THE CHINESE WRITING SYSTEM①：
CONNECTING THE PAST AND THE PRESENT
China is widely known for② its ancient civilisation③ [1]which has continued all the way through into④ modern times, despite⑤ the many ups and downs⑥ in its history.There are many reasons [2]why this has been possible, but one of the main factors⑦ has been the Chinese writing system.
[1]which has continued all the way through into modern times是which引导的定语从句，修饰先行词its ancient civilisation，which在从句中作主语。
[2]why this has been possible是why引导的定语从句，修饰先行词reasons。
At the beginning⑧ , written Chinese was a picturebased⑨ language.It dates back several thousand years to⑩ the use of longgu—animal bones? and shells? [3]on which symbols? were carved? by ancient Chinese people．Some of the ancient symbols can still be seen in today's hanzi.
[3]on which symbols were carved by ancient Chinese people是“介词on＋which”引导的定语从句，修饰先行词animal bones and shells。
[4]By the Shang Dynasty? (around 1600－1046 BCE), these symbols had become a welldeveloped writing system. Over the years, the system developed into different forms, [5]as it was a time when people were divided geographically, leading to? many varieties? of dialects? and characters?．This, however, changed under Emperor Qinshihuang of the Qin Dynasty (221－207 BCE).
[4]“by＋过去的时间”作时间状语时，句子用过去完成时。
[5]as引导原因状语从句；when引导定语从句，修饰先行词a time; leading to ...是现在分词短语作结果状语。
Emperor Qinshihuang united the seven major? states into one unified country where the Chinese writing system began to develop in one direction.That writing system was of great importance in uniting the Chinese people and culture.Even today, [6]no matter where Chinese people live or what dialect they speak, they can all still communicate in writing.
[6]no matter where Chinese people live是no matter where引导的让步状语从句；or (no matter) what dialect they speak是(no matter) what引导的让步状语从句，句子前省略了no matter。
Written Chinese has also become an important means [7]by which China's present is connected with its past．People in modern times can read the classic works [8]which were written by Chinese in ancient times．The high regard for the Chinese writing system can be seen in the development of Chinese characters as an art form, known as Chinese calligraphy, [9] which has become an important part of Chinese culture．
[7]by which China's present is connected with its past是“介词by＋ which”引导的定语从句，修饰先行词an important means。
[8]which were written by Chinese in ancient times是which引导的定语从句，修饰先行词the classic works, which在从句中作主语。
[9]which has become an important part of Chinese culture是which引导的定语从句，修饰先行词Chinese calligraphy, which在从句中作主语。
Today, the Chinese writing system is still an important part of Chinese culture.[10] As China plays a greater role in global affairs, an increasing number of international students are beginning to appreciate China's culture and history through this amazing language.
[10]As China plays a greater role in global affairs是as引导的时间状语从句，此处as意为“随着”。
