Sunday 16 June 2013


It was five o'clock in the evening when Rene Wagner came home from work . She walked into the living room and looked at her three children . The children are 14 , 13 , and 9 years old . They were watching TV .

The living room was a mess . There were empty glasses and dirty socks on the floor . There were cookies on the sofa . Games and toys were everywhere . Rene was angry . " This place is a mess ! " she told her children ." I can't work all day and then do housework all evening . I'm not going to do housework ! " And so , Rene didn't do housework . She didn't clean . She didn't wash dishes . She didn't wash clothes . Every evening she sat on the sofa and watched TV . After two weeks , every plate , fork , and glass in the house was dirty . All the children's clothes were dirty , too . Every garbage can was full . The house was a mess .

Then , one day Rene came home from work and got a big surprise . The kitchen was clean . The children had cleaned the kitchen ! The next day , the living room was clean , and the children were washing their clothes .

Rene told her children , " OK , I'll do housework again . But you have to help me . " Now Rene and her three children do the housework together . Then they all sit on the sofa and watch TV !

Do you get a little scared when your teacher says you have a test ? Tests do scare many people but there are ways to prepare for the tests so that you can be more relaxed .

REVIEWING FOR A TEST :

- You should sit in a quiet place to study .
- You should have everything that you need with you .
- You must also know exactly what lessons will be on the test so you can study what you need to know .
- As you study , make up questions you think might be on the test .
- Practise saying the answers to yourself . If you can not say them , it is likely you don't know them .   

TAKING THE TEST :

Now that you know how to prepare , here are some tips for actually taking the test:

- Read over the test quickly first . This will help you calm down .
- You must find out how much time you have . This will help you know how much time to spend on each question .
- Read directions carefully to avoid careless mistakes .
- Answer the easy questions first , then do the hard ones .
- Remember that you have to read the test over before turning it in . This is the time to find any mistakes .

These steps may help you overcome your fears and pass the test easily .

Why is West Edmonton Mall considered the eighth wonder of the world ? How is it different from other shopping malls ? Where is this amazing place ? Why is it titled in the book of records ?

West Edmonton Mall is located in Edmonton , Alberta Canada . It is the world's largest shopping and entertainment centre . The mall covers an area of 48 city blocks and was built with a cost of 1.2 billion Canadian Dollars .

Unlike other shopping centres , it has the largest indoor amusement park and a sky ceiling that changes from dawn to dusk . It has 800 stores and services ; more than 110 eateries ; a world - class hotel and special attractions for tourists . There are 58 entrances and an unusually large parking area for 20,000 vehicles . Besides , there is a 100,000 - square - foot recreation room . Fountains , light fixtures , aquariums and water parks give this mall an exclusive look .

West Edmonton Mall was such a huge complex that it was built in four phases beginning in 1981 , and ending in 1998 . Each phase highlighted special features . It is not surprising that West Edmonton Mall holds world records for having the largest shops , parking lot , indoor wave pool , indoor amusement park and indoor lake .

One of my happiest memories is of my elementary school days in USA .

I was nine years old when my family moved to America . I liked life in the United States and got used to it easily . However , I was always proud of being a Saudi national . One day , the school took us on a field trip to the John F. kennedy Centre in Washington DC .

The centre was full of interesting things to see . I listened carefully to what the tour guide and our teacher had to say about the exhibits . I wanted to get home and tell my family about the exhibits . To leave the  centre , we had to pass the Hall of Flags . The guide told us that the flag of every country in the world hangs in this hall . Hurriedly my eyes searched for the Saudi flag  .

I simply stood under it and saluted it . My teacher and classmates were touched by my patriotism . They spent the rest of the day telling everyone how wonderful it was for a child to love his country so much . It was a memorable day indeed .

Saturday 15 June 2013


What are maps ? Let us draw a very simple map to find out what it is . Take a piece of plain paper. Place your hand on it . Then , with a pencil draw around your fingers and thumb . Make sure that you outline each one carefully . Remove your hand from the paper. Mark your finger nails and knuckles . Now , you have a ' map ' of your hand.

There are different kinds of maps : like the world map , the city map , the road map , the street and house maps . We use directions on a map to show us places . The main directions are east , west , north and south . A compass rose is used to see the directions .

Maps also show size , climate and physical features such as rivers , mountains and deserts of a country . Signs or symbols are used to show things on the map . Symbols replace words by pictures to make the map easier to understand . These symbols are shown in a small box called the ' key ' or ' legend ' given on the side of a map .

Now , let's look at a map of the Middle East . What does it tell us ? It shows that it is the meeting place of three continents . It has some of the hottest and driest deserts in the world . Two important rivers , the Tigris and Euphrates , flow from the mountains of Turkey across the deserts of Syria and Iraq . The region is important because it has large reserves of oil and natural gas .

Often we hear people quoting words from a text or a speech . These words are a gist of life-long experiences and observations of famous, intelligent and wise people . They usually teach us important things about life . Here are some quotations that can make a difference in your life.

"Friendship is one mind in two bodies."    Mencius

"I have not failed , I have just found 1000 ways that works."     Thomas Edison

"Have faith and you will triumph"    Muhammad Ali Jinnah

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow . Learn as if you were to live forever."    Mahatma Ghandi

"Knowledge is the only wealth that can neither be stolen as we use it ."    Anonymous

"Lay the foundation of your future today , don't wait tomorrow : it may never come."    Anonymous

"You must look into people , as well as at them ."    Lord Chesterfield

"First , learn the meaning of what you say , and then speak ."    Epictetus

"The only way to have a friend is to be one ."    Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Knowledge speaks , but wisdom listen ."    Jim Hendres

"Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend ."    Laertius Kiogenes

"When you teach a man , you teach an individual . When you teach a woman , you teach a family ."    Van Harest

Telephones are probably the most important communication tool of all times . People can use them almost anytime and any where . They can be used in the house , the car , the office and even on the street .Today , telephones do not only allow voice communication . They are also important for emails , messages , web browsing and more . This has made the telephone a time wasting tool as  well . Therefore , it is very important to use it wisely , Here is some advice.

1. Use the phone only when there is a need . Keep in mind that phones are not for entertainment.

2. Limit your calling time . Remember that the listener's time is just as important as yours.

3. Be specific . Explain the reason for your call and avoid long introductions.

4. Avoid talking to other people while you're on the phone.

5. Don't answer the phone while munching food. This will force you to repeat whatever you have said.

6. Use answering machines . They are very useful . They receive all your calls , then later on in your free time , you can return the calls you wish.

Use the telephone wisely . Remember when it comes to telephones , you should be in control.