In Chinese culture, the color red stands for many good things, for example, happiness. But writing names and letters with red pens is usually 1 . Why?
In ancient times, red was the symbol of power. Not everyone could write with red pens—only 2 . They would reply to officials' memorials(奏折)with red pens. The red ink was made of cinnabar(朱砂), so their replies were known as zhupi. Writing with red pens also had something to do with 3 . In ancient China, 4 some criminals were supposed to die, the records of their names were all written in red words. 5 on the tombstones(墓碑)were red as well. Therefore, the person was thought to be 6 if his or her name was written with red pens. Since red words carry bad meanings, people don't write 7 with red pens. If you write to friends or family members with red pens, it means you want to 8 with them. Nowadays, red pens are used to read and correct a piece of written or printed work. Teachers 9 students' homework with red pens. So do editors who need to correct mistakes in newspapers and magazines. But writing names or letters with red pens is 10 a bad idea to many people.
Do you know why different animals or pests have their special colours? Colours in them seem to be used mainly to protect themselves.
Some birds like eating locusts(蝗虫), but birds cannot easily catch them. Why? It is because locusts change their colours together with the change of the colours of crops. When crops are green, locusts look green. But as the harvest time comes, locusts change to the same brown colour as crops have. Some other pests with different colours from plants are easily found and eaten by others. So they have to hide themselves and appear only at night.
If you study the animal life, you'll find the main use of colouring is to protect themselves. Bears, lions and other animals move quietly through forests. They cannot be easily seen by hunters. This is because they have the colours much like the trees.
Have you ever noticed an even stranger act? A kind of fish in the sea can send out a kind of black liquid(液体) when they face danger. The liquid spreads over quickly, so they cannot be found by their enemies and can quickly swim away. That is why they can live safely though they aren't strong at all.
A:Hello! Is that Mrs Rainbow?
B:Yes.
A:I am a college student. I wonder if colour really has such amazing power.
B:Yes. We have discovered many facts about colours through research.
A:But I am still not sure about it.
B:It certainly works. You can come to our office if you really need help.
A:
B:Oh, no. You have to pay 20 yuan for half an hour.
A:My problem is that my skin is too pale. I just want to know how to make it look better. I feel sad about it.
B:That's an easy case.
A:By the way, I am feeling stressed these days. Can you make me relaxed?
B:Lots of teens have the same problem as you. We do have ways to solve it!
A. We promise that we can improve your life. B. Is there anything I can do for you? C. Where is your office? D. Is it free? E. I am interested in your colour therapy. F. I can suggest what colours you should wear. G. Thank you very much. |