My Antonia Essays (774 words) - Antonii, My Ntonia, Antonia

My Antonia William Cather showed a great amount of information about the "old wild west" and the expansion of the United States. In My Antonia, Jim Burden told a story of his childhood, the people in his life, and the struggles he and his surroundings faced during this time. At age ten, Jim Burden was sent by his relatives to be raised by his grandparents in the Nebraska prairie after his parents died. When he arrived at his new home, he was introduced to a Bohemian family that just immigrated to America; the Shimerdas. Jim and Antonia, the Shimerda's daughter, quickly become friends. They traveled a great distance to meet each other. As immigrants, the Shimerdas were not very wealthy and getting on their feet was difficult. They were cheated into buying their home for more than it should have cost. The family got by on what they had, but ended up needing help from outside families. Mrs. Shimerda ended up getting many useful tools for their home from Mrs. Burden. The first major hardship the Shimerdas faced was the death of Mr. Shimerda. He shot himself in the mouth and committed suicide. This hurt the family tremendously. Antonia was given the responsibilities that her father had and growing up for her changed in a matter of seconds. She could not join her fellow classmates in school because she had to tend to the work around the house. She became the head of the house. After time, the Shimerdas had a new log home built for them by the neighbors. The family continued to get their necessary items from outside sources and started to build a new life. Later, the Burdens moved to a town called Black Hawk. They now lived further away from the Shimerdas. Mrs. Burden gets Antonia a temporary job helping their neighbors around the house. Antonia learned English much faster and Jim met many new people. This is where we meet Lena. Lena was a Norwegian girl who later becomes a dressmaker, but distracted men with her flirtatious act and planned never to marry. As Jim met new people and attended the dances put together in the city, he noticed the segregation and the generalizations made about specific people. He didn't like it one bit. The hired girls were the girls that worked for their large families after they immigrated to America from foreign countries. The boys didn't have the courage to marry these girls. These girls were taken advantage of as well by their employers and the men in the town. Women were not treated as equals. With age, Jim and Antonia became closer and Jim begins to like Antonia more. But the feelings were not mutual. Then, Jim and Antonia started to go their separate ways. Jim started working extremely hard in his studies at school and ended up going to Harvard to finish his pre-law studies. Much time has passed, and when Jim returned to Black Hawk, he learned that Antonia had become pregnant and returned home from Denver where the father lives. When she returned to the father, she cared for him when he was ill and then he deserted her leaving her broke and with nothing. Many things have changed through time as they have matured into adults. Jim wanted to see Antonia and tried really hard to find her and find out what has happened since he saw her last. When they finally reunited, they recognized a bond they had that nothing could break. They had their childhood that always brought them together. They went off on their separate ways, but in the end found each other and they never lost sight of what they had been through together. They will always remain best friends. I really enjoyed this book. It really gave me a taste of what life back then was like. I highly recommend reading My Antonia. This book displays many aspects that makes living in this period of time difficult. In order to communicate with other families or travel from one place to another was very difficult and time consuming. The people would have to travel great distances in all types of harsh weather. Jim and his family often traveled by horse in blizzards to reach their destinations. Also, at the beginning of the expansion, there were no roads. This made travel even more difficult. Also, immigration to America was occurring rapidly and many diverse people started to form the new country. There was a lot of segregation and poverty. The immigrants were not

