It's a story that seems perfect for the big screen.

Two sisters, separated during a devastating

volcano, find each other after 30 years.
Lorena Sanchez and Jacqueline Vasquez Sanchez, were aged three and nine when the
Tolima Volcano erupted and devastated their town in November 1985. The tragedy left more than
20,000 people dead and many victims were never identified. The sisters were separated during the
event and were put up for adoption, after authorities believed they had lost their family.
Decades later Jacqueline saw a Facebook video, which featured her younger sister Lorena
making an appeal for information on surviving family members. Jacqueline eventually tracked down
her sister.
Lorena said, it was beautiful and sad because it's been 30 years since the tragedy that I've
come to find out what happened to my sister. So I have to catch up with thirty years of her life and
she has to do the same with me.
The sisters are now trying to find out what happened to their parents, but despite public
appeals, the search has not been successful.
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"Looking back on a childhood filled with events and memories, I find it rather difficult to
pick on that leaves me with the fabled "warm and fuzzy feelings." As the daughter of an
Air Force Major, I had the pleasure of traveling across America in many moving trips. I
have visited the monstrous trees of the Sequoia National Forest, stood on the edge of
the Grande Canyon and have jumped on the beds at Caesars Palace in Lake Tahoe."

"The day I picked my dog up from the pound was one of the happiest days of both of our
lives. I had gone to the pound just a week earlier with the idea that I would just "look" at
a puppy. Of course, you can no more just look at those squiggling little faces so filled
with hope and joy than you can stop the sun from setting in the morning. I knew within
minutes of walking in the door that I would get a puppy but it wasn't until I saw him
that I knew I had found my puppy."

"Looking for houses was supposed to be a fun and exciting process. Unfortunately, none
of the ones that we saw seemed to match the specifications that we had established.
They were too small, too impersonal, too close to the neighbors. After days of finding
nothing even close, we began to wonder: was there really a perfect house out there for
us?"

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"A dog is man's best friend." That common saying may contain some truth, but dogs
are not the only animal friend whose companionship people enjoy. For many people, a
cat is their best friend. Despite what dog lovers may believe, cats make excellent
housepets as they are good companions, they are civilized members of the
household, and they are easy to care for.

In the first place, people enjoy the companionship of cats. Many cats are affectionate.
They will snuggle up and ask to be petted, or scratched under the chin. Who can resist
a purring cat? If they're not feeling affectionate, cats are generally quite playful. They
love to chase balls and feathers, or just about anything dangling from a string. They
especially enjoy playing when their owners are participating in the game. Contrary to
popular opinion, cats can be trained. Using rewards and punishments, just like with a
dog, a cat can be trained to avoid unwanted behavior or perform tricks. Cats will even
fetch!

In the second place, cats are civilized members of the household. Unlike dogs, cats do
not bark or make other loud noises. Most cats don't even meow very often. They
generally lead a quiet existence. Cats also don't often have "accidents." Mother cats
train their kittens to use the litter box, and most cats will use it without fail from that
time on. Even stray cats usually understand the concept when shown the box and will
use it regularly. Cats do have claws, and owners must make provision for this. A tall
scratching post in a favorite cat area of the house will often keep the cat content to
leave the furniture alone. As a last resort, of course, cats can be declawed.

Lastly, one of the most attractive features of cats as housepets is their ease of care.
Cats do not have to be walked. They get plenty of exercise in the house as they play,
and they do their business in the litter box. Cleaning a litter box is a quick, painless
procedure. Cats also take care of their own grooming. Bathing a cat is almost never
necessary because under ordinary circumstances cats clean themselves. Cats are more
particular about personal cleanliness than people are. In addition, cats can be left
home alone for a few hours without fear. Unlike some pets, most cats will not destroy
the furnishings when left alone. They are content to go about their usual activities
until their owners return.

Cats are low maintenance, civilized companions. People who have small living
quarters or less time for pet care should appreciate these characteristics of cats.
However, many people who have plenty of space and time still opt to have a cat
because they love the cat personality. In many ways, cats are the ideal housepet.

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Humankind cant continue their lives without desires. If one wants to be
happy, surely, he has to discover his best desires that provide him a happy
life. Some of these desires that help to continue our lives can be acceptance
in our relationships, a good family life and strong social relations. Trying to
satisfy these desires has a great meaning to achieve happiness for me.

To start with, however embarrassed I am about this desire of mine, I have

an obsession to expect people to accept my thoughts and manners in every
situation. Yes, this is not a good characteristic and sometimes makes me an
antipathic person but trying to be accepted by someone can give you
happiness, too. Besides, if you can manage to make someone love you
knowing and accepting all about you, I think that is the absolute happiness.

Furthermore, it seems to me that family is the basic source of happiness.

Certainly, I cant always be a good guy and sometimes I make them upset
but I cant stand seeing them upset. Therefore, I try to do whatever
necessary to make them happy. Consequently, when I see happy family
faces, I feel deeply happy.

Thirdly, to have friends is one of the most meaningful aspects of life. I

believe that one should have three very warm friends at least. For example,
I cant bear loneliness and if I couldnt share all my heart with these warm
friends, I believe that I could never be happy. As a consequence, if you feel
like me, it will be worth improving your close relationships in order to be
happy.

To recap, humankind has a short life but he is given a lot of desires to be

happy. Moreover, if one wants to discover the meaning of his short life, he
should look for it in desires. Whether he finds it or not, he will taste
happiness just by looking for it.
OSS is one of the biggest examinations in Turkey as more and more
people take it every year. If you want to go to a university you have
to take this exam. It is mostly based on high school subjects. You
can pass this test with a little effort. But if you desire to go to a
prominent university in Turkey such as BU, METU, Bilkent, Sabanci,
Koc, or ITU, you should study very hard even if you are a genius.
OSS (University Entrance Examination in English) requires a
sequence of stages that should be followed carefully.
First of all you need to make a decision about your field of study.
There are four main fields: physical sciences, social sciences, equal-
weight (Turkish + mathematics) and languages. Each department in
university accepts students from one of these fields. To decide you
ought to think about your job firstly. For instance, if you want to be
an engineer, you must go to physical sciences. Or maybe you want
to be a lawyer. Then you must choose equal-weight. It is really a
very difficult decision that influences your life in many ways. So,
choosing a field of study matching your personality and talents is
the first thing to do.
Secondly comes the longest period of the preparation: studying.
This can be done in different ways. You have alternatives such as
studying on your own, taking courses, taking private lessons and so
on. These are to raise your OSS scores, but you had better keep
your high school grades high too, because they are added to the
OSS score. It is a good idea to start studying early on. In this three
year period, in the first year you learn new things and begin to get
deeper into exam strategies, because this is not only an information
based rivalry but also a tactical war. The test technique requires
specific knowledge about eliminating alternatives, finding the right
answer indirectly with the help of wrong ones, using time without
wasting it etc. You are also expected to explore easier and more
creative solutions to the problems in a limited time.
People get scared more and more as the exam draws closer. The
trick is not to give up before the OSS. Go on studying and learn the
final things. Finish your test books as far as you can. Actually it is
better to relax for a few days. But after that you must get back to
work until the end.
Finally, it is time to take the exam. It is no use being anxious; it
does not mean your whole life. OSS cannot be an aim; it is only a
device for getting a better education. Nevertheless, that does not
decrease its importance. It works like a mirror, showing your
studies, and most people get what they deserve. If you believe by
heart that you have studied adequately, you are bound to succeed.

In every school, while there are hardworking students, there are

also lazy students who are not interested in anything about school.
They just come to school, sit at the back of the class, talk and
disturb the others. There may be some reasons for such behavior
such as family, peer influence and financial problems.

The most common factor which influences the academic

performance of students is family. If the parents are interested in
how their child is doing at school, the student will be more
interested in his lessons too. Educated parents generally show more
interest in the academic performance of their children; however, this
should be a practice common to all families not only to the educated
ones. When the parents are not interested in the success or failure
of their children, the child will not care about school or lessons, and
will perform poorly.

In schools, the best-known students are the ones who do everything

except for studying. They seem the coolest students at school and
everybody admires their reputation. When the parents fail to show
any interest in their children, they are likely to become one of those
students who look cool but display no academic achievement.
Because in these ages teenagers do not understand the importance
of useful things, they do trivial things which seem really important
among their peer group. Their only aim is to be well known at
school and have a group. Studying lessons, then, is not one of the
ways to become popular at school.

The most important factor for the lack of interest on part of a

student is the financial situation of his family. There are some
students, for example, who think even if they pass the university
exam, their families will not be able to find the money needed for
their education. Apart from this, some students have to work after
school; as a result, they cannot concentrate on their studies. When
the difficulty of the lessons is added to this list, school becomes a
nightmare for these students.

It is possible to rescue these underachieving and academically

uninterested students from this fate. The parents and the students
themselves may be warned, or the government can give financial
aid to these students. Maybe it is very difficult to completely solve
this problem of student apathy and lack of motivation, but we can at
least ameliorate it.

There has been a controversy between animal rights supporters and

scientists about whether it is right to use animals in experimental
research. Also, it is very debatable whether using animals for such
research results in finding a cure for diseases. From my point of
view, if there are no other alternatives, and if it is possible that this
will contribute to science, animals may be used for experimental
research.

Although the animal rights activists claim that people and animals
are equal and thus they should be treated equally, I think that
people and animals cannot be seen equal, and therefore the death
of an animal cannot be the same thing as the death of a person. For
that reason, causing animals to die for science, for the sake of
saving human lives, may be considered ethical to some extent if it
will contribute to the advancement of science and will be to the
benefit of humanity in general.

Furthermore, animal rights supporters label scientists as cruel for

causing animals to die in medical experiments, while they do not
oppose the people, mostly farmers, who kill animals for food, even
though they know that 99% of animals deaths is caused by farmers
while only a small percentage, i.e. 1% is caused by scientists. The
underlying reason for that is they find scientists easier to attack and
cannot deal with farmers who are organized and strong.

Another basic argument of animal rights defenders is that people

and animals are different genetically and therefore it is useless to
use animals in experiments to see the effects of some substances
on people. They claim that it will make no good to use animals in
experiments because they are too different to be compared to
people. Some of them even assert that it is better to use people
directly as they think that the results of experiments on animals
cannot be valid and reliable as long as the same observation has not
been done on man also. However, these people cannot foresee the
disastrous results of such a practice. Many people are likely to die
until a healthy result is obtained.

People and animals may not be the same, but to some degree there
are similarities which can at least give scientists an idea about their
experiments. From this point of view, scientists are right to use
animal models to provide themselves with information about what is
happening at level of detail that could not be achieved in humans.
Although there might have been some incidents when animal
testing did not prove to be useful and some effects of some drugs
observed on animals could not be observed on people, there are
also a lot of examples that show that using animals resulted in
significant developments and helped to cure some serious illnesses.

On the other hand, there may be alternative methods that should

be used instead of animal experimentation. Then, of course, it is
cruel and unethical to use animals. For example, in some
experiments in-vitro methods can be used as an alternative to using
live animals. In such occasions, it is certainly much better and right
to employ these alternatives.

All in all, it can be said that using animals for medical research is ethical a
long as it contributes to scientific development and helps scientists find ways
to improve human health. And this practice is only acceptable on the
condition that necessary pains are taken and animals are treated humanely.

As students we all have been challenged to do our best. Throughout

our lives we have been labeled with our grades; in high school, the
ones with low grades were left alone in misery, while the ones with
higher grades were praised as the leaders of this horse race. Then,
the question that comes into mind is: is it right to categorize
students, does grading contribute to education?

It is assumed and stated in the philosophy of the current

educational system that grading encourages learning and without it
students would not study. That is far from being true and also
expresses another flaw of our education system. The system is
based on fear: the basic motive for students to study is fear of low
grades. Furthermore, because the grades are the main criteria for
passing courses, students do not study: they just develop methods
of cheating. Thus, without learning the subject, they keep passing.

Since grades received in exams are more important than learning

the subject matter, all students have to do to pass their courses is
memorize how a specific problem is solved. Without knowing why
such a method is used, students cannot apply their ability to solve
the problem to daily life. However, they pass exams without learning
why, how or what of the matter.

Another disadvantage of grading is that grades of a student are not

updated. That means the grades of a student for the first year of
school will still be valid in the last year, whether his knowledge
about the subject has improved or deteriorated. Considering all the
factors that affect a students exams and marks, even a small
incident may have a great impact in the long run.

Apart from these problems, which can be virtually solved by

optimizing and improving the grading system, the most important
defect of the system cannot be repaired without changing the whole
system. The grading system causes inequalities, superior-inferior
relations, classifications and even conflicts. It may be maintained
that societies of the modern world are structured on these basic
principles, but the fact that something exists does not justify it.
Moreover, the people grown up in such an education system will not
be able to see the other side of the walls, or will be afraid even to
take a glimpse.
To sum up, grading students is not a good practice and should be abolished.
It is clear that education, especially education during childhood, has a great
effect on ones life. And if you bring the children up in conditions of conflict
and competition, they will look for conflicts in the future too.

