When people talk about the future, we like to think that we will be able to drive out of our garages and take to the skies in our own personal flying car. The advantages are obvious. Some people predict this technology {#blank#}1{#/blank#} complete freedom of movement. We could fly at 480 kilometres per hour,{#blank#}2{#/blank#}traffic lights, busy roads and speeding tickets. However, some people point to the disadvantages of flying cars. They say that there are certain to be problems with traffic control. Another big problem is engine{#blank#}3{#/blank#}. What will happen if the car goes wrong? Also, if they become popular, there is {#blank#}4{#/blank#} to be another big problem: air traffic jam. So we may find flying cars {#blank#}5{#/blank#} with more than a few problems if they are to get off the ground!

    The United Nations' series of "language days" are designed to promote the use of the six official languages of the UN as well as to celebrate cultural and linguistic diversity (语言多样性). Chinese Language Day is the 20th April. It's a time chosen to fit in with the Chinese{#blank#}1{#/blank#} of Guyu (古语), which honours Cangjie—the four-eyed {#blank#}2{#/blank#} figure who is traditionally understood to have created Chinese characters in the time of the Yellow Emperor, 5000 years ago.

    Mandarin (普通话) is the most-spoken language in the world, with over 1.5 billion speakers. When most people think of "Chinese", it is Mandarin that they are {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. But Mandarin Chinese is far from the only variant of the Chinese language—or the only language spoken in China. In fact, there are a great number of Chinese languages. Remember—this is a country which is both very large and very, very old. Different regions are within the {#blank#}4{#/blank#} expanse of territory, that is, China can be {#blank#}5{#/blank#} not only by great distances but also by broadly geographical features such as mountain ranges.

    It is hard to guess how many dialects actually exist. In general, dialects can be {#blank#}6{#/blank#} classified into one of the seven large groups: Putonghua (Mandarin), Gan, Kejia (Hakka), Min, Wu, Xiang, and Yue (Cantonese). Each language group contains a large number of dialects.

    Understanding the situation is {#blank#}7{#/blank#} by the fact that, while many Chinese people in different geographical areas of the country may not understand each other when they speak their regional dialect, they may share the same written language even if their pronunciation of different characters within that language may{#blank#}8{#/blank#}.

A {#blank#}9{#/blank#} feature across all Chinese languages is tone. For instance, Mandarin has four tones and Cantonese has six tones. Tone, in terms of language, is the pitch (音高) in which syllables (音节) in words are spoken. In Chinese, different words {#blank#}10{#/blank#} different keys. Some words even have pitch variations in one single syllable.

    Eco-tourism involves people travelling to beautiful but environmental sensitive place. Such trips are usually carried out with a(n) {#blank#}1{#/blank#} guide. Over recent years  this type of travel has been steadily gaining {#blank#}2{#/blank#} as more people search for new travel experiences.

    It is obvious that eco-tourism is beneficial in many aspects. First, all the money spent by the tourists is used to {#blank#}3{#/blank#} the important environmental spots they visit. Second, it helps visitors to better understand the environment, which is sure to {#blank#}4{#/blank#} their knowledge of the world. Furthermore, this style of travel is also more {#blank#}5{#/blank#} of the local culture.

    Compared to normal tourists, eco-tourist use energy more {#blank#}6{#/blank#}, save water and produce less rubbish by finding ways to recycle it. These behaviors have a(n) {#blank#}7{#/blank#} and lasting effect on the local environment.

    Two things are needed to make eco-tourism a success. First, it should be done in small groups. And second, because it requires {#blank#}8{#/blank#} effort, both eco-tourists and locals must be sincere in their devotion to improving the environment.

    Green travel provides local people with jobs in parks, hotels and shops. One great achievement of eco-tourism has been the {#blank#}9{#/blank#} of illegal hunting. Former hunters can now work as guides to help keep the animals safe in their natural surroundings.

Peru is one country using eco-tourism to promote respect for the environment. It's not able to take better care of its rainforests because of {#blank#}10{#/blank#} on more sustainable travel.

    In addition to this, local people's living-standards have improved. Many others are now following Peru's example and using eco-tourism to preserve their environment for the future generations.

The programme attracted millions of {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

People came from all over the world to {#blank#}2{#/blank#}her work.