The net and the questions it poses
1.
The Internet as a source of information is widely and indiscriminately being used by people who are engaged in various researches.
• Do you think the Net is likely to improve the quality of research?
• Is it in any way an unhealthy practice to fall back on the Net for everything?
2.
Since search engines on the Net are able to meet almost all the information needs, the need for alternative information sources is waning of late.
• Do you think the advent of search engines is a welcome development?
• How relevant are alternative information source in your opinion?
3.
Some people say the advent of the Net has left man confined to smaller personal spaces, whereas there are people who hold the view that it has cast man far and wide.
• Look at the views and say what you feel about the advent of the Net?
4.
The information explosion that is happening around us has brighter and seamy sides.
• Try to identify a few prominent ones.
Ajaypeesdoc.1.8.011
www.jpsukham.blogspot.com
5.
The most abstract concept called ‘time’ has been redefined by citizens on the Net (netizens), and they say ‘that which does not exist’ is time.
• How appropriate is this definition from a netizen’s point of view?
• How differently has time been defined these days?
Saturday, July 30, 2011
A write up on what green jobs are, and how the future of green job is
going to be. By www.siliconindia.com
Scope
Around one million green jobs will be generated in India over the next two years, according to estimate headhunters. In 2008, a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report had highlighted that by 2025 India would see the creation of nine hundred thousand green jobs in the area of biogas alone.
Definitions
Green jobs, as defined by UNEP, refers to work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development or administrative activities that contribute to preserving environmental quality, and help in protecting the ecosystem and biodiversity.
Area
They may include architects designing energy-efficient buildings, organic farmers in villages, environmental engineers or even plumbers installing water-recycle systems. While green architecture, mechanical and chemical engineering, biotechnology and environmental management are the most lucrative and sought-after professions in the new, green sector, policy-making for renewable energy and natural resources management is not far behind.
Emerging Academic Interests
The Suzlon group, a pioneer in exploring renewable energy sources, has signed an MoU with TERI University in March 2009, to institute an M.Tech in Renewable Energy Engineering and Management. The need for sustainable development has sensitized a corpus of scientists, managers and leaders to the importance of environmental protection. From just 48 students in 2006, the university now has 260. Almost all these students have been placed in companies like TCS, Reliance Infrastructure and IL&FS, and are involved in green activities.
Future
One of the biggest future recruiters in green jobs is likely to be real estate, with green buildings coming up fast. A recent study by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) estimates that 45 million square feet of additional green building-space in India will be ready by 2012. Companies like Wipro, Microsoft, Cognizant, TCS, Infosys and Oracle are either operating - or planning to - from green offices, revealed the study. "There will be a huge demand for people who can certify green buildings, and architects and project planners who are adept in green building norms.
For those looking for an alternative career, the green sector offers various opportunities. Working with an NGO, or a training programme on sustainability, can help one gain the necessary perspective. Organisations like ACC Cement, Ecosmart, SGS India, TCS, Reliance Energy and M&M offer internships and may even recruit the interns.
Seamy side
Unfortunately, Green jobs are still not considered as lucrative. And that's mainly because of a lack of awareness. While entry-level salaries are about Rs. 3.5 to Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum, packages in the mid-level can vary from Rs. 14-20 lakh and a senior professional could even command anything between Rs. 45 and 60 lakh, said Balaji of MaFoi.
going to be. By www.siliconindia.com
Scope
Around one million green jobs will be generated in India over the next two years, according to estimate headhunters. In 2008, a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report had highlighted that by 2025 India would see the creation of nine hundred thousand green jobs in the area of biogas alone.
Definitions
Green jobs, as defined by UNEP, refers to work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development or administrative activities that contribute to preserving environmental quality, and help in protecting the ecosystem and biodiversity.
Area
They may include architects designing energy-efficient buildings, organic farmers in villages, environmental engineers or even plumbers installing water-recycle systems. While green architecture, mechanical and chemical engineering, biotechnology and environmental management are the most lucrative and sought-after professions in the new, green sector, policy-making for renewable energy and natural resources management is not far behind.
Emerging Academic Interests
The Suzlon group, a pioneer in exploring renewable energy sources, has signed an MoU with TERI University in March 2009, to institute an M.Tech in Renewable Energy Engineering and Management. The need for sustainable development has sensitized a corpus of scientists, managers and leaders to the importance of environmental protection. From just 48 students in 2006, the university now has 260. Almost all these students have been placed in companies like TCS, Reliance Infrastructure and IL&FS, and are involved in green activities.
Future
One of the biggest future recruiters in green jobs is likely to be real estate, with green buildings coming up fast. A recent study by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) estimates that 45 million square feet of additional green building-space in India will be ready by 2012. Companies like Wipro, Microsoft, Cognizant, TCS, Infosys and Oracle are either operating - or planning to - from green offices, revealed the study. "There will be a huge demand for people who can certify green buildings, and architects and project planners who are adept in green building norms.
For those looking for an alternative career, the green sector offers various opportunities. Working with an NGO, or a training programme on sustainability, can help one gain the necessary perspective. Organisations like ACC Cement, Ecosmart, SGS India, TCS, Reliance Energy and M&M offer internships and may even recruit the interns.
Seamy side
Unfortunately, Green jobs are still not considered as lucrative. And that's mainly because of a lack of awareness. While entry-level salaries are about Rs. 3.5 to Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum, packages in the mid-level can vary from Rs. 14-20 lakh and a senior professional could even command anything between Rs. 45 and 60 lakh, said Balaji of MaFoi.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Will digital books replace hardcovers?
Downloaded article from ciliconindia.com
The sales of digital books in India is expected to pick up in coming months but that will not impact the aficionados love for hardcover books as has been the case in the West, say major publishers here.
India may see good rise in sales of digital books as downloading them on mobiles becomes a possibility but their growth trajectory may not be same as in the West, they say.
"New technology creates a new reader. Digital books will have their share of techno enthusiasts who will read them. But, that will not impact print versions of books,"
Vivek Mehra, MD and CEO, SAGE Publications says it is very difficult to believe that digital books will replace paper books.
"Since the digital age, HP sells more printers than they did before the proliferation of the Internet. Not all content is easily readable in digital format. Most content is available on a subscription. An individual could license the use of a journal’s back-files for a year but the price to purchase would be prohibitive for an individual," says Mehra.
