Literature
Poem: Last Lesson of the Afternoon
1b.
The tone of anger is illustrated in this poem through the use of poetic devices and diction.
Rhyme, example," What do I care for all they do amiss! ... It all goes down the same abyss."
This rhyme has a very forceful tone, highlighting the anger of the persona, this rhyme also connects the two sentences and all the other sentecnes in between:
What do I care for all they do amiss!
What is the point of this teaching of mine, and of this leaning of this
Learning of theirs? It all goes down the same abyss.
The rhyme links both sentences together and makes the stanza much easier and smoother to read. It also captures the reader's attention to the sentences and the words. This rhyme is especially forceful, due to the persona raving and ranting about the attitude of his students, thus, the furiousness of the persona is evident here. Another rhyme would be:
What does it matter to me, if they can write
A description of the dog, or they can't?
What is the point?To us both, it is my aunt!
And yet I'm suppose to care, with all my might.
This rhyme is also very forceful, and also links the sentences together. The meaning of this sentences is also emphasized due to the rhyme, the persona's feelings and his rage is ilustrated here by the "...if they can't write... with all my might" the meaning is quite literal, and the rage is evident in. To such an extent is the persona's rage, that he renounces he students and says he does not care for them even though he is a teacher and loves his students.
For metaphor an example would be ," Why should we beat our heads agaginst the wall of each other?" the metaphor here is wall, which the poet uses to describe both persona and his students. The meatphor wall highlights that the students are very stubborn and refuse to learn, and that the persona is equally stubborn and enraged at his students and both of them cannot move the other. This brings out the rage in the poet by comparing him to a wall, a wall of anger and stubborness that is trying to coax his students to work.
For diction an example would be ," It all goes down the same abyss." the poet uses it all goes down the abyss instead of any other words partially because he wanted it to rhyme with amiss and also because he wanted to emphasize the fact that everything he taught the students would just be thrown away, into a deep dark hole and never to be used again. Thus, we can sense the persona's frustration at this, his frustration that all hsi hard work, all his effot has gone to waste by using diction.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
E-Learning Home Work
Literature
Poem: Last Lesson of the Afternoon
1 a.
In the first three stanzas of the poem, the persona's feelings can be described as tired and frustrated. The poet brings out these feelings using a combination of poetic devices such as metaphors, aliteration and puns.
For metaphor, some examples are: "My pack of unruly hounds! I cannot start" this metaphor shows that the students are very badly behaved and very restless, thus described as "unruly hounds". This example brings out the feelings of both frustration and weariness that the persona was experiancing through "My pack of unruly hounds!" for anger, due to the forceful tone of the words and the choice of words, "unruly hounds" shows that the persona was so frustrated that he compared his students to dogs. For tiredness, the words "I cannot start" highlights the tiredness of the persona, due to the passive tone, this is due to
Poem: Last Lesson of the Afternoon
1 a.
In the first three stanzas of the poem, the persona's feelings can be described as tired and frustrated. The poet brings out these feelings using a combination of poetic devices such as metaphors, aliteration and puns.
For metaphor, some examples are: "My pack of unruly hounds! I cannot start" this metaphor shows that the students are very badly behaved and very restless, thus described as "unruly hounds". This example brings out the feelings of both frustration and weariness that the persona was experiancing through "My pack of unruly hounds!" for anger, due to the forceful tone of the words and the choice of words, "unruly hounds" shows that the persona was so frustrated that he compared his students to dogs. For tiredness, the words "I cannot start" highlights the tiredness of the persona, due to the passive tone, this is due to
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Article Review
For my article review, I would like to comment on the article " China outshines Germany in solar power industry". In my opinion, this is a great achievement for Asia, as we are able to outshine our European competitors, which we have not been able to do for a long time. Other than that, I also feel that this achievement by Asia, namely, making the prices of solar cells more affordable, has made a great impact on the world. By making the solar cells more affordable, the number of people buying them would most likely increase, as most people would like to install solar cells but find it too expensive at $1.01 U.S. dollars per watt. Therefore, with China's solar companies producing cells at lower prices, more and more people would turn from fossil fuels to this new type of green energy, thus, the pollution released every year will be greatly decreased and our Earth will be greener and more environmentally friendly.
Solar power is energy gained from the light and heat of the Sun and are renewable, wheras fossil fuels are none renewable and causes pollution, like air and water pollution due to the burning of the fossil fuels. Thus, with China's breakthrough, we are able to make the planet more environmentally friendly and try to decrease the rate of Global Warming and air pollution.
Basically, this achievement is only achieveable due to the dwindling silicon prices, which are used to create solar cells. German solar companies have tied themselves down to silicon companies by signing contracts with them , thus resulting in German companies paying a fixed amount of cash for silicon parts every year. Unlike their German counterparts, China solar companies search the market for the cheeapest silicon deals and thus are able to produce much cheaper solar cells.
From this article, we can learn that we should not tie ourselves down to something because it seem s good at that time, times change and we should move along with it so that we can achieve greater things. A saying goes," when one door cloes another opens" thus, we should always try to move with times, only till than can we be successful in whatever we do.
