text:
Chloe’s emergency only cost $100, but it could’ve been a lot worse.

Source: Lacey Patterson

A few days after Lacey Patterson adopted Chloe, a two-month old kitten, from a local shelter near her home in Clearwater, Florida, the kitten started showing signs of a cold.

At first, the symptoms were mild: sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes. But when the kitten started bleeding through her nose, Patterson knew it was time to take her to the vet.

Because it was a weekend and the kitten needed immediate attention, Patterson took her to BluePearl Veterinary Partners, an emergency vet in the area. Luckily, the vets there were able to see Chloe right away and prescribe antibiotics as a treatment plan. And, the cost of the visit was only $100, something that surprised Patterson.

"It was actually a lot cheaper than what I was expecting," said Patterson, a nursing student. "But also this wasn't anything complicated, there was no surgery involved."

Nearly 70 percent of households in the U.S. own a pet, according to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association. Of those pets, it is estimated that 1 in 3 will need emergency veterinary treatment every year.

Emergency treatment can be a huge added expense for pet owners. According to Petplan, a pet insurance company, the average cost of unexpected veterinary care for dogs and cats is between $800 and $1,500, depending on where you live.

Most Americans would be caught off guard by an unexpected $800 expense. Only 39 percent have enough in their savings to cover a $1,000 emergency, according to a survey by Bankrate.

"Out-of-pocket medical expenses is one of the leading causes of bankruptcy for people, and pets are one small version of that," said Eve Kaplan, a certified financial planner and investment advisor at Kaplan Financial Advisors in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.

As veterinary medicine has improved, there are a lot of treatments available to help pets in emergencies. But everything comes with a price.

"I don't think I can emphasize this enough — it is so difficult for owners when they are not prepared for the cost of their pet," said Dr. Cathleen Meeks, a veterinarian at BluePearl's specialty and emergency pet hospital in Tampa, Florida.

Dr. Meeks always tries to work within the financial means of her clients.

Source: BluePearl Veterinary Partners

Part of the family budget

Most families do not consider the most common pets — dogs, cats and fish — to be a major expense. In 2015, those households with pets spent about $1,000 a year on them, with some $425 of that being for medical costs, according to data from Harris Interactive.

But emergency room visits can cost thousands of dollars, especially if surgery is needed.

Financial advisors recommend adding a line item to your family's monthly budget for your pets, and including them in the family emergency fund.

Kaplan says that families should earmark $5,000 to $10,000 in the family emergency fund for a pet.

"It's easy to say that you wouldn't put that much money into a dog or cat but when it's happening you don't even think about it," said Kaplan at Kaplan Financial Advisors. "It's a family member."

  I don't think I can emphasize this enough – it is so difficult for owners when they are not prepared for the cost of their pet

  Dr. Cathleen Meeks

  Veterinarian

Consider your options

Aside from having emergency funds built into your family budget, there are a few other resources to help with medical costs for a pet.

One is pet insurance, which is growing in popularity. Today, 2.1 million pets in North America are insured, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.

"Sometimes pet insurance is really worth looking at," said Peter Creedon, a CFP at Crystal Brook Advisors in New York City. "You've got to look at your options and see if it is cost-effective for you."

If you do decide to get pet insurance, veterinarians advise getting it when your pet is young and healthy. As with human health insurance, pre-existing conditions factor in to most pet insurance plans.

CareCredit is another option to help with payments. It's a credit card that can be used for medical expenses, and most vets accept it. Cardholders who opened an account at a veterinary office used their card an average of 5.37 times for vet services in 2017, according to CareCredit.

"While costs can vary depending on the pet, CareCredit helps make it easier for consumers to say 'yes' to recommended treatment for their pet," said Boo Larsen, general manager of veterinary medicine for CareCredit.

  It's easy to say that you wouldn't put that much money into a dog or cat but when it's happening you don't even think about it. It's a family member.

  Eve Kaplan

  CFP and investment advisor

Prioritize prevention

One of the easiest ways to avoid a pet emergency is to take your pet to their veterinarian for annual checkups. They will make sure your pet gets the medical attention they need and that you have the information you need to keep your pet healthy.

"It really is our job to prepare people for what they're going to have to deal with," said Dr. Nan Boss, a veterinarian at Best Friends Veterinary Center in Grafton, Wisconsin.

Dr. Boss also said that she wishes people would consult veterinarians before getting a new pet.

"A lot of diseases we see are genetic," she said. There are some dog breeds that will need surgery down the road, she said, such bulldogs, which have problems with their soft palettes and knees.

In addition, it pays to be prepared for all kinds of emergencies. Not all pet emergencies are medical emergencies, said Tierra Bonaldi, a pet lifestyle expert at the APPA. Natural disasters are an emergency that often leave pet owners scrambling if they don't have a way to transport their pet.

Pet owners should also consider the cost of pet care if they travel or are unable to take care of their pet.

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Ways to save

Bonaldi said that although pet emergencies can be expensive, the cost of pet ownership doesn't have to be a burden, especially if you're responsible.

In addition, talk to your vet about your budget and what you can afford, emergency visit or not.

"It's kind of a taboo thing to ask an owner 'What can you afford to do?'" said Dr. Meeks in Florida. "But I do try to be honest and ask about what is within their financial means.

"Our job as a veterinarian is to give all the tests available so the owner can make a decision about what they want do to and can afford," she added.

In most cases, vets will be able to work with you to fit your budget and your pet's needs as best they can.

There are also ways to save outside of the vet's office, said Bonaldi at the APPA. Most pets don't need expensive toys or other accessories, so you certainly don't need to shell out for that fancy treat-dispensing camera.

"Pets are wonderful," Bonaldi said. "The benefits outweigh the expenses."

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

What does the text say about why pet insurance is a necessity for all pet owners?

answer: About 70% of American households own a pet, be it a dog, a cat, a goldfish, or a rabbit. However, out of this 70%, only 39% can cover the costs of emergency pet treatments from a thousand dollars upwards. Not every household with a pet can afford the emergency costs of pet treatment, and 1 in 3 pets are expected to undergo emergency treatment every year. Naturally, every household is expected to plan for emergencies, and the same should apply to the pets in their homes. Because some households are not prepared for these emergencies, they are expected to consider pet insurance to help cover high expense costs.

answer: According to the author, animals that cost $800-1500 per year without pet insurance, when they get sick or injured, would probably mean $800-1500 in vet bills. Pet owners need to factor these expenses into their family budget when acquiring a pet. Experts like Eve Kaplan state often that unprepared owners will fall into bankruptcy.

text: The average cost of unexpected veterinary care for dogs and cats is between $800 and $1500, depending on where you live. Remove the duplicate mention of the dollar amount, keep only the one that refers to emergency vet bills.

refinement: According to the author, when cats or dogs have a medical emergency it costs $800-1500 on average in vet bills depending on where you live. Pet owners need to factor these expenses into their family budget when acquiring a pet. Experts like Eve Kaplan state often that unprepared owners will fall into bankruptcy.

text: 1 in 3 pets will need emergency veterinary treatment every year, with only 39% being able to cover a $1000 emergency. Include this statistic after the average cost of emergency veterinary care.

refinement: According to the author, when cats or dogs have a medical emergency it costs $800-1500 on average in vet bills depending on where you live. 1 in 3 pets will need emergency veterinary treatment every year, with only 39% being able to cover a $1000 emergency. Pet owners need to factor these expenses into their family budget when acquiring a pet. Experts like Eve Kaplan state often that unprepared owners will fall into bankruptcy.

answer: Once a pet shows signs of an emergency, pet insurance becomes an essential resource for pet owners. The overall cost of unexpected veterinary care can be thousands of dollars, and most Americans do not have enough in their savings to cover this expense. Pet insurance offers protection against this financial difficulty, making it more affordable for pet owners to seek treatment when needed. This helps to ensure that pets remain healthy and happy even during emergencies.

text: It is estimated that 1 in 3 pets will need emergency veterinary treatment every year. Replace the first part of the first sentence with this information to illustrate the necessity of pet insurance.

refinement: It is estimated that 1 in 3 pets will need emergency veterinary care every year, this makes pet insurance becomes an essential resource for pet owners. The overall cost of unexpected veterinary care can be thousands of dollars, and most Americans do not have enough in their savings to cover this expense. Pet insurance offers protection against this financial difficulty, making it more affordable for pet owners to seek treatment when needed. This helps to ensure that pets remain healthy and happy even during emergencies.

text: Emergency veterinary care will ensure that a pet receives the care necessary in the case of emergency. The pets are obviously not healthy and happy during an emergency. Remove this sentence from the response.

