I want (share) a book called Jade King: History of a Chinese Muslim Family. It is a long novel (write) by a female author named Huo Da, first published in 1988. It won the Mao Dun Literature Prize, one of China's most prestigious literary awards. The novel tells the story of Muslim family in Beijing across three generations, (explore) themes of tradition, faith, love, and identity against the backdrop of China's rapid (society) changes.

I was deeply moved by the book. First, each chapter has the word jade or moon in its title. These images reflect the fate of the characters and their stories in a beautiful sad way. Second, while love is a major theme of the book, Huo made the story special by mixing Han and Muslim cultures. In the book, we can learn about some Muslim (tradition) and ceremonies, which opened my eyes and helped me understand the characters better.

The plot was also very touching. I remember the part the youngest daughter, Han Xinyue, became seriously ill with heart disease. On the way to the operating room, she was great pain, and her voice grew weak. Her family and boyfriend stood by her side, crying with worry. This was the climax of the story, and it made me so sad that I cried too.

The book (achieve) both literary and artistic success with its vivid characters, deep themes and unique storytelling since its birth. It won the Mao Dun Literature Prize in 1991 and still attracts many readers to this day.

The Shunan Bamboo Sea in Yibin, Sichuan, a natural forest, (be) a popular tourist attraction since scenes from a famous martial arts movie were shot there. This 120-square-kilometer forest is the largest old bamboo park in China, and (it) average temperature seldom drops below 0℃ in winter, even when many parts of the country are covered snow and ice.

(know) as one of China's most beautiful forests, the Bamboo Sea covers more than 500 hills. The ocean of green is dotted with lakes, waterfalls and lively spring scenery.

area has an average temperature of about 16℃ every year. Though it is tiring for visitors (hike) in the Bamboo Sea, sometimes, they can feel more light-hearted because of the calmness and (beautiful).

Bamboo began to grow there about 3,000 years ago. In ancient times, bamboo was (extreme) important to the locals. And it is still used to build houses, make tools, and make musical instruments. A must for visitors to the Bamboo Sea is the museum they can gain a deeper understanding of this (amaze) site. The nature of bamboo explains Chinese people's long admiration for the plant, which inspires their lives and arts.

Getting a Seed out of Its Shell

What is the most popular snack for Chinese people during Spring Festival? While pork, fish, and dumplings are common choices, one small snack stands out: roasted seeds.

Cracking melon seeds has long been a beloved tradition in China, has been practiced by generations of Chinese people during festivals and family gatherings alike.

Historical records show that muskmelon seeds were found in Han Dynasty tombs in Changsha, (prove) that this enjoyable habit stretches back over two thousand years. By the Qing Dynasty, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, originally introduced from the Americas, (become) essential must-haves at every Spring Festival table.

The cultural significance of seeds extends beyond simple taste. In Chinese, the word for "seed" shares same pronunciation as the word for "child", symbolizing fertility and the hope for a large, happy family. Scientists have also studied makes cracking seeds such an enjoyable habit.

The answer lies brain chemistry. Each time a seed is completely cracked, the brain (reward) with a small sense of achievement, leading to the release of dopamine, a chemical which is closely associated with pleasure, and making the next seed even (nice) to crack than the previous one.

Today, seed-cracking has developed into a tradition with regional (variety). In Jiangsu and Zhejiang, people prefer fragrant pumpkin seeds (flavor) with sweet spices, while Sichuan locals enjoy a bold, spicy variety. No wonder the famous Chinese artist Feng Zikai once called the Chinese people "experts of eating melon seeds".

To the frequently (ask) question, "What's your favourite film?", my answer is Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It has won many awards, including Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It has also enabled Western audiences (have) a better understanding of Chinese culture.

You must be familiar with the exciting fighting scene on top of a bamboo forest in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. With the aid of the computer, (scene) like this could have been made in the studio. However, the film's director, Ang Lee, (prefer) to have actors perform on location. He believed this approach film-making would create a "human connection" can not be achieved with CGI special effects.

In addition to the 63. (amaze) martial arts, the film also took advantage of China's beautiful mountains, forests and deserts. Actually, it (shoot) in different locations all around the country. All these factors (genuine) contributed to the film's success.

Do you think obtaining an academic degree is a very difficult task? Try 145. Professor VN Parthiban, who teaches in Chennai, India, (obtain) 145 degrees over the last 30 years and has no plans (stop) studying soon.

Parthiban's journey started after he struggled his first degree. He was a disorganized student would often mix up coursework and study for the wrong test— leading him to fail major exams and projects. After he graduated. Parthiban got a job working for the Judiciary Department, but the desire to study never (complete) went away. Attracted by all the (amaze) subjects and areas of study that were available to (he) in university, Parthiban decided to go back and seek a second degree, and then 143 more. When asked there was a subject he didn't enjoy studying, Parthiban answered "mathematics" without any doubt.

Unfortunately, there have been some negative side (effect) to his constant studying. The intense absorption of information has influenced Parthiban's memory and now he even has difficulty in (recognize) people's faces and routes to places he is familiar with. These troubles have not slowed Parthiban down, however. He still studies while also conducting lectures on many subjects at several universities.

When I arrived in China to teach law, I never expected that tea would become such important part of my experience. During (I) stay, many students gave me tea from their hometowns as sincere gifts, (share) their culture and family memories with me.

To many Chinese students far from home, tea is more than a drink. It connects them to their childhood, family and roots. I shared tea with students in Chengdu, they showed me traditional tea customs passed down through (generation). In Beijing, I experienced a careful tea ceremony and learned it was about being mindful rather than being perfect. In Quanzhou, a couple making teapots invited me to sit down tea, and we talked not about the wares or prices but about life and dreams. These tea moments also made me realize the special role of teahouses in China. Teahouses in China offer people a chance (slow) down in busy modern life, encouraging peaceful (communicate) and friendship. Through these experiences, I began to see tea not just as a gift, but as a cultural bridge.

In the West, tea is often just for relaxation, but in China it (carry) culture, tradition and respect. Chinese tea is a precious cultural heritage and it builds bridges between people. Through tea, I understand Chinese culture and the warmth of its people (well) than before.

A walk through the hutong near Beijing's Drum Tower is always like stepping back in time. But recently, a cold winter night, during a walk through a well-traveled hutong, I found myself suddenly (transport) back to my childhood years.

I was heading toward one of the (area) two excellent CD record stores, when a display in a shop window caught my eye. Upon (close) inspection, I realized the painting was a jigsaw puzzle (七巧板), and the shop was devoted to such puzzles. When I stepped inside, the store's (warm) relighted fires in my heart and memory. Long ago, while doing the puzzles and searching (endless) for the proper piece, I often found myself wondering whether perhaps I had lost a piece maybe my cat had stolen one. I would keep staring at the blank spot for ages yet get nowhere, until I stepped away for a while and suddenly spotted the missing piece at a glance. (solve) problems effectively, we need effort and rest; when stuck, we need a break to bring clearness, finding the missing piece rapidly.

Among the valuable lessons and rewards that these puzzles offer is that patience and determination are enhanced. But what is most beneficial is how, like the detective Sherlock Holmes, we look for answers or clues, working tirelessly to find perfect fit. It's an approach that (pay) off when we encounter any challenge that life presents.