Many people believe that life today is more stressful than ever before, but is this really true? In my opinion, there has always been stress in people’s lives, but the type of stress has changed.
In the past, people were stressed as a result of different things. It is a fact that many people had large families and little money. In addition, people have less health care than they do today. People had to work very long hours and they often had no holidays. To my mind, this implies that life was extremely stressful in the past.
Today, technology has made our lives easier. However, I think that it has also brought a different stress into our lives. Because of technology, life has become faster and faster. We are never alone and we are always rushing somewhere. The world is a very busy and noisy place.
In conclusion, although I agree that modern life is stressful, I also think that people in the past faced many problems. To my mind, life isn’t more stressful today, the stress is just different.
miércoles, 12 de mayo de 2010
‘Advertising is bad for the environment’. What do you think?
Advertisements are everywhere. They are constantly trying to persuade us to purchase new things. I agree that this is good for the economy, but I don’t think it is good for the environment.
Adverts encourage us to buy more than we need. It is clear that this is good for business because more products are manufactured and sold. But there is a price. It is widely known that Western countries are using up natural resources faster than they can be replaced. It is a fact that a city like Los Angeles uses up as many resources as Nigeria, a country of 100 million people.
To sum up, I believe that advertising is bad for the environment. In my opinion, there should be more adverts about the other side of consumerism – waste, pollution and environmental destruction.
Adverts encourage us to buy more than we need. It is clear that this is good for business because more products are manufactured and sold. But there is a price. It is widely known that Western countries are using up natural resources faster than they can be replaced. It is a fact that a city like Los Angeles uses up as many resources as Nigeria, a country of 100 million people.
To sum up, I believe that advertising is bad for the environment. In my opinion, there should be more adverts about the other side of consumerism – waste, pollution and environmental destruction.
What a waste!
The WEEE man is seven meters high, and he weighs more than three tones. He has been made from everyday items, such as mobile phones, CD players and washing machines. But the WEEE man is not just an amazing work of art. He was built to remind us of the problem of electrical waste. ‘WEEE’ stands for ‘Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment’ and the WEEE man is made of the amount of electrical rubbish the average person throws away during a lifetime.
Three tones of waste may seem incredible at first, but think about it. It is estimated that the average household owns 25 electrical appliances, from televisions to toasters. These appliances are usually replaced every two to five years. Sometimes we replace them because they have stopped working, but often we simply want a more up-to-date or fashionable model. Mobile phones can last for many years, but most people buy a new one every eighteen months. Over half of the electrical items in rubbish dumps were thrown away while they were still working!
The environment is paying a huge price for our waste. In the UK, more than six million electrical items are thrown away every year, and we’re running out of dumps! To get round this problem, many Western countries export their electrical rubbish. It is often sent to poorer, developing countries, which are less well-equipped to process this dangerous waste safely. Without proper treatment, the harmful toxins pollute the landscape and cause health problems for local people and wildlife.
So, what can we do about this problem? The answer is simple. Don’t be a selfish shopper: reduce, reuse and recycle! Think carefully about the items you want to buy. Do you really need them? If the answer is ‘no’, then consider saving your money! Try to recycle as much as you can. Second-hand shops, jumble sales, and websites like freecycle.org are all effective ways of finding new homes for old items.
In twenty years’ time, will WEEE man have grown into an environmental nightmare – or will he have shrunk? It is really up to you to decide.
Three tones of waste may seem incredible at first, but think about it. It is estimated that the average household owns 25 electrical appliances, from televisions to toasters. These appliances are usually replaced every two to five years. Sometimes we replace them because they have stopped working, but often we simply want a more up-to-date or fashionable model. Mobile phones can last for many years, but most people buy a new one every eighteen months. Over half of the electrical items in rubbish dumps were thrown away while they were still working!
The environment is paying a huge price for our waste. In the UK, more than six million electrical items are thrown away every year, and we’re running out of dumps! To get round this problem, many Western countries export their electrical rubbish. It is often sent to poorer, developing countries, which are less well-equipped to process this dangerous waste safely. Without proper treatment, the harmful toxins pollute the landscape and cause health problems for local people and wildlife.
So, what can we do about this problem? The answer is simple. Don’t be a selfish shopper: reduce, reuse and recycle! Think carefully about the items you want to buy. Do you really need them? If the answer is ‘no’, then consider saving your money! Try to recycle as much as you can. Second-hand shops, jumble sales, and websites like freecycle.org are all effective ways of finding new homes for old items.
