Home of the copper drum

    Hechi's copper drum culture goes back as far as the Han Dynasty (206 BC—AD 220){#blank#}1{#/blank#} the people living in the area considered copper drums sacred and Hechi is still one of China's {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(large) copper drum sites. A 2003 survey by cultural heritage departments{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (find) more than 1, 400 copper drums in the area, with at least 1,300 copper drums {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (be) used by local folk artists. In this way, ethnic groups in Hechi have produced a{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (unique) rich and diverse cultural form and customs for festivals, weddings, celebrations, funerals, and religious {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (activity) of local people, with ballads and for rice-planting and frogs. That same year, a copper drum conservation project along the Hongshui River basin joined the Culture Ministry's Top 10 conservation project list for ethnic and folk cultures.

    In 2006, the Zhuang People's Copper Drum Practices{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(add) to the national cultural heritage list by the State Council. In 2008, the Culture Ministry declared Donglan county and{#blank#}8{#/blank#}city of Hechi the “Home of Chinese Copper Drum Art”{#blank#}9{#/blank#} in 2009, its “Copper Drum Practice” became a candidate for the Human Cultural Heritage. There are now more than 2,400 copper drums in the world, at least 1,400 of {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (they) in Hechi, making it a Copper Drum Cultural and Ecological Reserve with recognition across Guangxi.

In 1990, over 100 countries signed {#blank#}1{#/blank#} international agreement to make it illegal to buy or sell ivory, which is mainly used for jewelry. Most ivory is made from the tusks(象牙) of African elephants. These tusks are {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(terrible) valuable—one pair is worth more than three times the income of an African farmer or a factory worker in a year.

    Hunting elephants was so profitable {#blank#}3{#/blank#}from 1979 to 1989 the number of elephants in Africa fell from 1.3 million to 600,000. It was feared that by the year 2020 there would be none {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(leave). However, thanks{#blank#}5{#/blank#} the international agreement, there {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(be) much less illegal hunting since 1990.

    But considering {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(vary) of aspects, it costs a lot of money to preserve elephants. Games wardens (看守人) must be hired to protect them. Land must be set aside for them, and when they destroy a farmer's crops, the farmer must {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(pay) compensation.(赔偿金)

    Zimbabwe and four other African countries say that some of the elephants should be killed legally. This would help keep the population stable, and selling the ivory would help pay for preserving the elephants. But conservationists say that {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(make) ivory legal to sell would lead to even more illegal hunting. Others say {#blank#}10{#/blank#}is wrong is to kill elephants because they are sensitive animals that feel emotional pain at the death of other elephants.

    A month ago, Gary, a university student, was interviewed by two famous{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(company). Unfortunately, he{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(refuse). The reason is that he has no work experience. As we all know, most young people who have just{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(graduate) from university and that they, too, meet{#blank#}4{#/blank#} same problem. I think students should make a good understanding of companies {#blank#}5{#/blank#}big companies are afraid that new employees without experience are not likely to do the job well. So in order to win the employers' trust and to make {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(they) find good jobs easily, university graduates should do some part-time jobs{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(get) rich work experience before graduating. {#blank#}8{#/blank#}the same time they have to learn how to get along well with others. By {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (do) this they can put their knowledge into social practice and can touch society earlier. I am sure that part-time jobs can make the graduates be qualified for many well-paid jobs {#blank#}10{#/blank#}they desire.

    Nowadays, millions {#blank#}1{#/blank#} lonely singles are now going online instead. The World Wide Web is quickly becoming{#blank#}2{#/blank#} world's most popular matchmaker(媒人).

    Singles are flocking(涌向) to the Internet {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (main) because their busy lifestyles leave them little time to look for a significant other. Using dating sites(约会网址) is quick and convenient. Many singles say the regular dating scene {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (lead) them from one bad experience to {#blank#}5{#/blank#} and are ready to try something else. Dating sites also make {#blank#}6{#/blank#} easy to avoid someone {#blank#}7{#/blank#} you are not interested in. In the real world, {#blank#}8{#/blank#}, ignoring someone you don't like can be difficult.

    Despite all the advantages, online dating also presents its own set of problems. People aren't always those who they declare to be in their online {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (describe). Safety is another concern. You are just {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (like) to find a criminal online as you are Mr. Or Miss Right.