（一）

At the Riverside

Along our town a river flows its way dashing and eddying. Its riverside is an enjoyable place.

The sandy bank is strewn with peddles of various sizes and shapes. Standing on the edge， you hear water licking rhythemically at your feet. It is a great fun to play duck and drake. Padding in water， you feel agreeable coolness passing through your body.

River birds are another attraction. At one time， they skip over the surface of water. At other times， they perch on pebbles and touch their feathers with their beaks.

Frequently， a ship cleaves through water， sounding a siren. Water bubbles and foams in the wake of the ship.

On sunny days， the river glitters in the sunlight as if millions of tiny diamonds have been scattered on the surface. Flying in wind high over your head are kites which look like eagles soaring in the sky.

（二）

Interesting Swimming Experience

My swimming experience is very interesting. There was a time when I swam like a rock. This went on until one day when I was fishing with a  friend of mine at a nearby pond. I slipped into it. If my friend had not come to my rescue， I would have been drowned. Ever since then， I have come to know the importance of learning to swim. I didnt attend any training class but learned it on my own. Strange to say， I have no problem swimming at all now. Though my self-invented styles look awkward， at least they can keep me floating. Thinking of this， I am more than satisfied.

（三）

Our Teacher of English

Our teacher of English， Mr Liu， is of medium height. He has a large impressive head with eyes that always sparkle with wisdom. Slightly bald on the top of the head， he wears silver-rimmed glasses. At first sight， he strikes students as a man of great learning.

Mr Lius teaching is very successful. His witty remarks and sense of hurmor make his lectures vivid. In class， he is able to make weak students understand difficult points and keep strong students buzy. Apart from giving students necessary grammar rules and explaining word usage， he organizes various forms of work aimed at mastering certain skills.

Mr Liu is strict with his students. Not allowing an iota of carelessness， he teaches them never to forget to dot the is and cross the ts. Under his guidance， students make quick progress.

（四）

Mr Thomson

Mr Thomson is a very kind person. He is sixty years old. His children left home many years ago， and he misses them very much. Yesterday he posted a birthday card to his youngest son. He does this every year. To pass time， Mr Thomson like to go walking along the street. Sometimes he sees a baby in its mothers arms and smiles at it. Sometimes he helps boys and girls cross the street. Sometimes， when children have come home from school， hes very happy to play with them， A boy named John is ill today. He has to stay at home instead of going to school， but he doesnt feel lonely because Mr Thomson will come to see him and he will bring him some interesting story books. John and his classmates always say， “Mr Thomson is the kindest person in the world.”

（五）

The Computer and I

Computers play an important role in the modern world. Today they are used in many areas of human activities， such as business， industry， science， and education. The development of computers has also created many attractive job opportunities. Im a college student majoring in mathematics and as such I know quite well the powers of the computer. They have evolved as a natural consequence of mans growing need for fast and accurate calculation. To make myself better equipped in my field of study I have learned several computer languages to communicate with the computer. My experience tells me that if we want to become competent users of the computer we must keep up with its development. Because modern industrialized society need computers to perform a wide range of tasks， I think a general knowledge of such wonderful machines is quite necessary for most of us.

（六）

My Happy Weedend

OK， let me tell you something about my weekend.

I am going to do many things and be very busy on the weekend. So I do my homework on Saturday morning.

In the afternoon， I am going to do housework with my mother. Because I am a good girl， I am helpful at home. On Sunday morning， I am going to visit my grandparents with my parents. In the afternoon， we are going to the park together. Because there is a kite show. And my grandparents likes making kites.

I think， we can see many beautiful kites there. And we are going to buy some beautiful kites， too. From Joozone.com.

Then， we are going to fly the new kites， thats fun. In the evening， we are going to have a big dinner. We are going to have fish for dinner. Because my grandparents likes eating fish. And my grandma cooks fish well. After dinner， we are going to watch TV together. We are going to be very happy.

This is my happy weekend. I like my weekend very much. What about your weekend？ Can you tell me？

（七）

A Letter for Help

Dear Uncle，

How are you？

Next week an English speaking contest will be held in the city. A classmate of mine and I will take part in it on behalf of my school. I am excited but also mervous， because it is a good chance to improve my English. But I have no experience. Although I have been preparing for the contest， I am still not confident. As an expert in English， what would you advise me to prepare for the contest？

I plan to pay a visit to you this Saturday morning. I wonder whether you will be free then. If not， could you tell me the time that is convenient for you？ I am eager to get your instruction. I will appreciate any of your help.

Your niece，

Yang Mei

Mushroom and Toadstool

蘑菇与毒蕈

Younger Scout： How can I tell the difference between a mushroom and a toadstool（毒菌） ？Older Scout： Just eat one before you go to bed. If you wake up the next morning， it was a mushroom.

年少的童子軍：我怎样才能把蘑菇和毒蕈区别开呢？年长的童子军：上床前吃一个。如果你第二天早上醒来，那就是蘑菇。