Demand for Beauty by Society Essays

Demand for Beauty by Society Essays Demand for Beauty by Society Paper Demand for Beauty by Society Paper OHO years. Foot binding was seen as a sign of beauty and attractiveness. Once a girl was of marriageable age, prospective mother-in-laws would come around and pick a wife for her son by the appearance of the girls feet. Foot binding was the act of wrapping a three- to five-year old girls feet with binding so as to bend the toes under, break the bones and force the back of the foot together. The bound foot was also a symbol of identity and virtue. A bound foot signified that a woman had achieved womanhood, and served as a mark of her gendered identity. Foot binding was not considered mutilation but a form of adornment, an embellishment to the human body. (HTTPS://spun. Com/alga/1/2/7565) Life in the Middle Ages was markedly different from the flourishing societies hundreds of years before. The dominance of Catholicism, and shorter life spans all contributed to the beauty ideal of the young, naturally beautiful and rosy-cheeked virgin. Where women Of today idealize celebrities in magazines, during the Medieval period it was the Virgin Mary who reigned supreme. She was normalized in paintings and sculpture as a youthful woman in her teens, her long flowing hair exposed. Very white skin was the main ideal, which women would achieve with a flour-based paste or lead makeup which is very dangerous and poisonous. While white skin connoted lily-white purity, it also helped disguise a lot of skin imperfections (while unknowingly causing many of them). Because of the popularity of pale skin, it made many European women and even men cut and bleed themselves to achieve it. ( Slideshows. Net/ineligibilitys-of-what-society-viewed-as- women-beauty-8005550) Following in the wake of the Middle Ages came the Renaissance era (1 5th Century), or the rebirth of the region. This began in Romance, Italy and quickly spread to the rest of Europe. During the Renaissance, art and beauty flourished once more, and it was not only considered in vogue but a necessity for women to look their best. The prolific art of the era, such as those drawn by the Renaissance masters portrays the beauty ideal of the time: a full, rounded figure, delicate features, smooth and pale skin, light-colored hair, a very high forehead, and flushed cheeks. Such features were associated with lath and nobility, which equated to beauty. The upper class ladies of Northern Europe would pluck their hairlines to make their foreheads seem higher, while in Italy, blond hair was a sign of beauty and high class. As result, women and men attempted to dye their hair by using bleach, saffron/ onion skin dye, and sitting under the sun for hours. England did not hit its stride until nearly the end of the Renaissance when Elizabeth I became queen. The era of her reign is also known as the English Renaissance, and some consider it the golden age of England. Elizabeth I adopted the mantle of The Virgin Queen and took serious measures to preserve this, even up to old age. Queen Elizabeth set many of the trends during this era. She popularized elaborate hairstyles (ideally in a shade of blond-red and with a frizzy texture like her own) and having a pale complexion. TO do this, they would use white powder called cruse, a poisonous mixture of white lead and vinegar. The use of this make-up withered the skin, caused sores, and damaged internal organs. As if lead-based make up wasnt bad enough, arsenic and radiation were later added as well. In the sasss women began to wear face powder that was made with arsenic. Health effects has been linked to a number of cancers including bladder, lungs, skin, nasal passages, and more. ( Businessperson. Com/gross-and-dangerous-ancient-beauty- #iXZZ3T16RCQ3W) Women in Italy also were in the habit of applying eyedroppers of poisonous belladonna to their eyes to make them sparkle, which could lead to vision loss over time (http://Alexei. Com/2014/07/28/beauty-standards-the rough-ages- 1 t). Wearing headdresses along with huge wigs also symbolizes beauty and wealth. Instead of hair gel and spray, lard was used to sculpt wigs in the sasss. The lard would attract rats and often these wigs would become infested with them. The wig was attached to a woman s real hair, which they would leave on for weeks. Sleeping with cages over their wigs became popular to avoid a rat infestation. In the 19th Century, women advocated a modest and natural beauty which means less use of cosmetics. In this century, beauty was all about what was on the inside: as long as your insides were pure, virtuous, and knew their place as a woman. The reign of Victoria brought about an era of modesty, morality, and a life devoted to conservative religious values. The elaborate cosmetics, hairstyles, and fashions of previous eras were now considered Lugar. If you wore bold makeup during this time, you were either an actress or a prostitute, none of whom were considered respectable women. Victorian beauty standards dictated that women appear pale, meek, and delicate creatures it helps that the restrictive corsets of the time led to a lot of swooning. Hairstyles were very modest as pods and soft curls were the norm, and if respectable Women Wore makeup it was with a very light touch, and in soft natural colors. Of course, fair skin was still prized and Victorian women went through great lengths to keep their skin pale to the point of looking sickly. Cold creams scented with rose and pomades made of lard and herbs kept skin smooth and hydrated. The Industrial Age would bring on the rise of mass-produced cosmetics and skincare, such as Ponds with their famous cold cream, and the arrival of subsequent brands would change the landscape of beauty in the next century (http://Alexei. Mom/2014/07/28/beauty- standards-through-ages-I I). During the Roaring Twenties (sass), societal trends reacted against the puritanical Victorian standards of beauty. Popular new short bobbed, waved or shingled hairstyles symbolized the growing freedom of women. The impact of cinema was felt for the first time, as women increasingly took their beauty cues fr om film stars such as Louise Brooks and Clara Bow. The heavy use of makeup also returned to fashion in this era. Generally, white women applied pale powder and cream rouge circles to the cheeks, plucked their eyebrows and penciled in thin arches, and painted their lips very red, emphasizing the cupids bow of the upper lip. Fashion-conscious white men wore their hair parted in or near the center and slicked back with brilliantine -? an oily, perfumed substance that added shine and kept hair in place. This look was popularized by screen idols such as Rudolph Valentine. Some African- American males adopted the conk, a hairstyle popularized by entertainer Cab Galloway. The conk was an attempt to straighten the hair and was accomplished by enduring a truly painstaking process of relaxing with a solution dominated by lye. ( Assurednesss. Com/ history offebeautyp)Asproughout the 1930sass 1940sassllywood starlets continued to set the trends in womens fashion. Longer, more feminine hairstyles became popular again, and women immediately copied Bette Davis curls, Betty GrabGrabbersnpinoth ringlets, and RitaRatawWorrywartsaming waves. Veronica Lake created a sensation by wearing a lock of hair that covered one eye. The hairstyle that most symbolized the era, however, was parted on the side, with soft curls falling over the shoulder. Also, for the first time, tanned skin (for both men and women) began to be perceived as a symbol of high class again showing the influence of screen stars on standards of beauty. Men continued to wear their hair short and often slicked back with oil, and skinny, trimmed mustaches were popularized by stars such as Errol Flynn. (http:// www. ukhaAssurednesss/hMomtory 0f boffybeautyn Asp 1980s thsasse of excess was easily translated into hairstyles, in general -? the bigger, the better. Pop stars such as Madonna and Cyndi LaCindypLapperized a style that included heavy makeup with vibrant neon colors and intentionally messed-up and off-colored hair. Michael Jackson sported the jheri cucheera sparkling wet-looking, heavily processed version of the Afro. Decidedly less audacious middle-class white teen-age boys adapted the punk-influenced spiked hairstyle, which sometimes included a small braid at the back of the neck (the rat tail). Androgyny also made a stunning impact n the 80s, froassinead OSinnedrOConnorhead to heavy metal hair bands with their makeup and explosion of long, dyed hair. In opposition to these trends, a neoconservative preppy look was also in, popularizing traditional short hairstyles for men and women. Todays pTodaysion of Beauty is molded by society. By the advertising, fashion, and cosmetic industries. We live in a society of billboards and ads, PhotoshoPhotostox. WBottom trained to believe that size two is perfect, while most healthy women in America fit into a size 12, and the true meaning and essence of Beauty slowly fades away. ( uffingtoPontificationsemComh-teatimeasuckernd-beauty-_b_5134228. htmI) ThHTMLdia can greatly affect young peoples health. The media broadcasts its perception of what is attractive and young people (both boys and girls) are susceptible to feeling the effects of that Young people can develop a distorted self-image which could lead to eating disorders, depression, or an unhealthy obsession with working out. You cant turn on the television or flip through a magazine without being bombarded with advertisements for weight loss pills, home gyms, and shake weights. Women are airbrushed on the cover of magazines to hide flaws. This creates an unrealistic and unhealthy image of beauty. ( personalPersonalu/Us3/Duobarfpbiogas_social_psychology/201 1/1 1 / media-and-the-perception-of-beauty-l . html) WhHTMLe open a magazine, we never see some 400-pound woman on the first page. Instead we see a woman who is 23% skinnier than an average woman, with her beautiful and flawless face. Many magazines (especially those for teens) offer content about how to look good. These magazines include three things that can affect body image. First, articles about appearance; these articles often include information on how get perfect abs muscles, advice on how to apply akeup, akeepps on what to wear. Second, advertisements; magazines often include ads for beauty and hair products, clothing and perfume. Many of these ads feature women that are underweight and men who are overly muscular. Then, the photos; most photos in magazines are altered so that wrinkles, fat, and pores disappear. Readers only see perfect and unrealistic bodies represented. One study found that 70% of teen girls and as well as boys agreed that magazines strongly influenced what they thought was the ideal body type. Seeing all this content related to appearance can make children and teens feel badly. When they compare their developing bodies to the images in magazines, they might feel depressed that they do not look like what they see. While most of the body image research has looked at how magazines affect girls, research is beginning to show that boys are affected by magazine images as well. (http://cmch. tvCACMenTV/) The Internet and social media provide a platform for women to seek out images Of what they Want to look like, a place for women to search for diet and exercise advice, as well as a an outlet through which women can perform outward comparisons with their peers and celebrities. Social networks may ot creattonew problems for women, but they do certainly intensify existing ones. Social media has made constant the ability to critique and analyze bodies in such a way that promotes body dissatisfaction, constant body surveillance, and disordered thoughts all of these factors that can potential leading to very serious eating disorders. (http://scholarship. claremonClaremontgiDeedevCGInvicegerentrtCGIeArticle#1026;? eses) Tosees as advertising and socializing have begun to merge, our lives have become photo heavy basing much of our judgments on what we see on the screen Of our computers or smartphosmartnessp>The Internet and social media have become more ubiquitous, so the line between the virtual and the real is blurred even more. Now, the perfect female body is not only on the billboard down the street or in the commercial on TV, but is strategically, yet seamlessly placed in our social networks. The slender, yet big breasted and flawless figure is intertwined with photos of our peers on FacebookFaceabletagraMainstreamt, the body type is even replicated amongst ordinary people, not only models and actresses. This unachievable ideal is deceivingly normalized through social media, but is still misleadingly achievable. Comparisons have only become stronger and more powerful, and as a result, more and more drastic measures have been taken to reach a certain ideal. There are now thousands of young girls who post selfiesselflessir social networks -? selfiesselflessre not airbrushed. Girls are attempting to achieve unhealthy body weights that they see in digitally edited photos in advertisements and replicating them on their own social media profiles. Although the ultimate goal of advertisements is to sell a product, and social networks are, as stated in their title, social, both technologies communicate deals: what we want to be like, whom we want to be with, and what we want to have . So, then, it is not that surprising that as the woman in advertising has decreased in size, so has the real woman tried even harder to reach that size. Are people unknowingly succumbing to the same dangers and corruptions that are raised by advertising through their peers on InstagraMainstreamebookFaceablep>After establishing the critical role that advertising plays in the lives of women, I think it is logical to assume that female body image will be similarly affected by other types of media. As the thin ideal portrayed in the edia hasEdieckly decreased in size, often due to photo editing software like PhotoshoPhotosomen have participated in extreme dieting habits. This is very horrible if social networking sites will exacerbate this problem. The perception of beauty is forced upon people in society from an early age through Cartoons and Animated Films. Firstly in childrens literature, Adams (1985) argued that children have become accustomed to hearing fairy tales, whether they are in books read before bedtime or in films. These stories continuously associate ugliness with bad and beauty with good (cited in Bull and Rumsey, Ramsey This can be applied to the well-known story of Cinderella (1950), a beautiful girl living with her stepmother and two ugly stepsisters. The stepmother and stepsisters mistreat Cinderella and make her do all the chores so they are instantly portrayed as bad people and their appearance is associated with this. Then towards the end, Cinderella finds her prince at the ball and lives happily ever after, implying that good things only happen to beautiful people. In addition to this, another popular fairy tale is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), which is about a young girl who is poisoned by her jealous stepmother, the evil queen. Weitz (1Whiteargued that when the evil queen said if who is the fairest of them all. She is not asking a simple question; it has a much deeper meaning. The evil queen is battling with her loss of beauty and the thought of someone else being more beautiful than her. It shows that beauty is not just a physical entity but also a symbol for power and position. Not only is the evil queen getting older and losing the features that made her look young and attractive, she feels that on (Evil Stepsisters, Cinderella, n. d. ) (EvDl Queen Gives Snow White Poisonous Apple, n. d. )8 toD of this, she is losing her power as queen to her stepdaughter. Therefore, this sense of jealousy causes the queen to poison Snow White so she can continue to be the ruler of the land. This childrens fairy tale conveys the impression that you should do whatever it takes to be beautiful even if it means hurting someone else. http://wHttp. whomex. aEssex/sACioUKgy/documents/ research/publications/ug_journGU/voll 0/2pollC11CASSOCKSeJaMiscellaniespFallowPDFr, the famous novelist, Roald DaRoyald contrasting ideas of beauty. In his book The Twits (2007), he put a lot Of emphasis on inner beauty, as opposed to external beauty. This book is very positive for children as it uggests su ggestsople who have good thoughts are beautiful. External features such as the length of hair, the size of eyes and the shape of nose are not important when considering who is beautiful. In my opinion, this is a very key issue for children to be educated about rather than external beauty and consumer products such as make up. Secondly, the societal standards of beauty are enforced on children through toys. The Barbie doll has dominated the consumer market for toys for over fifty years, Barbie is so pervasive in contemporary popular culture that she hardly requires description (ToffoletDefoliate57). As one of the best-selling fashion dolls, the Barbie doll can be very influential on impressionable children. According to Dittmar,DimmittelHallowed (200Vive girls exposed to images of Barbie dolls reported lower body esteem and a greater desire for a thinner body shape in comparison to girls exposed to Emme dolMemea US size 16, and no dolls. The Barbie doll covertly enforces the expectations of society in relation to beauty onto children. The Barbie doll has a large variety of clothes, shoes and other commercial goods along with an endless list of different careers. One example of how the Barbie doll egativelactively children is the creation of the Slumber Party Barbie in 1965. Her accessories Were a set of bathroom scales permanently set on to 1 1 Olbs andLobsook titled How to Lose Weight, which only contained one instruction Dont eat (De Lacey, 2012). Furthermore, the book that contains the phrase dont eat is very unrealistic, as it is widely known that forcing yourself to miss meals can be very dangerous, as the body needs fuel to function. The Barbie doll is targeted at children and if they are able to identify with their dolls, they are more likely to be influenced by them or even consider them as role odels.Most of the children who have these dolls do not already know that her figure is unachievable and would therefore; want to conform in order to have a similar appearance to Barbies. The only way they could try and attempt this is by using the means Barbie uses: not eating. Children are impressionable so by playing with this doll, they unconsciously become aware of what is expected of them, in regards to beauty, from society. In my opinion, just as t he pretend baby dolls that little girls play with condition them for their future role as a mother, the Barbie doll conditions young girls for what is xpected expectedr future appearance. It is sending the message that beauty is the main priority and girls should use any means to achieve it, even if it leads to being unhealthy. Sometimes, because of your not so blessed physical appearance some will just drop a comment at your photo and say something unpleasant. CyberbulSpellbindingwhen a child or teen threatens, harasses or humiliates a peer using electronic technology, or is the victim of such actions.

