Environmental protection is one of the hottest topics nowadays. It was also something that ancient Chinese paid great attention to. In fact, the world's earliest environmental protection idea, ministry （部门） and law were all born in China. How did the ancient Chinese protect the environment?

The world's earliest idea of "managing state affairs（政事）through environmental protection"

Xunzi, a famous thinker in the Warring States Period, came up with the idea of "managing state affairs through environmental protection". He wrote in his book that vegetation（植被）should be protected well by humans.

Guan Zhong, a government officer 400 years ahead of Xunzi, was also an environmental protection expert. He said "a king who cannot protect his vegetation is not doing a good job".

The world's earliest environmental protection ministry"

Nine ministries set up by Shim, an ancient Chinese emperor, included "Yu"（虞） , an environmental protection ministry. Hie first " Yu'' leader was Boyi, an environmental protection expert. He invented wells so people could drink clean water. He knew a lot about animals and also called for animal protection.

The world's earliest "environmental protection law"

Over 4, 000 years ago, Dayu, an ancient Chinese water-control expert and also an emperor, made a rule, not allowing people to cut down trees in March or catch fish in June, because it was the time when they grew quickly.

Almost 3,000 years ago, Tianlv, the first environmental protection law, appeared in Qin. It recorded many ancient environmental protection rules. Two of them were interesting: firstly, rivers should not be blocked（堵塞）; secondly, grass and trees should not be burned to be fertilizer （肥料）except for summer. The second one is inspiring even for today. It can help to keep air clean and fresh.

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Mr. Qian owns(拥有) a store. He is a kind boss(老板). There are a lot of nice clothes in his store.

 One day, a little girl comes to Mr. Qian's store. She looks at 1 blue hat for a long time. Then she asks," Excuse me, how much is the blue hat?"

" It's 50 yuan." Mr. Qian says.

" Oh, that's too expensive(昂贵的)." The girl says. She looks very sad.

 Mr. Qian asks the girl,"2 will you buy this hat for?"

" For my grandpa. His birthday is next week. But I only have 20 yuan. I can't buy it for 3 ."

" Well, the hat is on 4 today. It's only 20 yuan! You can have it now!"

" Oh, that's really great! I' ll take it! Thank you!" The girl looks happy now.

" No problem. I'm 5 your grandpa will have a happy birthday." Mr. Qian says.

China is a country with many colorful days and festivals. The Dragon Head Raising Day （Longtaitou） is one of them. 

This special day is on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar （阴历）. It stands for the start of spring and farming. This year，the day fell on March 10. 

The dragon is important in Chinese culture. We Chinese people call ourselves the"descendants （传人） of the dragon". Therefore，people celebrate the Dragon Head Raising Day with many customs（传统） about dragons. 

On the day in ancient times（古代），people put ashes （灰） in the kitchen. This was to" lead the dragon into the house". People believed that with the help of the dragon（收成） in autumn. 

Also，people eat special foods on that day. The foods are usually named after dragons. For example，people eat" dragon whisker （细须）"noodles and dumplings called" dragon teeth". 

Today，many customs have faded away （消退）. But one that has remained is the cutting of hair. It was said that a haircut during the first lunar month may bring bad luck to the mother's brothers. So many people have their hair cut on the Dragon Head Raising Day. 

Lily: Hello, Betty! How's your first day of school?

Betty: Hey, Lily! {#blank#}1{#/blank#} I'm happy to see my friends. What about you?

Lily: Me, too. My classmates and teachers are great. 

Betty: {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

Lily: My favourite subject is music.

Betty: {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Lily: Because it's relaxing. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

Betty: Yes,I do. But my favourite subject is English.

Lily: Who is your English teacher? G. Our classmates like her very much.

Betty: Ms Wang. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

Lily: Oh! So good. Have a nice day. See you!

Betty: Bye!