( h tt p / / ww w . i n di a s t u d y ch a nn e Essays - Culture

( h tt p : / / ww w . i n di a s t u d y ch a nn e l . co m ) R e sou r ce s ( / r e sou r ce s / ) / A r t i cl e s / K no w l e dg e S h a r i n g ( / r e sou r ce s / C a t e g o r y 5001 - A r t i cl e s - K no w l e dg e - S h a r i n g . a s p x ) / A r t i ci a l i n t e lli g e n ce , i t s a dvan t a g e s a n d di s a dv a n t a g e s P os te d D a te : 13 Ja n 2018 | U p d a te d : 13 - Ja n - 2018 | C a te g o r y : A r tic l e s /K no w l e d g e S h a r i n g ( / r e sou r c e s / C a te g o r y 5001 - A r tic l e s - K no w l e d g e - S h a r i n g . a s p x ) | A u th o r : C h i t r a ( / m e m b e r / C v i n a y . a s p x ) | M e m b e r L e v e l : D i a m on d ( / g e n e r a l /M e m b e r sh i p L e v e l s . a s p x ) | P o i n ts : 60 ( / g e n e r a l / C on te n tR a tin g . a s p x ? E n tity T y p e = 1 E n t i t y I d = 173143 ) | A r t i ci a l i n t e lli g e n ce i s a k no w n t e r m f o r a ll a n d w e u s e d i ff e r e n t f o r m s o f i t i n ou r d a il y li v e s . B u t d o w e k no w a b ou t t h e a d v a n t a g e s a n d d i s a d v a n t a g e s o f A I i n d e t a il ? T h i s a r t i c l e w ill g i v e y ou a cl e a r p i ct u r e o f i t . I n t r o d u c t i on A r t i ci a l i n t e lli g e n ce i s t h e i n t e lli g e n c e sho w n b y s y st e m s a n d m a c h i n e s . I t i s a r t i c i a ll y c r e a t e d , un li k e hu m a n i n t e lli g e n ce . N o w w e g e t t o s ee a r t i ci a l i n t e lli g e n c e i n ou r d a y t o d

The Witch of Endor †Theology Essay

The Witch of Endor – Theology Essay Free Online Research Papers The Witch of Endor Theology Essay She wasn’t an ugly old hag, as many would characterize those involved in the dark side. Her cunning and cautious demeanor had enabled her to survive these many years. She now lived in fear and poverty. No longer could she openly ply her trade as a medium, the renown with of Endor. King Saul of Israel had seen to that. Saul had put to death hundreds of witches and wizards. Could she help it if she had the ‘gift’? she reasoned. â€Å"Saul is just jealous of my power. He claims to be the enforcer of God’s law.† She was disgusted with the constant preaching and quoting of scriptures such as Deuteronomy 18:9-12 and Leviticus 19:31. â€Å"Why, they are just a bunch of hypocritical, archaic priests!† she would tell her fearful customers who forsook her practice. But for now, she lived in obscurity and utmost secrecy. One dark night a tall stooped figure, dressed in tattered and faded clothes walked through the shadows of the words in the pouring rain, until he found the ramshackle hut of the witch of Endor. A streak of lightening illuminated his haggard face and red bleary eyes, as he knocked on the thick wooden door. The door finally creaked open and the tall stranger and his companions entered the small hut. The old woman had a sense of foreboding when the stranger asked her to divine by the familiar spirit and bring up an individual from the dead whom he must hear from. â€Å"Just name your price,† he added. She quickly sensed danger and insisted that the men were trying to lay a trap for her so they could put her to death. But the men assured her that no harm would come to her if she would do this favor for them. The medium asked whom they wanted her to bring up. â€Å"Bring up Samuel the prophet,† he replied. When the woman saw Samuel appear, she shrieked with a loud voice and her hair stood on end as she began to shake uncontrollably. The woman realized that the tall man was King Saul, who had deceived her. Saul asked the woman what Samuel had to say to him. God had sent the prophet Samuel back from the dead to give one last message to Saul. When King Saul herd the message conveyed by Samuel to the medium, he shook with fear and fell to the floor in a faint. When Samuel prophesied of Saul’s tragic death, the witch of Endor knew that this was no mere demon from the dark side impersonating Samuel. No! This really was Samuel! (See I Samuel 18:3-25.) Why would King Saul resort to inquiring of the witch of Endor – a medium? Had he not ordered anyone who consorted with mediums, witches, or wizards to be put to death along with them? Saul had unwittingly become involved in witchcraft long before he went to the witch of Endor. When he blatantly disobeyed God in the valley of Amalek, Saul was already committing witchcraft. The prophet Samuel was sent by God to confront Saul at Gilgal and give him a message from God. â€Å"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams. For REBELLION IS AS THE SIN OF WITCHCRAFT† (I Samuel 15:22-23). If you are living in rebellion and disobedience to God, you are involved in witchcraft according to God. Surprisingly there are some who call themselves Christians and attend church but who are committing the sin of witchcraft. They are living in rebellion against God and those in authority. A witch does not necessarily dress in black and wear a pointed hat or do magic by wiggling her nose. Witchcraft is seeking to manipulate or control events, people, or the future by evil spirits. But rebellion against God’s Word is like this sin in that both involve rejection of God’s lordship and an attempt to determine the outcome of things in a manner other than God’s way. Both sins take you out from under God’s protection and put you under the destructive power of Satan and evil spirits. Those who refuse to repent of the sins of witchcraft and rebellion will not inherit the kingdom of God. (See Galatians 5:20-21.) Saul went to the witch because he could no longer hear God’s voice. Being out of fellowship with God is a miserable place to be. Saul was lost because he sought the witchcraft of disobedience instead of God’s way. What is God’s way? Jesus told him, â€Å"I am the way, the truth, and the life. NO one can come to the Father except through me† (John 14:6 NLT). The fact that Jesus is the only way to heaven is not popular in our age of â€Å"all faiths lead to the same place† way of thinking. Some argue that â€Å"one way† is too narrow. In reality, it is wide enough for all who believe. When standing at a great chasm and wishing to get to the other side, you don’t demand that a bridge be where you are. Instead you travel to the bridge, the only bridge, a few miles away, but you’re grateful there is a bridge and that there is a way to cross. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. His perfect and precious blood paid the debt we owed. He was raised from the dead for our justification before a holy God. Witchcraft is not the way. Jesus is the way – follow him. Jesus is the truth – believe Him. Jesus is life – live in him. There is no other way to the F ather and his house. â€Å"That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved† (Romans 10:9-10). Research Papers on The Witch of Endor - Theology EssayMind TravelComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite ReligionCapital PunishmentBringing Democracy to AfricaThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayThe Spring and Autumn19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraHip-Hop is Art

Whats the Difference Between the SAT and the SAT Subject Test?

