There was a time when New York City buildings were almost all the same height.

3.Today you can see buildings of different heights that seem to touch the sky. They are called skyscrapers(摩天大楼). They shape the famous New York City skyline.

 It started about 90 years ago. It began like a race. This wasn't a race down the street or around a track(跑道). It was a race for the sky. Who was racing? Buildings were.Their builders were actually racing to build the world's tallest skyscraper.

 The race started slowly.

 First came the Woolworth Building, in 1913. It rose 792 feet(英尺) on the southern side of the city. Then the race heated up.In1930, two skyscrapers were nearing completion. The Bank of Manhattan Building was finished first. It rose up to 927 feet into the sky. Builders were then putting a round roof（屋顶）on the top of the Chrysler Building. It rose up t0 925 feet. The Bank of Manhattan, two feet taller, seemed to be the winner.

 A few weeks later, New Yorkers saw a strange sight（景象）.  The day that the Chrysler Building was to be completed, workers raised a shiny metal, spire（尖顶）through the top of the building, adding 121 feet to the building's height! At l,048 feet,the Chrysler Building was now the world's tallest.

 But the race was not over.  A year later, in 1931, the Empire State Building became the new winner.4.At l,250 feet, it was the world's tallest building.

 In 1973, even that record was broken. Builders finished the World Trade Center. At 1,368 feet high, it rose above all other buildings in New York City.

 Time goes on. As technology improves, taller buildings are being built. The race is still on.

    Do you ever wish you were as thin as a model(模特) or as strong as your favourite football player? Maybe you wish you were taller or just thinner a little. Those thoughts are a natural part of growing up.

    But learning what you can and can't change about your body is part of growing up, too. It can be hard to do. But when people accept the way they look, they often feel happier.

    Some children worry that they're not growing and developing as fast as their friends. It's important to know that puberty(青春期) doesn't happen at the same time for every child. And there are no special medicines that can make it happen sooner!

    Eating healthy foods and exercising more can make all children feel better. Why? Because they will help you feel energetic (精力充沛的) and keep your body working just the way it should be. Watching TV and playing computer games can be fun, but they don't do much for your body because you sit when you do them.

    But when you move your body—by playing, dancing, taking part in sports, or even cleaning your room—you exercise your muscles(肌肉). When you exercise the muscle, it gets stronger. And when you have strong muscles, you can do whatever you want to do!

    Ella loves her grandpa. He lives in Texas and takes a train to see Ella every month. Ella wants him to come every week because he is good at telling stories and cooking.

    One day, Ella asks her mom to make some chicken. Grandpa often makes it. Ella's mom says, "I'll try, but no one makes it as well as(像……一样好) Grandpa does. "

    Ella watches her mom make the sauce(酱) for the chicken. It looks delicious. When the chicken is ready, Ella's family sit down to eat. Her mom is right—no one makes it as well as Grandpa does.

    The next day, Ella's grandpa comes to see her. Ella tells him the story about her mom trying to make the chicken. Her grandpa says, "That's a great story." Then he teaches Ella and her mom how to make the chicken.

    Once upon a time, in the forest there lived a baby elephant, who had no friends. ________________ of the animals wanted to be his friend because he was too large.

    One day, a wild fire happened in the forest. The animals ran to safer places. The dry trees caught fire and the fire was sure to go all around the forest. The baby elephant ran to the nearest river, collected much water in his trunk (象鼻) and rushed to the burning trees. He sprayed (喷) the water on the fire. Finally, he put out the fire.

    Later, while he was resting after the hard job, all the animals and birds came to him and expressed their thanks for his kind help in time. They were now ready to have him as their good friend and their hero. They said, "A friend in need is a friend indeed."

    The baby elephant was happy to get so many friends and played games with them. He walked through the forest, carrying several small animals and birds on his back.