yuan chang

2006-08-27T14:14:00.000+08:00

Article 15
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5285206.stm

Summary
[] The number of seats set aside in these institutions for lower-caste students will increase to nearly 50% to enable more underprivileged groups access to higher education through an affirmative action bill in parliament.

[] It is the only way to undo centuries of discrimination and will allow millions of students from traditionally disadvantaged communities access to some of India's best-known professional colleges.

[] Many elite, upper class Indians see the move as a cynical attempt by politicians to gain votes from the influential lower castes who are a dominant force across the country.

[] Some think that it is simply wrong to have an affirmative action plan which is based purely on the basis of which caste you are born into. "If you want to promote equality in India, then you should do it with reservation on an economic basis.”

Response
It is unfair for the students to be refused of entry to a college merely because they are from the lower-caste. Entry to college should be based on merit, not the castes students are born into. For many years, lower-caste students are at disadvantage when applying for college. To rectify the injustice, the Indian government passed a controversial affirmative action bill. This will increase the number of seats set aside in these institutions for lower-caste students, enabling them to gain access to higher education in India.
Although, this affirmative action bill may benefit the lower caste students, other students may instead be disadvantaged. To promote equality in India, entry to colleges should be based on merit. Allowing students to enter college based on castes may cause a decline in the academics standards of the country’s colleges. However, without the affirmative action bill, the better students in the lower caste may be underprivileged. Hence, to achieve equality in India, Indians will have to pass the castes people belong, and judge based on merit.

[172words]

2006-08-27T12:35:00.000+08:00

Article 14
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5151740.stm

Summary
[] There are thousands of Africans who have risked their lives crossing the sea to seek new opportunities in the European Union.

[] Tenerife is now on the frontline of international efforts to keep illegal African migrants out of Europe.

[] If would-be migrants arrive on shores of Canary Islands alive, a borderless Europe means the prospect of eventually being able to travel, work and live in any of the 25 EU countries.

[] Since the beginning of 2006, up to 10,000 Africans have boarded handmade boats in the hope of getting into Europe, ready to risk death.

[] More than 1,700 have died along the way and coastguards working off the Canary Islands have rescued hundreds of men, women and children.

Response
Many Africans chose to sail across the dangerous sea for a better life in Europe. This year, there are already 10, 000 Africans who tried to get into Europe through illegal means. According to the records, this number is already twice the number recorded in 2005. Many a times, when the migrants successfully survived the journey to Europe, they are treated by Red Cross, then detained and flown to the Spanish capital, Madrid, where their asylum claims are processed and they are flown home. As the number of illegal migrants increases, Spain is not able to cope with rising number of migrants. They sought help and support from the rest of the European Union countries. This is not just an illegal immgrants problem for Spain, but for the rest of Europe.

[131 words]

2006-08-27T12:10:00.000+08:00

Article 13
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/ptech/08/22/cellular.recycling.ap/index.html

Summary
[] With Americans trading in their phones for fancier models every 18 months on average, the supply of used but perfectly functional phones is enormous.

[] ReCellular’s loading dock gets a flood of phones, some arriving in charity group's individual mailers and other in large boxes from companies such as Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile, which then donate the revenue from the phones to charities.

[] ReCellular handles about 500 phone models. About 60 percent of the phones that come in are reusable. The rest are used for parts or sold as scrap.

[] 55 percent to 60 percent of Recellular phones are sold outside the U.S. and the company has about a quarter of the worldwide cell phone refurbishing business.

