text:
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MediaMath will stop buying from supply partners that play auction games, preferring to create an economic incentive for fair, transparent programmatic auctions and put an end to auction manipulation.

The DSP sent an open letter Wednesday morning to its 50 directly integrated suppliers. The full letter is reproduced at the end of this article.

“Auction manipulation has always been against our code of conduct, but we are sick of having these conversations over and over again,” said Anna Hewitt, director of supply products at MediaMath.

The letter asks the exchanges to sign a document with a 13-point checklist of behavior they pledge to avoid. The checklist prohibits behavior such as bid caching and misuse of the wrapper, sending duplicate bid requests, masking domains or adding data to the bidstream.

It also prohibits multiple types of floors: DSP-specific floors and soft floors that non-transparently increase clearing prices in second-price auctions.

Recognizing that it can’t anticipate all possible ways suppliers can game auctions, the letter also asks them to affirm that they “will not attempt in any way to mislead, deceive, or otherwise engage in practices that are inconsistent with these principles.”

If exchanges get caught manipulating the auction, MediaMath will kick them out for a set period, which will vary depending on the crime. To re-enter, the exchange will have to be vetted extensively.

MediaMath wants the penalty for auction games to outweigh the short-term benefits. Plus, by punishing bad actors, good exchanges can flourish. MediaMath expects a few exchanges will be able to sign without making any changes to their current practices.

“You can’t make the fine for parking illegally less than the cost of parking in a garage for the day. Otherwise they are going to manipulate the auction,” said Lewis Rothkopf, general manager of media and growth channels at MediaMath.

Repeat offenders won’t be able to earn their way back in. MediaMath will give suppliers a single shot at redemption, but no third chance.

“It’s no mere ‘slap on the wrist.’ That’s given them the idea that it’s OK to play games and they have an advantage until they are caught,” Hewitt said.

MediaMath has become stricter toward suppliers. In the past year, it permanently stopped buying from a handful of exchanges for practices that hurt its marketers.

For example, MediaMath stopped buying from exchanges that didn’t abide by its “two hops” policy. Implemented a year ago, it discourages reselling by prohibiting exchanges from offering impressions that have passed through more than one intermediary (the second "hop").

MediaMath also permanently kicked out a supply partner that sold video inventory on sites that didn’t have any video and then violated a different rule after MediaMath turned it back on again.

In contrast, many DSPs have traditionally policed auction games by asking an exchange to stop a practice once it’s been found out, or briefly pausing spend with an exchange.

But as the auction games continue to flourish – and get more complex – MediaMath has had enough.

“Bid caching was an example of finding the tiniest needle in a big haystack,” Hewitt said. MediaMath doesn’t want another exchange to dream up the idea of the next bid caching, but to focus on driving outcomes for its marketer clients.

“This has to stop, she added. “This mindset of myopically focusing on taking away market share from competitors, versus orienting yourself toward the marketer and the consumer, has to stop.”

The open letter to MediaMath’s clients is reprinted here:

_Recipients: All directly integrated SSPs of MediaMath_

_Subject line: An Open Letter to SSPs About the Way We Conduct Business_

_It's been a challenging time for our industry, and for digital media more broadly: Congress continues to probe the activities of social media giants, again putting tech companies in the hot seat. The role of the “platform company” was spotlighted yet again as part of the seismic shift taking place in the marketing world. You can see aftershocks of this throughout ad tech: although not social platforms, our respective companies happen to be platforms as well, and we each have a critical role in maintaining the integrity of our own market. At risk is the ongoing sustainability of our industry. We can’t wait for government intervention to bring about true transparency and accountability._

_Fighting over market share has diminishing returns when the pie starts shrinking due to an erosion of trust. Look elsewhere for an analogy: who “trusts” the cryptocurrency markets right now? We are facing a choice: clean up our act as an industry or hand the keys over to the Walled Gardens, who can apparently afford to apologize and move on when they experience lapses._

_ Marketers are tired of games, and don’t want to hear yet another explanation about something obscure in the auction that has inadvertently subtracted value from their marketing efforts. In response, MEDIAMATH IS ROLLING OUT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO MAKE EVEN MORE CLEAR OUR CURRENT PROHIBITIONS AGAINST AUCTION MANIPULATION, AND ANY SUPPLY SIDE TACTICS THAT SOLELY EXIST TO UNDULY DISADVANTAGE OTHER SSPS. We believe that SSPs can add the most value when they put their energy towards improving marketer outcomes, instead of myopically focusing on killing each other at any cost._

_We understand that there is tough competition on the supply side. That’s good! Finding new ways to make marketing work better, and the innovation it spurs is what makes all of our jobs exciting. Our industry is stronger when we align towards common goals. Novel developments that update auction mechanics or OpenRTB that allow marketers to better deliver their message to consumers in a clean, non-intrusive, low-load environment are unquestionably a good thing. Through our industry associations, let’s come together to make it happen via a transparent standard._

_Where there is money and limited consequences, there will exist the risk of abuse. AS IT RELATES TO OUR PLATFORM, WE ARE MAKING THOSE CONSEQUENCES FAR MORE CLEAR AND UNAMBIGUOUS. Establishing a Code of Conduct starts with open participation, but if any member violates these polices, or even the spirit of this letter, that platform is out of the club. There will be a defined penalty of cessation of spend for an extended period of time, without early release, and reentrance is only accepted after extensive vetting. There are no third chances. PROTECTING OUR CUSTOMERS, END CONSUMERS AND THE INDUSTRY ITSELF NECESSITATES TAKING THIS STRONG STANCE._

_Furthermore, if you see something, say something. If you run a clean shop, but others engage in old, questionable practices, tell us. Let the buyside level the playing field.  If you are honest about a tactic your platform employs, or are unsure about a practice, also say something. Just as you do at the border, when in doubt, declare. _

_To continue your eligibility for MediaMath’s Open Auction, __please confirm your adherence to the principles outlined on this linked form__. _

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

What is MediaMath's strategy in preventing auction manipulation?

answer: To start, they are going to require affordable bids are pre-bundled and transparent. Their being monitored by the media as well as the efficiency of their service.

text: It is omitted that the company has decided to stop purchasing from supply partners who participate in auction games.

refinement: To start, they are going to require affordable bids are pre-bundled and transparent. Their being monitored by the media as well as the efficiency of their service. The company has decided to stop purchasing from supply partners who participate in auction trade.

text: It is also omitted that the company has decided to kick out exchanges for a set period if caught manipulating.

refinement: To start, they are going to require affordable bids are pre-bundled and transparent. Their being monitored by the media as well as the efficiency of their service. The company has decided to stop purchasing from supply partners who participate in auction trade. Exchanges that are caught manipulating will be kicked out for a set period.

text: There is no evidence the media will be monitoring.

refinement: To start, they are going to require affordable bids are pre-bundled and transparent. The company has decided to stop purchasing from supply partners who participate in auction trade. Exchanges that are caught manipulating will be kicked out for a set period.

text: There is no evidence that they want the bids to be pre-bundled.

refinement: To start, they are going to require affordable bids to be transparent. The company has decided to stop purchasing from supply partners who participate in auction trade. Exchanges that are caught manipulating will be kicked out for a set period.

answer: They sent a letter with a 13-point checklist of behavior they pledge to avoid.

text: It is omitted that they have decided to stop purchasing from supply partners who participate in auction games.

refinement: They sent a letter with a 13-point checklist of behavior they pledge to avoid. The company has also decided to stop purchasing from supply partners who participate in auction games.

text: It is also omitted that exchanged who are caught manipulating the auction will be kicked out for a set time.

refinement: They sent a letter with a 13-point checklist of behavior they pledge to avoid. The company has also decided to stop purchasing from supply partners who participate in auction games. Exchanges caught manipulating the auction will be kicked out at a set time.

answer: MediaMath wants suppliers that use its platform to commit to not manipulating auctions. The company is taking a stricter stance against auction games, and has put in place a defined penalty for violations.

answer: MediaMath is ensuring that its suppliers abide by its Code of Conduct, which includes not manipulating the auction process. The DSP is making the penalties clear and unambiguous for any breaches, including ceasing spending for a set period. MediaMath stresses that honest reporting, along with transparency and collaboration, are key in maintaining the health of the industry.

answer: To encourage transparency and long-term fair play, the company will stop buying from supply partners that participate in auction games, and they'll kick them out of the platform for long periods. If DSPs comply, they are eligible for purchasing from Open Auction.

