text:
Mulberry Park (Guangdong), located in Huadu District of Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China, is a tourist attraction which was set up in 2007 with registered capital of one million yuan. It is an exclusively-invested enterprise set and managed by The Institute of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, which focuses on agricultural processing, sericulture, and mulberry culture. And it is the first new ecotourism demonstration base in China.
the mulberry trees in the Mulberry Park in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
 Sericulture
Originating in China, sericulture refers to the rearing of silkworms to produce silk and it has a history of more than 5000 years. It has become a kind of cottage industry in several countries, and China and India are the most important producers.
 Mulberries
The Mulberry Park occupies about 132 acres in total with a large area of mulberry forests. The mulberry is regarded as the “traditional holly fruit” for its purity and great values. It contains rich vitamins, amino acid, carotene, minerals, and so on. The nutrition of mulberries is about five times more than that of apples and three times more than that of grapes. Generally, It is time for harvest when the mulberries turn magenta in the period from April to June.
 Amenities and activities
 Sightseeing spots
 Museum
With two core concepts of growing mulberries and breeding silkworm, the museum presents the history and culture of silkworm and mulberries, the entire life of silkworm, and the fish ponds with mulberry trees. It also introduces the new production of modern silkworm and mulberry sources after comprehensive utilization and processing.
 Silkworm Babies Entertainment Park
It displays silkworm babies of different ages, relative biological knowledge, and the functions of silkworm cocoon. Tourists are allowed to interact with the silkworm.
 The “Strange Vegetables Veranda”
In the "Strange Vegetables Veranda", there are several kinds of vegetables in different colors and in very big size, such as huge orange pumpkins and green winter melons.
 Entertainment
 Fruit picking
Spring (March–May) is the season for picking mulberries. Early summer (June–July) is suitable for picking muskmelons and midsummer (July–August) is good for picking longan and wampee. Autumn (September–November) is for picking grapes and mulberries, and winter (December–February) is for picking cherry tomatoes. Tourists can also buy their favorite fruits after tasting. And some special festivals like the Mulberry Festival is held in spring annually when tourists can eat mulberries as many as they like.
 Parents-child campaigns
Parents-child campaigns are offered to the tourists, namely, the tug-of- war competition, tandem riding, boating, mobile games, and so on.
 5 D films
A mini cinema is built in the Mulberry Park, where the audience can gain special experiences when watching 5D movies. As the plots of the movies change, corresponding events like rain and thunder would take place in the cinema.
 Dining
 The Health Care Restaurant
The nutritious dishes in the restaurant are all made of the special ingredients from the park. Some characteristic dishes are as the followings: fried mulberry leaves tea, mulberry leaves and crucian carp soup, mulberry leaves and pig bones soup, fried mulberry leaves with egg, fried mulberry leaves with meat balls, deep-fried silkworms, and so on.
 Barbecue
There is a specific area for having barbecue or a picnic. Tourists are expected to reserve their tables in advance if they need.
 Other services
In the souvenir shop, there are a wide range of products about mulberries, silk, and silkworms, including mulberry juice, mulberry tea, mulberry wine, and so on.
the mulberries picked from the Mulberry Park in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
 Honors
“Guangdong Scientific Education Base”, “Silkworm Culture Demonstration Base”, “Ecotourism Starred Park”, “Sightseeing Demonstration Park”.
 Address
Shanqian Venue, Changang Village, Chini County, Huadu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China.

title: Mulberry Park (Guangdong)

question: What is the registered capital of Mulberry Park in Guangdong?

answer: It is estimated to have cost one million yuan.

question: What is unique about Mulberry Park?

answer: It is the first new eco-tourism demonstration base in China.

question: How large is Mulberry Park?

answer: It occupies about 132 acres in total.

question: Apart from the cultivation of mulberry trees, was else is done in Mulberry Park?

answer: Silk works are bred there.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer:
Mulberry Park (Guangdong) is located in Huadu District of Guangzhou City in China. It is the first eco-tourism demonstration base in China with a 132-acre of mulberry forests and a section for silkworm breeding.

There is an area designated for barbecue or picnic where tourists are expected to reserve their table in advance if they prefer.


split: train

text:
“Dribble”
His eyes caught the glint of the skylight above.  The multicolored     bathroom light refracted against stale mildew.  Wet again to dry again come another season’s change.  Above it the same perpetual malaise of overcast stamped out all but a fraction of night.  He thought what it must feel like trapped inside a snow globe.  It disgusted him how much the feeling of stagnance lingered with him.  He distracted himself with another rambling bit about how the snowball effect would soon pick him up.  Yet locked still was the dull ringing of acceptance.  Things would not get better.
“Drip, dribble, drip”

“Ahhh” He sighed.

“I hope I didn’t wake anyone” His thoughts worried as he stood up from the plastic and porcelain bowl.

“Zip”

“Should I wash…too noisy…don’t want to wake and irritate purpose” He agreed.

How long had it been since he’d remembered who was with him?  This stranger with a bowed head and an unsure step.  He didn’t like the thought of the bumbling buffoonery this broken court jester jived to.  Yet as he looked down he noticed the feet were his.

 “Yes the constant rediscovery of self separation for self preservation” He rused.

Such self confusion in the name of stagnancy.  Gone are dreams to dreams, replaced by dreams to be locked down.  Replaced again by reasons to not dream worn on skin so tired it shirks away from itself, hollowing out eyes dead staring.

“I don’t care what should be done, I care about what could.”

“But you can’t and don’t”

“But I will”

“When?”

“I will figure this out”

“When? How long has it been? You remember most of all you’ve had yet do nothing with it til it’s gone”

“Stop.”

“Who are you even arguing with?”

“Stop”

“You know the proper only deal in sense.  That this is nothing more than del-“

“STOP”

“Thump”

The sliding door thuds against its rest and bounces back an inch.

“Why did I do that…idiot”

He misses the reconnection, rushed away by the reminder of senses all around.  The jester is rehatted and stumbles back to silence.

title: Confounding Oblivion! Why Do You Torment Me So!

question: How is the man described by the narrator?

answer: As a jester

question: What disgusted the man?

answer: The feel of stagnancy that lingered with him

question: From where did the man stand up from?

answer: The plastic and porcelain bowl

question: What or who is the man arguing with?

answer: The story seems to imply that the man is arguing with himself in his mind.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: A man, a jester, seems to be talking to himself and is in a confused state of mind. He is trying to care about what could happen and how he will figure things out.


text:
A dramatic increase in the amount of time data can be stored on a single atom means silicon could once again play a vital role in the development of super-fast computers.

The silicon chip revolutionised most aspects of everyday life since it was invented in the 1950s. It’s changed the way that we communicate with each other, and how we operate almost all everyday items, from cars to airplanes, fridges to televisions and our smart-phones and tablets.

The reason for this is that silicon can be “crafted” into a dazzling array of complex electronic structures and devices, such as the billion or so transistors crammed into each silicon chip.

While modern computers use these silicon chips (or integrated circuits) to perform an array of complex calculations, there are still some important problems that existing computers can’t solve.

[]
Chips in a conventional circuit board. Flickr/Pete, CC BY-NC-SA
For example, medical researchers would love to be able to invent new pharmaceuticals with computer-aided design, much like the way automotive engineers design new cars, but they cannot do this today.

The reason is that the molecules that make up the medicine are not “macro” objects, like a car, but they live in the “micro” or quantum world, which is far more complex to calculate.

In fact, no computer as we know it today will ever be able to properly design such molecular systems. So we must turn to a new type of computer – a quantum computer – in which the “bits” of data used for the calculations are themselves stored on quantum particles, like individual atoms, or electrons.

Such quantum computers are also expected to be able to solve other important problems, such as searching large data sets, or solving complex financial problems.

The search for the best qubit

For the past two decades or so, researchers around the world have been exploring a range of different physical systems to act as the “quantum bits” in such a quantum computer. Now it appears that silicon, which underpinned the previous information revolution, could well provide the key to the next quantum revolution.

Over the past three years, our two research teams at UNSW have shown that silicon can be used to make functioning quantum bits, or qubits. In particular we found that a single atom of phosphorus could be used to tightly hold an electron, which also carries a “spin” (like a tiny magnet) that could be used as a quantum bit. But the binary code (0 or 1) stored on the electron spin got scrambled very quickly, making a fairly poor qubit.

The core of the phosphorus atom also contains a nuclear spin, which could act as an excellent memory storage qubit thanks to its very weak sensitivity to the noise present in the surrounding environment.

Even so, when placed inside a “natural” silicon chip, a phosphorus nuclear spin loses the quantum information encoded on it in less than a second.

Storage time increased

New research published in Nature Nanotechnology – two papers from our groups and one from a Dutch-US collaboration – show that the accuracy and lifetime of silicon qubits are now in a realm that makes them suitable for the manufacture of large-scale quantum computers.

Our teams in Australia have used a specially purified type of silicon that contains only one isotope, called Si-28.

This isotope is completely non-magnetic, because its nucleus has no spin. The electrical properties of a chip of purified Si-28 are identical to those of natural silicon, and so it works equally well for any electronic device.

But when an electron or nuclear spin qubit are configured inside pure Si-28, the absence of magnetic noise allows us to store and manipulate the quantum state with unprecedented accuracy.

In one of the new papers our team demonstrated that we can perform quantum logic operations on a single electron trapped in an “artificial atom”, which is created by small metallic electrodes on the surface of the chip.

These devices are remarkably similar to existing silicon transistors, providing great promise for commercial manufacture. Thanks to the ultra-pure Si-28, we can now reach an accuracy of quantum operations well above 99%. This accuracy is significant because it surpasses the minimum requirement to ensure that the (rare) errors can be corrected using special codes.

In a separate paper we report a similar accuracy, beyond 99%, for the operations on the electron spin held by a phosphorus “natural atom” in the same Si-28 material.

In addition, with the nuclear spin of the phosphorus we have established the new world record for how long quantum information can be held onto a quantum bit in solid state: above 35 seconds, which is an eternity in the quantum world. The accuracy of the operations was a staggering 99.99%.

