Mr. King is from America. He and his wife are teachers. They teach English in a middle school in Beijing. They have two daughters. They are twins. Their names are Lucy and Lily. They're twelve. They look the same. They are students, but they are in different schools. Their family has two bikes and a car. One bike is for Lily, the other is for Lucy. Mr. and Mrs. King go to work in their car. They have many friends in China. They sometimes go to the friends' home for supper（晚餐）.

    You may think that inventions are far away from your everyday life. But in fact, almost everyone can invent. It's just that they do not realize that their idea could be the start of an invention. Once inventors see their ideas have some practical value, they don't let them run away.

    For example, the inventors of the dishwasher, American Josephine Cochrane, loved to give dinner parties. But she found it took too long to wash her dishes by hand. She decided that a machine could do the job faster. So, in 1886, she began to make one for herself.

    Here are the steps to create inventions. The first and most important step is to find the problem. Start by looking at what is wrong with things you see now and ask people around if they remember ever saying, “I wish someone would invent something for...” Then you might notice situations(情况) or things in need of improvement. The next step is to think about possible solutions. An invention is a new way of solving a problem. So think of many and unusual ways. You can often come up with a solution to a problem by looking at it from a different side.

    The hardest part of inventing is coming up with a problem and finding a solution. Once you have an idea, you can always get help building your invention. This problem-solving technique can also work in your everyday lives. So, why not try it in your studies, in your relationship with others, or even in the way you look at the world?

    One morning, a little mouse went out to find something to eat. He was careless and met a fierce (凶猛的) lion. The lion caught the mouse and wanted to eat him.

    "Please let me go, Mr. lion, "said the mouse." One day, I'll help you. "

    The lion laughed, "How could a little mouse help a big lion?" "Well," he said. "I will let you go. But you must walk more carefully. "

    The mouse was very grateful (感激的). "Thank you, Mr. Lion. You are very kind. I will repay (报答) you one day, " the little mouse said.

    The next week, the mouse was looking for something to eat again. He saw the lion under a tree. But the lion was tied tightly (紧紧地被捆着) in a net of strong ropes (绳子) .He could not get out.

    "I will help you, "said the mouse .His teeth were sharp. Then he bit (咬) one rope, and then another. Soon the lion was free. He was very pleased. "Thank you, Mr. Mouse,” he said.

    The school music club opens. Tony wants to join(加入>the club, but he doesn't want to go alone (独自). He wants to ask his friends to go to the club with him. So he calls them at home, but no one is free.

    Martin is doing his homework at home, 完成这些作业通常需要花费他两小时的时间.

    Peter is writing an e - mail on the computer to his pen friend Gina, a girl from America. He is telling her about his school life. In fact (事实上)，he doesn't like music.

    Lily likes music very much, So Miss Green is teaching her and her classmates to sing songs at school They are having a singing competition (竞赛).

    Alice is having her twelfth birthday party. Her parents are making dinner for her.

    Kate is helping her brother with his English. He doesn't do well in English.

    Tom is playing baseball with his sister. It is his favorite sport.

    Tony is not happy because no one can go to the club with him.