I have lived in Beijing all my life. I will tell you about my life today and in the past. My family lived in a tiny house in the past. There {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (be) no electric lights, only candles. My father was a postman, and he often {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (work) twelve hours a day outside in the winter cold or in the summer heat. My mum was a farm girl before she met my father. She was a kind and loving mother. She {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(not go ) out to work. There were five {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (child) in my family and looking after us was more than a full-time job.

    I remember the family meals. The food was simple. We could only eat meat {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (one) or twice a year. I {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (not send) to school because my family couldn't afford it, and what's more, because I was a girl.

    Today, life {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (change). Families have got {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (small) than they were in the past. Most people only have one child! The role of women has changed too. My daughter is

    Really {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (luck) .She has a good education, and she goes to work even after getting {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (marry). I'm happy to see she's busy {#blank#}11{#/blank#} (work) every day, but sometimes I feel lonely because she can't come {#blank#}12{#/blank#} (see) me often.