text:
“…damaged goods.” The words seem to escape your lips before you can even realize what you’re saying, but that only makes it worse. You’re always so censored, so guarded, so hearing these words that you let slip out is a glimpse into your true feelings. The ones I never get to see, but so desperately want to. As soon as the phrase rolls off of your tongue a pained look appears in your eyes, and for a moment you seem to regret it.

	“Did you think about that for two days before you said it?” You have a two-day rule; if you have something to say you’ll think about it for two days to see if you really want to say it. I suppose it’s the smart thing to do, but I always believed life is about living in the moment and saying and doing whatever’s on your mind at a given moment. You are always so composed, calculating your every move and interaction. You and I could not be any more opposite. And yet, you and I could not be any more in love.

	At least, until the events of tonight left us and our love broken and tangled like those split ends in my hair, and I’m reminded that I’m due for a haircut. I wait for your response, half expecting you to apologize and take it back. I know you better, though, you’d never lose your cool in front of me.

	“If I hadn’t considered it for so long, I wouldn’t have said it.” As always, you won’t back down or, God forbid, admit you were wrong. Somehow, you escape the general rule that all humans make mistakes. In the unlikely event you do fuck something up, you can always find a way around it, a way to make it look like a carefully planned accident.

	I smile at you, and I can tell it throws you off. You’re so used to me getting upset, yelling, crying – anything but staying calm. “You’re so fucking pathetic.” I laugh quietly to myself, not listening for your response. I’m not finished. “Your pride, your ego, is too fucking huge…is it even possible for you to admit you’ve made a mistake? Is it? Or is that too much to ask? For you to admit you’re a goddamn imperfect human being?”

	“I told you, I’ve been thinking that for a while now.”

	“Oh yeah? Have you?” I can feel my unruffled demeanor beginning to unravel. You frustrate me so badly sometimes, I turn into a person I hardly even know. It’s not like me to lose control, to shout at the people I love and to break down – but you manage to bring it out in me. “If you’d thought about that for more than two seconds, you should know that is a terrible thing to say to someone. Especially someone you’re supposed to love.” I finally look up to meet your eyes. They’re as cold as ever, and I can’t seem to detect an ounce of emotion in them.

	“Why wouldn’t I say it, if that’s what I think?”

	I swear to God, your stubbornness only increases my urge to hit you.

	But I don’t, because unlike you, I try not to hurt the people I love.

	“Because it’s fucking inconsiderate!” I know my voice level is getting increasingly higher, but I don’t care. You said such mean things, and I don’t care. “You do not call a person ‘damaged goods.’ Especially when it wasn’t their fault.”

	“Why not?” You raise your voice to compete with mine, and that stoic exterior is slowly slipping away. “You hurt yourself, I don’t care. Some guy fucked you, I don’t care. You’re damaged goods, but I got over that!”

That’s it. I have the overwhelming urge to slap you, but I know you’d deal it back ten times worse. My fingernails dig so deeply into my palms I worry the skin is going to break. Tears of frustration are brimming at my eyes, and keeping them back is getting harder by the second. I’m not even sure what to say to you, and I know that any words are going to send me over the edge and into an ocean of tears. How dare you say that. How fucking dare you. You’re acting like I wanted all this to happen. You’re making it sound like, at fourteen years old, I wanted some older guy to force himself upon me. Like I wanted to hate myself and hurt myself for years over it. And now you’re trying to tell me that you’re the one who ‘got over it’? I’m pretty sure I had much more ‘getting over it’ to do than you did.

	“This isn’t love.” The three words pass my lips almost without my consent, and come out barely above a whisper. I hear you ask me to reiterate, but I’m too lost in my own mind to pay attention to you. “This isn’t love,” I murmur again, and the phrase keeps repeating itself in my head. Love doesn’t hurt, at least not like this. Love doesn’t play games, hold grudges.

	You are beautiful, and I wanted this to be love so badly that I convinced myself that it was. But it isn’t, and that’s become more and more of an inescapable truth.

	I get off your bed. I will no longer refer to it as ‘our’ bed, because it isn’t. I hear you standing up to come after me, and I smirk sardonically to myself. For once, you put aside your pride. Too bad it came too late. I walk fast, but you’re faster, and you grab my arm and whirl me around. You seem angry, which is amusing since I’m the one who just got insulted.

	“Where do you think you’re going?”

	“I’m leaving you.”

	“No you aren’t.” For a moment, I stop resisting to look at you, and shake my head. Maybe if you had asked nicely, I’d have stayed. Maybe if you didn’t act like I was just your property, some object you could do as you please with. Maybe if you’d admitted you were hurt instead of getting angry, I’d have stayed.

	But you didn’t. You didn’t do any of that. I jerk my arm away from you.

	“Don’t touch me.” Those words seem to get to you, and suddenly you appear to have a change of heart. I turn away and continue walking, hardly interested in whatever apology or sob story you have to offer this time.

	“No, I didn’t mean it, don’t leave…I can fix you.” The comment stops me, and I turn to face you one last time. There is nothing you can say now to save yourself. I consider myself to be a forgiving person, but the things you’ve said and done to me are unforgiveable. I almost pity you, and how you think you can ‘fix’ me. How you think you’re some savoir, God’s greatest gift to the planet. I think that you honestly believe you are all those things, and the sad reality is that you aren’t. Sadder even, is that you’re too blind to realize it.

	“No, you can’t.” You begin to say something, but I cut you off. “You can’t fix something that isn’t broken.”

title: [Damaged Goods] first story ever :3

question: Who is being called "damaged goods"?

answer: The narrator is being called damaged goods by her partner.

question: Who is the narrator referring to when saying "you and I"?

answer: Her and her lover.

question: What happened that night that left their love broken?

answer: The narrator's partner calls her "damaged goods" during an argument.

question: Does the narrator leave him?

answer: Yes.

question: Write a ~6 sentence summary.

answer:
The narrator's partner called her "damaged goods" leaving her heartbroken and in tears. She wonders how he could be this inconsiderate and not think before speaking. Her partner refuses to apologize or acknowledge that he has indeed made a mistake.
She murmurs to him in anguish- "this isn't love" and starts walking away to leave him.
He tries to stop her, convincing her that he can "fix" her. The narrator cannot believe his words and cuts him off.


split: train

text:
USK () is a town and community in Monmouthshire, Wales, northeast of Newport. [Town of Usk and River from Llanbadoc Rock; 1860.] [Front page of the earliest surviving copy of the newspaper _The Illustrated Usk Observer_, 7 July 1855]

It is located on the River Usk, which is spanned by an arched stone bridge at the western entrance to the town. Usk Castle, above the town overlooks, the ancient crossing point. It developed as a small market town, with some industry including the making of Japanware, and with a notable prison built in 1841/2. In recent years Usk has become known for its history of success in Britain in Bloom competitions, winning the Large Village award in 2005. The resident population of the town in 2001 was 2,318,[1] increasing to 2,834 at the 2011 census.[2]

English and Welsh names

William Camden recorded that the town's English name derives from _Caer-usk_ (the Caer or Castrum on the River Usk).[3]

The origin of the Welsh name BRYNBUGA () is less certain. The local Brythonic name adopted into Latin as Burrium or Burrio was recorded as _Brunebegy_ and _Burenbegie_ in the 15th century. The modern name is likely an example of the linguistic metathesis common in Welsh Topography. Folk etymology has suggested the name derives from Bryn Buga (Buga's Hill) or Bryn Bugeilio (Shepherding Hill).[4]

History

Roman times

The Roman legionary fortress of Burrium was founded on the River Usk by the military commander Aulus Didius Gallus, around AD 55. He moved his XX Valeria Victrix legion into the area from its earlier base at Glevum (Gloucester).[5] It was the earliest legionary fortress in Wales and although the site was constricted by hills, subject to flooding, and not on a navigable river, it did offer good communications inland up the river. The fortress at Usk was surrounded by ramparts and covered a large area. However, by around AD 75 its disadvantages had become apparent and the Romans relocated their permanent military base further south to Caerleon, leaving only a small auxiliary fort and civilian settlement at Usk.[6]

The Roman remains are buried on the southern side of Usk.[7] The extent of the Roman forts may be traced on the ground by means of plaques set into the pavement.[8] Many of the Roman finds from Usk are now housed in the National Roman Legion Museum in Caerleon.[9]

Norman times

After the fortress was abandoned, it continued to be occupied as a civilian settlement, with evidence of iron working. The Normans also realised Usk's geographical and military importance within the region, and the powerful de Clare family built Usk Castle as part of their plans for controlling the area's resources and people. The castle, now hidden from view by surrounding trees planted in the early 20th century, is one of the few castles still privately owned and occupied.[10]

Between 1154 and 1170, Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke established a planned town, surrounded by an earthen rampart.[11] The town was laid out in rectangular building plots, centred on the market square. Markets were originally held in Twyn Square, _twyn_ being a Welsh word for “hillock”.[12]

The de Clare lords and their successors established a hospital for lepers on the north side of the town bridge. Its charitable function probably died out in the 14th century, along with the disease. A plaque marks the site.[13] The bridge itself was originally a wooden structure, first recorded in 1383, when it was reported to be in need of repair.[14]

Charters

A Benedictine priory was founded around 1170, and part of the building is retained in the church of St. Mary. It was reduced in size after Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536. The tomb of the last Prioress may be seen beside the path through the churchyard.[15] The town was incorporated by charters granted by Edmund Mortimer, Edward II, Edward IV, and succeeding monarchs.[16] Its location meant that it was inevitably frequently caught up in the border disputes between the English and the Welsh in this section of the Welsh Marches.

The Welsh Revolt

Usk was the birthplace of Adam of Usk. His chronicle records the 'Welsh Revolt' in 1403, when Owain Glyndŵr burned Usk to the ground while gaining control of much of South Wales from the English under King Henry IV and his son, later to become King Henry V. The important Battle of Pwll Melyn in 1405 occurred immediately north of Usk Castle, when English forces routed their Welsh opponents, causing much loss of life, including that of Owain's brother Tudur. After their defeat, three hundred Welsh prisoners were executed in front of the castle.[17] In 2005 the 600th anniversary of the battle of Pwll Melyn was commemorated by a son-et-lumiere show at the castle.

