THE PRESIDENTIAL VERSUS THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

While most countries in the world are governed with a parliamentary system some others like the US are governed with a presidential system.  Do your research and decide which is best for your country and write an argumentative essay in which you defend your opinion.
Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Familiarize yourself with the issue

• Parliamentary versus presidential https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-kZ8kZASJ
• Advantages and disadvantages of presidential and parliamentary democracy (make sure to turn the sound on by clicking on the loud speaker)(https://quizlet.com/59862342/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-presidential-democracy-and-parliamentary-democracy-flash-cards/  

Reading material to make notes on

·         Is a parliamentary form of government beter than a presidential form of government?

http://www.debate.org/opinions/is-a-parliamentary-form-of-government-better-than-a-presidential-form-of-government
If you feel adventorous, try this article: Presidential values in parliamentary democracies http://icon.oxfordjournals.org/content/8/2/207.full
Presidents versus Parliaments http://rumiforum.org/presidents-versus-parliaments/

            9 Meaningful pros and cons of parliamentary democracy http://connectusfund.org/9-meaningful-pros-and-cons-of-parliamentary-democracy

·         Parliamentary democracy pros and cons list http://nyln.org/parliamentary-democracy-pros-and-cons-list

·         Advantages and disadvantages of the presidential system http://www.researchfaculty.com/2015/11/advantages-and-disadvantages-of.html

Videos to watch and make notes on

·         Parliamentary system of government http://study.com/academy/lesson/parliamentary-government-definition-examples-advantages-disadvantages.html

·         Presidential system of government http://study.com/academy/lesson/presidential-system-of-government-roles-of-the-president.html
      Parliamentary versus Presidential democracy explained https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4quK60FUvkY

LONELINESS

The two texts covering loneliness are designed to go together and form the basis of a common writing task

TEXT I: HOW LONELINESS WEARS THE BODY

“New research supports the idea that social isolation is detrimental to physical health – and that companionship may improve it”

By: Jessica Lahey and Tim Lahey

Published: The Atlantic, Dec 3 2015, http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/12/loneliness-social-isolation-and-health/418395/

Level of Difficulty: **

NOW WATCH AND LISTEN:

• Guy Winch: Why we all need to practice emotional first aid https://www.ted.com/talks/guy_winch_the_case_for_emotional_hygiene

QUESTIONS

1. What additional purpose do the food deliveries by Veggie Cares serve?
2. How do the writers support their view that the companionship the volunteers provide may be physically nourishing? They show that social isolation may cause ……………………………………………………….( Two answers, find both and express clearly)
3. Social isolation may have far reaching and seriously detrimental effects because sufferers are more likely to develop…………………or even ……………………………………….
4. Further research has shown that the negative impact of social isolation can/cannot be reversed. This conclusion was reached as a result of observing………………………..
5. Read the paragraph beginning “A few decades ago…” and fill in the blank: It doesn’t make sense that social isolation is still regarded as only a psychological or social issue because research has proven that……………………………………………………………………
6. Which sentence in the paragraph beginning “Yet” best expresses the main idea?
7. It is implied in the text that the best health intervention for the elderly

• May involve a cup of tea
• Should involve medication
• May involve companionship
• Should involve socialization
• May involve story telling

TEXT I: HOW LONELINESS WEARS THE BODY KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES

This little text touches on an issue we all know but which experts have recently gotten round to trying to prove: the link between physical and psychological health. As such, it should appeal to a lot of people. As for the questions, the toughest are question 2 and question 7; the easiest is the first question. The rest are of a moderate level of difficulty. Correct understanding of the text is a prerequisite to be able to answer the questions.

1. Delivering companionship
2.  Paraphrasing question: The genes responsible for inflammation to be more active , while the genes that help defend against viral infections are depressed. / people to be more prone to inflammation and less able to fight viral infections
3. Paraphrasing question: dementia, die sooner/ earlier / before their peers
4. Higher numbers of circulating blood monocytes, a key type of immune cell
5. There is a link between social life and immune cell genetics
6. The psychological and the physical are inextricably linked
7. May involve companionship

TEXT II: CAN YOU TELL IF YOUR LOVED ONES ARE LONELY?

“A new study suggests yes but it depends on the relationship”

By: Julie Beck

Published: The Atlantic, April 25 2016, http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/04/can-you-tell-if-your-loved-ones-are-lonely/479541/

Level of difficulty: **

NOW WATCH AND LISTEN

·         John Cacciopa on Loneliness http://bigthink.com/videos/john-cacioppo-on-loneliness

QUESTIONS

1.  The findings of the first study mentioned in the text proves that

• People are wrong to deny being lonely
• People are right to deny being lonely

2. Why are people sometimes not completely honest when answering researchers’ questions?
3. The …………the relationship between people ………………….they are able to identify loneliness in each other
4. Who, according to the study, made the most realistic assessment of loneliness? Why?
5. The reason why friends’ and parents’ assessments of loneliness are not as accurate is that they………………………………………………………………….

WRITING TASK

Use all you have learnt in the two videos you have watched and the texts you have studied to write about loneliness: discuss the gravity of the issue (refer to its effects) and how to deal with it.

TEXT II: CAN YOU TELL IF YOUR LOVED ONES ARE LONELY? KEY AND TEACHERS NOTES

1. People are right to deny being lonely
2. So that people will like them
3. Closer, the better
4. Romantic partners, their relationship is more intimate or partners learn about all parts of their lives
5. They don’t learn as much about all parts of the subjects’ lives

FOOD INSECURITY; CAUSES AND EFFECTS

Some of us our lucky enough to be able to walk into a supermarket and buy whatever we want; others have to pinch and scrape and even avoid basic food stuffs because they are too pricey. These people are not exactly starving but are suffering nevertheless. What’s more their experiences have far reaching consequences. Do your research and find out more about the problem. When you are finished write a cause and effect essay.

