ESLBOOK 6

Bad decisions

Vicky made several bad decisions yesterday. She decided to drive to work but she should have taken the train. If she had taken the train she would not have gotten stuck in a traffic jam. She had lunch with a friend at a restaurant far from her office. If she had chosen a closer restaurant, she would not have been 45 minutes late for work. She was running late and decided not to take the garbage out before work. If she had taken it out, her cat wouldn’t have tipped it over and made such a mess in her kitchen. And finally, she decided to stay up late and watch a horror movie. If she hadn’t watched a horror movie she would not have had nightmares. She certainly did not have a good day yesterday. Tomorrow she will make better decisions.

Ben is a runner

Ben is training for a big race through the city. He has been training hard for almost a year. Every morning he wakes up at 6am and runs through the park near his house. In the evening he goes to the health club and runs on the treadmill. He is very fit. This morning while running he twisted his ankle. He went to the doctor and he was told that he needs to rest his foot so it can heal. He is not allowed to run for at least two weeks. Ben has a problem – the race is in four days. He dreams of winning it. He is going to rest his foot until the race, but he is still going to take part.

Car accident

I saw an accident this morning on my way to school. I was standing at the corner of Park Lane and High Street. A man in a silver sports car was driving down Park lane very fast. He was speaking on his cell phone and he did not stop at the stop sign. He crashed into a lady in a big blue truck in the middle of the intersection. She was drinking coffee while driving and it spilled all over her. They both got out of their cars and started yelling at each other. The police arrived quickly and asked if I would be a witness to the accident. They will be taking me to the police station later to make a statement.

Dream Vacation

Mary is very excited! In one week she will be leaving on a dream vacation with her husband. They will be travelling on a cruise ship to Alaska. She has dreamed of going to Alaska since she was a little girl. The cruise will be 7 days long and they will travel to four different ports. She hopes to see bears and wild wolves. She still has a lot to do. She has heard that Alaska is very cold, but beautiful. She needs to go shopping for warm clothes and a new camera. She needs to pack their suitcases and speak to her neighbors. She wants them to take care of their house while they are away. She cannot wait to go on the vacation of her dreams.

Excuses

Mr. Harry is very frustrated this morning. Most of the students in his class did not do their homework yesterday. Benny said that he did do his homework, but he left it on the table and the dog ate it. Sally said that her brother was sick and they had to take him to the hospital. Mark said he was really tired after his big baseball game and he fell asleep early. Kelly said that she forgot her notebook at school and Jim said that he had a stomach ache and his mother had to take him to the doctor. Mr. Harry is upset because he cannot teach the lesson plan that he had prepared for today’s lesson.

First date

Billy finally got the courage to ask Mary out on a date. She said yes! He is going to take her to dinner and a movie on Friday night. He asked his parents if they have any advice for him. They told him to be polite when he meets her parents. They told him not to drive fast with her in the car and that he should let her choose the movie. They also said that he must take her home before 10pm. Billy feels more confident after talking to his parents and he thinks that they will have a wonderful date.

Good advice

Patty is not feeling well. She has a stomach ache and a terrible headache. Her mother called the doctor and asked him what she should do. He told her that Patty should not eat a big dinner; she should drink a lot of water and get some rest. He said that if she is not feeling any better in the morning, she should bring her into the hospital for an examination. Patty’s mother felt better after speaking to the doctor. She knows that she can always depend on him for good advice.

Hobbies

Ann and her sister are very different. Ann loves to draw and paint beautiful pictures. She spends all her free time painting. Her sister, Jenny, loves to be active. In her spare time she goes running in Central Park. She loves swimming and dancing. She doesn’t understand how her sister can sit still for such long periods of time. Ann is busy painting a family portrait for her mother’s birthday. She is using many colors and she knows her mother is going to love it.

Jill failed her English test

Jill is very worried. She failed her English test last week and her teacher is having a meeting with her parents tonight. She thinks that the test was very difficult. None of her friends did well, but she was the only one in the class that failed. She thinks her teacher was very strict while marking her paper. Jill’s parents think that she did not study hard enough. They saw her playing computer games while she was meant to be studying. They will be discussing her progress throughout the year with her teacher tonight. They will also be discussing a suitable punishment for her.

