Golden lion tamarins (GLT) are among the most endangered animals on earth. They have fur which ranges in color from reddish orange to golden brown. They are the smallest monkeys in the world,and they weigh only half a kilogram. They move quickly through the forest. Each group of these delightful creatures needs a living space of about two square kilometres of thick forest. They are named after lions because of the ring of fur around their faces. Their only natural habitat(栖息地)is the Atlantic forest in Brazil.

Sadly,it is unusual to see a GLT nowadays,and there are very few of them left because they are hunted for the pet trade. In addition,the rapid expansion in the human population has resulted in the need for more land to grow crops,leaving them homeless.

GLTs live in close family groups. In the1970s,the Brazilian scientist,Eduardo Figueiro, realized what was happening to this rare animal,and began trying to save them,which has been supported by the government. He said,“It's so important to protect the animal,who evolved more than 20 million years ago. The worst problem is that the monkeys cannot travel without tree cover. It is trees that connect these groups. In this way,the monkeys can meet and socialize with each other. " Meanwhile , special patrols(巡逻) have been organized by government in the reserves to prevent hunting and forest fires.

As a result of these actions,the number of GLTs has grown to about 1500. There are also another 450 living in zoos throughout the world. Here they can be seen living in happy and close family groups,with the male gently taking much of the responsibility for the young.

1.The main idea of Paragraph 1 is GLTs' .

A. main characteristics B. present situations

C. value D. habitat

2.According to Figueiro,to save GLTs the most important thing is to .

A. prevent forest fires B. keep as many trees as possible

C. educate people to stop hunting them D. make them live in close family groups

3.What can be inferred from the text

A. GLTs are dying out nowadays.

B. Some GLTs feed on tree leaves.

C. Some GLTs are living in the Atlantic forest.

D. Brazil has been taking active actions to save GLTs.

4.We can conclude from the text that zoos

A. keep GLTs to separate them from each other

B. have taken a key role in the pet trade of GLTs

C. are helping raise GLTs to increase their population

D. catch GLTs and kill them cruelly to get their fur

Festival of Light, Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire

Longleat is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Giant lanterns take the shape of some of the park's animals, and there are also lots of characters in Beatrix Potter's book, such as Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Squirrel Nutkin, to mark the 150th anniversary of the author's birth. There is also a 20-metre-high birthday cake.

●£27. 85, adult/£20.65, child/under-threes, free.

●15 Dec. to 2 Jan.

Festival of Light, Enchanted Park, Gateshead

Enchanted Park is an interactive(交互的)walk through Saltwell Park, just south of the town

centre, along a trail of light with performances and sculptures. The story being told is a Midwinter

Night's Tale, inspired by the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. Visitors can join

stories and songs with Santa, and attend decorating workshops.

●£8, adult/£2, child/under-fours, free.

●11~27 Dec.

Christmas Glow, RHS Wisley, Surrey

The garden is glowing with giant lighted flowers. Some of the trees are brilliant, too. The

glasshouse is decorated like a gingerbread house, and displays seasonal plants. There are lanterns

around the lake. The cafe serves hot chocolate and apple juice.

●£9.90, adult/£3.60, child/#28, family.

●20 Dec. to 2 Jan.

Christmas at Kew Gardens, London

Kew is a special place to visit at any time of the day or year, but the festive light show gives it a magical twist, as the mile-long trail through the garden is decorated with 60,000 lights. Some of the garden's oldest and tallest trees are also beautifully lit along the way.

●£16, adult/£10, child/under-fours, free.

●24 Dec. to 2 Jan.

1.What can people do in Enchanted Park?

A. Visit Shakespeare's house. B. Listen to stories.

C. Learn to create sculptures. D. Play the part of Santa.

2.Which place will attract children fond of fictional animal characters?

A. Kew Gardens. B. RHS Wisley.

C. Longleat Safari Park. D. Enchanted Park.

3.How much is the admission to Kew Gardens for the Smiths and a 6-year-old child?

A. £42. B. £16.

C. £10. D. £26.

4.What do the parks mentioned in the text have in common?

A. Their open times are the same. B. They serve free cakes to children.

C. They are free for children under four. D. They are full of Christmas atmosphere.

Surviving Hurricane Sandy

Natalie Doan,14, has always felt lucky to live in Rockaway, New York. Living just a few blocks from the beach, Natalie can see the ocean and hear the wave from her house. “It’s the ocean that makes Rockaway so special,” she says.

On October 29, 2012, that ocean turned fierce. That night, Hurricane Sandy attacked the East Coast, and Rockaway was hit especially hard. Fortunately, Natalie’s family escaped to Brooklyn shortly before the city’s bridge closed.

When they returned to Rockaway the next day, they found their neighborhood in ruins. Many of Natalie’s friends had lost their homes and were living far away. All around her, people were suffering, especially the elderly. Natalie’s school was so damaged that she had to temporarily attend a school in Brooklyn.

In the following few days, the men and women helping Rockaway recover inspired Natalie. Volunteers came with carloads of donated clothing and toys. Neighbors devoted their spare time to helping others rebuild. Teenagers climbed dozens of flights of stairs to deliver water and food to elderly people trapped in powerless high-rise buildings.

“My mom tells me that I can’t control what happens to me,” Natalie says. “but I can always choose how I deal with it.”

Natalie’s choice was to help.

She created a website page matching survivors in need with donors who wanted to help. Natalie posted introduction about a boy named Patrick, who lost his baseball card collecting when his house burned down. Within days, Patrick’s collection was replaced.

In the coming months, her website page helped lots of kids: Christopher, who received a new basketball; Charlie, who got a new keyboard. Natalie also worked with other organizations to bring much-need supplies to Rockaway. Her efforts made her a famous person. Last April, she was invited to the White House and honored as a Hurricane Sandy Champion of Change.

Today, the scars(创痕)of destruction are still seen in Rockaway, but hope is in the air. The streets are clear, and many homes have been rebuilt. “I can’t imagine living anywhere but Rockaway,” Natalie declares. “My neighborhood will be back, even stronger than before.”

1.When Natalie returned to Rockaway after the hurricane ,she found______.

A. some friends had lost their lives B. her neighborhood was destroyed

C. her school had moved to Brooklyn D. the elderly were free from suffering

2.According to paragraph4,who inspired Natalie most?

A. The people helping Rockaway rebuild

B. The people trapped in high rise building

C. The volunteers donating money to survivors

D. Local teenagers bringing clothing to elderly people

3.How did Natalie help the survivors?

A. She gave her toys to the kids

B. She took care of younger children

C. She called on the White House to help

D. She built an information sharing platform

4.What does the story intend to tell us?

A. Little people can make a big difference B. A friend in need is a friend indeed

C. East or West, home is best D. Technology is power

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