My friends and I joined a two-day survival (生存) training course in the mountains. The first day was really _________ there was so much to do! Arriving at the camping site, we were divided into groups and given a tent, some food, a _________ and a compass (指南针). Standing next to a small river, Fanny suggested camping in the grassy area nearby. However, our instructor, Mr. Lee, pointed out that it might flood if it rained. In the end, we found a _________ area. Putting up the tent was very hard. _________, Mr. Lee helped us a lot.

By the time we had put up the tent, _________ was really hungry. “We wouldn’t have got this hungry if we had brought some snacks,” Peter said. We all told him to _________ complaining and help us start a fire to cook our food instead. Realizing we were having trouble making the fire, he finally helped out.

The next day started early. Woken by a strange noise, Peter went to see what was _________. “Some cows have eaten our breakfast!” he shouted. “That’s all because you didn’t put away the food properly last night,” said Mr. Lee. Worried that Mr. Lee would be _________ us, we tried very hard on our next task—using the map and compass to find a secret location. We made it to the location _________ the other groups did. We all felt very proud of __________.

The survival training course was great. Now I feel I could survive anywhere!

The giant panda is an animal popular with people all over the world. With their black and white fur and soft round bodies, they are loved by the old and young. Do you love them? If you do, why not join in a panda volunteer programme? Here are some tips for you if you want to be a volunteer of the programme.

Book Early

If you don’t book early, the programme may become fully booked. Some volunteer programme limit (限制) the number of the volunteers. We suggest booking at least one week in advance.

Follow the Instructions

Giant pandas lead a very different life. Sometimes, it is very hard for them to stand outside influences. We’d better not disturb their peaceful life, so some of the activities might be changed or cancelled.

Please do not make any noise or movements that might disturb the pandas.

Please do not get close to the pandas or throw food to them, unless the panda keeper tells you to do so. It might disturb the pandas’ eating habits and cause them to become sick.

For your safety, do not get into the cage, touch the adult pandas, or let them touch you, unless the panda keeper tells you to do so.

Do not take photos or videos unless it’s allowed

Dress Code

To protect yourself when carrying bamboo, please do no wear shorts or slippery (滑的) shoes. Also, pandas have a very keen (敏锐的) sense of smell. As you will get very close to them, please do not wear perfume (香水) or nail polish.

The cowboy is the hero of many movies. He is, even today, a symbol(标志) of courage and adventure. But what was the life of the cowboy really like?

The cowboy’s job is clear from the word cowboy. Cowboys were men who took care of the cows and other cattle (牛) . The cattle were in the West and in Texas. People in the cities of the East wanted beef from these cattle. Trains could take the cattle east. But first the cattle had to get to the train. Part of the cowboy’s job was to take the cattle hundreds of miles to the railroad towns.

The trips were called “cattle drivers”. A cattle drive usually took several months. Cowboys rode for sixteen hours a day. Because they rode so much, each cowboy brought along about eight horses. A cowboy changed horses several times each day.

Cowboys had to make sure that the cattle arrived safely. Before starting on a drive, they branded the cattle. They burned a mark(记号) on the cattle to show who they belong to(属于). But these marks didn’t stop thieves. Cowboys had to protect the cattle from thieves. Thieves made the dangerous trip even more dangerous.

Although their work was very difficult and dangerous, cowboys did not earn much money. They were paid badly. Yet cowboys liked their ways of life. They lived in the wild and open country. They lived a life of adventure and freedom.

Taking public transportation(公共交通) in the United States, you can often see people reading books on their way to school or work. But in China, I rarely (很少的) see people reading during their free time.

Are people s attitudes toward reading different here? Not really, Data (数据) released by Amazon China in December 2017 show that Chinese people still read a lot. They simply prefer e-books over regular books.

However, other data show that reading is still more popular in the US than in China. Is there a reason for this difference? I’m not sure. What I do know is that China has a rich history of literature (文学) (From classic novels like Romance of the Three Kingdoms(《三国演义》) to the modern science-fiction books The Three- Body Problem(《三体》), Chinese writers have created many fantastic written works. Perhaps the difference starts from childhood. Reading textbooks and doing homework can make you feel quite tired. By the time you finish it, you might not fell like reading for fun. Chinese students definitely (肯定) have to read more and do more homework than US students. So it’s no wonder that they might not want to read much in their spare time.

But learning to love reading can be great. Reading can open doors to places, people and ideas that you cannot imagine. Even just a single book has the power to change your own beliefs and attitudes. Where will your next book take you?