(From A Journey KBU)
Classifying Thinkers
A summary of the previous text
We don't really know how to define intelligence. However, this does not discourage some people from categorizing others according to their intelligence or lack of it. In his essay, "Thinking as a hobby," author William S. Golding does exactly this. Golding divides people into three categories: grade-three thinkers, grade-two thinkers, and grade-one thinkers.
According to Golding, 90 percent of the population represents the largest category, called grade-three thinkers. These people are docile. They follow orders and they obey other people's wishes. They never learn to think for themselves and cannot distinguish truth from lies. A dictator could take control of them and make them do whatever he wanted, as if they were sheep. The resulting *mob would be brutal and ugly.
Grade-two thinkers, Golding's second category, are less likely to be influenced by a dictator. These grade-two thinkers, who make up 9 percent of the population, see corruption in the world. For example, grade-two thinkers may question the honesty of religion or political institutions,but they fail to find new ideals to believe in.
The remaining 1 percent of the population are what Golding calls grade-one thinkers. They not only see corruption, but they also know how to seek truth. Their lives are defined by beauty, wisdom and knowledge. Such thinkers are creative and imaginative geniuses, like Mozart, Michelangelo, and Einstein, who opened new worlds in music, art and science.
One wonders in which category Golding would place himself. Surely not among the "sheep"! Golding may prefer to believe that intelligence prevents people in the top tenth percentile of the population from following political dictators, but the number of doctors, teachers, lawyers, and writers in many countries who were willing supporters of Hitler, Stalin, and Mao shows that this belief is incorrect. In fact, sometimes the common sense and compassion of the ordinary man is all that stands between civilization and *barbarism. As one of the so-called sheep, I say bah to Mr. Golding!
Cohen F Robert and Miller Judy "Reason to write -Strategies for success in academic writing"
Oxford University Press
mob - a large crowd of people, especially one that may become violent or cause trouble
barbarism - a state of not having any education, respect for art, etc.
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Answer the Questions:
1. Circle the thesis statement. How does Golding classify people?
Golding divides people into three categories: grade-three thinkers, grade-two thinkers, and grade-one thinkers.
2. Underline the topic sentence of each body paragraph.
Paragraph 2 - According to Golding, 90 percent of the population represents the largest category, called grade-three thinkers.
Paragraph 3 - Grade-two thinkers, Golding's second category, are less likely to be influenced by a dictator.
Paragraph 4 - The remaining 1 percent of the population are what Golding calls grade-one thinkers.
3. How does the author describe 90 percents of the population? The remaining 9 percent? The final 1 percent?
He describes 90 per cents of the population as submissive people, while 9 per cent of the people are less likely to be influenced by dictators, besides realising the existence of corruption in the world. According to Golding, the creative, imaginative grade-one thinkers, who are able to see corruption and then find out the truths, make up the remaining 1 per cent of the population.
4. Underline the examples used in the third body paragraph to describe "Grade-one thinkers."
Such thinkers are creative and imaginative geniuses, like Mozart, Michelangelo, and Einstein, who opened new worlds in music, art and science.
5. What is the writer's opinion of Golding's essay? In which paragraph do you find this opinion?
In the final paragraph: From the writer's point of view, Goding's belief, which states that intelligence prevents people in the top tenth percentile of the population from following political dictators, is not exactly true.
6. What support (facts, examples) are used in the conclusion to argue the writer's point of view?
The writer stand on his view by giving the facts about the number of doctors, teachers, lawyers, and writers in many countries who were willing to support Hitler, Stalin, and Mao.
Phrasal Verbs
(From A Journey KBU)
What is Phrasal verb?
verb + preposition(s)
eg. : run down / run out of / run into
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Exercise 1
1. Guess who I ran into at the club!
2.She's always running down her husband. (to criticize sb/sth in an unkind way)
3.I need to go to the market.I've run out of oil, meat and rice.
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Exercise 2
Put in a suitable preposition in each space.
