Rwandan apocalypse



Edusites/Edexcel English Language Non Fiction Reading AnthologyFor Paper Two – Non Fiction and Transitional WritingIntroduction: From the Edexcel English Language specification ‘Reading: study and analyse selections from a range of non-fiction texts (including literary non-fiction). Read unseen non-fiction texts from the 20th century and the 21st century, and understand a range of non-fiction texts, including whole texts and unseen texts’. critical reading and comprehension: identify and interpret themes, ideas and information in a range of literature and other high-quality writing; read in different ways for different purposes, and compare and evaluate the usefulness, relevance and presentation of content for these purposes; draw inferences and justify these with evidence; support a point of view by referring to evidence within the text; identify bias and misuse of evidence, including distinguishing between statements that are supported by evidence and those that are not; reflect critically and evaluatively on text, use the context of the text and draw on knowledge and skills gained from wider reading; recognise the possibility of different responses to a text.summary and synthesis: identify the main theme or themes; summarise ideas and information from a single text; synthesise from more than one text.evaluation of a writer’s choice of vocabulary, form, grammatical and structural features: explain and illustrate how vocabulary and grammar contribute to effectiveness and impact, use linguistic and literary terminology accurately to do so and pay attention to detail; analyse and evaluate how form and structure contribute to the effectiveness and impact of a pare texts: compare two or more texts critically with respect to the above.For further information on this see the Edexcel English Language (9-1) specification.ContentStudents should read a variety of high-quality, challenging non-fiction and literary non-fiction, in preparation to respond to unseen 20th- and 21st-century non-fiction in the examination. They should be able to read substantial pieces of writing, including whole and extended texts that make significant demands in terms of content, structure and the quality of the language. Throughout the qualification, students should develop the skills of interpretation, analysis and evaluation.Text types studied should include a range of non-fiction forms, such as journalism (for example articles and reviews), speeches, journals and reference book extracts. Text types should also include literary non-fiction, such as selections from autobiography, letters, obituaries and travel writing. These lists are not exhaustive.Texts that are essentially transient, such as instant news feeds and advertisements will not form part of the assessment. The sample texts that have been produced in this Anthology are based loosely around eight themes to allow for comparison and they illustrate the range of genres described above. Students should build up in their learning a wide portfolio of sources that they can use beyond this in preparation for the exam.Within the Anthology there is a discussion on how to use this material effectively in the classroom, a discussion of the assessment objectives, what examiners are looking for and one sample set of questions with indicative content for each theme.How to use unseen non- fiction material effectively in the classroomSome general tips:- the assessment of reading skills in this paper is based entirely on unseen texts. Consequently whenever possible students should practice analysing texts as ‘unseens’ as the norm in their study of both English Language and English Literature - try to harness good reading skills from Key Stage 3 onwards by introducing students to a range of non- fiction texts from the 20th to 21st centuries across a range of genres and increasing the challenge of these texts up into Key Stage 4- as 20th Century texts are prominent in this unit your students should build up a clear understanding of the whole 20th century context, the sort of society it was and the styles of language used. This should cover both non- fiction and fiction texts. There is clear crossover here with English Literature where the texts studied in both prose and poetry can be taught alongside these non-fiction texts as integrated exercises.- In preparation for the writing tasks in Section B, it is important that students are allowed the opportunity to articulate their opinions on the subject of the text. This is an important skill for both English Language and English Literature although all such judgements should be evidenced based.Reading the Unseen Non-Fiction Texts Reading activities can be carried out as individuals, in pairs or in larger groups. The main principle should be to get students to respond independently to the passage and to understand the viewpoints and perspectives expressed and the main themes of the piece. This can be followed with closer reading to analyse the writer’s craft and possible areas of comparison.Some words in the texts are likely to be unfamiliar; students may wish to underline and highlight these. In some cases a glossary will be provided in the exam. For the purpose of this anthology, students may wish to research terms or words they are uncertain of. Teachers may wish to add their own gloss to these passages before letting their students look at them. The texts in the Anthology are of varying degrees of length and difficulty to suit a wide range of ability. Texts could be analysed using the following points:This list is not exhaustive and is quite lengthy and teachers may wish to slim this down or pick out some of the points for their students but the list will act as a starting point:Look carefully at the title/headline and the introduction to the text- there is important information and guidance here, which will be of real value.What is the text about?Look closely at the genre (diaries, newspaper articles etc.). What is the significance of the genre used here? And the genre in terms of where the balance of purpose and reader engagement lies.How does the extract start? What is the significance of this as a starting point?How do the sections of the extract link together and how do they relate to the title?What is the structure of the piece?How does the text engage the reader?How does the extract end? What is the significance of ending the extract at this point and its link to the title or opening of the extract?What is the tone and mood of the extract?For whom is the text written? Is there an authorial voice?What linguistic devices are used in the extract and why?What style of language is being adopted by the writer?Are opinions in the piece backed up with evidence? What points does the writer want to get across? How does the writer achieve this?When you have read both texts, what do they have in common? (Or not?). Look for similarities but also differences.Assessment of the unseen non- fiction textsFor English Language the following assessment objectives apply for the Reading sections:AO1Identify and interpret explicit and implicit information and ideasSelect and synthesise evidence from different textsAO2Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevantSubject terminology to support their viewsAO3Compare writers’ ideas and perspectives, as well as how these are conveyed, across two or more textsAO4Evaluate texts critically and support this with appropriate textual referencesFor this paper, all the Assessment Objectives apply.For the assessment in Section A: a series of questions are asked covering two texts- one from the 20th Century the other from the 21st Century.The Questions are listed below with the marks:Question 1- assesses AO1 totalling 2 marks based on one of the texts based on information and ideasQuestion 2- assesses AO2 totalling 2 marks based on one of the texts’ use of language Question 3- assesses AO2 totalling 15 marks based on one of the texts’ use of language and structureQuestion 4-assesses AO1 totalling 1 mark based on one of the texts based on information and ideas Question 5- assesses AO2 totalling 1 mark based on one of the texts’ use of language Question 6- assesses AO4 totalling 15 marks based on an evaluation of one of the texts Question 7a- assesses AO1 totalling 6 marks based on both texts based on the similarities of both textsQuestion 7b- assesses AO3 totalling 14 marks based on a comparison of both texts.At the back of the Anthology a set of sample questions and indicative content for each theme is included along with the generic skills descriptors for each level for each question.Some general tips with the exam- It is important that both passages have been read thoroughly before students start to look at the questions. Students may have very varied reading speeds. They should each be aware of how long it is going to take them to read a total of about 1000- 1300 words, which is the approximate maximum word length of the two unseen texts in each exam paper.- As a general guideline, it is recommended that students spend approximately 15 minutes reading and annotating the unseen texts. In the exam itself which is 2 hours, the students could work on the basis of 15 minutes reading time and 60 minutes responding to the questions. This is a guide for students but each individual student should formulate a reading method that works best for them.- The questions will be structured to help you frame your responses. - Go back to the texts and locate the passages that the tasks are directing you towards.- Planned answers, based on a good understanding of the text tend to be significantly more successful than unplanned ones based on a hurried and potentially superficial reading.- The reading tasks work in a progressive fashion. The demand for skills and insight increases with each of the questions in each section. Contents of ExtractsPoverty A newspaper article on the crisis in Rwanda- 1994 A newspaper article on the size of the Old Age Pension - 1954A series of letters on poor children being offered scholarships- 1911 A speech by Nelson Mandela on Poverty- 2005A website article on surviving life on benefits- 2012A newspaper article on the plight of a jobless mother- 2014Sport and EntertainmentA newspaper article on the opening of Disneyland- 1955A newspaper article on an epic tennis match played at Wimbledon- 1969An obituary of the racing driver, Ayrton Senna- 1994 A newspaper article describing a visit to a Theme Park- 2012A newspaper profile looking at Lewis Hamilton- 2007An extract from the autobiography of Bradley Wiggins- 20123. War and Espionage A. An extract from the diary of Nella Last- 1943B. A letter from the First World War from Captain Noel Chavasse- 1916 C. A speech by Winston Churchill on the threat of invasion- 1940 D. Speech by Tony Blair on the Iraq War- 2003E. A website profile of an Afghanistan war veteran - 2016F. Eyewitness Accounts in a newspaper article of Woolwich Attack- 2013HealthA newspaper article on the Manchester flu epidemic – 1918An article from the New York Times on prohibition- 1920The Guinea Pig Anthem -1944An extract from the World Food Programme website on Mogadishu mothers- 2011An extract from Adam Pearson on his disfigurement- 2014A newspaper article on the issue of teenage obesity- 20115. ChildhoodA. An extract from an autobiography of a grammar school girl- 1952 B. An extract from an autobiography of a young boy attending boarding school- 1967C. An extract from an autobiography of a girl’s experiences in World War Two - 1940D. An extract from a pupil on his school day- 2014E. A newspaper article on child workers in sweatshops- 2008F. An article from an online newspaper on the age children are sent to school- 20106. Travel A. An extract on a first package holiday- 1968 B. An extract from Michael Palin’s round-the-world trip- 1992C. An extract from the autobiography of Joe Simpson on his climbing the Andes- 1995D. An article from a travel magazine on visiting London- 2015E. A newspaper article on the British abroad- 2012 F. A newspaper article on a family paintballing trip- 20077. Exploration A. A diary extract from Ernest Shackleton- the polar explorer- 1922B. An extract from an interview with Sir Edmund Hillary- 1953C. An extract from a speech by President Kennedy about going to the moon- 1962D. A website news article on Tim Peake’s first few days in space- 2015E. An account by Rory Stewart on his walk through Afghanistan- 2012F. An extract from Simon Armitage on his walk on the Pennine Way- 20128. Natural Forces and Nature A. A newspaper article on the Aberfan mining disaster- 1966B. A newspaper article on an attempt to rescue whales- 1988C. Extracts from survivors of the Napier earthquake in New Zealand- 1931D. A newspaper article on the survivors of the Chilean mining disaster- 2015E. An extract from an article on Ellen MacArthur on crusading for the planet- 2010F. A newspaper article on a Queensland cyclone - 2011. Poverty 20thCentury Extracts A. This newspaper article looks at the crisis in Rwanda in 1994. Rwanda is in East Africa. Rwandan apocalypse ·?Clinton announces 'massive and immediate' aid increase? ·?$400m appeal? ·?Refugee a minute said to be dyingShocked by what President Bill Clinton termed possibly the world's 'worst humanitarian crisis in a generation', the United States plunged into the Rwandan tragedy yesterday, launching an emergency, round-the-clock military airlift to deliver international relief supplies to refugees dying by the thousands on the border with Zaire.Mr Clinton announced his plans for a 'massive and immediate' increase in aid as the United Nations secretary-general, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, called for over Dollars 400 million to deal with the disaster, which relief agencies say is worsening swiftly as governments respond sluggishly.'Rwanda is today a human tragedy which concerns all of us,' Mr Boutros-Ghali said. 'This disaster, which is unfolding before our eyes, is our collective responsibility, the responsibility of the international community as a whole.'President Clinton, saying that one refugee was dying every minute, said the US would support an immediate deployment of UN peacekeepers in?Rwanda?to help persuade the displaced people that it was safe to go home. This suggestion was rapidly emerging as the only long-term strategy for dealing with the crisis.'We are making clear to the new leaders of Rwanda that international acceptance, including American recognition, depends upon the establishment of a broad-based government, the rule of law and efforts at national reconciliation,' he said, referring to the new Rwanda Patriotic Front government.'Right away we are asking people to go back,' said UN High Commissioner for Refugees spokesman Panos Moumtzis. 'We feel it is safe for them to go back now. Here, we're fighting cholera . . . and it's an absolute nightmare.'The new government in Kigali also appealed to refugees to return to their homes, pledging that there would be no reprisals against those not implicated in the ethnic massacres in which an estimated 500,000 people died. The Prime Minister, said aid agencies should offer food on Rwandan soil as an incentive to return.Cholera has spread to most of the main refugee camps and now to the Zairean population too, threatening a security crisis after Zairean soldiers attacked refugees - killing at least three - in an effort to drive them away from the overcrowded border town.Thousands more of the one million refugees fell victim to cholera as well as to dysentery, malaria, exhaustion, hunger and dehydration. French forces said they buried 1,000 corpses in a single mass grave yesterday.Bernadette Feeney, from London, an aid worker with Concern, helped sort out the dead from those who still had a chance. 'There were so many bodies this morning we were delayed in dealing with the living by carrying out the dead. Now we're trying to get some order. There's nothing more we can do at the moment.'More than five million Rwandans out of a population of eight million have been displaced.B. This newspaper article from 1954 looks at issue of the size of the Old Age Pension. Pensioners demand ?2 10s a week - from taxationAbout four thousand old age pensioners at the annual rally of the National Federation of Old Age Pensions Association yesterday demanded an immediate increase in the pension from 32s 6d a week to ?2 10s, and proposed that old age pensions should cease to be a part of the National Insurance Scheme and should be paid out for out of general taxation.The pensioners began the day well by sending off telegrams to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister of Pensions, challenging them to appear on the platform at the rally in the Central Hall, Westminster, and to tell the pensioners why increased pensions were being withheld. The secretary of the federation, Mr E. Melling, observed, "I hope it spoiled their breakfasts." They did not, of course, arrive; but in the afternoon, as a kind of consolation prize, Mr Ernest Marples, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions, found that he had time to meet a deputation from the meeting.At one stage, such was the fervour in the meeting, it was proposed that the entire four thousand of them should march over to the House of Commons, lobby the M.P.'s and try to see not only Mr Butler but Sir Winston too. Miss Betty Millward, from Bristol, whose notion this was, went even further: "We ask commoners of England- as we are entitled to ask-that our case should be heard at the bar of the House with a free vote of Members of Parliament."New Found PowerMiss Millward was ruled out of order, for the president said that the meeting could not be accepted as a resolution concerning lobbying. Lobbying, the art of influencing government, was very much in the pensioners' minds. For they knew perfectly well that in the past few months, they have become a lobby group, capable of exerting very considerable pressure. They make no bones about it, either. They were reminded from the platform in the afternoon that there was a by-election at West Derby, Liverpool. Mr Butler, the Minister, indeed, had a bad day of it, and Mr Peake did not fare much better. Even Mr Geoffrey Lloyd, the Minister for Fuel and Power, was not immune; he was presented with a box of coal which an old age pensioner has bought to the rally and given to one of the Members of Parliament who courted favour with fleeting visits. In a hundredweight of coal which this pensioner had had delivered there was apparently 14lb of stone.The Union SpiritThe atmosphere was very much that of a union conference on the great day of the week when it decided, unanimously to press forward with all the resources at its command for a wage increase of 15 per cent. True, there were more women than men in the hall, and among them very old ones: and true, also, there were cups of tea continually being sipped and bars of ice cream sucked and a lot of deaf-aids being twiddled. But the speech could easily have been wage-demand speeches: the arguments would have needed little trimming, the air of great things to come out of the fight ahead was the same. One difference was the absence of cautionary words from the platform, but then the executive of the old age pensioners' federation is not inhabited by having subsequently to negotiate the claim.C. These letters from 1911 look at the issue of whether poor children should be offered scholarships to secondary schools or whether they should remain only for the privileged. The poor are morally inferior?Sir - The real difficulty is not the social or pecuniary inferiority of the boy, but his enormous moral inferiority. Most of the other boys that come to us have a very definite idea that certain actions and thoughts are "caddish" or "bad form"." The knowledge of such terms helps a master or school teacher immensely. Their reasoning may be defective, but it is an incalculable advantage to feel that, if once you can convince a small boy that a certain action is a "blackguard" thing to do, that only a "hopeless cad" would think a certain thing, more than half your battle is over.Now I have been dealing with a certain proportion of elementary boys for some years, and I have failed to find any parallel idea or word. I have to begin from scratch. Your readers may hold up their hands in righteous indignation, but the sad truth is there for me and others that I know of my profession.The virtues of the elementary boy are industry and obedience, which are, in our opinion, secondary virtues for a boy. For cribbing, meanness, cowardice, cruelty he has just as much feeling of abhorrence as for unpunctuality - perhaps rather less.Yours &c.Head MasterSir - I gather that it is with regret that you have noted the exclusion of Board School Boys from the University College School at Hampstead - this is with no regard to the feelings of the paying boys in question. I wonder whether you have ever considered the matter from the side of a gentleman forced to come into daily contact with the innate vulgarity of the lower orders.Is it not more probable that the sons of gentlemen will be levelled down rather than the sons of Pork Butchers levelled up by continual daily contact. The lessons of the gutter are more easily learnt than the traditions of caste.The fact that by keeping particular secondary and Public Schools a reserve for a particular class keeps the higher walks of life in the professions and public services a preserve for the same class, is surely a great argument in its favour. The lower classes never were a Governing class and why should the master sit side by side with the servant.Public School Boy, Kensington, London21st Century ExtractsD. This extract is from a speech by Nelson Mandela at the Make Poverty History Campaign in London in 2005. I am privileged to be here today at the invitation of The Campaign to Make Poverty History. As you know, I recently formally announced my retirement from public life and should really not be here. However, as long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest. Moreover, the Global Campaign for Action Against Poverty represents such a noble cause that we could not decline the invitation. Massive poverty and obscene inequality are such terrible scourges of our times – times in which the world boasts breathtaking advances in science, technology, industry and wealth accumulation – that they have to rank alongside slavery and apartheid as social evils. The Global Campaign for Action Against Poverty can take its place as a public movement alongside the movement to abolish slavery and the international solidarity against apartheid. And I can never thank the people of Britain enough for their support through those days of the struggle against apartheid. Many stood in solidarity with us, just a few yards from this spot. Through your will and passion, you assisted in consigning that evil system forever to history. But in this new century, millions of people in the world’s poorest countries remain imprisoned, enslaved, and in chains. They are trapped in the prison of poverty. It is time to set them free. Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. And overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life. While poverty persists, there is no true freedom. The steps that are needed from the developed nations are clear. The first is ensuring trade justice. I have said before that trade justice is a truly meaningful way for the developed countries to show commitment to bringing about an end to global poverty. The second is an end to the debt crisis for the poorest countries. The third is to deliver much more aid and make sure it is of the highest quality. In 2005, there is a unique opportunity for making an impact. In September, world leaders will gather in New York to measure progress since they made the Millennium Declaration in the year 2000. That declaration promised to halve extreme poverty. But at the moment, the promise is falling tragically behind. Those leaders must now honour their promises to the world’s poorest citizens. Tomorrow, here in London, the G7 finance ministers can make a significant beginning. I am happy to have been invited to meet with them. The G8 leaders, when they meet in Scotland in July, have already promised to focus on the issue of poverty, especially in Africa. I say to all those leaders: do not look the other way; do not hesitate. Recognise that the world is hungry for action, not words. Act with courage and vision. I am proud to wear the symbol of this global call to action in 2005. This white band is from my country. In a moment, I want to give this band to you – young people of Britain – and ask you to take it forward along with millions of others to the G8 summit in July. I entrust it to you. I will be watching with anticipation. We thank you for coming here today. Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom. Of course the task will not be easy. But not to do this would be a crime against humanity, against which I ask all humanity now to rise up. Make Poverty History in 2005. Make History in 2005. Then we can all stand with our heads held high. E. The extract below is from a website advising people on surviving life on benefits from 2012.Your Top Tips for Surviving Life on Benefits ?We’ve had well over 500 replies to our question about what advice you would give to people new to claiming benefits.They cover issues as varied as where to shop, how to cook, what websites to use, where to get advice, how to cope with neighbours and the media’s hate campaign.And the picture your suggestions paint is a very different one from the ugly distortions of the tabloids. Not a single mention of food banks. No suggestions about ways to afford flat screen TVs or cigarettes or alcohol.Instead, your tips have an almost wartime spirit of defiance – a mixture of dig for victory and make-do and mend. Shining through them is a determination to survive without bitterness and without being ground down by adversity.Above all, they demonstrate the reality of life on benefits that politicians, bankers and the media are desperate to keep hidden in order to make claimants the scapegoats for their own failings.Having started this, we’re keen to keep it going. So, please add your own suggestions or comments if you haven’t already.BudgetingSetting up a budget and sticking to it was stressed by lots of people as vital to survival.“I add up all bills for the previous year for electricity, gas, water, insurance, etc. divide by 52 and multiply by 12, this amount is then paid by direct debit into another account which I use to pay all bills. If you are on a monthly pension this can also be calculated to cover the five week months in each year.”“Use a simple budgeting tool. I have an app for my phone called Spending. I record all my income and outgoings, and it keeps a running total for me.”“Maybe an obvious one but if you are on several medications and do not qualify for free prescriptions it can work out very expensive, so opt for the yearly prescription certificate ...current cost ?10.40 a month and you can get as many prescriptions as you need each month for this price.”“Pay any council tax over 12 months - makes budgeting easier - check with your council as some want the request in writing to do this.”“You need to pay your bills in the same way you yourself get paid. That way you can manage them better, reduce the risk of missing payments or payments bouncing because you simply don’t have the funds. Don’t be afraid to negotiate how and when you pay according to when you yourself get paid. It will make a world of difference.”