The town appears as “Uck” and “Branbuga” on the Cambriae Typus map of 1573.[18]

The 16th and 17th centuries

The Great House of the town, later subdivided into smaller units, was built on Old Market Street in the mid-16th century for the Williams family. Its original entrance was at the rear of the present building, and faced onto gardens and meadows. Though much altered, the building retains many original features including chimney stacks and decorative plaster ceilings.[19][20]

The town market was moved from Twyn Square in 1598 to a location closer to the river, at New Market Street. A new Town Hall was built on the street at the same time; this was later partially rebuilt at several times during the 19th century, and is now used by the Royal British Legion.[21][22]

In 1621 the wealthy Midlands wool merchant Roger Edwards, the owner of Allt-y-Bela in Llangwm, founded Usk Grammar School.[23]

The 18th and 19th centuries

[The Usk Bridge over the River Usk was built in 1746-1752 to a design by William Edwards] The first stone bridge at Usk, replacing one of wood, was built to the designs of Welsh architect William Edwards. Unlike the bridge downstream at Caerleon, it withstood the great floods of 1795. The bridge was strengthened and widened in 1836, but two of its arches were destroyed by floods in 1877 and later replaced.[24]

From the late 18th century, Usk became well known for the high quality of its japanware,[25] a process of decorating metals by applying a lacquer to tinplate. The process, known as Pontypool japan, was first developed in the west by Thomas Allgood of nearby Pontypool and was taken on in Usk in 1763 by his grandsons Thomas and Edward Allgood. Products from Usk included tin trays, jardinières, and coal boxes. However output declined with changing fashions in the 19th century, and the last Usk japanware was produced in 1860 on the site of what is now Bunning's builders' merchants.[26][27]

Usk was a thriving market town in the first part of the 19th century, when many of its existing buildings were constructed, and into the Victorian era, although its population fell in the second half of the century as a result of agricultural depression.[28]

Amenities

The town has a number of pubs, restaurants and antique shops. The narrow main street, Bridge Street (the A472), has a collection of old houses, restaurants, pubs, shops and businesses. Some premises date back to the 15th century.

The road passes Twyn Square, a large town square. The clock tower in the square was erected to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887.[29] Opposite is an art gallery, Gallery in the Square. The twice-monthly Usk Farmers' Market is held in the town's Memorial Hall.

“Usk Island” is a park at the edge of the river ('island' is a literal translation of the Welsh 'ynys' meaning a river meadow). The park is mostly laid to grass, with surrounding woodland. It also has a substantial adventure playground. Usk Tennis Club was Tennis Wales “Club of the Year” for 2006.[30] [St Mary's Church]

The BBC reported in May 2014 that Wales' rarest tree, Ley's Whitebeam (_Sorbus leyana_), would be planted in Usk to honour the man who rediscovered them, Peter Charlesworth.[31]

Priory Church of St Mary, Usk and the Priory Gatehouse

The parish church of St Mary originated as part of the Benedictine priory founded by Richard de Clare in the 12th century. The northern aisle of the convent church was added in the 13th century for the use of the town's residents, and after the Dissolution of the nunnery in 1536 the nave was also incorporated as part of the parish church. The original 12th century crossing remains, as does an original font. Most of the structure derives from the 14th century, although the two porches and the notably fine rood screen date from the 15th century and were probably built for William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, who was constable of the castle. The church was partly rebuilt and extended by the architect T. H. Wyatt, and further restored and extended in 1899–1900.[32][33]

The priory's poor finances were improved in 1404 by a Papal indulgence obtained by Adam of Usk, who was buried beside the priory altar; there is a brass monument to him in the church, with an inscription in the form of a cywydd (a Welsh poetic metre from ).[34] Usk later became a centre for pilgrims. The gatehouse of the original convent survives beside the main entrance to the churchyard. However, most of the priory buildings, such as the cloister and chapter house, were destroyed and their stones later used in town buildings.[35][36]

Sessions House

In April 2011, following a 12-year restoration costing £200,000, the court room at the Sessions House was re-opened with Usk Town Council now using it as its base. As well as the court room, the council has also reopened the library, which contains thousands of books, some dating back to the 1600s.

The building containing two separate courts, was designed by T. H. Wyatt and built in 1877. High-profile cases heard there included the prosecution of Viscountess Rhondda, a prominent suffragette who subsequently was released after a hunger strike.[37] Another notable trial was that of the Spanish sailor Josef Garcia, convicted of murdering William and Elizabeth Watkins and their three youngest children (Charlotte, 8 years, Alice, 5 years and Frederick, 4 years) in 1878 at Llangibby.[38]

Court one was gutted by fire in 1944 and was never rebuilt. But the remaining court two has been described as “.. unique, the only truly authentic Victorian court room left in Britain.” When court one burnt down the remaining court was not large enough to act as a Crown Court. Newport Crown Court took over as Gwent's Crown Court when it opened in 1974.

The restoration fund included over £100,000 raised by local people, with a £90,000 National Lottery grant and £5,000 from Monmouthshire County Council which paid for repairs to the roof and stone walls. The dock, the Judge's chair and the benches for witnesses, jury, clerks and reporters have also been restored, varnished and re-upholstered with horsehair. Paintings of session judges on the walls have also been restored and framed, while the walls have been repainted in their original red colour.

The docks of both court rooms were originally linked by a tunnel to Usk Prison next door. After the opening of Newport Crown Court the Sessions House was a Magistrates' Court until 1995. In 1998 Usk Town Council bought it from Monmouthshire council for £90,000 and restoration began. The Sessions House is now also licensed for weddings.[39]

Prison

[Usk Prison seen over the rooftops from Usk Castle] Her Majesty's Prison Usk is situated close to the centre of the town. It was built in 1842-44 to a Victorian 'rotunda' design, similar to that of Pentonville in London. The architect was T. H. Wyatt. It became the County Gaol for Monmouthshire in 1870, and operated until 1922. After being closed for more than a decade, it was reopened in 1939, adapted for use as a borstal to hold youth offenders. In 1990 it was adapted again for use as a Category C establishment for vulnerable prisoners, including sex offenders.[40]

The sister establishment of HM Prison Usk is HM Prison Prescoed, which is located three miles to the south-west of the town, towards Pontypool.

Usk Rural Life Museum

The Rural Life Museum is housed in a former malt barn, possibly of mediaeval origin, on New Market Street. Run by volunteers, it focuses on life in the area as it was between the mid-19th and mid-20th centuries. It is open to visitors between April and October.[41]

Usk Natural Burial Meadow

Usk Natural Burial Meadow is a site in Usk Castle Chase that offers full interments, and the burial or scattering of cremation ashes.[42] The site is located from the town centre along Monmouth Road and was established in 2005.[43] It was awarded Cemetery of the Year in 2008 by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM).[44]

Usk in Bloom

Local residents formed the Usk in Bloom committee in 1981. The voluntary committee aims to improve the local environment by the imaginative planting of trees, shrubs, bulbs and floral displays; and to foster partnerships with other organisations and residents for work on environmental issues in the town. The town has won the “Wales in Bloom” competition for 35 times in a row between 1982 and 2016;[45] won the “large village” category of “Britain in Bloom” four times; and twice represented the United Kingdom in European competitions.[46]

Administration

The town is administered by Monmouthshire County Council and a town council. The Usk electoral ward, coterminous with the community, is represented by one county councillor.[47]

Notable people

The town was the birthplace of the priest and chronicler Adam of Usk, around 1352. In 1679 Usk was the site of the martyrdom of Jesuit father David Lewis, who was hanged for his alleged part in the fictitious Popish Plot conspiracy of Titus Oates.[48] In 1823 Llanbadoc, just across the river from Usk, was the birthplace of Alfred Russel Wallace, notable proponent of the theory of evolution.

Neighbouring areas

The South Wales Gliding Club is located near Gwernesney, about three miles east of the town. About three miles (5 km) west of Usk is the site of the munitions production facility of BAE Systems at Glascoed.

Gallery

File:Usk, Wales.jpg|General view of the town File:Crenellated Garrison Tower, Usk Castle - geograph.org.uk - 1426117.jpg|Tower of Usk Castle File:Usk Twyn Square - geograph.org.uk - 558883.jpg|Twyn Square during the Britain in Bloom competition, 2007 File:Former Congregational Chapel, Twyn Square, Usk - geograph.org.uk - 1426318.jpg|Former Congregational chapel, now used as a commercial art gallery File:Usk - geograph.org.uk - 142269.jpg|View westwards along Bridge Street File:Usk railway tunnel.jpg|Usk railway tunnel File:Disused railway bridge at Usk - geograph.org.uk - 1280144.jpg|Disused railway bridge at Usk

Twinning

Usk was twinned with the German town Graben-Neudorf in Baden-Württemberg in 1980. Over the past few years there have been numerous visits between the two towns, with the Usk Youth Brass Band making its most recent visit in autumn 2006. In 2006 the colour scheme of Usk in Bloom was based on those within the crests of both Usk and Graben-Neudorf.

[1] ONS, 2001 Census, Usual Resident Population

[2]

[3]

[4] Hywel Wyn Owen, _The Place-names of Wales_, 1998,

[5]

[6]

[7] John Newman, _The Buildings of Wales: Gwent/Monmouthshire_, 2000,

[8] Usk Town Visitor's Guide, published by the Usk Town Visitors Guide Committee, July 2010

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17] Battles and Campaigns from The Chronicle of Adam of Usk

[18] A reproduction of the map is at :File:Atlas_Ortelius_KB_PPN369376781-011av-011br.jpg

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23] Newman, 2000, p.595

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29] Usk Civic Society, _Usk Town Trail_, 2010

[30] Usk Tennis Club . Retrieved 6 April 2011.

[31] BBC News, “Rare trees planted to honour man who discovered them”, 15 May 2014

[32]

[33] John Newman, _The Buildings of Wales: Gwent/Monmouthshire_, 2000, , pp.584-596

[34]

[35]

[36] Monastic Wales: Remnants of Usk Priory

[37] “2nd Viscountess Rhondda, Politician and businesswoman” at bbc.co.uk

[38] Roger Williams (2004), _Their Deadly Trade: Murders in Monmouthshire_, Gomer Press.

