Your guide to saving for retirementÂÂ

Your guide to saving for retirement   Have you ever heard the phrase â€Å"It’s never too soon to start planning for the future†? It’s a good rule of thumb, especially when it comes to financial planning and saving for retirement. Sure, you may be at the very beginning of your career journey. You might feel as if it’s too soon for you to have to think about this subject, and that you have plenty of time to worry about planning for your retirement down the road. Still, it might be worth your time to reconsider when you should start. The truth is, most people put off saving for retirement way too long, and the end result is endless anxiety and fear that they’re ill-equipped to afford retirement. Unfortunately, in many cases, they may be correct.According to a recent Business Insider article, Americans just aren’t saving enough for retirement. Based on a study of over 5,000 individuals conducted by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave, one-third of all adults have zero retirement savings and 23% have less than $10,000 tucked away,  an insufficient sum to last through one’s retirement years- especially considering that advances in health care and elder care are making it easier to live longer lives. The article reports that the average American’s retirement goal is to have â€Å"security and the ability to live comfortably without fear of running out of money,† yet they are not doing the type of planning and saving required to make that a reality. Business Insider reports that the major reasons why so many folks struggle with retirement planning are as follows:Most people don’t have any financial role models.  Half of pre-retirees age 50 and older say they don’t have any positive role models when it comes to handling finances. Though some say they can turn to a parent or financial adviser for advice, 40% still don’t understand basic terms associated with retirement savings, such as IRA and 401(k).Most people consider money to o taboo to discuss openly.  Even in the era of Facebook oversharing, 57% of Americans still consider money a distinctly private matter. However, this mindset is shifting: In every category, millennials were more open to discussing taboo topics than people 50 and older.Financial decisions are second-guessed more than any other major life decision.  The study found that 39% of people think twice about money decisions more than anything else. Only 18% of people give pause to career-related choices above all else, and even fewer- a mere 15%- second-guess decisions about their health the most.You don’t have to have all of the retirement planning answers when you’re just starting out, especially since your financial needs, plans, and resources will likely evolve over time. That said, it is a good idea to start building responsible financial habits and behaviors early on and to always operate under the mindset that the money you earn is a valuable commodity and resource t hat you should treat responsibly. And above all- don’t forget that time tends to fly by faster than you think. Retirement isn’t quite as far off as it might seem.Consider taking advantage of the following strategies to help you jumpstart your retirement-saving planning.Get comfortable with saving.There’s an unfortunate tendency among young adults who are just starting out in their professional paths to treat each paycheck as a reservoir of disposable income, a specific amount of money that they have to spend until the next paycheck arrives. It’s a bad idea to get used to treating your income this way. But once it becomes a habit, it’s a tough one to break.Instead, try getting used to saving a percentage of your paycheck each week. 10% is a good place to start for most individuals. It’s okay to start small; the goal here is to get comfortable with the notion of saving. Try increasing the amount you save over time, or whenever your take home p ay increases. Do your best to avoid dipping into this growing pool of money for discretionary purposes. However, if you do hit an unexpected and unavoidable life expense, you’ll have this money to help see you through if needed.Explore workplace retirement savings options.The good news is that many companies offer retirement savings options as part of their employee benefit packages. Do you know what your options are? If not, spending some time researching your benefits or talking to an HR professional at your company is a wise investment. If your company offers a 401(k) savings plan, and any sort of fund matching benefit (even better), it’s certainly in your best interest to take advantage of the plan as soon as possible. Once you get through the initial paperwork to enroll, your contributions will be automatic- all you need to do is keep an eye on it periodically and make adjustments as needed. The value of your 401(k) will build over time, so it stands to reason tha t the earlier you start, the more money you’ll have saved for retirement down the road. Trust us, you’ll thank us later.Explore additional retirement savings options.Contributing to your company 401(k) is a great idea, but it’s often not enough- depending on your retirement needs, your plans should include some level of diversification. Although your may just be beginning to explore your retirement savings options, it’s never too early to get comfortable with the various investment vehicles available to you. These include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and a Roth IRA account, in addition to your personal savings and 401(k). Once again, the key is diversification- spreading out your money in various areas in an effort to reduce your overall risk exposure in any one area.We recommend that you learn about how these investment tools work in general and how you can make them work for you as part of your long-term investment portfolio. There’s a wealth of research and information available online, and you may want to consult a financial professional to help you get started. As your savings grow, consider using one of these investment tools to allow your money to grow over time.Are you ready?Just thinking of retirement can be scary, let alone trying to figure out how to make it financially feasible. If you’re just getting started in your professional journey, the good news is that you do have some time to thoughtfully prepare for how to save for retirement- but the sooner you start, the better off you’ll ultimately be. Use the strategies presented here to help you kick start your retirement planning. Best of luck!

The Ultimate Value of Promoting Respect in Schools

The Ultimate Value of Promoting Respect in Schools The value of respect in school cannot be undersold.  It is as powerful of a change agent as a new program or a great teacher.  A lack of respect can be downright detrimental, completely undermining the mission of teaching and learning.  In recent years, it seems that a respectful learning environment is almost non-existent in many schools across the country. It seems that there is a handful of daily news stories highlighting disrespect levied against teachers by students, parents, and even other teachers. Unfortunately, this is not a one-way street. You regularly hear stories regarding teachers who abuse their authority one way or another.  This is a sad reality that needs to change immediately. Teachers and Respect How can teachers expect their students to respect them if they are not willing to be respectful to their students?  Respect must often be discussed, but more importantly, regularly modeled by teachers.  When a teacher refuses to be respectful to their students, it undermines their authority and creates a natural barrier that hinders student learning.  Students will not thrive in an environment where the teacher oversteps their authority. The good news is that most teachers are respectful towards their students on a consistent basis. Just a few decades ago, teachers were revered for their contributions. Sadly, those days are seemingly gone.  Teachers used to get the benefit of the doubt. If a student made a poor grade, it was because the student was not doing what they were supposed to be doing in class. Now, if a student is failing, the blame is often laid on the teacher. Teachers can only do so much with the limited time that they have with their students. It is easy for society to lay blame on the teachers and make them the scapegoats. It speaks to the general lack of respect for all teachers. When respect becomes the norm, the teachers are impacted significantly as well. Retaining and attracting great teachers becomes easier when there is an expectation of a respectful learning environment. No teacher enjoys classroom management. There is no denying that it is a critical component of teaching. However, they are called teachers, not classroom managers.  A teachers job becomes much simpler when they are able to utilize their time to teach rather than disciplining their students. This lack of respect in schools can ultimately be traced back to what is taught in the home. To be blunt, many parents fail to instill the importance of core values such as respect as they once did.  Because of this, like many things in todays society, the school has had to take on the responsibility of teaching these principles through character education programs.   Schools must intervene and implement programs that foster mutual respect in beginning grades. Instilling respect as a core value in schools will improve the overculture of a school and ultimately lead to more individual success as students feel safe and comfortable with their environment. Promote Respect in Schools Respect denotes both a positive feeling of esteem for a person and also specific actions and conducts representative of that esteem. Respect can be defined as allowing yourself and others to do and be their best. It is the goal of Any Where Public Schools to create a mutually respectful atmosphere between all individuals involved within our school including administrators, teachers, staff members, students, parents, visitors. As such, all entities are expected to remain respectful to each other at all times. Students and teachers especially are expected to greet each other with kind words and student/teacher exchanges should be friendly, in an appropriate tone, and should remain respectable. The majority of student/teacher interaction should be positive. All school personnel and students are expected to use the following words that show respect for another person at the appropriate times when addressing each other: PleaseThank YouYoure WelcomeExcuse MeMay I Help YouYes Sir, No Sir or Yes Maam, No Maam

