The time goes so fast.
I could not believe that we finished the course. Anyway, I learned many things this quarter, including writing and reading skills.
Thus, I wish everyone a great break. Hope that everyone in my class can graduate ESL program as soon as possible next quarters.
If you want to add my blog, please visit at http://360.yahoo.com/quynhchi0907
(You can use English there)
Did dams play a role in China's deadly quake?
Author: Barbara Demick
Date: 05/30/2008. (Seattle Times-Nation and World)
Link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004447106_chinadams30.html
SUMMARY:
The earthquake May 12 as a huge disaster made people think about more cautious approach. China has many dams; at the present, so many near the epicenter in Sichuan province has been a huge problem. After two weeks of downplaying the complication, the Water Resources Ministry has admitted 69 reservoirs and dams were on the verge of collapse, while nearly 3,000 were damaged. The threat of flash floods has forced tens of thousands of traumatized quake survivors to relocate.
China's $30 billion Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric-power project that is nearly complete. In 2003, Sichuan province's environmentalists stopped a project in Dujiangyan because it would destroy a 2,000-year-old irrigation system that is a World Heritage Site. Especially, the Zipingpu Dam, they could not block and the area's Taipingyi and Tongzhong dams also were seriously damaged. Thus, did dams crack during the quake and it is a serious threat with people.
MY OPINION:
At the present, China has a big problem with dams. I think this problem is not only in China, but also in the world, humans destroyed nature and all disaster as the revenge from nature to people. People need to have method to protect nature, also prevent floods, quake, etc…Man must conquer nature but it does not mean that man destroys nature. For best thing, man should learn experiences from all things what happened as a lesson; man and nature need to be moderate, not too drastic…our life and nature are friend!!! Do not destroy to each other…
VOCABULARY:
1/ declare (v): to state officially and publicly that something is happening or that something is true
2/ reservoir (n): a special lake where water is stored to be used by people in a city
3/ agenda (n): a list of the subjects to be discussed at a meeting
4/ unscathed (adj): not hurt by a bad or dangerous situation
5/ seismologist (n): the scientific study of earthquakes
6/ magnitude (n): how large or important something is
Title of Book: HARRY POTTER
Pages in the book 341. I am now on page 181. I read 20 pages this week.
I understand about 90% of what I read
1/ Write a final summary that tells the main ideas of this book.
The whole story mentions all things happen at Hogwarts School when Harry is the second year student. The classes are always continued normally but in fact, many attacks at Hogwarts School throughout semester made people feel so bad and they did not know the reason. Till the day, students and teachers start afraid of everything and they suspected each other to think about the culprit behind the attacks. Harry, Ron and Hermione decided to find clues by creating “Polyjuice Potion” which is the potion that able to change the appearance like the person we want to. Unluckily, at that time, Harry had injury when playing Quidditch and he had to stay at hospital wing for a long time. Colin- a student at Hogwats who very like Harry, he wanted to go there to visit Harry and he was attacked (…)
2/ If someone wants to know something about my novel, I will choose details that I think it is very interesting to tell. For example, the exciting details such as Harry and Ron drove a car to go to school on chapter 5; Harry hears murmurs on chapter 7, the Writing on the wall on chapter 9, etc. The title of this book “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”, it makes people have to be excited to find what the secret is. I recommend everyone read this book; besides reading details, learning new vocabulary and writing skills from this book is also a good thing. J.K.Rowling was written Harry Potter in a magic world, so everyone, especially for children always feels curious to read continuously. Enjoy Harry Potter!!!
3/ Vocabulary
1/ to lumber (v): to move in a slow, awkward way, usually because you are heavy
2/ mayhem (n): an extremely confused situation in which people are very frightened or excited
3/ combative (adj): ready to fight or argue
4/ gesture (n): a movement of your head, arm, or hand to express your feelings
5/ flustered (adj): feeling nervous and confused
6/ comeuppance (n): a punishment or something had that happens to you that you deserve
7/ froth (n): a lot of bubbles formed on top of a liquid
8/ resplendent (adj): very beautiful in appearance, in a way that looks expensive
9/ insane (adj): completely stupid or crazy, often in a way that is dangerous
10/ to pelt (v): to attack someone by throwing a lot of things at him/her
11/ flux (n): be in (a state of) flux to be changing a lot so that you cannot be sure what will happen
Author: Jennifer Sullivan
Date: 05/05/2008. (Seattle Times-Local News)
Link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004392562_coldcase05m.html
SUMMARY
Patrick Cress – 13 year-old disappeared on April 30, 1983 and Patrick Cress’ remains were found in a watery ditch near Totem Lake on May 18, 1983. His slaying was unsolved. Dick Cress-Patrick’s father, he hopes to find clues from Patrick’s friends in the swap stories about work, family after 20 years since graduating from Juanita High School this summer.