Business Model and Innovation Proposal

Business Model and Innovation Proposal Business Model and Innovation Proposal Introduction to Business Model and Innovation First I will give a definition of a business model. A business model defines â€Å"how an organisation earns money†. Therefore you could also define a business model as the â€Å"architecture of revenue†. How an organisation earns its money depends upon the followings: The customer value proposition – the market segment and market position, with other words: a. who are its customers b. what does it offer to these customers c. how it distinguishes itself from its competitors. The revenue model Its own value chain – indicating how the cost structure is arranged. Its core competencies and key assets on which the value proposition is based and upon which the sustainability of its competitive advantage is based. In addition to this, the business model must also include how it increases these competences and assets and how they are protected against imitation. The place in the supply value chain and role in the business ecosystem . This includes how to co-operate with which partners. In short, the business model encompasses the essentials of the entire market approach. Research has indicated that the business model determines whether one will earn money with an invention. The relation between a new technology and business model can be best expressed as follows. A technology per se does not have any value. It only gets value when it is translated into a customer value proposition. Only part of this created value for the customer can be appropriated by the organisation. The business model determines how much economic value is created and appropriated by the company (Henry Chessbrough, Open Business Models, 2006). In fact the business model contains all the elements that transform an invention into an innovation. Business Model Innovation can therefore take place on all 5 aspects of a business model as explained above. However, it is often when one changes one part of the business model one also has to change other parts to make it coherent. For example changing the revenue model has its effect on the customer value proposition and an effect on the relationships with partners and therefore on the role and position in the business ecosystem. The Company – uFlavors The company I will be analyse on is uFlavor. uFlavor is an US beverage company founded on the idea that every person is unique, that every individual has different tastes and different needs. Where other beverage companies make drinks aimed at satisfying the largest number of customers across the broadest demographics, uFlavor only makes drinks for one person (this is the business model). You. You choose your own flavors, your own sweeteners, your own acids, your own functional ingredients, your colour it yourself and you create your own label. From the start (2011) the company hopes to connect and introduce a new way of thinking about flavoured drinks. The founders (Altman and Mitchell) of uFlavor believe that there should be a unique flavored beverage for every person, place and occasion, and that flavor experience shouldn’t be limited to what’s on your local grocer’s shelves. So, uFlavor is creating a new category in the beverage industry that they call â€Å"user-generated refreshment.†

Vobes Company Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Vobes Company - Research Paper Example at low process and also expects to capture a large market share by attracting the target customers mostly in the age group of 25 to 45 who prefer to use cabs for traveling. Vobes Company aims at serving the customers with the transport services 24 hours a day. It also aims at providing discounts to the customers so that they are attracted to their services and develop brand loyalty. The market research suggests that there are around thousands of local customers who prefer to avail taxi services during the peak hours. Further the company also aims at providing online booking services to the customers and plan to launch an application for the smart phone users in the markets of Dammam. The break even analysis of the Vobes Company states that the company would earn a profit in the first year and the profit is expected to rise in the later years. The breakeven point is located in the fifth month when there is a no profit and no loss situation and then after that the company starts earning profit. The total profit in the first year is around $15580 that increases in the later years as depicted in the three years income statement. The company plans to purchase 15 cars of $24,700 each and rent them at $30 per day. Madawi Alsulaim and Sara Alghamdi are the two business associates who plan to invest $25000 each for establishing the business. Fund are to be raised by borrowing loans from the banks as well that is around $40000 is to be borrowed for establishment as well as the promotional activities to conduct the business efficiently. The idea of setting up the Vobes Company is to provide transportation services in Dammam, Saudi Arabia for the convenience of the local people to travel to places according to their needs. The business is expected to attract a wide range of customers towards availing these services. As the population of Saudi Arabia increases there is an increasing demand for the transport and communication facilities (Alhussein, 2011). Thus the company

Mental abuse in children Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mental abuse in children - Essay Example Mental abuse of children arises from a) rejection of a child; b) isolation and; c) verbal abuse or striking terror in a child. A child needs close association with his parents and other people who are around him. When he talks or looks at the eyes of the person who is at close proximity, he seeks the same thing to be reciprocated to him. Otherwise soon the child might starts to think that he is not important enough that he gets the same. If this continues and the child grows to adulthood, he might carry the same attitude towards others and mostly seems withdrawn from his surroundings. The seed of neglect that has been sown in his very childhood might compel to make him think that being so unimportant he deserves no attention at his adulthood as well. (Gardapee, 2011) Isolation of the child from his fellow members or from the others easily results in a loner kind of personality in his adulthood. This follows from the lack of socialization he was subject to during the formative period of his life. Touch carries an important aspect while developing trust with the child and if that touch is absent the child might well feel that he is not wanted or welcome to his parents. Once grown into adulthood, a psychological drawback will definitely follow suit where the child will feel that he is unwanted among his fellow members and at the worst to the greater society.