For many students, the SAT test is the focus of an enormous amount of effort. There are prep classes, study books, online tutorials and much more to juggle. Some students, though, don’t realize that there is more than one type of SAT test. SAT Subject Tests (formerly known as SAT IIs) are also the subject of much effort and sometimes equally as much confusion. While both kinds of SAT are administered by the College Board, they each have a unique purpose and their format and content are significantly different. In this post, we will outline the primary differences between the SAT and SAT Subject Tests, along with how each is used by admissions committees and how students should plan for each. To learn more about SAT Subject Tests and how they stack up to the SAT, keep reading. Before we get into the nitty gritty details, let’s take a look at each test and what it aims to do. The SAT is a general assessment of your college readiness. It contains sections that test your skills in math, both with and without a calculator, along with reading, writing and language, and an optional essay section. The skills assessed by the SAT are broad ones—essentially, it intends to gauge your readiness for college level work by assessing your critical and analytical thinking skills and your ability to apply knowledge across multiple disciplines. The SAT does not assess specific content knowledge, but will sometimes ask you to apply your knowledge in new or different ways. To learn more about the format and content of the SAT, check out these posts: SAT Subject Tests fill in where the regular SAT does not. It, in essence, sheds light onto your specific content area knowledge and measures your achievement in a particular subject area. For a comprehensive list of tests, see our post Complete List of SAT Subject Tests . Unlike the SAT, each of the SAT Subject Tests assesses only your knowledge within that content area. To learn more about SAT Subject Tests, see our post What Are SAT Subject Tests? SATs (along with the ACT) are one of the standardized tests accepted to meet standardized testing requirements at many colleges across the country. If you plan to attend a college with a standardized testing requirement, you’ll need to either submit an SAT or an ACT score. SAT Subject Tests are not required by nearly as many schools and those that do require them often allow you to choose which you take. For example, some schools will request that you submit two SAT Subject Test scores of your own choosing. Others will request that you submit one SAT Subject Test score in a foreign language or other specific discipline. In these cases, you will have at least some leeway over which tests you choose to take. Still other colleges don’t require any SAT Subject Test scores to be submitted, but most will still review your scores should you choose to submit them anyway. The SAT measures broad skills and general college readiness. It assesses your critical and analytical thinking skills along with your ability to apply what you know. SAT Subject Tests measure your skills and content specific knowledge within specific subject areas. You can think of them as standardized tests to assess how much you have learned in particular high school classes. Our students see an average increase of 250 points on their SAT scores. The SAT takes about half a day to complete. If you are taking the optional essay section, your testing time will be just under four hours. If you choose not to compete the essay, your testing time will be closer to three hours. SAT Subject Tests, in contrast, take much less time to complete. They generally last only a little more than an hour. SAT Subject Tests are offered on the same days and at the same testing centers as the regular SAT, with a few exceptions. While the SAT is offered seven times per year, SAT Subject Tests are only available on six of those dates. In addition, it’s important to know that not all SAT Subject Tests are available on every date. For a comprehensive calendar of when each SAT Subject Test is offered, see the CollegeBoard’s SAT Subject Test Dates . The SAT is scored on a scale from 400-1600 with a separate score given for the optional essay. It is not scored on a curve, and points are not deducted for wrong answers. SAT Subject Tests are scored on a scale from 200-800. Like the SAT, they are not scored on a curve, but unlike the SAT, a fraction of a point is deducted for each wrong answer on multiple choice questions. Without a doubt, the SAT is more heavily weighted in admissions decisions than are SAT Subject Tests. SATs are accepted by every four-year college across the country and are in fact one of two tests required by many. They are often regarded as a major component of your application. In contrast, the weight given to SAT Subject Tests varies widely. Often, SAT Subject Test scores are weighted similarly to other application components like AP classes and scores, and honors level work. Sometimes, though, if you apply to a specific program or specialty, your SAT Subject Test might take on more weight. For example, if you are hoping to enter a BS/MD program, your Chemistry SAT Subject Test will be given more consideration. Further, your SAT Subject Test scores can sometimes be used to test out of certain introductory requirements or prerequisites at your college. For example, if you score well on the French SAT Subject Test, you might not be required to meet your school’s foreign language requirement. Because the SAT is a very unique test that evaluates skills you may have never been tested in before, you need to prepare specifically for it. That often means joining SAT study groups, taking online tutorials, completing multiple practice tests, and sometimes even using an SAT tutor to help brush up on your strategy. SAT Subject Tests are still unique tests, so your preparations might be fairly similar to the SAT, but you will also need to brush up on your content level knowledge, too. Overall, while you’ll still take practice tests and work on test strategy, you’ll also need to spend a lot of time studying the subject-specific knowledge that you’re likely to find on the test.

Inoperability Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Inoperability - Research Paper Example (2010). All these applications applied individually will support communications through interfaces which demand for constant maintenance and modification due to their dynamism. This as one way of attaining operability has not proved worthwhile. Similarly, there is standardization of an interface can as well be employed in attaining operability since this method eliminates the extra cost which would be incurred when building separate interfaces. The second approach is fuel by the fact that application developers are able to construct applications that are in line with the standardized interfaces, this increases the prospects of interoperability hence reducing cost which also includes reduced maintenance costs since there is a drop in the number of the interfaces to be accorded maintenance. The health level seven (HL7) is an application protocol for exchange of data in the healthcare environment. It is developed to be used to transfer data of healthcare information from department or f unction to the other basing its applications on the vast concept of application to application exchange of message system. The HL7 is the unit in form of an atom that passes data through systems. Or instance, the HL7 facilitates the admission of patience to a hospital or giving a lab order for blood test (Au, S, 2003). Every world real world event is defined by HL7 through an abstract messaging system which is comprised of a group of segments in a defined criterion and the rules and regulations for the construction of such abstract is created by the HL7 developed message framework which comprises of elements which are the building blocks and follows a hierarchy in context. Individually, the elements are associated by the factors like option ability, value set, length and data form that gives a constraint to them. The other components such as segments and segment groups are likely to compose additional elements while sub-components are purely primitive in nature since they are in the position of holding a data value without having a descendant structure Electronic Healthcare Information Security. (2010). HL7 was not there in the past but in the onset of its development, it was basically formed to give room too many dynamic business procedures that face the healthcare industry. However, the wider forms resulted into standardization which in turn created so many optional parts hence the alignment of the implementation of interfaces proved futile. HL7 applications are normally joined in two ways that is point to point or through the middleware which is clearly shown by the interface engine outcomes. Point-to- point applications entails the connection of each pair of applications in an independent way while the middle way application is the process where all the applications are connected centrally to the message broker. The operating system interconnection separates the functions of the protocols into five main layers with every layer having only a function of the layer that is found below it. This is the protocol stack and it is used for implementation in the software or hardware with the lower layers in the hardware and the higher in the software Data Exchange Standards, Health Level Seven Version 2.5 an application protocol for electronic data exchange in healthcare environments. (2009). In a variety

Analysis of Freire's educational theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Analysis of Freire's educational theory - Essay Example In this case, the teacher fails to recognize the cognitive ability of students instead transforming them into passive learners. He writes that education suffers from narration sickness because teachers talk about the realities as if they were predictable and motionless. Teachers fill the students’ minds with the content that is outside reality thus shifting the focus of education to sonority of words instead of the transformation power. He argues that students mechanically memorize content while their teacher is the narrator of it. My current educational system is related to John Dewey’s educational theory that suggests dialogue between the learner and the instructor. This factor changes education theme and makes it an act of depositing. According to his theory, this system introduces the banking concept of education whereby knowledge is a gift that the knowledgeable bestow upon those that they consider unknowledgeable. He compares the alienation that results from the t eacher-student relationship to the slaves found within Higelian dialectic; and the students never get to discover that they also educate the teacher (Piere 73). My educational system which relates to John Dewey allows interaction with the nature through experimentation and research. The dialectic or libertarian education, as he writes, lays its drive towards the reconciliation of the poles of contradiction to ensure that both parties are simultaneously teachers and students. My educational system undergoes constant evaluation process, which aims at providing the learner with corrective measures. This type of education creates dialogue between the teacher and the student such that they are able to learn from each other and benefit. He adds that such a solution is impossible with the banking concept which tends to maintain and even stimulate such a contradiction through attitudes like those that the teacher teaches, and the students taught, or the teacher is the subject of any learnin g exercise while the students remain to be objects (Piere 75). He argues that the banking education’s capability to have the creative power of students annulled or minimized then stimulates their credulity which serves the oppressor’s interest. The oppressors utilize their humanitarianism in some profitable situation. He adds that the oppressors have an interest of having the consciousness of the oppressed changed. He mentions the oppressed as those that live just within the society and according to it. He writes that all who use the banking approach do not perceive that some contradiction about reality already exists within the deposits - a factor that may lead the students to domesticate reality later. Freire writes that something implicit within the banking concept is its assumption of the existence of some dichotomy between the human kind and the world, a concept that views an individual to be a mere spectator (Piere 78). The view does also not make any distinction between access to consciousness and entrance to consciousness. He writes that the banking concept creates a distinction between the two stages of an educator’s action. Freire’s education theory is gender insensitive. It considers males as beings who are manageable and able to adapt as compared to females who do not possess these characteristics. The oppressors, according to Freire, are concerned with banking information to student’s minds making them passive learners. The outcome of what they learn is transformed into

A Degree for Meter Readers Essay Example for Free

A Degree for Meter Readers Essay South Illinois Electric Company is a Member-Owned, Non-Profit Service Organization whose mission is to provide our member-owners with competitively priced, reliable electricity, superior customer service and innovative solutions to enhance the quality of life in our communities. Organized in 1938 for the purpose of making electricity available to rural areas, South Eastern Illinois Electric Cooperative has grown steadily and now serves over 23,000 accounts through some 3,500 miles of power line. (South Eastern Illinois Electric Cooperative, Inc. ) Meter Readers A meter reader is a utility employee who reads consumption meters for the purpose of billing. He or she may read gas, electric, and water meters, in addition to inspecting meters and utility boxes to confirm that they are in good condition, and checking for signs of tampering or fraud. There are no educational requirements for members of this profession, although most meter readers hold a high school diploma. The need for this profession is also on the decline, as many utilities have turned to automated systems which read meters remotely or read large numbers of meters via handheld units which communicate wirelessly, reducing the need for employees. Every meter reader has a route that he or she follows. Many often complete large portions of their route on foot, driving to a central point and fanning out from their vehicles, so they need to be in good physical condition. They must also be willing to tolerate inclement weather, as meter readings are not canceled for things like rain. See more:  The Story of an Hour Literary Analysis Essay Each one carries a handheld device which is used to record meter data or to interface directly with meters to collect data. At each household on the meter readers route, he or she notes down the customer identification and the reading on the customers meter. People in this position often face challenges like locked gates, hostile dogs, or inaccessible meters along their routes, although many utilities issue meter reading dates to their customers and ask them to plan ahead for their reading. If a meter cannot be read, the meter reader leaves an appointment card, asking to reschedule a date to read the meter. Once the meter readers route is finished, he or she returns to the office to submit the data to the billing department, and bills are issued. Because most utilities cover a large area, there are usually enough routes to keep readers busy every day. Many grow very familiar with their routes and they are able to complete them  quickly. Working as a meter reader requires a high degree of self-discipline, because people in this position work alone in the field, without supervision. They may have varying degrees of interaction with the public, depending on when they set out on their routes and the communities they work in. Experienced meter readers may also periodically be asked to accompany trainees as they learn the process of meter reading and following a route.

