Summarizing(2)

An Anorexic's Story
Yang Ling-yuan/tr. by Minn Song 2005/8
TEXT:

Hsiao-chen (not her real name) began dieting when she was 12. Without her realizing it, her weight had climbed to 60 kilograms, making her rather pudgy for her 158 centimeter height. When her classmates teased her and gave her rude nicknames, she decided to lose weight. At first, she ate only meat and veggies and cut out rice, but did not thereby slim down. Hsiao-chen then had to adopt more extreme methods to lose weight. She skipped breakfast, and ate only bread or a few cookies for lunch. She would avoid dinner by lying and saying that she had eaten with classmates after school.
This form of compulsive dieting did, as expected, enable her to steadily lose weight. In order to slim down faster, each day she also exercised vigorously such as by performing more than 100 sit-ups and running around an athletic field. On many nights, Hsiao-Chen was roused from slumber by her hunger, and the pangs would keep her from returning to sleep. However, when she saw the numbers drop a little on the weight scale, all the suffering she had endured seemed as nothing.
Three years of continual dieting and Hsiao-chen was down to 40 kilograms. But she did not feel tired, but only that her body was light and full of energy, while her classmates expressed their envy. Hsiao-chen still thought this was not enough, hoping she could keep her weight below 40 kilos. She therefore went further and only chewed but did not swallow her food. After two years, when her height was 161 centimeters, she weighed only 30 kilograms, and was suffering from severe depression. On several occasions, she tried to harm herself by slitting her wrists or swallowing pills. These behaviors alerted Hsiao-chen's mother that something was wrong, and she had no choice but to forcibly take her to a hospital for treatment.
When Hsiao-chen came to Chen Kuan-yu's clinic, he was shocked to see an emaciated body like that of a terminal cancer patient. He discovered that the level of potassium ions in Hsiao-chen's blood was even lower than that of severely ill patients in intensive care, putting her at risk of dying from shock at any time. After several consultations, Chen discovered that Hsiao-chen was growing up in a single-parent home, and lived in close quarters with a mother with whom she was in constant conflict. This severe emotional bind combined with her desire to lose weight had finally mutated into anorexia. Fortunately, Hsiao-chen likes food very much, and only stopped ingesting food because she feared getting fat-so that dealing with her condition did not prove to be overly problematic.
Chen first used family counseling to make Hsiao-chen's mother face her daughter's dislike of eating, while attempting to improve the rigid way the two interacted. Because Hsiao-chen often ignored her hunger too long, overate, and vomited what she ate, the very feelings of hunger and satiation had become confused. Finding it difficult to deal with food on a table, she preferred hiding out and eating alone, disliking having to dine together with other people. So Chen invited Hsiao-chen's family to share meals with other anorexics and their families, allowing Hsiao-chen to once again experience the feeling of people eating communally.

After several courses of therapy, although Hsiao-chen has stopped coming to Chen's clinic for treatment, she seems to have brought her anorexia under control, as well as gradually overcome the discord between herself and her mother and developed partial autonomy. Currently, her weight has risen to about 46 kilograms.

SUMMARY:

Hsiao-chen (not her real name) had dieted since she was twelve, because her classmates teased her chubby body. In the beginning, she ate meat and veggies only, but it did not work. Therefore, she started not to eat breakfast and dinner, and ate only bread or a few cookies for lunch.
This compulsive dieting did enable her to lose weight gradually. But she wanted to slim down faster, thus, she exercised extremely every day. On many nights, she was roused from slumber by her hunger, and the pangs made her fail to return to sleep. Nevertheless, as long as her weight had dropped, she felt the suffering was nothing.
Three years passed for her continual dieting, and Hsiao-chen had only forty kilograms. But she was still full of energy and she wanted to keep her weight below forty kilograms. Therefore, she just only chewed the food and did not swallow. After two years, her weight was only thirty kilograms, and she suffered from severe depression. While Hsiao-chen tried to suicide, her mother just realized something was wrong, and the mother took her to a hospital.
When Hsiao-chen came to Chen Kuan-yu’s clinic, Chen was shocked by her emaciated body which was like a terminal cancer patient. Chen put her at risk of dying at any time, and he found that Hsiao-chen was in a single-parent family and she often conflicted with her mother. This severe emotional bind resulted from her anorexia. Fortunately, Hsiao-chen likes food originally, and she just feared getting fat, so that handling her condition could be easier.
Chen attempted to improve the interaction between Hsiao-chen and her mother by family counsel. Because Hsiao-chen’s very feelings of hunger and satiation was confused, and Chen found she had difficulty to had food on a table with other people. So Chen invited Hsiao-chen’s family and other anorexics with their families, letting Hsiao-chen could experience eating communally once again.
After several courses of therapy, now, Hsiao-chen appears to have her anorexia under control, and she could overcome the disharmony with her mother and develop partial autonomy. Also, her weight has been up to about forty-six kilograms.

