Michael Jackson is one of the world's best singers. Michael Jackson was born in the middle west of the city of Gary, Indiana, in 1958. He began singing with his four brothers. They called the group “The Jackson Five”. The group became very popular after appearing on a television program. They started singing in 1965, and became popular soon. In 1970 the group made their first record with the name of “I Want You Back”. It was very popular. One of their hit records was “Never Say Goodbye”.

Michael was good at dancing as well as singing, for example, his dance moves and moon walking. He was asked to act in a film in 1978 for the first time, and in the same year he made a record on his own, which sold eight million copies all over the world.

    Michael nearly didn't go out because he was too famous. Once his fans went off in a faint(晕倒) when they saw him at the concert. No one can do it by now. He lived in a large house and kept lots of animals. He never ate meat. He often raised money for charity. This made him win the Guinness World Records(吉尼斯世界记录) in 2006. He died on June 25^th, 2009, but he would live in our heart forever.

    After breakfast Mrs. Beckman started packing（打包）the bags. She bought the tickets to London. Her husband works there. She and her children are going to fly there to see him. Thomas and Katy can't help her and she told them to play outside.

    "It often rains in London in autumn," the woman said to herself, " I'd better take the umbrellas. So I won't buy any when it rains there."

Suddenly(突然), she heard Thomas crying and ran out at once. She asked, " What's the matter?"

    "Katy pulled(揪)my hair," the boy said in tears(眼泪汪汪地).

    "Don't be angry," said the woman. "She's too young. She doesn't know pulling hair hurts(疼痛)"

    And then she went to the house again. After a short time there was more crying. She had to come out to see what the matter was.

This time Thomas said, "Now she knows."

    The last day of my middle school came．I had to leave my dear friends and teachers．

    The farewell（告别晚会）took place in the big hall．It was the first time that I hadn't worn my school uniform in the past twelve years．

    In the beginning，the headmaster of our school gave us a speech，recalling our school days．He said he was so proud of us．Then，he lit a big lamp which stood for our bright future．After that，the monitor of each class lit his candle from the big lamp and passed it to his classmates one by one．

    The school union was so kind that they hosted a party for us．It included mouth-watering and tasty dishes．

    Besides the delicious food，coffee was also served．Then students gave some performances．

    Two teachers spoke in the party as well．They both wished us a big success，not only in the coming exam but in life．

    At the end of the party，we had a photo together．Some students also asked their teachers to take photos with them．Side by side，we spent some time chatting with our friends and sending our best wishes to each other．This went on till it was time for the party to finish．All of us returned home with a sad heart and a lot of memories．

The Sixth Time I Went to the Principal's Office

    When I was in the seventh grade, I had problems behaving. My heart was in the right place, but I couldn't always follow the rules. I played many tricks on my schoolmates. Once, I even pulled a girl's hair on the school bus to get her attention. As a result, I was repeatedly sent to the office of the principal（校长）.Although I hated going there, I did not hate the principal, Mr. Ratcliff.

    Mr. Ratcliff was a kind, elderly man. When he spanked（打屁股） me for putting some ants into a classmate's pencil box, it didn't hurt at all, but it did hurt my feelings. I thought so much of him and moments like that seemed to prove I was hopelessly bad.

    When I got called to Mr. Ratcliff's office for the sixth time, I had no idea what I had done. I felt disappointed as I walked down there. I went into his office, sat down, and looked at the floor. Then he said the last thing I expected to hear:" Kevin, I've heard you've been behaving really well lately. I want you to know how proud I am of you, and I just called you down to my office to give you a peppermint."

    "Really?" I was surprised.

    "Yes. Now you can take that peppermint and go back to class."

    I carried the peppermint with me as if it was a gold coin. When I got into my classroom, I bragged （吹嘘） to my classmates about my turnaround, excitedly. I wasn't so bad after all.

    Mr. Ratcliff was really kind. He made me realize that I was just a kid who had problems with behavior. He bought some peppermints and took the time to notice me when I got something-anything-right. Mr. Ratcliff gave me some hope by giving me some love. I will just remember him for the rest of my life.

My name is Lily.  I like collecting stamps very much. 

At the age of five, I started to collect stamps.  My uncle, John, gave me a nice stamp and showed his stamp album to me.  The stamps in his stamp album were so beautiful that I was deeply attracted.  I became interested in stamps from that day on.  I put my first stamp in my notebook.  Later, I bought a stamp album and started collecting stamps by category (类别). 

My family helped to buy stamps for me.  After my friends and classmates knew my hobby, they started to help me collect stamps.  Sometimes I traded with them, too.  Gradually, I collected over one thousand stamps from different countries around the world when I was ten. 

I gain knowledge (获得知识) by collecting stamps.  I learn about the history, geography and customs of the world.  It also cultivates (培养) my sentiment (情操).  I often enjoy them in my spare time.  My friends and classmates all like them, too.