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Familiarize yourself with the issue

• Food security crisis https://prezi.com/nlrzhuea9rh0/food-security-crisis/  
• Hunger and food insecurity http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/hunger.html

Reading material to make notes on

·         Food security and access: what does food insecurity mean? http://www.sustainabletable.org/280/food-security-food-access

·         The underlying causes of food insecurity http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/x8406e/X8406e01.htm

Videos to watch and make notes on

• What is food insecurity? http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-food-insecurity-definition-impact-prevention-efforts.html
• Food insecurity http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/food-insecurity-index/  
• Study examines damaging effects of food insecurity http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/health-and-medicine/2016/03/29/study-examines-damaging-effects-of-food-insecurity.html

VIETNAMESE GIRLS ABDUCTED AND SOLD IN CHINA

China is suffering the devastating consequences of the long standing one child policy. Although the policy has now been amended, the gender imbalance it has given rise to will continue for a generation at least. One deeply disturbing consequence of the gender imbalance has been the trafficking of Vietnamese girls as brides. Do your research and write about the extent of the problem.

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Familiarize yourself with the issue

·         Young Vietnamese girls being trafficked to China as brides https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u36pNfZXS4

·         Vietnamese girls sold as child brides in China http://www.nk-focus.com/politics/25323

Reading material and videos to make notes on

·         Vietnamese girls smuggled into China and sold as child brides http://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/17/asia/vietnamese-girls-child-brides-china/index.html

·         China smuggles in Vietnamese child brides to bridge gender imbalance http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2016/04/29/china-smuggles-vietnamese-child-brides-bridge-gender-imbalance/

·         Vietnam: the burden of being a child http://www.girlsnotbrides.org/girls-voices/the-burden-of-being-a-child-bride-in-vietnam/  

THE PROS AND CONS OF FACTORY FARMING

Have you ever thought about how the hens which provide your eggs are raised? What do you know about the conditions under which animals we raise for their meat are cared for? Do your research and find out then write an essay in which you argue for or against factory farms.
Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Reading material to make notes on

·         Factory farming: pros and cons http://apecsec.org/factory-farming-pros-and-cons/ Watch the videos as well

·         List of top 19 factory farming pros and cons http://greengarageblog.org/list-of-top-19-factory-farming-pros-and-cons  

·         What are the disadvantages of factory farming? https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-disadvantages-of-factory-farming-What-are-some-examples

·         Pros and cons of factory farming http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-factory-farming.html

Videos to watch and make notes on

·         Here’s how we end factory farming http://www.makeitpossible.com/take_action/

·         The shocking truth about animal farming in Britain today https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVGR1N2Pl00

·         Factory farming https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5z_ZZ1jLhU

·         What is factory farming? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kipdLxzTw4g

ORGANIC FARMING

Which do you prefer, ingesting a host of chemicals that are potentially toxic or eating fresh wholesome food? Which is more sensible, increasing your risk of cancer or prolonging your life span? If you want to take control of what you eat and live a long healthy life, you have one choice: organic food in which case you need to support organic farming. Do your research and discover the major arguments in favor of organic farming and also the counter arguments. When you have completed your research write an argumentative essay on the topic.
Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Familiarize yourself with the issue

• What’s wrong with our food system https://www.ted.com/talks/birke_baehr_what_s_wrong_with_our_food_system

Reading material to make notes on

• Organic agriculture http://www.fao.org/organicag/oa-faq/oa-faq7/en/ Make sure to click on the relevant links to get a complete picture and cover all your bases
• Can organic farmers feed us all? http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4060
• Six reasons why organic farming is not the best way to farm http://www.science20.com/agricultural_realism/six_reasons_organic_not_most_environmentally_friendly_way_farm-110209
• The great organic myths: why organic foods are an indulgence the world can’t afford http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/the-great-organic-myths-why-organic-foods-are-an-indulgence-the-world-cant-afford-818585.html#gallery

Documentaries to watch

• Organic farming: part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9x-YczFw0A
• Organic farming: part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdIgLbAEnIg

Videos to watch and make notes on

• Organic agriculture and food security https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BRsjDhB1ls

Organic farming: can it feed us all? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKeApQPgFa0

FOOD WASTE, A TOTALLY AVOIDABLE PROBLEM

Tons of perfectly edible food is wasted every day in a world where world hunger is on the rise and there are thousands starving to death. Do your research and find out about the extent of the problem, how and why it takes place and what can be done to stop it. When you are ready, write your essay

Familiarize yourself with the issue

• Food wastage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoCVrkcaH6Q
• Food waste: a shame for human kind and the environment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QbHlWNoyp4

Reading material to make notes on

• Food waste is a bigger problem than you think http://www.triplepundit.com/2014/10/food-waste-bigger-problem-think/#
• Why food waste is an urgent global problem http://www.triplepundit.com/special/food-waste/why-food-waste-is-an-urgent-global-problem/
• Food waste harms climate, water, land and biodiversity – new FAQ report http://www.unep.org/newscentre/Default.aspx?DocumentID=2726&ArticleID=9611

Videos and documentaries to watch

• A recipe for cutting food waste  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwOHpWTRsbE
• How to end the food waste fiasco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w96osGZaS74
• The war on food waste https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enblsQloxvE
• Why are we still wasting food? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe1cDSPfbh8

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/