1 . There are some famous wetland parks and nature reserves in China.

Zhalong National Nature Reserve

Home to more than one fifth of the world’s red-crowned cranes(鹤), Zhalong National Nature Reserve boasts the most complete, primitive and open wetland ecosystem in northern China. Covering an area of 210, 000 hectares, it has the world’s largest wetland habitat for reeds(芦苇) and was listed as a Wetland of International Importance in 1992.In addition to being a shelter for endangered cranes, the reserve plays a must role in protecting the Songnen Plain ecosystem in northeastern China.

Poyang Lake National Wetland Park

Poyang Lake National Wetland Park is the largest of its kind in Asia and has the most abundant variety of wetland species on the continent. Natural wetlands cover nearly 94% of the park, which has an area of 36, 285 hectares. Approximately 98% of all the world’s Siberian white cranes, which only number around 4, 000, spend the winter on the Po yang Lake.

Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve

Named Lhasa’s “oxygen bar”, Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve features an alpine wetland ecosystem and serves as an ideal habitat for wet meadows(草甸) as well as several national first-and second-class protected waterbirds. With an average height of 3, 645 metres above sea level, the reserve is China’s highest and largest urban natural wetland. The area is of great importance in regulating the local climate, increasing humidity(湿度) and improving the urban environment of Lhasa.

Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve

Dongzhaigang is the first wetland nature reserve in China mainly featuring mangrove(红树林) forests. With nearly 97% of domestic mangrove species found here, it boasts the most abundant mangrove resources and tree species among the country’s nature reserves. Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve is also home to 204 varieties of migratory waterbirds, 119 species of fish and 115 other kinds of huge animals.

2 . North or south, east or west, there’s always something wonderful at the best botanical (植物的) gardens in the world. The amazing variety of plants on show offers an escape for nature lovers. Here are some of the top botanical gardens across the world.

Cambridge University Botanic Garden

The original Cambridge University Botanic Garden (CUBG) was founded in 1762 in the centre of the city, now known as the New Museums Site. It holds a collection of over 8, 000 plant species (物种) from all over the world to promote teaching and research.

It is open every day throughout the year except for Christmas closure—24 December to 1 January (included). Tickets can be bought using cash or card at the Gates upon arrival. Pre-booking is optional.

Oxford Botanic Garden

Founded in 1621, the Oxford Botanic Garden is committed to educating people about the importance of plants, to help protect plants that are from around the world, and to support teaching and research within the University and beyond.

It is open all year round from 10 a. m. to 6 p. m. Entry is only free for under 16s with an accompanying (陪同) paying adult. Unaccompanied under 16s will require a student ticket for entry.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a highlight of any visit to the Scottish. This breathtaking living collection of plants is over 350 years old.

The Garden is open daily and closed on 25 December and 1 January. Garden entry is free!

Cheekwood

Cheekwood, built in 1960, is a 55-acre botanical garden located on the historic Cheek estate (庄园). It welcomes over 300, 000 visitors each year, making it one of the city’s top cultural attractions.

Cheekwood is open every day throughout the year, except 25 December. All guests must book a timed-entry ticket online before visiting. No tickets will be sold on-site.

3 . Many people assume Egypt is, and always has been, a desert. But considering that climates and landscapes can change over time and that humans have been known to change natural environments, was ancient Egypt a desert?

The simple answer is no. Not all of Egypt, ancient or modern, qualifies as a desert. Areas near the Nile River tend to be lusher (草木繁茂的), and Egyptians — in both ancient and modern times — have had a successful system of agriculture. However, the environment has changed over Egypt’s history, and the construction of the Aswan High Dam (坝) across the Nile between 1960 and 1970 changed the landscape greatly.

Some areas of Egypt that are now desert were wetter in the past. One famous example is the “Cave of Swimmers” in southwestern Egypt. Today, the area is very dry, but thousands of years ago, it was wetter, and some of the rock art found in caves in the area appears to show people swimming, according to the British Museum.

The Aswan High Dam caused some areas in southern Egypt to flood, leading to the creation of Lake Nasser. Many people had to move, and some archaeological (考古的) sites ended up underwater. The construction of the dam also ended the natural flooding of the Nile. The creation of Lake Nasser also led to more moisture (水分) in the air in some areas of southern Egypt.

