China is known for its brilliant civilization that 【小题1】(continue) since the ancient times despite the many ups and downs in its history. It is 【小题2】(wide) accepted that one of the reasons has been the Chinese writing system.

Several thousand years ago written Chinese was only symbols 【小题3】(carve) on animal bones or shells. During the Shang Dynasty, these symbols became a well-developed writing system in a 【小题4】(various) of forms. This, however, changed in the Qin Dynasty. Emperor Qin Shihuang united the seven major states into one unified country 【小题5】 the Chinese writing system began to develop in one direction. That writing system was 【小题6】 great importance in uniting the Chinese people and culture.

Written Chinese also serves as a vital way 【小题7】(connect) China’s present with its past. People in modern times can learn about the ancient Chinese by reading their classic works or 【小题8】(appreciate) Chinese calligraphy.

Today, with China playing 【小题9】 greater role in global affairs, the Chinese writing system has established 【小题10】(it) as a window through which more and more international students can access China’s culture and history.

Cheng Yongmao, 【小题1】 is in his 60s and has been repairing and maintaining the Great Wall’s Jiankou section for nearly two decades, reaches his office at 6:30 am and 【小题2】 (get) right down to business.

Jiankou is widely considered one of the most dangerous parts of the Great Wall in Beijing and is known by 【小题3】 (hiker) as the “wild Wall”. The Great Wall has been subjected to natural disasters and human impact after 【小题4】 (stand) for more than 450 years, and now extremely needs maintenance and reinforcement.

“Construction work is 【小题5】 (general) conducted from April to October, and now it’s time 【小题6】 (prepare) documents for future work,” said Cheng. “Previous work has to be reviewed, and historical items 【小题7】 (unearth) during the cleaning and repairs need to be properly put in files, while construction charts for future efforts have to be readied.”

Cheng’s office is filled 【小题8】 traces of his dealings with the Great Wall. A dozen walking sticks he made out of branches stand in the corner behind the door, next to 【小题9】 pile of tools he uses for tiling. Detailed overall plans of the Jiankou section and the restored parts in Huairou District spread across the office walls. They clearly show towers and 【小题10】 (vary) scenic spots Cheng has mapped using a computer program.

Originated in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Kunqu Opera is said to be the mother of all Chinese operas and is one of the oldest forms of opera still【小题1】(exist)in China. This traditional art was named for its birthplace, Kunshan,【小题2】is near the city of Suzhou in today’s Jiangsu Province.

The development of Kunqu Opera went through several【小题3】 (stage). In the early days, the songs were【小题4】(main) composed of long and short lines. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644),【小题5】 (reform) by Wei Liangfu, Kunqu Opera became mild, smooth and【小题6】 (attract). The performers attached great【小题7】 (important) to clear recitation, correct singing and pure tunes. Meanwhile, the composers wrote the musical scores after working out the tunes, and the songs【小题8】 (write) in seven-character or ten-character lines.

Kunqu Opera is acknowledged as【小题9】elegant opera. Carrying forward the tradition of ancient poetry and common speech, the art is also【小题10】very high literary value.

In 2001, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced Kunqu Opera as a masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of humanity.