Although Bacon held an important rank in King James' roval court of England, his true interest was not the inefficient working style of the government, but the worthy search 【小题1】 knowledge. Galileo Galilei proved the idea 【小题2】 "the Earth 【小题3】(be) not the centre of the universe". The church and many people tended 【小题4】(ignore) the facts and didn't want to challenge 【小题5】 they had always 【小题6】(comfort) believed.

It is not 【小题7】(surprise) that people wanted to believe these primitive ideas. Aristotle said that the Earth must be the centre of the universe. Because it felt like the Earth 【小题8】（stand）still. At first，people 【小题9】(approval) of Galilei's studies and urged him to continue, but later when he proved Aristotle wrong, they grew angry and put him in prison. People make the 【小题10】(assume) that if someone important and respected says that something is right, then it must be so.

In ancient times, silk from China found 【小题1】(it) way overland to India, the Middle East, and Rome, along 【小题2】became known as the Silk Road. A trading route across the sea was also extended along the coasts of the Indian Ocean, centred around Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Here, merchants from China and many other places met 【小题3】(negotiate) trade deals, which also led to more 【小题4】(aware) of each other’s cultures. Over the centuries, further trading allowed more exploration of the regions to the west of China, as 【小题5】(record) in Du Huan’s Record of My Travels in the eighth century. 

To reach out across the sea 【小题6】(remain) a strong desire today. The ancient sea routes travelled by Zheng He are being revisited with the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, 【小题7】 is part of the Belt and Road Initiative. The aim of this initiative is to encourage cooperation and trade across the 【小题8】(history) Silk Road areas, and strengthen the bonds between China and the rest of the world. Trading has grown greatly in recent years, and will continue to do so in years 【小题9】(come). China 【小题10】(invest) billions in systems and services along these routes, which will help to greatly develop the whole area for the benefit of future trade and cultural exchange.

Yu Rong, a famous artist, thinks of a new way to introduce 【小题1】 ancient story of Hua Mulan in her picture book. In the book, I Am Hua Mulan, she tells the story by 【小题2】 (combine) paper-cutting with international artistic styles. She places Shaanxi paper-cuts over western-style pencil sketches (素描) 【小题3】 (create) a typical presentation of Chinese elements, which turns out to be a 【小题4】 (success) and impressive breakthrough.

Hua Mulan, 【小题5】 story has been told by generations in China, was a fighter from the Northern Wei Dynasty (386 -534). As a devoted daughter, she dressed herself as a man to serve in the army in place 【小题6】 her father. Mulan’s characteristics, such as courage, kindness and a disinterested attitude toward fame and fortune, made 【小题7】 (she) one of the most respected historical Chinese heroines. Mulan’s story has been adapted 【小题8】 (frequent) in modern media. For example, in 1998, Disney 【小题9】 (produce) a film named Mulan, which was considered a great success by critics and the public.

To better tell the story, Yu Rong draws inspiration from her several 【小题10】 (visit) to sites of ancient battles and Henan Opera. After years of preparation she finally makes this extraordinary work.