Monday 2 June 2014

Tue, June 3 2014 discussion topic

Hello everybody! I just found my computer and internet stick, so here is the topic:
But first, here are the instructions:
Reading the homework article

Step 1:  First reading 
Read the article all the way through without stopping.  Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything.  Just read it to the end.  Don’t stop.  Don’t use a dictionary.  When you are finished reading, ask yourself these questions.
1)    What was the main point of the article?
2)    What were some important details?
3)    Can you briefly summarise the article?

Step 2:  Second reading
Read through the article again.  This time do it slower.  Look more closely at the words, phrases, or idioms you don’t understand.  Try to work out what they mean from the context.  Don’t use a dictionary yet.  Just try to guess.  If you can understand the context you may be able to guess the meanings without using a dictionary.  This is a useful skill to learn and it’s a good thing to practice.

Step 3:  Third reading.
Read through the article one last time.  This time use a dictionary and/or the internet to search for words and idioms you don’t know.  Also, if the article mentions any people, places, events or other things such as songs, movies, or books that you are unfamiliar with, then you should do an internet search to find out who/what they are.  This will help you understand the article better and help you be better prepared to discuss it in class.

Step 4:  Think about it
Ask yourself the same three questions from step one.  Consider the theme/topic of the article.  Think about how you feel about the issues and your opinions on the subject.  Think about what you might want to say about this topic to your classmates and what questions you would like to ask them.  Think about what questions you might be asked and how you would answer them.

Step 5:  Related media
There may be a list of links to other websites which are related to this subject on your homework sheet.  If there are, you should look at them.  They will give you more information on the subject.  Otherwise, you should do your own internet search to find out more.

Remember:  You don’t have to understand 100%.  It is only important that you understand the main ideas, think about them, and come to class prepared to discuss them.

Engagement Rings Are Actually 'Insulting'
INSULTING 'TO NOTIONS OF ACTUAL LOVE,' THAT IS: TAURIQ MOOSA

(NEWSER) – Diamonds have "little intrinsic value," writes Tauriq Moosa in the Guardian, so when large South African diamond mines were discovered in the late 1800s and De Beers Consolidates Mines was formed, its investors realized they would need to conjure up demand. That they were incredibly successful with their marketing is no surprise (who hasn't heard the tagline, "A diamond is forever"?). And yet we've forgotten that it's just that—marketing. Here's the truth, per Moosa: a diamond has nothing to do with your relationship or its permanence.

Rather, it's a useless bauble, it's overpriced (it starts decreasing in value the second you buy it, and prices continue to rise), and it's "insulting to notions of actual love." One survey found that the average engagement ring costs $5,200, and almost 12% of American couples actually spend $8,000 or more. Wouldn't that money be better spent on something else? If you think an engagement ring is a symbol of your love, consider this: "Why can't a beautiful home be a symbol? Why can't long-term investments be a symbol? Indeed, would it not be more impressive to show off a house than a finger rock?" 

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff - Posted Nov 4, 2013


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