Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Business Innovation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business Innovation - Essay Example The companys goals and culture are embedded into the actual design and management of its facilities (Fitzgerald, 2001). For instance, the company’s buildings have large windows, warm colors and fabrics, open floor plans, recreation areas and fitness centers. This enables the company to connect indirectly with its employees while providing an environment that allows for a more productive and interactive workforce. The companys catch phrase too, Connecting People, is symbolic of the culture, which helps define the purpose of its physical facilities. Their culture encourages employee participation through open discussions and debates. Nokia’s culture promotes good communications, which is integrated into every day interaction with and between employees (Nokia, 2006). They have performance-management system, called Investing in People (IIP) involves discussions between employees and their managers, twice a year. They have flexible working hours, study leave and health-care services and recreational activities (HRM Digest). Another company having innovative culture is Procter & Gamble (P&G), America’s biggest maker of household products. There is a shift in P&G’s culture from a conservative, slow-moving, bureaucratic attitude to a modern, fast-moving, internet-savvy organization (CorporateWatch, 2006). They have introduced a new system of attracting the right talents in its fold with a view to make faster and better decisions, cut red tape, reduce costs of systems and procedure while setting more aggressive sales goals. Go, Give and Grow is a scheme that has struck chord with the youth. This scheme gives the graduates the opportunity to make their personal contribution to humanitarian projects before they start their career with P&G (HRMID, 2006). The new graduates selected for employment with P&G get a chance to work for 12 months in a developing country with the World Health Organization (WHO) or Unicef.

Monday, October 28, 2019

Electronic Road Pricing for traffic congestion Essay Example for Free

Electronic Road Pricing for traffic congestion Essay Introduction One of the most problems today is the traffic congestion that we experience in the large city. We feel that it is a headache during our journey and it gave us a lot of negative effects. Traffic congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queuing. The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction between vehicles slows the speed of the traffic stream, this results in some congestion. As demand approaches the capacity of a road (or of the intersections along the road), extreme traffic congestion sets in. When vehicles are fully stopped for periods of time, this is colloquially known as a traffic jam or traffic snarl-up. Traffic congestion can lead to drivers becoming frustrated and engaging in road rage. If you live in a large city or any area where there are lots of commuters on the road, then you are probably familiar with the effects of traffic congestion. What you may not realize is the extent of the effects heavy traffic congestion can have. This gridlock can have a tremendous impact on your personal life, career, your future and even your safety. Finding a solution to traffic congestion could mean a vast improvement in the quality of life in your area. One example of a large city is the city of Manila, this city listed in the journal as the 75th most densely population urban center with 14,400 people per square kilometer in a total land area of 1,437 square kilometers. If the population increase also the number of cars increases. The city is notorious for its traffic mess, especially since traffic laws are all but ignored, and a clean driving record is a bribe away. Getting stuck on Manila’s roads is one very unpleasant experience. During rush hour, traffic in the main thoroughfares in Manila slows to a crawl, and an accident can cause gridlock for hours. Because of this traffic the drivers, commuters and other people that is belong to the traffic experiencing a negative effect and there are the following: Traffi c congestion has a number of negative effects: Wasting time of motorists and passengers (opportunity cost). As a non-productive activity for most people, congestion reduces regional economic health. Delays, which may result in late arrival for employment,  meetings, and education, resulting in lost business, disciplinary action or other personal losses. Wasted fuel increasing air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions owing to increased idling, acceleration and braking. Wear and tear on vehicles as a result of idling in traffic and frequent acceleration and braking, leading to more frequent repairs and replacements. Emergencies: blocked traffic may interfere with the passage of emergency vehicles traveling to their destinations where they are urgently needed. Manual paying of toll is also a cause of traffic and wasting time for the motorist and passengers. . The following is the negative effect of manual paying of roads toll 1. Wasting time for the motorist It is wasting time because the motorist stops to pay their toll manually at the toll booth. 2. Cause of traffic Sometimes the number of vehicles increases that’s why it will be the cause of traffic. 3. Errors because of the toll collector The collector experiences some error in accepting the toll from the motorists. One good example is when they paid with the big amount of money then the collectors do not have enough money to change it. IDEA Because of the traffic, motorist and passengers suffer their times and the air is polluted, the solution now is here, it can help to minimize traffic. Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) is an electronic system of road pricing. It uses a dedicated short-range radio communication system to deduct ERP charges from smart-cards inserted in the in-vehicle units of vehicles each time they pass a pricing point when the system is in operation. The pay-when-you-use principle helps make motorist more aware of the true cost of driving. This way, road usage can be optimized. The ERP system has three major groups of components. The first centered on the IU and the stored-value smart-card. While the IU was produced specifically for the ERP system, the smart-cards were marketed by a consortium of local banks for multiple uses. Different IUs were produced for different classes of vehicles, with each type distinguished by different colors. The second group of components comprises those installed at the on-site ERP gantries. These include the antennae, the vehicle detectors and the enforcement camera system. All these are linked to a controller at each of the site. Data collected is transmitted back to the Control Centre continuously through leased telephone lines. The third group of components is at the Control Centre, and includes various servers, monitoring systems as well as a master-clock to ensure that the timing at all the ERP gantries is synchronized. All the financial transactions are processed here, before being sent to the banks for settlement. In addition, violation images are processed at the Control Centre, and letters are printed and sent out from here to all the offenders. What are the purposes of Electronic Road Pricing? Aim is to charge vehicles for the use of the road at times and at places of congestion For congestion management Not for raising revenue Every entry or pass under a control point is automatically charged a fee The implementation of electronic road pricing system will be one of the solutions to motorist who had to deal with the inconvenience of slowing down vehicle and winding down windows when paying tolls. It is so convenient and efficient motorist is not required to slowdown when the passing the ERP gantries. The Electronic road pricing system to be installed for the congested area can reduce the traffic and thus easing overall traffic congestion. Replacing the existing toll collection system to more advance technology, the ERP system, is another way to advancement of a country. What is Electronic road pricing? Electronic road pricing system (ERP) is simply an electronic system of road pricing. It is designed to automate our current road pricing system with no more paper coupons or enforcement officer at gantries. The system is a dedicated short – range radio communication system. The ERP consist of four main components: 1. The In Vehicle Unit (IU) 2. The Cash card 3. ERP gantries or control points 4 .The central computer system The IU is an electronic device installed in the vehicle that communicates with the gantry point equipment and accepts a cash card for payment of ERP charges. Each unique number is tied to the registration number of the vehicle to which it is attached. The cash card is a stored value of ERP payment. It is called the smart card is reusable and can topped up. It is easy and convenient to use. The scheme consists of ERP gantries located at all roads. They are also located along the expressways and arterial roads with heavy traffic to discourage usage during peak hours. The gantry system is actually a system of sensors on 2 gantries, one in front of the other. Cameras are also attached to the gantries to capture the rear license plate numbers of vehicles. There are different IUs for different classes of vehicles i.e. for cars, taxis, light good vehicles, heavy good vehicles, buses, motorcycles and exempted vehicles such as fire engines, ambulances and police cars. This is essential because the ERP charges are different for classes. The IUs are color coded so that illegal switching of IUs between different classes of vehicles will e discourage. Data is transferred from the local controller to central computer. The central computer system is the control room monitors the traffic network and equipment. There it records all ERP transactions, faults in the equipment and digital image of violating vehicles. The functional requirements of electronic road pricing system are: 1. It should be multi – lane system with no booths 2. There would be no manual payment. 3. There would be no need to slowdown at ERP gantry points. 4. There is a possibility that more than one vehicle passing simultaneously under the entry point. 5. Vehicle could travel at speed of more than limited speed. The ERP system is designed to be simple and easy to understand. The IU is capable of doing self – diagnostics on itself and on the cash card when the card is first inserted. There are a number of icons that appear on the LCD display to show errors. When the cash card balance is low, there will be a low balance indicator icon on the LCD display. Furthermore, when the IU with a low cash card goes under an ERP point, there would be continuous long beep  to remind the driver to top up his card before the next journey. Violations of the ERP system A massive campaign needs to be implemented prior to the implementation of ERP to teach motorists how to use the system and avoid violations. There are three types of violations; 1. There is mainly no IU 2. No cash card 3. Insufficient balance in the cash card To ensure the system can run smoothly and efficiently, service and information must be provided to the public in the beginning. In addition to the ERP hotlines, brochures, exhibitions, radio and television talk show. Strong marketing campaign is essential to explain the benefits and costs, the financial, efficiency equity effects of ERP. Achievement of ERP The ERP rates are to be such that there is neither congestion nor underutilization of the roads. Hence, we are aiming to operate the roads within arrange of speeds at the upper end of the traffic level of services. In addition, ERP would be an effective mean to mange future congestion and maintain average road speed during peak hours by diverting private vehicles trips to public transportation or non – peak travel time under various pricing and traffic growth scenarios. Main Objective of ERP Toll is collected before entering the zone. Charges will be levied on a per–pass basis and can vary according to time and congestion levels. With ERP, motorists will be aware of the true cost of driving. With this system of charging, a motorist will be encouraged to choose whether to drive, when and where to drive. He may choose a different route, destination, time of travel or decide to use public transport. By doing this, it will reduced traffic congestions. Benefits of ERP The transport operation benefits relate to reduced vehicular traffic, particularly during congested periods, reduced travel times, and increased public transport use and higher car and taxi occupancy. The environmental benefits involve reduced vehicle emissions and reduced exposure to traffic  noise inside the charging zone. However, the environmental conditions of other areas may witness some deterioration due to the overall redistribution of traffic. ERP therefore can assist in the overall improvement to the environment, but is not the sole solution to the complex issue of air quality and noise abatement. If ERP is to be used to meet environmental objectives, further studies will need to be conducted to define the parameters, benchmarks and related implementation details. Implementation How does ERP works? 1. When the motorist inserts a cash card into the IU, it checks the health of the IU and cash card. If everything is in order, there will be a short beeping sound and the cash balance of the cash card will be shown on the backlit LCD display of the IU for few seconds. A green light emitting diode (LED) will light up on the IU and remain lit until the cash card is removed. If the system is not working when the cash card is inserted into the IU. An â€Å"err† message appears on the IU display with a long beeping sound and a red LED lights up on the IU. In such cases, one or more of the small icons may also be shown on the display; to indicate the type of e.g. Cash card error, and low Cash card balance. Another indication of faulty system is a blank display. 2. At the ERP control point, the first gantry recognizes the presence of an IU and its class and instructs it to debit the cash card with appropriate amount. This amount is determined from table of prevailing charges for the various classes of vehicle loaded into the outstation by the central computer. Between the first and second from gantries, the IU debits this amount from the cash card. If the debiting is successful, the second gantry queries the IU and then gets such confirmation. The driver hears a short beat and sees the new cash card balance on the IU display. 3. If the IU is unable to deduct because of an error in the system or there is no cash card (or n invalid card) or insufficient balance in the cash card to meet the amount, the driver hears a long beep sees a red LED on the IU and â€Å"err† appears on the IU display with an error, the driver may also hear the long beep and see a blank display on the IU. 4. Meanwhile, the vehicle presents detector detects the passage of a vehicle. The antenna at the gantries, the vehicle presents detector and the IU together with the logic in the local  controller decide whether a complete successful transaction has been made. 5. If not, there has been a violation or an error. The cameras are instructed to take a photograph of the rear license plate of the offending vehicle. 6. Violations are committed by vehicles that have no IU, no cash card or an insufficient balance in the cash card to meet the cost of the passing under the ERP gantry. Errors occur when there is a faulty IU, no power to the IU from the vehicle battery, faulty cash card and partial communications between the IU and the antenna. 7. When a photograph is taken, attaches information on why it was taken so that technical errors and violations are differentiated. Errors do not result in prosecution of the motorist. 8. The information from the outstation on successful transaction, violation and error records and the photograph are sent periodically by telephone lines to the control center. Another control center monitors the state of all outstation equipment. Publication of Electronic Road Pricing Implementation of ERP will not be possible without a general public consensus on the objectives and principles of the proposal. There will likely be public resistance to ERP arising from suspicion about the governments motive, the reluctance to accept new initiatives and road users resentment about the imposition of new charges. A well-planned and executed public consultation programmed to demonstrate how ERP works and to allow public input into the development of system objectives can promote awareness of the ERP system as a measure to relieve traffic congestion and develop understanding in the community for its possible introduction. It is recommended that a public consultation programmed be initiated to increase public understanding of the traffic congestion problem and to encourage public discussion of possible use of restraint measures and alternative solutions including ERP. The public should be consulted specifically on the acceptable traffic speeds. IU Fitting Program There were two major program launched prior to the start of the ERP. The first was the installation of IUs on the 680,000 eligible vehicles while the  second was on publicity, to get motorists and motorcyclists aware and ready for the ERP system. The IU fitting program took 10 months, starting from September 1997. The 680,000 vehicles that were potential users of the ERP system were grouped into batches, and owners of each batch were invited to have IUs fitted at one of the 200 authorized IU fitting centers. This was spread out over the 10-month period, so that there will be no last-minute rush to fit IUs. To encourage vehicle owners to keep to the schedule, the IUs were given away at no cost to them if they had their IU fitted during the allocated time period. Otherwise, a charge of S$150 was payable. The fitting of IUs onto vehicles was not compulsory – it was left very much to the individual to decide. Nevertheless, at the end of the IU fitting program, about 98% of the registered vehicles were fitted with IUs. Publicity Program Publicity was another important aspect and this started even before the start of the IU fitting program and was in place for more than a year, all the way up to and beyond the launch date of the ERP system. All vehicle owners were sent brochures, detailing the ERP system, how it works and the differences between that and the then working ALS/RPS. Advertisements were also placed in the print media as well as on television to drum up awareness of the new road pricing system. An important awareness and confidence building program was the test phase – all the ERP gantries were switched on and working. The only differences were that the message on the ERP gantries read â€Å"On Test† instead of â€Å"In Operation†, and that the ERP charge was set to zero. This allowed motorists to test their IUs and to experience the ERP charging process. One of the differences between the ERP and the then ALS/RPS pointed out in the publicity program was that, unlike the latter, the ERP system imposes a charge each time a vehicles passes through the control point. In the ALS/RPS schemes, the fee payable was a daily charge that allowed the vehicle to make unlimited number of passing for that day. Conclusion (Electronic) Toll Collection may become an increasing important instrument within the big bundle of measures for regional demand and traffic management. The ERP system provides a targeted solution for congestion  pricing by allowing the authorities to pin-point specific congested spots and vary the congestion charge according to prevailing traffic conditions. Therefore, the charges can either increase or decrease according to the demand of usage of the priced-road or expressway, which is reviewed quarterly. By pricing congested stretches, ERP system helps to moderate and spread out vehicle usage for optimal usage of the road network by encouraging motorists to consider alternatives. These would include using other routes to arrive at their destinations, travelling during the off-peak periods, switching to public transport or car-pooling. The ERP system has been effective in managing traffic congestion and resulted in traffic speeds remaining within the optimal speed range. However, the ERP system cannot operate in silo and has to work in tandem with vehicle ownership control measures, increasing and optimizing road capacity, as well as encouraging motorists to shift to public transport to maintain a smooth-flowing road network. As congestion becomes increasingly pervasive, it would not be practical to continue erecting physical gantries to address the congestion problem. In addition, the ERP charges imposed at discrete gantry points also lead to undesirable consequences e.g. congestion spills over to nearby minor roads in residential areas, thus leading to localized congestion. This would be a more equitable and economically efficient system than the current point charging system where motorists are charged based on the number of gantries they drive through rather than distance travelled on a congested road. Furthermore, motorists who join a congested road after the gantry points are not charged even though they also contribute to the congestion of the road. It can help to minimize traffic, this is the way to help motorist to avoid wasting time. They can arrive on time on their business and the other things. It can also help to reduce air pollution to avoid the negative effects of human health and also in our environment. Electronic Road Pricing

