text:
[Liebermann, lithograph after a portrait, from Joseph Guerber, _Biographie Liebermanns_, 1880] BRUNO FRANZ LEOPOLD LIEBERMANN (b. at Molsheim in Alsace, 12 October 1759; d. at Strasbourg, 11 November 1844) was a German Catholic theologian.

Life

Having finished his humanities in the college at Molsheim, he studied theology from 1776 to 1780 in the seminary at Strasburg, after which, as he was too young for ordination, he was as subdeacon appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim. He became a deacon and a licentiate of theology in 1782, and was ordained priest on 14 June 1783.

He shortly afterwards became professor in the Strasburg seminary, in 1784 preacher at Strasburg Cathedral, and in 1787 pastor at Ernolsheim near Molsheim. During the French Revolution he was obliged to take refuge across the Rhine (1792), and the Bishop of Strasburg, Cardinal Rohan, appointed him rector of the seminary which had been transferred for the time to the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest.

Here he taught dogmatic theology and canon law, and wrote his unpublished “Institutiones iuris canonici universalis.” In 1795 he secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim, where he laboured in secret and in great danger for the cure of souls until 1801, holding at the same time the office of extraordinary episcopal commissary for this division of the diocese. In 1801 he was called to Strasburg as preacher at the cathedral and secretary of the diocese, but returned once more to Ernolsheim in 1802. On 12 March 1804 he was there unexpectedly arrested, and, on the groundless suspicion that he was in secret communication with the royal family, was held a prisoner in Paris for eight months.

When, through the intercession of Bishop Colmar of Mainz with Napoleon, he regained his freedom, he was called by this bishop to Mainz in 1805 as rector of the newly founded seminary there and in 1806 became also a member of the cathedral chapter. In the seminary he lectured on canon law, church history, pastoral theology, and, after 1812, also on dogmatic theology.

Personally and through the clergy trained by him, Liebermann exerted influence in Mainz and the adjoining dioceses. Among his pupils were the future bishops Andreas Räss, Nicolaus von Weis, Johannes von Geissel, and such other distinguished men as Klee, Lüft, Adam Franz Lennig, Franz Xaver Remling, and Nickel. After he had declined in 1823 the appointment to the See of Metz, Bishop Tharin summoned him as his vicar-general to Strasburg. Under Tharin's successor, Bishop Johann Franz Lepape von Trevern, he withdrew more from public life. His last years were spent in retirement in the mother-house of the Sisters of Charity.

Works

His “Institutiones theologicæ” were first published in five volumes (Mainz, 1819–27; 6th ed., 1844) and later in two (10th ed., Mainz, 1870). This work was used as a textbook for years in many theological seminaries in Germany, France, Belgium, and America.

During the time of the Revolution, Liebermann published several anonymous pamphlets in defence of the rights of the Church and against the required oath of the civil constitution of the clergy. Of his sermons several have been published separately, e.g. “Lob- und Trauerrede bei Gelegenheit des Hintrittes des hochwürdigsten Herrn Joseph Ludwig Colmar, Bischof zu Mainz” (Mainz, 1818). After his death appeared:- “Liebermann's Predigten, herausgegeben von Freunden und Verehrern des Verewigten” (3 vols., Mainz, 1851-3). From 1825 to 1826 he was editor of the “Der Katholik”.

title: Bruno Franz Leopold Liebermann

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What does the article say about Bruno Franz Leopold Liebermann's teaching career?

answer: Liebermann was a subdeacon appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim. Soon he became a professor in the Strasburg seminary. Then he was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law. Then he became a rector of the newly founded seminary there Mainz. Among his pupils were numerous future bishops.

answer: Liebermann had a teaching career in theology at various schools, including in the Strasburg seminary and at the All Saints' Abbey in the Black Forest. At Mainz, Liebermann became rector of the newly founded seminary and a member of the cathedral chapter. Liebermann also wrote "Institutiones iuris canonici universalis," which was used as a textbook in many seminaries. Over the course of his teaching career, Liebermann was known as a theologian.

answer: Liebermann was a German Catholic theologian and professor of canon law, church history, pastoral theology, and dogmatic theology. He also authored several pamphlets defending the rights of the Church as well as lectures and sermons.

text: It is irrelevant that he authored several pamphlets defending the rights of the Church as well as lectures and sermons.

refinement: Liebermann was a German Catholic theologian and professor of canon law, church history, pastoral theology, and dogmatic theology.

text: It is omitted that he was a subdeacon-appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim.

refinement: Liebermann was a German Catholic theologian and professor of canon law, church history, pastoral theology, and dogmatic theology. He was a subdeacon-appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim.

text: It is omitted that he became a professor in the Strasburg seminary.

refinement: Liebermann was a German Catholic theologian and professor of canon law, church history, pastoral theology, and dogmatic theology. He was a subdeacon-appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim. He shortly afterwards became professor in the Strasburg seminary.

text: It is omitted that he was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law.

refinement: Liebermann was a German Catholic theologian and professor of canon law, church history, pastoral theology, and dogmatic theology. He was a subdeacon-appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim. He shortly afterwards became professor in the Strasburg seminary. Then he was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law.

text: It is omitted that he became a rector of the newly founded seminary there Mainz.

refinement: Liebermann was a German Catholic theologian and professor of canon law, church history, pastoral theology, and dogmatic theology. He was a subdeacon-appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim. He shortly afterwards became professor in the Strasburg seminary. Then he was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law. Then he became a rector of the newly founded seminary there Mainz.

text: 'afterward' instead of 'afterwards'; 'a professor' instead of 'professor'.

refinement: Liebermann was a German Catholic theologian and professor of canon law, church history, pastoral theology, and dogmatic theology. He was a subdeacon-appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim. He shortly afterward became a professor in the Strasburg seminary. Then he was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law. Then he became a rector of the newly founded seminary there Mainz.

answer: Liebermann finished his humanities in 1776 and then studied theology in 1776-1780. Upon his ordination, he became a teacher of the college. He then moved to the seminary at Strasburg and was appointed rector of the seminary there in 1792 during the French Revolution. After this period, he returned to Ernolsheim and took up communal duties. He also taught there.

text: It is not stated that he taught at Ernolsheim.

refinement: Liebermann finished his humanities in 1776 and then studied theology in 1776-1780. Upon his ordination, he became a teacher of the college. He then moved to the seminary at Strasburg and was appointed rector of the seminary there in 1792 during the French Revolution. After this period, he returned to Ernolsheim and took up communal duties.

text: It is irrelevant that he returned to Ernolsheim and took up communal duties.

refinement: Liebermann finished his humanities in 1776 and then studied theology in 1776-1780. Upon his ordination, he became a teacher of the college. He then moved to the seminary at Strasburg and was appointed rector of the seminary there in 1792 during the French Revolution.

text: It is irrelevant that Liebermann finished his humanities in 1776 and then studied theology in 1776-1780.

refinement: Upon his ordination, he became a teacher of the college. He then moved to the seminary at Strasburg and was appointed rector of the seminary there in 1792 during the French Revolution.

text: It is unclear that he was a teacher in the college at Molsheim.

refinement: He was a subdeacon-appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim. He then moved to the seminary at Strasburg and was appointed rector of the seminary there in 1792 during the French Revolution.

text: It was not stated when was appointed rector of the seminary/

refinement: He was a subdeacon-appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim. He then moved to the seminary at Strasburg and was appointed rector of the seminary there.

text: It is omitted that was he was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law.

refinement: He was a subdeacon-appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim. He then moved to the seminary at Strasburg and was appointed rector of the seminary there. Then he was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law.

text: It is omitted that he became a rector of the newly founded seminary there Mainz.

refinement: He was a subdeacon-appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim. He then moved to the seminary at Strasburg and was appointed rector of the seminary there. Then he was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law. Then he became a rector of the newly founded seminary there Mainz.

answer: Liebermann had a brilliant teaching career. In 1784, he was appointed professor in the Strasburg seminary and in 1787 he became the priest at Ernolsheim. In 1795 and in 1801, he also served as a preacher at the Strasburg cathedral and was also appointed to be a secretary of the diocese.

text: It is irrelevant that in 1787, he became the priest at Ernolsheim; in 1795, and in 1801, he also served as a preacher at the Strasburg cathedral and was also appointed to be a secretary of the diocese.

refinement: Liebermann had a brilliant teaching career. In 1784, he was appointed professor in the Strasburg seminary.

text: It is omitted that Liebermann was a subdeacon-appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim.

