Expressions

Elections of USA

Although the United States of America is far, far, away, most of the things that happens there is very important to us too.

In fact, the person who rules the US is the most powerful leader in the world, and his/her decisions often affect people around the world.

The president can be a man or a woman born in the United States, but has to be at least 35 years of age. It’s a long and hard journey to the top job at the White House.

The presidential candidates are decided in a series of votes called primaries, which take place across the country.The Democrats had to decide between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama while the Republican party picked John McCain as their candidate, months ago.

Super Tuesday is the most important day in the Primary elections, which is when voters pick the candidate they want to represent their party.Barack Obama was lucky enough to be picked as the Democratic candidate after a close race with Hilary Clinton, wife of former President Bill Clinton.

The Americans will get the opportunity to select the most important man in the world by voting on the first Tuesday (after the first Monday) in November.I hope that they will select the most suitable person for the top job of the world.

Shamindri Jayawarna,

Colombo International School, Kandy.

Sigiriya - a well planned rock fortress

Sigiriya Rock Fortress is situated in the Matale District and it belongs to the 5th century.

According to history, it was built by King Kashyapa to escape from his brother. Because of its architectural creativity and historic significance, it was declared a World Heritage Site. it is also called the eighth World Wonder by some. Late Prof. Senarath Paranavithana is credited for making this wonderful fortress world famous.

The summit of this rock fortress is hundreds of acres in extent. There is a huge pleasure garden with a number of ponds, islets and pavilions.

The water retaining structures of these ponds are wonderful and the fountains are also an attraction.

The stone throne, palace, fountains, and theatre hall are all located on the summit.Entering the summit through the throat of a crouching lion is a wonderful experience. In the gallery the highly polished mirror wall and Sigiriya graffiti can be seen even today. There is evidence that there were paintings of 500 Sigiriya maids on the rock originally. They are called frescoes. But only about 19 remain today.

Sigiriya is an example of the marvellous architectural and landscaping talents of our ancestors. All the features found here make Sigiriya an attractive and well planned rock fortress.

Swethika Perera,

Grade 7-F,Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo.

Value of hobbies

Hobbies help us to spend our leisure in a useful manner. Therefore, every child should have some sort of hobby.

There are many hobbies. Some of them are reading books, collecting stamps, collecting picture post cards, collecting feathers, rearing fish, watching television, listening to the radio, cracking jokes, playing games, gardening, swimming and cycling. Reading is a very valuable hobby.

We can improve our knowledge and language by reading books, magazines and newspapers. We can also learn good qualities of great persons by reading their biographies.

Gardening is another useful hobby. If we engage in this hobby, we can eat fresh fruits and vegetables. We could even sell the extra produce and earn some pocket money. If you don’t have a hobby, start one today.

Minra Maneer,

 Grade 8B, Thihariya Islamic International School.

Working to a timetable

I do all my work according to a timetable. I get up at 5 o’clock and start my daily work. I have scheduled activities such as reading, writing and eating to a specific time. By doing these activities to time I don’t miss out on any important work I need to do. My daily programme is a success because I work to a timetable.

I rear a cat as a pet. Its name is ‘Tutu’. I feed it on time. I feel that it needs to eat when it’s hungry. By observing my pet I have come to understand that other living creatures also need affection, love and compassion.

In my spare time I watch television. I am especially interested in news. I improve my knowledge by watching news. It also helps me to be in touch with the current situation in the world, and educate myself.

I make it a point to spend some time helping my parents, by washing utensils in the kitchen, I support my mother. I assist my father by watering and maintaining the garden. From these activities, I learn how to cook and grow plants for our needs. Through this I learnt that we can find our food requirement from our own garden. By helping my parents we could strengthen the bonds among family members.

During the daytime I attend to my studies. I never fail to complete my homework too. As my aim is to become a good citizen in society, I need to learn a lot of things and do my studies well .Play during my leisure time is very important.

I spend this time meeting my schoolmates, neighbours and other playmates and having a good relationship with them. This companionship and playing together is valuable as we learn to share and assist each other. By playing games I also keep fit physically.

This helps me to do my day-to-day work. I am able to do all this because I work to a timetable.

M.P. Chamali Ruvinika Jayawickrama
 

- Grade 7D - Anuradhapura Central College.