With the exquisite quantum bits now demonstrated within a silicon electronic device, building functional quantum computers has become a much more realistic prospect. The new quantum revolution might well be built upon the old, trusted and omnipresent silicon microchip.

question: What is the main subject of the article?

answer: A new form of quantum bit which relies on a material called Si-28

question: Approximately when was the article written?

answer: That information can't be found

question: How does the author feel about quantum computing?

answer: They feel that it has the potential to solve more complex problems than conventional computing

question: What is qubit short for?

answer: Quantum bit

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: The author summarizes the concepts of quantum computing and then describes a new form of quantum bit which relies on a material called Si-28 and which can retain information for longer than any previously-designed qubit.


text:
Resume: In a world overtaken by an evil dictator, a young girl discovers that no one can be trusted.

Something in the Rain

The silent drops of rain made the asphalt smell in the characteristic way which Dawn always associated with riding bikes and skipping ropes late summer evenings as a child, and how her life used to be, back before everything began falling apart. A faint squeeze in her hand broke her train of thought and she looked into a pair of hazel eyes, which shifted it’s gaze quickly. “Keep your eyes on the road,” Jeffery said in a muted voice “you never know when a car comes.” Jeffery and Dawn were walking right in the middle of a pitch black, broad avenue, and they both knew that there wouldn’t be any cars driving the street until the factory workers woke at 6:30 am, and they were both perfectly aware that it was mindless to be be on the street at this hour, who knew if one of Xavier’s informants were hiding behind the tall oak trees. But they still said it, as, one of many, ways to keep calm despite the curfew, bans and other restrictions made under their new leader Xavier’s regime. Being with Jeffery kept Dawn sane at the moment, her entire life had been turned upside down when Xavier came to power, Jeffery was her rock. And it that moment he said under his breath; “You know I got my letter this morning.” Dawn clenched his hand, it couldn’t be already, could it? “No.” was all she managed to say, her nails still digging into the fair skin on his hand. Ever since Xavier infiltrated and took over the government, he had ruled the country with an iron fist, and as the rebels grew numerous, he had ordered every man and boy over the age of, and those who were to turn 18 to fight in his army. And were anyone to refuse, they were doomed to leave the country forever, in rare cases they were used as the informants, protecting their own lives, by spying on a suspected family member. Most of these lived as outcast, or rebels. And now it was Jeffery’s turn. Dawn didn’t know which fate was worse, to fight alongside Xavier’s army of killing machines, or the equally bloodthirsty rebels. She had already lost her father’s sanity, to this war when he fought for Xavier. Dawn’s father had been an honourable soldier the first years of the war, but had now retired. The only thing he cared about now, was to enforce Xavier’s word, Jeffery could either end his life this way, or living with the rebels in the desert. “No,” she repeated, her voice shaking, the lump in her throat growing bigger by the second “you can’t do it.” Jeffery looked in every other direction than Dawn’s, “My mother was crying the entire morning” he finally said, his voice shaking. “Then let us run away! Cross the border,” Dawn said before she had time to think it trough. Jeffery stopped walking and let go of Dawns hand, his gaze locked on something in the distance “Do you think we would be able to do it?” Jeffery stared at his shoes, kicking a tiny pebble all the way down the now slightly more illuminated avenue, and out of sight. “Anything is better than the war,” Dawn whispered and took both of his hands in hers and squeezed them “think about it, but we have get going, it’s getting lighter” Jeffery embraced Dawn, and she heard a faint “Thank you” in her ear. She turned around and ran the last few blocks home.

The old, battered door into the staircase gave a slight creak as she opened it, luckily no one used to be up this early anyway. But already when she shoved the key in the door to the flat she shared with her father, she knew something was wrong. She heard her fathers armchair squeak from the other side of the door, “Dawn Hobson!” she heard her father’s rusty voice call, “you better get in here right this second!” his slippers dragged slowly across the carpet, and he was near the door. Dawn knew, that did she open that door, she was certain to spend the rest of her teenage years in the juvenile detention centre. He had caught her before, twice, and had sworn, that did she break the leader’s rules once again, he wouldn’t acknowledge her as his daughter anymore. She turned around on the balls of her feet, and ran swiftly down the stairs. She reached the street just when she heard footsteps resonate in the staircase. It was too early to be out still, but the street was now so light, that she had to move as quickly as possible, to not be seen. The only place she could go at this time was to Jeffery’s. It was a long run, but it was the only option. Dawn reached Jeffery’s house, panting and out of breath, she crept around the house into the garden and tapped lightly on his window. Dawn was sure he was in his bed, sleepless, because of the arrival of his letter earlier in the day, and she was right. His face was filled with shock as he rose from his bed and quickly opened the window. “What are you doing here?” he barely managed to stutter before Dawn was through the window. “We have to flee,” she gasped, “I have to, he is going to find me, and he is going to kill me.” A terrified emotion crossed Jeffery’s face before his eyes returned to their familiar calming shape, but what was it, why didn’t they seem as reliable as they used to?. “Just… relax,” he hesitated, “no matter what, we’ll have to wait, I’ll get you some water.” He said absentminded as Dawn dropped confused on the bed. Through the walls to the kitchen, she heard faint voices, what was happening? “Probably nothing” she thought to herself as her eyes shut of exhaustion for a moment.

She was awoken what felt like seconds later, by the sound of heavy marching boots in the tiny bedroom. A jolt of terror hit her entire body as she saw Xavier’s silver tiger on the chest of the uniformed men. She couldn’t focus on anything but Jeffery’s emotionless face in the background as the soldiers lifted her by the arms, from the bed and through the room. Her ears was ringing, but she could still make out the words Jeffery mouthed before he turned his back at her for the last time, “I’m sorry”.

The asphalt was cold and wet on her bare arms, the rain still falling, feeling chilly through her soaked top, but the warmth was spreading from the tingling graze on her cheek. She couldn’t see anything but the boots surrounding her, and the red sticky fluid slowly oozing from her mouth. Her life really had been turned upside down the last few years. A shiny leather boot lifted of the ground, nearing her face, and she inhaled one last breath of the scent of the asphalt as she closed her eyes and reminisced the warm summer days, which usually didn’t end this way.

title: Something in the Rain - By me- criticism welcome!

question: What time period does the story take place in?

answer: Unclear, sounds like contemporary, but an alternate universe.

question: Who is Jeffery to Dawn?

answer: Presumably a love interest.

question: Does Jeffery turn Dawn in to the authorities?

answer: Sounds like it, he mouths "sorry" to her as she's taken away.

question: Why is there a curfew in place?

answer: Sounds like marshall law.

question: Write a ~6 sentence summary.

answer: Dawn's boyfriend receives a letter for a draft. They meet late at night during a curfew. She tries to return home, but finds her father awake, and he proclaimed he would disavow her if she broke the regime's rules. So she runs back to her boyfriend's place and enters through the window. She exclaims that they should run away together. She's awaken by officers of the regime and her boyfriend mouths "sorry" as she's carried away implying that he turned her in.


text:
VÁCLAV FISCHER (born 22 June 1954) is a Czech-German businessman and politician. He was the founder of the companies CK Fischer and Fischer Air.

He attended the University of Economics in Prague. After graduating from Internal Commerce Studies, Fischer moved to Switzerland for a short time, then he based in Berlin (then West Germany) and Hamburg, where he worked for some travel agencies and a shipping company. In 1980 Fischer founded in Germany his own travel agency called Fischer Reisen. Due to his success, after the Velvet Revolution that ended the Czechoslovak communist dictatorship, Fischer decided to return to Czechoslovakia to establish the subsidiaries of his companies in the country, as well as to expand to other Central European countries, such as Hungary, Slovakia and Poland.[1]

In 1995, he acquired some air routes of the airline Condor Flugdienst to create his own company, Fischer Air.

Fischer won a seat in the Senate of the Czech Republic in the 1999 by-election for the Prague 1 with 71.24% of the votes. Fischer was the first openly gay Czech parliamentarian.[2]

[1]

[2]

title: Václav Fischer

question: Who is Vaclav Fischer?

answer: A Czech-German businessman and politician.

question: What is he known for?

answer: He was the founder of the companies CK Fischer and Fischer Air.

question: What is notable about his tunre on the Senate of the Czech Republic?

answer: He was the first openly gay Czech parliamentarian.

question: Where did he attend school?

answer: The University of Economics in Prague.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: Vaclav Fischer is a Czech-German businessman and politician known for being the founder of CK Fischer and Fischer Air. He is also the first openly gay Czech parliamentarian. He attended the University of Economics in Prague, created his own travel Agency that was successful, and expanded into the airline business.


text:
Running a marathon is a major life goal for many people, but it takes precise planning and extensive training to succeed in the 26.2-mile-long race. Here are some training tips for marathon hopefuls:

-   Quit your job
-   Hire a personal trainer to make sure you’re training as expensively as possible
-   Make sure you have a pair of new, comfortable running clogs
-   Familiarize yourself with the course ahead of time so you’ll know how to direct ambulances to your location
-   Carbo-load with plenty of pasta the night before you consider entering a marathon
-   Try to run at least once before race day
-   Staying hydrated is important, so be sure to drink plenty of bodily fluids
-   Bear in mind that cramps are a signal you are about to die
-   Visualize your success and how good it will feel to accomplish something hundreds of other people will accomplish before you that day
-   Driving 26.2 miles is also an accomplishment of sorts

-   Be sure to check with your doctor whether you have any health problems that could give you any excuse whatsoever not to do this

question: List three tips given for those hoping to run a marathon.

answer: Quit your job, hire a personal trainer, and familiarize yourself with the course ahead of time.

question: What are the specifications of a marathon?

answer: A 26.2-mile-long race

question: What are some difficulties one might encounter while running a marathon?

answer: Cramps, which are a signal that you are about to die.

question: How long should someone prepare before participating in the marathon?

answer: They should try to run at least once before participating.

question: What sort of gear is required for participating in a marathon?

answer: A pair of new, comfortable running clogs.

question: What are some health issues that might preclude someone from participating in a marathon?

answer: That information can't be found.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: A satirical list of advice for those planning to participate in a marathon.


text:
Pauline Hanson says she will check with the British Home Office to ensure she's not a dual citizen.