The Political Thinking and Influence of Henry David Thoreau Essay examp

The Political Thinking and Influence of Henry David Thoreau The extent and nature of Henry David Thoreau’s commitment to social reform has long been a matter of debate among scholars. Drawing on his well-know disdain for organized politics and his focus of self-reform, some have observed that "Thoreau was no social reformer" (Goodwin 157). On the other hand, such major anti-slavery statements as "Civil Disobedience," "Slavery in Massachusetts," and "A Plea for Captain John Brown," have been seen as evidence that Thoreau was deeply engaged in the "most important moral and political issues or his time" (Harding 418). How can Thoreau the solipsistic hermit for whom "the government is best which governs not at all," (Thoreau 1792) be reconciled with Thoreau the political activist "most beloved by reformers" (Cain 5), and influential in the careers of such social-minded figures as Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King? For many scholars the key to understanding this apparent dichotomy lies in an exploration of Thoreau's particular understa nding of the relationship between the transcendental self and society. In this exploration critics have most often turned to "Civil Disobedience," Thoreau's most famous and influential statement on the individual's relation to the state. As Thoreau himself points out in the opening paragraph of â€Å"Civil Disobedience†, the â€Å"war in Mexico" (1972) is an important political context. In 1836 Texas declared its independence from Mexico and began petitioning for admission to the Union. Despite abolitionist opposition on the grounds that Texas's admission would greatly increase slaveholding influence in national politics, the state was admitted to the union on December 29th, 1845. However, because Me... ...eau and John Brown: Transcendental Politics,† ESQ 25 (1979): 156-68. Gougeon, Len. â€Å"Thoreau and the Natural Environment.† The Cambridge Companion to Henry David Thoreau. Ed. Joel Myerson. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1995. Harding, Walter. The Days of Henry Thoreau: A Biography. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1965. Herr, William. â€Å"A More Perfect State: Thoreau’s Concept of Civil Government.† The Massachusetts Review 16 (1975): 470-487. Rosenwald, Lawrence. â€Å"The Theory, Practice, and Influence of Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience.† A Historical Guide to Henry David Thoreau. Ed. William E. Cains. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. 153-180. Thoreau, Henry David. â€Å"Civil Disobedience.† Norton Anthology of American Literature 1820-1865. Ed. Nina Bayam et al. 6th ed. New York: Norton, 2003. 1792-1806.

Final Study Guide – Eco/372

ECO/372 Final Examination Study Guide This study guide prepares you for the Final Examination you complete in the last week of the course. It contains practice questions, which are related to each week’s objectives. Highlight the correct response, and then refer to the answer key at the end of this Study Guide to check your answers. Use each week’s questions as a self-test at the start of a new week to reflect on the previous week’s concepts. When you come across concepts that you are unfamiliar with, refer to the Student Guide for that particular week. Week One: Fundamentals of MacroeconomicsObjective: Explain the economic interaction of resources among households, government, and businesses. 1. Which group has ultimate control over the U. S. economy? a. Business b. Households c. Multinationals d. Government 2. When a government intervenes in an economy in a way that influences the relationship between households and businesses, it is a. serving as an economic a ctor b. serving as an economic referee c. serving the public good d. reducing social welfare by interfering with the invisible hand Objective: Describe gross domestic product, inflation rate, unemployment rate, and interest rate. . Per capita real output would most likely increase if a. both real GDP and population increase b. both real GDP and population decrease c. real GDP increases and population decreases d. real GDP decreases and population increases 4. In 2006, U. S. real GDP increased by 3. 3 percent. Based on this information, we can infer that the U. S. experienced a. a recession in 2006 b. an expansion in 2006 c. a depression in 2006 d. a trough in 2006 Objective: Identify sources of historical economic data and economic forecasts. 5. The Bureau of Economic Analysis is responsible for which of the following? a.Setting interest rates b. Managing the money supply c. Calculating U. S. gross domestic product d. Paying unemployment benefits. 6. The Federal Reserve will most li kely _______ the money supply when the economy is experiencing a recession a. increase b. decrease c. stabilize d. manage Week Two: Aggregate Demand and Supply Models Objective: Analyze the impact of various factors on aggregate demand and supply. 7. The AD curve a. will shift as much as the initial shift factor when the multiplier is greater than one b. will shift by more than initial shift factor when the multiplier is greater than one c. ill shift by less than the initial shift factor due to leakages d. could shift by more or less than the initial shift factor 8. Theparadox paradox of thrift occurs when a. an increase in saving raises output b. an increase in saving reduces output c. saving is unrelated to output d. a decrease in saving reduces output 9. Suppose output exceeds potential output and a contractionary fiscal policy is enacted. According to the AS/AD model, in the long run, this fiscal policy will produce   a. a lower output level and a lower price level than would otherwise have occurred b. lower price level than would otherwise have occurred c. a lower output level than would otherwise have occurred d. neither a lower price level nor a lower output level than would otherwise have occurred 10. According to the AS/AD model, an expansionary monetary policy a. increases interest rates, raises investment, and increases income b. decreases interest rates, raises investment, and increases income c. increases interest rates, reduces investment, and decreases income d. decreases interest rates, reduces investment, and decreases incomeObjective: Evaluate the effectiveness of changes in fiscal policies using Keynesian and Classical models 11. According to Keynes, the economy could become stuck at a low income level if   a. declines in aggregate demand and aggregate supply reinforce one another b. declines in aggregate demand are not accompanied by declines in aggregate supply c. declines in aggregate supply are not accompanied by declines in aggregat e demand d. aggregate demand and aggregate supply are independent of one another 12. The Classical economists argued that: a. market economy will not experience unemployment. b. if unemployment occurs, it will cure itself because wages and prices will fall. c. aggregate expenditures may be too low. d. if inflation occurs it will cure itself because prices, wages, and interest rates will rise. Week Three: Monetary Policy Objective: Assess the factors contributing to the establishment of general and specific rates of interest. 13. When the Federal Reserve targets a higher interest rate, this change in policy involves open market   a. purchases of government securities that reduced reserves b. urchases of government securities that increased reserves c. sales of government securities that reduced reserves d. sales of government securities that increased reserves 14. When the Federal Reserve sells bonds, the a. Federal funds rate increases b. reserve requirement falls c. discount rate increases d. discount rate decreases Objective: Explain the role of the Federal Reserve System in designing and implementing U. S. monetary policies. 15. Who buys and sells in the Federal Reserve funds market? a. Commercial banks and depository institutions b. Large financial institutions c.Financial institutions and large corporations d. Anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can participate 16. The Federal fund rate is always _______ compared to the discount a. higher b. lower c. equal d. comparable Objective: Analyze how the money multiplier effect facilitates the creation of money. 17. If the multiplier effect is 4, a $15 billion increase in government expenditures will shift the AD curve   a. to the right by $15 billion b. to the left by $15 billion c. to the right by $60 billion d. to the left by $60 billion 18. Suppose the money multiplier in the U. S. s 4. If the Federal Reserve wants to expand the money supply by 600 it should:   a. buy government securities worth 150. b. buy government securities worth 600. c. sell government securities worth 150. d. sell government securities worth 600. Week Four: Fiscal Policy: Politics, Deficits, and Debt Objective: Analyze the influence of deficit, surplus, and debt on the health of the U. S. macroeconomy. 19. When the government runs a deficit, it will a. buy bonds to finance the deficit b. sell bonds to finance the deficit c. reduce the money supply to finance the deficit d. raise taxes immediately 0. Deficits may be desirable in the short run if they a. help to stabilize the economy when the economy falls below potential output b. increase savings necessary for future investment and growth c. increase savings necessary for future consumption and demand d. help to stabilize the economy when the economy is above potential output 21. The structural deficit a. rises as the economy expands and falls when it contracts b. falls as the economy expands and rises when it contracts c. changes as actual in come changes regardless of potential income d. oes not change when income changes, but changes only when potential income changes 22. Government debt is defined as a. a shortfall of incoming revenue under outgoing payment b. a shortfall of outgoing payments under incoming revenue c. accumulated deficits minus accumulated surpluses d. accumulated deficits plus accumulated surpluses Week Five: International Trade and Finance Objective: Analyze the effects of international trade on the U. S. macroeconomy. 23. According to comparative advantage, specialization means that a country is producing the goods   a. that it wants to consume b. or which it has a relatively high opportunity cost c. for which it has a relatively low opportunity cost d. that it can produce at zero cost 24. Globalization represents a. a return to isolationism b. the opposite of isolationism c. the economic complement of political isolationism d. the political complement of economic isolationism 25. If the U. S. wa nts to strengthen the value of the dollar, it should use a. contractionary fiscal policy b. expansionary fiscal policy c. contractionary monetary policy d. expansionary monetary policy 26. Which of the following would most likely cause an increase in the upply of dollars? a. An expansionary fiscal policy that raised U. S. income and increased U. S. imports b. An expansionary fiscal policy that raised U. S. income and reduced U. S. imports c. A contractionary fiscal policy that reduced U. S. income and lowered U. S. imports d. A contractionary fiscal policy that reduced U. S. income and increased U. S. imports Objective: Explain how foreign exchange rates are determined. 27. Suppose a basket of goods costs 60,000 pesos in Mexico. If, at the existing exchange rate, it costs less than 60,000 pesos to buy the same basket of goods in the U.S. , then purchasing power parity implies that the a. dollar is overvalue b. peso is undervalue c. dollar should cost fewer pesos d. dollar should cos t more pesos 28. If a basket of goods costs $10 in the U. S. and 100,000 rubles in Russia, then purchasing power parity will exist if the exchange rate between the ruble and the dollar is   a. 1,000 rubles per dollar b. 10,000 rubles per dollar c. 0. 01 dollars per ruble d. 0. 1 dollars per ruble Objective: Analyze the impact of trade restrictions, tariffs, and quotas on the U. S. macroeconomy. 29. A quota differs from a tariff in that quotas a. imit the volume of imports more than tariffs b. do not increase the price of imports as much as tariffs c. do not generate tax revenues, unlike tariffs d. reduce consumer welfare more than tariffs 30. Threats to put tariffs on a nation in an attempt to get that nation to reduce its restrictions on trade are called: a. strategic trade policies b. trade adjustment assistance programs c. learning by doing d. inertia and cachet Answer Key 1. b 2. b 3. c 4. b 5. c 6. a 7. b 8. b 9. b 10. b 11. a 12. b 13. c 14. a 15. a 16. b 17. c 18. a 19. b 2 0. a 21. d 22. c 23. c 24. b 25. c 26. a 27. d 28. b 29. c 30. a