refinement: Liebermann had a brilliant teaching career. Liebermann was a subdeacon-appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim. In 1784, he was appointed professor in the Strasburg seminary.

text: It is omitted that he was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law.

refinement: Liebermann had a brilliant teaching career. Liebermann was a subdeacon-appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim. Then he was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law.  In 1784, he was appointed professor in the Strasburg seminary.

text: It is omitted that he became a rector of the newly founded seminary there Mainz.

refinement: Liebermann had a brilliant teaching career. Liebermann was a subdeacon-appointed teacher in the college at Molsheim. Then he was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law.  In 1784, he was appointed professor in the Strasburg seminary. Then he became a rector of the newly founded seminary there Mainz.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What does the story say about Liebermann's activities during the French Revolution?

answer: Liebermann was forced to take refuge across the Rhine during the French Revolution, was arrested in 1804, and was eventually called by Bishop Colmar to Mainz in 1805 as a professor and member of the cathedral chapter. During the period of the Revolution, he published several pamphlets defending the rights of the Church and against the required oath of the civil constitution of the clergy.

text: It is omitted that he was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law.

refinement: Liebermann was forced to take refuge across the Rhine during the French Revolution and was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law. was arrested in 1804, and was eventually called by Bishop Colmar to Mainz in 1805 as a professor and member of the cathedral chapter. During the period of the Revolution, he published several pamphlets defending the rights of the Church and against the required oath of the civil constitution of the clergy.

text: It is irrelevant that he was arrested in 1804 and was eventually called by Bishop Colmar to Mainz in 1805 as a professor and member of the cathedral chapter because that happened after the Revolution.

refinement: Liebermann was forced to take refuge across the Rhine during the French Revolution and was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law. During the period of the Revolution, he published several pamphlets defending the rights of the Church and against the required oath of the civil constitution of the clergy.

text: It is omitted that in 1795, he secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim, where he labored in secret and in great danger for the cure of souls.

refinement: Liebermann was forced to take refuge across the Rhine during the French Revolution and was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law. In 1795, he secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim, where he labored in secret and in great danger for the cure of souls. During the period of the Revolution, he published several pamphlets defending the rights of the Church and against the required oath of the civil constitution of the clergy.

text: It is omitted that he wrote his unpublished “Institutiones iuris canonici universalis.”

refinement: Liebermann was forced to take refuge across the Rhine during the French Revolution and was appointed rector of the seminary in the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest, where he taught dogmatic theology and canon law and wrote his unpublished “Institutiones iuris canonici universalis”. In 1795, he secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim, where he labored in secret and in great danger for the cure of souls. During the period of the Revolution, he published several pamphlets defending the rights of the Church and against the required oath of the civil constitution of the clergy.

answer: When the French Revolution happened, Liebermann was forced to take refuge across the Rhine. In 1792, the Bishop of Strasburg, Cardinal Rohan, appointed him rector of the seminary that had been transferred for the time to the All Saints' Abbey in the Black Forest. Liebermann taught dogmatic theology and canon law to the seminary and secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim in 1795. However, it was too dangerous to preach there so he also held the office of extraordinary ecclesiastical commissary for this division of the diocese. In 1801, Liebermann was called to Strasburg as preacher at the cathedral and secretary of the diocese. However, he returned to Ernolsheim in 1802. Eight months later, he was arrested without cause, where he was held a prisoner in Paris for eight months. Fifteen months after he was released, he was called to Mainz.

text: The events after the Revolution are irrelevant so I would delete the last three sentences: 'n 1801, Liebermann was called to Strasburg as preacher at the cathedral and secretary of the diocese. However, he returned to Ernolsheim in 1802. Eight months later, he was arrested without cause, where he was held a prisoner in Paris for eight months. Fifteen months after he was released, he was called to Mainz'.

refinement: When the French Revolution happened, Liebermann was forced to take refuge across the Rhine. In 1792, the Bishop of Strasburg, Cardinal Rohan, appointed him rector of the seminary that had been transferred for the time to the All Saints' Abbey in the Black Forest. Liebermann taught dogmatic theology and canon law to the seminary and secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim in 1795. However, it was too dangerous to preach there so he also held the office of extraordinary ecclesiastical commissary for this division of the diocese.

text: I would delete 'so' because it implies that he also held the office of extraordinary ecclesiastical commissary for this division of the diocese.  because it was too dangerous to preach there as it is not stated.

refinement: When the French Revolution happened, Liebermann was forced to take refuge across the Rhine. In 1792, the Bishop of Strasburg, Cardinal Rohan, appointed him rector of the seminary that had been transferred for the time to the All Saints' Abbey in the Black Forest. Liebermann taught dogmatic theology and canon law to the seminary and secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim in 1795. However, it was too dangerous to preach there. He also held the office of extraordinary ecclesiastical commissary for this division of the diocese.

text: It is omitted that he wrote his unpublished “Institutiones iuris canonici universalis”.

refinement: When the French Revolution happened, Liebermann was forced to take refuge across the Rhine. In 1792, the Bishop of Strasburg, Cardinal Rohan, appointed him rector of the seminary that had been transferred for the time to the All Saints' Abbey in the Black Forest and wrote his unpublished “Institutiones iuris canonici universalis” while there. Liebermann taught dogmatic theology and canon law to the seminary and secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim in 1795. However, it was too dangerous to preach there. He also held the office of extraordinary ecclesiastical commissary for this division of the diocese.

answer: Liebermann took refuge across the Rhine. He was appointed rector of the seminary at the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest. During the French Revolution published several anonymous pamphlets in defense of the rights of the Church and against the required oath of the civil constitution of the clergy.

text: It is omitted that in 1795, he secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim, where he labored in secret and in great danger for the cure of souls.

refinement: Liebermann took refuge across the Rhine. He was appointed rector of the seminary at the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest. In 1795, he secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim, where he labored in secret and in great danger for the cure of souls. During the French Revolution published several anonymous pamphlets in defense of the rights of the Church and against the required oath of the civil constitution of the clergy.

text: It is omitted that he wrote his unpublished “Institutiones iuris canonici universalis”.

refinement: Liebermann took refuge across the Rhine. He was appointed rector of the seminary at the All Saints' Abbey, in the Black Forest and wrote his unpublished “Institutiones iuris canonici universalis” there. In 1795, he secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim, where he labored in secret and in great danger for the cure of souls. During the French Revolution published several anonymous pamphlets in defense of the rights of the Church and against the required oath of the civil constitution of the clergy.

answer: During the French Revolution, Liebermann had to flee to the Black Forest in Germany. While there, he coached students in canon law and dogmatic theology. He was unjustly arrested in 1804 and held in Paris for eight months.

text: It is irrelevant that he was unjustly arrested in 1804 and held in Paris for eight months because that was after the Revolution.

refinement: During the French Revolution, Liebermann had to flee to the Black Forest in Germany. While there, he coached students in canon law and dogmatic theology.

text: It is omitted that in 1795, he secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim, where he labored in secret and in great danger for the cure of souls.

refinement: During the French Revolution, Liebermann had to flee to the Black Forest in Germany. While there, he coached students in canon law and dogmatic theology. In 1795, he secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim, where he labored in secret and in great danger for the cure of souls.

text: It is omitted that during the period of the Revolution, he published several pamphlets defending the rights of the Church and against the required oath of the civil constitution of the clergy.

refinement: During the French Revolution, Liebermann had to flee to the Black Forest in Germany. While there, he coached students in canon law and dogmatic theology. In 1795, he secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim, where he labored in secret and in great danger for the cure of souls. During the period of the Revolution, he published several pamphlets defending the rights of the Church and against the required oath of the civil constitution of the clergy.

text: It is omitted that he wrote his unpublished “Institutiones iuris canonici universalis”.

refinement: During the French Revolution, Liebermann had to flee to the Black Forest in Germany. While there, he coached students in canon law and dogmatic theology and wrote his unpublished “Institutiones iuris canonici universalis”. In 1795, he secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim, where he labored in secret and in great danger for the cure of souls. During the period of the Revolution, he published several pamphlets defending the rights of the Church and against the required oath of the civil constitution of the clergy.

answer: Liebermann was obliged to take refuge across the Rhine. The Bishop of Strasburg appointed him rector of the seminary which had been transferred to the All Saints' Abbey. He taught dogmatic theology and canon law, and wrote his unpublished "Institutiones iuris canonici universalis". In 1795, he secretly returned to his parish at Ernolsheim, where he labored in secret and in great danger for the cure of souls. He was summoned to Strasburg as preacher at the cathedral and secretary of the diocese but returned to Ernolsheim in 1802. He secretly published pamphlets against the required oath. During his imprisonment in the French prison, his friends published his sermons anonymously.

