Reflection Note 

So, another Writing course has passed. It differs from previous one during the first semester firstly because we have been writing our essays working on computer and uploading our works into blogs what was new for us. Secondly, the very process of work is different. In the first year we at first studied some piece of theory and then we wrote essays relaying on some theoretical material. Now, honestly, I have encountered some difficulties because we were said to write a summary or for-and-against essay, for example, but we were not said how to do this. Of course, I can write it not taking into consideration some basic rules concerned structure and organization of my essay. But is it worth writing? I am planning to pass international exams in the future and without appropriate organization I doubt my essays would be applicable. Probably the teacher was thinking we know how to organize the structure of our works but in fact we do not. Besides, I really like the idea of reading our peers’ essays and commenting on them as it turns an official lesson into a friendly activity. In addition, it appeals to me that we discussed some meaningful for the modern reality problems. I would like to go on with them looking for the new themes to discuss into “Guardian” or “NYC Times”. And one more moment that bothers me: I think our essays should be corrected properly. I mean the teacher should not only to comment on our structure, but find some grammar and spelling mistakes and correct them, because the aim of writing essays is to enhance these aspects as well.

With respect,

Polina Shvachko, group 17827

What are Advantages and Disadvantages of the Second Amendment in the USA Constitution?

The constitutional right of American people to freely keep and bear arms is an issue which frequently generate a great deal of heated debate, with supporters maintaining that it is vital to keep USA citizens’ lives safe, whilst opponents claim that it is unjustifiable fact of permissiveness that is unnecessary in modern society.

Firstly, it is said that some kind of a weapon is indispensable in case of out of sudden sexual or bodily attack or pickpocketing A right to defend oneself is an essential part of a democracy which is so appreciated in the USA and its abolition will give rise to riots, demonstrations and promote inner instability. This fact is important to remember especially if we look at the statistic: it says that since the beginning of the century the approval of this right has risen from 29 % to 51% among American citizens. On the other hand, amendment that includes this right was passed in the 18th century when soldiers tended to invade houses of civilians creating difficulties for a peaceful existence. That time it was out of sheer necessity to invent some way to defense oneself. But present-day arm’s availability from time to time results in aggressive and blood-thirsty mass shootings at public places committed by mental-disabled people who, in spite of their disease, are free to buy a weapon, unfortunately. Even teenagers are able to get it. As it is stated in the article by Jamiles Lartney “This year has been by far the worst on record for gun violence in schools, the advocacy group Sandy Hook Promise said, citing research by the US Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). They counted 94 school shooting incidents in 2018, a near 60% increase on the previous high, 59, an unwanted record set in 2006” (1).

Secondly, it is believed that permitted arm’s bearing helps to decline a crime rate as portentous felons are afraid of being suffered themselves. According to different statistics, above 60 % of ones who possess a weapon have bought it for the sake of their own protection. There is even a proverb appeared recently: “The best protection from a bad man with gun is a good man with gun”. Besides, ones who stand for this idea respond to opponents who criticize them for promoting gun abuse with the reasonable words if a delinquent is a decisive one, he will definitely find a way to commit a crime whether using a cold steel or acting with his own hands. So, abolition will not help to improve sad statistics about the number of crimes. However, gun abuse cannot be ignored as it has reached extremes that can no longer be tolerated.  In fact, figures are appalling: 100 Americans are killed and 200 injured by firearms each day. What is more, it is impossible to monitor if a person has bought an arm for his defense or for a public massacre as there are 300 million of guns in legal possession of American people, among them are teenagers and unrecognized lunatics.

All thing considered, it may be concluded that gun control is one of the main USA problems these days which requires a resolution. While, free arm keeping and bearing are still permitted at the State level, the citizens who have suffered from its negative consequences are calling for its immediate abolition. To my mind, gun ban is vitally necessary for American society because it is hard to read without tears these words of one mother whose son has been assassinated: “I want those bastards in Congress … They need to pass gun control so no one else has a child that doesn’t come home,” (2).

(1) Lartey, Jamiles. “2018 Is Worst Year on Record for Gun Violence in Schools, Data Shows.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 9 Dec. 2018, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/09/sandy-hook-promise-gun-violence-school-shooting-report-2018.

(2) Davis, Charles. “'Those Bastards Need to Pass Gun Control': Families of California Shooting Victims Speak Out.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 9 Nov. 2018, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/nov/09/california-thousand-oaks-shooting-victims-las-vegas.

What Are Advantages and Disadvantages 

of Ever-increasing Use of Technology

Half of the century ago no one would imagine how technically advanced our world be. But now, as we live in the century of full dominance of technology, it influences us in almost all spheres of life. It goes without saying, this dominance has a beneficial effect on human beings’ lives as well as it inevitably produces some negative impact on all of us.

With the development of technology people get used to notice firstly its positive sides. Firstly, it has helped to get in touch millions of people around the world: lost friendship could now be restored, distant relatives are capable of finding out about the existence of each other. Many parents do not worry about their children, leaving them at school as they are always in touch via their mobile phones. Besides, technologies have made our life so easier. Nowadays it is hard to find a person who does his laundry with his own hands; it is rather inconvenient and takes a lot of time. Instead it is hard to find a person who does not possess a washing machine at home. The conveniences used inside a house are innumerable: vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, microwaves and many others.  They have come so deeply into our lives that the modern children and teenagers feel lost, not realizing clearly enough how to manage the household chores without them. The last but not the least, the technologies have brought the most important invention, the Internet, into life. The Internet has become nowadays the most important source of a variety of information. Moreover, it enables students to increase their knowledge and develop their research skills. In short, it is difficult to make up something the Internet cannot be applied for.