Part Two Chapter VII

VII Once the first impulse of spite had worn off, Samantha bitterly regretted inviting Gavin and Kay to dinner. She spent Friday morning joking with her assistant about the dreadful evening she was bound to have, but her mood plummeted once she had left Carly in charge of Over the Shoulder Boulder Holders (a name that had made Howard laugh so hard the first time he had heard it that it had brought on an asthma attack, and which made Shirley scowl whenever it was spoken in her presence). Driving back to Pagford ahead of the rush hour, so that she could shop for ingredients and start cooking, Samantha tried to cheer herself up by thinking of nasty questions to ask Gavin. Perhaps she might wonder aloud why Kay had not moved in with him: that would be a good one. Walking home from the Square with bulging Mollison and Lowe carrier bags in each hand, she came across Mary Fairbrother beside the cash-point machine in the wall of Barry's bank. ‘Mary, hi †¦ how are you?' Mary was thin and pale, with grey patches around her eyes. Their conversation was stilted and strange. They had not spoken since the journey in the ambulance, barring brief, awkward condolences at the funeral. ‘I've been meaning to drop in,' Mary said, ‘you were so kind – and I wanted to thank Miles – ‘ ‘No need,' Samantha said awkwardly. ‘Oh, but I'd like – ‘ ‘Oh, but then, please do – ‘ After Mary had walked away, Samantha had the awful feeling that she might have given the impression that that evening would be a perfect time for Mary to come round. Once home, she dropped the bags in the hall and telephoned Miles at work to tell him what she had done, but he displayed an infuriating equanimity about the prospect of adding a newly widowed woman to their foursome. ‘I can't see what the problem is, really,' he said. ‘Nice for Mary to get out.' ‘But I didn't say we were having Gavin and Kay over – ‘ ‘Mary likes Gav,' said Miles. ‘I wouldn't worry about it.' He was, Samantha thought, being deliberately obtuse, no doubt in retaliation for her refusal to go to Sweetlove House. After she had hung up, she wondered whether to call Mary to tell her not to come that evening, but she was afraid of sounding rude, and settled for hoping that Mary would find herself unequal to calling in after all. Stalking into the sitting room, she put on Libby's boy band DVD at full volume so that she would be able to hear it in the kitchen, then carried the bags through and set to work preparing a casserole and her fall-back pudding, Mississippi mud pie. She would have liked to buy one of Mollison and Lowe's large gateaux, to save herself some work, but it would have got straight back to Shirley, who frequently intimated that Samantha was over-reliant on frozen food and ready meals. Samantha knew the boy band DVD so well by now that she was able to visualize the images matching the music blaring through to the kitchen. Several times that week, while Miles was upstairs in his home study or on the telephone to Howard, she had watched it again. When she heard the opening bars of the track where the muscular boy walked, with his shirt flapping open, along the beach, she went through to watch in her apron, absent-mindedly sucking her chocolatey fingers. She had planned on having a long shower while Miles laid the table, forgetting that he would be late home, because he had to drive into Yarvil to pick up the girls from St Anne's. When Samantha realized why he had not returned, and that their daughters would be with him when he did, she had to fly around to organize the dining room herself, then find something to feed Lexie and Libby before the guests arrived. Miles found his wife in her work clothes at half-past seven, sweaty, cross and inclined to blame him for what had been her own idea. Fourteen-year-old Libby marched into the sitting room without greeting Samantha and removed the disc from the DVD player. ‘Oh, good, I was wondering what I'd done with that,' she said. ‘Why's the TV on? Have you been playing it?' Sometimes, Samantha thought that her younger daughter had a look of Shirley about her. ‘I was watching the news, Libby. I haven't got time to watch DVDs. Come through, your pizza's ready. We've got people coming round.' ‘Frozen pizza again?' ‘Miles! I need to change. Can you mash the potatoes for me? Miles?' But he had disappeared upstairs, so Samantha pounded the potatoes herself, while her daughters ate at the island in the middle of the kitchen. Libby had propped the DVD cover against her glass of Diet Pepsi, and was ogling it. ‘Mikey's so lush,' she said, with a carnal groan that took Samantha aback; but the muscular boy was called Jake. Samantha was glad they did not like the same one. Loud and confident Lexie was jabbering about school; a machine-gun torrent of information about girls whom Samantha did not know, with whose antics and feuds and regroupings she could not keep up. ‘All right, you two, I've got to change. Clear away when you're done, all right?' She turned down the heat under the casserole and hurried upstairs. Miles was buttoning up his shirt in the bedroom, watching himself in the wardrobe mirror. The whole room smelt of soap and aftershave. ‘Everything under control, hon?' ‘Yes, thanks. So glad you've had time to shower,' spat Samantha, pulling out her favourite long skirt and top, slamming the wardrobe door. ‘You could have one now.' ‘They'll be here in ten minutes; I won't have time to dry my hair and put on make-up.' She kicked off her shoes; one of them hit the radiator with a loud clang. ‘When you've finished preening, could you please go downstairs and sort out drinks?' After Miles had left the room, she tried to untangle her thick hair and repair her make-up. She looked awful. Only when she had changed did she realize that she was wearing the wrong bra for her clinging top. After a frantic search, she remembered that the right one was drying in the utility room; she hurried out onto the landing but the doorbell rang. Swearing, she scuttled back to the bedroom. The boy band's music was blaring out of Libby's room. Gavin and Kay had arrived on the dot of eight because Gavin was afraid of what Samantha might say if they turned up late; he could imagine her suggesting that they had lost track of time because they were shagging or that they must have had a row. She seemed to think that one of the perks of marriage was that it gave you rights of comment and intrusion over single people's love lives. She also thought that her crass, uninhibited way of talking, especially when drunk, constituted trenchant humour. ‘Hello-ello-ello,' said Miles, moving back to let Gavin and Kay inside. ‘Come in, come in. Welcome to Casa Mollison.' He kissed Kay on both cheeks and relieved her of the chocolates she was holding. ‘For us? Thanks very much. Lovely to meet you properly at last. Gav's been keeping you under wraps for far too long.' Miles shook the wine out of Gavin's hand, then clapped him on the back, which Gavin resented. ‘Come on through, Sam'll be down in a mo. What'll you have to drink?' Kay would ordinarily have found Miles rather smooth and over-familiar, but she was determined to suspend judgement. Couples had to mix with each other's circles, and manage to get along in them. This evening represented significant progress in her quest to infiltrate the layers of his life to which Gavin had never admitted her, and she wanted to show him that she was at home in the Mollisons' big, smug house, that there was no need to exclude her any more. So she smiled at Miles, asked for a red wine, and admired the spacious room with its stripped pine floorboards, its over-cushioned sofa and its framed prints. ‘Been here for, ooh, getting on for fourteen years,' said Miles, busy with the corkscrew. ‘You're down in Hope Street, aren't you? Nice little houses, some great fixer-upper opportunities down there.' Samantha appeared, smiling without warmth. Kay, who had previously seen her only in an overcoat, noted the tightness of her orange top, beneath which every detail of her lacy bra was clearly visible. Her face was even darker than her leathery chest; her eye make-up was thick and unflattering and her jangling gold earrings and high-heeled golden mules were, in Kay's opinion, tarty. Samantha struck her as the kind of woman who would have raucous girls' nights out, and find stripograms hilarious, and flirt drunkenly with everyone else's partner at parties. ‘Hi there,' said Samantha. She kissed Gavin and smiled at Kay. ‘Great, you've got drinks. I'll have the same as Kay, Miles.' She turned away to sit down, having already taken stock of the other woman's appearance: Kay was small-breasted and heavy-hipped, and had certainly chosen her black trousers to minimize the size of her bottom. She would have done better, in Samantha's opinion, to wear heels, given the shortness of her legs. Her face was attractive enough, with even-toned olive skin, large dark eyes and a generous mouth; but the closely cropped boy's hair and the resolutely flat shoes were undoubtedly pointers to certain sacrosanct Beliefs. Gavin had done it again: he