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8 Feb 2015

Science is an enemy of Man


It has invariably been argued over the years that science is a big problem for mankind. So much so that some people have even gone so far as branding it an enemy of Man. So, it is true? And if science really is an enemy of man, then how? This essay will discuss the various problems science has presented mankind with, and how these problems have burgeoned to the point that science is now called an enemy of man.

The first effect science has in on the physical wellbeing of mankind. With the advent of technology, and various gadgets that store information, man has started to forget. Take the example of mobile phones. Today, mobile phones store large amounts of data including contact details of all relatives, friends, and acquaintances. Earlier, people used to memorize the contact details of other people, and this kept the mind in immaculate condition. With the amount of technology to bear the weight off the mind today, many people have started having memory problems.

Science may be beneficial, but it also has a lot of other effects on the earth. Research and technology lead to exorbitant amounts of pollution to be released in the atmosphere. Cars, automobiles, and airplanes have all led to a drastic increase in the amount of smoke pollution in the environment with factories, and chemical industries also contributing. Science is a good thing, but when people take advantage of it, and slide off their rockers, that leads to major problems.

Budget is also a concern when it comes to science. Research requires a lot of money, and most of this money is provided by governments. Money is devoted for good things like the development of cures and vaccines, but money is also devoted to the pointless production of guns and other weapons of mass destruction. Every moment, scientists are working toward developing a more lethal weapon that would effectively wipeout the world. The funneling of all this money into research means that other issues like poverty and homelessness do not get the money they deserve, which is why there are still so many poor and destitute people in this world.

Therefore, looking at the above points, it can be seen that science is an enemy of man among various counts. With the increased spending on research and technology, there has been little money left for development, infrastructure, and general wellbeing, not to mention the exponential growth in pollution due to science and technology.

Population and Overpopulation


The population of every country is a very important asset. However, as they say, too much of a thing is harmful, and similarly if a country is prone to overpopulation, a great deal of problems result from it. Pakistan is in a similar predicament. With the exponential explosion in population in recent years, Pakistan is suffering a great deal. No matter how the politicians spin the advantages of having more people around, the scarce resources of Pakistan simply cannot handle any more bursts in population.

The first major problem that arises from overpopulation is having more mouths to feed, and such a scenario is potentially devastating for a developing nation. As of 2013, the total population of Pakistan stands at around 185-190 million people which is a lot more than the resources of the country can handle. Although Pakistan has a lot of area to accommodate these people, the thinking of people doesn’t work that way. People tend to cluster in the urban areas of the country which leads the cities to be overburdened and overcrowded. No matter how hard the local government tries to cope with the influx of people in the cities, a developing nation simply doesn’t have that kind of money and resources to see to it that infrastructure and services are provided. Therefore, no matter how large the area of Pakistan might be, the effusion of people to the cities is causing gargantuan problems for the nation.

An increase in population is also not good for the overall per capita income of the country. Developing nations often have limited budgets with which they have to see the country through the year. The money allotted by the government is very thinly spread out over education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and when overpopulation becomes an additional problem inflicted on the national budget, things simply spiral out of control. It is a common sight in the big cities and villages of Pakistan where people are clamoring to get spec inside hospitals to treat their sick, and no matter how big the hospitals may be, there is often no space for the poor people.

Overpopulation also reduces the number of opportunities available for employment. There are fewer jobs available for a growing number of people which results in inevitable unemployment. In a country like Pakistan that is already on the edge, having a job can mean the difference between life and death. Poor people without jobs often starve to death along with their families. Pakistan has no such provisions as Medicare or a dedicated unemployment benefit service, so overpopulation exacerbates this problem.

Thus, looking at the above arguments, it can be seen that overpopulation is a big evil for developing nations across the world, and it causes a lot of problems, both existential and financial. Countries all over the world should dedicate a large amount of money toward promoting family planning and the use of contraceptives to escape this growing problem of overpopulation. Education and awareness are the only ways this problem can be solved, because otherwise, developing nations will ermine immersed in this predicament.