Mark is absent

Mark did not come to school today, and everyone is wondering why. Lucy thinks he may have gotten sick because he was coughing yesterday. Harry thinks he may have overslept because Mark looked very tired yesterday. Wendy thinks he skipped his first class because he was very busy, and she doesn’t think he had time to do his homework. His best friend, James, is worried. He knows Mark did do his homework as they did it together yesterday afternoon. He does not think that Mark is sick and he knows his mother would never let him oversleep. He is worried that something happened to Mark on his way to school.

Mom is on a diet

My mom is on a diet. She wants to loose 5kg before her birthday. She is eating a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables. She is also eating a lot of fish and grilled chicken. She has taken all the chocolates and cookies out our house. I now also have to eat fruit instead of chocolate. She is drinking more water and less coffee. She has even started going to the gym. After I finish my homework she makes the family go on a walk around the neighborhood instead of watching T.V. My dad does not like this very much and neither do I!

Dad’s new cell phone

My mom bought my dad a new cell phone for his birthday. My dad really likes it but he doesn’t know how to use it. The buttons are too small and he keeps pressing the wrong ones. It has a touch screen and he can access the internet from his phone. It has a camera and a music player. My dad doesn’t understand why he would need such an advanced phone when he only uses it to make calls. He doesn’t want to tell my mom that he doesn’t know how to use it, so one of his friends at work is giving him lessons.

The Honey Bee

Honey bees are the only insects that produce a food that is consumed by humans – honey. They are social insects. A colony of bees includes a queen, drones and workers. There is only one queen per hive. She is the largest bee in the colony and may live up to five years. She will lay up to 2500 eggs per day and has the ability to control whether she lays male or female eggs.
If the queen dies, the workers will create a new queen by selecting a young larva and feeding it a special food called “royal jelly”. This will enable the larva to develop into a fertile queen.
All worker bees are females, they are unable to reproduce, and live for about six weeks. A colony can have 50,000 – 60,000 workers who collect nectar to make honey. An average worker bee produces about 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime. A hive of bees will fly 90,000 miles and visit an average of four million flowers to collect 1 kg of honey. A bee visits between 50 and 100 flowers during one collection flight from the hive. They dance to communicate direction and distance of flowers.
Drones are the male bees that have no stingers. If the colony is short of food, the drones are forced out of the hive. Bees have five eyes and four wings. A bee’s wings stroke 11,400 times per minute, thus making their distinctive buzz.

The Buffalo

There are two types of buffalo – the African and the Asian water buffalo. They are dark gray or black and look like bulls. The African buffalo is a large animal that can reach 2 to 3.4 meters (6.8 to 11 feet) in length, 0.7 to 1.7 meters (3.2 to 5.6 feet) in height and weigh between 300 – 861 kilograms (660 and 1900 pounds).
They feed mainly on grass and when grass is scarce, they may eat shrubs and trees. The African buffaloes live in large herds which can include up to a thousand buffaloes. Usually herds are smaller with an average of 12 buffalo per herd. When they are faced by predators, they will form a circle around the young, old and weak buffaloes. This barrier is very effective in preventing predators from reaching buffaloes that are not strong enough to fight.
African buffaloes have poor eyesight and hearing, but they have an excellent sense of smell. The average life of the African Buffalo in the wild is 20 years. The bond between a mother and her calf is very strong and the calf is completely dependent on its mother for a period of one year.
Buffaloes are reported to kill more hunters in Africa than any other animal. They are known to ambush hunters that have wounded them. They have also been known to attack hunters that have harmed them even years after the event took place. They are good swimmers and often cross deep waters in search of better grazing.

The Camel

The camel is one of the oldest domesticated animals. Its hump stores fat, not water. This fat is used as a source of energy when food is limited. Baby camels are born without a hump. They can go without water for up to two months. A thirsty camel can drink 151 liters (40 gallons) of water at one time.
Camels eat grass, seeds, twigs, plants and grain. They have three eyelids and two rows of thick eyelashes to protect their eyes from the desert dust. They are also able to close their nostrils to keep out the dust.
A camel’s milk is rich in iron, vitamins and minerals, and is healthier than a cow’s milk because it contains less fat. They can run up to 64 km per hour (40 mph), and they can live for 40 – 50 years. A camel’s fur reflects the desert sun and keeps them cool in extremely hot temperatures.
When a camel feels threatened, they are known for spitting. They can also kick in all four directions with all four of their legs.

