Wetlands are the link between the land and the water. They are transition zones where the flow of water, the cycling of nutrients and the energy of the sun meet to produce     1     unique and special ecosystem     2     (characterize) by hydrology, soils and vegetation—making these areas very important features of a watershed. The water is often groundwater,     3     (spill) up from an aquifer or spring. A wetland’s water can also come from a nearby river or lake. Seawater can also create wetlands, especially in coastal areas that experience strong tides. Here is one in China.

The National Nature Reserve of Guangdong Nanpeng Islands in Guangdong Province was established in 2003. It     4     (cover) a total area of 35,679 hectares. It became the fifth national-level marine nature reserve in Guangdong, as well as the first one in the eastern region of Guangdong, in 2012. In 2015, it     5     (recognize) and included in the International Important Wetlands Directory.

The main focus of the reserve is to protect the unique underwater natural landscapes, the ecosystems of the nearby     6     (coast) waters, the rare and endangered marine animals, the various fish species and their habitats, as well as the marine biodiversity.

Researchers have discovered 1,308 marine species in the area, including 772     7     (economic) significant fish, shrimp, crab, mollusk, and algae species. The reserve is home     8     more than 21 identified rare and endangered wildlife species in water, among     9     nine species such as the Chinese white dolphin and the nautilus are classified as first-class protected animals at the national level, while     10     (variety) of other 27 species, such as the common bottlenose dolphin is classified as second-class protected animals.

I didn’t sleep well for several days, worrying about the wildfires in several parts of Chongqing, my hometown. Like most people from Chongqing, I felt I must help stop the fires spreading, especially after I smelt heavy smoke in my house    1    the evening of Aug. 21. The smoke was believed to be from a wildfire    2    broke out in nearby Banan area in the afternoon that day. That night, a large fire    3    (appear) in the mountains in Beibei area, 40 kilometers from my home.

Clearly, the powerful fire was getting very close. Although forest firefighting forces from three provinces arrived, our government needed    4    (much) help from the public. And volunteers     5    (call) on to go to different fire sites around the city.

Many people    6    (glad) went to offer help. Many gave away all kinds of things needed for the fight against wildfires. They took them to collection points, without    7    (give) their names.     8    (hundred) of people with skills and experience signed up as volunteers.

I asked    9    (I) what I could help with. I am a middle-aged woman without much strength. I cannot ride a motoreycle, and do not have any medical skills. I decided to do everything I could     10    (help) the hard-working volunteers, which included taking them cold fruit tea.