Writing Workshop Group - TOEGTW Exercises: Please Read First Post

[Vertigo]

Exercises Submissions and discussion for the Workshop on The Oxford Essential Guide to Writing

Please Read This Post First

Please post your exercise submissions for the workshop here.

Discussion of the current chapter should be confined to the Workshop thread. This is for review of the exercises only.

You may post your submission whilst the chapter discussion is going on but please do not begin the review until the WO has made a “review open” post. This will probably be about a week after the chapter has been started, though it may be sooner if everyone has posted their submission.

Anyone may post reviews here but please make sure you read the opening post for each exercise, which will identify the points being worked on in that exercise. In particular we would welcome any input that more experienced writers might care to give J.

Whilst similar to critiquing this is NOT the same as the critiquing sub-forum. The aim is to assist everyone involved to understand how to apply the ideas in the current chapter. Please follow these guidelines:

1. Identify areas in each person’s submission where you feel they have gone wrong and try to suggest how it could have been done better.
2. Identify areas in each person’s submission that have succeeded in fulfilling the goals of the chapter. It’s just as important that people know what they have got right.
3. Generally you should only address areas in the submissions that are relevant to the chapter currently being worked on. However it is OK to bring up points from previous chapters. Got to catch any back-sliding!

We have NO teachers here. We are not marking each other but trying to help each other. Please do NOT assume your interpretation of the material is the only correct one.

Some other general guidelines to follow (liberally borrowed from the critiques thread):

1. Please remember when posting submissions here that SFF Chronicles is a family-friendly site. Consider carefully before posting submissions that contain sexual or excessively violent imagery. If you are unsure whether or not something crosses the line, please PM a moderator with your submission before posting.
2. Before posting your submission, please make sure it is as free of spelling and grammatical error as you can possibly make it. In that sense this is like a school where you would try and submit well-polished work rather than half finished work.
3. Expect reviews to be both critical and supportive. We are all here because we want to improve our writing. Part of that process is hearing what’s wrong as well as what’s right, even when you do not agree.
4. We do NOT want this thread degenerating in arguments!
5. Make sure your review is constructive and presented in a respectful way. Derogatory, spiteful or personal comments will not be tolerated, and will result in moderator intervention.

 

[Vertigo]

Please read this too!!!!!

I have created a separate thread for discussing each other's submissions here.

Please only post submissions here and use that thread for chatting about them.

 

[Vertigo]

I shall dive in first (jumping the gun a little) with my submission for ch12.

I have taken the “Economic Future” subject and extended it rather further into the future.

This was my outline

1. Topic: wealth without money
2. Background: Society without work
3. ....First problem: failure of money
4. ....First answer: barter instead of money
5. ....Second problem: failure of barter
6 Clarification: what is wealth?
7 Answer: status as wealth
8 Justification: status in history
9 ....Money as an anomaly
11 Mechanics: gaining and losing status
12 Nothing is perfect: No utopia
13 ....Example

And this my paragraph 160 words (close enough to ‘about 150’):

What is wealth without money? In a future society within which all energy, food production and manufacturing are fully automated and free, there would be no need for labour. Without labour money has no meaning. Without money, barter might suffice. But barter is difficult to apply to the abstract; how would scientists barter their work? Wealth is a measure of a person’s status. Without money status is wealth. This is nothing new, throughout history status is often as important as money – consider the world of the Japanese Samurai – and in primitive societies with no money, status would be all. Money is, conceivably, only a brief anomaly in the long history of wealth. Whether concrete or abstract, the person whose contribution to society is valued will gain status, whilst the person who does nothing of value will lose status. This, however, is no utopia; theft will still exist. To take credit for someone else’s work would be to ‘steal’ their status.

Here is my outline for the piece by W Nelson Francis:

1. Topic: a paradox about grammar
2. Specification: paradox first part – grammar is dull
3. ....paradox second part – strong views held without substance
4. Reason: ignorance and confusion
5. Conclusion: lack of understanding of grammar

I would add that I felt the clause ‘and there is an unfortunate confusion about the meaning of the term “grammar” itself’ somehow did not fit with the rest of the paragraph.

[Please don't forget to post comments/discussion on the exercises here]

 

[Jo Zebedee]

i went about it slightly differently, so I'm not sure I did it right.
I took the local politics subject and did it in real life. These were the ten sentences I came up with.

topic; N. irish politics
Spec; the outline of the parties.
Reason; to make it more accessible, and add a touch of humour.
Conclusion; explaining the disallusionment many have with the current stance.

