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[Goodreads Choice Awards 2020]

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in The United States
NYT bestselling writer Jeff VanderMeer has been called “the weird Thoreau” by the New Yorker for his engagement with ecological issues. His most recent novel, the national bestseller Borne, received wide-spread critical acclaim and his prior novels include the Southern Reach trilogy (Annihilation, Authority, and Acceptance). Annihilation won the Nebula and Shirley Jackson Awards, has been translated into 35 languages, and was made into a film from Paramount Pictures directed by Alex Garland. His nonfiction has appeared in New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Atlantic, Slate, Salon, and the Washington Post. He has coedited several iconic anthologies with his wife, the Hugo Award winning editor. Other titles include Wonderbook, the worl NYT bestselling writer Jeff VanderMeer has been called “the weird Thoreau” by the New Yorker for his engagement with ecological issues. His most recent novel, the national bestseller Borne, received wide-spread critical acclaim and his prior novels include the Southern Reach trilogy (Annihilation, Authority, and Acceptance). Annihilation won the Nebula and Shirley Jackson Awards, has been translated into 35 languages, and was made into a film from Paramount Pictures directed by Alex Garland. His nonfiction has appeared in New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Atlantic, Slate, Salon, and the Washington Post. He has coedited several iconic anthologies with his wife, the Hugo Award winning editor. Other titles include Wonderbook, the world’s first fully illustrated creative writing guide. VanderMeer served as the 2016-2017 Trias Writer in Residence at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. He has spoken at the Guggenheim, the Library of Congress, and the Arthur C. Clarke Center for the Human Imagination.
VanderMeer was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, but spent much of his childhood in the Fiji Islands, where his parents worked for the Peace Corps. This experience, and the resulting trip back to the United States through Asia, Africa, and Europe, deeply influenced him.

Jeff is married to Ann VanderMeer, who is currently an acquiring editor at Tor.com and has won the Hugo Award and World Fantasy Award for her editing of magazines and anthologies. They live in Tallahassee, Florida, with two cats and thousands of books.

...more

Popular Answered Questions

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 Jeff VanderMeer Thank you for the truly great question, Ali. To me, this is the essential theme of our time, and it's not about giving in or checking out. It's about …moreThank you for the truly great question, Ali. To me, this is the essential theme of our time, and it's not about giving in or checking out. It's about adaptation to what's coming. Of course, I'm coming at it from a kind of fantastical point of view. No matter how I deploy science or specific detail about our real world, I'm still somewhere between the real and the metaphorical in these explorations. In part to get the distance to explore modes of thoughts, and in the absence of being able to imagine being truly not-human, to get as close to that as possible without marginalizing that state of being as horrific.
I suppose I don't see it as leaving behind individual consciousness as being in greater harmony and collusion with the contamination we already experience but that is invisible to us, and to also thereby better understand that we do not in fact stick out from our landscape, but are part of it. This is something we've forgotten over the last centuries, and the farther we get away from understanding this, the farther we get from long-term solutions to questions like...What do we contribute to our biosphere? Why do we privilege human-style intelligence to the exclusion of all else? Why do we see as strengths those things that are actually now weaknesses in ourselves as a sustainable species on Earth?

This doesn't even get to the question of being able to see our environment with a fresh eye--so that we no longer think in terms of being stewards or despoilers but some other philosophy altogether. And this in the context, too, of not bringing with us the old "culture creatures" as Schama puts it in his book Landscape and Memory. That we might see with clear vision but also perhaps with a hint of awe just how thoroughly we live on an alien planet that is full of wonders we're only now beginning to understand. And of which we are at times the most mundane.(less)

[]

 Jeff VanderMeer My real phobia is cockroaches. Growing up in Fiji, I would sometimes wake up and hear this crackling, shifting sound in my ears. These small cockroach…moreMy real phobia is cockroaches. Growing up in Fiji, I would sometimes wake up and hear this crackling, shifting sound in my ears. These small cockroaches would burrow in there and I'd have to fish them out. So I come by my phobia honestly. Also, I should note that it extends to professional cockroaches, not just amateur ones. We were on a claustrophobic boat trip once in Romania (eventually cut off by the Romanian navy and a man in a dinghy, but that's another story0 and there were rustling boxes under each of the bench seats in the passenger area (which didn't have windows you could open). The translation came back as "professional cockroaches." Boxes and boxes of professional cockroaches, to be used as bait by fishermen. I was as phobic about them as any number of amateur cockroaches. When it comes to cockroaches, I treat all equally. (Except, I really hate the flying ones.)
As for using them in my writing, I did once write a children's story called Erin & the Roach, but it has never been published, and probably shouldn't be published...by anyone.(less)

[Annihilation (Southern Reac...]
Annihilation (Southern Reach, #1)
 3.71 avg rating — 155,685 ratings — published 2014 — 88 editions

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[Authority (Southern Reach, #2)]
Authority (Southern Reach, #2)
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[Acceptance (Southern Reach,...]
Acceptance (Southern Reach, #3)
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[Borne (Borne, #1)]
Borne (Borne, #1)
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[Area X: The Southern Reach ...]
Area X: The Southern Reach Trilogy (Southern Reach, #1-3)
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[City of Saints and Madmen (...]
City of Saints and Madmen (Ambergris, #1)
by
Jeff VanderMeer (Goodreads Author),

Michael Moorcock (Introduction)

 3.85 avg rating — 5,318 ratings — published 2001 — 21 editions

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[The Strange Bird: A Borne S...]
The Strange Bird: A Borne Story
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[Wonderbook: The Illustrated...]
Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction
by
Jeff VanderMeer (Goodreads Author),

Jeremy Zerfoss (Illustrator),

John Coulthart (Illustrations)

 4.35 avg rating — 3,048 ratings — published 2013 — 13 editions

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[Finch (Ambergris, #3)]
Finch (Ambergris, #3)
 3.97 avg rating — 2,925 ratings — published 2009 — 16 editions

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[The Steampunk Bible]
The Steampunk Bible
by
Jeff VanderMeer (Goodreads Author),

S.J. Chambers (Goodreads Author),

G.D. Falksen (Goodreads Author) (Contributor)

 3.92 avg rating — 2,199 ratings — published 2011 — 4 editions

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More books by Jeff VanderMeer…

The VanderMeer Holiday Gift Guide

It’s been a busy year for us! So this holiday season, we’re blessed with a variety of new releases that make excellent gifts. Just remember to order early to ensure on-time delivery. Thanks for your support. For most of our books, a percentage of royalties go to environmental causes. You’ve helped us make a real difference in the world.

_If you’d like a personalized copy, please order from Midtown R_

Read more of this blog post »

Published on November 15, 2020 09:47

Winter is upon us and the chill of the season is creeping through in this month's collection of new books. Bundle up,...

[]

[Annihilation]

JEFF VANDERMEER wrote a new blog post

The VanderMeer Holiday Gift Guide

It’s been a busy year for us! So this holiday season, we’re blessed with a variety of new releases that make excellent gifts. Just remember to order e Read more of this blog post »

Nov 16, 2020 12:03AM  · 12 likes · like

JEFF VANDERMEER is currently reading

[Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer]

Annihilation (Southern Reach, #1)
 by Jeff VanderMeer (Goodreads Author)

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Jul 02, 2019 03:23PM  · 109 likes · like  ·  preview book

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JEFF VANDERMEER made a comment on St. Marks Wildlife Refuge: Official Area X T-Shirt!

" You can find the image on my site: http://jeffvandermeer.com
Also, they probably will ship to you. They are doing international orders.
Jeff

You can find the image on my site: http://jeffvandermeer.com
Also, they probably will ship to you. They are doing international orders.
Jeff

...more "

Oct 03, 2018 05:32AM  · see blog post

JEFF VANDERMEER made a comment in the group The Next Best Book Club — Borne - AuthoReadeR Discussion topic

" _Lori wrote: "Just a reminder that tomorrow is the final day for questions in our Author Reader discussion with Jeff._
Jeff, I do want to thank you whol

_Lori wrote: "Just a reminder that tomorrow is the final day for questions in our Author Reader discussion with Jeff._
Jeff, I do want to thank you whole heartedly for hanging with us all week. There were so ma..."

Oh sure--happy to be here. Let me ponder that final questions for bit, though!

...more "

Jul 29, 2017 11:08AM

JEFF VANDERMEER made a comment on Acceptance (Southern Reach, #3) — Okay, so WHAT was actually going on? (SPOILERS)

[Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer]

" _Kyle wrote: "My heart and my brain both did simultaneous somersaults when I saw that THE Jeff Vandermeer was commenting on this thread. Congratulation_ _Kyle wrote: "My heart and my brain both did simultaneous somersaults when I saw that THE Jeff Vandermeer was commenting on this thread. Congratulations on the Southern Reach series, for it is a masterful work. ..."_
I'm always appreciative of readers who like the ambiguity and it's kind of cool to see how there was definitely space left for reader imaginations. There's even Area X/True Detective fan fic, and a whole living alphabet some linguist created.

Anyway, thanks! Hope you like Borne.

...more "

Apr 10, 2017 02:47PM

JEFF VANDERMEER made a comment on 2016 Shared Worlds Teen SF/F Writing Camp: Bestiary Entries

" Sure! You can find a fair amount of curriculum stuff on found objects in the characterization chapter of my book Wonderbook. (Not saying you should bu Sure! You can find a fair amount of curriculum stuff on found objects in the characterization chapter of my book Wonderbook. (Not saying you should buy it, but if you skim it in the bookstore or something, in case it's of use.) ...more "

Aug 14, 2016 05:15PM  · see blog post

JEFF VANDERMEER made a comment in the group The Next Best Book Club — Annihilation author/reader discussion topic

" _Lori wrote: "Hey there guys! Last few hours before we say goodbye to Jeff. Keep those questions coming : )_
Jeff,

I wanted to thank you so much for hang

_Lori wrote: "Hey there guys! Last few hours before we say goodbye to Jeff. Keep those questions coming : )_
Jeff,

I wanted to thank you so much for hanging with us all week long. It was really cool to get b..."