Summary -1

A young man told his father that he wanted a sports car as a present on the graduation day. On the date, the young man received a leather-bound Bible from his father, and he was angry and ran away since then. Many years passed. Realizing his father was very old, he wanted to see his father. But he was informed that his father had passed away and bequeathed him the fortune. Hence, he went home immediately, and he felt sad and regretful. When he discovered the still new Bible, he opened the Bible and found a car key which he had desired as a gift on his graduation day.

SUMMARIZING: The Influence of TV to Family Life

TEXT:
Home and family life have changed in important ways since the advent of the television. The peer group has become television-oriented and much of the time children spend together is occupied by television viewing. Culture generally has been transformed by television. Therefore, it is improper to assign to television the subsidiary role its many apologists (too often members of the television industry) insist it plays. Television is not mere one of a number of important influences upon today’s child. Through the changes it has made in family life, television emerges as the important influence in children’s lives today.
Television’s contribution to family life has been an equivocal one. For (while) it has, indeed, kept the members of the family from dispersing, it has not served to bring them together. By its domination of the time families spend together, it destroys the special quality that distinguishes one family from another, a quality that depends to a greater extent on what a family does, what special rituals, games, recurrent jokes, familiar songs, and shared activities it accumulates.
“Like the sorcerer of old,” writes Urie Brongenbrener, “the television set casts it magic spell, freezing speech and action turning the living into silent statues so long as the enchantment lasts.” The primary danger of the television screen lies not so much in the behavior it produces, although there is danger there, as in the behavior it prevents: the talks, the games, the family festivities and arguments through which much of the child’s learning takes and through which his character is formed. Turning on the television set can turn off the process that transforms children into people.
Yet, parents have accepted a television dominated family life so completely that they cannot see how the medium is involves in whatever problems that might be having. Even when families make efforts to control television too often its very presence counterbalances the positive features of family life.

SUMMARY:
TV plays a dominant role in children, thus influencing family life. And TV makes menbers separated and deprives activities. Therefore, it could retarded children's character development. TV causes many such disadvantages, which outweigh positive influence of family life.

Interpretation of Data(2)

Figure 1 shows the sexual distribution of potential cases of SARS in Taiwan area. As can be seen, the highest potential group is the age of 20 to 29 female comprised 91 persons. However, over half the number contribute the age of 30 to 59. The fewest potential group is below the age of 9 female with only 4 persons.

A Comedy: Bedazzled

My favorite comedy is “Bedazzled” acted by Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley, which narrates the Devil's giving seven wishes in exchange for the soul.

The protagonist, Elliot Richards, a socially incompetent technical advisor working at a call-center, was given seven wishes to turn his life around when he met up with a very seductive Satan, who offered him a deal: Seven wishes for him, his Soul for her. But every wish he got fulfilled had massive disadvantages as well, and soon Elliot wanted to get out of the contract. The Devil disallowed and commanded him to make the seventh wish so as to get his soul. In the end, Elliot didn’t lose his soul because his last wish was made for others not for himself. Thus, the contract became ineffective.

The plot of this film is amusing; moreover, it also indicates the weakness of human nature. Elliot is lonely and finds it very hard to make friends, so he accepts the Devil's deal to make his life wonderful. It could be seen Elliot's lack of social skills; also, it reveals the temptability of human nature.

