Most people want to go on holiday to relieve stress, to have fun, to rest, and to see all those fantastic places that you've read about. France is the place where I want to go, and I will visit France as soon as possible.
France is a popular country to visit and there a lot of people from different backgrounds who live there. The most famous city is Paris. There are many places to visit like the river Seine, the Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame, the Eiffel tower and Disneyworld. Many of my friends have advised me to go to Paris and to have fun. The first thing that I want to see is the river Seine which is the second longest river in France. You can directly see it when you come to Paris first. You may have a tour on a boat on the river. Then I will climb the Eiffel tower, and I will see all Paris under my feet. I am curious about that. I will not leave before climbing the tower. Next, the second place I want to go to is the Champs-Élysées. It is a famous street where there are still street lamps from the time of Napoleon. People go to churches to pray to God for wishes and light some candles. Is there better place than Notre-Dame to do it? Of course not. I know the history of Notre-Dame and there are many books, songs, theatres, films, musicals about the Hunchback of Notre-Dame. I will both fulfill my desires and see the beauty of the church. For fun, Disneyland is the best place in Paris. Just go by underground, you will be in there in 30 minutes. All of us know the cartoons and the fantastic films like Peter Pan, Pirates of the Caribbean. In EuroDisney, you can have a great time on the roller coasters, trains, boats and houses. Then you can learn how cartoons, animation films, and normal films are made. Sometimes there are some shows with cars and motorbikes . To conclude, if I had just one chance to travel somewhere, I would choose France to go to. If I visited France a hundred times, I would still want to visit France again. Most people dream of going to some places, and for me it is France all the time.
Naz HOŞSES
Monday, February 21, 2011
A PRECIOUS RESOURCE
Although water covers about two-thirds of the Earth's surface, one person in five has no access to safe water. So how did this happen? Water has been the Earth’s most precious resource since the beginning of human civilization but now we are facing a global water crisis, which needs an urgent solution.
There are several reasons for the water crisis. One is the simple rise in population, and the desire for better living standards. A bathtub contains 150L water however, lots of poor people cannot obtain even 30L water just for their daily needs. Moreover, an American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than a typical person in a developing country slum uses in a whole day. Another reason is the wrong policies. For example, the Aral Sea, which is in the center of Asia was turned into a lake. In 1900 the Soviet Union cut the connections of rivers which provide water to the Aral and used that for growing cotton in desert areas of Asia. There are lots of examples of wrong policies all around the world that brought us to where we are today. Thirdly, pollution is making more of the water that is available to us unfit for use. An estimated 700 million Indians have no access to a proper toilet, and 1,000 Indian children die of diarrheal sickness every day. All in all, there are various reasons which have brought us to this situation.
Mankind has created the water crisis and therefore should find solutions to stop it. First of all, rulers should enlighten people to make them understand the urgency of this problem. Secondly, governments should provide credits to farmers for establishing a water friendly solution which is called the drop system. The drop system gives plants water drop by drop and it does not waste a single drop. Thirdly, more serious precautions are needed for population. For example punishments should be higher for a factory which has not got a waste treatment facility. I have just found three solutions however, if all people think seriously on this topic I am sure we can solve this problem.
To sum up, we have a history of meeting great challenges using imagination and our great capacity to adapt. We must use our knowledge, experience and institutions to catch up with the overwhelming progress of science and technology, and learn how to become both good neighbors for each other and good guests of the natural environment.
Elif Tahmiscioğlu
11 TMA 21
There are several reasons for the water crisis. One is the simple rise in population, and the desire for better living standards. A bathtub contains 150L water however, lots of poor people cannot obtain even 30L water just for their daily needs. Moreover, an American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than a typical person in a developing country slum uses in a whole day. Another reason is the wrong policies. For example, the Aral Sea, which is in the center of Asia was turned into a lake. In 1900 the Soviet Union cut the connections of rivers which provide water to the Aral and used that for growing cotton in desert areas of Asia. There are lots of examples of wrong policies all around the world that brought us to where we are today. Thirdly, pollution is making more of the water that is available to us unfit for use. An estimated 700 million Indians have no access to a proper toilet, and 1,000 Indian children die of diarrheal sickness every day. All in all, there are various reasons which have brought us to this situation.