Saturday, October 26, 2019

The Life and Works of Ezra Jack Keats Essay example -- Literary Analys

After a four week survey of a multitude of children’s book authors and illustrators, and learning to analyze their works and the methods used to make them effective literary pieces for children, it is certainly appropriate to apply these new skills to evaluate a single author’s works. Specifically, this paper focuses on the life and works of Ezra Jack Keats, a writer and illustrator of books for children who single handedly expanded the point of view of the genre to include the experiences of multicultural children with his Caldecott Award winning book â€Å"Snowy Day.† The creation of Peter as a character is ground breaking in and of itself, but after reading the text the reader is driven to wonder why â€Å"Peter† was created. Was he a vehicle for political commentary as some might suggest or was he simply another â€Å"childhood† that had; until that time, been ignored? If so, what inspired him to move in this direction? Born in March of 1916 as Jacob (Jack) Ezra Katz, he was the third child to Benjamin and Augusta Katz. His parents were both Polish immigrants of Jewish descent and they raised him in East New York, the predominantly Jewish section of Brooklyn. As immigrants they were plagued with financial difficulties and this was further aggravated when they struggled through the Depression. Despite all of these hardships, Keats had already begun to showcase his artistic abilities. At the age of eight he was hired to paint the sign of a local store. Naturally, his father was quite proud of him when he earned twenty-five cents for his work and hoped that this might endeavor might lead to a steady career as a sign pa ¬inter. Unfortunately for him, Keats was smitten with Fine Arts and won his first award in Junior High School: a medal for ... ...undeniable. Works Cited Gerard J.Keats, Ezra Jack. Goggles! New York: Puffin Books, 1969. Keats, Ezra Jack, and Cherr, Pat. My Dog is Lost! New York: Crowell, 1960. Keats, Ezra Jack. Peter’s Chair. New York: Viking, 1967. Keats, Ezra Jack. Skates! New York: Watts, 1973 Keats, Ezra Jack. The Snowy Day. New York: Viking, 1962. Senick, Gerard J., and Hedblad, Alan. Children’s Literature Review: Excerpts from Reviews, and Commentary on Books for Children and Young People (Volumes 14, 34, 35). Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research, 1995.. Ezra Jack Keats: A Virtual Exhibit. The University of Southern Mississippi De Grummond Children's Literature Collection. Web. 19 July 2010. . Http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/. Ezra Jack Keats Foundation. Web. 19 July 2010. .

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Comparison of Masaccios The Holy Trinity and Grunewalds The Isenheim

Comparison of Masaccio's The Holy Trinity and Grunewald's The Isenheim Altarpiece The Holy Trinity by Masaccio was a painting done in approximately 1428. It is a superb example of Masaccio's use of space and perspective. It consists of two levels of unequal height. Christ is represented on the top half, in a coffered, barrel-vaulted chapel. On one side of him is the Virgin Mary, and on the other, St. John. Christ himself is supported by God the Father, and the Dove of the Holy Spirit rests on Christ's halo. In front of the pilasters that enframe the chapel kneel the donors (husband and wife). Underneath the altar (a masonry insert in the painted composition) is a tomb. Inside the tomb is a skeleton, which may represent Adam. The vanishing point is at the center of the masonry altar, because this is the eye level of the spectator, who looks up at the Trinity and down at the tomb. The vanishing point, five feet above the floor level, pulls both views together. By doing this, an illusion of an actual structure is created. The interior volume of this 'structure' is an extension of the space that the person looking at the work is standing in. The adjustment of the spectator to the pictured space is one of the first steps in the development of illusionistic painting. Illusionistic painting fascinated many artists of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The proportions in this painting are so numerically exact that one can actually calculate the numerical dimensions of the chapel in the background. The span of the painted vault is seven feet, and the depth is nine feet. "Thus, he achieves not only successful illusion, but a rational, metrical coherence that, by maintaining the ... ... wearing a small robe around his waist. The other forms are depicted superbly. Their bodies are not lost behind the drapery which they wear, yet they are not seen exactly either. The folds are more delicate, which create a calmer mood. (Christ's description was already given). The forms are three dimensional, and also have weight. They clearly take up space, and where they are is clearly defined. As in The Holy Trinity, the composition is generally symmetrical, centered around the body of Christ. It is a frightful composition, because of the events taking place. Expression is shown on all of the figures, who grieve Christ's death. Overall, the two works are very similar. Masaccio, however, was more interested in the mathematical aspects of painting than Grunewald. Both works are superb, and have their own distinct qualities.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Blood Promise Chapter One

