I) Narrative paragraph: An Experience in Nature
I enjoy exploring nature, and my hobby is wildlife photography. Last year, on a visit to Venezuela, I had the chance to see and photograph one of the largest snakes in the world, the anaconda. After hiking through the rainforest for a day, I arrived at a village near a swamp that was known for its anacondas. I felt really excited, but I knew I shouldn’t be overconfident, because as anyone who has done this knows, it’s common to go out and not see anything. On the first day, I searched the swamp for anacondas with no luck. That evening, a villager offered to rent me his old canoe, which was a bit leaky but still floated. After scooping the excess water out of it, I took it to the swamp and ventured in. As I paddled deeper into the swamp, I often thought I saw a snake in the grass, but my eyes deceived me. After several hours, I finally caught sight of one deep in the vegetation, a female with dull green skin that probably measured 5 meters in length. When she saw me, she slid into the water and disappeared. What a thrill that was, for a nature lover like me. The next morning I went out again, paddling back to the spot where I had seen her. I was in luck - she was sunning herself on the bank. The night had been a cold one, and like any cold-blooded animal, snakes are sluggish when their environment is cold. I stopped the boat and took out my camera. For half an hour I took pictures while she rested, motionless. She didn’t even seem to notice my presence. When I returned to the village that day, I felt very satisfied. Seeing such a large and magnificent snake in its native habitat was an amazing experience. I just hope that these animals can continue to live unharmed in the jungle, even as humans expand into their territory. I believe men and wild animals can live in harmony, if each side respects the other.