?F. This Newspaper article below from 2014 looks at the plight of a jobless mother. Jobless mum advises her daughter, 19, to get pregnant - for an easy life on benefits Sinead Clarkson, 36, fell pregnant when she was 15 and has never worked She lives in a three-bed council house and gets ?1,200 a month in benefits Ms Clarkson claims the benefits system makes it pointless for her to workShe admits she has encouraged her daughters to also 'work the system' Ms Clarkson's eldest daughter Melissa, 19, is now six months pregnant 'Working the system': Sinead Clarkson, 36, got pregnant at 15 and has never had a job. She says the benefits system doesn't makes it financially worthwhile to workA jobless mother has provoked anger by urging her teenage daughter to get pregnant for an easy life on benefits. Sinead Clarkson, 36, has no qualifications, has never worked and rakes in ?1,200 a month from the State. She has now admitted encouraging her 19-year-old daughter Melissa to follow her shameless example and ‘work the system’ by having a baby. Melissa became pregnant six months ago, and is now in line for an extra ?400 a month courtesy of taxpayers when her baby is born, as well as a two-bedroom council house.Her mother, who has another daughter, Amie, aged 12, said: ‘I am better off on benefits. I refuse to work for a pittance and struggle. ‘I don’t have any qualifications so it is easier to claim money than persuade an employer to give me a job. ‘I told Melissa to work the system and have a baby so she could claim more benefits, get a house of her own and have a better life. ‘I don’t want her to work for peanuts in a low-pay job.’Yesterday Robert Oxley, campaign director at the Taxpayers’ Alliance, called for the benefits system to be overhauled. ‘It is a deeply depressing waste of taxpayers’ money and human potential for someone to aspire to live their life on benefits – worse still to promote the same for their children,’ he said.‘The welfare system should never be an alternative to work. A system that allows people to see having a child as a pay-cheque is fundamentally flawed and needs further reform.’ Miss Clarkson, from Rochdale, dropped out of school after becoming pregnant at the age?of 15, and has been receiving?government handouts since?she was 16. She said: ‘It wasn’t planned but I was happy to leave school because I didn’t like it – I had no career aspirations.’ She first began claiming ?260 a month in income support.And nine months after having Melissa in July 1994, Miss Clarkson – whose boyfriend left her – was given her own two-bedroom council house along with ?68 a month child benefit.In an interview with Closer magazine, she said: ‘I was thrilled to get my own place. It was a nice house with lots of space.’ Miss Clarkson, who claimed as much as ?328 a month while her daughter was a baby, said she felt lonely when Melissa started school. She gave birth to Amie in 2001 after a brief relationship. And to her delight, her handouts increased to ?1,020 a month, including her rent, child tax credits and other benefits. She was also given a three-bedroom house.? ‘Amie was not planned, but I was excited about being a mum again,’ Miss Clarkson said. ‘Plus I knew my benefits would increase and the extra money would come in handy.’ ‘I know people will be angry with my choices, but they should not judge. It is the system’s fault that I can choose not to work. ‘What is the point of having a job if I can’t earn much more than I get now? People decide to have babies so they can get benefits because this country allows it.’Miss Clarkson said her 12-year-old daughter Amie ‘talks about having a baby’ too – and if she did she would support her decision. ‘Amie is still in school and hopefully will get some qualifications,’ she said. ‘But if she did decide to go down the same route as Melissa, I would support her.’Clinical psychologist Dr Sharon Lewis warned yesterday that it is crucially important for parents to set a good example – and that those who aspire to a life without work may prevent their children?from reaching their full potential as adults.She said: ‘Children are more influenced by what their parents do, rather than what they say. ‘If a parent is not showing a responsible attitude to their role in society, their children will follow suit. ‘Individuals need to work to thrive. 'Otherwise it can hamper their future development and prevent them reaching their full potential.’2. Sport and Entertainment20TH Century ExtractsThis article from the New York Daily News of 1955 reports the opening of the first Disneyland Theme Park.Disneyland opens in 1955LOS ANGELES, July 9. - The most spectacular idea that Walt Disney has come up with in thirty years of profitable daydreaming will become reality a week from tomorrow when his one-man world’s fair, Disneyland, opens at Anaheim, Calif.I’ve just taken a tour of this unique, $17,000,000 wonderland that Disney beamingly refers to as “160 acres of happiness.” My guide was the boss himself. Like a kid who’s got the toy he wanted, 53-year-old Walt bubbled with boyish pride and excitement as he ushered me into his brand-new world of make believe.“Just what is Disneyland?” I asked.“It’s a fabulous playground,” he answered. “Something of a fair, a city from the Arabian Nights, a metropolis of the future, a showpiece of magic and living facts, but above all, a place for people to find happiness and knowledge. It’s something I dreamed up years ago.”We entered the grounds through an old time railroad station and climbed into a scaled down replica of the locomotives that puffed their way west three-quarters of a century ago. The shiny little engine will pull six coaches carrying 300 passengers around the mile and a half perimeter of Disneyland.Sharing the engineer’s seat with Disney was a grinning Mickey Mouse, the first product of Disney’s boundless imagination and founder of his fortunes. During our ride Walt directed part of his conversation of me and part of Mickey, calling him “Casey Jones.”Back at the station, he called attention a reproduction of state town Main Street of the last century. “Complete even to horse-drawn streetcars that the visitor can ride,” Walt said proudly.The buildings are not false fronts such as are to be seen on every studio lot in Hollywood. Each has four walls and a roof and is scaled down to 80% of full size, though the one-fifth reduction in dimensions is not noticeable until your attention is called to it.Walking down Main Street, I saw a photographer’s shop, ice cream parlor, penny arcade, bakery, drug store, music store, grocery and a butcher shop. These stores will be operated as concessions by well known U.S. firms. Swift & Co., for instance, will run the butcher shop, though instead of real pork, beef and lamb they’ll sell candy imitations of their products.The plaza at the end of Main Street is the hub from which the visitor will reach the four divisions of Disneyland-Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Frontierland and Adventureland. Tomorrowland is identified by a towering, pylon-like space rocket.Next year Walt plans to build International Street, an exhibit depicting a portion of each of the world’s major cities except those behind the Iron Curtain. He’ll never finish the project, nor does he want to. That’s why Disneyland is so vital to him. He’ll never run out of new toys.With Disneyland going full blast, there will be about 500 people on Walt’s payroll and another 600 working for the concessionaires. The total payroll will run to better than $125,000 a week. Disney paid $300,000 for the park’s 210 acres (the present layout of 160 acres apparently is just the start), which were a part of an old Spanish land grant.It will be possible to hand 60,000 people a day with space to 12,175 cars. Admission is $1 for adults and 50 cents for children. The rides vary in price from 15 to 25 cents with the exception of the Mark Twain river steamer, which will cost adults 50 cents. Everybody connected with Disneyland expects to make a pile of money. The businessmen of Anaheim can’t help but profit, and they look on Disney as a sort of empire builder. Walt himself foresees a long, long success for Disneyland.“I’m looking forward to showing the place to my grandson,” he said.B. This newspaper article from 1969 describes one of the epic tennis matches played at Wimbledon. Pancho wins the longest matchAfter the longest singles contest ever played at?Wimbledon, the old man had triumphed in one of the finest and most emotional matches on the Centre Court since the war.It was a match that cannot be discussed in ordinary lawn tennis terms. Here was Gonzales, gaunt and greying, the great player, fighting desperately. On Tuesday night, complaining bitterly about being forced to play on in semi-darkness, he had been booed by sections of the crowd. Yesterday there was only cheering. Pasarell, younger and stronger, challenged him all the way, and reached match point seven times. Gonzales was so tired that he could scarcely hold his racket, but he saved himself - twice from 0-40 - and went on to win the match. It was the kind of match that took your breath away, and moved you to tears at the same time.Absolutely rightFor a long time it seemed that Pasarell must win. When Gonzales, taking the last 11 points, finally beat him, it was absolutely the right result. The crowd had watched Gonzales hold on and crawl uphill until, finally, stricken with cramp in the final set, and moving only when necessary, he reached the winning post. In the end he had to win. Any other result would have been emotionally wrong.Once Pasarell's service had gone, his confidence followed. As he said afterwards, he found Gonzales difficult to play because Gonzales had coached him and knew his weaknesses and had earned his respect. Gonzales, who had always moved as economically as possible, attacked with swifter purpose as he saw Pasarell wilting mentally. The fourth set hung on its seventh game, which was a disaster for Pasarell. Gonzales left him looking forlorn with an angled lob and by producing as many angles as Euclid in one rally. Pasarell finally lost it with a double fault.By now the match was rather like the end of a marathon. Bruce Tulloh, having run across America, can hardly have looked more exhausted than Gonzales at the start of the last set. Time and again he leant on his racket. He regarded every good shot that Pasarell hit with a kind of dismal death's head face. The younger American, who had broken strings in his two favourite rackets, kept shaking his head, but he had the advantage of serving first.The fascinating thing at this point was to see that both men were still capable of using every possible variation of service-spin, flow short, deep, fast, cut, angle, or straight-to suit the situation, and in the rallies they were stroking the ball rather than hitting it. If bodies were tiring, brains were still alert. At 4-5, after three tired points, Gonzales was 0-40 on his service and Pasarell was beginning to lob again. But two lobs went inches out, and Gonzales saved his third match point with a centre line service. This agonising game went to deuce seven times.By this time it looked as though Gonzales could only serve. When Pasarell served, the older man seemed to have lost control of his racket. Yet suddenly he used his last reserves of energy. Pasarell cracked and lost 11 successive points for the match. To Wimbledon, Gonzales has always been a world champion by repute. His great matches have been played elsewhere. Yesterday he showed the centre court what it has missed in the years when he had been unable to play there.C. This newspaper obituary from 1994 remembers the great racing driver Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna, who died yesterday after suffering head injuries in an accident during the San Marino Grand Prix, was widely regarded as the finest motor racing driver of his generation and one of the greatest of all time. He was 34.Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 21, 1960, he started in 161 grand prix, winning 41 and claiming a record total of 65 pole positions. His final pole position was the one he took on Saturday afternoon during a final qualifying session at the tragedy-shrouded Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, when fellow competitor Austrian Roland Ratzenberger lost his life.Senna's reputation as both a great driver and a man of deep feelings was demonstrated that afternoon as he decided to travel by circuit car to see the scene of Ratzenberger's death for himself.Afterwards, he was unable to take any further part in the session, a decision which reflected the depth of his feelings about the tragedy which enveloped the San Marino Grand Prix this weekend.Senna will be remembered for his brilliant talent as a racer, but also for his unprecedentedly high level of commitment to winning grand prix races. It was this which cost him his life yesterday. He had dedicated his adult life to succeeding in the business of grand prix racing after travelling from Brazil to enter the British Formula Ford 1600 Championship in 1981.Prior to this he had enjoyed a hugely successful karting career which had begun at the age of four, when he first climbed aboard a motorised vehicle. He made his debut in the 1984 Brazilian Grand Prix and that season collected 13 points to finish ninth in the championship, his startlingly brilliant and aggressive driving earning him admiration from many, but also incurring the wrath of several of his senior fellow-competitors."Winning is like a drug," he once said. "I cannot justify in any circumstances coming second or third."Senna had the rare ability, and the courage, to go through gaps which others either could not see or felt they could not get through themselves. Senna remained with McLaren for six years, winning the world title three times for the British team before departing at the end of 1993.He made the decision to leave McLaren at the end of 1993 because he wished to continue his single-minded pursuit of Formula One success with the team he felt best equipped to deliver it this season – Rothmans Williams-Renault.Senna was an intelligent man, from a well-off family, and he accumulated great wealth of his own, commanding vast salaries for his work. Nothing, however, rewarded him so much as triumph on the track, something for which he will be remembered by everyone in Formula One. He was married early in his racing career to his childhood sweetheart, but his young Brazilian wife found it impossible to cope in Europe and they later divorced. He had established a durable relationship with his girlfriend Adriane during the last 12 months.He loved most sports, particularly water skiing and jet skiing, and was synonymous with everything Brazilian, taking every opportunity to promote his country, its culture, language, food and character.An intensely religious man, Senna said: "To survive in grand prix racing you need to be afraid. Fear is a very important feeling to have. It helps you stay together. It helps you race longer and live longer."Not only Brazil, but the world of international sport lost a great champion at Imola yesterday. 21st Century ExtractsThis newspaper article from 2012 describes a trip to a theme parkTHORPE PARK: how to scare your teenagersThorpe Park – Rollercoaster Central, the thrill capital of England, the most terrifying location inside the M25 – holds a special place in the affections of all teenagers in the south-east of England, and a kind of horrified fascination for their parents. It is where the teens want to go for their first independent day out and, although their parents may wonder why, they are unlikely to issue a blanket ban. The high-speed rides are billed as scary – and most are certainly that – but it’s a pretty safe destination.There really isn’t anywhere like it so close to London. Legoland has rides and the London Dungeon has scares but the former is hardly likely to set a teenager’s pulse racing and the latter is creepy rather than thrilling. You can tell from the names of the rides what Thorpe Park is about: Nemesis Inferno, Colossus and Slammer are not designed for the very old, the very young or the very timid. Which is just the way the customers want it. You don’t have to be scared witless. There are some gentle rides but these are aimed at the wimpiest in teenage parties. You could aim for the water-based rides, in which case you won’t die of fright but you will get very damp or – in the case of Tidal Wave – soaked to the skin.But raw thrills are the name of the game. Rollercoaster purists will aim for Colossus where they will gain mighty satisfaction from the sheer number of loops. Nemesis Inferno dangles its participants as it whips them through gravity-defying swoops and swirls. Stealth – probably the fastest rollercoaster in Europe – is all about ultimate speed and Saw Alive adds a supremely creepy horror movie to a route crammed with stomach-challenging action. The latest (and by all accounts the scariest) attraction is The Swarm.Two of the more basic concepts are still staggeringly effective. Detonator is essentially an enormous, multi-person, seated freefall and Slammer is almost artistic in its simplicity. It is just a gigantic platform which rises and then rotates around its halfway line. Many teenagers scoff on approach but they have all changed their tune by the time they stagger away, jelly-legged. Saw Alive is very scary indeed but that is down to the ancient expedient of having actors to do the scaring rather than machinery-based thrills.It’s good stuff and there is plenty enough for a day’s entertainment, which makes the admission charge good value. It’s particularly good value if the teens are alone, because – we are reliably informed – long queues are very much part of the fun, allowing endless opportunities to anticipate the thrills ahead and dissect those already experienced. Adults may find the prospect of such queues too much so Fastrack (queue jumper!) tickets are the answer. In summary, teens will enjoy themselves immensely and talk about it for weeks afterwards but adults who are only present as supervisors or chauffeurs should be prepared to make sure that they book in advance and arrive in good time for the queue for the Fastrack tickets.E. This newspaper profile from 2007 looks at Lewis Hamilton’s rise to fame Profile: Lewis Hamilton‘He’s one of a new breed of young sportsmen who are a breath of fresh air, and he’s hugely exciting.’Formula 1’s first black driver is in pole position to be Britain’s biggest sports star.Albert Park, Melbourne, and on the opening day of the Grand Prix season, Lewis Hamilton is preparing for his Formula 1 debut. Remarkably for a 22-year-old, his black-and-silver McLaren sits on the second row of the grid, in front of eighteen cars piloted by vastly more experienced drivers.McLaren’s team boss, Ron Dennis, has asked reporters not to ask questions but Hamilton just squats against the pit wall, listening calmly to the final words from the man who has guided his career. The race, in which he astonished observers by finishing third, announced his prodigious gifts as a driver. He passed two cars, including the world champion, on the first corner. As a declaration of intent and talent, it has rarely been matched. Mark Blundell, a former Formula 1 driver, said, ‘He’s one of a new breed of young sportsmen who are a breath of fresh air, and he’s hugely exciting. He’s the first black driver but after three races all we are talking about is whether the sport has found a new superstar.’To appreciate the significance of Hamilton’s rise you have to consider where he started.Formula 1 has never had a black driver and few have come from such an ordinary background as Lewis Hamilton. His father, Anthony, moved to the UK from the West Indies when he was three and grew up in Hertfordshire. He started a family – Lewis has a brother, Nicolas, who has cerebral palsy – while working for British Rail. Separated from his wife when Lewis was two, Anthony raised the boys alone, indulging his own interest in motorsport by encouraging Lewis to take an interest.Aged five, Lewis began driving a remote controlled car, and he won his first kart race aged eight. At 14 he competed in a televised karting series, a series backed by McLaren. He won and was signed by Ron Dennis who has guided his career since.Lewis Hamilton has been groomed for stardom and he is a young man apparently fully prepared for the demands of Formula 1. Drivers comment on his pace, engineers praise his ability to analyse the performance of a car and suggest technical improvements, and broadcasters and sponsors adore his level-headed, well-mannered personality.To succeed in Formula 1 you need the talent to drive fast, the courage to go faster than you think you can, and the determination to win. If you’ve got all that you need to be 100% focused, and if you can do that for ten years, then you have Lewis Hamilton. F. The extract below is taken from the autobiography of top cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins. Here he describes the final time trial before the last stage of the Tour de France in 2012, one of the world’s most famous sporting events, which he went on to win. Open Road It is the last hour before the final time trial of the Tour de France, and I am within reach of my open road. In every race, that’s what I’m looking for: that sense of having clear space in front of me. That’s when I feel truly in control. I can remember every minute of every time trial in 2012. My routine counts back from the warm-up. In my head that’s when the race starts. The warm-up starts exactly half an hour before I go down the ramp. If my start time is three minutes past three, I’ll start warming up on the turbo trainer* at two thirty-three on the dot. Twenty minutes to warm-up: shoes on. Ten minutes to warm-up: lace them up. Zero hour: out of the bus and onto the turbo. My warm-up takes exactly twenty minutes. I’ve done it for fifteen years, the same ramping up in power. I push myself up to the threshold and then I’m totally in my own world. I am in the zone. Ten minutes to start: off the turbo, into the bus, overshoes on, gloves on, sit down for a couple of minutes. Calm down. Six minutes: clip on visor. Three minutes: My teammate Chris Froome comes down the ramp. I go up the steps. I’m looking at him in the distance and as he gets further out of sight, my mind gets really positive, really aggressive. I’m coming after you. Chris is my teammate but there are no teammates in time trialling: it’s you against the clock. In this race on this specific day Chris is like the rest of them and he is my closest competitor. And I am going after him. One minute: clip into the pedals. Go to the starter. My coach is in the radio earpiece: ‘Come on, Brad, let’s go and get them.’ I don’t need reminding; I want to nail it. Five seconds: throw the body back on the bike; push back on to the guy holding the saddle as if my back wheel is locked into a start gate on the track. Three: deep breath in. Fill the lungs. Two: deep breath out. One: breathe in, deep as I can. Winning the Tour de France is one good ride away.War and Espionage20TH Century ExtractsA. This extract is from the diary of Nella Last in 1943. This diary of a housewife recalls her thoughts during World War Two in Barrow where she lived.I looked at the ugly Nissen huts, at the training planes overhead, and at the gorse, so brave and gay. I felt there will be golden gorse and larks when all the ugliness of huts and torn up country roads are past and when khaki is not general wear. I’d a queer sadness on me somehow that not even the sunshine could dispel. But the battles that were being fought abroad rarely came up in conversation. Among my colleagues the chatter is of everything but the war. If war is discussed it’s in that personal way – sons and daughters in the Services and their needs, leaves, parcels etc., points’ values, Home Front recipes’, and similar close-to-home concerns. ‘Beyond saying “Aren’t our lads doing well?” or “We gave ‘em it last night again,” or occasionally a queer wave passes over the town and an “It won’t be long now” attitude is taken up’, war news featured little in conversation.Thursday, 19 August. A shadow falls over me somehow. Maybe the weather or maybe the thoughts of this dreadful invasion of Europe starting. I often think ‘It will indeed be a “new world” after the war. All and everyone seem hell bent on destroying everything in the old one.’ Sometimes when I sit quiet a chaotic montage whirls through my tired head, the ‘civilization’ we boast so much about, and where it has led us. Fabulous riches found to train men to destroy each other, to equip them with more and more death dealing weapons, when such a fraction of the thought, energy and money could have done so much good. The world is ‘coming to an end’ indeed. If all the bad cruel Nazis and the ‘wicked’ Japs were being wiped out, we could think it for betterment of all, but it seems so many of the flower of all races are going.Two women have sat side by side for four years at Centre sewing at bandages. One has lost two sons at sea – and now learns her airman son has to be ‘presumed dead.’ The other one’s three sons work in the Yard – have good jobs. The daughter of 28 is ‘reserved’ as she is considered necessary as a secretary to a boss in the Yard. The other woman’s daughter had to join the WAAF. I look round the big room at faces I’ve known and loved for over four years. My heart aches. Even in that small circle, the bravery and courage, the ‘going on’ when sons have been killed, when letters don’t come, when their boys are taught to fight like savages if they are Commandos, when they are trained and trained and trained for bodies to be made to endure, to go kill other women’s lads, to wipe all the light from other mothers’ faces.B. This letter is from the First World War from Captain Noel Chavasse to his family in 1916I have not been able to write for some time, but I have much to tell you now. All leave was cancelled, and we were told confidentially that in a few days the Battalion would take part in a charge on the German trenches.So we prepared for it. The men charged 'dummy' trenches, and practised bomb-throwing. The machine gun officer went through all his guns, and I took all extra precautions. The men were in excellent spirits, and sharpened their bayonets and cleaned their rifles most industriously. Sick men tried to get well for it, and a sick Officer who heard of it came out of hospital; but they all realised its gravity.We went up to the trenches from which we were to jump up on the night of the 14th. It was an eight-mile walk, and the pipers played us for four miles. There was a tremendous stream of men along the road, as a whole brigade was to attack. The men were in the best of spirits, and sang all the way. My stretcher-bearers who had had their number increased to 24 making as usual a joyful noise, and had finally to be silenced by the Adjutant. We halted at last, for we had to go up to the trenches by a by-path, and I said Goodbye to as many Officers as I could. I had been ordered to stay back on a main road half a mile behind the trenches, and felt very sore about it, but I went up to see what the ground was like.At 2 a.m. a terrific bombardment began, and went on till 4 a.m., but I was so tired that I dozed through it. But at 5 a.m., I was woken up by the first batch of wounded coming down. They came along a long communication trench in a steady stream. Meanwhile the Huns began to put shrapnel down the road. Our C.O. arrived with an artery bleeding in his head, which was troublesome to stop, and we had to lie him down at the back, as a crump landed too near the dressing-station for safety. Then news came that a Captain Cunningham was lying exhausted at the top end of the communication trench. So he had to be fetched down. I then found the trench blocked with men who had dropped exhausted trying to drag themselves along. The Huns were putting big shells into the trench, and making direct hits, so that in places the trench was blown in, yet not a single wounded man was hit all day. It was a weary job helping poor Cunningham down the trench. He was hit in the leg and arm, and was very brave. We got some more men back at the same time, but when we arrived at our place we found that another crump had burst just outside our dressing station, and wrecked it, and had killed four men next door.When I got out of the trench it was getting dusk, so I went off with a trusty man, and searched for the wounded. I knew where the charge had taken place. We found most of them in a little coppice. They lay behind trees, in 'dug-outs', and in the bottom of trenches. They were so weak that they could not call out. Their joy and relief on being found was pitiful, and fairly spurred me on to look for more. It was awful work getting some of them out of their trenches and 'dug-outs'. It was hard to find men enough to carry them away. I had to appeal for volunteers for the men were dead beat. Finally, at dawn, we got our last wounded away from a very advanced point, at 4 in the morning. Altogether, we had collected 18 men behind the trenches, and were pretty well certain that none were left.C. This extract is from a speech by Winston Churchill to the House of Commons in 1940 about the threat of invasion. ‘Turning once again, and this time more generally, to the question of invasion, I would observe that there has never been a period in all these long centuries of which we boast when an absolute guarantee against invasion, still less against serious raids, could have been given to our people. In the days of Napoleon, of which I was speaking just now, the same wind which would have carried his transports across the Channel might have driven away the blockading fleet. There was always the chance, and it is that chance which has excited and befooled the imaginations of many Continental tyrants. Many are the tales that are told. We are assured that novel methods will be adopted, and when we see the originality of malice, the ingenuity of aggression, which our enemy displays, we may certainly prepare ourselves for every kind of novel stratagem and every kind of brutal and treacherous man?uvre. I think that no idea is so outlandish that it should not be considered and viewed with a searching, but at the same time, I hope, with a steady eye. We must never forget the solid assurances of sea power and those which belong to air power if it can be locally exercised.I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once more able to defend our island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone. At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty's Government – every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation. The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength.Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail.?We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, and we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.21ST Century ExtractsD This extract is from the speech made by Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2003 to the House of Commons regarding the crisis in Iraq.‘This is a tough choice. But it is also a stark one: to stand British troops down and turn back; or to hold firm to the course we have set.I believe we must hold firm. So: why does it matter so much? Because the outcome of this issue will now determine more than the fate of the Iraqi regime and more than the future of the Iraqi people, for so long brutalised by Saddam. It will determine the pattern of international politics for the next generation. On this decision hangs the fate of many things:Of whether we summon the strength to recognise this global challenge of the 21st century and meet it. Of the Iraqi people, groaning under years of dictatorship. Of our armed forces - brave men and women of whom we can feel proud, whose morale is high and whose purpose is clear. Of the institutions and alliances that will shape our world for years to come.To retreat now, I believe, would put at hazard all that we hold dearest, turn the UN back into a talking shop, stifle the first steps of progress in the Middle East; leave the Iraqi people to the mercy of events on which we would have relinquished all power to influence for the better. Tell our allies that at the very moment of action, at the very moment when they need our determination that Britain faltered. I will not be party to such a course. This is not the time to falter. This is the time for this house, not just this government or indeed this prime minister, but for this house to give a lead, to show that we will stand up for what we know to be right, to show that we will confront the tyrannies and dictatorships and terrorists who put our way of life at risk, to show at the moment of decision that we have the courage to do the right thing’.This is a profile of Carl Shadrake an ex-Army officer and Afghanistan veteran from the Help for Heroes website in 2016. Carl describes his rehabilitation after suffering injuries in battle.Overcoming The Unimaginable – Carl’s StoryThose who serve in the British military do so knowing one day they could be injured. For it to actually happen to someone twice seems unimaginable. This was the case for Carl Shadrake.During his first tour of Afghanistan in 2007 he was in his armoured vehicle on patrol when, metres away, a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing the driver and seriously injuring Carl: “The vehicle flipped over on to its side and our spare fuel caught fire. It was carnage and then we got engaged by the Taliban. We were only in a two vehicle convoy so the front one had to pull over and give us a bit of covering fire while we managed to get over to it. My neck was punctured and I lost eight units of blood. It was just a complete daze really.”After a long recovery in hospital, Carl returned to his unit: “I was promoted, got married and started to get my life back on track.” Five years after his injury, he was told he would be returning to Afghanistan. Understandably he was extremely nervous about what lay ahead: “I had to fight my demons to go back the second time after being injured. I dug pretty deep to get on that flight back to Afghanistan.”Nearly four months into his second tour in 2012, disaster struck again, this time on a foot patrol: “We were chasing the Taliban to steal information off them. We got to a rough compound and unfortunately one of the guys stood on an Improvised Explosive Device and lost both of his legs. The blast blew me backwards and shrapnel entered my stomach and I damaged my shoulder. Luckily I was wearing my eye protection so although the IED took a few layers of skin off my face I kept my eyes.”Carl knew he was hurt but all he was concerned about was getting his wounded comrade to safety. He was able to radio one of the helicopters overhead and asked for an emergency evacuation: “We were in the helicopter going back to Camp Bastion but there were no doctors on board, so it was just me holding his hand trying to tell him that everything was going to be alright.”It wasn’t until they landed that Carl realised how much pain he himself was in: “I was put in a wheelchair and vaguely remembered the doctor telling me I might wake up in hospital in Birmingham before he injected me. Sure enough, I did. When I woke up I found out my wounded friend had survived, so it was all worth it.”A month after his injury, Carl was told his brother, also serving in Afghanistan, had been shot and killed. He was devastated and, combined with everything that had already happened, his life began taking a downward spiral: “I started to really struggle psychologically due to my injury, losing my Army career and my brother dying. He joined my unit and I kept having the thought ‘was he there because of me?’”For Carl, being with his family is the most important thing so he’s delighted they’re getting the help they need too: “Any support for the family is always good but knowing that support from the public is a result of me being in the Armed Forces, well, it means a lot. It’s great to know that people are supporting not just Service Personnel and Veterans but their families too – they play such a crucial part. It’s a really warm feeling knowing that the public are willing to dedicate their time to help people like myself and my family. ”F. This extract is a series of eye witness accounts from a newspaper of the terrorist incident in London in 2013. Woolwich Attack: Eyewitness AccountsThe brutal murder of a serving soldier in Woolwich in broad daylight has shocked the country.The prime minister has flown back early from France to lead the government's response to the suspected terrorist attack and security across London barracks has been stepped up.But for the people who witnessed it, going about their daily lives in this corner of south east London, it will be a day they never forget.At around 14:00 BST on Wednesday afternoon, witnesses reported seeing a car crash on Artillery Place, off John Wilson Street.One eyewitness, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the BBC he had been walking his dog when he heard shouting about 50 yards away. 'Animals'"A man was running down the road and being chased by a car. The car then screeched to a halt and two men got out - one had some kind of sword. "They literally swung at the other guy's head."Graham Wilders told the BBC he was driving home and arrived on the scene to find a car crashed into a wall and a man on the ground."Two people were lying over him and I thought they were trying to resuscitate him," he said.Mr Wilders said he drove on to park his car, and when he returned another witness told him the two men were stabbing the man on the ground. He said he saw one man carrying a gun.Mr Wilders said he drove on to park his car, and when he returned another witness told him the two men were stabbing the man on the ground. He said he saw one man carrying a gun.Another anonymous witness said "two black guys" came out of the car together and "the white guy was in a white t-shirt with Help for Heroes on it", indicating the victim's link to the armed forces."They grabbed the guy towards the wall then stabbed him - stabbed him, stabbed him, cut his neck, and then dragged him into the middle of the road," he said.'Give comfort'Speaking on LBC radio a man called James, who was at the scene, described the attackers as "animals". "These two guys were crazy," he said. "They dragged the poor guy - he was obviously dead, there was no way a human could take what they did to him."One of the surprising facts about the attack was that there were so many eyewitnesses, with the men making no attempt to flee and encouraging people to take pictures of them and their victim.Another eyewitness, Joe Tallant, told the BBC the two attackers asked people on the street to call the police: "They wanted to get caught."Lucky Awale, a local Muslim resident who has lived in the UK for 18 years, said she was "very, very scared" by what she saw.Health 20th Century ExtractsIn this newspaper article the flu epidemic of 1918 is reported. Influenza epidemic at its height in ManchesterThe influenza in Manchester has reached an acute stage. For the last month, the number of sufferers and the rate of mortality have steadily increased, and this week illness has been more widespread than ever.Medical authorities, however, regard the outbreak as having reached the culminating point, and anticipate a decline from now onwards. Last night, representatives of places of amusement in Manchester met Dr Niven and the chief constable, and decided not, at present, to admit children under fourteen to performances.Meanwhile, doctors are unable to respond to all the calls made upon them. "We are only human," said a doctor to a representative of the Manchester Guardian yesterday "and cannot do the impossible. It is inevitable that some people cannot be attended to at all."Interment of the DeadA situation has arisen in connection with the interment of the dead which, it is stated, is a grave menace to the public health.All the mortuaries are full. Undertakers, who have been working night and day, cannot keep pace with orders and, at cemeteries, the labour required for grave digging has proved quite inadequate. The opening of a grave cannot be guaranteed in less than eight or ten days from the placing of an order and instances have occurred of almost a fortnight elapsing between the date of death and the day of burial.Every effort is being made to secure the release of skilled coffin-makers from the army, and a certain amount of soldier labour for the digging of graves has already been obtained.Dr Niven , medical officer of health for Manchester, said, in the course of an interview yesterday, that the delay in the carrying out burials and the collection in undertakers' establishments of persons who had died from an infectious disease was certainly a very unsatisfactory state of affairs.It was an imperative necessity that the War Office should send skilled coffin-makers back to the workshops without delay. The situation might be relieved by greater simplicity in funeral arrangements but relatives were insisting on strict observance of custom, with its paraphernalia of hearse, coaches and elaborate oak coffins. Another method of funeral arrangement would be a more extensive use of the crematorium.Much more grave than in the summerDr Niven added that the outbreak in the middle of last summer was very bad, but the present form of the illness was much more severe.Although he could not say definitely that the American troops introduced it to this country, it certainly broke out shortly after they were landed. To be quite sure whether or not the Americans did bring it here, it would be necessary to discover whether the London outbreak preceded or followed the arrival of American troops.Yesterday, all schools in Manchester were closed until after the Christmas holidays, and an effort is being made to bring about the closing of all Sunday schools as from tomorrow.Dr Ritchie, schools' medical officer for Manchester, said the closing of schools was caused in a few instances by the illness of the staffs, but the general order was given as a protective measure. On this occasion, the epidemic had developed more slowly, with the result that there was a large number of convalescent and debilitated children, who would, in the ordinary course, drift back to school.The progressive nature of the epidemic is evident from figures showing the death rate in Manchester in the past four weeks.This article from the New York Times looks at the start of prohibition, the ban on the production and sale of alcohol in America in 1920 America 'dry' tonight Free wines and spirits last nightOne minute after midnight tonight America will become an entirely arid desert as far as alcoholics are concerned, any drinkable containing more than half of 1 per cent alcohol being forbidden.Excessive fines and dungeon keeps yawn for transgressors of this drastic Federal law. Even persons returning home with small flasks of stimulants in their pockets would be amenable to the law. The provisions of the 18th amendment to the Constitution of the country really became effective at midnight yesterday. But in order that there should be no dispute, the Federal authorities delayed their operation until to-night at midnight, as a result of which the "demon rum", as it is facetiously termed, held full sway yesterday evening.Many of the most popular restaurants here and throughout the country last evening ceremoniously "waked" the demise of alcohol, some giving the diners free portions of whisky, brandy, and wine, but charging goodly proportions over the usual tariffs for food and "good service."At other places plenty of clients were willing to pay for the privilege of whetting their thirsts at 20 to 30 dollars for a bottle of champagne, or a dollar to two dollars for a drink of whisky.At several places coffins were carried throughout the rows of diners to the accompaniment of dirges. At some restaurants the walls and ceilings were hung with crepe. Several famous restaurants had placards bearing the words "Exit booze. Doors close on Saturday."The Guinea Pig Anthem was sung by those soldiers injured in World War Two under the care of Dr McIndoe. They were members of the Guinea Pig Club. Many had undergone reconstructive surgery after receiving horrific burns. We are McIndoe’s army,We are his Guinea Pigs.With?dermatomes?and?pedicles,Glass eyes, false teeth and wigs.And when we get our dischargeWe’ll shout with all our might:"Per ardua ad astra"We’d rather drink than fight.John Hunter runs the gas works,Ross Tilley wields the knife.And if they are not carefulThey’ll have your flaming life.So, Guinea Pigs, stand readyFor all your surgeon’s calls:And if their hands aren’t steadyThey’ll whip off both your ears.We’ve had some mad Australians,Some French, some Czechs, some Poles.We’ve even had some Yankees,God bless their precious souls.While as for the Canadians –Ah! That’s a different thing.They couldn’t stand our accentAnd built a separate Wing.We are McIndoe’s army,21st Century ExtractsD. This extract is from the World Food Programme website of 2011 and looks at the plight of two mothersMogadishu Mothers Get a Hand in Fight To Keep Kids Nourished Fatia and Halima are fighting to protect their children from malnutrition. Despite their age, the two young women are mothers of considerable experience. Halima is 24 years old and has seven children while Fatia, a year older, is a mother of six. Both are firm believers in the value of the specialized food packets they are receiving every month from the World Food Programme to keep their children healthy. “I don’t want my babies to become weak and malnourished,” says Fatia. “It’s important to keep the little ones strong,” adds Halima, cradling her youngest, eight-month-old Hashim, on her knee. The two women are sitting side by side on the doorstep of a health and nutrition clinic in an impoverished district of central Mogadishu. Almost every day, the clinic gives out monthly rations of Plumpy’Sup, a peanut butter-based ready-to-eat paste packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients specifically designed to treat children under five who may be suffering from being undernourished — speeding up the recovery of those affected as well as preventing the problem among those threatened. “That’s why we come here,” says Fatia as she waits for her monthly ration. “I don’t have to cook it and the children like it.” Halima points to the coming rainy season, when danger increases from water-borne diseases and infections, especially cholera and diarrhoea. “The children need to be strong when the rains come,” she says. Neither Fatia nor Halima is among those made homeless by the famine that is ravaging much of southern Somalia not far beyond the city’s boundaries. But, like most in the district, both are poor and vulnerable to the same dangers as those facing their fellow Somalis in flight from war and famine. To help counter the threat, the World Food Programme has been dispensing Plumpy’Sup rations to the mothers of tens of thousands of young children across Mogadishu.E. In this extract Adam Pearson describes his medical condition and how he has come to terms with it.How Scarlett Johansson helped me challenge disfigurement stigmaAdam Pearson was born with a condition that causes tumours to grow on his face. But acting with Scarlett Johansson in Under the Skin is changing the way people look at him.Adam Pearson is used to people noticing him. A few weeks ago, he was in a DVD shop near his home in Croydon, south London, and a gaggle of teenage girls starting talking loudly about him and taking photos of his face on their smartphones. "They were saying 'Oh, look at that man'," says Pearson. "And all I wanted to do was buy The Hobbit on Blu-Ray."Pearson suffers from neurofibromatosis, a condition that affects one in every 2,300 people and which causes non-cancerous tumours to grow on nerve tissue. In his case, the majority of these tumours are on his face although, he adds drily, "I've got one on my arse I probably won't show you". Throughout his 29 years, he has been bullied, harassed and called everything from Elephant Man to Scarface.Every time he goes out, people stare. On the way to our interview, Pearson was stopped by a couple of passersby as he got on the train. This time, however, it was not as a result of his condition – it was because he has begun to be recognised. Pearson is currently starring alongside Scarlett Johansson in Under the Skin, a critically acclaimed science fiction film directed by"One of the main reasons for taking the role was because it was so moving and honest," says Pearson over a lunch of fish and chips in a south London cafe. "For me, the film is about what the world looks like without knowledge and without prejudice. It's about seeing the world through alien eyes, I guess."Johansson was "brilliant. She's really nice, charming, funny and intelligent once you get over the feeling of 'Oh my God, this is Scarlett Johansson!'"More importantly, Under the Skin gave Pearson an opportunity to challenge what he sees as the stigma surrounding representations of disfigurement on screen. "There's a lot of fear around the unknown. If I can try to be as normal as possible and show there's nothing to fear – either on film or day to day, going round the corner to go shopping for milk – then the more people see it in wider society, the less stigma there is. If I just sit at home and mope, hugging the dog and crying, nothing's going to change."In person, Pearson is both eloquent and extremely funny. He possesses a quiet confidence and a degree of self-awareness that is rare among young men in their 20s. As a child, he had to grow up fairly quickly. He was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis when he was five after he knocked his head on a windowsill and the resulting bump refused to go away.Secondary school in Croydon was tough. He was insulted and bullied on a regular basis and no one knew what to do about it. He remembers one occasion when a so-called friend said a teacher wanted to see him in one of the classrooms. When he got there, Pearson was assailed by a group of his peers who had been lying in wait. "I went home with spit all over my blazer," he says. "That was horrific."Things got better when he went to Brighton University to study business management. After graduating, he had jobs in television production for the BBC and Channel 4, where he is still involved in casting for series such as The Undateables and Beauty and the Beast, both of which challenge society's notions of disability.It was while he was at Channel 4 in 2011 that he got an email from Changing Faces saying that a film company was looking for a male character for Under the Skin. Pearson replied and got the job. The film has been an overwhelmingly positive experience, and not just because he left with Scarlett Johansson's personal email address.At the moment, he is living with his retired parents, Marilyn and Patrick. Are they proud of his recent achievements?"It's certainly a good topic of conversation between them and their friends," he says. "A friend will say: 'Our daughter just got into Cambridge' and they'll go: 'Adam's in a film with Scarlett Johansson.'" He polishes off the last of his battered cod. Then he adds: "Booyah! Competition over."F.A magazine article written in 2011 looks at the issue of teenage obesity and diets. A ticking time bomb’: Teenage girls’ junk food diet leaves them starved of vitamins A typical teenager probably thinks nothing of a diet packed with pizza, sweets and sugary drinks. But by that age what they eat is already taking a severe toll on their health, research shows. Millions of teenagers are dangerously low in key vitamins and minerals, experts have warned – with girls faring worst. An appetite for junk food is feeding a ‘ticking time bomb’ of disease and ill health, researchers have concluded. They found teenagers of both sexes were among the biggest guzzlers of salt, alcohol and sugar-laden soft drinks. At the same time, they shun fruit, vegetables and oily fish. Almost half of teenage girls are dangerously low in iron, magnesium and selenium. The researchers believe teenagers’ diets are particularly bad because they are starting to feed themselves for the first time, often skip meals and many are starting to experiment with cigarettes, which cut appetite. In addition, many girls will be on spurious diets which advise cutting out certain foods to keep them slim or their skin glowing. Carrie Ruxton, an independent nutritionist, and Emma Derbyshire, a nutritionist at Manchester Metropolitan University, crunched together the results of 38 studies into diets and their consequences for health. They conclude in the journal Complete Nutrition: ‘The diet quality of teenagers and young adults is fundamentally important. During this life-phase, dietary requirements may be high due to rapid physical and mental development. ‘Unfortunately, this is often hampered by social factors, body image concerns and the fact that many young people ‘live for the minute’, being unaware of how current diets can affect later health’. Childhood20TH Century ExtractsIn this autobiography, Jane, who lives with her Gran, has recently started at Northgate Grammar School for Girls in 1952. Home TimeThe wind rushed past my ears blotting out all other sounds. Shops and houses flew by, blurring into one long shape at either side of my vision. There was a group of Northgate boys ahead in their black and red uniforms. I had to overtake them. It was a race, though they didn’t know it.The wind threatened to lift my beret off my head. I held the handlebars with one hand and shoved it down lower over my fringe. My blue and green scarf streamed out behind me. I clicked the three-speed and pedalled faster. I was impressive. I was sure people on the pavement were watching me admiringly as I sped along. I took one hand off the handlebars again and shifted the weight of my satchel from the middle of my back to my shoulders. I had homework to do. That was impressive too. It impressed me. We never had homework at Cliff Lane. The street lights were coming on, piercing the dusk with pools of white. Past the bakery in Caudwell Hall Road, that emitted a band of warm yeast smell in the mornings that was a delight to cycle through. They bought our school doughnuts and cream buns from there for break. I didn’t mind school dinners, though. We had jam sponge with coconut on it that came with a treacly fruity sauce and cheese pudding, unlike anything Gran had ever made, served out of deep tin dishes by the monitor on our table. The sixth form and prefects sat at tables raised on a dais at the far end of the room, grand and remote. No one knew I had free school dinners except my form. My name went in a separate book each morning. But no one knew that, once I was in the canteen. The windows of the long, low room were always steamed up, making it impossible to see the netball courts and hockey pitches outside - but it was always full of chatter and laughter. I liked it.I overtook a scooter that had slowed down at the traffic lights near Derby Road Station. An icy rain had begun to fall, pricking my face and misting up my shiny handlebars. I felt unassailable. There were a couple of older Northgate girls ahead of me who lived in Hatfield Road, chatting as they cycled together. I overtook them easily - applied both my brakes and came to a squeaking halt at Felixstowe Road. I was hot, but I’d beaten everyone. I readjusted my satchel on my shoulders again and turned round to check that no books had fallen out of my saddle-bag behind me in my race to get home. A car honked somewhere behind me and I realised the lights were green. Cobbold’s horses stood outside the Royal Oak breathing great jets of steam-like breath into the cold air, stamping their hooves on the cold tarmac.I cycled up the dip in the pavement and scooted along on one pedal till I reached the shed. It was difficult to believe that I’d played in this dark musty space for months on end. I didn’t play in sheds any more now that I went to Northgate.I didn’t play with Margaret Whitman and Margaret Hayward any more either. I was a GrammarSchool girl.B. In this article Sri-Lankan born television presenter, George Alagiah, writes about his experiences at school when he first came to England at the age of 11 in 1967. HOW I BECAME AN ENGLISHMAN That morning, I learned to laugh at myself – or, at least, to pretend to laugh at myself – and in so doing acquired one of the most important skills in the armoury of an outsider trying to fit in. We weren’t allowed to shower every day so my moment of revelation – so to speak – must have come a few days into my first week at boarding school. ‘Can I borrow some shampoo?’ one of the boys was asking the chap next to him. ‘Get your own. If I can remember to bring mine, so can you.’ ‘You’ve got loads there, the bottle’s full. Go on, give us a bit.’ ‘No, my mum says this one’s got to last me till half-term.’ ‘Oh diddums, we don’t want to upset mummy, do we?’ It was my first taste of the sarcasm that was to be a prominent feature of most boarding house arguments. You learned very quickly never to invoke your mother as a defence against anything. I offered the boy some of my shampoo. It all calmed down. And that’s when my problem began. There had to be something else for everyone to talk about. ‘Why haven’t you got a line like this?’ I realised the question was addressed to me. The boy was pointing at his waist where he had a distinct tan line. It was the autumn term and everyone had come back from their holidays; and they were nicely browned except for the bit where they wore swimming trunks. I became the centre of attention. And that was the last place I wanted to be. ‘Don’t you go for a swim where you come from?’ somebody else chipped in. ‘Well, I can’t really swim,’ I said, relieved to have found the right gear to get my mouth into action. ‘What, you’ve never been in a pool?’ ‘Yes, I have.’ ‘Then what do you wear when you go in a pool?’ ‘I wear swimming trunks.’ ‘Then why don’t you have a line like the rest of us?’ This time the boy said it with an exaggerated tone of exasperation, as if he had just been put in charge of an idiot. He looked around. He was on a winning run and he knew it. How could I explain that we were brought up never to hang around in the sun? How could I explain that we had no need to tan ourselves in order to feel that we looked good? How could I explain that I had never had a communal shower before and that I had never seen a tan line before? Above all, how could I explain that I wanted all of them to stop looking at me? ‘I don’t know,’ I said lamely. I was embarrassed, but I was not angry. I was hurting but I couldn’t show it. I wanted to run but I dare not. I wanted to cry but I knew that if I started I wouldn’t be able to stop. So it was easier to pretend it didn’t matter. I just stood there smiling, but wishing I could disappear in the steam that had, by then, engulfed the washroom. Those first few days at school were the start of a crash course in being English. The list of things I had to get used to ranged from the culinary to the comical. There was food that tasted as if it had been brought to the table before the cook had time to put a vital ingredient in it (to me, even the breakfast Weetabix were strange – like bricks made out of sawdust) and the loo seats that made you jump because they were so cold. Virtually everything I did, I was doing for the first time. There were new clothes, new friends, new habits, new lessons and a strange new vocabulary to get used to.This extract is from an autobiography of a child’s experiences in World War Two from 1940-45 I was eleven years old in January 1939 and still in the junior school, which was only two doors away from where we lived, so quite close to home. When the bell rang at four it took just a few minutes to get home to mum for a cup of tea and something to eat. As summer approached there was talk of war and there was lots of excitement in the air, a feeling of expectancy. A centre was set up in the old village and I was sent there with my friend from next door to either get, or sign for, ration books.Days later lorries came into the street loaded with metal air-raid shelters, ‘Anderson Shelters’ as they were called, which were in sections and had to be bolted together. One of these was delivered to every family who had to dig a large hole in the ground and set it in, covering earth over the top. These gave good protection from shrapnel in bombing raids, and gave you a feeling of safety in the months ahead.Then we all had to go again to the Old Village centre to be issued with gas masks. Fortunately we never had to use them, but the awful smell of that rubber reminded me of having teeth out at the school dentists. But we soon got used to it when the war came and teacher used to make us have gas mask drill! These masks had to be carried at all times throughout the war; they came in a cardboard box with a string so you could carry it like a sling bag.War was declared on 3rd September 1939, this was the very time I should have started at the senior girl’s school, and instead those children that were going to be evacuated had to assemble at the school. My brother and I were among them with name tags pinned to our coats and our clothes in a knapsack on our backs. We had to walk to Dagenham Dock, which must have been at least two miles, and from there we were taken by pleasure boat, The Golden Daffodil, to Norfolk.The woman I stayed with was very clean and a superb cook, but had no children of her own, and she was very hard. Her husband, however, was nice and friendly — but she ruled the roost. They lived in Coastguard Cottages so we were literally on the sand dunes overlooking the sea, and as the weather was so lovely in those first few weeks we had a great time sliding down the dunes. Then back to school, an old fashioned country school and we mixed well there with the local children. The time I was there was very pleasant, it was always nice and warm in that school and the cookery teacher was round and plump and taught us how to make apple turnovers!That winter of 1940 was bitter; I have never seen snow drifts like it. Beautiful scenes though and sometimes we would go along and skate on the dykes on Saturdays, that was good fun. But when the snow melted we were just left with cold wintry days, and by this time most of the evacuees had gone home to Dagenham. The local children lived in the village near the school, whereas I was isolated from them being on the edge of the dunes. My dad used to send me a sixpenny piece every week in an envelope which was taped down with brown sticky tape, and on those cold dull Saturdays I used to walk to the village store to buy a cake, sweets and a stamp to write home to my mum.Nothing much was happening on the home front so after nine months of the war my mum and dad decided to have me home. Constantly there was something going on so things were never boring during those five years of war, and looking back I remember how well people coped with shortages and hardships and never complained. I had turned sixteen when it finally came to an end and was quite na?ve in some respects, but I felt I had grown up. Then came the dancing in the streets!21st Century ExtractsThis extract is taken from a pupil at a school in 2014, where he describes his school day.A day in the Life…….I arrive at school by around quarter past eight, which gives me time to put my sports kit bag in my locker and speak to my friends, who will usually be in the Quad – a large, open area similar to a Quadrangle found at many colleges and universities, which is adjacent to almost all of the major buildings, making it the hub of all student activity.A couple of minutes before 8:25, I will make my way up to my form room which is on the second floor of the oldest building on the campus – Old House. At 8:25, registration takes place, this being the first of two in a day. My form tutor will sign us all in and read out any announcements and notices, which will range from student specific notices to some which concern the entire school.After this is done, we go to chapel. The service varies, but there is always one constant – the entire student body stand during the entrance and exit of the Headmaster, Chaplain, Deputy Head and Deputy Head, (Academic). On Mondays, the Headmaster gives his weekly address to the school along with the reading of any sports reports by the Deputy Head. Tuesdays feature no Chapel – instead the time is devoted to either house or year group assemblies or a tutor time where students stay in their form rooms.On Wednesday, the Chaplain will speak to the school. On Thursday, a department or year group will have their chance to speak, whilst on Friday a guest, usually a religious figure or a philanthropist speaking on behalf of a charity, whose actions may affect people in the local vicinity or Worldwide, will speak to the school.After chapel, I go to our first lesson of eight in a day, each forty minutes long. Maths and English are the lessons I have most frequently during a week, both having four periods in the timetable schedule. Break will come after the first three lessons, during which a free snack is offered to every pupil, along with bacon or sausage baps at ?1 each.The three sciences have two lessons each. Languages – each pupil has the choice at the end of year eight between French and German, which they have four lessons each week from year nine onwards. However, Latin is also available as extra-curricular activities.I personally study Latin and I find that having it between 4:30pm and 6:00pm has allowed us to go on excursions to many places of Roman cultural and historical importance to broaden the extent of our study of the language all in preparation for GCSE exams.Lunch is between 12:50pm and 1:50pm, and after enjoying a tasty meal from the almost never ending choice of options I have the chance to do homework in the library, play sport or go to my social area – the Grange, which includes a pool table, ping pong table, table football, computer room and a seating area, perfect for slumping into after a tiring session of sport. The Grange also acts as a place where day pupils can relax at the end of the day to wait for parents to arrive to pick them up.Clubs and societies in general are excellent with lots of choice. On Tuesdays I have Badminton, which I particularly enjoy. Thursdays are devoted to Games whilst on Friday clubs are between 1:40pm and 2:20pm because school ends at 4:30pm and during this time I play chess.Wednesdays are almost entirely devoted to Clubs and Societies, with the entire afternoon including activities that are different to normal lessons. It’s a nice change to being in the classroom and I have had the chance to try a wide variety of activities in this time – including photography, radio club, squash, gardening, cosmetics club and fives – which I can best describe as “squash without a racquet”, although I know the many in the school who have taken up the sport almost religiously would hate me using that description!On a Monday afternoon I have Outdoor Education, which can include climbing, kayaking, cycling, mountaineering, sailing and training for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.On Thursday I have Games – which includes Rugby, Hockey and Cricket for the boys. The sports change every term.By 5:10pm (or later if you have an activity that runs on later than this) it will be time to go, and so I bid goodbye to my friends and leave, looking forward to the next morning, knowing I will be a `full on` day in school again!E. This newspaper article from 2008 looks at ‘sweatshops’ in the sub- continent and the plight of the child workers Exposed: Primark’s fashion sweatshops that pay children just 60p a day.Since Primark opened its doors in Britain, thrifty fashionistas have been snapping up bargains.But the low-cost clothes come at a high price for young children toiling in the store's Indian sweatshops. An investigation revealed that children as young as 11 were working in squalid conditions, sewing tiny beads and sequins onto cheap t-shirts by candle-light.Primark recently axed three suppliers in India for passing work to unapproved sub-contractors using child labour. Children working at home were embroidering dresses and other items sold in the fashion chain's 170 stores. The revelations were highly embarrassing for a company that has always claimed it is possible to sell T-shirts for as little as ?2 without compromising its ethics.The company were alerted to the use of child labour in southern India by a BBC Panorama investigation for a programme to be screened on Monday. The documentary shows children like 11-year-old Mantheesh being paid just 60p a day by factory bosses to work in a refugee camp.Mantheesh had fled from Sri-Lanka with her aunt and programme makers found her waist-deep in Primark clothes, their labels giving away their destination - the UK and Ireland."I go to a house in the camp every day," said Mantheesh.Sometimes we get major orders in and we have to work double quick. I get paid a few rupees for finishing each garment, but in a good day I can make 40 rupees (60p)."The beads we sew are very small and when we work late at night we have to work by candle - the electricity in the camp is poor."The BBC Panorama team carried out a six month undercover investigation at one of Primark's major suppliers, Fab and Fabric.They discovered the Indian company were sub-contracting middlemen who employed children at Bhavanisagar refugee camp.A Primark spokesman said: "Primark is an ethical organisation and takes its responsibilities seriously."It's an absolute outrage for anyone to suggest otherwise."The BBC came to us with very serious allegations about the conduct of a small number of factories which we investigated throughly."What we found left us with no option but to drop those factories."This article is from an online newspaper article written in 2010.Children are sent to school too young in the UK There’s a huge difference between the way children are taught in Britain and the way they are taught in the rest of Europe: the age at which formal education begins. In most European countries, children usually start formal education at six to seven, rather than our four to five. Finland has the best educational outcomes in the EU: it not only boasts a high level of income equality but also has the highest age for beginning formal education – which is seven, a full three years later than many children in the UK. There are many reasons why it’s not necessarily a good idea to get children learning in an academic way at too early an age. People tend to think that this only puts pressure on the less bright kids. Actually, it’s not good for the majority of children – academically or psychologically. But, interestingly, it can be the brightest children who do least well when their natural curiosity about the world, and eagerness to learn about it, is stifled if they start formal school too early. People think that clever kids will always be spotted and always thrive. It’s a wrong assumption. The charity Potential Plus UK argues that such children often under-achieve for a variety of reasons, including: an inability to manage time; disorganisation and frequently losing things; problems with friendships; bullying; being disruptive in class; difficulty concentrating; overall poor presentation of work – resulting in resisting work that is more challenging because of the fear of failure. It seems like a ghastly vision, the idea that children are being forced into formal schooling too early, then being diagnosed with learning difficulties when they react badly to the straitjacket that has been laced around them at too tender an age. This must be particularly awful for children whose intellect isn’t stimulated enough at home. Imagine. You find yourself in an environment where there are books and toys, other children to play with, adults who engage with you, then just as the possibilities of the world are blossoming like fireworks in your head, you’re told to sit down, be quiet, and concentrate on one thing to the exclusion of everything else. Some children thrive on it. Many do not. In the UK, there seems to be little understanding of the fact that under-achievement at school can simply be because our highly standardised education system is inappropriate, not because there is necessarily a learning difficulty. Start the wrong child learning formally at five, and by seven, he – and boys do have a bigger problem here – could well have had enough of education to last him a lifetime.Travel 20TH Century ExtractsA. This article is written by someone remembering their first package holiday in 1968. At last, foreign travel available to manyAfter many years of foreign holidays not being possible for those on lesser incomes, the gates opened and Tour Operators became the flavour of the month, well decade I should say.My first experience was with a friend of mine in 1968, a 14 night holiday in Diano Marina on the Italian Riviera. I recall it was around the ?24 mark, approximately ?380 in today's money.We could have gone to Spain for much less, but we wanted to be posh!!Getting there was interesting; a DC6-AB flight from Manston Airport in Kent to Basle. It was my first flight and I'm still amazed it got off the runway, it seemed to go on forever. Even then by the other side of the Channel we were probably still at about 2,000 feet! The seats were of the hanging canvas variety.Landing in Basle had its moments, down and down we went hitting cloud the further down we went. We then, out of the fog saw the runway. Unfortunately the runway was about 200 feet to our right and the Pilot had to climb, turn round and do it again. Successfully thank goodness.Beaches soon to be smothered with likewise taller HotelsAfter that it was a Coach journey over the Alps. This was before the nicely tarmaced straight roads. You zigzagged up and you zigzagged down. If you saw the first 'The Italian Job', that's what it was like! The Hotel was basic and we had something different everyday with our spaghetti !!By this time everyone was doing it. Luton Airport, a favourite with the Tour Operators, would receive flights back from Spain every hour full of Brits wearing their Sombreros holding a pair of brightly designed Maracas.What it did create however is an enormous building boom anywhere by the sea and where it was hot. Hotels sprung up everywhere, in some cases completely spoiling the vista, followed by Restaurants with 'Full English Breakfast' posters plastered across their windows.The British liked to take certain home comforts with them!Also, in came the Beach Towel accusations against the German holiday makers. It was quite well known for them to be up early, scamper down to the Swimming Pool and place their beach towels somewhere nice for reservation. Certain parts of any poolside became pockets of national property!As I write years later, the funny thing is it's hardly changed except they're better Planes and Hotels now, horizons have broadened to more parts of the World and relatively speaking, prices have remained about the same, if not cheaper.Thankfully you don't see so many Sombreros though!!Michael Palin completed a round-the-world trip with a BBC film crew in 1992. The extract describes the part of the trip where he is crossing the Arabian Sea on board an Indian cargo boat. Our boat, the Al Sharma, really comes to life at first light which, as we are moving east and have not adjusted our watches, comes a little earlier each day. I'm awake today at 5. The wind has dropped and the sea is fl at and calm. Over the reassuring rumble of the engine I can hear the soft sound of singing. I pull myself up on an elbow and look towards the bows. There is Kasim, standing motionless and in perfect silhouette, looking out to sea and chanting. Beside him two or three others are pulling in a sail. As soon as they see we're awake someone is taken off their duties and sent to arrange us some tea. One of the things this traveller has learnt is that those who have least, are prepared to give most. This crew has given a lot up for us – sleeping space, living space and precious water. Captain Suleyman takes a look at the sea. 'We are lucky men,' he says. He's rarely seen it quite as calm, and he knows the power of the sea, for in a storm last year, his brother's ship was sunk and eighteen drowned.We're due south of Karachi. Looking at my map I see that it has taken us a day to travel between the 'A' and the 'R' of 'Arabian Sea'. Sunday afternoon on the Al Sharma. The crew sit round watching us read or listen to our headsets. Suddenly there is some sea-borne entertainment. Dahwood at the wheel, has spotted dolphins approaching the boat. They gather ahead of us, lazily and luxuriously rolling around in the bow wave, weaving in and out, diving, backtracking, returning and always keeping just ahead of the boat. The crew encourage them with drumbeats and whistles. As soon as they know there's an audience the dolphins show off shamelessly. For a magical few minutes they stay and play. The sea is so blue and clear it is one of the most remarkable and beautiful sights of the journey so far, rivalled a little later by the raising of the huge sail.This extract describes the adventures of Joe Simpson whilst climbing in the Andes in his biography of 1995. I glanced at the rope stretched tautly above me. It ran up the wall and disappeared onto the slope above. There was no possibility of getting back to that slope some twenty feet above me. I looked at the wall of the crevasse close by my shoulder. On the other side another wall of ice towered up ten feet away. I was hanging in a shaft of water ice. The decision to look down came as I was in the process of turning. I swung round quickly, catching my smashed knee on the ice wall and howling in a frenzy of pain and fright. Instead of seeing the rope twisting loosely in a void beneath me, I stared blankly at the snow below my feet, not fully believing what I was seeing. A floor! There was a wide snow-covered floor fifteen feet below me. There was no emptiness, and no black void. I swore softly, and heard it whisper off the walls around me. Then I let out a cry of delight and relief which boomed round the crevasse. I yelled again and again, listening to the echoes, and laughed between the yells. I was at the bottom of the crevasse. When I recovered my wits I looked more carefully at the carpet of snow above which I was dangling. My jubilation was quickly tempered when I spotted dark menacing holes in the surface. It wasn’t a floor after all. The crevasse opened up into a pear-shaped dome, its sides curving away from me to a width of fifty feet before narrowing again. The snow floor cut through the flat end of this cavern, while the walls above me tapered in to form the thin end of the pear barely ten feet across and nearly100 feet high. Small fragments of crusty snow patterned down from the roof. I looked round the enclosed vault of snow and ice, familiarising myself with its shape and size. The walls opposite closed in but didn’t meet. A narrow gap had been filled with snow from above to form a cone which rose all the way to the roof. It was about fifteen feet wide at the base and as little as four or five feet across the top. In seconds my whole outlook had changed. The weary frightened hours of night were forgotten, and the abseil which had filled me with such claustrophobic dread had been swept away. The twelve despairing hours I had spent in the unnatural hush of this awesome place seemed suddenly to have been nothing like the nightmare I had imagined. I could do something positive. I could crawl and climb, and keep on doing so until I had escaped from this grave. Before, there had been nothing for me to do except lie on the bridge trying not to feel scared and lonely, and that helplessness had been my worst enemy. Now I had a plan. The change in me was astonishing. I felt invigorated, full of energy and optimism. I could see possible dangers, very real risks that could destroy my hopes, but somehow I knew I could overcome them. It was as if I had been given this one blessed chance to get out and I was grasping it with every ounce of strength left in me. A powerful feeling of confidence and pride swept over me as I realised how right I had been to leave the bridge. I had made the right decision against the worst of my fears. I had done it, and I was sure that nothing now could be worse than those hours of torture on the bridge. My boots touched the snow and I stopped descending. I sat in my harness, hanging free on the rope a few feet from the floor, and examined the surface cautiously. The snow looked soft and powdery, and I was immediately suspicious of it. I looked along the edge where the floor joined the walls and soon found what I was looking for. In several places there were dark gaps between the ice walls and the snow. It was not a floor so much as a suspended ceiling across the crevasse dividing the abyss below from the upper chamber, where I sat. The start of the snow slope running up to the sunshine lay forty feet from me. The inviting snow-carpet between me and the slope tempted me to run across it. The idea made me chuckle. I had forgotten that my right leg was useless. Okay. Crawl across it… but which way? Straight across, or keeping near to the back wall? It was a difficult decision. I was less worried about putting my foot through the floor than by the damage such a fall would do to the fragile surface. The last thing I wanted was to destroy the floor and myself stranded on the wrong side of an uncrossable gap. That would be too much to bear. I glanced nervously at the beam of sunlight, trying to draw strength from it, and made my mind up at once. I would cross in the middle. It was the shortest distance and there was nothing to suggest that it would be any riskier than at the sides. I gently lowered myself until I was sitting on the snow but with most of my weight still on the rope. It was agonising to inch the rope out and let my weight down gradually. I found myself holding my breath, every muscle in my body tensed. I became acutely aware of the slightest movement in the snow, and I wondered whether I would end up sinking slowly through the floor. Then some of the tension in the rope relaxed, and I realised that the floor was holding. I breathed deeply, and I released my aching hand from the rope.21st Century ExtractsD. The extract below is from a travel magazine article written in 2015 about London.Sunday