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

What type of behavior does the checklist prohibit?

answer: Bid caching, misuse of the wrapper, sending duplicate bid requests, masking domains or adding data to the bidstream.

text: It is omitted that it also prohibits multiple types of floors.

refinement: Bid caching, misuse of the wrapper, sending duplicate bid requests, masking domains or adding data to the bidstream, and multiple types of floors.

answer: Bid caching, misuse of the wrapper, sending duplicate bid requests, masking domains or adding data to the bidstream as well as multiple types of floors.

answer: The checklist prohibits behavior such as bid caching, misuse of the wrapper, sending duplicate bid requests, masking domains or adding data to the bidstream, and multiple types of floors such as DSP-specific floors and soft floors that increase clearing prices.

answer: The checklist prohibits behavior such as bid caching and misuse of the wrapper, sending duplicate bid requests, masking domains or adding data to the bidstream. Also prohibited are multiple types of floors, including DSP-specific floors and soft floors that non-transparently increase clearing prices in second-price auctions. Furthermore, if exchanges get caught manipulating the auction, MediaMath will kick them out for a set period, which will vary depending on the crime.

answer: Bid caching and misuse of the wrapper, sending duplicate bid requests, masking domains or adding data to the bidstream.

text: It is omitted that it also prohibits multiple types of floors.

refinement: Bid caching and misuse of the wrapper, sending duplicate bid requests, masking domains or adding data to the bidstream, and multiple types of floors.

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

How does multiple types of floors contribute to auction manipulation?

answer: Multiple types of floors contribute to auction manipulation by ensuring that one side of the auction has an unfair advantage. Soft floors, for example, artificially drive up the clearing prices in second-price auctions. Bid caching and misuse of the wrapper also cause manipulative outcomes in auctions. These practices are prohibited by MediaMath in an attempt to create a level playing field.

answer: These kinds of floors increase the clearing price in second-price auctions, therefore distorting the auction. This can give certain players an advantage, ultimately resulting in auction manipulation.

answer: It is not known why this is so.

text: It is incorrect that this information is not known.

refinement: Multiple types of floors can non-transparently increase clearing prices in the second-price auctions.

answer: Multiple types of floors result in a situation where non-transparently the clearing prices of the second price auctions can be increased.

answer: DSP-specific floors and soft floors that non-transparently increase clearing prices in second-price auctions.

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

How does MediaMath anticipate new methods of auction manipulation?

answer: MediaMath wants suppliers to adhere to certain principles to avoid auction manipulation. These principles prohibit practices such as bid caching, misuse of wrapper, and masking domains. Furthermore, MediaMath has a strict policy for suppliers that violate rules. Suppliers will be kicked out for a set period, and entry back into the platform will require extensive vetting. Furthermore, if suppliers see something suspicious, they should say something.

answer: It knows that it can't anticipate all possible ways suppliers can game auctions, to accommodate this the letter also asks them to affirm that they will not attempt in any way to mislead, deceive, or otherwise engage in practices that are inconsistent with these principles.

answer: They expect up to some of the affected companies to be transparent and forthright while others may attempt to maintain the status quo by repeating old methods that were blocked.

answer: MediaMath wants exchanges to agree not to engage in any practices that would unlawfully disadvantage other DSPs, and reserves the right to temporarily halt spend if they do. MediaMath also expects exchanges to be honest, declaring any practices that may be questionable.

answer: By adding more details to the checklist of items explicitly prohibited, by signaling that the penalty for scamming the rules will be more severe, and by offering only one chance for redemption instead of making allowances for a persisting problem.

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

What course of action will MediaMath take when exchanges are caught to manipulate the auction?

answer: If any exchange is caught manipulating the auction, MediaMath will temporarily stop buying from them and will only re-admit them after extensive vetting. Additionally, there will be a defined penalty of cessation of spend for an extended period of time.

answer: MediaMath will kick them out for a set period, this will vary depending on the crime. To re-enter the exchange will have to be vetted extensively.

text: It is omitted that there will be a penalty.

refinement: MediaMath will kick them out for a set period, this will vary depending on the crime. To re-enter the exchange will have to be vetted extensively. There will also be a penalty of cessation of spend for an extended period of time.

answer: MediaMath will cease buying from exchanges that are found to manipulate the auction, and impose a set period of cessation of spend.

text: It is omitted that they will only be allows to reenter after strict vetting.

refinement: MediaMath will cease buying from exchanges that are found to manipulate the auction, and impose a set period of cessation of spend. The exchange will only be allowed to re-enter after strict vetting.

text: It is incorrectly stated that they will impose a set period of cessation of spend.

refinement: MediaMath will cease buying from exchanges that are found to manipulate the auction, and impose a set penalty of cessation of spend. The exchange will only be allowed to re-enter after strict vetting.

answer: MediaMath has the authority to kick them out for a set period time depending on the crime

text: It is omitted that they will cease buying from them and impose a penalty of cessation of spend.

refinement: MediaMath has the authority to kick them out for a set period time depending on the crime. They will also impose a penalty of cessation of spend.

text: It is omitted that they will cease to buy from that exchange.

refinement: MediaMath has the authority to kick them out for a set period time depending on the crime. They will also impose a penalty of cessation of spend. The company will also stop buying from the exchange.

text: Grammatical error -  "set period time"

refinement: MediaMath has the authority to kick them out for a set period of time depending on the crime. They will also impose a penalty of cessation of spend. The company will also stop buying from the exchange.

answer: When caught, MediaMath will kick them out for a set period, which will vary depending on the crime. To re-enter, the exchange will have to be vetted extensively. They will give suppliers a single shot at redemption, but no third chance.

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

What is the purpose of punishing bad actors?

answer: The purpose is to deter auction games, restore transparency and trust in the industry, and make sure that marketers are adequately served.

answer: The deterrent effect putting the bad actors out of sale in the industry for a set period.

answer: To enable good exchanges to flourish.

answer: The purpose is to put an end to auction manipulation and to protect the sustainability of the industry. Thus, the goal is to establish integrity in the auction and make sure that it is fair for all participants.

answer: So that good exchanges can thrive

text: Missing full-stop.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: MediaMath is sending an open letter to its SSP partners asking them not to engage in auction games or practices that disadvantage other DSPs. It will also remove partners who have repeatedly manipulated the auction from its buying pool for a set period of time. MediaMath wants the penalties against bad actors to outweigh the short-term benefits of auction games.

answer: MediaMath is taking strict action toward those it buys ads from. It will be looking closely at their processes, and if it finds them inoffensive they will continue to work with the supplier. However, if they find it not working with the righteous, they will stop their supply for an extended period including vetting them tenderly.

answer: MediaMath has sent an open letter to its 50 directly integrated suppliers asking them to pledge to refrain from certain auction activities which can be considered auction manipulation. The company defends its position as a platform for buyer and seller bidding campaigns in an open auction culture and putting an end to auction game plays. The platforms will take punitive actions against preferences found guilty of manipulation.

answer: MediaMath has sent a letter to its 50 directly integrated supply partners, asking them to adhere to a Code of Conduct and prohibiting practices that manipulate auctions. If found violating said Code of Conduct, there are clear penalties in place and supply partners will not be eligible to participate in the MediaMath Open Auction. MediaMath hopes to protect its marketers and the entire industry by policing auction games.

answer: MediaMath is drawing a line in the sand with regards to auction manipulation. It sent a checklist to its 50 directly integrated suppliers that commits them to a certain code of conduct. If the code of conduct is broken the supplier will be kicked out for a period dependent on the crime.


split: train

text:
When the gas station shut down, Edna spoke up.

It was after a long string of shutdowns...decades ago, the fabric mill, then the supermarket, the hardware store, Bob's repair shop (he retired to Jacksonville), and the last restaurant. Soon after, everything but FastGas. From just shy of 5,000 people, to the last 30 living inhabitants of Dekher, TN. We all hesitated to call it a ghost town, but the boarded-up houses and stores said if the town wasn't dead, then it was definitely undead. Dekher was a zombie town, that didn't know it had died as parts of it fell off and disappeared.

The last unofficial-council meeting was just 5 people. Half the town were packing their belongings into old station wagons and onto utility trailers. There wasn't much left that mattered, and most people were making their last trip to complete their moves to somewhere more important. The council met on two opposite-facing wooden benches in front of the old general store. I was already there when the others arrived, undoing the bolts from the floor under the better of the two benches, so that I could take it with me. My late wife and I had carved our initials on the back when we were 18, shortly before we were married. I didn't want to leave it behind when we all left.