The Cheetah

The cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world. It can reach speeds of up to 113 kmph (70 mph). They can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph (0 to 62 mph) in just three seconds! They do, however, tire quickly and can only keep up this speed for a few minutes before they are too tired to continue. When running, cheetahs use their tails to steer, and they are the only big cat that can turn in mid-air while sprinting.
They are smaller than other members of the big cat family and weigh between 45 and 60 kg (99 and 132 lbs.). Their golden coat with small black spots helps them blend in with their grassy habitat.
They hunt for food during the day and have amazing eyesight that can spot prey from 5 km (3.1 miles) away. They have black “tear drops” running from the corners of their eyes. These help block out sunlight, which helps them in spotting their prey. They cannot climb trees and have poor night vision.
Female cheetahs are solitary, whereas males will live in groups of two to three individuals. These males are usually brothers.
Cheetahs cannot roar like lions. They have a range of vocalizations such as purring, growling and contact calls that resemble bird-like chirping. They only need to drink once every three to four days. Cheetahs live short lives in the wild. They only live for about ten to twelve years.

Dolphin

Dolphins are mammals, not fish. They are social animals who live and hunt in groups. They have an average lifespan of about 17 years, and communicate with each other in whistles and clicks.
Dolphins eat fish, squid and other small marine life. They often use a hunting tactic of circling fish into a tight ball. Then they take turns going through the center of the ball to feed.
They can jump as high as 6 meters (19 feet) out of the water and some can dive as deep as 300 meters (980 feet). Dolphins have large and complex brains. Only one side of a dolphin’s brain sleeps at a time. This allows them to be able to breath and to watch out for threats even while they are resting.
They use a blowhole on top of their heads to breath. The Killer Whale is the largest member of the dolphin family and can grow up to 9 meters (30 feet) in length.

The Elephant

Elephants are the largest land mammals in the world. Asian elephants are smaller than African elephants. They are the only mammal that cannot jump. They live in herds and eat leaves, grass and tree bark. They may spend an average 12 – 18 hours a day eating. An adult elephant will eat between 90 kg to 272 kilograms (200 to 600 pounds) of food and drink 190 liters (50 gallons) of water per day.
Elephants have poor eyesight but an amazing sense of smell. They can smell water from up to 19 kilometers (12 miles) away. The ears of an African elephant are about 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) long. Their ears are made up of a complex network of blood vessels which help regulate their temperature. Blood is circulated through their ears to cool them down in hot climates.
Elephants can live to be over seventy years old. They can get sun burnt, so they protect themselves with sand. They usually sleep for only two or three hours a day. Female elephants are called cows. They start to have calves when they are about 12 – 16 years old and they are pregnant for 22 months.
Elephants can swim – they use their trunk to breath like a snorkel in deep water. The elephant’s feet are covered in a soft padding that helps uphold their weight, prevents slipping and dulls any sound. Elephants can walk almost silently.
Elephants are not scared of mice. They are however, scared of ants! They steer clear of trees infested with ants, to avoid these tiny creatures crawling up their sensitive trunks.

The Fox

Foxes live on every continent except for Antarctica. They thrive in cities, towns and rural settings. Foxes are the smallest member of the dog family and weigh between 3 – 7kg (7 - 15 pounds).
They have pointed faces, thin frames, bushy tails and show characteristics of both dogs and cats. They have vertically oriented pupils like the cat, which allows it to see in dim light. They are most active in the early morning and during the early hours of
darkness. They hunt in the same manner as a cat, by stalking and pouncing on their prey.
Foxes are the only member of the dog family that is capable of retracting their claws like cats. The fox has a great sense of sight, hearing and smell.
They are solitary animals and usually hunt alone, rather than in packs like wolves. When raising their cubs, they live in small families in underground burrows. Foxes eat almost anything; their diet depends on where they live. They catch small rodents with a high pounce. This technique is one of the first things cubs learn as they begin to hunt. Foxes can live up to 14 years and can run up to 48 km per hour (30 mph).