[39] “Historic Usk courthouse opens doors again” by Chris Wood at southwalesargus.co.uk

[40] HMP USK Prison Regime Information

[41] Usk Rural Life Museum

[42] Usk Natural Burial Meadow

[43] “Net cemetery”, _South Wales Argus_, 31 May 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2016

[44] ICCM

[45] Usk Town Council, _Usk wins Wales in Bloom for the 27th time in a row_

[46] Usk in Bloom

[47]

[48]

title: Usk

question: Why did Romans and Normans build fortresses in Usk?

answer: The location offered geographical and military advantage for the region.


text:
The scene: An idyllic houshold, with no peculiarities. The cast: A traditional nuclear family, living caricatures from a Norman Rockwell piece. The parents make small talk as they all eat a breakfast of bacon and eggs. The children hurriedly scarf down the meal, eager for school. The mother picks up the dishes and together they walk out the door to begin the day. Their footsteps make no noise as they walk on the black dirt where grass grew once upon a time. The father takes a whiff of the toxic, poisonous air and declares it is a fine day as he waves goodbye to his family and begins the trek to work.

The brown and grey pollution that covers the sky shields the land from the scorching sun. The father whistles a tune as he carefully manuvers around the corpses and trash that litter the road. He decides to take the long way since there is yet another traffic jam made up of destroyed cars and fallen buildings.

“Morning, Jim.” He says to no one in particular as he steps into the decrepit office, with holes in the celing and decomposing bodies at the desks.

“Another day another dollar, eh?” He says for the 5,789th time to his cubicle neighbor. He types on the broken keyboard for a few hours, despite the monitor having a cracked, blank screen. Eventually, he gathers up a few  discarded papers, organizes them neatly, and picks up the suitcase he never opened, ready to go home.

“See ya tomor-”

He stops midsentence. Something…isn’t right. “I…uh…morning, Jim…heh…wait. Uh…”

Suddenly, his head feels like someone has hammered a nail into it. He drops his empy suitcase and looks around. The father of two walks around the office, causing the rats to scurry away from their meal.

 “I don’t feel very good…something the wife cooked maybe? Hah…”

A part of him knows there is no one here to talk to. Yet such thoughts feel …wrong. “Of course everyone's here! Richard, you sly dog, you were just over for poker night last week! Right?”

No response of course, yet he has heard his friend speak millions of times before. Why, he wonders, is Richard…and everyone else so quiet today?

 “I need to go home and lie down maybe. Sorry, guys, don’t let my episodes distract you, haha…haha…ha"

He wanders out the doors and begins walking home, forgetting his car. Glass crunches under his shoes in the very old parking lot. Head still hurting, he walks to the charred skeleton of a tree and sits aganist it.

 “What’s wrong with me…feels like everything is falling apart..."

As he tries to relax, he feels something sharp stabbing him. A splinter? He holds his hand up to see a small blue wire protruding from his index finger.

title: Disrepair

question: What has the father in the story feeling unwell?

answer: The father feels unwell after taking a whiff of the toxic, poisonous air.

question: What can you say about the effects that the father felt from the toxic, poisonous air?

answer: The father felt confused about whether anyone was in the office or not and immediately felt as if something was wrong with him.

question: What is poking the narrator?

answer: A blue wire is stabbing/poking the narrator.

question: What theme does the author want to create by writing this short story?

answer: The author wants to show how an ordinary man can have something bad happen to him which he would never expect.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: This short story describes a father who has inhaled some toxic air and goes to work feeling all fine, when he suddenly is overwhelmed with pain.


text:
Published on November 10, 2014 at 10:04 pm by in Lists

Wondering which are the LARGEST BEER BREWING COMPANIES IN THE WORLD? This industry has only continued to grow since the very first companies started brewing beer on a large scale. Indeed, there is no doubt that most everyone loves to have a cold glass of beer every once in a while. Moreover, over the past decades, new markets have appeared and developed, helping increase the amount of consumers around the world. And in fact, the largest brewing companies span from North America to Europe and Asia. Currently, China is the world’s biggest beer market, and its beer production accounts for more than 25% of the beer produced throughout the world.

[Most Expensive Beers in the World]

Brewing companies usually have different brands. For example, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Heineken, SABMiller and Carlsberg together control 70% of the nearly $150 billion global beer market. Indeed, it’s no news that the beverage industry is one of the largest out there, along with the restaurant industry as well. Some Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) such as Starbucks, Subway or McDonald’s have grown to have stores all over the globe, and currently produce billions of dollars in revenue each year. The 10 BIGGEST FAST FOOD CHAINS IN THE WORLD aren’t big only in the United States, but have spread to eastern markets as well.

We have compiled a list featuring the largest beer brewing companies in the world according to their last reported volume of sales. Some of these companies have different brands. For example, Anheuser Busch/In-Bev brews more than 300 beers, including labels such as Budweiser, Beck’s, and Stella Artois. Emerging markets within Asia and Eastern Europe have increased the production among these areas. Currently among the top ten beer brewing companies, three of them are Asian: the Chinese firm China Resource Snow Breweries Ltd., Asahi Breweries and Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd. make it into the top ten.

Now then, sit back with a refreshment and check out our list on the ten LARGEST BEER BREWING COMPANIES IN THE WORLD and find out which companies are the best-selling within this thirst-quenching industry.

NO. 10 BOSTON BEER COMPANY (NYSE:SAM)

_Production per year: 2.93 million hectoliters_

This company was founded in 1984 in Boston, Massachusetts, as Samuel Adams Beer. The company has achieved massive growth within the past few years, and recently reported $793.7 million in revenue for its 2013 fiscal year.

Keep reading on the next pages to find out which are the LARGEST BEER BREWING COMPANIES IN THE WORLD.

question: What is the article all about?

answer: The ten largest beer brewing companies in the world.

question: What country is currently the world's biggest beer market?

answer: China

question: How big is the global beer market and which companies control it?

answer: Anheuser-Busch InBev, Heineken, SABMiller, and Carlsberg together control 70% of the $150 billion global beer market.

question: Which three Asian breweries made it to the top ten?

answer: China Resource Snow Breweries Ltd., Asahi Breweries, and Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: The report is about the ten largest beer brewing companies in the world at the time of the article. China is currently the world's largest beer market and the global beer market is worth $150 billion., 70% of which is controlled by four breweries: Anheuser-Busch InBev, Heineken, SABMiller, and Carlsberg. Three Asia breweries, namely China Resource Snow Breweries Ltd., Asahi Breweries, and Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd., cracked the top ten.


text:
	Kurt was taking his time walking down the street, his feet moving him ever forward as small droplets of water fell down from the sky, splashing all across the city. Everyone around him was rushing, with umbrellas, hoods, newspapers covering their heads. Kurt's sweatshirt had a hood, but he didn't think of placing it over his head. The cold orbs of water felt nice running down his shaggy brown hair, dropping off of curls in front of his face, onto his nose and then down to the ground with a “plop.” The water had just started to fall from the sky, but, unlike most times it rains, it did not start off slowly. There was no build up toward the release. One moment, no rain, the next, it felt like the massage setting on a shower head. Kurt forgot where it was he was going, but continued walking anyway, to get his feet wet. As people ran by, they looked at him oddly, as if he was insane to act as he did.
	After about thirty seconds, Kurt's clothes were soaked through. His hair was dripping completely, it looked as if head been in a shower for a few minutes. His sweatshirt clung to his body, dark gray from the moisture. In the pockets of his jeans his cell phone had short-circuited, the water had soaked into the electronics and caused too much energy to be placed on the motherboard, killing it forever. Kurt didn't care. He didn't notice that fact until a day later, when he went to clean up, and the phone fell from his pocket to the floor. His feet kept leading him down the street, which was growing increasingly familiar to Kurt, as he looked around him. He still did not know where he was going, but let his feet lead him.
	After five minutes of walking in the rain, his feet brought him in front of the door to an apartment building. The building he recalled knowing, but he did not know where from. Water still dripped down his brow to his nose, and off to make a “plop” in the puddle created under his feet. It was still raining, but a canopy provided relief. Kurt's right hand made its way to his pocket, where it found cold metal, damp from the cloth around it. The metal fit into the door in front of him, and his feet pulled him into the stair well, and up the stairs in front of him. He left a trail of water as his feet trotted up the steps, one by one.
	Everything around him he knew well, but Kurt could not figure out why. His feet had brought him in front of a door now. On the door were the numbers four, zero, and seven. His right hand lifted up, and knocked twice. The sound of flesh on wood was thick and loud, echoing down the hall. The water dripping off of Kurt soaked a floor mat that read “Welcome!” Kurt heard some shuffling inside, and the door opened. Standing there, staring at Kurt was a woman. Kurt remembered her. She stood in the doorway, wearing gray sweat pants and a t-shirt much too big for her. Her auburn hair was tied above her head in a ponytail that reached down past her shoulders. Her eyes were puffed and red. Inside the room, Kurt could see tissues and an open bottle of wine on the coffee table. He looked at her and said quietly,
	 “Angela... You're beautiful. Marry me.”
	“Fuck off.”
	Water went “plop” on the now-soaked floor mat.
	The door slammed shut, followed by the sound of metal clinking with metal.  Kurt turned, and started walking back down the stairs. As he got to the bottom, he realized that it looked brighter outside. When he walked out of the apartment, he looked up into the clouds. They were thinner. Water dripped from his nose and went “plop.” His eyes were red and puffy.

title: This is the first story I have written in the longest time. I give you: Plop

question: Summarize the climactic event of the story.

answer: Kurt shows up at the house of Angela, a woman he presumably had a relationship with. He asks her to marry him, and she turns him down.

question: Summarize Kurt's physical path over the course of the story.

answer: Kurt walks along the city street to the front door of an apartment building. He goes to apartment 407. Then he walks back downstairs and out of the apartment.

question: What does the story say about Kurt's occupation?

question: What details in the story demonstrate that the characters are unhappy?

answer: Angela has tissues and an open bottle of wine on the coffee table. Kurt's eyes are red and puffy.


text: I walked down the street again. I had walked this street so many times, and yet I still called it a street. It was an avenue by trade, but street sounds better. Looking onward I saw a group of people that I thought could have been friends of mine, or at least some of them. I didn’t have that many friends, and even fewer that would stand to talk in a circle like that. So I lowered my expectations accordingly. It turned out to be another of many groups of people that I didn’t mind, but didn’t befriend. I figured that I would stop as I got to the circle, say hi maybe, and then see where the conversation went. It didn’t go so well, after saying hi and then them saying hi back the conversation continued on it seems to be about a group of people I didn’t know, saying things I didn’t hear about. So I left.

title: I decided I was going to write, so I just sorta typed and this is what I came up with. Think I should continue the story? Do you like the style? Should the main character get a pet goat?

question: Where is the narrator going on the street?

answer: It seems like they're going on an aimless walk.

question: What does the narrator see on their walk?

answer: The narrator sees a group of people talking in a circle. They don't mind them, but don't befriend them either.

question: What did the narrator lower their expectations for?

answer: The narrator seems to have thought that the group were friends of theirs, but they lower their expectation when they recall that their friends wouldn't stand to talk in a circle.

question: Does the narrator have regrets?

answer: It doesn't seem so.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: The narrator goes on a walk and notices a group of people standing to talk in a circle. They at first think they are their friends, but realize their friends would never do that. In hopes of being able to be involved in the conversation, the narrator greets the group, but they continue their own conversation after greeting the narrator. The narrator decides to leave, believing that the group is a crowd of people they don't know.


text:
-   Combination Platters

    -   2 Meats Combo $13.59

        Choose from sliced brisket, smoked sausage, chopped brisket, pork ribs, grilled chicken breast, BBQ chicken, fried chicken breast, or chicken fried steak. Includes 2 sides

    -   3 Meats Combo $15.99

        Choose from sliced brisket, smoked sausage, chopped brisket, pork ribs, grilled chicken breast, BBQ chicken, fried chicken breast, or chicken fried steak. Includes 2 sides

    -   4 Meats Combo $21.99

        Choose from sliced brisket, smoked sausage, chopped brisket, pork ribs, grilled chicken breast, BBQ chicken, fried chicken breast, or chicken fried steak. Includes 2 sides.

