Definition in Academic Papers

Education:

Education is an interactive communication. On the one hand, educators and schools develop a system of instruction designed to teach knowledge and methodology. On the other hand, students not only learn skills, broaden horizons, and develop personal character, but also interact with teachers by responding to teachers’ questions and raising their own questions during the learning process.

Bullying:

Bullying can exist on campus. School bullying now is one of the serious problems which cannot be ignored in school. In the times of information explosion, teenagers expose to a large number of both good and bad intermingled information. In addition, the vast majority of teenagers are easily influenced by what they saw and what they heard from television, films, and internet. Therefore, they may tend to imitate the behavior that threatens or harms other persons by verbal harassment, physical assault, or other more subtle ways.

Terrorism:

Terrorism is a unique form of crime, often encompassing elements of warfare and politics. Terrorists use various violent actions especially for political purposes, such as destruction of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy, threatening territorial integrity, security of States and destabilizing government and regime.

A Capacity for Joy

Play, which seems to be both a sign and a source of joy, has been increasingly studied in recent years. Play is definitely important to animals because joy often expresses itself in play, which many animals may indulge in all their lives. Some animals may play with objects. And in other animals, object play may become social play. In addition, animals sometimes find playmates across the barrier of species. However, to what extent animals playing games recognize implicit rules is not clear.

Summary of Columbine High School massacre

Columbine High School massacre is the fourth-deadliest school killing in United States history. On April 20, 1999, in a small Jefferson County, Colorado, two high-school seniors, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, enacted an assault on Columbine High School during the middle of the school day. The boys' plan was to kill hundreds of their peers. With guns, knives, and a great number of bombs, the two boys walked the hallways and killed. As a result, twelve students, one teacher, and the two murderers were dead.

In response to the massacres, schools across the United States instituted not only new anti-bully policies as well as so-called "zero tolerance" approaches to weapons and threatening behavior but also security measures including see-through backpacks, metal detectors, and security guards. Moreover, the shooting resulted in calls for more gun control measures. These were regarded as the Columbine effects.

Citation

Egendorf, L. K. (2002). School shootings. San Diego, Calif.: Greenhaven Press.

Olweus, D. (1995). Bullying or peer abuse at school: Facts and intervention. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 4, 196-200.

Hanson, M. K. (1994). A conflict resolution/student mediation program: Effects on student attitudes and behaviors. ERS Spectrum, 12, 9-14.

Olweus, D. (1995). Bullying or peer abuse at school: Facts and intervention. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 4, 196-200.

Piaget, J. (1970). Science of education and the psychology of the child. New York: Viking.

Verbs and expressions

Effect on Biodiversity

There is a bacterium that is naturally toxic to certain beetles and insects. Scientists have taken the gene that produces the toxin in the bacterium and engineered it into potato and corn plants. Now the potato and corn plants produce the same toxin, so any of the beetles or insects that eat them are poisoned by the toxin in the potato and corn plants. As the plants produce their own insecticide, farmers do not need to spray them with conventional insecticide, with the result that there is less pesticide residue on these plants. In this sense, these GE plants are better for us. But they now contain a gene that produces toxins. Is this good for us?
As well as the target pests, many beneficial beetles and insects are killed. Monarch butterfly larvae died when they came into contact with pollen from GE corn. What will be the effect on beetles, mice, birds, etc. that eat the beetles and insects that have been poisoned by the toxin in the potatoes and corn? In other words, what will be the effect on the environment? Some fear that proliferation of GE crops may result in huge losses of biodiversity and all the dangers that entails.
The GE potatoes and GE corn just mentioned are meant to reduce the need for pesticide. Other plants are genetically engineered to withstand pesticide. A gene that is naturally resistant to Monsanto's Roundup herbicide has been inserted into canola. So a farmer can spray a field of GE canola with almost as much Roundup as he/she likes, and while the weeds will be killed, the canola will be unaffected. So herbicide-resistant GE crops may encourage farmers to use more pesticide. There would be more pesticide residue on these crops.
In some places, the bacteria needed for breaking down vegetable matter so that the soil is fertilized are being wiped out by excessive use of Roundup. The soil is becoming inert, and so much so that dead weeds do not rot.
When a farmer harvests a crop like soy, some falls on to the ground and may remain there till the following growing season, when it may grow spontaneously. If the farmer is growing a different crop, the soy is now unwanted, a weed, and the farmer may want to kill it with herbicide. Herbicide-resistant GE soy cannot be killed with ordinary herbicide and farmers in Argentina, for example, use a potent cocktail of different chemicals, including 2-4,D and, it is thought, Paraquat. This cocktail is causing environmental havoc. Some of the chemicals are blown by the wind on to neighboring fields, into streams and lakes, and on to people. It is causing skin blemishes on children, farm animals to be born deformed, bananas to sprout from the middle of the branch instead of the top, lakes filled with dead fish.