The Giraffe

Giraffes are the tallest of all the land animals. Their legs alone are about 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall. They live in the savannas of Africa, and are well known for their long necks, long legs and spotted patterns. They usually live in groups of 2 to 6 giraffes.
No two giraffes have the same pattern. Their markings allow them to hide among trees. Although their neck is 1.5 – 1.8 meters long (4.9 – 6 feet), it contains the same number of vertebra as a human neck.
They only need 5 – 30 minutes of sleep per day. They often two at a time. They rarely lay down. They sleep and give birth to their young standing up. They eat approximately 35 kg (77 pounds) of food per day, and can go up to two weeks without water.
Their black tongue can extend almost 45cm (17 inches) and it is frequently used for cleaning its nose. They have the largest eyes of any land mammal.

The Hippopotamus

The hippopotamus, also known as the hippo, spends most of its days in the water. They live in rivers, lakes and swamps, and are the third largest African animal after the elephant and the rhinoceros.
They have an average lifespan of around 45 years. They are too heavy to swim, so they navigate underwater by walking on the bottom. They can hold their breath for five to six minutes at a time.
At night hippos leave the water to graze. Even though they are so big, they only eat plants and can eat 45kg (99 pounds) of grass every night. Hippos are good runners. They can run at 30 km/h (18 mph) over short distances.
A male hippo can weigh half a ton. Hippos are extremely aggressive, especially if they feel threatened. They may look cute, but they are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.

Jellyfish

Jellyfish are not fish. They live in every ocean in the world. They are made up of mostly water. They have no heart, no bones, no blood, no eyes and no brains.
Its skin is so thin that it gets its oxygen from diffusion, and therefore does not need a respiratory system. The smallest jellyfish are the size of pinheads, and the largest jellyfish can be 20m in diameter.
Jellyfish feed on small plankton. If there is not a lot of food available, they can shrink in size, so they need less food.
Jellyfish are extremely harmful creatures. They can string and cause pain, and some may even kill people. Even a lifeless jellyfish has the capacity to sting. The box jellyfish’s sting can cause the death of the person stung within three minutes. More people are killed by jellyfish each year than by sharks.

Job interview

Barry had a job interview a few days ago at Big Ten Car Sales Company. The interview lasted for more than an hour, and Barry had to answer many questions. The interviewer asked him where he had gone to school and if he had any special sales training. He asked him about his health and if he would work overtime and on weekends. He also wanted to know why he had had 3 jobs in the last year. Finally, he asked him why he should hire him. Barry thinks the interview went well, but he is not sure if he will get the job, because there were a lot of candidates.

The Kangaroo

There are four different types of kangaroo species – the red  kangaroo, the eastern gray kangaroo, the western gray  kangaroo and the antilopine kangaroo. They are the only large  animal that uses hopping as their primary method of locomotion. Its long tail provides balance as they hop. They can hop around quickly on two legs or walk around slowly on all four legs.
Kangaroos can jump very high, sometimes three times their own height and they can swim. On land they move their hind legs together, however, in water they kick each leg independently to swim. They eat grass, leaves, herbs and roots. They need little water and can go for months without drinking.
Kangaroos are social animals which stay in groups of at least three or four individuals. Some groups can have up to one hundred kangaroos. Most of them are active at night. They usually have one young annually. Females have a pouch in which babies live and drink milk for eight months.
Kangaroos usually live about six years in the wild. There are more kangaroos than humans in Australia.

Kelly was robbed

Kelly was robbed about an hour ago while she was walking home from work. She is at the police station now, and she is having trouble giving information to the police officer. She can’t remember if the thief was tall or short. She can’t remember if he was fat or thin. She can’t remember what color his hair was or what he was wearing. She doesn’t even know exactly what was in her bag. She can only tell them where and when it happened. It all happened so fast. The police want to help Kelly, but she needs to give them more information.