refinement: It is estimated that 1 in 3 pets will need emergency veterinary care every year, this makes pet insurance becomes an essential resource for pet owners. The overall cost of unexpected veterinary care can be thousands of dollars, and most Americans do not have enough in their savings to cover this expense. Pet insurance offers protection against this financial difficulty, making it more affordable for pet owners to seek treatment when needed.

answer: The article talks about why pet ownership can be an economic burden to dog and cat owners. A lot of times, people didn't plan for an emergency for their pets. It is unfortunate that pets are often underappreciated until their owners can't afford to pay for their services anymore. The author recommends the use of pet insurance and the tips from professional vets on how to save money on animal care. Dog breeds that seemed healthy and hearty in the beginning turns out to have preexisting conditions. One of the tips given is to prioritize prevention by taking your pet to the vet for annual checkups because that's the only way you can prevent them from exposing you to unnecessary costs.

text: Remove all but the first two sentence response because it is inaccurate and does not address the question.

refinement: The article talks about why pet ownership can be an economic burden to dog and cat owners. A lot of times, people didn't plan for an emergency for their pets.

text: All pets are included in the article, and not only cats and dogs. Replace 'dog and cat' with 'pet' owners in the response.

refinement: The article talks about why pet ownership can be an economic burden to pet owners. A lot of times, people didn't plan for an emergency for their pets.

text: Only 39% of Americans have enough in their savings to cover any type of emergency, let alone for medical care for their pets. Adjust the wording of the final sentence to all emergencies, and not only those relating to pets.

refinement: The article talks about why pet ownership can be an economic burden to pet owners. A lot of times, people didn't plan financially to handle emergencies.

text: It is estimated that 1 in 3 pets will need emergency veterinary treatment every year. Include this information in the response.

refinement: The article talks about why pet ownership can be an economic burden to pet owners. A lot of times, people didn't plan financially to handle emergencies and it is estimated that 1 in 3 pets will need emergency veterinary treatment every year.

text: The article advises adding a line to your emergency fund dedicated to pets, failing to do this can result in bankruptcy. Include this information in the response, because it illustrates the necessity of pet insurance.

refinement: The article talks about why pet ownership can be an economic burden to pet owners. A lot of times, people didn't plan financially to handle emergencies and it is estimated that 1 in 3 pets will need emergency veterinary treatment every year. The article advises adding a line to your emergency fund dedicated to pets, failing to do this can result in bankruptcy.

answer: The text mentions that unexpected medical costs for pets can be very expensive and often exceed $1,000. Pet insurance can help pet owners manage the unexpected expenses of pet ownership. The goal for pet owners is to set aside a sufficient amount in their family's emergency fund for emergencies. This way, pet owners can make sure they have the financial resources necessary in an emergency situation.

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

What does the text say about why it is necessary to seek the advice of a vet before getting a pet?

answer: You should consult with your vet before deciding on getting a pet, not only for it to match well to your pets, but also for you to find out about any diseases that your new pet might have. This way, you can make an informed choice about getting the pet. Many diseases, such as hip dysplasia and cardiac issues, are hereditary in nature. Meeting a vet before getting a pet will familiarize them with your family, their medical history, and other important information that can help manage their vet care down the road. Saving on vet payments during weekends and emergencies is a must, but so is regular vet checkups and periodic fecal exams to keep your pet healthy.

text: Remove the last sentence, it doesn't contain information from the article.

refinement: You should consult with your vet before deciding on getting a pet, not only for it to match well to your pets, but also for you to find out about any diseases that your new pet might have. This way, you can make an informed choice about getting the pet. Many diseases, such as hip dysplasia and cardiac issues, are hereditary in nature. Meeting a vet before getting a pet will familiarize them with your family, their medical history, and other important information that can help manage their vet care down the road.

answer: The text implies that taking the time to consult with a veterinarian before acquiring a pet will help save money in the long run. The vet can help prospective pet owners consider the costs of care, as well as the risks and benefits associated with each pet.

answer: As much as getting a pet is something many people desire in their homes, getting a pet requires much homework. A lot of research needs to be done about the dog breed and their lifestyle. Also, it is important to consider natural disaster emergencies to know how best to transport the pet. All this information can be gotten through the advice of a professional veterinarian who will help potential pet owners understand the pros and cons of owning a pet, costs based on their budget, and the necessary medical attention needed.

answer: According to veterinarians people are not good at predicting how much cost pets involve. Literature from the years 2016-2017 from the American Pet Products Association show how pet expenses escalate. A few years ago, the average pet budget was 1050 USD per year. This has now increased to 1400 USD. A bulldog is the dog breed whose medical expenses are the highest, costing 800 USD a year. This expense is incurred because the dog needs surgery in the future. An owner needs medical advice that a pet is in good health to be able to guess at which medical expense they might carry in a particular year of that dog's life.

text: Remove the portion of the answer that mentions the cost of pets escalating directly. This information is not contained in the article and does not make logical sense.

refinement: According to veterinarians people are not good at predicting how much cost pets involve. An owner needs medical advice that a pet is in good health to be able to guess at which medical expense they might carry in a particular year of that dog's life.

text: The article mentions three reasons to consult a vet before getting a pet. The first reason is that some breeds are prone to genetic diseases and the vet could warn of medical costs related to this. The second is recommendations to transport your pet during natural disasters. And the third the cost of taking care of a pet when travelling or otherwise unable to take care of your pet. Include this information in the second part of the second sentence.

refinement: According to veterinarians people are not good at predicting how much cost pets involve. An owner needs medical advice of possible genetic diseases, travel during natural disasters and care to be given to the pet when an owner is not able to take care of the pet.

answer: The text indicates that in order to avoid emergency veterinary expenses, it is important to consult a vet before getting a new pet. The vet will do tests to make sure the pet is healthy, and help make medical decisions fit within the owner's budget.

text: The article mentions three reasons to consult a vet before getting a pet. The first reason is that some breeds are prone to genetic diseases and the vet could warn of medical costs related to this. The second is recommendations to transport your pet during natural disasters. And the third the cost of taking care of a pet when travelling or otherwise unable to take care of your pet. Include this information in the second part of the second sentence.

refinement: The text indicates that in order to avoid emergency veterinary expenses, it is important to consult a vet before getting a new pet. The vet will do tests to make sure the pet is healthy and give advice relating to possible genetic diseases, other emergencies as well as care when an owner is unable to take care of their pet.

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

What financial options should a person on a budget consider for vet treatment?

answer: Ideally, getting pet insurance is a sure way to secure your finances and your pet's overall well-being, most especially when they are young and healthy, bearing in mind the terms and conditions that apply. However, another option for finances is CareCredit, a credit card that can be used for medical expenses, which most vets accept. Another option is to have pet emergency funds added into your family budgets because, after all, they are also a part of your family.

answer: A person on a budget should include emergency veterinary care in their monthly budget, consider getting pet insurance, and be aware of the cost of natural disasters when caring for a pet. The person should also consider ways to save money by paying attention to pet care and avoiding unnecessary expenditures.

text: A third option is CareCredit, that is a credit card that can be used for medical expenses accepted by most vets. Include this third option in the response as well.

refinement: A person on a budget should include emergency veterinary care in their monthly budget, consider getting pet insurance, and be aware of the cost of natural disasters when caring for a pet. The person should also consider ways to save money by paying attention to pet care and avoiding unnecessary expenditures. A third option is CareCredit, that is a credit card that can be used for medical expenses accepted by most vets.

answer: People who cannot afford to pay for every service upfront should request that the money is withheld from their paycheque and instead pay with their pay stub. People with no emergency fund should speak to their employer about the option of reimbursement for emergency veterinary visits.

text: Remove the current response. This information is not contained in the article, and it is not correct.

text: Three financial options are recommended in the article to pay for vet treatment. The first is to provide for emergency pet care in the family emergency fund. A second option is pet insurance, and a third is to use a CareCredit, a credit card accepted by most vets to pay for medical care. Include these three options in the response.

refinement: Three financial options are recommended in the article to pay for vet treatment. The first is to provide for emergency pet care in the family emergency fund. A second option is pet insurance, and a third is to use a CareCredit, a credit card accepted by most vets to pay for medical care.

answer: A person on a budget should consider options like pet insurance, CareCredit, and budgeting for vet expenses. These options can help reduce the financial burden of unexpected expenses. Additionally, addressing potential emergencies before they happen can also help prepare pet owners financially.

answer: Among the available options is getting insurance for pet emergencies.

text: Another two financial options are described in the article. The first is to provide for emergency pet care in the family emergency fund. A second option is to use a CareCredit, a credit card accepted by most vets to pay for medical care. Include these two options in the response.

refinement: Among the available options is getting insurance for pet emergencies, providing for your pet in the emergency fund or getting a CareCredit plan to pay for vet services with a credit card.


split: train

text:
One evening in bed, the philosopher turned to his wife and said: “I cannot intuitively, subjectively, or objectively acknowledge your existence,” He sighed as if this was a thought that he’d been laboring with for some time, and went on; ‘at best you are the product of my past experiences and my personality construct, but essentially you are an outcome of my brain’s chemistry, and current physiological state (if they exist).