In twenty years’ time, will WEEE man have grown into an environmental nightmare – or will he have shrunk? It is really up to you to decide.
martes, 11 de mayo de 2010
Waste not, want not!
Increasing numbers of companies are targeting teenage shoppers, hoping to encourage them to buy their products. They package items in attractive, trendy bags and boxes which appeal to teenage tastes. They advertise the latest fashions and must-have gadgets on the television, at pop concerts and at sports events. As a result, British teenagers are spending more money than ever before.
This may be good for the economy, but is it bad for the environment? Companies manufacture millions of ‘luxury’ items for us to purchase every year. A few years later, many of these items will end up in rubbish dumps. Many teenagers do not recycle their used clothes and gadgets – they just get rid of them. ‘They buy something, they use it, then they throw it away,’ says market researcher James Conway. ‘Only “new” stuff is fashionable and that’s the problem’.
BUY NOTHING DAY
WHAT IS IT?
On Buy Nothing Day, people protest about living in a ‘shopaholic’ society. They do not spend any money all day!
HOW DID IT START?
Buy Nothing Day was invented by a Canadian, Ted Dave, in 1992. Ted, who had been employed by advertising agencies for many years, felt that people were being encouraged to buy lots of things they didn’t need. He decided to do something about it! Since 1992, thousands of Buy Nothing Days have been organized all over the world.
WHEN IS IT?
Buy Nothing Day is held in the last weekend of November. This year it will be celebrated by millions of people. At the moment, ‘Buy Nothing’ campaigns are being planned in more than 60 different countries!
This may be good for the economy, but is it bad for the environment? Companies manufacture millions of ‘luxury’ items for us to purchase every year. A few years later, many of these items will end up in rubbish dumps. Many teenagers do not recycle their used clothes and gadgets – they just get rid of them. ‘They buy something, they use it, then they throw it away,’ says market researcher James Conway. ‘Only “new” stuff is fashionable and that’s the problem’.
BUY NOTHING DAY
WHAT IS IT?
On Buy Nothing Day, people protest about living in a ‘shopaholic’ society. They do not spend any money all day!
HOW DID IT START?
Buy Nothing Day was invented by a Canadian, Ted Dave, in 1992. Ted, who had been employed by advertising agencies for many years, felt that people were being encouraged to buy lots of things they didn’t need. He decided to do something about it! Since 1992, thousands of Buy Nothing Days have been organized all over the world.
WHEN IS IT?
Buy Nothing Day is held in the last weekend of November. This year it will be celebrated by millions of people. At the moment, ‘Buy Nothing’ campaigns are being planned in more than 60 different countries!
Nothing but the truth
Irene Jones, 75, once appeared in court as a witness in a small town in Wales. A local lawyer spoke to Mrs. Jones first. ‘Do you know who I am?’ he asked.
Mrs. Jones said that she had known him since he was small. She told the court that she had babysat for him for many years. Then she told the lawyer that he was a big disappointment to her, and to many other people in the town. She said he was always saying nasty things about the people there. She told him that he couldn’t run his law business properly. Last of all, she said that nobody in that town would ever marry him.
The shocked lawyer pointed to the judge. ‘Do you know him too?’ he asked. The judge saw Mrs. Jones starting to speak. ‘Silence in court!’ he yelled. Mrs. Jones is my mother, and if anyone asks her what she knows about me, I will send them to prison!’
Catching criminals the DNA way
Professor Alec Jeffries discovered the technique of DNA fingerprinting in 1985, while he was working in his laboratory. Professor Jeffries was incredibly excited by his discovery, as he could immediately see its importance.
DNA fingerprinting finds patterns in a person’s DNA which are unique to that person. Although this discovery is still relatively recent, it has already revolutionized our justice system, as it can be used to find out if a suspect is innocent or guilty. In Britain, DNA tests were used for the first time in a criminal case in 1986. A man had been found guilty of murder. Nevertheless, later DNA tests proved him to be innocent. Then the real murderer was discovered, using more DNA tests!
In today’s criminal investigations, the DNA of a suspect’s blood is almost always compared to evidence from the crime scene. DNA fingerprinting is now frequently used as evidence in court. In fact, it is now very unusual for judges to hear cases where no DNA evidence is used!
