A thousand years ago Hong Kong was covered by a thick forest. As more and more people came to 　31　 in Hong Kong, these trees were cut down and burnt. Now there is　32　 forest left, though there are still some small areas covered with trees. We call these woods.
　　Elephants, tigers and many　33　 animals were living in the thick forest. When people came to live in Hong Kong, the　34　 began to die out. Early farmers grew rice and　35　 pigs and chickens in the valleys. They cut down the trees and burnt them. They needed　36　 to keep themselves warm in winter, to cook their food and to keep away the dangerous animals. Elephants quickly disappeared because there was not enough food for them. 　37　 did most of the wolves and tigers. Monkeys and many other animals soon　38　 in the same way.
　　You might think that there are no longer any animals in Hong Kong　39　 in the zoos. But there are still about 36 different animals　40　 there. One of the most interesting of Hong Kong's animals is the barking deer. These are beautiful little animals　41　 a rich brown coat and a white patch (补丁) under the tail. They look like deer but they are much smaller. They are less than two feet　42　. They make a noise rather like a dog　43　. In Hong Kong the barking deer has only a real enemy--　44　. People hunt these little animals though it is illegal (违法的). There are now not many barking deer left. So it is important　45　 people to protect wild animals.

The expression “down to earth” means being open and honest. It is easy to get on with some one who is down to earth. A down-to-earth person is the opposite of someone who acts important or proud.
Down-to-earth people could be important members of society. But they do not consider themselves to be better than others who are less important. A person who is filed with his own importance and pride is said to have his nose in the air.
Americans use another expression that is similar in some ways to down to earth. The expression is both feet on the ground. Someone with both feet on the ground is a person with a good understanding of reality（现实）. He may have dreams, but he does not allow them to have influence on his understanding of what is real.
The opposite kind of person is one who has his head in the clouds. Someone with his head in the clouds is a person whose mind is not on what is happening in real life. Such a person may be called a day－dreamer.
When we have both our feet on the ground, and when we are down to earth, we do not have our noses in the air. We act honestly and openly to others. Our lives are like the ground below us— solid(牢固的) and strong.
【小题1】A down-to-earth person could be_____________.

A thousand years ago Hong Kong was covered by a thick forest. As more and more people came to 　1　 in Hong Kong, these trees were cut down and burnt. Now there is 　2　 forest left, though there are still some small areas covered with trees. We call these woods.
Elephants, tigers and many 　3　 animals were living in the thick forest. When people came to live in Hong Kong, the 　4　 began to die out. Early farmers grew rice and 　5　 pigs and chickens in the valleys. They cut down the trees and burnt them. They needed 　6　 to keep themselves warm in winter, to cook their food and to keep away the dangerous animals. Elephants quickly disappeared because there was not enough food for them. So did 　7　 of the wolves and tigers. Monkeys and many other animals soon 　8　 in the same way.
You might think that there are no longer any animals in Hong Kong 　9　 in the zoos. But there are still about 36 different animals 　10　 there. One of the most interesting of Hong Kong's animals is the barking deer. These are beautiful little animals 　11　 a rich brown coat and a white patch (补丁) under the tail. They look like deer but they are much smaller. They are less than two feet（英尺） 　12　. They make a noise rather like a dog 　13　. In Hong Kong the barking deer has only a real enemy--　14　. People hunt these little animals though it is illegal (违法的). There are now not many barking deer left. So it is important 　15　 people to protect wild animals.