Discuss the argument presented in the documentary based on the questions about "The End of Suburbia".

Q1. The main claim is that people live in suburbia need consuming a lot of fossil fuel in their automoblies. But right now, the global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply. World Oil Peak and the inevitable decline of fossil fuels are upon us now. This is a big warning to everyone who live in surburbia.

Q2. The background of the problem is that the world Oil Peak and the inevitable decline of fossil fuels are upon us now. Because the United states had past it's oil peak in 1970's. Therefore, it's a hot issue for people live in the world to care about.

Q3. The reasons are due to the following relations. After the World War II, North americans hvae the American Dream want to live in suburbia-> People in suburbia need personal automobiles to go everywhere fo living -> A lot of automobiles need a lot of fossil fuel -> But the fossil fuel on the earth is limited -> Many experts says that the oil peak will pass in 2010 -> In order to prevent the American Dream broken, we need to do something in advance. Such as developing new technology in automobile or find the other kinds of energy for people to use.

Q4. The evidences are in the following examples. 1.The blockout happened in toronto, Canada
2.The data shows on the graphic about oil peak 3.The oil price is getting higher and higher 4.The living style in suburbia is hard to chang in a short time.

Q5. First, the biochemical fuel is already available on the market. You can choose to fill this kind of fuel in your car. Second, the experts still can not calculate the real quantity of the oil on the
earth. Third, the hybrid car already manufactured and sold by the motor company, such as Toyota and Ford. The car can use the hydrogen to generate power pushing the car forward.

Q6. The energy prices skyrocket in the coming years. And the living style will have a big change in north america. The energy's price will become higher than everyone can afford in daily life.

Q7.The scientists need to find out other replacement energy quickly. Beacuse the time is almost not enough for reserching when compare to the fossil fuel consuming speed. Such as solar energy, wind, and other nature resources.

Discuss whether you think mixed marriages are good or bad. If you were going to do research on mixed marriages, what factors would you investigate?

There is a true stroy about mixed marriage in my big family. My second aunt, old sister of my father, married to a Japanese around thrity years ago. In my childhood, I always remember everytime when she came bake to Taiwan to see my grandparent. She always brought the most popular toys in japan to us. My cousin and I are so glad that we had a mixed marriage in our big family. Because it is not so many opportunities to have a mixed marriage in that time in taiwan. In traditional society, older parent will help their daughter to decide whom will marry to. Therefore, it is not so easy to have a free choice to my aunt whom can choose who she loves independently. And I think another reason is due to my grantparent have a open-minded heart. They allowed their children to decide their most important decision in the lifetime, and to choose your love in the world.

In my personal view, having a mixed marriage is good. Beacuse you can have a chance to become very familiar to another country's customs, cultures, and open your minded in different way. The world is too big to understand. It is a good way to understand other country's culture through mixed marriages. The chance for me to have a mixed marriage is hard to calculate, if someday I just have a chance to meet someone that I really like and fall in love with her. In the end, I will choose to have a mixed marriage without a doubt.

What do you think is the ideal age for a child to be introduced to computers?

In my opinion, I think the ideal age for children to be introduced to computers is when they starting learning in the kindergarten. Because in this age, the brain activity is very active and dynamic in these children. They can learn and try to understand everything quickly. They are very curious about the world, and I think you should give them an opportunity and a very powerful tool to use for them to try to realize everything they can. The young children can try to dig out everything they can realized and understand by using the special designed computers, and which is designed for learning purpose no matter outside the hardware or inside the software. The most importat reason is giving them a choice to decide to use the computer or not, because they can understand in this world there is a kind of tool called computer for them to use if they want to. Besides, they still have teachers at school and parents at home to support them, and give them the different solutions when they can't figure out the answer of the question they face when use the computer. For this reason, i think the ideal age for a child to introduced to computers is around six to eight years old.

Responses to the three questions on p.15

Q1. There might be as many health related concerns such as problems with your eyes, and getting addicted to the computer that you might stop thinking than the computer instead for your brain. Therefore, you would not be able to think broadly as you should.

Q2.These parents realized that they have done a big mistake by not sending their children outside in the real world where they can explore themselves and would get smarter naturally.

Q3.The main factor can determine how useful computers are in the classroom is whether have well-trained teachers. Because the well-trained teacher can use the tools for simulations and applications.

Summary of "beyond Rivalry"

During childhood, siblings are a major part of each other's lives, for better or for worse. As adults they may drift aparts as they become involved in their own careers, marriages and families. But in later life, which retirement from career, an empty home, and parents and sometiomes spouses gone, brothers and sisters often turn back to each other for a special affinity and link to the past. Psychologist of the University of Hartford Michael Kahn says "In the stressful, fast-pased world we live in, the siblings relationship becomes for many the only intimate connection that seems to last" And psychologist Deborah Gold of the Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development points out,"Since people are living longer and are healthier longer, they will be more capable of giving help." But siblings may not turn to each other for help because of latent rivalry. They may believe that if they need to call on a brother or sister they are admitting that the other person is a success and I am a failure. Almost all of the people in God's study said they would rather than continue on their own than ask their brother or sister for help. But Gold found that a chrisis beyond control would inspire a rallying of some or all siblings around the brother or sister in need. Despite the quarreling and competition many people associate with the mere mention of their brothers and sisters, most of us will find unexpected strengths in this relationship in later life.

Summary of "State Lotteries are needed"

Throughout history, the state lottery is an attractive option to legislators because citizens are not compelled to contribute. Without a state lottery, legislators are compelled to impose higher taxes upon citizens to meet the financial needs. Lotteries thus provide essential funds for state programs through voluntary taxation. Take the George state for example, properly managed state-sanctioned lottery programs have helped states raise over thrity billion dollars in revenue nationally. In 1995, the state government provided 85 million in scholarships which allowed more than 100,000 high school graduates to receive post secondary education. Another public benefit derived from state lotteries is found in the jobs created by these lotteries and the programs they help fund. More than 8,000 jobs in George are directly attributable to the state lottery and its funded programs. States can also profit from lotteries because of the economic benefits of providing relief to state taxpayers. Take the Wisconsin state legislature for example, it has given its citizens close to two billion dollars in property tax relief since the state's lottery began in 1988. When effective adminstration of lottery revenue is achieved, the proceeds can accomplish a great deal of good.

Writing exercises. Alter the following sentences to make them academically respectable and defensible.

1. Physical attraction is important for marital happiness.
=>Physical attraction may not be so important for marital happiness.

2.Economic sanctions are ineffective.
=>Most of the economic sanctions may be ineffective.

3.Alcohol causes people to become violent.
=>Drinking a lot of alcohol beverages would causes people to become violent.

4.Passive smoking causes cancer.
=>Passive smoking could be the major reason causes cancer.

5.Recycling is the best solution to the waste disposal problem.
=>Recycling is might be the best solution to the waste disposal problem.

6.Physical exercise lessens the severity of depression.
=>Physical exercise lessens may reduce the severity of depression.

7.Great novels do not make great films.
=>Great novels do not always make great films.

8.Private schools provide better education than do public schools.
=>Most of private schools provide better education than do public schools.