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Directions: Write a letter to your cousin, who is going to take the College Entrance Examination an...
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Thefilm-awardsseasonwhichreachesitstearfulclimaxwiththeOscarsnextweekhaslongbeenonlylooselyrelatedtothefilmbusiness.Hollywoodisdedicatedtotheartoffunnelingteenagerspastpopcornstandsnotartitself.Butthisyear’sawardsarelessrelevantthanever.ThetrueworthofafilmisnolongerdecidedbythecrowdthatassemblesintheKodakTheatre—orindeedbyanyAmerican.ItisdecidedbyyoungstersincountriessuchasRussiaChinaandBrazil.Hollywoodhasalwaysbeenaninternationalbusinessbutitisbecomingdramaticallymoreso.Inthepastdecadetotalbox-officespendinghasrisenbyaboutone-thirdinNorthAmericawhilemorethandoublingelsewhere.ThankstoHarryPotterSherlockHolmesandInceptionWarnerBrosmade$2.93billionoutsideNorthAmericalastyearsmashingthestudio’spreviousrecordof$2.24billion.FallingDVDsalesinAmericabyfartheworld’sbiggesthome-entertainmentmarketmeanHollywoodisevenmoredependentonforeignpunters.TherisingforeigntidehasliftedfilmsthatwerevirtuallywrittenoffinAmericasuchasPrinceofPersiaandTheChroniclesofNamia:theVoyageoftheDawnTreader.DespitestarringthepopularJackBlackGulliver’sTravelshadadisappointingruninNorthAmericataking$42millionattheboxofficesofar.ButstrongtumoutinRussiaandSouthKoreahelpeditreachalmost$150millioninsaleselsewhere.AsaresultitshouldturnaprofitsaysJohnDavisthefilm’sproducer.Thegrowthoftheinternationalboxofficeispartlyaresultofthedollar’sweakness.ItwasalsohelpedbyAvataraneco-fantasythatmadeastartling$2billionoutsideNorthAmerica.Butthreethingsareparticularlyimportant:acinemaboomintheemergingworldaconcertedeffortbythemajorstudiostomakefilmsthatmightplaywelloutsideAmericaandaglobalmarketingpushtomakesuretheydo.Russiawithitsshrinkingteenagepopulationisanunlikelyspotforabox-officeboom.Yetcinema-buildingisproceedingapaceandsupplyhascreateddemand.Lastyear160millioncinematicketsweresoldinRussia—thefirsttimeinrecentyearsthatsaleshaveexceededthecountry’spopulation.Ticketpriceshaveriseninpartbecausethenewcinemasaresuperiorwithdigitalprojectorsthatcanshow3Dfilms.ThebigHollywoodstudiosaremusclingdomesticfilm-makersaside.In2007AmericanfilmsmadealmosttwiceasmuchattheRussianboxofficeasdomesticfilms—8.3billionroubles$325millioncomparedwith4.5billion.Lastyeartheimportedstuffmadesome16.4billionroubles:morethanfivetimesasmuchasthehome-grownproductestimatesMovieResearchaMoscowoutfit.EarlierthismonthVladimirPutinRussia’sPrimeMinistersaidthegovernmentwouldspendlessmoneysupportingRussianfilm-makersandmoreonexpandingthenumberofscreens.WhatisthemainideaofParagraph5
Defendersofspecialprotectivelaborlegislationforwomenoftenmaintainthateliminatingsuchlawswoulddestroythefruitsofacenturylongstrugglefortheprotectionofwomenworkers.Evenabriefexaminationofthehistoricpracticeofcourtsandemployerswouldshowthatthefruitofsuchlawshasbeenbitter;theyareinpracticemoreofacursethanablessing.Sexdefinedprotectivelawshaveoftenbeenbasedonstereotypicalassumptionsconcerningwomen’sneedsandabilitiesandemployershavefrequentlyusedthemaslegalexcusesfordiscriminatingagainstwomen.AftertheSecondWorldWarforexamplebusinessesandgovernmentsoughttopersuadewomentovacatejobsinfactoriesthusmakingroominthelaborforceforreturningveterans.Therevivalorpassageofstatelawslimitingthedailyorweeklyworkhoursofwomenconvenientlyaccomplishedthis.Employershadonlytodeclarethatovertimehourswereanecessaryconditionofemploymentorpromotionintheirfactoryandwomencouldbequitelegallyfiredrefusedjobsorkeptatlowwagelevelsallinthenameofprotectingtheirhealth.Byvalidatingsuchlawswhentheyarechallengedbylawsuitsthecourtshavecolludedovertheyearsinestablishingdifferentlessadvantageousemploymenttermsforwomenthanformenthusreducingwomen’scompetitivenessonthejobmarket.Atthesametimeeventhemostwellintentionedlawmakerscourtsandemployershaveoftenbeenblindtotherealneedsofwomen.Thelawmakersandthecourtscontinuetopermitemployerstoofferemployeehealthinsuranceplansthatcoverallknownhumanmedicaldisabilitiesexceptthoserelatingtopregnancyandchildbirth.Finallylaborlawsprotectingonlyspecialgroupsareoftenineffectiveatprotectingtheworkerswhoareactuallyintheworkplace.Somechemicalsforexampleposereproductiverisksforwomenofchildbearingyears;manufacturersusingthechemicalscomplywithlawsprotectingwomenagainstthesehazardsbyrefusingtohirethem.Thusthesexdefinedlegislationprotectsthehypotheticalfemaleworkerbuthasnoeffectwhateveronthesafetyofanyactualemployee.Thehealthriskstomaleemployeesinsuchindustriescannotbenegligiblesincechemicalstoxicenoughtocausebirthdefectsinfetusesorsterilityinwomenarepresumablyharmfultothehumanmetabolism.Protectivelawsaimedatchangingproductionmaterialsortechniquesinordertoreducesuchhazardswouldbenefitallemployeeswithoutdiscriminatingagainstany.Insumprotectivelaborlawsforwomenarediscriminatoryanddonotmeettheirintendedpurpose.Legislatorsshouldrecognizethatwomenareintheworkforcetostayandthattheirneeds—goodhealthcareadecentwageandasafeworkplace—aretheneedsofallworkers.Lawsthatignorethesefactsviolatewomen’srightsforequalprotectioninemployment.Accordingtotheauthorwhichofthefollowingresultedfromthepassageorrevivalofstatelawslimitingtheworkhoursofwomenworkers
Theword’culture’isprobablythesinglemostcentralconceptintwentieth-centuryanthropology.Anthropologistsusetheword’culture’inanumberofdifferentsenses.Itseemstousthatsomeofthemuseitasequivalenttowhatwecallaformofsociallife.InitsordinaryuseinEnglish’culture’whichismuchthesameideaascultivationreferstotheprocessbywhichapersonacquiresfromcontactwithotherpersonsorfromsuchthingsasbooksorworksofartknowledgeskillideasbeliefstastesandsentiments.Thatisthedefinitionof’culture’.Inaparticularsocietywecandiscovercertainprocessesofculturaltraditionusingthewordtraditioninitsliteralmeaningofhandingonorhandingdown.Theunderstandinganduseofalanguageispassedonbyaprocessofculturaltraditioninthissense.AnEnglishmanlearnsbysuchaprocesstounderstandandusetheEnglishlanguagebutinsomesectionsofthesocietyhemayalsolearnLatinorGreekorFrenchorWelsh.Incomplexmodemsocietiesthereareagreatnumberofseparateculturaltraditions.Byoneapersonmaylearntobeadoctororsurgeonbyanotherhemaylearntobeanengineeroranarchitect.Inthesimplestformsofsociallifethenumberofseparateculturaltraditionsmaybereducedtotwooneformenandtheotherforwomen.Ifwetreatthesocialrealitythatweareinvestigatingasbeingnotanentitybutaprocessthencultureandculturaltraditionarenamesforcertainrecognizableaspectsofthatprocessbutnotofcoursethewholeprocess.Thetermsareconvenientwaysofreferringtocertainaspectsofhumansociallife.Itisbyreasonoftheexistenceofcultureandculturaltraditionsthathumansociallifediffersverymarkedlyfromthesociallifeofotheranimalspecies.Thetransmissionoflearntwaysofthinkingfeelingandactingconstitutestheculturalprocesswhichisaspecificfeatureofhumansociallife.Itisofcoursepartofthatprocessofinteractionamongpersonswhichisheredefinedasthesocialprocessthoughtofasthesocialreality.Continuityandchangeintheformsofsociallifebeingthesubjectsofinvestigationofcomparativesociologythecontinuityofculturaltraditionsandchangesinthosetraditionsareamongstthethingsthathavetobetakenintoaccount.