“The “you” that I believe is you, is an interpretation of a perceived reality. If there is a “real” you, you must be nothing like what I believe you to be, but something entirely unknowable to me. If there is a “you”, you exist at a point in time and space that I will never reach; nor will I ever be able to objectively observe what exists there. It is impossible for me to prove your existence beyond the framework of my own mind. Therefore it is irrational for me to believe in you” He said, his voice rising. “ I cannot believe in you! I do not believe in you!”

With that, the philosophers wife disappeared instantly, leaving behind only the faint “pop” of air rushing in to fill the vacuum where she had once been. “Aha!” said the philosopher, so you were an illusion all along! Logic and reason have triumphed over the untrustworthy human senses!” The philosopher turned on his side, and slept comfortably.

The next evening, the philosopher turned to the empty space on the other side of his bed and said “I miss you.”

title: The Philosopher's Wife.

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

Why does the philospher believe he can't "intuitively, subjectively, or objectively acknowledge" his wife's existence?

answer: He believes her to be an outcome of his brain’s chemistry and current physiological state.

answer: Because his "you" could be anything other than what he perceives her to be.

answer: Because he believes his perceptions and conceptions are subjective and inaccurate. He cannot independently prove her existence beyond his own mind.

answer: The philosopher believes his wife cannot exist because she is entirely unknowable to him. She exists at a point in space and time which he will never be able to reach or observe. Because she can't be perceived by him, he believes she is an illusion.

answer: The philosopher believes his wife cannot exist independently of himself because she is only an interpretation of his perception. In other words, because she is merely a product of his mind, it is impossible for him to have any empirical grounds for believing in her actual existence. Hence, based on the philosopher's own philosophy, he cannot believe in his wife.

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

Describe what the philosopher believes as the "real" wife.

answer: The philosopher believes that the "real" wife is an unknown entity, something impossible to prove or observe. She exists in a point in time and space that is inaccessible to the philosopher. Therefore, the philosopher believes that the wife is an illusion.

text: It is omitted that the narrator says that she would be entirely different from what he believes her to be.

refinement: The philosopher believes that the "real" wife is an unknown entity, something impossible to prove or observe. She exists in a point in time and space that is inaccessible to the philosopher. Therefore, the philosopher believes that the wife is an illusion. Further, he says that she would be entirely different from what he believes her to be.

text: "You must be nothing like what I believe you to be, but something entirely unknowable to me." This is evidence that the narrator believes his "real" wife is an unknown entity.

answer: A belief that he cannot prove within the confines of his own mind.

answer: He believes that if there was a "real" version of her, she would be nothing like he believes her to be, but something entirely unknowable to him.

answer: The philosopher believes that his wife is an illusion and nothing more than a cognitive creation of his brain, based on past experiences, personality construct and current physiological state. The philosopher also believes that the "true" identity of his wife is unknowable.

answer: The real wife must be nothing like what he believes to be his real wife. The philosopher believes that she exists in a point in time and space beyond that he'll never reach and can't objectively observe.

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

Why did the philosopher's wife disappear?

answer: She disappeared because the philosopher stated that she does not exist.

answer: The philosopher's wife disappeared because the philosopher did not believe in her existence. Without belief, she disappeared instantly.

answer: She likely disappeared in the same way that she appeared. We can only assume that the philosopher has created an illusion of her in his own mind and on the evening after his speech to himself, he finished what he started and made the illusion disappear.

answer: The philosopher's wife disappeared because the philosopher declared her existence to be irrational and therefore illusory.

answer: He decided it was irrational to believe in his wife, so he announces that he does not believe in her.

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

What did the philosopher say to the empty space?

answer: The philosopher missed his wife.

answer: The philosopher said "I miss you".

answer: He said, "I miss you."

answer: He misses her.

answer: He said he misses his wife.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: The philosopher argues with his wife about the existence or non-existence of her. In the end, she disappears and the philosopher believes she was never there in the first place. A day later, though, the philosopher misses her and realizes she must have existed after all. He cannot disprove her existence.

text: There is no evidence that the philosopher realizes anything after missing her.

refinement: The philosopher argues with his wife about the existence or non-existence of her. In the end, she disappears and the philosopher believes she was never there in the first place. A day later, though, the philosopher misses her.

answer: The philosopher believes his wife is an illusion. His wife simply disappears and the philosopher believes he can prove his wife is illusory. The next day the philosopher states that he misses his wife.

answer: The philosopher argues with his wife and concludes that she does not exist. The next night, he misses her and realizes her absence has affected him. He realizes his initial argument was faulty and that she must exist after all.

text: There is no evidence that he realizes his faulty argument and that she exists.

refinement: The philosopher argues with his wife and concludes that she does not exist. The next night, he misses her and realizes her absence has affected him.

text: It is omitted that the wife disappears after he concludes that she does not exist.

refinement: The philosopher argues with his wife and concludes that she does not exist. The wife disappears after he concludes and the philosopher realizes that she was an illusion. The next night, he misses her and realizes her absence has affected him.

answer: A philosopher announces to his wife that he cannot "intuitively, subjectively, or objectively acknowledge" her existence. He believes her to be an outcome of his brain’s chemistry and current physiological state. When he declares he cannot and does not believe in her, she disappears. He is at first pleased with himself, but the next day he realizes he misses his wife.

answer: A man and his wife go to bed. He accuses her of supernatural qualities all the while inferring that she cannot objectively or intuitively atest to his reality. The next day, he missed her. He states that his previous belief has been proven correct.

text: This answer is not related.

text: Answer missing.

refinement: A man announces to his wife that he cannot acknowledge her existence. He believes that she is a product of his current physiological state and ceases to believe that she exists. The wife then disappears and the philosopher thinks he proves she is illusory. The next evening, he misses her.


text:
Updated Apr 01, 2016 @ 4:06 pm

The struggle with growing up is that sometimes you don’t look the age you’re supposed to look. When you’re in college, you look like a college kid, and then you leave college and still look like a college freshmen. It’s frustrating. You can change your hair, wear lots of two-piece suits, and throw around all sorts of adult jargon, but plain and simple, you still look young no matter how hard you try not to.

This is an ongoing issue for many, and it gets even worse throwing the ~work force~ into the mix. Congrats on landing your new Big Girl job! But oh yeah, everyone is going to assume you’re 5-10 years younger than you really are. The struggle is REAL.

1. YOUR CO-WORKERS DON’T INVITE YOU OUT FOR AFTER WORK FUNCTIONS, BECAUSE THEY DON’T THINK YOU’RE OF AGE.

Friday night, everyone’s going out, and you somehow miss the invitation. Actually, you didn’t miss it. You intentionally weren’t invited, because no one wants to take a youngin out to the bar that they won’t even be able to get into.

2. EVERYONE ASSUMES YOU’RE THE NEW INTERN FOR YOUR FIRST WEEK OF WORK

Someone may suggest you do a coffee run.

3. SOME ASK IF THIS IS YOUR “SUMMER JOB”

Maybe they won’t come out and ask if it’s your summer job, but rather probe into how your summer vacation is going, and when you’re heading back to school, and what your major is, and if your parents are excited to have you back home for a few months, and what’s it like being back in your childhood bedroom, and you’re like, “no.”

4. CO-WORKERS “BABY” YOU

Thinking that this is your first time in the ~real world~ many seasoned co-workers will take extra special care of you. Like, double checking that you’ve got the right work supplies, always making sure you’re invited out to lunch, seeing if you’ve got a ride home from work, like your parents dropped you off at the office complex in the morning on _their_ way to work.

5. YOU’RE PASSED OVER FOR IMPORTANT TASKS BECAUSE THE HIGHER-UPS DON’T THINK YOU CAN HANDLE IT

In any competitive field, when it comes down to two equally qualified applications, age might play a factor. Your bosses might not think you’re up to a challenge if they think you graduated college two weeks ago.

6. PEOPLE ARE CAUTIOUS ABOUT SAYING THINGS AROUND YOU THAT MIGHT NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR AGE

Know how there’s “adult humor?” It’s super awkward when everyone is joking around in the work kitchen and then you walk in and everyone stops joking around, scared that they might say something that will go right over your head or offend you. Even worse when someone suggests you put figurative earmuffs on.