Asian-Americans and their Progress towards Essay Example for Free

Asian-Americans and their Progress towards Essay During the many years of the continuous immigration of various nationalities in the United States, it could be noted that many immigrants have already absorbed the culture that Americans have. One of the many ethnicities which had migrated in the United States is the Asians. In the current society of the United States it is known that these groups of people are one of the many ethnic minorities that is housed by the United States. In fact, many of the families of the past migrants have now stayed in the United States had had lived their lives similar to full blooded Americans. However, although most of these immigrants have already acquired all the culture, the language and life style of the Americans it is still not enough for the society that they would be called Americans. On the other hand, the Asian-Americans like other ethnic minorities in the United States are somewhat confused to on the proper identity that they must maintain. One of the main examples of the uncertainty is the Asian-American popular culture which presents evidences regarding such group in the society. In the current popular culture, it is noticeable the many of Asian-Americans had been inclined with certain identity which could be very noticeable in the choices of their consuming behavior. In addition, personal choices such of the music, clothing style and etc. In the written work of Min Zhou and Jennifer Lee (2004), they have clearly stated that the Asian-American youth is directly seen by the American culture as not fitting to the popular images which are most associated with the current popular culture. Such popular cultures that are being discussed were being rap artists, skin heads, punks and the likes. For the longest time, Asian-Americans are seen as stereotypically geek who only focuses directly on their studies instead of being socially active. (Zhou Lee, p. 1, 2004). Many of the Asian-Americans are obviously shying away from these concepts of being geeks and nerds. Instead, they follow the popular culture and act similarly to the demands of the American society. First and foremost, we could see that many of the Asian-American youth are more inclined to look like a gangster rather than a typical Asian-American. In many television shows and advertisements, there are numerous Asians who steps away from the light that they are individuals who are very serious in being successful that they study very well. Due to the very advanced technological innovations that we have such that of YouTube people could truly see that Asian-Americans are truly absorbing and creating new a type of culture when it comes to music. One of the best examples is David Choi who is known to be a Korean-American. Choi is singer, songwriter and guitarist on his own channel in YouTube. As noticed, Choi is very far from the typical stereotype of Asian who shies away from the crowd. After attaining success and massive support from different individuals he was able to have his own album. Instead of being the stereotypical Asian-American, he proclaims and continuously re-invents his music to suit his fans and the current trend in the society. In the film industry there had been few individuals who are known to be popular in the United States due to the certain film which they have done. One of the most famous Asian-American is Lucy Lui who played one of the Charlie’s Angels. In the movies, it is not often that an Asian-American plays a â€Å"kick-ass† role and presents her self as a strong assertive woman. In the stereotypical eyes of most Americans, Asian-Americans are simple and mostly quiet and demure because this is how they are culturally trained. However, due to such character played by Lui, the concept of how and what a woman should be (through an Asian context) is changed. With such, the Americanization of the Asian woman is clearly seen through the portrayal made by Lui. (â€Å"Is Lucy Liu a Heroine or a Curse? †) In terms of music, an article was written regarding the sudden boom of the Asian-American artists in the music industry. In the article, the author stated that various American-Asian artists are suddenly emerging into the music scene within in various localities in the United States. Most of the tunes that these musicians and artists play are mostly western music when do hip-hop and RB, as well as a DJ in various clubs. Such artists were Yellow Peril, Seoul Brothers, Mountain Brothers, and a lot more. These artists are said to have gained significant success and a symbolic presence of the developments of the Asian-Americans (Wang, 1998). Therefore, Asian-Americans were already able to join the band wagon of having the same musical preference as the Americans. In addition, they are not only listening to type of music Americans hear but also imitating or innovating towards a new genre of music. In the most current popular culture many Asians are excelling in the freestyle dancing, break dancing and etc. (Tseng, 1998) From the lessons that we have taken, it is known that through consumption and consumerism that the factors of living is defined. From my own personal point of view, I do believe that consumption is a cultural issue that must be deeply studied due to the various concepts attached such as social class, cultural norms and etc. Cultural consumption is also affected by advertising as well as the culture of being brand conscious rather than quality conscious. I have stated this due to my personal experiences as a consumer. As I have observed in the super markets most of the time people spend so much time in thinking on what type of brand they would buy. Just last week I needed to do my grocery when I saw a Filipino woman and her son in the cereals and oats lane. She meticulously surfs for the proper brand of cereals while her son stated that â€Å"Mom, why are we staying too long in this section? We don’t really eat cereals for breakfast. I want rice. † Then the mother replied, â€Å"No darling, rice is too heavy for you, studies say that it could cause diabetes. And your playmates eat cereals every morning so you should also eat cereal. † Being in a class that studies such concept of culture, I was amazed on how real the concept of Americanization is. I do know that most Filipinos prefer rice for breakfast because it is a custom meal for them everyday. But through my first hand experience, I did see that people who are not Americans are in need to attain cultural citizenship in order for them to be accepted. Although I do believe that Asians are accepted in the American society, the acceptance is not as whole in comparison to being a white American. In a sense, the mother who was with her child in the grocery would want her son to be culturally American that she is shifting the norms which her son know in order for him to be suitable in the American society. Just like the story presented in â€Å"Consumption Fantasies of Upward Mobility,† Richard wanted to move away from the typical concepts of Asians. Therefore, Richard wanted to be a professional who is likely to be the choice of a typical American who works inside the office. In addition, there is a concept of attaining the â€Å"American Dream in which most important thing for Asian-Americans. Moreover, due to the desire to attain such, they also want to be treated like Americans. As a result, they act and absorb the American culture and norms which they believe will grant them cultural citizenship (Hee Park, p. 112, 2005). In conclusion, the current Asian-American culture is still in the process of attaining acceptance in the American society. In addition, they want to change the stereotypical concept that most of them are geeks and losers thus, the Asian-American community is shifting towards a much western culture. The community is not only doing such in order to be within the trend of the popular culture but also to be accepted and not discriminated by others. In terms of consumption, it is real that it is one of the factors which could justify the Americanization of an individual not only Asian-Americans. Through decision making and choosing what type of product must be used is obviously dictated by the society around them. In addition, professional choice is also an aspect the shows that Asians are Americanized or desires cultural citizenship. Like one of the most famous saying stated: â€Å"If you can’t beat them, join them. † Reference Is Lucy Liu a Heroine or a Curse?. GoldSea . Retrieved 9 December 2008 from http://www. goldsea. com/Air/Issues/Liu/liu. html. Lee, J. and Zhou, M. (2004). Asian American Youth.United States of America: Routledge Publishing. Sun-Hee Park, L. (2005). Consuming Citizenship. United States of America: Stanford University Press. Tseng, J. (1998). Asian American Rap: Expression Through Alternate Forms. Model Minority. Retrieved 9 December 2008 from http://www. modelminority. com/article128. html. Wang, O. (1998). Asian Americans and hip-hop. Asian Week. Retrieved 9 December 2008 from http://asianweek. com/111298/coverstory. html. David Choi : http://www. youtube. com/user/davidchoimusic? ob=4

Medicare :: Long term care

http://www.govreform.org/wws201.pdf Where we Stand? Personal Retirement Accounts: The Opportunity to Choose and Control our Future: February 2001 working ratio 2:1 by 2030 http://www.keytocare.com/pay_for_it.htm Long Term Health Care Are you likely to need long-term care? This year about seven million men and women over the age of 65 will need long-term care. By the year 2005, the number will increase to nine million. By the year 2020, 12 million older Americans will need long-term care. Most will be cared for at home; family members and friends are the sole caregivers for 70 percent of elderly people. But a study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicates that people of age 65 face at least a 40 percent lifetime risk of entering a nursing home. About 10 percent will stay there five years or longer. The American population is growing older, and the group over age 85 is now the fastest-growing segment of the population. The odds of entering a nursing home, and staying for longer periods, increase with age. In fact, statistics show that at any given time, 22 percent of those age 85 and older are in a nursing home. Because women generally outlive men by several years, they face a 50 percent greater likelihood than men of entering a nursing home after age 65. You may never need a nursing home. But the longer you live, the greater the chance that you will need some form of long-term care. Copyright  © 2000 Health Insurance Association of America http://www.aarp.org/confacts/health/privltc.html What you should know about Long Term Health Care †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Should I buy long-term care insurance?

