PART I
Exercise 1
Are the following nouns count or noncount? Put an N next to the noncount nouns and a C next to the count nouns. If the noun can be either noncount or count depending on the context, put a D next to it.
world -C
textbook- C
acid- D
smoking- D
poetry -N
applause -N
thought -N
banana -C
conduct -N
progress -N
biology -N
essay -C
crystal -D
shopping -C
Exercise 2
Put an X next to the words in the following list that can be used as either count or noncount nouns, depending on the context.
defense -X
beauty -X
garbage
experience -X
baggage
rain -X
rug
nature-X
bag
emotion -X
Exercise 3
Fill in the blank with the form of the noun in parentheses that is appropriate to the grammatical context of the sentence and the meaning of the passage as a whole.
Diabetes: Beyond the Basics
Because diabetes can cause devastating damage to virtually all body systems, people with diabetes should not underrate the seriousness of their disease. Learning to live with a chronic illness such as diabetes must be an ongoing process.
The Hospital's Center for Family Life Education is sponsoring a five-part educational series on diabetes. The series will begin on April 30 and continue through May 29. The program will be held in the second floor classroom of the Education Center from 7-9 p.m.
The diabetes series is free and open to the public and will be of specific interest to people who have diabetes and their families and friends.
Exercise 4
On the basis of the rules for using articles, which combinations of words below are permitted and which ones aren't? Put an X next to the incorrect combinations.
a table
these person- X
this furniture
that assignment
a boy
the poetry
a difficulty
a research- X
this eggs- X
those argument -X
Exercise 5
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate article if one is needed.
The Computer Jungle
Though you can make a decision on purely economic grounds, buying a computer is often more like joining a religious cult. Buy an Apple, for example, and almost by default you join Apple chairman Steve Jobs in his crusade against IBM. Every machine has its "users' groups" and a band of loyal enthusiasts who tout its merits. That makes it all the more difficult for the uninitiated to decide what machine to buy. Students have a huge advantage, however. The computer companies are so eager for students' business (it builds "brand loyalty") that many offer huge discounts.
In the past six months, IBM, Apple, and others have brought out new computers, and the fierce competition has forced prices down. Also, time is on your side: next year at this time you'll have even more choice and more computing power and features for the same price. On the other hand, this will probably be true for many years. So for those who need or want a computer now, it's a great time to buy one.
PARTII
In the following sentences, substitute one of these expressions for the underlined words:
little, quite a little or quite a bit of , few, quite a few
To clarify, little means "not much," but quite a little (or quite a bit of) means "a rather large amount." Few means "not many," but quite a few means "a rather large number."
1. Quite a few students have trouble with economics.
2. It requires few of reading.
3. Few advisors spend as much time with their students.
4. He has little hope of passing his exams.
5. George's advisor spends quite a little or quite a bit of time with him.
6. He knows few people in the class.
7. Bill spends little money on clothes.
8. She spends quite a little or quite a bit of money on CDs.
9. He has few suits.
10. He understands little of the reading.
domingo, 30 de noviembre de 2008
The Missing Piece of a Puzzle
In Tao Te Ching I have read values and lessons that are usually the same in the society I live in. Nevertheless, there are only few values I have been raised with, giving me the perception of a totally different culture and perception of life.
In my life, I have always seen wisdom and knowledge as a gift that only few in the world have. However, I have always have in consideration that “ignorance is blessed”, and life can be more fun in a superficial life, but a shallow happy life is far worse than a complicated live having a lot of knowledge.
The Tao Te Ching is in controversy, and advises to take the path of the shallow life. “Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles.” (Tao Te Ching 20).
My mother has a saying, “never go to the extremes, nor too much nor too little”. I have always tried to use it in my life especially with feelings, such as pride or admiration. However, I felt as Tao Te Ching was completely erasing ambition, “Accept disgrace willingly” “Accept being unimportant. Do not be concerned with loss or gain.” (Tao Te Ching 13). I disagree with this saying, for a person or animal will always be making an effort, but for there to be effort there must be the encouragement that comes with a drop of ambition. I do recognize that ambition can be deadly if there is too much of it, but I also recognize that none of it can take the purpose of effort, of life.