Chapter One I was being followed. It was kind of ironic, considering the way I'd been following others for the last few weeks. At least it wasn't a Strigoi. I would have already known. A recent effect of my being shadow-kissed was the ability to sense the undead-through bouts of nausea, unfortunately. Still, I appreciated my body's early warning system and was relieved my stalker tonight wasn't an insanely fast, insanely vicious vampire. I'd fought enough of those recently and kind of wanted a night off. I had to guess my follower was a dhampir like me, probably one from the club. Admittedly, this person was moving a little less stealthily than I would have expected of a dhampir. Footsteps were clearly audible against the pavement of the dark side streets I was traveling on, and once, I'd caught a brief glimpse of a shadowy figure. Still, considering my rash actions tonight, a dhampir was the most likely culprit. It had all started earlier at the Nightingale. That wasn't the club's true name, only a translation. Its real name was something Russian that was beyond my ability to pronounce. Back in the U.S., the Nightingale was well known among rich Moroi who traveled abroad, and now I could understand why. No matter what time of the day it was, people at the Nightingale dressed like they were at an imperial ball. And, well, the whole place actually kind of looked like something from the old, royal days of Russia, with ivory walls covered in gold scroll-work and molding. It reminded me a lot of the WinterPalace, a royal residence left over from when Russia had still been ruled by czars. I'd toured it upon first arriving in Saint Petersburg. At the Nightingale, elaborate chandeliers filled with real candles glittered in the air, lighting up the gold decor so that even in dim lighting, the whole establishment sparkled. There was a large dining room filled with velvet-draped tables and booths, as well as a lounge and bar area where people could mingle. Late in the evening, a band would set up in there, and couples would hit the dance floor. I hadn't bothered with the Nightingale when I arrived in the city a couple weeks ago. I'd been arrogant enough to think I could find Moroi right away who could direct me to Dimitri's hometown in Siberia. With no other clues about where Dimitri had gone in Siberia, heading to the town he'd grown up in had been my best chance of getting closer to him. Only, I didn't know where it was, which was why I was trying to find Moroi to help me. There were a number of dhampir towns and communes in Russia but hardly any in Siberia, which made me believe most local Moroi would be familiar with his birthplace. Unfortunately, it turned out that the Moroi who lived in human cities were very good at keeping themselves hidden. I checked what I thought were likely Moroi hangouts, only to come up empty. And without those Moroi, I had no answers. So, I'd begun staking out the Nightingale, which wasn't easy. It was hard for an eighteen-year-old girl to blend into one of the city's most elite clubs. I'd soon found that expensive clothes and large enough tips went a long way toward helping me get by. The waitstaff had come to know me, and if they thought my presence was strange, they didn't say so and were happy to give me the corner table I always asked for. I think they thought I was the daughter of some tycoon or politician. Whatever my background, I had the money to be there, which was all they cared about. Even so, my first few nights there had been discouraging. The Nightingale might have been an elite hangout for Moroi, but it was also frequented by humans. And at first, it had seemed those were the club's only patrons. Crowds grew larger as the night progressed, and in peering through the packed tables and people lingering at the bar, I'd seen no Moroi. The most notable thing I'd seen was a woman with long, platinum-blond hair walking into the lounge with a group of friends. For a moment, my heart had stopped. The woman had her back to me, but she had looked so much like Lissa that I'd felt certain I'd been tracked down. The weird thing was, I didn't know whether to feel excited or horrified. I missed Lissa so, so much-yet at the same time, I didn't want her involved in this dangerous trip of mine. Then the woman had turned around. It wasn't Lissa. She wasn't even a Moroi, just a human. Slowly, my breathing returned to normal. Finally, a week or so ago, I'd had my first sighting. A group of Moroi women had come in for a late lunch, accompanied by two guardians, one male and one female, who sat dutifully and quietly at the table as their charges gossiped and laughed over afternoon champagne. Dodging those guardians had been the trickiest part. For those who knew what to look for, Moroi were easy to spot: taller than most humans, pale, and uber-slim. They also had a certain funny way of smiling and holding their lips in order to hide their fangs. Dhampirs, with our human blood, appeared†¦ well, human. That was certainly how I looked to the untrained human eye. I was about five foot seven, and whereas Moroi tended to have unreal, runway-model bodies, mine was athletically built and curvy in the chest. Genetics from my unknown Turkish father and too much time in the sun had given me a light tan that paired well with long, nearly black hair and equally dark eyes. But those who had been raised in the Moroi world could spot me as a dhampir through close examination. I'm not sure what it was-maybe some instinct that drew us to our own kind and recognized the mix of Moroi blood. Regardless, it was imperative that I appear human to those guardians, so I didn't raise their alarms. I sat across the room in my corner, picking over caviar and pretending to read my book. For the record, I thought caviar was disgusting, but it seemed to be everywhere in Russia, particularly in the nice places. That and borscht-a kind of beet soup. I almost never finished my food at the Nightingale and would ravenously hit McDonald's afterward, even though the Russian McDonald's restaurants were a bit different from what I'd grown up with in the U.S. Still, a girl had to eat. So it became a test of my skill, studying the Moroi when their guardians weren't watching. Admittedly, the guardians had little to fear during the day, since there would be no Strigoi out in the sun. But it was in guardian nature to watch everything, and their eyes continually swept the room. I'd had the same training and knew their tricks, so I managed to spy without detection. The women came back a lot, usually late in the afternoon. St. Vladimir's ran on a nocturnal schedule, but Moroi and dhampirs living out among humans either ran on a daylight schedule or something in between. For a while, I'd considered approaching them-or even their guardians. Something held me back. If anyone would know where a town of dhampirs lived, it would be male Moroi. Many of them visited dhampir towns in hopes of scoring easy dhampir girls. So I promised myself I'd wait another week to see if any guys came by. If not, I would see what kind of information the women could give me. At last, a couple days ago, two Moroi guys had started showing up. They tended to come later in the evening, when the real partiers arrived. The men were about ten years older than me and strikingly handsome, wearing designer suits and silk ties. They carried themselves like powerful, important people, and I would have bet good money that they were royal-particularly since each one came with a guardian. The guardians were always the same, young men who wore suits to blend in but still carefully watched the room with that clever guardian nature. And there were women-always women. The two Moroi were terrible flirts, continually scoping out and hitting on every woman in sight-even humans. But they never went home with any humans. That was a taboo still firmly ingrained in our world. Moroi had kept themselves separate from humans for centuries, fearing detection from a race that had grown so plentiful and powerful. Still, that didn't mean the men went home alone. At some point in the evening, dhampir women usually showed up-different ones every night. They'd come in wearing low-cut dresses and lots of makeup, drinking heavily and laughing at everything the guys said-which probably wasn't even that funny. The women always wore their hair down, but every once in a while, they'd shift their heads in a way that showed their necks, which were heavily bruised. They were blood whores, dhampirs who let Moroi drink blood during sex. That was also a taboo-though it still happened in secret. I kept wanting to get one of the Moroi men alone, away from the watchful eyes of his guardians so that I could question him. But it was impossible. The guardians never left their Moroi unattended. I even attempted to follow them, but each time the group left the club, they'd almost immediately hop into a limousine-making it impossible for me to track them on foot. It was frustrating. I finally decided tonight that I'd have to approach the whole group and risk detection by the dhampirs. I didn't know if anyone from back home was actually looking for me, or if the group would even care who I was. Maybe I just had too high an opinion of myself. It was definitely possible that no one was actually concerned about a runaway dropout. But if anyone was looking for me, my description had undoubtedly been circulated amongst guardians worldwide. Even though I was now eighteen, I wouldn't have put it past some of the people I knew to haul me back to the U.S., and there was no way I could return until I'd found Dimitri. Then, just as I was considering my move on the group of Moroi, one of the dhampir women left the table to walk up to the bar. The guardians watched her, of course, but seemed confident about her safety and were more fixated on the Moroi. All this time, I'd been thinking Moroi men would be the best way to go to get information about a village of dhampirs and blood whores-but what better way to locate this place than by asking an actual blood whore? I strolled casually from my table and approached the bar, like I too was going to get a drink. I stood by as the woman waited for the bartender and studied her in my periphery. She was blond and wore a long dress covered in silver sequins. I couldn't decide if it made my black satin sheath dress appear tasteful or boring. All of her movements-even the way she stood-were graceful, like a dancer's. The bartender was helping others, and I knew it was now or never. I leaned toward her. â€Å"Do you speak English?† She jumped in surprise and looked over at me. She was older than I'd expected, her age cleverly concealed by makeup. Her blue eyes assessed me quickly, recognizing me as a dhampir. â€Å"Yes,† she said warily. Even the one word carried a thick accent. â€Å"I'm looking for a town†¦ a town where lots of dhampirs live, out in Siberia. Do you know what I'm talking about? I need to find it.† Again she studied me, and I couldn't read her expression. She might as well have been a guardian for all that her face revealed. Maybe she'd trained at one time in her life. â€Å"Don't,† she said bluntly. â€Å"Let it go.† She turned away, her gaze back on the bartender as he made someone a blue cocktail adorned with cherries. I touched her arm. â€Å"I have to find it. There's a man†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I choked on the word. So much for my cool interrogation. Just thinking about Dimitri made my heart stick in my throat. How could I even explain it to this woman? That I was following a long-shot clue, seeking out the man I loved most in the world-a man who had been turned into a Strigoi and who I now needed to kill? Even now, I could perfectly picture the warmth of his brown eyes and the way his hands used to touch me. How could I do what I had crossed an ocean to do? Focus, Rose. Focus. The dhampir woman looked back at me. â€Å"He's not worth it,† she said, mistaking my meaning. No doubt she thought I was a lovesick girl, chasing some boyfriend-which, I supposed, I kind of was. â€Å"You're too young†¦ it's not too late for you to avoid all that.† Her face might have been impassive, but there was sadness in her voice. â€Å"Go do something else with your life. Stay away from that place.† â€Å"You know where it is!† I exclaimed, too worked up to explain that I wasn't going there to be a blood whore. â€Å"Please-you have to tell me. I have to get there!† â€Å"Is there a problem?† Both she and I turned and looked into the fierce face of one of the guardians. Damn. The dhampir woman might not be their top priority, but they would have noticed someone harassing her. The guardian was only a little older than me, and I gave him a sweet smile. I might not be spilling out of my dress like this other woman, but I knew my short skirt did great things for my legs. Surely even a guardian wasn't immune to that? Well, apparently he was. His hard expression showed that my charms weren't working. Still, I figured I might as well try my luck with him on getting intel. â€Å"I'm trying to find a town in Siberia, a town where dhampirs live. Do you know it?† He didn't blink. â€Å"No.† Wonderful. Both were playing difficult. â€Å"Yeah, well, maybe your boss does?† I asked demurely, hoping I sounded like an aspiring blood whore. If the dhampirs wouldn't talk, maybe one of the Moroi would. â€Å"Maybe he wants some company and would talk to me.† â€Å"He already has company,† the guardian replied evenly. â€Å"He doesn't need any more.† I kept the smile on. â€Å"Are you sure?† I purred. â€Å"Maybe we should ask him.† â€Å"No,† replied the guardian. In that one word, I heard the challenge and the command. Back off. He wouldn't hesitate to take on anyone he thought was a threat to his master-even a lowly dhampir girl. I considered pushing my case further but quickly decided to follow the warning and indeed back off. I gave an unconcerned shrug. â€Å"His loss.† And with no other words, I walked casually back to my table, like the rejection was no big deal. All the while I held my breath, half-expecting the guardian to drag me out of the club by my hair. It didn't happen. Yet as I gathered my coat and set some cash on the table, I saw him watching me, eyes wary and calculating. I left the Nightingale with that same nonchalant air, heading out toward the busy street. It was a Saturday night, and there were lots of other clubs and restaurants nearby. Partygoers filled the streets, some dressed as richly as the Nightingale's patrons; others were my age and dressed in casual wear. Lines spilled out of the clubs, dance music loud and heavy with bass. Glass-fronted restaurants showed elegant diners and richly set tables. As I walked through the crowds, surrounded by Russian conversation, I resisted the urge to look behind me. I didn't want to raise any further suspicion if that dhampir was watching. Yet when I turned down a quiet street that was a shortcut back to my hotel, I could hear the soft sounds of footsteps. I apparently had raised enough alarm that the guardian had decided to follow me. Well, there was no way I was going to let him get the drop on me. I might have been smaller than him-and wearing a dress and heels-but I had fought plenty of men, including Strigoi. I could handle this guy, especially if I used the element of surprise. After walking this neighborhood for so long, I knew it and its twists and turns well. I picked up my pace and darted around a few corners, one of which led me into a dark, deserted alley. Scary, yeah, but it made for a good ambush spot when I ducked into a doorway. I quietly stepped out of my high-heeled shoes. They were black with pretty leather straps but not ideal in a fight, unless I planned on gouging someone in the eye with a heel. Actually, not a bad idea. But I wasn't quite that desperate. Without them, the pavement was cold beneat h my bare feet since it had rained earlier in the day. I didn't have to wait long. A few moments later, I heard the footsteps and saw my pursuer's long shadow appear on the ground, cast in the flickering light of a street lamp on the adjacent road. My stalker came to a stop, no doubt searching for me. Really, I thought, this guy was careless. No guardian in pursuit would have been so obvious. He should have moved with more stealth and not revealed himself so easily. Maybe the guardian training here in Russia wasn't as good as what I'd grown up with. No, that couldn't be true. Not with the way Dimitri had dispatched his enemies. They'd called him a god at the Academy. My pursuer took a few more steps, and that's when I made my move. I leapt out, fists ready. â€Å"Okay,† I exclaimed. â€Å"I only wanted to ask a few questions, so just back off or else-â€Å" I froze. The guardian from the club wasn't standing there. A human was. A girl, no older than me. She was about my height, with cropped dark blond hair and a navy blue trench coat that looked expensive. Underneath it, I could see nice dress pants and leather boots that looked as pricey as the coat. More startling still was that I recognized her. I'd seen her twice at the Nightingale, talking to the Moroi men. I'd assumed she was just another of the women they liked to flirt with and had promptly dismissed her. After all, what use was a human to me? Her face was partly covered in shadow, but even in poor lighting, I could make out her annoyed expression. That wasn't quite what I'd expected. â€Å"It's you, isn't it?† she asked. Cue more shock. Her English was as American as my own. â€Å"You're the one who's been leaving the string of Strigoi bodies around the city. I saw you back in the club tonight and knew it had to be you.† â€Å"I†¦Ã¢â‚¬  No other words formed on my lips. I had no idea how to respond. A human talking casually about Strigoi? It was unheard of. This was almost more astonishing than actually running into a Strigoi out here. I'd never experienced anything like this in my life. She didn't seem to care about my stupefied state. â€Å"Look, you can't just do that, okay? Do you know what a pain in the ass it is for me to deal with? This internship is bad enough without you making a mess of it. The police found the body you left in the park, you know. You cannot even imagine how many strings I had to pull to cover that up.† â€Å"Who†¦ who are you?† I asked at last. It was true. I had left a body in the park, but seriously, what was I supposed to do? Drag him back to my hotel and tell the bellhop my friend had had too much to drink? â€Å"Sydney,† the girl said wearily. â€Å"My name's Sydney. I'm the Alchemist assigned here.† â€Å"The what?† She sighed loudly, and I was pretty sure she rolled her eyes. â€Å"Of course. That explains everything.† â€Å"No, not really,† I said, finally regaining my composure. â€Å"In fact, I think you're the one who has a lot of explaining to do.† â€Å"And attitude too. Are you some kind of test they sent here for me? Oh, man. That's it.† I was getting angry now. I didn't like being chastised. I certainly didn't like being chastised by a human who made it sound like me killing Strigoi was a bad thing. â€Å"Look, I don't know who you are or how you know about any of this, but I'm not going to stand here and-â€Å" Nausea rolled over me and I tensed, my hand immediately going for the silver stake I kept in my coat pocket. Sydney still wore that annoyed expression, but it was mingled with confusion now at the abrupt change in my posture. She was observant, I'd give her that. â€Å"What's wrong?† she asked. â€Å"You're going to have another body to deal with,† I said, just as the Strigoi attacked her.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Little Biographys essays

Little Biographys essays She was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania. She was born in1857-1944.She was an American writer, leader of the muckraking movement in journalism. Tarbell was an associate editor (1894-1906) of McClures magazine (1906-1915) and editor of the American Magazine. Her best known work is the History of the Standard Oil Company. Her other writings are Short Life of Napoleon Bonaparte (1895), Life of Abraham Lincoln (1900), The Nationalizing of Business, 1878-1898 (1936), and All in the Day's Work: An Autobiography (1939). He was born in Landau, Germany. He was born in1840-1902. He is an American cartoonist and caricaturist. He was educated at the national Academy of Design, NYC. In 1855 he became an illustrator for frank Leslies Illustrated Newspaper, and three years later for Harpers weekly. Where he subsequently became a staff cartoonist. His drawing during the American Civil War and Reconstruction periods won him fame. His best-known works are the powerful cartoons successfully attacking the corrupt Tammany Ring, or Tweed Ring, of NYC during the years 1869 to 1872.These cartoons introduced the now famous political symbols of the tiger for Tammany Hall, the donkey for Democratic Party, and the elephant for the Republican Party. In 1887 Nast left Harper's Weekly and in 1894 became a staff member of the Pall Mall Gazette, London. He was born in San Francisco. He was born in 1866 -1936. He was an American Journalist. He was on of the muckraking movement of the early 20th century. He was educated at the University of California and in France and Germany. Between 1902 and 1911 he wrote articles exposing corruption in business and in city government for McClures Magazine, American Magazine, and Everybodys Magazine. The articles were published Steffens and other crusading journalists created the muckraking movement of the first decade ...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Aristo Book 5 Experiment Answer Essay Essays