Culture in Organization

What do you see as the main organizational problems that are likely to be associated with implementation of a transnational strategy? The transnational strategy is an international marketing method that â€Å"seeks to combine the benefits of global-scale efficiencies with the benefits of local responsiveness† rather than settling for the limitations of either strategy. The transnational strategy also strives for local responsiveness and external flexibility within the foreign subsidiaries at the cost of integration.The transnational strategy creates a mutually dependent relationship between the central hub and foreign subsidiaries, thereby empowering both worlds. The strategy also becomes difficult to implement due to its conflicting nature. Most firms find it difficult to implement transnational strategy. In the long run, almost all firms want to include some elements of localized decision-making because each country has its own eccentric characteristics. For example, very fe w people in Japan prefer a computer that includes English-language keyboard. Another example would be how Coca-cola differentiates its ingredients for each country.Consumers in US prefer sweeter coca-cola while Chinese consumers prefer less sugar. There are several issues associated with implementing transnational strategy. Organizational issues include: Cultural differences, Language barriers, Geographic barriers, technical challenges and sound knowledge of local market. Implementation difficulties include communication issues, trust issues, multiple roles, flexibility and cultural issues, among many others. For example, with GM, some European operations may need to collaborate with operations in Latin America.Significant performance ambiguities may occur with transnational strategies. A way to address these challenges is with a very strong culture and many integrating mechanisms. I personally believe that handling the technical challenges would be the most critical of all challeng es. While, information technology and improvements in global telecommunications are giving international firms more flexibility to shape their global strategies, not many managers are willing to adapt to the change. The IT systems department needs to be up to date and should be unctioning smoothly at all times. The advances in communication technology coupled with the authority and affordability of information technology, has transformed the way companies conduct business both nationally and internationally. The affordability of these technologies has allowed smaller companies to compete in markets dominated by large companies as well as compete in progressing and new markets. As the technology has progressed, businesses have also gradually engaged in international business as the tools and opportunities have been presented.Transnational operations can provide organizations with many advantages in several different levels, and if managed correctly, the organizations can offset the p ossible problematic aspects that exist, providing these organizations with an optimized structure that can transform the business into a successful company operating globally. Disadvantages are if not properly accounted for and controlled, transnational operations can present several aspects that can negatively affect an organization.Among these aspects are technological infrastructure of the foreign nation, political and economic stability, cultural difference, and technical knowledge. Understanding the particulars and differences of the foreign nation is fundamental to the success of business conducted in an international environment. Not every country has access to the technological infrastructure enjoyed by most first and second world countries. Also, not all business segments may have access to highly efficient communication networks or infrastructure. The price of such services may be disproportionate and out of the reach of most small businesses.For example, India still does not have Internet facilities everywhere and cost for using them is exorbitant. Traditionally, technological innovations in developing nations are significantly higher in price and, in terms of communication infrastructure, also less reliable. Even when readily available, the local service levels may be below the standards that the organization requires. Given that optimal communication and efficient communication channels are essential to the success of international business, the infrastructure available needs to e clearly understood and alternatives to account for communication must be in place prior to the commencement of business operations in the foreign nation. Problems in infrastructure can lead to difficulty in the transfer of work or meeting project deadlines and can lead to quality issues. Another major difficulty of the transnational operation is to design an organizational form that is capable of being efficient and responsive, and which enables the transfer of knowledge across locations.In addition to the basic structural issues in designing a global organization, a company must decide to what extent: decision making should be held in a few key centers (centralized) or distributed to a large number of business units (decentralized). According to me, decisions should be made at both a centralized and decentralized level depending on the company’s needs. There needs to be a mix of informal and formal integrating mechanisms. Differences in culture can present several issues.If not managed properly, these issues can turn into major disadvantages. An atmosphere where there is a respect towards local customs needs to be established and simple actions such as having an understanding of local holidays, cultural customs, religious traditions, and language variances can make the organization have a corporate culture that transcends borders. Finally, transnational organizations have the inherent advantages of flexibility, diversity, global market reac h, and efficient cost structures, among several others.Even though several disadvantages have been presented, the commodization of bandwidth technology and the globalization trends of economies and politics are driving companies to meet an ever-expanding global market. As these tendencies continue, fueled by the expansion in use and popularity of global communications, the disadvantages will be reduced at a similar pace. While issues such as quality of work and service levels that have traditionally plagued international corporations, the evolution of technologies and the experience gained from transnational operations are also vastly improving these areas and thinning the negative view.

Koreans in California

United States is the land of opportunities. With open society offering freedom and liberty, United States has always been an attractive place for immigrants from through out the world. The influx of people having diverse culture and background in one society on one hand has been benefiting and on the other hand, it has been posing serious problems as well. New people take some time to adjust in new environment. The inter-cultural and ethnic confrontations are major impediments in their growth. But time allows the dust to settle down. Same is the story of Korean immigrants coming to this large hearted country, who began their journey almost hundred years ago. They found tough resistance but had high ambitions. Through their sheer hard work and docile nature, Korean immigrants are now considered as an integral string of US societal fiber. This paper aims at scrutinizing the history of Korean immigrants to United States specially in California, highlighting the start of their journey, problems they encountered, reasons for their coming to America, their present state, current issues faced by them, and their business activities. History of Korean Immigration Koreans are one of the largest, fastest growing Asian groups in the United States. Their immigration to the U.S. started between 1902 and 1905 when a total of 7,200 Koreans arrived in Hawaii as sugar plantation workers (Lee 21). The difficult working conditions on the plantations motivated some Korean Americans to move to the mainland where many continued in agricultural work. Since their initial numbers were limited therefore they did not formed groups and rather stayed fairly dispersed. After the abolishment of the Immigration Act in 1965, large numbers of Koreans, including some from the North that have come via South Korea, have been immigrating ever since, putting Korea in the top five countries of origin of immigrants to the United States since 1975. Initial Problems Faced by Korean Immigrants In the beginning, Koreans experienced the same kinds of discrimination that other Asian groups encountered including being prohibited from attending school with whites in San Francisco, being unable to intermarry with whites (California Anti-Miscegenation Law, 1901) and being unable to own land in California (1913 Alien Land Law). The years from 1910-1940, were particularly difficult for many Korean Americans as they thought of themselves more as exiles than immigrants and felt they were without a country. They had problems in getting jobs, and even were restricted from going to public places (Takaki 10-25). Reasons for Korean Immigrations to US Koreans came to America for a variety of reasons like family reunions, fleeing from military regimes or the threat of war, better employment opportunities, and a good education for their children. Besides that the other reasons for immigration include their desire for increased freedom, especially for women, and the hope for better economic conditions. In short, they came here to realize their own â€Å"American dream.† The Present State of Korean Immigrants Today there are over a million Korean Americans. They have continued their early patterns of not being as concentrated as other Asian groups in particular locations. Currently 44% live in the West, 23% in the Northeast, 19% in the South, and 14% in the Midwest. The state with the largest population is California with 33% of the total; New York is second with 12%. Even in California the population is scattered with only 20% of the Koreans in Southern California living in Koreatown, Los Angeles. Korea town is located about five miles west of City Hall and is roughly bounded by Beverly Boulevard and Pico Boulevard to the north and south and Hoover and Crenshaw on the east and west. In Southern California they own 45% of liquor stores, 46% of small grocery markets, and 45% of one-hour photo shops (Takaki, 40-50). The Current Issue Faced by Korean Immigrants The 1992 Los Angeles incidents have left many marks in the memory of Korean Americans. The Korean community is yet to recover from the aftermath of Rodney King verdicts. Much of the destruction was caused to many Korean markets and businesses which were located in those areas of the inner city (South Central and Korea town) which were burnt down. According to estimates 50% of Korean American property was lost. At that time there was little or no police presence in those areas and Koreans were left at their own. The frustration still continues due to lack of due support of the state, and 40% of the Korean businesses lost have not been able to reopen. The Koreans business in those areas still struggle to fight high rate of crime, violence, and interethnic tension (Hwangbo 1-2). Conclusion Like America, Koreans are tough, resilient, and sincere. They know how to survive through crises. As with most other Asian groups, California is increasingly preferred by new Korean immigrants as a permanent place to settle down. As community, they are peace loving, and they strongly believe in Confucian teaching of family culture. They had tough times in California and faced discriminations, but they stuck to their aim of creating harmony and striving for a better future. They are still confronted with ethnic challenges but are successful in negotiating the problems as and when they arise. Works Cited Hwangbo, Kay. â€Å"Human Dramas in The Their Own Voices.† LA Times, April 4, 1996: 1-2 . Lee, Lauren. Korean Americans. New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 1995. Takaki, Ronald. Strangers from a Different Shore: A History of Asian Americans. NY: Penguin, 1989.

