Hit Chinese Variety Shows in 2023
The year 2023 saw a wide variety of TV and Internet shows in China, offering to audience not only amazing entertainment but also new insight.
The Big Band 3
Each week, bands competed in different groups, and via votes cast by the audience and six celebrity judges, five bands earned the title of the "Hot 5" by the end of the season.
Become a Farmer
The farming-themed reality show Become a Farmer took Chinese social media by storm in the first half of the year, shining a spotlight on agriculture — a crucial part of Chinese culture. The word "farming", however, may be unfamiliar to many young urban Chinese citizens. In an effort to connect these individuals with the agricultural industry, the 50-episode variety show tackles the topic by inviting 10 young men from various fields to experience life on the farmland. It offers insights into farming practices and modern agricultural production.
Infinity and Beyond 2023
With a shocking viewership, the music cultural program Infinity and Beyond 2023 emerged as a resounding success both on TV and on the Internet in the first half of this year. Featuring a star-studded cast, the show improved cross-strait connection and covered classic and popular songs dating back to the 1970s.
Divas Hit the Road — Silk Road
This season saw some Chinese actresses and actors embark on a journey to Saudi Arabia, Croatia and Iceland. They explored the beautiful landscapes and diverse cultures of these countries and learned about the collaborative projects related to the Belt and Road Initiative. They have dipped into the local customs and traditions of the places they visited.
Thomas was a well-known wise man. One day, he wandered in a beautiful small town. Because of his fame, people from nearby towns who heard of his arrival all came to visit and seek his advice.
Many who came sought help with difficulties in daily life, and Thomas, unable to bear turning them away, patiently offered suggestions. Word spread quickly, and more and more people came to see Thomas for guidance.
One day, dozens of people crowded outside Thomas's door, all clamoring（大声地要求） that their problems were the most serious and urgent, each insisting that Thomas address their concerns first, with no one willing to yield（让步）.
After a moment of thought, Thomas took out some paper and a pen and said, "I can't hear clearly with everyone talking at once. How about everyone write down your problem on a piece of paper and place it in this basket beside me?"
Once everyone had placed their notes in the basket, Thomas shook the basket and said, "Please each take a piece of paper from the basket and read what it says."
As everyone read a note from someone else, they all realized that indeed, each person has their own troubles, and every household has its own challenges. Then Thomas spoke up, "Now, whose problem is the most urgent to solve?" Hearing that question, no one spoke again, because now no one dared to claim that their problem was the most severe.
Often, we are bound by our immediate feelings. When difficulties and problems strike, it feels as though we are caught in a vortex of pain. But if we shift our focus from ourselves and look towards others, we might discover that the problems we face are not so significant. Perhaps others are the ones who need help more urgently, or maybe there is something within our power that we can do for them.
Honeybees command a lot of attention in insect conservation circles, as they are important for pollinating our food supply. But the findings from researchers emphasize the importance of prioritizing other pollinators or insects like wild bees, moths and butterflies in conservation efforts, too.
For the study, ecologists Joshua Kohn and Dillon Travis from the University of California, painstakingly tracked the pollination of flowers from two plant species in San Diego — white sage and Phacelia distans. Often Travis sat for hours waiting for a single pollinator, honeybees or other insects, to land on a flower. Each time he put a mesh（网状的） bag on the flower to prevent any new visitor, then back to collect seeds from different visitors. Back in the greenhouse, the team grew the seeds, analyzing characteristics that reflected their quality, such as how many seeds grew and survived and how many leaves or flower seedlings（幼苗） grew from them.
They found flowers pollinated by honeybees make fewer and lower-quality seeds than flowers visited by other pollinators. The white sage and Phacelia distans plants produced roughly half the amount of seeds from flowers pollinated by honeybees compared with other pollinators. And Phacelia distans seeds from honeybee-pollinated plants grew into seedlings with fewer flowers.
The researchers also found that honeybees visited about twice as many flowers on one plant before moving to the next than the average of other pollinators, causing honeybees to transfer more pollen in flowers of the same plant, thus resulting in fewer and lower-quality and more inbred（近亲繁殖的） seeds. Other pollinators more often flew between different plants, probably transferring more diverse pollen.