"Noon", Harold said.

"Hey", I said. We were non-committal in our greetings. This wasn't going to start great, or end with "See you later".

A lot of small groups of people start as a community. They move through various phases of friendships and hatreds, and eventually to a complete lack of concern. Old good memories exist alongside grudges; what comes to the forefront of mind depends on the situation, but rarely seem important enough to raise a heart rate.

Edna arrived with Betsy. Betsy drove her husband's old Cadillac and parked it right in the middle of the street, as usual. A dead end town with few cars meant that things didn't need to get complicated.

Leo arrived with a coffee pot and a stack of ceramic cups, washed from the last meeting but stained from many previous ones.

We sat for a while, sipping that coffee. No one talked about the future or the past. No one talked about the town.

Like I said, Edna spoke up.

"We should have a parade."

Leo and Harold were immediately indignant. They called the idea stupid and wasteful, and refused to have anything to do with it. I kept quiet and looked at the convertible Caddy.

"I'm in", I said, and Harold's proclaimed annoyance petered out.

Betsy offered the Cadillac before I could ask about it. Leo clearly did an abrupt about-face and offered to drive it, so the "Queens" of the parade could sit on the back and wave to the...crowd. Harold was silent for quite a while before he spoke up and offered the old pedal-powered 4-wheeler, if I'd pedal it. Edna talked about a dress she hadn't worn in 40 years.

Within an hour, the parade was planned. I don't think anything in this town had been planned that quickly since we were kids. We separated and went to our houses and I'm sure we all dreamed of parades. Thursday today...the parade was to be Saturday morning.

The next day I walked by Harold's and he was painting sheets of plywood, attached to the sides of his utility trailer. The trailer was loaded with his belongings and it was clear he had thought of something no one else had. The parade was not just a route...it was the path out of town for the last time.

After a quick discussion, I ran to the others' houses and arrived to each winded and excited, explaining the plan. The parade was moved to the afternoon and we all were now in a mad rush to pack our belongings for the parade. Edna and Betsy were making plastic flowers to attach to the Car, and the 4-wheeler was abandoned in favour of my pickup truck (with more plastic flowers, once Betsy showed me how to make them from the plastic bags left behind at the gas station). No one slept Friday night and we were exhausted at parade time, with full gas tanks and everything we cared about we us.

We started at the fabric mill and the parade route moved roughly along the chronological order of shut-down businesses. We stopped for a moment of reflection at each and moved on. Harold talked about getting caught shoplifting condoms in the 50s and we all roared in laughter. Edna might have been blushing too much. Leo explained how the weather vane on top of the school got shot off. Betsy talked about coming back after nursing college and how so many people she'd cared for that have now passed on or left, treating each similarly. I spoke about each job I had in town and then men and women I had worked with, feeling like I should have less to talk about than I did.

We waved, and drove, and spent a lot of time acting like there were more people to watch than the few last stragglers who were getting their last move completed. We were all crying by the end and no goodbyes were said as we each took a different turn off the old highway.

Edna spoke up, and none of us will ever go back to Dekher.

(All rights reserved by me. Please don't hate me for this. I've been stolen from before.)

title: Edna Spoke Up

question: Why does the narrator hesitate to call Dekher a ghost town?

answer: It seems more like a zombie town.

text: While the narrator does say this, it's not the reason they hesitate to call it a ghost town

text: Provide a response

refinement: A few people still live there, and the narrator has sentimental attachments to the town

answer: The narrator hesitates to call Dekher a ghost town because it is still home to a few people, even though most of the businesses have closed down. The town still has a sense of community, even though it is dwindling, and the people who remain are reluctant to leave.

answer: The narrator hesitates to call Dekher a ghost town because Dekher is not completely abandoned.

text: The narrator also has sentimental attachments to the town

refinement: The narrator hesitates to call Dekher a ghost town because Dekher is not completely abandoned, and they have sentimental attachments to the town.

answer: He doesn't want to be rude.

text: This might be true, but the input does not indicate this

text: Provide a response

refinement: A few people still live there, and the narrator has sentimental attachments to the town

question: What is the symbolic importance of the parade?

answer: The parade is symbolic of the town's death.

text: Vague and inaccurate response

text: Provide a response

answer: The parade is symbolic of the town's final goodbye. It is a way for the townspeople to say goodbye to the place they once called home, and to each other. It is also a way for them to move on, to start new lives in new places.

answer: Maybe it's their coming together to refuse to die along with the town.

text: The people are just saying goodbye to the town, not "refusing to die along with" it

text: Provide a response

refinement: It's a symbolic way for the people to say goodbye to the town

answer: The parade is a way for the townspeople to say goodbye to Dekher.

question: Why do they not say their goodbyes?

answer: The characters do not say goodbye because they know that they will never return to Dekher. They are all crying because they are saying goodbye to the town that they have called home for so long. They know that they will never see each other again.

answer: They are all crying and no one wants to say goodbye.

answer: It's likely they all refuse to acknowledge it is the end of their beloved town.

answer: The characters are too emotional to say goodbye.

question: Who paints the plywood?

answer: Harold.

answer: Harold.

answer: Harold paints the plywood that is attached to the sides of his utility trailer in order to create a parade path out of Dekher.

text: The plywood is not used to create a path

refinement: Harold paints the plywood that is attached to the sides of his utility trailer

answer: Harold

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: The town of Dekher, TN is dying. The last council meeting is held and Edna speaks up about having a parade. The townspeople pack up their belongings and leave for good.

text: The parade serves as their final goodbye before leaving

refinement: The town of Dekher, TN is dying. The last council meeting is held and Edna speaks up about having a parade. The townspeople pack up their belongings and drive through town in a parade as they leave for good.

answer: The narrator and few scant inhabitants of a dying small town fete the place they've known by having a last-minute, final parade. After it, they drive their separate ways, out of town.

text: Interesting use of "fete;" I'd replace it with a more common verb

refinement: The narrator and few scant inhabitants of a dying small town celebrate the place they've known by having a last-minute, final parade. After it, they drive their separate ways, out of town.

answer: The narrator and the other residents of Dekher, TN, are preparing to leave the town for good. They are having a parade to commemorate the shut-down businesses and to say goodbye to the town.

answer: In the face of the town's impending closure, Edna suggested a parade. The townspeople all came together to celebrate their shared history, before leaving for good.


text:
BY RICHARD GALPIN
BBC News

image copyrightAFP

image captionHassan Rouhani wrote about the flexibility of Islamic law

THE CLERIC, HASSAN ROUHANI, WHO IS BEING SWORN-IN AS PRESIDENT OF IRAN THIS WEEKEND, USED TO STROLL THE STREETS OF THE SCOTTISH CITY, GLASGOW, DRESSED IN A SMART BUSINESS SUIT, HIS TURBAN REMOVED.

It was the 1990s and Mr Rouhani was a post-graduate student at Glasgow Caledonian University.

He once joked that he should divorce his wife so he'd stand a better chance of getting university accommodation as a single person, rather than requiring family rooms.

At that time, he was also the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament. But those who knew him say he readily accepted the more lowly status of a student.

"He was on first (name) terms with fellow students," says Prof Hassan Amin, who has now retired from his post teaching law at Glasgow Caledonian University.

"Many times he ate in the students' canteen and sometimes I would take him to the staff restaurant," he says.

"People would come and sit down and I would introduce him… and he would happily engage in a conversation with them."

Political duties

The thesis Mr Rouhani wrote for his PhD is called "The flexibility of Shariah (Islamic Law) with reference to the Iranian experience."

He did the research in Iran while continuing his political duties in Tehran.

image captionProf Hassan Amin said Hassan Rouhani was happy to engage in conversation

But he commuted regularly to Glasgow to meet his academic supervisors and discuss the progress he was making.

Dr Mahdi Zahraa, who was one of Mr Rouhani's supervisors, remembers him as "a quiet-spoken, very gentle man", with whom he enjoyed "intelligent and challenging" conversations. His spoken English was good.

"We had very different views on some matters, on others we found that we held similar opinions," he said.

"From our discussions, I ascertained that he had a modern and reformist approach to Shariah law."

Public interest

His thesis can still be brought out and read at the university library.

