The gentle giants of our oceans are whale sharks. It's the biggest whale shark and can reach as long as 41. 5 feet, and these amazing creatures are not only the biggest sharks, but they are also biggest fish of any kind.

Whale sharks have a lifespan of 70 years on average, and they spend their days gently swimming in the warm and tropical oceans.

Their teeth are the size of match heads, and while their jaws could be powerful, they have never tended to attack humans. Their teeth play no role in eating, as plankton (浮游生物) does not need to be chewed. They are to be found in numbers in the warmer oceans and they prefer the deep waters of open oceans. They tend to travel alone.

Several times a year they gather together in certain spots where plankton is plentiful. Those areas are all within a 30°north or south latitude from the equator. Sadly whale sharks are targeted by commercial fisheries at those spots.

How easy it must be for the fishermen to catch those beautiful creatures who can only swim at 3. 5 miles per hour! So great a loss in numbers have they suffered that whale sharks are now listed as one of the endangered species. Some countries have started to take measures to protect the whale sharks from extinction.

The Philippines, India and Taiwan have all banned the fishing, selling, importing and exporting of whale sharks for commercial purposes. However, the law doesn't seem to be effective because the hunting and killing still goes on today, especially in Taiwan and the Philippines. Each whale shark can fetch around $21,000. In parts of Asia they are known as the "money shark".

The mighty dollar wins again at great cost to our habitat, and we will not know what we have lost until we have lost it forever. Therefore, it is high time for us to do something for the whale sharks.

Elephants might be the most well－known and well－loved animal in African wildlife. But conservation (保护) of the African elephant faces special difficulties. While the elephant population is half of what it was 40 years ago, some areas of Africa have more elephants than populated areas can support. That's why AWF scientists are studying elephant behavior, protecting habitats and finding ways for humans to live peacefully with elephants in Africa.

Years ago, overhunting and the ivory trade were the biggest threats to elephants' survival. Luckily, ivory bans (禁令), hunting rules and protected areas protect elephants from these dangers today.

The 21st century brings a different challenge to elephant conservation—land－use. Elephants walk across borders and outside parks and other protected areas. So they often destroy crops, causing conflicts (冲突) between local farmers and these big animals.

Successful conservation strategies (策略) must allow elephants to walk freely in their natural habitats while reducing conflicts between elephants and local people.

AWF researchers are searching for a way to give both elephants and people the space they need. The AWF is collecting information on elephant habitats and behavior. The information they gather will help to develop the widest possible space for elephants.

The AWF is helping elephants by protecting their habitats. And they also work with local farmers to improve their life in order to encourage them to protect rather than destroy elephants.

Plastic sludge (污泥) and garbage is a disaster for the world's oceans. A film crew traveled the globe to document the rubbish. And Julie Andersen of the Plastic Oceans Foundation says what we see is just the tip of the problem. "Half of the waste actually sinks to the bottom, and that remains on the surface actually breaks down. "

The filmmakers found rubbish in ocean gyres, the circulating currents that trap large concentrations of pollution in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, home of what some have plastic. "What we found was a plastic smog that spread throughout all the water. And in some parts of the oceans, scientists have found more plastic than plant. "

The pieces of the plastic garbage infect the food chain, sometimes visibly，and more so at the microscopic level, where the plastic particles interact with other pollutants. "There are heavy metals, medicines, industrial waste in the sea, while they acts like magnets (磁铁). These poisonous substances absorb on the plastic, and then when seafood absorbs the plastics, those poisonous substances enter the fatty tissues. " To be consumed by other sea life and by people at last.

China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam are the worst plastic polluters. The United States, although a leader in recycling, is one of the world's 20 since it produces and consumes so much plastic. There are efforts around the world to address the problem, including at this newly opened recycling center in Lebanon (黎巴嫩). But Andersen says there is more that people can do. "Cut back on single­use plastics, straws, plastic cups, plastic water bottles, plastic bags and find alternatives like reusable materials. " She says healthy oceans are essential to our survival.

Sharks have been swimming in the ocean for millions of years. They were on Earth even before dinosaurs! At the top of the world's ocean's food chain, sharks help keep the population of other ocean animals in balance. A large drop in the number of sharks can cause serious problems for all ocean animals. Saving sharks makes sense!

Many people are afraid of sharks. But most sharks are harmless. Only a small percentage of sharks are known to attack humans. It adapt (适应) well to new habitats and eat whatever is available. However, today, sharks are in trouble. Nearly one－third of the 400 shark species are in danger of extinction, largely due to over－fishing. Each year, tens of millions of sharks are caught and killed just for their fins. The fins are used to make shark fin soup.

Humane Society International (HSI) joined with the Jane Goodall Institute's Roots and Shoots program and Beijing Zoo to protect sharks. An exhibit at the zoo, "the Price Behind the Taste—Protect Sharks. Don't Eat Shark Fins", was designed to tell people that shark finning is cruel and unnecessary. It's hoped that the activity will help put an end to the practice.

Shark fin soup is also eaten in the United States. In fact, the numbers of some shark species in US waters have dropped 90 percent in the last 30 years. To slow the fall, laws against the sale of shark fins have been passed in several states, including Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and California.

Be a Green Child

What does it mean to be green? "Green" is more than just a color. It also means taking special steps to protect the environment. Why green? Plants are green, and without them the Earth wouldn't be such a lovely home for us human beings. What can we do?

Reduce It!

For instance, a shorter shower means you use less water and less fuel since your house uses fuel to run the heater that warms up the water.