Migrant labor is the movement of people from one place to another

in order to find jobs. When you first hear this definition you may
think a few people moving out of the country does not matter.
However, you have to consider immigration may involve large
numbers of people. Movement of such large numbers may cause a
lot of changes in the home country, host-country and the laborers
health. This is why I do not support the idea of labor migration at
all.

To begin with, some people claim that migrant labor has a positive
impact on the economy of the home country. According to these
people, laborers invest in improved technology on family farms or
set up new enterprises in their home-countries with the money they
have earned. However, migration causes a decrease in the number
of people living in an area. Consequently, Labor force decreases and
the companies in the home-country collapse, which affects the
economy of this country very badly.

Secondly, the supporters of labor migration advocate that this

movement improves the immigrants standard of living. They put
this idea forward because in their opinion, labor integration enables
people to have a new life in new areas. The migrants also help their
relatives to have a higher standard of living. However, there is a
point the supporters of this idea are missing. There are hard social
consequences of immigration. Firstly, the immigrants are split from
their families, a condition which is almost impossible to stand.
Moreover, they are thrown into a difficult cultural and linguistic
environment which they are totally strange to. Finally, conflicts with
host-population occur, which may influence the immigrants
psychological health badly.
To sum up, labor migration has several bad effects, but still, some
people support this movement. It is clear that these people do not
consider the situation in all aspects. All things considered, I believe
that the spread of migrant labor should be stopped before it gets
out of hand.

The term violence in the family refers to male violence against

females. It means that men are generally rude to women both
physically and psychologically. Concerning this issue, a study has
been conducted by Family Research Institute in five different
geographic regions of Turkey on married women about husband
violence against wives. The results of this survey indicate that two
independent variables seem to be related to approval of violence.

One of the variables is the number of children, which affects the

womens approval of male violence in the family. Data on this
relationship show a complex link between the two: the number of
children influences the intensity with which a woman approves male
violence. They increase parallel to each other: while the number of
children rises from 1 to 6, the approval percentage rises from 10 to
more than 40. The second variable shows the linkage between the
age of women and their approval of male violence. As age rises, the
degree of approval rises too. However, there is a sharp increase
between the ages 35-40 and from 40 onward it continues to rise.

The womens approval of male violence stems from different factors

such as education level of both genders. If men had enough
awareness to respect women, violence would be decreased. In the
same way, if women were educated, they would have financial
independence or at least they would know their rights and would act
accordingly. Financial independence gives women the right to
divorce. Therefore, a woman who has enough money to support
herself and her children does not have to tolerate an unhappy life
with her husband who resorts to violence.
Another factor that determines the degree of violence approval is
modernization. In other words, traditional values that are observed
among women and certain segments of the society are the cause of
approval. For example, years ago women could not do anything
without asking their husbands first. Although such conservative
beliefs seem too old-fashioned to be accepted today, they still apply.

The wicked belief against women who are divorced or widowed is

the other factor that has an effect on approval of violence. Women
are afraid of becoming a widow because of this common attitude.
Lots of men are very merciless in their treatment of women; they
treat them as if divorced women are strange creatures or as if they
are guilty of some immoral crime. Therefore, women cannot venture
a divorce fearing persecution.

As a result, being a woman in Turkey is difficult but being a divorced woman

is more difficult than this, so lots of women have to accept and live with their
husbands violent acts. Something must be done for women but a lot of
people think that there are more important issues in the country that need
handling. For this problem to be solved, people -without any discrimination-
must be educated on womens rights. It must be accepted in the wider
society that women have to be seen as humans not as slaves. Only after
people understand this, women will gain the status that they really deserve
in the society.
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In today's modern world, computers are an essential part of everyday life. Around the
globe, children often use computers from a very young age. Although it is important for children
to participate in various well-balanced activities, in my opinion, children who use the computer
daily are actually developing a critical skill for future success. The bases for my views are
personal, academic, and professional.

From a personal point of view, computers are an invaluable resource to help young
people explore the world around them. For example, children who use Internet to satisfy their
curiosity about diverse topics are already becoming independent learners. No child with a
computer is ever bored! By starting early in their lives, children feel totally at ease around
computers; they are also able to take advantage of the wide range of services computers
provide.
 From an academic viewpoint, children have no choice but to master this technological
invention. For instance, when I was in university, students brought their laptops to class to take
notes, do research and exchange information. They wrote assignments, created presentations
and developed databases. Children who build early confidence and experience in these abilities
are at a distinct advantage over those who have not.

From a professional perspective, the computer has found a permanent place in the
workplace. Today, employers still pay to provide computer training to their employees.
Tomorrow, corporations will expect prospective job applicants to already possess these critical
job skills. Consequently, parents who encourage their child to use the computer for a reasonable
period of time daily are in fact investing in the child's future career.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that the computer as a technological tool is here to stay.
The sooner children become computer-literate, the better for many aspects of their future lives.

The world of sports is a multimillion dollar industry. Around the globe, people flock to
sporting events or watch their favorite teams faithfully each week on television. As a result,
professional sports athletes receive huge salaries well above, for example, those of doctors,
lawyers, teachers or social workers. There is some debate about whether such outrageously high
salaries are justified.

On the one hand, sport is viewed as a professional career, in which the top players should
rightly earn high salaries. Athletes train rigorously from an early age to become peak performers
in their field. They face tremendous pressure in each and every game, match or competition.
Their personal lives are compromised and they lose all privacy. At the same time, their strong
achievements bring honor and attention, not only to themselves, but also to their teams,
schools, cities or countries.

On the other hand, various professions contribute to making our world run smoothly.
Doctors put in at least ten years of grueling study and internship; their work saves lives.
Teachers educate and inspire young people to be responsible citizens: their efforts produce the
citizens of tomorrow. Social workers rescue individuals facing physical, mental and psychological
challenges: their intervention creates safer societies.

Yet, professionals in the fields above usually struggle to get by, despite their meaningful
and critical contribution to the world.

In my view, paying enormous salaries to sportspeople is unnecessary. We need to

reconsider our social priorities and eliminate the great disparity in income received by diverse
professionals. By doing so, we can build societies in which each one feels valued, appreciated
and appropriately compensated for their own vocation or specialization.
 Taking a gap year off between high school and university has become a popular option
among many young people. This time off provides a break after many years of formal study.
Some students use this time to travel around the world, others volunteer and still others begin
working. The idea behind each of these activities is to do something hands-on and refreshing,
which enables young people to learn more about themselves and the world around them.

The benefits of taking a year off are plentiful. On a personal level, students who travel
away from home develop their independence and self-confidence. On a cultural level, they learn
about viewpoints, traditions and perspectives different from their own. Professionally, students
get a taste of diverse workplaces, which might inspire a possible career interest. Intellectually,
they examine their own beliefs and ideas in relation to those of others in a new environment. All
these advantages combine to make a strong case for taking the one-year break.

Nevertheless, there are also dangers involved in taking such a long break. Academically,
the main drawback is that students can get sidetracked from their studies. A year is a long time
and students could lose the good study habits and sense of discipline they had when they were
in a formal academic structure. If they begin working, they could also be deluded into thinking
that theyre making a lot of money. They could lose the benefit of college or university education
and the chance to earn a higher income all their lives.

In conclusion, whether to take a year-long break or not is an individual decision. Each

young person should consider his or her motivations carefully and decide on whats most
desirable. Time is a precious resource and people of all ages, including young people, should
treat it with respect.

Gender issues have been increasing in importance through the centuries. In almost every
sphere of human activity, there has been a movement towards greater equality between men
and women. Although I agree that universities should open their doors to all students alike, in
my view, they need not set a fixed limit on the number of men and women they accept in each
subject. The bases for my views are psychological and personal.

Psychologically-speaking, men and women are simply different, though they have the
same potential for greatness. For example, women tend to be more intuitive, sensitive to others
and caring. This means they may feel drawn, on the basis of their personalities, to certain kinds
of professions such as teaching, nursing, or psychology, even if all fields are open to them. In
such a context, it is best for universities to choose the best applicants, regardless of gender.

Personally, students need to discover their true calling. This is an individual matter and is
not influenced by the universities reserving seats for men or women. For example, if the majority
of women shy away from math or engineering, perhaps it has to do with their upbringing, which
has influenced their interests. The universities will not be able to reverse this trend, though they
should always look out for the most qualified candidates.

In conclusion, equality cannot be forced upon people not in the area of education,
employment or family life. Equality is about having choices and those who prove themselves
capable will qualify for university, regardless of gender. It is only right that universities reflect
and respect these free and natural choices being exercised by their students.
 According to a famous saying, The limits of my language are the limits of my world.
Indeed, the ability to speak several languages is considered one of the hallmarks of a cultured
person. From this perspective, foreign language instruction should begin as early as possible in
order to achieve near-native fluency. The reasons behind this approach are intellectual, social
and professional.

Learning a foreign language at a young age enables children to develop their brain. At
this age, childrens minds are like sponges and their capacities are limitless. They have less
inhibition or biases against learning different subjects. They can learn one, two or three
languages without confusion; it would only serve to expand their minds. Therefore, it is ideal to
start teaching a foreign language in kindergarten.

Socially, learning a foreign language enables the young child to enter a wider cultural
world. By learning to speak, think and understand a different language, the child develops
greater cross-cultural awareness. This critical ability enables the child to make friends with,
identify with and empathize with others who speak the additional language.

Professionally, by learning a foreign language in kindergarten, the child expands his/her

future career horizons. In todays increasingly globalized world, bilingual and multilingual
individuals are in high demand. The child who achieves this fluency naturally and easily at a
young age already has an edge over others in the job market.

In summary, numerous benefits flow from teaching a foreign language from kindergarten.
The child will most likely grow up to thank those who made such a learning experience possible.

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There is no doubt that education and the learning process has changed since the introduction of
computers: The search for information has become easier and amusing, and connectivity has
expedited the data availability. Though experts have made computers more intelligent, they have not
yet become a substitute of the human interaction in the learning process.

Nobody can argue that the acquisition of knowledge is more fun and easier with computers. The mere
activity of touching and exploring this device constitutes an enjoyable task for a child. This,
accompanied by the relaxing attitude and software interactivity, usually contributes to a better
grasping of new knowledge. At a higher educational level the availability of digital books, simulators
and other academic materials provide the student with an ever accessible source of information, that
otherwise would not be at hand.

But, besides the increasing complexity and behavior of intelligent software, which is usually embedded
in the academic digital material, the need for human interaction in the learning process will always be
present, at least in the foreseeable future. There is the necessity for a human being to be able to
determine what the specific needs of each individual are. The expertise of a teacher in how to explain
and adapt complex concepts to different individuals can hardly be mimicked by a computer, no matter
how sophisticated its software is.

As computers are becoming a common tool for teaching, teachers should be more aware of their role
as guides in the acquisition of knowledge rather than transmitters of facts. They have to be open
minded to the changes that are taking place , keep updated and serve as problem solvers in the
learning process, thus allowing students to discover facts for themselves.

To summarize, in my personal view, teachers play and will continue to play an important role in the
classroom, especially at the primary level. No matter how complex computers become, there will be
no replacement for the human interaction.

Every four years, the whole world stops to watch international sporting events such as the Olympics
and the Football World Cup where athletes show their best performance to make their country proud.
These sporting occasions have proved to be helpful in easing international tension in difficult times
when powerful leaders were trying to control the worlds economy and other states were fighting over
the land.

The Olympic Games are one of the best examples which prove how sporting events can bring nations
together, at least temporarily. From the ancient History, when Greeks and Romans would interrupt
battles to participate in the games, to the more recent international disputes, when athletes from
Palestine and Israel would forget their differences, compete peacefully and even embrace each other
after an event. Moreover, these popular events have called the worlds attention to the terrible
consequences of wars; thus some leaders have tried to reach agreements to end their disputes and
live peacefully.

Similarly, international sporting events show benefits in some developing countries which live in a daily
internal civil war. For example, Brazil has a high rate of unemployment, lack of education, hunger,
crime, poverty and corruption which leads to an immense embarrassment of being Brazilian and a low
self-esteem. However, when the Football World Cup starts, the Brazilian squad, which is considered the
best team in the world, provokes an amazing feeling of pride in their country. Most people seem to
forget all their problems and even the criminal activity decreases. They paint roads with the national
colors, wear the Brazilian team shirts and buy national flags. Moreover, the competition brings families
and neighbors together and even rival gangs watch the games and celebrate peacefully.

In conclusion, popular sporting events play an important role in decreasing international tensions and
liberating patriotic feelings as history has shown.