-   One Meat Platters

    -   Sliced Brisket Platter $12.99

        Served with 2 sides.

    -   Chopped Beef Platter $11.99

        Served with 2 sides.

    -   Smoked Sausage Platter $9.99

        Served with 2 sides.

    -   1/4 Slab Smoked Pork Spare Rib Platter $11.59

        Includes 3 ribs served with 2 sides.

    -   1/2 Slab Smoked Pork Spare Rib Platter $16.99

        Includes 6 ribs and served with 2 sides.

    -   Full Slab Rib Platter $32.99

        Includes 12 ribs for sharing and choice of 4 sides.

    -   Smoked BBQ 1/2 Chicken Platter with 2 sides $11.59

-   Chicken Fried Steaks

    -   Large Rancher as featured on Food Network and Travel Channel $16.99

        The "Saddle Blanket" chicken fried steak. Made with homemade Texas River Bottom gravy. Served with 2 sides.

    -   Medium Hired Hand $13.99

        Texas-sized chicken fried steak with homemade Texas River Bottom gravy. Served with 2 sides.

    -   Small Plowman $11.59

        Made with homemade Texas River Bottom gravy. Served with 2 sides.

-   Baked Potatoes

    -   Loaded Fancy Baked Potato $6.79

        Stuffed with margarine, real sour cream, real cheddar cheese, bacon and green onions.

    -   Chopped Brisket Baked Potato $10.99

        Stuffed with margarine, real sour cream, real cheddar cheese, bacon and green onions.

    -   Sausage Baked Potato $10.59

        Stuffed with margarine, real sour cream, real cheddar cheese, bacon and green onions.

    -   Sliced Brisket Baked Potato $10.99

        Stuffed with margarine, real sour cream, real cheddar cheese, bacon and green onions.

    -   Diced Grilled Chicken Baked Potato $10.59

        Stuffed with margarine, real sour cream, real cheddar cheese, bacon and green onions.

-   Fish and Chicken

    -   Fried Chicken Tenders 3 piece $10.99

        3 Jumbo and juicy tenders served with 2 sides.

    -   Fried Chicken Breast $11.59

        Served with 2 sides.

    -   Grilled Chicken Breast $9.99

        Served with 2 sides.

    -   Chicken Fried fish Fillet $10.99

        Breaded with buttermilk and flour. Served with 2 sides.

    -   Grilled fish Fillet $10.99

        Fish fillet grilled over a flame and served with 2 sides.

    -   1/2 Smoked Bbq Chicken $10.99

    -   1/4 Smoked BBQ Chicken $8.03

-   Steak Platters

    -   12oz Ribeye Steak $21.59

        USDA choice steak served with 2 sides.

    -   10oz Hamburger Steak $10.99

        Topped with sauteed onions and served with 2 sides.

-   Sandwiches & Burgers

-   Vegetable Platters

    -   #1 Three Sides and a Side Salad $8.99

        If selecting hot tots be aware they contain real bacon.

    -   #2 Loaded Fancy Potato and Side Salad $9.63

    -   #3 Hearty Smoked Chicken Soup and Side Salad $7.99

-   Chef Salads

    -   Side Salad $2.84

        small size

    -   Entree Salad Bar $6.59

        Large meal size.

    -   Sliced Beef & Sausage BBQ Chef Salad $10.34

    -   Grilled Chicken Chef Salad $9.99

    -   Fried Chicken Tender Salad 2 piece $9.99

        Jumbo and juicy chicken tenders.

-   Family Value Meals

    -   Family Meal #1 $48.99

        2 pounds of meat, 3 pints of side orders, and BBQ sauce.

    -    Family Meal #2 $59.99

        2 pounds or meat plus choice of 8 chicken tenders or a large chicken fried steak and 8 side orders.

    -   Rib Feast $48.99

        16 pork spare ribs served with your choice of 3 pints of sides. Includes sauce

-   Pounds of BBQ

-   Side Items

    -   Pinto Beans $2.84+

    -   Potato Salad $2.84+

    -   Cole Slaw $2.84+

    -   Mac 'N Cheese $2.84+

    -   Mashed Potatoes $2.84+

    -   Southern Green Beans $2.84+

    -   Side of Fresh Grilled Zucchini $2.84

    -   Hot Tots $2.84

        Jalapeno potato puffs * as seen on the Food Network.

    -   Side of Fries $2.84

    -   Fried Okra $2.84+

    -   Kernel Corn $2.84+

    -   Fried Onion Rings $4.99

    -   Fried Zucchini $4.99

-   Kids Menu

    -   Kids Grilled Chicken Tender $5.99

        Includes one side order.

    -   Kids Fried Chicken Tender $5.99

        Includes one side order.

    -   Kids Sausage Plate $5.99

        Includes one side order.

    -   Kids Sausage Sandwich $5.99

        Includes one side order.

    -   Kids Chopped Brisket Sandwich $5.99

        Includes one side order.

    -   Kids Sliced Brisket Plate $5.99

        Includes one side order.

    -   Kids Grilled Cheese $5.99

        Includes one side order.

    -   Kids Chicken Fried Steak $5.99

        Includes one side order.

    -   Kids Hamburger $5.99

        Includes one side order. Be sure to add cheese if you want cheese.

    -   Kids Sliced Beef Sandwich $4.99

-   Desserts

    -   Slice of Pecan Pie $3.50

        Large slice of Pecan Pie

    -   Slice of Apple Pie $3.50

        Large slice of Apple Pie

    -   Slice of Carrot Cake $3.79

        Large slice of Carrot Cake

    -   Chocolate Brownie with walnuts $2.50

        Brownie with walnuts

-   Beverages

    -   Gallon of Tea only $7.50

        Gallon of Tea only.

    -   Tea Pack for 10 includes cups, sugar, lemons, and ice $11.99

        Includes cups, ice, sugar and lemons.

    -   Gallon of Lemonade only $9.00

        Gallon of lemonade only

    -   Lemonade Pack for 10 includes cups and ice $13.00

        Gallon of lemonade plus cups and ice

    -   12 Ounce can Coca Cola $1.25

        1 (12) oz can of Coca Cola

    -   12 Ounce can of Sprite $1.25

        1 (12) oz can of Sprite

    -   12 Ounce can of Dr. Pepper $1.25

        1 (12) oz can of Dr. Pepper

-   Complimentary Items

    -   Complimentary Peppers

    -   Complimentary Pickles

    -   Complimentary Onions

    -   Complimentary BBQ Sauce

-   Additional items

    -   Hamburger Bun $0.35

        Single white bun

    -   Loaf of Bread $2.49

    -   Plates and Utensils $0.49

        1 plate and 1 fork/knife/napkin kit. Priced per person.

    -   BBQ Sauce $4.99+

    -   Gravy $4.99+

    -   Salad Dressing $4.99+

-   Future Items

    -   Chicken Fried Steak sandwich with Fries $7.99

        On a bun that Includes Lettuce, Tomato, and a Side of Fries.

    -   BBQ Sandwich with Fries $9.75

        Your Choice of Beef, Sausage or Both with Side of French Fries.

    -   BBQ Sandwich with Rings $11.95

        Your Choice of Beef, Sausage or Both with Side of Onion Rings.

    -   Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Fries $9.75

        Served on Wheat Bread with French Fries.

    -   Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Rings $11.95

        Served on Wheat Bread with Onion Rings.

    -   Cheeseburger with Fries $9.75

        Thick and Juicy, 1/2 lb. Served with Fries.

    -   Cheeseburger with Rings $11.95

        Thick and Juicy, 1/2 lb. Served with Onion Rings.

    -   Double Meat Cheeseburger with Fries $13.25

        One Pound of Beef Served with Fries.

    -   Double Meat Cheeseburger with Rings $15.49

        One Pound of Beef Served with Onion Rings.

    -   Hickory Chick Sandwich $10.99

        Fried chicken beast Sandwich on a bun with a side of onion rings. Served with lettuce and tomato.

    -   Chicken Fried Steak sandwich with Rings $10.49

        On a bun that Includes Lettuce, Tomato, and a Side of Rings.

-   Catering Self Serve Packages

    -   Catering Chicken Fried Chicken Package $10.29

        Marinated 'chicken fried' chicken breast. Served mashed potatoes and green beans. Includes thick-sliced bread, gravy, and relishes. No paper products or beverage.

    -   Catering Chicken Fried Steak Package $10.29

        Award-winning chicken fried steak. Served with mashed potatoes and green beans. Includes thick-sliced bread, gravy and relishes. No paper products or beverage.

    -   Catering 3 Meat BBQ Package $11.49

        Smoked brisket, smoked sausage, & grilled chicken. Served with potato salad, beans, and coleslaw. Includes thick-sliced bread, sauce, and relishes. No paper products or beverage.