Patrick stayed at his friend’s house on April 29, 1983. The couples were supposed to meet Patrick at a Safeway store in Juanita and he was never showed up. After Patrick was dead, his father suffered emotionally, struggled to pay bills and lost his job. He hired private investigators but he didn’t have any clues.
But Mellis, the third investigator to be assigned Patrick's case said an important thing that other teens who lived in the neighborhood talked about his being killed before his body had been found. He’s hopefully to find suspects.
MY OPINION
It was very horrible when a boy 13 years old was killed. Although I am not in the same case with his family, I regret him. At that time, He was just a kid and too young. He also had many chance in this life but he could not do anything because of death. Furthermore, his parents were so upset since he was dead. I think that his parents confronted crisis emotionally too much. His mother died in 1993 without ever knowing who killed their son. Till now, His father always wants to know why his son died.
I wonder why this life has many sad stories like that. They are innocent but they have to confront and endure many unlucky things.
I hope that Patrick’s father can find clues soon! He will receive helps from a lot of people. Moreover, I also wish this world will not exist sad stories like Patrick’s case.
VOCABULARY
1/ ditch (n): a long narrow hole in the ground for water to flow through, usually at the side of a field, road, etc
2/ sheriff (n): a chief police officer in a county who is elected
3/ cusp (n): on/at the cusp at the time when a situation or state is going to change
4/ trauma (n): a state of extreme shock that is caused by a very bad or frightening experience, or the experience itself
5/ resemble (v): to look like, or be similar to, someone or something
6/ hefty (adj): big, heavy, or strong
7/ feminine (adj): having qualities that are considered to be typical of women
Title of book: HARRY POTTER
Pages in the book: 341. I am now on page 103
I understand 90% what I read
SUMMARY
Chapter 6: GILDEROY LOCKHART
The first day, Harry, Ron, and Hermione stared a new semester. In the morning, Ron received a Howler mail from his mother. Ron’s mother knew all things which they did and she was so angry. The first subject was Herbology of Professor Sprout; they had to go to greenhouses to study. Then, they hurried off to Transfiguration of Professor McGonagall. After lunch, they started with last subject of Gilderoy Lockhart – Defense Against the Dark Arts. When entering the class, they heard many things from Lockhart; he talked too much and emphasized especially his abilities. He gave a test to class; it was total 54 questions about him. After checking, he created a messy class by “Freshly caught Cornish pixies” which he thought to create fears in the class.
The bell rang and the first day of semester finished.
SETTING
Place: The school
Time: The first day of new semester
PREDICTION
The next days at school, many things will happen.
MY OPINION
The topic of this chapter is Gilderoy Lockhart. I think that Lockhart will be a special character. I feel he’s a boaster after reading; it’s just some details but all of the details about him make me understand clearly. For example, Lockhart reached and said Harry “You can’t start flying cars to try and get yourself noticed. Just calm down, all right?.” That detail makes me able to have a question “Why did he tell Harry calm down? Does not he want Harry do something is more noticed than him?”. Then, on the test, 54 questions just asked about him such as “What is Lockhart’s favorite color? Or When is Lockhart’s birthday, and what would his ideal gift be?”. In fact, it’s not related to Defense Against the Dark Arts which subject he teach is.
VOCABULARY
1/ turquoise (n): a bright blue-green color
2/ immaculate (adj): perfect and without mistakes
3/ disgruntled (adj): annoyed, disappointed, and not satisfied
4/ bury (v): to cover something with something else so that it cannot be seen
5/ clench (v): to close your hands, mouths, etc tightly
6/ lilac (n): a small tree with pale purple or white flowers
7/ pandemonium (n): a situation in which there is a lot of noise and movement because people are angry, frightened, excited, etc.
SUMMARY
Bill Pond – the retired carpenter helped homeless on Broadway Avenue, Capitol Hill. There, he offered chicken soup, egg-salad sandwiches and juice to the homeless twice times a week, every Wednesday at 8pm and Sunday 6pm. He paid for it out of his own pocket, collecting, and recycling aluminum cans to help offset some of the cost. It costs Pond about $35 per night which he partially funds by collecting and recycling aluminum cans.
He said “I’m just really happy inside doing this. It just makes me feel really good. It’s my way to giving back. I’ve never been homeless, but I’ve been down so I know how these people feel.”
Pond’s son said about his father “He’s always been a real giving guy.” “He’s just generous with everything he has.”
Shade Allen who received help from Pond, he said “Someone willing to give free grub to people in need is a good thing; I think he’s a good guy.”