Todays world has been divided into developing and industrialized countries which the main difference
between them is the amount of money that governments apply in important sectors such as
education, health and commerce. Most of the poorer nations are buried in debts as a result of their
unbalanced finances which reflects in failed health care, an unstructured education system and a weak
international trade. This vicious cycle will continue indefinitely unless wealthier nations show interest
in minimizing the worldwide economic differences, as well as taking more responsibility for assisting
less fortunate countries.
Most of the African countries live in sub-human conditions because of the extreme poverty, upheaval,
hunger, disease, unemployment, lack of education and both inexperienced and corrupt
administrations. The devastating consequences of the AIDS epidemic in these countries could improve
if the infected population were to receive free drugs to control the disease, have access to health
professionals and get information on how to prevent its spread. But this can only be achieved through
international help programs in which leaders of the worlds richest countries donate medicine and also
send doctors and nurses to treat and educate those in need.

Moreover, most of the poor countries rely on selling agricultural products and raw materials to rich
nations and buying industrialized products from them resulting in a huge financial deficit.
Consequently, they borrow a significant amount of money from the World Bank to try to improve their
broken economies, but sometimes the money disappears with no significant changes and they cannot
even pay the interest to the bank. Regarding this issue, last year the G8, which is comprised of
leaders of the eight richest nations, decided to forgive billions of dollars worth of debt owed by the
worlds poorest nations. In addition, they developed adequate loan programs to financially assist these
countries.

In conclusion, leaders of the industrialized countries play an indispensable role in assisting developing
nations in dealing with essential areas such as health, education and trade. Also, their aid is the key to
breaking the vicious cycle, which results in poverty and death.

It is an obvious fact that financial aspects are a major part of the daily life, as an adult and
even as a young individual. Each and every one of us has to make financial decisions concerning
recreation, health, education and more. The question is whether to start with financial education as
part of school program or to postpone it for a later stage in life.

To begin with, being able to understand the value of money, the way the economic system
works and to interpret financial news and its implications is a virtue. Without this virtue, an individual,
even a young one, might suffer to some extent. For example, a child who doesnt understand the
concept of money might find it more difficult to choose only one present out of more possible ones.

In addition, many adults are lacking capability of financial analysis. Quite often, the reason can
be the lack of sound foundations or insecurity when it comes to financial terms and concepts. Starting
from an early age, building a strong background, can likely prevent such situation.

However, financial education necessarily involves quantifying and setting prices and value for
services and goods. It can easily turn young people into cynical human beings who lack emotions.
Furthermore, a tendency to self-concentration and egoism might rise when one starts measuring
everything from a profit-making perspective.

In conclusion, financial education has both pros and cons. In my opinion, the advantages are
more significant than the disadvantages, making financial education an advisable component of the
school program. The disadvantages should be thought of as a certain price that young people have to
pay due to the characteristics of the world that we live in.
 Globalization is such a commonly used term in the twentieth century. It simply means that the
world has become integrated economically, socially, politically and culturally through the advances of
technology, transportation and communication. It is undeniable that globalization has resulted in both
positive and negative effects which must be addressed accordingly.

To begin with, globalization has contributed to the worlds economy in many beneficial ways.
The advances in science and technology have allowed businesses to easily cross over territorial
boundary lines. Consequently, companies tend to become more productive and competitive thereby
raising the quality of goods, services and the worlds living standard.

Secondly, several companies from more developed countries have already ventured to
establish foreign operations or branches to take advantage of the low cost of labor in the poorer
countries. This kind of business activity will provide more influx of cash or investment funds into less
developed countries.

However, one cannot deny the negative effects of globalization. One social aspect is the risk
and danger of epidemic diseases which can easily spread as transportation becomes easier and faster
in todays advanced society. This is evidenced in the recent bird flu disease which has infected most
Asian countries over a short period of time.

As large corporations invest or take over many offshore businesses, a modern form of
colonization will also evolve which may pose certain power pressure on the local governments of the
less developed countries. Unemployment rates in the more developed regions such as Europe may
also escalate as corporations choose to outsource to the cheaper work force from Asian countries.

In conclusion, globalization is inevitable and we must urge individuals, companies and

governments to use a more balanced approach by taking the appropriate steps to deal with matters
relating to the financial or economical gains versus the social, political or ecological concerns of the
world.

Throwing parties can be expensive. While some people do not find these fancy parties worth
what they cost, others believe parties are important to both individuals and the society.

People choose to throw parties for a number of reasons. For starters, parties can make better
teams. Project kick-off parties are good opportunities to break the ice and help team members to
know each other better. Victory parties create a sense of success and belongingness. Companies do
not see parties as a waste of money and allocate budget to support such events. Moreover, parties
often leave good memories. From our own experiences, we all have happy memories of our birthday
parties when we were little. Every family has great photos taken on family parties in their album. In
addition, contrary to what some people believe that spending on parties is a waste of social resources,
parties actually create value, either by employing people in the party planning business or by offering
people better party experiences.

The popularity of parties, however, causes some tension in the society. Parties are hard on
introverted people who find themselves uncomfortable in parties. This is a clinic symptom which
psychologists call it social anxiety disorder. There are other ways to celebrate important events that
may have greater value for their cost. For instance, companies could send out gifts after successful
projects and parents could take their children on family trips to celebrate birthdays.
 In my opinion, while a party is a form of social event that brings many benefits to individuals
and the society, other choices should also be considered, either to cut spending or to relieve the stress
of those who are not fond of parties.

http://www.ielts-blog.com/ielts-writing-samples/ielts-essay-samples-of-band-8/

Giving money to those in need can be a personally satisfying experience, but

there is a choice between donating nationally and internationally through charities or
giving directly to those around you. This essay will consider the merits of both
approaches.

The first advantage of providing direct support is that you can know exactly how
your money is being spent. For example, if you give money directly to people in your
local village or town, you can see where it has gone. When you donate to larger
charitable organizations, on the other hand, you are not sure how much will actually be
given to those in need as opposed going on other costs such as administration and
expensive marketing campaigns. Another benefit is that you can see the impacts on
those you are helping, which can lead not only to great personal satisfaction but also to
respect from others in the local community who appreciate the work you do.

There are advantages, however, in giving to charities that are national and
international. First and foremost there is the choice of good causes. Locally the kinds of
places to help may be limited, but in larger organizations you can get involved in such
activities as sponsoring a child or conserving wildlife. Not only this, donating to larger
charities with an international reach means having the knowledge that you are involved
in issues of fundamental global importance, such as curing diseases and human rights,
or helping those caught up in tragic environmental events, such as flooding,
earthquakes and famines.

In conclusion, given the benefits of both, I would argue that an individual should
make their own choice based on their personal preferences and whichever provides
them with the most personal satisfaction. What is crucial is that we continue to give to
those who are more in need than ourselves.
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International travel is regarded as one of the finest ways of broadening ones

outlook by understanding the diversity of different places, the people, their culture and
lifestyle. On the downside, international travel has also led tourists to become biased
and cold instead of receptive and indulgent.
 One of the primary causes aiding this unwanted outcome is that what is
considered sacred in one place may not hold any value for the tourists. In Arab
countries, for instance, women are required to wear a burka or unrevealing clothes, and
western women, not realizing the importance of being fully clad, may develop an
aversion as to why women in these countries are treated the way they are. And visa-
versa, a tourist hailing from a reserved background may not identify with the western
culture, and feel appalled by the lifestyle of people there through not knowing better.
Research prior to the trip can resolve this, or if there is a tour guide or organizer, they
must take it upon themselves to educate the tourists about the local values and culture
in a way that they understand and empathize rather than look down upon it.

Stereotyping is another significant cause of prejudice among tourists. The source

of stereotyping is media portrayal of certain countries, places and people which is why
tourists have preconceived negative opinions about these places when they arrive.
Without really getting to know the local people, a trip may just accentuate these views.
Awareness is the only cure to break the stereotypes and for this interaction amongst the
local people and the tourists must be rallied by encouraging home stays so that the
differences between reality and media portrayal can come to the surface.

In conclusion, international tourism does have its problems which can lead to
prejudiced views. However, efforts in the right direction can overcome them.
http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/international-travel-prejudice-essay.html

People work hard and earn money which ideally they would like to retain for
themselves. However, a significant portion of this usually has to be given to the state. In
my view, it is right that people pay their fair share of taxes.

Money is everything in todays livelihoods. This is because money is used to buy

all the necessities such as food, water, and shelter. Money is also used to help a
familys children in the form of school fees and other activities. In addition to this, people
do not only need money to cater for their necessities, but also for future investments.
The more that people have to invest, the more they believe they can accumulate in the
long term. As a result, many are reluctant to lose some of their income through the
deduction of tax.

Nevertheless, citizens should be obliged to pay taxes to the government for a

number of reasons. They should accept that the taxes they pay help the government
offer them the public services all over the country. These public services are things such
as the construction of roads, bridges, public hospitals, parks and other public services.
The same tax money helps the countrys economy to be stable. Through taxes, the
government can pay off its debts. In short, tax money is a way of ensuring that people
have comfortable livelihoods.
 In conclusion, even though many people think that they should not pay taxes,
that money is useful to the stability of any country. Therefore, people should not avoid
paying taxes as it may affect the countrys economy and services that it provides.
http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/paying-taxes-essay.html

Many countries of the world are currently experiencing problems caused by

rapidly growing populations in urban areas, and both governments and individuals have
a duty to find ways to overcome these problems.

Overpopulation can lead to overcrowding and poor quality housing in many large cities.
Poorly heated or damp housing could cause significant health problems, resulting in
illness, such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Another serious consequence of overcrowding
is a rising crime rate as poor living conditions may lead young people in particular to
take desperate measures and turn to crime or drugs.

In terms of solutions, I believe the government should be largely responsible.

Firstly, it is vital that the state provides essential housing and healthcare for all its
citizens. Secondly, setting up community projects to help foster more community spirit
and help keep young people off the street is a good idea. For example, youth clubs or
evening classes for teenagers would keep them occupied. Finally, more effective
policing of inner city areas would also be beneficial.

Naturally, individuals should also act responsibly to address these problems, and
the motivation to do this would hopefully arise if the measures described above are put
into place by the government. This is because it will encourage people to have more
pride in their own community and improve the situation.

Therefore, it is clear that the problems caused by overpopulation in urban areas

are very serious. Yet if governments and individuals share a collective responsibility,
then it may well become possible to offer some solutions.
http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/overpopulation.html

Some people believe that animals should be treated in the same way humans
are and have similar rights, whereas others think that it is more important to use them
as we desire for food and medical research. This essay will discuss both points of view.
 With regard to the exploitation of animals, people believe it is acceptable for
several reasons. Firstly, they think that humans are the most important beings on the
planet, and everything must be done to ensure human survival. If this means
experimenting on animals so that we can fight and find cures for diseases, then this
takes priority over animal suffering. Furthermore, it is believed by some that animals do
not feel pain or loss as humans do, so if we have to kill animals for food or other uses,
then this is morally acceptable.

However, I do not believe these arguments stand up to scrutiny. To begin, it has

been shown on numerous occasions by secret filming in laboratories via animal rights
groups that animals feel as much pain as humans do, and they suffer when they are
kept in cages for long periods. In addition, a substantial amount of animal research is
done for cosmetics, not to find cures for diseases, so this is unnecessary. Finally, it has
also been proven that humans can get all the nutrients and vitamins that they need from
green vegetables and fruit. Therefore, again, having to kill animals for food is not an
adequate argument.

To sum up, although some people argue killing animals for research and food is
ethical, I would argue there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that this is not the
case, and, therefore, steps must be taken to improve the rights of animals.
http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/animal-rights-essay.html

In some advanced countries, it is not unusual for more than 50% of young adults to
attend college or university. Critics, however, claim that many university courses are
worthless and young people would be better off gaining skills in the workplace. In this
essay, I will examine both sides of this argument and try to reach a conclusion.

There are several reasons why young people today believe they have the right to a
university education. First, growing prosperity in many parts of the world has increased
the number of families with money to invest in their childrens future. At the same time,
falling birthrates mean that one- or two-child families have become common, increasing
the level of investment in each child. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that young people
are willing to let their families support them until the age of 21 or 22. Furthermore,
millions of new jobs have been created in knowledge industries, and these jobs are
typically open only to university graduates.

However, it often appears that graduates end up in occupations unrelated to their

university studies. It is not uncommon for an English literature major to end up working
in sales, or an engineering graduate to retrain as a teacher, for example. Some critics
have suggested that young people are just delaying their entry into the workplace, rather
than developing professional skills. A more serious problem is that the high cost of a
university education will mean that many families are reluctant to have more than one
child, exacerbating the falling birthrates in certain countries.

In conclusion, while it can be argued that too much emphasis is placed on a university
education, my own opinion is that the university years are a crucial time for personal
development. If people enter the workplace aged 18, their future options may be
severely restricted. Attending university allows them time to learn more about
themselves and make a more appropriate choice of career.
http://ielts-academic.com/2012/07/25/argument-essay-with-sample-answer/

A vast majority of our adult life is spent working; hence it is important that we have an appropriate
job that fulfils our aspirations. While financial remuneration is an important factor that attracts
individuals towards a specific work, there are other factors of equal significance that make a job
ideal.

