text:
[]

By Rail Tram and Bus Union Victoria (RTBU)

As November rolls around, the clock is ticking for the state government.

With contracts for the metropolitan trams and trains to expire on 30 November, the government must be prepared to shake up arrangements for how the system is run, how the information is shared and how accountability can be ensured.

Continuing to build the case for systematic overhaul that prioritises the public interest, the RTBU worked to facilitate a forum of different individuals, interest groups, experts and public transport workers, RTBU delegates and retired members, to build an account of public transport that reflects on 20 years of privatisation.

Held across the afternoon of 3 Jun, forum attendees discussed many issues in public transport – from governance to maintenance and service delivery.

The three main topics were:

-   The perils and pitfalls of privatisation
-   The system under public administration
-   A new path forward

One of the first topics covered was the critical question of understanding why public transport was privatised in the first place.

Unsurprisingly, an overwhelming number of attendees acknowledged governance issues, performance and funding issues as being central to pushing the system into private hands. Many who worked closely with the system through the years leading up to privatisation, perceived a deliberate degradation of the system, in preparation for privatisation.

What became evident was that while privatisation was Kennett’s response to a poorly governed public monopoly, he did little to address the underlying governance issues and just produced a poorly governed private monopoly.

To this day Victorians – transport workers, taxpayers and commuters alike – have been robbed of the transparency, consultation and oversight necessary for effective, well resourced public transport that is operated in the primary interest of the Victorian public.

Comparing the system under privatisation against public ownership, several notable differences arose. Training, career progression and organisational structure were identified as major differences:

-   Attendees reflected on how Victorian Railways was once a large trainer of highly skilled apprentices for the wider Victorian economy. As public responsibility has been eroded, the scope of service and value provided by the operator has diminished to boost profitability.
-   The railways used to operate as a more integrated system where freight, regional and metropolitan services would support each other and provide economies of scale. Where losses may have been made on passenger services, larger profits are found in the movement of freight, for example.
-   Career progression was once closer tied to experience and years of service. This system ensured experienced and committed railway employees, naturally most qualified for supervisory or managerial roles, could further contribute their acquired skills and knowledge to improving operations.

Under privatisation, more and more managers have been hired with little or no railway experience, which has contributed to a reduced level of industry and network specific skills in the workforce and the reduction of worker morale.

Reflecting on the changes that have occurred and what may constitute the public interest, attendees discussed path forward

The main feature was to continue work in building the campaign community and building stronger links with other community groups that share common interests.

Broadly acknowledged by the crowd was the scale of the campaign, the political resistance and overarching control and power the current operators have over network information and influence within the government and its respective agencies.

No doubt, there may be a long road to public justice, but importantly, the public discussion is underway. As we continue to build on community campaign capacity.

If you would like to know more about the forum or get more involved in the discussion, call or text the RTBU Industrial Campaigns and Research Officer, Amadeo on 0488305 088

Official site of the May Day Committee (Malbourne)

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

What does the article say about the privatization of the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU)?

answer: The article argues that privatisation has compromised the public interest in public transport, leading to fewer trained staff, a reduced level of industry and network specific skills in the workforce, and reduced morale among rail workers. Despite opposition, the campaign to restore public responsibility is underway. The RTBU believes that privatisation is detrimental to public transportation and is working to fight for improved governance and oversight in public transportation.

answer: The State government have contracts that expire ending November 30th, 2016. The contract details that determine how the system will be run out; train, tram and bus services may operate, as well as where accountability can be ensured. Ahead of November, the RTBU held a forum inviting different individuals from different interest and expert groups and public transportation workers to have an account of any information regarding the history of public transport.

text: The answer does not mention that under privatization, taxpayers and commuters alike – have been robbed of the transparency, consultation, and oversight necessary for effective, well-resourced public transport; the scope of service and value provided by the operator has diminished to boost profitability; more and more managers have been hired with little or no railway experience.