    -   Catering Beef and Sausage BBQ Package $10.49

        Smoked brisket and sausage. Served potato salad, beans, and coleslaw. Includes thick-sliced bread, sauce, and relishes. No paper products or beverage.

    -   Catering Huge Baked Potato Package $10.99

        Large Idaho potatoes with all the stuffings. Served with a tossed salad. Includes ranch and Italian dressing. No paper products or beverage

    -   Self serve catering package Chicken Fried Chicken $10.79

        Marinated "chicken fried" chicken breast. Served with mashed potatoes and green beans. Includes bread, gravy, and relishes. Priced individually. Be sure to order paper products and beverage if required

    -   Self serve catering package chicken fried steak $10.99

        Award-winning chicken fried steak. Served with mashed potatoes and green beans. Includes bread, gravy, and relishes. Priced individually. Be sure to order paper products and beverage if required

    -   Self serve catering package 3 meat BBQ Package $13.49

        Smoked brisket, smoked sausage and grilled chicken. Served with potato salad, coleslaw, and beans. Includes bread, sauce, and relishes. Priced individually. Be sure to order paper products and beverage if required

    -   Self serve catering package Brisket and Sausage $12.79

        Smoked brisket and sausage. Served with potato salad, beans, and coleslaw. Includes bread, sauce, and relishes. Priced individually. Be sure to order paper products and beverage if required

    -   Self serve catering package Huge Baked Potato $11.49

        Baked potatoes with all the stuffings plus grilled chicken breast and chopped brisket. Served with a tossed salad. Be sure to order paper supplies and beverage if needed

    -   Catering Dozen Jumbo Chicken Tenders $18.00

        12 tenders with gravy, no sides, beverage, or paper supplies

-   Catering Meats by the Pound

    We suggest 1/2 lb. of meat for each adult. Bread, buns and paper supplies are sold separately for an additional charge.

    -   Catering 1 lb. of Sliced Brisket $17.99

        Includes sauce

    -   Catering 1 lb. of Sliced Grilled Chicken Breast $15.59

        Includes sauce

    -   Catering 1 lb. of Smoked Sausage $14.99

    -   Catering 1 lb. of Chopped Brisket $16.99

    -   Catering 1/2 Slab of Pork Spare Ribs $15.99

        Comes with 6 ribs and sauce

    -   Catering Full Slab Smoked Pork Spare Ribs $30.59

        Comes with 12 ribs and sauce

    -   Catering 1/2 Smoked BBQ Chicken $6.99

    -   Catering Whole Smoked Chicken $12.59

        Whole chicken with sauce

-   Catering Complimentary Items

    Hickory Hollow will send bread, BBQ sauce, pickles, peppers and onions with all plates upon request.

    -   Catering Complimentary Onions

    -   Catering Complimentary Peppers

    -   Catering Complimentary Pickles

-   Catering Sides

    -   Catering Loaf of Bread $2.49

-   Catering Beverages

    -   Catering Tea pack $10.00

        Includes 1 gallon of tea, cups, ice, sugar and lemons.

    -   Catering Lemonade Pack $13.00

        Include a gallon of lemonade, cups, ice.

    -   Catering Just a Gallon of Tea $7.50

        1 Gallon of Tea without cups, sweetener, lemons, ice bucket, scoop, or ice

    -   Catering Just a Gallon of Lemonade $10.00

        1 Gallon of lemonade without cups, ice, ice bucket, or scoop.

-   Miscellaneous

    -   Catering Special Item

    -   Catering Plates $0.49

        Please specify the amount you will need in the Special Instructions.

    -   Catering Serving Utensil Pack $7.00

        Recommended for catering orders. Includes 4 spoons, 3 tongs and 4 forks. Please specify the amount you will need in the Special Instructions.

    -   Catering Utensil Pack $0.49

        Please specify the amount you will need in the Special Instructions.

question: What meats are available on this menu?

answer: Sliced brisket, smoked sausage, chopped brisket, pork ribs, grilled chicken breast, BBQ chicken, fried chicken breast, and chicken fried steak.

question: What is the price of the one meat platter?

answer: That depends on the selected meat. The price ranges from $9.99 to $32.99.

question: What toppings come on the loaded fancy baked potato?

answer: Margarine, real sour cream, real cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions.

question: Explain the rib feast.

answer: The rib feast is a menu option that includes 16 pork spare ribs that are served with the choice of 3 pints of sides, and includes sauce.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: This text is the menu of an unnamed restaurant that serves southern American food.


text:
BEDRETTIN TUNCEL (1910, Tirebolu - 19 March 1980, Ankara) was a former academic and a politician in Turkey.

Early life

Born in 1910 in Tirebolu of Giresun Province, he graduated from Galatasaray High School in 1932. For higher education he went to France to study French literature. He graduated from the Lumière University Lyon 2 in 1936. In Turkey he served in the Ankara University for 35 years. He also lectured on the history of Art in the conservatory of Ankara for 10 years. After 27 July 1963 he served as the speaker of Turkish National Committee of UNESCO [1]

Political life

After 1960 Turkish coup d'etat in addition to his academic works, he was also appointed as the representative of universities in the Constituent Assembly of Turkey. In the 24th government of Turkey he served as the Minister of National Education. [2] But during the democratic regime after 1961, he returned to his academic life.

Books

He is the author of the following books. He also translated books from French.[3]

-   Seçme Yazılar (“Selected Essays”), İstanbul:Yapı Kredi Yayınları
-   Tiyatro Tarihi (History of theatre), 1938
-   Mahatma Gandi, 1869-1948 (1969)
-   Fransızca'da Yunus Emre (Yunus Emre in French language),1971
-   Atatürk ve 30 Ağustos Zaferi'nin İlk Kutlanışı (Atatürk and the First celebration of the 30th of August Victory),1972
-   Büyük Zafer ve Afyonkarahisar (Great Victory and Afyonkarahisar),1972
-   Nikola Kopernik, 1473-1973 (1973),
-   Dimitrie Cantemir 1673-1724 (1975),
-   Romanya'nın Sesi (Voice of Romania), 1979

He also translated books from French.

[1] Unesco page

[2] Biyagrafya page

[3] YK books

title: Bedrettin Tuncel

question: When was Tuncel born?

answer: 1910

question: What university did Tuncel work at?

answer: The Ankara University

question: What did Tuncel study for higher education?

answer: French Literature

question: What organization was Tuncel the speaker of after July 1963?

answer: The Turkish National Committee of UNESCO

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: Bedrettin Tuncel was a Turkish academic and politician. He was born in 1910, studied French Literature at the Lumiere University of Lyon 2, and worked at the Ankara University for 35 years. He served as the Minister of National Education in the 24th government of Turkey, and he was the speaker of the Turkish National Committee of UNESCO after July 1963.


text:
Driving down the dirt road he could feel it. The anticipation had been building up steadily since the day he got his job. It was like anticipation had created hundreds of cocoons that all decided to spread there wings at the same time. That kind of thing happens when you get to see the girl of your dreams for the first time in four months.
Pulling into the drive way he decides to make sure he looked the part of "super excited boyfriend" and "super fine" at the same time. Maybe not so much the latter. He decides this is about as good as he's gonna get his hair, there's nothing in his teeth, he was finally going to get to see her. Stepping out of his car, he makes his way towards the front door and knocks. She throws the door open and they just hold each other for what seemed like forever, but in reality it was only 5 seconds. He pushes himself away and says, "I have to get this out of my system." He cups her chin in his right hand, tilting her head slightly upwards so that their lips met at the perfect angle. Love never seemed like such a tangible thing until that moment.

title: Reunited: Love

question: What is he excited about?

answer: He is excited about seeing his girlfriend again.

question: What does he do before entering?

answer: He makes sure his teeth are clean.

question: How does he feel when he kisses her?

answer: He feels that love is a tangible thing.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: A guy drives home, very excited to see his girlfriend. He makes sure he looks okay and then kisses her, reflecting that he never felt love was tangible until that moment.