Firstly, the importance of financial security cannot be undermined in the modern materialistic world.
Since a vast majority of people earn their livelihood from their workplace, it will be difficult for
individuals with single source of income, to make their ends meet, from underpaying jobs. Thus
underpaid employees, because of their financial burdens, may not be able to offer dedication and
commitment at workplace, which in turn results in under-performance. Secondly, the educated
refrain from being employed in underpaying jobs, as these are less attractive. Hence the
remuneration associated, is an important factor that determines the value of a particular job.

On the other hand, to glorify higher earning as the sole determiner of an ideal job is incorrect. This is
because various other factors like work and life balance; working place culture and adequate
recognition contribute towards satisfaction and contentment in work. Thus an astronomically higher
paying job with a demanding employer, with poor social life in a tedious work place environment will
lead to higher job dissatisfaction, which in turn will also promote higher attrition.

Henceforth, it can be stated that apart from financial remuneration, which is a major determiner of
a good occupation, job satisfaction is also an equally important associated factor that determines
the value of a specific job.

http://www.ieltsonlinepractice.com/ielts-task-2-job-and-money/
Travel industry has experienced a major boom in the later part of the 20th century and has been a
boon in disguise, which has helped some weaker nations to uplift their failing economies. While
questions have been raised regarding the negative impacts that accompany the growth in the travel
sector, these definitely do not outweigh the associated benefits.

The economic boost that accompanies a successful travel industry is quite well recognized and
Thailand is the best example. The entire Thai economy revolves around tourism and the country had
been able to uplift its socio economic status through its flourishing hospitality sector. Egypt is
another nation that is heavily dependent on its hospitality sector. The growth in the number of
incoming tourists leads to innumerable prospects in terms of local entrepreneurship & employment
generation. This is also associated with international investments and infrastructure development.
The national authorities, in order to ensure safety of the international visitors provide better law and
order enforcement, improved transportation and healthcare facilities, which in turn benefit the local
population.

On the other hand, the rising influx of holidaymakers is associated with increased incidences of
crimes, prostitution and antisocial activities like drugs, human trafficking and gambling, which affect
the values of the indigenous society. The local population are also affected by the growth in
property value indices. Environmentalists are also concerned regarding environmental remodeling,
that is associated with increased tourist activities in natural reserves. In this context, it is worth
mentioning that, by enforcing stern law and order and implementing strict legislations, governments
can control most of these negative impacts of tourism.

Hence, it can be confidently conveyed that, even though the growth in travel industry has
accompanying negative social impacts, these do not outweigh the contributions made by this sector
towards social development.

http://www.ieltsonlinepractice.com/ielts-task-2-international-tourism/

In certain countries, it is preferred that students should take a year off from studies after completing
high school, prior to joining universities and during this period they are encouraged to work or to
travel. Even though this seems to be a noble concept, it has its own merits and demerits and some
of these will be illustrated in this essay.

Firstly, a year off, after completing years of continuous school education is a welcome break for
students and is well deserved too. This period also serves as well-earned family time for those pupils
who grew up within the closed boundaries of boarding schools. Secondly, this period provides
ample opportunities to young people, to experience the realities of the modern world. Those
students who prefer a break, can experiment with various forms of employment and thereby decide
their career goals and directions depending upon their experiences. The holidaymakers, on the
other hand can familiarize with the customs and cultures of various countries, which in turn will
widen their outlook and will also promote cultural tolerance. Thus, in a wider perspective, such
breaks help the young minds in preparing for the much demanding university life.
In contrast, certain disadvantages are definitely associated with this concept and are worth
mentioning. Firstly, scholars are of the opinion that, such breaks from studies, during the learning
phase of life, affects further education. According to them, such activities should not be encouraged
as there are higher chances that the young minds might lose interest in learning or may get
demotivated due to various reasons and might ultimately refrain from pursuing university
education. Secondly, the employed youth, due to a sudden increase in their purchasing power,
might also get attracted to various social evils like drugs, gambling and alcoholism.

Thus, it will be wise to comment that such policies even though are noble practices, should not be
made mandatory in a national scale, as these activities are also associated with considerable
negative outcome.

http://www.ieltsonlinepractice.com/ielts-task-2-work-or-travel-high-school-university/

There is a current distressing situation that the external life has burdened the
youth with a wide range of pressures. In this essay, I would discuss several
precursors to this issue, before some viable measures are drawn.

The fact that children are coerced into pressures and responsibilities stems
from a number of root reasons. As far as the academic burden is concerned, it
is the escalating competitiveness of the job market accompanied with the
parental over-expectation that is to blame. The organizations demand of a
qualified workforce pours into the parents mind a thought that their children
have to be successful at school, and many youths today take studying as an
obligation. In addition, some children, mostly those who have special talents
or are born in famous families, may find their personal life in the public
interest. The appearance on the media at such a young age may deprive the
junior citizens of an innocent and carefree childhood. Regarding the
commercial pressure children have to encounter, fast food chains or
sweetshops have made them the target customers; and they are dragged into a
chaotic influx of information by both the online and offline advertising
campaigns.

In order to reverse such pressures on children, I would like to propose a

number of drastic remedies. Firstly, parents should create a mentally and
physically healthy domestic environment, involving a balance between
learning and relaxing. Cooling-down activities such as sports, drawing or
traveling, which are normally affordable, can release the stress of children
brought on by both academic and social burdens. In addition, business
morality has to be emphasized and penetrated by all firms. They should keep
their online advertisements inaccessible to the youth by putting age
restrictions on their websites.

In final words, it is unfair for the children to bear any kind of pressure, and
every part of society should exert effort to provide them with a happy youth
life.

http://ieltsmaterial.com/ielts-writing-actual-test-in-december-2015-band-9-0-cause-solution-essay/

Environmental problems are referred to as severe hazards, which attract attention from
the whole world at present. Some argue that they are international issues instead of simply
national issues for one country or individuals. However, I believe states and individuals are more
responsible for the preservation of the environment.

Some of the problems do not impact only one country, but also others, and are also hard
to be resolved by one country, such as air pollution. For instance, Greenhouse gas emissions, can
influence the atmosphere from one region to another as a result of atmospheric circulation.
Consequently, to limit the emission, it requires worldwide organizations to coordinate with
different states.

Nevertheless, damages to the ecosystem are mostly caused by the thing done by groups
or individuals, which means preservation should start with raising their awareness of the
environment by education and advertisements. When citizens get more information and
knowledge of the importance of protection of our surroundings and severe consequences of
pollution and the damage of environment, they will improve their behaviors to protect the
ecosystem, or at least to not destroy it. Thus, the government should do more public
advertisements and education for individuals and keep the thought in their mind. Furthermore,
the authorities should make laws and regulations to force people to be friendlier to the
environment, and manage the condition in their own country.

Despite the increase of environmental problems worldwide, it is better to preserve the

environment based on the endeavor of nations and individuals. In my opinion, they should
assume the responsibility for the health of the planet

http://www.ieltsanswers.com/essays/ielts-essays-environmental-hazards.pdf
Recently, many countries are exporting food products to other nations, while their own citizens
are in need of it. Some people argue that selling food products to other countries should be
minimized. I totally agree that the government should cut down the food exportation level to
provide food to the poor people and to boost the economy.

There are several reasons why food should not be exported if there is a shortage in the local
country. One of the main reasons is to provide food to the citizens who cannot afford it. Every
country has their own poverty level and there will be thousands of people starving for a meal
every day. The government should take actions to give those excess food products, which are
exported to, to the poor. For instance, India exports rice to developed countries, while so many
local children and adults are in need of it. If those rice products are given to the poor citizens, it
will help them to lead a healthy life without hunger.

The other reason is to enhance our economy by selling those food items internally. The local
farmers who are in need of money sell their food products to developed nations to get a high
income. Since, the price for those food products is high in those countries. This results in
domestic inflation of prices for those food items because of scarcity, which produces negative
effects to our economy. For example, many farmers in India exported onions to nearby nations,
when there was an insufficient amount of onions to buy in their own country. Thus, the price of
onions increased massively, which in turn affected Indias economy

In conclusion, after analyzing the benefits of cutting down the exportation of food; in my
opinion, it is essential that the government look after their own citizens rather than trading it. I
believe it assists their countrys economy to grow and to help the poor people, who are in need of
food.

http://www.ieltsanswers.com/essays/ielts-essays-exporting-food-to-other-nations.pdf

The Internet is one the most outstanding innovations in the digital age. Although the
Internet has the potential to make human lives simple and convenient, it also creates
issues. This essay discusses the Internets two primary problems and proposes
solutions.

One of the main problems caused by the internet is a lack of security for personal
information. For instance, Online banking transactions or other online services often
makes private information vulnerable to theft. Needless to say, the damage caused
by cyber-crimes is often irreparable. Another annoying problem with the Internet is its
ability to create rifts between the real and virtual world. More specifically, the virtual
world is so alluring that once hooked it can become an addiction creating both physical
and mental issues.

However, there are solutions to alleviate these problems. To address cyber-

crime rigorous government regulations on a global scale are needed. In addition
cooperation is needed amongst law enforcement agencies around the world in order to
track down and apprehend these criminals who operate across multiple borders. Dealing
with addiction requires intertwined cooperation between parents and schools, as most
addicted Internet consumers are children. Children should be educated to realize the
implications of Internet addictions and also should be encouraged to engage in outdoor
activities

In conclusion, the main problems caused by the internet are related to crime and
addiction. To solve these parents, teachers and governments should participate in
eradicating the problems stemming from the Internet. By addressing these issues,
people can harness the Internets unlimited potential and steer clear of its adverse
impacts.

http://www.ieltsanswers.com/model-answer-two-question-essay/

Overpopulation has become a major issue in society in the 21st century and is
seen as negatively influencing not only poor countries but also developing and
developed countries. The purpose of this essay is to look at some of the problems
caused by overpopulation as well as offer a practical solution to this.

One problem caused by an excessive population growth is a strain on available

resources. Water is an obvious example as more is needed for not only human
consumption but also the watering of crops, and industrial use. Demands for energy
increase dramatically as well with more people using their own transport and factories
manufacturing more goods for consumption. It is inevitable that more people, more
demands leads to more waste and greater pollution in the world.

One way to help address this issue would be for the government to impose an
upper limit to how many children a family can have. The one-child policy tried in China
for years did work but also resulted in a wide disparity in males to females in many
places. Tax incentives might also work with less tax being paid by parents with less
children. This would be of benefit to any family finding it difficult to make ends meet as
salaries rarely keep up with inflation.

In conclusion it is clear that while not all countries are suffering from too many
people, Japan is one example, all countries will nevertheless feel the effects of ever
diminishing global resources if nothing is done. Government enforcement of a one-child
policy can work but would almost certainly meet with public resistance in developed
countries. However, tax incentives would find favour with many people and still offer the
them a choice of more children of they were willing to pay more.

http://www.ieltsanswers.com/model-answer-problems-and-solution/
With the increasing popularity of museums and art galleries, whether or not they should be free of
charge has drawn much discussion amongst the general public. Whilst many advocates claim that
people should be charged to enter these places, their opponents may argue otherwise. Personally, I
am inclined to the view that the merits outweigh the drawbacks.

One of the cogent reasons for charging fees is that the building and the maintaining costs of any
major museums and art galleries are tremendous. Undoubtedly, by charging a reasonable entry fee,
it can definitely help covering the cost incurred from day-to-day activities such as utility bills,
repairing costs, renovation and staff costs. Additionally, the entrance fees allow a museum or an art
gallery to expand quicker and they can buy in more exhibits to attract more people. Consequently,
charging an admission fee seems very utilitarian to create a better museums and galleries.

However, the major drawback to charging admission fees is that it may reduce the number of
visitors. This is particularly disadvantageous if poor members of society are unable to afford to visit
these places. It seems a great pity if children and economically disadvantaged people are unable to
benefit from the culture experiences these venues provide.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that the benefits of an entry fee to museums and art
galleries prevail over the downsides. However, it is recommended that they can provide concessions
to special groups such as students, disabled people and so on. Only by doing so can we ensure that
people are still willing to pay a visit albeit financially.

http://www.ieltsanswers.com/model-essay-advantages-outweigh-the-disadvantages/

Parents shape their children from the beginning of their children's lives. They teach their children
values. They share their interests with them. They develop close emotional ties with them. Parents
can be very important teachers in their children's lives; however, they are not always the best
teachers.

Parents may be too close to their children emotionally. For example, they may limit a child's freedom
in the name of safety. A teacher may organize an educational trip to a big city, but a parent may think
this trip is too dangerous. A school may want to take the children camping, but a parent may be
afraid of the child getting hurt.

Another problem is that parents sometimes expect their children's interests to be similar to their own.
If the parents love science, they may try to force their child to love science too. But what if the child
prefers art? If the parents enjoy sports, they may expect their child to participate on different teams.
But what if the child prefers to read?

