Antarctica (南极洲) is the highest, driest and coldest place on Earth. It is also the remotest, a fact which account for its     1     environment. It is widely described as the last     2     on our planet. The cold climate plays a significant role in     3     the continent’s year-round ice fields. Even though Antarctica receives more sunlight than the equator (赤道) , the temperatures are lower because the ice there     4     the heat back into space.

For centuries, Europeans wondered about the     5     of a South-Polar continent, but no one actually knew for certain Antarctica was there until 1820 when European explorers “discovered” it. Since then, men have gone to Antarctica in search of     6     . Testing their abilities, several teams of explorers set out in 1911 to be the first men to stand at the South Pole.

Once completely     7     Antarctica has more recently been playing host to adventurers seeking for excitement, scientists interested in experimenting, and companies looking to     8     this wild area for profit.

Yet, Antarctica’s fragile and complicated eco-system is threatened by its human visitors. Damage to the environment is done as people come looking for resources beneath the ice, or     9     leave their rubbish behind. Currently, countries are working to ensure that the damage to Antarctica’s environment is     10     , and that Antarctica will remain an unspoiled place.

Herds of Tibetan antelopes used to live on the     1     of Tibet, Xinjiang and Qinghai. But today, they face a serious     2     from hunters. These large animals are being killed illegally for their body parts that are considered valuable. In order to save them, the government has created     3     where they can live in peace and safety. However, the     4     on them will continue as long as interest in buying antelope products     5    . To achieve harmony between humans and animals, the world must protect these beautiful creatures.

We went to Tibet to     1     Tibetan antelopes with Zhaxi as our guide.     2    , on the plain in front of us, we saw a herd of antelopes move slowly across the green grass. These beautiful animals     3     me of their danger because they are being hunted     4     for their valuable fur. Especially in the 1980s and 1990s, their population     5     by more than 50 percent. To save this species from     6    , the Chinese government placed it under national protection. Zhaxi and other volunteers watched over the antelopes day and night and bridges and gates were added to keep them     7    . These measures were     8     and the antelope population has recovered. However, the government doesn’t intend to stop the protection programmes, since the     9     to the Tibetan antelope haven’t disappeared. Only when we learn to exist in     10     with nature can we stop being a threat to wildlife and to our planet.

Last month, our school launched a campaign whose     1     was to promote environmental protection. The campaign lasted for one week. Firstly, there was a photo display to show the serious pollution caused by human activities. Secondly, there was a lecture on many     2     that we could take in our daily life to protect the environment. For example, taking the bus or using the bike-sharing system would be a     3     way. Last but not least, we students were encouraged to     4     our classrooms with recycled materials. Through the campaign, we    5     a lot. We realize that it is our responsibility to leave a better, cleaner and healthier planet for future generations.

Mother earth is a place where     1     species can coexist. Unfortunately, wild animals have no place in the 21st century. Some people think that protecting these wild animals is a waste of     2    . But an increasing number of people come to realize that the disappearance of animals will result in a serious threat to     3    . It is hard to imagine what our world would be like without animals. There are enough farm animals providing us with sufficient and nutritious meat. Therefore, we don’t need to make use of wild animals, especially the     4     ones. To protect animals is to protect our living environment. So great efforts should be made by every     5     to keep the diversity of animals.