Before paper was invented, people wrote or drew on materials such as bamboo, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} /sɪlk/, animal hide, and wooden blocks. Writing materials were {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (real) expensive and few people learned to read. Therefore, few people wrote. This all changed, thanks {#blank#}3{#/blank#} an man named Cai Lun.

    Paper had already existed (存在) in China , but the process for {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (produce) it was difficult and the paper was of low quality. Cai Lun began experimenting (试验) with many different materials and different {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (method) to turn those materials into paper. In the year 105, he made it from tree bark, bamboo, cloth rags, and fishing nets. His paper was {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (strong) and cheaper than any paper that had been made before.

    With Cai Lun's papermaking method, Chinese culture {#blank#}7{#/blank#} /ɡruː/ more rapidly over the next several centuries. That's because ideas were much easier to share {#blank#}8{#/blank#} more people learned to read. The use of paper spread abroad, helping {#blank#}9{#/blank#} /'ʌðə/ cultures record and spread their ideas. Today, Cai Lun is considered a national hero in China. But {#blank#}10{#/blank#} whole world should remember the clever Chinese papermaker forever.