Mankind has created the water crisis and therefore should find solutions to stop it. First of all, rulers should enlighten people to make them understand the urgency of this problem. Secondly, governments should provide credits to farmers for establishing a water friendly solution which is called the drop system. The drop system gives plants water drop by drop and it does not waste a single drop. Thirdly, more serious precautions are needed for population. For example punishments should be higher for a factory which has not got a waste treatment facility. I have just found three solutions however, if all people think seriously on this topic I am sure we can solve this problem.
To sum up, we have a history of meeting great challenges using imagination and our great capacity to adapt. We must use our knowledge, experience and institutions to catch up with the overwhelming progress of science and technology, and learn how to become both good neighbors for each other and good guests of the natural environment.
Elif Tahmiscioğlu
11 TMA 21
EVERY MINUTE THAT WE HAVE
Who can say: “I am who I am, time cannot change me”? Life is moving so fast. However, when we look back, we see a sequence of events which changes us. I was 12 but now I am 17, five years changed lots of things in my life.
Five years ago I was a twelve year-old girl and did not know anything about life. Of course, I cannot say I know everything about life now. However, at least I am much better than that girl who was 12. Being at the age of 12 was the most difficult year of my life. I was at the most sensitive age, the blue age. I was easily affected by everything. I was questioning who I was and why I was there. In addition to this, I had to study for high school exams and there was a great pressure on my little shoulders. I could not find time for myself and it made me more aggressive. I had tons of dreams on my mind but I did not want to work to make them real. So, I was between teenager and child because of that I thought I knew lots of things about life however, I did not know exactly who I was.
Now I am seventeen and I think I am more mature than I was at twelve. I have just one year to reach the age of discretion. I have targets and I am working very hard to reach them. I am more understanding towards my parents and friends. I am more realistic in my expectations. At least I know what I am capable of and I am closer to the real world.
Everyday is a new experience for all of us and it affects our life sooner or later. 5 years is not a long time for a 70 year old man but a very long time for a 5-year old child. We should seize every minute that we have.
Elif Tahmiscioğlu 11 TM A 21
Five years ago I was a twelve year-old girl and did not know anything about life. Of course, I cannot say I know everything about life now. However, at least I am much better than that girl who was 12. Being at the age of 12 was the most difficult year of my life. I was at the most sensitive age, the blue age. I was easily affected by everything. I was questioning who I was and why I was there. In addition to this, I had to study for high school exams and there was a great pressure on my little shoulders. I could not find time for myself and it made me more aggressive. I had tons of dreams on my mind but I did not want to work to make them real. So, I was between teenager and child because of that I thought I knew lots of things about life however, I did not know exactly who I was.
Now I am seventeen and I think I am more mature than I was at twelve. I have just one year to reach the age of discretion. I have targets and I am working very hard to reach them. I am more understanding towards my parents and friends. I am more realistic in my expectations. At least I know what I am capable of and I am closer to the real world.
Everyday is a new experience for all of us and it affects our life sooner or later. 5 years is not a long time for a 70 year old man but a very long time for a 5-year old child. We should seize every minute that we have.
Elif Tahmiscioğlu 11 TM A 21
Retirement Problems
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.
Firstly, many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow them to work any more -by illness or accident- or as a result of legislation concerning their position. In most countries there is an official retirement age. That age depends on the economical situation of that country, population and unemployment rate. In Turkey, the retirement age is 65.
Secondly, even though 65 is higher than some of other countries, it's better for the Turkish workers, because retirement wages are lower than the normal salary and it is paid every 3 months. But not just that, after working for years people get lost in their retirement ages. They try to fish, to find some hobbies, to spend some time with grandchildren; but it never feels the same.
In conclusion, retirement is important if governments can solve what will happen afterwards and try to find beneficial solutions. It might be better for those people and for their peace of mind .