India is the world's third-largest book market and with rise in literacy rate, the non-academic book market in India is growing at a rate of around 15 per cent which itself shows the popularity of printed books here.
At last month's DSC Jaipur Literary Festival, Chairman and CEO of the Penguin Group, John Makinson said, "the idea of the book dying comes up all the time which is wrong. Books matter more in India than anywhere else we publish them."
A report by market research company Forrester acknowledges that the dynamics for higher growths for ebooks vests with consumer markets like India and China. Advantage India lies in its high quality and low cost of output.
"Physical books will always have a market. Digital books should not be seen as replacing them but should be seen as an added source of revenue through a new product line that caters to and targets a different set of audience,"
"Ebooks have a lot of advantages. If you do not want to take the full book, then pay only for the chapters you want. Once publishers start digitalising their content, ebooks will be very cheap," says Gupta.
Although audio books have been around for a long time in India but they have been mainly targetting children. But, the trend is changing now.
"Audiobooks are more effective than other type of books. The listener feels connected and the learning and understanding is more in an audio book than a normal book," says Abhilash R, Business Development Head, audiobooksindia.com, an online portal for audio books.
Apart from targeting the people who can not read, audio books can also be handy for older people whose eyesight keeps getting worse with age. Also, they are environment friendly as they do not use ink and paper.
"Audio books have a very niche market now. With proliferation of technology, their sales will increase in future. Also, people need to be educated about their uses," says Kunal Pancholi, co-founder of reado.com, a company dealing in audiobooks.
Downloaded article from ciliconindia.com
The sales of digital books in India is expected to pick up in coming months but that will not impact the aficionados love for hardcover books as has been the case in the West, say major publishers here.
India may see good rise in sales of digital books as downloading them on mobiles becomes a possibility but their growth trajectory may not be same as in the West, they say.
"New technology creates a new reader. Digital books will have their share of techno enthusiasts who will read them. But, that will not impact print versions of books,"
Vivek Mehra, MD and CEO, SAGE Publications says it is very difficult to believe that digital books will replace paper books.
"Since the digital age, HP sells more printers than they did before the proliferation of the Internet. Not all content is easily readable in digital format. Most content is available on a subscription. An individual could license the use of a journal’s back-files for a year but the price to purchase would be prohibitive for an individual," says Mehra.
India is the world's third-largest book market and with rise in literacy rate, the non-academic book market in India is growing at a rate of around 15 per cent which itself shows the popularity of printed books here.
At last month's DSC Jaipur Literary Festival, Chairman and CEO of the Penguin Group, John Makinson said, "the idea of the book dying comes up all the time which is wrong. Books matter more in India than anywhere else we publish them."
A report by market research company Forrester acknowledges that the dynamics for higher growths for ebooks vests with consumer markets like India and China. Advantage India lies in its high quality and low cost of output.
"Physical books will always have a market. Digital books should not be seen as replacing them but should be seen as an added source of revenue through a new product line that caters to and targets a different set of audience,"
"Ebooks have a lot of advantages. If you do not want to take the full book, then pay only for the chapters you want. Once publishers start digitalising their content, ebooks will be very cheap," says Gupta.
Although audio books have been around for a long time in India but they have been mainly targetting children. But, the trend is changing now.
"Audiobooks are more effective than other type of books. The listener feels connected and the learning and understanding is more in an audio book than a normal book," says Abhilash R, Business Development Head, audiobooksindia.com, an online portal for audio books.
Apart from targeting the people who can not read, audio books can also be handy for older people whose eyesight keeps getting worse with age. Also, they are environment friendly as they do not use ink and paper.
"Audio books have a very niche market now. With proliferation of technology, their sales will increase in future. Also, people need to be educated about their uses," says Kunal Pancholi, co-founder of reado.com, a company dealing in audiobooks.
Here is an essay with errors, grammar and punctuation
You are expected to proofread it.
Ecological benefit is taken by ecologists as a viable option to maintain green cover. But there is an argument that this will halt growth as the benefit offered may not be at par with the production, if the land is used differently.
Discuss both the views and say what you feel about the concept.
Ecological benefit: an allowance paid to those landowners who have some measures of green cover and are ready to keep it in tact for the well-being of the planet.
Visit. www.jpsukham.blogspot.com
Speedy carbon recycling is the need of the hour and ecologists find ecological benefit as a feasible option. But the concern that it would slow down growth is not unfounded. I feel that ecological benefit is worth promoted.
It is the talk of the world that our planet need to be protected from the peril of carbon. Since green cover is the only solution, ecologists are of the view that the existing green need to keep to meet the challenges. Naturally, there is need for individual participation. This in turn demand government support. If governments can meet the expectation of people who has their own green cover, they would kept it for the well being of the world. So offering decent ecological benefits to individuals would help a lot in making the Planet breath easy.
However mere green coven maintenance wouldn’t meet the needs of the world population. The concern that it would slowdown growth needs to address. Today humans are much better placed with efficient technologies to be applied in agriculture to augment production. There are research and development options to meet the rising need of man too. Finally human themselves can control population. This will keep his need controled and the Planet may be eased to keep the population feed well.
Looking at both the views it is right to concluded that future of the Planet lying on the hands of all individual and uniform participation alone would make a difference in carbon management. Ecological benefit sound so excellent a concept to me.
260 words
Jaypees.23.5.010
You are expected to proofread it.
Ecological benefit is taken by ecologists as a viable option to maintain green cover. But there is an argument that this will halt growth as the benefit offered may not be at par with the production, if the land is used differently.
Discuss both the views and say what you feel about the concept.
Ecological benefit: an allowance paid to those landowners who have some measures of green cover and are ready to keep it in tact for the well-being of the planet.
Visit. www.jpsukham.blogspot.com
Speedy carbon recycling is the need of the hour and ecologists find ecological benefit as a feasible option. But the concern that it would slow down growth is not unfounded. I feel that ecological benefit is worth promoted.
It is the talk of the world that our planet need to be protected from the peril of carbon. Since green cover is the only solution, ecologists are of the view that the existing green need to keep to meet the challenges. Naturally, there is need for individual participation. This in turn demand government support. If governments can meet the expectation of people who has their own green cover, they would kept it for the well being of the world. So offering decent ecological benefits to individuals would help a lot in making the Planet breath easy.