A day after she stressed she had no reason to worry about being caught in the parliamentary citizenship crisis, the One Nation leader on Wednesday agreed to check her standing.

Senator Hanson reportedly told Woman's Day magazine in February 2010 she was relocating to Britain where she could hold dual citizenship.

The unearthed interviewed sparked speculation on Tuesday about the party leader amid the ongoing citizenship scandal engulfing federal politics.

"If it would make everyone happy, and I've got no problems about it, I will actually make inquiries," Senator Hanson said while on the Queensland election campaign trail on Wednesday.

"My parents were not born in England, therefore I'm not entitled to British citizenship."

Last month, the High Court ruled five federal politicians, including deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce and One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts, held dual citizenship and were ineligible to remain in parliament.

Liberal backbencher John Alexander was this week caught up in the crisis after it was revealed he may hold British citizenship by descent.

Queensland Liberal National Party leader Tim Nicholls said it was imperative Senator Hanson took responsible action to ensure her eligibility for federal parliament.

"She should sort that out herself," Mr Nicholls said.

"She needs to come clean and do what everyone else should do, and that is stop the mucking around and give people some certainty.

"I think people on the issue are just sick and tired of all the talk. They want their government to govern."

question: Who is Pauline Hanson?

answer: She is an Australian Senator and One Nation leader.

question: What is the issue facing Senator Hanson?

answer: She's being accused of being a dual-citizen (British)

question: What was the High Court's ruling?

answer: The High Court ruled five federal politicians held dual citizenship and were ineligible to remain in parliament.

question: Where is Pauline Hanson a senator of?

answer: Queensland

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: Queensland Senator and One Nation Party leader, Pauline Hanson, is caught in the parliamentary citizenship crisis due to speculation that she is a dual citizen. An old interview Senator Hanson did with Women's Day magazine in February 2010 surfaced, where she said she was relocating to Britain where she could hold dual citizenship. The High Court already ruled that five federal politicians held dual citizenship and were ineligible to remain in parliament. Queensland Liberal National Party leader Tim Nicholls said that Senator Hanson needs to sort out her citizenship issue to ensure her eligibility for federal parliament.


text:
_AIPYSURUS FUSCUS_, commonly known as the DUSKY SEA SNAKE or TIMOR REEF SNAKE, is a species of sea snake in the family Elapidae.[1] It is found in the Timor Sea between Australia, Indonesia and East Timor and has been classified as endangered.[2]

Description and taxonomy

_A. fuscus_ tends to be dark, colored purplish brown, brown, or blackish brown above. It occasionally has paler bands on the lower flanks. The center of each lateral scale is occasionally darker, giving the appearance of longitudinal striations.[3] It is a member of the subfamily Hydrophiinae, or marine elapid snakes.[4] The species name of _A. fuscus_ derives from the Latin term _fuscus,_ which translates to “dusky” or “dark,” in reference to the snake's coloration.[5] The species is thought to not usually grow beyond in length, although substantially larger specimens have been found. It is thought to reach reproductive maturity after three or four years, have an average generation time of five years, and an average lifespan of ten.[6]

Behavior and ecology

The snake is venomous. It is also viviparous, or live-bearing.[7] A 2006 study suggested that it was most closely related to _Aipysurus laevis_, with which it has been documented as hybridizing.[8][9] It has been recorded as feeding on fish eggs and eels, as well as on wrasses and gobies. The species has a shallow depth range, generally from the surface down to .[10]

Habitat and distribution

_A. fuscus_ primarily inhabits reefs in shallow marine habitats. It has occasionally been recorded at depths of up to .[11] The only reliable reports of this species in the wild are from the Timor Sea, from the reefs of Ashmore, Cartier and Hibernia of the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, and the reefs of Scott and Seringapatam. Not more than five subpopulations are thought to exist, and the overall population is severely fragmented. The type specimen was reported as being collected off the coast of Sulawesi, but this location has been called into question. This, combined with the observation that the species only uses a small depth range, has led the International Union for Conservation of Nature to conclude that the snake has a range of less than .[12]

Conservation status

Catch rates for the species declined drastically between 1998 and 2007, in which year no specimens were found. The estimated decline in the population of _A. fuscus_ is at least 70%.[13] The specific threats to this snake are poorly understood, but they are suspected to have been affected by coral bleaching and general decreases in the health of their ecosystems. These data have led to its being classified as endangered.[14] Ashmore reef, one of five inhabited by _A. fuscus_, has been a nature reserve since 1983.[15]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

title: Aipysurus fuscus

question: What is an Aipysurus Fuscus?

answer: Aipysurus Fuscus (A. Fuscus) is an endangered species of venomous sea snake in the marine Elapidae family, subfamily Hydrophiinae. Commonly known as the Dusky Sea Snake or Timor Reef Snake, it is found in the Timor Sea between Australia, Indonesia, and East Timor.

question: Describe the Aipysurus Fuscus.

answer: A. Fuscus tends to be dark-colored, usually brown, blackish brown, or purplish-brown. It occasionally has paler bands on the lower flanks. The center of each lateral scale is normally darker, giving the appearance of longitudinal striations. The name A. Fuscus derives from the Latin term "fuscus" which means "dark" or "dusky." The snake is venomous, viviparous, and has an average lifespan of ten years.

question: What does the Aipysurus Fuscus feed on?

answer: Fish eggs, eels, gobies, wrasses

question: Where can Aipysurus Fuscus be found?

answer: A. Fuscus primarily inhabits reefs in shallow marine habitats. The only reliable reports of this species in the wild are from the Timor Sea, from the reefs of Ashmore, Cartier, and Hibernia of the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, and the reefs of Scott and Seringapatam.

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer: Aipysurus Fuscus (A. Fuscus) is a species of sea snake in the marine Elapidae family. Commonly known as the Dusky Sea Snake or Timor Reef Snake, it is found in the Timor Sea between Australia, Indonesia, and East Timor. The snake is venomous, viviparous, and is considered endangered. A. Fuscus tends to be dark-colored, usually brown, blackish brown, or purplish-brown. It occasionally has paler bands on the lower flanks.


text:
As the clock struck twelve, cheers from the ports of New Providence carried over the sea to the nearby islands just off British Honduras. 1662 had just begun and the Western sailors and immigrants of the Bahamas, were merry for the first time since they’d left England. Each of the islands that were now not just home to the indigenous peoples of the Bahamas, were now also lightly populated with immigrants from Shanghai, resulting in this being the first time many of the Englishmen had ever seen fireworks. Bursts of light erupted from each island, whether it be occupied by the British Navy or pirates, almost signalling a 24 hour truce to each other. After the last of the fireworks had exploded, everyone slowly started to retire. Silence and peace fell over the port in New Providence, and life was for the living. Or so it would have seemed to any spectator at the scene.

A few miles due West of the port just outside Nassau, a tall-ship broke through the horizon. The sails had been torn and weathered in a storm, the hull was teaming with crabs and sea creatures that had got washed in through the growing leaks and holes in the side of the ship. The craft was in terrible shape, though it was obvious it had once been a proud asset to the Spanish fleet. As the ship rocked back and forth, the loose cannon balls did the same as the ship approached the harbour. A column of seagulls neared the port at the same rate of the vessel, clearly picking at something on the top deck. As dawn broke and the sun illuminated the waters, one watchman was able to spot with his telescope, saw the Spanish flag and immediately went to ring the alarm bell. However before he did, he thought he noticed something odd about this particular craft. None of the cannons were primed to shoot, despite the port being well within range. As the vessel got closer and closer he was able to make out what was attracting the seagulls; they seemed to be swarming around the remainder of the crew, who despite standing up and stumbling about, looked less than alive.

Through the narrow circle with which he inspected the ship, he could see the crew members almost crawling along the floor, unable to balance themselves. Drunk probably. As the ship approached the port, the watchman finally rang the alarm bell, and his commanding officers ordered a few rescue boats to be sent to the ship and recover any survivors. As the rowing boats approached the ship, the water damage to the craft became very apparent. They climbed up the side of the ship to inspect the crew. Once up, none of the rescue team could see or find any of the crew; only some pained groaning coming from the shadows made them think there was anyone still on board. A young crewman named George was amongst the rescue party that was sent out that morning. He had made several friends in New Providence, and was planning a family with his fiancé who until six hours ago had been his girlfriend. He only reached the second deck before one of the Risen took a chunk out of his upper arm. The impact of mouth to flesh made the lower jaw of the Risen man separate from the rest of his skull and fall onto the sodden wood, where George now lay; shivering, alone and in agonising pain. There he lay until he finally rose. Nobody who went to investigate that ship ever returned to port. Human at least.

title: To the Red Shores Beyond -- Part 1

question: In what time period and setting does the story take place?

answer: 17th century off the coast of the Bahamas.

question: Who is George in the story?

answer: George is a young crewmen amongst the rescue party that was sent to investigate the Spanish ship.

question: What kind of ship was approaching the Bahamian island?

answer: A Spanish vessel in terrible shape, with its crew half alive.

question: What happened to the rescue party that went to investigate?

answer: Nobody ever returned to port.

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer: On New Years in 1662, cheers are heard from the ports of New Providence. A tall ship off the coast of Nassau is in terrible shape. It flies a Spanish flag, therefore alarm bells were rung. However the remaining seamen aboard looked less than alive. A rescue team goes to investigate the crew but no one ever returned to port.


text:
The Complete Make-up Buying Guide

MAKEUP PRODUCTS are becoming more popular amongst millennials in Kenya. They are cosmetics or products that are applied on the face or lips to accentuate or enhance the features of the face. As a woman, it is necessary to have a makeup bag or kit with cosmetics in it. For those days when you want to look a little more glamorous, the right makeup products can get you the exact look you want. There are so many do’s and don’ts of makeup, and some of the important things to note are listed below.

-   Never sleep off with makeup on the face. This could cause you to have an acne or whitehead breakout.
-   Make sure to buy the shade of makeup that suits your face. This ensures that your makeup blends with your skin tone when you apply it, giving it a natural look.
-   Go easy on the application. Most people tend to not see the effect the MAKEUP is having on their face when applying it and tend to go overboard, thinking that they applied too little before. Apply just a little; it will be seen.
-   Clean your brushes once in a while. Makeup brushes have a residue of your makeup on them and if you don’t clean them out sometimes, you might start to have skin reactions to them.
-   Get a MAKEUP BAG! This is very important. You do not want to leave your makeup lying all over the place, to avoid breaking, losing them or having them stain everywhere.

