A year ago, my husband and I were sitting on the beach watching our one-year-old son play in the water, talking about the money we were ________ for his future, something we had started doing since he was born.

Money played a ________ role in both my and my husband’s college decisions-I did my first two years at a community college to save money and my husband’s college fund (资金) got spent on keeping the family ________. The idea that there would be no limitations (限制) for our own kid felt ________.

As our son ________ his hands in the sand, my husband and I threw out ________ of what he might do with the money. “Maybe he’ll be lucky to graduate debt (债务) ________,” my husband laughed. “Or if he gets a full scholarship (奖学金), he could spend the money on an apartment.” “Or he’ll climb Everest or travel around the world”, I ________.

A couple weeks after we drove back to our home, wildfires spread through my hometown in a record-breaking ________. They led to increasingly serious weather ________, including droughts (旱灾) and ice storms. When my son will be college-aged, he will likely care more about air quality and ________ the heat than spring break travel plans.

That night, I asked my husband a question: What if we ________ putting money in our son’s college fund and started using that money to protect him from weather change? But how do you do that? What will he need in 2040 or 2060? After some ________, we had reached an agreement. Saving money for his college education when we’re facing a weather problem just doesn’t ________. Instead, we are planning on using the money to ________ a carbon-free lifestyle now by buying electric cars and starting a backyard vegetable garden.

Wang Pushi is a young man from Beijing and also the lead singer of a rock band. Recently, he impressed (使印象深刻) his audience with his performance at “Youth π Plan”, a music competition show produced by Hunan Satellite TV and Mango TV. He sang a fusion of rock and Kunqu Opera elements (要素) in his song titled “Ming Song”. The audience praised his performance, saying how “cool” and “different” it was, and expressing their admiration for his ability to fill rock into Kunqu Opera.

★ . He joined the Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre 11 years ago. And up to 2023, he has 11 years of experience in Kunqu Opera. Apart from Kunqu Opera, Wang has been interested in rock music from a young age. He said his favorite rock bands and musicians include David Bowie, Nirvana, Beyond, One Republic, and Caspian. In 2019, Wang started a rock band called “Xian Ke” with two other students from the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, Yao Jiahan and Wen Haoyuan. Wang serves as the lead singer and guitarist.

So far, the band has made 25 songs, with one single reaching over a hundred million plays. Wang hopes that through their music, more young people will know about and develop an interest in Kunqu Opera. He hopes to make more people overseas know about their songs and show more excellent Kunqu Opera on international stages.

Brennan did some warm-up exercises before his last cross-country race of the year. The season had been long, and he was h    76     that it was almost over. In fact, Brennan didn’t ever want to race again. He was tired. Brennan had raced in every 5K and 10K around. The     77     (excite) was wearing thin.

“Way to go!” called Coach Thompson. He always e    78     Brennan. In fact, Coach Thompson was a big reason Brennan had stayed     79     the team. He didn’t want to let Coach Thompson down.

Brennan finished the last lap (圈) of the course and     80     (head) out for the cross-country part of the race. The race went over the hills and dunes (沙丘) of the desert. It wasn’t unusual to find desert     81     (animal) passing by. Brennan was a little depressed (意志消沉的) when he ran. The runners ahead of him were in front by a good distance. He would really have to p    82     himself if he wanted a medal.

Just then, Brennan looked down and saw a snake in the path ahead of him. It was hissing (发出咝声) .

“Oh no!” cried Brennan, and he jumped in the air over the snake. Brennan t    83     off in a sprint (冲刺) like he never had before. Brennan kept running until he got p    84     the leader. Racing down to the finish line, he could hardly believe it.

“Nice finish!” shouted his coach. “How did you m    85     that? I didn’t know you had it in you!”

“Just a little motivation (动力),” Brennan smiled. Racing suddenly felt good again.