Airline Mergers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Airline Mergers - Essay Example Over the years, the number of airlines have been intentionally narrowed down to just a few major airlines. Narrowing down of the airlines have been actualized by mergers that have taken place over the years. The number of mergers have been exceptionally high. This has resulted in creation of some of the world huge airlines. Mergers happen in order for the two partners to gain a certain leverage that was not there before. Universally the reasons behind most of this unions are known. The main reasons include-: 2. Cutting cost- this might be the biggest motivator if not among the best factors. The situation can be looked as previous competitors marrying. This means that we will not have price wars into the future and costs of advertising automatically drops. 3. Surviving- it is a last resort on most companies, it is usually a case of staying in the business or being driven out of business. Therefore when a company is bankrupt or does not have the capability of surviving the tough market forces, merger come through as the only remedy. 5. Competitive advantage- it is a huge factor. Companies are able to reach out to market traditionally not accessed. Therefore this creates a headache for other players since the new merger brings with it financial might. 7. The reasons behind the mergers in the USA airline industry are factored in the above explained reasons. Mergers are nice for business but they are not immune to the law. It is normally a case of trending carefully in order not to break the laws of consumerism in the name of mergers. Therefore, it was not by mistake that in 2013 the government of the USA with support from numerous consumer federations filed a law suit stopping the merger between the mighty American and the mighty US air. The previous mergers that ever occurred did not raise as much issue and outcry as the

Managerial Decision in Supply Chain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Managerial Decision in Supply Chain - Essay Example Supply chain is a key feature to success or a failure of today’s business. This is because getting the correct products to consumers is not only the key player to competitive success, but also the solution to survival. According to Industrial Marketing Management Journal, managerial decisions to prevent failure in the movement of goods and services are very crucial (Handfield, & Bechtel, 2002:367). The decisions should target to respond to the market requirements with overall efficiency. This issue falls on the management. The management should design sound strategies to respond swiftly to the consumer’s demands. Moreover, the strategies should take care of the ever-changing markets. This is the only way to maintain and bring a competitive advantage to the market. For supply chain to remain efficient, it should concentrate on reduction of cost. In addition, the supply chain should avoid wastage of resources of non-value added activities. The managerial decisions should focus to resolve trade-off between responsive and efficiency (Handfield, & Bechtel, 2002:369). This paper examines the managerial decisions that increase responsiveness of the supply chains. ... To achieve this, it calls for the management to make sound decisions to respond well to the customer demands or changes in market. This is because each customer has specific set of needs. Some markets require high level of receptiveness and others concentrate on effectiveness. The general effect of making prudent decisions regarding to each driver establishes the affectivity with which the supply chain serves its market for maximum profits for the participants in the supply chain (Minnich, & Maier, 2008:3). The common tenet from literatures holds that for success of supply chain managers should be aware of changes in the competitive market environment. The managers should then re-organise the supply chain to satisfy the genuine needs of the consumers. This swift response determines the adaptation of firms and supply chain to the needs of the ever-changing markets to achieve lasting competitive success. This means that policy designing, and changes are crucial to respond well to the s upply chain in the five areas of the company. These are production, transportation, information, inventory, and location. The managers’ decisions on the strategies they should focus on the situation at hand. The decision should endeavour to achieve the lower costs of goods and services. This is an issue, which many supply managers grapple with. It therefore means that the managers should choose between two strategies philosophies. The management can either demonstrate a high reaction to consumers at any cost. The other way is to reduce waste in order to achieve maximum profits (Minnich & Maier, 2008:3). The managerial decisions should concentrate on devising sound processes and key performance pointers that rewards

Learning Disabilities Contributor Essay Example for Free

Learning Disabilities Contributor Essay This paper will discuss students with nonverbal learning disabilities syndrome. Nonverbal learning disabilities NLD will be addressed as to what is NLD and what students are usually have. This will be an overview of how to not only identify students with NLD but how to assists students with NLB. This paper will go over important strategies and inventions that will help students with NLD. NLD has been around for fifteen years. NLD is a disorder that is not mentioned or heard a lot in education. This disorder is mentioned in medical and psychological literature. In this paper the author will discuss the issues of NLD and why educators should ignore the characterizes and signs of this disorder. Research will show that this disorder could have come from variety of neurological and development conditions. This could have happened either from a brain injury, untreated disease, or Asperger syndrome. There are strategies to help students that suffer from NLD. NLD is a poorly understood disorder it is a disorder that can be not only be understood but can be helped. With the strategies and inventions that we will be going over in this paper will help students with NLD have a fighting chance. What is nonverbal learning disabilities? Students who have NLD usually show signs in