Elliot tries to get along with his colleagues by any funny way, but it is no use. And, at first, Elliot did not want to give his soul; however, when he saw the vision of his dreams made by the Devil, he signed the contract. Even so, at last in a desperate situation his last wish was that Alison, his loving girl, could live happily forever; therefore, the deal turned into unavailable. After this event, Elliot had learned how to live his life better, and the story had a satisfactory ending.
Your soul may not be yours to sell, but where you go is largely up to you.

Combined Qualifications

1. In the view of general people, it seems that attractive people could have more favorable personal characteristics than unattractive people.
2. In some situation, economic sanctions may be ineffective.
3. Based on the medical reports, alcohol may cause people to be more violent.
4. According to many clinical cases, passive smoking might incur cancer.
5. Based on the environmental protection, recycling may be the best solution to the waste disposal problem.
6. In the view of experts, physical exercise could lessen depression.
7. According to the account of experts, deep tunnels could be safer and less vulnerable to earthquake shaking than could shallow tunnels.
8. Many people consider that the private schools may provide a better education than may public schools.

Stage 2: Qualification

Last year all overseas students completed University Registration forms. Most students finished University Library Membership Application forms. A majority of students fulfilled National Health Service Registration forms. Many students accomplished International Student Identity Card Application forms. Some students filled in Accommodation Office Application forms. A few students had Magazine Subscription forms done.

Winter Vacation: the Lunar New Year

In this winter vacation, accompanying the Lunar New Year, my whole family took the train to Banciao(板橋), where my maternal grandpa and grandma live. On the New Year’s Eve, all the members of my maternal family gathered to enjoy a reunion dinner, and the elders gave red envelopes to the young including me.
The first day of Lunar New Year, I window-shopped at a department store (FE21’) with my sister and my cousin. The second day, all the family went to Shihmen Dam(石門水庫) by car. We rented six bicycles to ride down the lane; then we went to a wide lawn to fly kites. At noon, we ate lunch at a fish restaurant whose specialty of Shihmen Dam is known. The third day, I did the shopping with my cousins at Hsimending(西門町). The fourth day, the elders took children to Tamsui(淡水) by rapid transit system. There were huge crowds of people, and we inched through the teeming street. The fifth day, my uncle treated all the family to the Taoban Restaurant(陶板屋). And the sixth day, I left for Tainan first for working part-time.
The weather in Taipei was colder and wetter than that in Tainan; therefore, I also got cold which made me have a sore throat and stuffy nose. Even so, I had fun amusedly as ever. In these days, we lived in my uncle’s house, and my aunties prepared hearty cuisine for us at home; everyone is enthusiastically treating us. I thank God for my own flesh and blood.

Interpretation of Data

The two pie graphs show the proportional representation of Little's and Eunice's average weekly hour spending on schooling、sleeping、watching TV、using computer、eating、reading、and other things.
As can be seen from the two diagrams、we both spend 24% on schooling of weekly hours. Sleeping also receives most time spending; it is quarter of weekly hours of Little、and it is 20% in Eunice's.
In Eunice's graph、the same percentage of hours is spent on using computer as in sleeping.
The third place of Little's time spending is using computer, which receives 17% of weekly hours.
Reading occupies 12% of Little's and 15% of Eunice's weekly time respectively.
Regarding eating, Little spends 7%、while Eunice spends 5%.
Both of us spend less time on watching TV、only 7% at Little's、5% at Eunice's.

Average Family Expenditure in Britain

The pie chart displays the average family expenditure in Britain for ten different items in 1977. These items include food, clothing and footwear, housing, household goods and services, transport and communications, and alcoholic drink etc.
Food was the largest family expenditure that comprises 19%.
The second large family expenditures were housing, and transport and communications with 14% respectively.
Recreation, entertainment and education constituted 9% of family expenditure.
Clothing and footwear represented 8% of family expenditure.
As many alcoholic drink as household goods and services was 7%.
Nearly as many family expenditures was in tobacco as in fuel, light and power.
Other goods and services received 12%.
Other items of family expenditures comprised the remaining 1%.

