【推荐2】You may think that having less water is because of having less rain, but it is now a problem in southern China, an area in which it rains often.

The government said that Shenzhen was facing its most serious water shortage ever. Other cities in the southern part of China, like Chengdu and Guangzhou, are also becoming “thirsty” though they have more rain and are close to more rivers and lakes, The Paper reported. So why are they still short on water?

In these big cities, populations are growing fast. As a result, people and factories need more water.

Climate change is making the water problem worse. Most cities in Guangdong province depend on the Dongjiang River as their main source of water. In 2021, the river was reported to be drying up.

Water pollution also makes it harder to get clean drinking water. Factories and farms don’t use water well. Some cities have enough rain but don’t have big lakes or reservoirs (水库) to store water, so the water goes out into the sea.

But there is a hidden water resource (资源) right under our feet. That’s “groundwater”. We can’t see it. However, it plays an important role in our lives. About 98 percent of Earth’s fresh water is groundwater. It is 60 times as plentiful as the fresh water in lakes and rivers. But in many places, people overuse and pollute groundwater. We should pay more attention to this hidden water resource.

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【推荐3】Environmental protection is one of the hottest topics nowadays. It was also something that ancient (古代的) Chinese paid great attention to. In fact, the world’s earliest environmental protection idea, ministry (政府的部) and law were all born in China. How did the ancient Chinese protect the environment?

The world’s earliest idea of “managing state affairs (治国) through environmental protection”

Xunzi, a famous thinker in the Warring States Period, came up with the idea of “managing state affairs through environmental protection”. He wrote in his book that plants should be protected well by humans.

Guan Zhong, a government officer 400 years ahead of Xunzi, was also an environmental protection expert. He said “a king who cannot protect his plants is not doing a good job”.

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Nine ministries set up by Shun, an ancient Chinese emperor, included “Yu”, an environmental protection ministry. The first “Yu” leader was Boyi, an environmental protection expert. He invented wells so people could drink clean water. He knew a lot about animals and also called for animal protection.

The world’s earliest “environmental protection law”

Over 4,000 years ago, Dayu, an ancient Chinese water-control expert and also an emperor, made a rule, not allowing people to cut down trees in March or catch fish in June, because it was the time when they grew quickly.

Almost 3,000 years ago, Tianlu, the first environmental protection law, appeared in Qin. It recorded many ancient environmental protection rules. Two of them were interesting: firstly, make sure that rivers run smoothly; secondly, grass and trees should be burned to be fertilizer (肥料) only in summer. The second one is helpful even for today. It can help to keep air clean and fresh.

【推荐1】Have you ever wanted to see the Great Wall of China, or win an Oscar for Best Director, or swim with dolphins（海豚）? If so, you are not alone. We all have things we want to do or achieve. These are part of our “bucket lists”. A bucket is a list of things that someone wants to experience in his or her lifetimes. These things can be big or small. Have you ever thought about what is on your bucket list?

Lindsay, 15, created her bucket list when she was 14. She has given her list serious thought. “I’ve always wanted to travel into space,” she says. “I don’t really want to be an astronaut. But I do want to go to space as a tourist. I want to see the Earth from above.” Other things on her list include being on TV, seeing her favorite band in concert, learning how to speak Portuguese（葡萄牙语）, and living in a foreign country. “I’ve always wanted to live in Brazil. As part of my bucket list, I want to attend Carnival（狂欢节）in the capital of Brazil,” she says.

Jose, 16, recently created a list of things he wants to achieve. It changes sometimes he adds and takes away things because he wants to keep the number of the things at seven. One thing has stayed at number one, though: he wants to visit a movie set（影视基地）. He would like to see the Harry Potter of The Hobbit movie sets. Other things on the list include being on TV, meeting his favorite sports star, living in a foreign country, skateboarding down a mountain, attending the World Cup, and backpacking across Europe. He would like to spend two months visiting Eastern Europe with his best friend Adam. “Maybe after I graduate from college,” says Jose.

Carrie, 14, also has a bucket list. She first created it when she was 12. She would like to live in a foreign country for at least two years. She also wants to learn as many foreign languages as possible. But the number one thing on her list is to see her favorite band in concert. She also wants to go on a trip and to visit a movie set. Her favorite movies are the Hunger Games and Star Wars. Carrie is confident she will do most or all of the things on her bucket list. “I’m only 14,” she says, “I have my whole life ahead of me!”

【推荐2】Hi, I am Anna. I am thirteen years old. I like dancing, so I have dance classes every weekend. I don’t have to study on weekends because I do well in all my subjects. On Sundays, I often help my grandparents with their housework.

My name’s Tom. I am twelve years old. On Saturdays, my father teaches me to learn Maths at home for two hours in the morning. My English is very poor, so I have to take English classes in the afternoon. On Sundays, I always stay at home to do my homework. I have much homework to do. I hope not to be so busy, but my mother always says I have to study well.

I am Jenny. I am thirteen years old. On Saturdays, I usually do my homework at home. I am free on Sundays, so I can do everything I like. I often meet my friends. Sometimes we go to the movies. Sometimes we go to the library to read. We have a good time. But if it rains, I have to stay at home and I feel bored.

【推荐3】The Read family come to a new big city, but Mrs. Read’s son, Bob, is not happy. He doesn’t have anyone to play with. “Don’t worry!” says his mother. “You will soon make friends here.”

One morning, there is a knock at the door. Bob’s mother, Mrs. Read, opens it. There stands a woman with brown hair. It is Mrs. Miller. She comes to borrow two eggs. She wants to make cakes. Mrs. Read gives her two. In the afternoon there is another knock at the door. Mrs. Read opens it and she sees a boy standing there. “My name is Jack Miller, “he says. “My mother sends you this cake and two eggs.” “Well, thank you, Jack,” says Mrs. Read. “Come in and meet my son Bob.”

Look! Bob and Jack are having cake and milk. They are playing football Now they are fiends! Jack says, “I’m glad you live next door.” Bob says, “I must thank your mother for coming to borrow eggs.” Jack laughs and tells Bob, “My mother doesn’t want the two eggs hut she wants to make friends with your mother!” Bob says, “That’s a funny way to make friends. It’s an easy way. It can work!”