Passage 1: The Creation and Challenges of the Spice - Themed Documentary
标题译文:香料主题纪录片的创作与挑战
Chief director Liu Shutong explains that the documentary 1.____ (take) two and a half years from planning to release. The pre - production phase, 2.____ involved extensive research and preparation, consumed a significant amount of the team's energy.
"Spices like Sichuan pepper (or Chinese prickly ash), saffron and star anise, 3.____ are featured this season, were touched upon in previous episodes. However, this season we 4.____ (focus) more on a systematic approach, showcasing how spices have influenced human diets and shaped eating habits," Liu says.
Liu emphasizes that the documentary doesn't only focus on spices as they are today but aims 5.____ (explore) how they gradually influenced our eating practices. "After humans began farming, the range of food was quite narrow. Eating noodles or rice every day can become monotonous," he says. "Spices have made our meals more vibrant and diverse. I think this is the biggest effect of spices. They make the world more colorful."
This season also has the highest proportion of overseas content in the Once Upon a Bite series. "When selecting overseas topics, we sought common ground through Chinese cuisine. By choosing relevant content, the audience 6.____ (feel) more connected. At the same time, we leveraged global cuisines to offer viewers a worldwide view of food," Liu says. When introducing basil in the documentary, the production team filmed at a mother - daughter - run pho shop in Vietnam. Liu explains that the team visited more than 100 pho shops before 7.____ (select) the one that was ultimately featured. "Our core focus is to tell people's stories, not just picking a trendy spot," he says.
One challenge for Liu and his team was 8.____ (convey) the spices' scents to viewers. "Spices are all about smell but how do we 'translate' that Unlike ingredients like meat or grains, whose appeal is more visual, an aroma is intangible," Liu says. To make the spices appear more vivid, the team used dynamic and microscopic shots, including time - lapse sequences of plant growth and CGI effects. "We captured key moments when the flavor forms, whether it's blooming, growing, cracking or changing color," Liu says.
The team also employed montage techniques using visuals of familiar flavors 9.____ (represent) the unknown. Narration plays a crucial role as well. "Many spices are unfamiliar to the audience, so we used familiar tastes to describe them," Liu says. "For example, fennel is like mint with a hint of fruitiness and a mild numbing sensation."
Music also played a key role in "translating" the scent of spices. Liu says the team wanted the music to maintain the series' consistent style while 10.____ (incorporate) different instruments and chord progressions to help convey each spice's unique character.
答案:
took
which
which
focused
to explore
feels
selecting
conveying
to represent
incorporating
Passage 2: The Evolution of “Once Upon a Bite” and the Allure of Spices
标题译文:《风味人间》的演变与香料的魅力
After the third season 1.____ (focus) on seafood and the fourth on grains, this season's spotlight shifts to the often - overlooked world of spices — 2.____ appeared as supporting characters in previous seasons' episodes.
Producer Zhu Lexian explains that the aim of Once Upon a Bite is to uphold continuity and thematic expansion. "What started as a singular focus evolved into a vast series, with each season 3.____ (offer) new angles and sensory experiences, touching on taste, smell, sight and sound. Season 5 adds a fresh chapter to the Once Upon a Bite universe," Zhu says.
According to chief director Chen Xiaoqing, the spice theme is not just a shift in narrative focus but 4.____ (serve) to deepen the understanding of food as a whole. "Spices make eating an intriguing experience. We want to tell a story that you can actually smell," he says. Pepper, cumin, fennel... these are "small heroes". The first episode focuses on the story of seed - based spices. It includes the history of black pepper, one of the earliest global spices, and how it journeyed from South Asia to reach every corner of the world, ultimately 5.____ (dominate) dining tables worldwide.
Guo An, director of this episode, recalls that before working on this theme, he thought of spices as merely a cooking additive. However, through research and preparation during the filming process, he gradually learned that small spices not only enhance but also play a role in balancing and controlling flavors.
"The most profound takeaway from filming spices was the sense of depth in flavors. When I saw the beautifully presented dishes on the monitor during the shoot, I realized my sense of smell was deeply engaged. Suddenly, I could associate these beautiful images with a sensory memory of scent," he says. Moreover, spices have different functions in different cuisines. In some Middle - Eastern cuisines, cumin is used 6.____ (create) a warm and earthy flavor. In Indian cooking, a blend of various spices 7.____ (call) masala is essential for creating rich and complex tastes. These spices not only transform the taste of food but also carry cultural significance. They are often passed down through generations, 8.____ (connect) people to their heritage. The documentary series not only showcases the diversity of spices but also 9.____ (highlight) their importance in our culinary and cultural lives. It makes viewers realize that even the smallest ingredients can have a huge impact. Whether it's the spiciness of chili peppers or the sweetness of cinnamon, each spice has its own unique story 10.____ (tell).
答案:
focused
which
offering
serves
dominating
to create
called
connecting
highlights
to tell
Passage 3: The Allure of Spices in “Once Upon a Bite”
标题译文:《风味人间》中香料的魅力
Once prized as treasures worth their weight in gold and 1.____ (serve) as bridges between Eastern and Western civilizations, spices are an essential part of everyday life. From the ancient Silk Road to modern supermarket shelves, their influence has spread to every corner of the globe. But how well do we truly understand these small seeds, barks and leaves How have they shaped diverse culinary cultures and in what subtle ways do they continue to impact our daily lives
The fifth season of Once Upon a Bite, 2.____ (focus) on The Spice Legends, takes an in - depth journey to answer these questions. With a global perspective, the series traces the origins, expansion and evolution of spices, 3.____ (illustrate) how they influence human life and become woven into our shared cultural heritage. It invites viewers to rediscover these "familiar strangers".
Premiering last month on Tencent Video, the seven - episode documentary series has quickly resonated with audiences, climbing to the top of the platform's documentary charts, trending lists and food documentary rankings to secure the No 1 spot. This series not only takes viewers on a deep dive into essential culinary seasonings like chili peppers, cinnamon, pepper and garlic — staples in daily meals — but also broadens the horizon, 4.____ (explore) the global boundaries of fragrant creations. It follows the flow, migration, conquest and integration of spices, offering a global perspective on unique Chinese cuisines.
The series also shows how different regions have their own 5.____ (prefer) for spices. For example, in some parts of India, spices are used 6.____ (create) rich and complex flavors, while in Mediterranean countries, a 7.____ (select) of herbs and spices add a unique touch to dishes. Through the stories of these spices, we can see how they have become more than just seasonings; they are an integral part of cultural identity. The documentary series is a great opportunity for viewers 8.____ (learn) about the history and cultural significance of spices. It makes us realize that these small substances have had a huge impact on our lives, 9.____ (influence) not only our taste buds but also our social and cultural interactions. Whether it's the way we cook, the way we share meals, or the traditions we uphold, spices play 10.____ important role.
答案:
serving
focusing
illustrating
exploring
preferences
to create
selection
to learn
influencing
an