On a hot summer day, there is nothing more delicious than ice cream. It is refreshing, tasty, and can help cool you down. There are many different flavors to choose from and ice cream is something that almost everyone loves. But where did ice cream c...
Wendy and Leo are at work. Leo: The restaurant is really busy today. We need more French fries. They're in the freezer. Wendy: I'll get themwoohaaaa! Leo: Oh my gosh! Are you all right? What happened? Wendy: I slipped. Why is there water on the floor...
A seven-year-old African-American girl, Marsha, was told by her teacher to make a new friend each day. Marsha wondered how she could do this because she saw the same kids in class every single day. She felt like she was already friends with everyone...
Legend has it that Taipei City began with just one immigrant nearly 200 years ago. On a dry lakebed, this man cleared some trees and bushes and built a farm. Soon, Taipei was rapidly growing in every direction. In 1949, two million people moved to Ta...
Tom's father got transferred and his family had to move to a new city. Tom was not happy at all. He was worried and scared because the next day would be his first day at his new school. He did not know any of the kids or teachers and wondered if anyo...
Dialogue A (Michael is talking to the school principal, Miss Dakar.) Michael: Thanks for letting me do this, Miss Dakar. Miss Dakar: No problem, Michael. It's very nice of you to volunteer to teach our kids. Michael: I've been traveling around India...
Sixty years ago, a shiny metal object fell from the sky in New Mexico and changed the city of Roswell forever. This once peaceful area is now a must-see tourist destination for all UFO lovers. This month, National Geographic Channel looks at Roswell...
I still clearly remember what happened during my first speech contest. I was very nervous about talking in front of a large crowd. When it was my turn, I tried to stay calm and walked onto the stage with a big smile. Somehow, I tripped and fell. At t...
Flags are now seen every day, but they were once only used in battles. No one knows for sure where flags came from. However, it seems that China and the Roman Empire were the first ones to use them to identify their armies. The earliest flags were ac...
Dialogue A Seth and Fran are meeting for lunch. Fran: Congratulations on the new job. Seth: Thanks! I'm really excited about it. Fran: What are you going to be doing? Seth: I'll be working in sales. The hours are flexible and they say I can earn a lo...
One of the most famous bike makers in the world is Taiwan's own Giant. When Giant started in 1972 in Taichung, it only produced bikes for bigger companies like Schwinn. In 1986, Giant decided to compete in the high-end bikes business because the mark...
Dialogue A Helen is in the car with her two sons in the back. Helen: If you kids don't keep it down, I'm going to go crazy. Gary: Relax, Mom. We are only singing the songs you are crazy about. Helen: I know, but I really need some silence right now....
People love to keep track of who the world's richest person is. If you ask, almost anyone will say it is Bill Gates. After all, that has been the answer for over a decade. However, according to a Mexican business reporter, Carlos Slim Hel's US$67.8 b...
Many people believe the full moon affects how we feel and act. They say people do crazy things, get into more accidents, and even can't sleep. These ideas come from folklore and are found in many cultures. More crimes, deaths, and births are also sup...
Homemade Thanksgiving decorations are easy and fun to make. All you need is some colored paper, crayons, and your imagination. You should keep a few things in mind when you select materials for your decorations. Since Thanksgiving is an autumn holida...
