Imagine this: your parents go away on business, but you have to stay at home alone. Would life be as easy as when your parents are around? Would it be a perfect holiday for you?

    "I can fill an empty stomach with tomato and egg soup, but that's all. I think many of my classmates are the same. We wouldn't know what to do, or how to look after ourselves," said Zheng Chenyu. "And I'd forget something important. I'd probably watch television and burn the soup."

    "As soon as I leave home, I'll learn to cook. But now parents do almost everything for us.

    We're very lazy," she said.

    Most teenagers have only time for their homework. They don't learn any life skills until theygo to college.

    However, Sima Yige doesn't think so.

    "I think I'd be all right. I wouldn't just eat sandwiches or fruit. I know how to cook, some simple dishes because my mum showed me," the 13-year-old boy said. In his opinion, many teenagers depend too much on their parents, and there is much more to learn than cooking, like tidying up your room or even dressing yourself properly.

    For most teenagers it wouldn't be a holiday at all.

    "Have you finished your lesson, George?" said Mr. Prentice to his son, who had laid aside his book and was busy making a large paper kite.

    "No, father, "replied George, hanging down his head.

    "{#blank#}1{#/blank#}"

    "Because it is so difficult, father. I'm not sure that I shall learn it.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}My memory is so bad."

    "If I were to promise you a holiday on the thirtieth of the month after next, do you think you would forget the date?"

    "{#blank#}3{#/blank#}"

    "You are good at skating, and flying your kite, and playing footballs, aren't you?"

    "Yes, father."

    "And you cannot learn your lesson! My dear boy, you are lying to yourself.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}"

    "But have I not tried, father?" again asked George.

    "{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Come, for this afternoon lay aside that kite you are making, and give another effort to get your lesson ready. Be serious, and you will soon learn it."