①

Mrs. Li is over 70 years old. She has lived in Beijing all her life. A reporter interviewed her yesterday. The following are their questions and answers.

②

Reporter: What was your life like in the past?

③

Mrs. Li: My family lived in a tiny house. My father was a postman, and he often worked twelve hours a day outside in the winter cold or in the summer heat. My mum was a farm girl before she met my father. She was a kind and loving mother. She didn't go out to work. There were five children in my family, and looking after us was more than a full-time job.

④

The food we ate was simple. We could only eat meat once or twice a year. I wasn't sent to school because my family couldn't afford it.

⑤

Reporter: How has life changed?

⑥

Mrs. Li: Families have got smaller than they were in the past. The role of women has changed too. My daughter is really lucky. She has a good education. I'm happy that she can go to work even after getting married, but sometimes I feel lonely because she can't come to see me often.

⑦

Transport and travel are easier today. When I was young, I went everywhere on foot or sometimes by bike. Now you can take the bus, the underground or a plane to travel. What I don't like is that there's so much more traffic. It's so difficult to cross the road. And, of course, we have television today and I really enjoy watching TV. But I hate some of the shows because they are too noisy for me.

⑧

Generally speaking, I think life is better today. We eat better and we live longer.

Riddle 1

I carry a big bag every day.

There are letters and parcels in the bag.

I take them to people.

Who am I?

Riddle 2

I wear a uniform.

I catch thieves.

I make sure the neighbourhood is safe.

Who am I?

Riddle 3

I work on a bus.

I drive it around every day.

I take people to different places.

Who am I?

Riddle 4

I work in a shop.

Many children come to the shop.

They buy sweets and chocolate.

Who am I?

When we were scared, sad and helpless, you gave us courage, warmth and hopes.

When we had to stay at home to keep away from the illness, you, workers, helped us buy living things; Leaving your children behind, you worked in the neighborhood every day, you never complained (抱怨) but smiled the whole day.

When we needed all kinds of materials,

you, drivers, drove them there without thinking twice;

Running on the streets, between the cities, you made sure things went well as usual.

When we had coughs or fevers,

you, __________ tried your best to save our lives;

Looking after the patients in the hospital day and night, you never gave up until the sick got well.

There are many people doing jobs in silence; There are many people giving hands without telling their names.

Thanks for your hard work and selflessness.

You're the heroes of the times.

You're the most beautiful in our hearts.

We love you!