(S4)Generally speaking, three reasons can account for this phenomenon. (S5)Initially, economy development is the top factor to arouse the improvement of people's living conditions. (S6)In addition to this, people begin to show more concern on their health care system. (S7)Lastly, medical sciences also develop at a fantastic speed. (S8)It has brought about big benefits to both the aged and the infants.
(S9)With all these changes, we can predict a nice future for the developing countries to better their health care. (S10)We are also sure that their gap with the developed countries will be gradually disappearing.
49. Sharp Increase in World Population
(S1)According to the figures given in the bar charts, it took the beginning of human life to the year 1830 for the population of the earth to reach one billion. (S2)That process took at least two million years. (S3)After that, the world population increased rapidly, adding up to two billion in 1930, while in 1960 the next billion was formed, only within 30 years. (S4)From then on the global population was on a crazy rise, amounting to 4 billion in 1975, with only 15 years afterwards.
(S5)Two reasons might be considered to be attributed to these great changes in the world population. (S6)To begin with, with the development of science and technology in the field of medicine, the birth rate is continuously climbing. (S7)To make it worse, some countries, especially the developing countries, seldom took any birth control policy. (S8)On the other hand, the death rate is steadily declining because of the improved living standards.
(S9)In the future, we have to take some effective measures to put the population growth into restraint. (S10)Otherwise, the world would not be able to put up with the exploding population.
50. College Students Going to Rural Areas
(S1)The above bar chart indicates a common phenomenon in recent years, more and more students are willing to go to some rural areas so long as they can put their knowledge into practical use. (S2)In 1993, the number of students going to rural areas only took up 5% of the total graduates. (S3)However, five years later, that percentage more than doubled.
(S4)Upon thinking about the reasons for this change, we may find some interesting things. (S5)First of all, with the development of the society, college students have changed their way of thinking. (S6)They are becoming more practical. (S7)If they can get a better paid job and if they are more likely to have a nice future in the rural areas, they will no longer stick to the illusion of becoming a citizen in big cities. (S8)On the other hand, government also advocates working for the rural areas. (S9)Many of its policies stimulate more young students going out of the big cities.
(S10)In the future, with the development of balanced economy, big cities would gradually lose their attraction to the college graduates.
51. An Unknown Hero
(S1) One Sunday morning, my parents and I went boating. (S2) It was a sunny day and many boats were on the lake, perhaps, each for one family. (S3) Some of them were singing and talking, and some were taking pictures.
(S4) It was at that time that I noticed a girl fall off the boat into the water with a sudden swing of the boat. (S5) She was struggling in the water and her parents cried out,"Help! Help!"(S6) It was obvious that they could not swim at all. (S7) A young man on a near boat, without taking off his clothes, jumped into the lake and swam towards the girl as quickly as possible. (S8) He caught the girl and carried her to the lakeside. (S9) She was saved! (S10) As the parents arrived at the lakeside and looked for the young man, he had left quietly without being noticed.
52. A Girl's Trouble
(S1) Like most of my schoolmates, I have neither brothers nor sisters. (S2) In other words, I am the only child in my family.
(S3) My parents love me dearly of course and do all they can to make sure that I can get a good education and happy life. (S4) They don't want me to do any housework at home. (S5) They only want me to devote all my time to my studies so that I'll get good marks in all my subjects. (S6) We are one family and live under the same roof, but we do not seem to get much time to talk about together. (S7) It looks as if my parents treated me as a visitor or a guest. (S8) Do they really understand their own daughter? (S9) What about other homes? (S10) I really wonder.
53. A Clever Boy
(S1) One day, Mr. Li was reading a book in his office after school. (S2) To his surprise, a ball flew in suddenly and hit him on the head. (S3) He took the ball to the window, but he only saw a group of boy students run away quickly and disappear in a minute. (S4) He sat down again and continued his reading.
(S5) As it got dark, it was time for him to leave for home. (S6) Looking at the ball, he wondered what to do with it because he knew the owner of the ball must be nearby and wish to get it back. (S7) He came downstairs and walked to the playground. (S8) It was at the center of the playground that he placed the ball and a piece of paper, on which he wrote"Be careful next time!" and then he walked away.
