Beauty in Common Things． Each different part of China has its own special forms of traditional art．These usually try to show the things that are important in life，such as love，beauty and family．The most common things，from paper to clay to bamboo，are turned into objects of beauty． According to Chinese history，sky lanterns were first used by Zhuge Kongming．He sent them out to ask for help when in trouble．Today，sky lanterns are used at festivals and other celebrations．They are made of bamboo and covered with paper．When the lanterns are lit，they slowly rise into the air like small hot-air balloons for all to see．They are seen as bright symbols of happiness and good wishes． Paper cutting has been around for over 1，500 years．Paper cutting sounds very easy but it can be difficult to do．The paper，usually red，is folded before it is cut with scissors．The most common pictures are flowers，animals，and things about Chinese history．During the Spring Festival，they are put on windows，doors and walls as symbols of wishes for good luck and a happy new year． Chinese clay art is famous because the clay pieces are so small but they look very real．The pieces are usually cute children or lively characters from a Chinese fairy tale or historical story．The pieces are carefully shaped by hand from a very special kind of clay and then allowed to air-dry．After drying，they are fired at a very high heat．They are then polished and painted．It takes several weeks to complete everything．These small pieces of clay art show the love that all Chinese people have for life and beauty．

讀一遍這篇短文，然后回答問題．
（1）What do traditional Chinese art forms try to show？

The things that are important in life．

The things that are important in life．

（2）What were sky lanterns used for before and what are they used for now？

They were used to ask for help when in trouble before and they are used at festivals and other celebrations today．

They were used to ask for help when in trouble before and they are used at festivals and other celebrations today．

（3）What kinds of pictures are usually found on paper cuttings？

Flowers，animals，and things about Chinese history．

Flowers，animals，and things about Chinese history．

（4）How do people use paper cuttings during the Spring Festival？

During the Spring Festival，they are put on windows，doors and walls as symbols of wishes for good luck and a happy new year．

During the Spring Festival，they are put on windows，doors and walls as symbols of wishes for good luck and a happy new year．

（5）What are the steps for making clay art pieces？

The pieces are carefully shaped by hand from a very special kind of clay and then allowed to air-dry．After drying，they are fired at a very high heat．They are then polished and painted．

The pieces are carefully shaped by hand from a very special kind of clay and then allowed to air-dry．After drying，they are fired at a very high heat．They are then polished and painted．

（6）Which art form do you think is the most interesting？Why？

I think Chinese clay art is the most interesting ，because the clay pieces are so small but they look very real．

I think Chinese clay art is the most interesting ，because the clay pieces are so small but they look very real．