LAW LLB - FAMILY LAW Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

LAW LLB - FAMILY LAW - Essay Example KH, 2005). This is the universal and perhaps most comprehensive characterization of marriage. Among the most controversial aspects of this is the element of consent. This is encapsulated in the concept of contract. In a contract consent that is not tainted by force or coercion is essential to its validity. Consequently it is also a major of controversy for marriage. This is compounded by the fact that marriages as a social phenomena are diverse and multi faceted. The forces governing present society in the present have imposed significant challenges upon marriage. These adverse forces have given rise to a wide array of problems. Government today struggle tot to protect and uphold family and marriages by finding means to deal with the various problems that undermine them. This also challenges the state to uphold society’s many concepts of marriage while also containing negative elements attributed to it. Furthermore it has to strike the balance between its power to regulate soc iety, society’s right to culture and the welfare of its citizens. This is not a mundane task given the complexity involved and the magnitude of the harms involved society today. Among the malign realities faced by society today are â€Å"forced marriages.† This kind of marriage â€Å"is a marriage conducted without the valid consent of both parties, where duress is a factor. Duress can range from emotional pressure from family members, to threatening behaviour, abduction or imprisonment, and physical violence† (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, 2008). In Great Britain alone the â€Å"Government’s Forced Marriage Unit, which handles approximately 5,000 enquiries and 300 cases per year concerning young British nationals at risk of being forced into marriage overseas, believes that forced marriage is another issue that remains vastly under-reported† (House of Commons Home Affairs Committee, 2008). This fact only establishes f urther the gravity of this problem. Not only that but this also significant prove that consent is a highly disputed aspect of marriage. Marriage in the Asian and Islamic cultures is heavily influenced by deeply rooted and long standing traditions. Religion and cultural values are integrated to form the notion of marriage. More importantly these form part of the norms of society. This has entrenched them and ensured their survival to the modern times. Among this practise is forced marriage. Given this socio – historical context forced marriages are not an issue for certain communities and have even proliferated (Muslim Arbitrational Tribunal, n.d.). This provides the socio – cultural roots of forced marriage. Forced marriage proliferates under in certain sectors of society whose cultural beliefs and practices provide the basis for it. It is also in these segments of the community that these are commonly practiced. In these conditions the concept of choice and is subserv ient to the values an traditions of a certain culture. â€Å"The motivations for forced marriages are complex and care must be taken to avoid over-generalisations. However, they do seem to fall broadly into three categories and the category that is perhaps the most common is where young men and women are found to be involved in a liaison which their families disapprove of. Irrespective of

Research on Author Bram Stoker Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

On Author Bram Stoker - Research Paper Example To be specific, the amalgamation of history, imagination and horror raises the novel Dracula to new heights of readership, and the novelist to popularity. Thesis statement: Bram Stoker’s writing style, with unique themes, symbols, metaphors, imagery, and character types, is symbolic of the Gothic horror genre in English Literature (special references to the novel Dracula). Short biography Bram Stoker was born in the year 1847, Clontarf in Ireland. His childhood was not so happy because he was forced to be bedridden due to sickness. Sue L. Hamilton states that Bram Stoker’s experiences (say, sickness) in his childhood helped him to be imaginative and creative as a writer (Hamilton 8). When he entered the Trinity College, he was able to overcome the past troubles. For instance, he proved himself as brilliant in athletics and academics. After graduation, Stoker entered the Irish Civil Service and remained as a civil servant for the next 10 years. His entry to the civil ser vice did not hinder him to make progress in his literary career. Besides, his relation with Henry Irving helped him to be in the limelight of Lyceum Theatre in London and his contribution to drama criticism was noteworthy. But Stoker was not ready to give up his ambition to be a writer and he decided to write novels. As pointed out, ill health in childhood and family influence in the early stages of life deeply influenced him and he was attracted towards horror novels. Carol A. Senf opines that Bram Stoker’s curiosity in learning science and horror maybe deeply rooted in his family background (Senf 50). For instance, one can easily identify that Stoker’s novels represent the horror (Gothic) novel genre in English Literature. Some of his novels are: The Snake's Pass (1890), Dracula (1897), Lair of the White Worm (1911), etc. After the marriage with Florence Balcombe in the year 1878, Stoker moved to London and worked as the manger of Lyceum Theatre, London. In London, S toker was able to be in the elite circle of writers. This relationship with writers like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle helped him a lot to fulfil his ambition to be a writer. Meanwhile, Stoker decided to conduct a world tour and visited the United States of America. The world tour boosted Stoker’s craftsmanship as a writer. For instance, in the United States of America, Stoker was able to meet Walt Whitman, one of his favourite writers. Besides, the American tour inspired him to select the same nation as the background of later works. Generally, Bram Stoker’s short stories and other novels apart from gothic novels are less appraised by critics. For instance, the novel Dracula is praised as one of the most important gothic novels in English Literature. Due to stereotyped characterization and less importance given to vividness, Stoker’s other works are generally less accepted. In addition, the high content of melodramatic elements that can be seen in Stoker’s nove ls and short stories reduce the scope of vivid characterization. But the craftsmanship shown by Stoker in describing places proves his craftsmanship as a novelist and short story writer. Bram Stoker passed away in 1912. Bram Stoker’s life history and his journey from Scotland to England are noteworthy because his profession as a theatre manger did not harm his ambition to be a writer. Instead, his profession boosted his ambition to b

