三、短文填空。

There are many great people in ancient China. The one I admire most is Xunzi, one of the 1 thinkers of the Warring States Period.
Living at a time when many kingdoms fought endlessly, he saw how wars 2 hunger and disease, bringing great pain to the ordinary people. That might be why he believed that human nature is not naturally good, and that 3 is something people must learn. To him, 4 our wants and social rules was necessary. "5 rich or poor," he argued, "everyone could become wise through education." Just as he once put it, "Learning must never stop."
From 6, he loved reading. He later became a respected teacher at the Jixia Academy and left behind a rich 7 of writings. His ideas planted important seeds for the future. For example, his student Li Si gave some wise advice 8 the Qin Dynasty.
Though Xunzi lived in a period far earlier than us, his 9 on effort and self-improvement live on. I love his saying that people can improve 10 through learning. This encourages me to work hard for a brighter future!

1. most inspiring 2. caused 3. kindness 4. balancing 5. Whether
6. childhood 7. collection 8. to improve 9. thoughts 10. themselves