For the past three days, I as well as my wife and two kids     1     (be) on a canoe (独木舟) trip in Algonquin Provincial Park, a famous park     2     occupies a large area of central Ontario.

We packed     3     (we) into an 18.5-foot canoe big enough for two small bottoms     4     (sit) side by side. We moved at a slow pace, slow enough to appreciate everything on the way. At our campsite, nature became the kids' play space. It was a rare slowdown for me. I was always     5     (expect) to have more time to sleep or read. On this trip, I did plenty of both things—napping in the afternoon     6     the wind blowing through the tent and reading an adventure story. We paddled (用桨划船) homeward yesterday, feeling     7     (relax) and happy. And yet—this is the thing that I find amazing—we didn't go that far. In total, we     8     (probable) covered a distance equal to what a car could drive in ten minutes at highway speed.

To experience such a vacation in a place that I know as home was definitely     9     unique experience. The family canoe trip will, without doubt, become an annual event, and as the kids grow we'll go further and explore more of Algonquin and other beautiful     10     (part) of Ontario.

Citizens Forest is a young organization from northern Germany. Its small team helps people in     1     (vary) places to plant forests in the city. The principle is very simple: citizens look locally to see if there are any small, unused areas     2    are possible to be reforested (重新造林). The areas do not have to be large. A “Tiny Forest” can be created from as little as 60m². The organization     3     (provide) support with planning, talks with the authorities involved and shows everyone involved what is possible.

The model is a sure-fire success. There are motivated people and companies everywhere     4     (long) to get involved. Until now, around 30 projects     5     (carry) out and 500 more are planned to be launched over the next three years. The aim of Citizens Forests is     6     (establish) a Germany-wide network of local reforestation projects. They also hope to make reforestation     7    normal part of social life in the future.

Tiny Forests are more than just woodlands     8     nature and people, they also helps create natural biotopes (生物栖息地) with a variety of plant and animal     9     (species) . In addition, Citizens Forests also makes efforts to promote environmental education, which as a result raises people’s     10     (aware) of environmental protection.

Just days ago, a special “squirrel map” attracted public attention in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province.

    1     map marks about 20 areas where squirrels are often seen in a number of public places—not just parks     2     residential(住宅的) areas and even hotels. A resident in Chengdu said, “Thanks to the city’s improved environment and people’s stronger     3    (aware) of animal protection, more wild     4    (creature) are being seen more often now in Chengdu.”

For animal lovers nationwide, the chances of coming into closer contact     5     such creatures have risen in recent years, with an increasing number of animals being found roaming(漫游) in cities or approaching areas     6     people live.

In December, seven     7    (endanger) alpine musk deer were sighted in Qinghai’s Three-River-Source National Park. Moreover, a herd of about 100 wild red deer under State protection was also observed by local rangers in February.

Similar cases have been reported off China’s coast. On June 29, a Bryde’s whale, a Class 1 protected species,     8    (find) by fishermen in Dapeng Bay near Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. Chen Cheng, who lives in Shenzhen and has noted the marine life population rising in the area, said, “The quality of coastal waters in Shenzhen     9    (improve)greatly in the past five years. It’s easy to find jellyfish in these waters. I once came across a dolphin, so I hope whales will appear more     10    (frequent) in the future.”