Group Development Essay Example for Free

Group Development Essay First, here is a summary of the development stages of a team. In the forming stage, team members come togetherand form initial impressions. They socialize in order to get to know each other and bond with other team members. In the storming stage, team members experience hostility and infighting over tasks and how the team works. In the norming stage, team members start to come together and realize what needs to be accomplished. In the performing stage, team members are well-organized and well-functioningand maintain a positive balance. In the adjourning stage, team members achieve closure when the project is accomplished. At the end of the cask study the team is still in the storming phase of team development. The team has not fully come together. There is still some infighting with Mike and the presence of cliques is developing, for example, the situation in the cafeteria. Overall, I think there is tension within the team. Christine’s leadership abilities could benefit by having knowledge of the stages of group development. Aside from the very first meeting Mike was not present at any subsequent meetings. He missed out on the forming stage of team development. During this stage Mike could have talked with the team about his outside distractions, job and girlfriend, that may prevent him from fully participating at the meetings, and on the project. If Christine had some knowledge of team development she would have recognized this lapse in the forming stage and could have been able to address this issue with Mike before it became a bigger problem. Christine, as the team leader, could have pulled Mike aside and talked to him about the importance of attending the meetings. She could have spoke with him after the cafeteria incident to reassure him that he was not being excluded, but that all the team members being there was truly a coincidence. Also, she could have told Mike her opinion about how she felt he had a lot to offer the team, the value of his contributions and how it would help with the success of the team. PART II – Problem Identification The primary problem that appears in this case is Christine’s lack of knowledge in team development and as a team leader. The secondary problem is Mike’s unwillingness to contribute to the team. Since Christine did not have knowledge of team development or experience she was ineffective as the team leader. She could have organized the team better by assigning tasks’, scheduling meetings in advance, and possible scheduling a team building event to solidify the forming stage of development. Mike was the second problem to overall team success. Although Mike had issues outside of the team he should have talked to the team at the beginning and asked for assistance and support. After the incident in the cafeteria Mike simply walked away. He should have stayed for a few minutes and discussed the situation with the other members. I don’t fell Mike did his part to interact with the team to enhance the forming stage of development. After the first meeting he immediately set himself as an outsider. Christine as a leader must understand the each group of individuals is going to have its own personality, both individually and collectively. When you understand the needs of each member, and the dynamic that each one brings to the group, then and only then, are you able to develop a strategy to utilize team development to achieve the groups ultimate goal. The goal is to complete a quality project on time. If Christine’s knowledge of team synergy, social facilitation, and overall team effectiveness would have server her well in her role as project leader. Lastly, Christie needs to learn how to assign tasks based on the strengths, and weaknesses of each team member. Other members of the team each had something to offer, including Mike. He was classified as a clown. Clowns tend to be very spontaneous in their thinking; this is a possible source of new and innovative ideas. This should have been communicated to Mike as well as the rest of the team. PART III – Retrospective Evaluation In order for Christine to solve her primary problem two things need to occur. First, Christine should take a class in organization behavior. Understanding the team development process, as well as, team effectiveness, and teams in an organization will definitely help Christine. She will be able to understand, and identify positive and negative aspects of her project team and would have been able to implement steps to correct any deficiencies. The second aspect was Christine’s lack of effectiveness and her inability to integrate Mike into the team. After the first meeting which Mike attended, the problems started. Mike did not make meeting, and was submitting hand written notes. Christine should have structured a meeting that Mike could attend, or scheduled a team building social event. in addition, she could have started reviewing his notes with the other team members at the meetings since he was not there to do it himself. This would at least have given the other team members the knowledge that Mike was making an effort on his part of the project. PART IV – Reflection In my opinion Christine was presented with a challenge that was way above her level of experience. Her lack of knowledge in team development, and as a team leader was evident in the project team. The team did not make it past the storming phase, and therefore never fully developed into an efficient team. She failed to integrate one individual into the team. This caused friction within the team and left one section of the project incomplete with one week remaining until the deadline. Overall, I do not believe Christine was an effective group leader. REFERENCES 1. Schermerhorn, J.R. Jr.,Osborn, R.N., Uhl-Bien, M., Hunt, J.E., Organizational Behavior 12th Edition (2012), John Wiley Sons, Danvers, MA.

Hindu Custom of Marriage :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Hindu Custom of Marriage Hinduism began in Ancient India thousands of years ago. Hindu customs differ greatly from the ones we practice in the western world. This paper discusses the Hindu custom of marriage and the expectations of those to be wed. Men are expected to marry in order to carry on the family lineage. Women are encouraged to marry to help relieve their financial burden from their parents (Sullivan 135). A wedding occurs after a man has finished his studies, attained the permission of his teacher, bathed, and performed the ritual for homecoming. The father of the girl dresses and adorns his daughter, and receives 2-4 cows and bulls (O'Flaherty 101). The man and his wife to be walk around a fire seven times while they affirm their marriage vows to the accompanied verses from the Veda (Sullivan 135). The Lawbook of Manu contains a list of characteristics a wife should not have. She should not come from a family that has abandoned the rituals, a family with no boys, one that does not chant the Veda. Some more characteristics that are not acceptable are women with hairy bodies, who have consumption, weak digestion, bad memories, and also leprosy. Women that are redheads, have extra limbs, are sickly, bald, talk too much, are sallow, too fat or too thin, too tall or too dwarfish, past their prime, or lacking a limb or fond of quarreling are also not acceptable for marriage. An offensive name can determine a woman's worth. Bad names include ones that have to do with a constellation, tree, or river, low caste names, names of mountains, and birds or snakes. Slave names and fearsome names are also to be avoided. Women with these types of names are not to be married according to the characteristics that must be met for a woman to be acceptable for marriage. A woman fit for marriage should have complete limbs, a pleasant name, should walk like a swan or elephant, have fine hair on her body and on her head, delicate limbs, and should not have big teeth. A man should take a wife of the same class (O'Flaherty 101-102), but if a marriage does take place across caste boundaries, then it is almost always the woman marrying into a higher caste (Fuller 14).   Marriages are often arranged while the girl is only a child. The Manava Dharma Sastra and other legal texts "envision that a man of thirty marry a girl of twelve" (Sullivan 135).

