The Yangtze dolphin is the only kind of dolphin that lives in freshwater all its life. Scientists say that the finless freshwater dolphin that has lived in the Yangtze River for over 20 million years will die out in 15 years. It’s in danger of disappearing forever.

■Dredging(挖掘) of their habitat

■Heavy boat traffic in the Yangtze River

■Insecticide(杀虫剂) and mercury(汞)

No fin（鳍）on the back—

Color:Adults have light gray color—

Young ones have darker gray color

Main diet: Weight:30kg~45kg Size:1.2m~1.9m

Fish

Shrimp

Adult

compared to

human swimmer

It’s hard to turn down a tasty banana. They taste good and you don’t have to wash them before eating them. However, British scientists say that the fruit may disappear by 2050.

One reason for this is climate change. Scientists at the University of Exeter collected numbers from 27 countries and areas that produce 86 percent of the world’s bananas. They found that climate change has improved growing conditions in 21 of these countries. In the past 60 years, the production has reached 1.37 tons of bananas per hectare.

(1) Ten of the countries, including India, the world’s biggest producer of bananas, will produce fewer bananas. By 2050, the fruit may die out. (2) Shouldn’t bananas grow more easily if it’s hotter outside? (3) In fact, the perfect temperature for growing bananas is between 24 and 32℃. If temperatures get too high, they will stop growing. (4)

Diseases (疾病) are another danger to bananas. Unlike other plants, the bananas we grow come from shoot cuttings (扦插) rather than seeds (种子). This means that all banana plants have the same genotype (基因型). In other words, if a disease is able to kill one plant, it could kill them all.

One serious disease is called Panama. Caused by fungus (真菌) in the soil, it spreads easily. It has spread across South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia. If one banana plantation meets the disease, it will take 30 years until it is able to grow bananas again. Scientists have yet to find a cure (治疗) for this disease.

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D．

Kitty came into my life twenty years ago. When my son, Josh, and I were walking by “The Stock Exchange” store in our hometown, we saw a basket full of little cats in the window. We talked about getting a cat as a friend to our new little dogs, Asja. It was easy to choose. 【小题1】She has attractive eyes and the sweetest face.

In her new home in the woods, Kitty spent many afternoons climbing trees and playing with the bushes. She easily made friends with Asja. 【小题2】

Kitty was Josh's cat. 【小题3】My love to her came as a surprise because I had never had a cat as a child. I loved to pick her up, holding her into my arms. I danced with her around the room while listening to my favorite music. Every time I took out my yoga mat, she was right under my nose, making her appearance known.

Now Kitty is no longer here with us. The house feels very different. Many times during the day,I find myself stopping to remember if she needs to be fed, or if her water needs to be changed. 【小题4】 I now realize just how much a part of my life she really was.

Kitty stayed as long as she could-twenty years, three months. And as lucky as I was to have her for so long. There will never be a time when I will not miss my Kitty girl. 【小题5】