Aristo Book 5 Experiment Answer Essay Essays Aristo Book 5 Experiment Answer Essay Essay Aristo Book 5 Experiment Answer Essay Essay HKDSE CHEMISTRY – A Modern View ( Chemistry ) Experiment Workbook 5 Suggested replies Chapter 52 Importance of industrial procedures Chapter 53 Rate equation Experiment 53. 1 Determining the rate equation of a reaction utilizing method of initial rate ( A microscale experiment ) 1 Chapter 54 Activation energy Experiment 54. 1 Determining the activation energy of a chemical reaction 3 Chapter 55 Catalysis and industrial procedures Experiment 55. 1 Investigating the action of a accelerator 6 Experiment 55. 2 Investigating homogenous contact action 8 Experiment 55. 3Investigating ways to alter the rate of a reaction with a suited accelerator 9 Experiment 55. 3 Sample laboratory study 13 Experiment 55. 4Preparing ethyl alcohol by agitation 16 Chapter 56 Industrial procedures Chapter 57 Green chemical science for industrial procedures Chapter 53Rate equation Experiment 53. 1Determining the rate equation of a reaction utilizing method of initial rate ( A microscale experiment ) 7. and 11. ( a ) Well figure 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Number of beads of 0. 5 M Na2S2O3 ( aq ) 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 Time. T ( s ) 14. 2 15. 8 17. 8 20. 4 23. 8 28. 6 35. 7 47. 6 ( s?1 ) 0. 070 0. 063 0. 056 0. 049 0. 042 0. 035 0. 028 0. 021 10. and 12. ( a ) Well figure 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Number of beads of 1. 0 M H2SO4 ( aq ) 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 Time. T ( s ) 59. 4 59. 7 60. 0 60. 7 59. 9 60. 0 61. 0 60. 5 ( s?1 ) 0. 017 0. 017 0. 017 0. 016 0. 017 0. 017 0. 016 0. 017 11. ( a ) reciprocally ( B ) ( degree Celsius ) 1 12. ( B ) 0 ( degree Celsius ) From the consequences in Table 53. 2. the readings of clip are near. bespeaking that the reaction is of zeroth order with regard to H+ ( aq ) . 13. Rate = k [ S2O32? ( aq ) ] 14. S2O32? ( aq ) + 2H+ ( aq ) ? S ( s ) + SO2 ( g ) + H2O ( cubic decimeter ) 15. In this experiment. the clip for the formation of a fixed. but little sum of indissoluble sulfur precipitate is measured. The shorter the clip. the faster is the reaction. It is assumed that the extent of reaction is still little when the clip is recorded. so that the clip recorded can be used as a measuring of initial rate of the reaction. Chapter 54Activation Energy Experiment 54. 1Determining the activation energy of a chemical reaction 5. Temperature of the reaction mixture (  °C ) 15 25 35 45 55 Time for the visual aspect of dark bluish coloring material ( s ) 679 ( at 11 °C ) 232 ( at 27 °C ) 112 ( at 37 °C ) 80 ( at 43 °C ) 33 ( at 56 °C ) 6. ( a ) rate changeless ; activation energy ; Universal gas invariable ; temperature ; ( B ) log ( ) ?2. 83 ?2. 37 ?2. 05 ?1. 90 ?1. 52 3. 52 3. 33 3. 23 3. 16 3. 04 ( degree Celsius ) ( vitamin D ) ?2750 ( vitamin E ) incline = ?2750 = Ea = 2750 ? 2. 3 ? 8. 314 J mol?1 = 52 586 J mol?1 = 52. 6 kJ mol?1 7. Arrhenius equation ; log k = log A 8. consecutive line ; 9. S2O82? ( aq ) + 2I? ( aq ) ? 2SO42? ( aq ) + I2 ( aq ) 10. To supervise the formation of I from the reaction of S2O82? ( aq ) ions and I? ( aq ) ions. 11. When all S2O82? ( aq ) ions have reacted. any I formed will turn the starch solution dark blue. The clip for this coloring material alteration is a step of the rate of reaction shown in inquiry 9. ( Note: The reaction rate is reciprocally relative to the clip taken for the amylum solution to turn dark blue. ) 12. The sum of reactants used in each experiment may non be precisely the same. There may be an mistake in mensurating or reading the temperatures from the thermometers. As the coloring material alteration of the solution mixture is non a sudden 1. particularly at low temperatures. there may be an mistake in entering the clip of color alteration. Chapter 55Catalysis and industrial procedures Experiment 55. 1Investigating the action of accelerator 1. ( B ) No. 5. ( B ) Time ( s ) 10 20 30 40 50 60 Volume of O2 ( g ) released ( cm3 ) . with the add-on of 0. 5 g MnO2 ( s ) 30 60 85 95 96 96 Time ( s ) 70 80 90 100 110 120 Volume of O2 ( g ) released ( cm3 ) . with the add-on of 0. 5 g MnO2 ( s ) 96 6. ( B ) Time ( s ) 10 20 30 40 50 60 Volume of O2 ( g ) released ( cm3 ) . with the add-on of 1. 5 g MnO2 ( s ) 70 90 95 96 96 Time ( s ) 70 80 90 100 110 120 Volume of O2 ( g ) released ( cm3 ) . with the add-on of 1. 5 g MnO2 ( s ) 8. 9. Manganese ( IV ) oxide MnO2 ( s ) 10. 2H2O2 ( aq ) ? 2H2O ( cubic decimeter ) + O2 ( g ) 11. ( a ) The add-on of manganese ( IV ) oxide greatly increases the rate of decomposition of H peroxide. ( B ) ( I ) The initial rate of reaction is higher. ( two ) The entire clip of reaction is shorter. ( Note: increasing the sum of accelerator would increase the reaction rate. ) ( degree Celsius ) No. 12. Add more H2O2 ( aq ) to the reaction mixture. rapid effervescence shows that manganese ( IV ) oxide has non been used up in the reaction. The catalytic belongings of manganese ( IV ) oxide is still present. Experiment 55. 2Investigating homogenous contact action 5. Mixture ‘y’ . It has a characteristic Sweet odor like certain gums or nail Polish removers. 6. ethyl acetate ; concentrated sulfuric acid 7. CH3COOH ( cubic decimeter ) + CH3CH2OH ( cubic decimeter ) ? CH3COOCH2CH3 ( cubic decimeter ) + H2O ( cubic decimeter ) 8. Homogeneous accelerator. This is because all species are in the same stage in the reaction. i. e. the liquid stage. 9. Sodium carbonate solution reacts with any unreacted ethanoic acid left in the reaction mixture. The strong acetum odor of ethanoic acid is therefore removed. The salt Na acetate formed has no odor. Besides. the ester is indissoluble in H2O and floats on the H2O surface. This makes us easier to observe the odor of ester. Experiment 55. 3Investigating ways to alter the rate of a reaction with a suited accelerator 1. Apparatus: Safety eyeglassess Protective baseball mitts Conic flask ( 100 cm3 ) 5 mensurating cylinders ( 10 cm3 ) Dropper Stopwatch Boiling tubing White tile Chemicals: Ammonium peroxodisulphate solution ( 0. 020 M ) Potassium iodide solution ( 0. 50 M ) Sodium thiosulphate solution ( 0. 010 M ) 0. 2 % amylum solution Iron ( II ) chloride solution ( ~0. 010 M ) Distilled H2O 2. What you will maintain invariable ( Controlled variable ) What you will alter ( Independent variable ) What you will mensurate ( Dependent variable ) volume of ammonium peroxodisulphate solution volume of K iodide solution volume of Na thiosulphate solution sum of 0. 2 % amylum solution with or without utilizing Fe ( II ) solution the clip for the visual aspect of the dark bluish coloring material 3. Figure 1 4. ( 1 ) Using a measurement cylinder. add 10 cm3 of ammonium peroxodisulphate solution to a conelike flask. ( 2 ) Using different mensurating cylinders. add 5 cm3 of K iodide solution. 5 cm3 of Na thiosulphate solution. 1 cm3 of Fe ( II ) chloride solution and 2. 5 cm3 of starch solution to a boiling tubing. ( 3 ) Pour the contents in the boiling tubing into the conelike flask. ( 4 ) Immediately get down the stop watch. ( 5 ) When a dark bluish coloring material of the starch-iodine complex appears in the solution. halt the stop watch. ( 6 ) Record the clip for the visual aspect of the dark bluish coloring material in Table 1. ( 7 ) Repeat stairss ( 1 ) to ( 6 ) . but replace Fe ( II ) chloride solution with 1 cm3 of distilled H2O. 5. Risk appraisal signifier 6. Time for the visual aspect of the dark bluish coloring material With Fe2+ ( aq ) ions ( as a accelerator ) added 59 s Without any accelerator added 3 mins and 52 s Table 1 7. The reaction involves the hit of two negatively charged ions. S2O82? ( aq ) ions and I? ( aq ) ions. which really repel each other. 8. S2O82? ( aq ) + 2Fe2+ ( aq ) ? 2SO42? ( aq ) + 2Fe3+ ( aq ) 2Fe3+ ( aq ) + 2I? ( aq ) ? 2Fe2+ ( aq ) + I2 ( aq ) 9. Mentioning to the two equations in inquiry 8. the S2O82? ( aq ) ions oxidize the Fe2+ ( aq ) ions to Fe3+ ( aq ) ions. At the same clip. the S2O82? ( aq ) ions are reduced to SO42? ( aq ) ions. The Fe3+ ( aq ) ions are strong oxidising agents that oxidize I? ( aq ) ions to I2 ( aq ) . At the same clip. Fe3+ ( aq ) ions are reduced back to Fe2+ ( aq ) ions ( i. e. the accelerator is regenerated ) . Both the equations shown in inquiry 8 involve the hit between positive and negative ions. This will be much more likely to be successful than the hit between two negative ions in the uncatalysed reaction. Therefore. the activation energy of this tract will be lower and the reaction rate will besides be higher. 10. The chemical reaction can be speeded up by the add-on of Fe ( II ) ions. which act as a homogenous accelerator of this reaction. 11. It can be regenerated after the reaction. OR It is specific in action. OR A little sum of accelerator is normally plenty for the catalytic action. 12. Homogeneous accelerator is one which has the same stage as the reactants and merchandises. Sample laboratory study Title: Investigating ways to alter the rate of a reaction with a suited accelerator Aim To plan and transport out an experiment to look into ways to alter the rate of a reaction – by the usage of a suited accelerator. Apparatus and stuffs Safety eyeglassess Protective baseball mitts Conic flask ( 100 cm3 ) 5 mensurating cylinders ( 10 cm3 ) Dropper Stopwatch Boiling tubing White tile Ammonium peroxodisulphate solution ( 0. 020 M ) Potassium iodide solution ( 0. 50 M ) Sodium thiosulphate solution ( 0. 010 M ) 0. 2 % amylum solution Iron ( II ) chloride solution ( ~0. 010 M ) Distilled H2O Chemical reactions involved S2O82? ( aq ) + 2Fe2+ ( aq ) ? 2SO42? ( aq ) + 2Fe3+ ( aq ) 2Fe3+ ( aq ) + 2I? ( aq ) ? 2Fe2+ ( aq ) + I2 ( aq ) Procedure 1. Using a measurement cylinder. 10 cm3 of ammonium peroxodisulphate solution was added to a conelike flask. 2. Using different mensurating cylinders. 5 cm3 of K iodide solution. 5 cm3 of Na thiosulphate solution. 1 cm3 of Fe ( II ) chloride solution and 2. 5 cm3 of starch solution were added to a boiling tubing. 3. The contents in the boiling tubing were poured into the conelike flask. 4. The stop watch was started instantly. 5. When a dark bluish coloring material of the starch-iodine composite appeared in the solution. the stop watch was stopped. 6. The clip for the visual aspect of the dark bluish coloring material was recorded in Table 1. 7. Stairss ( 1 ) to ( 6 ) were repeated. but Fe ( II ) chloride solution was replaced with 1 cm3 of distilled H2O. Consequences Time for the visual aspect of the dark bluish coloring material With Fe2+ ( aq ) ions ( as a accelerator ) added 59 s Without any accelerator added 3 mins and 52 s Table 1 After blending all the chemicals in the conelike flask. the reaction mixture with Fe2+ ( aq ) ions will take a shorter clip for the dark bluish coloring material to look. Analysis 1. In the absence of Fe2+ ( aq ) ions. the reaction between S2O82? ( aq ) ions and I ­Ã‚ ­? ( aq ) ions is slow. As both reactant ions are negatively charged. they tend to drive each other. However. when Fe2+ ( aq ) ions are added. the reaction becomes faster. Fe2+ ( aq ) ions have the same stage ( i. e. aqueous stage ) as the reactants and merchandises. so they are homogenous accelerator of this reaction. 2. Fe2+ ( aq ) ions is a cut downing agent which can cut down S2O82? ( aq ) ions to SO42? ( aq ) ions. The Fe3+ ( aq ) ions formed act as an oxidizing agent. which oxidize I ­Ã‚ ­? ( aq ) ions to I2 ( aq ) ions and renew Fe2+ ( aq ) ions once more. Bing a accelerator. Fe2+ ( aq ) ions are non consumed in the catalytic procedure. Discussion 1. Either Fe2+ ( aq ) ions are Fe3+ ( aq ) ions is a good pick of accelerator for this reaction because the interconversion between Fe2+ and Fe3+ facilitates the reaction between S2O82? ( aq ) ions and I ­Ã‚ ­? ( aq ) ions to happen. 2. The catalytic belongings of Fe2+ ( aq ) ions may be due to the fact that it is easier for the negatively charged S2O82? ( aq ) ions to near the positively charged Fe2+ ( aq ) ions. The same is true when the positively charged Fe3+ ( aq ) ions formed can near the negatively charged I ­Ã‚ ­? ( aq ) ions easier. 3. The experiment is merely a simple trial tubing experiment but the consequence ( color alteration ) is rather obvious and easy to observe. Decision The chemical reaction can be speeded up by the add-on of Fe2+ ( aq ) ions. which act as a homogenous accelerator of this reaction. Answers to inquiries for farther idea 11. It can be regenerated after the reaction. OR It is specific in action. OR A little sum of accelerator is normally plenty for the catalytic action. 12. Homogeneous accelerator is one which has the same stage as the reactants and merchandises. Experiment 55. 4Preparing ethyl alcohol by agitation 3. ( B ) Glucose solution with barm Glucose solution without barm Appearance of the glucose solution a pale brown suspension a clear solution Observations in the limewater clear and colourless clear and colourless 6. ( vitamin D ) Acidified K bichromate solution alterations colour from orange to green. ( degree Fahrenheit ) No coloring material alteration for the acidified K bichromate solution. 7. Glucose solution with barm Glucose solution without barm Appearance of the glucose solution cloudy ; a pale brown suspension clear. no seeable alteration Observations in the limewater milky remains clear and colourless Smell of the glucose solution a odor of intoxicant no characteristic odor 8. accelerator 9. ethyl alcohol ; C dioxide 10. The solution turns milky. It indicates that C dioxide is produced during agitation. 11. In the presence of barm. glucose is converted to ethanol. The presence of ethyl alcohol is indicated by the color alteration of the reaction with acidified K bichromate solution. Ethanol is a cut downing agent. It reduces dichromate ions to chromium ( III ) ions.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Spreading Terror essays

