Hoi An was a busy trading port in the past, where merchants from many countries came. Between the 15th (1) _______ 19th centuries, people from China, Japan, and Europe lived along the Thu Bon River. Today, 30 hectares of this old town are (2) _______ as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site.

The town's special mix of cultures can be seen in (3) _______ narrow streets. Old shop-houses stand next to family homes, with beautiful (4) _______ on their roofs. Away from the old ferry dock, there is (5) _______ open market, pagodas, and a wooden bridge that once connected the Japanese and Chinese areas. Hoi An is especially beautiful at night, when the streets are lit up by thousands of colorful lanterns.

1. We are now living in the 21st century, and people often compare it with past centuries. Every century has both good and bad things, so it is hard to say which one is the best. However, many people think that life is better now than before.

2. The quality of life depends on many things like health care, education, food, safety, and freedom. The biggest advantage of this century is the development of technology, which has improved many parts of life. For example, in the past, many people died from diseases, but now technology helps doctors treat many illnesses. People live longer than before. In addition, food scarcity is less of a problem because of advances in farming. Scientists are developing new types of crops to help feed more people, which has helped to reduce hunger. These changes show how technology has improved healthcare, food, and other parts of life.