text: It is irrelevant that he was summoned to Strasburg as preacher at the cathedral and secretary of the diocese but returned to Ernolsheim in 1802; he secretly published pamphlets against the required oath; during his imprisonment in the French prison, his friends published his sermons anonymously. as it was after the Revolution.

refinement: Liebermann was obliged to take refuge across the Rhine. The Bishop of Strasburg appointed him rector of the seminary which had been transferred to the All Saints' Abbey. He taught dogmatic theology and canon law, and wrote his unpublished "Institutiones iuris canonici universalis".

text: It is omitted that during the period of the Revolution, he published several pamphlets defending the rights of the Church and against the required oath of the civil constitution of the clergy.

refinement: Liebermann was obliged to take refuge across the Rhine. The Bishop of Strasburg appointed him rector of the seminary which had been transferred to the All Saints' Abbey. He taught dogmatic theology and canon law, and wrote his unpublished "Institutiones iuris canonici universalis". During the period of the Revolution, he published several pamphlets defending the rights of the Church and against the required oath of the civil constitution of the clergy.


split: train

text:
PATRICIUS (Patrikios) was a fifth-century Roman jurist who taught in the ancient Law School of Berytus (present-day Beirut). Patricius was of the seven revered “Ecumenical Masters” () and occupied the position of Quaestor of the Sacred Palace in the East, a senior legal office in the late Roman Empire, from the middle to the late fifth century.[1]

Ancient inscription

[Limestime statue base with ancient Greek inscription mentioning Patricius. The base was unearthed in 1906 in Beirut. Has disappeared since 1925.[2]] At the turn of the 20th-century, a well polished by limestone bloc was unearthed during excavations near the Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Beirut. The bloc dates back to the Byzantine period and may have served as a statue base or a commemorative stele. The bloc bears a fragmentary Greek inscription that was published by Father L. Jalabert in 1906. According to Collinet, the bloc text could be an epitaph honoring “Patrikios” the jurist of Berytus.[3]

The Greek inscription reads:

  ... α Πατριχιος στη ...
  ... ας ἐχ βασιληος ...
  ... ρης θεσμῶν ἑπα ...
  ... μ' ηυρατο τοϋτον ...
  ... Αὐσονιων σεβα[στό ...]
  ... στορος εῦχος ...

Collinet explains that the expression θεσμῶν Αὐσονιων translates into the “Laws of Ausonia”, Ausonia being the ancient Greek name for lower Italy (extended poetically to all Italy) and reveal that the Patricus mentioned in the inscription was well versed in Roman Law. Collinet believes that the word εύχος (ancient Greek for glory) is a further indicator of the elevated social standing of the person in question.[4]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

title: Patricius (jurist)

question: Where did Patricius teach?

answer: Patricius taught in the ancient Law School of Berytus.

answer: The ancient Law School of Berytus

answer: The ancient Law School of Berytus

answer: According to the passage, Patricius taught in the ancient Law School of Berytus (present-day Beirut).

question: What position did Patricius occupy?

answer: Quaestor of the Sacred Palace in the East

answer: Patricius occupied the position of Quaestor of the Sacred Palace in the East, a senior legal office in the late Roman Empire.

answer: Patricius occupied the position of Quaestor of the Sacred Palace in the East.

answer: According to the passage, Patricius was a jurist who occupied the position of Quaestor of the Sacred Palace in the East.

question: When was the inscription unearthed?

answer: The inscription was unearthed in 1906.

answer: The turn of the 20th century

text: It is incorrectly stated that the inscription was unearthed during the turn of 20th century.

answer: The inscription was unearthed in 1906.

answer: The inscription was unearthed in 1906.

question: How many "Ecumenical Masters" were there?

answer: There were seven "Ecumenical Masters."

answer: Seven.

answer: There were seven "Ecumenical Masters" including Patricius.

answer: 7

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: Patricius was a fifth-century Roman jurist who taught in the ancient Law School of Berytus. He was considered one of the seven revered "Ecumenical Masters" and occupied the position of Quaestor of the Sacred Palace in the East.

text: It is omitted that the palace was a senior legal office.

refinement: Patricius was a fifth-century Roman jurist who taught in the ancient Law School of Berytus. He was considered one of the seven revered "Ecumenical Masters" and occupied the position of Quaestor of the Sacred Palace in the East, a senior legal office in the late Roman Empire.

answer: Patricius was a fifth-century Roman jurist who taught at the ancient Law School of Berytus and occupied the position of Quaestor of the Sacred Palace in the East, a senior legal office in the late Roman Empire. He was also one of the seven "Ecumenical Masters."

answer: Patricius was a fifth-century Roman jurist who taught in the ancient Law School of Berytus. He was of the seven revered "Ecumenical Masters" and occupied the position of Quaestor of the Sacred Palace in the East, a senior legal office in the late Roman Empire, from the middle to the late fifth century.

answer: Patricius was a fifth-century Roman jurist who taught in the ancient Law School of Berytus (present-day Beirut). Patricius was of the seven revered “Ecumenical Masters” () and occupied the position of Quaestor of the Sacred Palace in the East, a senior legal office in the late Roman Empire, from the middle to the late fifth century.

text: "()" can be omitted.

refinement: Patricius was a fifth-century Roman jurist who taught in the ancient Law School of Berytus (present-day Beirut). Patricius was of the seven revered “Ecumenical Masters” and occupied the position of Quaestor of the Sacred Palace in the East, a senior legal office in the late Roman Empire, from the middle to the late fifth century.


text:
BY MIKE WOOLDRIDGE
World Affairs correspondent

Published
    25 February 2015

image copyrightReuters

image captionThe human rights of men, women and children are being trampled upon according to Amnesty

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL'S NEWLY PUBLISHED ANNUAL REPORT MAKES FOR DECIDEDLY SOBER READING.

But that's to be expected given the atrocities committed in Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Central African Republic and other countries.

"This has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones," the secretary general of Amnesty International, Salil Shetty, wrote in the foreword.

And the human rights campaigning group strongly criticises governments.

"In the year marking the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, politicians repeatedly trampled on the rules protecting civilians, or looked away from the deadly violations of these rules committed by others," Mr Shetty said.

"The United Nations was established 70 years ago to ensure that we would never again see the horrors witnessed in the Second World War.

"We are now seeing violence on a mass scale and an enormous refugee crisis caused by that violence.

"There has been a singular failure to find workable solutions to the most pressing needs of our time."

'Powerful signal'

One such workable solution, Amnesty International suggests, would be for the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the United States, China, Russia, France and Britain - to agree not to use their right of veto to block action in response to situations of genocide and other mass atrocities.

Salil Shetty takes the view that this would be a "game changer" for the international community and the tools it has at its disposal to help protect civilian lives,

He also believed it would send a powerful signal to perpetrators that the world would not sit idly by while mass atrocities took place.

The idea that the five powers would voluntarily renounce their veto rights in such circumstances has been around for some time.

image copyrightAFP

image captionCountless towns were decimated by violence in 2014, including the Syrian city of Kobane

image copyrightAFP

image captionMilitant groups like Boko Haram in Nigeria have been responsible for thousands of deaths and casualties

image copyrightAFP

image captionAmnesty says 2015 will be another difficult year for refugees around the world

Indeed the French government has been at the forefront of such an initiative, and it seems to have been gathering momentum.

Amnesty says it intends to get the weight and influence of its seven million supporters and activists behind it.

It argues that if the use of the veto in the Security Council had already been restrained in this way then it could have prevented Russia using its veto repeatedly to block UN action over the violence in Syria.

This might have resulted in President Bashar al-Assad being referred to the International Criminal Court, in achieving greater access for badly needed humanitarian aid and in further ways of helping civilians.

The British government has not yet made a specific commitment in favour of the voluntary renunciation of the veto.

But the Foreign Office said in response to the Amnesty report: "The proposal put forward by France offers an important contribution to the wider debate on reform of the Security Council.

"The United Kingdom wholeheartedly supports the principle that the Security Council must act to stop mass atrocities and crimes against humanity.

"We cannot envisage circumstances where we would use our veto to block such action."

image copyrightReuters

image captionAmnesty wants the UN Security Council to do more to protect civilians from brutal regimes

Amnesty International fears that 2015 could be another bleak year for human rights.

It predicts that more civilian populations will be forced to live under the quasi-state control of brutal armed groups.

