The Great Wall of China is one of the greatest wonders of the world. With a history of more than 2,000 years, some parts of the Great Wall have disappeared. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}, it isstill a very popular place of interest.

It is the {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (long) wall ever built. It's from Shanhaiguan on the east coast to Gansu Province {#blank#}3{#/blank#} the northwest of China, It is about 8 meters high. The top is 8 meters wide {#blank#}4{#/blank#} it gets even wider towards the bottom where it is 15 meters. It is {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (make) of stone and brick. The top is hard enough for men on horseback to ride on. The wall was built by hand and it took {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (hundred) of years to finish.

No one knows {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (exact) when the building of the Great Wall was started. It is believed that the wall was built {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (protect) parts of the country during the Zhou Dynasty. Emperor Qin Shi Huang joined the separate walls built by the Qin, Yan and Zhao Kingdoms. The wall was not only for protection in the north, it was also a symbol of {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (China) ancient civilization(文明).

    Today, many of the visitors go to see the wall. {#blank#}10{#/blank#} they stand on top of a tower and look down on this wall, they can't help (禁不住) saying," Wow, that's fantastic!"

    Long long ago, there was a small village in the Middle East. In the village there was {#blank#}1{#/blank#} old man called Sthira. He lived by himself. His only son had gone far away to study. Sthira's friends {#blank#}2{#/blank#} ( wonder) whether his son would return, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Sthira always said, "Whatever happens, happens for good.＂

    One day the old man's son returned and the villagers were very happy for Sthira. He thanked the villagers and said {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (polite),"Whatever happens, happens for good.＂However, later, Sthira's son broke his {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Once again the villagers came to visit him and once again the old man thanked {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (they) and said, "Whatever happens, happens for good."Some of the villagers were surprised {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (hear) this. Why? What was good? His son's leg got badly hurt!

    After a few days, the army came to the village and forced all the young men to {#blank#}8{#/blank#} the army. When they found his son had a {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (break) leg, they left him behind. Once again, all the villagers came to congratulate him on his {#blank#}10{#/blank#} luck. like always, the old man was still thankful to them and said.＂Whatever happens, happens for good.＂