Online Lesson Term 3 (1)
1) Turrets or cannons on the ship for battling
2) The “jackies” are the sailors of the ship. The reason why they were singing “war charities” was because they wanted to boost the sailor’s morale that were on the ship so they will fight with pride and die for the country their fighting for.
3) Both the gun and shovel are made of iron, and in the past during the war, the type of shovel called plowshares would be hammered into the guns, therefore a gun will always be with the shovel and that is why it is called “The shovel is a brother to the gun”
Paragraph B
1) The poem talks about enemy taking over the city and they have the higher order of the so called “court”, whereby all the citizens living in the captured city become slaves of the enemy and of course they would have to obey the enemies or masters’ commands. In shows and non-fiction scenes, the slaves have a tradition for always obeying their masters’ commands and from the enemies point of view, the title “And they obey” clearly illustrates the main story line.
2) This poem is an anti-war poem, thus is shows that in war, the citizens living there in the area have to rebuild the city that they have damaged.
3) It is harder to build it back up again, for example, the recent earthquake and tsunami that have damaged the nuclear reactors in the nuclear plants in Fukushima, the meltdown is still happening since March. Nowadays they are monitoring the movement of the food in and out, worrying that the food would contain radiation that will affect the people’s health. Recently, the meat have been sent in by Fukushima contained low levels of radiation and some even been sent to the countries nearby. In my view, the amount of damaged the nuclear meltdown have caused is much harder to build back than destroy or damage.
Paragraph C
1) The sounds of the future wars represent silent attack vehicle, which is supported by the fact that the poem states "silent wheels" indicating the wheels of vehicles make no sounds, and probably attacks with cannons as said in the poem “whirr of rods not yet dreamed out in the heads of men” which meant that they have not fired.
2) One “king” that has been kicked under the dust is the President of Egypt Mubarak, who was accused and forced to step down as President due to conflicts.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
3-min Speech
3-min speech
Should the Singapore government show mercy towards Oliver Fricker?
Should the Singapore government show mercy towards Oliver Fricker?
Good afternoon teacher/Good afternoon teachers and fellow school mates, today I will be talking about the Singapore government should not show mercy towards Oliver Fricker. He cut through the fence of an SMRT Changi train depot with an accomplice and spray painting two metro train carriages with the words "McKoy Banos", a widely documented signature of graffiti artists who have vandalised trains around the world. Some of us might have thought that it was fine art, however to the Singapore government, it was a serious crime. We all know how severe is the punishment for those who vandalise in public and the government shows no mercy when following the rules. Afterall, rules are rules. I feel that vandalism has increased over the years as more and more cases of vandalism appear on the news, for example, Michael Fay who vandalised cars. If I were the government, I will not show mercy as vandalising the SMRT train, humiliates the transport system and the government, and this would be insulting the company. Would be humiliated if someone made fun of you? Surely, it would be yes. In conclusion, right now Singapore have shown mercy to Oliver Fricker by having only 3 strokes of the cane and 5 months in jail, despite the fact that he had committed vandalism before. Thank you.
War Poem (1942 WWII)
The War begins today
The fight has to be it
The one which will change the fate
Of the entire nation
Blood and Gor it may be
For it would be a tough fight
When the titans clash and fight
Flags with a red spot in a white background came down the hills
The fight is close
The British will stand to defend its territory
For it is their priceless trading area
Go Singapore
May we be saved and not defeated
May Our spirits soar
Even through thick and thin
What the battle it may be
We know they will give in their very
Best...
The fight has to be it
The one which will change the fate
Of the entire nation
Blood and Gor it may be
For it would be a tough fight
When the titans clash and fight
Flags with a red spot in a white background came down the hills
The fight is close
The British will stand to defend its territory
For it is their priceless trading area
Go Singapore
May we be saved and not defeated
May Our spirits soar
Even through thick and thin
What the battle it may be
We know they will give in their very
Best...