Substantial Equivalence

The biotechnology industry claims that genetic engineering is just like traditional breeding, i.e., GE plants are substantially equivalent to non-GE plants and, therefore, that they do not need any extra regulation. This is obviously misleading.
In traditional breeding, members of the same or very similar species are crossed to create offspring with some novel trait. This greatly limits the genes that can be combined. Furthermore, when different but similar species are crossed, their offspring are generally infertile, preventing inter-species gene combinations from propagating in the wild. For example, a donkey and a mare can make a mule, but the mule will be infertile, the end of the line for the combined genes.
Genetic engineering smashes these natural barriers. Using gene insertion, any gene from any plant, animal, bacterium, fungus or virus can be inserted into the DNA in reproductive cells of any other organism. If the resulting organism survives, it generally can pass on its altered DNA, along with and new traits, through normal reproduction. For example, genetic engineering enables scientists to create pigs which have human genes, genes which will be passed on to future generations.
So GE plants and animals are not substantially equivalent to non-GE varieties. But are they safe for us to eat? Do they need extra regulation?
There are indications that they may not be safe. An English scientist reported that rats fed GE potatoes developed cancerous tumors. The rats' brain size also decreased. The same scientist also fed GE tomatoes to rats. 7 out of 20 rats developed stomach lesions and died.
There are also problems within the Food and Drug Agency, the US agency with responsibility for regulating food. Because of inadequate legislation in the US, Monsanto's New Leaf Superior GE potato is not regulated. The potato has been genetically engineered to poison and kill the Colorado potato beetle. Because it produces its own toxin, the potato is registered as a pesticide. The FDA does not regulate the potato because it does not have authority to regulate pesticides. That is the Environment Protection Agency's job, but the EPA says the potato is a food.
The first GE crop to be commercialized, the Flavr Savr tomato, did not pass the required toxicological tests. Secret memoranda from the FDA reveal that the agency ignored warnings from its own senior scientists who pointed out that GE is risky. What is behind this situation? For one thing, there is a very close link between the biotechnology industry and the US government. The biotech industry has been well represented in President Bush's cabinet. Secretaries of Defence, Health, and Agriculture, the Attorney General and the chairperson of the House Agriculture Committee have had connections with Monsanto or the wider industry.
But would the manufacturer be irresponsible? Monsanto president has been quoted as saying, "Safety is the Government's responsibility."
So we do not know for sure if GE foods are safe. They may turn out to be harmful. There are many examples of new technologies hailed at first as great benefits to humankind, but later realized to be anything but a benefit. The effects of DDT were not known for decades. Likewise Thalidomide, which caused deformities in more than 100,000 babies. At the time of its approval in the EU and Canada, tests in laboratory animals showed no negative effects. Thalidomide's damage was revealed only over time, not in the drug's users, but in their children.
There is already at least one new disease linked to GE food. In 1989 eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) hit the US. 37 people died and 1,500 were permanently disabled. EMS was linked to the consumption of a dietary supplement called L-Tryptophan. The batch of L-Tryptophan implicated in the outbreak was traced to Showa Denko, which had recently introduced a new genetically engineered bacterium into its production process.

Resumptive, summative, free modifiers

1. Many different school systems are making a return to tradition education in the basics, education that emphasize particularly on fundamental skills.
Many different school systems are making a return to tradition education in the basics, a change that many educators anticipated five years ago.
Many different school systems are making a return to tradition education in the basics, shifting teaching ideas and methods.

2. Within the period of the last few years or so, automobile manufacturers have been trying to meet new and more stringent quality control requirements, requirements raised the standard to a high level.
Within the period of the last few years or so, automobile manufacturers have been trying to meet new and more stringent quality control requirements, a challenge that will be of benefit to human being.
Within the period of the last few years or so, automobile manufacturers have been trying to meet new and more stringent quality control requirements, increasing the efficiency of the production progress.