Function and Development Questions on ACT Reading

Function and Development Questions on ACT Reading SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Function questions (also sometimes known as â€Å"meaning in context† questions) make up approximately 20% of all ACT Reading questions (based on my survey of four publicly available ACTs). The ACT Reading will also occasionally have "development" questions, which are sort of like larger-scale versions of function questions (they ask about the structure of the passage or passages). Both function and development questions require you to judge the effect of a phrase in a certain place (as opposed to little picture and vocab in context questions, which are just concerned with meaning). So how do you get asked function questions on the ACT, and what strategies can you use to answer them? Keep on reading to find out! feature image credit: The Thinker by Japanexperterna.se, used under CC BY-SA 2.0/Cropped from original. What Are Function Questions? Function questions are those questions that ask you to describe what the effect is of a phrase, sentence, or paragraph in the context of a passage. The wording of function questions makes them seem as if they are asking â€Å"The author [wrote a thing] in order to†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Figuring out the right answer to these questions can be problematic, because the way function questions are phrased often makes it seem as if they're asking â€Å"Why did the author do this thing?† Unless you're the author, your immediate reaction is probably going to be "How should I know? I'm no psychic!" (unless you are able to read the author's mind, in which case this test just got a whole lot different for you). A better way to answer function questions would be to rephrase them like this: â€Å"What effect does [this thing] have in the context of [the lines, paragraph, or passage]? Regardless of whether or not I am a psychic?† Another name sometimes used for these questions is â€Å"meaning in context,† which is fine†¦except that they’re not exactly asking about meaning. Rather than asking you what a particular phrase MEANS (which would be an inference question), function questions ask â€Å"what does [that phrase] DO† or â€Å"what is the effect of this meaning in context?† For example, let's make up a scenario where the public transportation in my town was basically shut down for two months due to massive amounts of snow, and just as the trains were starting up again on their normal schedule, there was another snowstorm, prompting me to sing (sarcastically) "It's the most wonderful time of the year." The MEANING of the words "most wonderful" in this context would be "worst" (as in "It's the worst time of the year"); the FUNCTION of the words "most wonderful" would be "to suggest that the speaker actually feels the opposite is true." Like primary purpose questions, function questions usually have answer choices in the form of â€Å"verb a noun† (as in "illustrate the narrator's frustration with the city infrastructure" or "convey the joy the narrator felt in the unseasonable snowfall"); the main difference between the two is that function questions ask about relatively small amounts of text (phrases or lines), rather than entire paragraphs (which are asked about with big picture questions). In fact, having a good understanding of the big picture/main point of a passage can often assist you in answering function questions. Take the following example: you're asked "The phraseâ€Å"live and die depending on her whimsy† primarily serves to..." If you know that the main point is, for instance, about desert life, you’re unlikely to assume the phraseâ€Å"live and die depending on her whimsy† illustrates that there is an insane and murderous empress ruling over every desert on Earth. Instead, it's far more likely that the function of the statement is to support the idea that in the desert, even a small change in the amount of rainfall can have drastic effects on desert life. Here are a few examples of the most common ways you’ll see function questions presented on the ACT (adapted from ACTual ACT questions): â€Å"The quotation by Finck and Cranor in lines 32–41 is used in this passage to support the idea that:† â€Å"The author uses the fourth paragraph (lines 27–33) primarily to:† â€Å"The main purpose of the second paragraph (lines 6–18) is to:† â€Å"The main function of lines 64–66 in terms of the eighth paragraph (lines 59–66) as a whole is to:† â€Å"It is reasonable to infer that the primary reason the author included the information in the eleventh paragraph (lines 59–64) is to:† â€Å"In relation to the first paragraph’s earlier description of the nightmare, the narrator’s comments in lines 10–13 primarily serve to:† Sidebar: Development Questions Development questions involve the same skill set as you use for function questions, but generally ask about larger chunks of text. Instead of asking â€Å"what does this paragraph DO,† development questions seems to ask â€Å"what happens in this paragraph?† In order to lower the possibility of interpretation (and more than one correct answer), ACT Reading usually frames development questions as being about the "author's approach. It's a little hard to explain what I mean in the abstract, so here’s an example: Which of the following best describes the author’s approach to presenting the story of the narrator’s discovery about himself? F. Revealing the narrator’s self-awareness about a trait through a blend of personal reflection and scenes from the narrator’s youth and adulthood G. Starting immediately with a statement of the discovery in the narrator’s voice and continuing with scenes that reveal how the discovery came about H. Describing the physical details of scenes and summarizing their significance in a concluding statement in the narrator’s voice J. Using dialogue in the midst of scenes fraught with tension to indicate what the narrator is experiencing internally For paragraphs, it's possible to ask about the function (you can ask â€Å"what’s the main function of this paragraph†), but it's more difficult to do this for entire passages without the questions turning into primary purpose questions. Development questions differ from primary purpose questions because they're not about authorial intent; instead, development questions are closer to the flip side of function questions. If the above example were a function question, rather than a development question, it might go something like this: The author describes the physical details of scenes and summarizes their significance in order to... A. Present the story of the narrator's self-discovery. Compare with answer choice H and the original question: Which of the following best describes the author’s approach to presenting the story of the narrator’s discovery about himself? H. Describing the physical details of scenes and summarizing their significance in a concluding statement in the narrator’s voice Here are other ways I've seen development questions asked on ACT Reading: â€Å"Which of the following best describes the structure of the passage?† â€Å"The narrator develops the third paragraph (lines 19–29) mainly through:† â€Å"In terms of developing the narrative, the last two paragraphs (lines 67–87) primarily serve to:† â€Å"In terms of the passage as a whole, one of the main functions of the third paragraph (lines 13–19) is to suggest that:† Strategies for Conquering ACT Reading Function Questions Some of the advice below works best for certain ways of approaching the passage, while other advice is useful for everyone, regardless of your passage reading strategy. In the end, you should mix and match strategies in a way that works for you - these are just suggestions to help get you started. Understand What The Question Is Really Asking For me, this is the key component needed to consistentIy answer function questions correctly. This isn't to say that you don't need to know what other ACT Reading questions are really asking, of course - it's more that function questions have the weirdest wording. Often, it seems like you need to read the mind of the author (or character) in order to answer these questions. I can understand why the ACT words the questions the way they do: questions that say â€Å"What does the mentioning of the two events listed in lines 77-79 do† are too open to interpretation, while questions like â€Å"The author uses the events listed in lines 77–79 primarily to" can only have one right answer. Understanding the motivation behind the wording doesn't make the wording any less confusing at first glance, though. So what's the best way to grapple with the wording of function questions? Learn to translate the questions into ones that are actually answerable (i.e. that don't require mind-reading abilities). Here's a sample function question: The author most likely includes the information in lines 53–57 to suggest: Wrong way to rephrase it: Why does the author include the information in lines 53-57? The answer to this question (unless you know the author and/or can read minds) will probably be along the lines of "Because it was his birthday? Because he felt like it? I have no idea." Right way to rephrase it: What does the information in lines 53-57 suggest/do? This is a question that can be answered (in this case, the information in lines 53-57 illustrates Armstrong’s highly developed skills.). Corollary: Answer In Your Own Words For most questions on ACT Reading, it's helpful to come up with the answer in your own words before you look at the answer choices. This strategy is particularly helpful with function questions because the answer choices for these questions tend to be complex, and so coming up with your own answer before looking at the answer choices can help prevent you from getting confused. True, your answer for â€Å"what best describes the transition the author presents in lines 80-84† will probably not be as nicely as the correct answer choice. However, the answer choice you come up with should only include relevant and accurate information, while the wrong answers may have irrelevant information or interpretations that â€Å"COULD be true, I guess." Why do the wrong answer choices include wrong or irrelevant information? Because this is one of the ways ACT Reading tries to trick you – the people writing the questions know that you’re used to trying to see things from multiple perspectives as part of school (which is ordinarily a good thing), when in fact there is only ONE right answer on the ACT. Figuring out the answer in your own words forst, then, makes it a lot easier to find that one correct answer. But how do you find the function of a phrase, line, or sentence in a passage in the first place? Question mark by the Italian voice, used under CC BY 2.0. Look For Context On ACT Reading, sometimes questions give you the specific lines where the information being asked about is located, which is nice (since the passages are so long). Alas, for function questions, the lines that the question gives you are not necessarily the only lines you’ll need to answer the question - sometimes, you just need more context. If you’re having trouble answering a function question, your best bet is to take a look at the sentences before and after the phrase/sentence/lines you’re given in the question and see if that helps make it clearer. On occasion, though, it may end up that you need even more context to answer a particular function question (like knowing the bigger picture/main point/perspective of the text/author). In these cases, if you don't already know that context and are having difficult answering the question, mark it and come back to it after you’ve answered the relevant big picture questions (questions about the paragraph/section the lines in question are in, or even questions about the whole passage). Answer Questions In The Order That Works For You This is a strategy that depends heavily on how you read the passage. You may also decide that this strategy works well for certain passage types better than others. For instance, you might be able to get away with looking at the questions first and skipping around Natural Science passages, but feel like you need to read Prose Fiction passages all the way through before you start answering questions. Basically, don't lock yourself into one way of doing things. That being said, if you read thoroughly first, then answer questions, I really recommend answering big picture questions first, then function and inference questions. It's