IN CHASE OF ADVENTURE
The old saying that you should live each day as if it was your last is a nice statement. Following this well-known phrase, however, was against my fundamental principles, which I was about to break, standing at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef ready to jump. It all started when my sister Nancy invited me to join her on a trip across Australia.
Lounging for a week abroad was a dream comes true for me. Right before setting off for Australia, I promptly prepared a mental list of all essential things we should take. Being reluctant to fight traffic or be packaged in a ship, we stepped aboard a plane. Our first destination was Mockey, where we were going to hire a car to Townsville.While travelling to Townsville, the world unzipped, peeling to either side in a branching stream of colour. I was staring intently exploring the soaring vastness on the horizon. Words failed to describe the breathtaking natural beauty of this place. Time clicked stroboscopically as telephone poles and vegetation flashed by. Soon we reached Townsvilles’ beach.
Did it measure up our expectations? You bet it did! The place was a cosy corner of Paradise pleasing to the eye. There were hundreds of picturesque tropical islands with some beautiful sun-soaked, golden beaches in the distance. And here on this stunning scenery our real journey began. It included flying in a helicopter over the reef, diving and exploring the underwater world, which was a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour and brilliance, and the most thrilling part – bungy jumping from the rocks. As a first time jumper I was seized with fear additionally to the tingling nerves and the shock into full force. But the indescribable feeling while flying head down was a great deal stronger and immediately erased the traces from the previous one. It was the wildest extreme experience in my life.
Well, even though there was no particular reason for choosing Australia for our trip, we brought home a lifetime of memories from this living natural wonder. So take a tip from me. If you want to have a memorable trip which would stay in your heart and mind forever , don’t choose a destination bursting with life but one blessed with breathtaking natural beauty.
петък, 19 юни 2009 г.
Article: THE FACE OFGLAMOUR Maria Prashkova
The Faces of glamour
Were you to plan a trip to some far-flung corner of the globe, where would you go? Would you go to the untouched nature of an isolated island? Would you pick out to indulge yourself in an atmosphere full of splendour and breathtaking innovations in a big city? ….
It was almost 2 a.m. when I and Tom finally reached our foreign destination after four - hour flight. Although it was awfully late Hong Kong was bubbling of vigour. Those brightly luminous lights shimmering the long overcrowded streets made me feel as if I was in heaven. After approaching our comfortable and luxurious hotel we had to unpack our luggage and went to bed. But I and Tom couldn’t sleep even for a while. We spent the rest of the night in our balcony staring at the huge buildings remaining both mystery and magic. There it was - my childish dream was becoming true. I and the closest friend of mine were observing the Hong Kong streets.
The morning light brightened us up. We were ready to start our trip around the premier tourist destination. Tom suggested beginning with ‘Victoria Peak’ which was totally marvelous. We were 1810 feet above the sea level taking a bird’s eye view of the downtown Hong Kong, Kowloon and Victoria Harbour. As the wind was pleasantly blowing and the air was crystal fresh I felt as if I was about to fly.
Full of enthusiasm and vim, Tom and I directed our steps toward ‘Lan Kwai Fong’. It was the perfect venue for a night full of pleasure and joy. It has the most entertaining outlets where young people and trendy professionals were gathering for some fun and drink. After a dinner in the atmosphere filled with laughter and cheers we went on our tour to ‘Wan Chai’. We felt the love in air miles before. Unforgettable scenery!!! A Splendid view of the sunset and couples around talking quietly, taking pleasure to the unique scene.
So, if you are blessed with the opportunity to travel, take a tip from me and set off for Hong Kong. The trace which will be left by the city in your heart will be for a lifetime.
Were you to plan a trip to some far-flung corner of the globe, where would you go? Would you go to the untouched nature of an isolated island? Would you pick out to indulge yourself in an atmosphere full of splendour and breathtaking innovations in a big city? ….
It was almost 2 a.m. when I and Tom finally reached our foreign destination after four - hour flight. Although it was awfully late Hong Kong was bubbling of vigour. Those brightly luminous lights shimmering the long overcrowded streets made me feel as if I was in heaven. After approaching our comfortable and luxurious hotel we had to unpack our luggage and went to bed. But I and Tom couldn’t sleep even for a while. We spent the rest of the night in our balcony staring at the huge buildings remaining both mystery and magic. There it was - my childish dream was becoming true. I and the closest friend of mine were observing the Hong Kong streets.