Quality Make-up Online in Kenya

There is an endless list of makeup products, all of which bring their own unique effect to the look you are trying to obtain. While some of these products might not be needed for an everyday look, you should still consider buying them for those days you just want to dazzle. Some of the basic makeup products you need are:

-   Powder: Powder comes in two forms; compact and loose. It is used for setting the face after makeup application, to give it a flawless finish and reduce shine.
-   Foundation: Like the name suggests, the foundation gives the face a smooth and even surface to apply makeup on. It should be applied first.
-   Illuminators: are used to highlight areas so that when the light hits the area, your face gains a natural glow.
-   Concealer: This is used to hide blemishes and dark spots on the face.
-   Eye pencil: This is used for defining and accentuating the eyebrows.
-   Eyeliner: This is used for accentuating the eyes for a more dramatic effect. They make the eyes appear bigger and bolder.
-   Lipstick/Lipgloss: These are applied to the lips to make the lips more beautiful. Lip gloss gives a shine.
-   EYE SHADOW PALETTE: This is your go-to product for when you want to add more color to the eyes and face as a result. Eyeshadow comes in different colors and shades and can alter a whole makeup look completely.
-   Mascara: Mascara is used to defining the eyelashes and make them more striking.

Other makeup products include face primer, bronzer, blush, highlighter, setting powder and makeup wipes. Makeup comes out much better when applied with the right tools and brushes. See a more detailed guide on the makeup brushes and their uses here.

Buy your Cosmetics from Top Makeup Brands at Low Prices

On Jumia, you will find the biggest brands in make-up - Maybelline, Sleek, Mary Kay - to shop from at amazing prices. Check out lipsticks from LA Colors, contour cream from L.A Girl, Matte foundation from Mary Kay, Lashes from Chelsea Beautique and so much more. Fill up your makeup bag with original products that will give you a perfectly natural look, and last all day long. You can order your makeup items in a few clicks and have it delivered to you anywhere you want.

question: Summarize all products relating to the eye.

answer: The text lays out several eye makeup products. There are eyeliner and eyeshadow, which are used to accentuate the eyes for a bolder look. Eye pencil is used to define and accentuate the eyebrows. Finally there is mascara, which is used to define eyelashes.

question: What does the text say about cleanliness?

answer: Cleaning make up brushes is very important because skin reactions can occur if they're left dirty. Similar skin reactions can also occur if makeup is not cleaned off of the face before bedtime. Finally, it's important to tidy up your makeup into a makeup bag to prevent stains on other surfaces.

question: What does the text say about the importance of a makeup bag?

answer: For women with makeup, it's important to get a makeup bag. They come in handy as to not leave makeup lying all over the place. Using a makeup bag to organize can help you avoid breaking and losing makeup, and staining surfaces with it.

question: What does the text say about the brand Sephora?


text:
[]

Islamic party activists protest during a rally in Dhaka on February 20, 2013. The demonstrators participated in the procession from the Baitul Mukarram Mosque in the Bangladeshi capital, demanding punishment for Bloggers who mocked Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). —AFP Photo

DHAKA: BANGLADESH HAS LAUNCHED A CRACKDOWN ON INTERNET SITES FOR “HURTING RELIGIOUS FEELINGS” IN THE MAJORITY MUSLIM NATION AMID PROTESTS BY ISLAMIC GROUPS AGAINST BLOGGERS SEEN AS ANTI-ISLAMIC, OFFICIALS SAID THURSDAY.

Giasuddin Ahmed, vice chairman of the country's telecommunications regulator, told AFP at least two websites had been blocked. Authorities had also removed 10 blog posts for “spreading hatred, provoking social disorder and hurting religious feelings of the people”.

“We've taken the actions in line with the country's ICT (Information Communication Technology) Act,” he told AFP.

Authorities have also asked blog operators to “moderate” their posts to try to filter out anti-religious writings, another official said.

Tensions have risen in Bangladesh over the alleged anti-Islamic blog posts by Ahmed Rajib Haider, who was hacked to death near his home in the capital Dhaka last week.

In recent weeks Haider and fellow bloggers had launched huge protests demanding a ban on the largest Islamic party Jamaat-e-Islami, and the execution of its leaders for alleged war crimes in the 1971 war for independence.

Police have yet to comment on a motive for Haider's killing. But his brother said Haider was targeted by Jamaat's student wing for his online activities.

Fellow bloggers said a pro-Jamaat website had issued a veiled threat against Haider. Jamaat has condemned the murder and denied any role.

Since Haider's death, Bangladeshi social media has been flooded with his alleged blog posts and those by other bloggers mocking Islam, triggering protests by a number of Islamic groups and clerics.

On Wednesday up to 5,000 religious party activists rallied in the capital Dhaka demanding punishment – some calling for execution – of blasphemous anti-Islam bloggers, police said. There were also protests in other cities.

The groups have also called for protests against the “atheist bloggers” in the country's nearly half a million mosques after weekly prayers on Friday.

The government has warned of tough steps against those who incite social tension, and urged newspapers and blogs not to publish defamatory writings against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

It has also given police protection to some bloggers in the wake of Haider's murder, police and bloggers said.

“Some newspapers, which are funded by war criminals, are trying to portray us as anti-Islam,” said Imran Sarker, a blogger who played a key role in organising the protests against Jamaat and its leaders for their alleged wartime roles.

The killing of Haider was the second attack in Dhaka against a blogger critical of Islamist groups in less than a month.

question: Where is the city of Dhaka?

answer: Bangladesh

question: What are protestors demanding?

answer: Punishment for bloggers who mocked Prophet Muhammad.

question: What happened to anti-Islamic blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider?

answer: He was hacked to death near his home in Dhaka.

question: What were the supposedly anti-Islamic bloggers blogging about?

answer: Calling for execution of leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami political party for war crimes in the 70s.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: Bangladesh has launched a crackdown on internet sites for "hurting religious feelings" amid protests by Islamic groups against bloggers seen as anti-Islamic. A protest of 5,000 people called for punishment of anti-Islamic bloggers. One blogger, Ahmed Rajib Haider, was hacked to death near his home in Dhaka. This was the second such incident.


text:
-   5 years ago
-   Read Time:2minutes

[Shhhhh...]I laughed so hard I leaked a little.
I am sure that if we are honest this has happened to many of us.

1 in 3 woman suffer from a weak bladder, and it really should be nothing to be ashamed about, but somehow it is.

In preparing to write this blog post I told a few people what I would be writing about.  I realised that this is a problem that affects many of us, especially after pregnancy.  But more importantly I realised that it is good to talk about it, and to know that it doesn’t have to stop you being fabulous and getting on with your life.

Getting old is not about becoming frumpy and giving up on life, getting older should be about embracing change and feeling fabulous at every age.  The truth is that AI (Adult Incontinence) can seriously affect a woman’s confidence, and yet nobody talks about it.

Today, 28 October 2015, Always Discreet are talking about it, and after some time thinking about it I decided to talk about it too.

Woman deserve to feel fabulous no matter what.  We deserve to walk tall and feel sexy whatever our age or circumstances.  Our age and little issues should not define us.

This is a problem that affects woman from as young as 18, but has become associated with being older, and quite often is lumped into the same category as grey hair and wrinkles.  I dye my hair and look after my skin, and I also do what I can to minimize the impact of AI on my life.

I suffered with AI after having my child and really realise how weak my bladder is when I am struggling with bronchitis and chest infections (coughing is really not a great idea if you have AI).  My strategy has been simple, and is very similar to the advice from Dr Sarah Jarvis, practising GP and Always Discreet campaign ambassador.  I plan my life.  I drink plenty of water, but monitor my intake.  I do kegal exercises (which I tell myself are good for all parts of my life).  I also try to exercise regularly, however beware of squats – they are not necessarily my friend.    I also limit my coffee intake, although I do admit to being a tea addict.

Always Discreet for sensitive bladder believes that every woman should be able to live the age they feel inside with nothing holding them back.   The brand has worked with GP Dr Sarah Jarvis and fabulous woman and _That’s Not My Age_ founder, Alyson Walsh to break this taboo.

Dr Sarah Jarvis, practicing GP and Always Discreet campaign ambassador comments: “Not being able to dress, travel, exercise or live the way you want can be an everyday experience for so many women. Not only that, but even though 1 in 3 women in the UK over the age of 18 experience the condition, it is still wrongly associated with old age and this misperception can leave women feeling embarrassed, alone and much older than they really are.  However, there is help at hand, such as Always Discreet, that provides women with bladder leaks with the protection and discretion they really need”

My blog has always been about being fabulous despite the curveballs that life throws at you.  Today, I am standing tall and joining the hundreds of woman who say that they can and will be fabulous despite the leaks.

Thank you for reading my post, which supports the Always Discreet campaign.

Kerry xx

[]

Kerry

There was a huge part of me fighting against turning anything like fifty. It happens though and there is nothing we can do to fight it. Well we can’t fight the chronology of years and minutes ticking by but we can stay fabulous. I try to be fabulous, despite having a few things I am fighting against like RA, Diabetes and Pernicious Anaemia. This blog is simply about me embracing life. Food, make-up, fashion and more. My trials and tribulations. I hope you enjoy!

question: How does the writer of this blog hope to assist women?

answer: The aim of the blog is to speak openly about the problem of weak bladders so that women can build confidence and feel fabulous at every age. She wants people to know that leaky bladders should not be associated with age because it is a condition that afflicts women of all ages.

question: How does the writer manage her own leaky problem?

answer: The author plans her life. She drinks plenty of water but limits her coffee intake. She monitors her liquid intake. She does plenty of exercise including kegel exercises.

question: How did Doctor Sarah Jarvis become involved in Always Discreet?


text:
“Goodbye”, a clear and unmistakeable message. Albeit no more meaningful in the broad spectrum of human existence than any other word in the English language. What was it about this particular word that made Mark Coleridge decide it to be his final assertion in life? Surely there existed other, more meaningful, less succinct choices within this young man’s vocabulary? Yet, it was this, a singularly simple form of farewell, that was to be his final utterance upon a perpetually spinning, green Earth. To be certain, it was a “goodbye” punctuated by a single gunshot which ended the life of one Mark Coleridge, aged 25 years.