Local politics in Ulster are robust. The political views are generally divided by religion. There is some common ground, particularly around the relative deprivation of Ni in comparison to the rest of the UK. Nationalist parites have a focus on unification with ROI. Untionist parties have a focus on remaining part of the Uk. Moderate parties, of which there are a few, have a focus on blending the needs of the populance with the disparate stances; no easy task. Many political paries in NI have a link, historically at least, with the armed struggle. The two most dominant parties are at extreme opposite to each other, whilst in many ways being quite alike. The elected parties feed into the legislative assembly, based in Stormont building in Belfast (also a very good place to visit if there is snow.) Most people in Northern Ireland think each party is pretty much as bad as each other, and a fair few wouldn't mind being able to vote for who actually sets the laws of the land.

Ch 13; the transitional devices I identified were: this, joint, how, probably so, and now.

The paragraph I rewrote came out as:

There are several kinds of tests. Some, like quizzes, deal with only a small amount of material, often covered in the preceeding week or two. Alternatively, pop quizzes are often given with only brief announcement. This leads to students missing them, and having to arrange make ups. Now, midterm comes about the sixth or seventh week and in some course is the only grade the teacher has for the midsemester mark. Therefore, it is important. Then, the final comes at the end of the course and is a large part of the student's grade. Consequently, the student works hard towards this.

 

[Vertigo]

My ch 13 submission. I've gone into a little more detail than springs.

Transitional devices in the first paragraph:
1 - 2. Syntactic patterning: …writing cannot be taught…Writing can only be taught...
3. Conjunctive adverb: This holds good…
4. Conjunctive adverb: …not merely…
6 – 10. Keyword repetition (reuniting after the tailor example): Students argue…Now a student in college must…
7. Conjunctive adverb (?): Probably so,…
10. Keyword repetition (between clauses not sentences) (?): …utmost…utmost
11. Conjunctive adverb (or something else): The two merge…

Rewriting the second paragarph for coherence and flow:
There are several kinds of test, including quizzes, pop quizzes and examinations; both midterm and final. Quizzes deal with only a small amount of material, usually that covered in the preceding week or two. Pop quizzes are often given without any announcement. These are often missed by students, who must then arrange makeups. Examinations are longer and cover more ground. The midterm examination comes in about the sixth or seventh week and in some courses is the only grade the teacher has for the midsemester mark, and consequently, it is important. The final examination comes at the end of the course and is a large part of the student’s grade. They must therefore work hard preparing for these finals.

 

[Moonbat]

Here is my chapter 12 work. I think I did it wrong to start with as I only wrote ten different topic lines, but then I have worked them into a paragraph. I'm not sure if I have this right and I probably have a lot more problems with it than Vertigo or Springs.


Part 3 Chapter 12
Expository Paragraphs

10 sentences on the topic of 'theeconomic future as you see it'

1. Topic: The economic future of the UK
2. Problem: On-going Industrialisation.
3. Symptom: We must accept the decline of our economy.
4. Symptom: The pursuit of growth leads to war.
5. Symptom: Perpetual growth is irresponsible.
6. Symptom: Continuation of outdated economic ideals.
7. Solution:A stable economy.
8. Method: Housing not industry.
9. Further Problems: socialism within capitalist economy
10. Further Problems: Too old or too lazy?

What does the UK's future economy looklike? As other other nations industrialise, the economy of thiscountry is going the same way as its empire. We must accept the slowdecline of our economy or, if we try to cling to our recedingeconomic power, prepare ourselves to become the bad guys. Thecontinued pursuit of economic growth will possibly lead us to war.Perpetual growth of the economy is not only naively idealistic butalso wholly irresponsible. The pursuit of outdated economic idealswill not lead to a bright economic future for the UK. A stableeconomy is a healthy one. Our economic future lies not in industry orcommerce or but in housing. Can true socialism be a part of aninherently capitalist economy? Is the UK population too old to workand getting older, or just too lazy and getting lazier?


Outline of piece by WN Francis

1 Topic: a paradox about grammar
2 Specification: Grammar is regardedby many as dull
3 Specification: Grammar is enforcedwith rigorous disdain by others
4 Conclusion: caused by confusion andignorance
5 Conclusion: lack of agreeddefinition of the term.

 

[Moonbat]

Part 3 Chapter 13

I have emboldened the bits I consider to be transitional devices.