However mere green coven maintenance wouldn’t meet the needs of the world population. The concern that it would slowdown growth needs to address. Today humans are much better placed with efficient technologies to be applied in agriculture to augment production. There are research and development options to meet the rising need of man too. Finally human themselves can control population. This will keep his need controled and the Planet may be eased to keep the population feed well.
Looking at both the views it is right to concluded that future of the Planet lying on the hands of all individual and uniform participation alone would make a difference in carbon management. Ecological benefit sound so excellent a concept to me.
260 words
Jaypees.23.5.010
Here is an essay with errors, grammar and punctuation
You are expected to proofread it.
Ecological benefit is taken by ecologists as a viable option to maintain green cover. But there is an argument that this will halt growth as the benefit offered may not be at par with the production, if the land is used differently.
Discuss both the views and say what you feel about the concept.
Ecological benefit: an allowance paid to those landowners who have some measures of green cover and are ready to keep it in tact for the well-being of the planet.
Visit. www.jpsukham.blogspot.com
Speedy carbon recycling is the need of the hour and ecologists find ecological benefit as a feasible option. But the concern that it would slow down growth is not unfounded. I feel that ecological benefit is worth promoted.
It is the talk of the world that our planet need to be protected from the peril of carbon. Since green cover is the only solution, ecologists are of the view that the existing green need to keep to meet the challenges. Naturally, there is need for individual participation. This in turn demand government support. If governments can meet the expectation of people who has their own green cover, they would kept it for the well being of the world. So offering decent ecological benefits to individuals would help a lot in making the Planet breath easy.
However mere green coven maintenance wouldn’t meet the needs of the world population. The concern that it would slowdown growth needs to address. Today humans are much better placed with efficient technologies to be applied in agriculture to augment production. There are research and development options to meet the rising need of man too. Finally human themselves can control population. This will keep his need controled and the Planet may be eased to keep the population feed well.
Looking at both the views it is right to concluded that future of the Planet lying on the hands of all individual and uniform participation alone would make a difference in carbon management. Ecological benefit sound so excellent a concept to me.
260 words
Jaypees.23.5.010
You are expected to proofread it.
Ecological benefit is taken by ecologists as a viable option to maintain green cover. But there is an argument that this will halt growth as the benefit offered may not be at par with the production, if the land is used differently.
Discuss both the views and say what you feel about the concept.
Ecological benefit: an allowance paid to those landowners who have some measures of green cover and are ready to keep it in tact for the well-being of the planet.
Visit. www.jpsukham.blogspot.com
Speedy carbon recycling is the need of the hour and ecologists find ecological benefit as a feasible option. But the concern that it would slow down growth is not unfounded. I feel that ecological benefit is worth promoted.
It is the talk of the world that our planet need to be protected from the peril of carbon. Since green cover is the only solution, ecologists are of the view that the existing green need to keep to meet the challenges. Naturally, there is need for individual participation. This in turn demand government support. If governments can meet the expectation of people who has their own green cover, they would kept it for the well being of the world. So offering decent ecological benefits to individuals would help a lot in making the Planet breath easy.
However mere green coven maintenance wouldn’t meet the needs of the world population. The concern that it would slowdown growth needs to address. Today humans are much better placed with efficient technologies to be applied in agriculture to augment production. There are research and development options to meet the rising need of man too. Finally human themselves can control population. This will keep his need controled and the Planet may be eased to keep the population feed well.
Looking at both the views it is right to concluded that future of the Planet lying on the hands of all individual and uniform participation alone would make a difference in carbon management. Ecological benefit sound so excellent a concept to me.
260 words
Jaypees.23.5.010
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Private players engaged in the development exercises generate fresher job opportunities on a regular basis. However, the numbers of educated and skilled people who remain jobless do not show any downswing.
• What all reasons can you attribute to this disparity?
• How far is it right to say being jobless is a personal choice?
Posted by jay at 7:25 AM 0 comments
It is very much visible that private players contribute greatly towards generating employment. Unfortunately, there is hardly any let up in unemployment. Obviously, there are solid reasons for this, and, to some extent, some people stay jobless out of their will.
It is a fact that private sector is the biggest employment provider these days. Then why is there rise is unemployment too? Primary reason is there is great disparity between the number of people who get qualified and the number of openings generated. Secondly, the new generation institutions out thousands of people with poor qualifications. Unfortunately, today’s profit-driven private players want but the best. Thirdly, it is right to say, development exercises get concentrated in urban areas where there is tough competition when it comes to recruitment. There are many other minor factors, too.
In this respect it is right to add that a small percentage of work force remains jobless out of their choice. This happens when private players happen to demand greater contribution, dedication and commitment from new recruits. This is not acceptable for many modern job seekers. They feel it right to be more comfortable to be jobless than doing a job that may give them some discomfort.
For example, in my place, many youngsters wait for ages to get a government job which, unfortunately, is very few in number. Obviously, such people could go for some available jobs in private sector and simultaneously work their way towards their dream jobs. But not many are ready for such an attitude.
In short, though rise in unemployment despite private interventions has several reasons, in a away a small part of the productive workforce prefer to stay jobless. This is not fair and there needs a shift in people’s attitude to work whether it is private or government.
290 words
Ajaypeesdoc. 29.07.11
• What all reasons can you attribute to this disparity?
• How far is it right to say being jobless is a personal choice?
Posted by jay at 7:25 AM 0 comments
It is very much visible that private players contribute greatly towards generating employment. Unfortunately, there is hardly any let up in unemployment. Obviously, there are solid reasons for this, and, to some extent, some people stay jobless out of their will.
It is a fact that private sector is the biggest employment provider these days. Then why is there rise is unemployment too? Primary reason is there is great disparity between the number of people who get qualified and the number of openings generated. Secondly, the new generation institutions out thousands of people with poor qualifications. Unfortunately, today’s profit-driven private players want but the best. Thirdly, it is right to say, development exercises get concentrated in urban areas where there is tough competition when it comes to recruitment. There are many other minor factors, too.
In this respect it is right to add that a small percentage of work force remains jobless out of their choice. This happens when private players happen to demand greater contribution, dedication and commitment from new recruits. This is not acceptable for many modern job seekers. They feel it right to be more comfortable to be jobless than doing a job that may give them some discomfort.
For example, in my place, many youngsters wait for ages to get a government job which, unfortunately, is very few in number. Obviously, such people could go for some available jobs in private sector and simultaneously work their way towards their dream jobs. But not many are ready for such an attitude.
