If you are having trouble figuring out when to use “less” and when to use “fewer,” here is a very good article which you may find helpful:
Less Versus Fewer by Grammar Girl
At the top of the article, just below the title, is an audio player. You can read the article and listen to Grammar Girl at the same time.
For Lab 6, your assignment is to watch the documentary linked below and do the activities on the handout I will give you in class. This program is part of the Nature series on PBS.
You can watch online or, if you have a smart phone, there is a free PBS app which will also let you watch the episode if you are near a wifi source.
If you are interested in watching other nonfiction programs about many topics, I recommend browsing the PBS website. You can watch shows about history, culture, music, science, nature, travel and more.
This example of a family tree will be on your exam Thursday. You may print it or study it online. Be prepared to identify family relationships by name or number.
In our current chapter, some of the vocabulary involves landforms. Here are a few examples of canyon. I took these pictures from a plane over the American Southwest a few years ago. You may click on the photos to see larger versions.
Please print your questions and answers and turn in your lab on Friday. You may copy and paste the questions from this entry.
Go to this page and open the article titled “Caffeine High.” This is an essay you will use to complete Lab 2.
1. Find and list the following information about the article:
Author:
Source:
Date:
2. Thinking about the author, source and date, would you consider this article a reliable source for a research paper? Why or why not?
3. Before reading, look at the inset quote and the graphic on the first page of the article. What do you think are the article’s subject and main idea?
4. In the first paragraph, how does the author introduce the topic?
a) By giving some statistics about medical school
b) By sharing a personal story related to the topic
c) By listing some effects of the caffeine in coffee
5. At the time this article was written, how many cups of coffee were drunk in the United States each year?
6. List some negative health effects of caffeine.
7. The article’s topic sentence is found in the second paragraph. What is it?
8. In the third paragraph, the author talks about stimulant use in primitive societies. What is the purpose of this?
a) To suggest that caffeine has positive uses recognized through humans’ long history
b) To show that primitive people knew nothing about modern science
c) To introduce the history of Thea sinensis
9. Describe the legend of the discovery of coffee.
10. When was some of the best work on caffeine’s psychological effects done?
11. Did those studies find negative or positive effects?
12. What is the chemical which caffeine mimics in the brain?
13. The author thinks that some people who drink a lot of coffee may be treating themselves for _______________________ and that some people who abuse alcohol are treating themselves for ________________________.
14. According to the author, if you are very depressed, should you start drinking a lot of coffee?
15. Compared to many other drugs, is caffeine safe or dangerous?
16. “Humans have a long tradition of finding simple, effective and safe methods of keeping themselves in working order.” What examples does the author give of this tradition?
Welcome to Shayna’s Class Blog! Feel free to browse for useful resources using the categories on the right. I will make new posts when our class can use some new resources, or when it is convenient for sharing links.
This week’s useful links:
“Science can’t design away tornadoes’ threat” – for article summary homework
This American Life “True Urban Legends” – for Lab 1 listening
TOEFL practice – Integrated Writing – 4.1
This is a lab that will help you practice listening and test-taking skills for the TOEFL iBT. It will also show you a variety of academic topics and skills, so it should help you even if you aren’t planning to take the TOEFL.
1. Before going to the lab, read the introduction and the instructions for each section.
2. Go to the Language Resource Center (Stabler Hall 201) during its open hours.
3. Tell the lab worker you want to do Shayna’s lab. At least six people can listen at the same time, but it’s best if you all start together.
4. Listen to the CD (Disk 6, Track 14 or Track 2) and complete activity 4.1.A. (You may do 4.1.B for practice if you like, but it is not required.) You will need to type your answer and print it. You can do this in the lab.
5. Leave your completed handout in the box next to office 203-O. This lab is due by the end of the day Thursday.
TOEFL practice – Listening 2.5
This is a lab that will help you practice listening and test-taking skills for the TOEFL iBT. It will also show you a variety of academic topics and skills, so it should help you even if you aren’t planning to take the TOEFL.
1. Before going to the lab, read the introduction and the instructions for each section.
2. Go to the Language Resource Center (Stabler Hall 201) during its open hours on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.
3. Tell the lab worker you want to do Shayna’s lab. At least six people can listen at the same time if you use the room adjacent to the main lab, but it’s best if you all start together.
4. Listen to the CD (Disk 4) and answer the questions on the handout.
2.5 – Categorizing Information
This is a lab that will help you practice listening and test-taking skills for the TOEFL iBT. It will also show you a variety of academic topics and skills, so it should help you even if you aren’t planning to take the TOEFL.
1. Before going to the lab, read the introduction and the instructions for each section.
2. Go to the Language Resource Center (Stabler Hall 201) during its open hours on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
3. Tell the lab worker you want to do Shayna’s lab. At least six people can listen at the same time if you use the room adjacent to the main lab, but it’s best if you all start together.
4. Listen to the CD (Disk 3) and answer the questions on the handout.
2.4 – Making Inferences and Predictions
Track 1 – Example
5. Put your completed work in the box next to office 203-O.
Extra credit assignment
5-paragraph informative essay
Due Monday 26th, with:
Prove to me that you know how to properly use and cite sources!
Maximum bonus points: 3
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