Response
Refurbishing and recycling cell phones are booming businesses. There were 2.14 billion of cellular subscribers worldwide in year 2005. With Americans trading in their phones for fancier models every 18 months on average, the number of used but functional cell phones is enormous. But many of these usable phones are not put to good use. Refurbished used phones are sold to developing countries where the cost of a brand-new cell phone is too high for most to afford. Cheaper refurbished cell phones in developing world are opening doors to wireless communication in much of the developing world. With these doors open, these developing countries will be able to keep in touch with the rest of the world.
The March of Dimes, which does research and education on birth defect prevention, turned to ReCellular when it decided to launch a cell phone donation program several years ago. The drive brings in about $160,000 a year.
Canadian Association of Food Banks, the umbrella group for 2,000 food banks and other agencies across Canada has collected about 100,000 phones through its Phones for Food program that began in 2003, raising about $140,000.
[189 words]

2006-08-27T12:06:00.000+08:00

Article 12
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4617646.stm

SUMMARY
[] An estimated 100 schools in UK are teaching Mandarin Chinese.
[] Mandarin is a tough language for Westerners.
[] Firstly, the script poses problems. There is no alphabet, just thousands of characters.
[] Secondly, the tonal system is hard for the Westerners.
[] The number of people in UK learning Mandarin has gone up in the recent years.

RESPONSE
The world is realizing the importance and the potential of the up rise of the China’s economy. There are many people learning the language of Mandarin, in order to be able to work with the Chinese in the future.
I think it is a blessing for most Singaporeans, from young, we have been living in a multi-lingual environment. Most of us are proficient in both English and Chinese. This gives us a competitive edge over others who just started learning Mandarin. However, what we have learnt is not as good or fluent as the native speakers. We should work hard at grasping the language, especially since, we have a head start compared to others.
Teens, in Singapore, often disregard the language of Mandarin. They place more emphasis on the language of English. Not many teens can communicate their thoughts fluently in Mandarin. I think it is a pity, it should rather easier to learn Mandarin in Singapore as compared to in UK. This is because there are many people who speak the language here, in Singapore. Therefore, making it relatively easier for people to learn the language.

[187words]

2006-08-27T12:05:00.000+08:00

Article 11
http://www.cbc.ca/story/science/national/2006/07/18/cervical-cancer.html

Summary
[] Health Canada has approved a vaccine that protects against the human papilloma virus, or HPV, which is responsible for most cases of cervical cancer in women.

[] HPV is said to infect half of all sexually active women between ages 18 and 22 in North America.

[] This year in Canada, nearly 1,400 new cases of cervical cancer are expected and approximately 390 women will die from the disease.

Response
The vaccine is a beneficial discovery that will advantage the women around the globe. By approving the vaccine, women, between ages 9 and 26, will have a chance in preventing diseases, such as cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, precancerous lesions and genital warts caused by HPV.
Currently, this vaccine is only offered in Canada through doctors and pharmacists. I look forward to seeing this vaccine being made available to the whole world. I’m sure that this will be the most welcomed in poorer countries, where people cannot afford the expensive medical care that a patient will incur because of the HPV-caused diseases. When the people suffer from such disease, they will eventually die because they cannot afford the medical health care. The vaccine will be a less expensive prevention measure for the poor.
The relevant Canadian authorities hoped that, in the near future, this vaccine will given to all female children before they become sexually active and prone to the exposure to the virus. I think that, this will be an effective measure, it will be easier to prevent the disease than to cure it. Even though, the vaccine will not be able to prevent all strains of the virus, but I’m sure that, in time to come, the researchers would either already come up with an improved vaccine or even a cure for the HPV-caused diseases.

[228words]

2006-08-27T12:03:00.001+08:00

Article 10
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5074642.stm

Summary

[] The latest initiative by the Money Programme, called Body Talk, includes a training pack that shows pupils how the beauty industry and the media create artificial and unattainable images of beauty on billboards and in magazines.

[] L 'Oreal advertising campaign, which has been going since 1973, has been one of the most successful with its roll call of A-List celebrities and its very catchy phrase, "because you're worth it".

[] There is a very different approach from Dove with its revolutionary campaign for real beauty that has received enormous publicity by using women of all shapes and sizes in standard issue white bra and pants to advertise their firming lotion.

[] The insecurities that all these girls have, help drive sales in the beauty industry.