The morning light brightened us up. We were ready to start our trip around the premier tourist destination. Tom suggested beginning with ‘Victoria Peak’ which was totally marvelous. We were 1810 feet above the sea level taking a bird’s eye view of the downtown Hong Kong, Kowloon and Victoria Harbour. As the wind was pleasantly blowing and the air was crystal fresh I felt as if I was about to fly.
Full of enthusiasm and vim, Tom and I directed our steps toward ‘Lan Kwai Fong’. It was the perfect venue for a night full of pleasure and joy. It has the most entertaining outlets where young people and trendy professionals were gathering for some fun and drink. After a dinner in the atmosphere filled with laughter and cheers we went on our tour to ‘Wan Chai’. We felt the love in air miles before. Unforgettable scenery!!! A Splendid view of the sunset and couples around talking quietly, taking pleasure to the unique scene.
So, if you are blessed with the opportunity to travel, take a tip from me and set off for Hong Kong. The trace which will be left by the city in your heart will be for a lifetime.
сряда, 10 юни 2009 г.
Article MYSTERY & MAGIC Neli Urumova
Mystery & Magic
Imagine you were blessed with the wondrous opportunity to indulge yourself in the gratifying atmosphere of a legendary place abroad, what would you opt for? A cosy nook in the cool embrace of a mountain, or the boiling sand beach of a famous resort? Or, perhaps you would combine the contradictory alternatives the way I did?
My story began with the bird’s eye view of an indigo seascape stretching along the golden coastline clearly reflecting the bright sunlight. There it was – Hawaii! My friend, Jane, and I finally reached our foreign destination after the two-hour flight. Although a bit road-weary, we were on cloud nine as we both had always longed to see the fascinating anomalies of Hawaii’s nature and witness the magical way an island generates eleven climatic zones. We chose Hawaii’s Big Island as it is Hawaii’s biggest playground.
Jane suggested starting our vacation visiting the capital – Hilo. Had it not been a small town, we would not have been able to see some fascinating sights as the Lymon Museum, where the island’s heritage is held, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum, where we were told of Hilo’s harrowing tsunami encounters. Believe me, the stories were incredible and really enthused us over the history and mysteries of Hawaii. So, full of vim and vigour, we reached for Hawaii Volcano’s National Park. There, we saw some well-known volcanoes in surprisingly intimate ways and even tried hiking along the rocky trails.
To get off the beaten path, Jane and I directed our steps towards Kona Coast for its calm and clear waters were appealing and perfect for scuba. After trying it, we took a boat tour and went deep-sea fishing. Fantastic! We spotted dolphins and some other species typical of the Pacific. One of the nights we spent atop the mountain of Mauna Kea, where we dived in the magic of unparalleled stargazing. What is more, as there was snow up there, we had a night snow game, full of positive emotions and laughter.
So, if you are a potential foreign traveler who has not chosen their destination yet, take a leaf out of my book and set off for Hawaii. The emotions and memories you’ll have are priceless and unforgettable, you bet!
Imagine you were blessed with the wondrous opportunity to indulge yourself in the gratifying atmosphere of a legendary place abroad, what would you opt for? A cosy nook in the cool embrace of a mountain, or the boiling sand beach of a famous resort? Or, perhaps you would combine the contradictory alternatives the way I did?
My story began with the bird’s eye view of an indigo seascape stretching along the golden coastline clearly reflecting the bright sunlight. There it was – Hawaii! My friend, Jane, and I finally reached our foreign destination after the two-hour flight. Although a bit road-weary, we were on cloud nine as we both had always longed to see the fascinating anomalies of Hawaii’s nature and witness the magical way an island generates eleven climatic zones. We chose Hawaii’s Big Island as it is Hawaii’s biggest playground.
Jane suggested starting our vacation visiting the capital – Hilo. Had it not been a small town, we would not have been able to see some fascinating sights as the Lymon Museum, where the island’s heritage is held, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum, where we were told of Hilo’s harrowing tsunami encounters. Believe me, the stories were incredible and really enthused us over the history and mysteries of Hawaii. So, full of vim and vigour, we reached for Hawaii Volcano’s National Park. There, we saw some well-known volcanoes in surprisingly intimate ways and even tried hiking along the rocky trails.
To get off the beaten path, Jane and I directed our steps towards Kona Coast for its calm and clear waters were appealing and perfect for scuba. After trying it, we took a boat tour and went deep-sea fishing. Fantastic! We spotted dolphins and some other species typical of the Pacific. One of the nights we spent atop the mountain of Mauna Kea, where we dived in the magic of unparalleled stargazing. What is more, as there was snow up there, we had a night snow game, full of positive emotions and laughter.
