Do you have any idea of New Year paintings? Also {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(know) as "paper paintings" and "painted pictures", New Year paintings are a unique art form in Chinese folk culture. Without New Year paintings, our traditional Chinese folk culture {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(be) much less colorful. The paintings get such a name because they are {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(most) posted during the Chinese New Year holiday for decoration and they are also accepted {#blank#}4{#/blank#} a symbol of New Year's greetings.

    New Year paintings {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(appear) around the Tang dynasty, replacing the previous door pictures believed to be able to protect the residents and drive away ghosts. The New Year paintings {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(belong) to the Song dynasty were created on a large scale. With the advancement of printing technology, the content and forms of New Year paintings became {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(vary). The development of the paintings matured in the Ming and Qing dynasties, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} the art hit its heyday(全盛期).

    Traditional printing {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(method) of New Year paintings include woodblock printing, stone-block printing, offset(胶印) printing, traditional Chinese painting, watercolor painting and sketches etc. Woodblock-printed New Year paintings are the most popular and interesting {#blank#}10{#/blank#}, according to a recent survey.

    Lake Titicaca, a famous lake in South America, lies on the border between Bolivia and Peru. But the lives of the ancient people, who once lived around the lake and {#blank#}1{#/blank#} culture was thought to be highly developed, have long remained a secret. Recently, however, scientists {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(take) part in an exploration project at the lake have found {#blank#}3{#/blank#} 1000-year-old temple beneath the water.

    Divers from the study group have discovered a building that scientists think is the remains of a temple {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(build) by the people who once lived beside the lake. The project leaders hope to begin raising {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(value) materials from the site later this week {#blank#}6{#/blank#} bad weather forces a change in their plans.

    "The scientists have not yet had the chance to study the materials {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(careful)," said the project {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(found), John Aubi. "But some have put forward the idea that the remains date from this period because they are similar {#blank#}9{#/blank#} those found elsewhere."

    So far, they {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(make) more than 200 dives into water 30 metres deep. During these dives, they have been recording the ancient remains on film. There will be a meeting, starting later this year to review the film.

    Just now, I entered the website "Topic for Today". I feel{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(interest) in the report on middle school students' using cell-phones on campus. In fact，more students now come to school{#blank#}2{#/blank#} cell-phones. My schoolmates have different opinions. Some think{#blank#}3{#/blank#}is convenient to get in touch with others with the cell-phone,{#blank#}4{#/blank#}also makes them feel safe especially in time of trouble. Besides，it is nice to enjoy{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(variety) functions of different cell-phones.

    Others think differently. First，the cell-phone is not{#blank#}6{#/blank#}must in school，as there are some IC phones there,{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(make) it easy to call others. Second, many students often play e-games and send{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(message) with their cell-phones, even in class, which will surely have bad effects on their study. What's more, a large amount of time and money will{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(waste).In my opinion, the cell-phone is a useful tool in our daily life. But it doesn't mean we can use it {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(free) in school.

    A few months after returning the US from Germany, I took part in a college course in French. Since I had learned to speak German good in Germany, I thought that it might be interested to begin studying another language.

    Communicating with the old can be challenging, especially when considering the fact {#blank#}1{#/blank#} their abilities are failing.

    First of all, you are {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (suppose) to respect the old's thoughts, backgrounds and life experience. Do not correct their opinions even when you can't reach any {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(agree). And when old people are talking, listen {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(careful). Let them finish because letting them express their thoughts and emotions {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(be) important.

    When you're together with them, try to know if they would like {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(chat) or be quiet. And when you feel they want to be quiet, just be there, because{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(spend) time with them is as important as talking to them or cheering them up.

    As communication with old people can be difficult, it is {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(importance) to be always patient. When you are explaining something {#blank#}9{#/blank#} them, you should remain patient when they ask you to repeat yourself. Try using gestures while you talk with them, or write down what you want to say when {#blank#}10{#/blank#}is necessary.