Thanks again for the invite! That was very kind.

...more "

Aug 24, 2015 08:04AM

JEFF VANDERMEER joined the groups The Next Best Book Club and SciFi and Fantasy Book Club

[1218] [1865]
 Aug 17, 2015 07:50AM

JEFF VANDERMEER voted for Annihilation (Southern Reach Trilogy, #1) as Best Science Fiction in the Final Round of the 2014 Goodreads Choice Awards.

[Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer]

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Nov 17, 2014 06:35AM  · 8 likes · like

More of Jeff's books…

“Where lies the strangling fruit that came from the hand of the sinner I shall bring forth the seeds of the dead to share with the worms that gather in the darkness and surround the world with the power of their lives while from the dimlit halls of other places forms that never were and never could be writhe for the impatience of the few who never saw what could have been. In the black water with the sun shining at midnight, those fruit shall come ripe and in the darkness of that which is golden shall split open to reveal the revelation of the fatal softness in the earth. The shadows of the abyss are like the petals of a monstrous flower that shall blossom within the skull and expand the mind beyond what any man can bear, but whether it decays under the earth or above on green fields, or out to sea or in the very air, all shall come to revelation, and to revel, in the knowledge of the strangling fruit—and the hand of the sinner shall rejoice, for there is no sin in shadow or in light that the seeds of the dead cannot forgive. And there shall be in the planting in the shadows a grace and a mercy from which shall blossom dark flowers, and their teeth shall devour and sustain and herald the passing of an age. That which dies shall still know life in death for all that decays is not forgotten and reanimated it shall walk the world in the bliss of not-knowing. And then there shall be a fire that knows the naming of you, and in the presence of the strangling fruit, its dark flame shall acquire every part of you that remains.”
― Jeff VanderMeer, Annihilation

“The effect of this cannot be understood without being there. The beauty of it cannot be understood, either, and when you see beauty in desolation it changes something inside you. Desolation tries to colonize you.”
― Jeff VanderMeer, Annihilation

“That's how the madness of the world tries to colonize you: from the outside in, forcing you to live in its reality.”
― Jeff VanderMeer, Annihilation

What book would you like to read in October?

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[1218] The Next Best Book Club — 21231 members — last activity Nov 29, 2020 09:10AM
Are you searching for the NEXT best book? Are you willing to kiss all your spare cash goodbye? Are you easily distracted by independent bookshops, bi Are you searching for the NEXT best book? Are you willing to kiss all your spare cash goodbye? Are you easily distracted by independent bookshops, big name book stores, and library or used book sales? Are your bookshelves currently a little tight of space? Joining this group is highly addictive. In a matter of weeks, your TBR list will be longer than you are tall, you will be wondering how the heck you walked into a bookstore for one little book, and walked out with two bags crammed full of new novels you never knew you wanted. Your bookshelves will be bursting at the seams and you wont remember what color the rug was as it will be buried under all the new purchases you have made! We are not here to hold you back, or pat your hand as you try to be strong and cut back on your purchases. We will be rallying behind you, chanting your name as you enter the bookstore, and we will throw a book-party in your honor when you come back and share all the wonderful new books youve adopted with us! I would love for you to follow TNBBC on Facebook and Twitter!!! And be sure to check out book reviews and special indie series and spotlights on TheNextBestBookBlog.blogspot.com. ****Effective Immediately - Due to blantant misuse and a disregard of group rules and guidelines, we will no longer allow self promotion of books. Creation of threads to promote your work will lead to deletion of posts and blocked membership. ...more

[1865] SciFi and Fantasy Book Club — 27327 members — last activity 1 hour, 3 min ago
Hi there! SFFBC is a welcoming place for readers to share their love of speculative fiction through group reads, buddy reads, challenges, Hi there! SFFBC is a welcoming place for readers to share their love of speculative fiction through group reads, buddy reads, challenges, and lively conversation. Introduce yourself, see Current Events for info about what's happening, and if you have other questions, please see Everything you need to know (Rules). This group is private, but pleased to meet new members! ...more

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Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Sarah Crichton Books / FSG present Book Keeping, a readers' community. Join us for discussions, author chats, and giveaw Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Sarah Crichton Books / FSG present Book Keeping, a readers' community. Join us for discussions, author chats, and giveaways of our favorite new books! For more bookish goodies and FSG exclusives, visit www.fsgbookkeeping.com. ...more

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Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account.

[Login animation]

question: Who is Jeff Van der Meer?

answer: An award winning science fiction author who communicates actively with his fans.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: In what appears to be a GoodReads page for the author Jeff Van der Meer a science fiction writer. Throughout we see a cross section of articles regarding or including Jeff himself.


split: train

text:
An autumn tapestry lies before me. I approach this landscape of fading greens, subtle reds, and overbearing yellows. The ground squelches as my boots break the surface of the mud; it's still very much in the transition of solidifying after the late summer rain. The wind twists around the semi-dormant maples and stretches like elastic as it weaves through the dense wall of ash trees. What's left of the breeze binds itself around me and holds on.
	Rays of glistening sunlight peek through the cloak of powdery overcast. There's no happy medium of temperature; heat exists in the light, goosebumps in the shade. My path, pitted and trampled from years of use, follows along edge of a strong string of intersecting pines. At a point where the pines meet the path, an opening is made. The path continues past the aperture into a wide pasturage littered with goldenrod and burdock. The breeze picks up the goldenrod pollen and sends it dancing, twirling, twisting, and then off into the world.
	The path continues along, winding and weaving through the sea of soon-to-be hay, until it finally stops near a pile of long-dead logs. The logs were cut a few years back by my grandfather, but that’s as much as I know about them. I was back here last week, so the wood splitter is still here, but I didn't get much done. I have a problem with paying attention to what I'm doing. I'd like to say that it's nature's fault for being so damn beautiful, but I don't feel that way. I would just rather be somewhere else, although, I do like staring vacantly at the sky. Ever changing clouds distract me as they perform their celestial puppet shows. Above me, a quick nimbus fox jumps over the mammatus of the lazy dog. As the wind blows, the clouds dance and move; their movements close to identical, yet not. The more they’re pushed and pulled by the winds above, the more they morph. The quick fox changes to an anamorphic slug, slowly streaking across the sky.
	A nearby branch begins to shake, I give it no notice at first, but as the trembling continues, my attention is drawn. The rustling persists until a dry, crispy, brown leaf falls from branch, revealing a bluejay. The bird’s crested head tilts as it stares at me; we both stand motionless, staring at each other and waiting for the other’s reaction. His beaded eyes begin to widen and narrow and his talons wrap around the thin maple branch. A sudden flap of his sky blue wings sends the garrulous bird flying into the cold air and beyond.
	I turn back to my chore. The wood’s already cut into identical logs, although they still need to be split. I look down at the several colorful shades of brown and gray. Each strain has different qualities. Ash is easy to carry to the splitter, but maple is heavy and takes multiple attempts to lift. I tire pretty quickly the more wood I split. The warm air expelled from my lungs permeates the cold, creating a mass of haze that fogs my glasses.
	The wood screeches and cries as it’s forcibly divided, fiber by fiber, until it relents and splits apart. Some wood cries differently, their fibers held together tighter than others. The splitter snaps them regardless, only pausing momentarily while I provide it with more. Each piece is harder than the last. My muscles stretch with each lift, leaving them exhausted and drained. The sun position, directly above me, tells me it’s time for a well deserved break.
	I sit my weary body on top a fallen poplar, and unpack the lunch I carried. A small bunch of magnolia warblers fly by, their bumble bee-like bellies bouncing along the wind currents. Their melodies, comparable to a Mozartian piece, flutter down from the heavenly scene of altocumulus overcast. Ruby-throated hummingbirds weave their way in between the flying group of warblers, their wings flittering at magnificent speeds. I look in awe while chewing my slightly stale tuna fish sandwich. The moment the birds make their way behind the tall pines, and out of my sight, I finish it and walk back.
	The rather large pile of logs that once lay next to the splitter is gone and in its place are small remnants. The final cry of cracking wood echoes through the dense forest, proceeded by the near silent sound of sighing. Leaving the finished job behind, I make my way back. The path once again takes me through the gap of pines, the squelching sod, and the weaving winds. The rays that once cut through the clouds, now tries to make its way past the trees as its source begins to set. As the sun’s stream of shine loosens its grip on the land, the temperature drops. The once-subtle amount of fog left by my breath looks like smoke. I childishly hold my fingers up to my mouth and blow the smoke left in my lungs from my imaginary cigarette.
	I give a momentary glance back at where I’ve been. The walls of autumn-colored trees, the boot tracks in the mud, and the pile of perfectly split wood are all behind me. The path suddenly ends as I turn around and a door lies before me. I take one last deep breath of the chilled outdoor air, before heading inside, where a mug of hot cocoa waits for me.

title: Story I wrote in school: Splitting Wood. Tell me what you think. Enjoy.

question: Describe the story's setting.

answer: The narrator is in the woods.

question: Why does the narrator have trouble paying attention?

answer: Information can't be found.

question: Why is the narrator in the middle of the woods?

answer: They are splitting wood for their cabin.

question: How does the narrator feel about their day?

answer: They seem happy and appreciative of the nature that surrounds them.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: The narrator appreciates his surroundings while he's out splitting wood for his cabin.


text:
AULUS PLAUTIUS was a Roman politician and general of the mid-1st century. He began the Roman conquest of Britain in 43, and became the first governor of the new province, serving from 43 to 46.

