Test21

The reading passage states that the library at Alexandria founded by Ptolemy 1 was the library that contained the greatest number of books in the ancient times. This library expanded in the period of Ptolemy 2, who wanted the library to collect every single Greek works,including the works from other western countries. It is estimated that this library contained approximately 300,000-700,000 books.

The listening passage adds that nowadays the library at A no longer exists. Historians have debated among themselves about who destroyed this library and when it was destroyed. One theory states Julies Caesar was the one who destroyed it when he invaded Alexandria. His forces set fire to the fleet of ships staying in the harbor and the fire spread into the city and burned the library down. However, this belief is not currently accepted nowadays because there were many references to this library after the death of Cesar.

The most widely accepted reason at present is that this library existed until the late of 4th century. During that time, There was a movement toward the destruction of pagan tramples and  libraries. Therefore, the library Alexandria should be destroyed during this period.

Library at Alexandria

Ptolemy I

Test20

From the reading passage,Venus is called the morning star or the evening star because it shines brightly. The brightness of Venus results from the fact that it is  close to Earth and it is covered with white clouds which reflect off the sunlight. A spacecraft has reported that thick white clouds surrounding Venus consist of sulfuric acid and the temperature on its surface is up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit.

The listening passage adds that the extremely high temperature on Venus has caused surprise to scientists. They used to think that the thick clouds surrounding Venus should make the star become cooler. Because the small amount sunlight which can penetrate should not cause such a high temperature. The extremely hot temperature also does not result from the fact that Venus is close to the sun because Mercury, which is close to the sun has a lower temperature than the temperature on Venus. One possible explanation is that the atmosphere on Venus is almost filled with carbon dioxide which plays a role in trapping the heat and preventing from it escaping.

Venus

Mercury

Sun

test18

The reading passage talks about Catch-22 which was one of the most popular novels of the twentieth century. This novel described the life of soldiers during World War 2. The protagonist was a bombardier who hated war and killing. At the beginning, Catch 22 did not get a good response because of admiration given to soldiers after the World War. However, when antiwar sentiment in SEA increased Catch 22 gained a lot of interest and appreciation.

The listening passage has added that the popularity of this novel became a catch word. In the stated novel, the protagonist tried to escape from a difficult situation or a "catch". In this case, it was the war that he did not want to be involved in, so he had to pretend to be insane. Nevertheless, today the phase catch 22 refers to a situation where there is no way out or no good choice. The number 22 has no significant meaning. It was only a technical problem during the production process.

Catch22 Movies

test14

In the lecture the professor mentions that chess playing is a good example of the use of visual-spatial intelligence. Chess players must make a plan for each move and foresee its consequence. This point illustrates the idea in the reading passage that visual-spatial intelligence is the ability to create and transform metal imagery.

The professor also gives an Example of a blind-folded chess player. He can play several games at the same time and remember each move of the chess board. This point illustrates the notion in the reading passage that those who have visual-spatial intelligence have good visual memory.

In the lecture the professor refers to the ability of the chase players who can recall previous important chess games. What he can remember is not merely rote memory but the plan and strategy of each game. This point again illustrates the idea in the reading passage that those with visual-spatial intelligence have abstract not pictorial memory.

The lecture also mentions that chess masters can reconstruct a chess board which he sees after a few seconds if the chess pieces are rationally located. This point supports the idea in the reading passage that a person with visual-spatial intelligence can memorize and draw the picture of an object which he has just seen.

Chess

Do thing you like

I agree that sometimes people should do what they do not like. In fact, this is an important part of reaching maturity. Besides, something that is not fun may turn to be beneficial for us in the long term.

To begin with our personal life. Is there anyone who enjoys going to see a dentist? Very few people like to see a doctor for and annual physical checkup. There are also few people who like to change engine oil of the car or mow the lawn. However, we do these things because they are necessary, not because we enjoy doing them at all. We all realize that taking care of our health is something important that we have do do. We are also aware that if we do not change the engine oil of the car, it will not move. Moreover, we do understand that grass keeps growing everyday. If we do not cut it, our lawn will look the rain forest.

Job responsibility, is another important part of our life. There is no one who can tolerate a tedious job or work with those who cannot get along with others. Sometimes, we must put up with the injustice of our boss or the resentment of subordinates. if we are part of the management, we may have to do what we do not like, such as firing some employees. These are not fun at all, but they are a part of our working life.