Ap World History Units 1-3 Study Guide

Unit One 1. Consequences of the Neolithic Revolution didn’t includeEnd of hunting-gathering societies2. Most scholars believe that, during the Paleolithic Age, social organization was characterized byA rough social equality3. The earliest metal worked systemically by humans areCopper4. The spread of the Bantu-speaking peoples over southern Africa can be best explained by theirKnowledge of agriculture5. Characteristics of complex civilizationsSpecialization of laborTrade and cultural diffusionWritten languagesComplex political order and power6. Evidence proves that the MesopotamiansTraded extensively with peoples as far away as Anatolia, Egypt, & India7. Major effect of Neolithic RevolutionThe establishment of sedentary village communities8. Conditions for women in MesopotamiaGrew increasingly worse over time9. The division of the ancient people into social and gender hierarchies was first made possible byRise in agricultural production10. Ethical monotheism was the tradition of theHebr ews11. Hammurabi’s code was based on the concept of â€Å"lex talionis† but the punishments were shaped byThe social standing of the accused2. The Hittites who were the most influential ancient Indo-European migrants into southwest Asia are credited forHorse-drawn chariotsMetallurgyMigrating from southern RussiaDefeating the Babylonians13. The society who began the custom of embalming to preserve the body for its life after deathEgypt14. Which metal was most important in transforming agricultural societies into large urban civilizations?Iron15. In which society did women enjoy the most freedom and opportunity?Egypt16. In tribes which, as early as 3000 BCE, began to spread their language and agricultural techniques throughout Africa were theBantu17. The Chinese philosophy that promoted strict social and political control was* Legalism18. Social distinctions in Early River Valley civilizations were* Less pronounced than in Neolithic19. By spreading their language across a huge stretch of Africa, the Bantu played a role similar to that played by* Indo-Europeans20. The Bantu probably began their migrations because of* Population pressures21. Much of the early Harappan history remains a mystery because* The archeological remains are under water22. The biggest military advantages of the Indo-Europeans was* Their horses23. Most of our information about the early Aryans comes from the* Vedas24. Correct groupings of early societies and their rivers* Mesopotamia – Tigris & Euphrates; Egypt – Nile; Harappan – Indus; China – Huang He25. Harappan society* Most of their houses featured private showers and toilets* They traded extensively with the Mesopotamians* They had social distinctionsThey produced representational art 26. Group that retained much more influence on family structure in China than in other early civilizations* The extended family27. The Chinese concept of the â€Å"Mandate of Heaven† was sometimes used to justify* Rebellion28. Early China enjoyed lasting direct long-distance trade with* None29. Ritual bloodletting was crucial to Maya rituals because* It was associated with rain & agriculture30. The most characteristic artistic creation of the Olmecs were* Colossal human heads sculpted with basalt31. The Aryans affected the Indian sub-continent by A common written language* Adding race to the caste system* Establishing the Silk Road trade* Advanced use of technology32. Which of the following mathematical concepts, essential for positional notation and the manipulation of large numbers, was invented by Mayan mathematicians?* Zero33. The ultimate source of wealth in any agricultural society is* Land34. This passage from the Upanishads explain what Hindu concept? â€Å"According as a man acts and walks in the path of life, so he becomes. He that does good becomes good; he that does evil becomes evil. †* Karma35. Which early Mesopotamian ruler believed that the gods had chosen to â€Å"promote the welfare of the people†¦ (and) to cause justice to prevail in the land†?* Hammurabi36. During the time of the Aryans the Indian political landscape was characterized by* A series of small kingdoms37. Contributions of the River Valley Civilizations* Metallurgy in agriculture, welfare and art* The wagon wheel* Written forms of communication* The calendar and the 60-second minute38. What two River Valley civilizations are most alike as far as their use of regionalism and the decentralization of political power?* Olmec and Chavin39. Confucian social order* Loyalty to the ruler* Filial obedience to one’s father* Respect of younger brother to older brother* Respect of husband to wife40. Women were important contributors to the agricultural revolut ion because they were likely the* Gender who gathered edible plants and grew various grains41. Shang and Zhou China originated the â€Å"Mandate of Heaven† primarily* As a way to demonstrate the divinity of the emperor42. The government structures of early Mesopotamia and Egypt* In both civilizations power was concentrated in the hands of a king who was considered a god43. The Chinese copied their chariots from* The steppe nomads44. The Period of Warring States refers to the * Chaotic last centuries of the Zhou dynasty 45. The early Chinese shipped textiles and metal goods to the ancestors of the Turks and Mongols in the steppes and received what in return?* Horses46. Which of the following is a key philosophical and religious element of Daoism?* Emphasis on harmony between humanity47. Which of the following describes the major effect of Bantu migrations?* Cultural commonalities in sub-Saharan Africa48. Confucius argued that* Educations is essential to becoming a refined gentleman49. The device the ancient Olmec build in order to trap silt carried by the numerous rivers passing through the Mesoamerican lowlands* Terraces50. The proper order from top to bottom of the original Aryan caste system?* Priests, warriors, farmers/merchants, laborers, polluted laborers51. One key role of the caste system which was unlike other systems of social inequality in the ancient world was that the caste system* Served to maintain order and stability as political systems did in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China52. What p urpose do scholars believe paleolithic Venus figurines served? The figurines reflect a deep interest in fertility necessary for the generation of the new life 53. A key geographic difference between ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Harappan, and Chinese society was thatEgypt and China were more isolated and therefore protected by their environment than there were the Mesopotamians or Harappans54. Olmec and Mesopotamian political traditions are an example of* Decentralized monarchy55. Because of the immense size of the Zhou state, its emperors were forced to* Institute a feudal system of the governmentUnit Two1. An important reason for the fall of the Roman, Han, and Gupta empires was * Intensified invasions and security issues along their frontiers 2. Before 500 C. E. Judaism and Hinduism were similar in that both * Had written scriptures and an ethical code to live by 3. In organizing their empire, Persian rulers relied heavily on techniques of administration from the * Mesopotamians 4. The Medes and Persians were originally * Indo-European tribes 5. The classic Persian governmental approach was * An enlightened an tolerant one 6. The Persian legal code was designed to * Codify laws of the subject peoples 7. The center of the Persian communications network was * The Royal Road 8. Basic tenets of Zoroastrianism that influenced later religions * The belief in heaven and hell * The encouragement of high moral standards * The doctrine that individuals will undergo a final judgment * The belief that each individual plays a key role in determining his or her spiritual destiny 9. The Qin and Han dynasties * Went further than the Persian emperors in their efforts to foster cultural unity 10. Confucian terms * Ren – benevolence * Xiao – filial piety * Dao – way * Junzi – superior individuals 11. The philosophy that criticized the social activism, and instead, proposed a life of reflection and introspection was * Daoism 12. What was the school of philosophical thought that returned order to China after the Period of Warring States? * Legalism 13. Qin Shihuangdi’s most important contribute to China was * Establishing a precedent for centralized imperial rule 14. The Han philosophy of rule was * A contribution of Qin policies of centralizations 15. In 124 B. C. E. , Han Wudi transformed China by * Establishing an imperial university 16. Which popular treatise emphasized humility, obedience, subservience, and devotion to their husbands as the virtues most appropriate for women? * Admonitions for Women 17. As the Han dynasty became more powerful and wealthy, * The gap between rich and poor grew dangerously large 18. The Indian political scene changed dramatically in 520 B. C. E. when new administrative techniques were introduced after the invasion of the * Persians 19. The rock and pillar edicts were issued by Ashoka 20. One of the biggest financial problems of the later Mauryan period was the ruler’s decision to * Debase the currency 21. Politically, the Guptas * Left local government and administration in the hands of their allies 22. The success and timing of trade, through the Indian Ocean basin, largely depended on * Understanding the rhythms of the monsoon winds 23. One of the biggest transformations of the caste system during this period was * The rise of guilds, which essentially served as jati 24. The greatest social contribution of the Jains was The fact that they did not recognize social hierarchies based on caste 25. When Krishna tells Arjuna, in the Bhagavad Gita, â€Å"Having regards to your own duty, you ought not to falter, for there is nothing better for a Kshatriya than a righteous battle,† he is referring to what Hindu principle? * Dharma 26. The political structure of the ancient Greeks * Usually considered of independent, autonomous city-states 27. The Greeks used the word polis to refer to the * The city-state 28. Athenian democracy was open to * All Athenian citizens 29. Events that occurred during the time of Pericles * Athenian democracy reached its high point Athens became the most sophisticated of the poleis * Athenian expansion and arrogance helped spark the Peloponnesian War * Athens underwent a massive building program 30. Affects that came about because of Greek colonization * An increase in the size and diversity of trade * The spread of Greek language and cultural traditions * A quickening of the tempo of social life * Increased contact with other societies 31. Consequences of the Neolithic Revolution * Incidence of disease increased * Widening gender differences * Rapid increase in human population * Increase in reliable food supply 32. In The Republic, Plato proposed that the true rulers of society should be * Philosopher kings 33. The Roman policy toward conquered peoples was * Generous with potential for citizenship 34. The Roman policy of toleration and respect for conquered peoples was most similar to the * Persians 35. The land route of the silk roads ran from the Han capital of _____________ to the Mediterranean port of _____________. * Chang’an; Antioch 36. Latifundia were * Enormous plantations worked by slaves 37. After naming himself dictator in 46 B. C. E. Julius Caesar * Launched large-scale building projects in Rome Extended Roman citizenship to peoples in the imperial provinces * Appointed some Gauls to the Roman senate * Seized the land from the conservatives and distribute it to his army veterans 38. The reign of Augustus inaugurated a period known as paxromana in which caused * Common coinage * Common language * Greco-Roman art * Stoicism 39. Foundations of Roman Law * The principle that defendants were innocent until proven guilty * The notion that defendants had a right to challenge their accusers before a judge in a court or law * The ability of judges to set aside laws that were inequitable 40. The information that Zhang Qian brought back encouraged Han Wudi to destroy the Xiongnu and lay out the foundations for the * Silk roads 41. The fact that by the first century C. E. southeast Asian kings called themselves rajas shows how they were influenced by the * Indians 42. By around the year 600 C. E. , the ravages of epidemic diseases had caused both the Mediterranean and Chinese populations decrease by * At least a quarter 43. In the year 184 C. E. , peasant discontent in China led to an uprising known as the * Yellow Turban rebellion 44. With the collapse in political order after the fall of the Han Empire, * Daoism and Buddhism became much more popular 45. The Roman Empire was divided into two parts by * Dio Cletian 46. The social distinctions in Early River Valley civilizations were * Did not exist as they did in pervious times 47. After the collapse of the western half of the Roman Empire, imperial authority survived for another thousand years in the * Byzantine Empire 48. Major effect of Bantu migrations * Cultural commonalities in sub-Saharan AfricaUnit 3: Part I1. Agricultural production increased throughout medieval Europe mainly esult of a * A heavier plow * Water and wind powered mills 2. Arabic conquests of Mesopotamia and Persia influenced the women in the Islamic world by making * Society more patriarchal 3. Characteristics of the medieval period of Europe * Political order through feudalism * Economic order through manorialism * Religious order through Church * Expanded trade and education 4. The expansion of communication and trade networks in Afro-Eurasia from 600 C. E. to 1450 C. E. resulted in the spread of what from South Asia? * Technological and scientific concepts such as decimal and zero 