There will be deepening threats to freedom of expression and other rights including violations caused by new draconian anti-terror laws and unjustified mass surveillance.

It also says and there will be a worsening humanitarian and refugee crisis.

But Amnesty says its aim is to get governments to "stop pretending that the protection of civilians is beyond their power".

Cycle of violence

It acknowledges that the coming into force last year of the Arms Trade Treaty was a success. But it wants much more to be done to tackle what it calls "the bloody legacy of the flooding of weapons into countries where they are used for grave abuses by states and armed groups".

Anna Neistat, Amnesty's senior director for research, said: "Huge arms shipments were delivered to Iraq, Israel, South Sudan and Syria in 2014 despite the very high likelihood that these weapons would be used against civilian populations trapped in conflict.

"When IS took control of large parts of Iraq it found large arsenals, ripe for the picking."

The human rights group also argues that further restrictions on the use of explosive weapons, which cannot be precisely targeted or which otherwise have wide effect in populated areas, could have helped to save thousands of lives lost in recent conflicts.

If Amnesty is robust in its challenge to governments, the British government maintains that it is an exaggeration to accuse the international community of paralysis.

The Foreign Office said the Security Council had acted effectively on a number of issues over the past year for example, 100,000 peacekeepers were deployed globally, to address conflicts and help states build peaceful societies.

"The underlying drivers of abuse are discrimination, impunity and inequality," said Mr Shetty.

"If we do not stop these, all we will have is a cycle of violence."

-   Refugees and asylum seekers
-   United Nations

-   -   -   -

question: Why did politicians trample on the rules that protect civilians?

answer: Politicians trampled on the rules that protect civilians because they were not willing to take action to stop mass atrocities.

answer: That information is not known.

answer: Amnesty International believes that politicians trample on the rules that protect civilians because they are not taking action to stop mass atrocities and crimes against humanity. They believe that if the use of the veto in the UN Security Council was restrained, then it could have prevented the violence in Syria from continuing.

answer: The article doesn't say.

question: Why did Russia prevent the UN from interceding in the violence in Syria.

answer: According to the passage, Russia repeatedly used its veto power in the UN Security Council to block UN action in Syria because it supports President Bashar al-Assad.

text: There is no evidence in the article to support that response.

answer: Russia used its veto repeatedly to block UN action.

text: The answer does not say why.

answer: That information is not known.

answer: Russia prevented the UN from interceding in the violence in Syria because they used their veto repeatedly to block UN action.

text: The answer does not say why?

question: What major workable solution did Amnesty International suggest concerning mass atrocities?

answer: That the five permanent members of the UN agree not to use their veto rights to prevent un actions on genocide matters.

text: UN is spelled with capital letters because it's an abbreviation.

refinement: The five permanent members of the UN agree not to use their veto rights to prevent UN actions on genocide matters.

answer: Amnesty International suggests that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council should agree not to use their veto power to block action in response to situations of genocide and other mass atrocities.

answer: Amnesty International suggests that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the United States, China, Russia, France and Britain - should agree not to use their right of veto to block action in response to situations of genocide and other mass atrocities.

answer: The five permanent members of the UN Security Council should agree not to use their right of veto to block action in response to situations of genocide and other mass atrocities.

question: What will be the outcome of the solution by Amnesty International

answer: It will serve as a warning to perpetrators.

answer: The five permanent members of the UN Security Council will agree not to use their right of veto to block action in response to situations of genocide and other mass atrocities.

text: The answer does not correlate with the question.

refinement: The outcome is that after the five permanent members of the UN Security Council voluntarily renounce their veto rights in such circumstances, it will serve as a warning or powerful signal to perpetrators.

answer:
?

The outcome of the solution by Amnesty International is that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council would voluntarily renounce their veto rights in such circumstances.

text: The answer begins with a question mark. 'The outcome of the solution by Amnesty International would be a powerful signal to perpetrators.' This information is missing in the answer.

refinement: The outcome is that after the five permanent members of the UN Security Council voluntarily renounce their veto rights in such circumstances, it will serve as a warning or powerful signal to perpetrators.

answer:
to the problem of mass atrocities?

If the five permanent members of the UN Security Council agree to not use their veto power in cases of genocide and mass atrocities, then Amnesty International believes that it would be a "game changer" for the international community and would send a powerful signal to perpetrators that the world will not stand idly by while atrocities take place. However, it is unclear whether or not the five powers will actually agree to this proposal.

text: The response begins with a question. '..to the problem of mass atrocities?' should be eliminated. Also, 'game-changer should be spelled with a hyphen.

refinement: If the five permanent members of the UN Security Council agree to not use their veto power in cases of genocide and mass atrocities, then Amnesty International believes that it would be a "game-changer" for the international community and would send a powerful signal to perpetrators that the world will not stand idly by while atrocities take place. However, it is unclear whether or not the five powers will actually agree to this proposal.

question: Write a ~6 sentence summary.

answer:
Amnesty International's newly published annual report makes for decidedly sober reading. The human rights of men, women, and children are being trampled upon according to Amnesty. The secretary general of Amnesty International, Salil Shetty, wrote in the foreword that this has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones. He also believes it would send a powerful signal to perpetrators that the world would not sit idly by while mass atrocities took place.

One such workable solution, Amnesty International suggests, would be for the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the United States, China, Russia, France, and Britain - to agree not to use their right of veto to block action in response to situations of genocide and other mass atrocities.

The British government has not yet made a specific commitment in favor of the voluntary renunciation of the veto. But the Foreign Office said in response to the Amnesty report that the proposal put forward by France offers an important contribution to the wider debate on reform of the Security Council.

text:
'Amnesty International's newly published annual report makes for decidedly sober reading' is unnecessary information in the summary.
'He also believes it would send a powerful signal to perpetrators...' what does "it" refer to in this sentence? The sentence does not mention the workable solution by amnesty to the five permanent members that say they would agree not to use their veto rights to block UN action in response to genocides.

refinement:
According to Amnesty International, the human rights of men, women, and children are being trampled upon by politicians. On the anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, the secretary-general of Amnesty International, Salil Shetty, wrote in the foreword that this had been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and those caught up in the suffering of war zones. Additionally, Amnesty International suggested that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council agree to withhold the use of their right of veto to block action in response to situations of genocide. This would send a powerful signal to perpetrators that the world would not sit idly by while mass atrocities took place.
Although, the British government has not yet made a specific commitment to favor the voluntary renunciation of the veto. Still, the Foreign Office said in response to the Amnesty report that the proposal put forward by France offers a vital contribution to the broader debate on reform of the Security Council.

answer: Amnesty International's annual report highlights the atrocities committed in various parts of the world in 2014, and criticizes governments for not doing enough to protect civilians. The human rights group believes that if the five permanent members of the UN Security Council agreed not to use their veto power in cases of genocide and mass atrocities, it would be a "game changer" for the international community. Amnesty also wants more to be done to restrict the flow of weapons into conflict zones, as well as to address the root causes of abuse.

answer: At the time of this article, on the anniversary of the Rwandan genocide 20 years prior, the world had seen mass atrocities occur in countries such as Syria, Iraq, Nigeria and other countries. The essence of the UN is to prevent the events of the second world war. Still, so much violence had erupted that Amnesty International suggested the five permanent members of the UN security council - China, USA, Russia, France and Britain agree not to use their right of veto to prevent UN action response to the genocide in other countries. They believed this would set perpetrators straight and make them know they wouldn't ignore the global mass atrocities. The UK also supported the action of the security council to prevent mass atrocities from preserving humanity. The Amnesty aims to make the government stop pretending they cannot protect its citizens.

text: 'The UK also supported the action of the security council to prevent mass atrocities from preserving humanity' is inaccurate and confusing.

refinement: At the time of this article, on the anniversary of the Rwandan genocide 20 years prior, the world had seen mass atrocities occur in countries such as Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, and other countries. The Amnesty aims to make the government stop pretending it cannot protect its citizens. Typically, the essence of the UN is to prevent the events of the second world war. Still, so much violence had erupted that Amnesty International suggested the five permanent members of the UN security council - China, USA, Russia, France, and Britain agree not to use their right of veto to prevent UN action response to the genocide in other countries. They believed this would set perpetrators straight and make them know they wouldn't ignore the global mass atrocities. Furthermore, the UK supported the action of the security council to prevent mass atrocities and preserve humanity.

answer: Amnesty International's newly published annual report makes for decidedly sober reading. The human rights of men, women, and children are being trampled upon according to Amnesty. The group strongly criticizes governments, and argues that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council should agree not to use their right of veto to block action in response to situations of genocide and other mass atrocities. Amnesty International fears that 2015 could be another bleak year for human rights.

