— They're nine d.
My name is Jim White. I 1 a schoolboy. My school is 2 my home. Every day, it takes me 3 to get there. The road is not 4. So I can't go to school 5. I often get there by bus or 6. It takes me thirty 7 to get there by bus and an hour on foot. I must get up very early every morning. I have no time 8 breakfast at home. I often have something for breakfast 9 or on the bus. I don't want to 10 school. So sometimes I run to school.
Today is the twins' birthday(生日). They are twelve. Jim, Mike, Kate and Bill are the twins' friends. They want to buy some presents(礼物) for them. There is a big shop near their school. It sells a lot of things. In the shop, people can buy foods, drinks and school things. The shop closes very late. So they can buy things on their way home. They buy a big cake, two boxes of color pencils, an orange yo-yo and some nice exercise books. They want to buy two dolls and two toy trains for the twins. But all the dolls and toys are too expensive.
Shopkeeper: What can I do for you?
Mrs. Green: I'd like a sweater for my son.
Shopkeeper: What size do you want?
Mrs. Green: Size "L".
Shopkeeper: What colour do you like?
Mrs. Green: I like blue.
Shopkeeper: Which would you like, the woolen ones or the cotton ones?
Mrs. Green: I'll have a look at the cotton ones.
Shopkeeper: What about this one?
Mrs. Green: Oh! It's great. How much does it cost?
Shopkeeper: Fifty-five yuan.
Mrs. Green: Hmm. That's cheap. I'll take it.
School Rules
There are some school rules in Shuren Middle School. The students have different ideas about them. Let's have a look.
Jack: Some of them are too strict— Don't give a call between classes. Don't ride a bike at school.
Lucy: I don't think some of them are good— Don't be late. Don't eat food between classes. Girls can't wear miniskirts in summer.
Maria: Some of them are good for our study and life— Keep the classroom clean every day. Boys' hair must be short. Girls' long hair must be tied up (扎起来). Wear school uniforms on school days.
Australia is the smallest continent(洲) in the world. It is a little smaller than China. It is to the south of the equator(赤道). So when it is summer in our country, it is winter in Australia.
Australia has a small population(人口). The population of Australia is nearly the same as that of Shanghai, a city in China.
Australia is famous for its sheep and kangaroos(袋鼠). After a short drive from any town, you will find yourself in the middle of white sheep. Sheep are everywhere. Have you ever seen a kangaroo? It has a "bag" below its breast(胸). The mother kangaroo keeps its baby kangaroos in the "bag". It is very strange, isn't it?
People in New Zealand have a very special way of greeting(问候) people. It's called Hongi(碰鼻礼).
When people meet, they always greet each other by pressing one's nose against another's nose. When a visitor is greeted in this way, people there won't see the person as a visitor any more, but one of the people of the land. Of course, during the visitor's stay, he has to share all the duties(职责).
At meetings or important ceremonies(典礼) people always greet in this way. And it's just like the handshake in our country.