morning in London Sundays are for relaxation, catching up with things there is little time for in the week, and quite often, recovering from the night before. Whether you’re full of beans or in need of several siestas, we’ve got your Sunday morning covered. Start the day by going for a walk. Hyde Park is the most obvious choice, and will likely be filled with early morning joggers. Alternatively the beautiful, very peaceful Kyoto Garden in Holland Park is a fantastic place to read a book or simply sit in the sunshine (weather permitting). Rather surprisingly, there is a small but perfectly formed green space tucked behind Charing Cross Road called the Phoenix Garden, which is both well maintained and filled with wildlife. There is another unlikely natural habitat near King’s Cross station, at Camley Street Natural Park, which is run by the London Wildlife Trust. If you feel like spotting birds, fish or butterflies, there is plenty to look at here. If greenery doesn’t appeal, try a walk along the Thames. Pick the Embankment area for a view of the Houses of Parliament and the Southbank Centre, or head further East for Tower Bridge and the Docklands. To really indulge in that Sunday morning feeling stroll around the City, as the streets connecting the area’s imposing skyscrapers are completely deserted at weekends. If that seems like too much effort for a Sunday, the river bus operates various services daily, the two longest routes being from Embankment to as far out as Woolwich Arsenal, and Putney all the way to Blackfriars.Sunday mornings are a great time to go shopping, as busy streets are empty and shops are uninhabited, meaning you might actually reach some of the rails at Topshop on Oxford Street. There are also a number of markets to be visited, some of which operate exclusively on a Sunday, like Columbia Road Flower Market in the East End. For clothing, pick up a bargain at the Holloway Car Boot Sale; second hand books and bric-a-brac are also sold. Farmers’ markets have become trendy of late, where the focus is on fresh food from small producers at exorbitant prices. Still, some of it is mouth-watering, such as the organic nosh offered at Marylebone Farmers’ Market. If you didn’t make time for brunch, the Sunday Up Market at the Truman Brewery has stalls selling food from all over the world, from Japanese fried octopus balls to Spanish gazpacho. This is also an opportune day for a spot of pampering, whether this means going for a relaxing swim, having a massage or visiting the hairdressers. Splurge on a spa like the K West Spa, which offers a wide range of massages, facials and nail treatments, and benefits from a sauna, hydrotherapy pool, and brand spanking new trends like a “snow room”, where the body’s circulation is stimulated by immersing it in below freezing temperatures before exposing it to steam. As unpleasant as that may sound, it’s very good for the skin and the immune system, although given the choice between this and a lie-down on one of their suede loungers we know what we’d be choosing. Other very reputable spas include The Sanctuary, Aveda and Elemis. You might not want to be induced into a state of dreamy relaxation however. On a Sunday morning gyms are at their quietest, so you’re in luck if you like solitary workouts. So long as it’s not pouring with rain, tennis enthusiasts can use the courts off Farringdon road in Islington and Southwark Park for free, and many parks have facilities like table tennis, football, boating and even fishing. Regent’s Park has its very own sports centre called The Hub, as well as pitches for cricket, boules and rugby. And after all this physical activity, it’ll be time for a hearty Sunday lunch and a snooze. E. This newspaper article from 2012 looks at the British abroad and the dangers they face.BRITS BEHAVING BADLY: HOW DRINKING ABROAD IS LEADING TO MORE ARRESTS AND 10 BRITISH TOURISTS A DAY LAND IN HOSPITAL? Foreign Office said more than 6,000 people were jailed abroad last year? Evidence suggests many crimes committed were alcohol-fuelled? Rapes reported soared by 10 per cent from 115 to 127 cases? Number of deaths of Brits abroad increased by four per cent? Spain had the highest number of Britons hospitalised followed by GreeceTen Britons a day are ending up in hospital abroad and growing numbers are being arrested as young holidaymakers travel to the sun to get tanked up on cheap alcohol and drugs. A staggering 3,739 UK travellers ended up in foreign casualty departments - a large proportion after boozing heavily in popular ‘sun, sea and sex’ hotspots. And more than 6,000 were thrown in jail after falling foul of local laws including for carrying drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy - up 5 per cent, including a 2 per cent rise in drug arrests.The Foreign Office said anecdotal evidence from embassies and consulates overseas suggested many incidents were alcohol-fuelled, particularly in popular holiday destinations such as the Canary Islands, mainland Spain, the Balearics (which include Majorca and Ibiza), Malta and Cyprus.Consular Affairs Minister Jeremy Browne said: ‘It is important that people understand that taking risks abroad can land them on the wrong side of the law. The punishments can be very severe, with tougher prison conditions than in the UK. While we will work hard to try and ensure the safety of British nationals abroad, we cannot interfere in another country’s legal system’.‘We find that many people are shocked to discover that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office cannot get them out of jail. We always provide consular support to British nationals in difficulty overseas. However, having a British passport does not make you immune to foreign laws and will not get you special treatment in prison.’Meanwhile, the number of deaths of British people overseas in the year to April increased by 4 per cent - from 5,972 to 6,237. The highest number of arrests and detentions was in Spain, followed by the USA. Spanish arrests rose nine per cent in 2011/12, while the United States was up three per cent. The most arrests of Britons for drugs were in the US, followed by Spain.The snapshot of the perils of travelling abroad, were highlighted in the Foreign Office’s annual British Behaviour Abroad survey. In total, consular assistance was needed on nearly 20,000 occasions - up 3 per cent. Of these, 5,405 were in Spain, 1,822 in the U.S. and 1,319 in France.The report found: ‘Many involve teenage holidaymakers. Common causes include road accidents, pedestrian accidents, balcony incidents and heart attacks.’Spain also had the largest number of UK deaths - 1,755. The large British retired community again accounted for the majority of fatalities but an alarming number involved young people. Earlier this year, three Brits - Adam Atkinson, 20, Benjamin Harper, 28, and Charlotte Faris, 23, - died within a few days of each other plunging from balconies or stairs in the beach resort of Magaluf on Majorca.And last month top jockey Campbell Gillies, 21, drowned in a swimming pool within four hours of arriving in a holiday resort on the Greek island of Corfu - after going boozing with his pals. Rapes reported to consular staff last year soared by a shocking 10 per cent - from 115 to 127 - as young women often let their guard down overseas.A Foreign Office source said: ‘A lot of young people go wild and the sunshine combined with drinking cheap beer and cocktails all day leads to risky behaviour which can land them in serious trouble. At worst, they are brought home in a coffin.’But the Foreign Office research revealed that half of Brits surveyed did not realise that without travel insurance they would be liable to pay medical bills running into thousands of pounds if they were injured or fell ill abroad.Launching a drive to encourage holidaymakers to take out cover, Consular Services Minister Jeremy Browne said: ‘Whilst the prospect of ending up in a foreign hospital may be the last thing on your mind as you head overseas for a summer break, sometimes things do go wrong on holiday and Many people deeply regret not taking out comprehensive travel insurance’.F. This newspaper article from 2007 describes a family paintballing trip. ‘I see my wife coming off the field of battle, all smiles’The rain is coming down at a profound slant and I am kneeling in the cold mud behind a stack of tyres. I can’t see anything through my spattered goggles, but I can hear the bullets whistling over my head and knifing into the mud around me. I am pinned down in across fire. This is a nightmare, I think. But isn’t a nightmare. It’s my son’s birthday party.In accordance with his wishes, we have come to a paintballing centre, in woods somewhere near the M25, along with seven 12-year-old boys, eight signed liability waivers, a coach-load of Chinese tourists and two large men who, according to my wife, fought together in Kosovo.“I overhead them talking about it,” she says while adjusting her ammunition belt.“You mean they didn’t get enough of this in Kosovo?” I say. I’ve had enough of this before they’ve even given us the guns.Most of the boys have been paintballing before, and during the car journey to the centre they chatted animatedly about how much it hurts to be shot. By the time we arrive, my wife is pale with apprehension and I have gone quiet.We had hoped to fight as a team, perhaps against a hungover hen party, but the entire afternoon session is split down the middle, odds versus evens, according to the number the organisers have scrawled on your hand. My wife and I are on opposing sides, with four 12-year-olds, half a coach-load of Chinese tourists and a Kosovan apiece.This group proves to be more than a little trigger-happy. It is difficult to hear the repeated shouted warnings about not firing your weapon in the loading area, because so many people are firing their weapons in the loading area. They’re shooting at the ground, chatting, laughing, shooting in the air. It’s like a Helmand Province wedding.We’re led into the woods and given a red flag. Somewhere in the trees is the opposing team’s green flag. I debate strategy with two of my son’s friends, but when the shooting starts we ditch our plan in favour of getting behind a big log and staying there. At some point the guy holding our flag is cut down in a hail of paint. I reach for the flag and the world goes yellow. I’ve been hit in the goggles.As I enter the cordoned off holding pen, where the other dead people are chatting and discharging their weapons in breach of an oft-repeated instruction, I see my wife coming off the field of battle, all smiles.“It’s great, isn’t it?” she yells. “I shot you!”Over the course of the afternoon, the children and my wife get chirpier while I repeatedly experience the ambiguity in situational awareness commonly known as The Fog Of War. I exit every round early without shooting anyone. It’s not that I don’t want to shoot anyone – after the first half-hour, I want to shoot everyone. I take a bullet in the arse while reloading, and find out exactly how much it hurts: a lot.Finally, with the rain coming down at a profound slant and darkness closing in, I kneel in the mud behind a wall of tyres and prepare for a last stand, my gun full of the extra ammo that I bought off someone between rounds.I peer above my makeshift parapet, scanning the horizon for enemy movement. The world instantly goes yellow again. I raise my hand in the prescribed manner to show that I am hit, and someone shoots me in the hand. I stand up, and someone else shoots me in the leg.I walk slowly to the holding pen, imagining an ideal world where no one has a gun except me.Exploration20th Century ExtractsA. This extract is from the diary of Ernest Shackleton the polar explorer- dated 1922.Ernest Shackleton's diary of the Quest ExpeditionErnest Shackleton died of heart failure in the early hours of the morning on the 5 January 1922.These last diary entries recall his thoughts as the ship approached South Georgia.1 January 1922Rest and calm after the storm. The year has begun kindly for us. It is curious how a certain date becomes a milestone in one’s life. Christmas day in the raging gale seemed out of place I dared not venture to hope that today would be as it was. Anxiety has been probing deeply into me for until the end of the year things have gone awry. Engines were liable: furnace cracked. Water short Heavy gales All that physically can go wrong but the spirit of all on board sound and good.2 January 1922Another wonderful day. Fine clear slight head wind but cheerful for us after these last days of stress and strain. At one p.m. we passed our fist berg. The old familiar sight aroused in me memories that the strenuous years have deadened. Blue caverns shone with sky glow snatched from heaven itself. Green spurs showed beneath the water and bergs mast high came sailing byas green as emeraldAh me: the years that have gone since in the pride of young manhood I first went forth to the fight. I grow old and tied but must always lead on.3 January 1922Another beautiful day. Fortune seems to attend us this new year but so anxious have I been when things are going well I wonder what in time difficulty will be sprung on me. All day long a light wind and clear sky was our happy position. I find a difficulty in settling down to write. I am so much on the alert. I pray that the furnace will hold out. Thankful that I can be crossed and thwarted as a man4 January 1922At last after 16 days of turmoil and anxiety on a peaceful sun shining day we came to anchor in Grytvitken. How familiar the coast seemed as we passed down. We saw with full interest the places we struggled over after the boat journey. Now we must speed all we can but the prospect is not too bright for labour is scarce. The old smell of dead whale permeates everything. It is a strange and curious place. A wonderful evening In the darkening twilight I saw a lone star hover: gem like above the bay.This extract is taken from an interview with Sir Edmund Hillary who successfully conquered Everest in 1953.‘Well there were lots of challenges. Even the route we were climbing Mt. Everest was one of the two easiest routes on the mountain as we know now. Of course, nobody had climbed it then. But even so, there are demanding parts of it. At the bottom of the mountain, there’s the ice fall, where it’s a great tumbled ruin of ice that’s all pouring down and filled with crevasses and ice walls. It’s under slow but constant movement. It’s a dangerous place because things are always tumbling down. So you have to establish a route up through that which you can get with reasonable safety. But over the years, literally dozens of people have died in the crevasses. They’ve been engulfed by ice walls falling down and things of that nature.I had one experience on the ice fall with Tenzing. We were actually descending after having been further up the mountain and it was getting close towards dark so we wanted to get through the ice fall before darkness fell. We were roped together, but I was rushing down ahead in the lead. About half-way down there was a narrow crevasse, a deep open crack, I guess it was about four feet wide, but just a bit too wide to step across. On the lower lip was a great chunk of ice stuck against the ice wall, and we’d used that as sort of a stepping stone to get over the gap. I came rushing down the hill without thinking too carefully, I just leapt in the air and landed on the chunk of ice, whereupon the chunk of ice broke off and dropped into the crevasse with me on top of it. It was interesting how everything seemed to start going slowly, even though I was free-falling into the crevasse. My mind, obviously, was working very quickly indeed. The great chunk of ice started tipping over and I realized, if I wasn’t careful, I’d be crushed between the ice and the wall of the crevasse. So I just sort of bent my knees and leapt in the air. I was still falling, but now I was a couple of feet clear of the chunk of ice. Time really seemed to pass even though I was falling clear and I realized that unless the rope came tight fairly soon, I would come to a rather sticky end on the bottom of the crevasse. Up top, Tenzing had acted very quickly. He had thrust his ice axe into the snow, whipped the rope around it, and the rope came tight with a twang and I was stopped and swung in against the ice wall. The great chunk of ice just carried on and smashed to smithereens at the bottom of the crevasse. Then really the rest was what I would have called a routine mountaineering matter. I had my ice axe and my crampons on my feet, so I chipped steps in the side, I was able to bridge the crevasse, and I worked my way up to the top and got safely out. I wouldn’t have said at any stage, because it all happened so quickly, fear really didn’t have much opportunity to emerge. My only idea was to get safely out of this unfortunate predicament. And of course, without Tenzing’s very competent mountaineer’s response, I certainly wouldn’t have made it. But once he had stopped me, then I was able to, using the techniques of mountaineering, to get myself safely to the top, again. When you’ve been going as long as I have, many of them have happened during the course of your life, but you tend to forget them, really. I think nature tricks us a little bit because you tend to remember the good moments rather than the uncomfortable ones. So when you leave the mountain, you remember the great moments on the mountain, and as soon as you leave the mountain, you want to go back again.This extract is from a speech by the American President J F Kennedy in 1962 about going to the moon. President Kennedy was keen to persuade the American people to support the USA Space Programme which was in its infancy.Those who came before us made certain that this country rode the first waves of the industrial revolutions, the first waves of modern invention, and the first wave of nuclear power, and this generation does not intend to founder in the backwash of the coming age of space. We mean to be a part of it--we mean to lead it. For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace. We have vowed that we shall not see space filled with weapons of mass destruction, but with instruments of knowledge and understanding. Yet the vows of this Nation can only be fulfilled if we in this Nation are first, and, therefore, we intend to be first. We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people. For space science, like nuclear science and all technology, has no conscience of its own. Whether it will become a force for good or ill depends on man, and only if the United States occupies a position of pre-eminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theatre of war. There is no strife, no prejudice, no national conflict in outer space as yet. Its hazards are hostile to us all. Its conquest deserves the best of all mankind, and its opportunity for peaceful cooperation may never come again. But why, some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic? We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too. It is for these reasons that I regard the decision last year to shift our efforts in space from low to high gear as among the most important decisions that will be made during my incumbency in the office of the Presidency.D. This website news article from 2015, looks at Tim Peake’s first few days in space ‘Life in space is absolutely spectacular'UK astronaut Tim Peake says his first three days in space have been better than he imagined.Speaking from the International Space Station, he said life in orbit "was absolutely spectacular". He arrived at the space platform on Tuesday after blasting off from Kazakhstan on a Soyuz rocket.During a live link-up, he did a backwards somersault and said he was surprised how quickly his body had adapted to weightlessness. Answering questions from reporters at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, he said the first two hours had been "pretty rough" and he had been feeling "disorientated and dizzy".How dark space is"But I am amazed how quickly my body has adapted," he added."On my second day I woke up feeling ready to go to work and I have had no problems since." The first professional British astronaut said the most unexpected thing was "the blackness of space"."We always talk about seeing the view of planet Earth and how beautiful it is and you come to expect that."But what people don't mention that much is when you look in the opposite direction and you see how dark space is."It is just the blackest black and that was a real surprise to me."Metallic smellAnd he said one of the questions he gets asked the most is what the space station smells like."It is certainly not unpleasant - it is a kind of metallic smell but not chemically or bad in any way. It is quite distinctive," he said.He said on Christmas day he would be missing friends and family but at least he would be able to orbit the Earth 16 times and look down on the planet. It's not every day that you get to talk to an astronaut in orbit. But as the International Space Station slid above Europe this afternoon, I was among a group of journalists invited to Europe's astronaut training centre in Cologne to ask questions.We had been warned to avoid small talk because of the inevitable confusion that can be caused by a three-second delay - as the signals bounce from ISS to distant satellites to remote ground stations and back again. But after a while we all got used to it. I wanted to know if he had suffered from space sickness, like many new astronauts - his first 24 hours had been "rough" he told me but now he was fine.Another question was about how he was sleeping - and he said he was happy not to tether his sleeping bag to a wall but to drift around instead. Did his tea taste different? That came from someone on Twitter. OK, he said.And, as our time drew to a close, the experience of chatting to someone in orbit started to feel a little less abnormal. I almost forgot that Tim was hurtling through space. Until he was asked to try a somersault, which he did enthusiastically but badlyRocket manMr Peake said he would be working out in space on Friday afternoon to get some exercise. According to the European Space Agency, he has a number of tasks to perform, including unpacking cargo and taking part in an experiment looking at the effects of microgravity on the bone marrow.Mr Peake is among six crew members living and working in space. They include US station commander Scott Kelly, who is spending a year on board the ISS. The former Army aviator and helicopter test pilot also received messages of support from the Queen and Sir Elton John after the successful launch and docking on Tuesday. He tweeted singer Sir Elton John from space, quoting his famous song Rocket Man, in response to a good luck message.And he tweeted the Queen from space after Buckingham Palace's twitter account posted a good luck letter from the monarch.E This is an account by Rory Stewart of his walk through Afghanistan in 2012 accompanied by local guides.A man called Gul Agha Karimi had written some letters to introduce me to people in Ghor. Gul Agha was a wealthy businessman, originally from this district, who owned a pizza restaurant and shop in Kabul. I was very grateful for the letters, but I did not know how he was perceived in Ghor or how his introductions would be received. He had told me that people from one village would accompany me to the next village. The custom of escorting visitors was once common throughout Asia. In Iran, Pakistan and India, city dwellers often said to me, ‘Don’t worry… someone from one village will always walk with you and hand you to someone in the next… they won’t let you walk alone.’ But such traditions and social structures had, in reality, vanished, and in eighteen months of walking, no one had ever offered to accompany me to a neighbouring village.Gul Agha’s first letter was addressed to Dr Habibullah Sherwal, who owned the inn in Darai-e-Takht where I had just met the young commandant. I found Dr Habibullah; he glanced at the letter and simply said, ‘Give me a minute to change my shoes.’He reappeared a minute later in sunglasses with a Kalashnikov on his shoulder, locked the door and we set off. He had not been warned that I was coming, and yet without hesitating or asking any questions he set out with a stranger on a two-night journey.Dr Habibullah was a portly man of thirty-six. He had to keep hitching his rifle up on his round shoulders, and he took small, quick steps in his tasselled brown loafers. He did not speak to me at all in the first twenty minutes walking together. I liked Abdul Haq but I preferred travelling without him. He had dominated my view of the landscape. The dangers and the geography of the country and the villages had been filtered through the mind of a man who was a Mujahid of Ismail Khan, based in Herat. Habibullah was a local. The fields through which we were walking belonged to him. The people on the road recognized him. I was pleased at last to have reached the hills and be moving further away from the vehicles and deeper into Ghor. The valleys were narrow and the Hari Rud River ran through gorges. It had not snowed for two days, but there was still a dusting of white in the hollows and on the upper slopes. Above our path were pillars of sand, and high in the cliff walls were caves used as sheep pens in the winter.We passed a large, round fort by the river. Habibullah waited patiently outside while I wandered among the crumbling walls, half buried in snow, and climbed into a round tower to look across the valley. The castle seemed to dominate the path from every direction. I had no way of finding out how old it was: mud bricks could be almost any age. Then, having checked I couldn’t be seen from the path, I squatted down in the snow.I had had diarrhoea for a day. I tried to avoid it by drinking only tea or purifying my water with chlorine tablets. The breads and soups, which were the staple diet, were relatively safe, but no one washed their hands and we all shared the same bowls. I was surprised that I had not caught it three days earlier when Aziz and Abdul Haq complained of stomach cramps. But I had it now and I knew that it was dehydrating me and would weaken me for walking. I still felt quite strong but, if it persisted, I would have to try some antibiotics.When I reappeared, Habibullah was squatting on his heels in the afternoon sun. I apologized for taking so much time but he just shrugged. We started walking again, with me trying to adjust to his short steps after a week of Abdul Haq’s stretched and rapid pacing. We crossed the ford below Darai-e-Takht on a small bridge marked ‘ECHO – built with funds from the European Community’. It had been built five years earlier and was already crumbling, but it was an important contribution, since this ford had been frequently impassable.When we reached the far end of the bridge, Dr Habibullah pointed at a large black rock, high on the slope behind us and said, ‘Commandant Mustafa – the young man whom you just met and who shot at you – shot two Taliban from there. They died here on this ground, which is my wheat field. Before that he was nothing – a small-time mullah – but because he was the only man in this village to fight the Taliban he is now a commander.’F. This extract is taken from Simon Armitage’s work describing his walk on the Pennine Way in 2012.Today’s walk, or at least the first half of it, is reckoned by many to be the most pleasant and least taxing section of the whole trail, a saunter through pretty Teesdale along the banks of the Tees with no route-finding difficulties whatsoever and several picturesque and iconic landmarks to tick off along the way. That’s a relief, given that I’m still reeling from what happened on Cross Fell. On the other hand it’s going to give my wife and daughter, walking with me today, the impression that for the last nine days I’ve done nothing more than wander through buttercup meadows from one public house to the next, making friends and showing off along the way and being paid for the privilege.To counter that notion, I go through an elaborate performance before breakfast, pulling heaps of filthy clothes from the Tombstone, describing to my wife how and where each garment came to be blackened, bloodied or saturated, and giving a mile-by-mile, blow-by-blow account of my most hair-railing experiences thus far. But she pulls back the curtains and the sun is blazing across the valley, and in a T-shirt and trainers she waits for me in the car park while I tie the very long laces of my very big boots and secure all toggles and zips. My daughter has also taken the casual rather than cautious approach, and strides out ahead of us in pink leggings, white iPod earphones, a pair of canvas shoes that are not far from being slippers, and a vest. Her coat, which she wears tied around her waist, was given to her by a man called Charles in a pub car park in West Yorkshire, who also gave me several items of clothing made entirely from organic, natural fibres to ‘trial’ during my walk including a very nice fleece, a luminous orange anorak and a top made out of recycled wood chippings. Even though she wears it around her middle rather than in the prescribed manner, my daughter was particularly thrilled with her acquisition when she learned that it was ‘bombproof’. Army green and slightly sinister-looking, it’s made from a fabric called Ventile, developed in the Second World War for pilots at risk of being shot down over the sea. When it becomes wet the cotton in it expands, making it waterproof, apparently.It is also windproof and much coveted by ‘bushcraft’ people who need to sneak up on birds and animals, because it doesn’t rustle. Modelling it in the car park outside the Co-op that day, my daughter had the look of a special forces trainee, and responded to that suggestion by giving me a highly convincing karate kick between the legs (and while I was getting my breath back, a punch in the kidneys).We’re not expecting bombshells today, or even rain. The first stretch of the path loops up and over a set of crags with juniper bushes to each side, then down a grassy embankment before rejoining the river. The juniper is a particular and peculiar feature of this area, and as we brush past the spiky leaves I convince myself I can smell gin. With their knotted, wrenched trunks and bleached, desiccated branches, the junipers are reminiscent of wild olive trees, giving the immediate landscape a biblical feel, as if we’re walking through the Holy Land, an atmosphere which lasts until the appearance of Dine Holm quarry and stone-cutting plant on the left-hand side, which explains the fine yellowy powder coating the shrubs, the grass and eventually our feet.Less than quarter of an hour later we’re standing above High Force, silent as we approached it from upstream, but now a roaring, drumming volley of white water hurling itself over a cliff face and thundering into the deep pool seventy or so feet below. Natural Forces and Nature20TH Century ExtractsThis newspaper article from 1966 looks at the disaster at Aberfan in Wales and asks a series of questions Disaster at AberfanHow could it happen? A heap of waste, a man-made hill, dissolves in the rain and suddenly engulfs a school. South Wales is a land of slag-heaps. Its people live in their shadow. Why did this one move? The Coal Board must find out, and the answer may not be soothing. Miners are not careless men, but in some way had not forseen the waste they had piled round Aberfan had become unsafe. South Wales will be a restless place until we know why.Meanwhile mere words can do nothing to help.The Welsh, who are used to tragedy, have now suffered their worst. The pits themselves do not kill children.A disaster which overwhelms a school is a disaster of a special type. In ten minutes a community has lost something like half its children. Their absence will haunt their valley for sixty years to come. No amount of sympathy can fill a gap like that.There was, though, yesterday an inspiring work of rescue, which continued through the night. There was no delay, no lack of equipment, no lack of skills or resolution. Against all odds, the rescuers found a few miraculously still alive. The children who died, according to the man in charge of the rescue, died instantly.There must be now a quick and painstaking inquiry into how such a thing could happen. It must uncover the whole truth and establish blame if blame exists. This disaster was not natural, it was man-made. Aberfan is one of scores of communities in South Wales which huddle at the foot of slag-heaps. It is idle to pretend that an exceptionally wet October could be the only reason for yesterday's disaster; Wales is accustomed to heavy rain. There must have been other reasons too, connected with the way the heap was built, or was allowed to grow, and with the gap that was built, or was allowed to grow, and the gap that was left between the heap and the village.These are things that can be controlled. There must be a safe way for the Coal Board to get rid of its waste and slag heaps. There must be a way of ensuring that yesterday's tragedy is not repeated.This newspaper article from the New York Times in 1988 describes the attempt to rescue three whales. Unlikely Allies Rush to Free WhalesANCHORAGE, Oct. 17—?Three young whales, battered and bloodied by jagged ice that has trapped them near Point Barrow, Alaska, have become the focus of a huge rescue effort by uncommon allies.Eskimo whalers, the National Guard, the oil industry, environmentalists and Federal and state officials, with assists from a Senator and the Defense Department, are trying to free the California gray whales from two pools in the Beaufort Sea ice pack that are about to freeze over.The whales have survived for more than a week by breathing through the two jagged holes in the ice, seven miles from open water and their migratory path to warmer latitudes. One whale is about 30 feet long and believed to be about 6 years old; the two others are much smaller and thought to be 2 years old. An Endangered Species''It's a pitiful thing,'' said Bill Allen, chairman of Veco Inc., an oil field service company that is supplying equipment for the mission. ''Their noses are a terrible sight. They beat the meat plumb down to the bone to get air.''About 20,000 California gray whales, an endangered species, are thought to be alive today, and many spend the summer off Alaska, feeding at the bottom of the shallow northern seas before returning to their winter grounds off Baja California in Mexico.Eskimo whalers, who hunt other species of whales, spent the weekend on the ice with chain saws cutting ice blocks two feet thick from the edge of the pool. This bought time while Mr. Allen, other oil company officials and the military planned an extraordinary ice-breaking operation. This morning a heavy-lift Alaska National Guard helicopter was being prepared for duty as a tugboat that will pull a Veco barge from Prudhoe Bay, 200 miles east of Point Barrow, an operation that was first expected to take about 20 hours but could take 40 hours because of rough seas. Officials hope that when it reaches the area where the whales are trapped the barge will be able to splinter sea ice from the open water to the whales' pools. The pools, 10 to 20 feet in diameter, are about 150 yards offshore and 18 miles east of Barrow, the northernmost settlement in Alaska.The Government biologist in charge of the rescue operation, Ron Morris of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's fisheries service, said the whales were exhausted from swimming against the ocean current to remain in place. ''They don't look as spry,'' he added. ''Their movements are diminished.'' By this time the whales were getting national attention in the news media, and calls were pouring in to government offices and Congress.A government official who asked not to be named said the total cost of the operation would probably be ''embarrassing'' when all the costs of personnel, fuel and equipment were included. But most people involved in the rescue operation say there is more than money involved.Whales are ''easy to get attached to,'' said General Schaeffer. ''People are willing to spend more time and effort now to try to save animals.''Mr. Morris said, ''There's something about whales that just tickles the human fancy.'' He described the whales' plight as ''very, very touching,'' and added, ''They look so pitiful, and I'm sure it's coming across to the public.''In 1931, an earthquake hit Napier in the Hawkes Bay in New Zealand. Extracts from those who survived are below.The morning of Tuesday, 3 February 1931 dawned like any other midsummer day, a little still and sultry, but warm, fine and with a promise of a sleepy afternoon and long balmy evening to follow. The sea was spray-swept but calm, a contrast to the terribly rough conditions of the previous two days. A few people felt uneasy as the morning wore on. Havelock North resident Wilf Leicester, recovering at home from a broken leg, noticed that the air "became very still and there wasn't a sound, not even a bird singing".Most people felt the first sledgehammer blows at 10.46am as an uplift. Dogs howled, cats ran screeching, and horses - still hauling suburban milk carts and trade wagons in 1931 - reared and tried to bolt.Buildings lurched violently, many shedding outer walls or decorative pediments. People inside were hurled this way and that, some injured by furniture and debris, or pinned by collapsing ceilings and roofs.Others, caught on footpaths, were injured or killed by debris crashing from walls and buildings. Chimneys in the housing districts bent like reeds in a gale, then cracked and broke, sending debris tumbling. Telephone and lighting poles swayed abruptly, some remaining canted at crazy angles. Vehicles skittered on roads as the carriageway surged and rippled.About 30 seconds passed. Suddenly the ground heaved again, a different kind of movement that some felt as a downwards jolt. This time the effect was completely devastating, mind-numbing waves of destruction that swept across the province, smashing weakened buildings and walls.Rubble poured into the streets, and many who had rushed outside after the primary shock died as shattered masonry crashed on and around them.Avalanches of bricks and debris slammed into vehicles, a few with their occupants still inside. The tortured earth rumbled, a massive sound punctured by the crisp treble of shattering glass, the bullet-like cracking of buildings, the thuds and thumps of falling furniture, the crash of glassware and crockery, and the sliding rush of collapsing masonry.At last the shock waves rolled by, leaving a terrible trembling in the ground that some observers compared to boiling water. For a few moments afterwards the silence seemed complete. Dust from crumbled mortar and shattered concrete in the business districts of Napier and Hastings rose into the air, thickening to a white powdery fog that briefly obscured vision even a block away. The quake hammered Hastings. In one mighty upheaval the town became a vast charnel house, the main business street reduced to a "gully of destruction beneath whose ruins could be heard the cries of women and children". This newspaper article from a news website in 2015 looks at the aftermath five years on of the Chilean Mining Disaster for the people involved.Five years ago, one billion people tuned in to watch the successful rescue of 33 Chilean miners who had been trapped underground for 69 days.Their lives are now being immortalised in a Hollywood film starring Antonio Banderas and Juliette Binoche. One of the stars of the film is Maria Segovia, who became known as La Alcaldesa, or the Mayoress, of Camp Hope. This was the tent city where relatives waited for their loved ones to be brought to safety. "I was very excited to meet Juliette Binoche and to teach her how to make my famous pastries," she told the BBC at her empanada stall at a market in the city of Antofagasta." But, I did tell her I thought she could do with being a bit browner and plumper, if she really wants to truthfully represent me." The 33 miners are hoping that the film will improve their financial situation because they are getting a cut from the ticket sales. Life has been difficult for them in the last five years with health issues plaguing the vast majority and many also encountering problems with finding work.Finding love"I suffered a mental breakdown two years after the accident which led to panic attacks, insomnia and forgetfulness."I am still off work for health reasons and need to see a psychologist in Santiago every month," Carlos Barrios, one of the younger miners, told the BBCBut one thing he did find as a result of the accident was love. Marta Contreras is a social worker with the local council. She helped look after the miners' families during the 69 days the men were trapped underground. When they finally got out, everyone wanted to meet them. They went on all expenses paid trips to places like Disneyland and to meet the footballers at Manchester United. Marta accompanied the miners on a trip to Israel. "I thought I would never fall in love with one of the miners, but I began to realise that I had a shared passion with Carlos for helping other people and we started to fall in love." Miner Yonni Barrios and his girlfriend Susana Valenzuela are one of the most famous couples in the group. Mr Barrios turned into an instant celebrity when the press discovered that his wife and girlfriend were fighting over him while he was trapped underground. One of the lead doctors in the rescue operation, Jean Romagnol, described how the situation came to light: "After 17 days the miners were found alive and well and we started to send provisions down to them through a tiny borehole’’. "They would send up their dirty laundry to be washed. The problem was they sent the washing to Yonni's wife Marta Salina, but she refused to do it or to hand it over to his girlfriend. "He ended up begging me to lend him some clean clothes, until we could sort out the situation." Despite different versions in the press, both women knew about each other and had been friends. Yonni Barrios used to shuttle back and forth between the two, but in the end he picked his girlfriend. Five years on, they are still living happily together around the corner from where Marta Salina lives.But the experience has taken its toll on the miners. One of the older miners, Omar Reygadas, says that it has changed his personality. "I used to be a very social person who loved to get together with my children and grandchildren for barbecues, but now I prefer to be alone." he said."While I was down in the mine, I felt I was just doing a very long shift’’. "But, when I came out everyone wanted a piece of me and now I hate it when the phone rings, I get angry very easily and although I love my girlfriend very much I'm relieved I don't share a house with her because I need my space." Despite that, five years on, he still values his family above all else and is very glad he was rescued."What I have learnt from all this is that you should never lose your faith that God exists and the most important thing of all is the family, you need to show them you love them"E. This extract from 2010 looks at the inspirational career of Ellen MacArthur, the famous sailor who makes a dramatic career change.Ellen MacArthur: 'I can't live with the sea any more'The round the world record holder explains why she has turned her back on the sea to crusade for the planet. Nothing mattered more to Ellen MacArthur than the sea, unless it was being the fastest person on its surface. It was her element, the great obsession from childhood. With the boats that took her round the world, she had a kind of symbiotic union. They worked as one. And when she was back on land, everyday life felt trivial, people pressed in too much, and she soon wanted to be out on the ocean again, testing herself against the elements even in places that had nearly destroyed her. The boat was her world and she looked after it because her life depended on it. Now, she sees the world as a boat: a small, beautiful, damageable entity whose supplies are running out. “I wasn’t looking for this,” she pleads. “I didn’t want to leave sailing. I just couldn’t imagine it. I never thought it would stop for a second. I was even thinking of building a boat for the Vendée Globe 2008.” She is only 34, very young to be giving up the thing she seemed made for. This is a woman who could “read” every sound her boat made, the way Thomas Hardy could identify trees in the dark from the noise of the wind through their branches. Her story is inspirational, not just for what she did, but for the rare spirit she is. What happened? “Perhaps it’s like loving someone so much but knowing that you simply can’t live with them anymore,” she says. “I just knew I couldn’t go on as before. I knew that the impossible had happened. My racing years were over. I still felt as much in love with the sea as ever, but something inside me had grown to eclipse that passion. Her conversion started on a trip to South Georgia, a desolate island in the south Atlantic, where she helped with an albatross survey. “It made me stop and think. It gave me space and time to see things differently; to realise things I hadn’t let into my head before.” The sight of so many abandoned whaling stations, an industry destroyed by exploitation and greed, struck her as a warning. “It seemed as though we had just taken what we wanted and moved on. That’s what we do.” For the last three years, she has been touring factories, mines and power stations and talking to government and business about our reliance on finite resources. “I will never be an expert,” she says. “But I am a bit like a sponge. I love learning. This became something I just couldn’t ignore. Sailing, by comparison, seemed incredibly selfish. It was all about me. This is different. It’s about trying to find out how my voice can be the most useful. It really matters.” On Thursday, she launches the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a charity that will work through business and education to give young people the vision to rethink and redesign a sustainable future. She is never comfortable talking about her life away from sailing or campaigning and contrives to make her future seems secondary to the planet’s. Though she loves children – the Ellen MacArthur Trust is dedicated to helping those with cancer – she says it is “not in her mind” to start a family of her own. “But I don’t know where I’ll be in three years’ time. This may be the rest of my life – but then I said that with sailing.” F This extract looks at the after effects of a cyclone in Queensland, Australia in 2011 Homes and crops wrecked, but relief sweeps Queensland in Yasi’s wake.People in the Australian state of Queensland woke up with a collective sense of relief yesterday after emerging from the path of cyclone Yasi with no deaths reported, although the cost of damage is thought to be about A$3.5bn (?2.2bn).The state’s premier, Anna Bligh, said several thousand people would be temporarily homeless after the cyclone, which damaged several small towns and valuable banana and sugarcane crops. The tropical storm saw winds of up to 170 mph and tidal surges that sent waves crashing deep into coastal communities. Officials said lives were saved because after days of dire warnings, people heeded advice to flee to evacuation centres or batten down the hatches at home.“It was really terrifying, but we were safe,” resident Barbara Kendall said. She spent a sleepless night in a basement car park with her husband and four cats after evacuating their coastal home. “It’s a terrifying sound. All I could hear was the screeching of the wind.”Hundreds of houses were destroyed or seriously damaged and many would be barely habitable until the wreckage was cleared, officials said. Piles of drenched mattresses, sodden personal effects, shattered glass and twisted metal lay strewn across lawns in the hardest hit towns.It was a terrifying night for thousands but for one family it was a miraculous one. A girl was born at a Cairns evacuation centre just before dawn, with the help of a British midwife.Using the Extract Materials in the ClassroomWith each theme, this section looks at how the extract materials could be used in the classroom with one example for each theme developed further into a set of exam questions based on the exam paper, with some indicative content. The skills descriptors for each level for each question can be found at the back of the anthology with supporting detail. These questions are only suggestions and are by no means exhaustive, other comparisons between the extracts in the Anthology could also be fruitfully pursued.PovertyThe six texts used in this section offer plenty of opportunities for comparison:- The series of letters on poor children being offered scholarships and the website article on surviving life on benefits in the modern age both look at descriptions of the poor but in very different lights. Both articles describe the plight of the poor but in very different ways and from very different perspectives. How effective are they and to what extent do they engage the reader and persuade them of the levels of poverty and the behaviours associated with it? What points are they trying to get across? The language/ structure of both extracts could be looked at alongside the mood and tone. - The newspaper article on the size of the Old Age Pension and the newspaper article on the plight of a modern mother both look at the those who are struggling but the contrasts here are marked in terms of style and structure. The use of evidence, statistics, individual and expert accounts could be compared and contrasted. What are the messages that come from both pieces? How convincing are they? What linguistic devices are used to achieve this? The structure of both pieces, the tone, the formality of language and their conclusions are also worth looking at. For the comparative question- the newspaper article on the Rwandan crisis and the speech by Nelson Mandela will be looked at:Look at the two extracts from Section 1 on Poverty:A: The newspaper article on the crisis in Rwanda, in East Africa - 1994D: A speech by Nelson Mandela on Poverty- 2005 Read again Source D. For these questions refer to Source D only1. From the first three paragraphs of the article, identify two reasons why Nelson Mandela has decided to attend the Campaign meeting? (2 marks)2. Give one example from the fourth paragraph of how the writer uses language to show how that he has negative views on poverty. Support your example with detailed textual reference. (2 marks)3. Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to interest and persuade the readers of the cause he is speaking about. Support your views with reference to the text (15 marks) Read again Source A. For these questions refer to Source A only.4. How much money is the Rwandan campaign seeking in aid? (1 mark)5. Give one example from the first paragraph of how the writer uses language to show how desperate the situation is in Rwanda? (I mark)6. The writer of the article attempts to engage the reader with details of the crisis in Rwanda. Evaluate how successfully this is achieved. (15 marks) Support your answer with detailed references to the text. For these questions you should refer to both Source A and Source D. Answer both parts of the question. Refer to both texts in your answers.7(a) The two texts describe the effects of poverty and disease and the need for action. What similarities are there in the views expressed by both writers in these two extracts? (6 marks) 7(b) Compare how the writers of both texts present their ideas and perspectives about what they have witnessed. (14 marks) Some indicative content1- AO1Two from- he cannot rest until poverty is overcome/he believes in the cause that the Global Campaign is fighting for/ he supports the Campaigns views on apartheid .2- AO2One from- ‘they are trapped in the prison of poverty ’/’ poverty is not natural’/’ overcoming poverty… is an act of justice’3- AO2-The use of abstract nouns and high flown language throughout to create an elevated tone and a level of seriousness about the situation.- The repeated use of ‘I’ to show Mandela’s own views on the issue and his personal involvement.- The use of detail and precise information to suggest knowledge and a concerted campaign is possible.- Varied use of sentence length to emphasise various points and the way the speech develops from analysis of the present situation to a ‘call to arms’.- The sermon like qualities of the speech as a whole in an attempt to persuade, with the clear message in the final sentence.- The use of emotive language in an attempt to persuade in such terms as ‘chains’/’enslaved’ etc- The structured paragraphs which each introduce a range of new points.4- AO1- $ 400million 5- AO2- ‘shocked by … the worst humanitarian disaster’/’Rwandan tragedy’/’refugees dying by the thousands’. 6- AO4-The emotive, personal and informational nature of the text should be looked at with evidence of elements of seriousness shown in the language used and the tone of the piece.- The way the article speaks directly to the reader with the use of evidence and individual case studies alongside expert opinion and gives a clear impression of the present situations and what needs to be done.- The extensive use of statistics to show the seriousness of the situation alongside the views of several high placed individuals, politicians and affected parties. - The structure of the article with the use of bullet points at the start, the heading with its emotive terminology and the move from a world view to a more localised view as the article progresses.- The writer’s audience and purpose here with the shock tactics that are introduced towards the end of the article. - The level of engagement should be analysed at some part in the response.7(a)-AO1- Both extracts agree that the situations are very serious and that something needs to be done by the major countries/figures in the world and that money needs to be spent- Both extracts recognise that the world is watching and action needs to be taken.- Both extracts use statistical evidence and the views of high placed figures extensively to back up their views.- Both extracts illustrate the need for a ‘better world’ and both have strong ideals and hopes shown in what is said or from the views of those interviewed.- Both extracts leave their readers with a clear message in their final words. 7(b) -AO3- The personal and global nature of Mandela’s text should be compared with the newspaper article which is reporting on prevailing conditions. The Rwanda article is talking about a present situation whereas Mandela’s speech is more global and looking at a world situation and may well appear more appealing ? Which is the most powerful and convincing? - Both articles take strong moral stances and seek to inform and to a certain extent persuade the reader on appropriate actions that need to be taken although the genres are different.