5. Foot binding is probably the best example of * The increasingly patriarchal nature of Chinese society 6. During the Tang and Song periods, the imperial â€Å"examination system† * Expanded and filled posts based on intellectual ability and merit 7. When comparing northern and southern India during the postclassical era, it can be stated that * The south suffered through far fewer invasions than the north did 8. The success of the Byzantine â€Å"theme system† was most dependent upon * Promoting rural agriculture with few imperial restrictions 9. Islam became very popular in India and within different segments of Hindu society because * It emphasized equality and it was less exclusionary than Hinduism 10. The term â€Å"samurai† describes men in feudal Japan who were most like these men in Europe * Knights 11. Gender relations up to 1000 C. E. * In some societies, women enjoyed more rights than in others 12. The impact of commercial trade during this period * Technology, crops and religious ideology spread from China in the east to Europe in the west while also connecting India, the Middle East and Africa’s Swahili coast 13. Constantinople Was constructed by Constantine * Allowed the imperial court to keep watch on the Sasanid Empire in Persia * Was built because the eastern half was the wealthier and more productive part of the empire * Allowed the imperial court to keep watch on Germanic tribes on the Danube 14. The items Marco Polo encountered at Kublai Khan’s court and described to Europeans * Paper money * Food stocks – noodles * â€Å"Black stones† – coal * Gunpowder 15. Middle Eastern trade in the period between 1000 to 1400 * A unified Islamic Empire which eliminated tariffs and encouraged trade 16. Justinian’s most significant long-term accomplishment * He regulated and established a new uniform legal code for his empire 17. Comparison of the political systems in western Europe and China during the time period 1000 – 1300 * Western Europe developed multiple monarchies while China maintained a single empire 18. After the fall of Rome, the only real institutions of learning in Western Europe were the * Christian monasteries 19. Hagia Sophia was * The magnificent church at Constantinople 20. Major public work that was first constructed by emperor Yangdi during the Sui Dynasty in China * The Grand Canal 21. A result of the Viking raids on Europe from the 8th to the 10th centuries was that * Europeans organized into feudalistic societies for protection 22. In 1054 the pope in Rome and the patriarch in Constantinople * Mutually excommunicated each other 23. Charlemagne * He expanded the Frankish territory * He supported education and literacy * He instituted the missi dominci * He established his capital in Aachen 24. Guilds during the Late Medieval period Admitted women as members 25. Relationships between Islam and the influence it received from other cultures * India – mathematics & economics * Persia – literacy works & politics * Greece – philosophy & medicine * China – paper, cotton & silk 26. The main Indian influence on Islamic thought was in the field of * Mathematics 27. Major result of the Christian Crusades * Europeans were introduced to new technology, trade and cultural exchanges 28. Common feature of most Middle Eastern, Asian and European societies during the period of 1000 to 1450 * A close association with religion 29. The most striking difference between the Tang and the Song dynasties affecting their survival was * The differing ways they chose to deal with nomads on their frontiers 30. The two major sources of stability during the Medieval period of Europe * Feudalism and the Catholic church 31. In regard to political structure, postclassical India * Developed no single centralized imperial authority 32. An invasion in 451 C. E. , by the White Huns, began the collapse of the * Gupta dynasty 33. In 711, the northern Indian area of Sind fell to the * Umayyad dynasty 34. The most important new crop introduced to China during the Tang and Song periods was * Fast-ripening rice 35. The primary difference between Shiite Muslims and Sunni Muslims is a disagreement over * The leadership of the Muslim community after Muhammad’s death 36. The Indian ruler Harsha was known for * His Buddhist faith and his benevolent treatment of his subjects 37. Legacy of the Vikings during the medieval period * Feudalism * Exploration * Warfare * Shipping technology 38. The Abbasid Dynasty differed from the Umayyad Dynasty in that * It was not a conquering dynasty 39. The Delhi sultans were Never able to expand their control beyond northern India 40. The Crusades by European Christians at the end of the eleventh century were motivated primarily by * Efforts to unite religious power and retake control of Jerusalem and the Holy Lands 41. An example of interaction among Indian, Arab and European societies by 1200 was the transfer of * Numerals and decimal system 42. The Tang planned to avoid the concentration of land by the wealthy by implementing the * New economic planning system 43. Zheng He was * The Chinese admiral who made seven journeys of exploration 44. Hindu temples Played an important role in the agricultural and financial development of southern India 45. Major reason for the rapid expansion of Islam during the 7th & 8th centuries * The advanced military technology of the Islam forces 46. India was a natural location for the establishment of emporia because of * Its central locations in the Indian Ocean basin 47. Achievements of the Early Middle Ages * A restoration of political order through a feudal system * Some economic recovery because of agricultural advancement * The creation of an institutional framework for the Christian church based in Rome 48. The adoption of the Neo-Confucianism by the Ming dynasty during the 14th century was primarily motivated by the * Need for competent government administrators 49. The Byzantine Empire achieved * The conversion of many Slavic peoples to Christianity 50. Islamic & Chinese empires in the postclassical period (700 – 1200 C. E. ) shared a characteristic of * Extensive urbanization & maritime trade 51. Most important effect of Islamic expansion on the civilizations of medieval Europe * The transmittal of Greek & Arab learning 52. The development and spread of Christianity and Buddhism both * Were outgrowths of other religions * Were aided in their spread by the trade networks * Developed monastic orders * Venerated people of high spiritual merit 53. In medieval society, political power was vested in * Local authorities 54. The most important relationship in feudalism was between * Lord and retainerUnit 3: Part 21. The largest empire of all time was created by the * Mongols 2. The Inca quipu was * A record keeping device consisting of small cords with knots 3. The political power of the khans was based on Indirect rule through the leaders of allied tribes 4. In an effort to strengthen the Mongol fighting forces, Chinggis Khan * Formed new military units with no tribal affiliations 5. Who made a famous pilgrimage to Meca in 1324 – 1325? * Mansa Musa 6. Khubilal Khan’s military and imperial pursuits * Had little success when he tried to conquer Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma, and Japan 7. Ethiopian Christianity * Retained both traditional African and Christian beliefs 8. The Mongols brought greater integration among Eurasian peoples by * Increased trade * Resettlement of conquered peoples Diplomatic missions 9. Devastation wrought by the bubonic plague played a key role in the fourteenth century collapse of the * Yuan dynasty 10. The introduction of a new crop about 400 C. E. encouraged a fresh migratory surge in Africa. What was the crop? * Bananas 11. The first European nation to dominate trade with Asia was * Portugal 12. By the middle of the first millennium B. C. E. , the Bantu had begun to produce * Iron 13. The late fourteenth century Turkish ruler who weakened the Golden Horde, sacked Delhi, and launched campaigns in southwest Asia and Anatolla, was * Tamerlane 14. One of the central factors in the establishment of trans-Saharan trade was * The domestication of the camel 15. By the tenth century C. E. , the kings of Ghana had converted to * Islam 16. Foundations of Mali’s power * Control over trans-Saharan trade * A strong cavalry * A series of powerful kings 17. During the period of Mongol domination, * Long-distance trade became much less risky 18. In regard to political structure, the Aztec empire * Had no elaborate bureaucracy 19. Just as the kingdoms of west Africa depended on trans-Saharan trade, the kingdoms of east Africa depended on * Indian Ocean trade 20. The Ilkhanate in Persia began a rapid decline in the 1200s * After the government issued paper money 21. Since there was no concept of private ownership of land in sub-Saharan Africa, * Slave ownership formed an important aspect of determining personal wealth 22. Historians estimate that between 750 and 1500 C. E. , the number of slaves transported north as part of the trans-Saharan slave was * Ten million 23. In the five centuries after the year 1000 C. E. , the peoples of the eastern hemisphere * Traveled and interacted more intensively than ever before 24. By 1750, all parts of the world participated in a global trade network in which European’s played dominant roles except * Australia 25. Khubilal Khan employed Marco Polo in administrative posts * Because he did not entirely trust his Chinese subjects 26. When Pope Innocent IV sent envoys to invite the Mongols in an alliance against the Muslims, * The khans declined and in turn told the Christians to submit to Mongol rule or be destroyed 27. Ibn Battuta was able to travel so extensively because * His religious and legal training allowed him to serve as qadi 28. Product that had a new impact during this period of increasing interaction * Silk 29. The North American Indian societies * Possessed no form of writing 30. Common results of a bubonic plague * A decline in trade * A decline in population * Peasant rebellions caused by efforts to freeze wages 31. The Yongle Encyclopedia * Represented the Ming rulers’ interest in supporting native Chinese cultural traditions 32. Central to the Renaissance thought beginning in northern Italy was * A fascination with the ancient world 33. Mali became the wealthiest kingdom in sub-Saharan Africa because of * Its control of the gold trade 34. Humanist moral philosophers believed that * People could lead morally virtuous lives while participating in the world 35. Under Spanish rule of the Philippines, the native population * Was pressured to convert to Roman Catholicism 36. In regard to exploration, Prince Henry was to Portugal what _________ was to China. * Wan Li 37. The Toltec state collapsed by around 1175 because * Of a combination of civil conflict and nomadic invasion 38. The chinampa system refers to * The Aztec practice of dredging fertile muck from the lake’s bottom 39. In regard to gender issues in sub-Saharan Africa, Women had more opportunities open to them than did their counterparts in other societies 40. Rulers among the Mexica were chosen by * A council made up of the most successful warriors 41. A Mexica woman who died in childbirth * Won the same fame as warriors who died valiantly in battle 42. The Aztecs viewed human sacrifice * As an essential ritual to ensure the world’s survival 43. North American societies * Developed on a relatively small scale 44. In regard to political structure, the early Bantu societies * Governed themselves mostly through family and kinship groups 45. The Inca imposed order By taking hostages from the conquered tribes’ ruling classes 46. Hallmark of Hongwu’s rule * The reestablishment of Confucian education * Extensive use of the civil service system * The reestablishment of the civil service system 47. The cultural and religious traditions of the Australian aborigines * Did not diffuse much beyond their own regions 48. During the early modern era, which of the following non-European peoples explored the Indian Ocean? * Chinese 49. In sub-Saharan Africa, an age grade was * A publicly recognized group that performed tasks based on their strength and maturity 50. Main inspirations for European exploration * The desire to conquer China and India 51. The invasions of the nomadic Turkish and Mongol tribes between the eleventh and fifteenth centuries * Facilitated greater cross-cultural communication and integration 52. Reasons for the European interest in finding a maritime trade route * The spread of the bubonic plague made the silk roads more dangerous * The high prices charged by Muslim merchants * The demand in Europe for items such as Indian pepper and Chinese ginger 53. The Reconquista came to an end in 1492 when * The Muslim kingdom of Granada fell to Spanish Catholic forces 54. Chinese inventions * Sternpost rudder and magnetic compass 55. The profitable merchandise that Vasco da Gama purchased in India was made up of * Pepper and cinnamon 56. The Portuguese dominance of trade was dependent on their ability to * Force merchant ships to call at fortified trading sites and pay duties 57. In the end, Portugal was unable to maintain its early domination of trade because * It was a small country with a small population 58. Advantages that the English and Dutch had over the Portuguese * They possessed faster, cheaper, and more powerful ships * They created joint-stock companies * They were wealthier countries 59. The Dutch policy in Indonesia was * To control the production of spices 60. The country that finished the Seven Years’ War with global hegemony was * England 61. In the long term, the Columbian exchange * Increased world population because of the spread of new food crops 62. From 1500 to 1800, the largest contingent of migrants consisted of * Enslaved Africans