had gone and picked another humourless, domineering woman who would make his life a misery. ‘So!' said Samantha brightly, raising her glass. ‘Gavin-and-Kay!' She saw, with satisfaction, Gavin's hangdog wince of a smile; but before she could make him squirm more or weasel private information out of them both to dangle over Shirley's and Maureen's heads, the doorbell rang again. Mary appeared fragile and angular, especially beside Miles, who ushered her into the room. Her T-shirt hung from protruding collarbones. ‘Oh,' she said, coming to a startled halt on the threshold. ‘I didn't realize you were having – ‘ ‘Gavin and Kay just dropped in,' said Samantha a little wildly. ‘Come in, Mary, please †¦ have a drink †¦' ‘Mary, this is Kay,' said Miles. ‘Kay, this is Mary Fairbrother.' ‘Oh,' said Kay, thrown; she had thought that it would only be the four of them. ‘Yes, hello.' Gavin, who could tell that Mary had not meant to drop in on a dinner party and was on the point of walking straight back out again, patted the sofa beside him; Mary sat down with a weak smile. He was overjoyed to see her. Here was his buffer; even Samantha must realize that her particular brand of prurience would be inappropriate in front of a bereaved woman; plus, the constrictive symmetry of a foursome had been broken up. ‘How are you?' he said quietly. ‘I was going to give you a ring, actually †¦ there've been developments with the insurance †¦' ‘Haven't we got any nibbles, Sam?' asked Miles. Samantha walked from the room, seething at Miles. The smell of scorched meat met her as she opened the kitchen door. ‘Oh shit, shit, shit †¦' She had completely forgotten the casserole, which had dried out. Desiccated chunks of meat and vegetables sat, forlorn survivors of the catastrophe, on the singed bottom of the pot. Samantha sloshed in wine and stock, chiselling the adhering bits off the pan with her spoon, stirring vigorously, sweating in the heat. Miles' high-pitched laugh rang out from the sitting room. Samantha put on long-stemmed broccoli to steam, drained her glass of wine, ripped open a bag of tortilla chips and a tub of hummus, and upended them into bowls. Mary and Gavin were still conversing quietly on the sofa when she returned to the sitting room, while Miles was showing Kay a framed aerial photograph of Pagford, and giving her a lesson in the town's history. Samantha set down the bowls on the coffee table, poured herself another drink and settled into the armchair, making no effort to join either conversation. It was awfully uncomfortable to have Mary there; with her grief hanging so heavily around her she might as well have walked in trailing a shroud. Surely, though, she would leave before dinner. Gavin was determined that Mary should stay. As they discussed the latest developments in their ongoing battle with the insurance company, he felt much more relaxed and in control than he usually did in Miles and Samantha's presence. Nobody was chipping away at him, or patronizing him, and Miles was absolving him temporarily of all responsibility for Kay. ‘†¦ and just here, just out of sight,' Miles was saying, pointing to a spot two inches past the frame of the picture, ‘you've got Sweetlove House, the Fawley place. Big Queen Anne manor house, dormers, stone quoins †¦ stunning, you should visit, it's open to the public on Sundays in the summer. Important family locally, the Fawleys.' ‘Stone quoins?' ‘Important family, locally?' God, you are an arse, Miles. Samantha hoisted herself out of her armchair and returned to the kitchen. Though the casserole was watery, the burnt flavour dominated. The broccoli was flaccid and tasteless; the mashed potato cool and dry. Past caring, she decanted it all into dishes and slammed it down on the circular dining-room table. ‘Dinner's ready!' she called at the sitting-room door. ‘Oh, I must go,' said Mary, jumping up. ‘I didn't mean – ‘ ‘No, no, no!' said Gavin, in a tone that Kay had never heard before: kindly and cajoling. ‘It'll do you good to eat – kids'll be all right for an hour.' Miles added his support and Mary looked uncertainly towards Samantha, who was forced to add her voice to theirs, then dashed back through into the dining room to lay another setting. She invited Mary to sit between Gavin and Miles, because placing her next to a woman seemed to emphasize her husband's absence. Kay and Miles had moved on to discussing social work. ‘I don't envy you,' he said, serving Kay a large ladle full of casserole; Samantha could see black, scorched flecks in the sauce spreading across the white plate. ‘Bloody difficult job.' ‘Well, we're perennially under-resourced,' said Kay, ‘but it can be satisfying, especially when you can feel you're making a difference.' And she thought of the Weedons. Terri's urine sample had tested negative at the clinic yesterday and Robbie had had a full week in nursery. The recollection cheered her, counterbalancing her slight irritation that Gavin's attention was still focused entirely on Mary; that he was doing nothing to help ease her conversation with his friends. ‘You've got a daughter, haven't you, Kay?' ‘That's right: Gaia. She's sixteen.' ‘Same age as Lexie; we should get them together,' said Miles. ‘Divorced?' asked Samantha delicately. ‘No,' said Kay. ‘We weren't married. He was a university boyfriend and we split up not long after she was born.' ‘Yeah, Miles and I had barely left university ourselves,' said Samantha. Kay did not know whether Samantha meant to draw a distinction between herself, who had married the big smug father of her children, and Kay, who had been left †¦ not that Samantha could know that Brendan had left her †¦ ‘Gaia's taken a Saturday job with your father, actually,' Kay told Miles. ‘At the new cafe.' Miles was delighted. He took enormous pleasure in the idea that he and Howard were so much part of the fabric of the place that everybody in Pagford was connected to them, whether as friend or client, customer or employee. Gavin, who was chewing and chewing on a bit of rubbery meat that was refusing to yield to his teeth, experienced a further lowering in the pit of his stomach. It was news to him that Gaia had taken a job with Miles' father. Somehow he had forgotten that Kay possessed in Gaia another powerful device for anchoring herself to Pagford. When not in the immediate vicinity of her slamming doors, her vicious looks and caustic asides, Gavin tended to forget that Gaia had any independent existence at all; that she was not simply part of the uncomfortable backdrop of stale sheets, bad cooking and festering grudges against which his relationship with Kay staggered on. ‘Does Gaia like Pagford?' Samantha asked. ‘Well, it's a bit quiet compared to Hackney,' said Kay, ‘but she's settling in well.' She took a large gulp of wine to wash out her mouth after disgorging the enormous lie. There had been yet another row before leaving tonight. (‘What's the matter with you?' Kay had asked, while Gaia sat at the kitchen table, hunched over her laptop, wearing a dressing gown over her clothes. Four or five boxes of dialogue were open on the screen. Kay knew that Gaia was communicating online with the friends she had left behind in Hackney, friends she had had, in most cases, since she had been in primary school. ‘Gaia?' Refusal to answer was new and ominous. Kay was used to explosions of bile and rage against herself and, particularly, Gavin. ‘Gaia, I'm talking to you.' ‘I know, I can hear you.' ‘Then kindly have the courtesy to answer me back.' Black dialogue jerked upwards in the boxes on the screen, funny little icons, blinking and waggling. ‘Gaia, please will you answer me?' ‘What? What do you want?' ‘I'm trying to ask about your day.' ‘My day was shit. Yesterday was shit. Tomorrow will be shit as well.' ‘When did you get home?' ‘The same time I always get home.' Sometimes, even after all these years, Gaia displayed resentment at having to let herself in, at Kay not being at home to meet her like a storybook mother. ‘Do you want to tell me why your day was shit?' ‘Because you dragged me to live in a shithole.' Kay willed herself not to shout. Lately there had been screaming matches that she was sure the whole street had heard. ‘You know that I'm going out with Gavin tonight?' Gaia muttered something Kay did not catch. ‘What?' ‘I said, I didn't think he liked taking you out.' ‘What's that supposed to mean?' But Gaia did not answer; she simply typed a response into one of the scrolling conversations on the screen. Kay vacillated, both wanting to press her and afraid of what she might hear. ‘We'll be back around midnight, I expect.' Gaia had not responded. Kay had gone to wait for Gavin in the hall.) ‘Gaia's made friends,' Kay told Miles, ‘with a girl who lives in this street; what's her name – Narinder?' ‘Sukhvinder,' said Miles and Samantha together. ‘She's a nice girl,' said Mary. ‘Have you met her father?' Samantha asked Kay. ‘No,' said Kay. ‘He's a heart surgeon,' said Samantha, who was on her fourth glass of wine. ‘Absolutely bloody gorgeous.' ‘Oh,' said Kay. ‘Like a Bollywood film star.' None of them, Samantha reflected, had