(S9) Next morning, as Mr. Li opened the office door, he found the piece of paper he wrote on the ground. (S10) Under his words was added the following, "Thank you for your kindness. Anyway, you are a clever fellow."
54. Jane and Peter
(S1) Jane and her younger brother, Peter, come from America. (S2) They are now studying in China because their parents are working there. (S3) They learn what Chinese children learn in school and like to talk in Chinese.
(S4) One day on their way back home they saw an old woman walking in front of them, who was carrying a basket filled with oranges in her right hand, and a stick, in her left hand. (S5) Suddenly, the old woman slipped and fell on a piece of banana skin someone left carelessly on the ground. (S6) When Jane and Peter saw what had happened, they looked at each other, "What should we do?" (S7) Peter was quicker than his sister, he burst out in Chinese, "Learn from Lei Feng!" (S8) They rushed up to the old woman. (S9) Peter helped her up while Jane picked up the oranges and put them back in the basket. (S10) The old woman thanked Jane and Peter, praising them for being such helpful children.
55. A Careless Girl, Meimei
(S1) Meimei likes reading books, she often goes and borrows books from the school library. (S2) Though she likes reading, she doesn't take care of her books, throwing them everywhere, on the table, on the ground, even under her bed. (S3) Her roommates often remind her of that, but she puts a deaf ear to their advice. (S4) Not until yesterday did her bad habit bring her a great deal of trouble.
(S5) It was the deadline for two books, she looked everywhere but failed to find them. (S6) As her roommates came back and learned that, they began to help her look for the books in the room. (S7) Twenty minutes passed without result and Meimei cried helplessly. (S8) It was 4:30 and Meimei had to go to the library, for it closed at 5. (S9) As soon as she told the story to the librarian and asked with tears, the librarian looked at her surprisingly and said, (S10) "What a careless girl! You returned them yesterday, don't you remember?"
56. My First Day at the High School Attached to Tsinghua
(S1) It was on a warm autumn day that I, as well as my elder brother, walked into the High School Attached to Tsinghua. (S2) The strong and dry wind was quite different from that in my hometown, which is usually mild. (S3) After I got registered in Senior Section, a teacher took me to my dormitory. (S4) Putting my luggage on the pointed bed, I looked around and found the room not big but clean, with two tables and three double-deck beds. (S5) Soon two of my roommates arrived too, they were glad to meet me and told me a lot about the school life because they had just been the junior students of this school. (S6) The whole morning we were busy talking and arranging things, and I got acquainted with my new roommates very soon.
(S7) Although I was quite unwilling to say good-bye to my brother, he had to leave for my hometown in the evening. (S8) At dusk, we went to a restaurant for our supper. (S9) Sitting face to face, I suddenly realized I had grown up and I had to look after myself and live independently. (S10) When I walked around on campus after dinner, I noticed many students were going to study and I knew my senior high school life really began from then on.
57. Take Part in a Geography Group
(S1)Last term I took part in a geography research study group. (S2)Our topic was environmental pollution and protection. (S3)We took a variety of pictures showing the present pollution conditions of our city.
(S4)To our surprise, there are still a lot of people doing silly things to our surroundings. (S5)Some people throw rubbish anywhere they like; some cars give off harmful gases. (S6)What shocked us most is that waste water is poured into the rivers by some factories. (S7) Worse still, people sometimes have to make their way through dusty winds as a result of the pollution.
(S8)Through our research, we came to realize that everybody must pay much attention to our environment. (S9)Some measures should be taken to protect it. (S10)And to be exact, it is high time to take measures to protect it.
58. The Earth Day
(S1)April 22th is the Earth Day. (S2)Our school organized a lot of activities to improve our environment.
(S3)In the morning some of us planted trees. (S4)Some picked up rubbish in the neighborhood or parks. (S5)Most of us also donated money to organizations that helped to save forests and endangered animals. (S6)Several groups of students went to the streets, telling the passers-by how seriously our earth is damaged. (S7)Many rain forests are disappearing. (S8)A lot of wild animals are being killed.
(S9)By doing these things we would like everybody to know that we have only one earth and we should protect it. (S10)Saving the earth is saving ourselves!
