文章大意：本文是一篇说明文。中国2024年是中国的龙年，中国的文化传承了许多描绘龙的文物。中国龙象征强大和有利的力量，能确保丰收和带来和谐繁荣。中国人尊敬龙，将炎帝视为祖先，并自称为龙的传人。1994年在辽宁省发现了一座7600多年前的19.70米石雕龙。祝大家龙年幸福和好运！
1 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入一个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
In China, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, or “loong,” as is known in Chinese. This creature appears on many cultural artifacts 1 (pass) down through Chinese history.
Unlike Western dragons, 2 are often depicted as aggressive, fire-breathing, flying lizards, Chinese loongs 3 (traditional) symbolize strong and favourable powers. In Chinese mythology ( 神 话 ), the loong is credited with ensuring a good harvest. The unique appearance of the Chinese loong distinguishes it 4 its Western counterparts.
For thousands of years, the Chinese have respected the loong, 5 (believe) that they can bring harmony and prosperity. According to Chinese mythology, the Yan Emperor’s mother had seen a loong just before she was pregnant and soon the Yan Emperor 6 (bear). So the Chinese regard the Yan Emperor as their forefather, and they sometimes refer to 7 (they) as “descendants of the loong (龙的传人).”
At a historical site in Liaoning Province, a stone sculpture of a loong was discovered in 1994. 8 (measure) 19.70 meters in length, the sculpture 9 (date) back to more than 7,600 years ago. The idiom “龙年大吉” means “good luck in the year of the loong.” We wish all of us 10 happy and lucky Chinese New Year!
