Formal writing

30/10/17

There were once nine species of tigers, now there are about six surviving subspecies. Tigers range from threatened to critically endangered and all subspecies are on the “red list”. But why should we care if they go extinct?

Poaching is a huge problem for this endangered species and it will continue to be a problem if we don’t make the consequences of killing a tiger more intense than what it already is. In 2012, a Russian man was convicted of killing an Amur Tiger which is endangered. He was only sentenced to 14 months disciplinary labor and a fine up to $18,500 USD. The World Wildlife Funds and their partner, TRAFFIC: The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network, are campaigning that there should be better protection laws for the tigers and stronger punishments for those who hunt these beautiful creatures. These harsher punishments will benefit the life of tigers and will decrease the number of deaths in the tiger population.

Poachers hunt the tigers for their pelts and bones because they can sell for up to $20,000. In some cases, the bones are steeped in liquid and sold as ‘Tiger Wine for roughly $30,000 a case. Because of this, tigers are worth more when dead rather than alive. Over the past century, three subspecies have gone extinct and currently, the South China Tiger has been considered functionally extinct because no one has seen them in years. Prices for tiger parts continue to increase. The Tigers are a part of a massive wildlife league and are hunted by the same people who hunt elephants and rhinos. It is very rare that it is the locals who take out these animals, it is organized gangs and international crime affiliates and they earn $19 billion dollars each year.

You could argue that tiger parts are useful in some ways, for example, medicines. Tiger parts are said to cure and prevent diseases such as Malaria and cases like ulcers, typhoid and rheumatism and even burns. But those are all curable with antibiotics, fluids, and creams and if treated correctly and straightaway then Malaria can be cured as well. So why do people need to hunt tigers to cure these already curable diseases and disorders? Despite the fact that tiger medicines are illegal, it does not stop those who want to buy these remedies from doing so. These traditional Chinese medicines are sold on the black market and in medical markets. This needs to stop immediately because tiger rates are dropping rapidly.

Fifty years ago, the number of tigers in the wild were around 25,000-30,000 individuals. That number has dropped drastically and today, there are only about 3,000 remaining tigers in the wild. Although there are more tigers in captivity, the number of tigers left is dropping and will continue until there are no more tigers in the wild. The authorities need to do something about those who poach tigers for medicine and money. We can not get this species back if they go extinct. So what will you do to help?

Science

Rate Of Reaction

Experiment 1 - Investigating the effect of temperature on reaction rate

Aim: I want to investigate how temperature effects the reaction rate

Equipment:

A conical flack
Beaker
Measuring Cylinder
Stopwatch
Black cross on paper
Water Bath
Thermometer 
0.1mol/L Sodium Thiosulfate
2.0mol/L Hydrochloric Acid


Method:

1. Put the 'x' paper on the bench mat and put the conical flask on top of the paper
2. Measure 50ml of of Sodium thiosulfate and put it into the beaker
3. Record the temperature of the Sodium thiosulfate
4. Measure 5ml of hydrochloric acid and pour this into the conical flask
5. Pour the sodium thiosulfate into the conical flask, start the stopwatch and swirl the flask. Time how long it takes for the cross disappear when viewed from above
6. Wash out the flask thoroughly
7. Repeat the experiment, using a water bath to heat the sodium thiosulfate to 30 degrees, then 40 degrees and then finally 50 degrees. Keep the volume of acid the same

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde comprehension questions - Chapter 5 & 6

Chapter 5 “Incident of The Letter”

1.. What does Jekyll say in response to Utterson’s inquiry regarding Hyde’s whereabouts?   

He says that he is safe and he will never hear from Mr Hyde again

2. Why does Jekyll want Utterson to have the letter?

Jekyll trusts that Utterson will do the right thing with it because he is unsure on what to do

3. Who is it from and what does it say?

It is from Mr Hyde and it is about

4.  How can Poole be so positive that no messenger delivered the letter?

Poole got the mail that day and there was no letter and no one came and dropped it by

5. Who is Mr. Guest?

Mr Utterson’s clerk

6. Utterson says, “There was no man from whom he kept fewer secrets than Mr. Guest; and he was not always sure that he kept as many as he meant.” What does this mean about the relationship between Guest and Utterson?

I think it means that they have a very close relationship in which they tell each other mostly everything

7. What special ability does Guest have?

He is very good at identifying handwriting

8. How does Guest have an opportunity to compare the handwriting of Jekyll and Hyde?

Mr Utterson shows him the letter from ‘Mr Hyde’ and Mr Guest realizes it looks similar to an invitation to dinner from Dr. Jekyll

Chapter 6 “Remarkable Incident of Dr. Lanyon”

1. Utterson feels that the death of Sir Danvers was more than paid for by what?

The disappearance f Mr Hyde

2. How does Dr. Jekyll behave at the time of Hyde’s supposed disappearance?

3. Between the days of January 8 and January 16 what change has occurred in Dr. Lanyon?

4. What reason does Lanyon give for his current condition?

5. What does Lanyon say in response to Utterson’s mention of Jekyll?

He did not want to talk about anything to do with Dr. Jekyll and if Utterson wanted to talk about him then he should leave

6. What type of document does Utterson receive the night of Lanyon’s funeral?

A letter from Dr. Lanyon

7. What instructions are given on the second document?

That it is not to be opened until the death or disappearance of Dr. Henry Jekyll

8. What does Utterson do with the two documents?

He put it in the back corner of his safe

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Compare and contrast The Invisible Man and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Both books address issues of morality as it relates to scientific discovery.  The Invisible Man is about a scientist named Griffin who researches optics and discovers a way to make himself invisible.  Unfortunately, becoming invisible actually destroys his life, turning him against mankind.