A.RefuseGimmicksB.BeWaryofPriceLevelsC.SayNotoUselessThingsD.NeverPayListPriceE.StanduptoTemptationsF.Switch—orThreatentoG.Don’tBuyonImpulseInrecentyearsthebasicmarketprinciplesofcompetitionandchoicehaveexpandedintonewaspectsofAmericanlife.Consumersnowfaceabewilderingarrayofoptionsforairtravelphoneservicemedicalcareevenpostalservice.CarbuyerscanshopontheInternetforthebestpriceatanydealershipintheirarea.Insomepartsofthecountryhomeownerscanpurchaseelectricityfromamenuofcompanies.Allthischoicetranslatesintounprecedentedconsumerpower.Oneofthepersistentmythsofcapitalistcultureisthatbusinesspeoplelovecompetition.Theydon’t.Theyspendtheirwakinghoursplottingwaystoavoiditandkeeppriceshigh.Thesedaystheyuseinformationtechnologiesthatgivethemintricatedataonindividualshoppersandthenpresentmultiplepricestogeteachconsumertocoughupthemaximumheiswillingtopay.Theairlineshavemasteredthisgameofferingmanylevelsoffares.SohowcanyoumakethemostofyournewpowerasaconsumerHerearerulestohelpyoufindyourway.41IntheNewEconomycompetitionissostrongthatfewerstoresandservicesareimmunetopricepressuresosharpenyourbargainingskills.Askretailerstomatchpricesyou’veseenontheInternet.Askatthecheckoutcounterifthereareanycouponsordiscountsyoucanuse.Askhotelclerksiftherearebetterratesavailable.You’llbesurprisedhowoftentheanswerisyes.42Ascompetitionheatsupandpushespricesdownbusinessesscrambletoboosttheirprofitsbyheapingonextras:rustproofingyourcarservicecontractsonyourapplianceprepaidgasolineforyourrentalcar.Thesestuntsaredevisedtomakeyoupaymoreatthelastminuteandprobablyaren’tagooddeal.43Theinformationhighwayisatwo-waystreet.Asaconsumeryoucangetmoredata.ButwhileyouareroamingtheWebbusinessesarestudyingyourhabitsandvulnerabilities.HaveaweaknessforchocolatesDon’tbesurprisedifAmazon.comofferstosellyouaboxwhileyou’rebrowsingforbooks.They’reusingawrinkleonthelast-minutemarketingpitchperfectedbyMcDonald’s:WouldyoulikefrieswiththatTheployworksremarkablywell.44Versioningisatacticusedbybusinessestoseparatestatus-consciousconsumersfromthebargain-hungryones—sincetheformermeanbiggerprofitmargins.Deluxeandplatinumarecodewordsusedtoenticestatusseekerstoopentheirwallets.Addathirdpricelevelandthepursesofevenbargain-hungryshopperscanbepriedopen.Researchshowsthatmanyconsumerswhomightpickthelower-pricedoptionwhengivenjusttwochoiceswillchoosethemedium-pricedalternativeifgiventhree.ConsumerstrytoavoidextremeoptionswriteCarlShapiroandHalR.VarianintheirbookInformationRules.45ConsumersintheNewEconomyfacemoredemandsontheirtimeandattentionthaneverbeforesothey’reinclinedtomakethemostfamiliarchoice.Considerthis:ithadbeenadecadeandahalfsincethebreakupofAT&Tyetitisstillbyfarthelargestlong-distanceprovider—evenwhileotherphonecompaniesoffer$50worthoffreeserviceforswitching.Morethaneveritpaystochangeservicesandbrands.Ifyoudon’twantthehasslesofswitchingrememberthatbusinessesareeagertohangontoconsumers.Thenexttimeyougetatemptingofferfromacredit-cardissueroraphonecompanycallyourcurrentproviderandaskthemtomatchthedeal.You’11bepleasedtofindhowoftenthey’llagree.
CollegesportsintheUnitedStatesareahugedeal.AlmostallmajorAmericanuniversitieshavefootballbaseballbasketballandhockeyprogramsand1millionsofdollarseachyeartosports.Mostofthemearnmillions2aswellintelevisionrevenuessponsorships.Theyalsobenefit3fromtheaddedpublicitytheygetviatheirteams.Big-nameuniversities4eachotherinthemostpopularsports.FootballgamesatMichiganregularly5crowdsofover20000.Basketball’snationalcollegiatechampionshipgameisaTV6onaparwithanyothersportingeventintheUnitedStates7perhapstheSuperBowlitself.Atanygiventimeduringfallorwinteronecan8one’sTVsetandseethetopathleticprograms—fromschoolslikeMichiganUCLADukeandStanford—9infrontofpackedhousesandnationalTVaudiences. Theathletesthemselvesare10andprovidedwithscholarships.Collegecoachesidentify11teenagersandthengointohighschoolsto12thecountry’sbestplayerstoattendtheiruniversities.Therearestrictrulesabout13coachescanrecruit—norecruitingcallsafter9p.m.onlyoneofficialvisittoacampus—buttheyareoftenbentandsometimes14.Topcollegefootballprograms15scholarshipsto20or30playerseachyearandthosestudent-athleteswhentheyarrive16campusreceivefreehousingtuitionmealsbooksetc. Inreturntheplayers17theprogramintheirsport.Footballplayersattopcolleges18twohoursadayfourdaysaweekfromJanuarytoApril.Insummerit’sbacktostrengthandagilitytrainingfourdaysaweekuntilmid-Augustwhencamp19andpreparesfortheopeningoftheSeptember-to-Decemberseasonbegins20.DuringtheseasonpracticeslasttwoorthreehoursadayfromTuesdaytoFriday.Saturdayisgameday.Mondaysareanofficiallymandateddayofrest. 19
CollegesportsintheUnitedStatesareahugedeal.AlmostallmajorAmericanuniversitieshavefootballbaseballbasketballandhockeyprogramsand1millionsofdollarseachyeartosports.Mostofthemearnmillions2aswellintelevisionrevenuessponsorships.Theyalsobenefit3fromtheaddedpublicitytheygetviatheirteams.Big-nameuniversities4eachotherinthemostpopularsports.FootballgamesatMichiganregularly5crowdsofover20000.Basketball’snationalcollegiatechampionshipgameisaTV6onaparwithanyothersportingeventintheUnitedStates7perhapstheSuperBowlitself.Atanygiventimeduringfallorwinteronecan8one’sTVsetandseethetopathleticprograms—fromschoolslikeMichiganUCLADukeandStanford—9infrontofpackedhousesandnationalTVaudiences. Theathletesthemselvesare10andprovidedwithscholarships.Collegecoachesidentify11teenagersandthengointohighschoolsto12thecountry’sbestplayerstoattendtheiruniversities.Therearestrictrulesabout13coachescanrecruit—norecruitingcallsafter9p.m.onlyoneofficialvisittoacampus—buttheyareoftenbentandsometimes14.Topcollegefootballprograms15scholarshipsto20or30playerseachyearandthosestudent-athleteswhentheyarrive16campusreceivefreehousingtuitionmealsbooksetc. Inreturntheplayers17theprogramintheirsport.Footballplayersattopcolleges18twohoursadayfourdaysaweekfromJanuarytoApril.Insummerit’sbacktostrengthandagilitytrainingfourdaysaweekuntilmid-Augustwhencamp19andpreparesfortheopeningoftheSeptember-to-Decemberseasonbegins20.DuringtheseasonpracticeslasttwoorthreehoursadayfromTuesdaytoFriday.Saturdayisgameday.Mondaysareanofficiallymandateddayofrest. 17
Defendersofspecialprotectivelaborlegislationforwomenoftenmaintainthateliminatingsuchlawswoulddestroythefruitsofacenturylongstrugglefortheprotectionofwomenworkers.Evenabriefexaminationofthehistoricpracticeofcourtsandemployerswouldshowthatthefruitofsuchlawshasbeenbitter;theyareinpracticemoreofacursethanablessing.Sexdefinedprotectivelawshaveoftenbeenbasedonstereotypicalassumptionsconcerningwomen’sneedsandabilitiesandemployershavefrequentlyusedthemaslegalexcusesfordiscriminatingagainstwomen.AftertheSecondWorldWarforexamplebusinessesandgovernmentsoughttopersuadewomentovacatejobsinfactoriesthusmakingroominthelaborforceforreturningveterans.Therevivalorpassageofstatelawslimitingthedailyorweeklyworkhoursofwomenconvenientlyaccomplishedthis.Employershadonlytodeclarethatovertimehourswereanecessaryconditionofemploymentorpromotionintheirfactoryandwomencouldbequitelegallyfiredrefusedjobsorkeptatlowwagelevelsallinthenameofprotectingtheirhealth.Byvalidatingsuchlawswhentheyarechallengedbylawsuitsthecourtshavecolludedovertheyearsinestablishingdifferentlessadvantageousemploymenttermsforwomenthanformenthusreducingwomen’scompetitivenessonthejobmarket.Atthesametimeeventhemostwellintentionedlawmakerscourtsandemployershaveoftenbeenblindtotherealneedsofwomen.Thelawmakersandthecourtscontinuetopermitemployerstoofferemployeehealthinsuranceplansthatcoverallknownhumanmedicaldisabilitiesexceptthoserelatingtopregnancyandchildbirth.Finallylaborlawsprotectingonlyspecialgroupsareoftenineffectiveatprotectingtheworkerswhoareactuallyintheworkplace.Somechemicalsforexampleposereproductiverisksforwomenofchildbearingyears;manufacturersusingthechemicalscomplywithlawsprotectingwomenagainstthesehazardsbyrefusingtohirethem.Thusthesexdefinedlegislationprotectsthehypotheticalfemaleworkerbuthasnoeffectwhateveronthesafetyofanyactualemployee.Thehealthriskstomaleemployeesinsuchindustriescannotbenegligiblesincechemicalstoxicenoughtocausebirthdefectsinfetusesorsterilityinwomenarepresumablyharmfultothehumanmetabolism.Protectivelawsaimedatchangingproductionmaterialsortechniquesinordertoreducesuchhazardswouldbenefitallemployeeswithoutdiscriminatingagainstany.Insumprotectivelaborlawsforwomenarediscriminatoryanddonotmeettheirintendedpurpose.Legislatorsshouldrecognizethatwomenareintheworkforcetostayandthattheirneeds—goodhealthcareadecentwageandasafeworkplace—aretheneedsofallworkers.Lawsthatignorethesefactsviolatewomen’srightsforequalprotectioninemployment.Accordingtothepassagespeciallaborlawsprotectingwomenworkerstendgenerallytohavewhichofthefollowingeffects