1. Hundreds of people turned up in the rain to see the celebrity.
2. Most of my time is taken up with answering the phone.
3. Don't be put off by the price, a cool $ 20,000. (put off: to confuse or perturb; disconcert; repel)
4. Something funny is going on.
5. I think she made up the whole story!
6. Not many people turned up for the last lecture.
7. Don't worry,you can count on me.
What is Phrasal verb?
verb + preposition(s)
eg. : run down / run out of / run into
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Exercise 1
1. Guess who I ran into at the club!
2.She's always running down her husband. (to criticize sb/sth in an unkind way)
3.I need to go to the market.I've run out of oil, meat and rice.
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Exercise 2
Put in a suitable preposition in each space.
1. Hundreds of people turned up in the rain to see the celebrity.
2. Most of my time is taken up with answering the phone.
3. Don't be put off by the price, a cool $ 20,000. (put off: to confuse or perturb; disconcert; repel)
4. Something funny is going on.
5. I think she made up the whole story!
6. Not many people turned up for the last lecture.
7. Don't worry,you can count on me.
Word Collocation 2
Exercise
Which word completes each set of collocations or fixed phrases?
a)
an instrument panel
a panel of experts
a control panel
a wooden panel
b)
a secret ballot (the system of voting in writing and usually in secret; an occasion on which a vote is held)
a secret agent
keep it a secret
meet in secret
the secret of success
c)
take control of the situation
it's out of control
the exchange control
the market control
d)
a time sheet
a time zone
only time will tell
long time no seef
for the time being
e)
a childminder (a person, usually a woman, who is paid to care for children while their parents are at work. A childminder usually does this in his or her own home. = babysitter)
child abuse
childcare facilities
a child prodigy (a young person who is unusually intelligent or skilful for their age)
behaving like a child
Which word completes each set of collocations or fixed phrases?
a)
an instrument panel
a panel of experts
a control panel
a wooden panel
b)
a secret ballot (the system of voting in writing and usually in secret; an occasion on which a vote is held)
a secret agent
keep it a secret
meet in secret
the secret of success
c)
take control of the situation
it's out of control
the exchange control
the market control
d)
a time sheet
a time zone
only time will tell
long time no seef
for the time being
e)
a childminder (a person, usually a woman, who is paid to care for children while their parents are at work. A childminder usually does this in his or her own home. = babysitter)
child abuse
childcare facilities
a child prodigy (a young person who is unusually intelligent or skilful for their age)
behaving like a child
Working Retired
(From A Journey KBU)
There are only a few magic numbers in American civic life. You can vote (and get drafted) at age 18. You can drink at 21. You can become president at 35. You can retire at 65.
There are only a few magic numbers in American civic life. You can vote (and get drafted) at age 18. You can drink at 21. You can become president at 35. You can retire at 65.
But on that last one-do Americans really want to? Now that so many Americans are living healthfully until 85, fewer and fewer actually retire at 65. Today there are 5 million people 65 or older in the U.S. labor force, almost twice what there were in the early 1980s. And that number is about to explode.
Some people are working past 65 because they have to: Health care costs are rising, and Social Security payments-at an average of about $1,000 a month - don't cover what they used to. But the bigger trend in Senior Work is the fact that Americans love - and now that we're living longer, we want to work longer too. We just can't get enough. My friend and mentor Harold Burson, the co-founder of the global PR firm Burson Marsteller, where I am CEO, just turned 86, and comes to work every day, bursting with ideas.
On average, Americans work over 1,800 hours per year, substantially more than most workers around the world. Although we get fewer vacation days per year than other Western countries (13 days, compared to 28 in the UK, and 37 in France), we let more than twice as many go unused. And really, what's a vacation to us these days without our BlackBerry? In 2006, almost a quarter of us (23%) checked our work e-mail and voice mail while away-up from just 16% in 2005. A lot of us love to work.
In fact, the impulse to work is so basic that the Fourth Commandment is to take off one day a week. Not working for a day is right up there with not murdering, not committing adultery, and not stealing. We tend to assume that most people want off-waiting all week for the Friday afternoon whistle so they can stream out of work. To be sure, many jobs are terrible - even life-threatening - and people reasonably can't wait to get home. But as work overall has become more managerial, consulting, and software-oriented - and as manufacturing jobs have been on the decline - a lot of people have changed their attitude toward work, and the number of workaholics has skyrocketed. How many times have you heard the old saying that no one ever lay on his deathbed wishing he had spent more time at the office? And yet, a lot of people are doing just that. The sandwich generation is going to be in for a shock when they call their 70-year-old parents at the office and find they are just too busy to babysit their grandkids.