[] "Sixty-seven per cent of girls think they are overweight and six out of 10 girls say they would be happy if they were slimmer," says Clare Curtis from the Eating Disorders Association.

Response

The media, these days, easily influences people. The media's portrayal of beauty has been deeply etched in our minds. We think that, being stick-thin means pretty. But, the truth is, being stick-thin probably suggests something about your health. Everyone is beautiful in his or her own way.
I am totally for Dove's revolutionary campaign for real beauty. For a change, movie stars no longer endorse beauty products. Now, women of all shapes and sizes are advertising these products. They are women we see every day, on the streets, in the supermarkets. These are women of true and real beauty. Beauty does not necessarily mean being skinny. Everyone is beautiful in her unique way.
Looking at the survey results, a high sixty-seven per cent of girls think that they are overweight. The reality is that, most of them are of healthy weight range. But they are influenced by the media's portrayal of beauty and perfection. So to achieve that kind of beauty, these healthy girls will go through various means to lose weight. I think, we all should be happy with what we are blessed with, and not blindly chase after those trends set by the media.

[196words]

2006-07-30T09:41:00.000+08:00

Article 8
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/677048.stm

Summary

[] Taxi drivers have larger hippocampus compared with other people. This is a part of the brain associated with navigation in birds and animals.

[] Part of the hippocampus grew larger as the taxi drivers spent more time in the job.

[] The hippocampus has changed its structure to accommodate their huge amount of navigating experience.

[] There can be structural changes in healthy human brains

[] Direct things in the environment, like navigation, appear to show changes in the brain.

Response

It is amazing to know that our brains change according to what we do everyday. For example, the taxi drivers, to be able to drive commuters from one location to another in the shortest amount of time, requires more than just speedy driving skills, but also being able to navigate his way across the country. According to the report, researchers found that the brain is able to change physically according to the way it is used could have important implications for people with brain damage or diseases such as Parkinson's. Finding this useful piece of information is good news to many who suffer from such brain related diseases. Now, the researchers can go even further looking for the causes of such diseases. They may even be able to find the root of the cause, and cure the disease or even prevent the disease from occurring.

[145words]

2006-07-19T21:03:00.000+08:00

Article 7
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5017196.stm

Summary

[] According to Dr Boardman, an average family of four have a carbon footprint of about 13.5 tonnes a year.

[]"Climate change is being caused by the actions of each one of us," she said. "We are causing the problem, and so therefore we are the solution to the problem."

[] To leave appliances on standby means a lot of wasted power.

[] “The really important point with standby is that if it's on 24-seven, times 25 million households, you've got a couple of power stations, all wasted."

Response

It is really vital for us to do our part in reducing the climate change that is taking place so rapidly. Everyone has his or her role to play. Every little action counts. For example, switching off the lights when no one is in the room or switching off the heater when it is not in use. These little actions count towards the saving of electricity. Using less electricity means we will burn lesser fuel. As a result, there will be a reduction of carbon emissions.

I think it is crucial for everyone to conserve energy. It is easy to conserve energy too! Switch off appliances that are not in use. Study in the day, making use of the natural lighting instead of in the night, where it is necessary to switch on the lights. If everyone does this, the Earth will be saved!

[144words]

2006-06-23T16:07:00.000+08:00

[Article 6]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/3754343.stm

Summary

[] A balance is needed between the rights of ordinary children to study properly and of even the worst pupils to receive an education.

[] Around the country, head teachers and local authorities are trying different ways of smoothing the process - ideally keeping unruly pupils within mainstream education, while minimising disruption.

[] It is important for people to be more involved as communities in stopping bad behaviour.

[] "Often children feel school is a bubble where they can do whatever they like and get away with it. Having a policewoman on site helps dispel that myth."

[] Each school is originally awarded “1000points”. They lose some of these if they have a high number of pupils with special needs or eating free school meals. Schools have points added for excluding children and taken away for accepting them.

