Last month I got the chance to take part in an underwater research project in an area of the Gulf of Mexico called the Flower Gardens. A team of professional researchers were trying to learn more about the fish and other animals that live in this part of the sea. The Flower Gardens are a long way from the shore(海岸) and we spent three days on a boat.

The team used a piece of underwater equipment to collect information. This underwater equipment is called a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The ROV could measure water depth and temperature and it also had a camera that sent live film back to the boat. The ROV was great fun. It was controlled by a computer on the boat, and I was allowed to operate it a few times.

However, the thing I enjoyed most was diving into the water. At first, I was quite frightened—mainly because I couldn't see land in any direction. But as soon as I jumped into the water, I wasn't afraid anymore. It was amazing to see the colourful fish swimming around and I could see all the way to the Flower Gardens, which are almost 30 metres down.

I will never forget the Flower Gardens. The trip was like a holiday but I also learnt new things about science and research projects. The team were very friendly and everyone was happy to explain what they knew about the sea. It was a great opportunity and it has made me think about my goals in life. The experience will surely encourage me to work harder to become a scientist.

Imagine a boy from a small village in East Africa. He has been looking after cows from a very early age. At twelve, he knows more about cows than most of us. 【小题1】 Has this boy ever had any education?

Education is discovering about ourselves and about the people and things around us. All the people who care about us—our parents, brothers, sisters, friends—are our teachers. 【小题2】 We start learning on the day we are born, not on the first day we go to school. Every day we have new experiences, like finding a bird's nest(巢), discovering a new street in our neighborhood and making friends with someone we didn't like before. 【小题3】Encouragement from the people around us makes it possible for us to discover things as much as possible. As we grow up, we begin to find out what we are able to do. We may be good at cooking, or singing or playing football. 【小题4】 Just thinking about cooking doesn't tell us if we are good at it.

We learn so much just in our daily life. 【小题5】 Of course we can learn some things better at home than at school, like how to do the shopping, and how to help old or disabled people who can't do everything for themselves. At school, teachers help us to read and write. With their help, we begin to see things in different ways.

   On _________ 1st, Mike decided to play a joke on his friend. At lunchtime he said to Tom, “I think we're going to have a science test(测验) this afternoon.”

“A test?” said Tom. “Really?”

“Yes, it's quite _________.” said Mike. “When I was passing by Mr. Hill's room, he was talking with _________ teacher about test. I think there will _________ a science test this afternoon. Tell Bob and Kate about it.”

Later, Tom told Bob and Kate about the test. _________ almost all the students in Mr. Hill's science class knew about it. They quickly went into the classroom and began to _________.

But not Mike. He was laughing to himself _________ his classmates. “That fools!” he thought. “April fools.”

When class began, Mr. Hill said to the students.

“Class, we're going to have a test today.”

Mike was surprised. He could not _________ what to do.

When Mr. Hill handed out the _________, the students began to write. But not Mike. He _________ think and think and think.

It really was April Fools' Day for Mike.

   Laboratory work is your chance to learn science firsthand. It can be fun but you must be careful to prevent injury. Listen closely when your teacher reads and explains the rules before your first lab lesson.

   My first day of school was very interesting and couldn't be easily forgotten. I went to my science class in the morning and found a seat in the back. I waited there for 15 minutes before the bell rang. The science teacher told us about some class rules. No one talked to me and I didn't talk to anyone else. I was one of those very shy girls. After the science class, I had an English class. I thought it would be boring but later I found it very funny. When the classes of the morning ended I went to lunch. I sat outside the dining room with no one to talk to and no food because I was too nervous to join the lunch line. I kept looking around hoping to see someone I knew but I never saw anyone.

Lunch ended and I went to have my art class. I was the first one there and not even my teacher was there yet. So I sat at my desk and started drawing some pictures. I didn't notice the rest of the class walking in or the girl that was standing behind me till I was surprised by the voice, "So what are you drawing?" It was a girl who had really long hair. She ended up being my best friend and one of the kindest and liveliest girls I know.

In the next class meeting, the teacher asked us to talk about the past holiday. I was glad to make some new friends in the class. The first day of high school was hard for me but I got through it.

   The little girl was unable ________ her name.