In China, the history of people planting and using bamboo can date back to as far as 7000 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 distinguished men, bamboo is a symbol of goodness and honesty. It is always closely related to people of positive spirits. Influenced by bamboo culture, many people are taught to hold on when {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (face) tough situations.

    In order to know a foreign language thoroughly, four things are necessary. Firstly, we must understand the language when we hear{#blank#}1{#/blank#}spoken. Secondly, we must be able to speak it correctly with confidence and without hesitation.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} (three), we must be able to read the language, and fourthly, we must be able to write it. We must be able to make sentences that are grammatically correct.

There is no easy way to success {#blank#}3{#/blank#}language learning. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}good memory is of great help, but it is not enough only {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(memorize) rules from a grammar book. It is not much use learning by heart long a list of words and {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(they) meaning, studying the dictionary and so on. We must learn by using the language. If we{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(satisfy) with only a few rules we have memorized, we are not really learning the language. ＂Learn through use＂ is a good piece of {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(advise) for those {#blank#}9{#/blank#}are studying a new language. Practice is important. We must practice speaking and {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(write) the language whenever we can.

    Beijing Opera roles require performers to paint {#blank#}1{#/blank#}( they) faces in patterns and colours to suggest different character types and{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(quality).

    In Beijing Opera, facial painting can be quite complex(复杂的). However, in the {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(begin), only three colours{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(use)-red, white and black. Now, many other colours, such {#blank#}5{#/blank#}yellow, purple, blue and green, are used for facial painting.

    Red is a colour for{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(brave) and loyalty. Guan Yu, a general from the Three Kingdoms Period(AD 220-280) is a good example of this kind of character. He is famous {#blank#}7{#/blank#}being very loyal to his emperor, Liu bei.

    White means all{#blank#}8{#/blank#}is bad in human nature. One of the typical white-faced characters is Cao Cao, a{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (power) and cruel prime minister from the Three Kingdoms Period.

    Black face paint is {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(usual) used for someone who is fierce and violent. One typical example is General Zhang Fei from the classic novel, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

    All these different colours are used in Beijing Opera facial painting to show a clear picture of each character.

    Coffee bars, live music, cinemas and shopping malls—Chinese cities offer everything that a young person might want. But there are many young people who hardly have time to enjoy these things. That's because they follow what is called the "996" work schedule (时间表) {#blank#}1{#/blank#} at 9 am and finishing at 9 pm, six days a week.

    The "996" work schedule has recently become a hot topic of discussion online after a computer programmer set up a website called "996.ICU". According to the website, working a "996" schedule {#blank#}2{#/blank#} enough rest is unhealthy and could cause people to end up in an intensive care unit (ICU,重症监护病房). This work schedule is now widely used at Chinese tech companies like Baidu, Alibaba and Huawei, New York Times reported. It causes many tech industry workers to complain. One worker from Baidu company said, "I know I am not the {#blank#}3{#/blank#} worker who works overtime I have worked ‘996' for nine months and I haven't received any overtime pay. It's unfair though quite common." Another worker named Zhang told Quartz, "I can't sleep well and become ill because of the great pressure. I feel really tired, so I am considering giving up this job and looking for {#blank#}4{#/blank#}."

    However, the bosses of some tech companies have supported "996". Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, said it's "a huge treasure" for young workers to work "996". "If you don't put more time and energy than others, how will you achieve the success you want? If you don't work ‘996' when you're young, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} will you?" he said.

    Many have questioned Ma's words. In a passage in People's Daily, one writer said "Working ‘996' is just working overtime. However, working overtime does not {#blank#}6{#/blank#} working hard. Working hard requires efforts and working wisely and effectively."

    A lawyer called Cui Zhendong told China Daily that it is against the {#blank#}7{#/blank#} to use a compulsory (强制的) "996" work schedule. China's Labor Law clearly announces that workers should work no more than eight hours a day {#blank#}8{#/blank#} more than forty-four hours a week.

The custom of celebrating the Spring Festival with fireworks continued every lunar year in cities and villages. People took it for granted though they could {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(occasion) lead to deaths. In populated downtown areas, {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(dead) injuries and damage to properties(财物) {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(be) severe during the holiday season. In 1993, the government banned {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(they) inside the Fifth Ring Road. In 2005, with public opinion strongly calling for preserving the tradition of fireworks during the Spring Festival, the government gave the green light to fireworks downtown. This situation continued for several years. But from 2011, the public started to have more awareness {#blank#}5{#/blank#}air quality. The year 2017 saw a decisive result in the battle between fireworks and the public demand for blue skies. {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(tear) between traditional fun and clear air, the public voted for the latter. After 12 years of being allowed in the downtown areas, fireworks were once again banned.

How fireworks faded out of the festive life in Beijing is a {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(reflect) of what happened across the nation. {#blank#}8{#/blank#}China experiences rapid development and people enjoy better lives, tradition changes along with time. The 2019 Spring Festival ended on a note of peace and serenity. Fireworks have stopped being {#blank#}9{#/blank#}essential part of the celebration and become a fading memory, {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(give) way to safer streets, cleaner air and better sleep.