The Lion

Lions live in savannas, grasslands, bushes and woodlands. They are the most social of all the big cats, and are the only cats to live in family groups called prides. In a pride, lions hunt prey, raise cubs and defend their territory together. Hunting is generally done in the dark by the lionesses.
They have very few sweat glands so they will rest during the day and become active at night when it is cooler. They enjoy relaxing and can spend between sixteen and twenty hours each day resting and sleeping.
When the lionesses have a successful hunt the males will eat first, followed by the females and then the cubs. The main job of the male is defending the prides’ territory. A male’s loud roar, usually heard after sunset, can carry as far as 8 kilometers (5 miles). They roar to communicate their position to other prides. The older the male lion becomes, the darker his mane will become.
A lion will run from many creatures, including elephants. They can run for short distances at 80 kilometers per hour (50mph) and leap as far as 11 meters (36 feet).

The Owl

There are around 200 different owl species. They are nocturnal animals who sleep during the day and hunt during the night. They are carnivores and hunt rodents, insects, frogs, fish and other birds.
The Barn owl is greatly beneficial for farmers because they hunt rodents in the barns and fields. They can eat up to a thousand mice each year. Owls are extremely successful hunters as they are silent in flight. They have a special kind of soft feathers which muffles the sound of the moving wings, allowing them to approach their prey unnoticed.
They have the most developed sense of hearing of all birds. Most of the owl species have asymmetrical ears that are different sizes and different heights on their heads. This gives them superior hearing and the ability to pinpoint where the prey is located,
even if they cannot see it. Their flattened face also funnels sounds to their ears and magnifies it as much as ten times to help them hear a wide variety of different sounds.
While other birds have eyes on the sides of their heads, an owl’s large eyes face forwards. They cannot move their eyes, but they can turn their heads as much as 270 degrees to follow moving objects. This is possible because they have 14 vertebrae instead of the seven vertebrae normally found in other birds. They have three eyelids – one for blinking, one for sleeping and one for keeping the eye clean and healthy.

The Penguin

Penguins are birds, but unlike most birds they cannot fly. They are one of about 40 species of flightless birds. Most penguins live in  the Southern Hemisphere. No penguins live in the North Pole.   They are very social and live in colonies. They are great swimmers who use their wings like paddles to swim through the water. They can stay underwater for 10-15 minutes before coming to the surface to breathe. They cannot breathe underwater. Their feet are small so that they don’t lose too much heat as they stand on the ice. They help each other stay warm by gathering together and shuffling around.
Their main diet is fish and krill. They will swallow pebbles as well as their food. It is believed that the stones may help grind up and digest their food. They can drink seawater because they have a special gland that filters salt from the bloodstream.
Their colors help them to be camouflage while swimming. From above, their black backs blend into the dark ocean and from below, their white bellies match the bright surface. This helps them avoid predators.  
Once a year, penguins molt. Most birds will lose a few feathers at a time throughout the year, but penguins lose all their feathers at once. They cannot swim without feathers, so they eat a lot more   before they molt to survive the 2-3 weeks it takes for their feathers to grow back.

The Rhinoceros

There are five living species of rhinoceros. All the species have a horn-like appendage on their noses. Its horn is not attached to its skull and it is actually a compacted mass of hairs that continues to grow throughout its lifetime. The horn has the same characteristics as human hair or fingernails.
It is a solitary animal which is mainly active at night. The black rhino is considered the most aggressive species and despite its weight, can charge at 50 km/h (30 mph). Black rhinos will fight each other and have the highest rate of death among mammals that fight among the same species. Fifty percent of males and thirty percent of females die from intra-species fights.
A rhino has very few predators. A lion may try to hunt the calves and the spotted hyena is a more serious threat. Unfortunately for the rhino, its deadliest threats are humans, who hunt them for their horns. Many people believe that a rhino’s horn has medical purposes. Some rhinos have been dehorned to make them worthless to poachers.
The rhino needs to drink at least once a day, so they usually stay within 5 km (3.1 miles) of water. The Oxpecker bird is a welcomed passenger to the rhino. It picks ticks off the rhino’s skin and provides a loud warning when humans are approaching.
The white rhino is the largest species, weighing up to 3500kg, (7700lb) and is the largest land mammal after the elephant. In dry conditions, rhinos will dig for water using their forefeet. A rhino cannot sweat, so it will roll in mud or dust to keep it cool. This mud also serves as a protective coating against biting insects.