[] In this way, the worst behaved are not simply dumped on the under-subscribed schools, which may have the most problems to deal with in the first place.

Response

Through this new point system, problematic students are not given up hope upon. Schools are doing their best to include them in mainstream schools. In this way, students are not segregated into different categories.
Second chances are important. Students should not be condemned because of what they had done wrong in the past. They should be given the opportunities to change. Students may take a wrong turn in their path of life. It is all right, so long if they acknowledge their mistakes and wrongdoings. It is important for them to learn from their mistakes, and make the effort to change. Teachers and families should be present to guide these young people back to the right path, and give support whenever these young people fall. These young people who once, took a wrong turn, should not be excluded in the mainstream schools, they should still be given the opportunity for an education.

[152 words]

2006-06-23T14:54:00.000+08:00

[Article 5]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5017196.stm

Summary

[] According to Dr Boardman, an average family of four have a carbon footprint of about 13.5 tonnes a year.

[]"Climate change is being caused by the actions of each one of us," she said. "We are causing the problem, and so therefore we are the solution to the problem."

[] To leave appliances on standby means a lot of wasted power.

[] “The really important point with standby is that if it's on 24-seven, times 25 million households, you've got a couple of power stations, all wasted."

Response

It is really vital for us to do our part in reducing the climate change that is taking place so rapidly. Everyone has his or her role to play. Every little action counts. For example, switching off the lights when no one is in the room or switching off the heater when it is not in use. These little actions count towards the saving of electricity. Using less electricity means we will burn lesser fuel. As a result, there will be a reduction of carbon emissions.

I think it is crucial for everyone to conserve energy. It is easy to conserve energy too! Switch off appliances that are not in use. Study in the day, making use of the natural lighting instead of in the night, where it is necessary to switch on the lights. If everyone does this, the Earth will be saved!

[144words]

2006-06-23T13:59:00.000+08:00

[Article 4]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5074642.stm

Summary

[] L 'Oreal advertising campaign, which has been going since 1973, has been one of the most successful with its roll call of A-List celebrities and its very catchy phrase, "because you're worth it".

[] There is a very different approach from Dove with its revolutionary campaign for real beauty that has received enormous publicity by using women of all shapes and sizes in standard issue white bra and pants to advertise their firming lotion.

[] The latest initiative by the Money Programme, called Body Talk, includes a training pack that shows pupils how the beauty industry and the media create artificial and unattainable images of beauty on billboards and in magazines.

[] "Sixty-seven per cent of girls think they are overweight and six out of 10 girls say they would be happy if they were slimmer," says Clare Curtis from the Eating Disorders Association.

[] The insecurities that all these girls have, help drive sales in the beauty industry.

Response

The media, these days, easily influences people. The media's portrayal of beauty has been deeply etched in our minds. We think that, being stick-thin means pretty. But, the truth is, being stick-thin probably suggests something about your health. Everyone is beautiful in his or her own way.
I am totally for Dove's revolutionary campaign for real beauty. For a change, movie stars no longer endorse beauty products. Now, women of all shapes and sizes are advertising these products. They are women we see every day, on the streets, in the supermarkets. These are women of true and real beauty. Beauty does not necessarily mean being skinny. Everyone is beautiful in her unique way.
Looking at the survey results, a high sixty-seven per cent of girls think that they are overweight. The reality is that, most of them are of healthy weight range. But they are influenced by the media's portrayal of beauty and perfection. So to achieve that kind of beauty, these healthy girls will go through various means to lose weight. I think, we all should be happy with what we are blessed with, and not blindly chase after those trends set by the media.

[196words]

2006-06-17T18:19:00.000+08:00

[Article 3]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/677048.stm

Summary

[] Taxi drivers have larger hippocampus compared with other people. This is a part of the brain associated with navigation in birds and animals.

[] Part of the hippocampus grew larger as the taxi drivers spent more time in the job.