Career

Little is known of Aulus Plautius's early career. It was previously believed that he was involved in the suppression of a slave revolt in Apulia, which possibly happened in AD 24, alongside Marcus Aelius Celer.[1] However, the “A·PLAVTIO” of the inscription is now identified as Aulus' father of the same name, Aulus Plautius.[2] The younger Plautius was suffect consul for the second half of 29, with Lucius Nonius Asprenas as his colleague.[3] Subsequently he held a provincial governorship, probably of Pannonia, in the early years of Claudius's reign; another inscription shows he oversaw the building of a road between Trieste and Rijeka at that time.[4] Anthony Birley suspects Plautius also played a role in suppressing the coup by Lucius Arruntius Camillus Scribonianus in 42.[5]

Claudius appointed Plautius to lead his invasion of Britannia in 43. The _causus belli_ was to restore Verica, king of the Atrebates and an ally of Rome, to the throne; he had been deposed by his eastern neighbours, the Catuvellauni. Birley argues that Plautius was selected not only out of gratitude for his loyalty the previous year, but for his established familial connections to Claudius and the Imperial family.[6]

The invasion force consisted of four legions: IX _Hispana_, then in Pannonia; II _Augusta_; XIV _Gemina_; and XX _Valeria Victrix_, plus about 20,000 auxiliary troops, including Thracians and Batavians. Legio II _Augusta_ was commanded by the future emperor Vespasian. Three other men of appropriate rank to command legions are known to have been involved in the invasion: Vespasian's brother, Titus Flavius Sabinus, and Gnaeus Hosidius Geta appear in Dio Cassius's account of the invasion; Gnaeus Sentius Saturninus is mentioned by Eutropius, although as a former consul he may have been too senior, and perhaps accompanied Claudius later.[7]

On the beaches of northern Gaul Plautius faced a mutiny by his troops, who were reluctant to cross the Ocean and fight beyond the limits of the known world. They were persuaded after Claudius's freedman and secretary Narcissus addressed them. Seeing a former slave in place of their commander, they cried “_Io Saturnalia!_” (Saturnalia being a Roman festival in which social roles were reversed for the day) and the mutiny was over.

The invasion force is generally believed to have landed at Richborough in Kent, although elements may have landed elsewhere (see Site of the Claudian invasion of Britain). The Britons, led by Togodumnus and Caratacus of the Catuvellauni, were reluctant to fight a pitched battle, relying instead on guerrilla tactics. However, Plautius defeated first Caratacus on the River Medway, then Togodumnus on the River Thames. Togodumnus died shortly afterwards, although Caratacus survived and continued to be a thorn in the invaders' side.

Having reached the Thames River, Plautius halted and sent for Claudius, who arrived with elephants and heavy artillery and completed the march on the Catuvellaunian capital, Camulodunum (Colchester). Claudius claimed in a triumphal inscription that he accepted the surrender of 11 British kings at Camulodunum. A Roman province was established from the conquered territory and Plautius was appointed its governor.[8]

[Conquests under Aulus Plautius, focused on the commercially valuable southeast of Britain.] Beginning in the year following the successful conquest, the four legions that comprised the provincial garrison proceeded to extend the boundaries of the new province: Legio IX pushed north along the course of what became Ermine Street to construct a camp at what later became Lincoln; Legio XIV advanced into the Midlands along the course of Watling Street, then turned north to set up its base at what later became Leicester; Legio II, under the command of Vespasian, marched through the south reducing over 20 hill forts, conquering the Isle of Wight, and subduing two powerful tribes, to eventually set up its own base most likely at Exeter; the fourth major unit, Legio XX, Plautius likely kept at Camulodunum with some auxiliaries as a reserve force. Some years would pass before the provincial seat would be moved to Londonium, which came into existence later in Plautius' tenure.[9]

In 47 Plautius was replaced by Publius Ostorius Scapula.[10] On his return to Rome and civil life, Plautius was granted an ovation, during which the emperor himself walked by his side to and from the Capitol.[11]

Family

Aulus Plautius was the son of Aulus Plautius suffect consul in 1 BC and possibly Vitellia.[12] Quintus Plautius, consul in 36, was his younger brother.[13] His sister Plautia has been identified as the wife of Publius Petronius, consul in 19;[14] the marriage is attested in an inscription.[15] The daughter of Plautia and Publius Petronius, Petronia, married Lucius Vittelius, later emperor during the Year of Four Emperors.[16]

He married Pomponia Graecina, whom Birley has identified as the daughter of Gaius Pomponius Graecinus, suffect consul in 16.[17] After the execution of her kinswoman Julia Drusi Caesaris by Claudius and Messalina, Pomponia remained in mourning for forty years in open and unpunished defiance of the emperor.[18] In 57 she was charged with a “foreign superstition”, interpreted by some to mean conversion to Christianity. According to Roman law, she was tried by her husband before her kinsmen, and was acquitted.[19] There are no attested children of this marriage; though it has been suggested that a later Aulus Plautius, alleged to be the lover of Agrippina the younger, may have been their son.[20] However, some modern historians, such as Birley, have suggested that, despite the shared name, this Aulus Plautius is the son of Aulus Plautius' brother, Quintus Plautius[21]

Aulus Plautius was the uncle whose “distinguished service” saved his nephew Plautius Lateranus, (another son of Quintus Plautius)[22] from execution in AD 48 after his affair with Messalina was discovered. Lateranus was removed from his senatorial position and exiled instead.[23] Lateranus was later executed for his involvement in the Pisonian conspiracy against Nero in AD 65, from which it is concluded that his Uncle Aulus Plautius was by that time deceased.[24]

Portrayals in fiction

Plautius is a character in Henryk Sienkiewicz's novel _Quo Vadis_, and in Simon Scarrow's novel _The Eagle's Conquest_.

In the 1951 film _Quo Vadis_, based on Sienkiewicz's novel, Plautius (played by Felix Aylmer) and his wife Pomponia are (ahistorically) Christians.

He is played by David Morrissey in the 2018 TV series _Britannia_, which portrays a fantasy version of the Roman conquest.

[1]  = ILS 961

[2] Birley, _Roman Government_, p. 21

[3] Attilio Degrassi, _I fasti consolari dell'Impero Romano dal 30 avanti Cristo al 613 dopo Cristo_ (Rome, 1952), p. 9

[4]  = ILS 5889

[5] Birley, _Fasti of Roman Britain_, p. 39

[6]

[7] Dio Cassius, _Historia Romana_ 60:19–22; Suetonius, _Lives of the Twelve Caesars_: _Vespasian_ 4; Eutropius, _Abridgement of Roman History_ 7:13

[8] Sheppard Frere, _Britannia: A history of Roman Britain_, revised edition (London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1978), p. 82

[9] Frere, _Britania_, pp. 86-91

[10] Tacitus, _Agricola_ 14

[11] Dio Cassius, _Historia Romana_ 60:30.2; Suetonius, _Lives of the Twelve Caesars_, “Claudius” 24

[12] Lily Ross Taylor, “Trebula Suffenas and The Plautii Silvani”, _Memoirs of the American Academy at Rome_, 24 (1956), p. 24

[13]

[14] Ronald Syme, _Tacitus_, (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1957) p. 386

[15]  Syme notes that she does not appear in either the Pauly-Wissowa or _Prosopographia Imperii Romani_

[16] Tacitus, _Histories_, II.63.

[17] Birley, _Fasti of Roman Britain_, p. 37

[18] Tacitus, _Annales_, XIII.30

[19]

[20] Suetonius, _Lives of the Twelve Caesars_, [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Suetonius/12Caesars/Nero*.html#35.4%22Nero", 35]

[21] Birley, _Fasti of Roman Britain_, p. 40

[22]

[23] Tacitus, _Annales_ XI.27

[24] Tacitus, _Annales_ XV.60

title: Aulus Plautius

question: Why is little known about Plautius' early career?

answer: It's possible it is because Plautius existed in the 1st century, which is  before modern records. If his early career was recorded, it's possible that the information could have been lost due to how long ago the information was gathered.

question: Why did Claudius appoint Plautius to lead his invasion of Britannia in 43?

answer: Anthony Birley argued it was because Plautius was selected due to gratitude for his loyalty to Claudius, and his established familial connections to Claudius and the Imperial family.

question: What seemed to be Plautius' goal in life?

answer: His goal seemed to protecting and advocating for Rome.

question: How was Plautius received by the public?

answer: He was probably respected.

question: What are some discrepancies in Plautius' family tree?

answer: Plautius has no attested children from his marriage with Graecina, but some say a later Aulus Plautius may have been their son. However, modern historians believe the later Aulus Plautius is the son of Plautius' brother, Quintus.

question: What was the highlight of Plautius' career?

answer: It was probably the Roman conquest in Britain.


text:
The sheets were warm underneath as December seeped through the cracks between the windows and walls. The lights within their room shone bright and they wore clothes this night, these lovers, and were as sober as children should be. There were milk and cookies beneath the polaroid, and the radio sat silent.

Adam, in his pajamas, sat waiting, a stack of pillows supporting his back as Kate slid upon the bed. She crossed her legs under her, pulled up her hair and tied it.

“Come now, get to it,” he said, eager.

“Do be patient.” She whipped out a book from behind her, and Adam made himself comfortable.

Taking out the bookmark, she picked up where she had left of.

Adam was read to of the boy who wouldn’t grow up. They flew, these children; their thoughts much as what he felt now. Adam had read this story before. He would not pass up, however, how she looked when she read. He liked her gesturing and intoning during the exciting bits; her melodramatic whispering and her sudden sullen air during the sad parts. He dipped a cookie in milk as she told him of the ticking, and the clock ingested.