Solar power is energy gained from the light and heat of the Sun and are renewable, wheras fossil fuels are none renewable and causes pollution, like air and water pollution due to the burning of the fossil fuels. Thus, with China's breakthrough, we are able to make the planet more environmentally friendly and try to decrease the rate of Global Warming and air pollution.
Basically, this achievement is only achieveable due to the dwindling silicon prices, which are used to create solar cells. German solar companies have tied themselves down to silicon companies by signing contracts with them , thus resulting in German companies paying a fixed amount of cash for silicon parts every year. Unlike their German counterparts, China solar companies search the market for the cheeapest silicon deals and thus are able to produce much cheaper solar cells.
From this article, we can learn that we should not tie ourselves down to something because it seem s good at that time, times change and we should move along with it so that we can achieve greater things. A saying goes," when one door cloes another opens" thus, we should always try to move with times, only till than can we be successful in whatever we do.
My Favourite Food
My favourite food are Sushi and Sashimi. Both are traditional Japanese food with a history that goes a long way back. These two exotic food are prepared to not only please the eye, but also to make mouths water just by their smell. Sushi usually comes with a topping, such as Unagi (Seasoned eel), Ebiko (Prawn roe) and other special toppings. The sushi also comes with a ball of rice placed at the bottom which is meant to fill the stomach and seaweed wrapped around it to contain the rice. Sushi comes in many different forms, example, normal sushi (the one I described earlier), rice balls and many other types which are made to suit the locals taste.
Sashimi is basically a few slices of raw seafood, example tako (octopus). These are arranged tastefully and are usually adorned with "props" like a mini paper ship or plastic grass to make them seem more tantilising. Like Sushi, Sashimi also comes with many types, like raw octopus, raw salmon, raw Japanese Freswater Lobster etc.
Sushi comes in many grades, for example, those found in the restaurants are of better quality, in restaurants, the topping of the sushi is uaually very fresh and the rice brings out the taste of the topping. The rice also melts in your mouth and the seaweed crunches in your mouth like a crunchy cracker. The toppings in restaurants are also very fresh and have very vibrant colours, for example, the Unagi in restaurants have a darker hue of brown, thus highlighting the higher quality of the eel. In normal supermarkets, the sushi there is still rather nice, but the toppings are not as tasty as those in restaurants and the rice are stone hard, unlike thoe in restaurants which melt in your mouth, also, the seaweed found on those sushis also appear damp and soggy.
Sashimi also comes in different grades, for example, I have eaten a sashimi, bought from a really high-classed restaurant in Malaysia, the flesh of the Japanese Freshwater Lobster was so sweet and the flesh was so tender and chewy, the taste of the Lobster was so strong that it lasted in my mouth for hours even after I finished my meal. Normal Sashimi, however, is sometimes hard and the taste also seems dilluted due to the extended time being kept in the freezer.
Ultimately, I feel that both Sushi and Sashimi are both very tasty and you should give them a try too!
Sashimi is basically a few slices of raw seafood, example tako (octopus). These are arranged tastefully and are usually adorned with "props" like a mini paper ship or plastic grass to make them seem more tantilising. Like Sushi, Sashimi also comes with many types, like raw octopus, raw salmon, raw Japanese Freswater Lobster etc.
Sushi comes in many grades, for example, those found in the restaurants are of better quality, in restaurants, the topping of the sushi is uaually very fresh and the rice brings out the taste of the topping. The rice also melts in your mouth and the seaweed crunches in your mouth like a crunchy cracker. The toppings in restaurants are also very fresh and have very vibrant colours, for example, the Unagi in restaurants have a darker hue of brown, thus highlighting the higher quality of the eel. In normal supermarkets, the sushi there is still rather nice, but the toppings are not as tasty as those in restaurants and the rice are stone hard, unlike thoe in restaurants which melt in your mouth, also, the seaweed found on those sushis also appear damp and soggy.
Sashimi also comes in different grades, for example, I have eaten a sashimi, bought from a really high-classed restaurant in Malaysia, the flesh of the Japanese Freshwater Lobster was so sweet and the flesh was so tender and chewy, the taste of the Lobster was so strong that it lasted in my mouth for hours even after I finished my meal. Normal Sashimi, however, is sometimes hard and the taste also seems dilluted due to the extended time being kept in the freezer.
Ultimately, I feel that both Sushi and Sashimi are both very tasty and you should give them a try too!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Online E-Learning Task 2 (Lesson 2)
Poems by Robert Frost:
A late walk:
WHEN I go up through the mowing field,
The headless aftermath,
Smooth-laid like thatch with the heavy dew,
Half closes the garden path.
And when I come to the garden ground,
The whir of sober birds
Up from the tangle of withered weeds
Is sadder than any words.
A tree beside the wall stands bare,
But a leaf that lingered brown,
Disturbed, I doubt not, by my thought,
Comes softly rattling down.
I end not far from my going forth
By picking the faded blue
Of the last remaining aster flower
To carry again to you.