strong verbal than perceptual cognitive skills, weak pyschomotor, deficiency in math, difficulty in complex tasks and social deficits. Students with NLD do better when information is given to them verbally than shown to them visually. This student can process the information better when the information is being given to them orally. When this type of student is receiving the information visually the student is unable to receive it cognitively. Where as the information is being given to them verbally then the information will process properly because this student has a strong verbal process. Weak pyschomotor is another trait that students with NLD have(Telzrow Bonar, 2002). These students usually show signs in having a hard time with playing certain games such as skipping rope or riding a bike. NLD students have a hard time with life skill tasks such as dressing themselves and other self care skills. Deficiency in math is another area that students with NLD have a problem with. Students with NLD usually do well in reading and spelling but math is a huge hurdle they have to accomplish. The symbols and procedures in math are a hard concept for students who have NLD to understand. Difficulty in complex tasks are another problem for students with NLD. These students have a hard time in social setting because of this problem. They usually demonstrate that they have a hard time with problem solving. The problem solving skills also effects poor judgment skills. These students are very impulsive with their behavior and do not have a sense of personal space. A student with NLD has a hard time verbally communicating what the problem is and how to explain what they really meant or need(Telzrow Bonar, 2002).. Students with NLD can get the help they need. If a student with NLD has problems with psychomotor there are things in the classroom to help students with this problem. If the student has an issue finishing a writing task then you can give the student extra time to finish the writing task. If the student has a real issue with writing and the student is good a typing then you can let the student type instead of writing. Another way to help students with psychomotor is to give a them a multiple test instead then an essay test. Teachers need to make sure that lectures dont have that many note taking tasks. These are a few strategies to help and relieve stress for students with psychomotor problems(Telzrow Bonar, 2002).. It is important for these students to focus on learning and not be stressed out about tasks that they can not complete. Teachers can use these strategies for students that have deficiency in math. Students that have a deficiency in math can use manipulatives to help these students. One way example of a manipulative that a student can use is a calculator. Using a calculator can help students do math problems and learn how to to add, subtract or multiply. Having students memorizing additions problems, subtracting problems and multiplication problems. Direct instruction on math on step by step with verbal instruction. Showing students one on one instruction on math concepts and checking strategies to help students get better and confidence in math(Telzrow Bonar, 2002). Students with NLD have issues with problem solving skills. These students need to focus on various social situations. One good way for these students to learn problem solving skills is to role play. Role play is a good way to show students examples of problems that arise in certain situations. By role playing students are able to learn how to take action on their own and to also build confidence(Telzrow Bonar, 2002). The more practice in role play the more the student is to learn how to do the problem solving on their own. Another way to learn problem solving skills is to set rules for these student to follow. Setting rules will help students learn what is appropriate and what is not appropriate. This will help set guidelines for student to follow and learn in the process. Social skills are another issue that students with NLD. Role playing is very important for these students to learn from. These students need direct instruction on how to make appropriate eye contact, how to greet others and to learn other appropriate social skills. It is also important for these students to learn how to make and keep friends. It is also important for these students to learn how to act appropriately act in a work setting. If these students want to succeed in life learning how to act in a working environment is key. Learning how to behave appropriately in a work setting will help them keep a job and live a successful independent life. The last issue that a student with NLD usually deals with is psychosocial adjustment problems. These students need to learn how to control impulsive behavior and inattention. Students that have a hard time with dealing with this issues and need to learn how to self-monitor themselves. NLD students need to learn how to slow down and be aware of what they are doing instead of just reacting(Telzrow Bonar, 2002). Another problem these students have is not thinking for speaking. These students need to learn ways to think about what they want to say before just saying it. Students that display these issues need to learn relaxation skills to help reduce anxiety.  These students need to learn how to ask for breaks or help when they are feeling stressed out. The author has gone over what NLD symptoms and characteristics of what to look for in students that may be suffering fro this problem. The author has also gone over strategies to help students that have NLD. The strategies and methods that were mentioned are tools to not only help the students but to help the students learn the proper tools to help themselves outside the classroom. With any student that is having a hard time in school it is the teachers job to make sure that students needs are being met. Students that have NLD need strategies and methods to help them so they can focus less on their problems and more on learning(Telzrow Bonar, 2002). By using strategies on students with NLD this will help these students learn the tools that they need to deal with the world around them. References Telzrow, C. F., Bonar, A. M. (2002). Responding to students with nonverbal learning disabilities. Teaching Exceptional Children, 34(6), 8-13.

