The erhu is a traditional Chinese musical instrument. It is the most popular of the huqin family. In the Song Dynasty, musicians began to use this type of huqin to perform different kinds of music, and it became quite a popular instrument. With the rise of some forms of folk art, the art of the erhu developed quickly during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It became an important accompanying (伴奏) instrument in different folk music. Now it is used in both traditional and modern music. It has even become a solo (独奏的) instrument. One of the most famous musical pieces played on the erhu is Erquan Yingyue by Abing.

The erhu used to be mainly played by common people, As the playing skills were passed down by oral (口传) tradition, there are few written records about the erhu that can be found. To study the history and the development of the erhu, historians usually turn to ancient paintings, sculptures and murals (雕塑和璧画). The earliest pictures of this instrument were found in Yulin Caves and Eastern Thousand Buddha Caves in Gansu Province.

Because of so many people's effort, the erhu becomes more and more popular around the world. In fact, we can hear the familiar sound of the erhu in many Hollywood productions, such as Kungfu Panda in 2012 and most recently, the Oscar nominated(提名)film Up in the Air(《在云端》). When people watch these movies, they also enjoy the special music of the erhu. The erhu is also called "Chinese violin" by many westerners, but in many ways, they are quite different.

The 2024 Spring Festival Gala official mascot (吉祥物), "Loong Chenchen", was announced by the China Media Group on Wednesday. The name "Loong Chenchen" includes the Chinese character "Loong", which translates to "dragon" in English. The dragon plays {#blank#}1{#/blank#} important role in Chinese culture. In ancient times, the emperors of ancient China loved dragons and their clothes {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (cover) with pictures of dragons. We are proud to call {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (we) the "descendants (传人) of the dragon". In Chinese, "excellent" people are often called "dragons". The mascot "Loong Chenchen" shows great meanings of good luck, health and {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (happy). It also means that the country is rich and the people are at peace.

The mascot is {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (careful) designed (设计). It takes two months to finish designing the mascot. The designer draws ideas from China's deep and rich traditional culture. For example, the design of the dragon claw (爪子) in "Loong Chenchen" gets ideas {#blank#}6{#/blank#} the pattern of the Nine-Dragon Wall of the Palace Museum in Beijing. The pattern on the dragon stomach is from the cloud and thunder (雷声) shapes in the Western Zhou Dynasty. The dragon fin is based on a Tang Dynasty (618–907) artifact (历史文物) which looks like a moving gold dragon. 

The color of "Loong Chenchen" has special Chinese name, "Chengxia". It means red or rosy clouds in English and {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (stand) for youth and strength (力量). The color of "Chengxia" is a symbol of spring, hope and growth.

The Spring Festival Gala or "Chunwan" is such a popular TV show that it has become a must-watch program of the Lunar New Year celebrations, which is loved by the Chinese people. During the Spring Festival, no matter {#blank#}8{#/blank#} far families around China are from their homes, they will come together. There are more than one billion people {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (watch) the Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve, the Gala on that day. It symbolizes a time for family get together and the {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (meaning) beginning of the new year.

It has been more than 40 years since anyone has found a Japanese river otter. It is just one of the animals that have been listed as extinct(灭绝) or locally extinct in recent years. But the development of technology could mean that the extinction of other animals is not likely to take place.

A huge challenge scientists face is watching endangered animals in order to help them. This is where artificial intelligence (Al) has brought a turning point in the way information on these animals is collected and studied. The Maui dolphin is one of the most valuable and endangered dolphins in the ocean. With a collection of their summer behavior facts, researchers knew that there were just 54 of these mysterious animals living off the coast of New Zealand. However, because of weather conditions, researchers know almost nothing about their winter behavior. After four years of developing and testing, these scientists were able to use a drone(无人机) with AI to watch the dolphins no matter the season. The result was more wild areas provided for them to live.

In Zambia's Kafue National Park, home to more than 6,000 elephants, AI is being used to enhance traditional methods of preventing hunting. Cameras record any boats that try to enter the park. AI immediately notices this activity and warns park guards, who deal with the hunters.

In Brazil, AI quickly studied over 150,000 satellite pictures, discovering that the world's largest wetland has lost 74 percent of its surface water, Not until that discoveries did governments realize how serious the situation was. The use of AI has helped to speed action and increase our ability to protect the natural world for the future to come.

I didn't like team(团队) sports When I started university(大学), I 1 to try kung fu So I joined 2 kung fu club The people in the club are3 I was happy to join it In the first year most of4 were new students I always went to the club twice a week5 It wasn't a team sport, so I didn't feel sorry for not being very good I wouldn't influence(影响) others 6 exercising, my body and mind got better7 , in the last year of university I was too busy to do kung fu most of the time.

 8 I moved to Italy(意大利) this year, I found a great club The club was more interesting than the one at my university.

I think that everyone should try doing sports I feel good when I 9 sports I don't think a lot of people enjoy basketball at school but maybe they10 enjoy yoga or volleyball. So let's do sports now!