In short, though rise in unemployment despite private interventions has several reasons, in a away a small part of the productive workforce prefer to stay jobless. This is not fair and there needs a shift in people’s attitude to work whether it is private or government.
290 words
Ajaypeesdoc. 29.07.11
A few test question
1.
Keeping great number of employable workforce idle for long is the worst a State could do to itself and to its citizens.
• Substantiate this view with examples.
2.
When it comes to employment, all emerging opportunities need to be open for both the genders.
• How far do you agree or disagree with this view?
3.
A welfare State is expected to provide meaningful and decent employment environments for all its productive citizens no matter what employment they are able to be in.
This idea is taken by some as something utopian whereas there are people who say that State is the ultimate employment provider.
• Discuss both the views, and state what you feel about it.
4.
Keeping great number of employable workforce idle for long is the worst a State could do to itself and to its citizens.
• Substantiate this view with examples.
Ajaypeesdoc.29.7.011
5.
Private players in the development exercises generate fresher job opportunities on a regular basis. However, the numbers of educated and skilled people who remain jobless do not show any downswing.
• What all reasons can you attribute to this disparity?
• How far is it right to say being jobless is a personal choice?
1.
Keeping great number of employable workforce idle for long is the worst a State could do to itself and to its citizens.
• Substantiate this view with examples.
2.
When it comes to employment, all emerging opportunities need to be open for both the genders.
• How far do you agree or disagree with this view?
3.
A welfare State is expected to provide meaningful and decent employment environments for all its productive citizens no matter what employment they are able to be in.
This idea is taken by some as something utopian whereas there are people who say that State is the ultimate employment provider.
• Discuss both the views, and state what you feel about it.
4.
Keeping great number of employable workforce idle for long is the worst a State could do to itself and to its citizens.
• Substantiate this view with examples.
Ajaypeesdoc.29.7.011
5.
Private players in the development exercises generate fresher job opportunities on a regular basis. However, the numbers of educated and skilled people who remain jobless do not show any downswing.
• What all reasons can you attribute to this disparity?
• How far is it right to say being jobless is a personal choice?
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Second part of things to be kept in mind while doing reading
1. Where there are equal number of matching questions and matches, one wrong selection will make another one wrong. Five questions and five options. Four right selections will make the fifth obviously right.
2. Fewer are the number of choice; greater is the chance to get it right. Eliminating the wrong one takes you close to the answer. Three options. One is eliminated. There is fifty-fifty chance with the remaining two options.
3. Try to have enough synonyms for common words. Mock at, ridicule, parody, make fun of, laugh at, jeer etc. mean almost same. So questions may have one of these words and the body part will have another one of these.
4. So is the case with antonyms: well off-poor, strong-weak, brave-coward etc.
5. Huge paragraph should not scare you. The first or/and last sentence will give you what it is all about.
6. As questions get finished, mark out the paragraphs that have been done.
7. The area which gives you a paragraph heading will give you at least one more answer. So mark out that part. So you can avoid reading the whole para again.
8. If you are sure that you have got para heads right, write them against all corresponding paragraphs. It saves you time reading them second time for another answer like yes or no, true or false or a gap fill.
9. Summary of a paragraph or a few paragraphs may come with gaps to be filled. Look at: full stops, commas, semicolons, clauses- conditional-sub and main.
10. A missing word after a full stop is easy to identify. A word before a full stop is easy as well. And if the exact middle part of the sentence is missing, it is easier too. Read aloud sentences with filled in words.
11. Singular words for plural ones, plural words for singular ones, continuous form for bare forms, bare forms for continuous forms, past word for present and present word for past and the like are critical.
12. So is the case with wrong prepositions, adding one when there is no need for one, failing to do one where is need for one and the like are very important sensitivities of reading.
13. Constant reading may make you predict answers. Never leave the string of thought a sentence has while reading it. If a sentence begins this way, it has to end this way. This sense comes only when you read variety to writings.
14. Some answers may give indication/s to following answers. Like a No answer will make you predict a multiple choice’s answer or a gap fill sentence.
15. Remember, please, every point counts and every point is counted. For example, different readings have different band builds.
16. However, randomly, we can say, a 24 will give you 6. A 28 will give 6.5. and 29 will get you 7. But, 30 or 31 or 32 or 33 will not get you anything, but a 34 will get you 7.5. So never underrate a point. I repeat, every point counts and every point is counted.
A word of caution. Always try to do fresh readings. Doing a reading second time does not help. Used reading gives you clues. It will give you a wrong confidence. It won’t work in an exam condition. You should have done minimum 10 fresh readings you sit the test. Always remember, an ordinary reader like you can get 20 answers right if you do a test without any preparation. So, all your preparation is to take this 20 up to 30. It’s no big deal either. Ajaypeesdoc. 27.7.011
1. Where there are equal number of matching questions and matches, one wrong selection will make another one wrong. Five questions and five options. Four right selections will make the fifth obviously right.
2. Fewer are the number of choice; greater is the chance to get it right. Eliminating the wrong one takes you close to the answer. Three options. One is eliminated. There is fifty-fifty chance with the remaining two options.
3. Try to have enough synonyms for common words. Mock at, ridicule, parody, make fun of, laugh at, jeer etc. mean almost same. So questions may have one of these words and the body part will have another one of these.
4. So is the case with antonyms: well off-poor, strong-weak, brave-coward etc.
5. Huge paragraph should not scare you. The first or/and last sentence will give you what it is all about.
6. As questions get finished, mark out the paragraphs that have been done.
7. The area which gives you a paragraph heading will give you at least one more answer. So mark out that part. So you can avoid reading the whole para again.
8. If you are sure that you have got para heads right, write them against all corresponding paragraphs. It saves you time reading them second time for another answer like yes or no, true or false or a gap fill.
9. Summary of a paragraph or a few paragraphs may come with gaps to be filled. Look at: full stops, commas, semicolons, clauses- conditional-sub and main.
10. A missing word after a full stop is easy to identify. A word before a full stop is easy as well. And if the exact middle part of the sentence is missing, it is easier too. Read aloud sentences with filled in words.
11. Singular words for plural ones, plural words for singular ones, continuous form for bare forms, bare forms for continuous forms, past word for present and present word for past and the like are critical.