Above the beginner's level, theimportant fact is that writing cannot be taught exclusively ina course called English Composition. Writing can only be taughtby the united efforts of the entire teaching staff. This holds goodof any school, college, or university. Joint effort is needed,not merely to “enforce the rules”; it is needed toinsure accuracy in every subject. How can an answer in physics or atranslation from the French or an historical statement be calledcorrect if the phrasing is loose or the key word wrong? Studentsargue that the reader of the paper know perfectly well what is meant.Probably so, but a written exercise is designed to be read; itis not supposed to be a challenge to clairvoyance. My Italian-borntailor periodically sends me a postcard which runs: “Your clothesis ready and should come down for a fitting.” I understand him, butthe art I honour him for is cutting cloth, not precision ofutterance. Now a student in college must be inspired to achieve inall subjects the utmost accuracy of perception combinedwith the utmost artistry of expression. The two merge anddevelop the sense of good workmanship, or preference for quality andtruth, which is the chief mark of the genuinely educated man.

Here is my re-written paragraph

There are several kinds of test:quizzes, pop quizzes, midterms and finals. Quizzes deal with only asmall amount of material, usually that covered in the preceding weekor two. Where as pop quizzes are often given without anyannouncement. And so students often miss them and have to arrangemake-ups. Examinations; midterms or finals, are longer and deal witha greater amount of material. The midterm comes in about the sixth orseventh week and in some courses in the only grade the teacher hasfor the mid-semester mark. Therefore it is important. The final comesat the end of the course and is a large part of your grade. And sostudents work hard preparing for finals.

 

[Abernovo]

This is my effort for Chapter 12. Like Vertigo, I used an SF scenario, but with politics.

1. Topic: the off-Earth colonial political landscape
2. Problem: historical context
3. Solution: 'nationality'
4. Consequences
5. Structure: political authorities
6. Structure: Hierarchy and rights
7. Rights: citizenship and residency
8. Rights: Earthers' residency
9. Rights: voting
10. Summation: evolution.

The politics of the off-Earth colonies are complex. The subject of the inhabitants' nationality and their representation was raised early on. Eventually, they were deemed to have supranational citizenship. That led to the status of Universal Citizen. Each colony has its own local government, subordinate to the Orbital Council. Through this Council, colonial citizens gained a voice at the United Nations, and established a constitution setting out their individual rights. These include pan-colonial citizenship, although a residency visa is required to remain in most countries on Earth. Likewise, citizens from Earth must gain a visa for any length of stay in the colonies. Voting can be complicated though, with local elections requiring pemanent residency, and 'national elections' being restricted to citizens of that 'country'. So, whilst the last century has seen radical changes in the 'political landscape' of space, it remains a fluid situation; a work in progress that is still evolving.

 

[choccoweeble]

Well here's my attempt at Chapter 12 - I wanted to write about something that interested me in relation to one of the topics given, but on reflection I suspect I tried to cover a little too much in a single paragraph, so I think it's turned out a bit unwieldy. Hopefully you can still make sense of it!

Topic : Environment vs Economy
False Assumption : Economic Growth can continue indefinitely
Limiting Factor : Finite Resources
Result : Global Recession
Dilemma : Need to stimulate economy without damaging environment
Solution : Economic Reform
Method 1 : Legislate to encourage business ethos
Method 2 : Create green jobs
Method 3 : Green Tax and Budget Reform
Method 4 : Invest in Green Infrastructure

There is a collision taking place, on a world scale, between economy and ecology. Current economic models and methods are labouring under the misapprehension that economic growth can continue indefinitely. Sadly, this results from an oversimplification – we do not take account of the fact that resources are finite. Global recession is the inevitable result - the market responds to rising consumer demand and falling availability of resources by putting prices up, hence the recent increases in the cost of oil, food, and other commodities. Governments become desperate to stimulate economic growth, but most methods result in a polluting effect; buy more cars vs drive less for example. The only way of breaking out of this cycle is economic reform – a shift must happen towards green economics and the recession provides the perfect opportunity. Firstly, legislation and incentives should be put in place to encourage industry to move towards sustainable business practices and a “green ethos”. Secondly, steps should be taken to create green jobs, for example: by requiring energy companies to provide more renewables. Thirdly, taxes should be levied on environmentally damaging activities and products, whilst counterproductive subsidies that favour unsustainable development are gradually eliminated - redirecting fiscal funds towards areas that support green growth. Finally, investment should be made into green infrastructure - the network of natural environmental components and green spaces that lie within and between cities, towns and villages - providing multiple social, economic and environmental benefits.