In Neglect:
THEY leave us so to the way we took,
As two in whom they were proved mistaken,
That we sit sometimes in the wayside nook,
With mischievous, vagrant, seraphic look,
And try if we cannot feel forsaken.
Storm Fear:
WHEN the wind works against us in the dark,
And pelts with snow
The lowest chamber window on the east,
And whispers with a sort of stifled bark, T
he beast, 'Come out! Come out!'--
It costs no inward struggle not to go,
Ah, no!
I count our strength,
Two and a child,
Those of us not asleep subdued to mark
How the cold creeps as the fire dies at length,--
How drifts are piled,
Dooryard and road ungraded,
Till even the comforting barn grows far away
And my heart owns a doubt
Whether 'tis in us to arise with day
And save ourselves unaided.
Poems taken from the book: A Boy's Will by Robert Frost
Biography of Robert Frost:
Robert Frost was born in San Fransico, California to a journalist and his wife. Despite Robert Frost's later association with rural life, he grew up in a city. In 1894, Robert Frost sold his first poem, " My Butterfly, An Elergy". He then went on to study liberal art in Harvard but had to quit to support his family. Robert Frost's grandfather had purchase a farm in Derry, New Hampshire for the couple, which is where and what inspired Robert Frost to write his poems on rural areas. Frost became a teacher in Pinkerton Academy when his farming failed befrore sailing with his family to Great Britan and then settling down in Beaconsfields (Outside London) where he wrote and published his first book of poetry, A Boy's Will. When World War 1 began, Forst returned to America and bought a farm there, which is probably what inspired him to write more poetry on rural areas.
Taken from www.wikipedia.org
Why I like this poet and a thesis:
Robert Frost once quoted: I'd as soon write free verse as play tennis with the net down. In this quote, we can see that Robert Frost has a genuine love for writing poetry, he has written many great pieces of poetry, like " Stopping by the woods on a snowy evening". Robert Frost's poems are mostly related to nature in some way or another, some of them also have hidden meanings, like " Stopping by the woods on a snowy evening" brings out the confliction of a man torn between his desire to explre the woods and his duty to keep his promises. Other than that, Robet Frost's works are also unique as he sees the world from a different perspective, an example is a "Late walk" (Above). Robert Frost seems to see the world from the eyes of an animal who is living in the woods/fields. the example "Late Walk" is from the perspective of a creature who is living in the field, as it is just mowed and the trees trimmed, the creature feels sad and disturbed. Other than poems on nature, Robert Frost also manages to capture the terror and joy of childhood, examples "A Boy's Will", "Storm Fear" and "In Neglect". Robert Frost's childhood poems are easy to visualise and has a unique tinge to it as it really captures the type of fear of the storm or the joy in the child. Other than that, I think Robert Frost is a rather troubled man as most of his poems are rather sad and a bit to the negative side (all 3 poems above are negative). Robert Frost is also a tye of enviromentalist as he brings out the fear of the birds when their field is cut, the sorrow when the trees are bare and the uncomfort of the animals when the flowers are destroyed by humans. Thus he opens us up to the horrors man has caused to our enviroment and makes us feel regretful so that we would not harm our enviroment on purpose again.
A late walk:
WHEN I go up through the mowing field,
The headless aftermath,
Smooth-laid like thatch with the heavy dew,
Half closes the garden path.
And when I come to the garden ground,
The whir of sober birds
Up from the tangle of withered weeds
Is sadder than any words.
A tree beside the wall stands bare,
But a leaf that lingered brown,
Disturbed, I doubt not, by my thought,
Comes softly rattling down.
I end not far from my going forth
By picking the faded blue
Of the last remaining aster flower
To carry again to you.
In Neglect:
THEY leave us so to the way we took,
As two in whom they were proved mistaken,
That we sit sometimes in the wayside nook,
With mischievous, vagrant, seraphic look,
And try if we cannot feel forsaken.
Storm Fear:
WHEN the wind works against us in the dark,
And pelts with snow
The lowest chamber window on the east,
And whispers with a sort of stifled bark, T
he beast, 'Come out! Come out!'--
It costs no inward struggle not to go,
Ah, no!
I count our strength,
Two and a child,
Those of us not asleep subdued to mark
How the cold creeps as the fire dies at length,--
How drifts are piled,
Dooryard and road ungraded,
Till even the comforting barn grows far away
And my heart owns a doubt
Whether 'tis in us to arise with day
And save ourselves unaided.
Poems taken from the book: A Boy's Will by Robert Frost
Biography of Robert Frost:
Robert Frost was born in San Fransico, California to a journalist and his wife. Despite Robert Frost's later association with rural life, he grew up in a city. In 1894, Robert Frost sold his first poem, " My Butterfly, An Elergy". He then went on to study liberal art in Harvard but had to quit to support his family. Robert Frost's grandfather had purchase a farm in Derry, New Hampshire for the couple, which is where and what inspired Robert Frost to write his poems on rural areas. Frost became a teacher in Pinkerton Academy when his farming failed befrore sailing with his family to Great Britan and then settling down in Beaconsfields (Outside London) where he wrote and published his first book of poetry, A Boy's Will. When World War 1 began, Forst returned to America and bought a farm there, which is probably what inspired him to write more poetry on rural areas.
