The Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo, once struggling to sustain its     1     (survive), has undergone a remarkable turnaround. It has become a popular destination     2     visitors can glimpse diverse animals and appreciate the beauty and significance of life.

The man behind     3     U-turn is Shen Zhijun, an animal welfare advocate. Last August, Shen took to the Internet     4     (publicize) his decade-long reform efforts—a comprehensive campaign transforming the conventional zoo into a conservation-focused sanctuary (保护区). During his 30-minute speech     5     (title) A Zoo’s Pursuit, Shen showcased the successful changes that he had performed.

After witnessing the helpless and hopeless expressions of the animals, Shen’s team set about making changes.     6     (initial), they removed animal shows, which traditionally serve as the financial backbone of zoos. Subsequently, they transformed the park’s landscape, cleverly using the     7     (exist) mountainous terrain of Hongshan to reproduce the natural habitats of animals in the wild. Plus, they introduced “multi-level villas” where animals belonging to the same ecological zone but not occupying the base of the food chain can     8     (house) together, based on their ecological and geographical distribution.

This zoo has emerged     9     the most animal-friendly zoo in China. Striking a balance between respecting animals’ dignity and providing visitors with enjoyable experiences is a challenging task,     10     Shen’s team has successfully achieved it.

Scientists have exposed that around two-fifths of the world’s plants are at risk of extinction. A top botanist, Professor Alexandre Antonelli, said, “We are living in    1    age of extinction.”

It's a very    2     (worry) picture of risk and urgent need for action. We’re losing the race against time as species are disappearing faster    3    we can find and name them. Many of them could hold important clues for solving some of the most pressing    4     (challenge) of medicine and even perhaps of the emerging and current pandemics we are seeing today.”

There    5     (be) positive signs in the past few years. More than 4, 000 species of plants and fungi (菌类)     6     (discover) in 2019, among which are potential future foods that could be a lifeline to millions of people on Earth suffering from    7     (poor) and food insecurity. Professor Antonelli stressed    8     (firm) the importance of protecting these and all plant life on Earth. He said, “We would not be able    9     (survive) without plants and fungi — all life depends on them. Every time we lose a species, we lose an opportunity     10    humankind.” Leading scientists will demand that the world leaders act against biodiversity loss.

First it was pets, then fish.Now it's poultry(家禽）and pigs. The list of animals     1    （allow)to feed on insects is growing.A new EU law authorizing(授权）the use of insect protein in poultry and pig feed(饲料）came     2     force earlier this month.

Since a ban on processed animal protein was imposed in 2001 in the wake of the“mad cow”crisis, soy and fishmeal     3     (become)the base of animal feed in Europe.     4    ，their production needs lots of space and can be harmful to the environment,so feed manufacturers are looking for alternatives.Insects are just the ticket.They are raised in farms     5     require little land or water, and they can be fed on agricultural by-products or food waste such as rotting fruit and vegetables. They're also a natural fit. Most wild fish, birds and pigs eat insects.

The one thing going against them is price: insect protein is two to three times     6    （expensive)than fishmeal.Increasing production may help reduce the difference.Insect companies have worked hard.Research suggests insects may be more than mere feed,boosting growth rates and immune systems as well as filling     7     (stomach).They also offer the prospect of a green,local protein.

Poultry and pig feed are by far     8     largest animal-feed markets,but they're more     9    （compete)than food for pets or fish. This year the European Food Safety Agency has ruled that three species of insects (yellow mealworm, locusts and house crickets) are safe for humans to eat as well.     10     surprises them is that people seem less keen on the idea than chickens and pigs.