One effect of the generally higher Nile River levels during the Bronze Age is that around 2500 B. C., when the pyramids at Giza were constructed, the “Khufu branch”, a vanished (消失的) branch of the Nile River, came right next to the pyramids (金字塔). This branch allowed for materials to be transported to the site by boat, aiding in pyramid construction.

The ancient Egyptians who lived by the Nile in some ways viewed themselves as living on an island in the Nile Valley, with the deserts as a sort of great sea.

The Summer Palace is China’s largest garden ever built. Covering     1     area of 2.9 square kilometers, three quarters of which is covered with water, the palace is made up     2    over 3,000 ancient structures.All the Summer Palace     3    (spread) across the low hills and lakes among which the Longevity Hill, and the Kunming Lake are the most important     4     (part). Travelers visiting the site today have the opportunity     5     (wander)in the wonderful buildings and courtyards beside the lake and along the waterways.

When    6     (visit) the Summer Palace, visitors should plan between two hours to half a day because the site is really huge. Indeed, there are many things to see     7     you will feel time flying quickly, realizing how life was spent     8    (smooth)for emperors during their summers,for example,riding a little boat for seeing the lake areas, or watching a       9    (tradition) Chinese dance performance at the Palace’s Theatre. The Summer Palace is the place     10     travelers experience different activities and the loveliest scenic spot in Beijing city.

The Great Wall of the ancient Qi State,the oldest    1    (exist) Great Wall in China, stretches across Shandong for more than 600 kilometers. It    2    (build) during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.

“Historical records say the Qi State built the wall here to defend itself    3    its enemies, as well as to stop flooding    4    (effective),” says An Xingzhu, who worked at the town’s culture station for more than three decades. A key task of the station is    5    (protect) cultural relics.

In the 1970s，parts of the rammed earth wall(夯土墙)were dug out and used by farmers for their land, but since the early 1990s, the local government    6    (start) to take measures to protect the wall.

Rapid development and    7    (construct) have brought many new problems and challenges in protecting the wall.    8    is necessary to provide a solid legal guarantee for its conservation. To tackle the challenges, Shandong Province has passed a regulation protecting the structure    9    will take effect on Jan. 1.

It states that local governments will establish a dynamic conservation system using remote sensing satellites, drones, information platforms and other technological    10    (mean) to monitor the Great Wall.

Can you imagine     1     it would be like to live and study at a kind of ancient castle? I’m talking about British boarding     2     (school). Students there actually live like Harry Potter (although sadly without the magic).

Boarding schools in Britain are not cheap. They usually cost above 35, 000 pounds (315, 854 yuan) for just one year. The schools are usually very old and rich in history. They     3     (true) played big role in Britain history, and have close connections     4     Oxford and Cambridge universities. Students are usually very wealthy; Prince William and Harry both went to Eton, a school     5     has produced 19 British prime ministers.

One of the most important things for these schools is sport. Crickets, rugby and rowing     6     (play) nearly every day. These games build teamwork and discipline. There is     7     famous saying in English, “The British Empire was built on the playing fields of Eton.”

Boarding schools often appear in English books and films. The young child without parents     8     (grow) up in a boarding school is found in hundreds of stories, although the most famous now is Harry Potter. Boarding schools are becoming     9     (traditional) and more international. As     10     (report), there are more and more international students studying at British boarding schools, such as students from Russia and China.

Located in the southwest Pacific, New Zealand which is made up of two main islands and     1     number of small islands, is famous for its     2     (amaze) natural beauty and scenic attractions.

New Zealand is about the same size as the United Kingdom. The two main islands are 1600km     3     length, but only 5〜450km wide and separated by the Cook Strait. Over 75 percent of New Zealand is at least 200m above sea level with Mount Cook being the     4     (high) point. The Chatham Islands, 800km east of Christchurch, are the first lands on earth     5     (see) the sun.

Much of New Zealand culture is from Britain, including some cultures from America, Australia and Maori, along with other European cultures and Asian cultures. Large festivals in     6     (celebrate) of Diwali and Chinese New Year     7     (hold) in several large cities. The music and food of New Zealand are similar to those of Britain and the United States, although they have some     8     (extreme) special New Zealand and Pacific qualities.

Queenstown,     9     is the main center for snow sports in New Zealand, attracts people from all over the world to ski at the four mountain ski fields every year. In recent years, Queenstown’s hotels     10     (become) popular destinations for tourists from all over the world.