Taken from www.wikipedia.org
Why I like this poet and a thesis:
Robert Frost once quoted: I'd as soon write free verse as play tennis with the net down. In this quote, we can see that Robert Frost has a genuine love for writing poetry, he has written many great pieces of poetry, like " Stopping by the woods on a snowy evening". Robert Frost's poems are mostly related to nature in some way or another, some of them also have hidden meanings, like " Stopping by the woods on a snowy evening" brings out the confliction of a man torn between his desire to explre the woods and his duty to keep his promises. Other than that, Robet Frost's works are also unique as he sees the world from a different perspective, an example is a "Late walk" (Above). Robert Frost seems to see the world from the eyes of an animal who is living in the woods/fields. the example "Late Walk" is from the perspective of a creature who is living in the field, as it is just mowed and the trees trimmed, the creature feels sad and disturbed. Other than poems on nature, Robert Frost also manages to capture the terror and joy of childhood, examples "A Boy's Will", "Storm Fear" and "In Neglect". Robert Frost's childhood poems are easy to visualise and has a unique tinge to it as it really captures the type of fear of the storm or the joy in the child. Other than that, I think Robert Frost is a rather troubled man as most of his poems are rather sad and a bit to the negative side (all 3 poems above are negative). Robert Frost is also a tye of enviromentalist as he brings out the fear of the birds when their field is cut, the sorrow when the trees are bare and the uncomfort of the animals when the flowers are destroyed by humans. Thus he opens us up to the horrors man has caused to our enviroment and makes us feel regretful so that we would not harm our enviroment on purpose again.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Lesson 1 # Figurative Language
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost
1. Figurative Language uses in this poem:
Hyperbole:
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
( The poet wants to emphasize that it was winter and that it was snowing rather heavily)
The darkest evening of the year.
( The poet wants to emphasize that it was very dark)
Personification:
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
( The poet potrays his horse as a person, asking why they were stopping in the wood, this shows that the poet and his horse were stopping at a place where they should not have stopped)
Metaphor:
-None-
Simile:
-None-
Symbolism:
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
In this poem, the poet uses the horse to symbolise the author, as the horse knows he is not suppose to be stopping by the woods, although the poet wants to go into the woods, he knows he still has promises to keep and miles to travel before he can rest.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
In this poem, the woods symbolises the men's desire and the promises his duty. The poet is writing about a man who is torn between desire and his duty.
2. Why I like the Poem
I like this poem as it uses many figurative languages, rhymes very well and has a catchy tune to it. This poem also makes it very easy to visualise the splendor of the woods that this man is seeing. Other than that, this poem uses a lot of symbolism to show a man torn between duty and his desire and requires quite a lot of thinking before you get the gist of the poem. Overally, I like this poem as it portrays a lot of nature's splendor and the poet uses quite a number of hyperbole to make the woods seem even more beutiful and outstanding. This poem also rhymes and fits in very weel, as with the poet's choice of words.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost
1. Figurative Language uses in this poem:
Hyperbole:
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
( The poet wants to emphasize that it was winter and that it was snowing rather heavily)
The darkest evening of the year.
( The poet wants to emphasize that it was very dark)
Personification:
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
( The poet potrays his horse as a person, asking why they were stopping in the wood, this shows that the poet and his horse were stopping at a place where they should not have stopped)
Metaphor:
-None-
Simile:
-None-
Symbolism:
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
In this poem, the poet uses the horse to symbolise the author, as the horse knows he is not suppose to be stopping by the woods, although the poet wants to go into the woods, he knows he still has promises to keep and miles to travel before he can rest.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
In this poem, the woods symbolises the men's desire and the promises his duty. The poet is writing about a man who is torn between desire and his duty.
2. Why I like the Poem
I like this poem as it uses many figurative languages, rhymes very well and has a catchy tune to it. This poem also makes it very easy to visualise the splendor of the woods that this man is seeing. Other than that, this poem uses a lot of symbolism to show a man torn between duty and his desire and requires quite a lot of thinking before you get the gist of the poem. Overally, I like this poem as it portrays a lot of nature's splendor and the poet uses quite a number of hyperbole to make the woods seem even more beutiful and outstanding. This poem also rhymes and fits in very weel, as with the poet's choice of words.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Blog Prompt, News Clip #2 Muscle Musical
Q. Do you agree that since a professional sports career is short-lived, you should not go into one?
I do not agree that we should not go into a professional sports career, but I strongly discourage it. As stated in the question, a professional sports career is short-lived, a professional athlete can only compete in sports events until the age of about 30, after that, he would have no means of earning money. I feel that people who aspire to become professional athletes should think of their future too and not just the near future.