Origins Of English Figurative Idioms English Language Essay

Origins Of English Figurative Idioms English Language Essay Idiom is the combination of lexical items and has its own meaning which is different from the particular individual lexical items and this figurative expression is usually understood by the native speakers because figurative idiom expression is likely to be named as the conventional scene in the their mind that serves in the speech community. Similarity, idioms are consisted as a special set of lexical items due not only to their structure elements, but also they specify a unique set of behavior when used in very language discourse. Fernando argues that the concreted phrases and the arrangement pairs in idiomatic are recognized by the usage and with its stabilized structure and limited variation. To expand the explanation, idioms can be formed a word such as nevertheless, a phrase such as in favor of, and also a sentence such as the coast is clear. According to Boers definition of figurative idiom, whose meaning is barely inferred by its literal meaning of its constituent elements. Therefore, from the semantic point of view, the expression of a figurative idiom cannot be understood from its individual parts. Structurally an idioms usually includes a series of words, any parts of its meanings cannot be replaced. Figurative idioms, it is a matter of extraordinary rather than ordinary languages. Base on Lakoff and Johnson explanation, idioms are also known as the metaphor that serves as a device of poetic imagination and the rhetorical flourish dedicates for most languages. Moreover, figurative expressions are not merely bundles of word combination; however it is a phrase that ordinarily invented to one situation that inferred to another, making an implicit comparison. Another scholar Tang explains figurative idioms unsurprisingly have been coined with the name of its meaning. Ultimately, the figurative interpretation of every idiom evokes the metaphorical expressions. As the manifestation of conceptual metaphor was introduced, Z. Kovecses conceptualizes metaphors are realized in other than linguistic ways. For example, literary works are constructed in their fully in term of conceptual metaphors such as Chaucers The Cantebury tales, Buyams The Pilgrim Progress or Frosts poem The Road not Taken are associated around the LIFE IS A JOURNEY metaphor. As result, although there is always a difference in every definition of figurative idiom, yet they all have the similar description to explain idioms have the obvious characteristics of semantic incorporated and structural stability. 2.1) Culture context Language structure is the most typical feature of cultural aspects that such relationship particularly found in the lexicon. As Wierzbicka lists out the best evidence for reality of cultures can associate the meanings of words that eventually provides ways of living, speaking, thinking, and feeling which are broadly shared in every particular society. In addition, the Polish anthropologist Malinnowsky is the first founder of the context theory thinks that discourse and context are mutually hanging closely together, the language environment is essential to understand language.(à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦) Meanwhile, Boers and Stengers declare the significant of cultural figurative expression has been emphasized much recent research. Gibbs study claims that idioms are established in all languages and several types of idioms are cultural elements. Wierzbicka states that most of figurative idioms are cultural artifacts, reflecting the aspects the creation of figurative idioms which are formed by cultural elements. Thus, Inchaurralde mentions particular lexical units are linked with cultural lexical scripts, which are associated to a certain cultural background. Furthermore, Lennon points out language and culture are important to idioms because it could reflect the transformation in conceptualization of the universe and the relationship between the universe and the mankind. The Chinese Linguist Hu Zhunaglin has divided the cultural context into three types: linguistics context, situational context, and cultural context. Most importantly, the cultural context refers the involvement of social, economic, cultural, political background, and religions contexts occur in communities that would value the standard of a certain language. Dobrovolskij and Piirainen comes out with an idea to describe the different types of cultural phenomena are interrelated with conventional figurative units. This means that culturally marked lexis has focused on cross-cultural similarity and the variation across in the conceptualization of emotions. Another issue that Lakoff and Johnson discuss about whether all cultures have the same conceptual of the world. Base on Issac simplification, every figurative expression has a certain class of metaphors seems to be universal. However some cultural specifications also occur in conceptual metaphor, in other word, different culture have a different set of value systems that might result in different interaction to certain expression from others cultures. For example, in Shakespeares period, the food egg is to characterize people behavior or attitude, for instance, She is a good egg means that she is a nice person. In Chinese, there is record in the literature work egg transcript to