Long ago there was a poor farmer called Fred. Fred and his wife Doris lived {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(happy) together in their small old house. One winter night, the Luck Fairy visited {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    “Fred, you're a good farmer. I'd like to give you a wish,” said the Luck Fairy.

    “A wish?” said Fred.

    Fred and Doris smiled {#blank#}3{#/blank#}each other. Then Fred said, “Thank you, Luck Fairy. We're very healthy and happy.”

    “You work very hard {#blank#}4{#/blank#}you make very little money. Would you like some gold coins?” asked the Luck Fairy.

    “We're poor, but we have enough food {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(eat).” replied Fred.

    “You can use the gold coin to buy {#blank#}6{#/blank#}clothes. The winter here is very cold,” said Luck Fairy.

    “{#blank#}7{#/blank#} we haven't got many clothes, we've got enough.” said Doris.

    “Well, what about {#blank#}8{#/blank#}nice new house?” asked Luck Fairy.

    “Thank you, but I love my small old house very much. I {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(live) here since I was born. We don't need a new house,” said Fred.

    “You're quite different {#blank#}10{#/blank#}others. I like you very much,” said the Luck Fairy. “I wish you happy forever.” Then the Luck Fairy disappeared and never came back.

    Chinese brush calligraphy or “shufa” in Chinese is one of{#blank#}1{#/blank#} most important art forms in China. Many Asian cultures have originated their own calligraphy styles, but China's is unequaled because of {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(it) beauty, grace (优雅), and history.

    The {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (origin) of Chinese brush calligraphy are unknown, but local tales say it goes back over 4,000 years to the time of the legendary (传说的) Yellow Emperor (2698-2598 B.C.). At that time characters were carved on animal bones or tortoise shells. Only after Emperor Qin Shi Huang united China under his rule {#blank#}4{#/blank#} one country did it really gain popularity as a common art form.

    He simplified Chinese characters and regular rules were set,{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (make) it easier for people to learn and master. This Chinese art form continued to progress and during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) a new type of cursive script (草书) was formed and standardized. It is written {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(free), but it's not as easy to read.

    Today Chinese calligraphy is once again a subject in schools and an art form highly {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(appreciate) across the world. Anyone can practice it and{#blank#}8{#/blank#} is required is a simple set including: brush, ink, and paper. It's fun for amateurs to try, but to become good at it, not only years of practice but natural talent {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (need). Practising this art consistently can develop personal character and is of {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (benefit) to health.

    Small talk is the short conversations we have at parties, while we wait in line at the store, at family events or work. Sometimes we make small talk with people we already know but not well. Often we have to make small talk with complete strangers. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Here are some tips to improve your small-talking ability.

    ⒈{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    If you have seen a really good movie or have read a really good book, you can talk about that.

   When you are sharing the same experience with someone, it's easy to start a conversation. You simply notice and comment on what's going on around you. For example, if you are at a party and a song comes on that you like or that reminds you of something, you can talk about that.

    ⒉Ask open-ended questions

    These types of questions require more thought and more than a simple one-word answer. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}, the conversation will go on longer.

    ⒊Become a student

    Nobody knows everything. So, as someone is answering one of your open-ended questions, they bring up something about which you know nothing. So, tell them! This lets the other person become the teacher. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. It's a win-win situation.

    Like anything, getting good at making small talk takes practice. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}, you might become happier. If you are making small talk using English, you will most definitely improve your speaking and listening skills.

A. Have some conversation starters ready

B. If you make small talk in your native language

C. However, some people are not good at small talk

D. If you ask questions that need more details to answer

E. You can talk about something that you recently learned

F. Many people find these small conversations about random topics easy

G. They feel good about sharing their knowledge and you get to learn something