Gao Ruyi grew up near the Yellow River, China’s second-longest river. He graduated in 1983 with a veterinary medicine (兽医学) degree and later worked at a ________ in Sanmenxia. He had little connection to swans (天鹅) until the winter of 1988. One day, he found that ________ had opened fire on the swans. The cries of four wounded swans left an unforgettable impression (印象) on him.

Since then, Gao has become a protector of swans along the Yellow River. Naturally, he ________ a lot of difficulties. At that time, people didn’t realize the importance of ________ wildlife. Besides, the environmental pollution was serious. Gao started working at a wildlife rescue station in the Yellow River wetland in Sanmenxia in 1994. ________ they worked hard, there were still some swans hurt. In 1998, several wild ducks and swans   ________ poisoning (中毒). “Swans have memories,” he said. “Since the ________ happened, nobody saw swans in the area for many years.” Still, Gao’s love for swan protection has never ________. He and his team often visited nearby villages to teach villagers about wildlife protection. He encouraged them to bring sick or injured ________ to the rescue station.

With the help of Gao and his team, the number of swans has become larger and larger. 60-year-old Gao Ruyi, is ________ that he saved more than 1, 000 swans in his life. Many people call him “Swan Dad” because of his effort.

A big project to fight plastic pollution in the UK began on 15 May. In the first Million Mile Beach Clean, around 50, 000 volunteers cleaned up beaches across the UK ________.

The Million Mile Beach Clean will go on all year round. The aim (目标) is for 100, 000 volunteers each to walk 10 miles and clean places they love along the way. At least eight ________ pieces of plastic go into oceans each day. They can take hundreds of years to break down. The project wants more people to play a role ________ protecting the environment. Besides beaches, people can pick up plastic on streets, in ________ and along local waterways. There are nearly 600 clean-ups taking place and anyone can join in with them. People can even start ________ own “mini clean” with fewer than 10 people. The project’s website has a list of all the clean-ups around the country. It also explains ________ you can start one in your own community.

George,________ 11-year-old volunteer from Bristol, said that he’s been helping to clean up his local river. “It ________ me sad to see rubbish polluting the river. That’s why I’m looking forward to ________ part in the clean-up,” he said. “I also like to compete with my sister to see who can pick up the most rubbish and fill the ________ bags!”

When I was 11, my home burned to the ground in the middle of the night. ______, my parents, brothers and I got away with our pets. We had ______ but the clothes we had been sleeping in. I spent the rest of that summer night with my family ______ for help. We didn’t know ______ might lie ahead for us.

The next day, my mom ______ me a few T-shirts and pairs of jeans that had been given to her by a friend. One pair of jeans was too ______ and the other pair was too long, but I didn’t care. At least I had some clothes again. Meanwhile, my dad returned to our home to see what he could save. The only thing he could find was my mom’s wedding ring, but it was ______ than nothing.

______ more summer days came, my dad was able to rent us a dusty old house by the side of the road near our old house. When we moved in, families, friends, and other people in our community gave all they could to help us get back on our feet. There were more clothes, furniture, food, money, and even some ______ for me to read.

Looking back now, I am thankful for everything we went ______ that summer because it taught me so much about life, love, and people. It showed me that when you have nothing left but love, that can still be enough.