text: 'Amnesty International's newly published annual report makes for decidedly sober reading' is an unnecessary, redundant point.

refinement: Amnesty International's annual report highlights the atrocities committed in various parts of the world in 2014.  The human rights group pointed out that the rights of men, women, and children are being trampled upon by politicians. Furthermore, they strongly criticize governments and argue that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council should agree not to use their right of veto to block action in response to situations of genocide and other mass atrocities. However, Amnesty International fears that 2015 could be another bleak year for human rights. In the end, their aim is to get governments to stop pretending that protecting civilians is beyond their power.


text:
JOHN HENRY CONNELL (24 May 1860–9 December 1952) was an Australian hotelier and patron of the arts.[1]

Connell was born in East Collingwood, Melbourne, son of William Henry Connell of Dublin, and Mary Connell (née Ingall) of London. As a young man, he worked at the Prince’s Bridge Hotel, owned by Henry Figsby Young and Thomas Joshua Jackson (Jackson was married to Connell's aunt, Sarah, widow of Michael Cavanagh). The hotel was widely known as 'Young and Jackson's'[2] and was famous for its collection of Victorian paintings and South Sea Island weapons lined the walls of the Prince’s Bridge Hotel. In 1900, he took over the lease of the Railway Hotel in Elizabeth Street.

In 1888 he married Emily Baker (1866–1913), who has been given credit for cultivating his taste in art.[3] In September 1913, after Emily’s death, he married Ellen (‘Nellie’) Harris (1870–1950), the widow of his cousin, James Cavanagh.

He was a major benefactor to the National Gallery of Victoria, donating a major collection of furniture, decorative arts, and pictures in 1914, described as having 'helped educate and form the taste of a whole generation of Melburnians'.[4] Connell Place in the Canberra suburb of Conder is named in his honour. [5]

His sister Winifred Herbert was the mother of the botanist Desmond Herbert.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

title: John Henry Connell

question: Who was John Henry Connell?

answer: John Henry Connell was an Australian hotel owner and patron of the arts who gave a large collection of furniture and art to the National Gallery of Victoria.

answer: John Henry Connell was an Australian hotelier and patron of the arts.

answer: John Henry Connell was an Australian hotelier and patron of the arts who donated a large collection of furniture, decorative art, and paintings to the National Gallery of Victoria.

question: Who did cultivate Connell's taste in art?

answer: Emily Baker has been given credit for cultivating Connell's taste in art.

text: It is omitted that Baker was his first wife.

refinement: Emily Baker, Connell's first wife, has been given credit for cultivating Connell's taste in art.

answer: Connell's first wife Emily Baker cultivated his taste in art.

answer: Emily Baker (1866-1913), before his first wife.

text: "before his first wife" is incorrect.

refinement: Emily Baker (1866-1913), Connell's first wife.

question: What did Connel donate to the National Gallery of Victoria?

answer: A major collection of furniture, decorative arts, and pictures

answer: He donated a major collection of furniture, decorative arts, and pictures.

answer: Connel donated to the National Gallery of Victoria a major collection of furniture, decorative arts, and pictures.

question: Who was Connel's sister?

answer: Connel's sister was the mother of the botanist Desmond Herbert.

text: Connell's sister's name is omitted.

refinement: Connel's sister is Winifred Herbert, she was the mother of the botanist Desmond Herbert.

answer: Winifred Herbert

answer: Winifred Herbert was his sister.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: Despite owning multiple successful hotels, John Henry Connell was known to be a major patron of the arts. In 1914 he donated a collection of furniture and art works to the National Gallery of Victoria, cementing his legacy as a supporter of the arts.

answer: John Henry Connell was an influential hotelier and art collector in Victorian Melbourne. He donated a sizable collection of items to the National Gallery of Victoria, helping to shape the taste of the city, and is remembered today through the naming of Connell Place in Canberra.

answer: John Henry Connell was a hotelier and patron of the arts. He donated a large art collection to the National Gallery of Victoria, and a Canberra suburb was named in his honour.

text: "Canberra suburb was named in his honour." Connell Place is a street not a suburb.

refinement: John Henry Connell was a hotelier and patron of the arts. He donated a large art collection to the National Gallery of Victoria, and a street in the Canberra suburb was named in his honour.

text: "He was a major benefactor to the National Gallery of Victoria, donating a major collection of furniture, decorative arts, and pictures." This is evidence that Connell was a patron of arts.

answer: John Henry Connell was an Australian hotelier and patron of the arts. He is remembered for donating a major collection of furniture and decorative arts to the National Gallery of Victoria, as well as for having Connell Place in Canberra named in his honour.

text: "In 1900, he took over the lease of the Railway Hotel in Elizabeth Street." This makes it evident that he was a hotelier.

answer: John Henry Connell was an Australian hotelier and patron of the arts, donating a major collection of furniture, decorative arts, and art to the National Gallery of Victoria and having a street in Canberra named after him.

answer: John Henry Connell, an Australian hotelier and patron of the arts from Melburn, donated a major collection of furniture, decorative arts, and pictures to the National Gallery of Victoria. He helped educate and form the taste of a whole generation of Melburnians.


text:
Two Chinese banks now provide as much international development finance as the next six biggest multilateral lenders combined but are greatly exposed to political, social and environmental risks, new research says.

In almost doubling the global capital base available for development projects, China has enabled developing countries with less access to international finance to bridge gaping infrastructure and energy shortfalls, according to a study by Boston University’s Global Economic Governance Initiative and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

“Such a stepwise increase arrives just in time,” the paper says, pointing out that Western multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) appear to be stagnating in expanding their portfolios.

China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China (CHEXIM) together lent some US$684 billion between 2007 and the end of 2014. The next six biggest lenders, which include the World Bank, the Japanese-led Asian Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, are owed US$700 billion. During the same period, China’s policy banks increased energy-related finance to national governments by US$117 billion, representing a two-fold increase in the total amount.

Yet despite the impressive figures, China’s loan portfolio is subject to considerable risks. With 66% of energy-related finance concentrated in coal-fired power, the associated costs of these loans, known as externalities, are a real concern.

“Using conservative estimates of the climate and local health costs of coal plant emissions, we calculate that the yearly social costs [the health costs of increased pollution plus the costs associated with social conflicts] of Chinese overseas coal-fired power plants amounts to US$29.7 billion,” the report’s authors say.

Furthermore, the ability of countries to service their debt to China – which is often repaid with commodities such as coal and oil – is threatened by fluctuating market prices.

In order to curb emissions and reduce risk, China should diversify its investment portfolio towards cleaner energy projects, the report says. Doing so would also help bring China’s overseas investments in line with international sustainable development goals.

RISKS

While China has lent to borrowers who face difficulty accessing finance from elsewhere, this has drastically increased its exposure to economic downturns in recipient countries, which impact their ability to repay loans.

Venezuela, whose troubled president Nicolás Maduro recently announced a 60-day state of emergency, is currently in debt to China to the tune of US$65 billion. The Venezuelan government recently announced it had negotiated better repayment terms with China, saying the move “gave oxygen” to an oil-dependent economy asphyxiated by the crash in global prices.

A number of other countries to which China has lent significantly for energy projects are considered high risk by the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Ethiopia, Niger, Sudan, Pakistan and Bosnia & Herzegovina all rank alongside Venezuela as the most risky destinations for China’s energy investments.

Argentina also features in this group but the election of pro-market president Mauricio Macri has led to a downgrading of the country’s risk rating by other agencies.

Only marginally less risky is Ecuador, which defaulted on its sovereign debt in 2008 and has since borrowed upwards of US$8 billion from Chinese banks for energy projects.

In addition to the risk of non-repayment, the consequences of exacerbating climate change by increasing carbon emissions are almost inestimable. The study estimates that the coal-fired power plants included in China’s overseas investment portfolio emit 594 million metric tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to 11% of US total annual emissions and 6% of China’s.

Furthermore, China’s financing of coal overseas is increasingly out of step with its domestic policies as consumption at home has fallen for two consecutive years, according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics.

Experts predict China will reduce its current over-supply of coal by around one billion tonnes this year as it attempts to bring CO2 emissions in line with commitments made under the Paris Agreement.

Environmental campaigners recently told _chinadialogue_ that curbing coal at home whilst promoting it abroad was “hypocritical”.

RENEWABLES

China devotes 28% of its total energy finance to renewable energy, whereas the MDB's allocate an average 88%. However, these figures include hydropower projects, which have major environmental consequences.