mandarin Dan also symbolizes to a person behavior and attitude. The Mandarin word huai dan signifies as bad person. These two different cultural context has shared the same particular meaning of the phrase is directed and extended to describe people who seen to be decent person. Although English and Chinese utilize the food egg to imply the same target expression, on the other hand, the English expression good egg is to indicate a nice person, however the Chinese expression to indicate a nice person no longer utilizes egg to imply the meaning rather than change the whole word into hao ren instead of hao dan. 2.2) Idiom and culture Language has been always the carrier of culture and most important idioms that almost invariably to have their roots in a particular language. Another researcher Ronald Langacker argues that language is instrument and module of culture, speakers take part in a discourse situation, their cultural aspects are related to their acts of behavior and conversation. Moreover, Paul Friedrich calls the connection between language and culture as linguaculture. The conceptual of linguaculture is described as a domain of experience that fuses and intermingles the vocabulary, many semantic aspects of grammar, and the verbal aspects of culture; both grammar and culture have underlying structure while they are constantly being used and constructed by actual people on the ground. (à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦) As an important part of language and culture, particular source domain of metaphorical expression may not be equally salient across cultures. (à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦) Meanwhile, few researches have been introduced on the cultural features in the present study that lead Boers and Stengers to investigate on the composition of idiom and culture. They explore weather domain that track most in English figurative idioms. The weather domain is commonly associated to English figurative idioms because talking about the weather is a very basic and frequently topic in Britain because it is notoriously variable and unpredictable. However, the weather lexical units can be implemented through meaning extension to other domains such as economy and feeling, for example, when a financial storm struck down Wall Street, traders sought shelter in the dollar and Alex feels the chill of economic downturn. As result, the sentence illustrates the weather domain to a situation and feeling to indicate the seriousness on how Englishmen see weather as well as the economic phenomena. Boers, Demecheleer, and Eyckmans suggest that there are two complementary methods to estimate the two linguistic communities differ with respect to relate salience of a source domain. One method is to investigate the comparison of both languages such as English and Dutch idioms, that English idioms has much broader selection of expressions converted from card games and gambling such as to over play ones hand, to play with stacked deck, the chips are downà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Another much more straight forward example is the domain of sports, popularity of certain sports may coin widely across cultural aspects. Baseball for instance, is much more popular in the United States than in European, for sure it is evidently that American produces more baseball figurative expression such as I had a date with Alice yesterday night, unfortunately I cant even get to first base with her; Three strike and youre out. Similarity, British English hold a source domain in cricket such as Bat on a sticky wicket, Hit someone for six. Besides, Englishmen also like to have horse racing eventually contributes to figurative expressions as well such as A dark horse, Hear it from the horse mouth. The another method is to detect cross-cultural variation done by researcher Alice Deignan results that the source domain of sailing is reflected more often in English than in French discourse. For examples, running tight ship, talking the wind out of someones sails, when you ship comes in, clear the decks, and many more. Boers and Demecheleer suggests that French figurative discourse is more likely flavoured by the source domain of food and cooking. Alice Deignan concludes that the cultural aspects and figurative idioms are considered indirect ones in the sense that cultures of the past and present reflect most of idioms and Boers sums up that even native speakers lack of awareness towards the origin of the idiom they use. 2.3) Origins of English Figurative Idioms According to Smith (1971), generally universal origins of idioms can be divided into six main cultural aspects. 2.3.1) From daily life Smith suggests that most idioms develop from daily life are linked with particular occupations such as many phrases that related to navy have been invented by the sailors as well as the athletes use phrases related to sports. Most of the idioms were invented and they are concise, oral dialect and vivid, and are closely associated to our life. Soon enough those idioms were used by the people in the daily life to indicate certain expressions. Such figurative expressions are useful and eventually it has been evolved from common dialogue to conventional language which those idioms are commonly use such as to share and woe, strike the iron whole it is hot, a pot of money, to take the bread out of someones mouth and many more. 2.3.2) From ancient myths, legends and fables Some English figurative idioms were influenced by the Ancient Greek and Roman civilization. From example, idioms such as Midas touch, the apple of discord, sour grape, pandoras box, trojon horse, etc are derived from Greek myths and legends which are widely used in writing. 