Unfortunately, abuse of using technology is one of the modern sins which leads to unhappy consequences. First of all, some new inventions could jeopardize the life of their inventors and people around them. With the invention of atom bomb the humanity is on verge of starting the new war with no survivors at all. Therefore, I think, the main problem today is how to prevent this from happening as long as we can.  Secondly, a man has lost its mind; there is no need to think himself as the calculator can work out necessary figures and the Internet can find every required pieces of information. Finally, there is a danger for human being to lose their job as more and more works today are done by machines; they do not need to sleep and do not ask for salary, do they? As it is said in the article by Bernick, Michael “today, not a week goes by without a new study being released or conference convened on robots replacing jobs or a newspaper account of a new use of robots taking the place of workers” (1).
As for me, I am not able to imagine my life without technologies and I  am not definetely eager to reject using them while in my life their advantages overweight disadvantages. But to my mind the world has gone mad with invention of atom bomb and all-mighty artificial intellect as these changes put the existence of humanity to danger.

To make a long story short, I would like to say that the technologies has irreversibly changed our lives, but it is up to the future generation to decide whether these changes are for the better or for the worse.
(1) “After Robots Take Over Our Jobs, Then What?” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 11 Apr. 2017, www.forbes.com/sites/michaelbernick/2017/04/11/after-robots-take-over-our-jobs-then-what/ 

Here are my corrections
Ex 11. We must either raise revenues or reduce expenses
2. Stoics deny the importance of such things as wealth, good looks, and a good reputation.
3. In his farewell address to the army, the general praised his soldiers for their unsurpassed courage and thanked them for their devotion.
4. The crowd that had gathered outside the court was loud and angry.
5. The police have a duty to serve the community, safeguard lives and property, protect the innocent against deception, and respect the constitutional rights of all.
6. Sir Humphry Davy, the celebrated English chemist, was an excellent literary critic as well as a great scientist.
7. The Johnsons were cheerful, knowledgeable, and generous traveling companions.
8. The delegates spent the day arguing with one another rather than working together to find common solutions.
9. My sister's promotion means that she will be moving to another state and taking the children with her.
10. A company is not only responsible to its shareholders but also its customers and employees as well.
11. Examples of aerobic exercises are distance running, swimming, cycling, and walking for a long distance.
12. Consuming too much of a fat-soluble vitamin can be as harmful as not consuming enough.
13. The gyrocompass not only points to true north at all times, but is unaffected by external magnetic fields.
14. Everything that could make a sound was either removed or taped down.
15. If you hire a contractor to make home improvements, follow these recommendations:
• Find out if the contractor belongs to a trade association.
• Obtain estimates in writing.
• Ask for references.
• Make sure that the contractor is insured.
• Avoid contractors who ask for cash to dodge paying taxes.
16. The new instructor was both enthusiastic and demanding.
17. Annie's dress was old, faded, and wrinkled.
18. By the time she was two, the child was not only active but also well coordinated.
19. It is a truism that giving is more rewarding than getting.
20. A battery powered by aluminum is simple to design, clean to run, and inexpensive to produce.
Everything is done correctly

Ex 2. Everything is correct as well

Summary 2

Shvachko Polina, group 17827

                The article “Macedonia MPs to Vote on Name change in Key moment for Balkans” written by Helena Smith is devoted to the discussion of the problem of Macedonia’s hesitation about whether to accept the other name  or go on with the present one.  First, the author draws the reader’s attention to the necessity of winning the majority of this referendum for the country’s PM, Zoran Zaev. Then she analyzes the renaming as the catalyst for the speedy accession to the EU. She gives an example of the conflict between Macedonian Slavs and an Albanian minority which can be solved only with the membership of NATO and EU. The author suggests that name change will improve relationships with the Greece which doesn’t accept the name “Macedonia” itself as this name used to belong one of the provinces within ancient Greek state. The author pays attention that it will be difficult for Zaev to win majorities as he faces strong opposition. Then she argues that the hope of winning the process is really small as the low population turnout is always observed in the Macedonia’s elections. In addition, there is a great possibility that the referendum will be boycotted at all. Finally, according to Zaev this referendum is especially important with the fact that Russia has started to meddle actively in the Macedonia’s business. The author concludes that if the election is held it will be a unique opportunity to unite south Europe as well as stimulate the Macedonia’s development. In the end, it is stated that it is better to take the chance which is like not to be repeated in the future.

Summary

Shvachko Polina, group 17827

According to article published in “Marie Claire” ‘’Men forced to be wives”, in northern Greece the special festival exists which lets women and men change their duties with each other just for one day.

During all the day of 8^th January, Gynaikratia, as it is called in Greece, takes place. Men are supposed to be subservient and dedicate all their time to performing what is usually supposed to be women’s household chores including scrubbing bathroom and changing nappies. If a husband rejects to do this, a wife has a right to beat him. While women always look forward for this day to be appeased, men mostly disguise this festival as they find it too humiliating to do the housework. Some of them even are teased by their friends who have already rejected to obey the rules of this celebration. However, not every Greek woman allows her husband to take responsibility for household chores as he tends to make a great mess after him, and woman’s work doubles the next day. Despite such controversial things, this festival is still held in Greece setting the women free from daily routing at least for 24 hours.