She would, at times, act out scenes she knew well with fervor and passion — he thought her pretty when she did. It was a sight he very liked to behold, that, and she does not notice when she does it.

I have a place where dreams are born
And time is never planned.
It’s not on any chart;
You must find it with your heart,
Never Never Land.

Kate held the book in one hand as she moved and swayed, telling the story. She was entirely aware of Adam and his knowledge of this story. How could he not? Kate had often badgered and blustered him to bury his face between the pages of her favorite books. She would not pass up, however, how he looked when he was read to. She liked how his jaw hung slightly open as she gestured and intoned during the exciting bits; how he edged ever so slightly closer as she whispered melodramatically, with a sudden sullen air, during the sad parts. He would fold his toes and tug his legs towards him as she spoke.

She would see him thoroughly crestfallen as Wendy implored not to be forgotten — she thought him adorable when he did. It was a sight she very liked to behold, that, and he does not notice when he does it.

“You won’t forget me, will you Peter, before spring cleaning time comes?”

She slipped beside him as he placed the book beside the empty plate of cookies.

“Well, that’s enough adventures for one night.” He placed an arm around her.

Oh, I think we can afford one more before we go to bed,” she said, looking up at him.

He grinned. “Do tell.”

“This adventure I have in mind, it shall invite a need of your lips, and mine, of course. A task too great, I think — even for one such as you.”

“Really now? I will have to be very courageous then.”

“That, you would. But, before this grand undertaking of ours,” she said, pushing herself off of him. “You must first brave the frigid air, journey to a far, far away land, and tidy those teeth. Cookie bits plague them.”

He laughed. “And then the adventure?”

“An awfully big one, I imagine,” she said, amused by him.

He flew, her Adam, towards the sink and was swift in his return. He stood there, his eyes on her.

“Hello there,” he began, as he sat on the bed. “Now there’s a sight to make me fly.”

“Oh, you’ll do nothing of that sort,” she said, pulling him in. “I’d rather like you to stay here, and I’d rather you’d stay with me tonight.”

She had him sit in front of her; she held his face in her hands and said, “You won’t leave me, will you Adam, before spring cleaning time comes?” Her eyes met his.

“Leave you at spring? We don’t have spring where we live, Kate.”

She smiled. “Precisely.”

Of course Adam promised; and then he flew — or, at least, that was what he felt, as her lips met his.

title: Adam & Kate #019

question: Summarize everything relating to cookies in the story.

answer: The milk and cookies are out because it is the night before Christmas. This is a reference to leaving treats for "Santa Claus." Adam eats the cookies as Kate reads to him. Then she asks him to clean his teeth before they make love.

question: How is Peter Pan referenced in the story?

answer: Peter Pan is the book Kate reads to Adam. However, after she is done reading, they speak about their love in reference to the book. Adam frequently mentions that he might "fly away."

question: What conceit does Peter Pan suggest?

answer: The story deals with Adam's childishness. It suggests his unwillingness to grow up. The central conceit of the story is a conflation of childish play with romantic love. The two adults continue to leave cookies and milk out for Santa, and Kate reads to Adam as though he were a little boy. We can conceive of Adam as Peter Pan, in this sense.


text:
The KITZBÜHEL GOLF ALPIN OPEN was a one-off golf tournament on the Challenge Tour played in July 2003 at Kitzbühel Schwarzsee Golf Club in Kitzbühel, Austria.[1]

Winners

+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Year    | Winner  | Country | Score   | To par  | Margin  | Runner- |
|         |         |         |         |         | of      | up      |
|         |         |         |         |         | victory |         |
+=========+=========+=========+=========+=========+=========+=========+
| 2003    | David   |         | 261     | −23     | 3       | Michael |
|         | Geall   |         |         |         | strokes | Kirk    |
+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+

[1]

title: Alpin Open

question: What is the Kitzbuhel Golf Alpin Open?

answer: It is a one-off gold tournament.

question: When was the tournament held?

answer: The tournament was held in July 2003.

question: Where did the tournament take place?

answer: Kitzbühel, Austria

question: Who was the winner?

answer: This information is not mentioned.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: A Wikipedia page on the Kitzbühel Golf Alpin Open.


text:
Thanks for taking the time to read my short. This is my first submission so please be gentle.

I cringe every time the phone rings. Maybe its my mother calling to tell me I missed her birthday, as she continues to talk my bored ears off. Perhaps its the landlord that will surely chew me out for the rent check that's over a week late. My bank accounts shrivel to pocket change, borrowing not an option in my thick head. Sell everything I own, or at least try. No bites. The phone rings again, maybe its my boss calling to ask why I'm not at work. I wake up late not wanting to move with the same reckless apathy which plagued me as I was depressed. I reach over and hold her tight, as she truly gets me. My life falls to pieces, constantly disappointing others. I'm all too content and focused on myself. Smoke fills the car as I recluse with a cigarette in my car. I feel anxiety, the weight of my life. This burden which embraces my apathy and catalyzes my financial deterioration. I pour a beer, another burden is another escape. Nothing permanent.  I think of how well regarded he was. Was. I then wonder what they think of me, is this harder to restore than a credit score? Can I lift myself back up and be the person I set out to be? The weight grows heavier with every puff, every swallow, my thoughts envelop me, the phone rings.

title: Dismal thursday

question: Why does the narrator cringe every time his phone rings?

answer: He thinks through the options of who might be calling and none of them sound appealing.

question: Does the narrator answer the phone?

answer: It does not seem so. At the end of the story the phone is still ringing.

question: Why is the narrator in financial distress?

answer: He does not show up to his job, and he has hobbies that require cash - drinking and smoking.

question: Why isn't the narrator at work?

answer: He woke up late. He was depressed.

question: Who is the narrator?

answer: This information is not given in the text. What is clear is that this person struggles with depression, anxiety and a lack of connection.

question: Write a ~6 sentence summary.

answer: The phone rings. The narrator does not want to answer. It might be his mother, the landlord or his boss. He does not want to speak to any of them. He analyzes his dire financial situation, he smokes and drinks, and can't find a solution to his finances or his depression. The phone still rings.


text:
A topic in one of my past papers. 20 minutes, no planning. Let me know how I can fine tune it. Just so you know, English is not my native language and this is my first time in this place. Enjoy.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
It was a hazy night. Though the roads were clear, a lonely black sedan still roamed the streets. The driver, John, was not conscious of his actions at the moment. His mind was obnubilated with all the alcohol he had consumed. A light rain started to fall. The pitter-patter of the rain drops only mulled John's senses.

 He could barely see where he was going much less see any one else. Through his blurry vision and scrambled consciousness, he swayed the car dangerously on every turn. He did not see the black form that appeared suddenly from the road-side. He could not have seen him or apprehended the gravity of the situation but when he felt a sudden bump in his car, he knew something was wrong. He slowed the car cautiously. He got out of the car dangerously, his mind weighed heavily with the influence of alcohol. The rain had started to fall heavy now. As John made his way behind the car, what he saw brought him back to reality in one clawing stroke. A twisted, black body lay crumpled on the road. As the police would later comfort the victim's family, he had not suffered much at all. It was all over in a few moments. Tear tracks ran down John's face as he realized what he had done. The saltiness of the tears crippled his newly surfaced soberness. His life was over in a instant. The body of the victim was contracted so horribly that it rippled horrible goose bumps across John's skin that not even the rain could flatten. The rain was pouring down in bullets now. A puddle of red surround the body. Its skin was scorched with bruises and gashes of blood and dirt. To John, each wound was like his own.

 As he stood staring at the body, the minutes felt like hours. Time seemed to be raging at him for the death of the victim. The clouds coughed and showered the last of their condensed vapours before leaving. Stars twinkled and shined as the moon came out. As though this seemed to finalize the episode of the accident, John slipped back into the cold seat of his car and reversed the car. He re-shifted the gears to the fifth, slammed his foot down on the accelerator, and waited for the impact.

title: The Victim

question: What state is the main character in?

answer: He is in a drunken state.

question: Who is the main character?

answer: John is the main character.

question: What did the main character do?

answer: He drunkenly ran someone over and killed them.

question: What does the main character do after he realizes he's killed someone?

answer: He attempts to crash his car and kill himself.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: John drives on a rainy night while very drunk. With his senses compromised, he hits a pedestrian. He gets out of the car to check and comes to his senses when he sees the mangled body of the dead pedestrian. Filled with guilt, he crashes his car.


text:
QUEEN is a stop on the Region of Waterloo's Ion rapid transit system.[1] It is located alongside Charles Street, just east of Queen Street, in Kitchener. It opened in 2019.

The station serves southbound trains only; the nearest northbound platform is at Frederick station, about away up Charles and Benton streets.

The station's feature wall consists of ceramic tiles in a pattern of teal, gray, orange and blue.

The platform is connected with Charles Street's sidewalks at either end, and pedestrians passing through walk along the platform.

History

The current rapid transit station is the second train station in Kitchener which is named after (and located near) Queen Street. The Grand River Railway's main Kitchener station, which was located near the current Iron Horse Trail crossing with the street, was in service until 1955. The station building was demolished in the 1970s.[2]

The station was structurally complete in October 2017, but only opened on 21 June 2019 along with the rest of the Ion light rail system.

In 2020, the City of Kitchener committed to a set of pedestrian infrastructure improvements on Queen Street near the station, which were designed to improve walkability in the area, including wider sidewalks, more seating, and new trees and planters, as well as creation of a new parkette at Charles and Queen.[3]

[1]

[2]

[3]

title: Queen station (Kitchener)

question: Why does the Queen Station in Kitchener serve only south-bound trains?

answer: The article doesn't give a specific reason.

question: Why did the station open two years after its construction was finished?

answer: The article says all of the Ion light rail systems got operational on 21 June 2019, including the Queen Station.

question: What late adjustments were done to the station and why?

answer: The city decided to improve the walkability around the area and committed to pedestrian infrastructure improvements. These include wider sidewalks, more seating, and new trees and planters.

question: How does the station integrate to Charles Street?

answer: It's connected to the street's sidewalks at either end. The passing pedestrians walk alongside the platform.

