Traditional Chinese wedding

    Traditional Chinese wedding customs are considered as the foundation of rites in traditional Chinese culture. Although varying from region to region and time to time，they have been holding an essential position in the lives of Chinese people，{#blank#}1{#/blank#}（cause） a far-reaching impact on the way the Chinese lead their lives．The traditional Chinese marriage usually {#blank#}2{#/blank#} （involve） some necessary procedures，such as match-making，engagement，meeting the bride，and three bows．{#blank#}3{#/blank#} addition，a typical Chinese wedding nowadays goes like this：when a new couple is engaged，{#blank#}4{#/blank#} follows is a {#blank#}5{#/blank#} （choose） of the date of their marriage．

    Most people would favor a bank holiday or special Chinese festival for their relatives and friends {#blank#}6{#/blank#} （attend） the wedding．However，quite a few others，especially{#blank#}7{#/blank#}are in the countryside，would fix a lucky date so that their marriage would have "Double Happiness"．The wedding ceremony is usually hosted {#blank#}8{#/blank#} （warm），and the wedding ceremony very often ends with {#blank#}9{#/blank#} unique banquet．Toasts are made to wish the new couple long life，everlasting love and happiness，early birth of a {#blank#}10{#/blank#}（health） baby and so on．

    This year I was chosen as the vice monitor (副班长) of the class. At first, I was really excited to have been chosen. And I like the monitor, Charlie as well,{#blank#}1{#/blank#} has a funny face but works very hard.

    My best friend, Sally, was also happy for me. She said the last vice monitor, Joey, had been very rude and {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (kind) to her. She always talked about it, but I usually {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (ignore) it.

    Charlie and I have to stay behind after school to make sure the classroom is clean. I came back before Charlie last Thursday. I found Sally at Joey's desk {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (cut) up Joey's English textbook. I was {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (extreme) shocked. Sally asked me not to tell anyone. After that, she ran out and Charlie came in.

    Charlie saw the book and soon realized {#blank#}6{#/blank#} had happened. He asked me what I had seen but I said {#blank#}7{#/blank#}. The next day, Joey was crying. She was {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (frighten) to tell our teacher because he may think she did it. Sally is happy about this. This makes me angry. Charlie insists that I {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (tell) our teacher the truth, but I am concerned {#blank#}10{#/blank#} the friendship with Sally. What should I do?

    Shadow play has a long history and is {#blank#}1{#/blank#} unique kind of art form. It is performed {#blank#}2{#/blank#} sending shadows of puppets (木偶) on a piece of white cloth. The puppets made of leather (皮革) {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (paint) in very bright colours, so that the shadows they make are very {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (colour).

    The players stand behind the cloth and move the puppets against strong light when {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (show) a shadow play, and the shadows of the puppets fall on the cloth. At the same time, the players talk or sing, telling a story with {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (music) playing the drums and other instruments, such as erhu, sanxian, sheng, etc. People on the other side of the cloth can see the shadows of the puppets do all kinds of movements. It's just like the movie today.

    Shadow play started in the Han dynasty. {#blank#}7{#/blank#} is said that Emperor Wu of Han was sad and didn't want to do anything because one of his favourite wives died. {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (cheer) him up, his officer made a puppet like the emperor's dead wife with leather. He moved it and made it {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (act) behind a piece of cloth. The emperor enjoyed it very much. After that, shadow play became {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (popular) known in China.

    The moment I was diagnosed with cancer, I decided that I would not let this "beast" win easily. I had no idea {#blank#}1{#/blank#} my treatment would be like, and I surely didn't think social media would be a way for me to conquer this "beast". However, by sharing{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(feel) on the Internet, I am able to remind myself, and my viewers, that everything is going to be okay. Their words are a big part of what helped me stay{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(hope). Besides, I have made several "cancer friends" so far, and we're determined to fight this battle together.

Brown: When are you the happiest?

Angelia: I think I'm the happiest when I'm singing. I love singing so much. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} I sing I feel free. How about you?

Brown: I'm the {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (happy) when I play basketball. When I'm playing basketball I'm not thinking about anything. When I {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (play) basketball, everything is simple. What else do you love?

Angelia: I love my family, especially my grandmother who is so kind and always wants to help others. When I'm {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (worry) she always tells me stories to make me laugh.

Brown: Yes, I also love my family very much. My parents make every {#blank#}5{#/blank#} to make me happy. {#blank#}6{#/blank#}, I will always love them and take care of them.

Angelia: What do you hate?

Brown: I hate wars and fighting. In history we learn about many wars, and {#blank#}7{#/blank#} make me angry. I think people {#blank#}8{#/blank#} be kind to each other and not fight with each other. What about you?

Angelia: I hate {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (feel) sick. When I'm sick I feel helpless, and I can't do {#blank#}10{#/blank#} activities I enjoy or spend time with my friends.

    Many Americans put away their white clothes on Labor Day {#blank#}1{#/blank#} do not wear them again until the following May.

    One reason for the clothing custom relates to the season. In the United States, the {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (month) between June and September are summer. The weather is usually hot in northeastern cities. Many people there historically wore light-colored clothing in the summertime {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (keep) cool.

    Judith Martin is an expert on manners, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} spoke to Time Magazine about the history of wearing white in summer. She said Americans in the 1800s and early 1900s wore formal clothes all year long. Wearing white clothes in the summertime may make people more {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (comfort). Then, in about the 1930s, wearing white clothes in the summertime became fashionable. That is because some wealthy Americans went on vacation {#blank#}6{#/blank#} weeks or months in the summer. The white clothes then became connected with ease, {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (beautiful) and money. But at the end of summer, they put those white clothes away and {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (return) to their lives in the city, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (wear) darker and heavier clothes. {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (eventual), not wearing white clothes after Labor Day became a bit of a fashion rule.