Travis says,"Honeybees' pollination habit can impact ecosystems and agriculture in the long term. One potential consequence could be that native plant populations decline as next generations become more inbred, reducing biodiversity."
"It is time to actually shift our dependence for pollination from largely honeybees to other native species as well," says Jaya Sravanthi Mokkapati, an entomologist at Pen n State University.
Cloud "engineering" could be more effective for climate cooling than previously thought, because of the increased cloud cover produced, new research shows.
In a study published in Nature Geoscience, researchers at the University of Birmingham found that marine cloud brightening （MCB）, also known as marine cloud engineering, works primarily by increasing the amount of cloud cover, accounting for 60%-90% of the cooling effect.
The practice of MCB has attracted much attention in recent years as a way of offsetting the global warming effects caused by humans and buying some time while the global economy decarbonises（脱碳）. It works by spraying tiny particles, or aerosols（气溶胶）, into the atmosphere where they mix with clouds and with the primary aim of increasing the amount of sunlight that clouds can reflect.
However, the ways in which MCB creates a cooling effect, and the ways in which clouds will respond to aerosols, are still poorly understood. To investigate the phenomenon, the researchers created a "natural experiment", using aerosol injection from the effusive eruption of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii to study the interactions between these natural aerosols, clouds, and climate.
Using machine learning and historic satellite and meteorological（气象学的） data, the team created a predictor to show how the cloud would behave during periods when the volcano was inactive. This predictor enabled them to identify clearly the impacts on the clouds that had been directly caused by the volcanic aerosols.
They were able to show that the cloud cover relatively increased by up to 50% during the periods of volcanic activity, producing a cooling effect of up to — 10 W/m² regionally.
Lead author, Dr Ying Chen, of the University of Birmingham, said, "Our findings show that marine cloud brightening could be more effective as a climate intervention than climate models have suggested previously. Of course, while it could be useful, MCB does not address the underlying causes of global warming from greenhouse gases produced by human activities. It should therefore be regarded as a ‘painkiller', rather than a solution."
The months of July and August are often known as the "dog days of summer", bringing in longer, hotter and sunnier days for you to throw the perfect dog birthday party.
Choosing the right spot
If you're lucky enough to have a garden big enough, that couldn't be better. . If not, then dog - friendly parks, beaches and cafes can also make for great alternatives. Consider how many guests you'll be inviting, both humans and animals, and make sure the space is big and secure enough to accommodate.
Picking the menu
! Some bakeries and pet stores will provide treats perfect for the occasion. However when in doubt, homemade is always better. Take a look online and you'll find a ton of recipes and take a look at the ingredients to make sure they're good for the dogs.
Setting up activities
Dogs love to socialise and play together, so why not bring a few activities into the mix. From frozen lick mats, tug of war to even a mini swimming pool, there are plenty of options to keep the guests of honour entertained. . It can show off their dogs' best skills.
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Photos of your puppy party will give you memories to look back on forever, and who doesn't love showing their pup off online? Add some props（道具） and a special backdrop to make your pictures even more double-tap worthy.
Don't forget the humans
While the puppies are undoubtedly the real stars of the party, you can't forget about your fellow human guests. Consider dog-themed treats, drinks and music. And finally, don't send your guests home empty-pawed. .
A. Set up a photo spot
B. Record more memorable moments
C. All your furry friends can run around freely there
D. The owners would be also interested in getting involved
E. A little gift with a thank-you note and an extra toy go a long way
F. Arguably the most exciting aspect of any puppy party is the treats
G. A trick contest is also a great way for the humans to get involved
On March 18, 2018, I was alone at home in San José, Costa Rica, drinking a cup of tea, 1 that my life was about to change. I received an e-mail 2 with the subject "scholarship selection result".
My heartbeat quickened as I read through it, and I was mad with joy: I had been chosen to receive a（n） 3 scholarship for a master's degree in conducting at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Finally, I would be able to gain a deeper understanding of the ancient tales of dragons and the old legends of China, which had always 4 me.