It’snotthatwethoughtthingswerefine.It’sjustthatthisyeartherewerenofixestothemesseswemade—nounderwateroff-wellcapsnoAIGbailoutsnoreunitingtheislandcastawaysinachurchandsendingthemtoheaven.Wehadtoidlywatchthingscompletelyfallapartmakingusfeelsopatheticthatplankingseemedlikeacoolthingtodo.Thiswastheyearofthemeltdown.IfameltdowncouldhappenatanuclearreactorinJapan—acountrysoobsessedwithkeepinguptodatethatitscitizensannuallygetnewcellphonesandanewPrimeMinister—weshouldhaveknownwewerealldoomed.Meltdownshappenedtothemostunlikelyvictims.EveryonewassovulnerabletomeltdownsthatevenCanadiansriotedthoughtheydiditonlysotherestoftheworldwouldn’tfeelbadabouttheirriots.Itdidn’ttakeatsunami;anythingcouldtriggerameltdown.GreeceacountrysoeconomicallyinsignificantthatitsbiggestglobalfinancialcontributiontothiscenturywasthatNiaVardalosmoviesenttheentireEuropeaneconomyintoameltdown.AmeltdownofboththeU.S.creditratingandCongress’sapprovalratingwasunleashedoverraisingthedebtceilingsomethingsoroutineandboring.Sometimesitdidn’ttakeanactualsexualaffairtoruinyourpromisingpoliticalcareer.Sometimescrisessprangoutoftinymistakesthatusuallyhavenoconsequenceswhatsoeverlikethatdayincollegewhenyouwenttoaprotestchargedacouplemorethingsonyournearlymaxed-outcreditcardanddrunkenlytoldthepizzaguywithallthedumbideasthatheshouldtotallyrunforPresident.Wellwhentheentirecountrydoesthatatonceyougetameltdown.TherewasevenameltdownoftheoncepowerfulAmericanmiddleclass.Ayearagoourswasstillacountrythatpretendedtherewasnoclasssystemwhererichpeopleallcalledthemselvesupper-middleclass.Nowwearefull-onfeudalwithanangry99%anda1%whoactuallyunderstandthethingswhichthe99%areinarticulatelycomplainingabout.ThemeltdownitselfmelteddownwhenOccupyWallStreetprotestersandpolicecouldn’tagreeonlawncare.It’stoolatetocooltherods.Weareeithergoingtoabandontheoldstructuresaltogether—nuclearpowertheeuroArabsecularroleunregulatedcapitalism—orwaitareallylongtimeforthingstogetbetter.Wearefinallygoingtohavetochoosebetweenourmodernloveofconstantdramaandourmodemlaziness.IknowwhichI’mbettingon.Lazinesshasareallyhighmeltingpoint.Whichofthefollowingistrueofthesecondparagraph
Ithinkthatasuccessfuloldageiseasiestforthosewhohavestrongimpersonalinterestsinvolvingappropriateactivities.Itisinthisspherethatlongexperienceisreallyfruitfulanditisinthisspherethatthewisdombornofexperiencecanbeexercisedwithoutbeingoppressive.Itisnousetellinggrown-upchildrennottomakemistakesbothbecausetheywillnotbelieveyou.andbecausemistakesareanessentialpartofeducation.Butifyouareoneofthosewhoareincapableofimpersonalinterestsyoumayfindthatyourlifewillbeemptyunlessyouconcernyourselfwithyourchildrenandgrandchildren.Inthatcaseyoumustrealizethatwhileyoucanstillrenderthemmaterialservicessuchasmakingthemanallowanceorknittingthemjumpersyoumustnotexpectthattheywillenjoyyourcompany.Someoldpeopleareoppressedbythefearofdeath.Intheyoungthereisajustificationforthisfeeling.Youngmenwhohavereasontofearthattheywillbekilledinbattlemayjustifiablyfeelbitterinthethoughtthattheyhavebeencheatedofthebestthingsthatlifehastooffer.Butinanoldmanwhohasknownhumanjoysandsorrowsandhasachievedwhateverworkitwasinhimtodothefearofdeathissomewhatabjectandignoble.Thebestwaytoovercomeit—soatleastitseemstome—istomakeyourinterestsgraduallywiderandmoreimpersonaluntilbitbybitthewallsoftheegorecedeandyourlifebecomesincreasinglymergedintheuniversallife.Anindividualhumanexistenceshouldbelikeariver—smallatfirstnarrowlycontainedwithinitsbanksandrushingpassionatelypastrocksandoverwaterfalls.Graduallytherivergrowswiderthebanksrecedethewatersflowmorequietlyandintheendwithoutanyvisiblebreaktheybecomemergedintheseaandpainlesslylosetheirindividualbeing.Themanwhoinoldagecanseehislifeinthiswaywillnotsufferfromthefearofdeathsincethethingshecaresforwillcontinue.Andifwiththedecayofvitalitywearinessincreasesthethoughtofrestwillnotbeunwelcome.IshouldwishtodiewhilestillatworkknowingthatotherswillcarryonwhatIcannolongerdoandcontentinthethoughtthatwhatwaspossiblehasbeendone.
Beforeabigexamasoundnight’ssleepWilldoyoubetterthanporingovertextbooks.Thatatleastisthefolkwisdom.Andscienceintheformofbehavioralpsychologysupportsthatwisdom.Butsuchbehavioralstudiescannotdistinguishbetweentwocompetingtheoriesofwhysleepisgoodforthememory.Onesaysthatsleepiswhenpermanentmemoriesform.Theothersaysthattheyareactuallyformedduringthedaybutthen"edited"atnighttoflushawaywhatissuperfluous. Totellthedifferenceitisnecessarytolookintothebrainofasleepingpersonandthatishard.ButafteradecadeofpainstakingworkateamledbyPierreMaquetatLiegeUniversityinBelgiumhasmanagedtodoit.TheparticularstageofsleepinwhichtheBelgiangroupisinterestedisrapideyemovementREMsleepwhenbrainandbodyareactiveheartrateandbloodpressureincreasetheeyesmovebackandforthbehindtheeyelidsasifwatchingamovieandbrainwavetracesresemblethoseofwakefulness.Itisduringthisperiodofsleepthatpeoplearemostlikelytoreliveeventsofthepreviousdayindreams. Dr.MaquetusedanelectronicdevicecalledPETtostudythebrainsofpeopleastheypracticedataskduringthedayandastheysleptduringthefollowingnight.Thetaskrequiredthemtopressabuttonasfastaspossibleinresponsetoalightcomingoninoneofsixpositions.Astheylearnthowtodothistheirresponsetimesgotfaster.WhattheydidnotknowWasthattheappearanceofthelightssometimesfollowedapattern—whatisreferredtoas"artificialgrammar".Yetthereductionsinresponsetimeshowedthattheylearntfasterwhenthepatternwaspresentthanwhentherewasnot. Whatismorethosewithmoretolearni.e.the"grammar"aswellasthemechanicaltaskofpushingthebuttonhavemoreactivebrains.The"editing"theorywouldnotpredictthatsincethenumberofirrelevantstimuliwouldbethesameineachcase.Andtoeliminateanydoubtsthattheexperimentalsubjectswerelearningasopposedtounlearningtheirresponsetimeswhentheywokeupwereevenquickerthanwhentheywenttosleep. TheteamthereforeconcludedthatthenerveconnectionsinvolvedinmemoryarereinforcedthroughreactivationduringREMsleepparticularlyifthebraindetectsaninherentstructureinthematerialbeinglearnt.Sonowontheeveofthatcrucialtestmathsstudentscansleepsoundlyintheknowledgethatwhattheywillrememberthenextdayarethebasicrulesofalgebraandnottheincoherenttalkfromtheradionextdoor. IntheirstudyresearchersledbyPierreMaquettookadvantageofthetechniqueof
CollegesportsintheUnitedStatesareahugedeal.AlmostallmajorAmericanuniversitieshavefootballbaseballbasketballandhockeyprogramsand1millionsofdollarseachyeartosports.Mostofthemearnmillions2aswellintelevisionrevenuessponsorships.Theyalsobenefit3fromtheaddedpublicitytheygetviatheirteams.Big-nameuniversities4eachotherinthemostpopularsports.FootballgamesatMichiganregularly5crowdsofover20000.Basketball’snationalcollegiatechampionshipgameisaTV6onaparwithanyothersportingeventintheUnitedStates7perhapstheSuperBowlitself.Atanygiventimeduringfallorwinteronecan8one’sTVsetandseethetopathleticprograms—fromschoolslikeMichiganUCLADukeandStanford—9infrontofpackedhousesandnationalTVaudiences. Theathletesthemselvesare10andprovidedwithscholarships.Collegecoachesidentify11teenagersandthengointohighschoolsto12thecountry’sbestplayerstoattendtheiruniversities.Therearestrictrulesabout13coachescanrecruit—norecruitingcallsafter9p.m.onlyoneofficialvisittoacampus—buttheyareoftenbentandsometimes14.Topcollegefootballprograms15scholarshipsto20or30playerseachyearandthosestudent-athleteswhentheyarrive16campusreceivefreehousingtuitionmealsbooksetc. Inreturntheplayers17theprogramintheirsport.Footballplayersattopcolleges18twohoursadayfourdaysaweekfromJanuarytoApril.Insummerit’sbacktostrengthandagilitytrainingfourdaysaweekuntilmid-Augustwhencamp19andpreparesfortheopeningoftheSeptember-to-Decemberseasonbegins20.DuringtheseasonpracticeslasttwoorthreehoursadayfromTuesdaytoFriday.Saturdayisgameday.Mondaysareanofficiallymandateddayofrest. 1
Directions:Youareafreshmanandplanningtoapplyforabankloan.Writealettertothebankto 1introduceyourselfbriefly 2explainthereasonsofapplyingforabankloan. Writeyourletterwithnolessthan100words.Donotsignyournameattheendoftheletter.Use"LiMing"instead.Donotwritetheaddress.