Although I strongly discourage it, I also feel that we should have athletes in Singapore. This athletes can bring glory to Singapore by winning medals in the Olympics or other sports events, like the recent one in the Beijing Olympics, with our women team winning sliver. However, I would urge these athletes to tink about their future ahead and save up or pick up courses to help them find a better job next time.
I do not agree that we should not go into a professional sports career, but I strongly discourage it. As stated in the question, a professional sports career is short-lived, a professional athlete can only compete in sports events until the age of about 30, after that, he would have no means of earning money. I feel that people who aspire to become professional athletes should think of their future too and not just the near future.
Although I strongly discourage it, I also feel that we should have athletes in Singapore. This athletes can bring glory to Singapore by winning medals in the Olympics or other sports events, like the recent one in the Beijing Olympics, with our women team winning sliver. However, I would urge these athletes to tink about their future ahead and save up or pick up courses to help them find a better job next time.
Missing of titles for Blog Prompts
Oops, I just realised that I missed out some titles in my blog prompts, if anyone know whats the title, could you help me post a comment on that blog post?
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Blog Prompt, News Clip #2
Q. How far do you agree that courtesy begins at home?
In my opinion, courtesy oes not really begin at home. The people at home are usually in someway related to you, and therefore, we are courteous to them. But when we go outside, we do not know anyone and therefore are not courteous. I think that at home, we only learn how to be courteous and why we should be courteous but only have th chance to apply it on family members and friends. Usually, we do not seem to be courteous in malls or public places as there are a lot of strangers and they are not related to us and thus, some of us do not care about them and are uncourteous towards them.
Other reasons that people are courteous at home but act cold and indifferent outside are because they are afraid. They are afraid of people looking at them when they are courteous or that they are rejected or mess up when they are courteous. Therefore, people are courteous to friends and family because we know they would not laugh or look strangely at us, but when it comes to strangers, we do not show courtesy. Thus, I feel that courtesy does not begin at home but when you are out in the world, at home, we only learn the basics of courtesy, which we should apply in the outside world.
In my opinion, courtesy oes not really begin at home. The people at home are usually in someway related to you, and therefore, we are courteous to them. But when we go outside, we do not know anyone and therefore are not courteous. I think that at home, we only learn how to be courteous and why we should be courteous but only have th chance to apply it on family members and friends. Usually, we do not seem to be courteous in malls or public places as there are a lot of strangers and they are not related to us and thus, some of us do not care about them and are uncourteous towards them.
Other reasons that people are courteous at home but act cold and indifferent outside are because they are afraid. They are afraid of people looking at them when they are courteous or that they are rejected or mess up when they are courteous. Therefore, people are courteous to friends and family because we know they would not laugh or look strangely at us, but when it comes to strangers, we do not show courtesy. Thus, I feel that courtesy does not begin at home but when you are out in the world, at home, we only learn the basics of courtesy, which we should apply in the outside world.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Blog Prompt, News Clip #3
Q. Why are GM or genetically modified foods such a controversy in the world today? Are they truly dangerous or are people being over cautious? Discuss.
GM or genetically modified food are crops that have their genes modified to make them herbicide resistant, pest resistant etc. Therefore, this has raised concerns with public intrest groups, enviromentalists and many more that if these foods are safe for consumption and are not just the agriculture section pursuing profit.
In my opinion, these people are being over cautious, as there have currently been no harmful effects of the food on humans, other than allergies. I strongly support GM food as they can help solve the problem of food shortages, and insufficent food to feed countries, these can also help increase the production rate and lessen the possibility of the crops being destroyed in droughts of harsh colds. Therefore, I feel that is there are no ill effects on us and there are more benefits than normal crops, there is no need for making a mountain out of a molehill and they should let this matter rest.
GM or genetically modified food are crops that have their genes modified to make them herbicide resistant, pest resistant etc. Therefore, this has raised concerns with public intrest groups, enviromentalists and many more that if these foods are safe for consumption and are not just the agriculture section pursuing profit.
In my opinion, these people are being over cautious, as there have currently been no harmful effects of the food on humans, other than allergies. I strongly support GM food as they can help solve the problem of food shortages, and insufficent food to feed countries, these can also help increase the production rate and lessen the possibility of the crops being destroyed in droughts of harsh colds. Therefore, I feel that is there are no ill effects on us and there are more benefits than normal crops, there is no need for making a mountain out of a molehill and they should let this matter rest.
Blog Prompt, News Clip #3
Q. Do you support stem cell research? Explain your view.
Personally, I do not support stem cell research as I think of it as a bit unnatural. In my opinion, we should let nature take it's course and not keep cloning people or animals over and over again. Other than that, I also think pet owners who want to clone their pets are very narrow-minded, yes, even if you had many great times with your pet, we all should learn to let go, and not keep cloning them. I think that even though the clone of a pet has exact same genetics, thinking and features of the original one, it would always be just a clone of the original one and would never be able to take the place of the original pet.
Other than that, the cloning technology, if it fell into the wrong hands, can be used to bring hitler and other evil dictators bak to life. This cloning technology is both dangerous and beneficial to our society, although many people think that cloning is an advancement of science, personally, I still think that we should let nature take its course and not try to alter it or change it to suit us.