The Tao Te Ching and I have different perceptions towards life, and there is no way of knowing witch is wrong or right, and I believe that every individual will choose its path, after lessons and experiences from their lives.
In my life, I have always seen wisdom and knowledge as a gift that only few in the world have. However, I have always have in consideration that “ignorance is blessed”, and life can be more fun in a superficial life, but a shallow happy life is far worse than a complicated live having a lot of knowledge.
The Tao Te Ching is in controversy, and advises to take the path of the shallow life. “Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles.” (Tao Te Ching 20).
My mother has a saying, “never go to the extremes, nor too much nor too little”. I have always tried to use it in my life especially with feelings, such as pride or admiration. However, I felt as Tao Te Ching was completely erasing ambition, “Accept disgrace willingly” “Accept being unimportant. Do not be concerned with loss or gain.” (Tao Te Ching 13). I disagree with this saying, for a person or animal will always be making an effort, but for there to be effort there must be the encouragement that comes with a drop of ambition. I do recognize that ambition can be deadly if there is too much of it, but I also recognize that none of it can take the purpose of effort, of life.
The Tao Te Ching and I have different perceptions towards life, and there is no way of knowing witch is wrong or right, and I believe that every individual will choose its path, after lessons and experiences from their lives.
Muiscas
Sometimes I have the perception that what the Tao Te Ching is telling, is that a human being is what it has cultivated inside of him and not the materials he has gained. Therefore, a person only grows with the touch of values, and not the touch of time. “Claim wealth and titles, and disaster will follow” (Tao Te Ching 9). This reminds me of a piece of information I recently learned in El Museo del Oro. I learned that a tribe called the Muiscas, said that the fetal position of a human being resembles a basket, and from every experience the lesson will be saved in the basket.
Quick Thought
“All can know good as good only because there is evil.” (Tao Te Ching 2)reminded me of a scientific term that says, “there is no such a thing as darkness, darkness is the absence of light”, because the value and the term are opposites. In the value there is good because there is evil, in the term darkness exists because there is light.
miércoles, 12 de noviembre de 2008
Spelling Exercise
PLEASE NOTE: The answer numbers on this quiz do not correspond to the question numbers. Each drop-down answer has a separate number even if it belongs to a differently numbered question. We're aware that it's confusing and we're going to switch to a new system.
1. Where is my jacket? I wanted to wear it today, and if I can't find it, we’re going to be late.
2. Jane wanted to go on the school trip, but her mother said that two hundred dollars was too much for the family budget.
3. As she waited for Rodney to become conscience , Selma was seized with an attack of concious -- was there anything she could have done to prevent the accident?
4. The map led the intrepid treasure hunters to a lead box of precious stones.
5. Have you seen their coats? They’re going to need them; it's cold outside. I last saw the coats over there.
6. After conducting careful research, Shufang had a brilliant idea; she'd write a paper on Thomas More's concept of the ideal society in Utopia.
7. Even though Bob would rather play than video games study, he decided to hit the books and then play some Halo.
8. Its easy to admire a business that puts so much effort into creating it’s signs and window displays.
9. You’re fortunate to have survived the car crash without a scratch; it must have been because you were wearing your seat belt.
10. I would advise you to seek qualified legal advice about how to handle this situation.
1. Where is my jacket? I wanted to wear it today, and if I can't find it, we’re going to be late.
2. Jane wanted to go on the school trip, but her mother said that two hundred dollars was too much for the family budget.
3. As she waited for Rodney to become conscience , Selma was seized with an attack of concious -- was there anything she could have done to prevent the accident?
4. The map led the intrepid treasure hunters to a lead box of precious stones.
5. Have you seen their coats? They’re going to need them; it's cold outside. I last saw the coats over there.
6. After conducting careful research, Shufang had a brilliant idea; she'd write a paper on Thomas More's concept of the ideal society in Utopia.
7. Even though Bob would rather play than video games study, he decided to hit the books and then play some Halo.
8. Its easy to admire a business that puts so much effort into creating it’s signs and window displays.
9. You’re fortunate to have survived the car crash without a scratch; it must have been because you were wearing your seat belt.