better to answer questions about larger amounts of text while that text is still fresh in your mind, and starting out with big picture questions first might also give you information/context that is useful when it comes to answering the function questions. If you read quickly enough that you can read all the passages thoroughly and have still have plenty of time to answer the questions, just answering the questions in order is certainly a valid choice, because it lowers the chance that you'll accidentally fill in an answer in the wrong place or miss a question. Because there is so much text to get through on ACT Reading, however, I do not recommend the "read everything through" strategy (and yes, this is coming from someone who reads 60-100 pages/hour). If you start out by reading through all the questions, then going back to the passage, I recommend starting with little picture and vocab in context questions before getting to function questions. The answer to these more focused questions provide you with information about the author and topic being covered, which can assist you in answering function questions; if you do end up needing to know the big picture in order to answer a particular function question, you can always circle it and come back to it later. If you skim through first, then questions, then back to passage, it's best to answer both big and little picture questions before getting to function questions. Why? Well, unless the phrase, sentence, or lines being asked about were in part of the passage you read during your skim (at the beginning or end of a paragraph or passage), you probably didn’t read the necessary information during your skimming. If you're going to skim, you might as well make the most of it by answering questions that would be better served with a quick skim (questions about the passage as a whole and questions about specific details you might have mapped during your skimming). Eliminate Answers The fundamental rule for ACT Reading is that you must eliminate 3 wrong answers. For function questions, the answer choices are often complex, which can make eliminating just one answer choice seem daunting. After all, how can you figure out if the answer is right when there are so many parts of it to check? First of all, if you've successfully answered the question in your own words, you might not even have to worry about eliminating answers – only one answer choice should match yours. If it does turn out you need to eliminate answers, however, you're in luck - complicated answers are actually easier to eliminate, because if any part of the answer choice does not match with the passage, then you can cross it out. Example: Which of the following best describes the structure of the passage? A. A dialogue between two people in which both relate their dreams in an almost equal amount of detail B. An account of the narrator’s perspective on the woman revealed primarily through the narrator’s report of their conversations C. A character sketch of two people as related by a narrator who knows both of them and their thoughts D. A detailed narration of several of the narrator’s dreams accompanied by a description of the woman’s reactions to them Let's say you think the answer is probably B, an account of the narrator’s perspective on the woman revealed primarily through the narrator’s report of their conversations.In order for that to be true, it must pass the following obstacles: Is it an account of the narrator’s perspective? If not, ELIMINATE Is it about the narrator’s perspective of â€Å"the woman†? If not, ELIMINATE Is the information revealed primarily through the narrator’s report (or someone else’s)? If not, ELIMINATE Is the report of their conversations? If not, ELIMINATE As you can see, there are many chances for elimination as you consider the answer choices. For this question, the correct answer, B, passes this test: yes, it is an account of the narrator’s perspective on the woman, and it is revealed primarily through the narrator’s report, which is about their conversations. Function Questions: A Demonstration And now, before I leave you to your practice questions, a full breakdown of answering a function question on ACT Reading. First, the question: The main function of lines 64–66 in terms of the eighth paragraph (lines 59–66) as a whole is to: F. give a sense of proportion to the numbers provided earlier in the paragraph. G. point out the limitations of the evidence provided by the Iowa scientists. H. supplement the paragraph’ s description of the comets with additional details about their size and capacity. J. provide readers with a sense of how old the planet really is. Before I even take a look at the lines (and the paragraph) cited in the question, I’m going to rephrase this question in a way that is answerable: What effect do lines 64-66 have in the 8th paragraph? ...Well, that wasn’t as drastic a change as I expected. Oh well. Time to take a look at the paragraph! Based on their images, the Iowa scientists estimated 20 comets an hour- each about 30 feet or so across and carrying 100 tons of water- were bombarding the Earth. At that rate, they would produce water vapor that would add about an inch of water to the planet every 10,000 years, Frank concluded. That may not seem like much, but when talking about a planet billions of years old, it adds up. Out of this paragraph, here are lines 64-66 (since they don’t specify that you should begin at the beginning of the sentence, I’m including all of line 64 in all its glory): planet every 10,000 years, Frank concluded. That may not seem like much, but when talking about a planet billions of years old, it adds up. My first thoughts: So what do lines 64-66 say? Basically that while the information given doesn’t seem impressive on its own, it actually is when considered over a long period of time. What does that do in terms of the paragraph as a whole? Well, what does the paragraph look like without those lines? Based on their images, the Iowa scientists estimated 20 comets an hour- each about 30 feet or so across and carrying 100 tons of water- were bombarding the Earth. At that rate, they would produce water vapor that would add about an inch of water to the It’s basically just giving information about tiny comets hitting the Earth (with water). If you don’t have lines 64-66, you don’t get the sense that this creates a significant amount of water over time, so the function of those lines is to put the amount of water the comets could have brought to Earth into perspective, I guess. I’ve reworded the question to make it easier to answer and answered in my own words considering the context of the paragraph. Next: eliminating answers. The main function of lines 64–66 in terms of the eighth paragraph (lines 59–66) as a whole is to: F. give a sense of proportion to the numbers provided earlier in the paragraph. Yeah, that seems right – my answer was that those lines â€Å"put the amount of water the comets could have brought to Earth into perspective,† which matches up pretty well with that answer. Let’s just look over the rest of the answers to double check†¦ The main function of lines 64–66 in terms of the eighth paragraph (lines 59–66) as a whole is to: G. point out the limitations of the evidence provided by the Iowa scientists. No, no limitations are pointed out. In fact, lines 64-66 actually bring the information from the first part of the paragraph into a larger context. ELIMINATE. The main function of lines 64–66 in terms of the eighth paragraph (lines 59–66) as a whole is to: H. supplement the paragraph’s description of the comets with additional details about their size and capacity. Hmm†¦it has additional details, but it’s not about the size of the comets at all, so even if capacity is somewhat related (because of the amount of water they could add to the Earth) this answer must be ELIMINATED. The main function of lines 64–66 in terms of the eighth paragraph (lines 59–66) as a whole is to: J. provide readers with a sense of how old the planet really is. I mean, the age of the planet is sort of mentioned (billions of years old), but there’s nothing in lines 64-66 that provide â€Å"a sense of how old the planet really is.† I guess you could try to twist this answer so it works, except F already is a clear answer choice because this question is asking about the MAIN function. So even if A function is that you get a sense of how old the planet is, it’s not the main function. ELIMINATE. The correct answer is F. Comet activity, 21 June by European Space Agency, used under CC BY-SA 2.0/Cropped from original. Function Questions: Your Turn To Practice! The following questions are all on the same passage, taken from an official (and currently public and free) ACT: 1. The main purpose of the last paragraph is to: A. reveal the enduring impact of Mr. Marsh’s lessons on the author. B. acknowledge that the author came to doubt some of Mr. Marsh’s teachings. C. describe a typical class as taught by Mr. Marsh. D. present a biographical sketch of Mr. Marsh. 2. The author mentions Melody Maker, the top 20, and articles about musicians primarily to suggest that his: A. early interest in music has remained with him to the present. B. time spent playing music should instead have been spent reading. C. fascination with pop music and musicians gave focus to his life for a time. D. commitment to study enabled him to perfect his drumming technique. 3. Viewed in the context of the passage, the statement in lines 55–56 is most likely intended to suggest that: A. schools should require students to take philosophy courses. B. students can become passionate when learning about science in school. C. schools need to keep searching for ways to tap into students’ deeply held interests. D. students should resolve to take school courses that interest them. 4. The author calls pen and paper â€Å"rudimentary tools† (line 80) as part of his argument that: F. the use of computers has made the use of pen and paper obsolete. G. students should become skilled with pen and paper before moving on to better tools. H. while writing with pen and paper can be pleasant, it can also be physically painful. I. although seemingly simple, pen and paper allow people to perform great feats. Answer key (scroll down when ready): 1. A 2. C 3. C 4. J In Conclusion Function questions on ACT Reading ask you â€Å"what effect does this [phrase, sentence, or series of lines] have, in context,† or, more simply put, â€Å"what does this [phrase, sentence, or series of lines] DO?† Development questions involve the reverse of function questions and ask "What is the structure of this passage/paragraph?" The most important part of answering function questions correctly is making sure you understand what the question is asking. Answer the question in your own words before looking at the ACT’s answer choices. If the lines cited in the question don't provide enough context, look to the surrounding sentences. Depending on your passage reading approach, you may wish to answer function questions after answering other types of questions first. Eliminate three wrong answers What’s Next? Want more practice with real ACT questions? Go to our guide and find links to free ACTs and information about what other official tests are out there. Interested in more ACT Reading skills articles like this one? We’ve got a whole series of articles that cover each ACT Reading skill - be sure to read my articles on main point, little picture, vocab in context, inference, and paired passage questions. Not sure how to finish all 40 questions on ACT Reading without running out of time? Learn about the three different ways to approach the passage on the ACT and figure out what works for you. Are these articles all very well and good, but you need more structured help to reach your ACT goal? Then why not try out our very own PrepScholar test prep platform FREE for five days? Want to improve your ACT score by 4 points? Check out our best-in-class online ACT prep program. We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your ACT score by 4 points or more. Our program is entirely online, and it customizes what you study to your strengths and weaknesses. If you liked this Reading lesson, you'll love our program.Along with more detailed lessons, you'll get thousands ofpractice problems organized by individual skills so you learn most effectively. We'll also give you a step-by-step program to follow so you'll never be confused about what to study next. Check out our 5-day free trial:

Globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Globalization - Essay Example Globalization as a phenomenon requires the imposition of certain types of values and traits which are mostly Western in their orientation. Such outcome therefore results into the diminishing of the local values and thus gradually erodes the local culture and replaces it with more modern Westernize culture. Appiah’s arguments therefore of relatively more important considering the fact that the systematic overhaul of the different social values may further result into discernment for globalization rather than generating a widespread acceptance for it. The universalization of the values under globalization therefore can create significant resistance to the same despite the fact that globalization can actually result into the transfer of economic and technological benefits for the developing countries. (Jameson and Miyoshi). Appiah’s arguments therefore are more critical considering the fact that globalization may adversely affect the local cultures and superimpose other cu ltures on local cultures thus creating so called moral disagreement between developed and developing countries. This moral disagreement therefore can result into the clash of civilization and globalization as a whole may fail to provide the desired results. It is also critical to understand therefore that in order to make globalization a successful process and phenomenon, it is critical to understand that globalization must support or allow local cultures and civilizations to grow with the global culture also. The mismatch between the two may create the critical differences between the nations and cultures and thus forcing globalization to fail to provide the desired results to the less developing countries. Foer’s arguments however, offer a deep and practical aspect of how globalization actually failed to erode the local culture. Considering the example of soccer, Foer presents the argument that the local culture associated with the global game of soccer has not changed over the period of time despite the fact that global clubs such as Manchester United and Real Madrid are considered as global icons being followed across the globe. The critical difference between the arguments of both the authors therefore provides a rare glimpse of the possible and concrete differences between theory and practice. Appiah’s arguments are more theoretical in nature suggesting the normative aspects of globalization and how this may result into the overcoming of the local culture through universalization of culture. Foer on the other hand however, has offered a different opinion regarding the failure of the globalization to actually overcome the local culture in its real settings thus potentially failed to achieve its intended aims. Foer believed that the soccer and the culture associated with it is actually a deep impression of the generations of the individuals who carried forward the tradition from generation to generation. However, soccer is also considered as anti-American because it is perhaps the only non-American trend which is dominating the world and which has remained purged from the increasing power of America and its value systems. In fact Soccer is seen as a threat in America because of its resilience to maintain its local cultural orientation. Western values therefore have failed to dampen the real spirit of soccer despite the fact that the sport as a whole has become more commercialized over the period

Chinese American discussion homework Research Paper

Chinese American discussion homework - Research Paper Example Due to their racial affiliation, they are discriminated by the Whites. The diversity of culture of the Asian Americans is also an issue especially when they mingle with their White counterparts. Education attainment will also be an issue as the gap between the races is difficult to be narrowed. Friedersdorf indicates that for the previous twenty years, the number of Asians scooping the top most academic awards in the California Institute of Technology has escalated and most of them have been named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarships (1). Nonetheless, the performance of the Chinese is exemplary regardless of the challenges they meet due to their racial affiliation. They performed well at school as they were forced to study both during daytime and nighttime by their parents in order to be at par with their White counterparts. The fact that the Chinese Americans are undermined based on their race, makes them more motivated to study harder and attain their grades based on merit and diligence (Zakaria 1). Friedersdorf, Conor. â€Å"Is the Ivy League Fair to Asian Americans?† The Atlantic, 21st Dec, 2012. Web. 16 May 2014.