Most people around the world are right-handed. This also seems to be true in history. In 1799, scientists studied works of art made at different times from 1,500 B.C. to the 1950s. Most of the people shown in these works are right-handed, so the scientists guessed that right-handedness has always been common through history. Today, only about 10% to 15% of the world's population is left-handed.

Why are there more right-handed people than left-handed ones? Scientists now know that a person's two hands each have their own jobs. For most people, the left hand is used to find things or hold things. The right hand is used to work with things. This is because of the different work of the two sides of the brain. The right side of the brain, which makes a person's hands and eyes work together, controls the left hand. The left side of the brain, which controls the right hand, is the centre for thinking and doing problems. These findings show that more artists should be left-handed, and studies have found that left-handedness is twice as common among artists as among people in other jobs.

No one really knows what makes a person become right-handed instead of left-handed. Scientists have found that almost 40% of the people become left-handed because their main brain is damaged when they are born. However, this doesn't happen to everyone, so scientists guess there must be another reason why people become left-handed. One idea is that people usually get right-handed from their parents. If a person does not receive the gene (基因) for right-handedness, he / she may become either right-handed or left-handed according to the chance and the people they work or live with.

Though right-handedness is more common than left-handedness, people no longer think left-handed people are strange or unusual. A long time ago, left-handed children were made to use their right hands like other children, but today they don't have to.

Daisy forgot to set the alarm clock (闹钟) so she had to run to catch the bus. This made her feel tired and rushed when she started her science test. After she handed in her test paper, she was certain that the test had not gone well. With a heavy heart, she left the classroom.

That afternoon, Daisy left school to work part-time at Beckman's. After she finished her work, Mrs. Beckman called her into the office. "Daisy," she said, "you have been a great worker. But business has been slow; we have to let you go."

Feeling down, Daisy left the office. As she walked slowly towards her aunt's house, she tried to think about the new hairstyle her aunt had promised her. When she arrived, Daisy showed her aunt a picture of the style she wanted.

"Well, you're done. What do you think?" Her aunt asked about an hour later.

What Daisy saw in the mirror left her speechless. It was nothing like the picture! How could she possibly go to school again?

The next morning, putting her things in her locker, she ran into Ms. Wilson, her science teacher.

"I know, Ms. Wilson, I did very poorly on the test. It's just that I forgot…"

"What are you talking about? Daisy, you did a great job!" Ms. Wilson said. "What I wanted to ask you is if you would be interested in working a few days a week after school as a lab assistant (助手). I need some help organizing all the materials." Daisy happily accepted.

"Daisy!" she heard as the rest of the students began to enter the building. "Where did you get your hair done?" She was so excited about her test and new job that she had completely forgotten about her hair.

"Wow! That is so cool!" she was told. She couldn't believe her ears. Everyone loved her hair.

What a couple of days it had been! Walking home, she smiled as the radio of a passing car played the song "What a Difference a Day Makes".

Bob and Ken are best friends，and both of them are sports lovers. One day after class，Bob asks Ken to play volleyball together. While playing，Ken runs so fast that he falls to the ground. "My arm!" he cries. When Bob comes to help Ken stand up，he sees that it is broken （受伤的）. 

Bob runs to call Ken's parents. After that，Ken's parents take him to the hospital. In the hospital，the doctor checks （检查） his arm and tells Ken that he needs to take care of his arm. He also asks Ken not to play sports during the next 35 days. 

The next day，Ken goes to school and tells the class his story. They have many questions，and Ken answers them one by one. But Bob is quiet，and he keeps drawing something on the paper. Ken walks to Bob，smiles and says， "Bob，        ▲        . " 

At that time，Bob looks into Ken's eyes and asks， "Do you want to play tic-tac-toe today？We can't play sports today. " "Great idea!" Ken answers. What good friends!

Many people enjoy watching movies in a cinema. They think the cinema has a better atmosphere（气氛）to enjoy the movie. However, I think people are happier and freer when watching movies at home. 

Watching movies at home is more comfortable. To watch movies in a cinema, you have to buy a ticket before you go there for a better seat. However, there is no need for people at home to worry about the ticket. They can enjoy movies at any time they like and with the most comfortable seat. What's more, people watching movies at home wouldn't have to face any traffic problems. 

It is free to watch movies at home. In the cinema, we can't go outside and do something else because the movie won't wait for us. Sometimes we miss part of the movie. At home, we can pause（暂停）at any time and go back to watch the part. 

All in all, a cinema is a good place to watch movies, but it isn't the best place to enjoy the movies. I think watching movies at home is better. 

Saturday, March 24^th

We arrived in the hot, wet city—Bangkok. This is our first trip to Thailand. All the different smells make us want to try the food. We are going to eat something special for dinner tonight. The hotel we are staying in is cheap and very clean. We plan to stay here for a few days, visit some places in the city, and then travel to Chiang Mai in the North.

Tuesday, March 27^th

Bangkok is wonderful and surprising! The places are interesting. We visited the famous market which was on water, and saw a lot of fruit and vegetables. Everything is so colorful, and we took lots of photos there! Later today we will leave for Chiang Mai. We will take the train there and stay there for two days, and then catch a bus to Chiang Rai.

Friday, March 30^th

Our bus ride to Chiang Rai was long and boring. We visited a small village in the mountains. The village people here love the quiet life-no computers or phones. They are the kindest people I have ever met. They always smile and say "hello". Kathy and I can only speak a few words of Thai, so smiling is the best way to show our kindness. I feel good here, but we must go home. I hope to be able to come back next year.

We all dream about life in the future. What do you think it will be like? Perhaps（也许）in the future people will fly up into space and have their holidays on the moon，and scientists will live under the sea. There will be robots in our homes. Women won't do housework. They will have more free time. Robots will help them do everything at home. We will be able to do some shopping without（不；没有）leaving our homes. I'm sure that there will be more e-schools，so children can study at home on the Internet. They won't go to school.