7. CO-WORKERS TRY TO SET YOU UP WITH THEIR THEIR WAY YOUNGER SON/DAUGHTER

Raise your hand if a mom/dad at work as ever tried to set you up with their child who is a solid 10 years younger than you and still trying to find their way through the world and you’re like, “I’m already in so much student debt and they’re not so I can’t.”

8. YOUR AGE IS A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION ALL THE TIME

It’s almost like your age has become a _joke_. It’s used as ice breaker at meetings like, “You’ll never guess how old Rachel is! Guess!” and then you feel super awkward during the rest of the very long conference call, because it feels like no one is taking your seriously, and everyone is trying to figure out how you could be that age and look the way you do.

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

Why would co-workers not invite young-looking people for drinks after work.

answer: Their friends might not get into the bar.

text: The response is incorrect. Older co-workers don't want to invite younger ones because they feel that the young-looking people won't even be allowed to enter the bar.

refinement: The young-looking co-worker might not get into the bar.

answer: They don't think the person looks old enough to be able to drink.

answer: Because they don't think they are of age.

answer: They think they are too young to be drinking.

answer: They don't think the person looks old enough to be able to drink or would fit in.

text: Extraneous information.

refinement: They don't think the person looks old enough to be able to drink.

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

Why would coworkers think that this is a vacation job and how would they probe?

answer:
Because this is a first job for the young adult and others will try to ascertain if it is a summer job and where the young adult goes to college. They poke to see how that adult is coping with university life, to seek approval from the favorability of duties and approval from those of a higher ranks.
Though this was mentioned not directly, chances are older generations are approving, the young adult may be forwarded for more important directive, meanwhile, older generation thereby getting their approval.

text: The highlighted text is inaccurate. Poking to check on the person's university life wasn't mentioned in the text. Seeking approval from higher ranks and older generations also don't make any sense and are not in the text.

refinement: Because this is a first job for the young adult and others will try to ascertain if it is a summer job and where the young adult goes to college.

text: Add the missing detail of how co-workers might probe the younger person for answers.

refinement: Because this is a first job for the young adult and others will try to ascertain if it is a summer job and where the young adult goes to college. Co-workers will probe into how the young person's summer vacation is going or when they go back to school. Other probing questions may include what the person's major is, parents' excitement to have them back home, and what it is like being back in a childhood bedroom.

answer: It's not uncommon for people to think that summer jobs are just for students. They might also probe about how the intern's summer vacation is going, and when they are returning to school.

text: The highlighted text is irrelevant and doesn't answer the question.

refinement: They might also probe about how the intern's summer vacation is going, and when they are returning to school.

text: Add that older co-workers mistake the young employee for a college student on a summer job.

refinement: Some older co-workers might ask if the younger person is doing a summer job. They might also probe about how the intern's summer vacation is going, what their major is, and when they are returning to school.

answer: They feel its hard to believe that a person entering their work force is fresh out of college, so they probe into how her vacation is going.

text: "its" - replace with "it's"

refinement: They feel it's hard to believe that a person entering their work force is fresh out of college, so they probe into how her vacation is going.

text: "work force" - replace with "workforce"

refinement: They feel it's hard to believe that a person entering their workforce is fresh out of college, so they probe into how her vacation is going.

text: It's not just any regular vacation, but a summer vacation.

refinement: They feel it's hard to believe that a person entering their workforce is fresh out of college, so they probe into how her summer vacation is going.

text: Add the other probing questions.

refinement: They feel it's hard to believe that a person entering their workforce is fresh out of college, so they probe into how her summer vacation is going, what their major is, and when they're heading back to school.

answer: It's not uncommon for people to think that summer jobs are just for students.

answer: They would think it is a vacation job because they are out of college and they are still in school. They would ask questions about the summer vacation and probe into how the summer vacation is going.

text: The highlighted part of the response contradicts itself.

refinement: They would ask questions about the summer vacation and probe into how the summer vacation is going.

text: Must add the reason why co-workers think the younger staff member is on a summer job.

refinement: Since the person looks young, co-workers think they are still in college. They would ask questions about the summer vacation and probe into how the summer vacation is going. They would also ask when the person is heading back to school and what their major is.

text: "into how the summer vacation" - redundant and should be removed.

refinement: Since the person looks young, co-workers think they are still in college. They would ask questions about the summer vacation and probe it is going. They would also ask when the person is heading back to school and what their major is.

answer: They would think it is a vacation job because they are out of college and they are still in school.

answer: Because this is a first job for the young adult and others will try to ascertain if it is a summer job and where the young adult goes to college. They poke to see how that adult is coping with university life, to seek approval from the favorability of duties.

answer: They feel its hard to believe that a person entering their work force is fresh out of college.

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

Why does the writer look so youthful?

answer: It's not that they look youthful, but more like they think the writer hasn't been able to grow up.

text: The response is incorrect because the information can't be found.

answer: The writer is still in college, so they look like a college kid.

text: The response is incorrect because the information isn't in the text.

answer: The writer is still in college, so they look like a college kid.

answer: This question is not explained.

text: The response would sound better if it used the more common line "The information can't be found."

answer: This information can't be found.


text:
Giving first short story a revision - based off of Heat Death of Universe prompt. Any crit is welcome and appreciated, starting to give writing another go after long break.

So Shall It Be in the End.

While he sat staring out into the darkness his mind wandered. The overhead air vent released a cocktail of atmospheric gases in the form of a brisk breeze that swept across the room, sending chills down his spine and his mind’s eye racing into the past. He could feel the once familiar sensation of grass between his fingers, the cool dirt of the hillside pressed against his palms as he sat aside his father staring at what remained of the stars above.

“You know, a long time ago so-called scientist sat, just like we are, debating how there could be any dark spots in the sky.” They both sat on the hillside, their knees bent. Mak leaning back, his outstretched arms supporting him, curiously stared into the heavens. His father, lacking his son’s intrigue, hunched forward, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands lazily clasped between them.

“They claimed that at the end of time, the sky would be filled with the light of a million burning stars as the universe collapsed,” he said. Mak opened his mouth as if to speak but no words came out.

“Funny idea isn’t it?” his father said with a smirk, “I would give a pretty penny to see the look on their faces now.”

Mak remained silent, trying to envision the night sky filled with stars but it was difficult to imagine as a mere handful of glimmering spots scattered in the abyss was all he had ever known. His father, seeing the look of consternation across his young son’s face, took the opportunity to run his fingers through the boy’s blonde hair. Mak could almost feel the sensation of his hair between his father’s fingers when the cool breeze of the autumn night, or rather that of the ventilator above, sent goose bumps running up his neck. The cool dirt of the hillside was suddenly replaced by the cold reality of the steel bench beneath him.

He stood up, paying no mind to the viewing pleasure of others in the ship’s observation room as, per usual, he was alone. A sense of disappointment in returning to reality swept over him as he raised his right arm, pressing his palm against the viewing pane. He shifted his adept focus from the darkness that encompassed the regulated travel lanes, his route of mental escape, and stepped back, his hand tapping off the halo that ran from temple to temple across the rear of his head before returning to his hip. What moments ago seemed to be a portal into the vast darkness of space was now anything but as his enhanced optics faded back to relative norm. Millions of sublight engines burned bright as did their respective ship hulls glimmering in the reflection of the last star in the known universe, Exodus Prime, and what was a window into the emptiness of space was now nothing more than a dark island in a sea of vibrant red and orange hues.

Mak stood, contemplating the gravity of the spectacle before him as he had done on a near daily basis. The last remnants of known life were gathered here, crowded together around this last bastion of energy. Civilizations that had once spanned millions of light years were reduced to an existence entirely reliant on a single sun. “Irony,” he thought to himself. Mankind had managed to find a solution for nigh all of the obstacles that existed in the universe but it could find no solution for the very essence of the universe itself. Empires that had withstood the Great Wars and all those before them were now losing what would be their final fight - that against the forces of entropy.

Mak took yet another step back, his eyes squinting as he took in the burning glory of the fiery mosaic that filled the window and he laughed to himself. He laughed to himself for he came to a sudden realization that he had never reached before; all around him space was filled with the light of a burning stars as the sleek metal of ship hulls glowed amber in the reflection of the red dwarf that was Exodus Prime. The known universe was collapsing and what remained had amalgamated into a distorted sphere surrounding the last known sun. From where he stood, he realized, those so-called scientists were right.

