If we agree that the function of education is to prepare us for life, then there is very little time to waste. So, while we can, we ought to concentrate 48. ________ teaching children something really useful. Politeness is a mark of civilization. 49. _________ sooner children learn this, the better. In any case, a lot can be accomplished by a smile and good manners. Like it or not, our adult lives will be consumed by the struggle for money, but we don’t make an effort to teach children 50. __________ to mange it. So our schools have a duty to teach them this ability from the beginning. Children should learn to take care 51. ________their health. They should know that 52. ________they eat junk food, they will become fat and unhealthy. They should be very clear about 53._________ will happen to their bodies when they smoke or drink. All of 54___________ are part of society. We have rights and responsibilities. We have to know a little bit of our history and geography, because we need to have an environment in which to relate to the people around us. Our school should spend every moment they have telling this to our children: “This is life, this is what you are going to face,55 ________ this is how you deal with it.