3. The majority of young people in the world of today cannot even begin to have an understanding of the insecurity that a large number of older people had experienced during the Great Depression, insecurity that people were devoid of at that time.
The majority of young people in the world of today cannot even begin to have an understanding of the insecurity that a large number of older people had experienced during the Great Depression, a failure that compelled people to become homeless.
The majority of young people in the world of today cannot even begin to have an understanding of the insecurity that a large number of older people had experienced during the Great Depression, living a poor life during the period.

4. The reasons for the cause of aging are a puzzle that has perplexed humanity for millennia, a puzzle that the experts haven’t worked out yet.
The reasons for the cause of aging are a puzzle that has perplexed humanity for millennia, a mystery that there is still no clear answer.
The reasons for the cause of aging are a puzzle that has perplexed humanity for millennia, requiring further research.

5. The successful accomplishment of test-tube fertilization of embryos has raised many issues of an ethical nature that continue to trouble both scientists and laypeople, issues that include morality, obligation, legality and other aspects.
The successful accomplishment of test-tube fertilization of embryos has raised many issues of an ethical nature that continue to trouble both scientists and laypeople, an event that is a milestone in development of human history.
The successful accomplishment of test-tube fertilization of embryos has raised many issues of an ethical nature that continue to trouble both scientists and laypeople, providing people new thoughts about life.

6. Many who lived during the period of the Victorian era were appalled when Darwin put forth the suggestion that their ancestry might have included creatures such as apes, the era that people are too conservative to accept non-traditional ideas.
Many who lived during the period of the Victorian era were appalled when Darwin put forth the suggestion that their ancestry might have included creatures such as apes, an event that totally changed people’s view of the world.
Many who lived during the period of the Victorian era were appalled when Darwin put forth the suggestion that their ancestry might have included creatures such as apes, treating his suggestion as paganism.

7. In the period known to scholars and historians as the Renaissance, increases in affluence and stability in the area of political affairs had the consequence of allowing streams of thought different kinds to merge and flow together, thought from different classes of the society.
In the period known to scholars and historians as the Renaissance, increases in affluence and stability in the area of political affairs had the consequence of allowing streams of thought different kinds to merge and flow together, a change that brought in a hundred schools of thought, and promoted debate.
In the period known to scholars and historians as the Renaissance, increases in affluence and stability in the area of political affairs had the consequence of allowing streams of thought different kinds to merge and flow together, tending to diversification in people’s opinions.

8. The field of journalism has to an increasing degree placed its focus on the kind of news stories and events that at one time in our history were considered to be only gossip of a salacious and sexual nature, news stories and events that were regarded as non-traditional ones before.
The field of journalism has to an increasing degree placed its focus on the kind of news stories and events that at one time in our history were considered to be only gossip of a salacious and sexual nature, a change that remained controversial for a long time.
The field of journalism has to an increasing degree placed its focus on the kind of news stories and events that at one time in our history were considered to be only gossip of a salacious and sexual nature, in order to attract readers’ attention.

9. In his documentary Bowling for columbine, Michael Moore has put the spotlight on the American penchant for violence, the spotlight that was easily seen by readers.
In his documentary Bowling for columbine, Michael Moore has put the spotlight on the American penchant for violence, a way to concentrate on the main point he want to express.
In his documentary Bowling for columbine, Michael Moore has put the spotlight on the American penchant for violence, especially focusing on the cause and effect chain of the event.

10. Al Gore has tirelessly urged world governments to develop policies in response to global warming, policies that would slow down the pace of global warming.
Al Gore has tirelessly urged world governments to develop policies in response to global warming, the opinion that was unfortunately ignored by world governments.
Al Gore has tirelessly urged world governments to develop policies in response to global warming, to preserve the ecological environment.

The Phenomena of Yao Ming

Since Yao Ming, the first player without any American basketball experience before, was selected by Houston Rockets as the 1st overall pick in the 2002 draft, the past five years have witnessed a sharp rise in basketball fever in China. People gathered around to watch Houston Rockets’ game and showed interest in Yao’s performance. Large number of Chinese teenagers dreamed that they can play like Yao Ming and enter the NBA league one day in future. Yao’s hard work led him to become one of the best players in the league. Not only did the mass media and many experts give him highly praise, like “Chinese Great Wall”, but also he was voted as the starting roster for the Western Conference in NBA All Star game by his millions of NBA fans votes. As a result, Chinese players are highly approved and attract many teams’ scouts’ attention because Yao, to some extent, represents Chinese players. Those with the title “the next Yao Ming” are eager to trace Yao’s success. Yi Jianlian and Sun Yue have been successfully picked by NBA teams this year and are ready to show their abilities in this highest level of league in the world. We can optimistically estimate that increasing number of Chinese players will performance in NBA in future.