“If only I could see the look on your face now,” he said, the corners of his mouth rising in a satisfying smirk as he visualized sitting aside his father on that long ago night.

title: [SF] So Shall It Be in the End.. Constructive Crit please

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

What does the story say about Mak's mother?

answer: No answer

answer: No answer

answer: He wants to show her the last sun. His mother died when he was young.

text: The response is incorrect because the answer can't be found in the text.

answer: No answer

answer: There is no mention of Mak's mother.

answer: No answer

answer: No answer

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

What does the story say about Mak?

answer: Mak is a young boy who is on a ship with his father. He is very curious about the universe and wants to know how it was created. Mak's father is an old man who is there to comfort his son.

text: The response is incorrect. Mak isn't a young boy anymore. Mak's father wasn't on the ship with him. Mak was just looking back at the time he spent with his father back on Earth when they were gazing up at the dark sky.

text: Missing crucial details about Mak.

refinement: Mak is the protagonist of the story. He is on a spaceship, one of many that are orbiting the last Sun in the universe, Exodus Prime. Mak and the others on the ships are the last remnants of known life in the universe. Mak recalls the time he spent with his father back on Earth, gazing up at the dark sky.

answer: Mak, a son, is traveling with his father in a ship. Mak stares out a viewport into the expanse of space on the ship, with millions of other ships in tons. He laughs, because he realizes that the sky is united by the light of burning stars. Mak enjoys spending time with his father as they watched the stars together.

text: This is incorrect. Mak's father wasn't on the ship with him. It was just a memory.

refinement: Mak stares out a viewport into the expanse of space on the ship, with millions of other ships in tons. He laughs, because he realizes that the sky is united by the light of burning stars. Mak enjoys spending time with his father as they watched the stars together.

text: This is incorrect. Mak's father isn't on the ship.

refinement: Mak stares out a viewport into the expanse of space on the ship, with millions of other ships in tons. He laughs, because he realizes that the sky is united by the light of burning stars.

text: "in tons" - doesn't make any sense and should be removed. Mak laughing that the sky is united by the light of burning stars is incorrect without the proper context to support it.

refinement: Mak stares out a viewport into the expanse of space on the ship, with millions of other ships.

text: Add more details about Mak.

refinement: Mak stares out a viewport into the expanse of space on the ship, with millions of other ships. They are the last remnants of life in the universe, orbiting the last sun, Exodus Prime.

answer: Mak is a young boy who is on a ship with his father. He is very curious about the universe and wants to know how it was created. Mak's father is an old man who is there to comfort his son. Mak feels a sense of disappointment in returning to reality.

answer: Mak is a young boy who is on a spaceship with his father. He is fascinated by the stars and the night sky. His father tells him about how scientists a long time ago thought that at the end of time, the sky would be filled with the light of a million burning stars as the universe collapsed. Mak is excited to see the look on the scientists' faces now. He laughs to himself as he realizes that the universe is collapsing and there are stars all around him.

text: Mak is not a young boy anymore and his father isn't on the ship with him.

refinement: He is fascinated by the stars and the night sky. His father tells him about how scientists a long time ago thought that at the end of time, the sky would be filled with the light of a million burning stars as the universe collapsed. Mak is excited to see the look on the scientists' faces now. He laughs to himself as he realizes that the universe is collapsing and there are stars all around him.

text: The response should explain that the stars in question are thrusters from the ships.

refinement: He is fascinated by the stars and the night sky. His father tells him about how scientists a long time ago thought that at the end of time, the sky would be filled with the light of a million burning stars as the universe collapsed. Mak is excited to see the look on the scientists' faces now. He laughs to himself as he realizes that the scientists were right - the universe is collapsing and there are stars all around him in the form of ships.

answer: Mak stands close to a reflection-glass window, looking at the universe twisted into a mass at the edge of reality. The night sky contains no more than a handful of stars and the last remnants of life are gathered at Exodus Prime, the light of their burning stars filling the darkness with the light of a million burning stars. After a long break from the intergalactic air patrol, the narrator is back on the job, recreating the night sky on the viewing pane.

text: This is incorrect. There is no universe twisted into a mass at the edge of reality. There are no stars in the sky anymore.

refinement: Mak stands close to a reflection-glass window, looking at the last remnants of life are gathered at Exodus Prime, the light of their burning stars filling the darkness with the light of a million burning stars. After a long break from the intergalactic air patrol, the narrator is back on the job, recreating the night sky on the viewing pane.

text: This is incorrect. It should be "the light of a million sublight engines burned bright,"

refinement: Mak stands close to a reflection-glass window, looking at the last remnants of life are gathered at Exodus Prime, the light of a million sublight engines burned bright, filling the darkness with the light of a million burning stars. After a long break from the intergalactic air patrol, the narrator is back on the job, recreating the night sky on the viewing pane.

text: This is incorrect. There was no intergalactic air patrol mentioned in the story.

refinement: Mak stands close to a reflection-glass window, looking at the last remnants of life are gathered at Exodus Prime, the light of a million sublight engines burned bright, filling the darkness with the light of a million burning stars.

answer: Mak, a son, is traveling with his father on a ship. Mak stares out a viewport into the expanse of space on the ship, with millions of other ships in tons. He laughs, because he realizes that the sky is united by the light of burning stars.

answer: Mak stands close to a reflection-glass window and watches the last remnants of life are gathered at Exodus Prime, the light of their burning stars filling the darkness of space with the light of a million burning stars. After a long break from the intergalactic air patrol, the narrator is back on the job, recreating the night sky on the viewing pane.

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

What is the setting of the story?

answer: The setting is a giant space ship moving along a hierarchical route in space towards the sun.

text: There is no evidence that the ship is a giant one. There is also no hierarchical route in space.

refinement: The setting of the story is a ship in space orbiting Exodus Prime, the last star in a universe that is collapsing.

answer: They are in an observation room of a space ship near an explosed sun on the last leg of a trip towards a planet called New Earth.

text: The response is incorrect. "explosed" isn't a word and the ships aren't on the last leg of a trip to New Earth.

text: Add the missing response about the setting of the story.

refinement: The setting is on one of the spaceships orbiting the last star in the universe, Exodus Prime. It is an apocalyptic future where the known universe is collapsing and the last remnants of life are circling a red dwarf.

answer: They are in an observation room of ships near an explosed sun on the last leg of a trip towards a planet called New Earth.

answer: The story is set in the future. Mankind has found a way to solve many problems, but not the problem of the universe collapsing.

text: The response is missing the part about the red dwarf and being on a ship.

refinement: The setting is on one of the spaceships orbiting the last star in the universe, Exodus Prime. The story is set in the future. Mankind has found a way to solve many problems, but not the problem of the universe collapsing and the last remnants of life are circling a red dwarf.

answer: The setting of the story is a space ship.

text: Replace with "spaceship"

refinement: The setting of the story is a spaceship.

text: The response is missing a few details.

refinement: The setting of the story is a spaceship orbiting Exodus Prime, the last star in a universe that is collapsing.

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

What is the story's theme?

answer: The theme of the story is that the universe is collapsing.

text: The response is lacking what the actual theme is.

refinement: The theme of the story is survival in the face of hopeless odds. The universe is collapsing and the last remnants of life orbit the only remaining star.

answer: The story's theme is the end of the universe.

text: The end of the universe is not really a theme. The response must include a proper theme.

refinement: The story's theme is survival at the end of the universe.

answer: The story's theme is attachment. The narrator and his dad have a nice night on the hillside watching the sights. They remark on how no one still knows why it has dark spots. The father claims those experts are right, but not out of any deep understanding. They just know it makes sense to the layman because they accept there to be an assumption of knowledge. The narrator is thinking about their prematurely after their father's passing. This gets him thinking about their place in the darkness. He gets to return to how it was between them, but it's not the same. There is an undeniable distance that exists because there is no body to share the relation, no person to know what really happened. Comparing his father's presence to the containment of the observed space is just that. A vector that points to what else is non-existent. When they explored, they found all the engineers got their math wrong and the Voyager probes, supposed to break the edge of the universe and test if there is anything on the other side, only got 4 billion miles out. As for the universe, it's math might have been dead on. The last of civilization could crumble here and there could be nothing to replace it, because entropy isn't aligned with humanity.

text: Extraneous information.

text: The theme of the story is not attachment, but survival against the odds.

refinement: The story's theme is survival against the odds.

answer: The end of the world, entropy

text: The response must include the theme.

refinement: The story's theme is life trying to survive against the odds. The universe is collapsing, and the last remnants of life gather around the last remaining star.

answer: The story's theme is attachment. The narrator and his dad have a nice night on the hillside watching the milky way. They remark on how no one still knows why it has dark spots. The father claims those experts are right, but not out of any deep understanding. They just know it makes sense to the layman because they accept there to be an assumption of knowledge. The narrator is thinking about their prematurely after their father's passing. He gets to return to how it was between them, but it's not the same. There is an undeniable distance that exists because there is no body to share the relation, no person to know what really happened. Comparing his father's presence to the containment of the observed space is just that. A vector that points to what else is non-existent. When they explored, they found all the engineers got their math wrong and the Voyager probes, supposed to break the edge of the universe and test if there is anything on the other side, only got 4 billion miles out. As for the universe, it's math might have been dead on. The last of civilization could crumble here and there could be nothing to replace it, because entropy isn't aligned with humanity.


text:
Christ Mass. Even as an adult it sent a shiver down his spine. Christ Mass, a time for repentance, a time for respect, a time for sorrow. Nick shook his head, it was getting late and his mind was starting to wander. He had a lot of work to do, tomorrow was a big day, tomorrow he would test the time suit.

