Traditional Chinese culture is beginning to capture the attention of the world. Kung fu,{#blank#}1{#/blank#} (especial), has had a great effect {#blank#}2{#/blank#}the millions of people who first learned about China through it. From that, they may come to China and learn about some other {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(aspect) of this culture. Other Asian nations have long known about the {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(great) of ancient Chinese culture. Their own cultures are {#blank#}5{#/blank#}mix of native ones and those Chinese characteristics. Korea and Japan long ago adopted Confucianism (孔子学说）, something that continues today even as it {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(challenge) by pop culture . This strength comes from the ideas {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (give) in the Four Books of Confucianism, which built upon the ideas of an even {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(much) ancient period codified (编纂) in the Five Classics . From them, the West learns {#blank#}9{#/blank#} is uniquely Chinese, for example, feng shui. So far China has taken steps {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(further) this spread of its culture by establishing Chinese Cultural Centers in such places as the United States and Europe.

    The Great Wall was listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. Just like a dragon, it winds up and down across deserts, grasslands and mountains,{#blank#}1{#/blank#}( run) approximately 21,196 kilometers from east to west.

    The{#blank#}2{#/blank#}( construct) of the Great Wall was not that easy, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}drew heavily on the local resources for building materials. The walls were{#blank#}4{#/blank#}( original) built in the Spring & Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. Emperor Qin Shi Huang succeeded in his effort to have them joined together. Since then, the Great Wall{#blank#}5{#/blank#}( serve) as a monument of the Chinese nation throughout history.

    With {#blank#}6{#/blank#}history of about 2,700 years, some parts of the Great Wall are now {#blank#}7{#/blank#}ruins or have disappeared. However, the Great Wall of China is still one of the most appealing{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(attraction) all around the world owing to its historical significance. The best-known part of the Great Wall of China, Badaling, {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(locate) 43 miles northwest of Beijing, attracts thousands of national and foreign tourists every day.

    Today, the Great Wall{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(recognize) as one of the most important impressive architectural achievements in history.

    It seems that Chinese people have always loved to discuss {#blank#}1{#/blank#} differences between northerners and southerners. Now, another difference has drawn wide attention: the way northerners and southerners shop {#blank#}2{#/blank#} food at markets.

    People from southern China normally buy what they need for just one or two meals at a time. It's normal for {#blank#}3{#/blank#}to buy just half a Chinese cabbage, two {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (potato) and 25 grams of beef at a time. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}, a person may be laughed at {#blank#}6{#/blank#} they do this in the north. Instead, buying enough vegetables and meat for a week {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (be) normal.

    The difference could be because of the different climates. Food can {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (keep) for a long time in the north, as it's {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (usual) cold and dry there. Many northerners have the habit of {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (store) food for a long time. But due to the hot and wet weather in the south, southern Chinese people prefer to buy just enough food for one meal or one day. Otherwise, the food may go bad.

    Maybe these debates about different customs help us to understand each other better.

    Senior citizens are the first to come to our mind when you think of hearing loss, but in a recent report, hearing professionals worry teenagers will soon outnumber aging adults {#blank#}1{#/blank#} it comes to living with hearing loss.

    The rise in popularity of personal audio devices from iPods to smart phones has had dangerous effect on the ears of those who use them most, teenagers! A research {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (conduct) by the World Health Organization finds that nearly 50% of teens {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (fall) into the habit of exposing themselves to unsafe levels of sound so far.

    A sound is considered unsafe when it goes beyond 85 decibels (分贝). At that level, it takes just 8 hours of listening over your lifetime to cause damage. The louder the sound is, the {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (little) time it takes to cause damage. Because hearing loss is {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (typical) considered a health problem for the elderly, it is difficult to convince already stubborn teenagers that they really are doing damage {#blank#}6{#/blank#} their ears.

    Young adults {#blank#}7{#/blank#} have been exposed to loud noise over a period of time may have some hearing loss symptoms. Their {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (able) to learn is compromised, and they may have difficulty developing social skills.

    In an effort to help teens better protect their hearing, we suggest {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (set) volume limits on personal audio devices. {#blank#}10{#/blank#} is also good to limit the amount of time exposed to noise and to take listening breaks to give the ears a rest.

    My computer was broken so I couldn't read your two {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (e-mail) until today. I'm so sorry {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (hear) about your problem, but I'm glad you're feeling better and are recovering.

    You are right. We shouldn't be embarrassed about our weight. I think you look great as you are, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} you're a wonderful person. I know that the pressure to stay slim is a problem, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (especial) for an actress. However, your mother {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (know) best: nothing is more important {#blank#}6{#/blank#} health.

    It's the same in China-many people, some of {#blank#}7{#/blank#} are not overweight at all, are always going on a diet or {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (take) weight-loss pills, which are often {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(danger). I hope they can learn {#blank#}10{#/blank#} your story.

Love

Zhou Ling