Explore the ways in which Willy Russell makes use of language differences in act 2 scene 2

Willy Russell wrote the play in 1982 and was one of the best he wrote because of the fact that he emphasizes the differences between the rich and poor. Willy Russell was born in Whiston, near Liverpool, in 1947. He left school at the age of 15 where he worked as a hairdresser until he was 20 years old, where he then returned to school to complete his education. Their he began to write his first play called Blind Scouse, which was taken to the Edinburgh festival and noticed by a representative of the Everyman Theatre. They then went on to produce the world premieres of many of his plays, most of which transferred successfully to the west end. Throughout this play dramatic irony is used, this is where the audience knows something one or more of the caracters on stage don't know. Willy Russell uses this to emphasize the differences between the classes more. Stage directions are very important for somebody who has not seen the play and is just reading the play, this is because they help you create mental picture of whats going on in the play. The play repeatedly shows cultural differences though the way the boys speak throughout the play. An example of this is when Edward says â€Å"your a fuck off† showing his misunderstanding in the use of swear words, this contrasts to hen Micky says â€Å"take a flying fuck at a dounut† which shows his understanding and exposure to swear words as he has grown up. Another contrast in the boys language is when Micky says â€Å"It's a thingy, init† referring to a dictionary which shows lack of education because he doesn't know what a dictionary is. Where as when Edward says â€Å"Fantastic, I will look that up in the dictionary when i get home†, Edwards understanding of what a dictionary is and how it is used shows his intelligence and class. The audience would think that Edward is very intellectual in contrast to Mickey. One thing that the audience would be taken a back by would e the part in the play when Linda first sees Edward and says he's â€Å"handsome† even though Mickey and Edward are identical twins! This is because Edward has a overall better appearance than Mickey because he comes from a big house, has smart clothes and is clean which contrasts with Mikeys trodden down clothes and dirty appearance. I think Willy Russell is trying to say that people who come from a richer culture have a better chance at most things in life as is shown in this example. Another theme which repeatedly crops up during the play is the superstition and is shown in the beginning of the play where Mrs. Johnstone says â€Å"You never put new shoes on the table† which prompts Mrs. Lyons to ask â€Å"So, your superstitious? † to which Mrs. Johnstone replies â€Å"No I'm not, you just don't put new shoes on the table. † This shows an lack of understanding in the lower class because Mrs. Johnstone didn't even understand what superstition was. The audience would see how Willy Russell shows the difference between upper and lower class citizens. Adults are used thoughout the play to represent the boys, make the play more humorous and also because of the fact that some people might be offended if they see young boys swearing on stage.