Deniz ÖZDOĞRU
Firstly, many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow them to work any more -by illness or accident- or as a result of legislation concerning their position. In most countries there is an official retirement age. That age depends on the economical situation of that country, population and unemployment rate. In Turkey, the retirement age is 65.
Secondly, even though 65 is higher than some of other countries, it's better for the Turkish workers, because retirement wages are lower than the normal salary and it is paid every 3 months. But not just that, after working for years people get lost in their retirement ages. They try to fish, to find some hobbies, to spend some time with grandchildren; but it never feels the same.
In conclusion, retirement is important if governments can solve what will happen afterwards and try to find beneficial solutions. It might be better for those people and for their peace of mind .
Deniz ÖZDOĞRU
A NEW OLD COMMUNITY
How many years do you expect to live? Seventy, Eighty, Hundred ... People used to think it was impossible to live untl the age of 90. Now, we read articles about people who got married when they are over 90 years old. So, populations are aging worldwide and it brings lots of implications both positive and negative.
Some experts think this old age wave is causing lots of problems. A graying population can cause a collapse in the retirement system. It means that there will be fewer people to support the pensions. On one hand, some analysts think with immigrants this problem can be solved in developed countries. On the other hand, integration of the immigrants can be difficult. Another solution is spreading leisure time throughout life. Nevertheless, we cannot expect a 90 year old person to work on a job. Maybe increasing the quality of working conditions can lead old people to work. All in all, it has economically and politically implications which are very hard to solve.
Increasing longevity has some positive implications too. It creates lots of sectors like household things for old people, door knobs, hair dyes, plastic surgery, health care, and nursing which support the economy. For example, my grandmother is 83 and she is very healthy. However, she complains when she goes to shopping malls because she cannot find proper clothes for her age. As you see, developing things for old people will help the economy.
To sum up, we are faced with a graying population but it has both pros and cons. All we need is to be ready and prepared to meet the new old community.
ELİF TAHMİSCİOĞLU
11 TMA 21
Some experts think this old age wave is causing lots of problems. A graying population can cause a collapse in the retirement system. It means that there will be fewer people to support the pensions. On one hand, some analysts think with immigrants this problem can be solved in developed countries. On the other hand, integration of the immigrants can be difficult. Another solution is spreading leisure time throughout life. Nevertheless, we cannot expect a 90 year old person to work on a job. Maybe increasing the quality of working conditions can lead old people to work. All in all, it has economically and politically implications which are very hard to solve.
Increasing longevity has some positive implications too. It creates lots of sectors like household things for old people, door knobs, hair dyes, plastic surgery, health care, and nursing which support the economy. For example, my grandmother is 83 and she is very healthy. However, she complains when she goes to shopping malls because she cannot find proper clothes for her age. As you see, developing things for old people will help the economy.
To sum up, we are faced with a graying population but it has both pros and cons. All we need is to be ready and prepared to meet the new old community.
ELİF TAHMİSCİOĞLU
11 TMA 21
SPAIN, WHERE I WANT TO BE
Imagine a place with sea, sun, art, sport, history, music, dance all together. Which place comes to your mind? Spain. Spain is the place where I would like to go because I want to see whether it is like what I see in the movies and learn the fascinating language.
I would like to go to Spain to see the magnificent cities which I watched in the movies and heard from my friends. I watched lots of movies about Spain like Vicky Christina Barcelona and Volver. In both of them I was affected by the sites like Sagrada Familia or Palau de la Musica Catalana which is the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moreover, Spain is the capital of art so I want to visit the galleries and houses of the famous Spanish artists like Picasso and Salvador Dali. All in all, I am curious about these historical places and learn more about them.
I would like to learn more about the Spanish language and culture because I find it sensational. Spanish is a Romance language Many English words are also of Latin origin, and so when you learn vocabulary in Spanish you will simultaneously be expanding your English vocabulary. In addition to this, Spanish is phonetically perfect; you can look at a word and correctly guess how to pronounce it. I want to get to know people and their culture for this reason I need to know Spanish. Also, I am a big fan of Latin Music. Besides, I want to taste Spanish dishes. So, I hope one day I will visit Spain to learn about Spanish language and culture.