In another perspective, sometime doing what we do not like can turn in to something enjoyable. In fact, if we try it again, we may change our mind to like it. For example, we may think that we hate dancing, but agree to go to a dancing club in order to please other people. Nevertheless, for whatever unknown reason we begin to like dancing. It is evident that we usually think that we do not like many things although we never get to know them at all. This includes trying new dishes or visiting new type of museums.

In summary, doing what we dislike may not always be annoying. It may be beneficial to us, is an important part of working life and is fun

Jackass do only fun thing for entertainment

The Internet

Nowadays, the ability to read and write is more important than any other time in the world history. The change results from the internet which we use to communicate with one another, to receive information and sell our products.

Million of people now communicate with one another via the Internet. In the past, we met face-to-face or talked on the phone. However, today we use e-mail and chat rooms instead. Therefore, it is necessary that we must be able to read and write in order to take advantage of this technological reverlution.

Moreover, we can subscribe to become membership in order to receive news and information by the Internet. When you turn on the computer in the morning, you will receive news headlines, financial information or the result of sports competition you want. All news will be specially prepared for you. In the old days most people got news from TV or the radio and many have still relied on these two media. Nevertheless, receiving news and information via the Internet is more effective because the news will be selected to meet your interest

E-commerce requires the ability to read and write. Certainly, the person who designs web sites to sell product must be able to read the detail of the product. In the past, people came into the store and chose merchandise they want to buy. This does not require any special language skill.

The Internet will force all of us not only to be able to read and write, but also know how to use the computer. Today, we need to be avid readers and effective writers in order to be successful in this hi-tech world.

Internet Store

Fault product

When I complain about a defective product or poor service, I like to make a complaint in writing. It is easy for me to organize my thought during the writing and control my emotion. Most important what I have written is the written evidence in case I need to use it.

First, when I complain in writing, I have a chance to organize my thinking. I can spend as much time as I need and I can also write a few versions or more if necessary. With this approach, I am confident that I can clearly express my opinion. On the contrary, if I complain in person, I will feel confused and worried very much. I cannot have enough time to organize mt thought. Moreover, I cannot change the word I say or voice my opinion in different manner.

Second, when I write, I still have a chance to control my emotion. While making a complaint, I will definitely feel angry. I can show my anger in whatever way I like. After that I can throw away that letter and write a new letter in a softer manner. I can vent my anger without hurting someone's feeling because these will be no one seeing my first letter.

Besides, when I write a letter, I will have written evidence of my complaint. This is necessary if we cannot agree in a friendly manner. In case I have to consult with the lawyer needs in order to use it as concrete evidence to support my case.

In sum, writing a letter will give me a chance to organize my thinking and control my emotion. The letter can also be used as documentary evidence. This is precisely the main reason that I like to complain in writing.

Writing

Telling the truth

I agree that sometimes it is better not to tell the truth. In some cases, the truth can make some one feel regretful and it is useless as well. If so, I do not think that we should tell the truth. However, there are many times, that we need to know the truth is the only way to helping self-destructive people. Nevertheless, telling the truth is usually beneficial to the speaker rather than the listener.

If someone says something rude and crude about other people, those words should not be repeated. Nevertheless, if a person has told a embarrassing secret to his friend and later on that friend has reviewed it to others. In this case that person has to be aware that he can no longer trust that friend anymore because he tends to leak other people's secrets.

In the case of those who tend to be self-destructive such as partying, they should be friends who care for them feel disappointed. However, if they skip classed and the teacher asks their friends why they do not attend classes, it is not necessary for them to tell the truth to the teacher. They need not tell a lie or provide any information about their friends behavior.

There are times when, people need to know the truth before they can make a decision on crucial matter. Suppose that you are selling your house and you are fully aware that there is water in the basement. If you so, you should tell the truth about this matter to those who are interested in buying your house. Failure to do so will cause you legal and ethical problems. However, you do not have to talk about your neighbor that he is emotionally unstable. Your neighbor may not have a problem with others Sometimes, it is much better not mention about it at all.