Look into my eyes
Three professors at Cambridge University first developed the technique of iris recognition. In 1994, they invented computer software which could ‘read’ the iris – the colored part of the eye – to identify a person. It works because everybody’s irises are unique and they do not change.
Although it is very new and expensive, people are beginning to use iris recognition to prevent crime and identify criminals. For example, one US prison introduced iris recognition in order to be able to check that no prisoners had escaped. Banks worldwide have introduced it to stop criminals stealing from other people’s bank accounts. And some international airlines have installed it since the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York.
One American businessman, who flies regularly, said that it was a great technique. He added that it was much safer than passports or ID cards. ‘And you can’t leave your eyes on the plane by accident!’ he joked. Experts predict that we will all be using iris recognition in our everyday lives in the near future.
Irene Jones, 75, once appeared in court as a witness in a small town in Wales. A local lawyer spoke to Mrs. Jones first. ‘Do you know who I am?’ he asked.
Mrs. Jones said that she had known him since he was small. She told the court that she had babysat for him for many years. Then she told the lawyer that he was a big disappointment to her, and to many other people in the town. She said he was always saying nasty things about the people there. She told him that he couldn’t run his law business properly. Last of all, she said that nobody in that town would ever marry him.
The shocked lawyer pointed to the judge. ‘Do you know him too?’ he asked. The judge saw Mrs. Jones starting to speak. ‘Silence in court!’ he yelled. Mrs. Jones is my mother, and if anyone asks her what she knows about me, I will send them to prison!’
Catching criminals the DNA way
Professor Alec Jeffries discovered the technique of DNA fingerprinting in 1985, while he was working in his laboratory. Professor Jeffries was incredibly excited by his discovery, as he could immediately see its importance.
DNA fingerprinting finds patterns in a person’s DNA which are unique to that person. Although this discovery is still relatively recent, it has already revolutionized our justice system, as it can be used to find out if a suspect is innocent or guilty. In Britain, DNA tests were used for the first time in a criminal case in 1986. A man had been found guilty of murder. Nevertheless, later DNA tests proved him to be innocent. Then the real murderer was discovered, using more DNA tests!
In today’s criminal investigations, the DNA of a suspect’s blood is almost always compared to evidence from the crime scene. DNA fingerprinting is now frequently used as evidence in court. In fact, it is now very unusual for judges to hear cases where no DNA evidence is used!
Look into my eyes
Three professors at Cambridge University first developed the technique of iris recognition. In 1994, they invented computer software which could ‘read’ the iris – the colored part of the eye – to identify a person. It works because everybody’s irises are unique and they do not change.
Although it is very new and expensive, people are beginning to use iris recognition to prevent crime and identify criminals. For example, one US prison introduced iris recognition in order to be able to check that no prisoners had escaped. Banks worldwide have introduced it to stop criminals stealing from other people’s bank accounts. And some international airlines have installed it since the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York.
One American businessman, who flies regularly, said that it was a great technique. He added that it was much safer than passports or ID cards. ‘And you can’t leave your eyes on the plane by accident!’ he joked. Experts predict that we will all be using iris recognition in our everyday lives in the near future.
Travel & Adventure
Which would you rather bring back from holiday: a suntan or tales of adventure? In the past, people went on holiday so that they could sunbathe and relax. Today, many of us go on holiday in order to try something new and exciting!
Although adventure holidays can sometimes be dangerous, people are often so thrilled by their experiences that they come back for more. And not just young people. In spite of the fact that activities can be risky, older people and families are also on the adventure trail.
Against the odds
Ever since he was a teenager, Erik Weihenmayer’s ambition was to climb Everest. He knew about the fierce snow storms, deep crevasses and freezing temperatures. He knew that only twenty per cent of climbers ever reach the top and that some never return. But Erik was strong and athletic, and he had great climbing ability. What’s more, he had mental as well as physical toughness, and lots of determination.
Erik and his team climbed Everest in May 2001. The expedition team tried to reach the summit once, but they came up against some very bad weather. By the time the weather had improved, it was already dark. The team had a choice: they could either turn back and miss their chance to get to the top, or carry on and take a huge risk. Although it was incredibly dangerous, they decided to keep on climbing in the dark. Their terrifying journey took patience, courage and endurance. In order to avoid falling into crevasses, they had to move incredibly slowly, hoping not to make any mistakes. For most of the climbers, each step was a real leap of faith, but it was less of a problem for Erik. Erik had always climbed in the dark because he is blind.