Add to America's general obsession with work the fact that it is now the baby boomer generation who is nearing 65, and it becomes clear that the traditional idea of "retirement" - with its gold watch, rocking chair, and golf course - is just about ready for retirement itself.
Boomers reinvented youth in the 1960s and economic success in the 1980s; they are not to do their senior years by someone else's formula. According to a 2005 survey by Merrill Lynch, more than 3 in 4 boomers say they have no intention of seeking a traditional retirement. Rather they look ahead to their 20 more years (when Social Security was created in 1935, a 65-year-old could expect just 13 more years) and they say Bring It On. Some want to keep their health insurance, or have enough funds for the extra years - but more of the boomers surveyed said they wanted to keep working in order to stay mentally and physically active and to stay connected to people.
Microtrends - the small forces behind tomorrow's big changes" Mark J. Penn (2007) Hachette Book Group
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Exercise
1. What do the magic numbers of 18, 21, 35 and 65 represent in American civic life?
These numbers are the age levels at which Americans are allowed to vote (age 18), to drink (age 21), to become the president (age 35) and to retire (age 65).
2. Why do some people work past 65?
A portion of the American population who aged 65 and above still working because they need to pay the health care costs which are soaring, while the Social Security payments are not enough for them. Moreover, they work as they love working, and this is further encouraged by their ability to live longer.
3. What does the phrase "bursting with ideas" when he comes to work at the age of 86 implies about Mr. Harold Burson?
From the phrase above, it can be concluded that Mr Harold Burson is still strong and healthy - both physically and mentally. As an octogenarian, he is still able to go to work and come out with new ideas and plans. This suggests that his ability to work does not depend on his age.
4. Give examples to show that American employees are workaholics by choice?
Americans work more than 1,800 hours annually, considerably more than most workers around the world. According to a statistic, more and more people check their work e-mail and voice mail while away - 16% in 2005 but 23% in 2006. Besides that, a survey by Merrill Lynch also indicates that more than 3 in 4 boomers do not intend to retire at the age of 65, but look ahead to their 20 more years.
5. What is the tone of the writer when he mentions that "not working for a day is right up there with not murdering, not committing adultery and not stealing"?
It seems like the writer gives this statement in a solemn voice. To him, taking a day off - the Fourth Commandment - is as important as other Commandments: "Do not murder", "Do not commit adultery." and "Do not steal.".
6. What example is given to show that the grandparents of the present generation do not fit with the traditional stereotypical image of grandparents in the past?
In the past, when people became grandparents, they had already retired, hence they had more time in home and they could take care of their grandchildren. On contrary, grandparents nowadays are still working even after their retirement age. Consequently, they are so busy with work until it is almost impossible for them to babysit their grandchildren.
7. Explain in your own words the sentence "it becomes clear that the traditional idea of "retirement" - with its gold watch, rocking chair, and golf course - is just about ready for retirement itself.".
In my opinion, the writer wants to convey the message that the traditional concept of "retirement" is being forgotten and abandoned. Gold watch, rocking chair, golf course...all these physical weatlh is no longer a benchmark which indicate the time when one should retire. In this new yet modern era, they work when they live longer mainly in order to stay mentally and physically active as well as to stay connected to other people, but not to earn more.
Word Collocation 1
(From A Journey KBU)
A collocation is two or more words which often go together.
Natural English Unnatural English
fast food - quick food
a quick shower - a fast shower
(Tip: when you learn a new word,write down other words that collocate with it)
Eg.: make + the bed / time / breakfast / friends / fun / a joke / money
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Exercise
Both options make sense.Underline the one which forms a common collocation.
