Woodcarving is a branch of carving. It is one of the traditional Chinese art forms with a time­honored history. It originated in the Neolithic period, and the 1.________ (begin) of woodcarving accompanied people's everyday life demands. Later, when people had 2.________ ability to use their imagination to express ideas, it became a kind of art. The earliest existing woodcarving 3.________ (dig) out in the 1980s in Hubei Province, which is believed 4.________ (have) a history of over two thousand years. Generally, Chinese woodcarving in ancient times 5.________ (consist) of three major categories: architecture carving, furniture carving and artwork carving.

Woodcarving serves practical purposes and at the same time is 6.________ decorative value. Chairs, tables, shelves, animals, flowers and human figures 7.________ (carve) out of wood are common examples of this form of art. In a poem by Han Yu, 8.________ was an outstanding poet of the Tang Dynasty, he described a wood­carved figure vividly.

Chinese woodcarving is appreciated worldwide for its 9.________ (true) detailed structures and the beauty of its themes. Today, many 10.________ (impress) woodcarvings can be seen in private galleries and also in residential areas on both sides of the Yangtze River.