Portland has been known as the “City of Roses” for more than a century－but why? Roses are not native to the region, __31__ did any Portland gardeners reach international stardom by breeding the best rose blossoms. __32__ , Portland’s affinity for roses started with a wedding gift and resulted in a WWI safe haven for European roses. According to the Oregon Encyclopedia, the first rose bush in the Pacific Northwest was sent to Anna Marie Pittman in 1837 33 she married Jason Lee, a missionary near Champoeg. Clippings from that bush were planted in Champoeg Park, Willamette University and the surrounding area._34__ visitors to the exposition, the City of Portland planted around 10,000 bushes of the revered Madame Caroline Testout rose along Portland’s streets. The voluptuous Madame Caroline Testout rose is perhaps the most popular __35__ of hybrid tea rose, named after a nineteenth century French dressmaker in 1890.

       Wildlife conservation and climate action are often considered as separate environmental issues, but the two are actually closely connected. Many people know that combatting climate change helps save wildlife populations around the __36__ , but the opposite situation is also true. That is, wildlife conservation plays an important __37__ in regulating the climate. Through saving wildlife, we help save the planet, including ourselves. Today, the earth is__38__ its sixth mass extinction event, caused by human activity and global temperature rise. A research report has pointed out that, in less than 50 years, the world has already __39__ 69% of all mammal, fish, bird, reptile, and amphibian populations. This has threatened humans because the presence of a rich variety of life on earth is critical for the health of this planet. __40__ biodiversity, all species work together within their respective ecosystems to maintain a necessary balance and support life.

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       Education in our society serves many purposes, but there are three main functions. First, students learn skills that will help prepare them for society. Writing, reading, and mathematics are all essential in today’s workplace and many people learn these skills in school. Second, schools serve communities. Whether by functioning as polling locations during elections or providing safe places for students in temporary living situations, public schools add value to communities. Third, public schools provide a structured environment for children to engage in productive activities during many days of the year while their adult caretakers are working. In other words, public schools also play the role of “daycare” places. These are three of the primary reasons why we have schools in our society.

       In 1821, the first public high school in the United States was started in Boston. By 1900, 31 states required children to attend school from the ages of 8 to 14. As a result, by 1910, 72% of American children attended school. Half the nation’s children attended one-room schools. In 1918, every state required students to complete elementary school. In 1954, the Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education unanimously declared that separate facilities were unconstitutional and desegregation began.        These days, students and their caretakers have more choices when it comes to selecting a public school. In addition to the traditional neighborhood schools, charter schools have popped up in major cities across the country. Both charter schools and neighborhood schools fill traditional roles like providing instruction, serving lunch and other meals, and administering the state tests. However, charter schools and neighborhood schools differ in many important ways. One key difference is the amount of time students spend in school. In Chicago, for example, students who attend neighborhood schools do so for about 180 days in a year, each day slightly over six hours long. On the other hand, students who attend charter schools do so for around 200 days in a year, and most charter school days are over eight hours long. While both neighborhood and charter schools provide free public education to students meeting enrollment criteria, students who attend charter schools spend much more time in class.

       Just by looking at a penguin, it is clear to see that their bodies have been specially adapted for swimming. They have developed a streamlined body shape that reduces drag when they are in the water. Their wings (called “flippers” on penguins) and feet also serve a purpose. Their flippers function like propellers when underwater, allowing them to move forward and increase their speed. While swimming, their feet get tucked away near the tail to be used to navigate through the water. All penguin bodies are covered in oily feathers, which allows the water to flow smoothly over their bodies, thus reducing drag. However, this is not the only thing a penguin’s body can do.

     Back in 2012, scientists discovered the mystery behind how Emperor Penguins rocket through the water. First, penguins can trap air under their feathers. It was discovered that when Emperor Penguins fluff these tiny feathers underwater, they release bubbles that act like a lubricant to reduce drag. With this extra boost, these penguins can double or triple the speeds at which they usually travel, which can help to propel individuals onto land or help with avoiding a predator. In addition, a penguin’s blood helps them to stay underwater for longer. The blood can carry extra oxygen around the body, allowing oxygen to be stored, and therefore helping them to breathe underwater for enough time to hunt.

    Not only have these birds evolved and adapted perfectly to being in the water, but they have also developed incredibly successful swimming techniques too. For long journeys, many penguins use a technique known as “porpoising”. This is when a penguin will propel forward out of the water, allowing them to catch a breath as they do so. When penguins do this, they can easily increase their speed by a substantial amount.