"There has been quite a bit of press interest (in the thesis), interest from the public in general and quite a bit of interest from the Iranian community," says the library director, Robert Ruthven. "The thesis seems to show he has quite a flexible and perhaps modernising outlook."

In the first line of the abstract, Dr Rouhani writes: "This thesis verifies that no laws in Islam are immutable."

And he goes on to state: "The primary source of the Islamic law (the Quran) is in itself flexible on the basis of the analysis that the Quranic legislation leaves room for flexibility in the evaluation of its injunctions."

image captionHassan Rouhani's thesis is still available for researchers at the university library

Experts say this is not something new in recent Iranian thinking, but it does put him in the modernist or pragmatist camp.

And while he's not regarded as a reformist, his victory in the election in June has raised expectations amongst the reformist groups which rallied around him that he will bring change to Iran.

Since the election, Mr Rouhani has spoken of bringing moderation back to Iranian politics and being more transparent about Iran's nuclear programme, so what he called "cruel" sanctions imposed on Iran by the international community, can be lifted.

Gradual change

And it seems his decision to study in Britain back in the 1990s, did to some extent reflect his more liberal outlook.

"He chose Great Britain because he has respect for the legal system here, for the judiciary and also for the legislative system," says Prof Hassan Amin, who is hopeful Mr Rouhani will deliver the promises he made during the election.

"However I would say it would not be an immediate change, it has to be gradual, towards an Iran of sustainable development and good relations with the rest of the world."

Other experts are also cautious about how much Mr Rouhani will want to or be able to free up the system at home and re-engage with the West.

"He is firm in his loyalty to the Islamic republic and to the supreme leader," says Sir Richard Dalton, a former British ambassador to Iran.

"He's best described as a man of the centre with excellent political links to all parts of the political spectrum in Iran.

"His maxim will be more let's go for what works, rather than to respond to a preconceived reform programme."

And yet Sir Richard also believes there could be a breakthrough in the long crisis over Iran's nuclear programme during Mr Rouhani's presidency, if the United States is prepared to offer a progressive easing of the international economic sanctions and if Tehran is also flexible.

"Then I believe…it should be possible to negotiate a permanent, long-term solution to the nuclear question."

-   -

question: What setting does this document focus on?

answer: This document focuses on Iran.

text: It focuses more on Glasgow Caledonian University while Rouhani was a student there

refinement: This document focuses on Glasgow Caledonian Universty while Hassan Rouhani was a student there.

answer: This document and talks about Scottish academic Hassan Rouhani during his years in Glasgow.

text: Remove "and" from "and talks"

refinement: This document talks about Scottish academic Hassan Rouhani during his years in Glasgow.

text: Rouhani is Iranian

refinement: This document talks about Iranian academic Hassan Rouhani during his years in Glasgow.

text: Note that Rouhani was at a university in Glasgow

refinement: This document talks about Iranian academic Hassan Rouhani during his years at Glasgow Caledonian Unviersty.

text: Provide a response

refinement: The document focuses on Hassan Rouhani's time at Glasgow Caledonian University.

question: Describe Hassan Rouhanj.

answer: Hassan Rouhani is a moderate, modernist cleric who was once a post-graduate student at Glasgow Caledonian University. He is known to be quiet and gentle, although also pragmatic. His liberal stance on Islamic law is seen as promising for a hopeful change of Iran's domestic and foreign policies, although he is not a reformist.

text: "He's best described as a man of the centre"

text: He was described as "a quiet-spoken, very gentle man"

text: He is said to be "in the modernist or pragmatist camp"

text: "he's not regarded as a reformist"

text: He has a "more liberal outlook" on Islamic law

text: He "has raised expectations amongst the reformist groups"

answer: Hassan Rouhani, at the time of the document, was being sworn-in as a centrist president of Iran. In the 1990's he was the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament. He also used to teach law at Glasgow Caledonian University. He is said to have a modern approach to Shariah Law.

text: He was a student, not a professor, at Glasgow Caledonian University

refinement: Hassan Rouhani, at the time of the document, was being sworn-in as a centrist president of Iran. In the 1990's he was the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament. He also be a post-graduate student at Glasgow Caledonian University. He is said to have a modern approach to Shariah Law.

answer: Hassan Rouhani is a reformist and modernist Iranian politician who is entering his term as president this weekend. He was educated in Scotland, and is known to be intelligent, gentle, and reserved. While he has been cautious thus far in terms of changes he will institute domestically, experts believe that he may lead breakthroughs in relations with the West in regards to the nuclear crisis.

text: Nothing indicates "he has been cautious thus far;" he hasn't even taken office

refinement: Hassan Rouhani is a reformist and modernist Iranian politician who is entering his term as president this weekend. He was educated in Scotland, and is known to be intelligent, gentle, and reserved. Experts believe that he may lead breakthroughs in relations with the West in regards to the nuclear crisis.

text: He was described as "a quiet-spoken, very gentle man" and had "intelligent and challenging" conversations with professors, which supports calling him "intelligent, gentle, and reserved"

question: Describe the thesis Mr.Rouhani wrote for his PhD.

text: Provide a response

refinement: It was titled, "The flexibility of Shariah (Islamic Law) with reference to the Iranian experience," and argued that Shariah law is flexible.

answer: The thesis was written in 2008 and the abstract demonstrates a flexible approach to classical Islamic law with reference to the Iranian experience.

text: The year of the thesis's publication is not stated

refinement: The thesis's abstract demonstrates a flexible approach to classical Islamic law with reference to the Iranian experience.

text: Give the name of the thesis

refinement: The thesis is titled "The flexibility of Shariah (Islamic Law) with reference to the Iranian experience," and the abstract demonstrates a flexible approach to classical Islamic law with reference to the Iranian experience.

answer: Mr.Rouhani's thesis verifies that no laws in Islam are immutable.

text: The abstract claims to verify "that no laws in Islam are immutable"

refinement: Mr.Rouhani's thesis's abstract claims to verify that no laws in Islam are immutable.

text: Give the name of the thesis

refinement: Mr.Rouhani's thesis was titled "The flexibility of Shariah (Islamic Law) with reference to the Iranian experience." and the abstract claims to verify that no laws in Islam are immutable.

question: What is described in the "Public interest" section?

answer: Mr.Rouhani's thesis, which verifies that no laws in Islam are immutable, is discussed. His desire to bring moderation to Iranian politics and to be more transparent about the Iranian nuclear program.

text: Add a connective between the two sentences

refinement: Mr.Rouhani's thesis, which verifies that no laws in Islam are immutable, is discussed. As well as his desire to bring moderation to Iranian politics and to be more transparent about the Iranian nuclear program.

text: Provide a response

refinement: The section discusses the public interest in Rouhani's thesis, and what experts think it may indicate about his presidency.

answer: This idea is described in the "Public interest" section of the passage. Hassan Rouhani, the Mohammad Reza Aref supporter, had doctoral studies in Glasgow, Scotland. His areas of study included Islamic law, Shariah law, and flexible Islamic law. Hassan Rouhani's manifesto includes the progressive easing of sanctions against Iran, which harms Iranians more than the government benefits.

text: Almost totally unrelated response

text: Provide a response

refinement: The section discusses the public interest in Rouhani's thesis, and what experts think it may indicate about his presidency.

question: What are Rouhani's political duties?

answer: Hassan Rouhani used to have a more humble status as a student while also continuing his political duties in Tehran. Now, he's a voice for moderates and reformists in his country, hoping to re-engage the West.

text: I feel like being "a voice for moderates and reformists" doesn't count as a political duty.

refinement: Hassan Rouhani used to have a more humble status as a student while also continuing his political duties in Tehran.

text: He was the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament while he was a student; that should be explicitly indicated

refinement: Hassan Rouhani used to serve as the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament while he was a student.

text: He is the newly-elected president (though the duties of that office are not stated)

refinement: Hassan Rouhani used to serve as the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament while he was a student. He is now the newly-elected Iranian president, but the duties of either office are not stated.

answer: The document is referencing his political duties of being the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament in the 1990s.

text: "The document is [...] of being" is needlessly wordy; replace with a simple "He was"

refinement: He was the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament in the 1990s.

text: He is now the president-elect

refinement: He was the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament in the 1990s. He is now the Iranian president-elect.

answer: He is a post-graduate student at Glasgow Caledonian University, the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament, and a doctor of law.

text: He *was* the deputy speaker while he was a student

refinement: He was the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament while he was a post-graduate student at Glasgow Caledonian University.