To sum up, Spain is a magnificent place and I would like to visit it to see the place and the culture. I want to make my dream become a reality. I hope it will happen soon.
Elif Tahmiscioğlu
11 TM-A 21
I would like to go to Spain to see the magnificent cities which I watched in the movies and heard from my friends. I watched lots of movies about Spain like Vicky Christina Barcelona and Volver. In both of them I was affected by the sites like Sagrada Familia or Palau de la Musica Catalana which is the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moreover, Spain is the capital of art so I want to visit the galleries and houses of the famous Spanish artists like Picasso and Salvador Dali. All in all, I am curious about these historical places and learn more about them.
I would like to learn more about the Spanish language and culture because I find it sensational. Spanish is a Romance language Many English words are also of Latin origin, and so when you learn vocabulary in Spanish you will simultaneously be expanding your English vocabulary. In addition to this, Spanish is phonetically perfect; you can look at a word and correctly guess how to pronounce it. I want to get to know people and their culture for this reason I need to know Spanish. Also, I am a big fan of Latin Music. Besides, I want to taste Spanish dishes. So, I hope one day I will visit Spain to learn about Spanish language and culture.
To sum up, Spain is a magnificent place and I would like to visit it to see the place and the culture. I want to make my dream become a reality. I hope it will happen soon.
Elif Tahmiscioğlu
11 TM-A 21
LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE
LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE
Do you think that learning a new language is difficult? Everyone can have problems with it. because it is not easy to understand quickly if you are a new learner.We have to work hard to learn it. I strongly believe that learning vocabulary and pronunciation are the most difficult aspects of learning a new language.
Firstly,most of the time we compare our language with the second one.We always try to think in our first language. Sometimes we use prefixes which come at the beginning of the word, and sometimes suffixes at the end. It is hard to learn,because we are not used to that situation.Once,I had an experience when I was ten.I was trying to talk with an American girl but I was not able to speak English correctly and I was trying to translate what I thought in Turkish literally. It was so hard for me and I made lots of mistakes.
Moreover, learning vocabulary is the hardest aspect of learning a new language.There are thousands of new words if we are starting learning from scratch. Some of the words can be similar to each other so we can mix them up.We should practice all the time so as not to forget them. 2 years ago, I was in an English exam and I mixed up words so I could not get full marks in the exam.
In addition to this, pronunciation is an important factor .To be effective, we should imitate very closely the real pronunciation which language we are learning new.It is hard to learn a French accent for Turkish people for example. Also all nations speak English in a different accent because of tongue movement.For instance I can never understand the Italians when they speak English.
All in all,learning a new language is very hard for everyone in many ways. We should work hard to undersand,talk and write in the second language you are learning.All languages are different from each other.Our new language and ourfirst language can be very different, and speaking can be hard and learning new vocabulary is very difficult so generally learning a new language is not easy.
Ebru Ergenç
Do you think that learning a new language is difficult? Everyone can have problems with it. because it is not easy to understand quickly if you are a new learner.We have to work hard to learn it. I strongly believe that learning vocabulary and pronunciation are the most difficult aspects of learning a new language.
Firstly,most of the time we compare our language with the second one.We always try to think in our first language. Sometimes we use prefixes which come at the beginning of the word, and sometimes suffixes at the end. It is hard to learn,because we are not used to that situation.Once,I had an experience when I was ten.I was trying to talk with an American girl but I was not able to speak English correctly and I was trying to translate what I thought in Turkish literally. It was so hard for me and I made lots of mistakes.
Moreover, learning vocabulary is the hardest aspect of learning a new language.There are thousands of new words if we are starting learning from scratch. Some of the words can be similar to each other so we can mix them up.We should practice all the time so as not to forget them. 2 years ago, I was in an English exam and I mixed up words so I could not get full marks in the exam.
In addition to this, pronunciation is an important factor .To be effective, we should imitate very closely the real pronunciation which language we are learning new.It is hard to learn a French accent for Turkish people for example. Also all nations speak English in a different accent because of tongue movement.For instance I can never understand the Italians when they speak English.