Rumor

Everyone at school is talking about Samantha. There is a rumor that Samantha is going to a new school in America and everyone thinks the rumor is true. After all, if she wasn’t going, her parents would not have put their house up for sale. She wouldn’t have done so many extra English lessons and she would not have quit the debate team. Of course, the students don’t know for sure if Samantha is leaving for America. It is only a rumor. They will just have to wait and see.

The Sea Turtle

Sea turtles are one of Earth’s most ancient creatures. There are seven species that can be found today. They are reptiles and are well-adapted to the ocean even though they have lungs and need air to survive.
Unlike land turtles, sea turtles cannot retract their legs and heads inside their shells. That makes them more vulnerable when coming into contact with predators.
They migrate hundreds of miles between feeding and nesting grounds. Adult females can be seen on beaches during nesting season. The female will return to the same beach where she was born. She lays her eggs in a hole in the sand. Depending on the species, each nest will contain between 60 – 200 eggs. The temperature of the egg will determine the gender of the hatchling. A female will be born if the temperature is high and male if low. They hatch during the night and use the moonlight to find their way to the sea.
The size of the turtle depends on the species. Kemp’s Ridley turtles weigh 36 – 40 kilograms (80 – 90 pounds), while a Leatherback weighs more than 450 kilograms (1000 pounds).
Sea turtles can hear vibrations and have an excellent sense of smell and eyesight. They live for about 70 – 80 years.

The Ice Hotel

The Ice Hotel in Sweden is made from thousands of tons of ice and snow. The hotel melts in the summer and is rebuilt each winter. It can host over 100 guests. You sleep inside a warm thermal sleeping bag on a special bed built from snow and ice. You will need to pack thermal clothing and wear lots of warm layers. The temperature will be -5 degrees in your room. Between the bedding and layers of clothes, most guests do not feel any cold during the night. A staff member will wake you up in the morning with a cup of hot juice. After warming up, you can go to the restaurant and enjoy a buffet breakfast. During the day there are many activities which you can try. Dog sledding and snowmobiling are two of the most popular activities. There are other activities including snowshoe hiking, ice fishing, ice sculpting and kick-sledding.

The Whale

There are between 79 and 84 different species of whale known to man. They are found in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and never meet or breed together. Their migration is timed so that they are never in breeding areas at the same time. Whales are large, intelligent animals. They feed on small marine life called krill.
The Blue Whale is the largest animal on Earth; it is larger than any of the dinosaurs! A single adult Blue Whale can eat 36,000kg of krill per day. They catch their food mainly by diving and can descend to depths of approximately 500 meters (1640 feet). Its heart is as big as a car, and its tongue can weigh as much as an elephant.
While fish swim by moving their tails from left to right, whales swim by moving their tails up and down.

The Zebra

Each zebra has its own unique stripe pattern, like human fingerprints. When in a herd, the stripes merge into a big mass and make it hard for predators to single out individual animals. Their stripy coat is believed to disperse more than 70% of heat,
preventing them from overheating while in the sun. They usually live in small family groups called herds. The leader of the herd stays at the back of the group to protect against predators. A zebra’s foal is dark brown and white at birth. They can walk just 20 minutes after they are born, and run after an hour.
Their eyesight at night is as good as that of a cat or an owl. They are dependent on water. They need to drink every day, so they do not move far from watering holes. Zebras are highly social and will only go to sleep if they are close to neighbors, so they can be warned if a predator approaches. They also like to graze together and groom each other. They can run at speeds of up to 56km per hour (34 miles). They combine this speed with great stamina and zigzag motion to evade predators chasing them.
They communicate with each other through various vocal expressions and through the position of their ears and tail. They can turn their ears in almost any direction and use this to communicate their mood. For example when the ears are pulled backwards it means they are angry and when pointed up it means they are calm and friendly.