Parents want to pass on their values to their children. However, things change. The children of today
are growing up in a world different from their parents' world. Sometimes parents, especially older
ones, can't keep up with rapid social or technological changes. A student who has friends of different
races at school may find that his parents have narrower views. A student who loves computers may
find that her parents don't understand or value the digital revolution.

Parents are important teachers in our lives, but they aren't always the best teachers. Fortunately, we
have many teachers in our lives. Our parents teach us, our teachers teach us, and we learn from our
peers. Books and newspapers also teach us. All of them are valuable.

http://ukielts.blogspot.com/2013/11/ielts-sample-essays-parents-are-best.html

It is hard to deny the importance of recycling in the modern world. One has only to visit the nearest
landfill site to understand the scale of the problem. Yet at the same time, recycling is not always the
cheapest option. Nor is it the only issue with respect to the environment.
On the one hand, there is a lot that can be done in terms of household recycling. Kerbside
collections of newspapers, bottles and cans trim the amount of rubbish that has to be consigned to
landfill. Some councils even collect plastic bottles and recycle them, although it is commonly
believed that the recycling of plastic is too costly a process.

Many people are lazy when it comes to recycling and opt to throw everything away instead of
separating out materials to be recycled. To counteract this, fines or taxes may have to be introduced.
A new tax has also been suggested on non-returnable bottles
At the same time, there are other pollutants of our planet that have nothing to do with waste
disposal. Air travel is now widely seen as the biggest threat to the environment and, unless higher
taxes are put on aviation fuel, the situation will get worse. However, this kind of decision should be
taken in an international forum and it is vital that the world's largest nations (and heaviest users of
fossil fuels) join this discussion.
It is hoped that our politicians will come together and agree upon a viable strategy for the
world which will allow future generations to enjoy the beauty and diversity of our planet.
http://ukielts.blogspot.com/2013/11/ielts-sample-essays-recycling-is-now.html

The Origin of Coconut Tree

King Trishanku was a saintly man whose one great desire was to ascend bodily into
heaven.He had once done a good turn to sage Vishwamitra and the sage decided to help
him fulfill his desire.

Accordingly, he performed a yagna and Trishanku began to rise heavenwards.

When Indra, King of the gods, saw Trishanku at the gates of Heaven, he was furious and
catching hold of him, threw him down. Vishwamitra saw Trishanku hurtling downwards and
shouted:"Let Trishanku stay where he is now!"
Trishankus fall was arrested. As Indra would not let him ascend into heaven and
Vishwamitra would not allow him to come down, Trishanku became suspended between
heaven and earth.

Folklore has expanded this mythological story to explain the origin of the coconut tree:
Vishwamitra knew that Trishanku would eventually fall to earth unless held up by physical
means, so he propped him up with a long pole.

The pole eventually turned into a coconut tree and Trishankus head became its fruit. The
fibre around the coconut is Trishankus beard. When you take it off, you see his eyes peering
at you.

http://www.english-for-students.com/Coconut-Tree.html

A Cartload of Almonds

A squirrel joined the service of the King of the Forest, the lion.

He did whatever work was given him, quickly and well. The lion became fond of him and
promised to give him a cart full of almonds as pension when he retired.

The squirrel envied the other squirrels in the forest because of their carefree life. He longed
to run up and down trees and leap from branch to branch like them but he could not leave
the king's side and even if he could he had to move with courtly dignity.

He consoled himself with the thought that at the end of his career, he would receive a cart
full of almonds, a food that few squirrels got to taste in their lifetime.

"They will envy me then," he would tell himself.

The years passed. The squirrel became old and then it was time for him to retire.

The king gave a grand banquet in his honor and at the end of it, presented him with a cart
full of almonds as he had promised.

The squirrel had waited so long for this day but when he saw the almonds, he was seized
with sadness.

He realized they were of no use to him now. He had lost all his teeth.
The Two Bachelors.

Narada, the celestial sage, was a confirmed bachelor, but one day he saw Princess Shrimati
and fell in love with her. To his dismay another sage, Tumburu, was also smitten by her and
wanted to marry her.

Both were devotees of Lord Vishnu and both sought his help. Narada asked that Tumburu's
face should change into a bear's at the Swayamvar at which the princess would select her
husband.

Tumburu, not knowing that his rival had already approached Vishnu, made a similar
request. He asked that Narada should appear to have a monkey's face.

At the Swayamvar, the princess trooped down the long line of suitors with her garland.
Narada and Tumburu stood out among the others, but when she went closer, Narada's face
suddenly seemed to change and take on a simian look. She hastily turned to Tumburu, but
to her horror he now looked like a bear. As she stood there in confusion, she suddenly saw
another man standing between Narada and Tumburu. It was Lord Vishnu himself. He had
come to find out how his devotees were faring. The princess, however, did not care who he
was and why he had come. She was so relieved to see a normal human face that she
immediately put the garland round his neck.

Narada and Tumburu did not mind losing to Lord Vishnu, but each was secretly glad that the
other had not got the princess.

http://www.english-for-students.com/The-Two-Bachelors.html

Timidity

Rabbits are among the most timid of animals.

The rabbits of a colony once had a meeting to discuss this trait of theirs.

They came to the conclusion that as their fearness would never leave them, they were
doomed to a miserable existence and it would be better to drown themselves and end their
misery once and for all.

Accordingly, they began to move towards a large lake.

When the frogs in the lake saw the large number of rabbits approaching, they were filled
with fear and made for the deepest part of the lake.

Seeing this, the leader of the rabbits stopped and said to his fellow-creatures: "It is true we
are timid, but here are animals more timid than ourselves. There is hope for us yet. Let us
go back to our homes."
And that is what they did.

Long ago, people thought that rainbows were magic. Some people
believed that a rainbow was a bridge for the gods to use when they wanted
to come down to earth. Other people believed that if you could find the end
of the rainbow, you would find a pot of gold there.
Today, we know that rainbows are not magic. They are made by
sunlight shining through raindrops. To see a rainbow, you must have the sun
behind you and the rain falling in front of you.
Sunlight looks white, but it really contains many colors. When sunlight
enters a raindrop, it separates into violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange,
and red. We see these colors in the rainbow. Often, the colors blend, so we
only see four or five of them.
A rainbow appears in the sky when many rays of sunlight separate into
their colors and reflect off many raindrops. If the rain is heavy, the ends of
the rainbow may appear to touch the ground.
http://reading.wordzila.com/grade-2-reading-lesson-24-nonfiction-the-bridge-
in-the-sky/

In the 16th century, an age of great marine and terrestrial exploration, Ferdinand
Magellan led the first expedition to sail around the world. As a young Portuguese noble, he
served the king of Portugal, but he became involved in the quagmire of political intrigue at court
and lost the king's favor. After he was dismissed from service by the king of Portugal, he offered
to serve the future Emperor Charles V of Spain.

A papal decree of 1493 had assigned all land in the New World west of 50 degrees W
longitude to Spain and all the land east of that line to Portugal. Magellan offered to prove that the
East Indies fell under Spanish authority. On September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail from Spain
with five ships. More than a year later, one of these ships was exploring the topography of South
America in search of a water route across the continent. This ship sank, but the remaining four
ships searched along the southern peninsula of South America. Finally they found the passage
they sought near 50 degrees S latitude. Magellan named this passage the Strait of All Saints, but
today it is known as the Strait of Magellan.

One ship deserted while in this passage and returned to Spain, so fewer sailors were
privileged to gaze at that first panorama of the Pacific Ocean. Those who remained crossed the
meridian now known as the International Date Line in the early spring of 1521 after 98 days on
the Pacific Ocean. During those long days at sea, many of Magellan's men died of starvation and
disease.

Later, Magellan became involved in an insular conflict in the Philippines and was killed in a
tribal battle. Only one ship and 17 sailors under the command of the Basque navigator Elcano
survived to complete the westward journey to Spain and thus prove once and for all that the
world is round, with no precipice at the edge.

Marie Curie was one of the most accomplished scientists in history. Together with her
husband, Pierre, she discovered radium, an element widely used for treating cancer, and studied
uranium and other radioactive substances. Pierre and Marie's amicable collaboration later helped
to unlock the secrets of the atom.

Marie was born in 1867 in Warsaw, Poland, where her father was a professor of physics.
At an early age, she displayed a brilliant mind and a blithe personality. Her great exuberance for
learning prompted her to continue with her studies after high school. She became disgruntled,
however, when she learned that the university in Warsaw was closed to women. Determined to
receive a higher education, she defiantly left Poland and in 1891 entered the Sorbonne, a French
university, where she earned her master's degree and doctorate in physics.

Marie was fortunate to have studied at the Sorbonne with some of the greatest scientists
of her day, one of whom was Pierre Curie. Marie and Pierre were married in 1895 and spent
many productive years working together in the physics laboratory. A short time after they
discovered radium, Pierre was killed by a horse-drawn wagon in 1906. Marie was stunned by
this horrible misfortune and endured heartbreaking anguish. Despondently she recalled their
close relationship and the joy that they had shared in scientific research. The fact that she had
two young daughters to raise by herself greatly increased her distress.

Curie's feeling of desolation finally began to fade when she was asked to succeed her
husband as a physics professor at the Sorbonne. She was the first woman to be given a
professorship at the world-famous university. In 1911 she received the Nobel Prize in chemistry
for isolating radium. Although Marie Curie eventually suffered a fatal illness from her long
exposure to radium, she never became disillusioned about her work. Regardless of the
consequences, she had dedicated herself to science and to revealing the mysteries of the physical
world.

Mount Vesuvius, a volcano located between the ancient Italian cities of Pompeii and
Herculaneum, has received much attention because of its frequent and destructive eruptions. The
most famous of these eruptions occurred in A.D. 79.

The volcano had been inactive for centuries. There was little warning of the coming eruption,
although one account unearthed by archaeologists says that a hard rain and a strong wind had
disturbed the celestial calm during the preceding night. Early the next morning, the volcano
poured a huge river of molten rock down upon Herculaneum, completely burying the city and
filling the harbor with coagulated lava.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountain, cinders, stone and ash rained down on Pompeii.
Sparks from the burning ash ignited the combustible rooftops quickly. Large portions of the city
were destroyed in the conflagration. Fire, however, was not the only cause of destruction.
Poisonous sulfuric gases saturated the air. These heavy gases were not buoyant in the atmosphere
and therefore sank toward the earth and suffocated people.

Over the years, excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum have revealed a great deal about the
behavior of the volcano. By analyzing data, much as a zoologist dissects an animal specimen,
scientists have concluded that the eruption changed large portions of the area's geography. For
instance, it turned the Sarno River from its course and raised the level of the beach along the Bay
of Naples. Meteorologists studying these events have also concluded that Vesuvius caused a huge
tidal wave that affected the world's climate.

In addition to making these investigations, archaeologists have been able to study the skeletons
of victims by using distilled water to wash away the volcanic ash. By strengthening the brittle
bones with acrylic paint, scientists have been able to examine the skeletons and draw conclusions
about the diet and habits of the residents. Finally, the excavations at both Pompeii and
Herculaneum have yielded many examples of classical art, such as jewelry made of bronze,
which is an alloy of copper and tin. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius and its tragic consequences
have provided everyone with a wealth of data about the effects that volcanoes can have on the
surrounding area. Today, volcanologists can locate and predict eruptions, saving lives and
preventing the destruction of other cities and cultures.
\

Conflict had existed between Spain and England since the 1570s. England wanted a share of the
wealth that Spain had been taking from the lands it had claimed in the Americas.

Elizabeth I, Queen of England, encouraged her staunch admiral of the navy, Sir Francis Drake, to
raid Spanish ships and towns. Though these raids were on a small scale, Drake achieved dramatic
success, adding gold and silver to England's treasury and diminishing Spain's supremacy.

Religious differences also caused conflict between the two countries. Whereas Spain was Roman
Catholic, most of England had become Protestant. King Philip II of Spain wanted to claim the
throne and make England a Catholic country again. To satisfy his ambition and also to retaliate
against England's theft of his gold and silver, King Philip began to build his fleet of warships, the
Spanish Armada, in January 1586.

Philip intended his fleet to be indestructible. In addition to building new warships, he marshaled
130 sailing vessels of all types and recruited more than 19,000 robust soldiers and 8,000 sailors.
Although some of his ships lacked guns and others lacked ammunition, Philip was convinced
that his Armada could withstand any battle with England.

The martial Armada set sail from Lisbon, Portugal, on May 9, 1588, but bad weather forced it
back to port. The voyage resumed on July 22 after the weather became more stable.

The Spanish fleet met the smaller, faster, and more maneuverable English ships in battle off the
coast of Plymouth, England, first on July 31 and again on August 2. The two battles left Spain
vulnerable, having lost several ships and with its ammunition depleted. On August 7, while the
Armada lay at anchor on the French side of the Strait of Dover, England sent eight burning ships
into the midst of the Spanish fleet to set it on fire. Blocked on one side, the Spanish ships could
only drift away, their crews in panic and disorder. Before the Armada could regroup, the English
attacked again on August 8.

