The Lanting Xu (Preface of the Orchid Pavilion) or Lanting ji Xu is a famous work of calligraphy by Wang Xizhi (301 CE to 363 CE), 1._________ (compose) in the 353 CE. Written in elegant semi-cursive script and underpinned by deep philosophical thinking, it is among the best known and often copied pieces of calligraphy in Chinese history and also 2.________ famous piece of Chinese literature. It is revered as the best running calligraphy. Wang Xizhi is respected 3.________ Shu Sheng, “Sage of Calligraphy” or “Super Master of Calligraphy”.
Lanting Xu 4._________ (contain) 28 vertical lines and 324 characters. According to legend, the 5._________ (origin) copy was passed down to successive generations in the Wang family in secrecy until the monk Zhi Yong , dying without an heir, left it to the care of a disciple monk, Bian Cai . Emperor Tai Zong of Tang Dynasty (599 CE to 649 CE) heard about this masterpiece. He sent messengers on three occasions to retrieve the text, 6.________ each time Bian Cai responded that it had been lost.
Finally Tai Zong dispatched Xiao Yi who, disguised as a wandering scholar, 7.__________ (gradual) gained the confidence of Bian Cai and persuaded him 8.__________(show) him the Preface of the Orchid Pavilion. Thereupon, Xiao Yi seized the work, revealed his 9._________(identify), and took it back to Tai Zong.
Tai Zong loved this masterpiece very much and ordered the top calligraphers such as Yú Shì-nán ), Chǔ Suì-liáng, Féng Chéng-sù, and Ouyáng Xún to trace, copy, and engrave into stone for posterity. Tai Zong treasured the work so much 10.________ he had the original interred in his tomb, Zhao lin , after his death. The authentic Lanting Xu has not been seen since then.
答案
1.composed 2.a 3.as 4.contains 5.original 6.but 7.gradually 8.to show 9.identity 10.that
翻译
《兰亭集序》是著名书法家王羲之的杰作，创作于公元353年。它用优雅的半草书体写成，同时内涵深刻的哲学思想，是中国历史上最著名的、经常被临摹的书法作品之一，也是我国著名的文学作品。它被尊为是最好的行书书法(天下第一行書)。王羲之被称为书圣、超级书法大师。
最后太宗派萧翼伪装成一个流浪的读书人靠近辩才，逐渐得到了辩才的信任，并说服辩才给他看看《兰亭集序》。之后，萧翼抢过《兰亭集序》，透露了自己的身份，把《兰亭集序》献给了太宗。
太宗非常喜爱《兰亭集序》，命令顶级书法家虞世南、褚遂良、冯承素和欧阳荀去临摹《兰亭集序》，并把它刻在了石头上。太宗非常珍爱《兰亭集序》，把《兰亭集序》和他一起葬在昭陵。从此，《兰亭集序》的真迹再也没有人见过。
词汇解析
preface /ˈprefəs/n. （书的）前言；开端，序幕
semi-cursive行书
philosophical /ˌfɪləˈsɒfɪk(ə)l/ adj. 哲学的；达观的，处乱不惊的
revere /rɪˈvɪə(r)/ v. 尊敬，崇敬
dispatch /dɪˈspætʃ /v. 派遣；发送
disguise /dɪsˈɡaɪz /v. 假扮，伪装
authentic [ɔːˈθentɪk] adj. 原作的，真迹的
