China's Tea Villages

    In most Chinese tea villages, March is the time of year in {#blank#}1{#/blank#} locals start to pick and process tea. The usually quiet villages suddenly become busy centers of activity, as people take out special tools and prepare {#blank#}2{#/blank#} tea processing. In some villages, local residents hold traditional ceremonies,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (thank) heaven for its blessing. The price of tea {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(pick) in March is extremely high because {#blank#}5{#/blank#}is fresh, tender and contains multiple trace elements.

    China {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(be) famous for tea production since ancient times. Of the goods transported and traded along {#blank#}7{#/blank#}Old Silk Road linking China to the Middle East and Europe, the importance of tea was matched only by silk. China produces Oolong, black, green, white, yellow {#blank#}8{#/blank#}dark (aka post-fermented) tea. The Oolong, green and black {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(vary)are most notable for their high quality.

    Most of China's tea villages are found in remote mountainous areas in the country's south and southwest,{#blank#}10{#/blank#} the beautiful scenery is often hidden under clouds.

    Easter Island, or Rapu Nui as it is known {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (local), is home­ to several hundred ancient human statues. After this remote Pacific island was settled by the Polynesians(波利尼西亚人), it remained {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(abandon) for centuries. All the resources that went into the statues, some of {#blank#}3{#/blank#}are ten metres tall and weigh over 7,000 kilos , came from the Island itself . Yet when Dutch adventurers landed in 1722, they met a Stone Age culture. The statues {#blank#}4{#/blank#}（carve）with stones tools, then transported for many kilometers, without the use of animals or wheels, {#blank#}5{#/blank#}the large stone platforms. The identity of the statues builders was in doubt until well into {#blank#}6{#/blank#}twentieth century. Thor Heyerdahl, the Norwegian {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(explore) , thought the statues had been created by the people from Peru. Bestselling Swiss author Erich Daniken believed they were built by aliens.Local folklore（民俗） believ Modern science has proved that the statues builders were Polynesians, but not proved {#blank#}8{#/blank#} they moved their creations. that the statues walked there {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(they), while researchers have tended to assume the ancestors dragged the statues there, {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(use) ropes and logs.

    When I was a kid, Mom used to cook food for us. One night after {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (spend) a long hard day at work, Mom placed a plate of bread jam and {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (extreme) burnt toast（烤面包） in front of my dad, I was waiting {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (see) if he noticed it. However, while eating his toast. Dad just asked me {#blank#}4{#/blank#} my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night,{#blank#}5{#/blank#} I do remember I heard Mom apologizing to Dad for burning the toast. I'll never forget what Dad said, “Honey, I love burnt toast.”

    Later that night, I {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (go) to kiss Daddy good night and asked him if he really liked his toast burned. He gave me {#blank#}7{#/blank#} big hug and said, “Your mamma put in a long hard day at work today, really {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (tire). Besides, a burnt toast never hurts but cold words do!”

    What I've learned over the years {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (be) that learning to accept each other's faults is one of the most important {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (key) to creating a healthy, growing and lasting relationship.

    When I was 14 years old, my best friend {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (drag) me to an after-school dance class, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} I enjoyed so much that I have been dancing ever since. After every dance class, however, I always have to stretch out my legs and back! It feels like as much exercise as {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (go) to the gym—but dancing is not {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (wide) considered to be a sport.

    Many dancers would argue that dancing is a sport, as it requires strong muscles and impressive flexibility. No matter what style of dance you are participating in, you will always be using all of {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (you) muscles while dancing and this can often be for several hours a day.

    On {#blank#}6{#/blank#} other hand, many people argue that dance is an art form. Dances often exhibit emotion (情感), tell {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (story), etc. Dancing to music is creative and visually appealing to the eyes and ears, just like watching a play or a(n) {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (profession) band. The shining costumes, the stage make-up and the big hairstyles are artistic and imaginative.

    However, whether you consider dance to be an art {#blank#}9{#/blank#} a sport, the important thing is to enjoy it! Dancing is a great way {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (make) new friends and exercise!

    Students at a primary school in Hangzhou had their first class {#blank#}1{#/blank#} March 1st on movable type. This is {#blank#}2{#/blank#} ancient Chinese printing system.

    The West Lake Primary School in Zhejiang Province has introduced the course in the new term. An expert in Chinese characters culture has been invited to the campus,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} major responsibility is to teach students how {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (use) the ancient printing technology. Students attend lectures on the history of movable type along with {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (interest) classes on typesetting and printing. They then print their own document, {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (apply) the knowledge they've learned. One student printed her {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (new) written essay "Whether the traditional red envelopes kids receive belong to them or their parents?"

    {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (know) as one of the four great inventions of ancient China, movable type printing {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (invent) by Bi Sheng in the 1040s during the Song Dynasty, and it is the world's first system of movable type printing.

    The school said the course is aimed at improving the students' awareness of Chinese characters and their {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (appreciate) of Chinese culture.