Soil     1     (find) nearly everywhere. And it seems unlikely that we would ever lose all the soil on Earth. However,     2     we may lose is the deep and rich agricultural soil because of over-farming, a lack of plant cover off-season and a collection of salt from watering and fertilization (施肥).     3     proper measures, some experts warn, there could be serious agricultural soil problems before the end of this century.

Cats are second only to dogs as the most common pets in the world.     1     (compare) with dogs, cats might seem cold, but they can form strong emotional bonds with their owners. Studies have shown that cat-owning seniors often exhibit lower levels of     2     (lonely), anxiety, and depression.     3     (own) a cat invites several costs, for food, litter, medications, toys and care. However, cats do not need regular bathing     4     they have health problems that make it necessary.

Davyon Johnson, an 11-year-old boy, was honored by his community after saving two lives in one day. On Dec. 9, a choking student tripped into the classroom     1     Davyon was. Davyon did the Heimlich immediately and saved him. Hours later, on his way home, Davyon spotted a house on fire. Everybody     2     (run) out except for an elderly lady. As the woman struggled     3     (move) using her walker, Davyon raced up the steps and helped her escape the burning building.

When a severe car crash occurs on a deserted road, the injured may not rely on nearby witnesses to call the emergency services. Now many modern smartphones     1     (equip) with crash-detection technology that uses data to determine when a car crash has occurred. An alarm     2     (play) by the smartphones will be sent to the services automatically. In an emergency situation the device detects     3     the crash takes place to share the location with first responders so that there’s a higher chance of survival for the crash victims.

The Port of Shanghai has been the busiest in the world for 14 years running after     1     (overtake) the Port of Singapore in 2010. The seaport, situated at the mouth of the Yangtze river,     2     (grow) to cover an area of 1.5 square miles since it was opened in 1842. From here, 500 million tonnes of goods is handled in a year. There’s enough space at Shanghai to receive this huge shipment, most of     3     consists of coal, steel and machinery.

Before some of the greatest explorers in history were born, Vikings had already navigated (航海) their way around the world. But with no     1     (compass), satellites or radios, how did they manage     2     (map) the globe so impressively? The answer is     3     (simple) than you might expect — experience. Viking travelers studied the positions of the stars and the sun. Even the colour of the sea and movement of the waves would give them an     4     (indicate) of how close they were to land.

For brands to succeed, they must grasp and adapt to evolving consumer taste. Over the past decade, China     1    (witness) a shift in consumer behavior marked by the rise of guochao, a trend emphasizing nationalistic branding. Chinese consumers displayed a strong     2    (prefer) for locally-made products. Therefore, it’s crucial for brands to genuinely comprehend and honor local customs, traditions, and values. While integrating Chinese elements into marketing strategies can be effective, it should be handled thoughtfully     3    (avoid) cultural insensitivity.

Li-ion batteries store a lot of energy in a small amount of space. When that energy is released in an uncontrolled manner, it generates heat,     1     can transform certain internal battery components into burnable gases. Consumers should purchase batteries that are only listed by a nationally     2     (recognize) testing laboratory and stop using the device if the battery shows signs of damage, such as an unusual smell, excessive heat, popping sounds or change in color. Among all the places to charge these devices,     3     (safe) one is outdoors away from any structure and not in direct sunlight.

A parent’s nightmare turned to relief in Florida as policemen swiftly rescued a missing five-year-old girl with autism. The local police launched a desperate search,     1     (use) air and ground efforts. Thermal imaging (热成像)    2     (lead) to the discovery of her in a swampy area. A body-worn camera captured the heroic moment of her rescue.     3     policemen’s quick response, she was found unharmed. The public praised the team’s efficiency in turning     4     could have been a tragedy into a heartwarming reunion.

The Terracotta Army (兵马俑) was found in 1974 near Xi’an. It is formed of more than 8,000 sculptures, which     1     (bury) alongside the emperor Qin Shi Huang more than 2,200 years ago. Now, researchers have recreated the shoes of one soldier and analysis of them     2     (suggest) that shoes worn by the terracotta sculptures were surprisingly flexible and slip resistant. If the recreated shoes     3     (true) reflect the real ones, they can help build a better picture of     4     Qin dynasty soldiers wore and how this might have aided them in battles.