 

[Glen]

12 A)
Expository paragraphs are a writer’s best friend! They allow the writer to explain a fact, idea or belief to his (or her) reader. To create a good expository paragraph the writer should include one or more concise and emphatic “topic sentences” which clearly express an aspect of the subject matter. To attract the readers attention the writer may use an eye-catching form of sentence, such as a rhetorical question, or sentence-fragment. Each sentence in an expository paragraph should help to reflect a rational analysis of the subject. So a good measure of the quality of a paragraph is how closely the sentences align with the development of ideas.

12 B)
1 Topic: grammar paradox.
2 Paradox part 1: grammar regarded as dull…
3 Paradox part 2: …others hold strong opinions about grammar
4 Cause of differing opinions: ignorance and confusion
5 Conclusion (of para): further elaboration of ignorance and confusion.

13 A)
Repeated key word(s) : writing, written.
Question and response.
Effective order – sentences form a coherent argument.
Links to preceeding sentences, e.g. “Probably so…”, “I understand him…”, “Now..”

13 B)
Students may need to sit several kinds of test which differ in scale. Quizzes are smaller scale tests, generally on recently covered material. Pop quizzes may be given without notice, and if missed students will need to arrange makeup sessions to take the quiz. Examinations are larger scale tests which cover more material and are important as they will always affect grade. Midterm examinations are usually set in the sixth or seventh week and may provide the only grade the teacher’s midsemester mark. Final examinations are set at the end of a course and provide a large part of students’ grades.

 

[Abernovo]

And here is my attempt at the Chapter 13 exercise. I'll leave off the the transitional devices, as I think that's been effectively covered.


There are several kinds of test. Quizzes, for example, deal with only a small amount of material, usually that covered in the preceding week or two. One type, the pop quiz is often given without any announcement, which means students often miss them and have to arrange makeups. Exminations, on the other hand, are longer and cover more ground. Of these, the midterm comes in about the sixth or seventh week and, in some courses, is the only grade the teacher has for the midsemester mark. It is therefore important. Another exam, the final, comes at the end of the course and is a large part of your grade. Students generally work hard preparing for the finals because of this.

 

[TacticalLoco]

Chapter 12


On June 5 2012, the state of Wisconsin will hold an election in an attempt to re-call Governor Scott Walker. Much is at stake for both sides of the political spectrum, but exactly what and why depends on who you listen to. Democrats claim that Walker made a massive power grab and stripped local unions of their collective bargaining powers. They also say he did so without warning, having not campaigned on any of these issues. The Governor and state Republicans however tell a different story. They say these changes are needed to empower local government to deal with massive funding cuts required to balance the state budget. Whichever side wins will clearly make a difference in the political direction the state will follow for some time to come.


Topic: Local State Politics, Recall Election, Wisconsin, USA
Reasons, Democrats
Further info
Reasons, Republicans
Further info
Conclusions

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Okay, so rolling up my sleeves, I took the restatement paragraph as my homework fro chapter 13.

My work in progress is finished for now. Finished, complete, en finato. After almost a year of pretty much constant work, it feels good to have reached the end and begin to think about submitting it. In fact, the deadline for a submission may have been what enabled me to get to the point of completion. Without it, I would have continued to dally along, and figure I'd get there at some point. Now, as it stands, it's ready to send it to Strange Chemistry in a week's time, and I can get on with the sequel, which is very far from finished. So, fingers crossed: fly, little WIP, fly. You're done. (For now.)

And for chapter 15, I used two of my cities in the WIP (purely due to lack of time to do research in RL) and did the contrast chapter.

1. Abendau and Dignad are both capital cities on planets with the same names. Abendau, however, is the lead planet of the twelve Combined planets which hold the power in the Pettina Empire, whilst Dignad is one of the middle sector planets, providing services to the Central planets. Abendau is the location of the Empress Pettina's empire, and is ruled by a totalitarian planetary government. Dignad, by contrast, is maintained by the Empire using martial law. In terms of environment, Abendau is a desert planet, where Dignad is a barren planet due to its low clouds capturing the pollution of the planet and smothering plant life.

exercise two; around 3/4 points of difference.
Abendau and Dignad differ in a number of areas. Abendau is the central planet and city of the Pettina Empire, where Dignad is a secondary planet which provides services only. Abendau is by far the larger of the two cities, with a populance of several million, against two million in Dignad. Finally, in terms of industry, Abendau, as the centre of government is primariliy tertiary industry, where Dignad provides ship yard services to the Combined planets, and is primarily industrial.

and c: similarities.