Personally, I do not support stem cell research as I think of it as a bit unnatural. In my opinion, we should let nature take it's course and not keep cloning people or animals over and over again. Other than that, I also think pet owners who want to clone their pets are very narrow-minded, yes, even if you had many great times with your pet, we all should learn to let go, and not keep cloning them. I think that even though the clone of a pet has exact same genetics, thinking and features of the original one, it would always be just a clone of the original one and would never be able to take the place of the original pet.
Other than that, the cloning technology, if it fell into the wrong hands, can be used to bring hitler and other evil dictators bak to life. This cloning technology is both dangerous and beneficial to our society, although many people think that cloning is an advancement of science, personally, I still think that we should let nature take its course and not try to alter it or change it to suit us.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Blog Prompt, News Clip #3
Q. Urban development is more important than architectural conservation in a small country. Discuss.
Urban development in a small country like Singapore is essential for our ever growing population, however, I think we should not neglect our old buildings and old heritages. Now, in the modern Singapore, we rarely see pasar-malams or night markets that was so frequently seen years back. In modern Singapore, there are lots of high rise buildings and many different architectural designs. To you, these designs may be a symbol of Singapore moving forward, but as I have heard in a geography lecture, these designs are like a replica for other parts of the worl, like the IR resot that is going to be built, there is already a similar one in the Middle East. Another example is the bridge that we are building accross the Singapore river, it seem s like a mini replica to a bridge in Melborne. Therefor, I think that architectural conservation is more important than Urban development.
Architectural conservation conserves the buildings of our past which are unique and cannot be found anywhere else, wheras in urban development, architects build buildings with the same design all across the world. Therefore, I think that preserving our heritage is much more important than urban develpoment, with our heritage, people from other countries will also stream to Singapore to experiance our culture and learn about the history of Singapore through all the preserved buildings.
Urban development in a small country like Singapore is essential for our ever growing population, however, I think we should not neglect our old buildings and old heritages. Now, in the modern Singapore, we rarely see pasar-malams or night markets that was so frequently seen years back. In modern Singapore, there are lots of high rise buildings and many different architectural designs. To you, these designs may be a symbol of Singapore moving forward, but as I have heard in a geography lecture, these designs are like a replica for other parts of the worl, like the IR resot that is going to be built, there is already a similar one in the Middle East. Another example is the bridge that we are building accross the Singapore river, it seem s like a mini replica to a bridge in Melborne. Therefor, I think that architectural conservation is more important than Urban development.
Architectural conservation conserves the buildings of our past which are unique and cannot be found anywhere else, wheras in urban development, architects build buildings with the same design all across the world. Therefore, I think that preserving our heritage is much more important than urban develpoment, with our heritage, people from other countries will also stream to Singapore to experiance our culture and learn about the history of Singapore through all the preserved buildings.
Blog Prompt, News Clip #2
Q. "Teenagers should not allowed to play online games." Comment.
In relavance to this quote, I feel that teenagers should be allowed to play online games. Online games can help you de-stress, and can also help you make more friends. Through games like World Of Warcraft, WoflTeam and Maplestory, you can also get to know many people from other countries and learn a bit of their culture from them. Other than these, playing online games may also help with people feeling depressed or lonely as most online MMORPG games include multiplayer action and can give you a snese of comradeship or make you feel very big and strong.
Although many people think that teenagers should not play online games as it will affect their studies, I think otherwise as if a teenager knows how to manage his time properly, he will be able to both play and complete his work on time.
In relavance to this quote, I feel that teenagers should be allowed to play online games. Online games can help you de-stress, and can also help you make more friends. Through games like World Of Warcraft, WoflTeam and Maplestory, you can also get to know many people from other countries and learn a bit of their culture from them. Other than these, playing online games may also help with people feeling depressed or lonely as most online MMORPG games include multiplayer action and can give you a snese of comradeship or make you feel very big and strong.
Although many people think that teenagers should not play online games as it will affect their studies, I think otherwise as if a teenager knows how to manage his time properly, he will be able to both play and complete his work on time.
Blog Prompt, News Clip #1 Psyched to win
Q. Should talented athletes sacrifice their education to explore their full potential in the sporting arena? Discuss the pros and cons.
In my opinion, atheletes should not sacrifice their education to explore their ful potential. I feel that atheletes can only compete in the arena for a short period of time before they have to retire, therefore, they must also have a stable job to see them through later in their life, thus, they should also receive education. If an athelete sacrifices his education to train and come up to his full potential, he only prepares for the near future, in which he still can compete, but when he grows old and is unable to compete, without education, he would be unable to get a good and stable job.
If an athlete sacrifice their education for sporting in the arena, they will have better chance of winning a medal or trophy for Singapore as they do not have school work and homework to bog them down while they are taining and can put all their attention on their sport. Thus, they would acctually play much better than an athelete who has to cope with school work too.