text: He is now the president-elect

refinement: He was the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament while he was a post-graduate student at Glasgow Caledonian University. He is now the Iranian president-elect

question: What is Mr. Rouhani's relationship to Great Britain?

answer: He chose to study there in the 1990's due to his respect for the legal, judiciary, and legislative system.

answer: The essay that Mr. Rouhani wrote for his PhD is called "The flexibility of Shariah (Islamic Law) with reference to the Iranian experience."

text: Irrelevant response

text: Provide a response

refinement: Rouhani respects Britain's legal, judiciary, and legislative systems, which is why he chose to study there.

answer: According to the passage, Mr. Rouhani is respected by Britain because of his respect for the legal system.

text: Rouhani *respects* Britain's legal system; he is not necessarily "respected by Britain"

refinement: According to the passage, Mr. Rouhani respects Britain's legal system.

text: He also respects Britain's judiciary and legislative systems

refinement: According to the passage, Mr. Rouhani respects Britain's legal, judiciary, and legislative systems.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: Hassan Rouhani was a postgraduate student in Scotland at the 1990s, and is now the new president of Iran. He is known to hold modern and reformist views as reflected in his thesis, which states that Islamic laws can be flexible. Although experts caution that change may be gradual, there is optimism that he could bring a breakthrough in the Iran nuclear crisis.

answer: The new president of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, studied at the Glasgow Caledonian University whilst working as a parliamentarian in Iran. He is considered a pragmatist and his presidency is seen as a chance to initiate change in Iran that is supported by reformists. Nevertheless, experts suggest that his main aim will be to achieve what works, rather than to carry out any pre-conceived reforms. It is unclear whether changes will be immediate or gradual. Whether or not his presidency will bring any breakthrough in the long crisis over Iran's nuclear programme also remains to be seen.

text: Rouhani was not a "parliamentarian;" he was deputy speaker

refinement: The new president of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, studied at the Glasgow Caledonian University whilst serving as deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament. He is considered a pragmatist and his presidency is seen as a chance to initiate change in Iran that is supported by reformists. Nevertheless, experts suggest that his main aim will be to achieve what works, rather than to carry out any pre-conceived reforms. It is unclear whether changes will be immediate or gradual. Whether or not his presidency will bring any breakthrough in the long crisis over Iran's nuclear programme also remains to be seen.

text: Change is far more likely to be gradual than immediate

refinement: The new president of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, studied at the Glasgow Caledonian University whilst serving as deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament. He is considered a pragmatist and his presidency is seen as a chance to initiate change in Iran that is supported by reformists. Nevertheless, experts suggest that his main aim will be to achieve what works, rather than to carry out any pre-conceived reforms. Change is much more likely to be gradual than immediate. Whether or not his presidency will bring any breakthrough in the long crisis over Iran's nuclear programme also remains to be seen.

text: Experts are hopeful that the presidency will lead to a breakthrough in the nuclear crisis

refinement: The new president of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, studied at the Glasgow Caledonian University whilst serving as deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament. He is considered a pragmatist and his presidency is seen as a chance to initiate change in Iran that is supported by reformists. Nevertheless, experts suggest that his main aim will be to achieve what works, rather than to carry out any pre-conceived reforms. Change is much more likely to be gradual than immediate. Experts are optimistic that the new presidency might result in a breakthrough in the long crisis over Iran's nuclear programme.

answer: According to the passage, Hassan Rouhani is overall seen as moderate and reformist. However, it is uncertain how much he would be willing to change the existing system in Iran, or engage with the West. Regardless, Rouhani's presidency could be a breakthrough for Iranian-U.S. relations if both are willing to negotiate.

text: Insert an article before "moderate and reformist"

refinement: According to the passage, Hassan Rouhani is overall seen as a moderate and reformist. However, it is uncertain how much he would be willing to change the existing system in Iran, or engage with the West. Regardless, Rouhani's presidency could be a breakthrough for Iranian-U.S. relations if both are willing to negotiate.

text: Note that Rouhani is the president-elect of Iran

refinement: According to the passage, Hassan Rouhani, Iran's president-elect, is overall seen as a moderate and reformist. However, it is uncertain how much he would be willing to change the existing system in Iran, or engage with the West. Regardless, Rouhani's presidency could be a breakthrough for Iranian-U.S. relations if both are willing to negotiate.

answer: According to the passage, Hassan Rouhani was a largely popular student who was focused on scholarly pursuits like his PhD in Glasgow, Scotland while simultaneously holding political positions in Iran. It is believed that while he is not a reformer, he may be able to improve Iran's economy and relations internationally.

text: The passage doesn't really imply that Rouhani was a "popular student who was focused on scholarly pursuits;" it would be better to simply say he received his PhD at Glasgow Caledonian University

refinement: According to the passage, Hassan Rouhani received his PhD at Glasgow Caledonian University while simultaneously holding political positions in Iran. It is believed that while he is not a reformer, he may be able to improve Iran's economy and relations internationally.

text: State the position Rouhani held while he was a student

refinement: According to the passage, Hassan Rouhani received his PhD at Glasgow Caledonian University while simultaneously serving as the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament. It is believed that while he is not a reformer, he may be able to improve Iran's economy and relations internationally.

text: Note that Rouhani is the president-elect

refinement: According to the passage, Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian president-elect, received his PhD at Glasgow Caledonian University while simultaneously serving as the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament. It is believed that while he is not a reformer, he may be able to improve Iran's economy and relations internationally.

answer: Hassan Rouhani is a cleric who is set to become president of Iran. He studied in Glasgow in the 1990s and his thesis suggests he is in favour of Islamic reforms and flexibility. Experts say that while he is not especially reform-minded, his election could lead to some breakthroughs in the long nuclear crisis.

answer: At the time of this document, Hassan Rouhani is being sworn in as the president of Iran. This document profiles his political history and expectations for his presidency.

text: "This document profiles his political history and expectations for his presidency" is true, but rather vague; it could be replaced with a note that his past suggests he's a centrist with a flexible view of Islamic law, and experts are hopeful that his presidency could lead to improved international relations

refinement: At the time of this document, Hassan Rouhani is being sworn in as the president of Iran. His past suggests he is a political centrist with a flexible view of Islamic law, and experts are hopeful that his presidency could lead to improved Iranian international relations.


text:
When I was a boy, I met a most fascinating man. By his outward appearance, you would never think much of him. He lived a simple life, and expected little from those around him.

His name was Park, Young Woo. He was a kind old man who loved to talk about many things. He could talk about almost any topic and he would make it very interesting just to sit and listen to his stories.

The war had just ended when I met him. The army from the north had invaded our country and many people were hungry and tired. Yet Park, Young Woo was always happy and he helped to cheer up the people around him.

What made him the most interesting was he lived in a house built of scraps of wood, cardboard, and metal he had found along the road. Most of the house was made of cardboard. He cut small windows in the walls of his box in order to let in the light. On the top, he put pieces of metal to keep out the rain. It was only one room, but it was enough for him and his dog.

Most of the time he sat in front of his shanty with his dog lying beside him, offering to repair shoes. In a small wooden shoe box, he had some thread, pieces of leather, colored polish, and glue. If a person left their shoes with him in the morning, they were ready in the evening. People would always say what a wonderful a job he had done.

Day after day, he sat in front of his box repairing shoes. While he worked, he would tell stories to anyone who would listen. He would do most of his work on his right knee while sitting on a small stool. His dog lay beside him. He was very good at what he did. His reputation as a cobbler spread throughout our little village, but most of all, people loved to hear him tell stories of when he was a young boy living on the farm with his family.

While he worked, he would either hum songs or whistle. He enjoyed his work very much. When someone would walk by, he would begin a conversation. Most people would stop and chat with him for a short time, but sometimes they would sit and talk with him for hours. He was a wise old man, and there was nothing he would not discuss.

On my way to school, I would stop to talk to him. He was always very busy repairing a pair of shoes, but he still talked to me.

One day, I heard a new sound coming from the cardboard box. It was beautiful music. At first, I thought it was a radio playing the music, but when I got close to his box, I realized that he was playing a violin. He was playing it so gently and sweetly that the entire place was filled with joy.

Other people began to gather to listen to the music coming from the old shoemaker.

He played and played. He played familiar songs and songs I had never heard before. The people who had gathered to listen were absolutely silent.

