The Renaissance (from the 14th to the 17th century)

New ideas and values gradually replaced old ones from the Middle Ages. As a result, painters c    1     less on religious themes. They began to a    2     a more humanistic attitude to life. An important b    3     during this period was the use of perspective by Masaccio. I    4     painters such as Leonardo da Vince, Michelangelo, and Raphael built upon Giotto and Masaccio’s innovations to produce some of the greatest art that Europe had ever seen.

Another innovation was the use of oil paints. With their deep colors and realism, some of the best oil paintings look like photographs. While painters as early as Da Vinci had used oil, this technique reached its h    5     with Rembrandt, who gained a r    6     as a master of shadow and light.

In subject matter, the emphasis increasingly s    7     from religious themes to people and the world around us. Kings, n    8    , and people of high rank wanted to p    9     accurate pictures of themselves and the people they loved. Others wanted paintings showing important historical events or stories from mythology. Finally, most c    10     wanted paintings that were beautiful and interesting to look at.

The United Kingdom, Great Britain, Britain, England — many people are confused by what these different names mean. So what is the difference between them, if any?     1     to know a little bit about British history will help you solve this puzzle.

In the 16th century, the     2     country of Wales was joined to the Kingdom of England. Later, in the 18th century, the country Scotland was joined to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. In the 19th century, the Kingdom of Ireland was added to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.     3    , in the 20th century, the southern part of Ireland broke away from the UK, which     4     in the full name we have today: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Most people just use the shortened name: “the United Kingdom” or “the UK”. People from the UK are called “British”, which means the UK is also often     5     to as Britain or Great Britain.

The four countries that     6     to the United Kingdom work together in some areas. They use the same flag, known as the Union Jack, as well as share the same currency and    7         8    . However, they also have some differences. For example, England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland all have different education systems and    9     systems. They also have their own     10    , like their own national days and national dishes. And they even have their own football teams for competitions like the World Cup!

China is w    1     known for its ancient c    2     which has continued all the way through into modern t    3    , despite the many ups and downs in its history. There are many reasons why this has been possible, but one of the main f    4     has been, the Chinese w    5     system.

At the b    6    , written Chinese was a picture-based l    7     . It d    8     back several thousand years to the use of longgu-animal bones and shells on which s    9     were c    10     by ancient Chinese people. Some of the ancient symbols can still be seen in today’s hanzi.

Starting around 4,000 BC, traditional Chinese painting has developed continuously over a period of more than 6,000 years. Its growth has certainly reflected the changes of time and social conditions.

With Buddhism introduced     1    China from India around the first century AD, the art of painting religious murals (壁画) became important. By the 4th century, landscape painting     2     (make) itself an independent form of expression.

    3    , during the Song Dynasty (960~1279), paintings of historical characters and stories of everyday life gained growing     4     (popular).

Around the 9th century, bird-and-flower painting     5     (separate) from decorative art to form an independent style,     6    subjects included a rich variety of flowers, birds, insects and fish. Many of the scholar painters worked with ink and brushes.They produced paintings of such things as plum blossoms(梅花), orchids(兰花), bamboo, chrysanthemums(菊花), pines, etc., using their subject matter     7     (reflect) their own ideals and characters.

Modern paintings often mix several colours on one brush or mix their colours with black inks. As     8    result, they have obtained varied colours. Such     9     (technique) have been widely adopted and     10     (far) developed in the contemporary period.

8 . Children's Games in Ancient China Unlike the children nowadays, the children during ancient times didn't have smart phone, iPad or computer to entertain themselves.    1    Let's take a look.

Kicking stone balls

During the Qing Dynasty, kicking a stone ball around was a popular sport in the northern part of China, and it was often played in the winter to keep warm. Stones were carved into small balls and kicked along with feet.

Flying kites

Kites have quite a long history. The earliest kites were made of wood, instead of paper. Nowadays, the three most famous kites are the Beijing kite, Tianjin kite and Weifang kite.     2    . For example, the swallow-shaped kite is a well-known Beijing style.

Playing hide-and-seek

Hide-and-seek is a traditional game for children, popular around the nation. Even nowadays, many children like playing it. There are two ways to play. One way is covering a child's eyes while other kids run around to tease him.     3    

    4    

The closest thing to watching a film or television for entertainment during ancient times was going to see a shadow play. Folk artists manipulate puppets behind the screen, narrating stories and accompanied by music.

Setting off firecrackers

Firecrackers have a history of more than 2,000 years. It is said that there was a beast named Nian in ancient China.    5    After gunpowder was invented, it gradually replaced the bamboo joint cracker. Crackers are still set off during Spring Festival to symbolize auspiciousness.

China is     1     (wide) known for its ancient civilisation, which has continued all the way until now. One of the main     2     (factor) is the Chinese writing system.

At the beginning, written Chinese     3     (base) on picture language, which dates back several thousand years. Ancient Chinese people carved symbols on animal bones and shells.

By the Shang Dynasty, these symbols     4     (become) a well-developed writing system. At that time, people lived in different places,     5     (lead) to many varieties of dialects and characters.

Emperor Qinshihuang united the seven major states into one country     6     the Chinese writing system began to develop in one direction. The writing system played     7     important part in uniting the Chinese people and culture. Now, people can still communicate in writing.

Written Chinese has also become an important means by which China’s present is connected with its past. People in modern times can read classic works which were     8     (write) by Chinese in ancient times. The Chinese writing system has developed into Chinese calligraphy,     9     is an important part of Chinese culture. Today, the Chinese writing system plays a greater role in     10     (globe) affairs.