WRITING 1

Directions: Read the passage below and summarize it using one sentence. Type your response in the box at the bottom of the screen. You have 10 minutes to finish this task. Your response will be judged on the quality of your writing and on how well your response presents the key points in the passage. Costa Ricans, as any other people, are complex and full of surprises. Racially speaking, the country is one of the most homogenous of the region. Costa Ricans don't like to consider themselves as racists, but they also enjoy talking about their unique whiteness, when compared to other Latin American countries. The 1989 census classified 98% of the people as white and 2% as black or indigenous. Even though racial problems don't exist to the extent that they do in the U.S. or in some European countries, some Ticos look down upon darker-skinned people. However, racial confrontations are extremely rare and prejudice, even though it exists, is displayed in indirect and careful ways. Costa Rica is also homogenous when it comes to social classes. Most of the population can be placed in a middle-class, and even though extreme poverty exists, it's not as large a problem as it is in other Latin countries. By the standards of a developed country, Costa Rican incomes are very low, but when compared to other neighbours, salaries and earnings prove to be much better. Besides the poor and middle classes, there is an upper class, which is very elitist. Even with the existence of extremely rich or poor individuals, Costa Rican society is composed mostly by a middle-class, which causes the impression of class and social homogeneity. Write your answer in the box below (5-75 words):

Costa Rica is homogenous country having population of mostly middle-class and as per 1989 census 98 % of them are white and even with the happening of some rare incidence of racism, they do not consider themselves racists.

Cost Rica is homogenous country having population comprises of 98% of white people with majority of them in a middle class and even with the happening of some rare incidence of racism, they do not considered themselves as racists. Attempted Answer Explanation : Key words and phrases – the country is the most homogenous racial problems don't exist racial confrontations are extremely rare homogenous when it comes to social classes the impression of class and social homogeneity Repeated words- Racial, Homogenous, Class Suggested Summary: Costa Rica presents an example of socio-economic homogeneity and moderation.

Directions: Read the passage below and summarize it using one sentence. Type your response in the box at the bottom of the screen. You have 10 minutes to finish this task. Your response will be judged on the quality of your writing and on how well your response presents the key points in the passage. It is natural to be healthy, but we have wandered so far astray that disease is the rule and good health the exception. Of course, most people are well enough to attend to their work, but nearly all are suffering from some ill, mental or physical, acute or chronic, which deprives them of a part of their power. There is too much illness, too much suffering and too many premature deaths. We are losing every year a vast army of individuals who are in their productive prime. The average individual is of less value to himself, to his family and to society than he could be. His bad habits, of which he is often not aware, have brought weakness and disease upon him. These conditions prevent him from doing his best mentally and physically. This abnormal condition has a bad effect upon his descendants, who may not be born with any special defects, but have less resistance at birth than is their due, and consequently fall prey to disease very easily. This state of impaired resistance has been passed on from generation to generation, and we of today are passing it on as a heritage to our children. Yet it is within the power of each individual to prolong his life beyond what is now considered old age. Barring accidents, which should be less numerous when people fully realize that unreasonable haste and speed are wasteful and that life is more valuable than accumulated wealth, human life could and should be a certainty. Write your answer in the box below (5-75 words):

Answer Explanation : Key words and phrases: wandered so far astray, too much illness, not aware, have brought weakness and disease upon him (loss of focus) bad effect upon his descendants (menace) life is more valuable than accumulated wealth Repeated word – health Suggested summary: People today focus less on their health that results in making bad health a common human condition and a menace, which must be overcome. Directions: Read the passage below and summarize it using one sentence. Type your response in the box at the bottom of the screen. You have 10 minutes to finish this task. Your response will be judged on the quality of your writing and on how well your response presents the key points in the passage. Quantum mechanics was invented to jump two hurdles at which classical physics had shied away. The first is the atom, with its negatively charged electrons orbiting a positive nucleus. The other is the pattern of radiation emitted by heated objects. According to classical physics, atoms should not exist. The moving electron should radiate away its energy; slow down and so spiral inwards and collapse. Classical physics also embarrassingly predicts that hot objects should radiate infinite amounts of energy in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum. They do not. Quantum mechanics managed to explain the awkward existence of atoms and the recalcitrant facts of radiation, thanks to a simple device. It assumed and the idea seemed to work that physical quantities are not infinitely divisible but come in chunks, called quanta. It said that a quantum chunk of energy may be emitted or accepted unpredictably and instantaneously by a particle. In the case of the atom, the rules of quantum mechanics simply do not allow a rotating electron to radiate energy continuously. So the collapse of the atom is avoided. Because there is no available amount of energy smaller than the quantum, nothing can be said to trigger such comings and going of energy. In one sense, quantum mechanics describes, “quantum jumping” between energy levels as unpredictable and uncaused. This lack of causation is the first of many points at which quantum mechanics parts company with the ordinary conception of reality. Write your answer in the box below (5-75 words):

Answer Explanation : Key words and phrases to jump two hurdles managed to explain quantum mechanics describes first of many points Repeated words – Quantum Mechanics, Classical physics, Radiation, Energy, Atom Suggested answer: Two unresolved mysteries of classical physics, the stability of atom and continuous emission of energy from heated materials, were successfully addressed by Quantum mechanics by introducing the concept of quanta, and declaring movement, emission and acceptance, as unpredictable and uncaused. Directions: You will have 20 minutes to plan, write and revise an essay about the topic below. Your response will be judged on how well you develop your position, organize your ideas, present supporting details, and control the elements of standard written English. You should write 200-300 words. “In a war of ideas, it is people who get killed”. Does a common man suffer from a group’s ideology? Support your opinion and support it with reasons and/or examples from your own experience or observations. Write your answer in the box below (200-300 words):

Answer Explanation : Hints: Intro:

• When one has the different ideas or beliefs from the other, it may result in a clash or conflict. • The situation becomes more problematic and dangerous when this is between two larger groups rather than the individuals. • It is referred to as a war of ideas. Para 1: • History has numerous instances wherein due to the conflict of interest between different countries or different groups within same country, the innocent people have had to sacrifice their lives. • Examples: the incidents of World War II and September 11 attacks in United States of America. • Non-compromising states (Israelis and Palestinians) - When states are in conflict over territory, common people suffer from warfare. Para 2: • Collective identity and Inter-group conflicts - People often identify themselves with different groups based on political, religious, racial or philosophical ideas. • Viewing the “other” as subhuman and evil leads to an “imaginary threat” and real conflicts and to gross “human rights violations” (justified violence) Conclusion: • It is the common man who suffers from the social, economical and political interests of a few people. • It is hoped that in future major decisions concerning citizens or the civilians of another country, would be taken considering its consequences.