Writing Tips How to Use Commas and Semicolons

Writing Tips How to Use Commas and Semicolons â€Å"Comma v.  Semicolon? Aaargh!! I’ll just pick one†¦ I figure I have a 50% chance of getting it right.† Does this sound like you? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s raise your average with these writing tips. Did you know you can HEAR the difference? The first thing I like to talk about with commas vs. semicolons is the sound of them. Commas are a pause with an invitation to continue, whereas semicolons are a full stop. You will be able to hear the difference. Read the following sentences aloud, paying attention to the *sound* of the punctuation: [CORRECT] In high school I was certain of my academic strengths; the daughter and younger sister of doctors, I excelled in math and science and dreaded every English course I was ever forced to take. [CORRECT] I took a wide variety of classes, from psychology and sociology to business and criminal justice, hoping to find something, whether it were a class or a specific topic, that captivated my interest. [CORRECT] Addison’s Disease is a chronic adrenal insufficiency that leads to liver failure, kidney failure, effusions, and in some cases, death; I was determined that it would not kill my brother. Can you hear how your inflection goes up with each comma, and down with each semicolon? The upward inflection of the comma makes us think there is something more coming. The sound of a semicolon, on the other hand, is often the same sound that comes along with a period. It is more final. If you didn’t get that the first time around, go ahead and read the sentences above again, until you hear it. Why is it useful to know how a punctuation mark sounds? It allows you to read your sentence aloud and to determine whether you’ve chosen correctly. If you have a semicolon in your sentence but the inflection sounds right going up, you know to switch it to a comma. And vice versa. Also, on a more basic level, if you find yourself pausing and inflecting upward and yet you have no comma there at all, add one! Here’s an example: [INCORRECT] I have learned a lot about myself, and my capabilities throughout my career. See how you want to pause and inflect upward after â€Å"capabilities† because of the comma after â€Å"myself†? Add a comma! [CORRECT] I have learned a lot about myself, and my capabilities, throughout my career. Or just delete the comma after â€Å"myself† and the inflection changes: [CORRECT] I have learned a lot about myself and my capabilities throughout my career. One more example: [INCORRECT] Although, I had many successful closings, there were always a few that were unsuccessful. Why put a comma after â€Å"Although† when you would not pause here when speaking? [CORRECT] Although I had many successful closings, there were always a few that were unsuccessful. I hope this lesson listening for commas v. semicolons was helpful. Category:Grammar Writing TipsBy Brenda BernsteinOctober 24, 2010 8 Comments The Essay Expert says: October 26, 2010 at 8:59 am Thanks for the comment Jackie. Now listen for whether you want a full stop or a pause between Good Stuff and I often struggle. Could these be two sentences standing on their own? If so look at using a semi-colon! Log in to Reply The Essay Expert says: October 26, 2010 at 11:42 am Ill work on that Beth! Log in to Reply Eric Nilsson says: June 27, 2012 at 11:40 am Dear Essay Expert, I dont quite agree with the comment that a semi-colon represents a full stop; I see it rather as a long pause. A full stop is a period and, when you think about it, a semi-colon is a combination of a pause and a stop (period on top and comma on bottom). Perhaps, because I love commas, I could be considered a Comma-adore (pronounce the a sound only once). Log in to Reply The Essay Expert says: June 27, 2012 at 11:47 am Thanks for your comment Eric. In my mind, the semi-colon, when used to separate what could be two full sentences, is closer to a full stop than to a pause; in a list of long items, the semi-colon inserts a long pause. My opinion: When used to separate two potentially distinct sentences, the semi-colon serves to connect two thoughts so related to each other that a period would serve as too wide of a separation. Log in to Reply Xelor says: March 20, 2019 at 6:05 am Dear Ms. Bernstein, Kudos and thanks for sharing your inflection-based pedagogy for comma and semicolon use. I found myself tutoring a teen for whom the sentence-structure approach learning rules about and how to recognize independent and subordinate clauses, appositives, parenthetical remarks, and coordinating conjunctions was as recondite as quantum mechanics. Moreover, I know well enough how to punctuate and had helped my own kids (all grown now) master a smattering of grammars nuances, I was anxious over the prospect of having to help a child who hadnt fully grasped the basics; thus I Googled for guidance. Using the search term inflective comma, I noticed your site among Googles first few results. It is just what the doctor ordered. I delivered an overview of what commas and semicolons do, telling my charge that if what precedes and follows the punctuation mark he inserted can stand alone as a complete sentence, use a semicolon; otherwise, use a comma. Imperfect guidance, yes, but given where the boy was, it seemed as fitting as any place to start. Next, I had him read this webpage, whereafter I clarified bits about which he inquired. Lastly, after telling him its called punctuation because its the written indicator of changes in a speakers voice, I suggested he simply speak his sentences in his head and listen for the pauses, variances in tone and emphasis, and so on, and simply toss in a comma where his inflection changes. What a difference! The young man, in mere minutes, went from period-only punctuation to near perfect. He was a little comma happy, but, hey, he used them, and, in turn, his voice came through, which, most importantly, means readers can unequivocally discern his meaning. The boys bright, his thoughts coherent, and on the strength of that, hes been a B-student; however, his poor punctuation has kept him from being an A-student. Hes got a graded writing assignment due Friday, so well see what happens and go from there. With any luck, hell soon be ready for em dashes, hyphens and ellipses. Whoo hoo! So, on his behalf and mine, thank you for maintaining this website. It was an inspirational godsend for me and a palpable aid for the young man Im tutoring. As didactic Internet content goes, one cant ask for more. Cheers, Xelor P.S. I dont know how the boy, whos a tenth grader, became a poor punctuator; maybe he skipped class on those days. Who knows? Its obvious, however, that between about the seventh and tenth grades, none of his teachers have acted to correct what is clearly but a mechanical issue, one that, given the boys manifested acumen and critical thinking skill, could long ago have been corrected. Perhaps they felt his earning Bs was good enough to obviate their bothering to intervene? In any case, their omission thus has unquestionably resulted in the boys grades and GPA being lower than he deserves. Who knows what impact that may have on his college prospects? Whatever affect it has, it likely wont be positive, and thats a doggone shame. Log in to Reply Brenda Bernstein says: March 20, 2019 at 6:21 am Thanks so much for sharing this story, Xelor! As a blogger, I never know what impact my writing will have, and I’m so thrilled I helped in this way. Your message was very well punctuated btw! Watch out for affect/effect 😉. Log in to Reply Xelor says: March 20, 2019 at 7:28 am Youre welcome. Im glad, then, that I bothered to share a little anecdote affirming for you that your contribution to the Internet has positively affected at least two people. The affect error is my bad; I didnt carefully proofread my remarks, behavior, or lack thereof, really, thats typical of my postings on the Internet. Failing to proofread results occasionally in my publicly making errors I know better than to make. The affect/effect error is an unusual one for me insofar as Im an old school dude who thinks impact is only a noun and effect is both a noun and verb. FWIW, affect/effect sentence began as I dont know how thatll affect his college acceptance outcomes, but in revising it, I left affect, but I cant say why. Worse, in my mind is the omission of a coordinating conjunction yet would have done nicely in the sentence that begins with moreover. Oh, wellwe all make mistakes, but hopefully not too many. LOL God bless and all the best, Xelor Log in to Reply Brenda Bernstein says: March 20, 2019 at 8:25 am Hi Xelor, I figured there was an explainable oversight here. I am all-too-familiar with errors that come from editing. And I definitely observed that your grammar is meticulous! By the way, I try to keep impact as a noun as well. Log in to Reply

