I have a pencil box. It's blue. There are lots of things in it. I have a pen. It's red and long. I like it. I have three pencils. They are short. I have a ruler. It's big. I have an eraser. It's small.

    Most American families are smaller than the families in other countries. Children in the USA will leave their parents when they grow up. They usually live far from their parents because they want to find good jobs. They often write to their parents or telephone them. And they often go to visit their parents on holidays.

    Parents usually let their children choose their own jobs. Americans think it is important(重要的) for them to make decisions(作决定).

    Children are also asked to do some housework at home. And in many families，children will get money from their parents for doing some housework. Because American parents want to let their children learn how to make money for their own use.

Mum: Lingling, what would you like for lunch?

Lingling: I'd like some noodles.

Mum: Can you use chopsticks?

Lingling: Yes, I can.

Mum: OK, go and buy some noodles for lunch.

Lingling: How many noodles?

Mum: Two bowls.

Lingling: What else do you want?

Mum: Four bottles of juice, please.

    A young mother and her little girl get on a bus and sit down. The bus conductor(售票员) comes to ask them to buy the tickets. The mother says, "I want one ticket to Children's Park." The conductor looks at the little girl and says to her, "How old are you?" The girl answers, "Mother says I am four years old at home, but I'm two years old on the bus." The young mother's face turns red, very red. Then she buys one adult ticket and a child's ticket.

    I like to paint on T-shirts in my spare time. I often paint after finishing my homework. I got this idea two years ago for my brother's birthday gift.

    I wanted a special T-shirt for my brother's birthday gift, but the shop wanted $20 for a special design(设计)on a T-shirt, so I decided to do it myself. I bought a white cotton T-shirt and some paints, and I painted a lion in the front. It only cost (花费)$6.

    When I gave it to my brother on his birthday, he loved it very much. You needn't be a great artist, and you can just paint simple things. The T-shirts are the most expensive part of my hobby. And you need to buy good-quality(质量) brushes. I love my hobby because I can make T-shirts that no one else has. I give a lot of them away as presents to my family members and friends. They love them very much.