2.3.3) From religion Religion stands an important role in contributing the source of idioms. In early western countries, traditionally, Christianity has always been the main religion, many sources of idioms are regularly used in verbal dialogue are mainly came from the bible such as judass kiss, olive branch, much cry and little wool, turn the other cheek, cast peals before swine, and writing on the wall. 2.3.4) From classical literature Apart from the religion contributes most of the source of idioms, classical literature is indentified as a main source of idioms. During Renaissance period, Shakespeares master pieces have been on e of the most important source of idioms in English language. For examples, pound of life, give the devil his due all come from Shakespeares plays. Besides, the famous Greek epic poem the Iliad also gives numerous contributions to the English idioms such as screw up ones courage, Achilles heel. In addition, one of the most famous English idioms the ugly duckling is from the Andersons fairy tales. 2.3.5) Form occupation Nevertheless, idioms are not only formed by social daily interaction, religions, historical background, and literature works, but also certain idioms are associated by the occupation as well. The United Kingdom is a country with high capability in sailing around the world, therefore, they are many idioms that related to navy such as ships in the night, to rock the boat, plain sailing and carry too much guns. Thus contrary, China is a large nation with agricultural aspects of production and process which have become the centralization of forming idioms that related to agricultural elements and those idioms have been passing on by farmers from generation to generation. 2.3.6) From Sports Sports domain also demonstrates the important source of idioms. Liu discusses that most of the English figurative idioms in American are derived from sports, business, and driving. However, the Chinese idioms are more likely from eating, family, and Chinese opera ultimately play and important roles in Chinese society that have pluralized many figurative idioms. United States has shown there are more baseball- based figurative idioms such as first base, three strike and youre out, while cricket is more popular in United Kingdom that formed their English figurative idioms such as bat on a sticky wicket, hit someone for six, etc. As result, these six types of domains can trace the origin of idioms which have a very specific cultural context.

Quest for Paradise in Lydia Maria Child’s A Romance of the Republic Ess

Quest for Paradise in Lydia Maria Child’s A Romance of the Republic A Romance of the Republic, written by Lydia Maria Child, is an intriguing novel which reflects certain predominant 19th-century views about racism, patriarchy, and class status. One aspect of this story that is unique is the constant use of a flower motif, through which the reader is drawn into a Paradise that is fantastically created, an Eden that is not limited in its range of vision due to the wealth, class, nationality, and color of its individuals, but rather embraces the many hues and varieties of life that any beautiful and perfect garden must possess. Although one could argue that this utopia is never obtainable, Ms. Child successfully demonstrates that a society can be egalitarian, not constructed on class consciousness and struggle, but rather based on the framework of the Constitution, which states that all people are created equal, with unity for all being the ultimate goal. These beliefs in equality are demonstrated through the strategic use of class where the aristocratic faction should not have more value than their lower class counterpoints. They are also reflected in the novel’s use of racial crossing, where many varieties of people, including the pivotal octoroon sisters, Rosa and Flora, can have many potential colors and racial identities. Finally, the egalitarian beliefs are evidenced in cultural differences, where a society can only evolve into a more splendid creation when it derives sustenance from many groups and resources. The fact that this book deals with the aristocracy at all turns presents an excellent summation on the beliefs that money and prest... ...e appreciation of many cultures for the unique and various gifts they contribute to their spheres allows those individuals to branch out into other spheres and impact many new clusters of people. Just as Paradise is beautiful, so is equality. This leaves the reader with the logical progression of: 1) Flowers are beautiful: just as all people are beautiful; 2) Flowers are from many genuses and possess many hues: just as people are from many cultures and have many different colors; 3) People of many colors and cultures are beautiful. When all varieties of people are planted in the same garden and live in peaceful coexistence, they will develop their own accepting culture, which is nothing less than Paradise. Works Cited Child, Lydia Maria. A Romance of the Republic. Lexington, Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky, 1997.