refinement: The State government have contracts that expire ending November 30th, 2016. The contract details that determine how the system will be run out; train, tram and bus services may operate, as well as where accountability can be ensured. Ahead of November, the RTBU held a forum inviting different individuals from different interest and expert groups and public transportation workers to have an account of any information regarding the history of public transport. Under privatization, taxpayers and commuters alike – have been robbed of the transparency, consultation, and oversight necessary for effective, well-resourced public transport; the scope of service and value provided by the operator has diminished to boost profitability; more and more managers have been hired with little or no railway experience.

text: 'have' should be 'has'; 'that' should be deleted; 'interest' should be 'interests'.

refinement: The State government has contracts that expire ending November 30th, 2016. The contract details determine how the system will be run out; train, tram and bus services may operate, as well as where accountability can be ensured. Ahead of November, the RTBU held a forum inviting different individuals from different interests and expert groups and public transportation workers to have an account of any information regarding the history of public transport. Under privatization, taxpayers and commuters alike – have been robbed of the transparency, consultation, and oversight necessary for effective, well-resourced public transport; the scope of service and value provided by the operator has diminished to boost profitability; more and more managers have been hired with little or no railway experience.

text: missing commas after 'tram' and 'groups'.

refinement: The State government has contracts that expire ending November 30th, 2016. The contract details determine how the system will be run out; train, tram, and bus services may operate, as well as where accountability can be ensured. Ahead of November, the RTBU held a forum inviting different individuals from different interests and expert groups, and public transportation workers to have an account of any information regarding the history of public transport. Under privatization, taxpayers and commuters alike – have been robbed of the transparency, consultation, and oversight necessary for effective, well-resourced public transport; the scope of service and value provided by the operator has diminished to boost profitability; more and more managers have been hired with little or no railway experience.

answer: The article discusses the negative consequences of privatizing the RTBU and the need for reform. Specifically, attendees raised concerns about poor governance, a lack of worker skills and morale, and the loss of transparency, consultation and oversight under privatisation. The attendees also discussed potential paths forward for bringing about necessary reform to ensure the public interest is prioritized on the system.

text: Victorian Railways is privatized, not the RTBU.

refinement: The article discusses the negative consequences of privatizing Victorian Railways and the need for reform. Specifically, attendees raised concerns about poor governance, a lack of worker skills and morale, and the loss of transparency, consultation and oversight under privatisation. The attendees also discussed potential paths forward for bringing about necessary reform to ensure the public interest is prioritized on the system.

answer: Privatization happened when the transport operators were given in the hands of private entity, which resulted in several disadvantages. The company couldn't invest much in maintaining the system neither were they accountable. Also, with privatization, employee morale diminished. RTBU sees privatization not in the interest of the public. He is working to fight privatization in court, and issued charges against the operators.

text: It is not stated that someone is working to fight privatization in court, and issued charges against the operators

refinement: Privatization happened when the transport operators were given in the hands of private entity, which resulted in several disadvantages. The company couldn't invest much in maintaining the system neither were they accountable. Also, with privatization, employee morale diminished. RTBU sees privatization not in the interest of the public.

text: 'a private' should be instead of 'private'.

refinement: Privatization happened when the transport operators were given in the hands of a private entity, which resulted in several disadvantages. The company couldn't invest much in maintaining the system neither were they accountable. Also, with privatization, employee morale diminished. RTBU sees privatization not in the interest of the public.

text:
'RTBU sees privatization not in the interest of the public.' should be 'RTBU sees privatization as not in the interest of the public.
'.

refinement: Privatization happened when the transport operators were given in the hands of a private entity, which resulted in several disadvantages. The company couldn't invest much in maintaining the system neither were they accountable. Also, with privatization, employee morale diminished. RTBU sees privatization as not in the interest of the public.

answer: The system was deliberately degraded in preparation for privatization. The experts compare the system under privatization against public ownership and notice several differences. Victorian Railways was once a large trainer of highly skilled apprentices for the wider Victorian economy. Career progression was once closer tied to experience and years of service. Under privatization, more and more managers have been hired with little or no railway experience.


split: train

text:
There is no doubt that social media has become a major part of modern life. And I can’t see that changing much in the near future.