12. So is the case with wrong prepositions, adding one when there is no need for one, failing to do one where is need for one and the like are very important sensitivities of reading.
13. Constant reading may make you predict answers. Never leave the string of thought a sentence has while reading it. If a sentence begins this way, it has to end this way. This sense comes only when you read variety to writings.
14. Some answers may give indication/s to following answers. Like a No answer will make you predict a multiple choice’s answer or a gap fill sentence.
15. Remember, please, every point counts and every point is counted. For example, different readings have different band builds.
16. However, randomly, we can say, a 24 will give you 6. A 28 will give 6.5. and 29 will get you 7. But, 30 or 31 or 32 or 33 will not get you anything, but a 34 will get you 7.5. So never underrate a point. I repeat, every point counts and every point is counted.
A word of caution. Always try to do fresh readings. Doing a reading second time does not help. Used reading gives you clues. It will give you a wrong confidence. It won’t work in an exam condition. You should have done minimum 10 fresh readings you sit the test. Always remember, an ordinary reader like you can get 20 answers right if you do a test without any preparation. So, all your preparation is to take this 20 up to 30. It’s no big deal either. Ajaypeesdoc. 27.7.011
Reading: Things to be taken into account
1. Read the instructions first. Read the questions
2. Read as fast as you can, stopping at place where there are references
3. Underline finishing phrases of all opening sentences
4. Italics, strange words, quotations and brackets are indications
5. Note words like however, except, further, moreover, but, yet, still etc.
6. Double negatives either in questions or in the body
7. Synonymous expressions, from question to body or body to question
8. So far, Until, Till, of late, lately, recently and the like are tricky
9. Observe tense and number patterns of matching questions
10. When a word can be used more than once, only once it is repeated.
11. Multiple choice is either finding the right ones or identifying the wrong ones
12. Not given question will have a phrase that you may not see in the text
13. Yes, questions are more straightforward.
14. No questions are the trickiest. Not given is much smaller in number
15. So is the case with true or false. True answers are straighter than false answers
16. Please note very small sentences, ones which are less than a line long.
17. Last phrase of every paragraph will have a punching word.
18. Suitable title, read the first part of first and last part of the last paragraph
19. Don’t read the text again and again for every single question.
20. Mark up an area which has given you an answer.
21. Underline all the words that you have lifted as answers.
22. You may a long phrase as answer but you have only three words’ space.
23. Read left and right of a missing word. Gap fill.
24. If last part is missing, it is easier. So is the case with beginning.
25. Reading aloud with the missing part missed. It will echo right word
26. Don’t worry about the text of the test, but worry about the text of the question.
27. ‘Three words’ means either three words, or two words or one word. Not four.
28. Some questions come with multiple answers. Take best fitting.
29. If a question takes longer, forget it. You can miss out three answers every section.
30. If you are not able finish a section in 20 mnts, stop doing it wherever you are at.
31. Try to finish sections earlier than time. 20 mnts is 20 or 19 or 18 mts. Not 21 mts.
32. See the question allocation. 13, 13, 14 or 12, 15, 13 or 15, 12, 13 or 14, 12, 14.
33. First part easier, second one is not so, third one is difficult. Bank on easy ones.
34. Never leave an answer space blank. Guess and write something.
35. No two answers to one question. Rarely one answer satisfies two questions.
36. Spell out words seriously. Article, prepositions, punctuation etc. are serious.
37. Conscious of typography. First word of sentence needs to begin in caps.
38. Ordinary words in between a sentence should not begin in caps
39. Free hand is fine if it is readable. If not, please write all answers in caps
40. Keep on transferring answers as you go on finding them. No time at the end.
41. Mark out left out entries. You might enter a right answer in a wrong column.
42. When there is a word bank, beware of pairs like: electric and electrical.
43. When there is no word bank, read the passage very quizzically.
44. When there are choice question too confusing, take the smallest one.
45. If there is not time at all, there is no choice, but write something.
Please remember, you are free to write 10 wrong answers. Jaypees.doc
1. Read the instructions first. Read the questions
2. Read as fast as you can, stopping at place where there are references
3. Underline finishing phrases of all opening sentences
4. Italics, strange words, quotations and brackets are indications
5. Note words like however, except, further, moreover, but, yet, still etc.
6. Double negatives either in questions or in the body
7. Synonymous expressions, from question to body or body to question
8. So far, Until, Till, of late, lately, recently and the like are tricky
9. Observe tense and number patterns of matching questions
10. When a word can be used more than once, only once it is repeated.
11. Multiple choice is either finding the right ones or identifying the wrong ones
12. Not given question will have a phrase that you may not see in the text
13. Yes, questions are more straightforward.
14. No questions are the trickiest. Not given is much smaller in number
15. So is the case with true or false. True answers are straighter than false answers
16. Please note very small sentences, ones which are less than a line long.
17. Last phrase of every paragraph will have a punching word.
18. Suitable title, read the first part of first and last part of the last paragraph
19. Don’t read the text again and again for every single question.
20. Mark up an area which has given you an answer.
21. Underline all the words that you have lifted as answers.
22. You may a long phrase as answer but you have only three words’ space.
23. Read left and right of a missing word. Gap fill.
24. If last part is missing, it is easier. So is the case with beginning.
25. Reading aloud with the missing part missed. It will echo right word
26. Don’t worry about the text of the test, but worry about the text of the question.
27. ‘Three words’ means either three words, or two words or one word. Not four.
28. Some questions come with multiple answers. Take best fitting.
29. If a question takes longer, forget it. You can miss out three answers every section.
30. If you are not able finish a section in 20 mnts, stop doing it wherever you are at.
31. Try to finish sections earlier than time. 20 mnts is 20 or 19 or 18 mts. Not 21 mts.
32. See the question allocation. 13, 13, 14 or 12, 15, 13 or 15, 12, 13 or 14, 12, 14.
33. First part easier, second one is not so, third one is difficult. Bank on easy ones.
34. Never leave an answer space blank. Guess and write something.
35. No two answers to one question. Rarely one answer satisfies two questions.
36. Spell out words seriously. Article, prepositions, punctuation etc. are serious.
37. Conscious of typography. First word of sentence needs to begin in caps.
38. Ordinary words in between a sentence should not begin in caps
39. Free hand is fine if it is readable. If not, please write all answers in caps
40. Keep on transferring answers as you go on finding them. No time at the end.
41. Mark out left out entries. You might enter a right answer in a wrong column.
42. When there is a word bank, beware of pairs like: electric and electrical.
43. When there is no word bank, read the passage very quizzically.
44. When there are choice question too confusing, take the smallest one.
45. If there is not time at all, there is no choice, but write something.
Please remember, you are free to write 10 wrong answers. Jaypees.doc
Monday, July 25, 2011
Expatriate communities -other nationals living in foreign lands- often take out protest marches and demonstrations to invite the attention of the government towards injustice or rights violations. Some say expatriates do not have the right to do so. Some others claim that injustice needs to be protested against no matter where it happens.
