In China, the history of people planting and using bamboo can date back to as far as 7,000 years. As early as the Shang Dynasty, bamboo was being used in ancient people's daily lives. It was used for food, clothing, housing, transportation, {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(music) instruments and even weapons.

    The {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(apply) of bamboo in science and technology is thrilling. In 251 BC, Li Bing, in Sichuan, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(lead) the local people in building the Dujiang Weirs(都江堰), the first irrigation network in the world, in which bamboo played {#blank#}4{#/blank#} important role. The world's oldest water pipe was also {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(make) of bamboo. During the Han Dynasty, the people in Sichuan {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(success) sank a 1600-metre-deep well with thick bamboo ropes. This technology did not spread to Europe {#blank#}7{#/blank#} the 19^th century, and it was by using the technology {#blank#}8{#/blank#} the Americans drilled the first oil well in Pennsylvania in 1859.

    In Chinese culture, bamboo is well-known as {#blank#}9{#/blank#} of the “four gentlemen” in plants. To many famous men, bamboo is a symbol of goodness and honesty. It is always closely related to people of positive spirits. Bamboo culture contributes to encouraging people to hold on when {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(face) tough situations.

    Strange things appeared before the Tangshan earthquake happened. For three days the water in the village wells {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(rise) and fell. The well walls had deep cracks in them. A smelly gas came out of the cracks. Some animals including fish, {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(mouse) behaved strangely. Other strange things also happened in the city, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} people thought little of these events and they slept as usual.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (final) a terrible earthquake hit the city of Tangshan on July 28, 1976, in which more than 240,000 people died and many {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(injure). Many houses fell down and sand filled the wells instead of water. People were greatly shocked. All the electricity in the city was cut off and people began {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (wonder) how long the disaster would last. The whole city was completely destroyed and the world seemed to be {#blank#}7{#/blank#}an end. It was one of the most destructive earthquakes ever, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} shocked the whole nation.

    However, the people of Tangshan didn't lose hope because 150,000 soldiers were sent to help the rescue workers. The soldiers tried their best to dig out those {#blank#}9{#/blank#} were trapped. They also built shelters for the {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (survive). Fresh water was taken to the city by every means. Slowly, the city began to come back to life.

    Talent shows are getting increasingly popular among China's national and local TV programs nowadays. They help some ordinary people. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} performance talent realize their dreams. Some of them even can become stars overnight. Even if they could not become famous, the whole progress can also enrich their life experience, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} can make their life more colorful.

    What's more, with people's life getting better and better, more and more people are not {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (satisfy) by only material conditions. They are seeking for spiritual and {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (culture) activities. At this time Talent Show Programs catch their attention and bring them pleasure and fun.

    However, every coin has two {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (side). Though talent show programs {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (true) bring us lots of pleasure, they have caused many negative effects, especially on {#blank#}7{#/blank#} youth. For example, many students have spent too much time and money {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (watch) various programs, which {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (effect) seriously their studies. What's more, the programs give them illusion that everyone can be famous overnight.

    All in all, we cannot live without amusement. As long as the talent show could entertain and inspirit {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (we), there is great sense to encourage them.

    Beijing's {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (forbid)City—traditionally off-limits at night for anyone except emperors—was lit up with lanterns after dark Tuesday as China {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (celebrate)the end of the Lunar New Year holiday.

    The palace complex, home to Chinese emperors for five centuries, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (usual)closes by 5 p.m. though some distinguished guests have been taken {#blank#}4{#/blank#} after dark on occasion. It was opened at night for the first time since its rebirth as the Palace Museum 94 years ago.

    The palace walls were brightened with red Chinese lanterns—designed to recreate the {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(feel)of the royal court of old—and {#blank#}6{#/blank#} light show lit up the complex while the China National Traditional Orchestra and the Peking Opera performed. An image of a treasured picture called “A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains” was beamed onto the palace roof.

    People rushed to get free {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (ticket)online, for the rare night-time opening, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} were snapped up within minutes.

    “Creativity makes the 600-year-old palace younger and draws traditional culture{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(close)to the public, ”said the People's Daily. The Palace Museum is now on a campaign {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(attract)even more visitors.

Is Hothouse Earth Avoidable?

    Nearly 50 years ago, the Club of Rome's report "Limits to Growth" warned that if economic growth continued fast without regard for the environment, the world could face ecological and economic collapse in the twenty-first century. Yet that is essentially {#blank#}1{#/blank#} has happened. As new research for the Club of Rome shows — and the latest report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states — the world {#blank#}2{#/blank#} well be headed towards disaster.

    Many wrongly {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(interpret) the "Limits to Growth" as an attack on uncontrolled economic expansion. In fact, the report argued that {#blank#}4{#/blank#} the unlimited-growth pathway was chosen, it would require complementary policies (including funding) {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (preserve) the planet's limited life-support systems.

    This argument {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (ignore). Instead, the world has continued to pursue fast growth, without regard for the environmental consequences. This has enabled us to make enormous progress in reducing poverty, increasing longevity, and increasing wealth. {#blank#}7{#/blank#} it has come at a high cost to the formation of the society and the restoration of the planet.

    As scientists have conclusively shown, in the last decade, we have entered a new geological era, the Anthropocene, in which human activity — in particular, economic activity — has been the dominant factor {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(influence) Earth's climate and environment. In the Anthropocene, our planet's life-support system is changing faster than ever.

Climate change now represents a clear and present danger. If our planet becomes just 2℃ warmer than pre-industrial temperatures, we may be placed irreversibly on the path toward "Hothouse Earth" — a situation {#blank#}9{#/blank#} temperatures are many degrees warmer than today, sea levels are considerably higher, and extreme weather events are {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(common) — and more destructive — than ever.