1. Many small houses and huts were (flooded away / washed away) when the river bursts its banks.
2. Poor farming methods are responsible for soil (devaluation / erosion) in many areas of Saharan African.
3. During the earthquake, many people were (buried /covered) alive.
4. The forest fire left a wide area of the mountainside blackened and (ablaze / smouldering).
5. Villagers are hoping for rain this month after nearly a year of (dry weather / drought.)
6. Before the hurricane struck, many people were (evacuated /shifted) to higher ground.
7. Thousands of children in the famine-striken area are suffering from (malnutrition /undernourishment).
10. Heavy snow has fallen in the mountains and many villages have been (blocked out / cut off) for the past two days.
11. The Aids (epidemic /plague) is having serious effects in some countries.
12. Many small islands in the Indian Ocean are threatened by rising sea (waters / levels).
A collocation is two or more words which often go together.
Natural English Unnatural English
fast food - quick food
a quick shower - a fast shower
(Tip: when you learn a new word,write down other words that collocate with it)
Eg.: make + the bed / time / breakfast / friends / fun / a joke / money
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Exercise
Both options make sense.Underline the one which forms a common collocation.
1. Many small houses and huts were (
2. Poor farming methods are responsible for soil (
3. During the earthquake, many people were (buried /
4. The forest fire left a wide area of the mountainside blackened and (
5. Villagers are hoping for rain this month after nearly a year of (
6. Before the hurricane struck, many people were (evacuated /
7. Thousands of children in the famine-striken area are suffering from (malnutrition /
10. Heavy snow has fallen in the mountains and many villages have been (
11. The Aids (epidemic /
12. Many small islands in the Indian Ocean are threatened by rising sea (
Loony Teens
1.
2.
3.
What does the cartoon have to say about teenagers and their lives?
1. How does the teenager feel about exam tension?
Probably, the teenager is under stress because of examinations. Due to the feeling of insecurity about his performance in examinations, he did lots of preparation for the exam - he studied hard every night, revised everything and slept well before exam day. However,he is so tensed up until he forgets everything he revised, as shown by the jumping out of his brain.
2. In what way is there a communication gap between the teenager and his parents?
In my opinion, the lack of understanding between Jeremy and his parents leads to the existence of the communication gap. His father asks him about school because he cares about his son, hoping that his son may share the problems or joy with him. But, unfortunately, it seems like his son does not understand what his father hankers for. Instead giving the answer expected by the father (his difficulties or any interesting events in school), he asked back his father about blinking, digesting, breathing, chewing and swallowing, which are part of our life routine - always the same. Jeremy might think that his father does not understand him well, thus he answered in such way.3. What point is the teenager trying to get across to his father in this cartoon?
I think the teenager is trying to show his father how serious the internet connection problem is, instead of saying "our internet connection is really bad.", which does not show actually how bad the situation is. To him, it is a more effective way to persuade his father to fix the problem as soon as possible.
4. In what way does the father understand his son well?
"I think I like it better when he ignores me." - This suggests that the father has actually predicted the reaction from his son, but as a caring father, he still asks the teenager about his school. By and large, he realises that his son does not want to talk more about his school life, which is boring and dull, perhaps also full of stress, examinations and homework.
Emotive Language
(From A Journey KBU)
Emotive language relies on the feelings and emotions associated with words rather than just their literal meanings to influence and persuade.
Examples: I am firm,you are obstinate,he is pig-headed.
A fluent and forcible speech delivered by members of our own party is eloquent. The same speech by a member of the opposite party is bombastic.
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an incurable romantic - a person who is extremely romantic
a love sick swine - a person who cannot think clearly and behave well or in a sensible way because falling in love with someone, especially someone who does not love him/her.
lovelorn - when you are lovelorn, meaning that you are unhappy because someone you fall in love with does not love you.
madly in love - when you are madly in love, meaning that you love someone very much, until you can do anything for your loved one, besides behaving irrationally.
head over heels in love - love someone deeply and passionately, and is intoxicated by the feeling of love.
stop bugging me - stop annoying and irritating someone
do not disturb - do not interrupt somebody when they are sleeping, working etc. (but not necessary annoy and irritate them)
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"I'm trying to finish my assignment at the 11th hour" - Older brother to irritating sister
"Stop bugging me!"
"Can I borrow your car, mom, to take my girlfriend on a trip?" - Mother's turning down plea of teenage son who has just gotten his learner's driving licence.
"I think you are madly in love."
Posted outside the cage of a sleeping tiger
Do not disturb
A sign on the door of the oral interview room
Do not disturb
Posted on the door of a hotel room
Do not disturb
"I'm in the middle of an important meeting with a client." - husband on the handphone
"please, do not disturb me, honey!"
