, the climax of the festival, is reserved for water splashing. On that day, the Dai put on their    8     (new) and best clothes , and then assemble at the local temple . Water is regarded by the Dai as a symbol of goodwill among people . Therefore , splashing a fellow human being with water during the Water Splashing Festival ,    9    a close neighbor or a fellow villager , or even a stranger , is    10    expression of the desire for good luck and prosperity to that person.

With tens of thousands of people singing, dancing and cheering, Beijing,       1       heart of the national capital, was turned into a sea of festivity as a grand evening gala( 庆 典 )    2     (hold) on Tuesday to mark New China’s 70th birthday.

The 90-minute gala    3     (start) at around 8 p.m. when fireworks rocketed into the sky, displaying the number 70 over the square. A central performance area spanning the square and the     4     (south) point of Golden Water Bridge at the foot of Tian’anmen Rostrum was set aside for large-scale performances. In addition, part of Chang’an Avenue was divided into 10 sections       5     tens of thousands of people sang and danced in groups.

The event aims     6       (highlight) the new look of a new era through a free, lively and     joyful atmosphere. The performances began with "Ode( 颂 歌 ) to the Red Flag," with more than 3,000 performers    7     (carry) light panels portraying a huge national flag, and scenes of       soldiers guarding the flag and children saluting the flag.

Performers danced     8       songs that won the hearts of generations of Chinese over the   past     9     (decade) during the gala. With the last round of fireworks flowering in the night   sky, the gala concluded     10       (successful) at around 9:30 p.m. amid the classic song "Ode to the Motherland" sung by all the participants including Chinese leaders.

New Year’s Eve is the last day of the year. It is always an exciting time because people look forward to     1    (welcome) a new year. It is also a good time to think back and say goodbye to the old year. New Year’s Eve is a     2    (nation) holiday for many people around the world. In a lot of countries , people go back to their hometown for the New Year, so usually the trains and buses    3    (pack) with people. In England, there is always a New Year’s Eve party,     4     is usually held at someone’s home and the host invites friends, families and neighbors. The living room becomes a mini disco as everyone dances    5     loud music.

I have lots of good     6    (memory) of New Year’s Eve . I once spent one freezing New Year’s Eve in Trafalgar Square in the center of London. It snowed and was     7    (bitter) cold . I also spent many wonderful New Year’s Eves in Japan. There, it is a tradition    8    (visit) a shrine(圣坛)and pray for good things. I think wherever you are, New Year’s Eve is always     9    exciting day. Maybe the last way to welcome the New Year     10    (be)watching amazing fireworks displays in the world’s cities.

6 . Chinese communities around the world welcomed the Year of the Pig     1     February 5th. Celebrations took place across the globe, ranging from Southeast Asia’s centuries-old Chinese communities to the more recently     2     (establish) Chinatowns. In the streets of several European     3     (city), performances of dragon dances and lion dances drew huge crowds of people. Celebrations in London are expected     4     (last) a month with series of activities,     5     is the biggest Chinese New Year celebration outside Asia.

I attended a birthday party in 1991. My teacher was then 59 years old.     1     her fellow teacher said that we     2    (celebrate) her 39th birthday! We were all     3     (surprise) and puzzled.

After the party I was told by the fellow teacher that American women have a special saying about     4     (birth). If a woman is     5     40, or even if she is 80, her birthday is always the 39th. If she is in her thirties, her birthday will be the 29th. And in her     6    , it’s the 19th. They usually have their “real” birthday when they are     7     20.

This shows that American women,     8     (special) elderly women, are very sensitive about their ages. But my teacher always says, “We want to be       9    . ” so about the age of Western women, my advice is     10     if you don’t know it, don’t ask about it; if you really know it, don’t mention it.