【推荐2】The novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) has already made tens of thousands of people sick. Where did the virus come from? Scientists say it probably came from bats.

Bats can carry and transmit more than 60 viruses that can infect humans， Live Science noted. They include the world’ s deadliest viruses，such as Ebola and HIV. Due to their strong immune systems (免疫系统)，bats are able to host these viruses and not get sick. At the same time，the viruses keep developing inside the bats to create new variants (变体). These variants can then infect new hosts，such as other wild animals.

Pangolins (穿山甲)，for example，might be an intermediate host (中间宿主) for NCP，according to a recent study by Chinese scientists. This means that bats might have given the virus to pangolins，with pangolins then spreading it to humans.

Wild animals like snakes，hedgehogs (刺猬) and bamboo rats also carry various viruses. But since they live in the wild，there should be few chances for humans to come into contact with them and get infected—unless the animals are eaten or used to make animal products. When people hunt， buy and eat wild animals， they can introduce viruses to the rest of the population.

But this doesn’t mean that we should kill wild animals. Each species has a role in the eco-system (生态系统) and all of them are important in keeping a natural ecological balance. The lesson we can learn from disease outbreaks is to respect and protect animals and to live in harmony with them instead of hunting，killing，or eating them.

【推荐3】Trees are useful to man in three very important ways.

The first important way is that they provide man with wood and other products. Trees provide not only man with food, but also many animals with food. Without trees, many animals could not live on the earth. It’s not easy for man to live on the earth, either.

The second important way is that trees give us shade（阴凉）. On a hot summer day, people are eager (渴望) to have a rest under the tree after they have a long walk. You can imagine how important the shade of a tree is to man and animals.

The third important way is that trees help to prevent drought and floods. However, in many parts of the world, man has not realized the third way. They cut trees down in large numbers. In the end, they find that they have lost the best friends they had.

The clock struck twelve.

Scrooge looked around him for the Ghost, but he couldn’t see it. Then he remembered old Jacob Marley’s prediction（预言）. He lifted his eyes, and he saw a serious Ghost. The ghost wore a black robe（长袍）. The robe covered its head, its face and its body. The only thing visible（看得到的） was a hand. The ghost didn’t speak or move. Scrooge was scared.

“Are you the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come?” asked Scrooge. The Ghost didn’t answer, but it pointed its hand in front of it.

“You are going to show me the future,” Scrooge continued. “Am I right, Ghost?” The Ghost nodded its head. That was the only answer Scrooge received.

“Ghost of the Future,” he said, “I’m more afraid of you than of all the other ghosts. But because I want to be a better man, I will go with you. Please, speak to me.”

It didn’t reply. The hand pointed straight in front of them. “Lead on!” said Scrooge.

The Ghost moved forwards. Scrooge followed in the shadow of its robe. And the robe carried him along. The city suddenly appeared（出现）around them. There they were, in the heart（心脏）of it. The Ghost stopped beside some businessmen at the Stock（股票）Exchange. Its hand was pointing to them, so Scrooge listened to their conversation.

“I only know he’s dead,” said a great fat man. “When did he die?” asked another.

“Last night, I think.”

“What was the matter with him?” asked a third.

“God knows,” said the first, with a yawn（哈欠）.

“What has he done with his money?” asked a red-faced gentleman.

“I don’t know,” said the great fat man, yawning again. “He hasn’t left it to me. That’s all I know.”

Everybody laughed.

“It will be a very small funeral（葬礼）,” said the great fat man. “I don’t think anybody will go to it.”

Scrooge knew the men. And he looked towards the Ghost for an explanation（解释）. He didn’t understand why this conversation was important. But he knew it must be.

Scrooge looked around the place. He looked at the clock. It was strange. He was usually there at this time, but he couldn’t see himself.

Adapted（改编） from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

On Saturday morning, every boy in town was happy, except Tom sawyer. Tom’s aunt said he had to paint the fence. It was thirty yards long and three yards high! Tom painted a small corner, and then he sat down under a tree to have a rest.

Soon the boys who were free would come along and make fun of him. Just then, he had a wonderful idea. He picked up his brush and went back to work.

Ben Rogers came along the road. He sang happily, with an apple in one hand.

“I’m going swimming,” said Ben. “Do you want to come? Oh, but you have to work, don’t you?” “Work?” he said, “I don’t think that this is work. It’s fun. Does a boy get a chance like this every day?”

Ben thought about this. Tom went on painting. Ben was watching Tom’s every move. He was getting more and more interested.

After a while, he said, “Tom, will you let me do some painting?”

Tom said, “No, Ben, I can’t. You see, Aunt Polly wants it to be done properly. I’m the only one that can do it right.”

“Oh, please, Tom,” begged Ben. “I’ll be really careful. I’ll give you half of my apple. I’ll give you all of it!”

“Well, all right, Ben,” said Tom, “But you must be careful.”

He gave Ben his brush with worry on his face but joy in his heart. He sat down again under the tree and started to eat Ben’s apple.

All day, boys passed by and wanted to paint. When Ben got tired, Billy Fisher began to paint. He gave Tom a kite which he liked. Then Johnny Miller gave him twelve marbles, and so on.

That afternoon, Tom got many toys, and the fence gained three coats of paint. Aunt Polly was so pleased when she saw the painted fence that she gave him a large cake!

【推荐2】Having a picnic is one of the most pleasant activities in summer. There are some things you should think about.

Packing (打包) your foods

Before you set off, check if your food box is shut closely. If it’s a hot summer’s day, then a cool box will be useful for keeping your picnic foods.

Don’t forget to pack cups or bottles for drinks.

Food safety

You should keep things like meat pies, fish and dairy dishes in cold boxes. You’d better keep your foods on ice for as long as possible before you eat them. Finally, carry some hand sanitizers (洗手液). Make sure that everyone’s hands are clean before they touch the food.

Delicious snacks

After you have prepared the main dishes, it’s time to pack some snacks. Chips, chocolate candies and cookies are considered great picnic snacks. They are very delicious, of course, but be careful not to eat too many of them.