How Dragonflies Males Find and Mate with Females

How Dragonflies Males Find and Mate with Females Dragonfly sex is a rough-and-tumble affair. If youve ever seen a pair of mating dragonflies in the act, you know that their sexual coupling requires the flexibility and acrobatic skill of a Cirque de Soleil performer. Females get bitten, males get scratched, and sperm winds up everywhere. These strange mating habits have survived millions of years of evolution, so the dragonflies must know what theyre doing, right? Lets take a closer look at how dragonflies mate. How Dragonfly Males Find Receptive  Females Dragonflies dont engage in elaborate courtship rituals. In a few dragonfly families, the male might display his colors or fly over his territory to show a potential mate what a good oviposition site hes chosen for their offspring, but thats about it. Since dragonflies have extraordinarily good vision, the males rely mostly on their eyesight to find appropriate female partners. A typical pond or lake habitat will support many species of dragonflies and damselflies. To succeed in passing on his DNA, a male dragonfly must be able to distinguish females of his own species from all the other Odonates flying around. He can recognize a conspecific female by observing her flight style, her colors and patterns, and her size. How Dragonflies Mate (and the Wheel Formation) As with many insects, male dragonflies make the first move to initiate sex. When a male spots a female of his own species, he must first subdue her. Hell approach her from behind, usually while they are both in flight, and hold onto her thorax with his legs. He might bite her, too. If he hopes to mate successfully, he must get a firm  grip on her quickly. He pulls his abdomen forward and uses his anal appendages, a pair of cerci, to clasp her by the neck (her prothorax). After he has her tightly by the neck, he extends his body and continues to fly with her, in tandem. This position is known as tandem linkage. Now that hes got a hold of a mate, the male dragonfly prepares for sex. Dragonflies have secondary sex organs, meaning they dont store sperm near the copulatory organ. He must transfer some sperm from a gonopore, on his ninth abdominal segment, to his penis, which is located under his second abdominal segment. After hes charged his seminal vesicle with sperm, hes ready to go. Now for the acrobatics. Somewhat inconveniently, the females genital opening is near her thorax, while the males penis is closer to the tip of his abdominal segments (on the underside of his second segment). She has to bend her abdomen forward, sometimes with coaxing from the male, to bring her genitalia into contact with his penis. This position during copulation is known as a wheel formation because the couple forms a closed circle with their joined bodies; it is unique to the order Odonata. In dragonflies, the sex organs lock together briefly (not so for damselflies). Some dragonflies will mate in flight, while others will retire to a nearby perch to consummate their relationship. Competition Among Male Dragonflies If given the opportunity, a female dragonfly might mate with multiple partners, but the sperm from her final sexual partner will fertilize her eggs, in most cases. Male dragonflies, therefore, have an incentive to make sure their sperm is the last to be deposited in her. A male dragonfly can increase his chances of fatherhood by destroying the sperm of his competitors, and hes well equipped to do so when he mates. Some dragonflies have backward-facing hooks or barbs on their penises, which they can use to scoop out any sperm they find inside their partner before depositing their own. Other dragonflies use their penises to tamp down or move the offending sperm, pushing it aside before he places his own in the ideal location for fertilization. Still, other dragonfly males will dilute any existing sperm they find. In all cases, his goal is to ensure that his sperm supersedes that of any prior partners she has had. Just to provide an added measure of security for his sperm, the male dragonfly will often guard the female until she oviposits her eggs. He tries to prevent her from mating with any other males, so his sperm is assured the last in position that will make him a father. Male damselflies will often continue to grasp their partners with their cerci, refusing to let go until she oviposits. Hell even endure a dunking in the pond if she submerges to place her eggs. Many dragonflies prefer to guard their partners by simply chasing off any approaching males, even engaging in wing-to-wing combat if necessary. Sources Paulson, Dennis. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West. Princeton University Press, 2009.Resh, Vincent H., and Ring T. Carde, eds. Encyclopedia of Insects, 2nd ed., Academic Press, 2009.

News Analysis Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

News Analysis Paper - Essay Example As a result of this disaster, severe air, water and milk contamination incidents have been observed in Japan and United States with research relating deaths of infants and other horrendous diseases to Fukushima’s nuclear fallout. However, silence of governments of Japan, US and Canada and involvement of industry lobbyists in policy making and control mechanisms against nuclear fallouts have been heavily criticized by environmentalists. In addition to the article written about the Fukushima disaster, which elaborated it to be worse than anticipated (Huff), there are many other articles that can be used as supporting evidence for indicating faulty government approaches and risks arising because of it. It was found that due to the nuclear fallout caused by natural calamities in 2011, the operations of the nuclear plant in Fukushima have been suspended. Analysis of a similar subject by Martin Fackler stated that the nuclear plants are not expected to resume its operations anytime soon. Japan was considered as a substantial market player in nuclear energy due to its ability to cover power shortages with the help of nuclear power. Now the country that initiated this trend is now attempting to phase out nuclear energy gradually. However, the possibility of Japan completely moving out of the nuclear industry is most likely to be ruled out due to the magnitude of its nuclear operations (Davies). Although the nature of possible side effects remain unidentified, it can be ascertained that Japan’s government is taking measures to gain local authorities’ support before resuming its nuclear operations and mitigate the risks of such natural calamities in future. According to Mangano and Sherman, the said nuclear disaster has been a cause for deaths of infants in the United States with death toll equivalent to thousands. The same disaster has been considered to have a similar impact on environment as the Chernobyl meltdown in the 1980s. Apart from the fact s shared regarding death statistics, the article further reveals the possibility of increase in the number of deaths in United States due to Fukushima in the near future. This hypothesis was based on the increased number of reported influenza and pneumonia cases which showed a five time increment in the regular cases reported. Mangano and Sherman further shared the reasons for infants’ deaths including undeveloped immune systems and higher doses of radioisotopes. In addition to Mangano and Sherman sharing their concerns about Fukushima being equal to Chernobyl in death tolls, geologists and oceanographers have expected the overall impacts of the Fukushima fallout being higher than Chernobyl’s. The comparative study of the Baltic and Black Seas with reference to these two disasters states that the reading of radioisotopes is extremely high in the recent case (Wasserman). When most of the media coverage states the possible side effects of Fukushima on Japan, Canada and U S, they exclude to mention how most of other 55 Japanese nuclear reactors locating in or near the zones are susceptible to earthquakes. On the other hand, Mangano and Sherman have further stressed considering the death tolls of Chernobyl as well as Fukushima before designing or approving further nuclear reactors globally. Another study on the subject matter conducted by Harvey Wasserman describes how