【推荐2】Looking for a place to take a rest, sip a cup of coffee and have a fluffy (毛茸茸的) companion? Welcome to animal-themed cafes. In recent years, the combination of pets and catering (餐饮) has become incredibly popular in many cities throughout China. While many cafes started out offering the company of cats and dogs, others are expanding their range. Some cafes include animals like squirrels, raccoons and even capybaras (水豚).

In reviews, internet users have commented that one of their main reasons for visiting these businesses is to interact closely with animals they have only seen from afar.

“The customers love animals. They are curious about these pets and want to raise one at home, but circumstances don’t allow it,” said pet cafe owner Tian Xuhui.

Liu Wan, a Beijing resident who works in finance, loves pigs, but her parents would not approve of her getting one as a pet. The 24-year-old had to admire the animals through videos and images. But now, she can have a close encounter with an adorable (可爱的) pig every weekend in a pet cafe.

Also, these pet cafes serve as a haven (安全处所) for those who find comfort in being around animals. “In this place, you can get close to the cute little ones in a very comfortable way without having to worry about safety and hygiene (卫生)—overall, it is an extremely comfortable experience,” said Xiao Ou, 30, a frequent pet cafe visitor.

Animal lovers also expect the pet cafes to change people’s attitudes toward pets.

Animals like ducks, pigs and sheep have been served as food for many years. People hardly see them as pets. But the pet cafes help shift their attitude from seeing them as playthings to regarding them as family members or close friends.

“Whether at home or in stores, these little animals are there for companionship and they bring warmth to our hearts. They care and understand just like family members. They give us much more than the love we give to them,” Xiao said.

【推荐3】Welcome To Our Zoo

If you want to book a ticket (票), please call Mrs. Jones at 657—0870.

New Zealand has a pollution problem. But if you visit the country, you won’t find it right away. Instead, you’ll see a beautiful island in the Pacific Ocean.

Now spend some time hiking the land. You’ll smell the problem. Almost 30 million sheep and 10 million cows move around those green hills and each one of them is burping (打嗝) and farting (放屁).     1     But scientists aren’t laughing. These animals burp and fart more than 4 million tons of methane, a greenhouse gas, every year.     2    

To solve the problem, scientists have found some medicine. It can help cut down on the gas in these animals. But most farm animals there move around free.     3    

Farmers can also feed their sheep food to cut down on the burping.     4     Farmers don’t want to spend too much money.

There’s also a third plan that just might work. Some scientists have put sheep in special cages (兽笼). When they breed (培育) those sheep together, they get the baby sheep that burp and fart less than others.     5     But those baby sheep just might make the planet a better place to live.

【推荐3】Look at yourself in a mirror. What is the first thing you see? It is your face. The human face doesn’t just show our emotions (情绪). It can do much more. Here are some fun science facts and secrets about the human face.

You have big eyes and a small nose. While your friend has small eyes and a big nose. What makes you and your friend look different? The answer is genes (基因). Scientists found 15 genes deciding some of our facial features (特征) . Some of these genes can pass down from parents to children. That’s why we often hear people say, “You are just a clone (克隆) you’re your mom, or of your dad.”

But what facial features did you get from your mom? And what parts came from your dad?

Eyes

If both of your parents have double eyelids (双眼皮), you can have double eyelids or single eyelids. If both of your parents have single eyelids, you usually have single eyelids.

Nose

The tip of the nose is the most “handed down” part. If one of your parents has a big nose, you are likely to have the same nose shape.

Chin

If one of your parents has a big chin (下巴), usually you have a big chin.

Skin color

One parent has a light skin (皮肤) color. The other parent has a dark skin color. Most of the time, you have a skin color in between. Even twins don’t look the same. Their looks are just very similar (相似的). They can have some small differences.

【推荐1】On Women’s Day, a magazine listed several famous women who have helped change the world. Here are four of them.

Dorothy Hodgkin(1910-1994) Dorothy Hodgkin was a scientist. Her work at studying penicillin（青霉素）and vitamin B12 helped improve health care around the world. It brought her the 1964 Nobel Prize for Chemistry. At the same time, Hodgkin spent a large amount of time on peace movement.

Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993) Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and she was quite popular during the 1950s and 1960s. She was voted（投票）as one of the most beautiful women of the twentieth century. In 1988, she began a new career and worked for UNICEF to help children in need.

J.K. Rowling (1965-) J.K. Rowling is a well-known British novelist who is best known for the Harry Potter series. It’s believed that her books have made reading become much more popular among British children. She wrote the first Harry Potter book as a single mother, trying to make some money to support her life. Finally, her writing led to her great success.

Tegla Loroupe (1973-) As a sportswoman, Loroupe from Kenya held the women’s marathon world record and won many marathons. Since she stopped running, Loroupe has worked to promote（促进）peace, education and women’s rights. In Kenya, Loroupe is widely praised for her efforts to end tribal conflict（部落冲突）.

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【推荐3】Our planet is facing a big problem. It’s called environmental pollution. What is it? And why is it so bad? Let’s find out!

What is Environmental Pollution?

Environmental pollution is that the harmful things are put into the air, water, and soil. These harmful things can make our planet sick and affect the life on it.

Sources of Pollution:

★Air Pollution

Cars, factories, and power plants (电厂) release harmful gases into the air.

★Water Pollution

Factories, waste water, and plastic waste contaminate our rivers, lakes, and oceans.

★Soil Pollution

Chemicals from factories and pesticides from farming can harm the soil.

Effects of Pollution:

·Animals and plants can die.

·Our air and water can become unsafe.

·Climate change can get worse.

What Can We Do?

·Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: We should try to use less, reuse things, and recycle what we can.

·Green Energy: Use solar, wind, or water energy instead of fossil fuels.

·Plant Trees: Trees absorb harmful gases and give us oxygen.

·Awareness: Tell others about the importance of protecting our environment.

Conclusion:

Environmental pollution is a big problem, but if we all work together, we can make our planet healthy again. Let’s start taking action today!