Jekyll and Hyde is about a doctor who discovers a way to split his personality into two distinct human beings: the rational, intellectual side and the physical, desire-driven side.  Unlike Griffin, Hyde isn’t evil necessarily, although he does evil things. In both of these novels, the authors are exploring what happens when scientific discovery gives us power.

''Invisible man'' by Queen is a song about self-awareness, individualisation, and ‘being’ as a breakthrough from superficiality. The video shows how one boy is unconsciously searching for his own uniqueness and ability to reciprocate as a real good friend, because he feels invisible even to himself. He senses that he needs to break free from his invalidating family.

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Reading logs

Reading log 1

Text Title: The Body

Author: Stephen King

Text type: Novel

"The body" is a short novel written by Stephen King. It is in a book of 4 different stories called 'Different Seasons' which take more of a dramatic turn rather than the horror that he usually writes. It is about four, twelve years old best friends, Chris Chambers, Gordie Lachance, Vern Tessio and Teddy Duchamp, who go out to find the body of a kid who has been missing and presumed dead. 

The theme of friendship is shown throughout the book. Although the boys are very different to each other, they still have a very strong and trusting bond. They were able to be very open and honest about themselves to each other. Chris really looks out for his friends in a way a brother would, he was "the best at making peace". He tackled Teddy to the ground to stop him for trying to play chicken with an oncoming train and when Gordie breaks down about how his parents neglecting him, Chris says this "Kids lose everything unless there's someone there to look out for them. And if your parents are too messed up to do it, then maybe I should." It shows how much he really cares for Gordie and his well being. This can relate to me because of my close relationship with my friends. We do anything and everything to make sure one another is happy just like the four boys. Growing up is tough but the friends you have at a young age are friends for life.

Throughout the story we learn that 2 boys, Gordie and Teddy, suffer from neglect and abuse. Teddy's father had held his head down on the stove for about 10 seconds each side and burnt his ears. And Gordie's parents ignore and neglect him because of the death of his big brother, Dennis. In one part of the story, the boys are in a junkyard. The groundskeeper yells at them and starts talking really bad about Teddy's dad and that makes Teddy really mad. A quote from this part is "it was weird to me how Teddy could care so much about his father, who practically tried to kill him. And I couldn't give a damn about my old man, and he hadn't laid a hand on me since I was three! And that was for eating the bleach under the sink". Although I can not relate to this personally, I still hear about people who are neglected and abused. From the years 2007 to 2011, 843 children aged 0-14, were admitted to hospital with injuries  from either assault, neglect or maltreatment. Which relates back to Gordie and Teddy because of the abuse they both receive. 

Overall, This book is a tale about coming of age, friendships and tragedy. They learn life lessons and discover how cruel but wondrous life can be.

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22.6.17

Reading log 2

Text Title: The Outsiders

Author: S.E Hinton

Text Type: Novel

The Outsiders is about a gang of teenagers in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who have a constant rivalry with the Socials, also know as the rich kids of the south side. When two Greasers Ponyboy and Johnny get into a fight that results in the death of a soc, Bob, the two boys go into hiding at an old abandoned church in Windrixville. Ponyboy and Johnny, as well as Dallas and their other Greaser buddies, Steve, Two-Bit, Sodapop and Darry, must cope with the consequences of their violent lives. While some Greasers try to achieve redemption, others meet tragic ends.

It got me thinking about the social classes that we still have to this day. The socs think they are high and mighty and have power over the greasers because the socs are rich and the greasers are poor. We see this when Ponyboy says "No rival gangs, only Socs. And you can't win against them no matter how hard you try, because they've got all the breaks and even whipping them isn't going to change that fact" and when Randy says to Pony "You can't win, even if you whip us. You'll still be where you were before- at the bottom. And we'll still be the lucky ones with all the breaks. So it doesn't do any good, the fighting and the killing. It doesn't prove a thing. We'll forget it if you win or if you don't. Greasers will still be greasers and Socs will still be socs." At this part, I think Ponyboy means that your social status is the deciding factor in every situation. This relates to society because of the discrimination that is shown towards black people. White people thought and some still think that white people are superior to black people because they were different than them. They had less money and had less of an influence to the society which relates back to the greasers and the socs.

Loyalty, self sacrifice and honor is a also a huge theme in The Outsiders.  We hear about how Darry had to turn down his scholarship to college so that he could support his two younger brothers after their parents had died. Dally also risks quite a lot for loyalty. He could have gone to prison for hiding Johnny and Ponyboy after the incident but instead he risked it and gave them get away money and a place to go. I can relate because I too have had to risk things for the ones I love. “ When you’re in a gang, you stick up for the other members. If you don’t stick up for them, stick together, make like brothers, it isn’t a gang anymore.” I think this means that when you are in a gang, you are as close as family and in this case all the family that the boys have, then you would do anything for them, including murder.

