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About 5,500 years ago, the Egyptians invented the sun clock. This was a tall stone building. Its shadow showed the movement of the sun. So people were able to know midday. The Egyptians made a sundial about 3,500 years ago. It was smaller than the sundial and could let people know the time for half a day. On cloudy days or at night, it was impossible to tell the time with a sun clock or a sundial. Water clocks were the first clocks not to use the sun. The idea is simple. Water flows from one bottle to another. When the water reaches a certain level, it shows the hours. The Egyptians used water clocks about 3,400 years ago. These clocks were popular in the Middle East and China. But they failed to make people know the exact time.

In the 13th century, the mechanical clock was invented. This was moreexact, but it was expensive to make one. Over the next few centuries, it was developed. For example, springs (发条) were added around 1500. This enabled people to get the correct time and allowed clocks to be smaller. In 1927, the first quartz clock was developed. Clocks became cheaper to build. It's also cheaper for ordinary people to own a clock. People began depending on them more and more to run businesses, markets, and so on. More recently, in 1956, came the digital clock. And nowadays satellites send our mobile phones the time to the exact second.

There has been a lot of progress in timekeeping. Clocks are always changing, but some things never change. Many of us still have trouble getting out of bed on time and not being late for school or work.

School life becomes more colorful with the change of seasons. Every season brings new activities and joys, and my classmates and I always look forward to them.

Every season at school is special. These activities not only make us happy but also help us learn more about nature and life. I can't wait to see what fun things the next season will bring!

Guangming Middle School has set up some farming clubs. Students learn to plant vegetables there. "At first, I thought I could only grow some vegetables here, but in fact, I have learned a lot about vegetables," said Chen Jia, a girl at the school.

In Hope Middle School, students have a life skill class. They learn to make dumplings in different shapes. "I couldn't make dumplings before, but now I am good at doing it. I really love my life skill class. It's my favorite class," said Zhang Yan, a boy at the school.

In fact, learning life skills is as important as learning Chinese and maths, because it helps us prepare for our future life. Boys and girls, do you help your parents do housework at home? If not, maybe you should get started now.

David was a busy salesman (销售员) with a busy daily1. One day, he came home late from2 and was very tired. His young son, Tim, ran to him and3 him warmly. Then the boy asked, "Daddy, how much do you make for an hour's work?" David answered impatiently, "Ten dollars. Why?"

"Oh," the little boy replied, with his head down. Then, he looked up and said "Dad, may I borrow four dollars?" David gave him the money. The boy4 his right hand into his pocket and took out a few crumpled bills (皱巴巴的钞票). He5 counted them one by one.

"Why do you want money if you already have some? Are you going to buy expensive toys?" David got6 and asked.

"No, Dad," Tim replied: "I want to buy an hour of your7. I have ten dollars now. Could you please come home early tomorrow? I'd like to have dinner with you."

David was8. He said sorry to his son and hugged him. David9 that he didn't know his son's feeling. He10 to spend more time with his family. From that day on, he tried to come back home early.

In China, students often have4 autumn picnic. Some children like to play5 ball games with their classmates or friends, such as6 basketball and football.

Japanese students often go hiking with their parents or classmates7 the leaves are red and yellow. Mountain climbing in nice weather is also interesting.

For most children in the US, they enjoy biking.8 really interesting for them to take a mountain bike ride and find some new roads. Playing in leaf piles is popular, too. Kids jump onto a leaf pile. They are happy9 the colorful leaves fly all around. They also make leaf men and have10 fun.