CollegesportsintheUnitedStatesareahugedeal.AlmostallmajorAmericanuniversitieshavefootballbaseballbasketballandhockeyprogramsand1millionsofdollarseachyeartosports.Mostofthemearnmillions2aswellintelevisionrevenuessponsorships.Theyalsobenefit3fromtheaddedpublicitytheygetviatheirteams.Big-nameuniversities4eachotherinthemostpopularsports.FootballgamesatMichiganregularly5crowdsofover20000.Basketball’snationalcollegiatechampionshipgameisaTV6onaparwithanyothersportingeventintheUnitedStates7perhapstheSuperBowlitself.Atanygiventimeduringfallorwinteronecan8one’sTVsetandseethetopathleticprograms—fromschoolslikeMichiganUCLADukeandStanford—9infrontofpackedhousesandnationalTVaudiences. Theathletesthemselvesare10andprovidedwithscholarships.Collegecoachesidentify11teenagersandthengointohighschoolsto12thecountry’sbestplayerstoattendtheiruniversities.Therearestrictrulesabout13coachescanrecruit—norecruitingcallsafter9p.m.onlyoneofficialvisittoacampus—buttheyareoftenbentandsometimes14.Topcollegefootballprograms15scholarshipsto20or30playerseachyearandthosestudent-athleteswhentheyarrive16campusreceivefreehousingtuitionmealsbooksetc. Inreturntheplayers17theprogramintheirsport.Footballplayersattopcolleges18twohoursadayfourdaysaweekfromJanuarytoApril.Insummerit’sbacktostrengthandagilitytrainingfourdaysaweekuntilmid-Augustwhencamp19andpreparesfortheopeningoftheSeptember-to-Decemberseasonbegins20.DuringtheseasonpracticeslasttwoorthreehoursadayfromTuesdaytoFriday.Saturdayisgameday.Mondaysareanofficiallymandateddayofrest. 3
Thefilm-awardsseasonwhichreachesitstearfulclimaxwiththeOscarsnextweekhaslongbeenonlylooselyrelatedtothefilmbusiness.Hollywoodisdedicatedtotheartoffunnelingteenagerspastpopcornstandsnotartitself.Butthisyear’sawardsarelessrelevantthanever.ThetrueworthofafilmisnolongerdecidedbythecrowdthatassemblesintheKodakTheatre—orindeedbyanyAmerican.ItisdecidedbyyoungstersincountriessuchasRussiaChinaandBrazil.Hollywoodhasalwaysbeenaninternationalbusinessbutitisbecomingdramaticallymoreso.Inthepastdecadetotalbox-officespendinghasrisenbyaboutone-thirdinNorthAmericawhilemorethandoublingelsewhere.ThankstoHarryPotterSherlockHolmesandInceptionWarnerBrosmade$2.93billionoutsideNorthAmericalastyearsmashingthestudio’spreviousrecordof$2.24billion.FallingDVDsalesinAmericabyfartheworld’sbiggesthome-entertainmentmarketmeanHollywoodisevenmoredependentonforeignpunters.TherisingforeigntidehasliftedfilmsthatwerevirtuallywrittenoffinAmericasuchasPrinceofPersiaandTheChroniclesofNamia:theVoyageoftheDawnTreader.DespitestarringthepopularJackBlackGulliver’sTravelshadadisappointingruninNorthAmericataking$42millionattheboxofficesofar.ButstrongtumoutinRussiaandSouthKoreahelpeditreachalmost$150millioninsaleselsewhere.AsaresultitshouldturnaprofitsaysJohnDavisthefilm’sproducer.Thegrowthoftheinternationalboxofficeispartlyaresultofthedollar’sweakness.ItwasalsohelpedbyAvataraneco-fantasythatmadeastartling$2billionoutsideNorthAmerica.Butthreethingsareparticularlyimportant:acinemaboomintheemergingworldaconcertedeffortbythemajorstudiostomakefilmsthatmightplaywelloutsideAmericaandaglobalmarketingpushtomakesuretheydo.Russiawithitsshrinkingteenagepopulationisanunlikelyspotforabox-officeboom.Yetcinema-buildingisproceedingapaceandsupplyhascreateddemand.Lastyear160millioncinematicketsweresoldinRussia—thefirsttimeinrecentyearsthatsaleshaveexceededthecountry’spopulation.Ticketpriceshaveriseninpartbecausethenewcinemasaresuperiorwithdigitalprojectorsthatcanshow3Dfilms.ThebigHollywoodstudiosaremusclingdomesticfilm-makersaside.In2007AmericanfilmsmadealmosttwiceasmuchattheRussianboxofficeasdomesticfilms—8.3billionroubles$325millioncomparedwith4.5billion.Lastyeartheimportedstuffmadesome16.4billionroubles:morethanfivetimesasmuchasthehome-grownproductestimatesMovieResearchaMoscowoutfit.EarlierthismonthVladimirPutinRussia’sPrimeMinistersaidthegovernmentwouldspendlessmoneysupportingRussianfilm-makersandmoreonexpandingthenumberofscreens.WecanlearnfromParagraph1that______.