Overall, The Outsiders is a great book about brotherhood and loyalty and full of adventure. It covers themes such as two groups divided because of wealth. I highly recommend this book.

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Reading log 3

Text Title: A League of their Own

Director: Penny Marshall

Text Type: Film


A League of their Own is a movie directed by Penny Marshall. It is about two sister, Dottie and Kit, who join the All American Girl Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) in 1943. 

Sexism and stereotyping is a big theme in this movie. The whole team have to deal with men saying that baseball is a man sport and women can't play. Nowadays, people still think that there are things that men can do that females cannot. It made me disgusted because of the sexist things that were said. In a scene where the girls are about to play their first game, the audience laugh and mock them by saying things like "what makes you think you can play baseball?" One guy even goes as far as to get up in front of everyone and yell "Girls can't play ball" he mocks them by saying "look at me, i'm a ball player, i'm a ball player. Gotta look out, I might break a nail." Women still struggle with this issue even after almost 80 years. At the end of 2016, the USA Women's National Soccer Team, hit headlines because of their uproar with equality. They demanded that they get paid the same as the men's team. In the end, the girls soccer team got a raise, bigger bonuses and the same per diems as the men. Just like how the Rockford Peaches got accepted for who they are and what they play.

Overall, I feel that this movie is really empowering for women. It shows that women are capable of doing the same things that men can do, even if its a game that 'only men play'. A league of their own is not only important to pop culture but also to the real life women who played in the AAGPBL.

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Reading log 4

Text Title:The Basketball Diaries

Director: Scott Kalvert

Text Type: Film

The basketball diaries is a book turned movie by Jim Carroll and directed by Scott Kalvert. It is a edited collection of the diaries that Jim Carroll wrote between the ages twelve to sixteen. He talks about his daily life, his high school team and his addiction to heroin.

Jim Carroll was very addicted to drugs. Such as marijuana, heroin and alcohol. He was kicked out of school and his home because of his problem. This can relate to society because in 1 year about 1.3 million teenagers have an addiction problem. This movie made me feel scared and worried for the teenagers who go through addiction and how easy it is for them to get into the bad habit of doing such things. Jim says: "First, it's a Saturday night thing when you feel cool like a gangster or a rockstar- just something to kill the boredom, you know? They call it a chippie, a small habit. It feels so good, you start doing it on Tuesdays... then Thursdays... then it's got you."

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Reading log 5

Text Title: Where is the love?

Artist: Black Eyed Peas

Text Type: Song

Submitted: 10.8.17


'Where is the love' is a song written and composed by the Black eyed Peas and released in June of 2003. It covers social issues such as terrorism, racism, gang crime, war, and violence against LGBT people.

One social issue that is talked about in the song is terrorism. "Overseas,we try to stop terrorism but we still got terrorists here livin'
in the USA." In 20 16, there were about 11,072 terrorist attacks that happened worldwide, resulting in more than 25,600 total deaths and more than 33,800 people injured. The song made me feel sad about the cruel world that we actually live in. Although it will never be a safe or secure society, we can still help to make it better.


"But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate" Racism is also a theme in the song. Racism has been around for hundreds of years and still goes in to this day. Out of 5,818 hate crimes in 2015, 3,432 of those were crimes committed because of someones race and ethnicity. On the 6th of August 2017, an improvised explosive went off in a church while Muslims were inside, luckily no one was injured. Police are investigating whether it was a hate crime or not, most evidence s, it was. It makes me sad that after years and years of being together on Earth, people still discriminate others and are racially bias.

Overall, the song is very important and empowering. It sends a powerful message about how bad this world is and if something doesn't change fast hen who knows what will happen.

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Reading log 6

Text Title: Imperfect is the new perfect

Artist: Caitlin Crosby

Text Type: Song

Submitted: 12.8.17

'Imperfect' is the new perfect is a song written and composed by Caitlin Crosby in 2009.

"Compare the way my body looks to the magazines" Social media and magazines have a high expectation set on how women should look. They photo shop girls to have smaller waists, smaller thighs and have less  blemishes. Women and even men see the unrealistic body images that are broadcasted online and think that they are not beautiful. Many people believe that they dont fit in with these beauty standards and spend hundreds of dollars to 'fix' the problem. I too have these problems with self confidence and have tried to fit in with the nonrealistic standards. "I understand its logical cause these images are everywhere
they're make believe so don't compare" In 2014, Lorde was really disappointed when a concert photographer air brushed her skin too much, she took it to social media saying "Flaws are ok." 

"We are every shape and size you know we're just perfect" This line in the song tells us that no matter what we look like, we are perfect in our own way. I think that in this generation, it is important for that message to be out there, especially because of the cosmetic surgery rates. In 2016, there were
17.1 million surgical and minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. 

This song can relate to many people around the world. It sends a message and tells them that they don't need to be the ideal weight or height to be beautiful.