In 1834, the clock tower in London was burned down. People planned to build a new clock which would be the biggest and best in the world. So the clock had to be big and keep very good time. The big clock was made in two years. Five more years later the tower was finished. Then people put the big clock in the tower, and made it ring out for the first time on July 11, 1859.

   In order to give the big clock a good name, people held a meeting. Someone wanted to call it the Queen of Bells, and someone thought Victoria was good. At last, a man named Benjamin Hall stood up. He was a big man. Before he started to speak, someone shouted, “Why not call it Big Ben?” Everybody laughed and agreed with him.

   From then on, Big Ben became its name. And it also became a famous building of London. People all over the world write to Big Ben. They even send birthday presents—bottles of oil-to help keep Big Ben running. Big Ben is not only a clock but also a dear friend of people.

The Spring Festival

    The Spring Festival，Chinese New Year，is the most important festival for all of us. All family members get together on New Year's Eve to have a big meal. ①At the same time，everyone celebrates to each other. At about 12 o'clock，some parents and children light crackers. The whole sky is lighted brightly. We may watch the fireworks excitedly. How busy it is！

    On the first early morning of one year，many senior citizen get up early and they stick the reversed(倒着的) Fu or hang some couplets on the front door. Some house's windows are sticked on red paper cuttings.

    The Chinese New Year lasts fifteen days. ②所以在那十五天的时间里，我们总是挨家挨户的去探访我们的亲戚朋友。 At that time children are the happiest because they can get many red packets from their parents，grandparents，uncles， aunts and so on. The last day of the Chinese New Year is another festival. It names the Lantern Festival.

    So the Chinese New Year comes to the end.

    Running away is a serious problem. There are lots of runaway and homeless kids living in the streets around the world.

    孩子们为什么想离家出走呢？

    ★Some kids run away because they have problems with their families.

    ★Some kids run away because they're afraid to tell their parents the bad things that they did at school or in society.

    ★Some kids run away because there is violence(暴力) in the family.

    ★Some kids run away because their parents divorce(离婚) or marry again.

    ★Some kids run away because they have problems at school.

    What will you do if your friends want to run away from home?

    If your friend is thinking about running away, tell him or her that it is difficult to survive(幸存) in the streets. Try to help your friend feel less alone.

    Whatever the problem is, there are other ways to solve it. Maybe you can't think of the ways right now, but an adult(成年人) will know how to help you. You should tell an adult that your friend plans to run away as soon as possible. Being a real friend doesn't mean keeping a secret that may hurt someone. And running away isn't a solution(解决方法) for either of you. It only makes more problems and danger.

(T=Tony B=Betty)

T: Hello! Are you Betty?

B: Yes, I am. What's your name, please?

T: My name is Tony. I'm in Class 3, Grade 8. I'm in Row 15.

B: I'm in Class 1, Grade 7. I'm in Row 2. Can you tell me your telephone number?

T: Yes. My telephone number is 5605688. And what's your telephone number?

B: Oh, it's 3839833. I'm thirteen. And how old are you?

T: I'm fourteen.

Do you often see ants? If the weather is warm, you may see them under the stones. If it is cold, many ants will be in their house under the ground.

Most of the ants are workers. They have lots of work to do. They look for food and take care of the young ants. Each family of ants has a queen ant. The queen doesn't work at all. She is important because she lays eggs. These eggs will become new ants.

There are many kinds of ants in America. One kind of these is very strong. They can kill and eat elephants. They move in groups. They eat all the animals they meet while moving on their way. When these ants come near, people leave their homes.