Abendau and Dignad are both governed by the Empress Pettina and form part of her empire. Both are controlled closely by the government and support large numbers of troops. Finally, both planets are outside the areas of the twin galaxies where the Banned, the force in opposition to the Empire have influence.

 

[Glen]

A bit late this week. I blame Easter for this, and take no accountability myself. I didn't complete all the exercises. That is also Easter's fault - not mine.

Ch 14 A)

• Topic sentence is first sentence.
• Examples introduced in second sentence. The “For example” is ambiguous, it seems to be more about extending the argument that providing a useful example. The Ali Baba reference is the first concrete example.
• Examples not clear and don’t support the argument. People know the story of the forty thieves – I’m not convinced knowing the name of the rock is the same as knowing the words of a spell. The second example uses gods, who are presumably sentient, and so not things.

CH 14 B)

I found this difficult. I started trying to construct an logical argument: this thing is true, and this thing is true, so therefore this third thing is true – not meeting the requirements of the test - repeating.
The exercise reminded me of the BBC Radio 4 Comedy “like just a minute” – now while one of the rules is to avoid repetition of words not in the topic title, the contestants do need to stick on topic.

Amateur bushwalkers in Australia should always carry more water than they think they will need. They need water to stave off the inevitable thirst from their exertions in high temperatures. Daytime temperatures can be high throughout the year and bushwalking can deplete fluids quickly. Early and plentiful drinking of water is needed to prevent dehydration, as once the symptoms of headache, fatigue and confusion appear it may be too late to effectively treat during the walk. The seasoned bushwalker knows that water supplies are often not available, even at the most well-maintained tracks, and natural water supplies may not be potable. The inconvenience of carrying the weight is outweighed by the benefits to health and comfort.


CH 15 A)
a) Contrasting low impact of Indians with (US) Americans.
b) Comparable focus, but US probably has more – supported by (what looks to be) researched facts, figures etc. The Indian description is generic and stereotypical (at a point in time).
c) The two subjects are the two countries. There is an initial comparison of population size and land area in the opening para. Then Each subject is compared in a separate para.

CH 15 B)
I’ve hidden the name of the least favourite city – they have enough problems without me slagging them off.
Subjects one by one:
Sydney and R******* differ in key ways.
Sydney is a vibrant, modern city. It is a hub of commerce and industry for NSW. They city centre boasts retail precincts that are modern, eclectic and varied. It is a scenic city, home to architectural and cultural icons know the world over.
R******* is a dead, moribund, cankerous hole with a commercial and industrial presence that resides only in its past. Charity shops and a dwindling number of financial institution branches are its chief retail opportunities. Unknown, with nothing to offer except a starting point to move to other locations, this town is largely unknown beyond its immediate environs.

Differences one by one:
Sydney is a vibrant, modern city which far outshines R******* which is a dead, moribund, cankerous hole. Sydney is a hub of commerce and industry for NSW, while R*******’s commercial and industrial presence resides only in its past. Sydney boasts retail precincts that are modern, eclectic and varied, but R******* has only charity shops and a dwindling number of financial institution branches. R******* is largely unknown beyond its immediate environs but does provide an incentive and opportunity to move to somewhere like Sydney, home to architectural and cultural icons know the world over.

CH 15 C)
Lightning marks named after mark lightning amade – a kind of analogy?
Author likens self to arrow shaft, and the book/words to the blood that spills from a wounded beast. Effective? Yes – invites reader to follow (barefoot and trembling) the story in the same way the stalker follows the beast. The analogy lends excitement to the act of reading.

CH 15 D)
This exercise reminds me of Swiss Tony: “Washing a car is very much like making love to a beautiful woman…”

 

[Moonbat]

Chapter 14

A)
Topic – primitive beliefs in arelationship between word and thing.
Example 1 – explicitly introduced insecond sentence– Ali Baba & open sesame
Example 2 - Taboo Words introducedlater– Faeries
Example 3 – Greek names changed toappease Gods.


