A(2025·泰州市海陵区模拟)
The Chinese people have created lots of amazing art forms, such as local operas and folk music played by traditional musical instruments. Now, take two of them—the *pipa* and the *ruan* as examples. Let’s take a close look at them 1. (feel) their lasting charm.
The *pipa* came from Central Asia, with 2. history of over 2,000 years. This pear-shaped instrument 3. (name) “*pipa*” because of its two basic playing techniques—“pi” (playing outward) and “pá” (playing inward). With lots of playing skills, it’s one of 4. (hard) instruments to master. It’s 5. (high) useful and it can show many different feelings. Fast playing can show the excitement, 6. soft playing expresses deep feelings. Its pieces are very rich, from energetic and rhythmic ones 7. slow and sad ones.
The *ruan* got its name after Ruan Xian, a famous 8. (music) in the Western Jin Dynasty. It has a round body, a long neck, and four strings(弦). It first appeared in the Han Dynasty and 9. (become) popular in the Tang Dynasty. The *ruan* gives you a comfortable feeling because 10. (it) sound is sweet, warm and gentle.
Both the *pipa* and the *ruan* bridge the past and the present, inviting us to enjoy the beauty of Chinese music and the stories behind it.

1. to feel 2. a 3. is named 4. the hardest 5. highly 6. while 7. to 8. musician 9. became 10. its

B(2025·常州模拟)
The question “Do you work to live or live to work?” arouses(激起) many thoughts on the purpose of work. While many people work to earn a living, the reasons for working go 1. making money. At a basic level, we work to achieve financial independence. However, this is not 2. only purpose to enter the workforce.
Work offers chances to chase 3. (person) goals and dreams. Yang Liwei, for example, 4. (drive) by his love for flying and became a pilot and then China’s first astronaut in space. As a result, work gives us a great sense of 5. (achieve) and satisfaction.
Additionally, work contributes to our growth. When we work, we must carry on 6. (practise) our skills until we are good at what we do. The 7. (change) workplace requires us to develop new skills to better adapt(适应) to the new environment. This can add to our sense of success and our understanding that we are developing.
Moreover, work also plays a necessary role in society. Every job, regardless of its type, 8. (help) society run properly. Some people even would rather give up their own interests 9. (work) for the benefit of others.
In conclusion, work is not only a means of making a living 10. a way to create a fulfilling life for ourselves and others.

1. beyond 2. the 3. personal 4. was driven 5. achievement 6. practising 7. changing 8. helps 9. to work 10. but