I started my school life at the age of six．At first the school for me，a boy，meant play，play and more play instead of sitting in the classroom and learning something．However，I changed the way I used to behave(表现)at school with the help of my teachers．I tried my best to do well in my schoolwork and follow the school rules．

    Growing and learning were great fun．Every year we had different kinds of school trips．Not only could we learn many things from them，but also we were given many projects(课题)as homework.  It helped US know more.  At the same time，we made many good friends．In Grade 8，I won prizes in drawing and English speech competitions．Ⅳhen I was in Grade 9，I realized that I should give all my attention to my studies because l was going to take the exams to get into senior(高级的)middle school．

Whenever I think of my school life，I feel very happy and I think in everybody's school life there are many ups and downs(苦乐；盛衰)that influence his life．School is a place where all of US learn to care and share．"School''is not just a place，but a large building made up of rules，knowledge and love．I think in everybody's success，school plays a key role．I can describe my school in"Three Ss"．They are：Small，Sweet and Simple．My school was the best，is the best and will always be the best．

Information card

    A forest fire that burned 55 square kilometers was finally brought under control on Wednesday morning. The fire started on Sunday in Black Bear State Park and quickly spread to nearby areas.

    On Monday, police evacuated (疏散) the small town of Lawson and asked the people to leave their homes. The fire destroyed 20 homes in the area and caused heavy damage (损坏) to 40 others.

    Nobody was hurt. Officials said the damage to homes and cars was between $l million and $2 million. The fire spread quickly in the hot, dry weather. Firefighting was difficult because of strong winds. Firemen from 55 fire departments in the state joined the National Fire Service to put out the fire. Some kept fighting for 24 hours. Fire engines (消防车) and helicopters (直升机) dropped water onto the fire. In order to control the fire, firemen cleared a way around the fire.

    Police closed King Road to traffic on Tuesday because of heavy smoke. Thousands of tourists had to drive an hour north to Queen Road to pass the fire area. Local police think open fires left by tourists might be the cause of the accident and ask tourists to follow the rules in case such accidents ever happen again.

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    The young woman at the airline check-in desk meant no harm. She greeted a customer with a question which would be no problem in Chinese," What's your problem?" But this question is impolite in English, and the customer became very angry. In this situation, the young woman should say." May I help you?" or" How can I help you?" Then she would not be facing an unhappy traveler.

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    Maybe you would like something. Instead of saying" Giving me a hamburger," say," Could I have a hamburger, please?" or "I'd like a hamburger." English speakers often use the expressions" please "and" thank you". When requesting something, use" Can I" or "Could I". In formal situations," May I" is the best.

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    When someone asks your opinion, you don't want to make them feel upset by saying something they think is unkind. Maybe someone asks," What do you think of my idea?" Don't say," It's a terrible idea." if you don't like it. Say," I don't think it's the best idea." Then people will accept your opinion more easily.

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    When you can't accept an invitation, don't say." I can't. I'm busy" Refuse in a more indirect way." I'm afraid I can't…" or" I'd love to, but…" or" That sounds great, but..." These phrases soften the message and make it easier to accept.

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    Avoid saying others have done wrong. Don't say," You don't understand me." Say, Maybe I need to make clear what I mean." Give special attention to" I" or" We" rather than" you". Take time to learn polite phrasing. Then you'll make your communication with people more pleasant.

Leonardo da Vinci was a famous artist who was born in Italy. He was also a great inventor. Many of his inventions have become important in modern life. Although Leonardo hated war. he invented many different machines used for war. His most special invention was the machine gun, which was produced and used in war. Besides, Leonardo spent days thinking about how to save time. He developed ideas for something like cutting machines.

Leonardo was a strange man. He never ate meat. That was very unusual in those times. He never published(发表) discoveries about science. He usually used mirror writing, which looks like usual writing in a mirror, starting from the right side of the page and moving to the left side。

Only a few of his paintings are left today. Many paintings were not finished because he thought they were not perfect.

Leonardo was talented and creative. He was regarded as one of the most intelligent men in the world.