10. I would advise you to seek qualified legal advice about how to handle this situation.
martes, 11 de noviembre de 2008
No More Untamed Horses
The Essentials Analects is a very old book, and was written when customs were different. For example, philosophy is studied more than technology, and now it is the other way around. Also, I have the impression that being obedient and respectful to the elder was much more important then, and in the XXI century speaking up your believe has a greater priority.
In the Book Seventeenth, I found a difference that rather disturbed me. Before, women were in a lower status than men, and they had to make them obedient and had the right to treat them as they pleased. Unfortunately, in the Analects this was mentioned. “The Master said, “Women and servants are particularly hard to manage: if you are too familiar with them, they grow insolent, but if you are too distant, they grow resentful:” (17.25). As I read it, I felt as we were untamed horses and that the Master was giving some advice to the owners, so they could have a nice and obedient animal.
I can imagine what people in other time periods would say about our culture, and how they will arrange rules to benefit us. Nevertheless, the pain caused in the present will always have a prolonged effect, for example many Jews and African Americans are still bleeding from their past suffering, and a young Colombian girl is still mad for the way woman were treated.
In the Book Seventeenth, I found a difference that rather disturbed me. Before, women were in a lower status than men, and they had to make them obedient and had the right to treat them as they pleased. Unfortunately, in the Analects this was mentioned. “The Master said, “Women and servants are particularly hard to manage: if you are too familiar with them, they grow insolent, but if you are too distant, they grow resentful:” (17.25). As I read it, I felt as we were untamed horses and that the Master was giving some advice to the owners, so they could have a nice and obedient animal.
I can imagine what people in other time periods would say about our culture, and how they will arrange rules to benefit us. Nevertheless, the pain caused in the present will always have a prolonged effect, for example many Jews and African Americans are still bleeding from their past suffering, and a young Colombian girl is still mad for the way woman were treated.
domingo, 9 de noviembre de 2008
Eternity
I believe that being named a professor of any kind is one of the greatest triumphs a human being could have. They have to make a relationship with someone that will last forever, but it is not based in their mutual love. In addition, a teacher has to differentiate every single pupil, and treat him or her differently according to his or her needs.
For me there are three types of teachers. The first and most important is your parent/s or guardian/s, and later comes the mentor and the teacher. A mentor is the teacher that will only teach what a student is willing to learn, and has no need to beg the student. The Master will qualify in this category after saying,
“I will not open the door for a mind that is not already striving to understand, nor will I provide words to a tongue that is not already struggling to speak. If I hold up one corner of a problem, and the student cannot come back to me with the other three I will not attempt to instruct him again.” (7.8). Then comes the teacher, that is someone that is forced to teach, doesn’t bend according to the pupils needs and has to bed for attention.
“Ran Qiu is very cautious, and so I wished to urge him on. Zilu, on the other hand, is too impetuous, and so I sought to hold him back.” (11.22) explained the Master. There is no way a teacher can treat all of his students equally, therefore the teacher has to be very flexible and opened for change. Also, with any job or work that you do you can follow a specific order, but a professor may have a calendar but will most likely have to arrange dates, to serve the pupil’s week or strong points.
As a result, a mentor will have to be dough, that will bend for specific needs, create a relationship without love, and at the same time feed the students needs. With all of these accomplished I agree with Henry Adams when he said, “ A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” (Tuesdays with Morrie. Pg. 79. Henry Adams).
For me there are three types of teachers. The first and most important is your parent/s or guardian/s, and later comes the mentor and the teacher. A mentor is the teacher that will only teach what a student is willing to learn, and has no need to beg the student. The Master will qualify in this category after saying,
“I will not open the door for a mind that is not already striving to understand, nor will I provide words to a tongue that is not already struggling to speak. If I hold up one corner of a problem, and the student cannot come back to me with the other three I will not attempt to instruct him again.” (7.8). Then comes the teacher, that is someone that is forced to teach, doesn’t bend according to the pupils needs and has to bed for attention.
“Ran Qiu is very cautious, and so I wished to urge him on. Zilu, on the other hand, is too impetuous, and so I sought to hold him back.” (11.22) explained the Master. There is no way a teacher can treat all of his students equally, therefore the teacher has to be very flexible and opened for change. Also, with any job or work that you do you can follow a specific order, but a professor may have a calendar but will most likely have to arrange dates, to serve the pupil’s week or strong points.
