At the beginning, written Chinese was a picture-    1     language. It dates back several thousand years to the use of longgu-animal     2     and shells on which     3     were     4     by ancient Chinese people.

Studying the history of the country will make your visit much more     1    . The capital city London is a great place to start, as it is an ancient port city     2     has a history dating all the way back to Roman times. There are countless historic sites to explore, and lots of museums with ancient relics from all over the UK. The UK is a fascinating mix of history and modern culture, with both new and old traditions. If you keep your eyes     3    , you will be surprised to find that you can see both its past and its present.

The four countries that     1     to the United Kingdom work together in some areas. They use the same flag,     2     as the Union Jack, as well as share the same currency and     3     defence. However, they also have some     4    . For example, England, Wales Scotland, and Northern Ireland all have different education systems and     5     systems.

In ancient times, silk from China found its way overland to India, the Middle East and Rome, along what became known as the Silk Road. A trading route across the sea was also     1     along the coasts of the Indian Ocean centred around Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Here, merchants from China and many other places met to     2     trade deals, which also led to more     3     of each other’s cultures. Over the centuries, further trading allowed more exploration of the regions to the west of China, as     4     in Du Huan’s Record of My Travels in the eighth century.

Later, the Ming Dynasty further     5     relations with these regions. Between 1405 and1433, seven large fleets sailed west on voyages of trade and exploration. These fleets were a sight to behold and were in a league of their own at that time. Under the     6     of Zheng He, they set sail from the South China Sea across the Indian Ocean to the mouth of the Red Sea, and then to the east coast of Africa. African     7     families sent gifts such as giraffes as gestures of friendship in     8     for gold, silk, and spices. Although China     9     from further expeditions after 1433, these land and sea routes remained     10     channels between other cultures for centuries.

Here, merchants from China and many other places met to    1     trade deals, which also led to more     2     of each other’s cultures. Over the centuries, further     3    allowed more exploration of the regions to the west China, as     4     in Du Huan’s Record of My Travels in the eighth century.

The United Kingdom has a long and interesting history to explore, which can help you understand much more about the country and its traditions. Almost everywhere you go in the UK, you will be surrounded by     1     of four different groups of people who took     2     at different times throughout history. The first group, the Romans, came in the first century. Some of their great     3     included building towns and roads. …The Vikings came in the eighth century, left behind lots of new vocabulary, and also the names of many     4     across the UK.

Almost everywhere you go in the UK, you will be surrounded by     1     of four different groups of people who took     2     at different times throughout history. The first group, the Romans, came in the first century. Some of their great     3     included building towns and roads.

Finally, in the 20th century, the     1     part of Ireland broke away from the UK, which     2     in the full name we have today: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Most people just use the     3     name: “the United Kingdom” or “the UK”. People from the UK are called “British”, which means the UK is also often     4     to as Britain or Great Britain.

Emperor Qinshihuang united the seven major states into one     1     country where the Chinese writing system began to develop     2     one direction. That writing system was of great     3     in uniting the Chinese people and culture. Even today, no matter where Chinese people live or     4     dialect they speak, they can all still communicate in writing.

Written Chinese has also become an important     5     by which China’s present is connected with its past. People in modern times can read the     6     works which were written by Chinese in ancient times. The high regard for the Chinese writing system can be     7     in the development of Chinese characters as an art form, known as Chinese     8     . which has become an important part of Chinese culture.

    9     China plays a greater role in global affairs, an increasing number of international students are beginning to     10     China’s culture and history through this amazing language.