MY OPINION
According to the article, I am so impressed with his action. He’s a good and kind person. He’s ready to take off the time to help homeless; because of his help, many homeless on Broadway Avenue are filled their stomach with warm soup. The first times, his menu just has chicken soup; then, he expands his menu to add egg-salad sandwiches, small juice drinks and individual bags of chip. That thing expresses his kind-heartedness; he seems not to think so much, his help motive starts from his kind heart. He’s really happy.
I think that homeless people will feel warmer from these helps. They are not lucky people. They need to receive help form another people. In my opinion, “help” is a wonderful verb! We should help each other every day, especially for the poor people who are not lucky, so that this world can better.
What a great way to help!!!
VOCABULARY
1/ carpenter (n): someone who job is making and repairing wooden objects
2/ gobble (v): to eat something very quickly
3/ obligation (n): a moral or legal duty to do something
4/ distribute (v): to give something such as food or medicine to each person in a large group
5/ cordial (adj): friendly and polite but formal
I’m so busy this week with a lot of midterm tests, so I want to post my book club report today. I have just read one chapter already:(.
Title of book: HARRY POTTER 2
Pages in the book: 341. I am now on page 85
I understand 90% what I read
SUMMARY
Chapter 5: THE WHOMPING WILLOW
The end of the summer vacation came quickly. Harry, Ron, Percy, George, Fred, and Ginny had to go to school. They went platform nice and three-quarter but Harry and Ron couldn’t get through. They were late, so they couldn’t go to school on the Hogwarts Express. Harry and Ron decided to go to school by a car, it was enchanted to fly. Unluckily, when they could see the castle, the car dropped straight for the solid castle wall and hit the thick tree trunk. That was a whomping willow and it attacked back Harry and Ron. After struggling with the tree, Harry and Ron came to school. Then, they met Snape who teaches Potions at Hogwarts, Snape knew how Harry and Ron went to school, so he talked this thing to McGonagall, head of Gryffindor House. She didn’t take any punishment but Harry and Ron had to get detention. They reached the dormitory and met friends in their house. A new semester began…
SETTING
Time: The day began a new semester
Place: The Ron’s house, the station and the school
PREDICTION
Harry will make many interesting things at Hogwarts during the semester and the story which Dobby said that “it’s very dangerous with Harry”, it’ll gradually open…
VOCABULARY
1/ shrug (v): to raise and then lower your shoulders in order to show that you do not know something or do not care about something
2/ cajole (v): to persuade someone to do something by praising him/her or making promises to him/her
3/ dungeon (n): a prison under the ground, used in past time
4/ torch (n): a long stick that you burn at one end for light or as a symbol
5/ mystify (v): to make someone feel confused and unable to explain or understand something
6/ plummet (v): to suddenly and quickly decrease in value
7/ uppercut (n): a short swinging punch directed upward, as to an opponent’s chin
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EDITED
The process that Harry and Ron used the car to go to school and met some troubles with the tree attack is the most significant thing that impressed me on chapter 5. All words describes about it are very interesting for me “Ron gasped, staring through the windshield, and Harry looked around just in time to see a branch as thick as a python smash into it”. I predicted Harry and Ron couldn’t get out of there and I was eager to read more. Not like my thinking, the car went backward suddenly and they got release of the tree.
Besides, the author named this chapter “The Whomping Willow”. It was also the reason I chose the most significant thing that is the process Harry and Ron hit the tree.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE ON THE MIDTERM TESTS!!!
Title of book: HARRY POTTER 2
Pages in the book: 341. I am now on page 64
I understand about 90% of what I read.
SUMMARY
Chapter 3: THE BURROW
Harry Potter got away Dursley’s house with Ron, Fred, George and Hedwig by a car. The car of Muggle (not a drop of magical blood in veins) enchanted, did magic, so it could fly to Ron’s house. Flying an illegal car halfway across the country, it would be dangerous if anyone saw them. Ron’s mother knew that he got the car to fly to Harry’s house. She was so angry.
Harry met Ron’s mother – Mrs Weasley, Ron’s father – Mr Weasley, Percy – Ron’s brother and Ginny – Ron’s sister there. Harry stayed Ron’s house, he said “this is the best house I’ve ever been in” !!!
Chapter 4: AT FLOURISH AND BLOTTS
Life of Harry Potter at the Burrow was as different as possible from life on Privet Drive. Everything in Ron’s house almost enchanted such as the mirror over the kitchen mantelpiece could shout, etc.
It was the fact that everybody there seemed to like him. On the next days, they went to Diagon Alley to buy school things next quarter by Floo powder. Harry hadn’t used it, so he had confusion to go Diagon Alley. He went wrong place and got lost. Accidentally, he saw Draco Malfoy and his father there but they didn’t know. Harry heard the convertation between Mr Malfoy and Mr Bogin. Then, luckily, Harry met Hagrid, Hagrid had steered Harry right into Diagon. Harry met Mr Weasley’s family and Hermione there. After entering Gringotts Bank, they came to Flourish and Blotts to buy schoolbooks. They saw appearance of Gilderoy Lockhart at this store who is written almost the whole booklist and he would be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School.
