Giant pandas are one of the most famous animals in the world.     1     They also form part of our culture, history and tradition. In fact, pandas have always held a special place in our hearts.

    2     With the strength of a bear, the gentleness of a cat, and those black spots on their faces, these wonderful animals warm our hearts.     3     For example, their black and white fur is said to stand for yin and yang, and the importance of balance (平衡) between energies. They not only seem sweet and gentle, but also is seen as a symbol of strength (力量).

    4     China is known for using pandas in its diplomatic (外交的) relations.     5     In doing so, we show that China is a country that is open to other cultures. We also hope that we can keep good relationships with other countries.

Next time, when you get stuck(堵塞) behind a slow driver, look at the colour of his car. It will probably be green. American researchers have found that green cars are chosen by stubborn(固执的) drivers who dislike to get out of the way for anybody. They also complain about the way others drive.

The study also shows that bright red cars are usually driven by outgoing people who hate being overtaken(赶超). And, it is said that yellow cars are always in a hurry. Drivers of yellow cars will not wait when they get stuck. They will turn off the road and try to find another way.

Blue is the colour chosen by the relaxed drivers. It’s hardly possible for them to get angry with other drivers and they will almost certainly stop before the red light.

Black was the only colour available when cars were first sold. Many people remember that Henry Ford, the producer of the first cars, once said “Any colour—so long as (只要)it’s black” when someone asked about what colour car he could have. Now black has become a popular colour in some countries.

When you think of mushrooms, the image that comes to your mind is probably the delicious food in cream soup and pizza. You are not alone. Most of us think that mushrooms are just a kind of nutritious food. In fact, mycelium, the bottom part of mushrooms, is not used in our dishes but used to make handbags or build houses.

Mycelium, a newly developed material, has become more and more important in industry since a company called Ecovative Design produced mycelium bags in 2007. People are trying to make more mycelium-based products because mycelium grows fast and doesn’t take up farming land. Besides, it has very low environment footprint. It can even break down waste. It’s also useful for creating new materials. For example, mycelium can reuse waste to create packaging materials by weaving its network through the waste.

Mycelium has already been put into use in many parts of daily life. In the project “The Growing Pavillion”, scientists from the Netherlands used mycelium as one of the materials to build a house. This material can keep the house cool. Another project is “Myceli-yum”. It produces mycelium-based meat which looks nearly 100% like real meat! Producing the meat uses much less energy than producing common meat. Its high nutrition and low cholesterol make it a popular choice for people who want to lose weight. Max Justice, an expert in space, uses mycelium as one of the most important materials for a new satellite. He hopes when the satellite finishes its work, it can break down itself instead of becoming space junk.

However, mycelium has its limits. Buildings made from mycelium are easy to get wet inside, as the material itself isn’t resistant to water. Compared with common houses, mycelium-based houses are not strong enough against natural disasters like earthquakes.

Scientists are working hard to improve the quality of mycelium and experimenting with new uses of it. So keep an eye out, because over the next few years, you’re likely to find more mycelium-based products all around you.

【推荐2】Knowing how to read, write and talk in one language is enough for many people. They prefer to focus their energy on other things that improve their lives. Scientists, however, continue to discover that bilingualism, the ability to speak two languages fluently, has more benefits than many realize.

First, it’s good for a child’s brain. Learning a second language improves their academic achievements. Many studies have shown that children who learn a foreign language get better grades at school. Bilingual children also show a better ability in their native language. Their grammar, vocabulary and spelling skills are stronger than those of single-language speakers. Children who learn a second language become expert problem-solvers and creative thinkers. That’s because their brains are constantly working to sort out which language to speak and when. Studies further show that bilingual teens are better at multitasking.

Multilingual parents understand the benefits of learning more than one language. Ben Mazor of Montreal speaks English, French and Hebrew. He says, “Kids’ brains are like a sponge. They absorb everything. It comes to them so easily while they’re young. So why not give them the chance to learn another language?”

A number of studies show that _______. Scottish researchers did a study using data from 835 native English speakers, who took an IQ test at the age of 11. They were tested again in their 70s. Researchers then compared the tests. Those who spoke two or more languages had obviously better cognitive abilities (认知能力). Dr. Thomas Baka, co-author of the study, concluded, “Our results suggest a protective effect of bilingualism against age-related cognitive weakening.”

So, who would refuse the benefits of learning a second language?