A.RefuseGimmicksB.BeWaryofPriceLevelsC.SayNotoUselessThingsD.NeverPayListPriceE.StanduptoTemptationsF.Switch—orThreatentoG.Don’tBuyonImpulseInrecentyearsthebasicmarketprinciplesofcompetitionandchoicehaveexpandedintonewaspectsofAmericanlife.Consumersnowfaceabewilderingarrayofoptionsforairtravelphoneservicemedicalcareevenpostalservice.CarbuyerscanshopontheInternetforthebestpriceatanydealershipintheirarea.Insomepartsofthecountryhomeownerscanpurchaseelectricityfromamenuofcompanies.Allthischoicetranslatesintounprecedentedconsumerpower.Oneofthepersistentmythsofcapitalistcultureisthatbusinesspeoplelovecompetition.Theydon’t.Theyspendtheirwakinghoursplottingwaystoavoiditandkeeppriceshigh.Thesedaystheyuseinformationtechnologiesthatgivethemintricatedataonindividualshoppersandthenpresentmultiplepricestogeteachconsumertocoughupthemaximumheiswillingtopay.Theairlineshavemasteredthisgameofferingmanylevelsoffares.SohowcanyoumakethemostofyournewpowerasaconsumerHerearerulestohelpyoufindyourway.41IntheNewEconomycompetitionissostrongthatfewerstoresandservicesareimmunetopricepressuresosharpenyourbargainingskills.Askretailerstomatchpricesyou’veseenontheInternet.Askatthecheckoutcounterifthereareanycouponsordiscountsyoucanuse.Askhotelclerksiftherearebetterratesavailable.You’llbesurprisedhowoftentheanswerisyes.42Ascompetitionheatsupandpushespricesdownbusinessesscrambletoboosttheirprofitsbyheapingonextras:rustproofingyourcarservicecontractsonyourapplianceprepaidgasolineforyourrentalcar.Thesestuntsaredevisedtomakeyoupaymoreatthelastminuteandprobablyaren’tagooddeal.43Theinformationhighwayisatwo-waystreet.Asaconsumeryoucangetmoredata.ButwhileyouareroamingtheWebbusinessesarestudyingyourhabitsandvulnerabilities.HaveaweaknessforchocolatesDon’tbesurprisedifAmazon.comofferstosellyouaboxwhileyou’rebrowsingforbooks.They’reusingawrinkleonthelast-minutemarketingpitchperfectedbyMcDonald’s:WouldyoulikefrieswiththatTheployworksremarkablywell.44Versioningisatacticusedbybusinessestoseparatestatus-consciousconsumersfromthebargain-hungryones—sincetheformermeanbiggerprofitmargins.Deluxeandplatinumarecodewordsusedtoenticestatusseekerstoopentheirwallets.Addathirdpricelevelandthepursesofevenbargain-hungryshopperscanbepriedopen.Researchshowsthatmanyconsumerswhomightpickthelower-pricedoptionwhengivenjusttwochoiceswillchoosethemedium-pricedalternativeifgiventhree.ConsumerstrytoavoidextremeoptionswriteCarlShapiroandHalR.VarianintheirbookInformationRules.45ConsumersintheNewEconomyfacemoredemandsontheirtimeandattentionthaneverbeforesothey’reinclinedtomakethemostfamiliarchoice.Considerthis:ithadbeenadecadeandahalfsincethebreakupofAT&Tyetitisstillbyfarthelargestlong-distanceprovider—evenwhileotherphonecompaniesoffer$50worthoffreeserviceforswitching.Morethaneveritpaystochangeservicesandbrands.Ifyoudon’twantthehasslesofswitchingrememberthatbusinessesareeagertohangontoconsumers.Thenexttimeyougetatemptingofferfromacredit-cardissueroraphonecompanycallyourcurrentproviderandaskthemtomatchthedeal.You’11bepleasedtofindhowoftenthey’llagree.
It’snotthatwethoughtthingswerefine.It’sjustthatthisyeartherewerenofixestothemesseswemade—nounderwateroff-wellcapsnoAIGbailoutsnoreunitingtheislandcastawaysinachurchandsendingthemtoheaven.Wehadtoidlywatchthingscompletelyfallapartmakingusfeelsopatheticthatplankingseemedlikeacoolthingtodo.Thiswastheyearofthemeltdown.IfameltdowncouldhappenatanuclearreactorinJapan—acountrysoobsessedwithkeepinguptodatethatitscitizensannuallygetnewcellphonesandanewPrimeMinister—weshouldhaveknownwewerealldoomed.Meltdownshappenedtothemostunlikelyvictims.EveryonewassovulnerabletomeltdownsthatevenCanadiansriotedthoughtheydiditonlysotherestoftheworldwouldn’tfeelbadabouttheirriots.Itdidn’ttakeatsunami;anythingcouldtriggerameltdown.GreeceacountrysoeconomicallyinsignificantthatitsbiggestglobalfinancialcontributiontothiscenturywasthatNiaVardalosmoviesenttheentireEuropeaneconomyintoameltdown.AmeltdownofboththeU.S.creditratingandCongress’sapprovalratingwasunleashedoverraisingthedebtceilingsomethingsoroutineandboring.Sometimesitdidn’ttakeanactualsexualaffairtoruinyourpromisingpoliticalcareer.Sometimescrisessprangoutoftinymistakesthatusuallyhavenoconsequenceswhatsoeverlikethatdayincollegewhenyouwenttoaprotestchargedacouplemorethingsonyournearlymaxed-outcreditcardanddrunkenlytoldthepizzaguywithallthedumbideasthatheshouldtotallyrunforPresident.Wellwhentheentirecountrydoesthatatonceyougetameltdown.TherewasevenameltdownoftheoncepowerfulAmericanmiddleclass.Ayearagoourswasstillacountrythatpretendedtherewasnoclasssystemwhererichpeopleallcalledthemselvesupper-middleclass.Nowwearefull-onfeudalwithanangry99%anda1%whoactuallyunderstandthethingswhichthe99%areinarticulatelycomplainingabout.ThemeltdownitselfmelteddownwhenOccupyWallStreetprotestersandpolicecouldn’tagreeonlawncare.It’stoolatetocooltherods.Weareeithergoingtoabandontheoldstructuresaltogether—nuclearpowertheeuroArabsecularroleunregulatedcapitalism—orwaitareallylongtimeforthingstogetbetter.Wearefinallygoingtohavetochoosebetweenourmodernloveofconstantdramaandourmodemlaziness.IknowwhichI’mbettingon.Lazinesshasareallyhighmeltingpoint.Whatdothe1%peopleknowaccordingtoParagraph5
Lowlevelsofliteracyandnumeracyhaveadamagingimpactonalmosteveryaspectofadultsaccordingtoasurveypublishedyesterdaywhichoffers1ofadevelopingunderclass.Testsand2withhundredsofpeopleborninaweekin1958graphicallyillustratedthe3ofeducationalunderachievement.Theeffectscanbeseeninunemploymentfamily4lowincomesdepressionandsocialinactivity. Thosewholeftschoolat16withpoorbasicskillshadbeenemployedforuptofouryearslessthangoodreaders5theyreached37.ProfessorJohnBynnerofCityUniversitywhocarriedtheresearchsaidthattoday’s6teenagerswouldevenencountergreaterproblemsbecausethesupplyof7jobshadshrunk. Almostonefifthofthe1700peopleinterviewedforyesterday’sreporthadpoorliteracyandalmosthalf8withinnumeracyaproportion9othersurveysfortheBasicSkillsAgency.Somecouldnotreadachild’sbookandmostfounddifficult10writteninstructions. Poorreadersweretwiceaslikelytobeonalowwageandfourtimesaslikelytoliveinahouseholdwherepartnersworked.Womeninthis11werefivetimesaslikelytobe12depressed13bothtendedtofeeltheyhadnocontrolovertheirlivesandtotrustothers14. Thosewhohadlowliteracyandnumeracywereseldom15inanycommunityorganizationandlesslikelythanothersto16inageneralelection.Therehadbeenno17intheliterarylevelof18reportingproblems. AlanWellstheagency’sdirectorsaid:"Theresultsemphasizethedangersofdevelopinganunderclasspeoplewhowereoutofwork19depressedandoftenlabeledthemselvesas20.Thereisacircleofmarginalizationwiththediceagainstthesepeopleandtheirfamilies. 1
CollegesportsintheUnitedStatesareahugedeal.AlmostallmajorAmericanuniversitieshavefootballbaseballbasketballandhockeyprogramsand1millionsofdollarseachyeartosports.Mostofthemearnmillions2aswellintelevisionrevenuessponsorships.Theyalsobenefit3fromtheaddedpublicitytheygetviatheirteams.Big-nameuniversities4eachotherinthemostpopularsports.FootballgamesatMichiganregularly5crowdsofover20000.Basketball’snationalcollegiatechampionshipgameisaTV6onaparwithanyothersportingeventintheUnitedStates7perhapstheSuperBowlitself.Atanygiventimeduringfallorwinteronecan8one’sTVsetandseethetopathleticprograms—fromschoolslikeMichiganUCLADukeandStanford—9infrontofpackedhousesandnationalTVaudiences. Theathletesthemselvesare10andprovidedwithscholarships.Collegecoachesidentify11teenagersandthengointohighschoolsto12thecountry’sbestplayerstoattendtheiruniversities.Therearestrictrulesabout13coachescanrecruit—norecruitingcallsafter9p.m.onlyoneofficialvisittoacampus—buttheyareoftenbentandsometimes14.Topcollegefootballprograms15scholarshipsto20or30playerseachyearandthosestudent-athleteswhentheyarrive16campusreceivefreehousingtuitionmealsbooksetc. Inreturntheplayers17theprogramintheirsport.Footballplayersattopcolleges18twohoursadayfourdaysaweekfromJanuarytoApril.Insummerit’sbacktostrengthandagilitytrainingfourdaysaweekuntilmid-Augustwhencamp19andpreparesfortheopeningoftheSeptember-to-Decemberseasonbegins20.DuringtheseasonpracticeslasttwoorthreehoursadayfromTuesdaytoFriday.Saturdayisgameday.Mondaysareanofficiallymandateddayofrest. 13
