Chen Huaming is a dough sculptor （面人雕刻家）.He is very skillful and has good eyesight.He also works well with his hands.Chen is quite patient because dough sculpting takes a long time.His creative imagination（想象力）helps him to think of interesting things to make.When he works，he wears simple old clothes.They usually get dirty when he works.
    The skill of dough making is often learnt from family members.Chen's father started teaching him when he was only five years old.The materials needed are easy to get and the preparation is simple.Water，wheat flour and glutinous rice flour are mixed together，boiled and then allowed to cool down.Adding chemicals helps the dough to last longer.Only very simple tools are used to shape the dough.
    Chen works either at his home or in a studio.He turns the basic mixture into shapes.These shapes are many different sizes and colours and there are a lot of influences on his style.He likes to show ancient Chinese culture in his work and the shapes can be very detailed.Chen thinks that dough figures are a very good thing to collect.
    The ancient Chinese craft of dough sculpting first appeared in the Han Dynasty.（汉朝）They were most popular during the Qing Dynasty.Sadly，this fascinating art is quickly disappearing，like many other traditional crafts.In a few years，it could disappear completely.

（1）What does Chen Huaming do？
He is

a dough sculptor.

a dough sculptor.

.
（2）What helps Chen to think of interesting things to make？

His creative imagination

His creative imagination

does.
（3）When did Chen's father start teaching him the skill？

When he was only five years old.

When he was only five years old.

.
（4）How does Chen help the dough last longer？

Adding chemicals helps

Adding chemicals helps

helps the dough to last longer.
（5）Chen works at home，doesn't he？

No，he doesn't

No，he doesn't

.
（6）What do you think of our traditional skill？

Great

Great

.