Scarcely 1% of China’s development finance goes to non-hydro renewables. The MDBs invest 27%.

Given the high proportion of investments in coal and hydropower, shifting investments to cleaner technologies represents a big challenge for China’s big policy banks and 13 new regional development funds.

Nonetheless, China’s emergence as major player in international development finance and within new multilateral development banks means it is “uniquely placed” to steer the transition to a low-carbon economy.

“This finance is very welcome and could not come at a better time,” the report says.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Summarize the steps being taken in support of environmentalism.

answer: Despite supportive actions by many governments and private institutions, dependency on unsustainable and unsustainable practices persists. China has doubled global capital for development to fill governments' needs for renewable energy in over 20 countries. China's energy-related finance to national governments have increased by 117 billion dollars from 2007 to 2014, a two-fold increase from the previous 13 years. While China devotes 28% of its total energy finance to renewable energy, 27% of the MDBs invest in it. The coal-fired power plants in China exceed 594 million metric tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to 11% of U.S. total annual emissions and 6% of China's.

text: 1% of it is hydropower

refinement: Despite supportive actions by many governments and private institutions, dependency on unsustainable and unsustainable practices persists. China has doubled global capital for development to fill governments' needs for renewable energy in over 20 countries. China's energy-related finance to national governments have increased by 117 billion dollars from 2007 to 2014, a two-fold increase from the previous 13 years. While China devotes only 1% of its total energy finance to non-hydro renewable energy, 27% of the MDBs invest in it. The coal-fired power plants in China exceed 594 million metric tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to 11% of U.S. total annual emissions and 6% of China's.

answer: According to the passage, China has made an impressive increase in international development finance. At the same time, however, this investment is subject to considerable risk in terms of environmental consequences. In order to curb emissions and reduce risk, China has begun to invest more in cleaner technology. While this investment is most welcome, a greater focus in this area would better serve to protect the environment.

text: The passage is nonspecific as to what exact technologies China is investing in

refinement: According to the passage, China has made an impressive increase in international development finance. At the same time, however, this investment is subject to considerable risk in terms of environmental consequences. In order to curb emissions and reduce risk, China has begun to invest more in cleaner technology, rather than just hydropower, the bulk of its renewable budget. While this investment is most welcome, a greater focus in other renewables would better serve to protect the environment. Outside of China, the MDBs on the other hand invest 88% in renewable energy, with 27% going to sources like solar and wind.

answer: Experts predict China will reduce its supply of coal by around a billion tonnes in attempt to bring its CO2 emissions inline with their Paris Agreement commitments. China also devotes 28& of its total energy finance to renewable energy, although only 1% of its development finance goes to non-hydro renewables.

answer: China's policy banks are investing in renewable energy projects at much less of a rate than major multilateral Development Banks. However, China is uniquely positioned to promote a low-carbon economy given its position in the international development finance space. Increasing investments toward cleaner energy projects is necessary in order to reduce the environmental impacts of coal-fired power.

text: Sentence fragment

refinement: China's policy banks are investing in renewable energy projects at much less of a rate than major multilateral Development Banks. However, China is uniquely positioned to promote a low-carbon economy given its position in the international development finance space, by increasing investments toward cleaner energy projects is necessary in order to reduce the environmental impacts of coal-fired power.

answer: According to this article, China is exposed to political, social, and environmental risks because of the loans it gives out, especially for coal-fired power plants. China also increases the amount of renewable energy it supplies.

text: It is not true that the loans are for coal fired power plants.

refinement: According to this article, China is exposed to political, social, and environmental risks because of the loans it gives out. 88% of these loans are for renewable energy. Within China on the other hand, only 28% of its energy investment is renewable, with almost all of it being hydropower. There is a lot of room to grow in the energy sector but China is uniquely positioned.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Summarize the article's criticisms of China.

answer: China's loan portfolio is subject to considerable risks, particularly in regard to coal-fired power, which exacerbates carbon emissions upon which developing countries rely heavily. While China has lent to countries which typically have limited access to finance, shifting away from dependence on fossil fuels and starting to invest in cleaner technologies would reduce these risks.

answer: Despite China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China lending almost US$685 billion between 2007 and the end of 2014, their loan portfolio is subject to considerable risks. This is primarily due to the sizeable investments in coal-fired power and the associated costs of these loans, known as externalities. Although one-sixth of the bank's loans were for fossil fuel-related projects, the amount loaned for renewable energy pales in comparison to the World Export Bank's investments in the same field. China is in a unique position to steer the transition to a low-carbon economy, but the question will be whether or not that position is willing to do so.

text: It is not the position but China that would be willing

refinement: Despite China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China lending almost US$685 billion between 2007 and the end of 2014, their loan portfolio is subject to considerable risks. This is primarily due to the sizeable investments in coal-fired power and the associated costs of these loans, known as externalities. Although one-sixth of the bank's loans were for fossil fuel-related projects, the amount loaned for renewable energy pales in comparison to the World Export Bank's investments in the same field. China is in a unique position to steer the transition to a low-carbon economy, but the question will be whether or not it is willing to do so.

answer: China's development finance is subject to considerable risks; including increased exposure to economic downturns in recipient countries, climate change consequences, and being behind the curve on clean energy investments.

answer: Since China's development banks moved funding to coal plants, it moved to power plants which dramatically increases the amount of CO2 emissions and pollutes the local environmental. China's investment portfolio needs to be more diverse

text: This is not a good sentence, it is unclear what it means

refinement: Since China's development banks have been funding more coal plants in foreign countries, it has received criticism from other countries for removing coal at home while promoting it abroad. China's investment portfolio needs to be more diverse: it is in a unique position to cultivate clean energy abroad, but, the article asks, will it use that position?

answer: There is concern about the associated costs of China's loans to other countries to support their energy infrastructures, with 66% of energy-related finance concentrated in coal-fired power. There is also concern that fluctuating market prices will make it difficult for countries to repay China. A study estimates that the coal-fired power plants included in China's overseas investment portfolio emit 594 million metric tonnes of CO2 annually. China's attempts to curb coal use at home while promoting it abroad is considered hypocritical.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Summarize everything relating to alternative energy sources.

answer: Chinese policy banks invest 28% of their development finance in renewable energy, while the average investment of the MDBs is 88%. Only 1% of China's development finance goes toward non-hydro renewable energy. Despite the dangers this entails, China is uniquely placed to steer the transition to a low-carbon economy.

answer: China devotes 28% of its total energy finance to renewable energy. These figures, however, include hydropower projects, which have their own environmental consequences. Scarcely 1% of China's development finance goes to non-hydro renewables. Considering the high proportion of the country's investments in coal and hydropower, shifting to cleaner technologies represents a big challenege for China's big policy banks.

answer: The report's authors say as much as 66% of China's energy-related finance has been concentrated in coal-fired power, and it's potential health costs have been calculated conservatively amounting to $29.7 billion annually. 28% of China's total energy finance goes to renewable energy while the "MDB's" allocate an average 88%. China is only 1% off from the MDB'S average in terms of financing non-hydro renewables.

text: It is not a proportion of difference but a proportion of hydropower.

refinement: The report's authors say as much as 66% of China's energy-related finance has been concentrated in coal-fired power, and it's potential health costs have been calculated conservatively amounting to $29.7 billion annually. 28% of China's total energy finance goes to renewable energy while the "MDB's" allocate an average 88%. China allocates only 1% of its budget to renewables other than hydropower.

answer: China has financed 64% of its energy investments in fossil fuels, which can cause CO2 emissions. Coal-fired power plants release 594 million metric tons of CO2 emissions. Coal-fired plants are a major source of worldwide CO2 emissions. In addition, China's financing of coal is out of step of its own national policies regarding those emissions. Investments in renewable energy have yielded some recent improvements, with 28% going toward renewable resources.

text: Missing the point about hydropower vs. other renewables

refinement: China has financed 64% of its energy investments in fossil fuels, which can cause CO2 emissions. Coal-fired power plants release 594 million metric tons of CO2 emissions. Coal-fired plants are a major source of worldwide CO2 emissions. In addition, China's financing of coal is out of step of its own national policies regarding those emissions. Investments in renewable energy have yielded some recent improvements, with 28% going toward renewable resources. However, only 1% of those investments have been towards those other than hydropower.

answer: Despite the large proportion of energy-related finance going to coal-fired power plants, China devotes 28% of its development finance to renewable energy. 1% of China's investment goes to non-hydro renewables, while the MDBs invest 27%. This indicates that China is uniquely positioned to transition to a low-carbon economy.

text: This does not indicate any such thing, it is hypocritical and ironic.

refinement: Despite the large proportion of energy-related finance going to coal-fired power plants, China devotes 28% of its development finance to renewable energy. 1% of China's investment goes to non-hydro renewables, while the MDBs invest 27%. Despite this fact, China is uniquely positioned to transition to a low-carbon economy.


text:
I walked across the back of the room. The noise of the crowd drowned out everything from the outside. The echoes of the hall, so deafening at the time, seemed like a blissful silence in this din. I watched as the crowd formed in groups; People joining, breaking off, moving away, like watching cells through a microscope. Amorphous globs always moving, never still, forming, dissolving, reforming. I watched as men no bigger my brother laughed and joked with men three times their size. Women, fragile and shy at first glanced, talked as loudly and easily as those oozing confidence. The group, it seemed, provided security. I could see an anxious few looking around, unsure of what to expect. I felt a smirk creep across my face. You could always tell the newbies. I stepped forward, moving through the crowded room.