Thefilm-awardsseasonwhichreachesitstearfulclimaxwiththeOscarsnextweekhaslongbeenonlylooselyrelatedtothefilmbusiness.Hollywoodisdedicatedtotheartoffunnelingteenagerspastpopcornstandsnotartitself.Butthisyear’sawardsarelessrelevantthanever.ThetrueworthofafilmisnolongerdecidedbythecrowdthatassemblesintheKodakTheatre—orindeedbyanyAmerican.ItisdecidedbyyoungstersincountriessuchasRussiaChinaandBrazil. Hollywoodhasalwaysbeenaninternationalbusinessbutitisbecomingdramaticallymoreso.Inthepastdecadetotalbox-officespendinghasrisenbyaboutone-thirdinNorthAmericawhilemorethandoublingelsewhere.ThankstoHarryPotterSherlockHolmesand"Inception"WarnerBrosmade$2.93billionoutsideNorthAmericalastyearsmashingthestudio’spreviousrecordof$2.24billion.FallingDVDsalesinAmericabyfartheworld’sbiggesthome-entertainmentmarketmeanHollywoodisevenmoredependentonforeignpunters. TherisingforeigntidehasliftedfilmsthatwerevirtuallywrittenoffinAmericasuchas"PrinceofPersia"and"TheChroniclesofNamia:theVoyageoftheDawnTreader".DespitestarringthepopularJackBlack"Gulliver’sTravels"hadadisappointingruninNorthAmericataking$42millionattheboxofficesofar.ButstrongtumoutinRussiaandSouthKoreahelpeditreachalmost$150millioninsaleselsewhere.AsaresultitshouldturnaprofitsaysJohnDavisthefilm’sproducer. Thegrowthoftheinternationalboxofficeispartlyaresultofthedollar’sweakness.Itwasalsohelpedby"Avatar"aneco-fantasythatmadeastartling$2billionoutsideNorthAmerica.Butthreethingsareparticularlyimportant:acinemaboomintheemergingworldaconcertedeffortbythemajorstudiostomakefilmsthatmightplaywelloutsideAmericaandaglobalmarketingpushtomakesuretheydo. Russiawithitsshrinkingteenagepopulationisanunlikelyspotforabox-officeboom.Yetcinema-buildingisproceedingapaceandsupplyhascreateddemand.Lastyear160millioncinematicketsweresoldinRussia—thefirsttimeinrecentyearsthatsaleshaveexceededthecountry’spopulation.Ticketpriceshaveriseninpartbecausethenewcinemasaresuperiorwithdigitalprojectorsthatcanshow3Dfilms.ThebigHollywoodstudiosaremusclingdomesticfilm-makersaside.In2007AmericanfilmsmadealmosttwiceasmuchattheRussianboxofficeasdomesticfilms—8.3billionroubles$325millioncomparedwith4.5billion.Lastyeartheimportedstuffmadesome16.4billionroubles:morethanfivetimesasmuchasthehome-grownproductestimatesMovieResearchaMoscowoutfit.EarlierthismonthVladimirPutinRussia’sPrimeMinistersaidthegovernmentwouldspendlessmoneysupportingRussianfilm-makersandmoreonexpandingthenumberofscreens. HowmuchdidGulliver’sTravelstakeattheboxofficeoutsideNorthAmerica
CollegesportsintheUnitedStatesareahugedeal.AlmostallmajorAmericanuniversitieshavefootballbaseballbasketballandhockeyprogramsand1millionsofdollarseachyeartosports.Mostofthemearnmillions2aswellintelevisionrevenuessponsorships.Theyalsobenefit3fromtheaddedpublicitytheygetviatheirteams.Big-nameuniversities4eachotherinthemostpopularsports.FootballgamesatMichiganregularly5crowdsofover20000.Basketball’snationalcollegiatechampionshipgameisaTV6onaparwithanyothersportingeventintheUnitedStates7perhapstheSuperBowlitself.Atanygiventimeduringfallorwinteronecan8one’sTVsetandseethetopathleticprograms—fromschoolslikeMichiganUCLADukeandStanford—9infrontofpackedhousesandnationalTVaudiences. Theathletesthemselvesare10andprovidedwithscholarships.Collegecoachesidentify11teenagersandthengointohighschoolsto12thecountry’sbestplayerstoattendtheiruniversities.Therearestrictrulesabout13coachescanrecruit—norecruitingcallsafter9p.m.onlyoneofficialvisittoacampus—buttheyareoftenbentandsometimes14.Topcollegefootballprograms15scholarshipsto20or30playerseachyearandthosestudent-athleteswhentheyarrive16campusreceivefreehousingtuitionmealsbooksetc. Inreturntheplayers17theprogramintheirsport.Footballplayersattopcolleges18twohoursadayfourdaysaweekfromJanuarytoApril.Insummerit’sbacktostrengthandagilitytrainingfourdaysaweekuntilmid-Augustwhencamp19andpreparesfortheopeningoftheSeptember-to-Decemberseasonbegins20.DuringtheseasonpracticeslasttwoorthreehoursadayfromTuesdaytoFriday.Saturdayisgameday.Mondaysareanofficiallymandateddayofrest. 15
Defendersofspecialprotectivelaborlegislationforwomenoftenmaintainthateliminatingsuchlawswoulddestroythefruitsofacenturylongstrugglefortheprotectionofwomenworkers.Evenabriefexaminationofthehistoricpracticeofcourtsandemployerswouldshowthatthefruitofsuchlawshasbeenbitter;theyareinpracticemoreofacursethanablessing.Sexdefinedprotectivelawshaveoftenbeenbasedonstereotypicalassumptionsconcerningwomen’sneedsandabilitiesandemployershavefrequentlyusedthemaslegalexcusesfordiscriminatingagainstwomen.AftertheSecondWorldWarforexamplebusinessesandgovernmentsoughttopersuadewomentovacatejobsinfactoriesthusmakingroominthelaborforceforreturningveterans.Therevivalorpassageofstatelawslimitingthedailyorweeklyworkhoursofwomenconvenientlyaccomplishedthis.Employershadonlytodeclarethatovertimehourswereanecessaryconditionofemploymentorpromotionintheirfactoryandwomencouldbequitelegallyfiredrefusedjobsorkeptatlowwagelevelsallinthenameofprotectingtheirhealth.Byvalidatingsuchlawswhentheyarechallengedbylawsuitsthecourtshavecolludedovertheyearsinestablishingdifferentlessadvantageousemploymenttermsforwomenthanformenthusreducingwomen’scompetitivenessonthejobmarket.Atthesametimeeventhemostwellintentionedlawmakerscourtsandemployershaveoftenbeenblindtotherealneedsofwomen.Thelawmakersandthecourtscontinuetopermitemployerstoofferemployeehealthinsuranceplansthatcoverallknownhumanmedicaldisabilitiesexceptthoserelatingtopregnancyandchildbirth.Finallylaborlawsprotectingonlyspecialgroupsareoftenineffectiveatprotectingtheworkerswhoareactuallyintheworkplace.Somechemicalsforexampleposereproductiverisksforwomenofchildbearingyears;manufacturersusingthechemicalscomplywithlawsprotectingwomenagainstthesehazardsbyrefusingtohirethem.Thusthesexdefinedlegislationprotectsthehypotheticalfemaleworkerbuthasnoeffectwhateveronthesafetyofanyactualemployee.Thehealthriskstomaleemployeesinsuchindustriescannotbenegligiblesincechemicalstoxicenoughtocausebirthdefectsinfetusesorsterilityinwomenarepresumablyharmfultothehumanmetabolism.Protectivelawsaimedatchangingproductionmaterialsortechniquesinordertoreducesuchhazardswouldbenefitallemployeeswithoutdiscriminatingagainstany.Insumprotectivelaborlawsforwomenarediscriminatoryanddonotmeettheirintendedpurpose.Legislatorsshouldrecognizethatwomenareintheworkforcetostayandthattheirneeds—goodhealthcareadecentwageandasafeworkplace—aretheneedsofallworkers.Lawsthatignorethesefactsviolatewomen’srightsforequalprotectioninemployment.Themainpointofthepassageisthatspecialprotectivelaborlawsforwomenworkersare______.
Directions:YouhadapartyatyourhomerecentlybutyouunintentionallyneglecttoinviteaclosefriendofyoursVictoria.Writealetterto 1makeanapologyand 2explainhowthemistakecameabout. Writeyourletterwithnolessthan100words.Donotsignyournameattheendoftheletter.Use"LiMing"instead.Donotwritetheaddress.