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Expert Circle
Topic 1
Many scholars and historians all feel that the name “William Shakespeare” is a pen name for he real author of the plays to hide from the public and many scholars and literature historians all feel that the thought that “William Shakespeare” was simply a pen name is counted a fringe belief. Then, Shakespeare’s biography, particularly his humble origins and obscure life, seemed incompatible with his poetic eminence and his reputation for genius,arousing suspicion that Shakespeare might not have written the works attributed to him. The controversy has since spawned a vast body of literature, and more than 70 authorship candidates have been proposed, including Francis Bacon, the 6th Earl of Derby, Christopher Marlowe, and the 17th Earl of Oxford. The full list is available at : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Shakespeare_authorship_candidates. I feel that Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford is the most likely candidate to have written Shakespeare’s works. Edward was a well-educated and well-traveled nobleman of Queen Elizabeth court which may be comparable with the intelligence of William Shakespeare as William needed to very intelligent and also smart to be able to have written so many superb and historical plays which are still being acted and read till date. Another reason is that Edward was also not known being a playwright or a writer, and simply attributed to have high level of intelligence, which William Shakespeare may have wanted, not wanting anyone to recognise him for anything, if he used a pen name to avoid the public. Edward was also known to be pursuing literature, which William Shakespeare should be doing because the only reason he wrote so many plays was because he loved literature. Last but not least, the birth and death date of William Shakespeare is very close, with the birth date being unknown, only that it is known that he was baptised in 1564, which may be possible as Edward was born in 1550. However, there is a 14-year difference in the year of death, which may also be caused by mistake during recording such as assuming that he was dead just because he disappeared and left.
Topic 2
Queen Elizabeth was the queen of England and Ireland with her reign beginning from the 17th November 1558. Queen Elizabeth was also the last of the tudor dynasty. She was the successor of the Catholic Mary 1. There were a lot of dramatic shifts in the foreign policy as the Monarch became part of the Franco-Spanish-Burgundian triangle. Queen Elizabeth was alike with her grandfather, but her reign sees England in a fight with the Brussels and also England win the Spanish Armada in a war. She cared a lot about the European situation and she often changed the foreign policy. She then subsequently noticed that re-examination of the old-fashioned and well-trodden paths of her ancestors were needed. The king of Spain, the World’s most powerful man wanted Queen Elizabeth’s hand in marriage. However due to the fact that it would offend the citizens of England to have such direct relationships with Spain, hence she rejected the offer from Spain’s king. Queen Elizabeth was also very fond of William Shakespeare’s plays, as he always hinted passages which referred to Queen Elizabeth. She was simply a supporter of all plays and masques.
Topic 4
There was war happening often in Venice in the 14th and 15th century. However, Venice was an important trading centre and art centre because of Venice’s stable political climate. There was over a hundred thousand during the 15th to 16th century. Architecture, art, music and literature flourished in Venice and there were also a lot of craftsmen of different sectors roaming around Venice. Venice was also located along the main trading routes during the Renaissence. Jews were banned from England from 1290, but there are laws to protect those who support the city’s economy. Venice accepted the Jews a bit more than Elizabeth England, but the Jews were confined to ghettos when William Shakespeare wrote the Merchant of Venice.
Topic 6
Shakespeare’s plays were mainly performed in the Globe Theatre. The Globe Theatre has a simple exterior design but a more complicated interior design. As there was no lighting equipment in the theatre, hence the plays were mostly performed in the afternoon. The acquoustics and the actors needed to shout out their lines due to the poor conditions. The actors also stressed their enunciation and exaggerated in their theatrical gestures. The language was hence descriptive as the theatre was open aired and there were little scenery in the theatre. The Lord’s Chamberlain Men acted in William Shakespeare’s plays. Everyone was able to watch Shakespeare’s play as the minimum entrance fee was one penny which needed the person to stand throughout the whole play. Pay two penny and they will be able to sit on covered benches. Richer people would sit above or just to the side of the stage in the Lords’ rooms. Plays were banned temporarily due to plague in 1572 and all the actors were expelled formally from the city. This sparked off the building of playhouses. In the past, the conditions of the Globe Theatre was very terrible and the design was most probably adapted from inn-yards. However, the current Globe Theatre is a lot different. It was rebuilt 2 times. One was because the theatre was burned down by a fire and the second one was for renovation.
Many scholars and historians all feel that the name “William Shakespeare” is a pen name for he real author of the plays to hide from the public and many scholars and literature historians all feel that the thought that “William Shakespeare” was simply a pen name is counted a fringe belief. Then, Shakespeare’s biography, particularly his humble origins and obscure life, seemed incompatible with his poetic eminence and his reputation for genius,arousing suspicion that Shakespeare might not have written the works attributed to him. The controversy has since spawned a vast body of literature, and more than 70 authorship candidates have been proposed, including Francis Bacon, the 6th Earl of Derby, Christopher Marlowe, and the 17th Earl of Oxford. The full list is available at : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Shakespeare_authorship_candidates. I feel that Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford is the most likely candidate to have written Shakespeare’s works. Edward was a well-educated and well-traveled nobleman of Queen Elizabeth court which may be comparable with the intelligence of William Shakespeare as William needed to very intelligent and also smart to be able to have written so many superb and historical plays which are still being acted and read till date. Another reason is that Edward was also not known being a playwright or a writer, and simply attributed to have high level of intelligence, which William Shakespeare may have wanted, not wanting anyone to recognise him for anything, if he used a pen name to avoid the public. Edward was also known to be pursuing literature, which William Shakespeare should be doing because the only reason he wrote so many plays was because he loved literature. Last but not least, the birth and death date of William Shakespeare is very close, with the birth date being unknown, only that it is known that he was baptised in 1564, which may be possible as Edward was born in 1550. However, there is a 14-year difference in the year of death, which may also be caused by mistake during recording such as assuming that he was dead just because he disappeared and left.