- There are differences in the style of language used. Mandela uses a series of clever techniques in his speech to convince and persuade whereas the newspaper article is more informal, informational and anecdotal in its approach. Which is the most persuasive? - Mandela uses extensive imagery and emphasises the virtues of charity in his sermon like approach which is full of imperatives whereas the newspaper article uses rhetoric, individual case studies and shock tactics. Which is the most effective in getting points across? - The similarities/differences in the tone and mood of both pieces and the way they end could be looked at.- The contrast in the structure of both pieces and their potential audiences and broader messages.2. Sport and Entertainment The six texts used in this section offer plenty of opportunities for comparison particularly the second one on the two racing drivers :- The newspaper description of the tennis match at Wimbledon and the extract from the autobiography of Sir Bradley Wiggins both look at forms of sport of their time and place. Both are highly descriptive pieces with clear messages and outcomes. How do the authors build up the tension and excitement of these two events? What techniques do they use? What do these pieces tell us about sport and sportsmen? A study of the language/structure used in both pieces and the different genres could also be looked at as they are over forty years apart.- The obituary of Ayrton Senna and the profile of Lewis Hamilton, both look at two talented racing drivers, one at the beginning of his career the other in his obituary. A study of the style of language/ structure in both pieces is worth looking at alongside a comparison of Hamilton and Senna in what they have achieved and how this is portrayed in terms of evidence and comments from those who knew them. The tone and mood of both sets of extracts clearly differs as shown in the genre, but clear messages and opinions emerge.For the comparative question- the newspaper article describing the opening of Disneyland and a visit to a Theme Park will be looked at: Look at the two extracts from Section 2 on Sport and Entertainment:A: A newspaper article on the opening of Disneyland- 1955D: A newspaper article describing a visit to a theme park-2012Read again Source D. For these questions refer to Source D only1. From the first paragraph of the article, identify two reasons why teenagers want to visit Thorpe Park? (2 marks)2. Give one example from the third paragraph of how the writer uses language to show how that the Thorpe Park is exciting. Support your example with detailed textual reference. (2 marks)3. Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to interest and engage the reader. Support your views with reference to the text (15 marks) Read again Source A. For these questions refer to Source A only.4. How much did it cost to build Disneyland? (1 mark)5. Give one example from the first paragraph of how the writer uses language to show Walt Disney’s personal involvement in the project? (I mark)6. The writer of the article attempts to engage the reader with his description of the new theme park project. Evaluate how successfully this is achieved. (15 marks) Support your answer with detailed references to the text. For these questions you should refer to both Source A and Source D. Answer both parts of the question. Refer to both texts in your answers.7(a) The two texts describe theme parks. What similarities are there in the views expressed by both writers in these two extracts of the theme parks they visit? (6 marks) 7(b) Compare how the writers of both texts present their experiences of visiting a theme park. (14 marks) Some indicative content1- AO1Two from- it has high speed rides/ indication of independence from their parents/ it has a reputation for terror or being scary.2- AO2One from- ‘raw thrills are the name of the game’/ ‘mighty satisfaction from the sheer number of loops’/ ‘gravity defying swoops and swirls’/’ultimate speed’. 3- AO2-The use of positive adjectives, verbs and extensive imagery throughout the article to create excitement and expectation about the park.- The information and description of a wealth of different rides, which are named and what they offer and how they cater for all interests. - The colloquial and informal use of language throughout to appeal to a young audience.- Varied use of sentence length and punctuation to emphasise various points and to build up excitement and expectation.- The relevance of the heading- ‘how to scare your teenagers’.- The pace of the article throughout but the purpose of the more thoughtful conclusion as an ending point.4- AO1- $ 17 million 5- AO2- ‘most spectacular idea Walt Disney has come up with’/ ‘profitable daydreaming’/ one-man world’s fair’ 6- AO4-The personal nature of the text with the writer being given a tour by the founder which allows him to interview Walt Disney which gives us a full insight into all aspects of the park. - The article seeks to inform and to a certain extent persuade the reader on the virtues of the theme park and the extensive descriptions of each of the ‘lands’ of the park shows the different opportunities on offer.- The use of descriptive language, specific case studies, facts and figures and imagery to portray the park gives us a very clear picture of what it is. - The feeling of excitement in the tone and mood of the piece and what it could become in the future, linked to fantasy and another world. - The final sentence and the link to family show the real impetus for this project. - The level of engagement should be analysed at some part in the response.7(a)-AO1-Both articles are about the excitement of theme parks and what they have to offer.- Both articles offer very personal advice and observations.- Both articles are positive about these experiences and both authors appear to enjoy them.- Both articles discuss ‘rides’ or aspects of the park which are new and revolutionary for their time.- Both articles talk about the sense of adventure which can be had and suggest that they are surprised with the enjoyment they have had.7(b) -AO3- The personal nature of both texts should be compared with evidence of their surprised excitement and enjoyment of their experiences and their levels of engagement. Which is the most engaging?- Both are articles seeking to inform and to a certain extent persuade the reader on the virtues of theme parks although written a time distance apart and about very different parks- Both speak directly to their audiences and give clear evidence and advice on issues such as ‘empire building’ or queuing. - The use of descriptive language, specific case studies and imagery to portray their activities is shown in both articles. Which uses language most effectively to portray excitement?- The feeling of excitement in the tone and mood of both pieces although both suggest there are other aspects to theme parks whether financial or teenagers seeking independence. - The contrasts in the styles of language and structure used in both pieces, the interview style of the newspaper reporter alongside the informality of the article exemplifies the time and the genres from which they are taken. 3. War and EspionageThe six texts used in this section offer plenty of opportunities for comparison:- The extract from the diary of Nella Last and the newspaper article on the eyewitness account of the terrorist acts in Woolwich in 2013 have much in common as they describe individuals and societies under pressure. The use of language in both extracts can be compared with the diary approach of Nella Last and the use of emotive language in the Woolwich newspaper account. The use of evidence in each, the headings and the tone/mood of each can also be looked at. Structurally they are very different but similar messages emerge. - The letter from World War One and the website profile of an Afghan war veteran can also be effectively compared, with a discussion about the genre of letters, their purpose and personal nature alongside the profile of the war veteran and the purpose of this piece from the website. A comparison of the descriptions of both conflicts, the levels of patriotism and the formality and styles of language and structure could also be looked at. Attitudes to war, opinions and the mood of both extracts can also be examined. For the comparative question – A Speech by Winston Churchill in 1940 on the threat of invasion and the Speech of Tony Blair to the House of Commons in 2003 on the Iraq War will be looked at:Look at the two extracts from Section 3 on War and Espionage:C: Speech by Winston Churchill- 1940D: Speech by Tony Blair- 2003Read again Source D. For these questions refer to Source D only1. From the third paragraph of the speech, identify two things that will emerge from this decision? (2 marks)2. Give one example from the early paragraphs of how the speaker uses language to show his dislike of Saddam. Support your example with detailed textual reference. (2 marks)3. Analyse how Tony Blair uses language and structure to persuade the House that Britain should hold firm. Support your views with reference to the text (15 marks) Read again Source C. For these questions refer to Source C only.4. Which foreign power is linked together with the British Empire? (1 mark)5. Give one example from the final paragraph of how the speaker uses language to show his dislike of the enemy? (I mark)6. The speaker attempts to persuade the House that Britain should never surrender to a foreign power. Evaluate how successfully this is achieved. (15 marks) Support your answer with detailed references to the text. For these questions you should refer to both Source C and Source D. Answer both parts of the question. Refer to both texts in your answers.7(a) The two texts describe the need to stand up against an enemy. What similarities are there in the views expressed by both speakers in these two extracts? (6 marks) 7(b) Compare how both speakers present their ideas and views about what Britain must do. (14 marks) Some indicative content1- AO1Two from- the fate of the Iraqi regime/ the future of the Iraqi people/ the pattern of international politics for years to come2- AO2One from- ‘the Iraqi people have been brutalised by Saddam’/’groaning under years of dictatorship’3- AO2-The use of abstract nouns and high flown language throughout to create an elevated tone and a level of seriousness- The repeated use of ‘I’ to show Blair’s own views on the issue- The quadruple repetition of ‘Of’ to emphasise who is affected by this decision- Varied use of sentence length to emphasise various points and the way the speech develops from choice to decision in terms of its structure.- The sermon like qualities of the speech as a whole in an attempt to persuade.- The use of emotive language in an attempt to persuade. - The use of detail and precise information to suggest a concerted campaign is necessary.- The structured paragraphs which each introduce a range of new points4- AO1- The French Republic 5- AO2- ‘odious apparatus of Nazi rule’/’fallen into the grip of the Gestapo’ 6- AO4-The emotive, personal and informational nature of the text should be looked at with evidence of elements of seriousness shown in the language used and the tone of the piece.- The way the speaker talks directly to his audience with the use of evidence and rhetoric alongside expert historical opinion and gives a clear impression of the present situations and what needs to be done.- The extensive use of persuasive language to show the seriousness of the situation alongside the views of several high placed individuals and affected parties indicates a level of control and a clear strategy. - The continual use of ‘I’ and ‘we’ to show a collective responsibility alongside religious imagery- The speaker’s audience and purpose, with the shock tactics that are introduced towards the end of the article but a feeling that there is hope and Britain will be successful. 7(a)-AO1- Both speakers agree that the situations are very serious and that something needs to be done to resist the perceived enemy otherwise the nation will suffer. - Both speakers recognise that the world is watching and action needs to be taken.- Both extracts use historical evidence and the views of high placed figures extensively to back up their views.- Both extracts illustrate the need for a ‘better world’ and both have strong ideals and hopes shown in what is said.- Both extracts leave their readers with a clear message in their final words. -Both men are important figures in their countries and believe in democracy and are against tyranny- Both men appear very determined in what they say.7(b) -AO3- The personal and global nature of both political texts should be compared and the supposed need to meet these dangers. Which is the most powerful and convincing? - Both articles take strong moral stances and seek to inform and to a certain extent persuade the audience. Both speakers speak directly to their audiences. - There are similarities in the style of language used, the formality and the use of rhetoric and the use of a series of other clever literary techniques to convince and persuade. Which is the most persuasive? - Both use extensive imagery and are full of imperatives and have a strong historical base. Which is the most effective in getting points across? - The similarities/differences in the tone and mood of both pieces and the way they end.- The contrast in the structure of both pieces and their potential audiences and broader messages.4. Health The six texts used in this section offer plenty of opportunities for comparison:- The Guinea Pig Anthem can be compared with the modern article on Adam Pearson as they are both dealing with the issue of disfigurement and how society reacts to this. The language and genres are clearly very different however, as is the structure of both pieces. How do these texts engage the reader and what points they are trying to make to their readers in these different genres? Mood and tone of both pieces can also be looked at as well as the elements of dark humour in each, although this needs to be handled carefully.- The article from the New York Times on Prohibition and the newspaper article on teenage obesity are both about restrictions and dangers but clearly from totally opposite viewpoints. Whereas the newspaper article on teenage obesity makes a series of moral points and is clear in its messaging and opinions, the article from New York is critical of the restrictions being placed on individuals. These two extracts use language very differently and structurally there are clear differences too. Audience and purpose could be successfully discussed alongside the levels of engagement/ persuasion in each text. For the comparative question- the newspaper article on the Manchester flu epidemic and the website extract on Mogadishu mothers will be looked at:Look at the two extracts from Section 4 on Health:The newspaper article on the Manchester flu epidemic-1918 D: The extract from the World Food Programme website on Mogadishu mothers- 2011 Read again Source D. For these questions refer to Source D only1. From the final paragraph of the article, identify two dangers that Fatia and Halima are vulnerable to? (2 marks)2. Give one example from the article of how the writer uses language to show the importance of the work of the World Food Programme. Support your example with detailed textual reference. (2 marks)3. Analyse how the article uses language and structure to present its views on the plight of mothers in Mogadishu. Support your views with reference to the text (15 marks) Read again Source A. For these questions refer to Source A only.4. How long does it take to prepare a new grave at this time according to the article? (1 mark)5. Give one example from the first paragraph of the article of how the writer uses language to show how desperate the situation is in Manchester at this time? (I mark)6. The writer of the article attempts to engage the reader with what they believe to be a growing crisis in Manchester in 1918. Evaluate how successfully this is achieved. (15 marks) Support your answer with detailed references to the text. For these questions you should refer to both Source A and Source D. Answer both parts of the question. Refer to both texts in your answers.7(a) The two texts describe the effects of illness on communities. What similarities are there in the views expressed by both writers in these two extracts? (6 marks) 7(b) Compare how the writers of both texts present their ideas and perspectives about what they have witnessed in their communities. (14 marks) Some indicative content1- AO1Two from- dangers of war/dangers of famine/becoming refugees2- AO2One from- ‘the value of specialised food packets ’/’ has been dispensing… rations for mothers’ 3- AO2-The use of facts and figures, individual case studies, anecdotes and geographical information to build up a view of the plight of mothers in Mogadishu.- The use of shock and emotive language such as a list of diseases, ‘war’, ‘famine’ etc to describe the conditions faced in Mogadishu and the fate of the two named children. The importance of the heading of the article to set the scene- The tone and mood of the piece, the use of dialogue from the two mothers and the clear message of the final sentence.- The use of language and imagery to create sympathy for the mothers and their children.- The structure of the piece with the individual case study to start with followed by a general assessment of the plight of the mothers and Somalia as a whole, towards the end. - The importance of audience and writer's purpose in the piece. What is the purpose of this piece?- The use of detail and precise information to suggest knowledge and a concerted campaign is possible on behalf of the World Food Programme.4- AO1- 8-10 days (from the placing of an order) 5- AO2- ‘has reached an acute stage’/’rate of mortality has steadily increased’/’illness has been more widespread than ever’. 6- AO4-The serious and informational nature of the text should be looked at with evidence of elements of seriousness shown in the language used and the tone of the piece which give an impression of the dire situation in Manchester.- The way the article speaks directly to the reader with the use of evidence and individual case studies alongside expert opinion and gives a clear impression of the present situation and what needs to be done and what the issues are.- The extensive use of detail on such areas as graves, the mortuaries and coffin makers shows the seriousness of the situation alongside the views of several high placed individuals and affected parties. - The structure of the article with the use of the three sub headings, with its emotive terminology.- The writer’s audience and purpose here with the use of formal and clinical language to suggest the seriousness of the situation which leaves a strong impression despite being written at the beginning of the last century. - The level of engagement for a contemporary/modern audience should be analysed in the response.7(a)-AO1- Both articles agree that the situations are very serious and that something needs to be done by the authorities- Both articles use detailed evidence and the views of high placed figures extensively to back up their views.-Both articles are about conditions that individuals face and how authorities are trying to protect and support the sick.- Both articles describe the dangers of ignoring health and advice requirements - Both articles include personal views of the challenging issues that are being faced and case studies.- Both articles talk about the need for preventative measures.- Both extracts leave their readers with a clear message in their final words. 7(b) -AO3- The local nature of the Manchester newspaper article should be compared with the website article which is reporting on prevailing conditions in a continent. Which is the most powerful and convincing? - Both articles take strong moral stances and seek to inform and to a certain extent persuade the reader on appropriate actions that need to be taken although the genres and times are different.- There are differences in the style of language used. The newspaper article is very formal and informational and is anecdotal in its approach whereas the website article is more personal using a range of case studies. Which is the most persuasive? - The similarities/differences in the tone and mood of both pieces, the newspaper article is quite pessimistic whereas the website article is more optimistic offering solutions although also recognising some of the risks.- The contrast in the structure of both pieces and their potential audiences and broader messages should be considered.- Both leave the reader with clear messages. Which does this most successfully? ChildhoodThe six texts used in this section offer plenty of opportunities for comparison:- The autobiography of a new child attending school in 1967 and the online article on the age children are sent to school both look at the purpose of education and schooling in England. The use of language and the structure of both pieces are worth looking at. A detailed analysis of the autobiographical piece and the personal reminisces of the writer can be compared with the critical analysis of the online article which looks at broader issues using a variety of linguistic devices to persuade. The audience and purpose of each piece could also be looked at.- The extract from a child’s experiences in World War Two and the newspaper article on child workers in sweatshops have much in common as they both look at children under pressure. The personal reminisces of the wartime child, the people she meets and her view of the war from a child’s perspective can be looked at. The evidence, statistical detail, warnings and messaging portrayed in the newspaper article can be looked at, alongside a comparison of the plight of the children in both extracts. A study of audience is worthwhile here alongside the structures of both pieces. Which is the most engaging overall?For the comparative question- The autobiography on the memories of a Grammar School Girl in the 1950s and the extract from a pupil on his school day from 2014 will be looked at:Look at the two extracts from Section 5 on Childhood:A: Autobiography of a Grammar School Girl – 1950sD: Extract from a pupil on his school day- 2014Read again Source D. For these questions refer to Source D only1. From the second paragraph of the article, identify two activities that take place at school in the morning? (2 marks)2. Give one example from the final paragraph of how the writer uses language to show how that he enjoys school. Support your example with detailed textual reference. (2 marks)3. Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to interest and engage the reader. Support your views with reference to the text (15 marks) Read again Source A. For these questions refer to Source A only.4. How did Jane travel home at the end of school? (1 mark)5. Give one example from the first paragraph of how the writer uses language to show that she is travelling quickly? (I mark)6. The writer of the article attempts to engage the reader with her description of her new school life. Evaluate how successfully this is achieved. (15 marks) Support your answer with detailed references to the text. For these questions you should refer to both Source A and Source D. Answer both parts of the question. Refer to both texts in your answers.7(a) The two texts describe two different days at school. What similarities are there in the views expressed by both writers in these two extracts about their days at school? (6 marks) 7(b) Compare how the writers of both texts present their experiences of their days at school. (14 marks) Some indicative content1- AO1Two from- morning registration/ reading out of announcements and notices/ form meeting.2- AO2One from- ‘bid goodbye to my friends/ ‘looking forward to the next morning’/’ full on day in school!’ 3- AO2-The use of positive adjectives, verbs and language throughout to create a positive feeling about the pupil’s experiences in the school which suggest it is a great place to be.- The tight structure of the piece amplifies the tight and orderly structure of the school day added to by precise times and schedules.- The specific mention of some of the activities, subjects and places around the school that the pupil particularly enjoys. The use of lists to suggest a wide choice- The use of the first person to build up excitement and expectation with elements of humour.- The use of the title and the ellipsis to effectively set the scene.- The final sentence suggesting that he is looking forward to the next day acts as a clear conclusion.- Some comments on audience and purpose and this extract as a form of persuasive writing to advertise the school to the reader and to engage them. - The colloquial and precise use of language throughout to suggest order and a sense of purpose.4- AO1- She cycled/went by bike. 5- AO2- ‘the wind rushed past my ears’/ ‘shops and houses flew by’/ ‘blurring into one long shape’ 6- AO4- The descriptive language of the cycle journey and the imagery to portray the sights and sounds of the time are well written. The feeling of excitement in the tone and mood of the cycle journey are paralleled by the excitement she feels at being at a new school.-The personal nature of the text with the writer giving a very personal view of her new school, its strengths and what is different to what she has experienced previously, gives us a full insight into her thoughts. The article speaks directly to the audience and gives clear evidence on what the writer believes makes a good school in such areas as discipline, structure, support etc. - The article seeks to inform and to a certain extent persuade the reader on the virtues of the new school, especially to one from a disadvantaged background and the extensive descriptions of her experiences and some of the personalities show the different opportunities on offer.- The use of descriptive language, specific case studies, facts and imagery to portray the school gives us a very clear picture of her new life. - The final paragraph and the comments she is making here about her new life. 7(a)-AO1- Both writers are very proud of their schools and what their schools stand for.- Both writers comment on the controlled and disciplined environment in their schools.- Both writers refer to the length of the school day and some of the facilities within their schools.-Both writers are positive about their schools and how they will help and support them. -Both writers talk about the excitement of being at school and how they are looking forward to future days.- Both writers offer very personal advice and observations on those around them.- Both writers talk about the sense of adventure and breadth of experiences which can be had.7(b) -AO3- The personal nature of both texts should be compared with evidence of their excitement and enjoyment of their experiences and their levels of engagement. They are written in very different styles and this may well make the grammar school article more engaging? Which is the most engaging?- Both are articles seeking to inform and to a certain extent persuade the reader on the virtues of their schools although written a time distance apart and about very different sorts of schools in different genres. The pace of the two articles could be looked at; the feeling of excitement and the suggestion of a rapid journey in the first with the more sedate but busy timetable of the second. - Both speak directly to their audiences and give clear evidence and advice on a range of issues, both appear very honest and written from the viewpoint of a child. - The use of descriptive language, specific case studies and imagery to portray their activities is shown in both articles. Which uses language most effectively to portray excitement?