So, if you are a potential foreign traveler who has not chosen their destination yet, take a leaf out of my book and set off for Hawaii. The emotions and memories you’ll have are priceless and unforgettable, you bet!
петък, 5 юни 2009 г.
ESSAY EXAMINATIONS Maria Almisheva
As every other issue, school and college examinations have both advantages and drawbacks. It is true that they are convenient way of checking students’ knowledge and they have partly reliable results but here their advantages are over. Don’t you think that they prove only students’ good memory? Moreover, do you think all this stress during exams is worth?
On the one hand, exams are a useful tool for finding out if you can sort through a large body of information, figure out what is important, and explain why it is important. Exams challenge you to come up with key course ideas and put them in your own words or into exercises and to use the interpretive or analytical skills you know. Before all, they are convenient way for somebody to see your knowledge.
On the other hand, if you search in google.com under the topic “examinations” you will see a great number and variety of techniques, hints and handouts to give every student good strategy… for memorizing, not for learning. The schoolboy knows the date of his exam and until this date he only tries to memorize this which he sees or hears, or reads. Few months after the examination the same schoolboy doesn’t remember most of the things. Memorizing is not the target of any exam. Unfortunately, this is the result. Another point is that we all have heard about students who suffer from different illnesses as increased blood pressure, loss of appetite or weight, depression, etc. Frequently stress is the basic of these diseases. An American research shows that 37% of students suffer from stress. Aren’t the examinations the reason for this fact?
We know – there is vast variety of alternatives possible and reliable - for example, having exams only for certificates. This way students have the opportunity to choose if they want to go on this exam or not. Also, they choose their exams alone. There is nobody who is good at everything. One will go on maths exam, another – on literature exam.
Don’t you think exams cause more problems than they solve? They should be abolished because they are pointless. Let’s give our energy and time only for important things…
Maria Almisheva
On the one hand, exams are a useful tool for finding out if you can sort through a large body of information, figure out what is important, and explain why it is important. Exams challenge you to come up with key course ideas and put them in your own words or into exercises and to use the interpretive or analytical skills you know. Before all, they are convenient way for somebody to see your knowledge.
On the other hand, if you search in google.com under the topic “examinations” you will see a great number and variety of techniques, hints and handouts to give every student good strategy… for memorizing, not for learning. The schoolboy knows the date of his exam and until this date he only tries to memorize this which he sees or hears, or reads. Few months after the examination the same schoolboy doesn’t remember most of the things. Memorizing is not the target of any exam. Unfortunately, this is the result. Another point is that we all have heard about students who suffer from different illnesses as increased blood pressure, loss of appetite or weight, depression, etc. Frequently stress is the basic of these diseases. An American research shows that 37% of students suffer from stress. Aren’t the examinations the reason for this fact?
We know – there is vast variety of alternatives possible and reliable - for example, having exams only for certificates. This way students have the opportunity to choose if they want to go on this exam or not. Also, they choose their exams alone. There is nobody who is good at everything. One will go on maths exam, another – on literature exam.
Don’t you think exams cause more problems than they solve? They should be abolished because they are pointless. Let’s give our energy and time only for important things…
Maria Almisheva
ESSAY EXAMINATIONS Suzane Karamanova
School examinations are today’s most popular way of assessing students’ knowledge. However, the final results carry misery for numerous students and happiness for few. As a result, many think that their abolishment is extremely essential despite the number of supporters that present system of examining has.
There is a number of good reasons to sit an exam than other form of judgment. The first, it is far and away one of the most convenient way of assessing students. There is nothing like as easy and nowhere near as fast as checking exam papers. Moreover, being the same for everybody it gives students an equal chance of proving their true knowledge.
To a certain limited extend, there is some truth in this. However, the entire process of preparing for a school examination is both extremely stressful and time-consuming.It requires substantial preparation which usually starts a month prior to the exam date and puts students under big pressure. It also reflects negatively to their eating and sleeping habits. Studying all day and all night long leads to losing appetite and hence ….weight, increased blood pressure, headaches and large numbers of stress- related problems. As a result, a catastrophic performance on the exam is almost guaranteed.
Exam preparation is also pernicious to student’s social calendar. Lack of social life may have a negative effect more on to the exam than simply on his communicating abilities. Not to forget the countless hours spent above the books which otherwise would be used for playing sports, socialising and other outdoor activities.
In conclusion, there is no doubt that school and college examinations are both backbreaking and meaninglessIt is true that they are emphasizing mainly on students’ ability to memorise and we do need more accurate form of judging students’ true knowledge. But for now they are maybe the best option we have.
