The Amazon rainforest is home to a great     1     (various) of plant life; however, its soil is     2     (surprise) poor in nutrients. In fact, the soil in the region cannot support agriculture for more than a few years. If a scientist is shown a report     3     (list) the nutrients of that soil, he or she will probably think that only desert plants can survive in it! Then why is the soil so poor in nutrients? For one thing, the rainy season has     4     impact on the soil. In this season, the water level can rise to more than 12 meters.     5     the water goes away, it takes away the nutrients in the soil. For another thing, due to the Amazon’s hot climate, it is difficult for the soil     6     (build) enough nutrients. Dead plants and animals     7     (break) down more quickly. The nutrients are soon taken     8     by the roots of the plants deep beneath the ground. As a result, most of the forest’s nutrients are locked up in the plants     9     (them), thus allowing them to grow at a (n)     10     (believe) speed.

5 . Coming into the town of Santa Catarina Palopó, in the highlands of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, the first thing you notice is the bright colors. Most of the buildings along the main street are eye-catching, deep blues and greens, dotted with red and yellow to form diverse patterns and designs.

Santa Catarina Palopó was once a sleepy town of 5, 000 people, most of them dependent on agricultural work. But as agriculture began to dry up here, poverty came. To deal with poverty and promote econ on growth through tourism, a small but creative group of laborers, artisans, domestic workers and stay-at-home moms created the Pintando Santa Catarina Palopó project.

The project aimed to paint all 850 homes and buildings in bright colors to change the hillside town into a work of art. “We wanted to paint the houses with colors and figures that represent the community” says the project’s executive director Stephany Blanco. “Families can choose designs for their house that are representative of the family.”

One of the most representative characteristics of the region is the blue huipil, a traditional blouse which has been worn commonly by local women since the 16th century. That deep sky blue was chosen the primary color-for the Pintando project, with secondary colors found in the sunsets and the nearby lake to make the design more attractive. Inspiration was also found in local culture, symbols such as volcanoes, flowers, and the national bird of Guatemala.

Each week, local artists, community members and tourists pick up paintbrushes to make buildings colorful. “At first, the idea of the project was uncertain, but now you can see a considerable difference in the town,” Melissa Whitbeck said. “The color of the buildings is believed to improve the quality-of life of the people. It uplifts the people’s mood and encourages them to be proud of their hometown.”

Rising up in the countryside of Jiangxi Province, Mount Lushan was once one of the famous cultural     1     (center) of ancient China. In fact, its historical importance meant that it     2     (honor) as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.

Located about 20 kilometres south of Jiujiang City, it runs eastwards to the Mufu Mountains. Dahanyang Peak, the highest peak of Mount Lushan,     3     (rise) 1, 474 metres above sea level. To the north, it offers    4     (impress) views of the Yangtze River, while to, the south it overlooks Poyang Lake.

As early as the Eastern Han Dynasty, a well-known Taoist leader,     5     (name) Zhang Daoling travelled to the mountain. During the Jin Dynasty, the Donglin Temple was built on the mountain by a person called Huiyuan. From then on, many temples began coming up across the mountain, until there were over 300 of them.

However, Mount Lushan didn’t become truly famous until the Song Dynasty. During that time, it was rebuilt by Zhu Xi,    6    was the founder of Neo-Confucianism (理学). Due    7     his efforts, this place became one of the Four Great Academies of China. By the 19th century, it had become into an     8     (extreme) large place, with its own temples, study halls, and libraries. Overtime, countless writers and artists have sung the mountain’s praises,    9     (leave) over 900 works of art.

Nowadays, with its beautiful l views and famous temples, the mountain range is     10     popular tourist attraction.