English Article Review: Term 1

Article Title: First El Nino, Now La Nina
The Straits Times March 3rd 2007

Rationale for choosing this article:
Global warming is a very real threat, and its good to know more about what is happening, and its effects on the rest of the world.

Summary:
Just when u thought that since El Nino is over, things can settle down again, but La Nina returns to the scene.
The El Nino effect is associated with the warm sea temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. It affects weather patterns, making already devastating natural disasters even more severe.
The La Nina effect is the opposite of El Nino, characterized by colder sea temperatures. It affects airflow and rainfall patterns around the world. In this system, there is an unusual cooling of the sea, together with wind and air pressure changes that can affect weather across the world
A La Nina system may be forming in the Pacific, and there is a likelihood of an above-average Atlantic hurricane season. This threatens coastal populations, as well as some oil and gas industries. It will cause different drastic effects to the weather to different places, such as having more hurricanes in the Atlantic and fewer in the Pacific.
I feel that the return of La Nina has alerted us of the fact that the situation regarding global warming has not improved. We should educate the people on the steps we should take to help the situation, as well as to prevent it from worsening. If we sacrifice some of our creature comforts, such as conveniently using plastic bags and using products with CFC, we can all help to make the world a better place. For all that we’ve done to our earth, the returns are natural disasters. Harm the earth and it harms us. As such, I feel that as residents of this planet, we must all play a part to preserve it.






English Article Review: Term 1

Article Title: Freedom is a right; Self- Restraint is a virtue
Posted January 25, 2007
Url: http://news.com.com/5208-1040_3-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=2725&messageID=231715&start=-1

Rationale for choosing this article:
Game addiction is very real, and it is still going on in our societies. I feel that this issue would affect us more directly, since we are teenagers and tend to like to play games.

Summary:
Games were originally created for recreation and pleasure when you need a break. However when taken too far, gaming becomes your “life”. You get so hooked onto it, it becomes so hard to stop. And the only people benefiting from this are the game companies. Eventually it will ruin your life, affecting your relationships, your career or your studies.

My Reflections:
I feel that even though this is an article written based only on the writer’s point of view, I agree with it very much. This is because I have known people who have been victims to this “disease” known as game addiction.

I once had a friend in primary six, who was so obsessed with a game, his life practically revolved around it. He spent so much time on it such that he stayed up late playing, then slept during class and paid very little attention. It affected his grades very much, but he did not care. Seeing as his game was more important than almost anything else to him, we tried to dissuade him but to no avail. The hard reality hit him when his game account got hacked. Everything he worked so hard in the game to obtain was gone. It was only then that he saw the error of his ways, but it was too late. By the time it had come to take our Primary School Leaving Examinations, there was not much time left for him to study, and he did quite badly for the tests.

I feel that even though the games themselves are enticing to the people who play them, we cannot really do anything about it, like shutting it down, since it would affect so many of the people who play it. The correct measurement to be taken now is to get gamers to exercise more self- control. Playing occasionally to get rid of stress or to relax is okay, but to do it such that it becomes part of your life is unhealthy.

I feel that parents should play a part in preventing this sort of addiction. They should limit their children’s access to the game, to prevent them from spending too much time on it. However, the more serious matter is the self- restraint of the gamer. Even if preventive measures are taken, an addicted player will go all out to find a way to play. I feel that signs of addiction should be quickly identified, and the player quickly sent to see a counselor, before it is too late.

Overall, as quoted in the article, freedom is a right, but self- restraint is a virtue. We are mostly free to do whatever it is like, but we must be able to practice self- restraint. Instead of immersing ourselves in games, we can release our stress in other areas, such as taking up a hobby. As quoted in the article, “I'll bet exhibiting self-control and proving to yourself that you are in control feels a great deal better than leveling up.”