Robbery at Green Palace

The police are busy investigating a robbery at Green Palace Apartments. Burglars broke into some apartments during the day and the police are questioning all the tenants. Mrs. Green in Apartment 101 left home at 9 o’clock this morning to go shopping. When she got home at 2 o’clock she found that her door was unlocked and her expensive ring was gone. Mr. Peters in Apartment 104 left for the office this morning at 11 o’clock. When he returned at 5 o’clock he found a broken window and all his camera equipment was missing. Mr. Evans in Apartment 106 left home at 8 o’clock and returned at 1 o’clock. He told the police officer that his big screen T.V was stolen. And lastly, the police spoke to Mrs. Jones in Apartment 109, who said that she left home at 8 o’clock but was home by 10 o’clock. She says her laptop and some money is missing. The police really hope they can find enough clues to solve the case.

Secure house

Mr. and Mrs. Hog are going on a vacation soon. They are very excited as it will be their first trip to Europe. They are a little concerned because there have been several robberies in their neighborhood lately. Mr. Hog called the police station and asked them what they can do to prevent their house from being broken into while they are on vacation. The police officer told him that he should check that all the doors and windows are locked. He told him that he should ask a neighbor to turn on some lights at night and take in the mail. He also told him that he should not tell too many people that they will be going away. They feel better after speaking to the police officer. They want to feel that their house is safe so that they can enjoy their vacation.

Shopping at the grocery store

Max is at the grocery store and he is very upset. He just bought some groceries and he cannot believe that he spent 30 dollars. He bought a few apples, a few potatoes, a little fish and some oranges. He also bought a bag of coffee, a little sugar, a liter of milk, a few eggs and a few onions. He didn’t have enough money to buy any meat, toothpaste and yogurt. Max spent 30 dollars at the store and he is only walking out with one bag of groceries. He cannot believe that food has become so expensive.

The Food Pyramid

The food pyramid is a chart that gives us guidelines on eating correctly. It has 4 levels and 6 groups. The lowest level is the largest and consists of grains – bread, cereals, rice and pasta. These are the foods that should make up the largest portion of our diet. The next level consists of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are an important part of our diet because they contain lots of vitamins and fiber. On the next level we have the meat group and the dairy group. Meats and dairy are important because it gives our body’s protein and calcium which allows us to grow. Meats consist of beef, pork, chicken, fish, beans, nuts and eggs. Dairy consists of milk, cheese and yoghurt. On the top of the pyramid is the fats, oils and sweets group. We should eat very little of these to stay healthy.

Tired of winter

Tim is so tired of winter. He is tired of the snow and the cold weather. He is sick and tired of wearing winter coats, hats and boots. In a few more weeks it will be spring. The weather will be warmer and all the snow will melt. It will be sunny and he will not have to stay indoors anymore. He will be able to go outside and play with his friends. He cannot wait to ride his bicycle again. He will also be able to play baseball again and use his new bat he got for his birthday. In a few weeks the neighborhood won’t look so gray and sad anymore. New flowers will bloom and all the trees will become green again. It feels like winter was longer this year than usual, and Tim is looking forward to a sunny spring.

Unhealthy diet

Kelvin is a bachelor. He lives with his roommate, Martin, in New York City. Every morning on his way to work he stops at his favorite bakery for breakfast. He orders 3 chocolate donuts and a cup of coffee. He likes his morning routine because it is quick and easy. For lunch he usually orders pizza or pasta from the downstairs restaurant. At night he orders Chinese takeout or goes to a fast food restaurant. Kelvin’s doctor is worried about his health. He is very overweight and needs to eat healthier and start exercising.

Wishing it had happened differently

Kate’s alarm clock did not go off this morning. She really wishes it had gone off. If it did ring like it was supposed to, she wouldn’t have been late for work. And if she hadn’t been late, her boss would not have given her a warning. Her son, Benny, did not save his History paper on his computer yesterday. He really wishes he had remembered to save it. If he had remembered to save it, he would have been able to give it to his teacher today. And if he had handed it in today he wouldn’t have got in trouble. Kate and her son wish things had happened differently.

The wishing well

The wishing well is a very popular place for the people of Redville. Every day, people pass by and drop their coins in the well, and hope their wishes will come true. Wendy dropped a coin and wished to get into medical school. If she gets accepted into medical school she can become a doctor, just like her mother and father. Andy wishes that it will snow tomorrow. If it snows, his school might be closed. John hopes to get good grades on his next report card. If he gets good grades his mother promised him a gift. Today is a busy day at the wishing well. Many people are coming to make wishes about their hopes for the future.