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer: The Queen Station is a stop on the Region of Waterloo's Ion rapid transit system. It's located alongside Charles Street, just east of Queen Street, and it's connected to both sidewalks of Charles Street. The station serves only south-bound trains. Its construction was completed in October 2017, but it got operational on 21 June 2019 along with the rest of the Ion light rail system. In 2020, the city committed to improving walkability around the station.


text:
OGDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL may refer to:

-   The elementary division of Ogden International School in Chicago, Illinois
-   Ogden Elementary School - Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools - Valley Stream, New York
-   Ogden Elementary School - New Hanover County Schools - Wilmington, North Carolina

title: Ogden Elementary School

question: How many elementary schools are named Ogden?

answer: Three.

question: Where is Ogden Elementary School that is part of New Hanover County Schools located?

answer: It is located in Wilmington, North Carolina.

question: In which district is the Ogden Elementary School in Valley Stream, New York located?

answer: It is part of Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools district.

question: In which state is Ogden International School located?

answer: It is located in Illinois.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: The different Ogden elementary schools that exist are separated by location and school district.


text:
THESEUS is a large autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed for laying fibre optic cable on the seafloor. []

History

In 1987, the Canadian government released a long-awaited white paper on defence;[1] one of the key points in this paper was Canada's commitment to maintaining sovereignty over its Arctic waters, through both the acquisition of nuclear submarines and advances in passive subsea surveillance techniques.

Project Spinnaker was a defence research project initiated to develop the technologies needed to deploy acoustic listening posts on the seafloor in Canada's Arctic Archipelago. These arrays needed to be deployed in deep waters on the edge of the Continental Shelf; since these waters were ice-covered year round, a novel solution was needed to lay trunk cables from on-shore data processing centres out to the arrays.

Project Spinnaker was the brainchild of the Defense Research Establishment Pacific (DREP), a defence research laboratory specializing in Arctic acoustics. To help solve the cable-laying problem, DREP turned to International Submarine Engineering Ltd, of Port Coquitlam, BC.

Feasibility studies began in 1988, using ISE's ARCS AUV as a test platform. In 1990, ARCS autonomously laid fibre optic cable on the seafloor off Port Moody, BC, validating the concept of using an AUV to lay cable.

Design of the Theseus AUV began in 1991, with construction following from 1993-1994. Theseus began sea trials in the summer of 1994 and was deployed to the Arctic in the spring of 1995 and the spring of 1996.

Operation

Theseus was first deployed to the Arctic in the spring of 1995 to validate transportation logistics, confirm vehicle operations, and to develop cable delivery and recovery techniques. At ISE's headquarters in Port Coquitlam, Theseus was broken down into modular sections, flown to CFS Alert in C-130 Hercules aircraft, then slung by helicopter out to Jolliffe Bay where it was re-assembled under a large heated tent. A large ice hole, 40’ x 5’ was cut through the 6-foot-thick ice cover, and Theseus was launched and recovered horizontally, performing several under-ice test missions.

In the spring of 1996, Theseus was deployed back to Jolliffe Bay for a full-length cable-laying mission in support of Project Spinnaker. An acoustic array was deployed on the seafloor on the edge of the Continental Shelf approximately 180 kilometres from shore, and Theseus successfully delivered the cable to the array after just over 24 hours of running. Theseus was then commanded to return to Jolliffe Bay, which it did.

A second cable laying mission was also performed, out to another array. This mission was not successful, as the trunk cable broke half-way into the mission. However, Theseus completed the cable delivery maneuvers and was subsequently sent on its way back to Jolliffe Bay.

Construction

Hull

The overall hull was 10.7m long (35 feet), a diameter of 1.27m (50 inches), with a displacement of 8600 kg (19,000 lbs). It was designed in a modular fashion, so it could be broken down for transport by helicopter or Twin Otter aircraft.

The bow section was free-flooding and contained the obstacle avoidance sonar, forward variable ballast tank/pump, acoustic telemetry transducer, and strobe lights.

The pressure hull consisted of 6 modular hull sections, and contained the batteries, electronics, and dry sensors.

The payload bay contained the fibre optic cable packs.

The tail section housed the aft variable ballast tank/pump and thruster.

Six electrically-operated dive planes (2 at the bow, 4 at the stern) provide control and stability in the pitch, roll, and yaw axes.

Propulsion

A single, 61 cm propellor was driven by a 6 hp brushless DC motor and gearbox. This allowed for operation at a nominal speed of 2 m/s (4 knots).

Navigation

Theseus navigated using a hybrid inertial/acoustic positioning system.[2] For dead-reckoned positioning from the launch ice hole, a Honeywell MAPS Ring Laser gyro was loosely coupled with an EDO 3050 Doppler Velocity Log, providing a position accuracy of approximately 0.5% of distance travelled.

For mid-mission course correction and terminal guidance for cable delivery, a Datasonics ACU-206 acoustic positioning system was operated in an inverted USBL mode to measure range and bearing to ORE 6701 low-frequency acoustic transponders deployed at key locations along the mission route.

Obstacle Avoidance

A Sonatech STA-013-1 TOAS obstacle detection sonar was mounted in the bow of the vehicle, providing a ±25° horizontal x ±9° high field of view to detect ice keels and bottom obstacles out to a range of 180 metres. Detection and avoidance control software was not completed in time for the cable laying mission, so for the outbound mission, a manual obstacle avoidance control function was available (but never used) over the fibre-optic cable.

Control

The onboard mission computer was a Gespac-based MC68030 processor running Proteus, a proprietary real-time kernel. The mission-specific application software was written in C++ with a layered architecture and subsumption, cooperation, and supervision hierarchy.

Payload

A dedicated hull section contained 11 spools of fibre-optic cable spliced together providing 220 km of cable available for dispensing. Each spool was surrounded by a toroidal buoyancy compensation tank that was filled as cable was dispensed.

Energy

Theseus was powered by Yardney silver-zinc secondary cells; 280 individual cells arranged in 6 battery boxes and providing 360 kWh, enough for a 450 km mission and 24 additional hours of hotel load (and a safety factor of 1.25).

Communications

Four modes are available for communications between the Theseus onboard computer system and an operator console, depending on the operations mode:

-   Tether: serial communications, used for in-shop and on-deck diagnostics
-   Radio: a Dataradio 9600bit/s radio was used for local sea trials (towing a surface antenna) down to 5m depth
-   Fibre optic: optical mux providing bi-directional communications over the trunk cable being laid (outbound mission only)
-   Acoustic: Datasonics ATM-851 (15-20 kHz MFSK)

[1] http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/dn-nd/D2-73-1987-eng.pdf

[2] https://www.ion.org/publications/abstract.cfm?jp=j&articleID=2291

title: Theseus (AUV)

question: What does AUV stand for?

answer: AUV stands for autonomous underwater vehicle.

question: What was the goal of Project Spinnaker?

answer: The goal of Project Spinnaker was to develop technologies that are needed to deploy acoustic listening posts on the seafloor of Canada's Arctic Archipelago.

question: When was Theseus first deployed?

answer: Theseus was first deployed in the Arctic in the spring of 1995.

question: What are the dimensions of Theseus?

answer: The hull of Theseus is 10.7 meters long and has a diameter of 1.27 meters.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: This article describes Theseus, an autonomous underwater vehicle. It details its history, development, and uses by the Canadian government.


text:
The CASTLEBAR SONG CONTEST was an annual international song contest that was first staged in 1966[1][2] in Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland. The contest was initially organised by the Castlebar Chamber of Commerce as part of a drive to increase tourism to the town.[3][4] It was hoped that the competition would produce a song that would make the town famous,[5][6] just as songs such as _The Rose of Tralee_, _Galway Bay_, or _Mary from Dungloe_ had done for their respective towns. The first contest had 70 entries from the UK and Ireland, and the final was hosted by Gay Byrne.[7][8] The winning song bore the Irish version of the town's name - Caisleán A' Bharraigh.[9]

Information

After the first contest, the emphasis changed from finding a song named after the town to one of promoting the town through attracting composers, of various genres,[10] from all over the world to the town. This strategy was successful and the town (and some of the neighbouring towns) were thronged with contest participants for the first week of October for the remainder of the contest's life. From humble beginnings with a mere £50 in prizes,[11] the event grew in status to a point where its prize money at £20,000 was bettered only by the Yamaha Song Contest in Japan.[12]

In 1981, the future of the song contest became political when it was debated in Dáil Éireann.[13]

Broadcast

In 1970, the contest was recorded for television by RTÉ (the national television station) and transmitted on the following Sunday. The 1971 and 1973 contests were similarly recorded and shown later. However, the 1974 contest was broadcast live from the Old Royal Ballroom and Theatre[14] and Travellers Friend Hotel[15] in Castlebar nationally on RTÉ. Apart from 1987, when there was no contest, the event enjoyed live television coverage from 1974 until the event finished in 1988.[16] James Haldane O'Hare was the TV Designer for RTÉ for the majority of the broadcasts[17]

Winners

[18]