Essay 074
• How do you look at these view points?
With migration becoming more and more popular, many nationals living in foreign countries happen to take out marches against rights violations and injustice. There are differing views on whether it is right to do so. In my opinion, it is right to do so when human rights violations take place.
To substantiate this, I would like to cite an example on the same that has been reported recently in the media. It is reported that Indian nationals in Malaysia had been suffering from human rights violations ranging from racial and linguistic discriminations. And the Indian community in that place took out marches, and the police suppressed it saying that it is unlawful. But the international community interfered in the issue and it was found that there were cases of human rights violation. It ruled that internationally recognized human rights should not be violated no matter where it takes place.
When it comes to the view that expatriates have no right to raise their voice, it could be argued that expatriates are supposed to be abiding by the laws and regulations of the land. They need to find out legal and peaceful venues to make their voices heard. That is, it is their duty to keep restrained and try all right channels for inviting attention, instead of jumping into protests. They should not be blinded by the fact that they can protest against anything in the behest of human rights.
Therefore, I feel that, in this fast shrinking world order, rights violations need to be discouraged by all means. And for the general well being of the guests and hosts, both the parties should show restrained. However, rights violation, wherever it happens, is against humanity.
280 words
Ajaypeesdoc
Essay 074
• How do you look at these view points?
With migration becoming more and more popular, many nationals living in foreign countries happen to take out marches against rights violations and injustice. There are differing views on whether it is right to do so. In my opinion, it is right to do so when human rights violations take place.
To substantiate this, I would like to cite an example on the same that has been reported recently in the media. It is reported that Indian nationals in Malaysia had been suffering from human rights violations ranging from racial and linguistic discriminations. And the Indian community in that place took out marches, and the police suppressed it saying that it is unlawful. But the international community interfered in the issue and it was found that there were cases of human rights violation. It ruled that internationally recognized human rights should not be violated no matter where it takes place.
When it comes to the view that expatriates have no right to raise their voice, it could be argued that expatriates are supposed to be abiding by the laws and regulations of the land. They need to find out legal and peaceful venues to make their voices heard. That is, it is their duty to keep restrained and try all right channels for inviting attention, instead of jumping into protests. They should not be blinded by the fact that they can protest against anything in the behest of human rights.
Therefore, I feel that, in this fast shrinking world order, rights violations need to be discouraged by all means. And for the general well being of the guests and hosts, both the parties should show restrained. However, rights violation, wherever it happens, is against humanity.
280 words
Ajaypeesdoc
Space scientists around the world are exploring the possibilities of space tourism on a large scale as there are many takers for the same.
Essay 068
• Do you think it is a good idea to explore space for tourism?
• What disadvantages does such a move entail?
In this world of innovations and developments, space technology is advancing faster, and people are fascinated by this novel concept and its commercial possibilities in future. Though it is an interesting and trendsetting idea, its negative aspects cannot simply be ruled out.
If a concept like space tourism becomes real, it will be one of the huge achievements for humans. Touring through the space will offer chances to experience adventures appreciate the mystery and see the unseen and it would satisfy man’s long-cherished ambition. So it is clear that there are a lot of takers for this tourism, and it can be one of best platforms to make money from the otherwise useless outer space. And finally, those nations that achieve this technological fiat will surely enjoy international superiority.
Barring these brighter sides of this innovative concept, this has its own darker sides as well. The most prominent one is that this project requires huge investments by way of developing space vehicles, training of personnel; making space stations for stay etc. Another point is that it is very risky because the chances of success are equal to that of failures. Therefore, it will be a life and death proposition. In addition to all these, it may not be an accessible concept for the not-so-well off as it is highly expensive.
Thus, from the above inferences, it can be concluded that space tourism has equally powerful positive and negative aspects, but it does not seem to be bothering the negligibly small minority of the world that awaits it to become real.
280 Words
Ajaypeesdoc
Essay 068
• Do you think it is a good idea to explore space for tourism?
• What disadvantages does such a move entail?
In this world of innovations and developments, space technology is advancing faster, and people are fascinated by this novel concept and its commercial possibilities in future. Though it is an interesting and trendsetting idea, its negative aspects cannot simply be ruled out.
If a concept like space tourism becomes real, it will be one of the huge achievements for humans. Touring through the space will offer chances to experience adventures appreciate the mystery and see the unseen and it would satisfy man’s long-cherished ambition. So it is clear that there are a lot of takers for this tourism, and it can be one of best platforms to make money from the otherwise useless outer space. And finally, those nations that achieve this technological fiat will surely enjoy international superiority.
Barring these brighter sides of this innovative concept, this has its own darker sides as well. The most prominent one is that this project requires huge investments by way of developing space vehicles, training of personnel; making space stations for stay etc. Another point is that it is very risky because the chances of success are equal to that of failures. Therefore, it will be a life and death proposition. In addition to all these, it may not be an accessible concept for the not-so-well off as it is highly expensive.
Thus, from the above inferences, it can be concluded that space tourism has equally powerful positive and negative aspects, but it does not seem to be bothering the negligibly small minority of the world that awaits it to become real.
280 Words
Ajaypeesdoc
Four questions
1.
Celebrations, as a matter of fact, are expected to cement/reinforce certain values that have been peculiar to a culture and followed for ages.
• Do you think celebrations in your place meet this expectation?
• How far are today’s celebrations meeting this expectation?
• Would you agree with the view that today’s celebrations meet this expectation?
• How different are celebrations today compared to past, say some 10 years before?
2.
There is a view that, as celebrations are cultural practices being followed by people for ages, there should not be any change in the way they are celebrated But, there is another view that change is the order of the day, and celebrations cannot but change.
• How warranted is it to keep celebrations as they have always been?