59. A Visit to No. 4 High School of Beijing
(S1) Before the Entrance Examinations to Senior High School, our teachers arranged a visit for us to No. 4 High School of Beijing, which did give me a deep impression.
(S2) No. 4 High School of Beijing is located at the center of Beijing, with a history of 90 years. (S3) It is one of the most famous schools in the city with over 2,000 students and about 180 teachers. (S4) First, the school president showed us around, the school looking like a beautiful garden with flowers, green trees, fountains and new buildings everywhere. (S5) It has only senior students, divided into three grades and 38 classes; and apparently there are more boy students than girls. (S6) Then, we went to the meeting hall, where the person who was in charge of teaching work introduced their school and courses. (S7) The teachers here are excellent, who have either master degrees or doctor degrees. (S8) They love their students and their work, and fourteen subjects are taught in the school, including mathematics, Chinese, physics, chemistry, English, and so on. (S9) The students are excellent, too, who take special interest in their studies and work hard.
(S10) Three hours' visit passed quickly, from then on, however, I have made up my mind that I will be one of students in No. 4 High School of Beijing.
60. Christmas
(S1) Christmas is coming soon. (S2) The radio stations are playing Christmas music and people are busy doing their Christmas shopping. (S3) Many families have Christmas trees in their home. (S4) They are going to buy more ornaments for their Christmas trees.
(S5) This Christmas is significant to our class because our English teacher, Dr. Diesel, will stay with us for this holiday. (S6) In order to give him a big surprise, everything is going on behind his back. (S7) We are divided into three groups. (S8)One group is to buy all the ornaments for the Christmas tree and for our classroom; the second group is to choose the gifts to Dr. Diesel and to everyone present then; the last, made up of girls, is to prepare food for our Christmas dinner. (S9) It must be a wonderful time. (S10) We are looking forward to it.
61. Olympic Games of 2008
(S1) Beijing will hold the Olympic Games in 2008. (S2) When the news came on July 13th, people both in Beijing and in other cities were getting too excited to sleep. (S3) They gathered in squares by themselves and had celebrations.
(S4) At the same time, people in Beijing realize that it is not easy to hold the Olympic Games. (S5) Many foreign sportsmen will come to Beijing at that time. (S6) And many foreign visitors and reporters will come to Beijing too. (S7) More and more preparations should be done. (S8) We have also found many people, both young and old, are learning to speak English. (S9) As high school students in Beijing, we will do more for Beijing Olympic Games. (S10) As to myself, my plan is to study English hard and to be a volunteer to teach English in the community center.
62. A Lost Bag
(S1) No sooner had the bell rang than a middle-aged man, companied by our teacher, walked into the classroom. (S2) All of us looked at one another, curiosity was on everyone's face.
(S3) The man stepped onto the stage and said, "I lost my bag on my way to office two days ago, as I was wondering where to find it, I was wanted on the phone. (S4) It was a girl, who picked up my lost bag near a bus stop and called me by the phone number in the bag. (S5) The girl didn't leave until I returned to the bus-stop and got back my bag. (S6) She left in such a hurry that I had no time to ask her name. (S7) I spent two days visiting the schools nearby, for I should give my thanks to her.?
(S8) As he was saying, our teacher walked to Xu Guanlan and asked her, "Why didn't you tell me the reason when you came to school late the day before yesterday?" (S9) Before Guanlan said anything, the man cried out, "It is her. She is the very person who returned the bag to me!" (S10) All the eyes were fixed on Guanlan with appreciation.
63. Look at Peter's Room
(S1) It was said that Peter's room was always in a mess, exactly to say, the messiest among the boys' rooms. (S2) However, it looked neat and in order whenever we got there. (S3) So we decided to use an unexpected way to find out the truth.
(S4) One day we went to Peter's room with a ladder. (S5) Before we knocked the door, one of us stepped onto the ladder and had a look from the upper window - What a mess! (S6) Peter's things were lying over the room: in the chair, on the table, under the bed, even on the floor. (S7) Peter was sitting on the ground, repairing his tape recorder, while his friend was jumping up and down on his bed. (S8) As we knocked at the door, Peter cleared up the mess just by putting all the things under his bed. (S9) Peter was too ashamed to say a word after we entered his room and brought his trick to light. (S10) He promised to keep his room in order as possible as he could.
