When Justin Tong was a child, other kids felt sorry for him. His parents always had him doing lots of housework such as carrying out the rubbish and sending newspapers. But when he grew up, he was better off than his childhood friends and lived a happier and healthier life.

This is the finding of a 40-year study that followed the lives of 456 children in London. It showed that the children who had worked hard in childhood had a richer and a happier future. "Children who worked in the home or community gained competence(能力) and came to feel they were worthwhile members of society," said Daniel Brown, the psychologist(心理学家) who made the discovery. "And because they felt good about themselves, others felt good about them."

Brown's study followed these children in great detail. Interviews were repeated at ages 25, 31 and 47. Under Brown, the researchers compared the children's mental-health scores with their childhood-activity scores. Points were awarded for part-time jobs, housework, effort in school, and ability to deal with problems.

    Working at any age is important. Childhood activities help a child develop responsibility, independence, confidence and competence — the underpinnings (基础) of emotional health. They also help him understand that people must cooperate and work toward common goals. The most competent adults are those who know how to do this.

    Yet work isn't everything. As Tolstoy once said, "One can live magnificently in this world if one knows how to work and how to love, to work for the person one loves and to love one's work."

Birch is a great pianist. His music is welcomed all over the world. Every year, he holds many concerts in different cities. But a ticket to his shows is always hard to get. 

This year, Birch will have a concert in the city of Flint, Michigan. Birch spends lots of time preparing for it — he knows lots of his fans will come and enjoy his performance (表演) , and he won't like to let them down. 

The big moment finally comes. Birch comes into the hall happily, wearing a smile as usual—he will meet his music lovers soon. Suddenly, he stops and his smile is gone. There are still lots of seats left, and the audience (观众) are fewer than half! 

Standing there, Birch is so disappointed. Isn't his performance so popular in this city? 

Just after a short while, Birch walks to the front of the stage and says to the audience smilingly, "Oh, your Flint City people are so different! I see each of you buy two seats. I now know how rich (富有的) you are!"

On hearing this, all the people laugh with a thundering applause (掌声雷动). 

AFamily Bakery

It's 3:00 in the morning. Angela is ready to start the day at the family bakery(面包房). Vincent and his wife, Angela, are its owners(主人).

Everyone in the family works in the bakery. The oldest daughter, Claire, is good at making cakes. Maria is the middle child. She works at the counter(柜台),and sometimes she makes cookies. Paul, the youngest, is 14,and he makes bread. Vincent says, "Paul has good hands for bread." All the family work in the bakery ,but the children only work there before or after school.

The bakery is open every day. The bakery sells cookies, cakes and bread. Mr. Martin is a regular customer(常客) ． He goes to the bakery every morning. He always takes the round loaf of bread with no butter. He says it's good. Mrs. Salerno is also a regular customer. Every Friday, she buys two loaves of Italian bread and a large box of cookies. Her six-year-old daughter, Laura, always gets one free cookie. Mrs. Salerno says Vincent's bakery is the best in the city.

 There are twelve {#blank#}1{#/blank#}( month) in a year. My favorite month {#blank#}2{#/blank#}( be) October. First, October 1^st is National Day. It's an important festival in China. Everyone is happy on this festival. We have a seven- day holiday(假期). During the holiday, my parents often {#blank#}3{#/blank#}( take) me to see my grandparents in the countryside(乡村). Second, there are some interesting things {#blank#}4{#/blank#} October. On the 12^th, we have a soccer game. I don't love basketball{#blank#}5{#/blank#} it's difficult for me. But I love soccer. I like {#blank#}6{#/blank#}( play) soccer and watching soccer games on TV. On October 20^th, we have a book sale. I have three old {#blank#}7{#/blank#}( book) and I want to sell them there. Then we have {#blank#}8{#/blank#} art festival on October 29^th. We can draw many beautiful pictures.{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(I) birthday is also on this day. October is a really great month {#blank#}10{#/blank#} me!

Rick, a school boy, had a love for playing video games. Every day, his 1 reminded him to take some exercise instead of playing video games. However, he didn't always 2 .

Once again, Rick's mom told him seriously that his eyesight(视力) might get poor if he spent too much time on video games. It was a pity that he still didn't listen 3 . He kept playing. One day, during a math class, Rick's teacher got 4 when he couldn't give an answer to a question like"2+2=?". After class, the teacher asked him why he couldn't solve such a 5 problem. Rick said that he knew the answer but couldn't see the board clearly. His teacher was worried and 6 his parents. Realizing what had happened, Rick's mom warned him again that it was harmful to his 7 to play video games too much. And Rick's dad took him to an eye doctor for a check-up. The 8 showed that his eyesight

had weakened. After asking about his habit of using eyes, the doctor advised Rick to take action to protect his eyes.

From that day on, Rick decided to 9 playing video games and take some exercise every day. Later Rick fell in love with sports and 10 his school soccer team. Now he has become stronger and healthier. His eyesight has also got better.