• How far do you support the view that celebrations need to change as life changes?
3.
Celebrations are no more cultural events meant for fostering social and cultural values; rather they are occasions, extravagant and commercial.
• Try to prove that this statement is right. You may cite examples from your life of surroundings to drive in a point.
4.
Some people claim that celebrations are cultural events meant for better human coexistence. So there is no problem celebrations absorb changes as times and people change.
• How far can you support or oppose this view?
1.
Celebrations, as a matter of fact, are expected to cement/reinforce certain values that have been peculiar to a culture and followed for ages.
• Do you think celebrations in your place meet this expectation?
• How far are today’s celebrations meeting this expectation?
• Would you agree with the view that today’s celebrations meet this expectation?
• How different are celebrations today compared to past, say some 10 years before?
2.
There is a view that, as celebrations are cultural practices being followed by people for ages, there should not be any change in the way they are celebrated But, there is another view that change is the order of the day, and celebrations cannot but change.
• How warranted is it to keep celebrations as they have always been?
• How far do you support the view that celebrations need to change as life changes?
3.
Celebrations are no more cultural events meant for fostering social and cultural values; rather they are occasions, extravagant and commercial.
• Try to prove that this statement is right. You may cite examples from your life of surroundings to drive in a point.
4.
Some people claim that celebrations are cultural events meant for better human coexistence. So there is no problem celebrations absorb changes as times and people change.
• How far can you support or oppose this view?
There is a view that, as celebrations are cultural practices being followed by people for ages, there should not be any change in the way they are celebrated But, there is another view that change is the order of the day, and celebrations cannot but change.
• How warranted is it to keep celebrations as they have always been?
• How far do you support the view that celebrations need to change as life changes?
Though change is the only constant thing in human life, there are certain things that need to be kept free from changes. They are cultural practices like celebrations. However, in my opinion, celebrations too need to absorb changes as life changes.
It is a fact that celebrations are age-old social instruments being handed over from generations to generations, and these social events have their own typical characteristics associated with different cultures. These events are periodically celebrated to cement human values and impart the same among the upcoming generation. In this context it is import to note that there should not be any willful effort to change the fabrics of celebrations.
For example, Christmas is celebrated world over. And the idea being reinforced is the birth of Christ and the redemption of man through Him. This is a culturally transported idea being carried forward in several different ways. And this process of sustaining that cultural knowledge defers though.
However, it is quite common that man knowingly or unknowingly picks up changes in his life as he gets in touch with other cultures. This is much more common today as man is moving far and wide. Obviously, he is likely to pick up a thing or from other cultures, and adopt them in his life. This is an involuntary action which need not be frowned upon. I think man needs to accommodate such changes.
In short, cultural values associated with celebrations need to be kept as much as possible. This does not mean that man needs to insulate himself from changes. Rather he needs to absorb ineffectual changes that do not harm his very cultural values.
273 words
Ajaypeesdoc. 25.7.011
• How warranted is it to keep celebrations as they have always been?
• How far do you support the view that celebrations need to change as life changes?
Though change is the only constant thing in human life, there are certain things that need to be kept free from changes. They are cultural practices like celebrations. However, in my opinion, celebrations too need to absorb changes as life changes.
It is a fact that celebrations are age-old social instruments being handed over from generations to generations, and these social events have their own typical characteristics associated with different cultures. These events are periodically celebrated to cement human values and impart the same among the upcoming generation. In this context it is import to note that there should not be any willful effort to change the fabrics of celebrations.
For example, Christmas is celebrated world over. And the idea being reinforced is the birth of Christ and the redemption of man through Him. This is a culturally transported idea being carried forward in several different ways. And this process of sustaining that cultural knowledge defers though.
However, it is quite common that man knowingly or unknowingly picks up changes in his life as he gets in touch with other cultures. This is much more common today as man is moving far and wide. Obviously, he is likely to pick up a thing or from other cultures, and adopt them in his life. This is an involuntary action which need not be frowned upon. I think man needs to accommodate such changes.
In short, cultural values associated with celebrations need to be kept as much as possible. This does not mean that man needs to insulate himself from changes. Rather he needs to absorb ineffectual changes that do not harm his very cultural values.
273 words
Ajaypeesdoc. 25.7.011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Celebrations: The social science behind them
By. Jaypee
What is the social science behind celebrations? Have we ever thought of how would our life be like without celebrations? Has anyone ever had the inclination to wholeheartedly participate in a particular celebration which is not his/her celebration? What purpose does a celebration serve when it is done in isolation? And finally, if celebration is an occasion for better human well being, cannot all celebrations be participated by all? It is the last question I would like to answer in a social-scientific perspective. I think this line of thinking has got some relevance in today’s world of individual, polarized and nuclear celebrations?
What is a celebration?
It is an event that marks a special occasion. This may happen in a person’s life, family, school, community, society or the whole country!
They may include birthdays, presentation day, the opening of a new building in the community, or those days the whole nation celebrates - when our victorious cricket team is welcomed home.
Strengths of celebrations
If we look at the greater strengths every individual society enjoys in these days of polarized world of individual successes, we can see that celebrations down the ages, celebrations pertaining to individuals, families, societies, communities and nations, have contributed greatly to strengthening their social fabrics. This contribution is a kind of input to integration, and this is meticulously being done by people of all ages without knowing the very fact that they are doing something that cannot be equated in terms of any cache of money human exchequer could hold. So we are societies unique and at the same time different in our own ways.
‘In social science parlance, celebrations are periodic reinforcements that every society and individual needs to have for their own better subsistence in the constantly changing social orders of all times’. These celebrations themselves may take up changes, but the changes they take up due to their being subject to changes in attitudes, influences and other socio economic forces have a rare quality of adjusting themselves with the society they represent.
This ubiquitous nature of celebrations makes people of all times absorb the changes as they are, and the days that follow coolly accept the fact that a particular celebration has taken up a ‘timely’ change in its form. What form we make it to have today is its ‘societal actual’ form, because it is not the form that keeps the social fabrics strengthened, rather it is the state of mind that celebration brings in to the minds of the people that does the miracle.
Weakness of celebrations
Do celebrations have some weaknesses? Or are they able to make some kind of weakening in the social, personal and cultural order of an established society? Social scientists say these celebrations are as constructive and strengthening as they are destructive and weakening. How does it happen?