I saw the entire sequence of events unfold from my office window, overlooking the square. The once tranquil sea of people became a frenzied mob. Spectators were running this way and that way, while a group of policemen, who had been standing just a few meters away from the gunshot, rushed in to assess the situation. To say that the gunshot had not startled me would be to tell a grave untruth. Indeed, although I been surveying the crowd for anything remotely interesting to take my mind off of the monotony of the endless paperwork, the last thing I expected was to see what would became my next and final case unfold right in front of my very eyes. My eyes had been following a young man who was by my estimate, no older than thirty but could not have been any younger than twenty-three . It had been his bright blond hair which had caught my attention. Hair so bright that it was like a lighthouse, guiding the ships of my eyes away from the rocks of his darker haired neighbours and towards his beckoning presence.

Just before the gunshot there had been a fierce wind, as if the tragedy that is human death was borne aloft upon its ephemeral wings. I could tell by the great display of flags which provided a backdrop to the day’s hectic events. But as I now type out how the sequence of events did unfold and reveal themselves to me that day I cannot help but think, that the wind was meaningless, just another random occurrence in the day-to-day events that led to where I am now. This young man, whom I had been following with my eyes for a good five minutes, started at the fringes of the crowd and slowly weaved his way to the centre by the fountain which gushed forth the waters of anticipation. Like an ant he was, meandering, twisting, and dodging in and out of a wave of people. When he reached a location which was pleasing to his volition, this was on the ledge of the fountain, situated in the centre of the square. He paused for a few moments, seemingly reflecting on all that was good with the world.

Even through the glass of my office window, I could tell that something heavy was weighing down upon his mind. I could feel the sweat dripping down from his forehead and onto his shaking hands. It was then that he suddenly stood up, procuring from his pocket, a magnum revolver, with which he jammed the muzzle underneath his chin, which I could see was shiny with the perspiration of one whose fate now lay within the cold steel barrel of an imported American pistol. I do not remember whether it was the sound of the gunshot at which I jumped or whether it was the sight of this young man, who, in the prime of his youth, seemingly had so much to live for, being blown into oblivion by a small fragment of lead, now ingrained firmly and permanently into his mangled skull.
I watched for another hour, I cannot remember the exact time that I remained beside my window. Perhaps it was in some benign tribute to the fallen man that I lingered; Or perhaps I was simply curious as to what would happen next - I had never seen a suicide before. It was when the ambulance came to collect his body that I finally turned away from the window. The sun was setting low over the buildings which faced the square opposite my own. It was then with a sigh that I  thought how much of a terrible tragedy the day’s events had witnessed. And then, it was with a greater sigh that I returned to finish the last of the paperwork which lay sprawled before me on the desk.

I took the bus home. The sun was saying its final farewells to the world before it suddenly vanished in a ball of flame. I observed all of this on the bus ride home and fleetingly thought that the sun was just like that young man I had witnessed in the square. The only difference being that the sun was sure to rise again, unlike the young man, whose only certainty lay with him in a newly-dug grave. But I thought no more of it as the bus pulled up next to the curb and opened its doors to let myself and several other passengers out. It was my stop, you see and waiting for me at the bus-stop were my lovely wife, Susan, and my two kids, Isaac and Mary. They smiled at me. “How was work, daddy?” my youngest, Mary, sweetly inquired. “Oh,” my mind drifted back to the young man in the bright blonde hair. How innocent he had seemed when I first laid my eyes on him through the office window. “It was certainly interesting, Mary, my dear.” Isaac, my eldest child, who was perpetually adding on inane questions to perfectly reasonable ones, piped up “in what way it was interesting, Daddy?” My eyes flashed daggers of annoyance through my glasses, although none of my family was perceptive enough to notice. “Daddy had a lot of paperwork that was supposed to go to a very important man.” I replied, so nonchalantly, that not a trace of my annoyance revealed itself to my family. We rounded the corner of the street and approached our little terraced house. “Come inside, dear” my wife lilted, “I have dinner on the table waiting for you.” As the smell of freshly baked potato wafted through my nostrils all previous thoughts of the young blonde-haired man disappeared as promptly as the setting sun did not but a little while ago.

title: Chapter 1 of my first novel. Reddit go easy on me!

question: Who is the narrator?

answer: A married man with 2 kids working in an office overlooking a square. He does paperwork and handles cases related to suicide. He has a fixed schedule, his wife knows which bus to meet.

question: Why didn't the narrator intervene in the scene that unfolded before his eyes?

answer: The suicide was the last thing he expected to see. He had followed the man with his eyes as he made his way through the crowd to the spot that he had chosen for his suicide. The narrator could tell that something was weighing him down, but did the gun was a surprise to him.

question: Why was he following the young man through his window?

answer: He was watching the crowd for anything remotely interesting to take his mind off monotonous paperwork. He notices the young man seemingly carrying a heavy weight.

question: What work does the narrator do?

answer: He completes paperwork, probably reports. The suicide that he witnessed through his office window was to become his next and final case.

question: How does the narrator get home?

answer: He takes the bus. His wife and kids wait for him at the bus stop closest to their home.

question: Write a ~6 sentence summary.

answer: A man, Mark Coleridge, commits suicide in a crowded square. His suicide is witnessed by a man watching him through a window. The narrator watched Coleridge for a full 5 minutes when he pulled the gun out and shot himself. The narrator kept on watching until his body was removed by an ambulance. The narrator finishes the last of his paperwork and takes the bus home. His wife and 2 kids walk home with him from the bus stop.


text:
MCALLISTER SPRINGS is an unincorporated community in Saline County, in the U.S. state of Missouri.[1]

History

A variant name was “McAllister”.[2] A post office called McAllister was established in 1881, and remained in operation until 1907.[3] The nearby springs bear the name of one Mr. McAllister, the original owner of the site.[4]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

title: McAllister Springs, Missouri

question: How old was the McAllister post office before it closed?

answer: The McAllister post office was established in 1881 and remained in operation until 1907, it was operational for 26 years.

question: Where did McAllister Springs get its name?

answer: The springs bear the name Mr. McAllister who was the original landowner of the site.

question: What is McAllister Springs also known as?

answer: Its variant is McAllister.

question: Into which local municipal corporation is McAllister Springs incorporated into?

answer: McAllister Springs is an unincorporated community.

question: In which country is McAllister Springs located?

answer: It is located in Saline County, Missouri, U.S.A.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: McAllister Springs is an unincorporated community in Missouri, U.S.A.


text:
	Thrust into a world he knew nothing about, his face emotionless and blank, betrayed the multitude of nerved questions running through his mind. What world is this? What was he? Who was he? And most importantly, who was the figure that had held him so closely just a moment ago?  A glance at his surroundings revealed a dimly lit room, plain and empty apart from the desk scattered with paper, cloth, and art materials. The only curious item that caught his eyes was an hourglass of sand that hung on the wall. As he watched it intently, it turned upon itself and sand began to speckle the bottom of the glass clock.
	His appearance was similar to that of a doll, crudely made, with button eyes and hastily stitched threads that held his cotton body intact.  He was without extravagance but of course he knew nothing of extravagance or that he had naught but a few differing colors of cloth to assuage his rather ugly appearance.  In a struggle to move, he shakily attempted to stand and dragged his feet a few slow strides toward the desk. A book opened before him, without prompt, and showed a diagram of a puppet, one that looked very much like him. Lines and scratchings flanked the portrait and he ran his stubby fingers over the unreadable, complex writing.  He suddenly became aware of an urge to obtain this diagram, but in reality, however limited his definition of reality was. He wanted to hold it, just as the lost figure had done in his moment of inception. He did not know what seized his mind for such a longing but was guided by an ambiguous passion. He flipped through the pages of the book, each riddled with pictures of materials and further writing and arrows.
	He had discovered a purpose for his otherwise questionable existence and held this feeling close, afraid he may not have any other feeling, no hope or ambition or want to do anything else. Without word or thought, He began to work, pouring over the texts and collecting materials in the room. He began with the body, sewing, with shaky, unskilled fingers the cloth and eventually formed the stringy outline for her: his creation. In a flurry of threads, a blur of needles, and the push of subconscious loneliness, he worked, tirelessly.
	The result of his affection and effort was a dirty lump of threads and cloth stuffed with cotton that vaguely resembled Him. He had decided that the puppet was his accomplishment and he clutched her unmoving body in his hands, waiting for animation to occur. He sat in the desk’s chair for an indeterminable amount of time and stared at the hourglass on the wall, sand still draining from the top, but now nearly near empty. When she neither moved nor held him in his growing loneliness, he shuddered and began to shake violently with remorse and disgust for his existence.  He slumped to the frigid floor looking down on his hideous creation. With the cold of the room biting on his prior eagerness and the silent soliloquy of questions again running through his mind, he gave up. In grief and anguish, a single tear welled up on his button eye fell on her lifeless body.  A motion caught his attention as the puppet on the ground began to stir. A burst of warmth shot back into his body and he lifted her in his small ugly arms and held her close.  He looked up in time to see the last grain of sand flow from the hourglass. With a subtle smile of stitched yarn, he disintegrated into oblivion, leaving her alone. The hourglass rotated on itself and the sand began to trickle again.

title: Puppet Continuity

question: What is the moral of the story?

answer: Perhaps that our time is limited and when the sands of time run out we have to pass out work on to the next generation

question: Why are these puppets so imperfectly made?

answer: There isn't enough time to learn the pattern and put the pieces together before time runs out. There is also nobody to teach the maker so everything must be done from diagrams and instructions.

question: Why does such an imperfect doll take so long to make?

answer: The story talks about a flurry of threads and a blur of needles and yet he and his creation are crudely made. There must be very little time before the sands of time are depleted.

question: Why does the doll initially find it so difficult to move?

answer: He is unused to movement and needs to loosen up.

question: Write a ~22 sentence summary.

answer:
He was thrust into a world that he knew nothing about. What was he? Who was he? Most importantly who had held him close just moments ago? An hourglass hung upon the wall. As he watched it turned.

