A man has a cat. He likes her very much. At mealtime (吃饭时间) the cat sits at the table with him. The man eats with a knife and a fork, but the cat eats from her plate (盘子). Sometimes, when she finishes her dish, her master will give her a bit of his food. He shares his meal with her. One day the cat is not at the table at mealtime.

    “Ah! Where is my cat?” asks the man.

    His wife says, “Can't you eat without her?”

    So the meal begins without the cat. Before lunch is over, the cat rushes into the room and jumps onto the chair quickly. She has two mice in her mouth, and before anyone can stop her, she drops(扔下) one into her own plate, and the other into her master's plate.

    “Dear me!” cries the woman, “A mouse is in your plate!”

    “Hush(安静)!” says her husband. “This shows that she is a nice cat. She knows what friendship is. She wishes me to share her dinner as I often share mine with her, I am not so unhappy.”

There are many holidays and festivals. Dads have Father's Day. Children have Children's Day. Is there a special day for old people?

Double Ninth Festival is a special day for old people in China. It started long ago. The festival is on lunar September 9th. On this day, people show love to their grandparents.

People do many different kinds of things on this day. They enjoy flowers, eat special cakes and drink wine (酒).

It's very interesting. The best way to celebrate it is climbing hills or mountains. People think climbing will bring them good luck and help old people live long lives. Double Ninth Festival is also a good time for a family get-together. And young people give their presents and best wishes to the old.

I am Daming. Welcome to Beijing zoo. We have many kinds of animals here. 

Now let me tell you the time of animal shows in our zoo. At nine o'clock in the morning, you can watch the Panda Show (表演). Pandas are very cute, right? The Monkey Show is one hour later. It's from ten o'clock to eleven o'clock. There are many kinds of monkeys and they are very naughty. After that, you can have lunch in our zoo. There is much delicious food in our restaurants. At half past two in the afternoon, we have the Elephant Show. I think you will love it, too. Then we have the Zebra Show at three o'clock. My favourite animals are monkeys, so the Monkey Show is my favourite. Monkeys eat meat, leaves and fruit. Do you like them? What's your favourite animal? What animal show would you like to watch?

Please remember the time of the shows and have a good time in our zoo!

Ever since I was very young, I have looked to my parents and grandparents, friends and teachers for guidance. I ask them for answersto everything. Afraid to make a1 , I've asked countless times, "What should I do?" Maybe I was2 to take my first baby step on my own. I decided I only wanted to do things the "right" way, even if it meant not doing something.

Sometime during my highschool years, I3Maybe it was when I decided to try for the lead in "Beauty and the Beast". Never mind that I would have to memorizelines and movements, I would take the chance that I might fail. The day of tryouts my heart was beating wildly. My hands were4 badly when I got up to sing.

But something happened. When I opened my mouth to sing, the sound was loud, powerful and sweet. I reached for the high notes that sometimes were beyond my reach. With no breakin my voice, I was trying to do my best even though I might5But I didn't.I realized that if I wanted to live life to the fullest, I had to take chances.

Now, I do take these chances with baby steps every day,6 my opinions in class discussions or debates, performing in other school plays. I have finally learned to7myself. I'm taking a tough science course right now. Some of my friends are talking about auditing（旁听） the class so a low grade won't affect their opportunities for college. I'm taking the chance that if I try8enough, I'll get a good grade so that it won't lower my strong grades in other subjects.

I have come to realize that even though my parents and grandparents, friends and teachers don't always have the9to "What should I do?",they will be there to support me when I try.

 "Life is learning to deal with Plan B,"my mother told me. But I now know that the Plan A I make for my life will become easier with every 10 I take.

Charles Lyell is a Scottish geologist. He was born into a wealthy family on 14 November 1797. His father, who was a scientist, kept the study well filled with books on every subject, including geology. Lyell was not a hard- working student at school, and he much preferred to have a walk in the New Forest. His first scientific hobby was collecting butterflies and insects, which he continued doing for many years. His observations(观察力) went far beyond those of other boys, and later this talent for collecting led to many important discoveries.

At the age of 19. Lyell entered Exeter College Oxford, where his interest in math and geology was developed. His interest in geology was encouraged by the wonderful lectures of William Buckland who was widely known for his effort to prove Noah's Flood by the studies of fossils. Lyell spent his long vacations travelling and making geological studies.

In 1827, Lyell started a full- time job in geology and began to plan a book which included natural explanations for geological things. He explored in Italy. Poor roads and hotels made his travel very difficult, but in the area around Mount Etna he finally confirmed his guess and got the answer he wanted.

Returning to London, he set to work immediately on his book, Principles of Geology, the first volume of which was published in July 1830. Charles Darwin once mentioned the book and said," Historians in the future will realize that the book has caused a revolution(革命) in the natural science." The book also had some influence on Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution.

In 1848, Lyell was knighted for his scientific achievements. Lyell became more and more famous and he received many awards in his lifetime.