When he finished, the people clapped and asked for more. He bowed at the waist and played again. It was dark when he finally said good-bye and disappeared into his small cardboard box.

Everyone in the town began to talk about the music from the old man. No one remembered hearing music played like that before.

The next day I asked him where he had gotten the violin he was playing. He told me that he had traded it in exchange for repairing an old pair of shoes for a lady in the city. He said it was not a very good violin, but it was nice to play again.

I asked him where he learned to play so well.

He told me that he had played all of his life but, when the war came, his violin had been destroyed. He did not have enough money to buy another one, but now he would be able to make music anytime he wanted. He had a big smile on his face.

Many of the people who he had fixed shoes for, decided to collect money to buy him a new violin. Then they would ask him to play for them.

Everyone became excited about the idea. I even gave some money to help buy the new violin.

Every day the old man played his old violin and filled the street with soft gentle music. More and more people came to hear him play. Many people gave money.

When there was enough money collected, the leader of our village went to the city and purchased a new violin. The plan was for the old shoemaker to come to the park. They planned to ask him to play for the town, and then they would give him his new violin.

On the day he was to receive the violin, a young boy was sent to ask him to come to the park to play for everyone. Usually, the old man only stayed at his cardboard box. He did not like to go other places very often.
It seemed like a very long time when the young boy came back alone. He told us something was wrong. The old man would not wake up.

The leaders of the town went quickly to his cardboard box to see what the young boy was talking about.
When they returned, they told us the old man had passed away, probably the night before. Everyone began to cry.

The leaders of our village turned the place where the old man lived into a special memorial. They left everything the way he had lived. His shoe box, his old violin, his bed, and everything else he had, was kept just the way he had left it when he died.

title: Man in a Box

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

What does the story say about the villager's motivation to help Park, Young Woo?

answer: Park, Young Woo would repair shoes in exchange for various kind services that the townspeople would help him with, like cooking meals or bringing groceries. Park, Young Woo never charged money, and his services were cheap. People appreciated his art and his storytelling, and then they heard that he would play the violin from time to time. He had a beautiful sound, and his facial expression when playing the violin shows that he enjoys playing. It elicited a response from his listeners. People were under the impression that he was playing a radio instead of having a violin, so the moment that he began playing for people for real and seeing their response was breathtaking. Playing for people was Park, Young Woo's contribution to the community, which made his admiration from the village a continuation and outpouring of the same appreciation for them as a whole. This is why money was collected to buy him a violin, so that he would be able to play for more people.

text: This long-winded tome fails to adequately answer the question

refinement: The old man played beautiful music for the villagers so many of the people who he had fixed shoes for, decided to collect money to buy him a new violin. When there was enough money collected, the leader of our village went to the city and purchased a new violin. The plan was for the old shoemaker to come to the park. They planned to ask him to play for the town, and then they would give him his new violin, but he died the night before they were to give it to him. The leaders of our village turned the place where the old man lived into a special memorial. They left everything the way he had lived. His shoe box, his old violin, his bed, and everything else he had, was kept just the way he had left it when he died

answer: The villagers' motivation to help Park, Young Woo was to give him something he had lost through the war - his ability to play the violin. The villagers wanted to ensure that he would be able to play even after his passing. They wanted to give him something that would bring music and joy to the lives of many. The villagers were motivated by goodwill and compassion.

text: It is impossible to play once you have passed.

refinement: The villagers' motivation to help Park, Young Woo was to give him something he had lost through the war - his ability to play the violin. They wanted to give him something that would bring music and joy to the lives of many. The villagers were motivated by goodwill and compassion.

answer: Park, Young Woo was a fascinating man whom the villagers loved very much because he was a cheery, pleasant, talented man. Besides helping people fix their shoes and telling interesting tales to anyone who cared to listen, he played brilliantly on an old violin to the delight of the villagers. Because of this, they contributed money to buy a brand new violin to enable him to play better for the community.

answer: The villager's motivation to help Park, Young Woo is to preserve his memory and honor the beautiful music he created and played. The villagers helped to fund a new violin for him and were excited at the prospect of hearing him play at the park. In their minds, the music Park, Young Woo created was something of great value and needed to be preserved.

answer: When the villagers realize what a treasure they had in Park, Young Woo, many pitched in to help him get a new violin. It seemed that they put aside all the usual complaints and just focused on the fact that here was a wonderfully talented person right nearby. They saw the joy he brought to the people he interacted with and were more than happy to help.

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

What does the story say about how Park, Young Woo, received and appreciated the violin gotten for him by the villagers?

answer: His response to the violin that was bought for him by the villagers was not recorded so it is not known how he felt about it. It was supposed to be given to him during a recognition in the town for playing for the town.

text: The old man couldn't react as he died before he received the gift.

refinement: The old man never knew about the violin as he died the night before he was to have received it.

answer: The story says that the old shoemaker appreciated the new violin given to him by the villagers. He had passed away before he could receive it, but he was given the gift in memory of the music he had brought to the town.

text: A dead man can't appreciate anything.

refinement: The old shoemaker had passed away before he could receive the violin.

answer: Because of how much the people appreciated Park, Young Woo's music talent, the people contributed money to buy him a brand new violin to play for them. On the day he was to play for the community, he was sent for. However, they found out that he had passed away the night before. Park Young Woo, unfortunately, didn't live to receive his brand new violin, and the people didn't get to hear more of his beautiful melodies anymore.

answer: The story indicates that the villagers gave Park, Young Woo, a new violin in order to hear him play for them. When the boy came back to report that the old man had passed away, it was determined that he had likely died the night before. The violin was kept as it was in his box, untouched in memorial to the old man. It would seem that Park, Young Woo appreciated the violin greatly and appreciated the gesture the villagers had made to purchase it for him.

text: Dead men can't appreciate anything. The old violin was kept in his box, not the new one.

refinement: The story indicates that the villagers gave Park, Young Woo, a new violin in order to hear him play for them. When the boy came back to report that the old man had passed away, it was determined that he had likely died the night before.

text: The villagers didn't give the old man the violin. He died before he could get it.

refinement: The story indicates that the villagers wanted to give Park, Young Woo, a new violin so that he could play for them. When the boy came back to report that the old man had passed away, it was determined that he had likely died the night before.

answer: Park, Young Woo, received his new violin by a young boy being sent to his home to inform him of it. The boy is sent back when Park, Young Woo, won't wake up. The people of the town storm his humble home and realize that he had died. The town leaders build a memorial for him and leave everything, including his violin, bed, shoe box, and other belongings, the way they were when he died.

text: The man could not receive the violin because he was dead.

refinement: A young boy is sent to the home of the old shoemaker to call him to the ceremony where he will receive the violin. The boy is sent back when Park, Young Woo, won't wake up. The people of the town storm his humble home and realize that he had died. The town leaders build a memorial for him and leave everything, including his violin, bed, shoe box, and other belongings, the way they were when he died.

text: The sentence structure is clumsy.

refinement: A young boy was sent to the home of the old shoemaker to call him to the ceremony where he would receive the violin. The boy can't wake Park, Young Woo up. The people of the town storm his humble home and realize that he had died. The town leaders build a memorial for him and leave everything, including his violin, bed, shoebox, and other belongings, the way they were when he died.


text:
People everywhere are down on democracy. Especially young people. In fact, so rampant is democratic indifference and disengagement among millennials that a shocking share of them are open to trying something new—like, say, government by military coup.

That’s according to research by Yascha Mounk, a Harvard University researcher, and Roberto Stefan Foa, a political scientist at the University of Melbourne. The remit of their study, which the _Journal of Democracy_ will publish in January, analyzes historical data on attitudes toward government that spans various generations in North America, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. They find that, across the board, citizens of stable liberal democracies have grown jaded about their government, say Mounk and Foa—and worse.

“[T]hey have also become more cynical about the value of democracy as a political system, less hopeful that anything they do might influence public policy,” they write in a previous article on their research (pdf) published in Jul. 2016, “and more willing to express support for authoritarian alternatives.”

And it’s among millennials that this “crisis of democratic legitimacy” is starkest. Young people today are more into political radicalism and exhibit less support for freedom of speech than previous generations, according to the July study. Consider some of the other data Mounk and Foa report:

-   OKAY WITH AUTOCRACY: Many fewer millennials in both Europe and the US object outright to military coups than their elders.

