The famous scientist and thinker, Charles Darwin, was born on February 12, 1809 in England. As a boy，Charles liked to go for walks in the fields and forests. He enjoyed watching nature，and comparing what he saw with everything he had read in science books. He also liked collecting very much. He collected many things: birds，eggs，stones and leaves.

At sixteen Darwin was sent to Edinburgh University to become a doctor. But he was interested in the history of nature.

Then he was sent to study in Cambridge University. There he studied until 1831.

Some time later he heard that the ship Beagle was going on a trip to South America and wanted a scientist. His teacher advised him to go. So when the Beagle left England in December, 1831, Darwin was on it.

The trip lasted almost five years. Darwin saw many new plants and animals. He collected all kinds of plants.

In 1842 Darwin went to live in Kent，and there he continued his studies of change in nature. Darwin understood that plants and animals are not always the same，and that they really change.

By 1859 Darwin had finished his famous book The Origin of Species.

In 1871 Darwin wrote ano ther important book The Theory of Evolution.

Darwin continued his studies in science until he died in 1882.

    Sometimes talent runs in families. Let's look at some famous (著名的) brothers and sisters.

    Andy Murray and Jamie Murray are very famous brothers. They are both professional (职业的) tennis players and they play in competitions all over the world. Jamie is older than Andy, but only by about a year. They look very similar. They are the same height and they have the same dark hair. Jamie became a professional player in 2004, one year before his younger brother Andy. But Andy wins more competitions than his brother!

    Kylie Minogue and Dannii Minogue are famous Australian sisters. Kylie began her career (事业) as an actress on Australian TV, then she began singing when she was 19 years old. She soon became famous all over the world. Dannii is younger than Kylie. She is also taller than her sister and she has darker hair. She began singing after Kylie, but she is also very famous. Dannii is also famous as a judge (评判员) on TV talent shows. Sometimes Kylie and Dannii sing together, and they sing really well.

    Nowadays there are many people going from villages or small towns to big cities to realize their dreams, but there are also people doing the opposite.

    Janet Lincoln moved to St Louis five years ago. Here's what she said:

    "I used to live in a small town called Bertrand. I grew up there. After I graduated (毕业) from high school, I worked in a supermarket. There were about 800 people in my town, and I knew most of them. Most of them knew me, too. At the age of 21, I got a chance (机会) and moved to St. Louis. I love it. I don't know as many people now as I used to, but that's OK. I live in an apartment and have a few good friends. There are a lot of fun things to do in the big city."

    Troy Henson has the opposite experience. He, his wife and their two children moved from St. Louis to Bloomfield three years ago. Here's what Troy said:

    "Both Darla and I grew up in St. Louis. We met at college and got married. Then the kids came along and life got difficult. We didn't know any of our neighbors. We both had good jobs, and we were always very busy. But it seemed there was never enough money. That all changed when we moved to Bloomfield. We don't make as much money as we used to, but we don't have as many expenses (开支) as we did and we are relaxed. It's good.