It is hard to believe that celebrations have done many damages to society. These events are free times, and people do have a tendency to take everything for granted when this or that not-socially-acceptable activity is carried out during a celebration.
People conveniently cut it into what they call, it-is-not-everyday-we-get-to-do this or that. But in real terms, the licensing spree a celebration puts in the minds of the growing generation gets rooted deep as they grow up. And celebrations recur every year. When there is regularity for something, there is room for more possibilities and habit building. Possibilities portent practices.
When it comes to practices, it is worth remembering that unless they are good, they are worst. No celebration should be allowed to extend venues to pick up practices that disrupt the fabric of a society. Celebrations are for cementing healthy social activities; healthy social coexistence of people beyond borders set by religions, faiths and the so-called philosophies.
jaypeesarefire@gmail.com
Posted by jay at 3:36 AM 0 comments
Labels: celebrations; what are they? Their social roles ielts material.
By. Jaypee
What is the social science behind celebrations? Have we ever thought of how would our life be like without celebrations? Has anyone ever had the inclination to wholeheartedly participate in a particular celebration which is not his/her celebration? What purpose does a celebration serve when it is done in isolation? And finally, if celebration is an occasion for better human well being, cannot all celebrations be participated by all? It is the last question I would like to answer in a social-scientific perspective. I think this line of thinking has got some relevance in today’s world of individual, polarized and nuclear celebrations?
What is a celebration?
It is an event that marks a special occasion. This may happen in a person’s life, family, school, community, society or the whole country!
They may include birthdays, presentation day, the opening of a new building in the community, or those days the whole nation celebrates - when our victorious cricket team is welcomed home.
Strengths of celebrations
If we look at the greater strengths every individual society enjoys in these days of polarized world of individual successes, we can see that celebrations down the ages, celebrations pertaining to individuals, families, societies, communities and nations, have contributed greatly to strengthening their social fabrics. This contribution is a kind of input to integration, and this is meticulously being done by people of all ages without knowing the very fact that they are doing something that cannot be equated in terms of any cache of money human exchequer could hold. So we are societies unique and at the same time different in our own ways.
‘In social science parlance, celebrations are periodic reinforcements that every society and individual needs to have for their own better subsistence in the constantly changing social orders of all times’. These celebrations themselves may take up changes, but the changes they take up due to their being subject to changes in attitudes, influences and other socio economic forces have a rare quality of adjusting themselves with the society they represent.
This ubiquitous nature of celebrations makes people of all times absorb the changes as they are, and the days that follow coolly accept the fact that a particular celebration has taken up a ‘timely’ change in its form. What form we make it to have today is its ‘societal actual’ form, because it is not the form that keeps the social fabrics strengthened, rather it is the state of mind that celebration brings in to the minds of the people that does the miracle.
Weakness of celebrations
Do celebrations have some weaknesses? Or are they able to make some kind of weakening in the social, personal and cultural order of an established society? Social scientists say these celebrations are as constructive and strengthening as they are destructive and weakening. How does it happen?
It is hard to believe that celebrations have done many damages to society. These events are free times, and people do have a tendency to take everything for granted when this or that not-socially-acceptable activity is carried out during a celebration.
People conveniently cut it into what they call, it-is-not-everyday-we-get-to-do this or that. But in real terms, the licensing spree a celebration puts in the minds of the growing generation gets rooted deep as they grow up. And celebrations recur every year. When there is regularity for something, there is room for more possibilities and habit building. Possibilities portent practices.
When it comes to practices, it is worth remembering that unless they are good, they are worst. No celebration should be allowed to extend venues to pick up practices that disrupt the fabric of a society. Celebrations are for cementing healthy social activities; healthy social coexistence of people beyond borders set by religions, faiths and the so-called philosophies.
jaypeesarefire@gmail.com
Posted by jay at 3:36 AM 0 comments
Labels: celebrations; what are they? Their social roles ielts material.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Is it the alarming rise in population that makes the world more food insecure? Or, it is the phenomenal fall in agricultural production that keeps the world hungry?
• How do you find these views?
Food crisis is real world over. Population rise and fall in production are two of several other reasons that could be attributed to hunger. Of course, these two are just two of those factors.
Let me see how rising population contributes to this issue. It is a fact that when there are much more mouths to be fed than what is there to keep feed them with, food crisis is sure to happen. But, this is not always true. For example; millions of Indians go to bed hungry every day. This is not because India does not have enough grains to feed them. But it doesn’t have a fool-proof Public Distribution System (PDS) in place. For millions, food is not affordable, too. The rich poor divide is the real culprit here.
Moving on to the other poser, I think it is partly true that fall in production leads to food crisis. This situation is necessitated more by emerging non-agricultural opportunities than by anything else. Agriculture as a profession has lost its sheen and new generation is going after white color and blue color jobs. Naturally, production comes down. However, there are instances to prove that many rich countries have developed super productive crops, and they are able to produce surplus food, too. Here again, it is the rich-poor divide that stands on the way of food security.
In brief, it is right to say that the world has all the resources to eliminate food crisis. It is neither rising population nor fall in production that causes it. It is the rich poor divide that makes millions go to hungry beds everyday.
270 words
Jaypeesdoc
• How do you find these views?
Food crisis is real world over. Population rise and fall in production are two of several other reasons that could be attributed to hunger. Of course, these two are just two of those factors.
Let me see how rising population contributes to this issue. It is a fact that when there are much more mouths to be fed than what is there to keep feed them with, food crisis is sure to happen. But, this is not always true. For example; millions of Indians go to bed hungry every day. This is not because India does not have enough grains to feed them. But it doesn’t have a fool-proof Public Distribution System (PDS) in place. For millions, food is not affordable, too. The rich poor divide is the real culprit here.
Moving on to the other poser, I think it is partly true that fall in production leads to food crisis. This situation is necessitated more by emerging non-agricultural opportunities than by anything else. Agriculture as a profession has lost its sheen and new generation is going after white color and blue color jobs. Naturally, production comes down. However, there are instances to prove that many rich countries have developed super productive crops, and they are able to produce surplus food, too. Here again, it is the rich-poor divide that stands on the way of food security.
In brief, it is right to say that the world has all the resources to eliminate food crisis. It is neither rising population nor fall in production that causes it. It is the rich poor divide that makes millions go to hungry beds everyday.
270 words
Jaypeesdoc
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