A.RefuseGimmicksB.BeWaryofPriceLevelsC.SayNotoUselessThingsD.NeverPayListPriceE.StanduptoTemptationsF.Switch—orThreatentoG.Don’tBuyonImpulseInrecentyearsthebasicmarketprinciplesofcompetitionandchoicehaveexpandedintonewaspectsofAmericanlife.Consumersnowfaceabewilderingarrayofoptionsforairtravelphoneservicemedicalcareevenpostalservice.CarbuyerscanshopontheInternetforthebestpriceatanydealershipintheirarea.Insomepartsofthecountryhomeownerscanpurchaseelectricityfromamenuofcompanies.Allthischoicetranslatesintounprecedentedconsumerpower.Oneofthepersistentmythsofcapitalistcultureisthatbusinesspeoplelovecompetition.Theydon’t.Theyspendtheirwakinghoursplottingwaystoavoiditandkeeppriceshigh.Thesedaystheyuseinformationtechnologiesthatgivethemintricatedataonindividualshoppersandthenpresentmultiplepricestogeteachconsumertocoughupthemaximumheiswillingtopay.Theairlineshavemasteredthisgameofferingmanylevelsoffares.SohowcanyoumakethemostofyournewpowerasaconsumerHerearerulestohelpyoufindyourway.41IntheNewEconomycompetitionissostrongthatfewerstoresandservicesareimmunetopricepressuresosharpenyourbargainingskills.Askretailerstomatchpricesyou’veseenontheInternet.Askatthecheckoutcounterifthereareanycouponsordiscountsyoucanuse.Askhotelclerksiftherearebetterratesavailable.You’llbesurprisedhowoftentheanswerisyes.42Ascompetitionheatsupandpushespricesdownbusinessesscrambletoboosttheirprofitsbyheapingonextras:rustproofingyourcarservicecontractsonyourapplianceprepaidgasolineforyourrentalcar.Thesestuntsaredevisedtomakeyoupaymoreatthelastminuteandprobablyaren’tagooddeal.43Theinformationhighwayisatwo-waystreet.Asaconsumeryoucangetmoredata.ButwhileyouareroamingtheWebbusinessesarestudyingyourhabitsandvulnerabilities.HaveaweaknessforchocolatesDon’tbesurprisedifAmazon.comofferstosellyouaboxwhileyou’rebrowsingforbooks.They’reusingawrinkleonthelast-minutemarketingpitchperfectedbyMcDonald’s:WouldyoulikefrieswiththatTheployworksremarkablywell.44Versioningisatacticusedbybusinessestoseparatestatus-consciousconsumersfromthebargain-hungryones—sincetheformermeanbiggerprofitmargins.Deluxeandplatinumarecodewordsusedtoenticestatusseekerstoopentheirwallets.Addathirdpricelevelandthepursesofevenbargain-hungryshopperscanbepriedopen.Researchshowsthatmanyconsumerswhomightpickthelower-pricedoptionwhengivenjusttwochoiceswillchoosethemedium-pricedalternativeifgiventhree.ConsumerstrytoavoidextremeoptionswriteCarlShapiroandHalR.VarianintheirbookInformationRules.45ConsumersintheNewEconomyfacemoredemandsontheirtimeandattentionthaneverbeforesothey’reinclinedtomakethemostfamiliarchoice.Considerthis:ithadbeenadecadeandahalfsincethebreakupofAT&Tyetitisstillbyfarthelargestlong-distanceprovider—evenwhileotherphonecompaniesoffer$50worthoffreeserviceforswitching.Morethaneveritpaystochangeservicesandbrands.Ifyoudon’twantthehasslesofswitchingrememberthatbusinessesareeagertohangontoconsumers.Thenexttimeyougetatemptingofferfromacredit-cardissueroraphonecompanycallyourcurrentproviderandaskthemtomatchthedeal.You’11bepleasedtofindhowoftenthey’llagree.
Theword’culture’isprobablythesinglemostcentralconceptintwentieth-centuryanthropology.Anthropologistsusetheword’culture’inanumberofdifferentsenses.Itseemstousthatsomeofthemuseitasequivalenttowhatwecallaformofsociallife.InitsordinaryuseinEnglish’culture’whichismuchthesameideaascultivationreferstotheprocessbywhichapersonacquiresfromcontactwithotherpersonsorfromsuchthingsasbooksorworksofartknowledgeskillideasbeliefstastesandsentiments.Thatisthedefinitionof’culture’.Inaparticularsocietywecandiscovercertainprocessesofculturaltraditionusingthewordtraditioninitsliteralmeaningofhandingonorhandingdown.Theunderstandinganduseofalanguageispassedonbyaprocessofculturaltraditioninthissense.AnEnglishmanlearnsbysuchaprocesstounderstandandusetheEnglishlanguagebutinsomesectionsofthesocietyhemayalsolearnLatinorGreekorFrenchorWelsh.Incomplexmodemsocietiesthereareagreatnumberofseparateculturaltraditions.Byoneapersonmaylearntobeadoctororsurgeonbyanotherhemaylearntobeanengineeroranarchitect.Inthesimplestformsofsociallifethenumberofseparateculturaltraditionsmaybereducedtotwooneformenandtheotherforwomen.Ifwetreatthesocialrealitythatweareinvestigatingasbeingnotanentitybutaprocessthencultureandculturaltraditionarenamesforcertainrecognizableaspectsofthatprocessbutnotofcoursethewholeprocess.Thetermsareconvenientwaysofreferringtocertainaspectsofhumansociallife.Itisbyreasonoftheexistenceofcultureandculturaltraditionsthathumansociallifediffersverymarkedlyfromthesociallifeofotheranimalspecies.Thetransmissionoflearntwaysofthinkingfeelingandactingconstitutestheculturalprocesswhichisaspecificfeatureofhumansociallife.Itisofcoursepartofthatprocessofinteractionamongpersonswhichisheredefinedasthesocialprocessthoughtofasthesocialreality.Continuityandchangeintheformsofsociallifebeingthesubjectsofinvestigationofcomparativesociologythecontinuityofculturaltraditionsandchangesinthosetraditionsareamongstthethingsthathavetobetakenintoaccount.
CollegesportsintheUnitedStatesareahugedeal.AlmostallmajorAmericanuniversitieshavefootballbaseballbasketballandhockeyprogramsand1millionsofdollarseachyeartosports.Mostofthemearnmillions2aswellintelevisionrevenuessponsorships.Theyalsobenefit3fromtheaddedpublicitytheygetviatheirteams.Big-nameuniversities4eachotherinthemostpopularsports.FootballgamesatMichiganregularly5crowdsofover20000.Basketball’snationalcollegiatechampionshipgameisaTV6onaparwithanyothersportingeventintheUnitedStates7perhapstheSuperBowlitself.Atanygiventimeduringfallorwinteronecan8one’sTVsetandseethetopathleticprograms—fromschoolslikeMichiganUCLADukeandStanford—9infrontofpackedhousesandnationalTVaudiences. Theathletesthemselvesare10andprovidedwithscholarships.Collegecoachesidentify11teenagersandthengointohighschoolsto12thecountry’sbestplayerstoattendtheiruniversities.Therearestrictrulesabout13coachescanrecruit—norecruitingcallsafter9p.m.onlyoneofficialvisittoacampus—buttheyareoftenbentandsometimes14.Topcollegefootballprograms15scholarshipsto20or30playerseachyearandthosestudent-athleteswhentheyarrive16campusreceivefreehousingtuitionmealsbooksetc. Inreturntheplayers17theprogramintheirsport.Footballplayersattopcolleges18twohoursadayfourdaysaweekfromJanuarytoApril.Insummerit’sbacktostrengthandagilitytrainingfourdaysaweekuntilmid-Augustwhencamp19andpreparesfortheopeningoftheSeptember-to-Decemberseasonbegins20.DuringtheseasonpracticeslasttwoorthreehoursadayfromTuesdaytoFriday.Saturdayisgameday.Mondaysareanofficiallymandateddayofrest. 7