Learning from personal experience VS other people

Learning from personal experience and from the advice of other people can really help you a lot about your life. If you do not have much knowledge about something, the suggestion advice of the person whom you trust will be valuable. They can tell you about their experiences and point out the advantages and disadvantages of certain situation. After that you can consider your own wants and needs and decide what to do next. Sooner or later you will have  more personal experience.

When you think about what you want to do in your life, friends and relatives are the excellent sources of information. They can provide you with information about various matters, such as work, school and foreign travel. They have learned many things in their lives and can make use of their experiences to help decide what you really want to do with your life.

However, in some cases there is nothing that can replace personal experience. For example, actually I do not like making a presentation in front of the class. I always feel that I will make a mistake although I am well prepared and have thoroughly knowledge about the topic of the presentation very well.

There is nothing except experience that can help me manage anxiety. I aware that the criticism that I got from my teachers and other classmates will help me learn from mistakes. At least, I am positive that in the next presentation. I will make it better.

In sum, I believe that the best way of learning about life is to have personal experience. No one can teach you how get along with other people, how you can realize you ability or what kind of person you are. You can definitely find the answer to these questions by facing different situations each day. For this reason, experience is my best teacher.

Movies

Have you ever seen movies from other countries? Whenever I go to see a foreign movie, I can't help thinking that people around the world all have some similarities. Although the culture and language in those movies may be different from our culture. Hover, people around the world are similar in term of goals and emotions.

Once I saw a Chinese movie. I saw a picture of parents helping their kids do homework. My parent also used to help me in the same manner. Again, I also saw a movie from Argentina. I saw a picture of children playing hide and seek, which I used to play with my friends during the break. Seeing these movies shows that education is a common goal in all countries.

Parents all would like their children to have education so that their life will improve. Watching movies also shows to me that children in all schools want to play with their friends. Sometimes those games are similar to the fames we play and sometimes they are different, Nevertheless, Those games all share common goals of having fun and learning to work together.

Earning a ling is also another common goal share by people around the world. I often see it in many foreign movies. In some countries, people choose a career from their preference and expertise. In order countries, a job is chosen for them according to the guideline set by their families. However, in every country it seems that we are much concerned about earning our living and hard work is widely accepted.

Showing pictures of people having fun together is very important in almost all movies no matter which countries made from. People everywhere love fun and would like to spend time with their families and friends. Different cultures can bring about different kinds of activities toward fun. however, every culture pays importance to having fun from sports, music and dancing.

Culture

Culture has many elements which are necessary for peaceful living and social unity. These elements include value, norms, rituals symbol and text. Corporation in general also has these elements as found in their daily activities. To design with cooperations have their own logos and colors which are similar to national flags,representing as symbol. At the same time, Corporate norm which aims at regulating the company employees behavior manifest themselves in themselves in the ranking of the employees. For example, the size and the location of the office can signify the ranking of that person. Moreover, new employees have to learn learn singing corporate song s and wear corporate uniforms. As for the rituals, the employees should participate in company activities such as a picnic or a fishing trip which aim at showing unity. Another element of culture in terms of text can be seen in the citing of the saying of the company founders or the president.

However, corporate culture may vary with each company. What has been said earlier mostly refers to formal conduct of behavior of many corporations. Some companies, such as IT companies, usually have informal conduct of behavior. For example, the employees can choose to wear blue jeans, T shirts and sneakers to go to work. They can come and go anytime they want. There are no fix tradition to follow.

Gates's formal suit and Job's uniform 

Friends

I like to have many friends whom I can trust and rely on. We all need friends when we have obstacles or when we feel happy. If I have only few friends, it may be possible that they will not be available when I need them. However, if I have a lot of friends, it is more possible that they can share my suffering or joy.

I really need many friends around me. They can give me a lot of surprises. If I have merely a couple of friends. I know exactly what to expect from them. I can guess how they will react. On the contrary, if I have many friends around me, I will definitely have many surprises because each person will have different reactions in each situations. Observing their behavior teaches me to know how to behave when I meet with strangers.

I enjoy having so many friends around me, the friends who can teach me something about life. If I have only few friends, I will quickly know everything about them. If I have hundreds of friends, I can definitely learn about many things easily. Each day they will teach me new things and show me new ways of thinking about various things.

I have so many things to learn in my life. Therefore, I need many people to help me. I need a lot of friends to show me how to lead a happy life and I will make them how to live with happiness.