Guangdong Lion Dance is a mix of dance, music and Kungfu. It ________ to the national intangible cultural heritage (非物质文化遗产) list in 2016. Cute lion heads, gongs (锣) and drums, ________ excited crowd—these are all part of the lion dances you often see during Chinese holidays or at the openings of new shops.

Ancient Chinese people thought of the lion as a symbol of braveness. It can drive away scary things and bring good luck. As one of ________ folk dances in China, the lion dance has been performed for more than 2,000 years.

Wang Rentao, who is 41 years old, ________ the lion dance for 28 years. He was born in a village in which the lion dance is a tradition. When he was young, he often watched villagers perform it ________. Now, Wang is in control of his ________ lion dance group. He feels proud of ________ achievements. “We’ve won many prizes and taken part in many important events, including the celebration of ________ birthday of New China at Tian’anmen Square,” Wang said happily.

The lion dance is popular not only in China ________ in Chinese communities outside China. Many Chinese living abroad agree that the lion dance reminds them ________ the culture of their homeland.

Last night I went to a concert of Chinese folk (民间的) music. The piece which was played on the erhu ______ touched me. I sensed a strong sadness and pain. The piece was Erquan Yingyue, and it was one of the ______ pieces of music that I’ve ever heard. The erhu sounded so sad that I almost cried along with it. Abing ______ was a folk musician wrote the music. He could play many musical instruments with his father’s help. By age 17, he was known ______ his musical skills. Today, Abing’s Erquan Yingyue is a piece which all the great erhu masters (大师) play and praise (称赞). It ______ one of China’s national treasures so far.

Xiong Linghao is a blind girl. ________ playing Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata in an international piano competition in Shanghai, she became famous online. ________ people know her.

Xiong is from Mianyang, Sichuan. She lost her eyesight when she was a baby because of ________ accident.

Xiong’s mother ________ that her daughter had a talent for music when she was very young. At age 3, Xiong could play children’s songs on a small piano at home. At age 6, she started learning the piano from a piano teacher. Beethoven is her idol. Both of ________ tried to touch the world through music.

“The piano is my best friend and it always brings much to me.” said Xiong.

Xiong takes playing the piano ________. But learning to play the piano is not easy for Xiong. At first her teacher helped her ________ the piano.

“Practicing over and over again ________ necessary because I need muscle memory to find the right keys.” she said.

Xiong said ________ she could see for three days, she would like to cook a big meal for her parents.

“I would also like to see with my eyes ________ the piano looks like.” she also said.