Dragons, a famous 【小题1】 (imagine) beast, are often present in stories in the west and east. In both cultures, dragons are generally recognized as massive creatures capable of flight. They have great power and are often associated with magical 【小题2】 (ability).

However, due to their different cultural roots and images, there 【小题3】 (be) significant differences in the way dragons are regarded in the west and east, 【小题4】 (particular) in China. Chinese dragons look like snakes, and have four claws (爪) and no wings. They often have features of other animals, 【小题5】 (include) carp (鲤鱼), tigers, and eagles. In the contrast, Western dragons look like huge lizards (蜥蜴) with big claws and large bat-like wings, and are often shown with spines or rough scales.

In traditional Chinese culture, a dragon is 【小题6】 symbol of luck, power and high status. They can cause weather changes and bring rainfall to the fields to ensure rich harvests. They are considered divine (神圣的) creatures, 【小题7】 hold an important position as the head of the four spirits. Therefore, to symbolize their power, ancient Chinese emperors decorated their clothes with dragon patterns. These clothes are known as dragon robes.

Many Chinese view the dragon as a national symbol, proudly referring to 【小题8】 (they) as “descendants (后裔) of the dragon”. In the west, however, a dragon symbolizes an evil creature that spreads violence and terror throughout the land. They 【小题9】 (believe) to be transformed by the devil, with the ability 【小题10】 (breathe) fire or spit poison. Many western tales show dragons being defeated and killed to protect people from danger.

Elephants are one of the most intelligent creatures on the earth. Across Africa they have inspired respect from people 【小题1】share the landscape with them, giving them strong 【小题2】 (culture) significance. They’re very important species, playing 【小题3】important role in maintaining the biodiversity of ecosystems.

During the dry season, elephants use their tusks 【小题4】 (dig) for water. This not only allows the elephants to survive in dry environments, but also【小题5】 (provide) water for other animals that share the harsh habitats.

When forest elephants eat, they create gaps in the vegetation. These gaps allow new plants to grow and create pathways for smaller animals to use. They’re also one of the major 【小题6】 (way) in which trees spread their seeds; some species rely 【小题7】(entire) upon elephants for seed spreading.

Wherever they live, elephants leave dung (粪便) that is filled 【小题8】 seeds from the plants they eat. When the dung gets into the soil, the seeds are sown and grow into new grasses, bushes and trees,【小题9】 (improve) the health of the savannah (稀树草原) ecosystem.

Sadly, we’re losing elephants worldwide, especially in Africa, due to illegal hunting. Action should 【小题10】 (take) to protect this species.

On the coastal wetlands by the Yellow Sea in Eastern China, you’ll notice a strange-looking Milu deer 【小题1】 (walk) around. It has a head shaped like a horse, giant antlers (角) like a deer, hooves (蹄子) like a cow, 【小题2】 the tail of a donkey. The fact 【小题3】 they have now returned to China is the result of a remarkable century-old animal protection cooperation between two countries.

Studies have found that the Milu deer were once common in eastern China, but by the nineteenth century, their numbers 【小题4】 (drop) sharply. Most of the Milu deer were raised in the Emperor’s hunting grounds outside Beijing. The Europeans 【小题5】 came to China at the time believed the species to be very rare and many were taken back to Europe. When the Emperor’s hunting grounds were destroyed by 【小题6】 heavy flooding, the Milu deer were lost, never to be seen in the area again. Luckily, a Duke in Britain gave shelter to 18 of these fortunate Milu deer, where they were well taken care of. During the mid-1980s, the Chinese government hoped the species could 【小题7】 (restore) in China once again. In 1986, there were 39 of the Milu deer 【小题8】 (fly) to China from Britain to their ancestral home in Dafeng County in Jiangsu province. After two decades, the Milu deer population in China has 【小题9】 (dramatic) increased to over 5000. Today, there is no longer any fears for their 【小题10】 (survive) in their homeland.