+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| |Year     | |Section  | |Composer | |Singer(s | |Song     | |Country  |
|           |           |           | )         | Title     |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1966      | Overall   | Sheila    | Dragoons  | “Caisleán |           |
|           |           | Fawsitt-S |           | A'        |           |
|           |           | tewart    |           | Bharraigh |           |
|           |           |           |           | ”[19]     |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1967      | Folk/Ball | Peter     | McLoughli | “Where    |           |
|           | ad        | McKenzie  | n         | Did They  |           |
|           |           |           | Folk      | Go”       |           |
|           |           |           | Group     |           |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1967      | Pop       | Vera      | Butch     | “No One   |           |
|           |           | Traynor   | Moore     | Else”     |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1967      | Straight  | Andy      | Joan      | “One and  |           |
|           |           | Galligan  | Connolly  | One”      |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1968      | Folk/Ball | Joe       | City Folk | “Dividing |           |
|           | ad        | Burkett/T |           | Line”     |           |
|           |           | ony       |           |           |           |
|           |           | Hyland    |           |           |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1968      | Pop       | Eileen    | Tony      | “The      |           |
|           |           | Coyle     | Keeling   | World is  |           |
|           |           |           |           | Ours      |           |
|           |           |           |           | Today”    |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1968      | Straight  | Sean      | Pat Lynch | “Reflecti |           |
|           |           | Sharkey/E | &         | ons       |           |
|           |           | ddie      | Airchords | of You”   |           |
|           |           | Masterson |           |           |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1969      | Folk/Ball | Ruth      | Tara Folk | “Soldier  |           |
|           | ad        | Kiernan   |           | Boy”      |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1969      | Pop       | Mai       | Gary      | “Jodi”    |           |
|           |           | O'Higgins | Street &  |           |           |
|           |           | /John     | Fairways  |           |           |
|           |           | McBreen   |           |           |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1969      | Straight  | Pat Walsh | Joe       | “A        |           |
|           |           |           | Doherty & | Country & |           |
|           |           |           | Millionai | Western   |           |
|           |           |           | res       | Song”     |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1970      | Folk/Ball | Noel and  | Melody    | “Mary I'm |           |
|           | ad        | Alan      | Fayre     | Nay       |           |
|           |           | Connaught |           | Leaving   |           |
|           |           | on        |           | You”      |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1970      | Pop       | John      | Gerry &   | “One Step |           |
|           |           | Lavery    | Ohio      | Away”     |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1970      | Straight  | Seamus    | Red       | “The      |           |
|           |           | McHugh/Jo | Hurley    | World Is  |           |
|           |           | hn        |           | Such An   |           |
|           |           | Fahy      |           | Empty     |           |
|           |           |           |           | Place”[20 |           |
|           |           |           |           | ]         |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1971      | Folk/Ball | Vic       | Joe Cuddy | “Diana of |           |
|           | ad        | Dawton    |           | the       |           |
|           |           |           |           | Roses”    |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1971      | Pop       | Michael   | La Salle  | “Feeling  |           |
|           |           | Murphy    |           | I've Got  |           |
|           |           |           |           | It        |           |
|           |           |           |           | Made”[21] |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1971      | Country   | Donal     | Ian       | “Slumberi |           |
|           |           | McGrath/K | Corrigan  | ng        |           |
|           |           | .         |           | Goldmine” |           |
|           |           | Doohan    |           |           |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1971      | Overall   | Michael   | La Salle  | “Feeling  |           |
|           |           | Murphy    |           | I've Got  |           |
|           |           |           |           | It        |           |
|           |           |           |           | Made”[22] |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1972      | Folk/Ball | Sheila    | Frank     | “Song for |           |
|           | ad        | Roberts   | Holder    | Jenny”    |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1972      | Pop       | Dick      | Mary Lou  | “That's   |           |
|           |           | Farrelly  |           | What Love |           |
|           |           |           |           | Is Made   |           |
|           |           |           |           | Of”       |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1972      | Country   | Teresa    | Gerry     | “He       |           |
|           |           | O'Donnell | Cronin    | Travels   |           |
|           |           |           |           | Fastest”  |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1972      | Straight  | Pat Coyle | Helen     | “Shall I  |           |
|           |           |           | Jordan    | Ride”     |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1972      | Overall   | Sheila    | Frank     | “Song for |           |
|           |           | Roberts   | Holder    | Jenny”    |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1973      | Overall   | Vince     | Joe Cuddy | “I'm      |           |
|           |           | Hill/Erni |           | Gonna     |           |
|           |           | e         |           | Make It”  |           |
|           |           | Dunstall  |           |           |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1974      | Overall   | Cathal    | Cathal    | “Shalom”  |           |
|           |           | Dunne     | Dunne     |           |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1974      | Country   | Tibor     | Kati      | “Roses    |           |
|           |           | Koncz/Ivá | Kovács    | Are Red,  |           |
|           |           | n         |           | Violets   |           |
|           |           | Szenes    |           | Are       |           |
|           |           |           |           | Blue”[23] |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1975      | Overall   | Joe       | Des Smyth | “Roulette |           |
|           |           | Burkett/A |           | ”         |           |
|           |           | ndy       |           |           |           |
|           |           | Galligan  |           |           |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1976      | Joint     | Ray       | Tony      | “My       |           |
|           | Winners   | Davies    | Steven    | Woman”    |           |
|           |           | Teresa    | T.        | “Let's    |           |
|           |           | O'Donnell | O'Donnell | Star All  |           |
|           |           | /Joe      | /Joe      | Over”     |           |
|           |           | Bollard   | Bollard   |           |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1977      | Overall   | John      | John      | “You are  |           |
|           |           | Brown     | Brown/Mar | My        |           |
|           |           |           | y         | Destiny”  |           |
|           |           |           | Clifford  |           |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1978      | Overall   | Sarah     | Sarah     | “Onion”   |           |
|           |           | Byron/Lia | Bryan     |           |           |
|           |           | m         |           |           |           |
|           |           | Hurley    |           |           |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1979      | Overall   | Zack      | Kim Goody | “Talkin'  |           |
|           |           | Laurence/ |           | to a      |           |
|           |           | Paul      |           | Stone”    |           |
|           |           | Ferguson  |           |           |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1980      | Overall   | Ed        | Linda     | “Don't    |           |
|           |           | Welch/Bar | Jardim    | Stay for  |           |
|           |           | ry        |           | the Sake  |           |
|           |           | Mason     |           | of the    |           |
|           |           |           |           | Children” |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1981      | Overall   | Miki      | Carol     | “I Wasn't |           |
|           |           | Antony/Ro | Kenyon    | Born      |           |
|           |           | bin       |           | Yesterday |           |
|           |           | Smith     |           | ”         |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1982      | Overall   | Barry     | Barry     | “Big      |           |
|           |           | Mason/Don | Mason     | Enough    |           |
|           |           | Gould     |           | for Me &  |           |
|           |           |           |           | You”      |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1983      | Overall   | Shay      | Linda     | “Edge of  |           |
|           |           | Healy     | Martin    | the       |           |
|           |           |           |           | Universe” |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1984      | Overall   | Brian     | Brian     | “Spread   |           |
|           |           | O'Reilly  | O'Reilly  | Your      |           |
|           |           |           |           | Wings”    |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1985      | Overall   | Ulf       | Sten &    | “Don't    |           |
|           |           | Nordquist | Stanley   | Play A    |           |
|           |           |           |           | Sad Song  |           |
|           |           |           |           | After     |           |
|           |           |           |           | Midnight” |           |
|           |           |           |           | [24]      |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1986      | Overall   | Tim       | KATZ      | “Oh,      |           |
|           |           | Norell &  |           | Johnny    |           |
|           |           | Ola       |           | Dance     |           |
|           |           | Håkonsson |           | With Me   |           |
|           |           |           |           | Tonight”  |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| 1988      | Overall   | Brendan   | Linda     | “If I     |           |
|           |           | Graham    | Martin    | Should    |           |
|           |           |           |           | Ever Lose |           |
|           |           |           |           | Your      |           |
|           |           |           |           | Love”     |           |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

title: Castlebar Song Contest

question: When was the Castlebar Song Contest started?

answer: It was started in 1966.

question: Why was the contest originally organized?

answer: It was organized by the Castlebar Chamber of Commerce to increase tourism to the town.

question: When was the contest ended?

answer: The contest was ended in 1988.

question: Why was the contest ended?

answer: Not answered.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: The Castlebar Song Contest was an annual international song contest that was started in 1966 in Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland. It was ended in 1988.


text:
NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE ( _Wayamba Palata_, _Vada Mael Maakaanam_) is a province of Sri Lanka. The province consists of the districts of Kurunegala and Puttalam. Its capital is Kurunegala, which has a population of 28,571. The province is known mainly for its numerous coconut plantations. Other main towns in this province are Chilaw (24,712) and Puttalam (45,661), which are both small fishing towns. The majority of the population of Wayamba province is of Sinhalese ethnicity. There is also a substantial Sri Lankan Moor minority around Puttalam and Sri Lankan Tamils in Udappu and Munneswaram. Fishing, prawn farming and rubber tree plantations are other prominent industries of the region. The province has an area of 7,888 km², and a population of 2,370,075 (2011 census).

Geography

Climate

The climate of Wayamba is tropical, with a marked dry season, and temperatures averaging between 20 °C in January to 25 °C in March. The south of the province is wetter, with almost 2000 mm of rainfall per year, but the north of the province is one of the driest regions in Sri Lanka, averaging under 1100 mm of rain in parts.

Districts

[ (1) Kurunegala and (2) Puttalam are the two districts that make up the North Western Province.] Wayamba is divided into 2 districts:

-   Kurunegala District
-   Puttalam District

Cities

-   Kurunegala (Municipal Council)

Large towns

-   Puttalam (Urban Council)
-   Kuliyapitiya (Urban Council)
-   Chilaw (Urban Council)

Other towns

-   Alawwa
-   Anamaduwa
-   Bingiriya
-   Bolawatta
-   Dankotuwa
-   Galgamuwa
-   Giriulla
-   Hettipola
-   Hiripitiya
-   Kalpitiya
-   Kumarakattuwa
-   Madampe
-   Maho
-   Marawila
-   Narammala
-   Nattandiya
-   Nikaweratiya
-   Pannala
-   Polpithigama
-   Madurankuli
-   Wariyapola
-   Wennappuwa
-   Pallama
-   Polgahawela
-   Udappuwa

Villages

North Western Province contains six villages with the same name, Galagedara.