Syzane Karamanova
There is a number of good reasons to sit an exam than other form of judgment. The first, it is far and away one of the most convenient way of assessing students. There is nothing like as easy and nowhere near as fast as checking exam papers. Moreover, being the same for everybody it gives students an equal chance of proving their true knowledge.
To a certain limited extend, there is some truth in this. However, the entire process of preparing for a school examination is both extremely stressful and time-consuming.It requires substantial preparation which usually starts a month prior to the exam date and puts students under big pressure. It also reflects negatively to their eating and sleeping habits. Studying all day and all night long leads to losing appetite and hence ….weight, increased blood pressure, headaches and large numbers of stress- related problems. As a result, a catastrophic performance on the exam is almost guaranteed.
Exam preparation is also pernicious to student’s social calendar. Lack of social life may have a negative effect more on to the exam than simply on his communicating abilities. Not to forget the countless hours spent above the books which otherwise would be used for playing sports, socialising and other outdoor activities.
In conclusion, there is no doubt that school and college examinations are both backbreaking and meaninglessIt is true that they are emphasizing mainly on students’ ability to memorise and we do need more accurate form of judging students’ true knowledge. But for now they are maybe the best option we have.
Syzane Karamanova
ESSAY EXAMINATIONS Maria Prashkova
Exam is the word that most students fear off. They are part of school and university life that all students have to go through. However, there is a dispute whether the exams are the best way of assessing students or they are just useless and time consuming process.
The ministry of education believes that examinations are needed for teachers to get a feedback from their students’ level of /progress/ development. Moreover, most teachers claim that exams are a guide to let students decide which subjects they are good at and understand where their lapses are and try to correct them. In addition, when it comes to exams people compete with not only themselves, but also with other people. Their main aim is to develop the competitiveness skill which plays a major role in real life.
On the other side of the argument, it is considered that the ordeal of examinations causes great fear, tension and stress in pupils’ mind. The process of performing well is so much that if the student has not studied up to the required standards, he/she may even uses unfair means in the exam hall such as trying to copy the answers from a near student in order to get a better mark. Additionally, the exams turn into first and the foremost aspect in a student’s life which gives rise to social life distraction.
Pupils also sacrifice sleep and free time which leads to a multitude of serious health problems.
Going further, most students suffer from insomnia and are drained of energy but they still cannot put an end to the studying process. Due to the above appalling consequences from the examinations pupils’ daily life turns into an unpleasant routine.
As a conclusion, I do believe that examinations should definitely be abolished because it is a matter of luck rather than learnt skills to pass them. Moreover, there are a lot more effective ways of assessing students such as projects, self-assessment questionnaires as well as portfolios.
Mary Prashkova
The ministry of education believes that examinations are needed for teachers to get a feedback from their students’ level of /progress/ development. Moreover, most teachers claim that exams are a guide to let students decide which subjects they are good at and understand where their lapses are and try to correct them. In addition, when it comes to exams people compete with not only themselves, but also with other people. Their main aim is to develop the competitiveness skill which plays a major role in real life.
On the other side of the argument, it is considered that the ordeal of examinations causes great fear, tension and stress in pupils’ mind. The process of performing well is so much that if the student has not studied up to the required standards, he/she may even uses unfair means in the exam hall such as trying to copy the answers from a near student in order to get a better mark. Additionally, the exams turn into first and the foremost aspect in a student’s life which gives rise to social life distraction.
Pupils also sacrifice sleep and free time which leads to a multitude of serious health problems.
Going further, most students suffer from insomnia and are drained of energy but they still cannot put an end to the studying process. Due to the above appalling consequences from the examinations pupils’ daily life turns into an unpleasant routine.
As a conclusion, I do believe that examinations should definitely be abolished because it is a matter of luck rather than learnt skills to pass them. Moreover, there are a lot more effective ways of assessing students such as projects, self-assessment questionnaires as well as portfolios.
Mary Prashkova
ESSAY EXAMINATIONS
You have read the following extract from a magazine article in which the writer expresses her feelings about school and college examinations. It has prompted you to write an essay for your tutor discussing the points raised and expressing your own views.
(300-350 words)
There is little doubt that school and college examinations prove nothing more than that certain students have good memories. Admittedly, they are a convenient way of assessing students, and it may be possible to find other points in their favour. It does seem wrong, however, that every year thousands of young people suffer such enormous stress and spend so much time preparing for and taking examinations in our educational institutions. They should be abolished once and for all.
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