【推荐1】Antarctica remained largely untouched by humans for thousands of years, allowing an ecosystem to develop independently. However, since the 1990s, the last wild land on the planet is becoming an increasingly popular destination for adventure-seeking tourists. Now, a study newly conducted shows the visitors may be leaving behind harmful bacteria which could destroy that area’s bird population.

We mainly hear about zoonoses（动物传染病）— diseases like Ebola and pig flu — that are spread from animals to humans, yet humans can also infect animals with illnesses such as the flu. Researchers, however, believed that Antarctic animals, which had no recorded reverse（反向的）cases of zoonoses, were not affected by the danger due to the extreme environment. But microbiologists Marta Cerda-Cuellar at the Research Center for Animal Health, was not convinced this was true.

So she and some colleagues decided to examine waste samples from Antarctic birds for evidence of human bacteria. To ensure the waste was not polluted, the scientists had to collect it from the birds themselves. This was no easy task. It took the scientists four years to collect waste samples of 666 adult birds from 24 local species. However, it was well worth the effort. The results of their study showed the presence of several types of human bacteria in the bird waste.

“The bacteria, which are a common cause for infections in humans, don’t usually cause death in wild animals,” says Cerda-Cuellar. “However, the pathogens（病原体）that arrive to highly sensitive populations could cause extinction of some populations and destroy the local ecosystem.” The researcher also fears the presence of these bacteria could foresee the arrival of other, more deadly, pathogens as the number of people visiting the area increases. While the best solution would be to prevent tourism, Cerda-Cuellar, who believes it is because of efforts from tourist and scientific groups that Antarctica remains largely protected, says that’s impossible. “While we should do as much as possible to reduce the spread, it’s hard to believe we’ll stop tourism and science at these sites, and so it is hard to believe that humans won’t continue to pass on pathogens.”

【推荐2】People realize that，although animals may not have the same intelligence as human beings，they are smart enough to learn certain things.

Dogs are extremely useful as companions for blind people.When a dog has been properly trained，he will always lead his blind master in the right direction and keep him out of danger.For example，seeing­eye dogs learn never to cross a busy road when cars are coming，even if their master ordered them to do so.

Horses are also able to learn many things.Horses that are used for guard or police duty must learn never to be frightened of noises，traffic，and other disturbances.Racing horses are able to run much faster than other horses，but they are also quite high stung(易紧张的)．Therefore，it is necessary for those people who train them to be very patient and understanding.

The moving pictures and television can use trained animals too.Some animals，such as monkeys and foxes，are easy to film.All you have to do is make_a_trail in front of the camera by dragging something that smells good to the animals over the ground，big animals，such as lions and tigers，can be photographed as they bound happily back their families and dinner，if a movie actor is nearby，the well­trained animal will pay no attention to him.However，the audience may imagine that the actor escaped a terrible death by the skin of his teeth.

【推荐2】At work, Morgan Philpott cares for sick children. In his off-hours, the Australian nurse turns his attention to an equally unprotected group unwell koala. “They really run the risk of becoming extinct inside our lifetime,” Philpott said at an animal hospital on Sydney’s outskirts while helping

At work, Morgan Philpott cares for sick children. In his off-hours, the Australian nurse turns his attention to an equally unprotected group unwell koala. “They really run the risk of becoming extinct inside our lifetime,” Philpott said at an animal hospital on Sydney’s outskirts while helping treat a rescued koala affected with a disease.

Disease among the koalas, bushfires, drought, cutting down of forest, and loss of urban habitat are some of the many destructive forces that continue to threaten their survival. These forces, a government report warned in June, could make Australia’s symbolic animal extinct in New South Wales—the nation’s most populous state—by 2050.

The country’s worst summer of bushfires in a generation destroyed more than 11.2 million hectares, nearly half the area of the United Kingdom, putting the gray tree-hugging animals into the center of national conservation and a hot political issue. In New South Wales, at least 5,000 koalas were killed in the fires that burned 80 percent of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area and 24 percent of koala habitat on public land, the government’s June report said.

New state laws have sought to limit the ability of farmers to clear land considered important for koala habitat, setting off a political debate between urban conservationists and people in the bush who wanted to manage their land. The rate of tree-clearing and I loss of habitats are behind all of the other factors that threaten them in those developed areas which include dog attacks and vehicle accidents said Kellie leigh. head of Science for wildlife. a nonprofit conservation organization.

【推荐1】The first time I went to France, I was shocked by the cultural differences in daily routines and manners. Born and brought up in Britain, I used to believe that we share the same cultural manners with our European neighbour. But how wrong I was!

The most challenging difference for me was the food and eating time. After one month of living here, I still got strange looks as I ate my homemade sandwiches behind a computer screen while the other colleagues enjoyed a three-course meal in the canteen. They also had a two-hour "pause" which seemed to involve every employee in France. What's more, having evening meals at 6 pm was a common habit for people from the north of England, like me. Therefore, an evening meal at 9 pm was quite challenging for my stomach. After realising the fact that the local snacks were worth the wait, however, I quickly accustomed to this more relaxing way of life, which was hard to imagine before I came here.

Another aspect of French food and drink culture that I found hard to adapt to at first is the cafe culture. I am getting used to a quick espresso(浓咖啡 ), but deep down I have to admit that when catching up with an old friend, nothing suits more than a tall latte(1#)and a slice of homemade cake, preferably in a comfortable English tea room

Finally, there go greetings. At home I feel comfortable shaking someone's hand on the first meeting. So when I greeted a stranger with two kisses on the cheeks, I felt slightly out of my comfort zone. I do,though, appreciate this part of the French culture.

Being exposed to cultural differences is a unique experience which makes you appreciate your roots more and open your eyes to the diversity of the world.

【推荐2】Most people recognize the music John Williams wrote for the film Jaws. As soon as you hear it, you begin thinking that a shark will attack. And that is exactly what you are meant to think. On the big screen, Jaws is a scary film. However, if you watch it without the music, it becomes boring. The music tells you to be frightened about what you are seeing. Good film scores always signal how to feel about what is happening on the screen.

No one can talk about film scores without talking about Hans Zimmer. He did the music for many films, such as The Dark Knight and The Lion King. Zimmer and Williams have very different styles and ideas for film scores. There are people who do not like Williams, scores for the Harry Potter films because they stand out too much, while some people do not like Zimmer's scores because they sometimes do not stand out enough. Of course, in many ways, that is not the point When you leave a film, you should not be saying, “Wow! Great music!”, Instead, you should be saying, “Wow! Great film!”

A third, very different kind of film composer is Tan Dun, who has a classical music background, unlike many film composers. Tan started out as a musician for the Peking Opera. However, he fell in love witii Western classical music, and started writing classical Western operas that show a strong touch of Chinese music. Like his operas, the scores for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Hero use Chinese musical instruments and styles in a Western classical music score.

The music follows all of the rules of most film scores — the purpose is to tell you how to feel about the action in the film, and to help tell the story. However, perhaps because of Tan's background in classical music, his scores can stand alone as works of art without needing a film to support them.

Film scores are almost always a form of classical music. However, unlike most classical music, they have never been considered high art. Perhaps with Tan Dun, this will begin to change.