"I'm glad you all could make it." I announced as I walked. Many of the gathering hadn't heard me and continued their conversations. They would quieten down soon enough. I continued towards the head of the room, not looking at anyone, but glancing at everyone.

"I felt like we should have a little chat." I raised my voice a little more. "There are some rumours floating around." I turned as I reached the head of the room.

"Some of you know me personally, others, perhaps not so much. However those who do, will be aware that I am not one for rumours. I find that they usually only provide a distraction from the real issue. However, even I must admit that from time to time, they can offer a certain insight into the feelings of the public, that can be quite informative. Before I discuss these rumours, I would like to share some thoughts with you."

I could still hear the murmurings of hushed discussion scattered throughout the room. I looked over the faces staring at me again, before moving slowly to my left. I could feel their eyes following me without looking.

"The world sees us as monsters of a kind. I'm sure you were all aware of this fact to some degree. We are seen as the violent goats, in long lines of sheep; The angry mistakes of the genial golden generations. And who can say they are wrong?  I have been thinking about this impression we have garnered. I have some thoughts, some ideas, as one is wont to do when thinking." I smiled as I heard some snickers. I turned and moved back towards the centre of the room.

"We are a generation of kids, so afraid of losing face, of losing any semblance of the respect we think we have, that any offence is answered with extreme responses. You insult someone, you get insulted back? No, you get beaten. Once upon a time, you hit someone, you have a fight, someone wins, someone loses, you both go home. Now? Now you get stabbed. Or maybe you do get home, only to be chased down and shot two days later. This violence, they blame it on movies, video games. This isn't the problem. Do they help? Probably not. Are they the cause? No. Media is made this way because its what people want. Their sense of what is right and acceptable and appropriate is warped. Why? Respect. They are so afraid of any assault on their character, any disrespect, undermining them they lash out. Does this sound like someone who feels secure of their place in society? We are a society raised to live beyond our means, both literally and figuratively. We cling to our delusions of power, artificial societal titles, we worked so hard to convince ourselves we earned. So hard we worked, to convince others to recognise our imaginary power. Secretly terrified it will all collapse around us, taken away by someone more deserving of our control. So any offense, any assault on our character is treated as a nuclear threat, capable of ripping apart our world, and is dealt with as such. Swiftly, brutally, finally." I stopped in the middle of the room and looked up. Silence reigned.

"So, these rumours. There have been mutterings in some parts of secret groups meeting. These groups, people can never decide on their purpose, size, or even name. They are a religious cult, they plan to cause havoc, they are starting a new sports team, they are a group of serial killers comparing notes, they are good samaritans, teaching manners and helping little old ladies across the street." hushed laughter spread through the back of the mob. I continued across the room. "What can I say, it seems we are becoming known, ladies and gentlemen. The question is, what now?"

I heard the door open and close at the back of the room. I paused for a moment, waiting for everyone to calm down again. That’s when I saw Stirling pushing his way through the crowd. I watched as he walked hurriedly towards me.

"There is a problem. You need to come with me." he whispered when he got close. I looked at him, his expression a measured image of urgency and assuredness. This was not something I could ignore.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"He's been found." I took a second, then turned back to the assembly. "I'm sorry, but I have to leave you all. There are matters I must attend to." The noise level rose dramatically as we worked our way towards the exit. "Where is he?"

title: Stronger

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Summarize the motives of the speaker.

answer: The speaker warns the other people about how people from outside see them, and how they deal with offenses - they react with extreme responses. When they find that there have been rumors of secret groups meeting, the speaker leaves with Stirling to find the leader of the group. They suggest these religious cults and the other rumors might not be a good sign, if it would reflect the truth about their group.

text: Excerpt doesn't say anything about a leader of a secret group.

refinement: The speaker warns the other people about how people from outside see them, and how they deal with offenses - they react with extreme responses. There have been rumors of secret groups meeting, but what their purpose is is unknown. the speaker leaves with Stirling because "he" has been found, though who he is is not mentioned. They suggest these religious cults and the other rumors might not be a good sign, if it would reflect the truth about their group.

text: Doesn't say anything about how these secret groups reflect their group.

refinement: The speaker warns the other people about how people from outside see them, and how they deal with offenses - they react with extreme responses. There have been rumors of secret groups meeting, but what their purpose is is unknown. the speaker leaves with Stirling because "he" has been found, though who he is is not mentioned.

answer: The speaker wants to address public perceptions around violence as a result of protecting personal sense of respect. He also wants to address concerns about rumours circulating about the nature of these groups being discussed. Ultimately, the speaker's motive is to increase a better understanding of the challenges society faces today.

answer: The speaker's motive is to sow the seeds of fear, to imply that the listener is a likely target for violence.

text: The purpose of the talk is to address the violence being experienced in their society, and the rumors of secret groups meeting, secret groups that are this very group it's implied.

refinement: The speaker's motive is to address the violence being experienced in their society, and the rumors of secret groups meeting, but the speaker adds "it seems we are becoming known, ladies and gentlemen." So it seems this group is the secret group others are talking about.

answer: The speaker at an assembly meeting with a crowd of people to reassure them about rumours. He is doing so with an emphasis on the need for respect, balanced with a keen awareness of the underlying issues, including violence, insecurity, and influence of the media. He ultimately leaves the assembly in order to address a problem. His motives seem rooted in a desire for resolution.

text: Doesn't mention that the group the speaker is talking to is the secret groups meeting that others are talking about.

refinement: The speaker at an assembly meeting with a crowd of people to reassure them about rumours. He is doing so with an emphasis on the need for respect, balanced with a keen awareness of the underlying issues, including violence, insecurity, and influence of the media. He ultimately leaves the assembly in order to address a problem. His motives seem rooted in preserving the secret society the group composes.

answer: The speaker spends most of the narrative riling up a crowd and at the end of the narrative, is being reported to by what appears to be a subordinate, indicating that the speaker is a high ranking person of the group or is likely to be leader. Based on the content and direction of the speech, the speaker wants the people to be emotionally charged, possibly as a way to encourage them to act towards a goal that would be otherwise be unattainable without provocation. In short, it can be said that the speaker's goal is to emotionally provoke his crowd of listeners into doing something for him.


text:
We live in a galaxy that is called the Milky Way. It’s called a barred spiral galaxy, which means that it has a spiral shape with a bar of stars across its middle. The galaxy is rather huge — at least 100,000 light-years in diameter, making it the second-biggest in our Local Group of galaxies.

More mind-blowing is that this mass of stars, gas, planets and other objects are all spinning. Just like a pinwheel. It’s spinning at 270 kilometers per second (168 miles per second) and takes about 200 million years to complete one rotation, according to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. But why? More details below.

It’s worth taking a quick detour to talk about how long it takes the Solar System to move around the center of the galaxy. According to National Geographic, that’s about 225 million years. Dinosaurs were starting to arise the last time we were in the position we are today.

[The rising Milky Way at Sentosa Island in Singapore. Credit and copyright: Justin Ng. ]
The rising Milky Way at Sentosa Island in Singapore. Credit and copyright: Justin Ng.
Scientists have mapped the spin using the Very Large Baseline Array, a set of radio telescopes. They examined spots where stars were forming and paid particular attention to those areas where gas molecules enhance radio emission, according to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Dubbed “cosmic masers”, these areas shine brightly in radio waves.

As Earth moves in its orbit, the shift of these molecules can be mapped against more distant objects. Measuring this shift shows how the entire galaxy rotates — and can even provide information about the mass of the Milky Way. So that’s all very neat, but why is it rotating in the first place?