Although the Spaniards made a valiant effort to fight back, the fleet suffered extensive damage.
During the eight hours of battle, the Armada drifted perilously close to the rocky coastline. At the
moment when it seemed that the Spanish ships would be driven onto the English shore, the wind
shifted, and the Armada drifted out into the North Sea. The Spaniards recognized the superiority
of the English fleet and returned home, defeated.
The victory of the small Greek democracy of Athens over the mighty Persian Empire in 490 B.C.
is one of the most famous events in history. Darius, king of the Persian Empire, was furious
because Athens had interceded for the other Greek city-states in revolt against Persian
domination. In anger the king sent an enormous army to defeat Athens. He thought it would take
drastic steps to pacify the rebellious part of the empire.

Persia was ruled by one man. In Athens, however, all citizens helped to rule. Ennobled by this
participation, Athenians were prepared to die for their city-state. Perhaps this was the secret of
the remarkable victory at Marathon, which freed them from Persian rule. On their way to
Marathon, the Persians tried to fool some Greek city-states by claiming to have come in peace.
The frightened citizens of Delos refused to believe this. Not wanting to abet the conquest of
Greece, they fled from their city and did not return until the Persians had left. They were wise,
for the Persians next conquered the city of Eritrea and captured its people.

Tiny Athens stood alone against Persia. The Athenian people went to their sanctuaries. There
they prayed for deliverance. They asked their gods to expedite their victory. The Athenians
refurbished their weapons and moved to the plain of Marathon, where their little band would
meet the Persians. At the last moment, soldiers from Plataea reinforced the Athenian troops.

The Athenian army attacked, and Greek citizens fought bravely. The power of the mighty
Persians was offset by the love that the Athenians had for their city. Athenians defeated the
Persians in both archery and hand combat. Greek soldiers seized Persian ships and burned them,
and the Persians fled in terror. Herodotus, a famous historian, reports that 6,400 Persians died,
compared to only 192 Athenians.

The Trojan War is one of the most famous wars in history. It is well known for the 10-year
duration, for the heroism of a number of legendary characters, and for the Trojan horse. What
may not be familiar, however, is the story of how the war began.

According to Greek myth, the strife between the Trojans and the Greeks started at the wedding of
Peleus, King of Thessaly, and Thetis, a sea nymph. All of the gods and goddesses had been
invited to the wedding celebration in Troy except Eris, goddess of discord. She had been omitted
from the guest list because her presence always embroiled mortals and immortals alike in
conflict.
To take revenge on those who had slighted her, Eris decided to cause a skirmish. Into the middle
of the banquet hall, she threw a golden apple marked "for the most beautiful." All of the
goddesses began to haggle over who should possess it. The gods and goddesses reached a
stalemate when the choice was narrowed to Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Someone was needed
to settle the controversy by picking a winner. The job eventually fell to Paris, son of King Priam
of Troy, who was said to be a good judge of beauty. Paris did not have an easy job. Each
goddess, eager to win the golden apple, tried aggressively to bribe him.

"I'll grant you vast kingdoms to rule," promised Hera. "Vast kingdoms are nothing in comparison
with my gift," contradicted Athena. "Choose me and I'll see that you win victory and fame in
war." Aphrodite outdid her adversaries, however. She won the golden apple by offering Helen,
daughter of Zeus and the most beautiful mortal in the land, to Paris. Paris, anxious to claim
Helen, set off for Sparta in Greece.

Although Paris learned that Helen was married, he nevertheless accepted the hospitality of her
husband, King Menelaus of Sparta. Therefore, Menelaus was outraged for a number of reasons
when Paris departed, taking Helen and much of the king's wealth back to Troy. Menelaus
collected his loyal forces and set sail for Troy to begin the war to reclaim Helen.

One of the most intriguing stories of the Russian Revolution concerns the identity of Anastasia,
the youngest daughter of Czar Nicholas II. During his reign over Russia, the czar had planned to
revoke many of the harsh laws established by previous czars. Some workers and peasants,
however, clamored for more rapid social reform. In 1918, a group of these people known as
Bolsheviks overthrew the government. On July 17 or 18, they murdered the czar and what was
thought to be his entire family.

Although witnesses vouched that all the members of the czar's family had been executed, there
were rumors suggesting that Anastasia had survived. Over the years, a number of women
claimed to be Grand Duchess Anastasia. Perhaps the most famous claimant was Anastasia
Tschaikovsky, who was also known as Anna Anderson.

In 1920, 18 months after the czar's execution, this terrified young woman was rescued from
drowning in a Berlin river. She spent two years in a hospital, where she attempted to reclaim her
health and shattered mind. The doctors and nurses thought that she resembled Anastasia and
questioned her about her background. She disclaimed any connection with the czar's family.
Eight years later, however, she claimed that she was Anastasia. She said that she had been
rescued by two Russian soldiers after the czar and the rest of her family had been killed. Two
brothers named Tschaikovsky had carried her into Romania. She had married one of the brothers,
who had taken her to Berlin and left her there, penniless and without a vocation. Unable to
invoke the aid of her mother's family in Germany, she had tried to drown herself.

During the next few years, scores of the czar's relatives, ex-servants, and acquaintances
interviewed her. Many of these people said that her looks and mannerisms were evocative of the
Anastasia that they had known. Her grandmother and other relatives denied that she was the real
Anastasia, however.

Tired of being accused of fraud, Anastasia immigrated to the United States in 1928 and took the
name Anna Anderson. She still wished to prove that she was Anastasia, though, and returned to
Germany in 1933 to bring suit against her mother's family. There she declaimed to the court,
asserting that she was indeed Anastasia and deserved her inheritance.

In 1957, the court decided that it could neither confirm nor deny Anastasia's identity. Although it
will probably never be known whether this woman was the Grand Duchess Anastasia, her search
to establish her identity has been the subject of numerous books, plays, and movies.

King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette ruled France from 1774 to 1789, a time when the
country was fighting bankruptcy. The royal couple did not let France's insecure financial
situation limit their immoderate spending, however. Even though the minister of finance
repeatedly warned the king and queen against wasting money, they continued to spend great
fortunes on their personal pleasure. This lavish spending greatly enraged the people of France.
They felt that the royal couple bought its luxurious lifestyle at the poor people's expense.

Marie Antoinette, the beautiful but exceedingly impractical queen, seemed uncaring about her
subjects' misery. While French citizens begged for lower taxes, the queen embellished her palace
with extravagant works of art. She also surrounded herself with artists, writers, and musicians,
who encouraged the queen to spend money even more profusely.

While the queen's favorites glutted themselves on huge feasts at the royal table, many people in
France were starving. The French government taxed the citizens outrageously. These high taxes
paid for the entertainments the queen and her court so enjoyed. When the minister of finance
tried to stop these royal spendthrifts, the queen replaced him. The intense hatred that the people
felt for Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette kept building until it led to the French Revolution.
During this time of struggle and violence (1789-1799), thousands of aristocrats, as well as the
king and queen themselves, lost their lives at the guillotine. Perhaps if Louis XVI and Marie
Antoinette had reined in their extravagant spending, the events that rocked France would not
have occurred.

Many great inventions are initially greeted with ridicule and disbelief. The invention of the
airplane was no exception. Although many people who heard about the first powered flight on
December 17, 1903 were excited and impressed, others reacted with peals of laughter. The idea
of flying an aircraft was repulsive to some people. Such people called Wilbur and Orville Wright,
the inventors of the first flying machine, impulsive fools. Negative reactions, however, did not
stop the Wrights. Impelled by their desire to succeed, they continued their experiments in
aviation.

Orville and Wilbur Wright had always had a compelling interest in aeronautics and mechanics.
As young boys they earned money by making and selling kites and mechanical toys. Later, they
designed a newspaper-folding machine, built a printing press, and operated a bicycle-repair shop.
In 1896, when they read about the death of Otto Lilienthal, the brothers' interest in flight grew
into a compulsion.

Lilienthal, a pioneer in hang-gliding, had controlled his gliders by shifting his body in the desired
direction. This idea was repellent to the Wright brothers, however, and they searched for more
efficient methods to control the balance of airborne vehicles. In 1900 and 1901, the Wrights
tested numerous gliders and developed control techniques. The brothers' inability to obtain
enough lift power for the gliders almost led them to abandon their efforts.

After further study, the Wright brothers concluded that the published tables of air pressure on
curved surfaces must be wrong. They set up a wind tunnel and began a series of experiments
with model wings. Because of their efforts, the old tables were repealed in time and replaced by
the first reliable figures for air pressure on curved surfaces. This work, in turn, made it possible
for the brothers to design a machine that would fly. In 1903 the Wrights built their first airplane,
which cost less than $1,000. They even designed and built their own source of propulsion-a
lightweight gasoline engine. When they started the engine on December 17, the airplane pulsated
wildly before taking off. The plane managed to stay aloft for 12 seconds, however, and it flew
120 feet.

By 1905, the Wrights had perfected the first airplane that could turn, circle, and remain airborne
for half an hour at a time. Others had flown in balloons and hang gliders, but the Wright brothers
were the first to build a full-size machine that could fly under its own power. As the contributors
of one of the most outstanding engineering achievements in history, the Wright brothers are
accurately called the fathers of aviation.

https://www.testprepreview.com/modules/reading1.htm

While graduate schools can sometimes be a departure from past academic experience, there is
typically a connection between undergraduate work and the professional and personal goals that
the student wants to achieve. Graduate degree programs can be of varying duration, and may
extend from one to three years. A master's thesis is required in many cases, as well. Doctoral
programs can be longer, and require a doctoral thesis. Some programs require unpaid internships,
while others offer stipends and teaching assistantships. When researching a graduate school
program, you should find out exactly what you must do to achieve your goal. At the basic level,
that means jotting down the number of credits and the types of courses you are required to take.

A chief concern is the reputation of the institution, and that generally means the quality of the
graduate school faculty. Some institutions have excellent undergraduate programs but are
mediocre in the area of advanced degrees. The internet is a great resource as you investigate
schools, which list their faculty bios online as well as in paper publications. Have the professors
invented anything, broken new ground, or provided new insights into established research? How
does the school rank in the conventional guidebooks? Some of the popular institutional
guidebooks can provide you with an academic profile of students who went before you. Most of
the popular academic program guides will indicate how the advanced degree program ranks in
comparison with other programs within the same field.

It is also possible to network with currently-enrolled students to get a feel for things. Plan a visit
so that you can speak with several grad school students. Ask them whether they feel the school
was worth the money invested.

What a professor has written can also provide some insight into personality and levels of
expertise. You can check out publications or other outside activities to determine how much
impact a professor is likely to have on your education. Educational institutions strive to put their
best foot forward in the selection of graduate school faculty. Another thing to keep in mind is that
test scores are only part of your application to a grad school. Acceptance hurdles for admission to
grad schools are typically set by the grad school faculty.

Of the many things to consider when choosing a graduate program, financing can be a big factor.
With regard to financial arrangements, the school's online catalogue will provide information
regarding the percentage of students who receive financial aid. Certainly, a significant number of
graduate school candidates will seek out the availability of graduate jobs, such as teaching
assistantships or research assistant positions. As a backstop to your financial aid plan, there is
always the possibility of student loans and outside jobs. Bear in mind that paying your way
through a difficult advanced degree program by outside employment does not allow for a great
deal of leisure time. That element must be factored into your plans for the length of time you
expect to take to get your advanced degree.

https://www.testprepreview.com/gradschool.htm

The Alaska pipeline starts at the frozen edge of the Arctic Ocean. It
stretches southward across the largest and northernmost state in the United
States, ending at a remote ice-free seaport village nearly 800 miles from
where it begins. It is massive in size and extremely complicated to operate.

The steel pipe crosses windswept plains and endless miles of delicate
tundra that tops the frozen ground. It weaves through crooked canyons,
climbs sheer mountains, plunges over rocky crags, makes its way through
thick forests, and passes over or under hundreds of rivers and streams. The
pipe is 4 feet in diameter, and up to 2 million barrels (or 84 million gallons) of
crude oil can be pumped through it daily.

Resting on H-shaped steel racks called bents, long sections of the

pipeline following a zigzag course high above the frozen earth. Other long
sections drop out of sight beneath spongy or rocky ground and return to the
surface later on. The pattern of the pipelines up-and-down route is
determined by the often harsh demands of the arctic and subarctic climate,
the tortuous lay of the land, and the varied compositions of soil, rock, or
permafrost (permanently frozen ground). A little more than half of the
pipeline is elevated above the ground. The remainder is buried anywhere
from 3 to 12 feet depending largely upon the type of terrain and the
properties of the soil.
 One of the largest in the world, the pipeline cost approximately
$8billion and is by far the biggest and most expensive construction project
ever undertaken by private industry. In fact, no single business could raise
that much money, so 8 major oil companies formed a consortium in order to
share the costs. Each company controlled oil rights to particular shares of
land in the oil fields and paid into the pipeline-construction fund according to
the size of its holdings. Today, despite enormous problems of climate, supply
shortages, equipment breakdowns, labor disagreements, treacherous terrain,
a certain amount of mismanagement, and even theft, the Alaska pipeline has
been completed and is operating.

https://www.ets.org/toefl/pbt/prepare/reading_comprehension_practice_sectio
n3/?WT.ac=TOEFL_35276_Overwrite_pbt_prepare_samplequestions_rcps3

Saturday is our day to clean, but Grandpa turns work into fun.