Five months later, I arrived in Shanghai, 5 an entirely new world. At the airport, two of my Costa Rican friends were waiting for me and accompanied me to the 6 at Lingling Road.
I remember clearly when I approached dorm building No 3, I was 7 by the sweet melody of a dizi（Chinese flute）, which was totally different from all that I used to hear in my 8 .
In Costa Rica, I learned the conducting technique well. 9 , it was my professor, Cao Tongyi at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, who 10 me in promoting my skills. His teachings 11 not only careful attention to detail but also the art of letting the music flow as gracefully as T'ai Chi.
In my opinion, that's the 12 of life in China. You can see it on every 13 when you notice how the traffic flows or on the way people walk to the subway, and even on how the delivery system works throughout China. 14 , music can surpass the boundary of notation（符号） and paper, 15 from the musician to the audience, enriching the world one note at a time.
Chinese ancient architecture is a treasure of cultural heritage, reflecting China's rich history and unique cultural identity. With a history （date） back thousands of years, it has evolved and diversified to become one of the most distinctive styles in the world.
Chinese ancient architecture is characterized by its use of natural materials such as wood, brick, and stone, in conjunction with fancy carvings and decorative details. Bridges, tombs, temples, and towers are some of the key （feature） of Chinese ancient architecture have stood the test of time.
One of the most iconic examples of Chinese ancient architecture is the Forbidden City in Beijing. Construction of the Forbidden City began in 1406 and took over a decade （complete）. It served the royal palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties and is now a popular tourist attraction. The Forbidden City is known for the harmony of its design.
In southern China, the rice terraces（梯田） are unique example of Chinese ancient architecture. （carve） out of the mountains over centuries, these terraces provide a complex system for irrigation and cultivation. The rice terraces are not only a crucial part of Chinese agricultural history but also a masterpiece of engineering and geometry.
Chinese ancient architecture has had a profound influence on the （globe） architecture, and many element s and designs （adopt） and adapted in different parts of the world ever since. Today, Chinese rich architectural heritage gains （recognize） worldwide, becoming a reminder of China's rich cultural history.
A disability only becomes a disability when you allow it to stop you from being genuinely happy and spreading happiness to others.
In a high school in Missouri, there is a remarkable student named Ryheem Lumpkins. At the age of 16, Ryheem displayed a tough spirit that challenged physical limitations. While his arms and hands hadn't fully developed, he still managed to land a part-time job as a cashier at a local pizza restaurant.
Although he had only been employed for a month, Ryheem's work ethic shone exceptionally bright. When it's not so busy at the counter, he would grab a broom to sweep the floors or carefully clean the buffet. Despite his disability, he had such enthusiasm for life that he even got his driver's license and worked hard to save money to buy his first car.
As a naturally shy individual, this new job unexpectedly revealed his hidden positive character. Interacting with new people, engaging in conversations, and delivering services became a source of excitement for him.
One fateful day, a customer named Robert Samay recognized the exceptional personality of young Ryheem. The young cashier left a lasting impression on Mr. Samay, leading him to commit an act of kindness that would astonish Ryheem and warm the hearts of those who witnessed it.
Impressed by Ryheem's personality, Mr. Samay decided to express his appreciation. He slipped a five-dollar bill into Ryheem's hands and spoke words that sympathized deeply within the teenager's soul. "I appreciate your infectious smile and your exceptional attitude," Mr. Samay said warmly."Such qualities are rare these days, especially among young individuals."
Ryheem's eyes glearned with gratitude as he thanked Mr. Samay, his voice earnest and sincere. He carefully folded the five-dollar bill, tucking it into his pocket with a smile that could light up a room. The warmth of the kind gesture infused Ryheem with a sense of validation and empowerment, reminding him that his disabilities did not define him. The sight of joy that lightened Ryheem's face as he received the modest tip remained impressive in Mr. Samay's memory.
注意：
1）续写词数应为150个左右；
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It fueled an urge for Mr. Samay to reward the young man's happiness even more.
After the video was posted online by the shop owner, it swiftly spread across various platforms.
