My Hometown
My hometown lies on the Plain of North China. The famous Grand Canal of China① is to the east of our village. This is the place where my forefathers ② have lived for generations. When I was a boy I often played with other children near the bank of the canal. I watched the passing boats, and I wished to travel all over the world.
There are about 800 people in our village. A pond, teeming with ③fish, lies in front of the village. I used to swim there in summer and skate in winter. It was in this pond that I spent the happiest days of my childhood.
To the north of our village are great fields. When spring comes, the crops begin to grow, turning the fields green. When crops turn yellow in autumn, the peasants start to harvest them.
Between the canal and our village is an orchard. There were only a few kinds of fruit trees years ago, but now the peasants grow many sorts, including peach, plum, apple and orange.
The majority of the villagers have become much better off. About a quarter of the households have bought television sets and tape recorders. A reading-room and a library have been built. Every evening many young people go to the evening school to learn science and read newspapers.
Two roads cross in front of our village. On summer evenings, people sit under the trees enjoying the cool breeze④. The houses in our village are well laid out.
By the end of last year, 35 students in our village had graduated from senior middle school, and 12 students were enrolled ⑤ at colleges.
This is my hometown. I hope you will make a visit here one day. 【词语解释】
①the Grand Canal [k+'n$l] of China 中国大运河
②forefather ['f&:?fa:J+] n. （常用复数）祖先；前人
③teem [ti:m] with 充满；富于
④breeze [bri:z] n. 微风
⑤enroll [in'r+ul] v. 招收；使入学
【写法指要】
1）本文基本上是按方位描写的.先概述村子坐落的位置,接着写村东、村前、村北、运河与村之间,最后又回到村前的情况.这是一幅粗线条描写的风景画,属于白描.
2）差不多每一段都写有人的活动场景,这样写能使文章有生机.