Reason and Religion in Fulgens and Lucres Essay -- Fulgens Lucres

Reason and Religion in Fulgens and Lucres      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Seeing that the main purpose of college is to educate, perhaps the college administration might take a lesson from the 16th Century citizenry of England and host a fantastic dinner play in the fashion of Medwall's famous, Fulgens and Lucres.   This interlude, small in cast members but big on Humanism, demanded that each viewer take an active role in the performance; the play, though covering many morals and ideologies, focused on the everyday interaction between the two seemingly opposite poles of religion and reason.   Though poising as mere dinner entertainment, Fulgens and Lucres served the goal of enlightening its audience toward the apex of the English Renaissance - the need to unite reason and religion within the life of each and every person.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Before one can ponder over the relationship between reason and religion, a person must first receive the proper education.   As Sir Thomas Wyatt, Erasmus, and Sir Thomas More, the last being possibly an actor in this very play during his youth, claim throughout their works and letters, the key aspect to being a decent, contributing member of society rests in the pages of books, dwells within the classroom, and glitters on the lens of a telescope; knowledge undeniably holds the key to developing a logical, autonomous human being.   In his Book of the Governour, Wyatt developed his own theory as to the proper raising of a young boy so he could someday attain to reach a position in the royal court.   Although, he ludicrously clamored for the importance of a nurse's milk to the young infant and complete isolation from women during a boy's studies, Wyatt declares, "a tutor should be provided," (Wyatt 43) to the bo... ... Medwall raises the antey up a notch though, and proclaims that reason without religion will serve no justice.   Reason, when kept in check by religious beliefs, will, just like Lucres and Gayus, make for the perfect marriage and will guide the educated person down the path of enlightenment and true knowledge.    Works Cited and Consulted Baskerville, Charles R. 1927. 'Conventional Features of Medwall's Fulgens and Lucres'. Modern Philology 24: 419-42. Colley, J. S. 1975. 'Fulgens and Lucres: Politics and Aesthetics'. Zeitschrift fà ¼r Anglistik und Amerikanistik 23: 322-30. Jones, Robert C. 1971. 'The Stage and the 'Real' World in Medwall's Fulgens and Lucres'. Modern Language Quarterly 32: 131-42. Medwall, Henry. 1926. Fulgens & Lucres: A Fifteenth-Century Secular Play. Edited by F. S. Boas and A. W. Reed. Oxford: Clarendon Press.      

Government Essay

Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth among poorer nations by providing such things as food and education? Or is it the responsibility of the governments of poorer nations to look after their citizens themselves? What should a government do for a country to become successful? Should money be spent on space exploration? Should rich countries forgive all debts for poor countries? Does foreign aid help donor countries more than the recipients? Should rich countries pay more for environmental damage? Most high level jobs are done by men. Should the government encourage a certain percentage of these jobs to be reserved for women? Should developing countries concentrate on improving industrial skills or should they promote education first? Safety standards are important when building people’s homes. Who should be responsible for enforcing strict building codes – the government or the people who build the homes? Discuss the advantage and disadvantage of giving international aid to poor countries. Should criminals be punished with lengthy jail terms or re-educated and rehabilitated using community service programs for instance, before being reintroduced to society? In most countries disabled people are not catered for adequately, e.g. buildings are often inappropriately designed. Governments rely too heavily on charities and voluntary organizations to provide assistance and funding. What further measures could be taken to assist disabled people? In your opinion should government intervene in the rights of the individual with regard to family planning? The best way to reduce the number of traffic accidents is to make all young drivers complete a safe driving education course before being licensed to drive. Nowadays doctors can become very rich. Maybe they should not focus on profitable activities such as plastic surgery or looking after rich patients and concentrate more on patients health, no matter how rich they are? Does travel help to promote understanding and communication between countries? In your opinion what factors contribute to a good movie? Are famous people treated unfairly by the media ? Should they be given more privacy, or is the price of their fame an invasion into their private lives? Is animal testing necessary? Some businesses now say that no one can smoke cigarettes in any of their offices. Some governments have banned smoking in all public places. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons. To what extent is the use of animals in scientific research acceptable? Human beings do not need to eat meat in order to maintain good health because they can get all their food needs from meatless products and meatless substances. A vegetarian diet is as healthy as a diet containing meat. Argue for or against the opinion above. Forests are the lungs of the earth. Destruction of the world’s forests amounts to death of the world we currently know. