（2021·浙江湖州中学）阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容(1个单词)或括号中单词的正确形式。
Chinese writing is one of the world's greatest writing systems. It consists of thousands of individual characters, each representing its unique meaning. Chinese writing was first done by 109． (carve) symbols onto bones and shells. Over the years, the system developed into different forms as it was a time 110． people were divided geographically. After Emperor Qinshihuang united the seven major states 111． one unified country, the Chinese writing system 112． (begin) to develop in one direction. As Chinese writing developed into a writing system, it also developed as a form of art done with a brush. 113． is believed that Chinese calligraphy 114． (date) back to at least the Han Dynasty. In the 1950s, the government “simplified” written forms of many “traditional" characters. Simplified Chinese characters make it 115． (easy) for people to read and write the language than before.
Nowadays, China is playing 116． greater role in global 117． (affair), an increasing number of international students are beginning to appreciate China's culture and history through this amazing language. Most of the students move to China 118．(learn) the language and the way of living.
109．carving
110．when
111．into
112．began
113．It
114．dates
115．easier
116．a
117．affairs
118．to learn
【分析】
这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了中国文字的发展和演变，以及如今发挥的重要作用和影响。
109．
考查非谓语动词。句意：中国的文字最早是在骨头和贝壳上刻上符号。cave作介词by的宾语，应用动名词形式。故填carving。
110．
考查定语从句。句意：多年来，这个制度发展成不同的形式，因为当时人们是按地域划分的。此处为定语从句修饰先行词time，先行词在从句中作时间状语，应用关系副词when。故填when。
111．
考查介词。句意：秦始皇统一七国后，中国的文字系统开始朝一个方向发展。结合句意表示“统一”可知短语为unite…into…。故填into。
112．
考查动词时态。句意：秦始皇统一七国后，中国的文字系统开始朝一个方向发展。根据上文“After Emperor Qinshihuang united”可知应用一般过去时。故填began。
113．
考查固定句型。句意：人们认为，中国书法至少可以追溯到汉代。结合句意表示“人们认为……”句型为it is believed that…。句首单词首字母要大写。故填It。
114．
考查动词时态。句意：人们认为，中国书法至少可以追溯到汉代。此处陈述客观事实用一般现在时，主语为Chinese calligraphy，谓语动词用第三人称单数形式。故填dates。
115．
考查形容词比较级。句意：简体汉字使人们阅读和书写这种语言比以前更容易。根据后文than before可知应用形容词比较级easier。故填easier。
116．
考查冠词。句意：如今，中国在全球事务中扮演着更重要的角色，越来越多的国际学生开始通过这门神奇的语言欣赏中国的文化和历史。结合句意表示“在……中起作用”短语为play a role in，且greater是发音以辅音音素开头的单词，应用a。故填a。
117．
考查名词的数。句意：如今，中国在全球事务中扮演着更重要的角色，越来越多的国际学生开始通过这门神奇的语言欣赏中国的文化和历史。affair为可数名词，此处前文没有冠词，应用复数形式。故填affairs。
118．
考查非谓语动词。句意：大多数学生搬到中国是为了学习语言和生活方式。分析句子结构可知learn在句中应用非谓语动词形式，此处作目的状语，应用不定式。故填to learn。
Chinese writing is one of the world's greatest writing systems. It consists of thousands of individual characters, each representing its unique meaning. Chinese writing was first done by 109． (carve) symbols onto bones and shells. Over the years, the system developed into different forms as it was a time 110． people were divided geographically. After Emperor Qinshihuang united the seven major states 111． one unified country, the Chinese writing system 112． (begin) to develop in one direction. As Chinese writing developed into a writing system, it also developed as a form of art done with a brush. 113． is believed that Chinese calligraphy 114． (date) back to at least the Han Dynasty. In the 1950s, the government “simplified” written forms of many “traditional" characters. Simplified Chinese characters make it 115． (easy) for people to read and write the language than before.
Nowadays, China is playing 116． greater role in global 117． (affair), an increasing number of international students are beginning to appreciate China's culture and history through this amazing language. Most of the students move to China 118．(learn) the language and the way of living.
109．carving
110．when
111．into
112．began
113．It
114．dates
115．easier
116．a
117．affairs
118．to learn
【分析】
这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了中国文字的发展和演变，以及如今发挥的重要作用和影响。
109．
考查非谓语动词。句意：中国的文字最早是在骨头和贝壳上刻上符号。cave作介词by的宾语，应用动名词形式。故填carving。
110．
考查定语从句。句意：多年来，这个制度发展成不同的形式，因为当时人们是按地域划分的。此处为定语从句修饰先行词time，先行词在从句中作时间状语，应用关系副词when。故填when。
111．
考查介词。句意：秦始皇统一七国后，中国的文字系统开始朝一个方向发展。结合句意表示“统一”可知短语为unite…into…。故填into。
112．
考查动词时态。句意：秦始皇统一七国后，中国的文字系统开始朝一个方向发展。根据上文“After Emperor Qinshihuang united”可知应用一般过去时。故填began。
113．
考查固定句型。句意：人们认为，中国书法至少可以追溯到汉代。结合句意表示“人们认为……”句型为it is believed that…。句首单词首字母要大写。故填It。
114．
考查动词时态。句意：人们认为，中国书法至少可以追溯到汉代。此处陈述客观事实用一般现在时，主语为Chinese calligraphy，谓语动词用第三人称单数形式。故填dates。
115．
考查形容词比较级。句意：简体汉字使人们阅读和书写这种语言比以前更容易。根据后文than before可知应用形容词比较级easier。故填easier。
116．
考查冠词。句意：如今，中国在全球事务中扮演着更重要的角色，越来越多的国际学生开始通过这门神奇的语言欣赏中国的文化和历史。结合句意表示“在……中起作用”短语为play a role in，且greater是发音以辅音音素开头的单词，应用a。故填a。
117．
考查名词的数。句意：如今，中国在全球事务中扮演着更重要的角色，越来越多的国际学生开始通过这门神奇的语言欣赏中国的文化和历史。affair为可数名词，此处前文没有冠词，应用复数形式。故填affairs。
118．
考查非谓语动词。句意：大多数学生搬到中国是为了学习语言和生活方式。分析句子结构可知learn在句中应用非谓语动词形式，此处作目的状语，应用不定式。故填to learn。