In my opinion, atheletes should not sacrifice their education to explore their ful potential. I feel that atheletes can only compete in the arena for a short period of time before they have to retire, therefore, they must also have a stable job to see them through later in their life, thus, they should also receive education. If an athelete sacrifices his education to train and come up to his full potential, he only prepares for the near future, in which he still can compete, but when he grows old and is unable to compete, without education, he would be unable to get a good and stable job.
If an athlete sacrifice their education for sporting in the arena, they will have better chance of winning a medal or trophy for Singapore as they do not have school work and homework to bog them down while they are taining and can put all their attention on their sport. Thus, they would acctually play much better than an athelete who has to cope with school work too.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Blog Prompt, News Clip #3 The Water Cube
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
I am the leader of the Singaporean team which is also bidding for the Youth Olympics in 2010. I am here to show you what Singapore has planned for the Youth Olympics in 2010 and why Singapore should be chosen as the place for the Youth Olympics to be held. Firstly, Singapore is planning an IR resort, designed by a world class architect who have also designed many buildings around the world. This IR resort is not only meant for tourist, but also for the competing youth athletes.
Secondly, Singapore has a very diverse culture and also has many races living together, therefore, youth athletes would feel at home with the people of their same race living together. Thirdly, Singapore has also specially made a fantastic stadium (world class ) to let the athletes compete in. This shows how much we want the Youth Olympics to be held in our country. Lastly, Singapore has many tourist attractions and many places to go and shop, like our world's highest ferris wheel, the unique Esplanade and many others. Therefore, we can assure you that the youth athletes will have a really good time and enjoy themselves a lot in Singapore.
Thank you for your kind attention and I hope you will let Singapore have the honor of hosting the 2010 Youth Olympic games.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Nothing But The Truth
Conversation between Ms Narwin and Philip Malloy
Philip Malloy:
Ms Narwin, I would like to apologise for what I have done. I know I should not have made such a big fuss over such a small matter.
Ms Narwin:
It is good that you have owned up Philip, but what made you hate me so much?
Philip Malloy:
Sorry Ms Narwin, I was blinded by anger when I could not get into the school Track and Field team due to my poor English grades and took it out on you. I really did not expect the matter to become such a big issue, I am sincerely sorry Ms Narwin, please forgive me.
Ms Narwin:
You are forgiven Philip, and regarding the Track and Field team I shall give you one more mark to get in, but only this time.
Article in the Manchester Record:
Philip Malloy, the 10th grader you have been hearing about these few months have confessed to deliberately singing the school song loudly to irrate a teacher which he did not like. Thus, Philip got suspended and as he was upset with the teacher, began making a mountain out of a molehill. Although this is settled, what do you think about the rule of Harrison High School ordering students to be silent during assemblies?
Philip Malloy:
Ms Narwin, I would like to apologise for what I have done. I know I should not have made such a big fuss over such a small matter.
Ms Narwin:
It is good that you have owned up Philip, but what made you hate me so much?
Philip Malloy:
Sorry Ms Narwin, I was blinded by anger when I could not get into the school Track and Field team due to my poor English grades and took it out on you. I really did not expect the matter to become such a big issue, I am sincerely sorry Ms Narwin, please forgive me.
Ms Narwin:
You are forgiven Philip, and regarding the Track and Field team I shall give you one more mark to get in, but only this time.
Article in the Manchester Record:
Philip Malloy, the 10th grader you have been hearing about these few months have confessed to deliberately singing the school song loudly to irrate a teacher which he did not like. Thus, Philip got suspended and as he was upset with the teacher, began making a mountain out of a molehill. Although this is settled, what do you think about the rule of Harrison High School ordering students to be silent during assemblies?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Global Warming
Global warming has become an eviromental issue as it has a devastating effect on the earth. Due to a hole in the ozone layer, the Sun's harmful UV rays are able to reach us and the temperature of the Earth is rising as a result, resulting in a change of climate. This causes an increase in problems such as heat exhaustion, respiratory problems and skin cancer.
Global warming also causes glaciers from all over the world to melt resulting in flash floods, glacier overflow and an inrease in the the water level in rivers and seas.
The threat of Global warming is caused by an excess of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, a gas emitted by power plants, cars, airplanes and even buildings. These gases trap heat in the air, resulting in global warming which in turn causes the icebergs to melt.
The other cause is deforestation. Us humans have cut down millions of trees which help reduce approximately 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide every year.
We can reduce global warming by turning off all electrical appliances when not in use ( this also saves money on electrical bills ), taking public transport rather than driving your own car. We can also use recycled paper, compact fluorescent bulbs and using a fan instead of an air conditioner at night. All these examples help save electricity, paper and also help reduce the pollution tin the air.
Therefore, to reduce global warming, we must all do our part to reduce, reuse and recyele to overcome this threat.
Global warming also causes glaciers from all over the world to melt resulting in flash floods, glacier overflow and an inrease in the the water level in rivers and seas.
The threat of Global warming is caused by an excess of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, a gas emitted by power plants, cars, airplanes and even buildings. These gases trap heat in the air, resulting in global warming which in turn causes the icebergs to melt.