A HORRIFYING SWIM


Here is an example of a story with a good plot. Read and highlight the use of interesting phrases which are precise. Many students tend to memorise bombastic words and try to insert into their essays. The words or phrases must be suitable. Originally, this was just a 150-word essay. I have expanded it by using dialogues and more details.

     It was a school holiday. Rahman woke up at the crack of dawn and headed for Ah Chong’s house. The boys had agreed to meet Sean and Sasi, their classmates. It was a perfect day for a swim. Although they were all strong swimmers, Rahman’s mother had cautioned him against going for a swim. A week earlier, their neighbour's son had nearly drowned in that river.

    “Splash!” Hassan dived off the rock into the inviting river. The water was deep but he was not worried. After all, he was an excellent swimmer and a certified lifeguard. He knew the waters in the area well as he often swam there. He persuaded the rest of the boys to follow him up to a higher waterfall. They clambered up the boulders. “Let’s jump!” an exhilarated Rahman shouted. The boys plunged in together, screaming in delight.

      Suddenly, Sean was tumbling out of control. The water smashed him over and over again. The current had smashed the other boys against a rock and they managed to pull themselves out from the raging water. At first, they could not see Sean. Then, as the waves subsided, they saw Sean’s half-submerged figure, face down. Rahman dived into the water immediately. He knew that every second counted. Swimming strongly, he got to Sean in no time. With Sasi and Ah Chong’s help, they managed to pull Sean out of the water and onto the rock.

      “Oh God, let him not be dead!” Rahman pleaded. Sean looked so blue. The others stood, paralyzed, not knowing what to do. Rahman grabbed Sean’s wrist but he could not feel any pulse. He remembered what his teacher had told him. A drowning victim had to receive artificial breathing within four minutes or he would die. With his lifeguard training in his mind, Rahman immediately drew Sean’s head back and clamped his mouth over him. He began pumping breath into Sean’s lungs as Sasi compressed Sean’s chest while keeping count. Suddenly, Sean gurgled and threw up. They continued breathing and pumping. “Keep going. One of us has to go for help. Sasi, you are the fastest. Run home and get help. Ask someone to call for an ambulance. Quick.....”

      After thirty minutes, and what seemed like a lifetime, Rahman felt something moved against him. Sean’s leg had jerked against him. He felt for a pulse. “Sean’s breathing....” Rahman cried. Just then, they heard an ambulance. “You are going to be alright’ he assured Sean. Within minutes, the paramedics had lifted him to the ambulance and headed for the nearby hospital. At the hospital, the boys were so thankful that Sean was going to be alright and they had saved his life. Rahman’s mother gave him a stern lecture. Rahman felt bad and regretted not listening to his mother. 

Describe an afternoon at the bus station


It was two o’clock in the afternoon. I was heading towards the bus station with Mohan after Mrs Wong’s extra class. The sun was beating mercilessly on my back and I could feel my sweat trickling down my spine. I have often wished that my mother would allow me to ride a motorcycle to school. She says that I am not ready but we both know that she is terrified that a car would knock me down.

When I reached the bus station, it was nearly empty except for a handful of boys. Mohan and I strode to a bench near the stationmaster’s office. I could feel the tension on my shoulders as the straps of my school bag ate into my shoulder. “Where is the bus?” I sighed to myself. An elderly woman came and asked me where I was going. She started a conversation but gave up after my monosyllable answers. 

Suddenly, someone shouted and I saw a bus swerved into the station. I got up, thankful for the chance to escape from the woman. . It was Mohan’s bus. The group of boys were jostling each other to get into the bus. “Masuk! Masuk!” shouted the conductor but nobody seemed to be moving. The black fumes made me nauseous. All of a sudden, people started appearing from all directions to board their bus. In no time, the passengers were packed like sardines in the bus. It started to move, leaving some unfortunate passengers behind. I waved at Mohan when I noticed him dangling on the steps of the bus. The bus swerved out of the station again. It left another trail of black smoke.

