Chinese kites
——history and culture

体裁 说明文 文章词数 340 难度 ★★ 建议用时 6 min

难词探意

1. glide /glaɪd/ v. 滑翔；滑行

2. relic /'relɪk/ n. 遗风；遗物

3. elaborate /ɪ'læbəret/ adj. 精心制作的；详尽的

4. exclusive /ɪk'skluːsɪv/ adj. 独有的；排外的

5. prototype /'prəʊtətaɪp/ n. 原型；雏形

6. mimic /'mɪmɪk/ v. 模仿

When we talk about the skies above China, we are often referring to topics like pollution or busy airlines. But beneath the clouds there is a Chinese art form that hasglidedthrough history. This ancientrelicbrings the colors and patterns of the ancient dynasties to the city skies of modern China and the world. It's the famous Chinese kite and its long history of cultural significance begins thousands of years ago.

The kite is believed to have originated in China. Since its invention, there have been many adaptations to the kite by various cultures around the world. The kite you probably flew as a kid looks a bit different to the original Chinese kites and even the kites of modern China.

A Chinese kite in ancient times would have used simple materials such as wood and cloth. They were often made to resemble the shapes of birds. Today,elaborateand large designs can be seen flying above parks in China. They will often resemble real animals and members of the Chinese Zodiac.Some kites will have LED lights attached to allow for night flights and fun light shows.

Kites were invented in the early Warring States Period (475—221 BC) by Mozi and Lu Ban. The kites wereexclusiveto China for many years before the knowledge of how to make and use them advanced. The period saw many attacks from foreign powers, as well as civil unrest. Kites played a role in providing military intelligence for the Chinese forces.

Mainly, they were used for military purposes. The first kites were what we today would callprototypekites: They were made of light wood and cloth. They were designed tomimica bird's natural flight. The first Chinese kites were used for measuring distances, which provided useful information for moving large armies across difficult terrain. They were also used to calculate and record wind readings and provided a unique form of communication similar to ship flags at sea.

Reading Check

This text mainly talks about the famous Chinese 1.and its long 2.of cultural significance. 3.(originate) in China and invented in the early Warring States Period, it was initially used for military purposes. The first Chinese kites were used 4.(measure) distances in the war. They were also used to calculate and record 5.readings and provided a unique form of 6.similar to ship flags at sea. Many 7.(adapt) have been made during the thousands of years.

Language Study

Sentence for writing

The kite is believed to have originated in China.

【信息提取】本句可转化为It is believed that...。

【句式仿写】据信他卖掉了他的房子。