He looked like a crudely made doll. He had button eyes. Hastily stitched threads held his cotton body together. He dragged himself to the desk. A book fell open with instructions on how to make a puppet.
He had found a purpose for his questionable existence. He began to make a puppet according to the instructions. He worked tirelessly. Eventually, he had a dirty lump of threads that looked vaguely like him. He clutched her to his chest to give her life. All the while he watched the hourglass. She neither moved nor held him. In the end, he gave up and collapsed upon the floor in despair.

A tear welled in his button eye and fell on her lifeless body which began to stir. He held her close and watched the last grain flow from the hourglass. He disintegrated leaving her alone and the hourglass rotated.


text:
Air Vice Marshal JULIE HAMMER, (born 17 February 1955) is an Australian engineer and a retired senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). She was the first woman to be promoted to one-star rank, and also the first woman to be promoted to two-star rank, in the Australian Defence Force. She was also the first woman to command an operational unit in the RAAF.

Early life

Julie Margaret Hammer was born in Brisbane on 17 February 1955.[1] She was educated at Brisbane Girls Grammar School.[2] Graduating in 1971, she was placed eighth in the State of Queensland in the Senior Public Matriculation Examination.[3] She attended the University of Queensland where she majored in Physics, graduating with a Bachelor of Science with Honours.[4]

Service history

In 1977, Hammer joined the RAAF as an Education Officer, serving in the engineer cadet squadron at Frognall, Melbourne until 1979, and then Instructor at the RAAF School of Radio at Laverton.[5][6]

In 1981, the Engineer Branch was opened to women and she transferred to the Electronics Category.[7] She managed deep-level maintenance on the RAAF's F-111, UH-1 Iroquois, CH-47 Chinook, and Canberra aircraft with No. 3 Aircraft Depot at RAAF Base Amberley. She then worked at Headquarters Support Command in the engineering management of avionics equipment for the RAAF fleet. In June 1985 she was promoted to squadron leader,[8] and became Sub-Section Head in the Aircraft Equipment Engineering Division (AEENG3) of Headquarters Support Command at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.[9]

After 16 months study at No. 5 Advanced Systems Engineering Course at RAF Cranwell, she became a liaison officer in the Directorate of Scientific and Technical Intelligence at the Ministry of Defence in London.[10] After the completion of her Master of Science thesis in Aerosystems Engineering in 1987, she became a technical intelligence analyst with the Joint Intelligence Organisation in Canberra. This was followed by work on the P-3 Orion ESM Project, first as project engineer and then, following promotion to wing commander, as project manager.[11]

In 1992, she assumed command of the Electronic Warfare Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh, becoming the first woman to command an operational unit of the RAAF,[12] for which she was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in the Australia Day list in 1997.[13] She was also the recipient of the 1996 Association of Old Crows (Australian Chapter) Award for Distinguished Service to Electronic Warfare.[14]

Returning to Canberra in 1996, she took the role of Project Director of Joint Project 2030 (JP2030), the Australian Defence Force's Joint Command Support Environment (JCSE), in the Command and Support Systems Branch of the Defence Acquisition Organisation (DAO).[15] She completed a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies at the Joint Services Staff College, and became the first woman in the RAAF to become a member of the General List when she was promoted to group captain in 1996.[16] She was seconded for four months to serve on the Science and Technology Team of the Defence Efficiency Review.[17]

During 1999, she was the lone Australian student at the Royal College of Defence Studies, completing a 12-month course in strategic and international studies. Returning to Australia in December 1999, she was promoted to air commodore, becoming the first woman to achieve that rank and the first to be promoted to one-star rank in the ADF.[18] When she was subsequently promoted to air vice marshal in 2003, she became the first woman to attain two-star rank in the ADF.[19]

She assumed duties as Director General Information Services, responsible for the operations and support of Defence's fixed communications networks and computer systems throughout Australia. In December 2001, she became the first woman Commandant of the Australian Defence Force Academy. That year she was awarded the Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Memorial Medal by the Royal Aeronautical Society to recognise her contribution to Australian aerospace, and she delivered the Kingsford Smith Memorial Lecture.[20]

She was appointed by the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women to be one of Australia's Honouring Women Ambassadors in 2002.[21] She became the University of Queensland's 12th Alumnus of the Year in 2003,[22] and a Member of the Order of Australia in 2004.[23]

Later career

Retiring from the RAAF in 2005, Hammer became the National Vice President of Engineers Australia, and its president in 2008.[24] She is a director of the .au Domain Regulator, auDA.[25] In 2008 she was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering,[26] and was appointed an Honorary Fellow of Engineers Australia in 2011.[27]

Hammer has been married to fellow RAAF officer, Air Vice Marshal David Dunlop, since September 2000.[28]

[1]

[2] Air Vice Marshall Julie Hammer Brisbane Girls Grammar School article

[3] Defence Media Release PACC 186/03 4 July 2003

[4]

[5] Bright Sparcs Biographical entry

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24] First female President for Engineers Australia
Julie Hammer FIEAust EngExec FTSE FRAeA GAICD – 2008 National President, Engineers Australia, Year of Engineering Leadership, Steering Group Profiles, www.engineersaustralia.org.au

[25]

[26]

[27] Honorary Fellows 2011, pg.14, Engineers Australia Queensland Newsletter, Edition 4, 2011, www.engineersaustralia.org.au

[28]

title: Julie Hammer

question: Why was Vice Marshal Julie Hammer awarded with many honors throughout her career?

answer: While the article does not go into detail about the amount of work and effort that is required to achieve everything that the vice Marshal has done, there is no doubt that it takes an exemplary individual to do as much as she has. She finished university with honors, became proficient enough to be promoted as a squadron leader, and then moving on to achieve so many other accomplishments. While it would be easy to leverage it all to the fact that she is a woman, and thus the 'first female' for a lot of her feats, the volume of her accomplishments is not diminished by the novelty of her gender.


text:
EMPEROR YI OF CHU (died 206 BC), also known as KING HUAI II OF CHU before receiving his _de jure_ emperor title, personal name XIONG XIN, was the ruler of the Chu state in the late Qin dynasty. He was a grandson of King Huai of Chu. In 223 BC, during the Warring States period, the Chu state was conquered by the Qin state, which unified the various Chinese feudal states in a series of wars and established the Qin dynasty in 221 BC. In 209 BC, when rebellions broke out throughout China to overthrow the Qin dynasty, the Chu state was revived as an insurgent state against Qin imperial rule. Xiong Xin was discovered by Xiang Liang, a rebel leader who descended from a famous Chu general, , and installed on the Chu throne as “King Huai II of Chu”. However, Xiong Xin was merely a puppet ruler because power was concentrated in Xiang Liang's hands, and was later passed on to Xiang Liang's nephew, Xiang Yu, after Xiang Liang was killed in battle. In 206 BC, the Qin dynasty was overthrown by the rebels, after which Xiang Yu, who was the _de facto_ leader of all the rebel forces, divided the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms. He promoted King Huai II to a more “honourable” title – Emperor Yi of Chu – and made him the nominal sovereign ruler over all the Eighteen Kingdoms. Xiang Yu then had Emperor Yi relocated to Chen County (郴縣; in present-day Chenzhou, Hunan) and secretly ordered Ying Bu to assassinate the emperor during the journey.

Life

Early life

Xiong Xin was a descendant of the royal family of the Chu state in the Warring States period, and a grandson of King Huai of Chu. However, he was not in the main line of succession and there were four kings who succeeded his grandfather before the Chu state was conquered by the Qin state in 223 BC. Xiong Xin lived as a commoner under Qin rule after the fall of Chu.

King of Chu

In 209 BC, the Dazexiang Uprising broke out under the leadership of Chen Sheng, who proclaimed himself “King of Zhangchu” (張楚王; lit. “king of rising Chu”) and aimed to overthrow the Qin dynasty. Although Chen Sheng's uprising was crushed by Qin imperial forces, other rebellions erupted throughout China to overthrow the Qin dynasty and restore the former six states conquered by Qin about two decades ago. The leader of the Chu insurgent state, Xiang Liang, was advised by Fan Zeng to seek a member of the Chu royal family and install him on the throne to garner more support from the people. Xiang Liang found Xiong Xin, who was living as a shepherd, and installed him on the throne in the summer of 208 BC. Xiong Xin ruled under the title of “King Huai II of Chu”.[1]

King Huai II was effectively a puppet ruler because the power of Chu was concentrated in Xiang Liang's hands. However, after Xiang Liang was killed at the Battle of Dingtao in the winter of 208 BC, King Huai II seized the control of the armies of two Chu generals, Xiang Yu and Lü Chen, and gradually began to assert his authority.[2] After that, the king ordered Song Yi and Liu Bang to lead two armies to attack Qin, and promised to award the title “King of Guanzhong” to whoever entered Guanzhong (the Qin heartland) first. Xiang Liang's nephew, Xiang Yu, was the second-in-command to Song Yi, who led his army to attack Qin forces led by Zhang Han. Zhang Han's army was besieging Handan, the capital of the Zhao state, and Song Yi refused to advance any further to assist the Zhao forces. Xiang Yu took Song Yi by surprise in a meeting, falsely accused him of treason, killed him and usurped his command. He then sent a messenger to inform King Huai II, who reluctantly approved his command. In the winter of 207 BC, Liu Bang arrived in Guanzhong first, before Xiang Yu. The last Qin ruler, Ziying, surrendered to Liu Bang and brought an end to the Qin dynasty.

Emperor of Chu

According to the promise made earlier by King Huai II, Liu Bang should rightfully become the “King of Guanzhong”, but after Xiang Yu reached Guanzhong, he wrote a letter to King Huai II to ask the king to give him the title instead. King Huai II's reply was to the effect of “per my earlier promise”, but Xiang Yu ignored him and took control of Guanzhong from Liu Bang since he was more militarily powerful than Liu. Xiang Yu then proclaimed himself “Hegemon-King of Western Chu” and divided the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms, each ruled by one of the leaders of the rebel forces which overthrew the Qin dynasty. He also promoted King Huai II to a seemingly more “honourable” title – Emperor Yi of Chu. However, later, he had the puppet emperor relocated to Chen County (郴縣; in present-day Chenzhou, Hunan), thereby effectively sending the emperor into exile.