Education

Universities

1.  Open University of Sri Lanka,Regional Center of Kurunegala
2.  Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya
3.  Wayamba National College of Education, Bingiriya

Provincial Education- Provincial Department of Education - North Western

1.  Zonal Education - Kurunegala
2.  Zonal Education - Puttalam
3.  Zonal Education - Kuliyapitiya
4.  Zonal Education - Chilaw
5.  Zonal Education - Ibbagamuwa
6.  Zonal Education - Maho
7.  Zonal Education - Nikaweratiya
8.  Zonal Education - Giriulla

Schools

1.  Presidential Science College - Puttalam
2.  Zahira National College - Puttalam
3.  Central College - Kuliyapitiya
4.  Maliyadewa College - Kurunegala
5.  St. Annes College - Kurunegala
6.  Ananda College - Chilaw
7.  Dammissara College - Nattandiya
8.  Wayamba Royal College - Kurunegala
9.  Senanayake Central College - Madampe
10. Mayurapada College - Narammala
11. Sri Sumangala College - Wariyapola
12. S.W.R.D. Bandaranayaka Central College - Panduwasnuwara
13. Saranath College - Kuliyapitiya

Transportation

Roads

The region is served by an extensive rail and road transport system providing linkages to the major cities and ports in Sri Lanka. Some major roads include,

-   A3: _Puttalam – Chilaw – Negombo - Colombo_ (162 km)
-   A6: _Ambepussa – Kurunegala – Dambulla – Trincomalee_ (192 km)
-   A10: _Katugastota – Kurunegala – Puttalam_ (125 km)
-   A12: ''Puttalam - Anuradhapura - Trincomalee (179 km)

Railway lines

-   Colombo, Ragama Junction, Polgahawela Junction, Kurunegala, Maho Junction, Anuradhapura. Served by the _Rajarata Rajini_ (Queen of North Central Region).
-   Colombo, Ragama Junction, Negombo, Chilaw, Puttalam (1926). Served by the _Muthu Kumari_ (Pearl Princess). A route of along the North-Western coast.

Industrial land

Wayamba is the location for MAWATHAGAMA and POLGHAWELA Export Processing Zones and boasts several other industrial estates such as Dambadeniya, Makandura West, Makadura East, Pannala, Lunuwila, Heraliyawela, Dangaspitiya, Dankotuwa and Noorani.

Mineral resources

Wayamba Province is also rich with several types of mineral deposits. These include,

-   Silica Sand - The best known silica sand deposits are found in the Marawila, Madampe and Nattandiya areas of the province.
-   Miocene Limestone - The largest deposits of Miocene limestone are found in the north western coastal belt near Puttalam. The limestones are used for cement manufacturing.
-   Graphite (Bogala, Kahatagaha and Dodamgaslanda Graphite mines)
-   Mica
-   Beach mineral sands including ilmenite
-   Clay

Major agricultural crops

Wayamba has a highly developed agricultural economy, growing a variety of fruits and vegetables, flowering plants, spices, oil-seeds in addition to the traditional plantation crops such as Coconut, Rubber and Rice. Rich soils and varied climate give Wayamba a potential for growing of virtually any crop.

Paddy is the main agricultural crop in the province. Wayamba is the third largest paddy-producing area in Sri Lanka. There are two main cultivation seasons. The MAHA SEASON (October–January) or the period with excessive rainfall and the YALA SEASON (April–August) the drier season. In Yala season, the farmers have to depend on irrigation. More recent times, the paddy farmers during the dry season have opted to cultivate export crops and subsidiary food crops that bring bigger profits.

-   COCONUT – The largest industry in the Wayamba Province. The extent of land under coconut is 48% of the island's area.
-   PADDY
-   CEREALS – Kurakkan, maize, green gram, cowpea
-   ROOT CROPS – sweet potatoes, red onions
-   FRUITS – Pineapples, Mangoes, Papaya, Banana, Avocado
-   VEGETABLES – Gherkin, Asparagus, and many local vegetables
-   CASHEW NUT is also cultivated on a large scale in the Wayamba province. Wayamba is a major Cashew exporting region in Sri Lanka. The northernmost dry region is ideally suited for Cashew cultivation.
-   Fisheries Industry/ Prawn Farming - The western coast of the North Western region is endowed with rich fisheries and other aquatic resources. The major varieties found in abundance are tuna, prawns, lobsters and cuttlefish. The country's export-oriented commercial prawn farming industry is concentrated in the coastal areas of the Puttalam district.

Banking and financial services

The Wayamba province is well served by all major commercial banking and financial institutions of Sri Lanka. These include, Bank of Ceylon, Commercial Bank of Sri Lanka, Sampath Bank, National Savings Bank, Hatton National Bank, People's Bank, Seylan Bank and the Union Bank. All of these banks have an extensive coverage of their branches in the province. Three other development banks of Sri Lanka, namely The DFCC Bank, National Development Bank, Wayamba Development Bank, Ideal motors & Ideal finance also provide services to the province.

Attractions

Archaeological sites

The Wayamba province is a treasure house of archaeology having been seat of four medieval kingdoms of Sri Lanka between the mid 12th and mid 14th centuries. Having forced to move capitals due to foreign invasions, Sri Lankan kings nevertheless built magnificent citadels are Yapahuwa, Panduwasnuwara, Dambadeniya and Kurunegala. Impressive remains of those citadels, palaces, Buddhist temples and monasteries provide exciting sight seeing to the visitors.

Rock temples

Wayamba and Kurunegala are also the home for other ancient Buddhist rock temples, mostly with 1st century B.C roots, with wall and ceiling frescos, colossal Buddha images, stone inscriptions and sculptures dating from early medieval to 18th century period.

Beaches

The sparkling blue surf of the Indian Ocean and scenic tropical lagoons which edge the western shores of the Wayamba province are glided with 240 kilometres of wide, sun drenched beaches. These beaches stretch from Waikkal at its southern end to Dutch Bay in the Puttalam district.

Some of Wayamba's best resort beaches are at Marawila, Talwila, Kalpitiya and Waikkal. These beaches are often with the bonus of a lagoon or a river front and make excellent bases for stay-put beach holidays. Some of the beach resorts also offer viewing of underwater Coral wonderlands off Kandakuliya and Karaitivu. Many fishing villages dot the coastal areas.

European colonial monuments

The well preserved Dutch Fort in Kalpitiya (Puttalam district) dating back to 1670 is an evidence of the Wayamba's European colonial period. The fort is complete with barracks, store houses and living quarters, Dutch colonial pillars and ancient tombstones. Kurunegala has many 19th century relics of the British colonial period including the government Agent's residence and the Rajapihilla rest house.

Festivals

The people of Wayamba celebrate many traditional festivals centred on sacred shrines of diverse faith.

-   All Buddhist temples celebrate the Vesak, Poson and Esela festivals commemorating the events of great importance to the Buddhists. These festivals feature colourful decorations, lanterns, illuminations and pageants where traditional dancing, drumming, costumed dignitaries and elephants are paraded. Two noteworthy colourful Buddhist processions are organised by the Wilbawa Raja Maha Viharaya (Major temple) and Athanda Raja Maha Viharaya and are paraded in the Kurunegala city.
-   The ST ANNE'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH is located on a magnificent beach stretch in Talawila in the Puttalam district. The church draws thousands of pilgrims for its main festivals in March and July.
-   The MUNNESWARAM and UDAPPU Hindu temples are pilgrim centres of many devotees. People gather to worship deities and seek favours. The main temple of God Shiva at Munneswaram, comprises the shrines and has been built according to traditional Hindu style. Munneswaram celebrates its major festival in August where fire-walking is practiced. Udappuwa, a sea side shrine complex of three shrines, also has a colourful festival held in the month of August.
-   The Ramazan, Haj and Milad-un-Nabi festivals are also celebrated by the minority Muslims of Wayamba especially at historic and famed mosques in Puttalam, Kurunegala and Chilaw. These celebrations are mainly of religious character, recitations of Koran and distribution of cooked food and sweets.

All three shrines are easily accessible from Kurunegala, - Munneswaram approximately 70 km, Udappuwa 95 km and St. Anne's about 110 km respectively.

Research institutes

-   Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila
-   Rice Research and Development Institute, Batalagoda

Sport

-   Cricket - Wayamba

title: North Western Province, Sri Lanka

question: How many coconut plantations exist in the province?

answer: This information can't be found.

question: What is the reason behind numerous coconut plantations in the region?

answer: It may be implied that the land is fit for its plantations and probably the climate supports the growth too.

question: Why is there a significant difference in the amount of rainfall in the north and south regions of the province?

answer: This information can't be found.

question: Why have the villages been given the same name?

answer: This information can't be found.

question: Does the region seem to have potential economic growth?

answer: It may be implied that the region does seem to have potential growth since there are high agricultural developments and the region has many mineral deposits, the province also has many banks which gives the residents better financial accessibility.

question: Is the region well-connected with the other parts of the country?

answer: Yes, the region is well-connected by road and rail.


text:
Willie Herd, who spent 13 seasons in Scotland’s top flight with Falkirk and Partick Thistle, has been honing the fitness of the injury-jinxed Aston Villa defender in one-on-one sessions at the club's Bodymoor Heath training base in a bid to help the Perth-born would-be Socceroo get his career back on track as he enters the final year of his deal with the Midlands club.