bothered to tell her that dinner was tasty, which would have been simple politeness, even though it was awful. If she wasn't allowed to torment Gavin, she ought at least to be able to needle Miles. ‘Vikram's the only good thing about living in this godforsaken town, I can tell you,' said Samantha. ‘Sex on legs.' ‘And his wife's our local GP,' said Miles, ‘and a parish councillor. You'll be employed by Yarvil District Council, Kay, are you?' ‘That's right,' said Kay. ‘But I spend most of my time in the Fields. They're technically in Pagford Parish, aren't they?' Not the Fields, thought Samantha, Oh, don't mention the bloody Fields. ‘Ah,' said Miles, with a meaningful smile. ‘Yes, well, the Fields do belong to Pagford, technically. Technically, they do. Painful subject, Kay.' ‘Really? Why?' asked Kay, hoping to make conversation general, because Gavin was still talking in an undertone to the widow. ‘Well, you see – this is back in the fifties.' Miles seemed to be embarking on a well-rehearsed speech. ‘Yarvil wanted to expand the Cantermill Estate, and instead of building out to the west, where the bypass is now – ‘ ‘Gavin? Mary? More wine?' Samantha called over Miles. ‘ – they were a little bit duplicitous; land was bought without it being very clear what they wanted it for, and then they went and expanded the estate over the border into Pagford Parish.' ‘Why aren't you mentioning Old Aubrey Fawley, Miles?' asked Samantha. She had, at last, reached that delicious point of intoxication where her tongue became wicked and she became disengaged from fear of consequences, eager to provoke and to irritate, seeking nothing but her own amusement. ‘The truth is that Old Aubrey Fawley, who used to own all those lovely stone quoits, or whatever Miles was telling you about, did a deal behind everyone's backs – ‘ ‘That's not fair, Sam,' said Miles, but she talked over him again. ‘ – he flogged off the land where the Fields are built, pocketed, I don't know, must have been a quarter of a mill or so – ‘ ‘Don't talk rubbish, Sam, back in the fifties?' ‘ – but then, once he realized everyone was pissed off with him, he pretended he hadn't known it would cause trouble. Upper-class twit. And a drunk,' added Samantha. ‘Simply not true, I'm afraid,' Miles said firmly. ‘To fully understand the problem, Kay, you need to appreciate a bit of local history.' Samantha, holding her chin in her hand, pretended to slide her elbow off the table in boredom. Though she could not like Samantha, Kay laughed, and Gavin and Mary broke off their quiet conversation. ‘We're talking about the Fields,' said Kay, in a tone intended to remind Gavin that she was there; that he ought to be giving her moral support. Miles, Samantha and Gavin realized simultaneously that the Fields was a most tactless subject to raise in front of Mary, when they had been such a bone of contention between Barry and Howard. ‘Apparently they're a bit of a sore subject locally,' said Kay, wanting to force Gavin to express a view, to rope him in. ‘Mmm,' he replied, and turning back to Mary, he said, ‘So how's Declan's football coming on?' Kay experienced a powerful stab of fury: Mary might be recently bereaved, but Gavin's solicitousness seemed unnecessarily pointed. She had imagined this evening quite differently: a foursome in which Gavin would have to acknowledge that they really were a couple; yet nobody looking on would imagine that they enjoyed a closer relationship than acquaintanceship. Also, the food was horrible. Kay put her knife and fork together with three-quarters of her helping untouched – an act that was not lost on Samantha – and addressed Miles again. ‘Did you grow up in Pagford?' ‘Afraid so,' said Miles, smiling complacently. ‘Born in the old Kelland Hospital along the road. They closed it in the eighties.' ‘And you? – ‘ Kay asked Samantha, who cut across her. ‘God, no. I'm here by accident.' ‘Sorry, I don't know what you do, Samantha?' asked Kay. ‘I've got my own busi – ‘ ‘She sells outsize bras,' said Miles. Samantha got up abruptly and went to fetch another bottle of wine. When she returned to the table, Miles was telling Kay the humorous anecdote, doubtless intended to illustrate how everyone knew everyone in Pagford, of how he had been pulled over in the car one night by a policeman who turned out to be a friend he had known since primary school. The blow-by-blow re-enactment of the banter between himself and Steve Edwards was tediously familiar to Samantha. As she moved around the table replenishing all the glasses, she watched Kay's austere expression; evidently, Kay did not find drink-driving a laughing matter. ‘†¦ so Steve's holding out the breathalyser, and I'm about to blow in it, and out of nowhere we both start cracking up. His partner's got no idea what the hell's going on; he's like this' – Miles mimed a man turning his head from side to side in astonishment – ‘and Steve's bent double, pissing himself, because all we can think of is the last time he was holding something steady for me to blow into, which was nigh on twenty years ago, and – ‘ ‘It was a blow-up doll,' said Samantha, unsmiling, dropping back into her seat beside Miles. ‘Miles and Steve put it in their friend Ian's parents' bed, during Ian's eighteenth-birthday party. Anyway, in the end Miles was fined a grand and got three points on his licence, because it was the second time he'd been caught over the limit. So that was hysterically funny.' Miles' grin remained foolishly in place, like a limp balloon forgotten after a party. A stiff little chill seemed to blow through the temporarily silent room. Though Miles struck her as an almighty bore, Kay was on his side: he was the only one at the table who seemed remotely inclined to ease her passage into Pagford social life. ‘I must say, the Fields are pretty rough,' she said, reverting to the subject with which Miles seemed most comfortable, and still ignorant that it was in any way inauspicious within Mary's vicinity. ‘I've worked in the inner cities; I didn't expect to see that kind of deprivation in a rural area, but it's not all that different from London. Less of an ethnic mix, of course.' ‘Oh, yes, we've got our share of addicts and wasters,' said Miles. ‘I think that's about all I can manage, Sam,' he added, pushing his plate away from him with a sizeable amount of food still on it. Samantha started to clear the table; Mary got up to help. ‘No, no, it's fine, Mary, you relax,' Samantha said. To Kay's annoyance, Gavin jumped up too, chivalrously insisting on Mary's sitting back down, but Mary insisted too. ‘That was lovely, Sam,' said Mary, in the kitchen, as they scraped most of the food into the bin. ‘No, it wasn't, it was horrible,' said Samantha, who was only appreciating how drunk she was now that she was on her feet. ‘What do you think of Kay?' ‘I don't know. She's not what I expected,' said Mary. ‘She's exactly what I expected,' said Samantha, taking out plates for pudding. ‘She's another Lisa, if you ask me.' ‘Oh, no, don't say that,' said Mary. ‘He deserves someone nice this time.' This was a most novel point of view to Samantha, who was of the opinion that Gavin's wetness merited constant punishment. They returned to the dining room to find an animated conversation in progress between Kay and Miles, while Gavin sat in silence. ‘†¦ offload responsibility for them, which seems to me to be a pretty self-centred and self-satisfied – ‘ ‘Well, I think it's interesting that you use the word â€Å"responsibility†,' said Miles, ‘because I think that goes to the very heart of the problem, doesn't it? The question is, where exactly do we draw the line?' ‘Beyond the Fields, apparently.' Kay laughed, with condescension. ‘You want to draw a line neatly between the home-owning middle classes and the lower – ‘ ‘Pagford's full of working-class people, Kay; the difference is, most of them work. D'you know what proportion of the Fields lives off benefits? Responsibility, you say: what happened to personal responsibility? We've had them through the local school for years: kids who haven't got a single worker in the family; the concept of earning a living is completely foreign to them; generations of non-workers, and we're expected to subsidize them – ‘ ‘So your solution is to shunt off the problem onto Yarvil,' said Kay, ‘not to engage with any of the underlying – ‘ ‘Mississippi mud pie?' called Samantha. Gavin and Mary took slices with thanks; Kay, to Samantha's fury, simply held out her plate as though Samantha were a waitress, her attention all on Miles. ‘†¦ the addiction clinic, which is absolutely crucial, and which certain people are apparently lobbying to close – ‘ ‘Oh, well, if you're talking about Bellchapel,' said Miles, shaking his head and smirking, ‘I hope you've mugged up on what the success rates are, Kay. Pathetic, frankly, absolutely pathetic. I've seen the figures, I was going through them this morning, and I won't lie to you, the sooner they close – ‘ ‘And the figures you're talking about are †¦?' ‘Success rates, Kay, exactly what I said: the number of people who have actually stopped using drugs, gone clean – ‘ ‘I'm sorry, but that's a very naive point of view; if you're going to judge success purely – ‘ ‘But how on earth else are we supposed to judge an addiction clinic's success?' demanded Miles, incredulous. ‘As far as I can tell, all they do at Bellchapel is dole out methadone, which half of their clients use alongside heroin anyway.' ‘The whole problem of addiction is immensely complicated,' said Kay, ‘and it's naive and simplistic to put the problem purely in terms of users and non †¦' But Miles was shaking his head, smiling; Kay, who had been enjoying her verbal duel with this self-satisfied lawyer, was suddenly angry. ‘Well, I can give you a very concrete example of what Bellchapel's doing: one family I'm working with – mother, teenage daughter and small son – if the mother wasn't on methadone, she'd be on the streets trying to pay for her habit; the kids are immeasurably better off – ‘ ‘They'd be better off away from their mother, by the sound of it,' said Miles. ‘And where exactly would you propose they go?' ‘A decent foster home would be a good start,' said Miles. ‘Do you know how many foster homes there are, against how many kids needing them?' asked Kay. ‘The best solution would have been to have them adopted at birth – ‘ ‘Fabulous. I'll hop in my time machine,' retorted Kay. ‘Well, we know a couple who were desperate to adopt,' said Samantha, unexpectedly throwing her weight behind Miles. She would not forgive Kay for the rude outstretched plate; the woman was bolshy and patronizing, exactly like Lisa, who had monopolized every get-together with her political views and her job in family law, despising Samantha for owning a bra shop. ‘Adam and Janice,' she reminded Miles in parenthesis, who nodded; ‘and they couldn't get a baby for love nor money, could they?' ‘Yes, a baby,' said Kay, rolling her eyes, ‘everybody wants a baby. Robbie's nearly four. He's not potty-trained, he's developmentally behind for his age and he's almost certainly had inappropriate exposure to sexual behaviour. Would your friends like to adopt him?' ‘But the point is, if he'd been taken from his mother at birth – ‘ ‘She was off the drugs when he was born, and making good progress,' said Kay. ‘She loved him and wanted to keep him, and she was meeting his needs at the time. She'd already raised Krystal, with some family support – ‘ ‘Krystal!' shrieked Samantha. ‘Oh my God, are we talking about the Weedons?' Kay was horrified that she had used names; it had never mattered in London, but everyone truly did know everyone in Pagford, it seemed. ‘I shouldn't have – ‘ But Miles and Samantha were laughing, and Mary looked tense. Kay, who had not touched her pie, and had managed very little of the first course, realized that she had drunk too much; she had been sipping wine steadily out of nerves, and now she had committed a prime indiscretion. Still, it was too late to undo that; anger overrode every other consideration. ‘Krystal Weedon is no advert for that woman's mothering skills,' said Miles. ‘Krystal's trying her damnedest to hold her family together,' said Kay. ‘She loves her little brother very much; she's terrified he'll be taken away – ‘ ‘I wouldn't trust Krystal Weedon to look after a boiling egg,' said Miles, and Samantha laughed again. ‘Oh, look, it's to her credit she loves her brother, but he isn't a cuddly toy – ‘ ‘Yes, I know that,' snapped Kay, remembering Robbie's shitty, crusted bottom, ‘but he's still loved.' ‘Krystal bullied our daughter Lexie,' said Samantha, ‘so we've seen a different side of her to the one I'm sure she shows you.' ‘Look, we all know Krystal's had a rough deal,' said Miles, ‘nobody's denying that. It's the drug-addled mother I've got an issue with.' ‘As a matter of fact, she's doing very well on the Bellchapel programme at the moment.' ‘But with her history,' said Miles, ‘it isn't rocket science, is it, to guess that she'll relapse?' ‘If you apply that rule across the board, you ought not to have a driving licence, because with your history you're bound to drink and drive again.' Miles was temporarily baffled, but Samantha said coldly, ‘I think that's a rather different thing.' ‘Do you?' said Kay. ‘It's the same principle.' ‘Yes, well, principles are sometimes the problem, if you ask me,' said Miles. ‘Often what's needed is a bit of common sense.' ‘Which is the name people usually give to their prejudices,' rejoined Kay. ‘According to Nietzsche,' said a sharp new voice, making them all jump, ‘philosophy is the biography of the philosopher.' A miniature Samantha stood at the door into the hall, a busty girl of around sixteen in tight jeans and a T-shirt; she was eating a handful of grapes and looking rather pleased with herself. ‘Everyone meet Lexie,' said Miles proudly. ‘Thank you for that, genius.' ‘You're welcome,' said Lexie pertly, and she swept off upstairs. A heavy silence sank over the table. Without really knowing why, Samantha, Miles and Kay all glanced towards Mary, who looked as though she might be on the verge of tears. ‘Coffee,' said Samantha, lurching to her feet. Mary disappeared into the bathroom. ‘Let's go and sit through,' said Miles, conscious that the atmosphere was somewhat charged, but confident that he could, with a few jokes and his habitual bonhomie, steer everyone back into charity with each other. ‘Bring your glasses.' His inner certainties had been no more rearranged by Kay's arguments than a breeze can move a boulder; yet his feeling towards her was not unkind, but rather pitying. He was the least intoxicated by the constant refilling of glasses, but on reaching the sitting room he realized how very full his bladder was. ‘Whack on some music, Gav, and I'll go and get those choccies.' But Gavin made no move towards the vertical stacks of CDs in their sleek Perspex stands. He seemed to be waiting for Kay to start on him. Sure enough, as soon as Miles had vanished from sight, Kay said, ‘Well, thank you very much, Gav. Thanks for all the support.' Gavin had drunk even more greedily than Kay throughout dinner, enjoying his own private celebration that he had not, after all, been offered up as a sacrifice to Samantha's gladiatorial bullying. He faced Kay squarely, full of a courage born not only of wine but because he had been treated for an hour as somebody important, knowledgeable and supportive, by Mary. ‘You seemed to be doing OK on your own,' he said. Indeed, the little he had permitted himself to hear of Kay and Miles' argument had given him a pronounced sense of deja vu; if he had not had Mary to distract him, he might have fancied himself back on that famous evening, in the identical dining room, when Lisa had told Miles that he epitomized all that was wrong with society, and Miles had laughed in her face, and Lisa had lost her temper and refused to stay for coffee. It was not very long after, that Lisa had admitted that she was sleeping with an associate partner at her firm and advised Gavin to get tested for chlamydia. ‘I don't know any of these people,' said Kay, ‘and you haven't done one damn thing to make it any easier for me, have you?' ‘What did you want me to do?' asked Gavin. He was wonderfully calm, insulated by the imminent returns of the Mollisons and Mary, and by the copious amounts of Chianti he had consumed. ‘I didn't want an argument about the Fields. I don't give a monkey's about the Fields. Plus,' he added, ‘it's a touchy subject around Mary; Barry was fighting on the council to keep the Fields part of Pagford.' ‘Well, then, why couldn't you have told me – given me a hint?' He laughed, exactly as Miles had laughed at her. Before she could retort, the others returned like the Magi bearing gifts: Samantha carrying a tray of cups, followed by Mary holding the cafetiere, and Miles, with Kay's chocolates. Kay saw the flamboyant gold ribbon on the box and remembered how optimistic she had been about tonight when she had bought them. She turned her face away, trying to hide her anger, frantic with the desire to shout at Gavin, and also with a sudden, shocking urge to cry. ‘It's been so nice,' she heard Mary say, in a thick voice that suggested she, too, might have been crying, ‘but I won't stay for coffee, I don't want to be late back; Declan's a bit †¦ a bit unsettled at the moment. Thanks so much, Sam, Miles, it's been good to, you know †¦ well, get out for a bit.' ‘I'll walk you up the – ‘ Miles began, but Gavin was talking firmly over him. ‘You stay here, Miles; I'll see Mary back. I'll walk you up the road, Mary. It'll only take five minutes. It's dark up the top there.' Kay was barely breathing; all her being was concentrated in loathing of complacent Miles, tarty Samantha and fragile, drooping Mary, but most of all of Gavin himself. ‘Oh, yes,' she heard herself saying, as everybody seemed to look towards her for permission, ‘yep, you see Mary home, Gav.' She heard the front door close and Gavin had gone. Miles was pouring Kay's coffee. She watched the stream of hot black liquid fall, and felt suddenly, painfully alive to what she had risked in overthrowing her life for the man walking away into the night with another woman.