Death

Emperor Yi was aware that Xiang Yu wanted to force him into exile, so he feigned illness and used that as an excuse to postpone his trip to Chen County, but to no avail. Xiang Yu still forced him to make his way from Pengcheng (彭城; present-day Xuzhou, Jiangsu) to Chen County. At the same time, he secretly ordered Ying Bu, Wu Rui and Gong Ao to kill the emperor during the journey to Chen County. Emperor Yi was murdered by Ying Bu's men near Chen County and buried by the locals at a hill in the southwest of the county.

Between 206–202 BC, a power struggle for supremacy over China (historically known as the Chu–Han Contention) broke out between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang. Liu Bang used Emperor Yi's death as political propaganda to justify his war against Xiang Yu. In 205 BC, he held a three-day memorial service for the emperor, accused Xiang Yu of committing regicide, and rally support from the people against Xiang Yu. In 202 BC, the Chu–Han Contention concluded with victory for Liu Bang, who became the sovereign ruler of China and established the Han dynasty. Liu Bang ordered his generals Zhou Bo, Wang Ling and Fan Kuai, who had been enfeoffed as marquises, to conduct memorial services for Emperor Yi in their respective marquisates.

Legacy

Yi sometimes appears as a door god in Chinese and Taoist temples, usually paired with the last Qin ruler Ziying.

Notes

[1] In 299 BC, King Huai of Chu was tricked into attending a conference in the Qin state, where he was captured and kept as a hostage in Qin territory until his death. Xiang Liang suggested to Xiong Xin to use his grandfather's kingly title to evoke a sense of nostalgia and thus enhance his legitimacy, because King Huai's tragic fate was still deeply remembered by the people of Chu. However, “King Huai” was actually a posthumous name and would be inappropriate for a living monarch.

[2] _Xiang Yu_ in _Records of the Grand Historian_: “（怀王）从盱台之彭城，并项羽、吕臣军自将之。”

title: Emperor Yi of Chu

question: What would have happened if the Chu state wasn't conquered in 223 BC?

answer: The Chinese feudal states might not have been unified, and the Qin dynasty may never have been established.


text:
World}}

“WORLD” is a song by Kosovo-Albanian singer and songwriter Lindita. It was issued as a single on 29 March 2017 by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) and Universal Music. The song was written by the singer herself together with Gerald Xhari, and composed by Klodian Qafoku. An English-language pop-rock ballad, it is lyrically a manifesto that discuss the challenges within a modern society simultaneously calling for rising up against wars and pleading for peace and love.

The song represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kiev, Ukraine, after Lindita's victory at the country's pre-selection competition Festivali i Këngës with the song's Albanian-language version “Botë”. It ultimately failed to qualify for the grand final also marking the country's seventh non-qualification in the contest. During her minimalistic performance, she was accompanied by four backing vocalists while the LED screens portrayed a variety of imagery.

“World” was positively received by music critics, who praised Lindita's vocals, as well as the song's composition and lyrics. For promotional purposes, the singer performed the song live on multiple Eurovision-related occasions, including in Amsterdam, Madrid and Tel Aviv. An accompanying music video for the song was premiered to the official YouTube channel of the Eurovision Song Contest on 13 March 2017. It prominently features scenes of Lindita singing her song within an alternate dimension.

Background

In 2016, Lindita was announced as one of the twenty-five contestants selected to compete in the 55th edition of Festivali i Këngës, a competition to determine Albania's participant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. Following the competition's rules, the lyrics of the participating entries had to be in the Albanian language. Lindita tool part with the song “Botë”, written by Gerald Xhari and composed by Klodian Qafoku.[1] For the purpose of the singer's Eurovision Song Contest participation, “Botë” was remastered and translated to “World”.[2] The latter song was then rewritten by Lindita herself together with Gerald Xhari, and composed by Klodian Qafoku.[3] It was mixed by Marco Borsatti and further produced by Qafoku alongside Andrea Camilletti and Shpetim Saraci.[4] It was premiered on 13 March 2017, while being digitally released on digital platforms and streaming services on 29 March 2017.[5][6]

Composition and critical reception

“World” was musically characterised by Sebastian Kettley from _Daily Express_ as an English-language pop-rock song.[7] Chris Zeiher from _SBS_ called it a “Bond-style ballad”, while _Eurovision.de_ writer Stefanie Grossmann said, “World” is a spherical power ballad that brings Lindita's powerful voice to the fore".[8][9] Regarding the song's lyrics, Grossmann said, “the song is about the challenges within a modern society and also calls for rising up against wars and pleading for peace and love”.[10][11] Sebastian Kettley from _Daily Express_ described it as a pop-rock song noting a “powerful” message of spreading love.[12] An editor of _The Telegraph_ concluded, “another Eurovision staple: the what is happening to the world? power ballad”.[13] Reviewers from Wiwibloggs were generally positive, praising the singer's vocal delivery, as well as the song's composition and instrumentation, while labelling it as being “organic” and “contemporary”.[14]

Music video and promotion

An accompanying music video for “World” premiered on the official YouTube channel of the Eurovision Song Contest on 13 March 2017.[15][16] Chris Halpin of Wiwibloggs praised Lindita's appearance as well as the music video itself noting the maintenance of “many hidden messages”.[17] In an exclusive presentation for San Marino RTV, commentator John Kennedy O'Connor gave a favourably review saying, “This is definitely one of the most beautiful and inspiring videos of this year's previews”.[18] For further promotion, Lindita made several appearances throughout Europe to specifically promote the song at various events, including at Amsterdam's Eurovision in Concert, PreParty ES in Madrid and Israel Calling in Tel Aviv.[19][20][21]

At Eurovision

Festivali i Këngës

The national broadcaster of Albania, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH), organised the 55th edition of Festivali i Këngës to select the country's entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017.[22] The contest took place in December 2017, for which 24 songs had been internally shortlisted by a jury panel made up of music professionals.[23] Subsequently, after the grand final, Lindita and her Albanian-language song “Botë” were chosen to represent Albania in the contest, after the votes of an expert jury panel and the internet were combined, resulting in 85 total points.[24][25]

Kyiv

[Lindita performing during a rehearsal prior the first semi-final in Kyiv.]

The 62nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest took place in Kyiv, Ukraine, and consisted of two semi-finals held on 9 and 11 May, and the grand final on 13 May 2017.[26] According to the Eurovision rules, each participating country, except the host country and the “Big 5” including , , , and the , were required to qualify from one of two semi-finals to compete for the grand final, although, the top ten countries from the respective semi-final progress to the grand final.[27] On 31 January 2017, it was announced that “World” would be performed in the first half of the first semi-final of the contest.[28] During the live show, Albania performed fourth following and preceding .[29] The country eventually failed to qualify for the grand final in fourteenth place with 38 points ranking fourteenth by the jury's 38 points and twelfth by the televote of 38 points.[30]

The well-received performance of Lindita begins with her singing the song in front of dark green lights while wearing a white costume which symbolises “peace” and “elegance”.[31] Following the first refrain, a clock appears on the LED screens and fills the entire circular stage floor, ticking to the song. Later in the show, the screens shows sailing spaceships and numerous chandeliers flowing on the stage.[32]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[33]

-   Linditaperforming, vocals
-   Klodian Qafokucomposing, producing
-   Shpetim Saraciproducing
-   Andrea Camillettiproducing
-   Gerald Xharisongwriting
-   Marco Borsattimixing

Track listing

-   DIGITAL DOWNLOAD[34]

1.  “World”2:56

Release history

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  Region   Date            Format   Label
  -------- --------------- -------- ------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           29 March 2017                    Citations regarding the digital release of “World” by Lindita in various selected countries:

                                            -   -   -

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[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

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[14]

[15]

[16]  Official Music Video |date=13 March 2017 |accessdate=17 April 2020}}

[17]

[18]

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[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

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[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]  _Note: Open “Credits” for credits._

[34]

title: World (Lindita song)

question: Who wrote the song "World"?

answer: Lindita.

question: What nationality is Lindita?

answer: She is from Kosovo and Albania.

question: Who composed the song world?

answer: Klodian Qafoku.

question: Which country did the song represent in the 2017 Eurovision song contest?

answer: Albania.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: This article is about a song called "World" which represented Albania in the 2017 Eurovision Song contest.


text: A long time ago there was a wizard who lived above a small village. We was rarely seen, and only summoned when there was no other solution. The village people below told stories of his once-powerful abilities. He could move mountains, change the flow of a river, and even part clouds whenever he wanted to. However it had been a long time since any of the villagers had seen any fantastical work done by the wizard, and so, they lost hope. One day, a few of the young village children wandered up the road in search of the old Wizard's home. They were curious to see if the wizard would show them some of his magic. When they arrived at the small cottage they noticed that it looked as though no one had lived there in years. They peered through the dusty windows and attempted to see inside, but all that could be seen was darkness. When they turned around an old man was smiling at them. "What are you youngins doing up here?" the old man asked them. "We were hoping to see some of your magic!" one of the children exclaimed excitedly. "Magic? Why would want to see something like that?" the old man asked them. "Because we have heard the stories! They say you can do things no other person can!" another one said, almost shouting. "They say that, but has anyone in the village ever seen it?" the man asked with a grin. "Well no, but thats why we were hoping you could show us!" said the oldest of the children. "Well Im sorry, I've lost my magic abilities. But, if you care to stay, I can give you some advice on any problems you may be having" the man offered them, hoping to not be left so quickly. "Advice? We came to see magic, and if you dont have any, we are leaving" one of the kids exclaimed as he started walking back down towards the village. The other children followed closely on his heels and the old man was left outside his cottage, watching them as they left. When the children returned to the village they told their friends about what had happened. They began to call him the Dumb Wizard since we did not possess any magic. The name caught on quickly in the village and soon it was his identity. As the name changed for the Dumb Wizard, so did his stories. They no longer involved cloud parting, river changing, mountain moving fantasies, but instead told of his advice he would give to the young. As the generations began to come and go and long after the old Wizard had died, his stories remained as just the advice he gave. The village called this advice Wizdumb. The word, along with the advice associated with it, soon evolved in their language and spread around the land. If only I could have met that old man, and ask him of his wisdom.

title: The Old Wizard

question: Describe the wizard's abilities.

answer: It was said he could move mountains, change the flow of a river, and even part clouds.

question: What is Wizdumb?

answer: It is what the villagers called the advice of the wizard after he was labeled the Dumb Wizard.

question: Who says "Well I'm sorry"?

answer: The wizard

question: Why did they call the wizard the Dumb Wizard?

answer: He had no magic powers to show the children and could only offer advice.

question: What does the seventh sentence of the story say?

answer: "They were curious to see if the wizard would show them some of his magic."