-   RIGHTS, SCHMIGHTS: Only around a third of US millennials see civil rights as ”absolutely essential” in a democracy, compared with 41% among older Americans. In the European Union, it’s 39% and 45%, respectively.
-   ELECTION OPTIONAL: More than a quarter of US millennials dismiss the importance of free elections to democracy. (Though rates are overall lower in Europe, millennials also agree at higher rates than older generations.)

-   THEY’RE JUST NOT THAT INTO IT: Back in 1990, majorities of both young and older people reported being interested in politics. For millennials, that’s no longer true.

Couldn’t you chalk this up to time-honored tendencies of youth disaffection?

Not really. For instance, in 1995, only 16% of American youngsters—those in their late teens and early 20s—thought democracy was a “bad” political system for their nation. In 2011, nearly a quarter of millennials did. Though the increase among European youth was less marked, it was still significant, say the researchers.

Yascha Mounk and Roberto Stefan Foa, “The Danger of Deconsolidation,” Journal of Democracy

It might be that since this particular generation of young people have grown up in highly stable democracies, they take democracy for granted. It would then stand to reason that, as Mounk and Foa found, millennials in the US and Europe are less likely to participate in conventional civic engagement.

But millennials aren’t doing much _unconventional _political action either. While one in 11 American baby-boomers had demonstrated in a political protest in the previous year, only one in 15 millennials had.

It’s not clear how this squares with real life. Sharp deteriorations in measures of democratic health presaged autocratic shifts in Poland and Venezuela, as the New York Times points out. But those were both much younger democracies than those in the US and Western Europe.

Still, recent events there aren’t exactly heartening. For instance, millennial Americans voted in far greater numbers for Hillary Clinton than her anti-democratic rival, Donald Trump. Then again, Clinton would have won in a landslide if Democratic-leaning millennials had voted. But too many of them simply didn’t.

UPDATE (DEC. 5, 2016, 12:30PM ET): _A previous version of this story included a chart published in the New York Times that, as the Monkey Cage blog points out, is misleading._

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

What does the text say about how millennials feel about democracy?

answer: The text says that millennials are exhibiting less support for democracy and increasingly more support for authoritarian alternatives. This is especially true when compared to older generations. Millennials are also less engaged in conventional political action like participation in protest and voting.

text: It is omitted that they are less hopeful that anything they do might influence public policy.

refinement: The text says that millennials are exhibiting less support for democracy and increasingly more support for authoritarian alternatives. This is especially true when compared to older generations. They are less hopeful that anything they do might influence public policy. Millennials are also less engaged in conventional political action like participation in protest and voting.

answer: Millennials express more interest in political radicalism and are more opposed to freedom of speech, unlike the older generations. Based on a survey conducted, very few millennials in the US and Europe object to military coups. A third of them view civil rights as 'absolutely essential' in democracy, and a quarter of them disregard the importance of free elections to democracy. The bottom line, most millennials in the US and Europe are less interested in political engagements and less likely to participate in civic engagements.

text: Rather 'less' than 'very few'.

refinement: Millennials express more interest in political radicalism and are more opposed to freedom of speech, unlike the older generations. Based on a survey conducted, less millennials in the US and Europe object to military coups. A third of them view civil rights as 'absolutely essential' in democracy, and a quarter of them disregard the importance of free elections to democracy. The bottom line, most millennials in the US and Europe are less interested in political engagements and less likely to participate in civic engagements.

answer: Current young people see democracy as increasingly irrelevant and open to alternatives such as a military coup. Only a third of millennials see civil rights as essential in a democracy, and fewer are interested in politics than previous generations. In addition, young Americans voted for Hillary Clinton in large numbers, but still much fewer than for anti-democratic rival Donald Trump. Millennials appear to be losing faith in democracy.

text: It is inaccurate that they voted much fewer for Hilary Clinton than for anti-democratic rival Donald Trump

refinement: Current young people see democracy as increasingly irrelevant and open to alternatives such as a military coup. Only a third of millennials see civil rights as essential in a democracy, and fewer are interested in politics than previous generations. In addition, young Americans voted for Hillary Clinton in far greater numbers than for her anti-democratic rival, Donald Trump. Millennials appear to be losing faith in democracy.

text: 'in addition' makes no sense here. Rather 'however'

refinement: Current young people see democracy as increasingly irrelevant and open to alternatives such as a military coup. Only a third of millennials see civil rights as essential in a democracy, and fewer are interested in politics than previous generations. Young Americans voted for Hillary Clinton in far greater numbers than for her anti-democratic rival, Donald Trump. Millennials appear to be losing faith in democracy.

text: It is omitted that too many Democratic-leaning millennials did not vote.

refinement: Current young people see democracy as increasingly irrelevant and open to alternatives such as a military coup. Only a third of millennials see civil rights as essential in a democracy, and fewer are interested in politics than previous generations. Young Americans voted for Hillary Clinton in far greater numbers than for her anti-democratic rival, Donald Trump. However, many of them did not vote. Millennials appear to be losing faith in democracy.

answer: According to the article, millennials have become jaded about the value of democracy and are more inclined to believe that authoritarian rule is better than democracy. Many millennial Americans voted in favor of Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential elections, but too many of them just didn't vote Democratic.

text: is unclear 'but too many of them just didn't vote Democratic.'. Rather 'too many Democratic-leaning millennials had not voted'.

refinement: According to the article, millennials have become jaded about the value of democracy and are more inclined to believe that authoritarian rule is better than democracy. Many millennial Americans voted in favor of Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential elections, but too many Democratic-leaning millennials had not voted.

answer: According to research by Yascha Mounk and Roberto Stefan Foa, people everywhere are down on democracy, especially young people, who exhibit an unwillingness to participate in conventional political action. While some appreciate democracy as a political system, others have turned against it. Mounk and Foa point out that democracies become destabilized when citizens become disillusioned and engage in unconventional political action like protests.

text: Young people engage less in unconventional political action like protests.

refinement: According to research by Yascha Mounk and Roberto Stefan Foa, people everywhere are down on democracy, especially young people, who exhibit an unwillingness to participate in conventional political action. While some appreciate democracy as a political system, others have turned against it. Mounk and Foa point out that democracies become destabilized when citizens become disillusioned and engage less in unconventional political action like protests.


text:
     I slowly drift off into space, blackness, nothing. The sweet embrace of nothingness, it hugs me ever so gently, caresses my skin ever so softly. The comfort of the feeling is unmatched by anything, more passionate than a lovers embrace, but yet more gentle than a mother holding her new born baby. I am clear; it is an escape from the hustle and bustle of the everyday, the ups and downs, ins and outs, the busy that we all deal with every day. I am floating on a cloud of joy.
     White and fluffy, I float through the sky with the greatest of ease. It dances and prances through the endless blue, no destination in sight no nothing around.  The soft cotton form of the cloud brushes me lulling me into a state of relaxation, the feeling of a warm towel on a cold winter’s day. The dew drops drip down draining away all my daily dilemmas as I slip from consciousness to the world of the unknown where anything is possible and everything is alright.
      Still I am on my cloud, floating free through the sky. But I begin to sink towards the earth away from the warmth of the sun. As I descend the dew drops that dripped away my problems grow cold. The warm towel is gone and along with it the relaxation has disappeared. I am cold. As the cloud deepens in its descent the dew drops drip more and more and they turn into rain. The cloud I am on is no longer alone. Grey ominous clouds surround me on all sides, up, down, left, right, front, back all around.  There is no seeing where I am going. What lies ahead? My soft white cloud begins to shrink and fade into the background of the grey storm clouds. It grows smaller and smaller and I am no longer caressed by its beauty, but frightened by its disappearance as I continue to fall into the grey abyss.
      My cloud is gone, but I am not falling. I am standing. It’s solid ground.  Green grass grows around my bare feet. It is unkempt, filled with weeds and gravel that scratch the bare bottoms of my feet. I am compelled to walk; up a gently sloping hill and with no destination in sight. The storm clouds that surround me open up and the heavens rain down. Still I continue up this hill as my tattered clothes become saturated.  The grass is dying, dying, dead.  Only the weeds remain, through the mud and the gravel that cut my now bloody feet. I continue up the hill as my feet bleed and are rubbed raw.
     All around me are tombstones and I continue up the hill.  First one, two, three, four, five. I loose count. They are all around me on this hill, tombstones for no one. No names, no faces, dates, empty.  They belong to the masses, the nondescript, unoriginal people, who have all died their own individually common horrible death. And I continue on my march.
      I fall to my hands and knees and they both begin to bleed as the gravel rubs them to a state of ground beef, but still I march. My destination is close, although I still do not know what it is. The tombstones grow, what was once small headstones no higher than my knee grow to tower over me like skyscrapers. They look down upon me with their blank nameless faces. Watching me struggle up the hill as my clothes become more tattered and my shirt soaks with blood and rain. Death is watching.
     I find him, my father near the top of the hill, but not quite at the peak. He is not an old man, but not young either. He is how I know him to be, of good health and middle aged. The sides of his hair are white, but on top there remain some black remnants of his youth. He is laying down holding his stomach. Grasping, clutching, pulling at his stomach. I want to run to him, but can’t.  I continue slowly up the hill. Falling, scraping my forearms, then my elbows and up my arms until I finally fall on my face only to arise a bloody mess at my father’s side.
       I see now what he is holding. He looks worse than I. His hands, feet, knees, face, everything is filthy; covered in a combination of both mud and blood. The filth washes down his body until it reaches his hands. His mangled hands that have seen the work of a thousand men. Bent, shaking, cold.  His hands hold, grasp, clutch at his stomach. His black shirt torn open below the navel. His hands cover something and I move closer to see. He is not holding his stomach, but holding it in.  Where am cut with tiny scratches that bleed with the rain he has one stretching from side to side and through pour his entrails. Green, purple, orange, red with blood they pour out as he tries to hold them in. I cradle my father. His head in my right arm as my left hand works with his to keep his intestines inside, but they pour out. And I see my hand it is just as mangled as his. Cut, twisted warped into all shapes; broken one thousand times over; it shivers too much to hold anything and they slip out through our mangled fingers.
     Slowly and painfully through the hands of my father and I they slip out. Pouring onto the filth that now surrounds us they slip out. My father does not make a sound. He is staring straight into my eyes, looking up at me, his only son, holding him as he approaches death in this graveyard of nameless men. There are no words, only the sound of my father taking his last dying breath.
      And I wake up, just like every night, crying, alone in the dark.