- The feeling of excitement in the tone and mood of both pieces although this is achieved very differently with the more personal autobiography of the grammar school girl on a journey home alongside the more clinical and ordered approach of the day in the life article. - The contrasts in the structure used in both pieces; the use of headings, the use of the first person in both pieces and the sights and sounds etc can also be looked at.6. TravelThe six texts used in this section offer plenty of opportunities for comparison:-An extract from the autobiography of Joe Simpson and the article on a family paintballing trip can be effectively compared, with a discussion about pursuing dangerous activities. How do the two writers’ describe their experiences in terms of the language and the structure of their articles in what are clearly very different circumstances? A comparison of the descriptions of what is happening around them, a study of the use of the first person, the build- up of tension and the use of figurative language could also be looked at. What points do both speakers want to get across? The last sentences are revealing. - The two extracts on the first package holidays of 1968 and the recent dangers of the British travelling abroad both discuss the British abroad but in different times. The first piece talks about the excitement of venturing abroad- how does the extract achieve this in the language that it uses? How does it use humour? The newspaper article however, uses statistics, government officials and case studies to show the dangers of travelling abroad, using more theoretical evidence, scaremongering and emotive language to persuade the reader. Which is the most effective as a piece of persuasive writing of the virtues of travelling abroad? Which is the most engaging piece?For the comparative question- The travel descriptions from Michael Palin in his round- the- world trip and from the modern travel magazine article on London will be looked at:Look at the two extracts from Section 6 on Travel:B: Extract from Michael Palin’s round- the- world trip- 1992D: Sunday Morning in London- 2015Read again Source D. For these questions refer to Source D only1. From the first paragraph of the article, identify two reasons why Sundays ‘should be for relaxation’? (2 marks)2. Give one example from the third paragraph of how the writer uses language to show how that Sundays are good for shopping. Support your example with detailed textual reference. (2 marks)3. Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to engage the reader and encourage them to visit London. Support your views with reference to the text (15 marks) Read again Source B. For these questions refer to Source B only.4. At what time did Michael Palin wake up on this day? (1 mark)5. Give one example from the second paragraph of how the Michael Palin uses language to show that the crew has made sacrifices for him and his team? (I mark)6. Michael Palin attempts to engage the reader with his description of his crossing of the Arabian Sea. Evaluate how successfully this is achieved. (15 marks) Support your answer with detailed references to the text. For these questions you should refer to both Source B and Source D. Answer both parts of the question. Refer to both texts in your answers.7(a) The two texts describe travel. What similarities are there in the views expressed by both writers in these two extracts about travel? (6 marks) 7(b) Compare how the writers of both texts present their experiences of travel. (14 marks) Some indicative content1- AO1Two from-to catch up with things/to recover from the night before/ to catch up with sleep2- AO2One from- ‘as busy streets are empty’/ ‘shops are uninhabited’/ ‘you might reach some of the rails at Topshop’ 3- AO2-The use of positive adjectives and verbs throughout to create a positive feeling about London on a Sunday morning after the initial statement at the beginning of the piece.- The description of a wealth of different opportunities and places to visit to cater for all interests. - The specific mention of some of the leading sites and shopping retailers throughout the article.- Varied use of sentence length to emphasise various points and to build up excitement and expectation.- The structured paragraphs which each introduce a range of new activities- The final sentence allowing the idea of a ‘reward’ at the end of a busy morning.- The use of emotive language and imagery in an attempt to persuade the reader that London is a great place to visit.- The colloquial and informal use of language throughout to appeal to an audience.4- AO1- 5 in the morning 5- AO2- ‘sent to arrange us some tea’/ ‘ the crew has given up a lot for us’/’ those that have the least are prepared to give the most’ 6- AO4-The personal nature of the text with the writer giving a personal memory of the crossing and the colourful personalities on the boat which gives us a full insight into the trip. - The article seeks to inform about the conditions and dangers of such a crossing and the extensive descriptions of each of the parts of the journey.- The use of descriptive language, specific case studies of some of the crew, facts and figures and imagery to portray the dolphins etc brings the journey to life. - The feeling of excitement in the tone and mood of the piece and the uncertainty of what is ahead. - The use of colour throughout the extract and the varied pace of the piece. - The mixing of old and new- with the headsets/ alongside the drumbeats.7(a)-AO1-Both articles emphasise the excitement of travel and the opportunities it has to offer.- Both articles offer very personal advice and observations about places and people.- Both articles are positive about these experiences and both authors appear to enjoy them.- Both articles talk about the sense of adventure which can be had - Both articles describe places on their travels in detail and some of the main sights.- Both articles use extensive description, sounds and imagery to describe the places they visit.7(b) -AO3- The personal nature of both texts should be compared with evidence of their excitement and enjoyment of the experiences on offer and their levels of engagement. Which is the most engaging?- Both are articles seeking to inform and to a certain extent persuade the reader on the virtues of travel although the modern article on London is an attempt to encourage and persuade people to come to London and is therefore more of a persuasive piece than Palin’s travelogue.- Both speak directly to their audiences and give clear evidence and advice on what can be seen and why travel is so rewarding. - The use of descriptive language, specific case studies and imagery to portray their activities is shown in both articles. Which uses language most effectively to portray excitement and to paint a picture?- The feeling of excitement in the tone and mood of both pieces is very clear although the London piece appears more clinical whereas Palin’s descriptions are more spontaneous as typical of a travel diary. - The contrasts in the styles of language and structure used in both pieces which illustrates the purpose and different genres of each of the pieces. Palin’s style is very accessible and warm whereas the travelogue is more informational and includes more specific detail- The contrasts in the use of colour and the use of soft and harsh language could be looked at in each along with the elements of humour that appear although this is controlled.- The similarities in the way both pieces end on a positive note; the beauty of the raising of the sail and what that symbolises in Palin’s work with the element of relaxation, finally, which concludes the London travelogue .7. ExplorationThe six texts used in this section offer plenty of opportunities for comparison:- The extract from the speech by J F Kennedy on going to the moon and the website article on Tim Peake’s first few days in space allow a discussion of space travel from its very beginnings to the modern era. Who are the intended audiences for both of these works and what is there purpose? The style of language and the structure of these two pieces are very different. Kennedy’s speech is highly aspirational, as he attempts to persuade the American people to support his programme and the repetition of ‘we’ throughout is significant. Peake’s responses are more spontaneous and colloquial. A comparison of the tone and mood of each is also revealing.- The two extracts from the interview with Sir Edmund Hillary and from Rory Stewart in Afghanistan are both pieces of writing linked to the exploration of challenging landscapes. They are both highly personal and describe personal memories and thoughts. It would be worth looking at the use of language, the use of names and descriptions of the people they meet, the use of colour and tenses and how the views and challenges are conveyed. Which is the most effective as a piece of writing? What are the two authors seeking to convey and to whom?For the comparative question- The diary extract from Ernest Shackleton’s polar expedition and the extract from Simon Armitage’s Pennine Way Walk will be looked at:Look at the two extracts from Section 7 on Exploration:A: Diary extract from Ernest Shackleton’s polar expedition- 1922 F: An extract from Simon Armitage’s Pennine Way Walk- 2012Read again Source F. For these questions refer to Source F only1. From the first paragraph of the article, identify two reasons why the walk taken today promises to be ‘pleasant’? (2 marks)2. Give one example from the third paragraph of how the writer uses language to try and show how difficult the walk has been up to this point. Support your example with detailed textual reference. (2 marks)3. Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to interest and engage readers. Support your views with reference to the text (15 marks) Read again Source A. For these questions refer to Source A only4. How many days had Shackleton been at sea before arriving at Grytvitken? (1 mark)5. Give one example from the diary entry of 1st January 1922 of how the writer uses language to show how difficult conditions were? (I mark)6. The writer of the diary attempts to inform the reader with the challenges that the he is facing at this stage of the expedition. Evaluate how successfully this is achieved. (15 marks) Support your answer with detailed references to the text. For these questions you should refer to both Source A and Source F. Answer both parts of the question. Refer to both texts in your answers.7(a) The two texts describe different expeditions. What similarities do these descriptions of the two expeditions share? (6 marks) 7(b) Compare how the writers of both texts present their experiences and thoughts about the expeditions they are on. (14 marks) Some indicative content1- AO1Two from-it is not very taxing- a saunter/ no route- finding difficulties/ the scenery is pretty/ several iconic landmarks to look at2- AO2One from- ‘heaps of filthy clothes’/’ blackened, bloodied or saturated’/ ‘hair railing experiences so far’3- AO2-The use of positive adjectives and verbs throughout to create a positive feeling about the sights seen on the walk and that Armitage is enjoying himself.- The poetic description of a wealth of different scenes and encounters that Armitage comes across. - The specific mention of Armitage’s daughter and her description. The introduction of humour here- Varied use of sentence length to emphasise various points and to build up excitement and expectation.- The structured paragraphs which each introduce a range of new sites, scenes and events- The use of the present tense to make the reader feel they are part of this journey.- The use of imagery and colour throughout.- The tone and mood of the piece and how this changes as the article progresses. - The importance of audience and writer's purpose in the piece. What is the purpose of this piece?4- AO1- 165- AO2- ‘engines were liable’/ furnace cracked’/’water short’/’heavy gales’ 6- AO4--The style and structure of the diary entries suggests someone under pressure as they are stark, clinical and very honest. - The comments are very personal and indicate someone who realises his time is almost up as he looks over his life and what he has achieved. What is the purpose and audience for this series of diary entries? -Shackleton is clearly concerned and worried by what has happened and feels a personal responsibility, this leaves a strong impression. The use of ‘I’ is significant.- The formality in the style of language used gives the article impact as does its descriptive sections, its extensive imagery and symbolism and the use of religious terms such as ‘I can Be crossed’, the image of the lone star etc. - The tone and mood of the piece is quite dark but this is appropriate due to the seriousness of the situation. How does the reader respond to this? -The reader is left with a clear message at the end of the final entry.7(a)-AO1- Both articles talk about the beauty of nature and the close connection to it they have.- Both articles describe places/things of wonder and beauty one sees.- Both articles give a personal view of the dangers of their journeys and the concerns the writers’ have.- Both articles use extensive description, sounds and imagery to describe their expeditions.- Both articles have degrees of excitement and expectation that such expeditions bring.- Both articles are written in the first person and this allows the authors to speak very honestly about their personal situations. 7(b) -AO3- The personal nature of both texts should be compared with evidence of their differences in their condition, their purpose and the likely outcomes of their travels.- The variations in the pace, tone and mood could be looked at.- Both articles seek to inform and to a certain extent persuade the reader of the virtues of the exploration despite some of the challenges one comes up against. - The different genres of the diary and the travelogue could be looked at and how this is reflected in the structure of each extract- Armitage discusses the personalities around him in some detail with levels of humour whereas Shackleton is more clinical in his approach talking about his fellow ‘travellers’ in general terms only.- Both speak directly to their audiences and give clear views on the present state of their expeditions. - The use of descriptive and poetic language, symbolism and imagery to portray the expeditions is used in both extracts but in different ways. The use of colour, tense and the level of specific detail in each are notable.- The similarity in the way both pieces end, both writers describe the power and beauty of nature.8. Nature and Natural ForcesThe six texts used in this section offer plenty of opportunities for comparison:- The two extracts, the Napier earthquake and the Queensland cyclone can be compared as they talk about natural disasters in the southern hemisphere. The differences and similarities in the style of language used alongside the levels of description and the use of eye witness accounts can be compared. They are structured very differently and this is reflected in the different time periods in which they were written with the more impersonal almost poetic Napier description alongside the more sensational and modern Queensland extract. - The newspaper article on the attempt to rescue whales and Ellen MacArthur’s article on crusading for the planet both look at mankind’s link to nature. The newspaper article is more informational and looks at the realities of a rescue attempt with a series of specialist comments whereas Ellen MacArthur’s article is more aspirational and personal. The language from both articles can be compared along with the structure of both pieces and their conclusions which are revealing. Audience, purpose and levels of engagement can also be examined. For the comparative question- the newspaper articles on the Aberfan and Chilean mining disasters will be looked at:Look at the two extracts from Section 8 on Nature and Natural Forces:A: The newspaper article on the Aberfan mining disaster- 1966D: The newspaper Article on the survivors of the Chilean mining disaster- 2013 Read again Source D. For these questions refer to Source D only1. From the first section of the article, identify two reasons why the survivors of the Chilean mining disaster are willing to appear in the film of their lives (2 marks)2. Give one example from the first section of how the writer uses language to show how difficult the rescued miners have found life after the disaster. Support your example with detailed textual reference. (2 marks)3. Analyse how the writer uses language and structure to interest and engage readers. Support your views with reference to the text (15 marks) Read again Source A. For these questions refer to Source A only4. How many children did the community of Aberfan lose in the disaster? (1 mark)5. Give one example from the first paragraph of how the writer uses language to show how important it is to find a cause of the disaster? (I mark)6. The writer of the article attempts to engage the reader with what they believe to be the significance of this mining disaster in Aberfan. Evaluate how successfully this is achieved. (15 marks) Support your answer with detailed references to the text. For these questions you should refer to both Source A and Source D. Answer both parts of the question. Refer to both texts in your answers.7(a) The two texts describe the after effects of mining disasters. What similar experiences did the peoples of these two communities share? (6 marks) 7(b) Compare how the writers of both texts present their ideas and perspectives about what they have witnessed. (14 marks) Some indicative content1- AO1Two from-they have a chance to appear alongside film stars/ it will bring them money/ it will bring them some employment.2- AO2One from- ‘health issues plaguing the vast majority’/’life has been difficult’/’ encountering problems with finding work’3- AO2- The use of facts and figures, anecdotes and detailed information to build up a view of the plight of the different survivors from the Chilean disaster.- The use of the initial statement to interest the reader and the use of the Hollywood film example to further this with the naming of well known film stars.- The use of detailed and interesting case studies to show how each individual has fared with clear contrasts and interesting life studies. The importance of the paragraph headings to give clear structure to the article- The tone and mood of the piece and how this changes as the article progresses from one of hope, to the realisation that there are still issues and problems for the survivors.- The use of language and imagery to create sympathy for the survivors and their families.- The structure of the piece with the individual case studies to start with followed by a general assessment of the state of each of the survivors and the moral message of the final sentence. - The importance of audience and writer's purpose in the piece. What is the purpose of this piece?4- AO1- Around half of its children5- AO2- ‘How could it happen?/ Why did this one move?/ The Coal Board must find out/ South Wales will be a restless place until we know why. 6- AO4--The local nature of the text about South Wales should be looked at and the use of evidence and opinion is clear in this extract which wants a series of questions answered. -The author of the article is clearly concerned and angered by what has happened and this leaves a strong impression. The use of ‘we’ is significant.- The article takes a clear moral stance and seeks to inform and to a certain extent persuade the reader of the seriousness of the situation. Although written a time distance apart, the impact of the disaster to South Wales can be felt.- The formality in the style of language used gives the article impact as does its descriptive sections and the use of emotive terms such as ‘tragedy’, ‘haunt their valley’ give it further impact. - The tone and mood of the piece is quite dark but this is appropriate due to the seriousness of the situation which is both shocking and sad.-The reader is left with a clear message, as are the authorities involved, about the levels of blame and responsibility7(a)-AO1- Both articles talk about the experiences of the people of South Wales and Chile and how these disasters have affected the local community - Both articles suggest that those who have survived will be haunted for life- Both articles suggest that the local community will be blighted for a lifetime- Both articles talk about elements of blame and guilt and the need to have answers- Both articles talk about the lengths the rescue workers went to find survivors7(b) -AO3- The nature of both texts should be compared with the article on Aberfan more concerned with the cause of the disaster and elements of responsibility whereas the Chilean article is more concerned with the human angle and the stories of the survivors. In that respect the articles have different purposes.- Both articles take moral stances and seek to inform and to a certain extent persuade the reader on the need to support those who have survived, though written a time distance apart they have similar conclusions.- There are differences in the style of language used. The Aberfan article is more formal and questioning and is earnest and humourless in its approach whereas the newspaper article is more informal, racy and anecdotal although some serious messages do emerge. Which is the most persuasive and engaging? - The Aberfan article uses extensive imagery and description and emphasises the need to find out whereas the newspaper article uses individual case studies and investigative journalism to seek out the real views of the survivors. Which is the most effective in getting points across? - The similarities/differences in the tone and mood of both pieces. The Aberfan article is very dark whereas the Chilean piece does offer more hope.- The contrast in the structure of both pieces and their potential audiences and broader messages.EDEXCEL Level Skills Descriptors for each Question Question 1 AO1 - Accept any reasonable answer, up to a maximum of 2 marks.Quotations and candidate’s own words are acceptableQuestion 2AO2 -Award 1 mark for a valid example and 1 mark for the text reference .Do NOT accept an example without a text reference.Question 3 AO20- No rewardable materialLevel 1 1–3 mark(s) -Limited comment on the text-Identification of the language and/or structure used to achieve effects and influence readers.-The use of references is limited.Level 2 4–6 marks-Comment on the text-Comment on the language and/or structure used to achieve effects and influence readers, including use of vocabulary.-The selection of references is valid, but not developed.NB: The mark awarded cannot progress beyond the top of Level 2 if only language OR structure has been considered.Level 3 7–9 marks-Explanation of the text-Explanation of how both language and structure are used to achieve effects and influence readers, including use of vocabulary and sentence structure.-The selection of references is appropriate and relevant to the points being made.Level 4 10–12 marks-Exploration of the text-Exploration of how both language and structure are used to achieve effects and influence readers, including use of vocabulary, sentence structure and other language features.-The selection of references is detailed, appropriate and fully supports the points being made.Level 5 13–15 marks-Analysis of the text-Analysis of how both language and structure are used to achieve effects and influence readers, including use of vocabulary, sentence structure and other language features.-The selection of references is discriminating and clarifies the points being made.Question 4 AO1 Accept any reasonable answer up to 1 markQuestion 5AO2 Award 1 mark for a valid example. Do NOT accept an example without an explanation.Question 6AO40 No rewardable materialLevel 1 1–3 mark(s)-Description of ideas, events, themes or settings-Limited assertions are offered about the text.-The use of references is limited.Level 2 4–6 marks-Comment on ideas, events, themes or settings-Straightforward opinions with limited judgements are offered about the text.-The selection of references is valid, but not developed.Level 3 7–9 marks-Explanation of ideas, events, themes or settings-Informed judgement is offered about the text.-The selection of references is appropriate and relevant to the points being made.Level 4 10–12 marks-Analysis of ideas, events, themes or settings-Well-informed and developed critical judgement is offered about the text.-The selection of references is appropriate, detailed and fully supports the points being made.Level 5 13–15 marks-Evaluation of ideas, events, themes or settings-There is a sustained and detached critical overview and judgement about the text.-The selection of references is apt and discriminating and is persuasive in clarifying the points being made.Question 7aAO1Students must draw on BOTH texts to access marks.0 No rewardable materialLevel 1 1–2 mark(s)-Limited understanding of similarities-Limited synthesis of the two texts-The use of evidence is limited.Level 2 3–4 marks-Sound understanding of similarities-Clear synthesis of the two texts-The selection of evidence is valid but not developed and there may be an imbalance.Level 3 5–6 marks-Detailed understanding of similarities-Detailed synthesis of the two texts-The selection of evidence is appropriate and relevant to the points being made.Question 7bAO30- No rewardable materialLevel 1 1–2 mark(s)-The response does not compare the texts.-Description of writers’ ideas and perspectives, including theme, language and/or structure-The use of references is limited.Level 2 3–5 marks-The response considers obvious comparisons between the texts.-Comment on writers’ ideas and perspectives, including theme, language and/or structure.-The selection of references is valid, but not developed.NB: The mark awarded cannot progress beyond the top of Level 2 if only ONE text has been considered in detail.56Level 3 6–8 marks -The response considers a range of comparisons between the texts.-Explanation of writers’ ideas and perspectives including theme, language and/or structure-The selection of references is appropriate and relevant to the points being made.Level 4 9–11 marks-The response considers a wide range of comparisons between the texts.-Exploration of writers’ ideas and perspectives including how the theme, language and/or structure are used across the texts.-References are balanced across both texts and fully support the points being made.Level 5 12–14 marks-The response considers a varied and comprehensive range of comparisons between the texts.-Analysis of writers’ ideas and perspectives including how the theme, language and/or structure are used across the texts.-References are balanced across both texts; they are discriminating, and clarify the points being madeCOPYRIGHTThe articles in this Anthology that are taken from the twentieth and twenty first centuries and are either: copyright free or free for commercial use or are used as part of an Open Licence for educational purposes. Thanks are given to those publications from where these articles are taken. ................
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