The art of paper-cutting in China may date back to the second century, since paper{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(invent)by Cai Lun in the Eastern Han Dynasty in China. As paper became more affordable, paper0cutting became one of the most important{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(type) of Chinese folk art. Later,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} different regions adopting their own cultural styles, this art form spread to other parts of the world.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (usual), the artworks are made of red paper, as red is associated with{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(happy) in Chinese culture, but other colors are also used.

    With{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(it) long history, paper-cutting,{#blank#}7{#/blank#}originated in China, has been very popular among the ordinary Chinese people. People put up papercuts on walls, windows and doors at wedding ceremonies or festivals {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(strengthen) the cheerful atmosphere.

    Chinese papercuts are rich in content. The auspicious（吉祥的）designs symbolize good luck and the avoidance of evil. The child, lotus and bat designs suggest a family with{#blank#}9{#/blank#}large number of children and grandchildren. Birds, livestock, fruit, fish and worms are also familiar objects{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(accept) by Chinese farmers. In a word, papercuts used in different occasions have different meanings.

    There's no place in the world like Venice, Italy. Situated in the Adratic Sea ,the city of Water is made up of 118 tiny islands. However, it{#blank#}1{#/blank#} (be) in danger of sinking now. Because{#blank#}2{#/blank#}city was built on soft soil, it has been sinking under the pressure of its own weight. Scientists say that Venice sinks{#blank#}3{#/blank#} a rate of nearly two inches every 100 years. Mean while, rising sea levels could make Venice go under even faster. Earth's temperature is slowly increasing,{#blank#}4{#/blank#} is causing sea ice to melt and makes the world's waters rise.

    Experts{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(rush) to save Venice now because of its rich culture. ¨Many famous artists and opera singers have come from Venice. Some of the world's greatest{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(paint) can be found on the city's museum walls," explains Melissa Conn.

    {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(keep) the city afloat, experts want to pump about 40 billion gallons of sea water beneath Venice. While scientists work to get their plan  {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(approve), people in Venice live their normal life. When the tide rolls in the locals have ways of keeping everyone dry. Café owners move tables to{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(high) ground, and hotels pass out high boots to guests.{#blank#}10{#/blank#} ( fortune) ,dealing with the rising water does not make the natives discouraged.

    China is a big old country，{#blank#}1{#/blank#} has a history of more than five thousand years. We are proud of {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(it) culture and part of the culture even influences the world {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (great), for example, the thought of Confucius(孔子). As Chinese economy develops very fast and plays {#blank#}4{#/blank#} important role in the world, more and more {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (foreign) learn Mandarin (普通话) in Confucius institutions. The Chinese traditional culture can be tested by the time. It unites the whole nation and no matter {#blank#}6{#/blank#} kind of disaster comes, we will fight together for the country's future. Today, many young people lose faith in traditional culture and they are crazy {#blank#}7{#/blank#} the western culture. They follow the western fashion, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (think) we are the old style. But some day, they {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(realize) they are wrong {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(ignore) traditional culture.

    Many people keep small fish {#blank#}1{#/blank#} pets. They keep them in a tank (鱼缸) of water. The tank {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (make) of glass. People can look through it. They can see inside the tank and watch the fish.

    The fish need room. They mustn't be crowded. They need oxygen {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (breath). There must be enough water for all fish. So the size of the tank is very {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (importance).

    In the tank people put small plants {#blank#}5{#/blank#} are good for fish. They give oxygen to the water. Plants help in other ways, too. They can hide {#blank#}6{#/blank#} the plants and sleep, lay eggs there.

    The fish should {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (keep) in water all the time. Some can jump high. So the tank should be covered. This keeps the fish from {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (jump) out.

    The fish need food and should be fed every day. But if you give them too much food, it is very bad, for the extra food {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (fall) to the bottom and make the water dirty. So the fish should get just enough food and finish {#blank#}10{#/blank#} in ten minutes. Nothing should be left.

    Felicity Miller, a 32-year-old British woman, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} has a Chinese husband, still remembers the {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (excite) when she first learned to use the "red packet" function on WeChat in 2015. She sent and grabbed some red packets in her Chinese family's group. The rule in her family was that the person who grabbed the {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (high) amount sent the next.

    Attracted by the unique way of communicating, many foreigners {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (join) in sending and grabbing red packets so far. Usually, the money in each packet is random. Thus the amount of money one can grab {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (large) depends on his or her luck, from 0.01 yuan to less than 200 yuan. Many foreigners get more familiar {#blank#}6{#/blank#} Chinese culture through "red packets". Two years ago, when Felicity Miller was sent 5.20 or 8.88 yuan red packets, she had no clue about the {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (hide) meanings. Now, she has not only known about {#blank#}8{#/blank#}, but also has sent a few.

    However, the popularity of virtual red packets doesn't stop people sending paper red packets {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (contain) real cash during the Spring Festival. It is called lucky money. In Chinese tradition, people take giving children lucky money as {#blank#}10{#/blank#} blessing.