It was no coincidence that Nick had chosen the 25th of December to test his machine. Nick's machine was an affront to everything the OTC stood for and he couldn't think of a better way of saying "Screw You!" then to violate the very laws of Physics on their most important day.

By 8.00am he was already in the suit. He settled the butterflies in his stomach by finishing a glass of milk - his favourite. After a moment's pause he stood up, pressed the button and fell out of time.

Nick was a genius by anyones' standards with an unnatural aptitude for working with multi-dimensional problems. At university he came to understand that our perception of time is simply a shadow of a multidimensional field. This realisation was coupled with the reality that he was beyond his peers and professors, he dropped out. It took 3 years to finish the machine. 3 years of working in secret. 3 years of sleepless nights, unhealthy eating and personal neglect. By the time it was complete Nick was a state, morbidly obese with an ungainly beard, but his work was done.

Falling backwards, the world dimmed and blurred. His brain struggled to process the unphysical reality. He perceived a stream of colours as visual information from multiple moments arrived simultaneously - it was nauseating. Fortunately he didn't need to make sense of it all, his suit did all the work. He pressed another button and started hurtling sidewards a year at a time. The surface of history spun in front of his eyes, the motion sickness faded and a rainbow of colours washed over him as the years passed. Coming out from a trance he had the shocking realization - the colours were fading, he was still falling! In a panic he pressed the button to return to the time event horizon.

He came too lying on a crowded street. A quick survey of the dense terraced houses and thick smog suggested that he had emerged around the Victorian era. With ease that surprised himself he sprung to his feet. The people around him remained motionless. Something was wrong. An examination of his suit controls revealed the problem - he wasn't back! Draining its batteries, competing with an unanticipated force, the machine had died anchoring him on the very edge of time.

Nick explored the town. Here on the cusp of time he could feel the air, the sun on his back, feel gravity pulling him down, even smell the local bakery but the experience was diluted, ethereal. Walking the back alleys put his life in perspective. The strict discipline that came with Christ Mass made him feel like he had suffered hardships, but here was true suffering. At the edge of town he found the worst of it; an orphanage. Most of the kids looked 3 missing meals from starvation. Nick remembered the bakery he past earlier.

He felt guilty taking bread from under the plump baker's nose but couldn't shake the image of the starving children. Eight trips and several hours later he'd managed to supply most of the kids with loaves, rolls and pastries. He stole one last glance at the baker as he carried the bread-filled sacks out the door. The baker's mouth was formed into an "O", his expression one of shock. It was strange, Nick didn't remember seeing this before. The final visit to the orphanage confirmed it - the smallest glimmer of joy showed in the eyes of the kids Nick supplied first. Time wasn't frozen! It was just passing imperceivably slow.

The joy he saw in those children's faces elated him. This was the first time in Nick's life he had ever felt purpose, felt useful. He was especially gleeful that he could bring such joy on the day of Christ Mass, a traditional day of suffering for children.... Cogs whirred in his brain, his version of Christ Mass didn't exist yet! The OTC hadn't been formed! The OTC gained absolute power exploiting the misery of people during the hard winter months. It was ironic that the children in the orphanage would always associate this day with a happy memory. It was a shame, he thought, that every child couldn't feel this way about Christ Mass because then the OTC would never happen. But you couldn't possibly make every child on earth happy. Right?

It was evening by the time he finished. It had taken the whole Tunguskan forest, but he had finally made enough toys for all the children of the earth. His body within the suit remained in time stasis, but his hands and face had aged and his beard had turned to purest white. He set off with his first payload. It would likely be midnight before his work was done, he just hoped he would get to see those glimmers of joy once more before *his* time ran out. Either way, Christ Mass would have a different meaning for the world of the future than it did to Nick.

It was a magical night that night. Those lucky enough saw a flash of a giant smiling man with perfect white beard and glowing redshifted suit. And if you listened carefully, you could even hear his Doppler shifted laughter resonating through the air.

"Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christ Mass!"

title: The Nick Of Time

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

How does this story relate to modern culture?

answer: The story addresses the problem of poverty and starvation during winter holidays, and presents a potential solution by stealing and distributing bakery goods evenly to orphaned children. In doing so, the story imagines a world where every child enjoys this day and where poverty does not exist. This is a modern way of addressing an existing social problem, opening up a new and creative approach to solving it.

text: The last sentence is unnecessary.

refinement: The story addresses the problem of poverty and starvation during winter holidays, and presents a potential solution by stealing and distributing bakery goods evenly to orphaned children. In doing so, the story imagines a world where every child enjoys this day and where poverty does not exist.

text: The answer does not mention the specific day the story revolves around.

refinement: The story addresses the problem of poverty and starvation during winter holidays, and presents a potential solution by stealing and distributing bakery goods evenly to orphaned children. In doing so, the story imagines a world where every child enjoys Christmas and where poverty does not exist.

text: The answer does not mention that this is a Santa Claus origin story.

refinement: The story addresses the problem of poverty and starvation during winter holidays, and presents a potential solution by stealing and distributing bakery goods evenly to orphaned children. In doing so, the story imagines a world where every child enjoys Christmas and where poverty does not exist. This story also serves as an origin story for Santa Claus.

answer: The story turns the lore of Santa Claus into an origin story with a sci-fi twist. It explains how Nick is able to travel across the whole world in a single night and why he gives toys to children. It also provides a reason why he is fat, wears a read suit, has a beard, and is old.

answer: Modern culture resonates with the religious themes of christmas shown in the story.

text: The answer could be more specific, touching on the character of Santa Claus.

refinement: Modern culture resonates with the religious themes of christmas shown in the story. It serves as an origin story for Santa Claus, showing how Nick, a time traveler, originates Christmas tradition.

answer: The story is about a man experiencing Christ Mass in an unconventional way, using his time suit to explore the past. By delivering food to starving orphans, the protagonist fulfills a need left unmet in a traditional Christ Mass, adding joy and meaning to the increasingly controversial holiday. The story sheds new light on modern cultural norms.

text: This answer could be clearer in linking Christ Mass to Christmas.

refinement: The story is about a man experiencing Christ Mass in an unconventional way, using his time suit to explore the past. By delivering food to starving orphans, the protagonist originates modern Christmas tradition. The story sheds new light on modern cultural norms.

text: The answer could also mention the link between the protagonist and Santa Claus.

refinement: The story is about a man experiencing Christ Mass in an unconventional way, using his time suit to explore the past. By delivering food to starving orphans, the protagonist originates modern Christmas tradition. The story sheds new light on modern cultural norms. In delivering food to the orphans, the protagonist takes on the role of the traditional Christmas figure of Santa Claus.

answer: The main character's mission relates to the holiday spirit of Christmas and this is a trait shared with the holiday. However what is unseen in today's context is that only in the context of history is using time manipulation as redemption/good deeds to orphans a satisfying experience. Because a part of the content of this work is based in Christmassy goodness, we can conclude that the author is relating to our cultural past as well.

text: The last two lines of this are nonsensical. They should be rephrased to show how the story relates to Christmas.

refinement: The main character's mission relates to the holiday spirit of Christmas and this is a trait shared with the holiday. The main character takes on the role of Santa Claus and, through his actions of kindness towards the orphans, originates the modern Christmas tradition.


text:
The OKANDÉ are a people of north-eastern Gabon who belong to the Mèmbè language group (Okandè, Apindzi, Simba, Vové, Tsogho, Evia and Kotakota). Their language overlaps that of the Apindzi and the Simba about 80/86% according to professor Van Der Veen. Their estimated population of 2,000 persons (in 2003) live in the Lopé region in Ogooué-Ivindo. The Mwiri, a male initiation institution, still plays an important role in the traditional social and religious life of the Okandé.