text:
    Red Ribbon

    	Each blink is more difficult and it takes me just a bit more effort to open my eyes than it did the last time. The     cold of my bathtub is comforting. I lean back, take a deep breath and slowly exhale. My mind hasn't stopped     racing, showing me images from my childhood, from my adolescence, from high school, from college.
	At four years old, I ran away from a camping trip to try to catch up to my parents on a hiking trail. I didn't know which direction they had gone, so I just followed the river. Ten minutes later, I was still alone and it started to sink in. No one is going to take care of me but myself. “#%!^, that's a scary thought. How will I be able to eat? I don't know how to do anything...” I wandered for what felt like forever, never straying from the security of the path I was on. Ah, the path.
	I snapped back to the present. That path. Nearly thirty years later and I realized I was jealous of that path. It had a direction, it knew where it was going. The only surprises on that path came from off the trail. Was this the right way to live my life? Is this how I would find happiness? Should I become a singularly focused individual, striving only for one goal, ignoring anything outside of that? This path is more soulful than I would have imagined a dirt road could be.
	I blink again. My eyelids feel sticky. I'm in my kitchen and I'm nine years old. Our kitchen is being remodeled and the floor is missing. I can see the dirt, spiderwebs, the century of unuse under the house. There is no rot, there is no termite damage, there is no foundation. Our house sits directly on the dirt hillside, raised up just enough to allow air to flow underneath. The house feels sturdy but there is nothing holding it in place, it could slide down the hill at any moment. Who cares? What does this mean?
	The hole in the floor of the kitchen is all I can think about when I open my eyes again. This house has lasted for more than 100 years. All without any sort of foundation, in earthquake country. It has been shaken and beaten more then I ever could be. It refuses to collapse but instead welcomes new people and wraps them in its love. This house is like a grandmother nearing senility; a shaky foundation, but a strong outward presence. A welcoming hug every time you enter through the front door. Is this how I should live? Wandering the earth, rootless, searching for a place to make a stand and show my love for my fellow man? I tried that in college, it didn't work. Free love and no foundation made me completely insecure. At any moment I could be cast aside and would have nothing to fall back on.
	My eyes lose focus as I follow the wall down from the ceiling to the bathtub, finally coming to rest on the floor of the bathtub. The rouge river winds down hands to my knees and finally pools at my heels until there is enough to continue its one-way journey. The thin thread heads straight into the darkness at the end of the tub, where it drips nosily into the drain.
	I blink twice. The second blink takes me away again. It's my Sophomore year of high school and I'm in love for the first time. Her name was Carrie, she was blonde with blue eyes. She was the co-captain of the JV Cheer squad and she always smelled like a freshly picked peony. We went on our first date together when I asked her to the Winter Formal. When I picked her up, I had to sit through “the talk” from her father while I waited for her to put her finishing touches on. After the dance, we went to an after party thrown by one of the Seniors. I didn't drink at all (it was part of “the talk”) but she did and by the time I got her back to her house, the alcohol was in full effect. We made out for half an hour. That 30 minutes was all it took, I knew I was in love. Our relationship lasted for the rest of the year but it didn't make it past the Summer she spent working on her uncle's ranch in Wyoming. I got two reasons out of her, and I've never known which one was more true. She said, “You're just too....nice” and “Cowboys.” My soul crushed, I spent the next two months sad and pitiful. First love, first loss, first time the nice guy finished dead last.
	My eyelids are heavy, but I open them and sigh. I'm back in the bathtub. I'm not an adolescent any more. I sigh again, this time in relief. The bathtub isn't so cold anymore, it has stolen my body heat giving only white porcelain in return. I brush my hand against the side of the tub, leaving irregular streaks as I move my fingers and paint with my essence. I see bits of Van Gogh and Cezanne in the chaotic crimson my fingers trail behind. I shut my eyes and am transported to my friends dorm in college. Jill is seated on her bed with Starry Night peaking at me over her right shoulder. There are two other friends in here, but I can't see their faces or remember their names. We have been discussing which super power we would want to have and why for the last three hours. I have held to my contention that being able to stop time would make one unstoppable while heavily debating flight and superspeed. We finally stop debating at 2am and I go home to sleep. In the morning, I hear from friends in the dorms near Jill. They are all asking me what I was talking about last night, apparently they could hear my laugh from the next dorm over. I tell them. They laugh more. I feel ashamed that my laugh has made me recognizable from hundreds of feet away. I am embarrassed by our conversation. I make a mental note, which I will immediately forget, to tone down my laugh.
	As I open my eyes from this memory, I realize the truth. I have spent most of my life running from my emotions. They crippled me time and again. My brain doesn't see it that way however, it relishes the emotions, the differences, the change, the unique. The problem is that I don't. My brain is pleading with me in the only way it knows how. It is pleading for me to reverse this process. It is imploring me to lift myself up, to stand up again. I finally relent and lift my heavy hands, attached to heavy arms, to the edge of the tub. I set my feet flat against the floor of the tub, toes pushing against the side so I don't slip in the pooled and partially coagulated blood. I see my phone, it is across the room. It is now my only chance for survival. I strain my muscles to stand.

My eyes close.

title: Red Ribbon [1200 words] (first post here, feedback welcome, please comment)

question: What would had happened if the narrator had not ran away from the camping trip?

answer: The narrator would have not discovered the surprises which would lead to their own path of life.


text:
I’ve been sitting here for twenty minutes. I don’t have a watch, but there is one attached to the shoulder of this vest. There’s a bell tower too. I heard it chime a little while ago. The person who had been sitting here before me had good taste. I had eaten his gyro and drunk his rich espresso with relish. I wipe my hands over the blocks of explosives taped to my chest. I stand, my feet padding their way down to the water’s edge.

I didn’t know this type of thing happened anymore. I saw this in a movie once and the chatter of locks shaking in my hands drives the reality of the situation home. I feel as if I have been born again, out of the womb of a black sedan driven by men with masks, but into a world with no love for an infant such as I. I could hardly stand for the weight, and when I looked I saw the fear plastered in every feature of the people crowding the market. I thought I might have seen a look of relief as hands folded into each other, spiriting them away, but my own mind may have put these looks there.

Because I am relieved.

I left my home and the grave of my wife and child trying to find something, some kind of reason, and now it has all been stripped away, all I want it to walk this beach. The ocean is the kind of blue that leaves tears in men’s eyes as they awake. A wave washes over my toes. The sunshine feels like the embrace of the world. The bells are sounding. My grandmother once told me the church bells ring to help angels find their way home.
I’m coming h

title: I went to Fethiye on a bright and sunny day.

question: What is the narrator's occupation?

answer: Maybe something military? It's not clear.

question: What does the incomplete sentence/word at the ending indicate?

answer: The explosives might have gone off.

question: What are they there to do?

answer: Maybe this is some sort of suicide bombing mission.

question: Why might this person have become a suicide bomber (if that is what they are doing)?

answer: Their wife and child are dead, as indicated by the mention of the graves the narrator left behind.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: The narrator sits in wait with explosives strapped to their vest. They think about how they left behind the graves of their wife and child for this. The church bells sound, reminding them of how their grandma told them that's the sound of angel's finding their way home. The narrator ends mid-sentence saying that they're coming home.


text:
LONDON (Reuters) - London’s vast financial sector must never again be the “masters of the economy”, the finance spokesman of the Labour Party said, accusing bankers of profiting from speculation at the expense of ordinary people.

John McDonnell, a veteran socialist who is now seeking to reassure business, promised higher taxes and tougher regulation on banks on the 10th anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers – the pivotal moment in the global financial crisis.

“The key lesson is this: never let the finance sector become the masters of the economy when they should be the servants of the economy,” he said in a speech outside the Bank of England on Saturday.

He said ordinary people were still paying the price for the crisis through falling living standards and cuts to public services, and a Labour government would redress the balance.

With Prime Minister Theresa May’s government weakened by her Conservative Party’s infighting over Brexit, Labour is hoping her minority government will collapse.

Most recent opinion polls show Labour level with the Conservatives, meaning they could form the next government, although the next election is not due until 2022.

Labour would introduce a financial transaction tax to extract more revenue from the City of London by expanding an existing tax on shares to trading on other assets such as bonds and derivatives.

“The finance sector has a responsibly to deliver the resources that we need,” he told the rally held by a variety of unions and campaigns including one called “Change Finance”.

Despite his previous antipathy towards bankers, McDonnell is trying to win the support of financial bosses, just as former Labour leader Tony Blair helped prepare his party for power with what was dubbed the “prawn cocktail offensive” in the 1990s.

For example, McDonnell went for talks with the Wall Street bank Goldman Sachs earlier this week to discuss Britain’s upcoming departure from the European Union.

He said his message when holding meeting with bankers and asset managers was simple: “You’ll get a decent rate of return but we’re not being ripped off anymore. Ripped off by speculation, privatisation, job cuts, exploitation of workers.”

A Labour government would also try to end tax evasion and tax avoidance, and seek to tackle the issue of overseas companies owning properties in London, which he said has caused speculation and forced up prices.

Reporting by Andrew MacAskill and Sarah Young Editing by Stephen Addison and Toby Chopra

for-phone-onlyfor-tablet-portrait-upfor-tablet-landscape-upfor-desktop-upfor-wide-desktop-up

question: Who is John McDonnell?

answer: The finance spokesman of the Labour Party, a socialist.

question: Where did McDonnell make his speech?

answer: Outside the Bank of England.

question: Who is the Prime Minister at the time of the article?

answer: Theresa May.

question: Which party did Tony Blair previously lead?

answer: The Labour Party.

question: Summarize everything relating to Goldman Sachs.

answer: Goldman Sachs is a Wall Street bank. Bankers and asset managers met with John McDonnell the week of the article and were told their profits would still be decent but any exploitation of workers or the system was not going to be tolerated. This was in the context of Britain's exit from the European Union.

question: When is the next election?

answer: 2022

question: Who were the reporters for the article?

answer: Andrew MacAskill and Sarah Young

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: Andrew MacAskill and Sarah Young report for this article about the Labour Party's attitudes toward the British private banking sector going forward through the country's exit from the European Union.


text: The man, who was known as Jim, woke up. He had a terrible headache. He tried to bring his hand to his forehead. Stuck. He tried again but nothing happened, as if he were tied up. He groaned and tried to focus on the situation. Damn, his head hurt. He looked at his body in shock, he was strapped in, lying on his back in a slightly tilted angle on the back seat of a car. Of course, he had been sent out to follow three apparent mafiosi but he'd somehow managed to get strapped shut back here, by probably one of them, with simple seat belts. Where was that bastard? He moved his head around in the small angle that he was able to. He was gone, they had crashed. He couldn't look outside from here. He tried to move, but the crash had only strapped him in tighter, the seat belts wouldn't stretch anymore. Had they just forgot about him? He tried to move more. A sudden pinch in his left hand. He swore. Painfully tilting his head, he looked at it. A small shard of glass stuck out. He looked around a little better. All the windows were broken and a long stick of hard metal stuck out between the two front seats. Also, there were many tiny holes in the back seat, what a waste of a car. He moved, more vigorously, not minding the pain the various glass shards cost him. “Hey!” He shouted. “Help!” But no response, instead a smell of fire. Jim's eyes widened and he looked at the front of the car. The car was tilted so that he could see it. The hood was gone and the engine was wrecked. He knew how they were supposed to work and this one was missing a lot of pieces, yet it was still running with an annoying slap slap slap sound. Worse, what was left of the turbine was on fire. Right next to the gas tank and spreading. This is bad, Jim thought, terrible. He twisted and turned as far as he could, panicking. His life depended on it, the glass sticking out of his legs and torso were suddenly insignificant. Finally, the seat belt closest to his head snapped. New hope arose, he could now move his arms again. If he got out, he could tell Mr. Y what had happened. He sat upright and brought his hands to the seat belt around his waist. He swore again. It wouldn't come loose. He was already crying from the smoke in the cabin. He poked his head as far through the window behind him as he could. “Help! Anybody!” He yelled, but there was nothing. Nothing but fire and car wrecks along the long way to Turin. He heard a hissing noise, like a serpent, and he looked back at the engine. His pupils dilated.

title: Imagine this happens on a long, empty road in Turin. (feedback would be appreciated)

question: What is the author's relationship with Jim?

answer: The text doesn't say. Jim seems to be fictional so their relationship is author/character.

question: Are there any indications of when this text was written?

answer: No clear answer is given. Cars exist in the story, as do seatbelts, so sometime after both were invented.

question: What led to the situation Jim is in?

answer: He was sent to follow three Mafiosi, and at some point must have been captured since he is strapped into the car. The vehicle he is in has also been in a collision.

question: Explain why Jim can't get out of the car.

answer: He has been strapped in by seatbelts which he can't get to break free.


