【推荐1】Denis Rancourt is a famous physics professor and a leading scientist in his field. He has published hundreds of scientific papers (论文) and dozens of books. One day, he d    1    to change the way he had been teaching for many years. Why?

It all started a few years earlier. While doing research, he found that both water and land were p    2    , and animals were disappearing.

“What should I do? he asked himself, “Should I continue to focus on my own teaching and research, or should I do something to s    3    these things from happening?”

As a person who cares m    4    about the environment, he started doing things differently. He began with a science course which was open to everyone. He i    5     speakers to give talks on topics such as environmental policy, poverty, medical care, war, globalization, trade. He encouraged students to think,d    6    , and take action to make the world a better place.

Once, a hall was filled with more than 120 people to listen to these speeches, i    7    two l2-year-old twins .

He became a controversial (有争议的) figure on campus. Some people admired him for his bravery, sense of society and for his exciting teaching m    8    . Others argued that he was damaging the reputation (名誉) of the university.

In an interview, he was asked w    9     he did all of this at the risk of his own career. “As educators, we should make people realize problems. What matters most is to stop the bad things from happening, w    10     they are China or in foreign countries.”

Denis is now considered a mad professor.

【推荐2】It’s March 12^th. Li Li and Lin Tao are digging on a hill nor far from their school. In China, people across the country plant trees     1    (active) on this day.

The idea of planting trees was first put forward in 1911 by Sun Zhongshan, the great pioneer in China’s history. He said more trees were needed as a protection against flood(洪水) and drought. In 1915, April 5^th     2    (name) as Tree Planting Day. Then, in 1979, the day changed to March 12^th, to remember the date on which Sun Zhongshan died. “Everyone has heard of the Great Wall of China,” says Li Li. “But have you heard of the Green Wall of China? That’s the     3    (big) tree planting project of all.” The Gobi Desert in the north of China was growing every year. So in 1978, a tree planting project was started to stop Gobi     4    (spread). The government and local farmers have been planting     5    (million) of trees to build a great green “well” along the edge of the desert. Tree planting has become a tradition in China now.

What can you do to help people or animals in need? The answer is―to be a volunteer.

Helping y    1     by helping others

Volunteering not only helps others but also helps yourself. If you’re sad about something that happens, like an earthquake or a flood, doing something to help others can be a great way to make you feel better. It feels good to be a    2     to help. Because of your help, some kids have warm hats, gloves and boots. Doing voluntary work m    3     one very important thing―you are helping make the world a better place.

Getting started

School is a good place to start. You can ask a teacher w    4     you should do to be a volunteer. Some places want volunteers who are 12 or even o    5    . Kids often start volunteering by working with their parents. You might be too young to get food ready at a kitchen. But when your parents give you a helping h    6    , you might be able to go along.

Things to do with parents or family members

Volunteering is a great way to have fun with your family. Here are some ideas for things you can do as a family. Clean up a park, a school or other places. O    7     food to people without homes.

Coming up with your own ways

You can try to find your own ways to r    8     money. You can make and sell things and donate the money to charities. Volunteering can also help kids learn s    9     about themselves. They will learn about what kinds of things they can do and what they are i    10     in.

So what are you waiting for? Make a plan to start volunteering today.