We like to sing when we dust. We like to dance when we mop. We

clean the car together. We do the wash together. We both wear our
caps.

When we are done, we hurry to the store. We shop for food. Grandpa
lets me pick the fruits that I like best. We carry the food home.
Grandpa tells stories while we walk.

At night, our work is done. Friends come over. We cook dinner. We

sing and dance.

Saturday is our day to clean, but Grandpa turns work into fun!

http://www.pearsonlongman.com/ae/marketing/sfesl/tests/grade1.ht
ml
 A robot is a machine. But it is not just any machine. It is a special kind
of machine. It is a machine that moves. It follows instructions. The
instructions come from a computer. Because it is a machine, it does not
make mistakes. And it does not get tired. And it never complains. Unless you
tell it to!

Robots are all around us. Some robots are used to make things. For
example, robots can help make cats. Some robots are used to explore
dangerous places. For example, robots can help explore volcanoes. Some
robots are used to clean things. These robots can help vacuum your house.
Some robots can even recognize words. They can be used to help answer
telephone calls. Some robots look like humans. But most robots do not. Most
robots just look like machines.

Long ago, people imagined robots. Over 2,000 years ago, famous poet
imagined robots. The poets name was Homer. His robots were made of gold.
They cleaned things and they made things. But they were not real. They
were imaginary. Nobody was able to make a real robot. The first real robot
was made in 1961. It was called Unimate. It was used to help make cars. It
looked like a giant arm.

In the future, we will have even more robots. They will do things that
we cant do. Or they will do things that we dont want to do. Or they will do
things that are too dangerous for us. Robots will help us fight fires. They will
help us fight wars. They will help us fight sickness. They will help us discover
things. They will help make life better.

http://englishforeveryone.org/PDFs/3_Robots_Free_Sample.pdf

SPIDER WEBS
 All spiders spin webs. Thats because webs help spiders. Web help
spiders do three things. Webs help spiders hold eggs. Webs help spiders
hide. Webs help spiders catch food.

Webs help spiders hold eggs. Many spiders like to lay their eggs in their
webs. The webs help keep the eggs together. Webs help spiders keep their
eggs safe.

Webs help spiders hide. Most spiders are dark. They are brown, grey, or
black. But spider webs are light. They are white and cloudy. When spiders
hide in their webs, they are hard to see.

Webs help spiders catch food. Spider webs are sticky. When a bug flies
into the web, it gets stuck. It moves around. It tries to get out. But it cant. It
is trapped! Spiders can tell that the bug is trapped. Thats because spiders
feel the web move. And the spider is hungry. The spider goes to the bug.

As you can see, webs help spiders hold eggs. Webs help spiders hide.
And webs help spiders catch food. Without webs, spiders would not be able
to live like they do. Spiders need their webs to survive.

http://englishforeveryone.org/PDFs/2_Spider_Webs_Free_Sample.pdf

MATERIALS

A material is what something is made of. There are 5 basic materials.

Most things are made with these materials. Some things are made of metal.
Some things are made of glass. Some things are made of wood. Some things
are made of cloth. And some things are made of plastic. There are some
other materials. But they are not used as much as these 5 things.

Lets talk about metal first. Metal is very heavy. And it is very hard and
strong. It usually feels cool if you touch it. We use metal to make a lot of
things. We use it for forks and knives. We use it for keys. We use it for cars.
We use tit for these things because it is very strong.
 Next, lets talk about glass. Glass is very smooth. It feels cool to touch.
It is not as heavy as metal. It is hard. But it is not strong. It breaks very
easily. Then why do we use it? We use it because it is clear. You can see
through glass. That why we use it for windows. Thats also why we use it for
glasses.

Now, lets talk about wood. Wood is lighter than metal glass. It is not as
strong as metal. But it is much stronger than glass. We use wood to make
lots of things. Things made from wood are usually light and hard and strong.
Chairs and tables are made from wood. Pencils are made from wood.

Now lets talk about cloth. Cloth is very light. It is much lighter than
wood. And it very soft. We use cloth to make lots of things. For example, it is
used to make clothing. And it is used to make blankets.

Last, lets talk about plastic. Plastic is also very light. But it is different
from cloth. Sometimes it is soft. And sometimes it is hard. Plastic can be
used to make thin plastic bags. These are light, soft, and strong. But plastic
can also be used to make bicycle helmets. These are light, hard, and strong.
A helmet and a bag seem different. But they are both made from plastic.

http://englishforeveryone.org/PDFs/4_Materials_Free_Sample.pdf

FRUIT FLY FIX

It is breakfast time. You have been looking forward to eating a nice ripe banana ever
since you woke up. Just when you reach for the delicious piece of fruit on your counter, you see
something that makes you much less hungry: a swarm of fruit flies!

Fruit flies are tiny insects that are attracted to ripe or rotting fruits and vegetables. The
flies not only eat the fruit, they also lay their eggs there. A single fruit fly can lay up to 500 eggs
on the surface of a piece of fruit. Within eight days, the fruit flies that hatch from these eggs are
full adults that can then lay their own eggs. As you can see, what might start out as a small fruit
fly problem can become very large very quickly.

Although there is a chance fruit flies can carry germs on to your food, this is not very
likely. Fruit flies are annoying, but they probably will not hurt you. Because they are such a
nuisance, however, most people want to get rid of these pesky bugs as quickly as possible. Some
people use pesticide sprays on the fruit flies. Although this will kill the flies, it will also spread
harmful poison all over your kitchen. Luckily, there is also a completely safe way for you to get
rid of fruit flies in your house.

The first step is for you to remove all fruits or vegetables from your counter. Store these
items in the refrigerator or in sealed containers. Clean up any spilled juice or bits of food that
might be on the floor. Take out the trash and empty the recycling bin. Wash any dirty dishes that
are in your sink. Doing all of these things will stop new fruit flies from finding food or places to
lay their eggs.

Next, make a trap to catch all of the remaining fruit flies in your house. First, fill a small
bowl with a few tablespoons of vinegar. Then, put a piece of very ripe or rotting fruit into the
vinegar. Cover the bowl very tightly with a sheet of plastic wrap and poke a few very small holes
in the wrap with a fork. If all goes according to plan, the flies will enter the trap through the
holes but will be unable to fly back out. This trap will catch all of the remaining fruit flies. You
can either kill these flies or release them outdoors.

Fruit flies can be a pest, but they do not have to make you crazy. With a little effort, you
can get existing flies out of your house and prevent new ones from taking over your kitchen.

http://englishforeveryone.org/PDFs/5_Fruit_Fly_Fix_Free_Sample.pdf

Julies race

The dogsled race was about to begin. Julies team of dogs was
lined up at the starting gate. Julie stood behind them. The air was so
cold that she could see her breath. Other teams were lined up, too,
and the dogs were excited. Julie kept her eyes on the clock. At
exactly ten oclock, she and the other racers yelled, "Mush!" The
dogs knew that meant "Go!" They leapt forward and the race began!

Julie had trained months for this race, and she hoped she and
her dogs would win. Hour after hour, day after day, Julies dogs
pulled the sled in order to get in shape for the race.

Now, they ran over snowy hills and down into frozen valleys.
They stopped only to rest and eat. They wanted to stay ahead of the
other teams. The racers had to go a thousand miles across Alaska.
Alaska is one of the coldest places on Earth. The dogs thick fur
coats helped keep them warm in the cold wind and weather. In
many places along the route, the snow was deep. Pieces of ice were
as sharp as a knife. The ice could cut the dogs feet. To keep that
from happening, Julie had put special booties on their feet.

At first, the dogs seemed to pull the sled very slowly. They
were still getting used to the race. But on the third day out, they
began to pull more quickly. They worked as a team and passed
many of the other racers. Once, one of the sleds runners slid into a
hole and broke. Julie could have given up then, but she didn't. She
fixed it and they kept going.

When they finally reached the finish line, they found out that
they had come in first place! It was a great day for Julie and her
dogs.

From far out in space, Earth looks like a blue ball. Since water covers three-
fourths of the Earths surface, blue is the color we see most. The continents look
brown, like small islands floating in the huge, blue sea. White clouds wrap around the
Earth like a light blanket. The Earth is shaped like a sphere, or a ball. It is 25,000
miles around! It would take more than a year to walk around the whole planet. A
spaceship can fly around the widest part of the sphere in only 90 minutes.

Even though spaceships have traveled to the Moon, people cannot visit the
Moon without special suits. The Moon has no air or water. Plants and animals cant
live there either. Astronauts first landed on the Moon in 1969. After that, there were
six more trips to the Moon. They brought back Moon rocks, which scientists are still
studying. There are holes, or craters, all over the Moons surface. Scientists believe
that meteorites smashed into the Moon millions of years ago and formed the craters.

The Sun is the closest star to Earth. A star is a hot ball of burning gas. The Sun
looks very big because it is so close. But the Sun is just a medium-sized star. Billions
of far-away stars are much bigger than our Sun. The burning gases from the Sun are
so hot that they warm the Earth from 93 million miles away! Even though the Sun is
always glowing, the night here on Earth is dark. Thats because the Earth rotates, or
turns around, every 24 hours. During the day, the Earth faces the Sun. Then we see
light. During the night, the Earth turns away from the Sun. Then it faces the darkness
of space.

Each day we learn more about the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun.

http://www.pearsonlongman.com/ae/marketing/sfesl/tests/grade3.html

My Brothers Mess My brother Tim and I each have our own room. My brother has
always been very messy, and Ive always been very neat. When I would change into my pajamas,
Id hang my clothes over my chair. Tim would throw his on the floor. By Saturday of each week,
the floor of Tims room would be covered with a huge pile of dirty clothes mixed with most of
the pieces of a chess set, open books, and crumpled pieces of homework. Thats when my mother
would come in. She would take one look at his room and say, Tim, youre not going anywhere
until this room is fit for human habitationno one would want to live here. On Saturday
afternoons, Tim and I like to play baseball with our friends. Tim always asked me to help him
clean so he could get to the park in time for the game, and Id usually end up helping him. Tim is
the best pitcher on our team. If he didnt play, the other team might win. Tim would say thank
you, but Id get a little angry with him. Id rather be outside on Saturday morning than indoors
cleaning his room.

Two weeks ago my friend Gretchen invited me over to her house on Saturday morning to
see her new puppy. I warned Tim to start cleaning early that week, but it didnt help. On Saturday
morning, his room was messier than ever. He had been looking for a game at the bottom of his
old toy box, and his games and toys were all over the floor. I called Gretchen and said I couldnt
come. Gretchen invited me again for the next Saturday.

On Monday, I made up my mind that I would not let my brothers disorderly habits
interfere with my plans. I went to the supermarket after school and asked for three big cardboard
boxes. The grocery manager gave me three boxes that paper towels had come in. I took the boxes
and a black magic marker to my brothers room. On the first box, I wrote the word clothes in
huge letters. On the second box I wrote the words books and games. On the third box I wrote
trash. Then I set them against the wall.

The boxes took up a lot of space, but not as much space as the mess did. For a couple of
days, I looked in on my brother after school. Id point to any clothes or games on the floor, and
say Throw it in the right box! He then started to remember to do it on his own.

When Saturday came, we emptied the clothes from the first box into the laundry hamper.
Then we put the books on the bookshelf and the games in the toy box. Finally, we emptied the
trash box into the garbage can. Then Tim and I played with Gretchens puppy until time for the
baseball game.

https://projects.ncsu.edu/project/lancet/third_grade/brother%27smess3rd.pdf
 Hurricanes are large tropical storms that develop in the oceans of the world. Hurricanes
gather heat and energy from the warm ocean water. The heat from these warm currents increases
the power of the hurricane. Hurricanes that remain over warm water usually get bigger and
stronger, but they weaken once they get over land. Hurricanes are storms that actually get names,
and a new list of names is created each year. The first hurricane name starts with the letter A, like
Ashley, and the names move through the alphabet as more hurricanes appear.

Hurricane clouds move in a circle around a point called the eye, which is the center of the
storm. To be called a hurricane, a storm must have wind speeds of at least 74 miles per hour.
When a hurricane comes ashore, there are heavy rains, large waves and strong winds that cause
damage to buildings, cars and trees. Also, flooding can happen when large waves called storm
surges hit the beaches. Storm surges are the main reason people are told to leave coastal towns
and move to higher ground when a hurricane approaches. Hurricanes move very slowly though,
so people have a chance to get out of their way.