While their history is little known today, the archives do speak of them. The Okandè, fierce conservators of their environment, through their initiation rites, (Douwa, Diyandzi, Ghétolè, Bwété, Mwiri) were formerly dubbed the “kings of the Ogooué, the vainquishers of the rapids”, better known than the Adouma and the Sisiwu, have taught their traditions, such as navigation of the Ogooué, okouyi dancing, Mvudi, Bodi, Mboudi, Mouiri, Ndjèmbè and others) to the Galois, Enènga, Aduma, Mbangwè and Sisiwu. Seasoned canoers, the Okandè helped the explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza and his successors up the Ogooué to its source towards the end of the 18th century. They were longtime slave traders; the Adouma came down the Ogooué to the Lopé to sell them slaves, and in turn the Okandé brought them in pirogues specially adapted to the rocks and rivers of the Ogooué to sell them to the Enènga of Lambaréné.

Only the Okandè and the Kotakota (derived from the Apinzi of the Ogooué) of Ndjolé, or, rarely, the Enènga, attempted the Ogooué in its most complex stretch, from Lambaréné to Booué, which the Galois and Enènga called “Orèmbo Okandè”, or the river of the Okandè. The Okandè named the river the Ogooué, and also, between Lambaréné and Booué, many watercourses, islets, rapids and so on bear names given to them by the piroguiers of the Okandè, such as Talaghougha, Abanga, Offoué, Okano, Lélédi, Ivindo, Booué, Ngomo, and Ashouka.

  The banks of the Okandé are covered in virgin forests interrupted at lengthy intervals by clearings where the Akellas have established small villages, very useful to travelers for the purchase of provisions.Hippopotamuses abound in the Okandé. Beyond Samiketa the riverbanks get much higher.[1]

Language

In the classification of Bantu languages established by Malcolm Guthrie, Mokande-Kande belongs to the Tsogo (B30) language group and is coded B32.

Notes and references

Bibliography

-   (English) David E. Gardinier and Douglas A. Yates, _Historical dictionary of Gabon_, Scarecrow Press, Lanham, Md., Plymouth, 2006 (3rd ed.)
-   (English) James Stuart Olson, “Okandé”, in _The Peoples of Africa: An Ethnohistorical Dictionary_, Greenwood Publishing Group, 1996, p. 464

Related articles

-   Demographics of Gabon
-   List of ethnic groups of Africa

[1]

title: Okandé

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

Where are the Okande from?

answer: Okande live in the Lopé area in Ogooué-Ivindo.

text: Does not mention where the Lopé area is.

refinement: Okande live in the Lopé area in Ogooué-Ivindo in north-eastern Gabon.

text: "Their estimated population of 2,000 persons (in 2003) live in the Lopé region in Ogooué-Ivindo" is evidence that the Okando live in the Lopé area.

answer: The Okande are a people located in north-eastern Gabon.

text: "The OKANDÉ are a people of north-eastern Gabon" is evidence that the Okandé are from north-eastern Gabon.

answer: The Okande are from north-eastern Gabon.

text: "The OKANDÉ are a people of north-eastern Gabon" is evidence that the Okandé are from north-eastern Gabon.

answer: They are from north-eastern Gabon.

text: "The OKANDÉ are a people of north-eastern Gabon" is evidence that the Okandé are from north-eastern Gabon.

answer: The Okande people come from north-eastern Gabon.

text: "The OKANDÉ are a people of north-eastern Gabon" is evidence that the Okandé are from north-eastern Gabon.

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

Describe what archives have said of the Okande.

answer: The archives have described the Okande as fierce conservators of their environment and were formerly dubbed the "kings of the Ogooue, the vanquishers of the rapid". They were also seasoned canoers and were longtime slave traders in the past.

text: "They were longtime slave traders" is evidence that the archives state they were slave traders.

text: "The Okandè, fierce conservators of their environment" is evidence that the archives call them fierce conservators of their environment.

text: "Seasoned canoers, the Okandè helped the explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza and his successors up the Ogooué to its source towards the end of the 18th century" is evidence that they were seasoned canoers.

answer: Records show that the Okandé were fierce protectors of their environment and sailors of the Ogooué River. Their name became synonymous with canoers in the Ogooué River area, and several watercourses and other geographical features were named by the piroguiers of the Okandé. Records also show that they were slave traders.

text: "They were longtime slave traders" is evidence that the archives state they were slave traders.

text: "The Okandè, fierce conservators of their environment" is evidence that the archives call them fierce conservators of their environment.

text: "Seasoned canoers, the Okandè helped the explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza and his successors up the Ogooué to its source towards the end of the 18th century" is evidence that they were seasoned canoers.

answer: According to the passage, the archives speak of the Okande as the "kings of the Ogooué", who taught traditions to other tribes such as sailing up the Ogooué, okouyi dancing, and others. The archives further explain that the Okande were once slave traders and that they were among the only tribes to navigate the most complex stretch of the Ogooué.

text: Does not mention that they were fierce conservators of their environment.

refinement: According to the passage, the archives speak of the Okande as the "kings of the Ogooué", who taught traditions to other tribes such as sailing up the Ogooué, okouyi dancing, and others. The archives further explain that the Okande were once slave traders and that they were among the only tribes to navigate the most complex stretch of the Ogooué. They were also described as fierce conservators of their environment through their initiation rites.

text: "They were longtime slave traders" is evidence that the archives state they were slave traders.

text: “kings of the Ogooué, the vainquishers of the rapids” is evidence that they were dubbed as such.

answer: The archives speak of them as fierce conservators of their environment, through their initiation rites, formerly being dubbed "kings of the Ogooué, the vainquishers of the rapids."

text: Does not mention that they were longtime slave traders and seasoned canoers.

refinement: The archives speak of them as fierce conservators of their environment, through their initiation rites, formerly being dubbed "kings of the Ogooué, the vainquishers of the rapids." The archives also mention their being longtime slave traders and seasoned canoers.

text: "The Okandè, fierce conservators of their environment" is evidence that the archives call them fierce conservators of their environment.

answer: Their archives have spoken of their culture and how they persevere through harsh conditions. They were freedom hunters and guardians of the environment.

text: Does not mention their being longtime slave traders.

refinement: Their archives have spoken of their culture and how they persevere through harsh conditions. They were freedom hunters and guardians of the environment. The archives mention that they were longtime slave traders.

text: Does not mention their navigation of the Ogooué.

refinement: Their archives have spoken of their culture and how they persevere through harsh conditions. They were freedom hunters and guardians of the environment. The archives mention that they were longtime slave traders. They were also seasoned canoers, described as the "kings of the Ogooué".

text: "The Okandè, fierce conservators of their environment" is evidence that they were guardians of their environment.

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

What is the relationshop between the Okande and the Kotakota?

answer: The Kotakota used to be Apindzi that assimilated to the Okande.

text: There is no evidence to support this statement.

text: Empty answer.

refinement: The Okandè and the Kotakota both belong to the Mèmbè language group. They were also two of the only groupd to attempt the most complex stretch of the Ogooué.

answer: They both attempted the Ogooue river in its most complex stretch.

text: Does not mention that they also both belong to the same language group.

refinement: They both attempted the Ogooue river in its most complex stretch. They also both belong to the Mèmbè language group.

text: "Only the Okandè and the Kotakota (derived from the Apinzi of the Ogooué) of Ndjolé, or, rarely, the Enènga, attempted the Ogooué in its most complex stretch" is evidenc that both groups attempted the most complex stretch of the Ogooué.

answer: The Okande and the Kotakota are language groups of the Bantu classification. The Okande belong to the Tsogo (B30) language group while the Kotakota belong to the Apinzi (B32) language group.

text: These statements seem to get information from the source material confused.

refinement: The Okande and the Kotakota both belong to the Mèmbè language group.

text: Does not state that they also both performed a similar feat.

refinement: The Okande and the Kotakota both belong to the Mèmbè language group. They were also two of the only ones to attempt the most complex stretch of the Ogooué.

answer: Okandé and Kotakota are of an overlapping language group.

text: Does not mention that they both attempted the Ogooué.

refinement: Okandé and Kotakota are of an overlapping language group. They also are two of the only groups to attempt the most complex stretch of the Ogooué.

text: "The OKANDÉ are a people of north-eastern Gabon who belong to the Mèmbè language group (Okandè, Apindzi, Simba, Vové, Tsogho, Evia and Kotakota)" is evidence that they both belong to the same language group.

answer: The Okande and Kotakota both belong to the Tsogo language group.

text: The name of the language group is incorrect.

refinement: The Okande and Kotakota both belong to the Mèmbè language group.

text: Does not mention their feats regarding the Ogooué.

refinement: The Okande and Kotakota both belong to the Mèmbè language group. They also both attempted the most complex stretch of the Ogooué.