I feel the first two examples are inadequate support for the topic as the first is a magic word to open a door, it does not imply that Ali Baba had control over the stone. The second example of words becoming taboo and so euphemisms being used is also a weak link to the topic as the phrase 'little folk' is not exclusive to Faeries and could also be construed as an insult. The third example, on the other hand, does specifically show that the renaming was used to flatter the vengeful mythological creatures.

B)

Technological advances have made the world a better place to live. Technology aids instant communication in a variety of media. Technology assists doctors and surgeons during life saving operations. Technology increases the control we have over our environment and the ability to react when the environment is beyond our control. Technology has helped increase our life expectancy. The spread of modern technology has had direct influence upon the freedom of people and assisted in their fight against oppression.

C)

Television replaced the radio as the central social hub in a household and is now fighting against its own demise in the face of the home computer. Television screens have become larger, flatter and, most importantly, are now designed with aesthetics in mind; to ensure their place in a household is decorative as well as functional. Television speakers have left the main unit and are now placed around the room creating a more immersive audio experience. Televisions are now capable of, and in some cases expected to have, access to digital media; which can be purely audio (songs), purely visual (photographs) or digital copies of films or programs. Television is increasingly being utilised as a visual communication device, with the availability of software like Skype, over the internet face to face calls are now free and, with current broadband speeds, relatively pain free. Televisions are becoming more interactive, with on-demand content, internet television and software like Microsoft's media centre, the television can (and is hoping to) retain its place as the central social hub in a household. The challenge to television's dominance from computers is leading towards a television that is no longer a passive screen to watch but the main display in part of an interactive system that covers all media requirements.

 

[Abernovo]

Sorry this has taken so long to get posted. This week has been a bit of a struggle to get anything done that I wanted to.

Ch14 a)
Topic sentence: Primitive peoples...

Examples:
For example, they believe...
The Greeks came to...

The first example is explicitly introduced, the second is not. However, neither is really effective. Instead, the examples go off on their own tangent, rather than supporting the original topic. This leaves the paragraph muddled, at least for me, and without a clean delivery.


b) Restatement Paragraph

Planetary exploration is a new endeavour for the human race. Such exploration is presently restricted to highly trained specialists. Exploring exo-planets can be dangerous, with the explorers at risk from the planet's fauna, flora or even its environment. These alien planets can be very different to Earth, meaning that any exploration must be planned very carefully. However, this is no deterrent to the modern explorer, who is a trained professional, having studied his or her craft from at least university level. They give full credit to the explorers of the past, without whom they would not be here: Magellan, de Gama, Gargarin, Armstrong, Yang. But this is a new breed, taught the science of exploration for today's cosmos.

I suspect this might come across a bit like a recruitment advert. If it does, apologies. I've been writing my pitch for a project, so I'm in that mind set. I'm writing up Ch15, but bearing in mind the time, I might just keep that for myself, as I don't want to hold up the progress of the group. I presume we move on to 16&17 next week.

 

[Vertigo]

Sorry for the late delivery but as explained elsewhere I have been away. I have also skipped some of the exercises (just too many of them this week). So I apologise if these come across as a bit rushed... because they were!

Ch14 a
Topic sentence - Primitive peoples… - a bit loose and rambling. Talking about ‘this belief’ before saying what ‘this belief’ is was a little confusing. Though that is probably because it is taken out of context.
Examples introduced by: For example; In ‘Ali Baba…; Such as; The Greeks came to.

The examples came across to me as a little confused largely because they are examples of different things. So ‘for example’ introduces an example of the relationship between word and thing, then ‘in “Ali Baba…”’ introduces an example of naming and power. ‘Such as’ introduces an example of the euphemisms as does ‘The Greeks came to…’ So maybe the problem is just too many examples of different things ends up obscuring what the paragraph was about.

Ch14 b
The dart gun has the potential to be an effective weapon for use in spaceships. The dart is light; reducing the recoil effects in free fall. It stops people through toxin rather than damage; eliminating the risk of compromising the superstructure. Powered by compressed gas, it is silent; removing the confusion caused by the noise of gun shots in enclosed spaces. Being non-metallic, they could be made small and lightweight; reducing the inconvenience of bulky weapons in a potentially cramped environment. As an added bonus the toxin could be made either lethal or just a temporary sedative; providing a flexible multipurpose weapon.


Ch15
(a)
Rock climbing and scuba diving differ in a number of important ways. Rock climbing is performed (one hopes) on dry land; climbers tend to run for safety at the first sign of actual water! Only one member of the team actively climbs at any time, whilst the other is responsible for belaying and protecting him with the rope. The climbers’ progress is slow and methodical with the second climber closely following the route and moves of the leader.