Beforeabigexamasoundnight’ssleepWilldoyoubetterthanporingovertextbooks.Thatatleastisthefolkwisdom.Andscienceintheformofbehavioralpsychologysupportsthatwisdom.Butsuchbehavioralstudiescannotdistinguishbetweentwocompetingtheoriesofwhysleepisgoodforthememory.Onesaysthatsleepiswhenpermanentmemoriesform.Theothersaysthattheyareactuallyformedduringthedaybutthen"edited"atnighttoflushawaywhatissuperfluous. Totellthedifferenceitisnecessarytolookintothebrainofasleepingpersonandthatishard.ButafteradecadeofpainstakingworkateamledbyPierreMaquetatLiegeUniversityinBelgiumhasmanagedtodoit.TheparticularstageofsleepinwhichtheBelgiangroupisinterestedisrapideyemovementREMsleepwhenbrainandbodyareactiveheartrateandbloodpressureincreasetheeyesmovebackandforthbehindtheeyelidsasifwatchingamovieandbrainwavetracesresemblethoseofwakefulness.Itisduringthisperiodofsleepthatpeoplearemostlikelytoreliveeventsofthepreviousdayindreams. Dr.MaquetusedanelectronicdevicecalledPETtostudythebrainsofpeopleastheypracticedataskduringthedayandastheysleptduringthefollowingnight.Thetaskrequiredthemtopressabuttonasfastaspossibleinresponsetoalightcomingoninoneofsixpositions.Astheylearnthowtodothistheirresponsetimesgotfaster.WhattheydidnotknowWasthattheappearanceofthelightssometimesfollowedapattern—whatisreferredtoas"artificialgrammar".Yetthereductionsinresponsetimeshowedthattheylearntfasterwhenthepatternwaspresentthanwhentherewasnot. Whatismorethosewithmoretolearni.e.the"grammar"aswellasthemechanicaltaskofpushingthebuttonhavemoreactivebrains.The"editing"theorywouldnotpredictthatsincethenumberofirrelevantstimuliwouldbethesameineachcase.Andtoeliminateanydoubtsthattheexperimentalsubjectswerelearningasopposedtounlearningtheirresponsetimeswhentheywokeupwereevenquickerthanwhentheywenttosleep. TheteamthereforeconcludedthatthenerveconnectionsinvolvedinmemoryarereinforcedthroughreactivationduringREMsleepparticularlyifthebraindetectsaninherentstructureinthematerialbeinglearnt.Sonowontheeveofthatcrucialtestmathsstudentscansleepsoundlyintheknowledgethatwhattheywillrememberthenextdayarethebasicrulesofalgebraandnottheincoherenttalkfromtheradionextdoor. Asmanifestedintheexperimentalstudyrapideyemovementischaracterizedby
CollegesportsintheUnitedStatesareahugedeal.AlmostallmajorAmericanuniversitieshavefootballbaseballbasketballandhockeyprogramsand1millionsofdollarseachyeartosports.Mostofthemearnmillions2aswellintelevisionrevenuessponsorships.Theyalsobenefit3fromtheaddedpublicitytheygetviatheirteams.Big-nameuniversities4eachotherinthemostpopularsports.FootballgamesatMichiganregularly5crowdsofover20000.Basketball’snationalcollegiatechampionshipgameisaTV6onaparwithanyothersportingeventintheUnitedStates7perhapstheSuperBowlitself.Atanygiventimeduringfallorwinteronecan8one’sTVsetandseethetopathleticprograms—fromschoolslikeMichiganUCLADukeandStanford—9infrontofpackedhousesandnationalTVaudiences. Theathletesthemselvesare10andprovidedwithscholarships.Collegecoachesidentify11teenagersandthengointohighschoolsto12thecountry’sbestplayerstoattendtheiruniversities.Therearestrictrulesabout13coachescanrecruit—norecruitingcallsafter9p.m.onlyoneofficialvisittoacampus—buttheyareoftenbentandsometimes14.Topcollegefootballprograms15scholarshipsto20or30playerseachyearandthosestudent-athleteswhentheyarrive16campusreceivefreehousingtuitionmealsbooksetc. Inreturntheplayers17theprogramintheirsport.Footballplayersattopcolleges18twohoursadayfourdaysaweekfromJanuarytoApril.Insummerit’sbacktostrengthandagilitytrainingfourdaysaweekuntilmid-Augustwhencamp19andpreparesfortheopeningoftheSeptember-to-Decemberseasonbegins20.DuringtheseasonpracticeslasttwoorthreehoursadayfromTuesdaytoFriday.Saturdayisgameday.Mondaysareanofficiallymandateddayofrest. 5
CollegesportsintheUnitedStatesareahugedeal.AlmostallmajorAmericanuniversitieshavefootballbaseballbasketballandhockeyprogramsand1millionsofdollarseachyeartosports.Mostofthemearnmillions2aswellintelevisionrevenuessponsorships.Theyalsobenefit3fromtheaddedpublicitytheygetviatheirteams.Big-nameuniversities4eachotherinthemostpopularsports.FootballgamesatMichiganregularly5crowdsofover20000.Basketball’snationalcollegiatechampionshipgameisaTV6onaparwithanyothersportingeventintheUnitedStates7perhapstheSuperBowlitself.Atanygiventimeduringfallorwinteronecan8one’sTVsetandseethetopathleticprograms—fromschoolslikeMichiganUCLADukeandStanford—9infrontofpackedhousesandnationalTVaudiences. Theathletesthemselvesare10andprovidedwithscholarships.Collegecoachesidentify11teenagersandthengointohighschoolsto12thecountry’sbestplayerstoattendtheiruniversities.Therearestrictrulesabout13coachescanrecruit—norecruitingcallsafter9p.m.onlyoneofficialvisittoacampus—buttheyareoftenbentandsometimes14.Topcollegefootballprograms15scholarshipsto20or30playerseachyearandthosestudent-athleteswhentheyarrive16campusreceivefreehousingtuitionmealsbooksetc. Inreturntheplayers17theprogramintheirsport.Footballplayersattopcolleges18twohoursadayfourdaysaweekfromJanuarytoApril.Insummerit’sbacktostrengthandagilitytrainingfourdaysaweekuntilmid-Augustwhencamp19andpreparesfortheopeningoftheSeptember-to-Decemberseasonbegins20.DuringtheseasonpracticeslasttwoorthreehoursadayfromTuesdaytoFriday.Saturdayisgameday.Mondaysareanofficiallymandateddayofrest. 11
CollegesportsintheUnitedStatesareahugedeal.AlmostallmajorAmericanuniversitieshavefootballbaseballbasketballandhockeyprogramsand1millionsofdollarseachyeartosports.Mostofthemearnmillions2aswellintelevisionrevenuessponsorships.Theyalsobenefit3fromtheaddedpublicitytheygetviatheirteams.Big-nameuniversities4eachotherinthemostpopularsports.FootballgamesatMichiganregularly5crowdsofover20000.Basketball’snationalcollegiatechampionshipgameisaTV6onaparwithanyothersportingeventintheUnitedStates7perhapstheSuperBowlitself.Atanygiventimeduringfallorwinteronecan8one’sTVsetandseethetopathleticprograms—fromschoolslikeMichiganUCLADukeandStanford—9infrontofpackedhousesandnationalTVaudiences. Theathletesthemselvesare10andprovidedwithscholarships.Collegecoachesidentify11teenagersandthengointohighschoolsto12thecountry’sbestplayerstoattendtheiruniversities.Therearestrictrulesabout13coachescanrecruit—norecruitingcallsafter9p.m.onlyoneofficialvisittoacampus—buttheyareoftenbentandsometimes14.Topcollegefootballprograms15scholarshipsto20or30playerseachyearandthosestudent-athleteswhentheyarrive16campusreceivefreehousingtuitionmealsbooksetc. Inreturntheplayers17theprogramintheirsport.Footballplayersattopcolleges18twohoursadayfourdaysaweekfromJanuarytoApril.Insummerit’sbacktostrengthandagilitytrainingfourdaysaweekuntilmid-Augustwhencamp19andpreparesfortheopeningoftheSeptember-to-Decemberseasonbegins20.DuringtheseasonpracticeslasttwoorthreehoursadayfromTuesdaytoFriday.Saturdayisgameday.Mondaysareanofficiallymandateddayofrest. 9
Ithinkthatasuccessfuloldageiseasiestforthosewhohavestrongimpersonalinterestsinvolvingappropriateactivities.Itisinthisspherethatlongexperienceisreallyfruitfulanditisinthisspherethatthewisdombornofexperiencecanbeexercisedwithoutbeingoppressive.Itisnousetellinggrown-upchildrennottomakemistakesbothbecausetheywillnotbelieveyou.andbecausemistakesareanessentialpartofeducation.Butifyouareoneofthosewhoareincapableofimpersonalinterestsyoumayfindthatyourlifewillbeemptyunlessyouconcernyourselfwithyourchildrenandgrandchildren.Inthatcaseyoumustrealizethatwhileyoucanstillrenderthemmaterialservicessuchasmakingthemanallowanceorknittingthemjumpersyoumustnotexpectthattheywillenjoyyourcompany.Someoldpeopleareoppressedbythefearofdeath.Intheyoungthereisajustificationforthisfeeling.Youngmenwhohavereasontofearthattheywillbekilledinbattlemayjustifiablyfeelbitterinthethoughtthattheyhavebeencheatedofthebestthingsthatlifehastooffer.Butinanoldmanwhohasknownhumanjoysandsorrowsandhasachievedwhateverworkitwasinhimtodothefearofdeathissomewhatabjectandignoble.Thebestwaytoovercomeit—soatleastitseemstome—istomakeyourinterestsgraduallywiderandmoreimpersonaluntilbitbybitthewallsoftheegorecedeandyourlifebecomesincreasinglymergedintheuniversallife.Anindividualhumanexistenceshouldbelikeariver—smallatfirstnarrowlycontainedwithinitsbanksandrushingpassionatelypastrocksandoverwaterfalls.Graduallytherivergrowswiderthebanksrecedethewatersflowmorequietlyandintheendwithoutanyvisiblebreaktheybecomemergedintheseaandpainlesslylosetheirindividualbeing.Themanwhoinoldagecanseehislifeinthiswaywillnotsufferfromthefearofdeathsincethethingshecaresforwillcontinue.Andifwiththedecayofvitalitywearinessincreasesthethoughtofrestwillnotbeunwelcome.IshouldwishtodiewhilestillatworkknowingthatotherswillcarryonwhatIcannolongerdoandcontentinthethoughtthatwhatwaspossiblehasbeendone.
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