The Amazon rainforest, the largest rainforest in the world, plays an     1     (importance) role in maintaining the balance of the Earth’s ecosystem. It     2     (cross) into eight countries, including Brazil and Peru. With an area of about 6 million square kilometers,     3     rainforest is more than half the size of China.

More than 40,000 species of plants can     4     (find) in the Amazon. The forest’s different levels provide food and shelter for an unbelievable     5     (vary) of wildlife. More than 1,300 species of     6     (bird) and over 400 species of mammals hide in the jungle.

The Amazon rainforest breathes life into the planet by     7     (fix) carbon and producing over 20 per cent of all the Earth’s oxygen. This is why it is known as the “lungs     8    the planet”. Moreover, the rainforest is a treasure house of species     9     can be used for food or medicine.     10    , over the past 50 years about 17 per cent of the rainforest has disappeared due to human activities such as agriculture and cattle farming.

Mount Tai, a perfect combination of culture and natural landscapes, is awesome    1     (admire).     2     (locate) in central Shandong Province, Mount Tai    3     (rise) 1,545 meters above sea level. It is its highest peak Yuhuangding    4    stands over deep valleys and above other peaks. A seemingly endless flight of stone steps leads you to the Heavenly Southern Gate, where you can anticipate    5     (enjoy) spectacular views. There looking around in the distance, you will be astonished    6     (find) yourself admiring the fantastic views of beauty beyond scenery. Take    7    duration of two days, and you are bound to    8     (reward) with great scenery.

I wake up to the sound of the wind     1     (buffet) the cloth of my tent. Even though the sun is     2     (bright) shining, telling whether it is morning or night is impossible. I’m above the Arctic Circle     3     in summer the sun never sets. I’m in the remote far north of Sweden in Sarek National Park, a place     4     no roads or town.

Mount Wutai, located in the northeastern part of Shanxi province, is 230 kilometers away from the provincial capital city Taiyuan. It was named after five peaks that look like five giant columns (柱子)     1     (rise) straight from the ground. With its high peaks, snow covers for much of the year. Even in midsummer days it remains cool and pleasant,     2     has given rise to another name: Qingliang Mountain as     3     ideal place for escaping summer heat.

Mount Wutai is quiet a beautiful mountain landscape with a cultural heritage that is at least as     4     (value) as the mountain’s natural beauty.     5     (know) as one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains of China, it is home     6     forty-one temples. Within their walls     7     (be) a rich collection of over 100, 000 superb sculptures and paintings, along with a great quantity of Buddhist cultural relics. For example, the east main hall of the Foguang Temple is the     8     (high) wooden building in China that     9     (survive) since the Tang Dynasty.

Wutai Mountain displays its outstanding     10     (combine) of the natural landscape and Buddhist culture, religious belief in the natural landscape and Chinese philosophical thinking on the harmony between man and nature.

Foshan, a city rich in cultural heritage, celebrates the arrival of autumn with a grand event known as the Foshan Autumn Parade (佛山秋色巡游). This traditional cultural festival holds a special place in the hearts of the     1     (local). The Parade,     2     (feature) various performances, including lion and dragon dances, martial arts, and traditional costumes, takes place     3     (annual) during the autumn season, usually in October or, November.

    4     makes the parade most exciting is the lion and dragon dance, representing the spirit of strength. The colorful lion and dragon figures controlled by skilled performers catch the attention and     5     (admire) of the viewers. Traditional Wushu shows are another crowd favorite. With the Wushu artists moving gracefully, the audiences     6     (remind) of the importance of traditional Chinese culture. Traditional costumes can also be seen     7     (wear) by those artists. The designs and colors of these costumes serve     8     a symbol of Foshan’s rich history and cultural diversity.

The Foshan Autumn Parade is more than just a cultural festival. It is a remarkable event     9     the community celebrate the beauty of autumn. By experiencing these ancient traditions, young people can gain     10     deeper understanding of their culture.

Standing on the edge of the mountain, I’m above the Arctic Circle, where in summer the sun is     1     (bright) shining for 24 hours a day. Spreading out before me,     2     (branch) of the Rapa River flow through the valley below. Being in such a beautiful and wild place makes me feel blessed     3     (be) alive.