title: The first story I've written

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

What does the story say about the protagonist's dream about his father?

answer: The protagonist dreams of his father in a graveyard, who is clutching his stomach. The protagonist tries to help his father, but his hands are mangled. The protagonist's father dies while looking into his son's eyes.

text: Doesn't say that his father's entrails are literally spilling out.

refinement: The protagonist dreams of his father in a graveyard, who is clutching his stomach trying to keep his entrails inside as they pour out through a wound. The protagonist tries to help his father, but his hands are mangled. The protagonist's father dies while looking into his son's eyes.

text: Doesn't describe how the protagonist arrives at the graveyard.

refinement: The protagonist rides a cloud that turns dark and ominous, transporting him to a gravel-laden grassy hill. The protagonist dreams of his father in a graveyard, who is clutching his stomach trying to keep his entrails inside as they pour out through a wound. The protagonist tries to help his father, but his hands are mangled. The protagonist's father dies while looking into his son's eyes.

text: Doesn't mention that the gravel tears his feet apart.

refinement: The protagonist rides a cloud that turns dark and ominous, transporting him to a gravel-laden grassy hill. The weeds, mud, and gravel cut his now bloody feet. The protagonist dreams of his father in a graveyard, who is clutching his stomach trying to keep his entrails inside as they pour out through a wound. The protagonist tries to help his father, but his hands are mangled. The protagonist's father dies while looking into his son's eyes.

answer: The protagonist dreams of his father in a graveyard, who is clutching his stomach. The protagonist tries to help his father, but his hands are mangled. The protagonist's father dies while looking into his son's eyes. The protagonist wakes up crying.

text: Doesn't describe how his father's entrails are literally spilling out.

refinement: The protagonist dreams of his father in a graveyard, who is clutching his stomach trying in vain to hold his entrails in as they spill out. The protagonist tries to help his father, but his hands are mangled. The protagonist's father dies while looking into his son's eyes. The protagonist wakes up crying.

text: Doesn't describe how the protagonist arrives at the graveyard.

refinement: The protagonist is floating on a cloud that turns grey and ominous. He suddenly finds himself on solid ground, unkempt ground, weeds, and gravel scratching at his bare feet. The protagonist dreams of his father in a graveyard, who is clutching his stomach trying in vain to hold his entrails in as they spill out. The protagonist tries to help his father, but his hands are mangled. The protagonist's father dies while looking into his son's eyes. The protagonist wakes up crying.

answer: The protagonist wakes up in tears every night after having the same dream about his father. In his dream, he goes to a graveyard of nameless people, walks up a hill, finding his father laying down with his stomach covered in blood from the entrails spilling out from the wound. The protagonist's father tries to hold his organs that are spilling out from the wound because he looks more wounded than his son. In the dream, the protagonist and his father cradle each other while they wait for death to come.

text: Doesn't describe how the protagonist finds himself in the graveyard.

refinement: The protagonist wakes up in tears every night after having the same dream about his father. In his dream, he rides a cloud that turns grey and ominous with rain pouring down. He suddenly finds himself on solid, unkempt ground with mud and gravel cutting his feet. He goes to a graveyard of nameless people, walks up a hill, finding his father laying down with his stomach covered in blood from the entrails spilling out from the wound. The protagonist's father tries to hold his organs that are spilling out from the wound because he looks more wounded than his son. In the dream, the protagonist and his father cradle each other while they wait for death to come.

answer: In his dream, the protagonist goes up a hill, finding his father lying on the ground holding his stomach in agony. He tries to keep his intestines in but fails. The protagonist and his father are both maimed and try to keep his entrails inside, but fail miserably.

text: Doesn't describe how he finds himself in the graveyard.

refinement: The protagonist rides on a cloud that turns grey and ominous, rain pelting him from every direction. He suddenly finds himself on solid, unkempt ground with weeds and gravel tearing at his bare feet. The protagonist goes up a hill, finding his father lying on the ground holding his stomach in agony. He tries to keep his intestines in but fails. The protagonist and his father are both maimed and try to keep his entrails inside, but fail miserably.

text: Doesn't describe the ground tearing his feet as his progresses through a graveyard.

refinement: The protagonist rides on a cloud that turns grey and ominous, rain pelting him from every direction. He suddenly finds himself on solid, unkempt ground with weeds and gravel tearing at his bare feet. The protagonist goes up a hill through a graveyard full of towering tombstones, the ground tearing up his feet. He finds his father lying on the ground holding his stomach in agony. He tries to keep his intestines in but fails. The protagonist and his father are both maimed and try to keep his entrails inside, but fail miserably.

answer: The protagonist has a dream in which he is on a cloud floating through the sky. He is then surrounded by storm clouds and he falls towards the ground. He lands on solid ground and walks up a hill with no destination in sight. He is surrounded by tombstones and he continues up the hill. He finds his father near the top of the hill, but not quite at the peak. His father is holding his stomach and the protagonist tries to cradle him. His father dies and the protagonist wakes up crying.

text: Doesn't describe his father holding his intestines in as they pour out.

refinement: The protagonist has a dream in which he is on a cloud floating through the sky. He is then surrounded by storm clouds and he falls towards the ground. He lands on solid ground and walks up a hill with no destination in sight. He is surrounded by tombstones and he continues up the hill. He finds his father near the top of the hill, but not quite at the peak. His father is holding his stomach, his entrails pouring out of a stomach wound, and the protagonist tries to cradle him. His father dies and the protagonist wakes up crying.

answer: The protagonist dreams about reaching the top of a hill and finding his father there. He is lying on the ground, clutching his stomach and trying to keep his innards inside. His hands are filthy and covered in gore. The protagonist uses his father's hands to try and keep him from losing his intestines. He stands over him and looks into his father's eyes as the only son holds him until he dies a gruesome death. When he wakes up, he's crying and alone in the dark.

text: Doesn't describe his arrival at his father.

refinement: The protagonist has a dream in which he is on a cloud floating through the sky. He is then surrounded by storm clouds and he falls towards the ground. He lands on solid ground and walks up a hill with no destination in sight. He is surrounded by tombstones and he continues up the hill. He finds his father near the top of the hill, he is lying on the ground, clutching his stomach and trying to keep his innards inside. His hands are filthy and covered in gore. The protagonist uses his father's hands to try and keep him from losing his intestines. He stands over him and looks into his father's eyes as the only son holds him until he dies a gruesome death. When he wakes up, he's crying and alone in the dark.