Topic 2
Queen Elizabeth was the queen of England and Ireland with her reign beginning from the 17th November 1558. Queen Elizabeth was also the last of the tudor dynasty. She was the successor of the Catholic Mary 1. There were a lot of dramatic shifts in the foreign policy as the Monarch became part of the Franco-Spanish-Burgundian triangle. Queen Elizabeth was alike with her grandfather, but her reign sees England in a fight with the Brussels and also England win the Spanish Armada in a war. She cared a lot about the European situation and she often changed the foreign policy. She then subsequently noticed that re-examination of the old-fashioned and well-trodden paths of her ancestors were needed. The king of Spain, the World’s most powerful man wanted Queen Elizabeth’s hand in marriage. However due to the fact that it would offend the citizens of England to have such direct relationships with Spain, hence she rejected the offer from Spain’s king. Queen Elizabeth was also very fond of William Shakespeare’s plays, as he always hinted passages which referred to Queen Elizabeth. She was simply a supporter of all plays and masques.
Topic 4
There was war happening often in Venice in the 14th and 15th century. However, Venice was an important trading centre and art centre because of Venice’s stable political climate. There was over a hundred thousand during the 15th to 16th century. Architecture, art, music and literature flourished in Venice and there were also a lot of craftsmen of different sectors roaming around Venice. Venice was also located along the main trading routes during the Renaissence. Jews were banned from England from 1290, but there are laws to protect those who support the city’s economy. Venice accepted the Jews a bit more than Elizabeth England, but the Jews were confined to ghettos when William Shakespeare wrote the Merchant of Venice.
Topic 6
Shakespeare’s plays were mainly performed in the Globe Theatre. The Globe Theatre has a simple exterior design but a more complicated interior design. As there was no lighting equipment in the theatre, hence the plays were mostly performed in the afternoon. The acquoustics and the actors needed to shout out their lines due to the poor conditions. The actors also stressed their enunciation and exaggerated in their theatrical gestures. The language was hence descriptive as the theatre was open aired and there were little scenery in the theatre. The Lord’s Chamberlain Men acted in William Shakespeare’s plays. Everyone was able to watch Shakespeare’s play as the minimum entrance fee was one penny which needed the person to stand throughout the whole play. Pay two penny and they will be able to sit on covered benches. Richer people would sit above or just to the side of the stage in the Lords’ rooms. Plays were banned temporarily due to plague in 1572 and all the actors were expelled formally from the city. This sparked off the building of playhouses. In the past, the conditions of the Globe Theatre was very terrible and the design was most probably adapted from inn-yards. However, the current Globe Theatre is a lot different. It was rebuilt 2 times. One was because the theatre was burned down by a fire and the second one was for renovation.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Gender Imbalance
If the ratio of the male population to the female population remains at such an imbalance rate, then the population of Asia will decrease, but before that could happen, the trend is that less babies are born and the population of a certain country will decrease, not many jobs are supplied to meet the demand of the great number of females.
If the ratio of the male population to the female population remains at such an imbalance rate, then the population of Asia will decrease. As the number of females increases, the number of marriages will decrease, resulting in lower birth rates in the certain country. Research has shown that the number of marriages in Asia has decreased by at least 2% from 2007 to 2009. 2% is huge, even for Singapore, whereby fertility rate is still below replacement rate of required 2.1 children per couple. If this trend continues, such countries like SIngapore would be badly hit as it can affect both the workforce and defensive force in the future.
If the ratio of the male population to the female population remains at such an imbalance rate, the amount of jobs available will not be enough for the great number of women. According to traditions, "Women are regarded as smarter beings than men, while men are regarded as the heavy work doers". The US Census Bureau notes that the 74 million people added to the world's population in 2002 were fewer than the high of 87 million people added in 1989–1990. The annual growth rate was 1.2 percent, down from the high of 2.2 percent in 1963-64. Which is the result of the increasing number of single men and women in the world. By 2002 the average was 2.6, and by 2009, 2.5. This is marginally above the global replacement fertility of 2.33. This fall has been accompanied by a decline in the world's population growth rate and in the actual annual population increase. In singapore, the jobs available for the women would not be enough as they require more tiertary level jobs, but Singapore's workforce is diversified and suitable for anyone of any level of education.