text:
The NORBOURG SCANDAL is a major financial scandal that took place in 2005. The scandal involved the Montreal, Quebec based Norbourg Financial Group, a trust-fund company founded by Vincent Lacroix. He diverted money from a Norbourg trust fund for personal interests. Nearly 9,200 investors in Quebec lost millions of dollars. It is considered as one of the largest Canadian financial scandals in history and largest in Quebec.[1][2]

Origins

The scandal came into light during the summer of 2005 after the _Autorité des marchés financiers_ (AMF - “Financial Markets Authority”; the province's top financial regulator) discovered that C$130 million was missing from company accounts. The loss was initially estimated at C$70 million before a report by Ernst & Young revealed additional losses. On August 25, 2005, police raided the Norbourg headquarters office in Montreal as well as smaller offices in Quebec City and in the Eastern Townships region.[3] After having its assets frozen, the company ceased its operations in October 2005 and filed for bankruptcy. Lacroix himself was declared bankrupt in May 2006 by a provincial judge. A report by Ernst & Young revealed that all firms run by Lacroix including _Norbourg Gestion d'actifs_, _Norbourg Groupe Financier_, and _Fonds Évolution_ had operational deficits up to $6.5 million in 2005 alone.[4][5]

The AMF filed 51 charges against Lacroix in March 2006 related to false and misleading information and manipulating mutual fund values. The regulator accused Lacroix of using Norbourg's funds for personal reasons. 29 funds were affected, with 11 of them having nearly no value left and 17 others having C$300,000 or less left.[6]

Investigation and fraud tactics

Investigators reviewed some of the transactions and cheques dating back to 2000 and found 69 files related to the 51 charges. However, funds were diverted starting in 2003 and the deficit ballooned from $9 million to $70 million and finally up to $130 million. Money was diverted from the funds to a “ghost account”, some of which was transferred to Lacroix and his wife. False receipts were also made to hide the company's losses. In addition, Norbourg hired a computer specialist to falsify reports to Northern Trust, whose Toronto office was asset custodian for the Norbourg and Evolution funds. The worker had access to all the financial data of Norbourg.

Some of the stolen money was paid out in bonuses and gifts to favored Norbourg employees; one employee's house was purchased with embezzled funds.[7] It was reported that Lacroix filed up to 115 false reports with securities regulators.[8][9] Each charge had a maximum penalty of five years in jail and a fine of up to C$5 million. In October 2005, the AMF also sued Lacroix for C$94 million and an investigation was also launched by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).[10]

Investors

Up to 9,200 investors were affected by the crime. Many of the investors involved asked the province of Quebec to launch a public inquiry. The _Action démocratique du Québec_ and the _Parti Québécois_ also asked the provincial government of Jean Charest to appoint an investigating commission.[11] In June 2006, Ernst & Young agreed to distribute C$31 million to about 5,600 investors who were among those hardest hit. The AMF offered settlements to 900 investors, but denied the rest.[12] According to the AMF, investors are not protected from fraud in embezzlement made by an administrator of equity funds and thus don't receive a settlement, unlike fraud by a stockbroker, where an investor can receive as much as $200,000 in settlement.[13][14][15] 140 other investors later launched a class action accusing the regulator of abusing its power.

On January 19, 2011 CBC 1 reported that an agreement has been reached under which all investors would be fully reimbursed.

Criminal trial

Lacroix's criminal trial took place in 2007 and lasted 58 days. Lacroix did not have legal defense aid after a court ruling. In November 2007, he requested 30 witnesses to testify in his place, but this request was rejected by the trial judge, Claude Leblond.[16] Lacroix claimed that he could not testify himself because his credibility was attacked.[17] On December 11, 2007 Lacroix was found guilty of all 51 counts. On January 28, 2008, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined C$255,000. On June 6, 2008, he received permission to appeal his sentence.[18][19][20]

Further charges in June 2008

On June 18, 2008, a further 922 criminal charges were laid against six people involved in the scandal, including Lacroix and former Quebec provincial civil servant Jean Renaud. Charges included fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud, falsifying documents and conspiracy to falsify documents, and money laundering. Renaud was fired by the Province hours before his arrest.[21]

Lacroix, who was released during the summer of 2009, went through a transition home and performed several hours of community work. On September 21, he returned to trial for the additional criminal charges and pleaded guilty on September 21. He was immediately jailed by Justice Richard Wagner of the Quebec Superior Court. On October 9, 2009, he was sentenced to 13 years in jail to be served consecutively with his previous 5-year term. He was released from prison in January 2011 and spent the next 3 years in a halfway home, until February 2014.

Portrayals

Lacroix inspired the character of Vincent Lemieux in Robert Morin's 2008 film _Daddy Goes Ptarmigan Hunting (Papa à la chasse aux lagopèdes)_.[22]

[1] Affaire Norbourg : Pauline Marois poursuit Gilles Taillon | Politique | Radio-Canada.ca

[2] Investors want public inquiry into Norbourg scandal

[3] Norbourg : LE SCANDALE ÉCLATE | Économie et affaires | Radio-Canada.ca

[4]

[5] Former head of Norbourg bankrupt

[6] Norbourg : ce qu'il en reste

[7] Norbourg: les stratagèmes utilisés

[8]

[9] Montreal fraud trial for former Norbourg president Lacroix starts

[10] Quebec lays 51 charges against Norbourg founder

[11] Québec Hebdo > Tribune libre > Commission d’enquête publique sur le scandale Norbourg réclamée

[12] 1er recours collectif suite au scandale Norbourg Ceinture rose, troisième sacoche!

[13] Norbourg: les investisseurs sans protection

[14] Le recours collectif rebondit à l'Assemblée nationale - LCN - National

[15] Investors getting cash back in Norbourg bankruptcy

[16] Le juge refuse la plupart des témoins de la défense - LCN - Faits divers

[17]

[18]

[19] ARGENT - Un député souhaite le retour en affaires de Vincent Lacroix!

[20] http://lcn.canoe.ca/infos/faitsdivers/archives/2008/01/20080127-112112.html

[21] RCMP arrest 6 in Norbourg fraud case, including ex-CEO June 18, 2008 CBC.ca

[22] “Papa à la chasse aux lagopèdes : Make money, salut bonsoir!”. _Voir_, November 20, 2008.

title: Norbourg scandal

question: What does the text say about Lacroix's trial and sentencing?

answer: Lacroix faced 51 charges related to false and misleading information and manipulating mutual fund values. His trial took place in 2007 and lasted 58 days. He did not have legal defense aid, and his request to have 30 witnesses to testify in his place was rejected by the trial judge. He was found guilty of all 51 counts and he was sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined 255,000 Canadian dollars. In June 2008, another 922 criminal charges were laid against Lacroix and five other people. He was released in 2009, only to return to trial for the additional charges in September. He pled guilty and was sentenced to 13 years in jail to be served consecutively with his previous five year term. He was released in 2011 and spent three years in a halfway home.

question: What does the text say about the discovery and investigation of the scandal?

answer: The scandal was discovered in 2005 by the AMF, Quebec's top financial regulator, which noticed that C$130 million was missing from company accounts. Police raided the Norbourg headquarters in Montreal as well as several of their smaller offices. The company's assets were frozen, and they filed for bankruptcy. A report by Ernst & Young later revealed that all firms run by Lacroix had very large operational deficits. Investigators found that funds were diverted starting in 2003 and the deficit ballooned quickly. Money was transferred to a "ghost account," some of which was transferred to Lacroix and his wife; some of the stolen money was also paid out in bonuses and gifts to favored Norbourg employees. Norbourg and Lacroix took several steps to try to cover up the embezzlement.

question: What does the text say about the fund's investors?

answer: Up to 9,200 investors were affected by the crime, and many of them asked the province of Quebec to launch a public inquiry. In 2006, Ernst & Young agreed to distribute C$31 million to about 5,600 investors who were among the hardest hit, and the AMF offered settlements to 900 investors but denied the rest, as they stated investors are not protected from fraud in embezzlement made by an administrator of equity funds, unlike fraud by a stockbroker. A class action lawsuit was launched by 140 of the investors, and in 2011, an agreement was reached such that all investors would be fully reimbursed.

question: What does the text say about Lacroix's motives?


text:
_DARK DAYS_ is the third studio album by the American nu metal band Coal Chamber. It was released on May 7, 2002.

Background and content

Bassist Rayna Foss-Rose left the band after this album was recorded; she was replaced by Nadja Peulen, who had already previously replaced her for Coal Chamber's tours in 1999 during Rayna's pregnancy.[1] This was the last studio album from Coal Chamber before they disbanded due to personal differences.[2]

_Dark Days_ is often regarded as the band's most aggressive and heaviest album; while past Coal Chamber albums had softer songs scattered throughout them, _Dark Days_ stays mostly aggressive all the way through. _Dark Days_ mostly combines the styles from the band's debut album with their second album _Chamber Music_, mixing the nu metal elements with the gothic metal elements from Chamber Music. _Dark Days_ received mixed reviews from music critics but was more popular with fans.

On their last show, guitarist Meegs Rascón accidentally hit vocalist Dez Fafara on the head with his guitar, with Dez walking off stage only to reappear claiming that this was to be Coal Chamber's last show. Dez then released _Giving the Devil His Due_ which was a collection of unreleased tracks, remixes, and demos by Coal Chamber. Afterward, he went on to start the band DevilDriver.

“Fiend” would be the album's only single. Its music video found airplay on _Uranium_, which also featured an interview with the band and the song “Glow” was also most notably featured on the soundtrack of The Scorpion King.[3]

The song “Something Told Me” was featured on the Resident Evil end credits as the first song.

Track listing

All songs written by Mike Cox/B. Dez Fafara/Rayna Foss/Miguel Rascón except where noted.

