ARE WE ENDANGERED?
Steve Jones is an environmental expert who tries to keep animals and plants from becoming endangered."We are not alone in the world.We human beings could not survive without all the plants and animals around us.We often talk about how important it is to take good care of ourselves and our planet,but we don't always do as we say,"Steve says as he takes us on a tour of Green Park in Birmingham.Many of the earth's plants and animals have already died out,and several other species are endangered.If we want to live a better life and have a bright future,we must learn to act in ways that do not harm other living things.
If we know more about what causes endangerment,we may be able to take measures before it is too late.A species can become endangered for different reasons.Animals and plants must have a habitat,or home,which is comfortable and clean,and where there is enough food and other resources.They are all used to their environment;that is,they havelearnt how to live successfully in their habitat.When the habitat of a speciesis changed or destroyed,the animal or plant has to either adapt to the change or find a new home.If this is not possible,the species becomes endangered.If a new species arrives,the animals and plants of the habitat must change again.If the new species is too strong or uses too much of the resources in the habitat,some of the original species may become endangered.A species may also die out if humans or other animals use too much of a plant or kill too many animals.
The good news is that there is a lot we can do to help.First of all,we need to learn more about animals,plants and the environment.Experts tell us that we need to think about what we can do to keep animals and plants from becoming endangered.Steve says that we can help bu creating more space for animals and plants:"You can plant a tree or build a birdhouse.It is simple but useful."Steve also wants us to think about what we do:"Please don't pollute the environment."If we find out more about what we should do ,we can help Steve and others like him keep animals and plants--and ourselves--from becoming endangered.
THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Every four years athletes from all over the world take part in the Olympic Games.Both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games are held every four years.The Winter Olympic Games are usually held two years before the Summer Olympic Games.
The ancient Olympic Games began around the year 776 BC in Greece.Many of the sports were the same as they are now.Some of the games in which the young men competed were:running,jumpingand wrestling.Women were not allowed to take part in the games.After about the year 393 AD the Olympic Games stopped.For centuries there were no Olympic Games.But they were not forgotten.
The first Olympic Games in modern times happened in 1896.They were held in Greece--the country in which the Games were born.In the Games there were 311 competitors from just 13 countries.After that more and more countries went to Sydney,Australia, for the 27th Olympic Games!There are 300 different events in the Games.Horse-riding,hammer throw and shooting are some of the more unusual events.
The Olympic motto is "Faster,Higher,Stronger".It means that every athlete should try to run faster,jump higher and throw further.They do their best to win medals. In the 1984 Olympic Games,Carl Lewis from the USA won four gold medals in track and field and became one of the best sportsmen in the 20th century.In Sydney the Chinese team got 28 gold medals,ranking third of all the competing countries.Many of the Chinese medals were won in diving and gymnastics and also in events such as weightlifting and shooting.
Following the history-making success in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, China won another great competition in 2001 which was not for a medal.It was the competition between countries to host the Olympic Games.In 2008,the 29th Olympic Games will be held in Beijing.To make it the best ever Games,the capital city will make several big changes.New buildings and sports venues will be built.More trees will be planted and new roads will be built.The people of Beijing,and of the whole country,will be preparing to light the Olympic torch to welcome athletes and sports fans from all over the world.
我是自己打的，也许会有点小错误，请谅解。祝你学习进步，加油！
温馨提示：答案为网友推荐，仅供参考