In China, the history of people planting and using bamboo can date back to as far as 7,000 years ago. As early as the Shang Dynasty, bamboo was being used in ancient people’s daily lives. It was used for food, clothing, housing, transportation,     1    (music) instruments and even weapons.

The application of bamboo in science and technology is thrilling. In 251 BC, Li Bing, in Sichuan,     2    (lead) the local people in building the Dujiang Weirs, the first irrigation network in the world, in which bamboo played     3     important role. The world’s oldest water pipe was also made of bamboo. During the Han Dynasty, the people in Sichuan     4    (successful) sank a 1,600-meter-deep well with thick bamboo     5    (rope). This technology did not spread to Europe until the 19th century, and it was by using the technology     6     the Americans drilled the first oil well in Pennsylvania in 1859.

In Chinese culture, bamboo is well-known     7     one of the “four gentlemen” in plants. To many distinguished men, bamboo is a symbol of goodness and honesty. It is always closely     8    (relate) to people of positive spirits. Bamboo culture contributes to encouraging people     9     are positive and brave to hold on when     10    (face) tough situations.

Wild Chinese sturgeon (鲟) are thought to have lived at the same time as dinosaurs and among the first class of protected animals in China. Last week, a wild Chinese sturgeon,     1     is believed to be the largest ever found in the past two decades, arrived in Beijing for better treatment. The species is one of the critically endangered     2     (species) in China and can be found only in the Yangtze and Pearl rivers.

The Chinese sturgeon “Houfu”, which literally means “good fortune for ever after”, arrived at the Beijing Aquarium on Monday after 22 hours of transport     3     Hubei Province.

When     4    (find) by a fisherman in the Yangtze River Basin, it had been suffering from multiple injuries. It was sent to the Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute for treatment immediately.     5     she was so weak, local care takers had difficulty     6    (feed) it. The Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute decided to move it to Beijing to receive     7     (far) treatment.

Nicknamed “Aquatic giant pandas” and listed as a wild creature under state protection,     8     (fortunate), the species has been struggling due to water projects, busy waterway traffic     9     pollution in recent years. The number of Chinese sturgeon living in the wild     10    (fall) sharply to about 50 now from about 1, 000 in 1982, according to researchers’ estimates.

Nowadays, more and more wild animals are entering cities. Most of us assume that urban     1    (develop) and climate change push the animals out of their habitats. But it is humans     2     have moved into their territory. Cities offer     3    (increasing) appealing spaces to animals as habitats. These animals can be out of reach from their natural     4    (predator). What’s more,       5    (hunger) animals are finding plenty to eat. Urban animals are     6    (intelligent) than their wild cousins. Some animals have changed their living habits to fit     7     with their new homes. Some species are more affected     8     others. These birds have yet to change their     9    (migrate) routes.

We should learn to better understand and appreciate our wild neighbours and     10    (harmonious) share our urban habitats.