[1]

[2]

[3]

title: Dark Days (Coal Chamber album)

question: Did Coal Chamber disband because Meegs accidentally hit Dez on the head with his guitar?

answer: Possibly, but it seems the band already had issues before the accident and disbanded due to personal differences.

question: Describe the Coal Chamber's music.

answer: The band's music is a mix of nu-metal and gothic metal.

question: How does "Dark Days" compare to past Coal Chamber's past albums?

answer: "Dark Days" is the band's most aggressive album and remains aggressive all the way through, unlike past albums that had softer songs scattered throughout.


text: Have you ever heard the tale of the Walrus and the Whale? It started one day, just like any other, while she was going to Walrus School. The ground appeared to be just the same as the ground she walked on every other day, but she smelt brine in the air, and wouldn't you know it, there laid a whale smack in the middle of her path, for there were trees on either side of the path and the whale could do nothing to get out. The Walrus didn't know what to do so she thought and thought, and applying the lessons from the day before, went inside the whale to find the joy box, but it was no where to be found. And she looked high and low, but there was no joy to be found anywhere inside this whale. It was stuck, surrounded by trees, smack dab in the middle of the path, laying there, waiting for the Walrus to come along.

title: [critique] The Walrus

question: Who is "she" in the second sentence?

answer: "She" is the Walrus.

question: Describe the whale.

answer: The walrus is stuck in the middle of a path with no way to go out. The Walrus notes the whale lacks a joy box, and was waiting for the Walrus to come along.

question: What are the Walrus' lessons from the day before.

answer: That information can't be found.

question: Why is there no joy to be found in the whale?

answer: That information can't be found.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: A Walrus comes across a whale stuck in between trees on a path. The Walrus decides to find the whale's joy box, but can't find it. She notes that the whale must have been waiting for her to come along.


text: It was a cold winters night, I was sitting quietly downstairs looking out into the dark of the night as the stars flickered in and out like a train in the distance. My pin vice was my only friend that night, he saw me through the necessary drilling I needed to do, and he never said a word... Just faithfully drilling. Then it happened. A snap like a whip on Jesus' back erupted throughout the room and I felt my soul shatter as the drills soul followed my own. It was like watching him walk onto a landmine. Body parts flung across my hand and table... My eye's watered from the emotional and physical pain... It was over... Blood splashed across my hands and face with the cold dead eyes of Drill staring at me in the black of night. I needed to send word that Drill wouldn't be coming home but right now the emotional pain held me in place like Medusa's stare...

title: My brother likes to exaggerate things so I wrote a bit of a parody of him breaking his pin vice

question: Why do the narrator's eyes water?

answer: Drill, a pin vice, dies after breaking.

question: What's the key event of the story?

answer: Drill, a pin vice, dies after breaking.

question: How old is the narrator?

answer: That information can't be found.

question: Whose blood is on the narrator's hand?

answer: Drill

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: The narrator reflects on the time Drill, their pin vice, breaks. This kills Drill and leaves the narrator devastated.


text:
The CITY ASSEMBLY OF THE CITY OF ZAGREB is the lawmaking body of the Croatian capital of Zagreb. It consists of 51 members who were elected by universal suffrage and secret ballot at 2017 elections for a term of four years. The assembly meets at the Old City Hall, close to the St. Mark's Square. This representative body passes acts within the self-governing scope of the City of Zagreb and performs other duties in accordance with the state laws and its own Statute. The assembly serves as a check against the mayor in a mayor-council government model.[1] It has 24 permanent and occasional working bodies with oversight of various functions of the city government.

Assembly members

The assembly comprises 51 members elected in a general, free, secret and direct ballot by the citizens of Zagreb according to the principle of proportional representation. Elections take place every four years – at the same time as for the Mayor. According to the article 49 of the _Statute of the City of Zagreb_, “councilors perform they duty honorarily and do not receive a salary” but are entitled to compensation so according to the _Decision on the Regular Financing of the Parties_, male representatives annually receive around 56,000 kunas (cca. €7,545), and female representatives 62,000 kunas (cca. €8,355). However, this money is paid to the representatives' special giro account and can only be spent on the program of a political party or as a charitable donation. In addition, each of the 51 representatives receives 1,200 kunas (cca. €160) per month for work at the Assembly, regardless of whether they have attended Assembly meeting or not, and around 1,250 kunas (cca. €170) for the work in assembly committees (each representative is member of at least one committee).[2][3]

Parties with at least three AM's or at least three independent AM's can form a councilors' club in order to organize and participate in the debates and committees of the assembly. City councilors of two or more political parties and independents are allowed to form a joint club. Others are part of the mixed group.[4]

Organizational structure

Assembly is headed by a president and four deputy presidents who form the Presidency of the Assembly. The Secretariat of the Assembly is the professional Assembly service.

Permanent working bodies of the City Assembly are:

-   Credentials Committee;
-   Election and Appointment Committee;
-   Statute, Rules of Procedure and Regulations Committee;
-   Town, Street and Square Naming Committee;
-   Economic Development Committee;
-   Finance Committee;
-   Utilities Management Committee;
-   Physical Planning Committee;
-   Committee for Environmental Protection;
-   Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Committee;
-   Healthcare Committee;
-   Social Welfare Committee;
-   Education and Sports Committee;
-   Culture Committee;
-   Youth Committee;
-   Intercity and International Cooperation Committee;
-   Local Government Committee;
-   Petitions and Appeals Committee.

Political structure

The political parties represented in the Assembly (27 August 2017):[5]

Controversies

Informal coalitions keep major in control of gentrification

After failing to hold majority in Assembly, major Milan Bandić used all kinds of obstructions and alliances with radical right-wing parties, as well as with HDZ to be in control and push corporate interest in furthering city gentrification, through UAE investments[6].

Online work in April and May 2020

After the 2020 Zagreb earthquake city Assembly did not work regularly nor held meetings in person through April or May, using the excuse of the pandemic, though Croatian Parliament did meet in an adjusted way in person. It was exceptionally strange when Milan Bandić and his majority coalition partners HDZ asked for to just do it over email!. Media and activists speculated that this was the way for and coalition he formed for majority control was trying to prevent critique over much of the failures in the city services. The city center was kept messy and much of population (especially those with highly damaged buildings) was frustrated for the lack of fast response. The most prominent and vocal critique came again from Tomislav Tomašević from “Zagreb je NAŠ!” (English: “Zagreb is OURS!”)[7] and its four Assembly members of Left Bloc, who were joined by quite a few other left and center parties.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

title: Zagreb Assembly

question: How many members does the Zagreb Assembly have?

answer: There are 51 members.

question: How are the members of the Zagreb Assembly chosen?

answer: Members are elected in a general, free, secret and direct ballet by the citizens of Zagreb. Elections occur every four years.

question: What is the purpose of the Zagreb Assembly?

answer: It is the lawmaking body of Zagreb, the Croatian capital.

question: Describe the organizational struture of the Zagreb Assembly.

answer: The assembly has a president and four deputy presidents.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: The Zagreb Assembly is the lawmaking body of Zagreb, the Croatian capital. It consists of 51 members elected every four years by the citizens of Zagreb. The assembly is headed by a president and four deputy presidents.


text:
Looking out the window, George could see the harsh conditions of a Canadian winter. He smiled, seeing the familiar scene and sipped at a coffee. As he watched the snow dance through the air out the window, he thought of the potential this day had. The morning after the first blizzard was always his favorite. The trees smothered with white snow, the air fresh and cold. It also made for good hunting because all of the tracks found were fresh ones.
   But today was not the day to hunt, nor a day to admire the fresh layer of snow from indoors. When you live in a log cabin in the hills, firewood is something you can never have enough of. He wasn’t having a shortage of it, but he knew his current cache wouldn’t last him the winter. He wanted at least another cord of oak to be sure he wouldn’t run out. He would spend his day cutting and pilling wood.
   After George ate breakfast, he got suited up for the outdoors. He wore a thick red plaid jacket, and in his hands was .308 hunting rifle, that had been passed down from his father. He still remembered his father’s words when he presented it to him, “Son, one day this will save your life”. He brought the rifle out with him every time he went out, with those words echoing in his head. His father had definitely been right, the rifle had gotten him through many winters, and it had gotten him out some very close encounters with the wildlife.
   George continued with his preparations, grabbing his wool hat, and tying up his steel toed boots. Once he was ready, he opened his front door, and started towards the forest trail. He knew of an area with many large ash trees, but he knew carrying the wood back would be a pain. With the new snow, he couldn’t bring a wheelbarrow, and he didn’t have any other means of transporting the wood, except by hand. The trees were about a forty-five minute walk from his cabin, but that time would be almost doubled if he was carrying the wood.
   An idea came to him, and he turned back towards his home. He headed to his workshop, garbed a canvas tarp, and a few meters of rope. After a few minutes, and some craftsmanship, George fashioned himself a kind of sled that he could carry the wood back with. He took a second to admire his own craftiness, grabbed the sled and started back for the path.
   He could feel the .308 against his back, and he could hear the sound of the sled gliding across the snow. He continued down the path, until he came to a section that split into 2 different directions. Knowing the woods as well as he did, he didn’t hesitate for a second. He turned to his left and kept on going. He didn’t like travelling this path; he had had some bad experiences on it. More than a few close calls with wolves have taken place there, and whenever he walked it, he was always on his guard for another attack.  Something in the snow ahead of him caught his eye, and he knelt down to examine it. His heart sank when he realized it was a wolf track, a fresh one too.
   He immediately went for his gun that was slung on his back. He loaded a bullet into the chamber, and brought the rifle to the ready position. He scanned the horizon for wolves but didn’t see anything. Just then he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He switched off the safety and whipped around, but saw a squirrel book it up a tree. He breathed a sigh of relief, but did not lower his rifle. He heard the ruffling of leaves behind him, and he went to turn towards it. Without even realising it, he had placed his right foot on his sled. When he turned the sled gave out, and he fell violently towards the ground, letting go of his rifle at the same time. He hit the snow just an instant before the rifle, and he had just enough time to look into the barrel of the gun before it smashed against the ground, causing it to fire a round straight through George’s skull.

title: A short story i wrote for English class

question: Why did George die?

answer: His rifle accidentally fired when it fell to the ground, and at that time, the rifle was aimed at his head.

question: What did George want to do?

answer: George wanted to gather more wood for the winter. He assessed that his current cache was not sufficient so he wanted another cord of oak.

question: What is the point of the story?

answer: Possibly a commentary about responsible use of firearms, a thought exercise on inevitability of events, the futility of effort, or a severe example of Murphy's law. But definitely a narrative that wants to deliver poetic irony.

question: What makes the story poetic?

answer: George is the architect of his own destruction: he decided to get more wood, to choose the left path, to bring the rifle, to craft the sled, and his bad footing can also be considered his own fault. There's also the narrative irony that the father once said that the rifle would save George's life.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: George, a Canadian man, dies in an unfortunate accident in a snowy path to the woods. He misstepped on his sled, causing him to drop his rifle, resulting in a misfire and George getting shot through the head.