Q: A UN report said that around 60 million people across the world are drinking polluted water. Some 4,500 children die every day because of polluted water. A report showed that environmental problems kill 3 million children under five years old each year, making them one of the key contributors in more than 10 million child deaths each year. Dangerous factors include indoor and outdoor air pollution, water pollution. Another study showed that parents and scientists from seven countries including the United States and India think pollution is the biggest threat to children's living environment. Mrs Green tries to teach her daughter Susan by setting a personal example. She picks out recyclable waste and uses the water from the washing machine to wash the toilet. Chinese children mostly learn about environmental protection in school. Some non-governmental organizations and child centres also teach kids to protect the environment. "More parents have known about it. Family is now playing a more important role," says a Chinese official. Vera Lehmann, a German scientist says many Chinese now think more of pollution. "I was surprised to find many schools in China are willing to educate the children on environment," Lehmann said. "There has been a big change between now and ten years ago when I first travelled here."

1. polluted
2. 60 million people
3. 4,500
4. 3 million children
5. indoor and outdoor air pollution
6. water pollution
7. parents and scientists
8. from seven countries
9. United States
10. India

Numbered questions:
1. What kind of water are millions of people drinking?
2. How many people are drinking it?
3. How many children pass daily because of it?
4. How many children younger than 3 die from environmental problems yearly?
5. What is one of the dangerous factors?
6. And another?
7. Who thinks that pollution is the biggest problem for children worldwide?
8. From where?
9. What is one country?
10. And another?

Q: CHAPTER XIII.

THE CORN SALVE DOCTOR.

After supper the two partners found that time hung a little heavily upon their hands. Matt suggested that they walk around the city a bit, taking in the sights, but Andy was too tired.

"I'll tell you what I will do, though," said the older member of the firm. "I'll get one of the accordions out and you can get a banjo, and we can practice a little. There is nothing like being prepared for an emergency, you know."

"That is true, and we'll have to brush up quite a bit if we wish to play in public," laughed Matt.

He accompanied Andy to the barn where the wagon was stored, and they brought not only the accordion and the banjo, but also a violin and a mouth harmonica.

These instruments they took to the bedroom which had been assigned to them, and here, while it was yet early, they tuned up and began to practice upon such simple tunes as both knew by heart. Matt first tried the banjo, and after he had it in tune with the accordion, the partners played half a dozen selections quite creditably.

"We wouldn't do for grand opera soloists, but I guess it will be good enough to attract crowds in small country towns," laughed Andy, as he ground out a lively German waltz.

"Supposing we try the violin and banjo," suggested Matt, and Andy took up the king of instruments.

But this did not go so well, and it was not long before Andy turned back to the accordion, which, according to his statement, half-played itself. Matt tried the mouth harmonica, and surprised not only Andy, but half a dozen listeners, by the wonderful effects he produced upon the little instrument.

1. Matt
2. Andy
3. walk around the city a bit
4. take in the sights
5. No.
6. He was too tired.
7. Practicing.
8. accordion
9. banjo
10. the wagon
11. the barn
12. a violin
13. a mouth harmonica
14. the bedroom
15. No.
16. the banjo
17. half a dozen
18. a lively German waltz.
19. No.
20. No.

Numbered questions:
1. Who was the younger member of the pair?
2. And the elder?
3. What did the younger suggest they do?
4. To do what?
5. Did his partner want to do this?
6. Why not?
7. What did he suggest doing instead?
8. With what?
9. And what else?
10. Where were those kept?
11. Where was that located?
12. Did they bring anything else?
13. Anything else?
14. Where did they take them?
15. Was it late?
16. Which instrument did the younger partner start with?
17. How many songs did they work on?
18. What kind of song did the older member perform?
19. Was the younger musician bad with the harmonica?
20. Was his partner expecting him to be so good?

Q: CHAPTER XXI

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE HOUSEBOAT

Never was a girl more light-hearted than was Dora when in the saddle on the Kentucky thoroughbred. And her cousin was scarcely less elated.

"Let us have a little race, Nellie," cried Dora. "It will be lots of fun."

"Oh, we don't want the horses to run away," answered Nellie.

"I don't think they will run away."

The race was started, and to give the girls a chance, Dick and Tom dropped to the rear. Soon a turn of the road hid the two girls from view.

"Wait a minute--there is something wrong with my saddle," said Tom, a moment later, and he came to a halt and slipped to the ground.

Dick would have preferred going on, but did not wish to leave his brother alone, so he also halted. A buckle had broken and it took some time to repair the damage, so Tom could continue his ride.

"The girls have disappeared," said Dick, on making the turn ahead in the road.

They came to a spot where the road divided into three forks and halted in perplexity.

"Well, this is a nuisance," declared Tom, after scratching his head. "I suppose they thought we were watching them."

"More than likely."

"Which road shall we take?"

"Bless me if I know."

"Well, we can't take all three."

They stared at the hoofprints in the road, but there were too many of them to make anything of the marks.

"Stumped!" remarked Tom, laconically.

"Let us wait a while. Perhaps, when the girls see we are not following, they will turn back."

1. into three forks
2. Dick and Tom
3. yes
4. They're brothers.
5. Dick, Tom, Nellie, and Dora
6. Dora's
7. the horses will run away
8. no
9. Tom
10. A buckle broke
11. Tom's saddle
12. yes
13. some time
14. Dick
15. they disappeared
16. unknown
17. the girls will turn back
18. it's a nuisance
19. ride horses
20. they're cousins

Numbered questions:
1. How did the road split?
2. Who is at the split?
3. Do they know each other?
4. How?
5. Who is racing?
6. Whose idea was it?
7. What is Nellie afraid will happen?
8. Does that concern Dora?
9. Who has a problem at the start of the race?
10. What's wrong?
11. on what
12. Does it get fixed?
13. How long did that take?
14. Who had waited on him?
15. Where were their opponents when it was fixed?
16. Which road do they take?
17. What do they hope will happen?
18. How does Tom feel about losing the girls?
19. What does Dora like to do/
20. How does she know Nellie?