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer: There was once a wizard in a small town, who was rumored to have many abilities. It had been a long time since the villagers had seen his abilities, so some children went to go find him and ask him to show them magic. Unfortunately, the wizard claimed they had no more abilities and could only offer advice. The village went on to call him the Dumb Wizard. Long after his death, his advice was long referred to as wizdumb.


text:
Starlight shines across the barren, bleak, and broken ground. A cold wind rushes across the endless landscape. Sheltered in the crevice of a broken boulder a lone figure stirs beneath a tattered blanket. The rustle of the blanket as it slides off while the figure stands is barely audible over the whistling of the wind as it strains to gain entrance to the sheltering crevice.

The loose leather wraps and tattered clothing leave the figure’s form indistinguishable. A tight-wrapped mask with large, bronze rimmed lenses covers its face. The hands swiftly grasp and whip the tattered blanket around, and it settles onto the figure as a cloak; the hood shrouding the mask from what little light the stars provide.

As the cloaked figure steps out into the barren world, the clawing winds reach through the cloak held tight, and shivers run beneath the leather and cloth. The head turns towards the brightest star in the heavens and the figure sets forth, keeping the star to its left.

Time passes, marked only by the crunching of dirt and puff of dust as the figure presses onward. Each booted foot causes the broken crust of the earth to crumble and whisk away with the wind. The head turns and the course changes, always to ensure that the brightest star remained to the left. The shivers from the biting winds are as relentless as the cloaked figure’s march.

Step by step, the figure moves onward. The only telling passage of time is the ever-blowing wind and dust being whisked away with each step. After an uncountable number of steps, a faint form appears on the horizon. Step by step, puff by puff, the figure moves inexorably towards the distant object.

\*	\*	\*	\*	\*	0	\*	\*	\*	\*	\*

As the cloaked figure draws near, the once distant object is revealed to be a large boulder. The bronze-rimmed lenses come to gaze upon the stone for many moments, despite the bitter wind. Slowly, the figure steps up to the stone sphere and rests its forehead and right hand against the smooth stone. The fingers curl slightly and a faint, star-like glow emanates from the hand. A sharp ***crack*** echoes across the barren land as the great rock is split, leaving a sheltering crevice. The figure steps in and lays down the cloak and wraps itself inside. Gradually, the shivering fades away to stillness, leaving only the whistling wind to tell the passage of time until the journey resumes.

\*	\*	\*	\*	\*	1	\*	\*	\*	\*	\*

As the cloaked figure draws near, the outline of the object becomes clear. A tall, unmarked obelisk with five equal sides stands tribute to a distant age. It puts its hands upon one of the smooth, unmarked facets.

The cloak flutters, and it waits. The stars shine in the sky, and it waits. Dust swirls, and it waits. The wind blows strong, until, at long last, there’s a change. A faint, violet light, centered on the hands, begins to glow. The dust blows in the wind, but the cloak stops fluttering. Violet light brightens to the shine of the long lost sun, leaving a long shadow behind the cloaked figure. And then, nothing. No light, no figure, just the obelisk and the wind.

title: Intermnible Journey/The Obelisk

question: What is the figure doing in complete darkness all alone?

answer: It may be implied that the figure didn't want anyone to know where he was heading and hence made sure he was alone.

question: What is the obelisk for?

answer: This information is not mentioned.

question: Where is the figure going?

answer: The cloaked figure was walking towards a large boulder.

question: What lay inside the boulder?

answer: A tall, unmarked obelisk lay there with five equal sides stands tribute to a distant age.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer:
A masked figure moves forward towards an object that appears in a faint form. Moving closer and closer, the object turns out to be a boulder.

As the figure places its arm on the boulder, it cracks open. A tall, unmarked obelisk lay there.


text:
Following this week’s dispute between White House chief of staff John Kelly and Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL), MoveOn.org senior adviser and national spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre accused the Trump administration of trying to “dehumanize” a black woman in every controversy.

“For every Trump controversy, there seems to be a black woman that this administration wants to take down publicly, dehumanize and really just try to destroy. And it’s incredibly dangerous, troubling and disgusting. You have April Ryan, you have Susan Rice, you have Jemele Hill, you have Maxine Waters, and now Frederica Wilson,” Jean-Pierre told host Joy Reid.

Jean-Pierre claimed the Trump administration targets powerful black women because they are “afraid” of them.

“This is what this administration continues to do because they’re so afraid [of] powerful black women,” she added. “That is how they cover up their controversy is by finding one that they can take down.”

_Follow Trent Baker on Twitter @MagnifiTrent_

question: Who were the government officials involved in the dispute?

answer: White House chief of staff John Kelly and Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL)

question: Who is MoveOn.org's senior adviser and national spokesperson?

answer: Karine Jean-Pierre

question: What is Jean-Pierre accusing the Trump administration of?

answer: She says the Trump administration targets powerful black women and tries to “dehumanize” them in every controversy.

question: Why does the administration do this?

answer: Jean-Pierre says the Trump administration is afraid of powerful black women.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: After a dispute between White House chief of staff John Kelly and Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL), MoveOn.org's senior adviser and national spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre accuses the Trump administration of targeting powerful black women and trying to “dehumanize” them in every controversy.


text:
**Seven.**

Anna had just turned seven when she first discovered she had the ability to impose stasis on objects she willed so.

She had received a lava lamp from her father, a thing she had made space for on her study table, to be placed in between her reading lamp and the stuffed bear. She had wanted one since everyone could remember. Cake and ice cream were ignored as she ran up the stairs to her room, two steps at a time.

As Anna pushed her door open, however, she felt the lava lamp slip from her small hands and it began to fall. She quickly understood that her new treasure; her prize and fortune — as children consider things such — was to meet the wooden floor boards and, consequently, break. Her young mind reeled from realization, to the utter horror of it, and to the sheer sadness of losing something that was hers for such a short while.

She could not decide whether to berate herself for her clumsiness or the unnecessary celerity, feeling tears welling up. She watched uselessly as the lamp fell, and fell, and fell some more. She did not mean for it to happen, and she did not think it fair. She did not want the lamp to hit the floor.

Then it stopped.

Anna wiped her eyes as she stared at the lava lamp. She smiled.

She sat before the lamp, and studied it. It hung suspended in the air and flickered, as if a television image that suffered from bad reception. The blobs of blue and red wax within ceased to float around as it should. Amongst the noises of her family downstairs, she could hear the faint drone of static. The flickering and sound disappeared as she plucked the lava lamp from the air. Then the world around her turned black.

Anna had collapsed from fatigue, the doctor said, and for the next two days, she remained in bed.

title: The Story of the Once Called Stasis Girl pt.1

question: Who is the main character?

answer: Anna

question: When did Anna first discover her abilities?

answer: When she turned seven

question: How did Anna first discover her abilities?

answer: She stopped a lava lamp from falling and breaking.

question: What happened after Anna first used her abilities?

answer: She collapsed.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: Anna first discovered her ability to impose stasis on objects when she turned seven. She received a lava lamp, and when it almost fell, she managed to stop it with her mind. As she grabbed the lava lamp from the air, she collapsed.


text:
The sun had decidedly set and dew was already forming on every blade and leaf with its usual impersonal intimacy. Light still remained in the sky, however, and the temperature was warm enough to lull passersby into security. I walked barefoot through the wet grass without purpose or hesitation. A pleasant stasis enveloped me as I ambled along the lawn towards the hill.

It was my feet that realized it first, I think. Deceitful twilight temperature -- No matter, I walked. Even with nothing else left to fight, gravity remains. Fight and bitch all the way up any minor hill or climactic Katahdin, you'll enjoy the salt you can only taste at the top. If you want anything from her, you have to bleed a little.

And so I found myself, at the top of this hill and bottom of the next, in a clearing ancient to me and still ignored by nature. My father and I dragged the trampoline here when we were young. And somehow it was sitting on its haunches in front of me now.

My fingers hooked into the tattered safety netting and my feet found each step of the miniature slide which was pulled up beside the trampoline. The padding around the edges and poles was essentially disintegrated. The surface was a little wet and slippery. But all the springs seemed to be attached -- that was a plus. My steps undulated the trees around me. My knees flexed and I extended into my first

jump: a fleeting instant of parabolic freedom. Everything cascaded from there. The memories melted out of my muscles and I was thrown into the washing machine of spins and frontflips and corkscrews. I tumbled ever forwards until dizziness was content.

It was my feet that figured it out first, I think. Was I afraid to look back? What could possibly be so irreconcilable? I tried to roll heels-over-head, but kept twisting to the side. It was the permanent crick in my neck, or the unfading slump in my posture. I simply couldn't commit. My fingers curled slightly with realization in the cold. Two hesitant steps -- inner ear silenced -- inner voice deadened -- hops crescendo -- suddenly --

Down upside? Certainly floating, airborne, but the sky had faded and at any rate eyelids were shut, content to never decide. My legs kicked out, frantic to find ground. The whole of me answered that question without even falling.    Had I

stopped? I wasn't moving. I was only dripping dew and sweat, pushing in every direction, uncertain of which up to believe, when it occurred to me. Up was simply every direction I was not. I wrapped myself in this thought and, tucked in for the night, slept.

title: Bounce

question: Why does the narrator have trouble performing flips and somersaults on the trampoline?

answer: Because they're older now with a body broken in by time.