A succession of injuries and an in-house issue with the Villa hierachy last season left the versatile Herd, 25, with just two first team appearances and with it all to prove to coach Paul Lambert - in what is shaping as a make-or-break season.

Lauded as one of Villa's brightest prospects in a breakthrough 2011-2012 season, Herd - who made his initial impact as holding midfielder - has been beset by setbacks over the past two years but, according to dad Willie, is primed to burst back to his best.

A winger in his playing days, Herd snr, 54, said of his two-month trip to the UK: "Chris is looking lean and hungry and, after all the injuries over the past couple of years, it's almost like him starting from scratch again.

"He obviously had an issue with the club last year but that has been sorted and he is looking forward, rather than back.

"Villa gave us the run of their facilities and we worked on a lot of things, from general fitness to ball work.

"I've kept up with the coaching side of things since quitting the game as a player and I wanted to do my bit to pass on what I know to help Chris hit the ground running in what is a big season for his career.

"We started off training at just a local park in Birmingham and then headed to Villa's training base. He also did gym work and pool work.

"Football is a marathon and not a sprint. And for Chris it will now all be about maturity kicking in.

"In the past he's sometimes been a bit over eager to impress and has been playing at a 100 miles an hour.

"My message has been about pacing himself more and channelling his aggression a little bit ... maybe a case of using his head as much as his body to make things happen on the pitch."

Despite just 171 minutes of game time last season, Herd was named in Australia's squad to face Ecuador in London in March after coach Ange Postecoglou went to meet him in Birmingham.

But he pulled out at the eleventh hour for “personal reasons”, with Alex Wilkinson - who went on to partner Mathew Spiranovic at the World Cup at the back for Australia - taking his place.

It was Postecoglou's intention to give Herd every opportunity to make his squad to Brazil but his extended absence from Villa's squad ultimately precluded that.

The door for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup remains ajar for Herd, who is still awaiting his first cap after injuries rubbed him out of a succession of squads for his country.

However, his dad insisted his top priority is to regain his starting spot at Villa and put his injury issues behind him.

"The message to him when he met Ange was that if he was playing he would have been involved in pre-World Cup camp but it wasn't to be," he said.

"The most important thing for him is do well for his club and make up for lost time. If that happens, I can't see why Ange won't look at him again.

"I think there's a lot more to come from him in terms of development. He won't reach his peak for another three years and he still has a lot to learn.

"Hopefully, given the opportunity, he will take it again, as he did three seasons back.

In that season Herd made 19 appearances for Villa in a variety of roles including fullback, centre back and midfield.

"It's all about getting games under his belt and I think you will see a much improved player emerge," Willie said.

"He's had some bad luck with injuries. Basically one after another... it's incredible.

"But hopefully that's all behind him now."

question: How did Herd make his initial impact?

answer: Herd made his initial impact as holding midfielder.

question: What caused Herd to only make two first team appearances and so much to prove to coach Paul Lambert?

answer: Herd faced a succession of injuries and had an in-house issue with the Villa hierarchy last season.

question: Where was Herd born?

answer: In Perth

question: What did Herd's dad insist should be his top priority?

answer: Herd's dad insisted that Herd's top priority should be regaining his spot at Villa and putting his injury issues behind him.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: This article describes Willie Herd condition and his rocky relationship with Aston Villa. The article emphasizes how Herd is focusing on get back to his prime shape for his last and final season.


text:
Husna Mazari has always been in the spotlight, since high school his fellow classmates would stare in awe, his parents would display their pride and his teachers would brag about their teaching skills. But to Husna his incredible mathematic skill was just apart of his life that he took for granted day by day.

At school Husna may be the closest thing to a Hollywood actor the local Punjabi boys would see in their lives and at home it was very much the same. He lived in a small hut 10 minutes walk from the school, in his house lived his parents and close family friends; a couple called Ayesha and Ibrahim. Ayesha would help Husna’s Mother with the cooking while Ibrahim was away 11 months of the year teaching in America, but for Husna it saddened him that all they saw in him was a genius mathematician, no one cared if he liked sports, if he liked music or if he even liked mathematics. His life consisted of prayer to Allah, Math, Math, Math and prayer, and he was not content.

It wasn’t until Husna was 20 when he received a letter from the University of Memphis.

Mr. Mazari,

We are pleased to inform you that we would like to offer you a Scholarship to a course of your choice. You shall be given a room to board and an English as a second language tutor.

Dean Roberts

The plane trip amazed Husna never had he dreamed that he would ever be on one, let alone be travelling to America to study in college. The plane flight went fast, Husna had his head pressed against the window the whole time, the passenger next to him, an American with a strong southern accent would occasionally glance over and comment “Alright there fella”, Husna, understanding the tiniest amount of English would say “Yes… the clouds… so high”. He would feel like an idiot because of his lack of knowledge on the English language even though he could solve any equation in his head in the click of a finger.

Husna arrived at the University in the dark of night, everything from the car that picked him up to his 4 metre by 8 metre bedroom he would stare wide eyed and smiling. This has been the best day of his life, only if the rest of his time in America was like this day.

Husna attended his first class in Advanced Mathematics, of course, for every question his professor wrote down he knew the answer but he wouldn’t dare put his hand up to answer. The first few days were like this; eventually Husna had the courage to answer the question the professor had asked “48” Husna mumbled, “I’m sorry what was your answer” the professor stated, “48” Husna said again quietly, there was a shout across the lecture hall “Speak up towel head!” the whole hall giggle and laughed. This was the first time Husna felt afraid.
It had been two weeks and Husna still refused to meet his English tutor, the constant and now effective racist insults started hitting him hard. Now he always thought to himself “What is wrong with my religion?” “What is wrong with my country?” but the question that pressed him the most “What is wrong with these people?” Even though he didn’t dare put his hand up in class again this didn’t stop people from bumping into him on his way to classes, or muttering disgusting insults under their breath loud enough for Husna to hear. The worst thing was, Husna had no one to talk to, and this is what hurt him the most.

Husna had begun to stop eating; he lost weight rapidly and started to skip class. This was unlike him and he began to feel like a stranger to himself. One night in his room he reminisced of his life back in the Punjab province in Pakistan, how people in his school looked at him in awe and respect, this made him sad. After hours of self-mourning he became sick of it, sick of how low he has gotten, sick of how people treated him. He decided to visit his English tutor.

The hallway to the tutor was long and daunting, Husna thought to himself why he had put this off, it was because he was afraid to talk to someone one on one. He reached the door; the sign read “Mr. I. Janwari, ESL Tutor”. With a sigh Husna opened the door, his head hung how until he heard a familiar voice, “Husna what has taken you so long” Husna threw his head up to see the single most satisfying thing he has seen since America, a familiar face, a friend. Ibrahim.

title: Familiar

question: What is Husna's English tutor's name?

answer: Ibrahim Janwari

question: Where does Husna go to school now?

answer: The University of Memphis

question: How old is Husna?

answer: 20 years old

question: By the end of the story, does Husna find a friend?

answer: Yes, his English tutor, Ibrahim, is also a close family friend

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer: Husna grows up in Pakistan and displays a strong aptitude for mathematics from an early age. At 20, he receives a scholarship from the University of Memphis, and he goes there to study mathematics. His classmates and professors insult him and treat him badly because he is Pakistani. Husna misses life in Pakistan and feels that he has no one to talk to. Finally, he decides to visit his English tutor, and he is pleasantly surprised to see his tutor is also a friend from back home, Ibrahim.


text:
“What is it like dying”?
Will always heard this question first, always answering with the same response he’d been using for years. Why is it always the first one? Mortal mentality, so feeble.
“It depends on how you die, I died quickly, so my death was fairly painless, but I’m sure my remains suggested otherwise. I’ve met people from all walks of death, from the self-inflicted suicide, to the limitless potentials of human stupidity”.
The group ejected from their seats, with the chairs passing out behind them. The electronic equipment bumbled into incomprehensible fits, jumping and fizzing from one measurement to the other. Lights flashed into a hyperactive frenzy, committing suicide one by one.
Will was, weirdly, fascinated by this equipment. His usual audience were medieval monks, or shamanic tribes. He’d seen electricity before, but electricity to measure me? Now that’s innovation.
“How did you die”?
Mortals were so predictable. Next he’ll probably ask “what’s you name”?
“I died in a car crash when I was twelve years old. My buddy Phil and I tried taking his dad’s car out to pick up some girls, but being the middle of winter, the car spun out of control”.
 “I sense a new presence in the room” whispered the leader of the group over a wavering void of whimpers.
“Hey Phil!”
Phil, being clumsier than a bear on stilts, never fails to make an entrance. The group inhaled a simultaneous gasp of fear, as an assembly of barrels pivot wildly on their bases.
“Hey man, listen, I’ve got an amateur summoning over in Idaho, sleepover, teenagers, you know, that sort of thing. Anyway, wanna go freak them out?”
“Idaho? Sure, better than these living deadheads”.

title: A short story about a bored ghost.

question: Who asks: "What is it like dying?" ?

answer: The live people who found Will, the ghost.

question: Who invites who to a summoning in Idaho?

answer: Phil invites Will to a summoning in Idaho. He says that it is a sleepover with teenagers. He wants to go and freak them out.

question: Who are the main characters of the story?

answer: Will and Phil are ghosts being measured and communicated with by live people.

question: What new technology is used to detect the presence of ghosts?

answer: Electronic equipment to measure the presence of ghosts.

question: Why does Will refer to the live people as living deadheads?

answer: Probably live people who are obsessed with death.

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer: Will is a ghost who is found by people with electronic measuring equipment. He answers their questions about dying and how he died. He died with his buddy, Phil, while out to pick up girls in the winter. Then Phil, also a ghost, arrives and invites Will to a summoning in Idaho. Will accepts the invitation, wanting to get away from the people who found him.