As a result, a mentor will have to be dough, that will bend for specific needs, create a relationship without love, and at the same time feed the students needs. With all of these accomplished I agree with Henry Adams when he said, “ A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” (Tuesdays with Morrie. Pg. 79. Henry Adams).
Fast Reminder
Right when I read, “Yan Hui is of no help to me- he is pleased with everything I say.” I remembered some past “relationships”. I believe that relationships are made put of love, and like the song by Pat Benair says “love is a battlefield”. Therefore, there is no relationship without a fight, and someone that agrees with everything is just a pet that has no say in anything.
jueves, 6 de noviembre de 2008
Breaking Your Own Walls
Overwhelmed is the word that fits best my feeling while reading. There are many statements and arguments that have opened my heart, and tatood themselves in the walls of my ventricles. Nevertheless, I read a quote, that didn’t have the same effect as the rest, but the strange thing, is that the quote is one of the most suttle but with a major effect.
The master describes Goodness and a completely good person. “ If the gentleman abandons Goodness, how can he merit the name? The gentleman does not go against Goodness even for the amount of time required to finish a meal. Even in time of urgency or distress, he necessarily with it.” (Book Four 4.5, pg.10-11). Since the first second I read this, I felt in total disagreement. I believe a good person, or someone that is categorized under any name, should have the right to make mistakes and change from their usual manner. For example, if you are a straight A student, you have the total right to fail every once in a while, and still be named as a straight A student.
This thought rapidly reminded me of a movie called, Away From Her. While talking about unfaithfulness, the wife says to her husband, “I think people are too demanding. Aren’t they? People want to be in love every single day. What a liability.” (Away From Her. Julie Cristie. Pg. 96). I agree and relate to what she said. Nobody is perfect, and even the Masters that teach this lesson aren’t perfect. As a human I am aware of the need to change of personality and break the walls of your normal attitude or characteristic. Therefore I agree, what a liability.
The master describes Goodness and a completely good person. “ If the gentleman abandons Goodness, how can he merit the name? The gentleman does not go against Goodness even for the amount of time required to finish a meal. Even in time of urgency or distress, he necessarily with it.” (Book Four 4.5, pg.10-11). Since the first second I read this, I felt in total disagreement. I believe a good person, or someone that is categorized under any name, should have the right to make mistakes and change from their usual manner. For example, if you are a straight A student, you have the total right to fail every once in a while, and still be named as a straight A student.
This thought rapidly reminded me of a movie called, Away From Her. While talking about unfaithfulness, the wife says to her husband, “I think people are too demanding. Aren’t they? People want to be in love every single day. What a liability.” (Away From Her. Julie Cristie. Pg. 96). I agree and relate to what she said. Nobody is perfect, and even the Masters that teach this lesson aren’t perfect. As a human I am aware of the need to change of personality and break the walls of your normal attitude or characteristic. Therefore I agree, what a liability.
Hypnotize
You want the absolute truth? I had no idea what Obama was saying, every once in a while I played some attention, but I was much more focused in the way he talked. I believe what makes Barack Obama such a great speaker, is his confidence in speech and the way he hypnotized the public with his spirit. Also, he looks to every single person, so each one forgets about the people that are around him or her, they forget to listen and they just look at him with over whelm.
I noticed the tone and the volume of his voice. He clearly emphasized important points by raising his voice, and he stopped and made pauses whenever he was giving too much information. Also, he used his hands to support his ideas and to direct the public. In addition, he’s tone of voice was never unbelievable or had a rush of energy.
The last fundamental detail I noticed of the future president was how concise and straight he talked. Usually in most speeches the speaker repeats the same point several times, but not Barack. He says the statement once, he says the arguments, and rapidly connects those to his next statement, and moves on.
In regular bases I would say that public speaking is not that important, but after seeing Obama, and looking at the way people are hypnotized by him, I must say that one of the things that really helped him in his campaign is the way he speaks in front of a public.
