Myths and Legends
Myths are stories that explain the origin of events from the distant
past, as, for example, how the universe was created, how human beings and
animals populated the Earth, the reason that death exists, and the nature of
the afterlife. Myths are usually tied to religious beliefs and involve beings
with supernatural powers. In contrast, legends usually refer to stories about a
more recent period of time, and the characters are often real people with
heroic qualities that reflect the values of their society and culture. Because
the heroes in legends often become larger than life as the legend is retold and
embellished, they may actually be attributed with supernatural powers like
their mythological counterparts. This blurs the distinction between mythology
and legends.
Question : Using the main points and examples from
the reading, explain the differences between myths and legends. Then refer to
the lecture to explain why Paul Bunyan would be considered a legend.
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Animal Behavior
Animal behavior can be classified according to the
time of day an animal is active. Animals, such as horses, elephants and most
birds, are said to be diurnal because % they are active during the day and rest
at night. Those animals active at dawn and and dusk are said to be crepuscular.
Beetles, skunks and rabbits fall into this category. ' The third group are those
animals that sleep during the day and are active at night. ( They are called
nocturnal. A good example is the bat. Bats have highly developed ) eyesight,
hearing and smell. This helps them avoid predators and locate food. Being
nocturnal also helps them avoid high temperatures during the day, especially in
deserts where temperatures can reach well over one hundred degrees
Fahrenheit.
Question: Summarize how the reading
and the lecture define and develop the idea of animal behavior.
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Bestsellers
The term bestseller describes a book that is popular because it sells
well hence the term bestseller. Bestsellers can be both fiction and
non-fiction. The most famous best-seller list in America is the New-York-Times
bestseller list. A book that makes it onto and this list will substantially
increase its sales. Yet just because a book makes the New- ' York-Times
bestseller list does not mean that the book is of the highest literary quality.
On the contrary, many of the books on the New-York-Times bestseller list are
aimed at a general audience more interested in being entertained than educated.
Question: How do the reading and the lecture
add to our understanding of the term bestseller in a contemporary and in an
historical sense?
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The Green Revolution
The Green Revolution of the 1960's had one goal: to
eliminate hunger worldwide. It did so by introducing the concept of
industrialized agriculture. Prior to the Green Revolution, farming in
less-developed nations had changed little since man first planted and seeds.
Crop yields were unpredictable, insects uncontrollable, and disease impossible
to fight. At the same time, the world's population was skyrocketing. To feed
the world, scientists developed high-yielding cereal grains that were
disease resistant. They also developed synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
The result was the Green Revolution, a global revolution in which technology
took control of the agricultural process. The results were immediate. Countries
like Mexico were soon net exporters of wheat while in Pakistan and India,
wheat yields doubled between 1965 and 1970.
Question: What is the Green Revolution and what are
its short and long-term effects? ===========================================================
Seamounts
Seamounts are undersea mountains rising off the ocean floor.
Approximately half of the world’s seamounts are found in the Pacific
Ocean. Currents flowing up the seamounts from the ocean floor bring
life-sustaining nutrients into the photosynthetic zone, a place where
sunlight and carbon dioxide are converted into food energy for plants and other
organisms. As a result, a great variety of plants and fish make sea- mounts
their home. Some of these fish are native species, fish that are found
only around seamounts. Such biodiversity, in turn, attracts larger fish,
such as sharks and tuna, as well as marine mammals, such as seals. It also
attracts commercial fishing.
Question : Seamounts are under threat. Why? Using
information from the reading and the lecture, illustrate the threat and the
reason for it.
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Ballads
A ballad is a poem that tells a story and is sung to music.
Usually the story is of unknown origin, and a number of versions may be found
for one song, a characteristic that stems from the oral tradition. As the song
is passed on from one singer to another, a word is added or changed, or a
slight alteration is made in the tune. In short, ballads represent a living
tradition that evolves as the song is performed and passed to the next
musician. A collection of ballads has been preserved in written form in the
volume English and Scottish Popular Ballads by Francis James Child, and many
ballads are still referred to by their "Child number."
Question: Define a ballad, and then explain why
"Barbara Allen" can be classified as a ballad.
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Antarctica
Antarctica and the ocean that surrounds it constitute 40 percent of the
planet, but in spite of its vast area, it has remained a frontier with no
permanent towns or transportation networks. Between 1895 and 1914, explorers
planted their flags, claiming various sectors and the raw materials in them for
their countries. Nevertheless, the remote location and the harsh environment
have encouraged a spirit of cooperation among nations who maintain claims.
Furthermore, because Antarctica plays a crucial role in the global
environmental system, the exploitation of resources could have unpredictable
consequences for the entire world. The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1961 and
expanded in 1991, ensures scientific collaboration, protects the environment,
and prohibits military activities.
Question: Explain why many countries have staked
claims in Antarctica, and why national interests have not been pursued
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VAK Theory
One theory of learning states that we use three
sensory receivers: visual (V), auditory (A), and kinesthetic (K) when we take
in information. According to the VAK theory, one or two of these receiving
styles is normally dominant and thus defines the best way for a person to learn
new information. Thus a visual learner learns best using their sight; an
auditory learner learns best when listening, and a kinesthetic learner learns
best through physical activity.
VAK is one of the most popular learning models nowadays due to its
simplicity. Teachers are beginning to incorporate a range of stimuli and
activities into their lessons so as to cater for all types of learner. Although
it is not yet proven that using one’s preferred sense provides the best means
for learning, having a range of activities can reduce boredom and increase
motivation in the classroom.
Question:
Explain VAK Theory and how the example used by the professor
illustrates how the theory can be applied.
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Revealing Coloration
Many animals use coloration to protect themselves from predators.
One defensive strategy involving the use of coloration is what is known as
revealing coloration. Animals employing this strategy have an area of bright
color on some part of their body; this bright color is usually hidden from
predators’ view. When approached by a predator, the animal suddenly reveals the
area of bright color; this unexpected display of color startles or confuses the
predator and provides the would-be prey with an opportunity to escape.
Question: Using the examples of the peanut
bug and the morpho butterfly, explain the concept of revealing coloration.
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