Last weekend, six students from the Donoho School went on a fascinating trip back in time. These students accompanied Jacksonville State University professor William Bannister on a fossil hunt. The students, professor, and three graduate assistants headed to a valley near Cheaha Mountain. The valley was not previously known to have any fossils in it. However, two months ago, some campers in the valley stumbled upon some bones sticking out from the ground. When they brought them to the museum, they were told that the bones were those of a brontosaurus, a species of dinosaur.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Damke Foundation, the students were able to accompany the professor on his dig. They spent most of both Saturday and Sunday carefully digging in the area.
"We found a few bones," said Wendy Jacobs, a Donoho senior. "We're not sure which animal they're from, but the professor assured us they were from a dinosaur.”
"The students, all of whom intend to major in science at college, are looking forward to returning this coming weekend. "There's enough money in the grant for the next month, so we should get to return at least three more times." said Donoho student Philip Peters.
(Adapted from Perfect junior)

As the train gradually slowed down in the approach to King’s Cross station, Harry thought he had never wanted to leave it less. He even wondered briefly what would possibly happen if he simply refused to get off, but remained (15) sitting there until the first of September, when it would take him back to Hogswarts. When the train finally came to a standstill, (16) , he lifted down Hegdwig’s cage and prepared to drag his trunk from the train as usual. When the ticket (17) signalled to Harry, Ron and Herminone that it was safe to walk through the magical barrier between platforms nine and ten, he found a surprise that was awaiting him on the (18) side: a group of people (19) he had not expected at all were standing there to greet him.
(Adapted from Harry Potter 5)

The National Environmental Policy Act was first presented to Congress in 1969 and the following year the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established as an independent agency in the executive branch of the US government “to implement the new law and permit coordinated and effective government action on behalf of the environment”. The EPA consolidates in a single body the administration of all federal environmental legislation, ranging from the Refuse Control Act of 1899 to the most recent statutes concerning environmental pollution. The agency monitors environmental quality and seeks to control pollution. It has established special programs in air and water pollution, hazardous wastes, and toxic chemicals, and sponsors research in the technologies of pollution control. The agency is in charge of collecting environmental impact statements: reports on the probable environmental effects of proposed projects which might significantly alter the environment. The National Environmental Policy Act, which became effective in 1971, requires every US government agency to issue a statement on any project it plans to undertake, regulate, or fund. From this creation to the present day, the environmental impact statement has been attacked as a hindrance to economic growth and as too vague to prove a strict standard for environmental control. The EPA reviews all federal environmental impact statements to ensure that the statements comply with laws. Litigation may be instigated if environmental considerations conflict with existing zoning or planning laws. The Endangered Species Act of 1972, which is designed to protect rare animal and plant species, has been used to block several projects that might destroy vital wildlife habitats.
(Adapted from Penguin reading)