SETTING
Time: before new quarter at Hogwats school of Harry starts.
Place:
On chapter 3: The Burrow – Mr Weasley’s house.
On chapter 4: At Diagon Alley (including Flourish and Blotts).
NEW CHARACTERS
Mr Weasley and Mrs Weasley (Ron’s mother and father)
Fred and George (Ron’s twin brothers)
Ginny (Ron’s younger sister)
Malfoy (a student at Hogwats – who has a grudge against Harry)
WHO I THINK IS THE MOST INTERESTING CHARACTER?
Of course, it’s Harry Potter – main character! He made every details of the story. If this story doesn’t have him, it will be nothing. I think it’s so interesting when the author chose Harry Potter’s main character. A 11 years boy’s small, skinny with brilliant green eyes and jet-black hair. When he was born, he had a special situations, abilities…
PREDICTION
Harry, Ron, Fred, George and Percy will come back to school. Especially, Ginny’ll go to school as a first year student. Many things at Hogwarts will happen.
SOME VOCABULARY WORDS AND DEFINITIONS
1/“bridge of the glasses snap” : matching between two eyeballs
2/“sole” of a shoes: under the shoes.
3/“flush” : to become red in the face.
4/“de-gnome the garden”: remove gnoe in the garden.
5/“Gerroff me”: release me.
6/“shrink”: to become smaller.
SOME COMPARISON SENTENCES
1/ Ron raised the gnome above his head and stared to swing in a great circles like a lasso.
2/ Mrs Weasley looked like a scaber toothed tiger when she knows the children flew the car.
Title of Book: HARRY POTTER 2 - Chamber of Secret
Author: J.K.Rowling
Pages in the book: 341. Iam now on page 23
I read Harry Potter last quarter but I felt so difficult with many things. I decided to read Harry Potter this quarter to understand more.
I bought it at Seattle Central Community College book store and I really like Harry Potter. I think that everyone'll feel interesting when they read Harry Potter.
We are studying English, Harry Potter'll help us improve reading skills as soon as possible with many new words. Many sentences were used complicated here, we can also learn writing skills. This is a famous book, New York Times chose as #1 Bestseller.
SUMMARY
Chapter 1: The worst birthday
On Harry’s birthday, nobody remembered, he didn’t get any cards, even friends. His house had a feast (not for him). He cleaned the window, washed the car, mowed the lawn, trimmed the flowerbeds, pruned and watered the roses, and repainted the garden bench... There are many foods in the house, a huge mound of whipped cream and sugar violets, a loin of roast pork was sizzling in the oven but Harry only ate two slices of bread and a lump of cheese. Then, he was to be in his room, making no noise, and pretending he was not there while Dudley was preparing to welcome his father’s guest. He entered his room, suddently, he saw someone was already sitting on the bed.
Chapter 2: Dobby’s warning
A new character appeared here – Dobby
Dobby is a house-elf. He was not afraid of boss’s punishment to come Harry’s house. Dobby meaned that Harry shouldn’t come back to Hogwarts – “Hogwarts school make the most terrible things happen, Harry will be in mortal danger if Harry goes back to Hogwarts”. Harry really wanted to know that’s why but Dobby didn’t say more about that. Then, Dobby vanished. Harry couldn’t sleep, he opend his eyes and saw Ron Weasley was outside the window.
MY THINKING
After I read 2 chapters, I felt so interesting and I couldn’t predict what happen will. It made me curious to know.
It was so hard to remember all character on 2 chapters.
CHARACTERS
Harry Potter
Vernon Dursley – Harry’s uncle
Petunia – Harry’s aunt
Dudley – Dursley’s child
Lord Vodemort – a wizard – he who must not be named
Masons (Mr and Mrs) – Dudley’s guest
Ron and Hermione – Harry’s friends
Hargid – gamekeeper at Hogwarts
Dobby
Dumbledore – Hogwarts’s principal
MY READING SKILLS ARE NOT ONLY IMPROVED, BUT MY WRITING SKILLS ARE ALSO IMPROVED MORE THAN BEFORE.
Some comparison sentences that I think it's so helpful.
1/ “Uncle Vernon sat back down, breathing like a winded rhinoceros and watching Harry closely out of the corner of his small, sharp eyes.”
2/ “Uncle Vernon had been treating him like a bomb that might go off at any moment…”.
3/ “He missed Hogwarts so much it was like having a constant stomachache.”
That’s all. I understood 95 percent ( I read it already and I could understand more than before).