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Are our zoos cruel to wild animals? Discuss. Zoos are sometimes seen as necessary but not poor alternatives to a natural environment. Discuss some of the arguments for and/or against keeping animals in zoos. To what extent will migration from the developing world to the developed world become a social and political issue in the 21st century? In Britain, when someone gets old, they often go to live in a home with other old people where there are nurses to look after them. Sometimes the government has to pay for this care. Who should be responsible for our old people? Give reasons. The first car appeared on British roads in 1888. By the year 2000 there may be as many as 29 million vehicles on British roads. Alternative forms of transport should be encouraged and international laws introduced to control car ownership and use. What do you think? The best way to reduce the number of traffic accidents is to make all young drivers complete a safe driving education course before being licensed to drive. News editors decide what to broadcast on TV and what to print in newspapers. What factors do you think influence their decisions? Have we become used to bad news? Would it be better if more good news was reported? TV: could you be without it? Discuss. To what extent will migration from the developing world to the developed world become a social and political issue in the 21st century? The mass media, including TV, radio and newspapers, have great influence in shaping people’s ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer. Tourism is becoming increasingly important as a source of revenue to many countries but its disadvantages should not be overlooked. What are some of the problems of tourism? The mass media, including TV, radio and newspapers, have great influence in shaping people’s ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement? Give reasons for your answer Does modern technology make life more convenient, or was life better when technology was simpler? Will modern technology, such as the internet ever replace the book or the written word as the main source of information? We are becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used in businesses, hospitals, crime detection and even to fly planes. What things will they be used for in future?.Is this dependence on computers a good thing or should we be more suspicious of their benefits?Use specific details and examples in your answer. In what ways has information technology changed work and working practices in the past 10 years? Technology is making communication easier in today’s world, but at the expense of personal contact as many people choose to work at home in front of a computer screen. What dangers are there for a society which depends on computer screens rather than face-to-face contact for its main means of communication? Will the Internet bring people of the world closer together? The first car appeared on British roads in 1888. By the year 2000 there may be as many as 29 million vehicles on British roads. Alternative forms of transport should be encouraged and international laws introduced to control car ownership and use. What do you think? The mass media, including TV, radio and newspapers, have great influence in shaping people’s ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement? Give reasons for your answer. Should retirement be compulsory at 65 years of age? Telecommuting’ refers to workers doing their jobs from home for part of each week and communicating with their office using computer technology. Telecommuting is growing in many countries and is expected to be common for most office workers in the coming decades. How do you think society will be affected by the growth of telecommuting? In some countries the average worker is obliged to retire at the age of 50, while in others people can work until they are 65 or 70. Until what age do you think people should be encouraged to remain in paid employment? Give reasons for your answer. To what extent should economic planning be influenced by the need of environmental conservation? Damage of the environment is an inevitable consequence of worldwide improvements in the standard of living. Discuss. The rising levels of congestion and air pollution found in most of the world cities can be attributed directly to the rapidly increasing number of private cars in use. In order to reverse this decline in the quality of life in cities, attempts must be made to encourage people to use their cars less and public transport more. Discuss possible ways to encourage the use of public transport. The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy. The benefits of nuclear technology far outweigh the disadvantages. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer. Education is the single most important factor in the development of a country. Do you agree? What are factors which are related to academic success in high-school students? Do the benefits of study abroad justify the difficulties? What advice would you offer to a prospective student? The idea of going overseas for university study is an exciting prospect for many people. But while it may offer some advantages, it is probably better to stay home because of the difficulties a student inevitably encounters living and studying in a different culture. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement? Give reasons for your answer. Education is recognized as vital to the future of any society in today’s world. Governments throughout the world should make education compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 and 15. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Foreign language instruction should begin in kindergarten. Discuss. Should sports classes be sacrificed in High School so students can concentrate on academic subjects?