More than 700 years ago, a 17-year-old Italian youth followed his father and uncle on a journey to the East, dreaming about the mysteries of China. The three set____ on a path that might have frightened even the most ambitious travellers. The young adventurer was Marco Polo.

    Having a talent for languages，Marco Polo learned to speak Mongolian and Chinese. Later under the orders of Kublai Khan, he____(travel) far and wide across China. Along the way, he stopped ____ (record) detailed notes about the local customs, geography and values of the people, so as to report back to the Khan.

    Marco Polo returned to Venice 24 years later. With____ (count) treasures brought back from the East, he became____ wealthy man overnight.____ he witnessed in China aroused much interest among his countrymen. Marco Polo's journey to China and the contents of his____ (vivid) written book, The Travels of Marco Polo, which____ (think) to be a fairy tale in Europe at the time, triggered a wave of European interest in the Orient.

    Marco Polo's story is both one about an explorer's search riches and a Westerner____ (follow) his dream to reach China. More than 700 years later, China, the once mysterious Oriental nation，is igniting the Chinese dream of many modem Marco Polos, attracted by its rapid ____(develop) and its growing importance in the world.