Emotive language relies on the feelings and emotions associated with words rather than just their literal meanings to influence and persuade.
Examples: I am firm,you are obstinate,he is pig-headed.
A fluent and forcible speech delivered by members of our own party is eloquent. The same speech by a member of the opposite party is bombastic.
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an incurable romantic - a person who is extremely romantic
a love sick swine - a person who cannot think clearly and behave well or in a sensible way because falling in love with someone, especially someone who does not love him/her.
lovelorn - when you are lovelorn, meaning that you are unhappy because someone you fall in love with does not love you.
madly in love - when you are madly in love, meaning that you love someone very much, until you can do anything for your loved one, besides behaving irrationally.
head over heels in love - love someone deeply and passionately, and is intoxicated by the feeling of love.
stop bugging me - stop annoying and irritating someone
do not disturb - do not interrupt somebody when they are sleeping, working etc. (but not necessary annoy and irritate them)
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"I'm trying to finish my assignment at the 11th hour" - Older brother to irritating sister
"Stop bugging me!"
"Can I borrow your car, mom, to take my girlfriend on a trip?" - Mother's turning down plea of teenage son who has just gotten his learner's driving licence.
"I think you are madly in love."
Posted outside the cage of a sleeping tiger
Do not disturb
A sign on the door of the oral interview room
Do not disturb
Posted on the door of a hotel room
Do not disturb
"I'm in the middle of an important meeting with a client." - husband on the handphone
"please, do not disturb me, honey!"
Spoof Advertisements
What is the underlying message of the advertisements to encourage more people to go to the cinema to watch movies?
As can be seen from the two posters, the woman’s nose is bitten by the seagull, while the man in the second poster is attacked (and eaten?) by the orca. In fact, the message conveyed by these two posters is undoubtedly clear: All the scenes in the movies are not occurring by coincidence, but are planned. Only movies will be filled with illogical happenings and happy endings. And this contradicts directly with reality, which is generally accepted to be cruel and sad. If you would like to see all these wonderful, romantic scenes, the only place you should consider is arguably cinemas, where motion pictures are showed.
How is the idea of fantasy as seen in the romantic movie "Titanic" and the idealized version of whales in the movie " Free Willy" contrasted with the slogan "reality sucks" of the print advertisements?
There is no doubt to say that reality contradicts with imagination and fantasy. In “Titanic”, Jack and Rose become lovers just in a few days of time, whereas they stand on the bow and vow together. “You jump, I jump” has been the most romantic quote since then. However, in reality, it is quite impossible for all these to happen. Would you be so intimate with a person whom you just know for a couple of days? Would you vow to die together with him / her? On the other hand, the friendship in the film “Free Willy” seems to be illogic, speculative and open to doubt. Just like the slogan of this movie - “A friendship you could never imagine”, how could a boy (for instance, the main character Jesse) befriend an orca? Most probably it will treat the boy as its scrumptious meal rather than its soul friend. With these doubts and questions, I would sum up that reality sucks when it is compared to movies, which are created according to human’s imagination.
What is the stereotypical image of wild animals in captivity and love cruises?
Basically, people would feel pity for the animals which are kept in captivity. To them, the animals could not enjoy freedom, and their lifestyle is constraint. As a result, people are encouraged to take part in lots of protesting actions as well as anti-hunting demonstrations in order to free these wild animals. At the same time, most of the people, however, are not aware of the benefits of captivating the animals. In fact, some animals which are in high demand among the hunters would be safer if they are protected and held in captivity. Moving on to love cruises, majority of the people would be so naïve and eventually tricked by the word “love”. They strongly believe that bachelors and bachelorettes would have the chance to meet each other on the deck, have a face-to-face chat or even have a romantic candlelight dinner - the seed of love would germinate there. Sometimes the singles would be willing to pay exorbitant fees just to hop the cruise. Probably this is what we called “the power of love”. Some might successfully found their life partners, some might not. Well, I dare say that the rate of success is considerably low, except you are Jack and Rose.
stereotype - a fixed idea or image that many people have of a particular type of person or thing, but which is often not true in reality