I noticed the tone and the volume of his voice. He clearly emphasized important points by raising his voice, and he stopped and made pauses whenever he was giving too much information. Also, he used his hands to support his ideas and to direct the public. In addition, he’s tone of voice was never unbelievable or had a rush of energy.
The last fundamental detail I noticed of the future president was how concise and straight he talked. Usually in most speeches the speaker repeats the same point several times, but not Barack. He says the statement once, he says the arguments, and rapidly connects those to his next statement, and moves on.
In regular bases I would say that public speaking is not that important, but after seeing Obama, and looking at the way people are hypnotized by him, I must say that one of the things that really helped him in his campaign is the way he speaks in front of a public.
lunes, 3 de noviembre de 2008
The Same Soul
Night and the Bible, they are two very different books that are bound with small threads. One of the main similarities that I found between these two masterpieces was the way the story flows, and the similarities between their characters.
Job, Elie (the main character of Night) and most of the victims have very similar characteristics. Elie once mentioned his connection with Job saying, “But I ceased to pray. How I sympathized with Job! I did not deny God existence, but I doubted His absolute existence” (Night, pg. 42).
Just like what happened to Job, when the suffering was very intense, the people start to question and despise God. “Why should I bless His name?” (Night, pg. 31. Also as the situation got worst they felt His absence asking themselves “Where is God? Where is He?” (Night, pg. 61).
While these questions were aroused, also the strictness of the rituals was doubted. “The Day of Atonement. Should we fast? The question was hotly debated. To fast would mean a surer, swifter death.” (Night, pg. 65-66).
Nevertheless, just like there was a “good” friend in the Book of Job, there were few true believers in the concentration camps. Elihu once said to Job, that one of the ways that God communicated with humans was through suffering. This way, when you are healed you will value more God and his kindness. Also, he told Job never to question God or the information that was far beyond his knowledge, and so did Akiba. “I know. Man is too small, too humble and inconsiderable to seek to understand the mysterious ways of God.” (Night, pg. 73).
As I said before, no matter how different the situations and the settings of these two pieces, they both share the same rolls and through suffering, the same questions are aroused.
Job, Elie (the main character of Night) and most of the victims have very similar characteristics. Elie once mentioned his connection with Job saying, “But I ceased to pray. How I sympathized with Job! I did not deny God existence, but I doubted His absolute existence” (Night, pg. 42).
Just like what happened to Job, when the suffering was very intense, the people start to question and despise God. “Why should I bless His name?” (Night, pg. 31. Also as the situation got worst they felt His absence asking themselves “Where is God? Where is He?” (Night, pg. 61).
While these questions were aroused, also the strictness of the rituals was doubted. “The Day of Atonement. Should we fast? The question was hotly debated. To fast would mean a surer, swifter death.” (Night, pg. 65-66).
Nevertheless, just like there was a “good” friend in the Book of Job, there were few true believers in the concentration camps. Elihu once said to Job, that one of the ways that God communicated with humans was through suffering. This way, when you are healed you will value more God and his kindness. Also, he told Job never to question God or the information that was far beyond his knowledge, and so did Akiba. “I know. Man is too small, too humble and inconsiderable to seek to understand the mysterious ways of God.” (Night, pg. 73).
As I said before, no matter how different the situations and the settings of these two pieces, they both share the same rolls and through suffering, the same questions are aroused.
domingo, 2 de noviembre de 2008
Forgive and Forget
God and the Church have me totally confused. I do not understand the procedure of forgiveness, of neither of them. In today’s Church we confess, but a simple prayer at home is not enough. Nevertheless, Job only asked God, and didn’t have to talk to a priest, “Hear, I beseech thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee, Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:4). I think this means that the confession we follow is not necessary, or just part of the business of the Church.
As well, I find it very peculiar the way God forgives. In the Book of Job, he easily forgave Job and his friends. If God was so flexible with pardons, I am sure that there wouldn’t be any soul burning in hell, because with the simple mentioning of forgiveness, God would rise them up to heaven. However, there are many times that a simple apology doesn’t convince God. For example, if Satan asked God for a pardon, I’m sure God would close heavens doors in his face.