The other cause is deforestation. Us humans have cut down millions of trees which help reduce approximately 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide every year.
We can reduce global warming by turning off all electrical appliances when not in use ( this also saves money on electrical bills ), taking public transport rather than driving your own car. We can also use recycled paper, compact fluorescent bulbs and using a fan instead of an air conditioner at night. All these examples help save electricity, paper and also help reduce the pollution tin the air.
Therefore, to reduce global warming, we must all do our part to reduce, reuse and recyele to overcome this threat.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Blog Prompt, News Clip 1# Go Public!
Dear students,
I am the president of the Activists' Club in Singapore and I am here to give you a speech on enviromental issues today. Nowadays, due to factories, increasing population and other things, enviromental issues are on the rise. These issues like Global Warming, deforestation and overfishing usually carry dire consequances such as the disruption of nature's balance.
Men are responsible for all these, we change the enviroment to suit ourselves and harm the enviroment and everything living in it. Men has caused the problem, therefore, we should also solve the problem, to reduce Global Warming and other enviromental issues we should use the 3Rs', Namely reuse, reduce and recycle. For example, we can refrain from eating shark's fin to protect the sharks and use both sides of the paper to reduce deforestation.
Students we should all do our best to help, do not adopt a nochalant attitude to enviromental issues as this is what is happening to our precious home planet. Therefoe, I urge all of you to try your best to reduce, reuse and recycle to help reduce the impact of these enviromental issues. Together we will be able to help Mother Earth!
I am the president of the Activists' Club in Singapore and I am here to give you a speech on enviromental issues today. Nowadays, due to factories, increasing population and other things, enviromental issues are on the rise. These issues like Global Warming, deforestation and overfishing usually carry dire consequances such as the disruption of nature's balance.
Men are responsible for all these, we change the enviroment to suit ourselves and harm the enviroment and everything living in it. Men has caused the problem, therefore, we should also solve the problem, to reduce Global Warming and other enviromental issues we should use the 3Rs', Namely reuse, reduce and recycle. For example, we can refrain from eating shark's fin to protect the sharks and use both sides of the paper to reduce deforestation.
Students we should all do our best to help, do not adopt a nochalant attitude to enviromental issues as this is what is happening to our precious home planet. Therefoe, I urge all of you to try your best to reduce, reuse and recycle to help reduce the impact of these enviromental issues. Together we will be able to help Mother Earth!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Blog Prompt, News Clip #1 World's Fastest Man
Hi everyone, I am Dr Tan, some of you may know me from the marathons which I have completed to help the needy. I am writing this article today to encourage you to set worthwhile goals and to work towards them.
In order to do well in the modern world, we have to set realistic goals first. Some examples are: I want to be a scientist when I grow up and help people from all around the world, I want to do well in my examinations at the end of the year. These goals can be something as simple as wanting to score well in the next common test, or wanting to treat your younger siblings better.
After setting your goals, you must start working towards them. Every little effort you put in to achieve your goal counts and only by working hard will you be able to enjoy the sweet taste of success afterwards. Therefore young gentlemen/ladies , do not procrastinate, start making your goals and work towards them now!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Blog Prompt, News Clip #3: Silver Workforce
Dear gentlemen,
I am here to deliver a short speech to you on why you should re-employ older workers like me. In Singapore, only 53.7% of the Singaporeans aged 55-64 work, and if everyone in that age group chips in, I am sure Singapore would develop into an even more prosperous nation. Some old folks like us also need to find jobs as our CPF ( Central Proviednt Fund ) is insufficent for their daily needs, but we usually get rejected due to our age. I hope you will agree with us on the matter, gentlemen that most of the old people in Singapore need jobs but are unable to find suitable ones, therefore, it is up to you to create job opportunities for them. After hearing up to this part, you would probably ask me why should you employ older workers when you can easily get younger ones? Well, the gorernment is giving out up to a maximum of $400,000 to companies to employ older workers, meaning you will be able to employ more workers in your companies. Therefore, we hope you will be able to create job opportunities for us to continue working for a stable income and also for us to showcase our talents.
Thank you!
Information from: http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/general/Mature_Workers.html
I am here to deliver a short speech to you on why you should re-employ older workers like me. In Singapore, only 53.7% of the Singaporeans aged 55-64 work, and if everyone in that age group chips in, I am sure Singapore would develop into an even more prosperous nation. Some old folks like us also need to find jobs as our CPF ( Central Proviednt Fund ) is insufficent for their daily needs, but we usually get rejected due to our age. I hope you will agree with us on the matter, gentlemen that most of the old people in Singapore need jobs but are unable to find suitable ones, therefore, it is up to you to create job opportunities for them. After hearing up to this part, you would probably ask me why should you employ older workers when you can easily get younger ones? Well, the gorernment is giving out up to a maximum of $400,000 to companies to employ older workers, meaning you will be able to employ more workers in your companies. Therefore, we hope you will be able to create job opportunities for us to continue working for a stable income and also for us to showcase our talents.
Thank you!
Information from: http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/general/Mature_Workers.html
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