Spreading Terror essays With the War on Terrorism lasting about 5 months, it has moved on from Afghanistan to many other locations. In his State of the Union speech on Wednesday January 30th, President Bush said that the war was not over and that we should not expect a short war on terror. President Bush and the rest of the United States are now looking at other countries such as Iraq, Iran and North Korea. By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. They could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred. They could attack our allies or attempt to blackmail the United States. In any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catastrophic," Bush said. President Bush singled out Iraq, Iran and North Korea as being the main possible producers of weapons of mass destruction. The axis of evil, as Bush called them are not being shunned out of the United States. "We'll tell you what we think, and we'll tell you we're ready to discuss these issues," Boucher said referring to the discussions between Iraq, Iran, and North Korea with the United States. Diplomacy itself is about to change. Is America ready to fight a war against multiple enemies should the need come? "When we're called upon by the president to do whatever, we'll be ready to do that," General Richard Myers, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a press conference. The countries that Bush singled out are not taking his words lightly. "This statement of President Bush is stupid and a statement that does not befit the leader of the biggest state in the world," Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan said. North Korea also voiced their opinion about being called an axis of evil. In one of North Koreas newspapers it was written that President Bushs words were merely loudmouthed threats meant to justify U.S. military presence in South Korea. The future ...

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Entreprenurship in America Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Entreprenurship in America - Research Paper Example In terms of definition, Harold Welsch (3) emphasized that â€Å"THE FIELD OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP was described in 1983 as ‘an intellectual onion. You peel it back layer by layer and when you get to the center, there is nothing there, but you are crying.’ This description of the field by a senior faculty member at Harvard Business School was given to a young person being recruited into the field.† The advice indicated management had to resolve all types of customer complaints. Even though there was lack of earlier academic attention, researches have indicated that the vital importance of new ventures and small businesses that incorporated creation of jobs for the community. For example, some of the global entrepreneurial powerhouses included Silicon Valley, Silicon Alley, Route 128, Austin, and Research Triangle. The sociological concept of the global entrepreneurship spirit continues to evolve. More and more individuals have joined the bandwagon called entrepreneursh ip. More and more people have funneled their hard earned cash and other assets into the entrepreneurship market segment during the last 100 years. In addition, Harold Welsch (3) mentioned Harvard described entrepreneurship as the pursuit of opportunity beyond the resources the investor can presently manage. The definition adeptly incorporates the benefits of maximizing the individual and society to bring out the best of the entrepreneurial spirit. The entrepreneurial spirit includes finding opportunities that will increase one’s current investments. The entrepreneur must find the needed resources to fill the needs of current and prospective clients. Further, David Landes (401) insists â€Å"THE SPECIAL GENIUS OF THE twentieth-century U.S. economy has typically been characterized as the harnessing of technology by entrepreneurs working within the large vertically integrated American corporation, at first wholly a private sector phenomenon, and then in cooperation with an incr easingly interventionist federal government. By the 1970s no sector of the U.S. economy, whether public or private, for-profit, or not-for-profit, was unaffected by this regime.† Focusing on the nonmanufacturing sectors such as entertainment and transfer of information have the marks of the scientifically improved, and controlled, type of industrial growth the incorporated the gains of the second industrial revolution. A better scrutiny of the 20th Century experience in the United States, on the other hand, proposes a much more complex image than simple rules espoused by many multinational corporations. Likewise, the seemingly normalization of innovative changes, that include the implementation of perpetual motion machine in a network of large corporations, with the financial aid of many entities, had been part of the more complicated entrepreneurial story. In addition, the business activities of some small and medium scale entrepreneurial entities as well as individual entrep reneurs, working under the management of multinational corporations. In addition, Gerald Hills (5) opined â€Å"There is growing evidence that entrepreneurship should be treated as a major conceptual dimension within the marketing discipline. Marketing journals, programs, and associations are structured around: (1) different marketing functions such as product development and advertising; and (2) types of markets and firms such as consumer and industrial, services, health care

Friday, October 18, 2019

EM200-1501B-02 Introduction to Website Development Phase 1 IP Assignment

EM200-1501B-02 Introduction to Website Development Phase 1 IP - Assignment Example The main page is usually the first page to be seen when one visits a web page. The main page has enriched information regarding the website. Main pages contain graphic images describing the function of the site. A main page also contains links to other pages within the site. The primary function of a main page is to give access to other pages on the website. This is achieved by providing links to articles, pages and other files contained in the website. Main pages also contain a search box to help visitors quickly access data and information they are looking for on a website. A websites primary page also explains the core functions of the internet site to its visitors (Gareth, 2003). A header in a general computer context is the top portion of an electronic file. In a web page context, a header can be said to be a ‘banner’. It can be defined as the top portion that contains the name, logo and general information about a website. A header is consistent throughout the website appearing at the top of all pages it contains. The headers primary function is to communicate with visitors on what the website is for and what it does. To accomplish this, a header usually contains the company’s logo and in most cases its slogan or motto. A good header attracts visitors’ attention, sparks their curiosity, and prompts them to look for more in the website. Since it is the first object to be seen on a website, a header creates a focus point for a visitor and encourages him/her to continue browsing the site. Depending on its image and color, a header can also improve the visibility of the website (Gareth, 2003). In a general computer context, footer is the bottom portion of an electronic or computer file. For a web page, footer describes the part at the bottom of the page. Like the header, a footer is also consistent throughout the website appearing at the bottom of every page. Most web page footers contain a

Scientific versus Industrial Revolutions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Scientific versus Industrial Revolutions - Essay Example One revolution preceded the other because every revolution is based on man’s need and understanding at that time. If there was a need to increase production to meet the demands of society, then new ways of doing things will be invented and eventually this may lead to a scientific or industrial revolution. These revolutions only occur in certain parts of the world because not all nations have the resources to carry out a certain revolution. Some countries may not have the technically-skilled people to carry out the change. Furthermore, aside from the lack of resources, some countries may not be prepared or ready to accept a new idea or concept. Other regions may find it difficult to leave their beliefs and ways of doing things. One does not think that this would be true today because with globalization, it would be very easy for change to occur simultaneously in different parts of the world. Moreover, countries have no choice but to accept the new changes, else they will be left out. They will not be globally competitive; thus, may result in a slow growth in their

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Evaluate Sainsbury plc's financial strategy Essay - 2

Evaluate Sainsbury plc's financial strategy - Essay Example Sainsbury's is headquartered in Holborn Circus. To ensure that its products are effectively distributed in the local and neighboring markets, the supermarket has established a number of subsidiaries in the UK market. Under the leadership of David Tyler and Justin King the company chairman and chief executive respectively, Sainsbury’s has more than 150,000 employees. This has resulted to a significant increment on the company revenue that stood at ?21.102Â  billion in 2011. This paper, evaluate Sainsbury plc’s financial strategy by analyzing its financial performance in the last few years. To expand its customer’s base and generate more revenue that is needed to undertake its operations, Sainsbury's has opened a number of stores, supermarkets and a significant number of hypermarkets. To ensure that the supermarket is financial strong to cater for its short-term and long-term liabilities, Sainsbury's operates Sainsbury's Bank whose key objectives is to sell financ ial products. One of the major factors that Sainsbury's has adopted to enhance its financial performance was the formation of a joint venture with Lloyds Banking Company among other firms. Major strategies that Sainsbury's has adopted to strengthen its financial position is merger and acquisitions (Adizes 35). As depicted earlier, the supermarket generated total revenue of ?21.102Â  billion in 2011. ... ncial Statement 2012 indicate that as a result of the increase in the investment, the net debt of the company increased from ?1,814 million in 2011 to ?1,980 million in 2012. This was however, offset by reasonable cash that was generated from leasebacks and sales. Table indicating cash generated from operations and net cash from operating activities by Sainsbury’s in 2011 and in 2012 financial years. Figures are in ? million. Cash generated from operations 1291 1388 Interest paid (142) (126) Corporation tax paid (82) (158) Net cash from operating activities 1067 854 Net cash used in investing activities (883) (902) Issue of shares proceeds 14 17 New debt 391 45 Borrowings repayments (65) (79) Dividends paid (285) (269) Source- Sainsbury’s Annual Report and Financial Statement 2012 Financing of Sainsbury operations According to the board of the directors, Sainsbury’s is focused at effectively managing its finances by maintaining appropriate stand-by liquidity, red ucing the risks of refinancing and diversifying the sources of funds. Two of the major long-term loans that are vital in the operations of Sainsbury’s include loans of ?1,036 million and ?843 million that are due on 2018 and 2031 respectively. The company has provided its property assets as the security for the loans. Other key sources of funds includes unsecured loans of ?499 million, finances leases of ?143 million, and convertible bonds issued to the public amounting to ?190 million. Based on the profitability of the company, the board is focused at repaying the loans in the next five years. In order to have adequate cash to cater for short term and urgent liabilities, Sainsbury’s maintains a revolving credit facility amounting to ?690 millions (Modigliani and Miller 263). According to the 2012