Erik was born with a rare eye disease. By the time he was fourteen, he had lost his eyesight completely. At first, there was a lot of anger inside him, but he gradually learnt to accept the change. Despite the challenges, he gradually turned his ‘weakness’ into a strength. After losing his sight, Erik’s sense of touch became highly developed. Instead of playing football or basketball, he took up wrestling, which is a sport where feel and touch are very important. Erik was soon so good at the sport that he competed in the Junior Championships. Later, when he was sixteen, Erik discovered another sport where a good sense of touch is vital – rock climbing. Erik discovered that he was a natural climber, and since then he has climbed mountains all over the world.
Today, Erik is famous. His story has been an inspiration and encouragement to thousands of people because he never gave up and he never turned back. He reached the summit of Everest against the odds, overcoming huge obstacles to realize his dream.
Although adventure holidays can sometimes be dangerous, people are often so thrilled by their experiences that they come back for more. And not just young people. In spite of the fact that activities can be risky, older people and families are also on the adventure trail.
Against the odds
Ever since he was a teenager, Erik Weihenmayer’s ambition was to climb Everest. He knew about the fierce snow storms, deep crevasses and freezing temperatures. He knew that only twenty per cent of climbers ever reach the top and that some never return. But Erik was strong and athletic, and he had great climbing ability. What’s more, he had mental as well as physical toughness, and lots of determination.
Erik and his team climbed Everest in May 2001. The expedition team tried to reach the summit once, but they came up against some very bad weather. By the time the weather had improved, it was already dark. The team had a choice: they could either turn back and miss their chance to get to the top, or carry on and take a huge risk. Although it was incredibly dangerous, they decided to keep on climbing in the dark. Their terrifying journey took patience, courage and endurance. In order to avoid falling into crevasses, they had to move incredibly slowly, hoping not to make any mistakes. For most of the climbers, each step was a real leap of faith, but it was less of a problem for Erik. Erik had always climbed in the dark because he is blind.
Erik was born with a rare eye disease. By the time he was fourteen, he had lost his eyesight completely. At first, there was a lot of anger inside him, but he gradually learnt to accept the change. Despite the challenges, he gradually turned his ‘weakness’ into a strength. After losing his sight, Erik’s sense of touch became highly developed. Instead of playing football or basketball, he took up wrestling, which is a sport where feel and touch are very important. Erik was soon so good at the sport that he competed in the Junior Championships. Later, when he was sixteen, Erik discovered another sport where a good sense of touch is vital – rock climbing. Erik discovered that he was a natural climber, and since then he has climbed mountains all over the world.
Today, Erik is famous. His story has been an inspiration and encouragement to thousands of people because he never gave up and he never turned back. He reached the summit of Everest against the odds, overcoming huge obstacles to realize his dream.
New technologies & relationships
I think it’s important to talk about new technologies and relationships nowadays. Finding a partner online is becoming less unusual. Although most people still meet at school, work or parties, the internet is an increasingly popular way to get a date. In addition, couples who meet online are more likely to stay together. ‘You get to know someone from the inside out,’ says a girl who knew her boyfriend online. ‘You can’t judge people by their appearance, so personality and interests come first’.
There are other advantages too. Chatting someone up needn’t be embarrassing. If you are incompatible, you just log out – and no one can see you blush. In fact, men are often more open than women.
But there is also a lot of dishonesty. Thirty-three per cent of chat room users admit to lying on the internet, and women lie more than men. Although it is irresponsible to give out false information online, it is not illegal. Chat room hosts ask member to be cautious because you cannot be sure who someone really is. They say that members should use a nickname and never give out their personal details.
Some people say that online relationships are stronger and more personal. Others disagree.
There are other advantages too. Chatting someone up needn’t be embarrassing. If you are incompatible, you just log out – and no one can see you blush. In fact, men are often more open than women.
But there is also a lot of dishonesty. Thirty-three per cent of chat room users admit to lying on the internet, and women lie more than men. Although it is irresponsible to give out false information online, it is not illegal. Chat room hosts ask member to be cautious because you cannot be sure who someone really is. They say that members should use a nickname and never give out their personal details.
Some people say that online relationships are stronger and more personal. Others disagree.
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