I decided to go to Panjang’s ice stall. The iced sugar cane juice soothed my parched throat as I sipped slowly, all the while keeping an eye on the bus. Then I saw the bus heading towards the station. I paid for my drinks. “See you tomorrow,” I waved to Panjang.

Once more, the crowd began to swell near the bus. I noticed that the elderly woman was being shoved around by the boys. She started hitting them with her umbrella. Then, I saw Raja, my classmate at the back of the bus. I hurled my bag through the window and he caught it. By the time I got into the bus, it had already started moving. I got into my seat and told myself that I must really try to convince my mother about the motorcycle again.

Your Potential Is Unlimited


You are a remarkable person, possessed of incredible untapped potentials and abilities. Whatever you have accomplished in life so far is only a shadow of what is truly possible for you. There are virtually no limits on what you can do, be and have except for the limits that you impose on yourself with your own thinking.

Of all creatures, only human beings can reprogram themselves and alter the courses of their lives. You can decide, right now, to take complete control of the shaping and sculpting of your self-concept, and turn yourself into the very best person you can possibly imagine yourself becoming. By releasing your subconscious brakes, your fears of failure and rejection, and by building your selfesteem and self confidence through positive self-talk, you can unlock your potential and accomplish any goal you can set for yourself.

By taking complete control of the development of your self-concept, you lay the foundation for the development of the Million Dollar Habits that will enable you to accomplish more in the next few years than the average person accomplishes in a lifetime.

Action Exercises:
1. Identify the primary causes for the effects in your life. Why are you where you are and what could you do differently to get different results?
2. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you feel that you are in control of your life? What could you do to increase your feelings of control?
3. What do you think about most of the time? What should you focus and concentrate on to improve your life?
4. What are the values, qualities and attributes of other people that you most admire? What actions could you take to incorporate those values into your personality?
5. How much do you like yourself? What are the experiences that give you your greatest feelings of self-esteem, and how could you create more of them?
6. What are your greatest fears? How would you behave differently if you had no fears at all?
7. What can you do, starting today, to feed your mind with more of the thoughts, words, people and pictures that are more consistent with the very best person you could be, and the most important goals you want to achieve? 
“Man becomes a slave to his constantly repeated acts. What he at first chooses, at last compels.” (Orison Swett Marden)

Health tips from Tib Al Nabawi (Medicine of the Prophet)


12 favourite foods of Rasullah (s.a.) (as mentioned in AL Tib-al Nabavi book)

Rasullah’s (s.a.) life had been most comprehensive and perfect and can serve as an ideal for men and women of all ages, at all times.
His habits and advice have been absolutely perfect and shows moderate way of life and meets all the needs of man.

Barley: Good in fever, use in a soup form.
Dates: Rassullah (s.a.) said that a house without dates has no food. It should also be eaten at the time of childbirth.
Figs: It is a complete fruit and a cure for piles.
Grapes: Rasullah (s.a.) was very fond of grapes - it purifies the blood, provides vigor and health, strengthens the kidneys and clears the bowels.
Honey: Considered the best remedy for diarrhea when mixed in hot water. It is the food of foods, drink of drinks and drug of drugs. It is used for creating appetite, strengthening the stomach, eliminating phlegm; as a meat preservative, hair conditioner, eye soother and mouthwash. It is extremely beneficial in the morning in warm water.
Melon: Rasullah (s.a.) said: "None of your women who are pregnant and eat of water melon will fail to produce off spring that is good in countenance and good in character."
Milk: Rasullah (s.a.) said that milk wipes away heat from the heart just as the finger wipes away sweat from the brow. It strengthens the back, improved the brain, renews vision and drives away forgetfulness.
Mushroom: Rasuallah (s.a.) said that mushroom is a good cure for the eyes; it also serves as a form of birth control and arrests paralysis. Not all mushroom are edible.
Olive Oil: Excellent treatment for skin and hair, delays old age, and treats inflammation of the stomach. Good in patients with heart diseases.
Pomegranate: Rasullah (s.a.) said it cleanses you of Satan and evil aspirations for 40 days.
Vinegar: A food Rasuallah (s.a.) used to eat with olive oil. [That\'s now a fashion in elite Italian Restaurants]
Water: Rasullah (s.a.) said the best drink in this world is water, when you are thirsty drink it by sips and not gulps, gulping produces sickness of the liver.