Product Placement in the UK Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Product Placement in the UK - Assignment Example The move has been approved in recognition of the crisis that the industry is in because of declining ad revenues and to make sure that the British broadcasting networks are not rendered uncompetitive due to unnecessary restrictions. However the government has drawn the line on product exposure in children shows and the exposure of products such as alcohol, tobacco or those food products considered unhealthy.( Campbell Denis ‘TV product placement: Bradshaw bans nasties’) If we look at product placement through the marketing mix (4 P’s) perspective we can clearly see that this is a form of promotion, something that manufacturers might invest in as an alternative to advertising. If we analyze the efficacy of product placement using the tools of brand recognition and recall research indicates that brand recall and recognition was significantly improved with product placement activity. However research has generally been contradictory on whether it affects brand attitude change. These findings indicate that product placement could play a beneficial role on new product launches when achieving brand recognition is a key goal.( Kaijansinkko Riku ‘Product Placement in Integrated marketing communications strategy’) Another interesting analysis of product placement indicates that it maybe more effective then advertising because the consumers are not expecting this kind of stimuli when they are watching television or a film. This ‘Von Restorrf’ effect however maybe affected in the UK by the controversy that product placement has generated which will probably result in consumer’s expecting product placement.( Kaijansinkko Riku ‘Product Placement in Integrated marketing communications strategy’) This issue is now very pertinent for discussion after have being approved very recently on the 9th of February 2010. Although it was being discussed last year it was still far from being approved (which puts a totally different perspective on things)

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Evaluate Sainsbury plc's financial strategy Essay - 2

Evaluate Sainsbury plc's financial strategy - Essay Example Sainsbury's is headquartered in Holborn Circus. To ensure that its products are effectively distributed in the local and neighboring markets, the supermarket has established a number of subsidiaries in the UK market. Under the leadership of David Tyler and Justin King the company chairman and chief executive respectively, Sainsbury’s has more than 150,000 employees. This has resulted to a significant increment on the company revenue that stood at ?21.102Â  billion in 2011. This paper, evaluate Sainsbury plc’s financial strategy by analyzing its financial performance in the last few years. To expand its customer’s base and generate more revenue that is needed to undertake its operations, Sainsbury's has opened a number of stores, supermarkets and a significant number of hypermarkets. To ensure that the supermarket is financial strong to cater for its short-term and long-term liabilities, Sainsbury's operates Sainsbury's Bank whose key objectives is to sell financ ial products. One of the major factors that Sainsbury's has adopted to enhance its financial performance was the formation of a joint venture with Lloyds Banking Company among other firms. Major strategies that Sainsbury's has adopted to strengthen its financial position is merger and acquisitions (Adizes 35). As depicted earlier, the supermarket generated total revenue of ?21.102Â  billion in 2011. ... ncial Statement 2012 indicate that as a result of the increase in the investment, the net debt of the company increased from ?1,814 million in 2011 to ?1,980 million in 2012. This was however, offset by reasonable cash that was generated from leasebacks and sales. Table indicating cash generated from operations and net cash from operating activities by Sainsbury’s in 2011 and in 2012 financial years. Figures are in ? million. Cash generated from operations 1291 1388 Interest paid (142) (126) Corporation tax paid (82) (158) Net cash from operating activities 1067 854 Net cash used in investing activities (883) (902) Issue of shares proceeds 14 17 New debt 391 45 Borrowings repayments (65) (79) Dividends paid (285) (269) Source- Sainsbury’s Annual Report and Financial Statement 2012 Financing of Sainsbury operations According to the board of the directors, Sainsbury’s is focused at effectively managing its finances by maintaining appropriate stand-by liquidity, red ucing the risks of refinancing and diversifying the sources of funds. Two of the major long-term loans that are vital in the operations of Sainsbury’s include loans of ?1,036 million and ?843 million that are due on 2018 and 2031 respectively. The company has provided its property assets as the security for the loans. Other key sources of funds includes unsecured loans of ?499 million, finances leases of ?143 million, and convertible bonds issued to the public amounting to ?190 million. Based on the profitability of the company, the board is focused at repaying the loans in the next five years. In order to have adequate cash to cater for short term and urgent liabilities, Sainsbury’s maintains a revolving credit facility amounting to ?690 millions (Modigliani and Miller 263). According to the 2012

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Gun Control Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2

Gun Control - Essay Example There are several points and reasoning about the article that needs to be straightened out. The most disturbing is the justification that calling for gun control is not about the Second Amendment. They are already contradiction in terms and yet it was still used as a justification. The second fallacious argument that was used that also needs to be refuted is the argument that of U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan during the assembly of marchers that "This is about gun responsibility; this is about gun safety; this is about fewer dead Americans, fewer dead children" (Martinez and Scmidt) while it is being hinged on the premise that "More guns? More violence" and "Hey La Pierre. How about this? Keep the Bad guy from even getting a gun!" (in respose to NRA CEO Wayne Lapierre statement as "the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun") (Martinez and Scmidt). Gun control was being called upon in the demonstration as the solution to end violence because it is t hought of as tool of violence, it being a weapon that can indeed harm, mutilate and even kill an individual. The advocates and marchers of this solution posit that if the tools or weapons that were used in those crimes and incidence of violence did not become available, then violence will be reduced. While this may seem to be a plausible solution to reducing violence, gun control may pose a problem of infringing on our basic rights as Americans to bear arms as stated in the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights contained in the Constitution of the United States of America which was negated during the march for gun control by saying that it was not about the Second Amendment. It is because the moment that gun control is cited, it already an attempt to abridge a right that is guaranteed in the Second Amendment is disturbing. If one will subscribe to the reasoning of the advocates of gun control, it was as if gun ownership is equated to evil and that it does not do anything good excep t perpetuate violence. Under this unreasonable onslaught, it would be important to cite how guns played in the creation of America to refute the argument that it evil and that the people we esteemed in history were in fact gun owners. Those who crafted our Constitution and laid the foundation of this country were even said to be gun aficionados. The venerable George Washington, the first President of this Republic was even a general who had guns and men under his command. And he was never accused of violence neither was there a slightest instance that those guns were used to inflict violence and unnecessary force. Those guns that he had were instead and in fact used to liberate and unite this country from the invading forces until our country became what it is today. Without guns, our country would still have been under British rule because we had no weapons to fight and repeal them. And George Washington is not an exception to those who owned a gun that never had the slightest semb lance of violence. Most founding fathers of this country were bearer of arms and almost every major historical event in this country that led to what it is today also involved guns. Imagine the Alamo when its defenders are without guns or Abraham Lincoln struggle to end slavery when his army did not have the firearms to assert his political will to end slavery against the

Solid Objects Virginia Woolf Essay Example for Free

Solid Objects Virginia Woolf Essay Virginia Woolf The only thing that moved upon the vast semicircle of the beach was one small black spot. As it came nearer to the ribs and spine of the stranded pilchard boat, it became apparent from a certain tenuity in its blackness that this spot possessed four legs; and moment by moment it became more unmistakable that it was composed of the persons of two young men. Even thus in outline against the sand there was an unmistakable vitality in them; an indescribable vigour in the approach and withdrawal of the bodies, slight though it was, which proclaimed some violent argument issuing from the tiny mouths of the little round heads. This was corroborated on closer view by the repeated lunging of a walking–stick on the right–hand side. â€Å"You mean to tell me . . . You actually believe . . .† thus the walkingstick on the right–hand side next the waves seemed to be asserting as it cut long straight stripes upon the sand. â€Å"Politics be damned!† issued clearly from the body on the left–hand side, and, as these words were uttered, the mouths, noses, chins, little moustaches, tweed caps, rough boots, shooting coats, and check stockings of the two speakers became clearer and clearer; the smoke of their pipes went up into the air; nothing was so solid, so living, so hard, red, hirsute and virile as these two bodies for miles and miles of sea and sandhill. They flung themselves down by the six ribs and spine of the black pilchard boat. You know how the body seems to shake itself free from an argument, and to apologize for a mood of exaltation; flinging itself down and expressing in the looseness of its attitude a readiness to take up with something new—whatever it may be that comes next to hand. So Charles, whose stick had been slashing the beach for half a mile or so, began skimming flat pieces of slate over the water; and John, who had exclaimed â€Å"Politics be damned!† began burrowing his fingers down, down, into the sand. As his hand went further and further beyond the wrist, so that he had to hitch his sleeve a little higher, his eyes lost their intensity, or rather the background of thought and experience which gives an inscrutable depth to the eyes of grown people disappeared, leaving only the clear transparent surface, expressing nothing but wonder, which the eyes of young children display. No doubt the act of b urrowing in the sand had something to do with it. He remembered that, after digging for a little, the water oozes round your finger–tips; the hole then becomes a moat; a well; a spring; a secret channel to the sea. As he was choosing which of these things to make it, still working his fingers in the water, they curled round something hard—a full drop of solid matter—and gradually dislodged a large irregular lump, and brought it to the surface. When the sand coating was wiped off, a green tint appeared. It was a lump of glass, so thick as to be almost opaque; the smoothing of the sea had completely worn off any edge or shape, so that it was impossible to say whether it had been bottle, tumbler or window–pane; it was nothing but glass; it was almost a precious stone. You had only to enclose it in a rim of gold, or pierce it with a wire, and it became a jewel; part of a necklace, or a dull, green light upon a finger. Perhaps after all it was really a gem; something worn by a dark Princess trailing her finger in the water as she sat in the stern of the boat and listened to the slaves singing as they rowed her across the Bay. Or the oak sides of a sunk Elizabethan treasureâ€⠀œchest had split apart, and, rolled over and over, over and over, its emeralds had come at last to shore. John turned it in his hands; he held it to the light; he held it so that its irregular mass blotted out the body and extended right arm of his friend. The green thinned and thickened slightly as it was held against the sky or against the body. It pleased him; it puzzled him; it was so hard, so concentrated, so definite an object compared with the vague sea and the hazy shore. Now a sigh disturbed him—profound, final, making him aware that his friend Charles had thrown all the flat stones within reach, or had come to the conclusion that it was not worth while to throw them. They ate their sandwiches side by side. When they had done, and were shaking themselves and rising to their feet, John took the lump of glass and looked at it in silence. Charles looked at it too. But he saw immediately that it was not flat, and filling his pipe he said with the energy that dismisses a foolish strain of thought: â€Å"To return to what I was saying—† He did not see, or if he had seen would hardly have noticed, that John, after looking at the lump for a moment, as if in hesitation, slipped it inside his pocket. That impulse, too, may have been the impulse which leads a child to pick up one pebble on a path strewn with them, promising it a life of warmth and security upon the nursery mantelpiece, delighting in the sense of power and benignity which such an action confers, and believing that the heart of the stone leaps with joy when it sees itself chosen from a  million like it, to enjoy this bliss instead of a life of cold and wet upon the high road. â€Å"It might so easily have been any other of the millions of stones, but it was I, I, I!† Whether this thought or not was in John’s mind, the lump of glass had its place upon the mantelpiece, where it stood heavy upon a little pile of bills and letters and served not only as an excellent paper–weight, but also as a natural stopping place for the young man’s eyes when they wandered from his book. Looked at again and again half consciously by a mind thinking of something else, any object mixes itself so profoundly with the stuff of thought that it loses its actual form and recomposes itself a little differently in an ideal shape which haunts the brain when we least expect it. So John found himself attracted to the windows of curiosity shops when he was out walking, merely because he saw something which reminded him of the lump of glass. Anything, so long as it was an object of some kind, more or less round, perhaps with a dying flame deep sunk in its mass, anything—china, glass, amber, rock, marble—even the smooth oval egg of a prehistoric bird would do. He took, also, to keeping his eyes upon the ground, especially in the neighbourhood of waste land where the household refuse is thrown away. Such objects often occurred there—thrown away, of no use to anybody, shapeless, discarded. In a few months he had collected four or five specimens that took their place upon the mantelpiece. They were useful, too, for a man who is standing for Parliament upon the brink of a brilliant career has any number of papers to keep in order—addresses to constituents, declarations of policy, appeals for subscriptions, invitations to dinner, and so o n. One day, starting from his rooms in the Temple to catch a train in order to address his constituents, his eyes rested upon a remarkable object lying half–hidden in one of those little borders of grass which edge the bases of vast legal buildings. He could only touch it with the point of his stick through the railings; but he could see that it was a piece of china of the most remarkable shape, as nearly resembling a starfish as anything— shaped, or broken accidentally, into five irregular but unmistakable points. The colouring was mainly blue, but green stripes or spots of some kind overlaid the blue, and lines of crimson gave it a richness and lustre of the most attractive kind. John was determined to possess it; but the more he pushed, the further it receded. At length he was forced to go back to his rooms and improvise a wire ring attached to the end of a stick, with which, by dint of great care and skill, he finally drew the piece of china within reach of his hands. As he seized hold of it he exclaimed in triumph. At that moment the clock struck. It was out of the question that he should keep his appointment. The meeting was held without him. But how had the piece of china been broken into this remarkable shape? A careful examination put it beyond doubt that the star shape was accidental, which made it all the more strange, and it seemed unlikely that there should be another such in existence. Set at the opposite end of the mantelpiece from the lump of glass that had been dug from the sand, it looked like a creature from another world—freakish and fantastic as a harlequin. It seemed to be pirouetting through space, winking light like a fitful star. The contrast between the china so vivid and alert, and the glass so mute and contemplative, fascinated him, and wondering and amazed he asked himself how the two came to exist in the same world, let alone to stand upon the same narrow strip of marble in the same room. The question remained unanswered. He now began to haunt the places which are most prolific of broken china, such as pieces of waste land between railway lines, sites of demolished houses, and commons in the neighbourhood of London. But china is seldom thrown from a great height; it is one of the rarest of human actions. You have to find in conjunction a very high house, and a woman of such reckless impulse and passionate prejudice that she flings her jar or pot straight from the window without thought of who is below. Broken china was to be found in plenty, but broken in some trifling domestic accident, without purpose or character. Nevertheless, he was often astonished as he came to go into the question more deeply, by the immense variety of shapes to be found in London alone, and there was still more cause for wonder and speculation in the differences of qualities and designs. The finest specimens he would bring home and place upon his mantelpiece, where, however, their duty was mo re and more of an ornamental nature, since papers needing a weight to keep them down became scarcer and scarcer. He neglected his duties, perhaps, or discharged them absent–mindedly, or his constituents when they visited him were unfavourably impressed by the appearance of his mantelpiece. At any rate he was not elected to represent them in Parliament, and his friend Charles, taking it much to heart and hurrying to condole with him, found him so little cast down by the disaster that he could only suppose that it was too serious a matter for him to realize all at once. In truth, John had been that day to Barnes Common, and there under a furze bush had found a very remarkable piece of iron. It was almost identical with the glass in shape, massy and globular, but so cold and heavy, so black and metallic, that it was evidentlyalien to the earth and had its origin in one of the dead stars or was itself the cinder of a moon. It weighed his pocket down; it weighed the mantelpiece down; it radiated cold. And yet the meteorite stood upon the same ledge with the lump of glass and the star– shaped china. As his eyes passed from one to another, the determination to possess objects that even surpassed these tormented the young man. He devoted himself more and more resolutely to the search. If he had not been consumed by ambition and convinced that one day some newly–discovered rubbish heap would reward him, the disappointments he had suffered, let alone the fatigue and derision, would have made him give up the pursuit. Provided with a bag and a long stick fitted with an adaptable hook, he ransacked all deposits of earth; raked beneath matted tangles of scrub; searched all alleys and spaces between walls where he had learned to expect to find objects of this kind thrown away. As his standard became higher and his taste more severe the disappointments were innumerable, but always some gleam of hope, some piece of china or glass curiously marked or broken lured him on. Day after day passed. He was no longer young. His career—that is his political career—was a thing of the past. People gave up visiting him. He was too silent to be worth asking to dinner. He never talked to anyone about his serious ambitions; their lack of understanding was apparent in their behaviour. He leaned back in his chair now and watched Charles lift the stones on the mantelpiece a dozen times and put them down emphatically to mark what he was saying about the conduct of the Government, without once noticing their existence. â€Å"What was the truth of it, John?† asked Charles suddenly, turning and facing him. â€Å"What made you give it up like that all in a second?† â€Å"I’ve not given it up,† John replied. â€Å"But you’ve not the ghost of a chance now,† said Charles roughly. â€Å"I don’t agree with you there,† said John with conviction. Charles looked at him and was profoundly uneasy; the most extraordinary doubts possesse d him; he had aqueer sense that they were talking about different things. He looked round to find some relief for his horrible depression, but the disorderly appearance of the room depressed him still further. What was that stick, and the old carpet bag hanging against the wall? And then those stones? Looking at John, something fixed and distant in his expression alarmed him. He knew only too well that his mere appearance upon a platform was out of the question. â€Å"Pretty stones,† he said as cheerfully as he could; and saying that he had an appointment to keep, he left John—for ever.