In conclusion if the ratio of the male population to the female population remains at such an imbalance rate, then the population of Asia will decrease and there will be lacking of females to occupy relevant jobs and lastly.
a paragraph of narrative, 100-150 words, in sentences of seven or fewer words. No sentence fragments! Each must have a subject and a verb
A paragraph of narrative, 100-150 words, in sentences of seven or fewer words. No sentence fragments! Each must have a subject and a verb
The night has to be it for me to have a heavenly good night sleep as these days I have been working like an over sized bee and moving all over the tiny island picking up passengers as they wave their godly to us arms to signal to us they need a lift and now I am drained out of my body and need a sleep and soon I heard a sound that nearly caused me to fall of the bed and clanking and thumping sounds were heard and I thought it was a thief and so I walked out of my room and went to investigate while my cat was still under my bed sleeping and my thoughts were right as it was a thief and the rest of the story would be in the hands of mine and so I held a yellow pages and went to whack out of the man in black who later I found out was my son who was trying to surprise me for my birthday and how embarrass I was.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Optimism
If optimism is not hard-wired into the brain as an evolutionary trait, humans will not be able to go beyond limits especially during the faces of danger. The world will be much more dull and pessimistic as time passes. When optimism goes out of reach, fail will obviously be an option to all situation which involves a face of trouble. From what I heard, optimism is somehow connected to creativity, without ideas to continue the chain of creativity, the chain would break and the world would have not much creativity.
The world will be in chaos if people do not have the optimism requirements. The problem is that if a person is pessimistic, he would most probably be unhappy all his life, bring it on to a larger scle of 6 billion people and you would find the entire world filled with chaos. One common scenario are the "creation" of burglars.
9/11 Poem "A tragic Accident"
This post shows a bit of details of the actual footage and after all a blog should have thoughts of your own.
9/11 Poem
The day was corrupted,
By a sudden burst of fire,
We were frigthened,
As the tragic story beings to fold,
The tail of the great bird stuck out of the center of everything,
At the height of a standing Titanic,
What had happened was oblivious to us,
As the climax begin to rise,
I heard from the crowd,
"Terror men strikes again"
What came to my mind first was the "Terror" group "Al-Qeada"
They have lived up to their names,
Back to the scene,
Was exceedingly shocking,
Machines of Red Crosses and Hoses sped to the scene,
And I pondered "Is it that bad"
And soon the answer will be revealed,
Battling the adversary was their job,
And soon the building started to lose to the fire,
Lives started to literally go down,
When people willingly jumped from the highest floor.
We waited for what seemed to be eternity,
And then the great structure fell vertically,
Crushing everything and everyone in it,
The bigger you are,
The harder you fall,
And soon the world plunges into darkness,
And I lay my sorrows to the heroes
9/11 Poem
The day was corrupted,
By a sudden burst of fire,
We were frigthened,
As the tragic story beings to fold,
The tail of the great bird stuck out of the center of everything,
At the height of a standing Titanic,
What had happened was oblivious to us,
As the climax begin to rise,
I heard from the crowd,
"Terror men strikes again"
What came to my mind first was the "Terror" group "Al-Qeada"
They have lived up to their names,
Back to the scene,
Was exceedingly shocking,
Machines of Red Crosses and Hoses sped to the scene,
And I pondered "Is it that bad"
And soon the answer will be revealed,
Battling the adversary was their job,
And soon the building started to lose to the fire,
Lives started to literally go down,
When people willingly jumped from the highest floor.
We waited for what seemed to be eternity,
And then the great structure fell vertically,
Crushing everything and everyone in it,
The bigger you are,
The harder you fall,
And soon the world plunges into darkness,
And I lay my sorrows to the heroes
From what I had learned from the 9/11 experience, terrorism is a major factor of danger. Even if we are in one of the most secured and safest country, we should not take it for granted and be aware at all times even if things seemed to be normal. I hope that the world would be peaceful in the future but it would be quite impossible as everyone has different views of things and that whats makes it interesting. It is like being in a perfect place whereby everyone is the same, act the same, eat the same food, talk the same, look the same, would it be creepy. In Singapore has faced one of the most serious escape of Mas Selamat, a fugitive working for the (JI)Jemaah Islamiah and was involved in a series of bombings in Bintan, Indonesia. Singapore's largest mahunt finally came to an end in 2009. This shows that Singapore has to tighten their security, and to ensure no terrorism takes place. If it does, consequences may be dire.
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