The effectiveness of English learning methods

English is a worldwide language which has become international communicated language. People learn English for finding a nice job and living in good quality. Even now、people have learned English since they was kids. Hence many parents let their children learn English in order to catch up with the step of world.
And how children can learn English effectively is important.
There is a research about percentage of pupils' ratings of the effectiveness of English learning methods. These methods include repeating after teacher、group work、listening to tapes、talking with native speakers、listening to teacher's explanation、translated exercises、practicing on paper、playing games、and grammar study etc.
As can be seen from the table、talking with native speakers is the most effective at 53% of English learning methods. It would seem that the main reasons for this are pupils can direct practice talking with English speaker and they can improve their listening to native accents.
The second effective method of English learning is playing games at 37%. It is generally agreed that the main reasons for this are pupils mostly like games and they can learn English from their interest.
Translated exercises comprise 34% of English learning methods. It would appear that the main reasons for this are pupils need assignments train their skill and grammar can be improved.
Motivation is also the essential for pupils、so every pupil should find some suitable methods for learning English. Thus English learning could be more effective.

English language problems of overseas students in Britain

On arrival in Britain the biggest language problem for overseas students is understanding spoken English. It would seem that the main reasons for this are difficulties in understanding local accents and the speed of speaking of British people. Six months later the problem has declined into third place. It is generally agreed that the main reason for this is the influence of environment that students can get more practices and get used to the local accents.

Another big language prolem for overseas students is speaking when they just arrive. It appears that the reasons for this are lack of fluency and limited vocabulary. Six months later、percentage of this problem has decreased 10%, but it has up to first place. It has been suggested that the main reason for this is despite students get more opportunities of speaking with Briton, the progress of speaking still need more and more time to adapt.

The third language problem is writing. It seems that the main reasons for this are poor grammar of students and limited vocabulary. Six months later、percentage of this problem has raised to 32%. It is widely accepted that the main reasons for this are poor teaching in grammar and improper using literal translation. Students perhaps can not use too complex clauses to make sentences.

The last language problem is reading with 3% of overseas students considering it difficult. It would appear that the main reasons for this are poor pronunciation which is not very exact and slow reading speed. Six months later、percentage of this problem has reduced to 2%. It is generally agreed that students can improve their pronunciation and reading speed by reading articles frequently.

On arrival in Britain the English language problems are inevitable. Nevertheless、listening、speaking、writing、and reading are very important for English learning. Students should practice diligently, especially when they have the chance to stay in an English-speaking country for study.

Cause and Effect: Why do people gain weight?

In the present age, most people are overworked and have an irregular life style. People's figure is out of shape.
Firstly, modern people get busier. They do not have time to prepare their meal; thus, they eat outside very often.
Secondly, people gain weight becuase they don't have time doing exercise.
In addition, modern people get a lot of stress. Metabolism becomes slow、which also causes heavy weight.
Finally, overweight could result in many diseases; such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiopathy, etc.

Country Comparison: Spain and France

Spain--
Population: 40,341,462
Area: sq. km.: 504,782 sq km
Arable land: 26.07%
Main language: Castilian Spanish
Main religion: Roman Catholic
France--
Population: 60,656,178
Area: sq. km.: 547,030 sq km
Arable land: 33.53%
Main language: French
Main religions: Roman Catholic、Protestant、Jewish、Muslim

COMPARE..
★ Spain and France are dissimilar in that Spain has a much smaller population than France.
★ France has larger percentage arable land area than Spain.
★ The main language in Spain is Castilian Spanish、whereas in France it is French.
★ Spain and France are similar in their land area.
★ With regard to main religions、Spain is Roman Catholic the same as French.

Introduction

My name is Little.
I'm a student of university.
I like TV, movie, singing, shopping, and thinking.
My favorite cartoon is PowerPuff Girls.
Characteristics of my preference are cute, clever, wit, unusual, bright, and aspiring.In addition, precise and understanding are the essential.