As well, I find it very peculiar the way God forgives. In the Book of Job, he easily forgave Job and his friends. If God was so flexible with pardons, I am sure that there wouldn’t be any soul burning in hell, because with the simple mentioning of forgiveness, God would rise them up to heaven. However, there are many times that a simple apology doesn’t convince God. For example, if Satan asked God for a pardon, I’m sure God would close heavens doors in his face.
Fallacies In The Presindential Debate
In the presidential debate, John McCain said the first mistake I noticed, “We've got to have a package of reforms and it has got to lead to reform prosperity and peace in the world.” I classify this quote as a Broad Generalization, because he is saying that with this new change, there will be world peace. Nevertheless, he is not mentioning other fundamental aspects that contribute to world peace. Another similar error was said by Barack when he said: “And that's why, for example, on tax policy, what I want to do is provide a middle class tax cut to 95 percent of working Americans, those who are working two jobs, people who are not spending enough time with their kids, because they are struggling to make ends meet.” These statement talks about 95% of the middle class getting tax cuts, but the 5% that is left over, turns out to be huge amounts of people. Also, he is not talking about the people in the other social classes.
I believe that the statements that said Obama and McCain, are saying “95%” and “world peace”, to call peoples attention even though their ideas are not so good.
In addition, I drew my attention rapidly to Senator McCain’s words, when he said: “Is it expensive? Yes.” The question was said in the beginning of the paragraph, and right then he gave me the answer. This fallacy is called Beginning Question, and with it I lost all my interest in the rest of the paragraph because he already answered the question he is implanting in me.
I believe that the statements that said Obama and McCain, are saying “95%” and “world peace”, to call peoples attention even though their ideas are not so good.
In addition, I drew my attention rapidly to Senator McCain’s words, when he said: “Is it expensive? Yes.” The question was said in the beginning of the paragraph, and right then he gave me the answer. This fallacy is called Beginning Question, and with it I lost all my interest in the rest of the paragraph because he already answered the question he is implanting in me.
sábado, 1 de noviembre de 2008
Death
When reading the Bible, I have noticed a lot of differences between the culture of then and today’s culture. Nevertheless, none of the comparisons I have deduced have been as shocking as the one I derived in chapter 13, of the book of Job.
When Job said: “Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?” and later, he told his friends, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.”, I was paralyzed. Job made it very clear that he is more afraid of God, than he is of his own death. I believe, that most of the people in the world feel differently than he, because we are raised with the mentality that death is the black whole. Maybe this idea was born because, “impossible is nothing” (Adidas) except knowing what is death and why we die.
Another passage that hypnotized me said, “My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready form me.” The quote rapidly reminded me of a quote by the director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. He once said, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” probably I remembered him because, with his breath he demonstrated the importance he gave to life, and how today’s culture values life. In the other hand, Job talked about his death in a very relaxed manner, giving me the intuition that he doesn’t give to much importance to it.
When Job said: “Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?” and later, he told his friends, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.”, I was paralyzed. Job made it very clear that he is more afraid of God, than he is of his own death. I believe, that most of the people in the world feel differently than he, because we are raised with the mentality that death is the black whole. Maybe this idea was born because, “impossible is nothing” (Adidas) except knowing what is death and why we die.
Another passage that hypnotized me said, “My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready form me.” The quote rapidly reminded me of a quote by the director Rainer Werner Fassbinder. He once said, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” probably I remembered him because, with his breath he demonstrated the importance he gave to life, and how today’s culture values life. In the other hand, Job talked about his death in a very relaxed manner, giving me the intuition that he doesn’t give to much importance to it.
Quick Click In Coffins
While reading Job, I was drawn to chapter 17: 1. It says, “My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.” First of all, I was impressed by the extremely relaxed tone of voice Job had when he said this. Also, it remembered me of a song by My Chemical Romance, named Mama. A part of the lyrics says: “Mama, we're all full of lies. Mama, we're meant for the flies. And right now they're building a coffin your size, Mama, we're all full of lies.” Like the Bible, the song talks about the making of the coffin you will be using. These two made me think for a long time about death. It made me realize that I know I will die, but I don’t believe it. Nevertheless, the cruel reality is that someone is cutting the wood that is going six feet under with me.
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