The case of Martin

I think they should allow him to die. The reason is the situation of Martin now is hopeless and hard to improve, thus continuous treatment will be ineffective. Just relying on tube and respirator to keep him alive is not a long-term plan and the situation is exacerbating day by day. In addition, medical cost is a big problem. Although money is insignificant compared to human’s life, thousands of dollars a day is not only waste of money, but also a big burden on his family which is not very rich.

Paraphrase

Part 1: In many instances, anger and aggression probably explode when people are ostracized or rejected, especially their romatic desires are thwarted. Certain individuals, charaterized by their shyness or eccentricity, are more likely to be ostracized and ignored by their peers. For example, two teenagers who had been ostracized, taunted and bullied by other students before, commited a crime by attacking their peers after deliberate planning.

Part 2:



Part 3: Commericial pressures play a vital role in reshaping media content and even criminal justice policy.

Nature or nurture

The debate about "nature or nurture" never stops. Some people prodigies are born, but I think they are made by both their family and themselves.

Family education plays a vital role in prodigy growing. Parents are the first teachers to a child. It is commonly seen that those who gradually became musicians since borned in a music family. That is because they grow up in the specific environment with piano, music box or just melody every day even since they are born. Thus, children are easily influenced by what they constantly see and hear. Moreover, children have more opportunities to get to experts on the field or other resources than their peers due to parents’ social network, which will be catalyzes to the shaping of children. Therefore, family has inestimably great influence on the development of the abilities of children.

Individual effort, on the other hand, is also a factor to produce prodigies. Thomas Edison belongs to the class of genius. But when the public wondered the key to his success, he responded that genius is one per cent inspiration, ninety-nine per cent perspiration. Inspiration is essential, but only constitutes a very small part. Hard work is the most important thing for a successful person. Michael Jordan was characterized by his unparalleled physical attributes since he entered NBA. But inborn advantage cannot guarantee him one of the best basketball players in history. He kept practicing basketball every day. He was always the last one to leave the court after training. Therefore, hardworking cannot be simply ignored to produce prodigies.

Protection of ozone layer

Outline(a chain of causation):
Human activities—pollution—a hole in ozone layer—ultraviolet ray pass through--cause skin cancer—need sustainable development

For billions of years, the ozone layer, characterized by a layer of upper atmosphere, has been playing a vital role of protecting humans and other living things on earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays. In recent years, human activity, however, has contributed to the deterioration of the ozone layer. People used to produce various chemical products which affect and destroy the ozone layer. Moreover, a massive factory boom brought on serious air pollution. As a consequence a hole has been created and ultraviolet rays could pass through the atmosphere and burn human’s skin, in certain cases this could produce a chronic disease called cancer.

A damaged ozone layer leads to a number of serious health risks for humans. Therefore, some solving methods and policies, for example, sustainable development is in urge need. Sustainable development implies a broad view of human welfare, a long term perspective about the consequences of today’s activities, and global co-operation to reach viable solutions. People can achieve a sustainable future through the promotion of sustainable development stratergy, full integration of the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Human history has shown that if we continue to exploit our resources, particularly by destroying the air and water, we will ultimately harm ourselves.

Summary of “Small Wonders”

The article “Small Wonders”, written by Andrew Marshall, discussed factors affecting how and why prodigies are made. The ethnicity and geography are obviously irrelevant. Research shows that the drive comes from different functioning of their brain’s neural circuitry compared with other ordinary peers. Although there is no definite answer to the occurrence of difference, researchers and expects have came to an agreement that both nature and nurture have influences on giftedness. Moreover, prodigies should act their ages because they are still children.

Graph showing average daily use of D.C. Metro

The graph shows that the average daily use of D.C. Metro on different time. From 6:00 am, the number began to rise, and reached the 1st peek at around 8:00. After that, the number declined considerably. After slightly growing from 10:30, the number stabilized for a period. Subsequently, the number dipped sharply with reaching a bottom. At 18:30, the number reached 2nd highest level. The number, from then on, dropped steeply, and eventually remained relatively steady after 20:30. The graph shows that the number of people using metro changed dramatically during two periods because mass people were traveling to or from working in rush hours.