If we think back to the early Universe, there are two big assumptions astronomers make, according to How Stuff Works: there was a lot of hydrogen and helium, with some parts denser than other areas. In the denser areas, gas clumped together in protogalactic clouds; the thickest areas collapsed into stars.

[In this image from the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile young stars huddle together against a backdrop of clouds of glowing gas and lanes of dust. The star cluster, known as NGC 3293, would have been just a cloud of gas and dust itself about ten million years ago, but as stars began to form it became the bright group we see here. Clusters like this are celestial laboratories that allow astronomers to learn more about how stars evolve. Image Credit: ESO/G. Beccari]
In this image from the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile young stars huddle together against a backdrop of clouds of glowing gas and lanes of dust. The star cluster, known as NGC 3293, would have been just a cloud of gas and dust itself about ten million years ago, but as stars began to form it became the bright group we see here. Clusters like this are celestial laboratories that allow astronomers to learn more about how stars evolve. Image Credit: ESO/G. Beccari
“These stars burned out quickly and became globular clusters, but gravity continued to collapse the clouds,” How Stuff Works wrote. “As the clouds collapsed, they formed rotating disks. The rotating disks attracted more gas and dust with gravity and formed galactic disks. Inside the galactic disk, new stars formed. What remained on the outskirts of the original cloud were globular clusters and the halo composed of gas, dust and dark matter.”

A simpler way to think about this is if you’re creating a pizza by tossing a ball of dough into the air. The spin of the dough creates a flat disc — just like what you observe in more complicated form in the Milky Way, not to mention other galaxies.

For more on the Milky Way, visit the rest of our section here in the Guide to Spaceor listen to Astronomy Cast: Episode 99.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

How is the rotation of the Milky Way observed?

answer: The rotation of the Milky Way is observed by measuring the shift in cosmic masers — radio emissions caused by gas molecules. This shift allows astronomers to measure how the entire galaxy rotates. The reason the galaxy rotates is that stars formed from gas and dust that had collapsed into rotating disks around a galactic disk. Finally, galactic disks attracted more gas and dust with gravity and formed new stars.

text: The answer contains unnecessary information.

refinement: The rotation of the Milky Way is observed by measuring the shift in cosmic masers — radio emissions caused by gas molecules. This shift allows astronomers to measure how the entire galaxy rotates.

answer: Using the Very Large Baseline Array and observing "cosmic masers", a radio emission, the scientists can make a map of shift of these molecules. The shift can then be mapped against more distant objects, allowing information about the mass of the galaxy to be made based on its rotation.

answer: There are parts of the galaxy where stars form, where gas molecules enhance radio waves. As the Earth moves in its orbit, these spots can be mapped against more distant objects. Measuring this shift tells us how fast the galaxy rotates.

text: The response should contain the phrase "cosmic masers."

refinement: There are parts of the galaxy where stars form, where gas molecules enhance radio waves, which are called "cosmic masers." As the Earth moves in its orbit, these spots can be mapped against more distant objects. Measuring this shift tells us how fast the galaxy rotates.

answer: In the earliest universe, gases also clumped together; some parts of the lumps collapsed and formed stars, while the darker parts collapsed into rotating disks.

text: This response does not answer the question.

refinement: Using the Very Large Baseline Array and observing "cosmic masers", a radio emission, the scientists can make a map of shift of these molecules. The shift can then be mapped against more distant objects, allowing information about the mass of the galaxy to be made based on its rotation.

answer: Scientists examine the shift of gas molecules to determine the rotation of the Milky Way using radio telescopes.

text: The answer should include the phrase "cosmic masers."

refinement: Scientists examine the shift of gas molecules, called "cosmic masers," to determine the rotation of the Milky Way using radio telescopes.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Why did the early universe's collapsing clouds start to rotate?

answer: Stars formed in the denser areas of the gas clouds that collapsed, as gravity continued to work on these clouds. The spinning of the disks created by the rotation led to further rotation of the whole galaxy.

answer: According to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, the early universe is filled with two big assumptions: there was a lot of hydrogen and helium, with some parts denser than other areas. As the clouds of gas collapsed, they attracted more gas and dust with gravity. This is what formed the galactic disk. Within the galactic disk, new stars formed. What remained on the outside of the clouds [on the very edge of galactic disk] were globular clusters.

answer: The collapse of protogalactic clouds formed rotating disks which attracted more gas and dust with gravity, which in turn formed new stars. This rotation creates the observed spiral structure of the Milky Way.

answer: As they came together and started collapsing, gravity pulled more matter and formed rotating disks, attracting more gas and dust to form galactic disks.

answer: The article asks this question but doesn't answer.

text: The question is answered in the passage.

refinement: The collapse of protogalactic clouds formed rotating disks which attracted more gas and dust with gravity, which in turn formed new stars. This rotation creates the observed spiral structure of the Milky Way.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Collate the details about Milky Way.

answer: The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy that has a diameter of 100,000 light-years. It is spinning at 270 kilometers per second and it takes around 200 million years to complete one rotation. The spin is due to initial conditions in the early Universe. Globular clusters and the galactic disk are responsible for the rotation.

answer: Our galaxy is called the Milky Way and is scientifically described as a barred spiral galaxy.

text: There are several pieces of information that are missing from the response, including the size and speed of the rotation of the Milky Way.

refinement: Our galaxy is called the Milky Way and is scientifically described as a barred spiral galaxy. It is at least 100,000 light-years in diameter, and spins at a speed of 270 kilometers per second.

answer: The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy with a diameter of 100,000 light-years. It spins at 270 kilometers per second due to its initial protogalactic cloud state, in which collapsing gas attracted more gas and dust into forming rotating disks and new stars.

answer: It has a spiral shape with a bar of stars across the middle. It's 100,000 light-years in diameter, rotating at 270 kilometers per second. It takes 200 million years for the Milky Way to spin around its center.

answer: Milky way is a barred spiral galactic.

text: There are several pieces of information that are missing from the response, including the size and speed of the rotation of the Milky Way.

refinement: Milky way is a barred spiral galactic. It is at least 100,000 light-years in diameter, and spins at a speed of 270 kilometers per second.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What does pizza dough have to do with galaxies?

answer: It's a way to visualize the shape of how the Milky Way started.

answer: Nothing, it's just an analogy to simplify a concept.

text: The answer should be specific about what concept the analogy is trying to simplify.

refinement: Nothing, it's just an analogy to simplify the concept of a galaxy being formed.

answer: Galaxies spin because the original gas and dust in the early universe formed rotating disks of new stars. The spinning motion is similar to that of pizza dough being tossed into the air.

answer: Galaxies spin because, when the Universe began, gas clusters collapsed into spinning disks. Similar to how tossing a ball of pizza dough into the air creates a flat disc, this process creates the characteristic spiral shape of galaxies.

answer: The dough spins as it rises, creating a flat disc, just like the Milky Way

text: The answer misrepresents the analogy.

refinement: Just like the dough, galaxies flatten as they spin, forming a flat disc.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: Our galaxy, the Milky Way, is the second largest in our Local Group. All of the stars in the Milky Way rotate at 270 kilometers per second, rotating around the galactic center once per 200 million years. This rotation comes from the early universe when rotating clouds of gas and dust became the galactic disks.

answer: The Milky Way is one of the galaxy that is said to be followed shortly after the Great Andromeda Galaxy. It's also the second-biggest in the 'Local Group of galaxies'. It completes a rotation about 225 million years which is similar to the amount of time it takes for the solar system to move around the Milky Way's center-about 225 million years.

answer: Astronomers have tried to figure out the rotation of the Milky Way, and why it rotates. They have been able to map the rotation using various special measurements, and it is clear that there is a gravity-based interaction that is causing the rotation. Also, astronomers have guessed that the main reason for the rotation is the collapse of the protogalactic cloud, where the gravity of the galaxy drew more and more matter to form new stars.

answer: The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy with a diameter of about 100,000 light-years. Astronomers use radio telescopes to measure how its gas molecules move and can even learn about the mass of the galaxy. This spinning celestial object forms due to gravitational collapse of protogalactic clouds, which formed rotating disks that attracted gas and dust to create stars.

answer: The Milky Way is the second-largest galaxy in the Local Group and spins around its center at 270 km/s. This rotation likely happened because denser areas of gas clumped together to create rotating disks, which attracted more gas with gravity to form new stars and galactic disks. Globular clusters and the halo of gas, dust and dark matter remain on the outskirts.