During hurricane season, which begins June 1st and ends November 30th, these large
storms sometimes hit United States coastal towns. Usually as these hurricanes approach, there is
rain and strong winds. Meteorologists, scientists who study the weather, watch these storms very
carefully so they can tell people how strong a hurricane is and where it is heading. 2005 has been
a record year for hurricanes. The United States has been hit by more hurricanes and had more
damage from these storms than in any other year.

https://projects.ncsu.edu/project/lancet/third_grade/hurricane3.pdf

Do you know the difference between a porpoise and a dolphin? Both can be
found in oceans all over the world, and both are in the same family of animals,
which includes 40 other species. These ocean animals look similar, but they are
very different types of creatures.

Porpoises are smaller than dolphins and are rounder in shape. They have
rounded heads and short noses. Porpoises do not grow longer than 6 feet in
length and weigh less than 300 pounds. The teeth of porpoises are blunt and do
not have sharp points like the teeth of dolphins. Porpoises travel in small groups
of 2 to 4.

Dolphins are much larger and have a more elongated shape than
porpoises. Dolphins grow between 6 feet and 26 feet in length and weigh
between 70 and 1500 pounds. They have sharp teeth and long noses. Dolphins
travel in sizeable groups, called pods, with 2 to more than 100 members.

Most commonly seen off the coast of North Carolina is the bottlenose
dolphin. This smaller dolphin generally swims close to the shore in groups of 2 to
12. The bottlenose dolphin is light colored on the belly and dark colored on the
back. This special coloring is called an adaptation, and this helps keep the
dolphin safe from other animals.

Dolphins and porpoises are sometimes hunted or accidentally caught by

fishermen. Because the numbers of dolphins and porpoises have declined, these
animals are protected and have been placed on a list of protected species. This
means that people are asked to pay special attention to keeping dolphins and
porpoises safe from harm.

https://projects.ncsu.edu/project/lancet/third.htm

Living things adapt to their environment so they can survive. An organism adapts when it
develops a behavior that makes it more likely to survive. It can behavior also adapt by forming a
physical characteristic or body part that helps it survive.
In a forest biome, some trees grow taller than the other plants around them. This lets
them reach the sunlight. Growing taller is an adaptation that helps trees survive. Shorter plants
have adapted with their behavior. They have learned to live in the shade with less sunlight.
Animals in the forest have a wide variety of adaptations. Monkeys have long tails. They
can use them almost like another hand. This helps them swing quickly through the tops of trees.
They can even do this while holding their babies or gathering food. Giraffes need to reach
leaves at the tops of tall trees. Having a long neck is an adaptation that allows them
to do this.
 Some animals adaptations prevent other animals from wanting to eat them. A skunks
horrible smell makes larger animals choose something else to eat. Even plants sometimes
protect themselves in this way. Roses and acacia trees both have dangerous thorns. The thorns
prevent animals from eating their leaves.

http://www.k12reader.com/worksheet/adapting-to-survive/view/

People are very social animals. We need to talk with and do things with
other people. We often understand ourselves better when we discuss our
opinions, emotions and activities with other people. We need to make
meaningful connections with friends and family. These connections help us
put aside our frustrations and worries. We can focus on things that are
important: the people we care about.

Your local community is the area near your home. Its where you work,
play and go to school. It is the neighborhood where your family makes
connections with other people. Its the places you feel like you belong.

Communities grow and change over time. Families move from one city
to another because of work or family situations. Older adults often move to
smaller homes or vacation areas after their children have grown up. Their
children move out to start families of their own. New families move in when
others leave.

Basic services, such as police, fire, post office, health and public
schools are in almost every community, too. Stores sell things that people
need. Restaurants sell prepared food. Offices provide a variety of skilled
work.

The local city government is usually an elected mayor and city council.
It is their job to listen to the people of the community and help them
connect. Some individuals may move on, but the community remains.

http://www.k12reader.com/worksheet/community-connections/
 You use energy every day. Energy is the ability to cause change. Any
time you move, you are using energy. When you bounce a ball or ride a bike,
you use energy from your body to make the ball or ride or the bike move.
Your parents cook food for you to eat. They use heat energy to change the
food for you to eat. They use heat energy to change the food from raw to
cooked.

Not all energy is used as soon as you get it. Sometimes energy is
stored to be used later. Stored energy can be chemical energy stored in a
battery or in your body. It can also be potential energy. Potential energy is
based on the position of the object. A ball at the top of a hill has potential
energy. A soccer player standing ready to kick a ball has potential energy,
too.

Energy of motion is also called kinetic energy. Potential energy

converts, or changes into, kinetic energy when the thing or person begins to
move. When the ball starts rolling down hill, kinetic energy is at work. When
the soccer player kicks the ball, kinetic energy is at work there too.

Energy often changes forms. When you switch on the light, electricity
converts into light. When you eat, chemical energy from your food converts
into thermal and mechanical energy that allows you to move and work.
When you switch on a cell phone, chemical energy from the cell phones
battery converts into sound energy and light energy.

http://www.k12reader.com/worksheet/converting-energy-to-motion/view/
 Galileo Galilei was born in the year 1564. He was born in the town of Pisa, in what is
now Italy. When he was 20 years old, he was studying in Pisa. His father wanted him to be a
doctor. Galileo was bored with school. The only subject he really liked was math. Because he
was doing well in math, the court mathematician offered to tutor him privately He said he could
become a qualified mathematician. Galileos father was disappointed, but he agreed.
Because he needed to earn money, Galileo began experimenting with different things.
He tried to come up with an invention he could sell for money. He had some success with one
invention. It was like a compass that could be used to measure land. He experimented with
pendulums, thermometers, and magnets.
He heard that a Dutch inventor had invented something called a spyglass. The inventor
was trying to keep it a secret. Galileo decided to work on one of his own. Within 24 hours, he
had invented a telescope. It could magnify things to make them appear ten times larger than
real life. One night, he pointed his telescope toward the sky. He made his first of many space
observations. Everyone thought the moon was smooth. Galileo saw that it wasnt. The moon
was covered in bumps and craters.
As technology has improved, Galileo and many others have made improvements on the
telescope. Today, the telescope is a wonderful device that lets us see objects far, far away.

http://www.k12reader.com/worksheet/galileo-and-his-telescope-2/view/

Humans are the leading cause of plants and animals becoming endangered or extinct. An
endangered species has so few members that the species may die out. Unless something is done to
protect an endangered species, they will be gone forever. We will not have any more of that kind of plant
or animal on Earth.
The most dangerous thing humans do to endangered animals is destroy their habitats. This is
usually because we do not pay very close attention. When there is an area of land we want to use, we
dont notice what is already living there.
Thousands of acres of tropical forest, or rainforest, have been destroyed by humans. People
wanted the land and lumber for building projects. Countless plants and animals have been lost in this one
habitat alone. Many of the organisms that live in the tropical rainforest do not live anywhere else. We are
just beginning to discover medicines and other resources there. We risk losing that knowledge if more
species die out.
Most of us dont live near a tropical rainforest. However, that does not mean we are far away from
habitat destruction. When a town expands, more houses and businesses are built. The town pushes the
local wildlife farther from its natural habitat. Wetlands and grasslands are unique habitats that are
especially at risk. Thankfully, people are more aware of the problem. This is the first step toward
protecting habitats.

http://www.k12reader.com/worksheet/habitat-destruction/view/
 A species is the name for a group of animals that are alike, such as lions and tigers. If a species
is endangered, it means there are very few of those animals left in the world. If all the animals in a
species die, the species becomes extinct. Those animals are gone forever.
Many species are protected. A protected species means governments have made laws against
killing the animals.
The koala is close to being an endangered species. Interestingly, the koala is partly to blame for
its decline. Koalas are too stubborn for their own good!
When you were younger, were you a picky eater? Did your parents have to force you to eat things
that were good for you? Hopefully you listened to what they taught you and ate your dinner.
Koalas are picky eaters. They live in tall eucalyptus trees. Many of these trees are also called
gum trees. Koalas eat the leaves of those trees. Since there are over 600 different types of eucalyptus
trees, the koala should have no trouble finding food. But koalas are picky! They only want certain
eucalyptus tree leaves to eat. Out of the 600 varieties of trees, koalas will only eat the leaves of about 120
kinds of eucalyptus tree. Some are even pickier than that. The koalas of a specific area will only eat about
four or five kinds of eucalyptus leaves. They would rather starve than eat the other kinds. Now thats
stubborn!
The biggest problem for koalas now is that the brush land in Australia is being cut down. Towns
and cities are pushing farther into the brush. Since many koalas live there, they are losing their tree
homes and the trees leaves that feed them.

http://www.k12reader.com/worksheet/in-danger-of-extinction/view/

Have you noticed that sometimes the moon looks like a tiny sliver of light in the night sky? Other
times it is a big, brilliant circle. The moon has many different looks during the month. Each look is called a
lunar phase. Lunar means of the moon. The moon has phases because it orbits Earth. The Earth
revolves around the sun. The moon revolves separately around Earth. The moon itself does not actually
change size. It appears to change size because different parts of it are in the shadow.
In the new moon phase, none of the part of the moon that is facing Earth is lit by the sun. It
appears as only a dark outline. During the waxing crescent phase, the moon looks small. Only a tiny sliver
of the moons side that is facing Earth is lit by the sun. The next phase is the first quarter phase. In it, half
of the moons nearest side is lit by the sun. We see it as about one-fourth of a full moon. During the
waxing gibbous phase, more of the moon is lit. Even so, it is not quite a full moon yet. In the full moon
phase, all of the side of the moon that is facing Earth is lit by the sun. It appears as a large, bright circle.
During the waning gibbous phase, some of the part that was lit as a full moon begins to fall into the
shadows. In the last quarter phase, a different side of the moon is lit. Again, the moon appears as one-
fourth full. During the waning crescent phase, the moon slips further into shadows. It is a thin crescent
shape once more. After this phase, the entire lunar cycle begins again with a new moon.

http://www.k12reader.com/worksheet/phases-of-the-moon/view/
Jacob hated finishing things almost as much as he loved starting them. As a result, he
had gotten into a million hobbies and activities, but he never stuck with any of them
long enough to get any good.

He begged his mother for months for a guitar so that he could play Black Eyed Peas
songs to Angie, a girl he liked, but after he finally got one for Christmas, he found out
that guitars don 't play themselves. He took a few lessons, but strumming the strings
hurt his fingers and he didn't like holding the pick, so now the five-hundred dollar
guitar lives under his bed.

After reading an ad in the back of one of his comic books, Jacob decided that he
wanted a Wonder-Sweeper 5000 metal detector, so that he could find buried pirate
treasure. So he mowed lawns all summer and didn't spend his money on ice-cream
like his younger brother, Alex. He saved it all in a shoe box in his closet. Then he
shoveled driveways all winter, and he didn't spend his money on candy and chips like
his classmates. By the time spring came he had saved $200, and he purchased the
Wonder-Sweeper 5000 metal detector. He beeped it around the park for a while, be he
soon found out that no pirates had ever set sail in his neighborhood, and if they had
they didn't leave any treasure. Even though he found a key ring, forty-seven cents,
and all the bottle caps he could throw, he buried the metal detector in his closest.

Given Jacob's history with hobbies, it was no surprise that Jacob's father
was reluctant to buy him a magician's kit for his birthday. "Geez, Jacob... You sure
you wouldn't rather I got you more guitar lessons?" He suggested. Jacob was
insistent. "Dad, you've got to get me the magician's kit. This time I'll stick with it for
real. I promise! Come on, Dad," Jacob begged. Jacob's father sighed and then
replied, "Oh, I don't know, Jacob. Things are awfully tight right now." But Jacob's
father was reminded of his own youth long ago, when he quit football and started
karate practice before hardly getting his equipment dirty. So when Jacob's birthday
came around, Jacob was both surprised and pleased to find the magician's kit that he
had desired so badly with a big bright bow on it.
Jacob opened up the box and unwrapped the many parts in the kit. As he did so, he
imagined sawing his pet cat in half and putting it back together to the amazement of
his friends and family. He took the many fake coins, trick cards, and rope pieces of
varying length on the kitchen table and imagined pulling rabbits out of his hat and
turning them into pigeons with a mysterious puff of smoke. As Jacob continued
pulling plastic thumbs, foam balls, and giant playing cards out of the magic kit, a
commercial on the TV caught his attention. "Hey kids! Have you ever wanted to go
to space? Experience what it's like to be an astronaut? Do you want to explore the
universe? Well, now you can." As the commercial continued playing, Jacob walked
away from the magic kit on the kitchen table and stared at the TV screen longingly.
"For only $195 you can go to space camp and live life like an astronaut for a whole
weekend. Enroll now for a once in a life time experience." Jacob's cry rang
throughout the house as he yelled, "MOM!" He now knew what his true purpose in
life was.

http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/reading-comprehension-
worksheets/jacob-the-great.htm