Monday, October 14, 2019

English Is a Funny Language Essay

English Is a Funny Language Essay During the mid-400s the country that we now call England was part of the Roman Empire. It was a land full of temporary settlers and immigrants. Among those residing in England were a group of Germanic settlers, made up of Jutes, Angles and Saxons. These settlers immigrated to England from various parts of mainland North Western Europe and with them they brought a language that provided the building blocks of English. The mixing of the Germanic settlers dialects with the languages of other immigrants led to the creation of Old English (the earliest form of English). This form of English was very different than any form of English that is spoken today and although it did consist of parts of speech that have some similarities to modern English. The language would be considered incomprehensible to the modern English speaker. Over the next 600 years the language of English was grew by taking words and expressions from the languages of the surrounding cultures. This was mostly due to more groups of people immigrating to England or in some cases, some groups invading the country. For example Roman missionaries who immigrated to England introduced many religious words such as minster and alter and the Vikings who invaded England introduced words such knife, take and root. During the Middle Ages (c. 1000-1300) English started to significantly evolve. The Normans, who were the people of Normandy (a region in northern France) invaded England in 1066. This event led to the Latin and French languages heavily influencing the English speaking people and their language. Thousands and thousands of new words became incorporated into the English language. The language of English was constantly evolving, creating what we call today Middle English, a form of language that closer resembles what we speak today. This period was also quite significant because during this time London become the legal and trade center of Britain. The language of London (Middle English) became the standard language. At the time there were other languages and dialects and people began to realize that in order to gain political or economic power a person had to be able to communicate in English. Many traders began to use this standard form of English. These same traders began to spread English all over the world. In the mid-1500s, the United Kingdom became a colonial powerhouse and the British Empire began to set up colonies all over the world. As the British empire continued to significantly grown and colonize the English language would spread further and further away from its birthplace. The growth of the British Empire, lead to English becoming a part of Europe, North America, India, Africa, Australia and many other parts of the world. As the empire branched out, new words were taken from the local languages and incorporated into English. English served as the lingua franca for these colonies. The term lingua franca refers to the language that is used as the means of communication among speakers of other languages. Keep in mind that these places each had their own distinct indigenous languages, and in some cases multiple languages. However the different cultures within these colonies would communicate in English. As this was happening, English continued to evolve into a closer version of Modern English. Also, around this time (1600s) some significant pieces of English literature were written. An author known as William Shakespeare was creating works that were gaining a lot of attention, these works were in English. Also, in 1611 the King James Bible was written in English. Unlike many other religious based books (not all) that were published in Latin and French, this bible was produced in English. This bible became the standard for the Church of England. English was becoming the language of religion. From the 17th century on, English continued to spread through British colonization. As new areas were becoming British settlement, new pockets of the planet would begin to communicate in English. The industrial revolution occurred throughout the 18th and 19th century. This was a time where major technological advancements occurred in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Machines were making life easier and producing goods at much faster rate. The industrial revolution began in the United Kingdom and then spread throughout Europe, North America, and eventually the rest of the world. All of this newly developed technology was having an affect on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions of the time. A significant majority of the inventors during this period were English speakers. Why English? English is a global language. English as a global language didnt happen overnight, it was a long process. Thinking about the history of the language of English, what are the major factors that lead to English becoming the lingua franca? It has nothing to do with how English looks or its structure. If you think about it, it is actually a very confusing language compared some of the other languages in the world. Here are a few things to think about 82% of the entire world uses some form of English as means to communicate. There are only 35 countries where English is not the first foreign language. Over two billion people partake in some form of English acquisition education. Heres a question to ponder, which country currently has the largest amount of English langue leaners? The answer is China. The answer to Why English has a lot to do with the same reasons why English was able to spread internationally in the first place. English represents opportunity. While peoples native language helps them navigate through their daily lives within their geographic area (city, town or country). The language of English represents an opportunity to become part of a global conversation. The four pillars to Englishs growth into a global language: Politics, Economics, Technology and Social Politics: Looking back at history, one can point to the political factors as first reason why English was able to spread from a small island to all over the world. In modern history the people who held the majority of the worlds power were English speakers. Also, looking back at the last century, world power has shifted from the hands of the British into the hands of the Americans, another English speaking country. Economics: The economic influence on the English language is closely tied to the political factors. The 19th saw the growth of English speakers occur at much more rapid rate than the previous centuries. Much of this has to do with the fact that the most financially powerful countries in the world during the 19th and 20th century were English speaking countries, the United States and Britain. If money does talk, during this time period it was speaking in (or learning) English. These days, practically every trade centre in the world uses English this includes countries that have a language other than English as the official language. Technology: As mentioned before, the industrial revolution had an enormous impact on the English language. British inventors came up with ways to mass produce textiles metals and glass. As well they innovated mining and they created the steam engine. If you did a web search on the products that were born out of the industrial revolution, you will be amazed how many came from English speaking countries. Here are some questions to think about: What web search tool did you just use to find out more information? What are the must have technologies of this generation? Where did many of them originate? How often do you see a product designed by Microsoft or Apple? Social: If you take a look at how media is delivered you can see English is absolutely everywhere. Through social media, the world is rapidly becoming more and more interconnected. People are now viewing themselves as global citizens. World issues are discussed in English and by having a working knowledge of the English language, people feel that they too can share their thoughts on common issues that are shared throughout the world. This includes such issues as poverty, the economy, climate change, political struggles and human rights. Social and Technology Coming Together English is widely used on the internet for the same reasons why English became so widespread during the industrial revolution. The internet began in English speaking countries. To add to it, think about the rapidly increasing interest in social networking through the internet. Think about the fact that Facebook was founded in the US in 2004 and since then has become one of the most visited websites in the world. Also, Google is the most widely used search engine in the world, also created by Americans. Standard English (S.E.) is the form of English that is generally accepted as the linguistic norm of an Anglophone country. But is speaking English that easy of a concept to grasp? We have learnt that English was created through a mixture of numerous different dialects. As it grew throughout the world it continued to expand encompassing more and more words from other languages. Countries such as Britain, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa all are English speaking countries and yet their form of English isnt identical. In fact with in these countries there are various forms of English. Think about (and do a web search) on these terms: Hinglish Gullah Anglo-Manx These are just three of a huge number of dialects of the English language and within some of the dialects there are sub-dialects. English goes well beyond standard English. Part 2 How language works (and how confusing the English language really is) Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana Think about this question: How would you define the word language? Language can be defined as any form of communication. Language can be verbal and physical, it can be learned through direct instruction and it can also be biologically innate. The study of language is a very vast topic. Language is made up of numerous interconnected components and within each of those components there are many subcomponents (some of which have many subcomponents of their own). When people chat on the phone or talk over dinner they do not generally think about how they are communicating (language, volume, speed, intonation, gestures, etc), they think about what they are communicating (what you are trying to explain to the person you are speaking to). Phonology Phonology is the study of sounds in a language. The study of phonology offers us a better understanding of how speech sounds relate to pronunciation. Languages are unique and each one has different a phonological system. Think about this: What is the English equivalent to this Hungarian phrase? Sok szerencsà ©t kivà ¡nok The answer : good luck. Languages have their own attributes in regards to word stress, rhythm, stresses and what sounds are used to produce specific meanings. This is one of the reasons why learning a second language can be so difficult, what can be expressed in one syllable in one language may take many syllables in another. Semantics Linguistic semantics is the study of the meaning of language. This involves how meaning is created by combining single words into larger forms of text. If you break down a passage and actually think about each word on its own, it can get quite confusing. When learning a new language an English language learner faces many linguistic semantic challenges that English speaks may not even take into consideration. Think about these sentences: The winds blew the door open. / The road winds quite a bit. Or think about these sentences: The answers on the exam were invalid. / The terrible injury left the man an invalid. These are only some of the challenges an English language learner faces, think about these words and their meanings: Synonymy Words that have the same meanings Example: happy and glad Antonym Words that have opposites meanings Example: hot and cold. Polysemy A word which has two or more related meanings For example, wood could refer to a piece of a tree or a geographical area that is consists of many trees. Homonym A word which has two or more meanings For example, a plant could be a factory in which products are made or a living organism such as a tree Homophone Different words that are pronounced the same but spelled differently For example two, too and to Homograph Different words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently For example minute and minute Pragmatics Pragmatics is the study of the use of language. Pragmatics analyses the context of words and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the text. A sentence on its own can be quite misleading. Think about this: The fish are ready to eat. Does this mean the fish are hungry or they have been cooked long enough that they are now edible? Syntax Syntax is the study of the structure of language with a focus on how grammatically correct statements are formed. There are many syntactic categories including nouns, verbs, adjectives , prepositions and adverbs Orthography Orthography is the study of letters and how they are used to express sounds and form words. Orthography takes a close look at the writing systems of a language. For English language instructors, English in written form can be area in which many learners struggle with. Many of the things that we write without even thinking about can cause great confusion to an English language learner. Take for example: The words boot, book, blood and brooch. All of these words use oo however each of them have different pronunciations for this vowel combination. Now look at these three words: check, machine, character In each one the ch is pronounced differently Another thing that needs to be taken into consideration is the fact that not every language follows the same pattern of pronunciations. PART 3 ESL and EFL same same but different -Tinglish saying English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching refers to teaching English in a country where English is already an official language. For example, Canada, The United States, and Britain are countries that offer English language learners ESL programs. English as a Foreign Language (EFL) refers to teaching English in a country where English is not the most predominant language that is spoken. Due to Englishs place in the global scheme, EFL schools are quickly becoming popular all over non-English speaking nations. The biggest consideration an instructor must take into account is that EFL and ESL instruction does at times require different approaches to lesson planning. This is mostly due to the fact that English language learners living in an English speaking country are taking lessons as a means of linguistic survival. Although grammar is obviously an important part of English language learning, these students may feel pressed to first learn how to communicate in a way that the people within their community understand them even if they are using broken English. These students are taking English lessons to open up more opportunities both financially and socially to themselves and possibly members of their families. ESL students will also have the opportunity to continuously practice their English outside of the classroom setting. As a result the instructor should consider which topics are the most necessary. EFL students may not feel the urgency to learn survival English right away. An EFL student may be partaking in English lessons for a future trip, to open up future social, academic and economic opportunities or for solely for enjoyment. There are a number of EFL academic institutions around the world that cater to students who are taking English simply because it is their hobby. The distinction between second and foreign language learning is what is actually being learned, where it is being learned and how it is learned. This course will dive deeper into what considerations should be taken into account when creating and delivering ESL and EFL lessons. Terminology brb, ttyl ok? wow, I saved a ton of time with those acronyms. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¢ Stephen Colbert There is a lot of terminology associated with English language instruction. English Speakers can fall under many different categories and there are many acronyms to describe the types of English speakers. The following section is a review of some of the most commonly used terms and acronyms. The language in which a person is learning is commonly referred to as the students target language while Native language is the term associated with a persons first language or sometimes referred to as their mother tongue. L1 is the abbreviation for first language spoken by an individual, also referred to as a persons mother tongue . L1 English refers to a person who uses English as their first language. L1 is a term that can be used for any language for example a person who uses French as their first language would be considered an L1 French speaker. L2 is an abbreviation for a persons second language, or a language that is not their L1. Someone who is referred as L1 Japanese and L2 English is considered a Japanese speaker who has a working knowledge of English. English for Academic Purposes (EAP) is a form of ESL/EFL instruction that focuses on academia. This would include subject areas such as writing formal reports, presentations for school related purposes and reading academic works. Some areas of the world may refer to EFL lessons as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL)( refers to the study of English for a particular (usually job related) purpose. For example a course that focuses solely on English for the tourism industry. TOEFL is an official Test of English as a Foreign Language. This test focuses on English proficiency for international students who are interested in studying at an English speaking institution. TOEIC is the Test of English for International Communication. Originally used in Japan but now a worldwide tool, TOEIC is a standardized test (multiple choice) that is used to assess ones proficiency in English. Both TOEFL and TOEIC has become a recognized standard throughout the world. PART 4 Principles of Second Language Acquisition Learn a new language and get a new soul.   Czech Proverb Over the last century, many linguists have researched and theorized on how people acquire a second language. As a result, a number of theoretical frameworks have been developed. There isnt one accepted theory of language acquisition but rather a variety of theories each with a different focus and different limitations. This section will briefly explore different theories of second language acquisition. Chomskys Innate Cognitive Process Theory Do you think an adult learns a second language the same way a child learns a first language? Why or why not? Professor Noam Chomsky is one of the most well-known professors of linguistic studies. Chomsky s works support a nativists theory that acquiring is actually in our genetic makeup and we are born with innate abilities known as an LAD (Language Acquisition Device). Language acquisition does not rely on formal instruction. In its simplest form, Chomskys theory is that we are born with the innate ability to learn basic language which include the rules of grammar. We develop our language skills by listening to the people who raise us. Infants and toddlers do not necessarily require someone to teach them language, as long as there is linguistic input around they will inevitably acquire language. The process of selecting the correct pattern of words is done unconsciously. Chomsky refers to this as our universal grammar and supports this theory by pointing out that all human languages share similar patterns (for example present and past tense). There is a difference between the acquisition of a first language and a second language. Those who have had experience teaching both adults and children may have noticed that children learn their first language in a more fluid fashion while adults rate of acquisition varies from person to person. Now, keep in mind Chomskys theory. Children do not need to be taught their first language whereas adults require formal instruction. With children it is a natural progression due to needs and environment. With adults second language acquisition is dependent upon motivation, attitude, and ability Even though Chomskys theory appears to put adults at a disadvantage when it comes to acquiring language, adults do possess skills that enable them to learn another language. Adults possess competency in a first language which could be used to further understand and retain a second language. For example, associating L2 words with L1 words, creating visual and audio clues. Adults are able to problem solve and simplify complex concepts. Adults understand inflection and tone. Adult have the cognitive ability to review and reflect Adults can draw on mnemonics devices these are memory tools such as creating acronyms or simple rhymes *try a web search on common mnemonic devices Chomskys concepts have been both highly accepted and criticized by his peers. Krashens Five Hypotheses One of the most noted modern linguist and educational researcher is psychologist Dr. Stephen Krashen. Dr, Krashen is well known for his theories of language acquisition and development most of which were published in a series of books throughout the 1980s. Along with Tracey Terrell, Dr. Krashen also researched and authored works on the natural approach to language teaching. Dr. Krashens theory of second language acquisition explores how we learn language through five main hypotheses: the natural order hypothesis the acquisition-learning hypothesis the monitor hypothesis the input hypothesis the affective filter hypothesis The Natural Order Hypothesis This hypothesis suggests that language acquisition follows a natural pattern of progress. Just like in movement, one first learns to crawl, stand, walk and then run, language acquisition in every language develops through a series of sequential steps that a person progresses through naturally. By studying this natural progressing of language acquisition, researchers have uncovered a predictable pattern in language acquisition. By following this pattern teachers can develop a series of instructions that best suit the needs of older language learners. This hypothesis coincides Noam Chomskys theory that humans naturally have a built-in Language Acquisition Device (LAD), that enables humans to understand and acquire language from infancy. Teachers need to take the natural order hypothesis when introducing language concepts. This can be done by ensuring first introducing models that are moderately easy for learners to acquire. As instructors should *scaffold difficult concepts. Perform a web search and find a definition educational scaffolding: Educational scaffolding refers to the idea that in order for students to properly achieve academic success, the instructor needs to ensure that instructional supports have been when students are first introduced to a new topic. The Acquisition Learning Hypothesis. The Acquisition-Learning hypothesis is considered by many linguists as the most fundamental of all Krashens hypothesizes . The Acquisition Learning hypothesis suggests that second language performance is a product of two separate systems that happen consciously and subconsciously in a persons brain. The first system is the acquired system. Language acquisition occurs subconsciously through natural communication. In other words people acquire a second language when they are exposed to meaningful verbal interactions with speakers of the target language. The second system focuses on formal instruction. Krashen believes that this system holds less importance than the acquired system however it is still a component of language acquisition. The learning system occurs when people consciously focus on learning a language. In its simplest form you can think of it this way, a person learns a language by studying it they acquire a language by immersing themselves in it. Instructors need to create opportunities for students to use the target language in an authentic manor within their classrooms. This is especially important in the EFL classroom because students will not have the opportunity to use the target language outside of the classroom. How could and EFL instructor incorporate the acquisition-learning hypothesis into their teachings? Role playing (creating simulated scenarios) The Monitor Hypothesis The Monitor Hypothesis corresponds directly with the Acquisition- Learning hypothesis. The Monitor Hypothesis focuses on the effects of direct language instruction. Krashen explained in the Acquisition- Learning hypothesis that language acquisition occurs during exposure to natural communication. In essence, the language we acquire through this process is fine-tuned and properly edited through grammar and language instruction. Instruction and traditional language learning activities monitor and correct language. The Input Hypothesis. Comprehensible input are the messages that a language learner understands. These messages can come in the form of written text (books, signs, subtitles) or oral language (conversations, radio). The input hypothesis suggests that in order for language acquisition to occur, the learner must receive comprehensible input that is slightly above their level of language knowledge. This is often documented as Comprehensible Input +1. The +1 represents the next level in language. EFL instructors need to ensure that they are constantly taking the input hypothesis into consideration when creating and implementing lessons. Instructors need to provide as much comprehensible input as possible, especially in the EFL class because learners are not exposed to the target language outside of the classroom setting. The Affective Filter Hypothesis. Affective Filter Hypothesis focuses on the theory that confidence and anxiety have a direct correlation to language learning. In order to properly acquire language, a person needs to be comfortable and feel confident in their surroundings. When a language learner is uncomfortable they tend to mentally build up barriers that prevent acquisition. Keeping in mind the Affective Filter Hypothesis, list a few barriers in an academic environment that could directly hinder language acquisition. How can an instructor ensure that a learner feels safe? -begin lessons with ice breakers -establish a classroom routine with a set of norms -consider seating arrangements -incorporate dual language resources use humour -include teaching methods that allow for student interaction -address students by name -use eye contact -use positive language (*6) The Reading Hypothesis It should also be noted that Krashens more recent research has concluded that the more a person reads in a second language, the more vocabulary they will acquire. Involving a variety of texts in a language classroom will increase the learners knowledge of the target language and also offer the learner opportunities to view how the target language can be used in real-life contexts. List some forms of texts that will offer students an opportunity to view language in real-life contexts. -advertisements -instructional signs -subtitles -novels -scripts Vygotskys Zone of Proximal Development theory Having English language learners work in small groups is a recommend strategy. Why do you think students are more successfully when broken up into small groups? Although he only lived to the age of 38, Lev Vygotsky was considered one of the founders of cultural historical psychology. Vygotsky lived through Russian Revolution of the early 1900s and his works were largely unknown to the West until it was published in 1962, more than 25 years after he died. As a social constructivist he believed that social interaction was key to the cognitive and language development of children. He observed how higher level mental functions developed within particular cultural groups and individually through social interactions with significant people in most cases a childs primary caregivers. Vygotsky developed the Zone of Proximal Development theory, which outlines the notion that a students performance of certain tasks improve greatly when they are being guided by an adult or when working in a group of their peers. Vygotsky referred to these peers as More Knowledgeable Other(s) (MKO). The MKO is anyone who has a better understanding or more knowledge in the area of study than the learner. The MKO could be a teacher, coach, or peers. Vygotsky theorized that working alone is less constructive because when a student works with others, the gaps between what the student knows and what can be known is bridged. Working in these groups is working within the Zone of Proximal Development. Think of it this way: (Picture) (1)Student X has some understanding of some of the concepts but needs to learn other concepts for a greater understanding of the materials (2)Student X is grouped with others who know these concepts but some of the members of the groups may not know some of the concepts Student X knows (they have all entered the zone) (3) Everyone walks out of the group with new information Think about this: Why is the second language classroom a perfect environment to apply the Zone of Proximal Development theory? Unlike a situation in which a teacher or lecturer delivers information to students, the ZPD theory promotes the notion that students need to play an active role in learning. ZPD theory offers an opportunity for everyone to learn from each other. In an ESL/EFL classroom, the teacher can set up small groups in which students act as the MKOs and learn off each other. Think about it: How does the Zone of Proximal Development theory compliment Stephen Krashens Input Hypothesis? Think about students working in groups. -In essence both theories work on the notion that learning takes place when a learner is exposed to a person who has slightly more advanced knowledge in that subject area. Group work in the ESL/EFL classroom is very successful bec