[] The hippocampus has changed its structure to accommodate their huge amount of navigating experience.

[] There can be structural changes in healthy human brains

[] Direct things in the environment, like navigation, appear to show changes in the brain.

Response

It is amazing to know that our brains change according to what we do everyday. For example, the taxi drivers, to be able to drive commuters from one location to another in the shortest amount of time, requires more than just speedy driving skills, but also being able to navigate his way across the country. According to the report, researchers found that the brain is able to change physically according to the way it is used could have important implications for people with brain damage or diseases such as Parkinson's. Finding this useful piece of information is good news to many who suffer from such brain related diseases. Now, the researchers can go even further looking for the causes of such diseases. They may even be able to find the root of the cause, and cure the disease or even prevent the disease from occurring.

[145words]

2006-06-16T14:52:00.000+08:00

[Article 2]
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/analysis/view/213205/1/.html

Summary
* When a crime is committed, justice may be meted out with the offender being fined, jailed or both.
* But victims of crime are often left confused and traumatized by the experience in addition to having suffered physical and emotional harm or loss to property.
* The criminal justice system has been focused on apprehending and securing convictions against those who were thought to pose a threat to society.
* Efforts were concentrated on making sure that the police, prosecutors, court staff and lawyers treated victims of sexual offences and child victims with compassion and sensitivity.
* This is especially important in an “adversarial” system of justice where every statement is open to scrutiny. The victims’ personal dignity and privacy are to be respected both in court and by the media.
* Dissatisfaction with the criminal justice system by victims of crime may be a factor leading to failure to report offences, which means that society, as a whole will suffer if the offender is free to commit other offences.

Response

I agree that more efforts should be put in to help the victims tide over such difficult times. It is important to respect and understand the feelings of victims of crimes. The services and support given by relevant organizations to victims of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual abuse, I believe are significant and sufficient. However, as the writer had mentioned, victims of other crimes such as, assault, should be given equal concern by such organizations too. At a minimum, counselling to help them overcome their fear and anxiety caused by the crime; referral services to medical and legal aid; and assistance in navigating the legal process.I think Singapore should emulate other countries, such as Hong Kong, Japan and Korea, in this aspect. In Hong Kong, Japan and Korea, laws exist providing that the victim should be informed of the progress of the police investigations as well as the prosecution, trial and sentence of the offender. Comprehensive victim support organisations also exist in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

[168words]

2006-06-12T17:03:00.000+08:00

[Article 1]
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/5064204.stm

Summary
* Making use of modern technology to improve results instead of banning the use of mobile phones.
* Students are able to message teachers from home with revision queries and get a text answer.
* Teachers are able to message pupils revision prompts and exam tips.
* A way of contacting a mentor immediately when students get stuck in their revision, they would be able to get the answer they needed and carry on with their revision.
* New technologies as a learning tool

Response

I think it is brilliant of the school to make use of the modern technology to aid the learning of their pupils. Instead of discouraging the use of mobile phones, the school is encouraging the pupils to make use of them to sought help from their teachers whenever they face a problem in their studies. In this way, the students are able to clarify their doubts immediately and are able to carry on with their revision. Students will not have to wait till the next day to sought help from their teachers.

I agree with what Mr. David Stevinson, the deputy head teacher of the school carrying out this pilot scheme, said. He said that, “They (Students) will often give up and do something else instead, or continue their revision based on incorrect facts.” Normally, the students will be too discouraged to continue with their revision, especially when they face many problems which they can’t find solutions to. Therefore, I am in favour of implementing ‘’text mentoring’’. This scheme allows students to be able to sought immediate help in their studies, even if they are at home. The answers that the students received are from reliable sources. This will ensure that students won’t carry on with their revision based on incorrect facts.

This scheme is beneficial for students, they will not waste time brooding on one particular question or concept. They are able to study effectively, with the help of mentors.

[241words]

2006-05-30T16:26:00.000+08:00

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