Yungang Grottoes(石窟) in Datong, Shanxi Province, are a world cultural heritage site with a history 【小题1】 goes back more than 1, 500 years. In Yungang’s 45 big grottoes and more than 200 small grottoes, 【小题2】 (rough) 59, 000 figures of the Buddha are a priceless treasure of human culture.

But because of the effects of climate change and natural disasters, 【小题3】 grottoes face damage year after year. Thanks to 【小题4】 (advance) digital technology, researchers are busy “duplicating” the Yungang Grottoes in an attempt 【小题5】 (preserve) the precious cultural relics. Employing 3D laser scanning technology, the researchers digitally record the shapes, colors and other fine details of the grottoes and later reproduce them by 【小题6】 (use) 3D printing technology.

The new technology could 【小题7】 (able) more people to have access to the cultural relics despite the distance. In June, 2020, the Zhejiang University Cultural Relics Research Institute and Yungang Grottoes Research Institute together copied and pasted Cave No.12 of the Yungang Grottoes for the 【小题8】 (exhibit) in Hangzhou. There, people could see the world’s first 3D-printed 1:1 copy of a grotto.

The Yungang researchers’ attempt is a good example of technology helping to preserve cultural heritage. It 【小题9】 (hope) that the new digitized technologies will facilitate the “rebirth” of the cultural relics, and bring them 【小题10】 more places worldwide.

It was Dragonboat Day. Shiny white tents lined the waterfront, 【小题1】 (provide) shade and refreshments for Dragon Boat paddlers (桨手) from all over California, 【小题2】 gathered around the Castaic Lake for a festive competition.

Giggling kids raced cheerfully along the lakeside beach, 【小题3】 their parents enjoying the shady picnic areas under the trees along the shore. “It’s a great day out,” said Paul Lin, co-founder for Castaic’s own Dragon Eyes team.

Dragonboat racing has been going on for thousands of years in China, 【小题4】 (initial) in honor of the Chinese water dragon deity (神) in an effort to call down rain 【小题5】 avoid misfortune and disaster.

In the race, a drummer 【小题6】 (use) a large traditional wooden drum to keep the paddlers on beat, while a steersman in the back keeps them in their lane.

Lin said a friend got him 【小题7】 (involve) in dragonboat racing over a decade ago. In 2018, they 【小题8】(decide) to host their own festival. “There’s something really special to be learned from our dragonboat motto: ‘One Boat, One Beat,’” he said. “Paddlers come from all walks of life and that kind of 【小题9】 (close) with people is nowhere else to be seen.”

“We really want to help expand awareness and grow the sport,” Lin said. “We’re hoping one day it’ll become【小题10】Olympic sport.”