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 (be) no electric lights, only candles. My father was a postman, and he often (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 (not go ) out to work. There were five (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 (one) or twice a year. I (not send) to school because my family couldn't afford it, and what's more, because I was a girl.

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

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