Reuse It!

Sometimes people call ours a "throwaway society". It means that we're always throwing away old stuff (东西) and buying new stuff. For instance, if your baby brother becomes older and loses interest in his plastic basketball hoop (篮圈), why not give it to another family who has a little kid?

Recycle It!

Recycling has never been easier. Many communities will pick it up right in front of your house and some towns even require it. Recycled goods go to a recycling center, where they can be turned into new cans, bottles, and paper.

Enjoy It!

It's true that rubbish and pollution are problems, but the Earth remains a huge and beautiful place that's ready for you to explore. Go for a hike, visit local nature centers and gardens, and climb up mountains.

But before you travel the globe, take a look at your own backyard. Is there a spot where you could plant a tree or put in a little fruit or vegetable garden?

A. Here's a four­step guide to being green.

B. Many times, even if you no longer need something, someone else just might.

C. You can start locally by visiting the naturally beautiful spots in your city.

D. Turn off the tap when you're brushing your teeth.

E. Get out there and get your hands dirty.

F. You can watch with pride as your tree takes root and your garden plants grow.

G. When you use less of something, you do a good thing for the Earth.

Like many young people, 11－year－old Sean Lesniak is fascinated with sharks. However, little Sean was not only 1 in learning about them and watching them, but also tried his best to help them 2.

Sean's passion for sharks started very 3 in life. When Sean was just 3 years old, while watching Shark Week, he 4 that people did away with many sharks just to use their fins (鳍) for 5！ It is estimated (估计) that more than 100 million sharks are 6 around the world each year. He could 7 believe this was happening. As Sean's interest and passion for sharks 8, he wanted to take action to keep sharks from killing. And he decided to 9 at home when he learned that his state of Massachusetts didn't have a10 that prevented shark killing! Sean wrote a letter to his state representative, David Nangle, asking him to introduce a law that would 11 shark killing in their state. In his letter, Sean included a hand drawn shark with its fin 12 for eating. After a few 13, he was able to speak to Representative Nangle, who agreed to 14 the bill (法案) and in June, 2014 it became a law! Massachusetts is now one of the 10 states in America that have forbidden shark killing. Since then, Sean has focused his 15on helping sharks, working with Shark Biologist, Dr Greg Skomal.

He is also now 16 about helping to protect sea turtles in his state. And guess what Sean wants to be 17 he grows up. A shark biologist of course! Sean's 18 show how young people can make a big difference in the world. His advice to other youth is "if you feel strong about something and if you believe you can do it, you should try your best to make it 19. " He has set a good 20 to young people all over the world.

Daisy had always longed to help (endanger) species of wildlife. One day when she woke up she was taken to Tibet by a flying carpet, where Daisy saw an antelope (look) sad and then knew the antelopes were endangered species. Daisy wondered what to do to help them. The flying carpet travelled so fast next minute they were in Zimbabwe. Daisy turned around and found that she (watch) by an elephant. It asked if Daisy came to take its photo. In relief Daisy burst into (laugh). A monkey watched them and protected itself mosquitoes by rubbing. The monkey told them that they should pay more attention to the rainforest where it lived appreciated how the animals lived together. Daisy was amazed and they flew home. From this experience Daisy learned the (important) of wildlife protection. an experience!

1）很多人使用皮毛制品，靠猎杀动物挣钱；

2）为保护动物提出自己的建议；

3）发出倡议，号召大家一起行动起来保护动物。

注意：1）词数100左右；

2）可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；

3）开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。

Dear human beings ，

It is known that at present more and more wildlife is being in danger of dying out.

……

Yours ，

Li Hua

Jenny was the only child in her home. She had a quarrel with her mother that afternoon and she ran out of the house angrily. She couldn't help weeping sorrowfully when she thought of the scolding from her mother. Having wandered aimlessly in the street for hours, she felt a little hungry and wished for something to eat, but it was not even possible for her, since she had nothing with her. She stood beside a stand for a while, watching the middle－aged seller busy doing his business. However, with no money in hand, she sighed and had to leave.

The seller behind the stand noticed the young girl and asked, "Hey, girl, you want to have the noodles？"

"Oh, yes… but I don't have money on me… " she replied.

"That's nothing. I'll treat you today," said the man, "come in."

The seller brought her a bowl of noodles, whose smell was so attractive. As she was eating, Jenny cried silently.

"What is it?" asked the man kindly.

"Nothing, actually I was just touched by your kindness!" said Jenny as she wiped her tears. "Even a stranger on the street will give me a bowl of noodles, while my mother, drove me out of the house. She showed no care for me. She is so merciless compared to a stranger!!"

Hearing the words, the seller smiled "Girl, do you really think so? I only gave you a bowl of noodles and you thanked me a lot. But it is your mother who has raised you since you were a baby. Can you number the times she cooked for you? Have you expressed your gratitude to her?"

Jenny sat there, speechless and numb with shock; she remembered mother's familiar face and weathered hands. "Why did I not think of that? A bowl of noodles from a stranger made me feel indebted, but I have never thanked my mum for what she has done for me."

On the way home, Jenny made up her mind to make an apology to her mother for her rudeness as soon as she arrived home.

注意：

1）所续写短文的词数应为150左右；

2）至少使用5个短文中标有下划线的关键词语；

3）续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；

4）续写完成后，请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。

Paragraph 1:

Approaching the doorway, Jenny took a deep breath.  

Paragraph 2：

A gentle touch on her hair called her mind back.