Scuba diving, on the other hand, is performed underwater; there really wouldn’t be much point without the water! Both members of the team actively swim at the same time and must monitor each other’s safety continuously. The divers’ progress is relatively fast and unfettered and each is free to choose their own course.

(b)
Rock climbing and scuba diving differ in a number of important ways. Scuba diving is performed underwater, something the rock climber assiduously avoids. Divers pair up as buddies monitoring each other’s safety at all times, whereas in rock climbing only one will climb at any given time, whilst their partner watches and protects with the rope. Each diver can swim freely, choosing their own particular course. The lead climber, on the other hand, must make slow, methodical progress and their partner must eventually follow their route closely.

(c)
Yet despite these differences rock climbing and scuba diving are alike in a number of ways. In rock climbing the climber must trust their partner absolutely, just as the scuba diver must trust their “buddy” to monitor their behaviour and equipment. Communication in mountain environments can be difficult requiring codes of rope tugs; communication underwater is even more problematic requiring codes of hand signals. In both cases, these two sports are unusual in that the participants must trust their partners sufficiently to place their lives in their hands and it is not uncommon to have that trust proven.

 

[Glen]

Glen - Ch 16 exercises

16 A)
Intro (effect) – tough business
Cause - cost
Cause - competition
Effect - businesses struggling/failing

16 B)
Hiking, or bushwalking as it is more properly known, provides the benefit of sometimes strenuous physical exercise. It offers the opportunity to be outdoors and by its nature tends to encourage the walker to travel to new places. Because hiking can be done alone, it is accessible to a Billy-no-mates.

The physical nature of bushwalking provides improved cardio-vascular fitness, strength and stamina. It is outdoors and allows the walker to be rejuvenated by the wonders of nature, and to enjoy the experience of travelling to new places. It offers those who are socially challenged to do something physical.

 

[Moonbat]

I have missed chapter 15 (I was busy last week) so, to ensur eI don't slow things down, here is chapter 16 (17 to follow if I have time)


Chapter 16

set up – cruel decade for magazinebusiness

cause – rising costs, (production,postal, paper)

effect – difficulty turning profit

cause – competition with television

effect – mass circulation giantsfailed.



The enormous Increase in the cost ofhousing

Reasons

The enormous increase in housing costfrom one generation to the next has put pressure on both parents andchildren alike. Inflation has risen at a steady rate since the1960's. This means that the cost of labour has increased alongsidethe cost of building materials. On top if this the housing marketitself has inflated beyond the general economy causing severalhousing bubbles that, though they may burst, never fully deflate.

Effects

Uneven inflation between the generaleconomy and the housing market means many first time buyers must saveconsiderably more than the preceding generation before getting ontothe housing ladder. Subsequently children are forced to remain livingunder their parent's roof for longer. This in turn delays coupleswith mature children are from downsizing, holding on to family sizedhouses for longer than may have previously been necessary. Whichleads to less homes on the market for the first time buyers, althoughthe high demand means these are priced extortionately.

 

[Glen]

Glen - Ch 17 Exercises (well, some of them...)

Ch 17 A)
There are four kinds of hammers a workman may use around the home. At the smaller end of the range there are lightweight pin hammers, used as the name suggests for knocking in small pins or nails, usually into wood. Next in size is the claw-hammer for knocking in larger nails, and, with the ‘claw’, pulling nails out. Larger still is the heavy duty lump hammer, useful for driving bolsters, or breaking small lumps of masonry. Largest of all domestic hammers, the sledge: with its long handle and heavy head this will break concrete. Generally speaking, if a piece of technology does not work, you should try hitting it with increasingly large hammers until it works.

Ch 17 B)
Sorry, I couldn't face this one.


Ch 17 C)
Maugham – “to my mind” – yes, effective, as clearly stating this is an opinion.
Lucas – “That is not always so” – no, not effective, seems argumentative, and the conclusion on radiant health is not logically related to the argument about not being hungry.

Ch 17 D a)
Baseball is the great American game, but its supremacy is being challenged by other sports.
While its supremacy is being challenged by other sports, baseball remains the great American game.

nor could I face doing Ch 17 D b or c - I felt it would just be more of the same. No, hold on, I did do them, but the dog (Ted) ate them.