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Reader's Bank_Level 3_Unit 11                                    Reading Text

One night, when the supermarket was dark and quiet, the vegetables began to share their secret thoughts. Potato looked sad. “I’m dirty and have dark spots. I don’t look smooth or round. People don’t want to pick me. But inside, I’m perfect for making yummy French fries!” Tomato smiled. “That’s true! We are much more than how we look. People think my skin should always be smooth and soft, but it can be injured or rough. I still taste great!” Cucumber moved a little. “Exactly! What’s outside isn’t everything. Look at me—I’m not straight. Some people think I look funny. But people don’t know I’m fresh and crunchy in salads even if I’m curved!” The vegetables realized they were not alone in their worries. This made them feel better. They agreed that what’s inside is more important than how something looks. They felt proud and happy. They went back to their shelves, ready to greet the shoppers.

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Something strange is happening in some rivers. Male fish are turning into female fish! In the Potomac River in the U.S., scientists saw many male fish had changed into females. And it’s not just in that river. It’s happening in other rivers, too. Why is this happening? The reason is water pollution. Plastic waste leaves harmful stuff in the river. These things can change how a fish’s body works. If this keeps going, there may be only female fish one day. Scientists are very worried about this problem. We can’t just watch and do nothing. We must keep rivers clean. If we wait too long, we may lose more than just fish.

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Dragons are in many stories, books, and movies. They are not real animals, but imaginary ones. Do dragons mean the same thing everywhere? Not always.  In Western stories, dragons are often scary. In the Bible, they are monsters. In one story, the Devil is a red dragon with seven heads. He fights against God and the angels. Because of stories like this, many people in the West think dragons are bad. In Asia, dragons are different. In China, they are symbols of luck and power. People enjoy drawing dragons. They wear clothes that have dragon designs. They also use dragons in festivals. During Chinese New Year, people dance in dragon costumes. They believe this brings good luck. Dragons have different meanings around the world. While dragons are scary in some places, they bring joy in others. That’s why learning about them is so fun!