6 Feb 2015

City Life and Entertainment


1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a big city and in a small town/village? Support your opinion with specific examples.

2. Choose any two kinds of public transportation and compare their pros and cons. Which is more expensive, convenient, fast, etc.? Which do you usually use? Which is more popular?

city3. One of your friends plans to move to your town/city/village. Tell him/her the positive sides of living in your town as well as mention something he/she might not like. Explain, why.

4. A new big shopping center is planned to be built in your neighbourhood. Do you like the idea or not? Why or why not? What are the perspective good and bad sides of the issue?

5. A new cinema is going to be built in the area where you live. What do you think about such a plan? Do you think people in your neighbourhood will support or oppose such a decision? Why? Why not?

6. What are the main pollution-connected environmental problems in your city/town? Suggest the ways to improve the situation. Who should take care of the environment? Do common people have any chance to contribute to the nature preservation in their own area of living?

7. Your city council decided to built a monument in honour of a prominent person of you country. In your opinion, who deserves such recognition? Why?

8. City life may at times be very stressful and tiring. Suggest several ways to fight back tiredness and combat stress.

9. If you were unexpectedly given a piece of land, what would you do with it? How would you use it?

10. What is volunteering? How can it improve the conditions of life in your city or town? Who should become volunteers and should such a practice be present in our modern world at all? Back up your answers with concrete examples.

11. How can teenagers have a rest in your city? Where can they go and what can they do? Are there enough facilities and/or group organizations to make young people interested?

12. Why is music important in our lives or is it at all?

13. There are plenty of holidays celebrated by people of one country, city, or even worldwide. If you had a chance to make up your own holiday, what holiday would it be? Who and how would celebrate it? Be specific with your examples.

5 Feb 2015

Writing Topic Type 3: Describe or Explain


In a way, this is the most difficult type of independent essay question because it doesn’t give you an A or B situation. Instead, you have to think of your own subject from a very big pool of possibilities.
“What discovery in the last 100 years has been most beneficial for people in your country? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.”
“The 21st century has begun. What changes do you think this new century will bring? Use examples and details in your answer.”
“What change would make your hometown more appealing to people your age? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.”
“If you could study a subject that you have never had the opportunity to study, what would you choose? Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details.”
“If you could invent something new, what product would you develop? Use specific details to explain why this invention is needed.”
Because these writing topics don’t give you a yes–no or A–B choice, it’s easy to get stuck in the planning phase. (By the way, planning is incredibly important for writing any standardized test essay; don’t skip it!)
The structure doesn’t have to be very different, though. Here’s a rough idea of how you might organize a descriptive essay:
Intro
Your choice/subject
Body 1
Reason 1 and examples
Body 2
Reason 2 and examples
Body 3
Reason 3 and examples
Conclusion
Why this is significant in the real world
Notice I added one more body paragraph. Because there’s no “other side” to deal with, you have more time to explain the one topic you chose. So why not use that time for another paragraph!


Writing Topic Type 2: View Both Sides


This is actually very similar to the “choose a side” type of essay subject, but it’s a little bit more complicated because you have to think from two different standpoints. Thankfully, it’s also not as common.
Here are a few examples:
“The government has announced that it plans to build a new university. Some people think that your community would be a good place to locate the university. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of establishing  a new university in your community. Use specific details in your discussion.”
“Some young children spend a great amount of their time practicing sports. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.”
There are a couple of different ways you might structure an essay like, but the simplest one may be the best.
Intro
General statements about issue
Body 1
Advantages and examples
Body 2
Disadvantages and examples
Conclusion
Why this is significant in the real world