Arbor Day: Day of Trees

Nebraska was covered with few trees many years ago. The pioneers had trouble in getting enough to build houses. There was no shade from the sun or wind, and crops (庄稼) didn't grow well in the dry earth. So the idea for Arbor Day formed there.

Fortunately, among those moving into Nebraska in 1854 was J. Sterling Morton. He and his wife were nature lovers, and the home they built in Nebraska was quickly planted with trees and flowers. Morton was a reporter of Nebraska's first newspaper, then he became a member of the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture (农业委员会).

On January 4, 1872, Morton first proposed (提议) a tree-planting holiday to be called "Arbor Day" at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture. The date was set for April 10, 1872. It was estimated (估计) that more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day.

In the years following the Arbor Day, his ideas spread to Kansas, Tennessee, Minnesota and Ohio. Today all 50 states have their own Day of Trees in keeping with local weather.

Hawaii celebrates it in November, while Alaska in May! More interesting, each state has a special "state tree". The "state tree" for Nebraska is cottonwood, for Alaska is Sitka Spruce.

Arbor Day is of American origin (起源) and the idea has spread widely to other lands where it is observed as the "Greening Week" of Japan, "The New Year's Days of Trees" in Israel, "The tree-loving Week" of Korea, and "The National Festival of Tree Planting" in India. Arbor Day in its various forms is now recognized in more than fifty countries. China spends "Tree-planting Day" on March 12.

We have known a lot about Arbor Day. So we should get into action and ask as many people as possible to gather and recycle paper. Then we can use what we earn from the waste paper to buy a special tree to plant in a park or other public places. It is an act of kindness, a labor of love and a duty as citizens. Anyone can do it.

1.Where did Arbor Day start from?

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2.When did Morton first suggest Arbor Day?

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3.What is Alaska's state tree?

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4.How many countries have recognized Arbor Day?

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5.What is the last paragraph mainly about?

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Who do you admire most?

Jackie, 14 Sofia Marconi, my friend Bia’s mum, is probably the most amazing person I know. She is also very brave. She is a wildlife photographer and she travels to some of the most dangerous places on Earth to take photos of the world’s most endangered animals.

Jacob, 16 One of my heroes is Mr. Donaldson, our great music teacher. He is so creative and finds different ways to get us interested in his lessons. He is also a really amazing guitar player. He is in a band. I’m sure they are going to be famous one day. But I hope it doesn’t happen soon. I don’t want to lose my teacher!

Alex, 15 The person I admire more than anyone is my grandmother Gwen. She is 78 and looks just amazing. Many people think she is my mother when they see us together. She is one of the nicest people I know. She always sees the good in other people. She still does volunteer work for a children’s charity (慈善机构) in India!

Oliver, 17 The greatest person I know is my uncle Jack. I admire him not only because he is a brave policeman but also because he tries his best to look after my aunt who is in a wheelchair and their kids. Life is hard. But I have never heard him complain. He’s always so cheerful with a huge smile on his face.

1.Who does Jackie admire most? ( )

A.His music teacher. B.His mother.

C.His friend’s mother. D.His uncle.

2.What does Mr. Donaldson do? ( )

A.He is a charity worker. B.He is a teacher.

C.He is a wildlife photographer. D.He is a policeman.

3.Alex admires Gwen because ______. ( )

A.she protects wild animals B.she never complains

C.she is a nice person D.she is very creative

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