All in all,learning a new language is very hard for everyone in many ways. We should work hard to undersand,talk and write in the second language you are learning.All languages are different from each other.Our new language and ourfirst language can be very different, and speaking can be hard and learning new vocabulary is very difficult so generally learning a new language is not easy.
Ebru Ergenç
Gender roles
In today's world, gender roles shape the way people live and interact with their society. From the day of their birth, people learn a certain way to behave depending on what sex they are.
People's sexes are determined by genetics but genders are determined by social effects. It is a well known fact that women tend to be nurturing and men tend to be providers. Due to the gender roles, each gender has special and strict rules that affect their whole life.
First of all, children are influenced by gender roles caused by the toys that they play with even by the age of three. Families have roles for children in society, define strict lines and push boys and girls in different directions. When boys start to play with dolls , everyone even their families chastises them. However, children do not know about femininity and masculinity, they just play. Children should pick the things that they enjoy in life based on what appeals to them most.
Secondly, TV is the most important part of the media and has a great impact on determining gender roles. Because of this, both men and women are stereotypically presented in TV programs. In TV women are shown as sensitive,gentle, non-competitive and dependent. However, men are shown as tough, competitive, ambitious, independent, self-confident and successful.
Finally, in male dominated societies women are assaulted by men. Males are the majority in society. There are many types of violence against women such as sexual, physical and emotional abuse and sexual harassment. The social and economic costs of violence against women have significant effects on society. As a result of this, women have lost their self-confidence ,and they are isolated from their society and are unable to work.
In conclusion, gender roles affect women and men in their lives. The media definitely has the most significant affect on people's attitudes toward the opposite sex.The world is developing and improving day by day. People should break down the idea that women are dependent, cannot earn money and cannot do what men do. It depends on who they are and what they want.
Deniz ÖZDOĞRU
People's sexes are determined by genetics but genders are determined by social effects. It is a well known fact that women tend to be nurturing and men tend to be providers. Due to the gender roles, each gender has special and strict rules that affect their whole life.
First of all, children are influenced by gender roles caused by the toys that they play with even by the age of three. Families have roles for children in society, define strict lines and push boys and girls in different directions. When boys start to play with dolls , everyone even their families chastises them. However, children do not know about femininity and masculinity, they just play. Children should pick the things that they enjoy in life based on what appeals to them most.
Secondly, TV is the most important part of the media and has a great impact on determining gender roles. Because of this, both men and women are stereotypically presented in TV programs. In TV women are shown as sensitive,gentle, non-competitive and dependent. However, men are shown as tough, competitive, ambitious, independent, self-confident and successful.
Finally, in male dominated societies women are assaulted by men. Males are the majority in society. There are many types of violence against women such as sexual, physical and emotional abuse and sexual harassment. The social and economic costs of violence against women have significant effects on society. As a result of this, women have lost their self-confidence ,and they are isolated from their society and are unable to work.
In conclusion, gender roles affect women and men in their lives. The media definitely has the most significant affect on people's attitudes toward the opposite sex.The world is developing and improving day by day. People should break down the idea that women are dependent, cannot earn money and cannot do what men do. It depends on who they are and what they want.
Deniz ÖZDOĞRU
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Links to Inspiritional Videos
Dear 11th grade TOEFL students, please watch the following videos so we can discuss them in class. Thank you for taking the time to do this!
www.storyofstuff.com
http://www.ted.com/speakers/hans_rosling.html
(click on the video entitled Hans Rosling's new insights on poverty)
www.storyofstuff.com
http://www.ted.com/speakers/hans_rosling.html
(click on the video entitled Hans Rosling's new insights on poverty)
Teens
1-Many teenagers put a very high value on exams and marks. If they pass their classes, everything is fine. In many cases, there is no one to tell them otherwise.
Can you call yourself a successful teen just by being a good student? Why? Why not?
Can you call yourself a successful teen just by being a good student? Why? Why not?
2-If you were to create your own rules at school, what would you do? Make up your own rules/laws as a teen.
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