At the beginning, written Chinese was a picture-based language. It dates back several thousand years to the use of animal bones and shells on which symbols    1    ( carve) by ancient Chinese people. Some of the ancient symbols can still be seen in today’s hanzi.

By the Shang Dynasty, these symbols    2    (become) a well-developed writing system. Over the years, the system developed into different forms，as it was a time when people were divided geographically,    3    (lead) to many varieties of dialects characters. This,    4    , changed under the rule of Emperor Qinshihuang of the Qin Dynasty.

Emperor Qinshihuang made the seven major states into one    5    ( unite) country where the Chinese writing system began to develop in one direction. That writing system was    6    great importance in uniting the Chinese people and culture. Even today, no matter where Chinese people live or    7    dialect they speak, they can all still communicate    8    (easy) in writing.

Written Chinese has also become an important means by    9    China’s present is connected with its past. People in modern times can read the classic    10    (work) which were written by Chinese in ancient times. The high regard for the Chinese writing system can be seen in the development of Chinese characters as an art form, known as Chinese calligraphy, which has become an important part of Chinese culture.