Nowadays, more and more people are fond of keeping pets because they can bring pleasure. But others don't think so. They think it's terrible to do it. In my opinion, …

—We can do it by___________ more trees.

—He studies so___________ that he___________ has time to speak to us in the school.

—Yes. It is a good idea ___________pets.

    People normally think of dogs as man's best friend, but to Brian Wilson, his two pet parrots are his best friends.

    It all began in 1995, when Brian was still a firefighter. A car accident caused serious damage to his brain. After several months of treatment, Brian's doctors said that he would never talk again and that he would have to spend the rest of his life in a nursing home.

    However, according to Brian, his two pet parrots didn't give up easily. They kept talking to him day and night, until one day, he said one word, then another, and all of a sudden was talking like a normal person again!

    Brian was so thankful that he decided to set up a home for birds which are not wanted by their owners. Now, his house is home to about 80 birds, including a great variety of birds like several macaws, cockatoos and African gray parrots. The birds fly around from room to room, some cackling (咯咯叫), others talking like humans. Though they all have big cages, Brian lets them fly freely inside the house.

    Over the years, Brian has developed a special relationship with birds. The birds that bite other humans, seem to like him and can get along with him well. He is now called a bird whisperer (鸟语者). Brian pays for most of the costs of looking after the birds with his own money, but has recently established a foundation (基金会) to accept donations. He and his birds also earn money by performing at birthday parties, weddings and other social events.

    For people who want to adopt (领养) Brian's birds, they have to volunteer at the foundation for three months before they can take the pet home.

    Growing up in England, the happiest thing for my classmates and I was reading stories. Among them, The Ugly Duckling (《丑小鸭》) was a popular one.

    The classic story of The Ugly Duckling describes a poor young bird. All the ducks for his ugly appearance—small and grey. Feeling sad, he begins a journey of self—discovery. Finally one day, he looks down into a pond. He his reflection (倒影) in the water. He was never an ugly duckling, but a beautiful swan.

    This great children's fairy tale has been a hit for years. It's even been a musical and Disney film. In fact, this year is the story's 175th birthday. Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen wrote it in 1843. The story teaches us many valuable lessons. , we should not judge a person by his or her appearance. It is inner beauty that makes a person special. What's more, one should think of other people's feelings. The story's positive messages are saved by the world. Today, we use the phrase “ugly duckling” as a metaphor poor or bad that grows into something successful or beautiful.

    Maybe Snoopy is the coolest dog in the world; maybe Snoopy is (A) ____________of the greatest kids on two legs. He is a happy-go-lucky (逍遥自在的) dog that everyone loves.

    Snoopy is the pet of Charlie Brown, whose name Snoopy could (B) never remember. For Snoopy, his master is just “that round-headed kid” who brings him his meals.

    Snoopy never speaks, but he can make himself understood by using facial expressions and thought balloons.

    In Snoopy's little head, he is everything (C) but a dog. Since 1956, Snoopy has been standing (D) 用两条腿代替四条腿and doing independent thinking. Here are two perfect examples to prove this point.

    Charlie once told Snoopy, “Look, Snoopy, that boy throws a branch, and then his dog will run to pick it and bring the branch back.” Hearing this, Snoopy picked up a branch and threw (E) it.

     (F) At another time, Charlie read his newspaper to Snoopy, “It says that (G) ____________ will be a dog show. Will you think about it?” Snoopy thought, “How can I? I don't even have a dog!”