Lots of students arc too busy doing their homework to help out with housework. So, many parents want to know if they should give their children chores. Well, there's no need to worry.

First, doing chores helps children I learn to be independent. Parents can't stay by their children's side all the time. And these skills will help them be ready for the day when they go to college or take care of their own houses.

When children finish a chore, they will not only take pride in a job well done but also have confidence in their ability to do things well.

Third, doing chores makes it possible for children to develop good relationships with their family, friends and partners. Doing chores together with family can make children more caring for their family. And they begin to learn their responsibility in a family or a group. They will know that if they work together as a team, things will be completed quicker and better.

Yes! And it should be on the top of the list Now, my friends, are you ready to help?

Why Live Near the River?

    Imagine pioneers traveling west in the 1800s. In those days, it was hard to find running water and shops where to buy things. As time went by, most pioneers had to make their homes near a river so that they could get water easily.

    How did rivers help people live in the past?

    Back in the pioneer days, people grew their own food, caught their own fish, and collected their own water. People also used rivers as roads, traveling on boats. Traders shipped goods (货物) to people from other areas.

    When building many factories right next to rivers for the water's power to make machines work, some people choose to live near a river for working. They use the river to ship large goods, and some of them work at these fctories where power factories provide electricity to homes and businesses.

    Who wouldn't want to live near a river?

    Some people are nervous about living near rivers because rivers can cause floods (洪水). Every

once in a while, floodwaters rise higher than a house, ruining (泡坏) many things in the house.

    Such waste causes water to smell bad and pollutes the crops (庄稼) we eat. Water and crops in polluted areas can make people very sick.

    How do people decide where to live?

    Rivers can provide jobs and fun activities in a beautiful place. However, those living by rivers should be willing to accept possible problems as well.

The Inside of the World

    When I was a very little boy, I was always asking questions.

    One day when I was walking with my nurse along the city street, I asked, "Jane, what's under the street?" "Oh, just dirt (尘土) ," she replied. "And what is under the dirt?" "Oh, more dirt," she replied.

   . So I asked again, "Well, what's under that?" "Oh, nothing-I don't know-why are you always asking so many questions?" she asked

    I knew there must be something under that. . I also heard that Chinese lived on the other side of the world, head down. I wanted to find out if that was true.

    , down, down, down, till I came through on the other side, and then I would know. I was a very little boy, you see. With a small shovel (铁锹) , I started a hole in the back yard behind the grapevines (葡萄藤). No one knew what I was doing. .

    Then one evening my father asked, "What's that hole in the back yard?" .

He didn't laugh when I told him, but he asked me if I knew how far I would have to dig.

    I hadn't dug through the world, but I did know how far it was.