The Olympics play    1     significant role in the sports calendar. The extraordinary sporting event took place in the year 776 BCE. At that time, only Greek men were allowed    2     (take) part. The modern Olympics were first held in 1896, in Athens. A Frenchman, Pierre de Coubertin,     3     dream was that the Olympics would help people of different racial origins and from different cultures live side by side in peace,     4     (bring) the Olympics back to life. In the history of the Olympics, a lot of sportspeople deserve     5     (praise). Among them the boxer Cassius Clay and the track and field athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill are     6     (extreme) excellent. Cassius Clay draw     7     (people) attention during the 1960 Rome Olympics, when he won the light heavyweight gold medal. Jessica Ennis-Hill’s story is a remarkable example of how hard work and    8     (devote) can lead to outstanding performance in sports.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics appealed    9     the whole world to join in the Olympic spirit and build a better future for humanity with the slogan “One World, One Dream”. Another     10     (history) moment for China came when Beijing successfully hosted the 2022 Winter Olympics after winning the election in 2015.

As Shaoxing is a water town, the unique transport named Wupeng boat     1    (emerge) in this particular location in the Tang Dynasty. Wupeng boat, a Chinese gondola, also     2     (know) as black awning (雨篷) boat, got its name from    3    dark colour of its awning. There are straw mats for people to sit and lie on board. As the space is rather small, the boat may lose balance or even turn over if passengers stand on it. Each boat can hold about four persons. It is run by human power,     4     is another typical fact about this boat.

Wupeng boat has now become the symbol of Shaoxing. The famous Chinese writer Lu Xun mentioned this boat in many of his    5     (publication) because floating in a Wupeng boat is not only part of his childhood but also people’s life in Shaoxing. The breeze and     6     (cool) of water in summer would bring you a pleasant outdoor experience. Thus, the best time to ride Wupeng boats in Shaoxing is from March to September. But other months would be a good option for experiencing it     7     fewer travelers around.

Wupeng boats in different spots around the city have various routes.You can     8    (careful) choose and appreciate the historical     9    cultural old town on the small boat. Once you get to Shaoxing, find one of the few Wupeng boat ports, and ask what route they follow     10     (make) sure you see the attractions from your wish list.

The Grand Canal of China was first dug in 486 BC, and well developed through the late 6th to early 10th century. From the late 13th until 19th century, with the highest section built and the overall length     1    (shorten), the Canal was turned into a main passage between northern     2     southern China as well as the economic lifeline of the country. Consisting of the Sui and Tang Grand Canal, the Jing-Hang Grand Canal and the Zhedong Canal, the Canal     3    (stretch) over 2, 700 kilometers, crossing eight provincial-level administrative regions and     4    (link) five major water systems. The Grand Canal also connects with the Eurasian Silk Road to the west and extends the water trade route to the east.

The Grand Canal was     5     notable achievement of the ancient Chinese people. Its connection of the political and economic centers played a     6    (centre) role in the political unity, economic     7    (grow) and cultural prosperity of China, and contributed to the livelihood, exchanges and integration of the population along its route.

The Grand Canal     8    (announce) by the State Council as one of the seventh batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level in March, 2013 and registered     9     the UNSECO World Heritage List in June, 2014. This large-scale, living cultural heritage spreads like a huge dragon across the vast territory of China,     10    (it) ripples shining golden scales (鳞片) in the new age.