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

What language group does Mokande-Kande belong to?

answer: Mokande-Kande belongs to the Tsogo (B30) language group.

text: "Mokande-Kande belongs to the Tsogo (B30) language group" is evidence that Mokande-Kande belongs to the Tsogo language group.

answer: Mokande-Kande belongs to the Tsogo (B30) language group.

text: "Mokande-Kande belongs to the Tsogo (B30) language group" is evidence that Mokande-Kande belongs to the Tsogo language group.

answer: Mokande-Kande belongs to the Tsongo (B30) language group.

text: Name of the language group is spelled wrong.

refinement: Mokande-Kande belongs to the Tsogo (B30) language group.

text: "Mokande-Kande belongs to the Tsogo (B30) language group" is evidence that Mokande-Kande belongs to the Tsogo language group.

answer: It belongs to the Tsogho group.

text: Name of the language group is spelled wrong.

text: "Mokande-Kande belongs to the Tsogo (B30) language group" is evidence that Mokande-Kande belongs to the Tsogo language group.

answer: It belongs to the Tsogo (B30) language group.

text: "Mokande-Kande belongs to the Tsogo (B30) language group" is evidence that Mokande-Kande belongs to the Tsogo language group.

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

Describe the environment of the Okande people.

answer: The Okande people live in the Lopé region of Ogooué-Ivindo in north-eastern Gabon. The banks of the Ogooué River on which the Okande people live is covered in virgin forests, interrupted at lengthy intervals by small clearings where Akellas have established small villages. The rivers of the Okande's habitat abound in hippopotamuses.

answer: The Okande people live in the Lopé region in northeastern Gabon. The banks of the Ogooué river where the Okande live are covered in virgin forests and are home to many hippopotamuses.

answer: A thin ring of virgin forests surrounds the Okande people with openings that allow small Akelas villages to be formed. Hippopotamuses roam the banks of the Okande

text: There is no evidence that the virgin forests are arranged in a thin ring.

refinement: Virgin forests surround the Okande people with openings that allow small Akelas villages to be formed. Hippopotamuses roam the banks of the Okande

text: The detail surrounding the Akellas is confusingly phrased.

refinement: Virgin forests surround the Okande people with clearing where the Akellas have built small villages. Hippopotamuses roam the banks of the Okande

text: Missing period.

refinement: Virgin forests surround the Okande people with clearing where the Akellas have built small villages. Hippopotamuses roam the banks of the Okande.

answer: Their banks are covered in virgin forests and their region is low.

text: Does not mention the local fauna.

refinement: Their banks are covered in virgin forests and their region is low. Hippopotamuses abound.

text: Unclear what banks are being referred to.

refinement: The banks of the Okandé are covered in virgin forests and their region is low. Hippopotamuses abound.

answer: The banks of the Okande are covered in virgin forests and hippopotamous are abound.

text: Unnecessary verb.

refinement: The banks of the Okande are covered in virgin forests and hippopotamous abound.

text: Incorrect plural.

refinement: The banks of the Okande are covered in virgin forests and hippopotamuses abound.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: This text explains a few things about the Okande people of Gabon. They belong to the Mbè language group. They were the masters of navigation along the Ogooué river and also taught their language and traditions to other groups. This tribe traded on slaves.

text: The language group's name is spelled incorrectly.

refinement: This text explains a few things about the Okande people of Gabon. They belong to the Mèmbè language group. They were the masters of navigation along the Ogooué river and also taught their language and traditions to other groups. This tribe traded on slaves.

text: "The OKANDÉ are a people of north-eastern Gabon" is evidence that the Okandè are located in Gabon.

text: "They were longtime slave traders" is evidence that the Okandè were slave traders.

answer: According to the article, the Okande is a minority group from North East Gabon. They belong to the Mambé language group. The author describes their history, canoeing, and their language.

text: The statement that the Okandè are a minority group is unattested.

refinement: According to the article, the Okandè are a tribe from North East Gabon. They belong to the Mambé language group. The author describes their history, canoeing, and their language.

text: The reference to canoeing can be elaborated on to show how it relates to the Okandè.

refinement: According to the article, the Okandè are a tribe from North East Gabon. They belong to the Mambé language group. The author describes their history, expertise in canoeing, and their language.

text: Does not mention the slave trade.

refinement: According to the article, the Okandè are a tribe from North East Gabon. They belong to the Mambé language group. The author describes their history, expertise in canoeing, their language, and their involvement in the slave trade.

answer: The Okandé are an indigenous people of northeastern Gabon. Their language belongs to the Mèmbè language group and their population is approximated at 2,000. The Mwiri, a male initiation institution, still plays an important role in traditional social and religious life. Although their history is not well known, their tradition of navigating the Ogooué has passed down to the Galois, Enènga, Aduma, Mbangwè, and Sisiwu. They are skilled canoers, and the Okandé helped French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza travel up the Ogooué River. They live along the riverbanks and are known to dwell in virgin forests and to have many hippopotamuses.

text: Their involvement in the slave trade could be mentioned over the Mwiri.

refinement: The Okandé are an indigenous people of northeastern Gabon. Their language belongs to the Mèmbè language group and their population is approximated at 2,000. Although their history is not well known, their tradition of navigating the Ogooué has passed down to the Galois, Enènga, Aduma, Mbangwè, and Sisiwu. They are skilled canoers, and the Okandé helped French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza travel up the Ogooué River. They were also longtime slave traders. They live along the riverbanks and are known to dwell in virgin forests and to have many hippopotamuses.

text: It is not necessary to describe their habitat.

refinement: The Okandé are an indigenous people of northeastern Gabon. Their language belongs to the Mèmbè language group and their population is approximated at 2,000. Although their history is not well known, their tradition of navigating the Ogooué has passed down to the Galois, Enènga, Aduma, Mbangwè, and Sisiwu. They are skilled canoers, and the Okandé helped French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza travel up the Ogooué River. They were also longtime slave traders.

answer: The Okandé people are a group of people who live in north-eastern Gabon. They belong to the Mèmbè language group and their population is approximately 2,000. Their traditional social and religious practices, like the Mwiri initiation rites, played an important role in their history, and they were long-time slave traders. The Okandé were skilled canoeists who assisted explorers up the Ogooue River. The river is named after them. They live close to virgin forests and have plenty of hippopotamuses.

text: The phrasing implies that the Okandè own hippopotamuses.

refinement: The Okandé people are a group of people who live in north-eastern Gabon. They belong to the Mèmbè language group and their population is approximately 2,000. Their traditional social and religious practices, like the Mwiri initiation rites, played an important role in their history, and they were long-time slave traders. The Okandé were skilled canoeists who assisted explorers up the Ogooue River. The river is named after them. They live close to virgin forests and their area is populated by plenty of hippopotamuses.

text: Their habitat needn't be mentioned.

refinement: The Okandé people are a group of people who live in north-eastern Gabon. They belong to the Mèmbè language group and their population is approximately 2,000. Their traditional social and religious practices, like the Mwiri initiation rites, played an important role in their history, and they were long-time slave traders. The Okandé were skilled canoeists who assisted explorers up the Ogooue River. The river is named after them.

text: It is not stated that the river is named after them. Rather, the article states that they named the river: "The Okandè named the river the Ogooué".

refinement: The Okandé people are a group of people who live in north-eastern Gabon. They belong to the Mèmbè language group and their population is approximately 2,000. Their traditional social and religious practices, like the Mwiri initiation rites, played an important role in their history, and they were long-time slave traders. The Okandé were skilled canoeists who assisted explorers up the Ogooue River. They were responsible for naming the Ogooué river.

answer: This article details the Okande people of north-eastern Gabon. They belong to the Membe language group. Despite their history being little known, through archives they have been described as canoers and fierce conservators of their environment.

text: Does not mention that they were slave traders.

refinement: This article details the Okande people of north-eastern Gabon. They belong to the Membe language group. Despite their history being little known, through archives they have been described as canoers, fierce conservators of their environment, and slave traders.

text: Could mention more about their relationship with the Ogooué river.

refinement: This article details the Okande people of north-eastern Gabon. They belong to the Membe language group. Despite their history being little known, through archives they have been described as canoers, fierce conservators of their environment, and slave traders. They are one of the few groups to attempt the most complex stretch of the Ogooué and were the ones responsible for naming the river.

text: Accents missing.

refinement: This article details the Okandé people of north-eastern Gabon. They belong to the Mèmbè language group. Despite their history being little known, through archives they have been described as canoers, fierce conservators of their environment, and slave traders. They are one of the few groups to attempt the most complex stretch of the Ogooué and were the ones responsible for naming the river.