Hamlet Character study of Ophelia Essays

Hamlet Character study of Ophelia Essays Hamlet Character study of Ophelia Paper Hamlet Character study of Ophelia Paper In the play written by William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Ophelia is seen to be a very interesting and intriguing character. Shakespeare has written Ophelia in a way that leaves the audience puzzled as to her true character. Many critics have placed Ophelias character at completely contrasting ends of a continuum some people believe that Ophelia is not the innocent young girl others believe she is. Some people believe Ophelia to be a wanton, sexually knowledgeable young woman, while others believe that she is harmless and pious. This is due to the manner that Shakespeare has written Ophelias character, it means that Ophelias language and actions can be interpreted in many different factions. This can be shown by the way in which Ophelia reacts in different circumstances, while some believe that it shows that she is sexually knowledgeable others believe it shows a lack of knowledge and even slight embarrassment. I believe that Ophelia was written by Shakespeare to be an innocent young woman that is corrupted by the events occurring around her. I believe that Hamlet treats Ophelia brutally and that her innocence and shy character during these events lead to her depression and her end. Ophelia occurs in the play as the daughter to the kings councillor and the true love interest of Hamlet. Ophelia is written by Shakespeare to be an innocent bystander to the events occurring around her and one of the many links between the complex characters and stories within the play. Ophelias innocent character can first be shown in act one scene three when people try to give her advice. : Laertes and Polonius are used by Shakespeare to show Ophelias great innocence. The brother and father of Ophelia show worry about her character because they think Hamlet is just using her. In the same scene Ophelias character is again displayed by Shakespeare. Shakespeare shows Ophelias shy and acquiescent character in a variety of different ways. When Ophelia is placed in a scene with a person of a higher status and authority Shakespeare shows her obedience by letting her say little in comparison to the people, mainly men, around her. Shakespeare uses this device to indicate Ophelias lower status and how she is obedient to people of a higher rank. In the same scene Shakespeare again uses interaction with other characters to portray Ophelias character. In the play Shakespeare shows the audience that Hamlet is deeply disturbed by the events that have occurred but Ophelia believes that Hamlet has shown her affection recently and has given his word that he loves her. And hath given countenance to his speech, my lord, With almost all the holy vows of heaven. Shakespeare uses this positive language to show Ophelias naivety, Ophelia seems certain that Hamlet truly loves her and has shown her affection. Shakespeare uses positive language to show Ophelias confidence, like has and all the holy vows of heaven. Shakespeare very cleverly uses this positive language to show naivety as Shakespeare has already shown Hamlets state of mind, that he is deeply disturbed and at that moment of time would not be able to show anybody true affection or love as he would have his mind on more pressing matters. Ophelias nai ve character is again shown by Shakespeare by her loyalty and devotion to her corrupted father, Polonius. She agrees to spy on Hamlet and unquestionably agrees to all his demands. This shows true naivety as her father is part of the new corrupt and untrue realm that she accepts to be lawful. Shakespeare continues to use the people surrounding Ophelia to show her untainted character, as he shows the characters around her continually needing to make sure that she does not do something ridiculous. Her father even points out her frailty. You speak like a green girl Polonius is telling Ophelia and the audience that she is nai ve and is too trustworthy. For someones father to personally insult their daughter then it must be a pressing matter. The language used by Polonius is very aggressive, this is to try to make Ophelia see people for what they are. With all the events occurring around her it only shows that Ophelia is an honest, nai ve young woman not open to what is occurring around her. Shakespeare again shows Ophelias compliant and honest character, Ophelia says I shall obey. The language used by Shakespeare is very respectful and makes the audience think that Ophelias character is very untainted and trustful because she is always does what she is told. Shakespeare again shows Ophelias honest character by again using obedient and passive language when she says as you did command, I did repel Shakespeare re-affirms Ophelias obedient character by language used by others about her. At such a time Ill loose my daughter to him Shakespeare uses language like loose to show Ophelias character. The language used by Shakespeare portrays to the audience that Polonius possesses Ophelia like an object. This shows the audience that Ophelias innocence and acquiescence to Polonius has created a situation where Polonius feels he owns Ophelia like a possession not loved like a daughter. Ophelias character can be shown by the way she interacts with the others around her and the circumstances. Shakespeare uses direct and blunt language from Hamlet to show Ophelias character. Hamlet says to Ophelia I loved you not very aggressively. People with a character that is disreputable, like some critics have said of Ophelia, would have acted in a completely different way. Ophelia reacts very calmly as though it doesnt affect her, but the audience know that she didnt expect it. Shakespeare uses Ophelias reaction to display her character to the audience and gain sympathy for her cause. I was more deceived Shakespeare uses very calm language to show that Ophelia is very shy and innocent and uses different prose during Hamlets onslaught on Ophelia to help show a change in the mood of the play with the dark atmosphere and the crude dialogue. This shows Ophelias character to be very passive and certainly not volatile. This proves to the audience that Ophelia is the untainted, drawn-back young woman she is portrayed to be. She even finds the courage to carry on talking to Hamlet in a controlled fashion. This shows that although Ophelia is very shy she is also resilient and has a lot of pride not to show her true feelings. When Hamlet starts to heavily insult Ophelia she finds good in Hamlet, when she says; Ill give thee this plague for thy dowry She replies O heavenly powers, restore him Ophelia seems to find good in everybodys character, as many would quite rightly blame Hamlet she simply blames an external factor like God or that Hamlet has been taken over by an evil spirit. This really shows Ophelias passive and pure character. Hamlet is trying his best to deeply hurt Ophelia but her innocent character is shown to the audience by the fact that Hamlet is not trying to hurt her but is deeply disturbed by her refusal to reply to his advances, perhaps this shows naivety as well?. Shakespeare uses calm language like heavenly to show Ophelias passive and calm nature, Shakespeare creates Ophelias character by her always trying to diffuse aggressive situations with calm language. Ophelias importance as a character is shown by Shakespeare allowing her a very rare soliloquy, during this Ophelia still praises Hamlet which will make the audience incredulous after what had previously been said. Oh what a noble mind is here oerthrown! This again shows Ophelias forgiving character as she is able to find virtuous qualities in everybody, plus it shows naivety because she believes Hamlet doesnt mean it. Shakespeare uses this soliloquy to state Ophelias character firmly to the audience. Like sweet bells jangled, out of time and harsh Shakespeare uses pure language such as sweet and music imagery to show to the audience Ophelias character. This dialogue and imagery used in this situation shows Ophelias character to resilient and untainted. Ophelias passive nature is shown again when subjected to much sexual innuendo by Hamlet. Shakespeare uses dialogue and text to show Ophelias lack of knowledge. Hamlet: Thats a fair thought to lie between maids legs.

Social performance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Social performance - Essay Example IT infrastructure in health care institutions is also available. Health care facilities, institutions for aging and social challenges, as well as in home solutions for health care technology applications all are available through this multi-capacity ICT based company. ICT can be viewed as a type if IT, thus IT companies has been used for comparison. Apple is a large company that has IT solutions that come in the form of the development of devices and equipment. Apple has a comprehensive code of ethics which includes fair trade issues, supplier responsibility, fair labor, audits around the world, and methods for corrective measures (Apple, 2013). An independent IT consultant, in contrast, has an ethic code that includes information on the rights of his clients and how he will conduct himself in relationship to the work he has been contracted to perform (Camden, 2008). While Apple must address international manufacturing and trade, an independent consultant must be far more concerned with the immediate needs of the individual client relationship. Semprus Bio (2013) is a company concerned with medical IT solutions. The company has similar ethics as most companies but have recently created additions to their ethics codes which include prohibiting entertaining clients in order to gain their business as this can be seen as a form of bribery. Semprus Bio (2013) also has a program to provide items at no cost to the clients that are intended for educational purposes. Some of the issues that this company will need to address in an ethics program is off-sight behaviors, customer relations, and safety concerns during installation. Other ethical considerations that are specific to ICT include cyber theft issues, confidentiality, and customer interrelations. A code of ethics should address how workers will be treated and how they will treat one another. Any legal issues that can

Markets, Profits and Prices Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Markets, Profits and Prices - Case Study Example If revenue is less than total variable costs, a firm should stop operating, even in the short run (Barron, Lynch & Blanchard, 2003, p.241). The second rule applies the concept of marginal cost. The profit must rise if producing another unit of output adds more to revenues that to costs. Similarly, the profit must fall if producing another unit increases costs by more than it increases revenues. The analysis of fixed, variable and marginal costs combined with identification of the market in which Boeing operates and the concept of opportunity costs can assist in understanding how Boeing estimated the offer made to its workers in a commercial aircrafts division. In the context of production, fixed costs are costs that do not change with the level of output they produce. Whether the firm produces 1 million units of output or zero units of output, those costs must be paid (Barron, Lynch & Blanchard, 2003, p.241). For Boeing, the plant, machinery and equipment should constitute the majority of its fixed costs in the commercial aircraft division. ... Other fixed cost components might include wages to executives, administrative and selling expenses, leases, etc. Overall, Boeing is expected to have a very high level of fixed costs. "On the other hand, any costs that do vary with output, like materials and labor, are referred to as variable costs" (Barron, Lynch & Blanchard, 2003, p.241). The major variable costs for Boeing are materials used for aircraft production (i.e. steel), utilities and labor. It is stated in the article that there are more than 18,500 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers covered by the Boeing contracts. This number indicates that Boeing hires a large amount of workers. Therefore, labor costs might account for the majority of variable costs of Boeing in producing commercial aircrafts. The total cost of producing a given amount of output is simply the sum of costs associated with the hiring of all the inputs, both fixed and variable. The average cost for Boeing is the total cost divided by the number of aircrafts that Boeing produces. Even though average cost figure provides some useful information to the company, it does not seem to play a significant role in economics decision-making."The marginal cost of production is the increase in total costs resulting when output is increased by one unit" (Barron, Lynch & Blanchard, 2003, p.79). Commercial aircrafts are very large products. So the marginal cost of production of Boeing should be very high in money terms, but commensurate with the prices Boeing charges for its aircrafts. Out of fixed and variable cost, only variable cost plays a role in decision-making. "Because the fixed costs do not vary with the level of output, they are irrelevant in