Facebook usage continues to climb with the _average_ user now spending upwards of 50 minutes per day on the site, yet more studies show that the more time we spend on Facebook, the less happy we are. So what exactly is going on here?

Are we just using social media wrong, or is it something that we should actively avoid?

Social Media Can Have An Immensely Negative Affect

Social media definitely has had a negative impact on my own life. We all know the impulsive addiction to checking social media feeds when you really have no reason to do so.

That’s the Twitch, and a large part of where Break the Twitch came from. It was the days I had the least energy and felt the worst overall were the ones I spent scrolling through social media feeds. Facebook provided a constant distraction from what I should be focusing on instead.

Social media can be just like a digital form of sugar. Sure it may feel good and it’s fun to eat, but you can’t live on it. Just like sugar, social media is made up of empty calories and isn’t intended to keep us healthy and well in the long-term.

But It Isn’t All Bad, Is It?

Even so, I’d find it difficult to argue that these online social tools are inherently a _bad thing_.

A few years ago, I attended my friend Patrick’s (lovely) wedding. Before we met in person, we had exchanged some tweets back and forth and started following each other because of our shared love of biking. While we had been friends for quite a while at that point, there wasn’t a ton of social overlap in our circles. When Amy and I arrived at the event, we only found one other person we’d ever met before in person.

While I do believe in the power of a friendly introduction and simply getting to know new people from scratch, something incredible happened. It turned out that I knew about 30% of the people in attendance–from our conversations and exchanged quips on Twitter.

Sure, we didn’t _know_ each other yet, but it was seriously magical to have already connected with a few of the people sitting around our banquet table. Our online exchanges had created a powerful catalyst to deepen our connection and kick off our conversation once we met in person.

Another case in point, you may be reading this article right now because you found it on Facebook, Pinterest, or perhaps Twitter. You and I are connected right now in a way that we might not be otherwise. If you leave a comment, send me an email, or connect on social media, perhaps we’ll one day be at the same event together and we’ll get to talk about intentional living and how your life changed after decluttering your home. For me, that’s the entire point of social media–creating real connections through digital ones.

SOCIAL MEDIA ISN’T GOOD OR BAD, IT’S JUST A TOOL

It turns out, social media really is a powerful tool to create meaningful connections, we just have to use it properly. Just like a hammer, you can use it to build something beautiful or whack someone over the head with it. It isn’t inherently good or evil, it just is.

I’d consider social media to be something like a protein supplement. Sure, it feels good to take and might help you recover from your workout faster, but it was never designed to replace working out in the first place. One without the other is wasting money and time on what I’d consider a false first step–looking for a solution without doing the actual work.

So that means that it’s up to us to determine how we want to use that tool in our lives to make it better and not worse.

Click here to subscribe to Break the Twitch on YouTube

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A CHANGE

The best part about this is that you have the power to decide how you want this to be a part of your life. But no one is going to make that decision for you–you get to choose whether it’s personally a good thing or a bad thing for you.

Break the Twitch by taking a literal break.

The most effective way to un-addict yourself is to take at least a seven-day sabbatical from social media. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but if you push through the first few days you’ll see how incredibly freeing it is. Sure, things will be happening online but do you wake up every morning to make sure the sun comes up? Would it not if you weren’t there to ensure it? No. It’ll still do its thing and you can still do yours.

This study (PDF download) from the Happiness Research Institute found that after one week without Facebook, _the participants reported a significantly higher level of life satisfaction_. At that point, you will have less addiction and more clarity in how you want social media to be a part of your life going forward.

Prioritize 1-on-1, two-way communication.

If the extent of your dialogue is double-tapping a photo to leave a like on it, it’s a nice thing to do, but it simply does not build or strengthen relationships on its own. Pick up the phone and call, meet up with a friend for coffee, or reach out to someone online and engage in dialogue. Even if it’s over Skype, it still means so much more than a quick thumbs up alone.

While it can feel validating to be on the receiving end of likes, it simply doesn’t provide the dialogue we need in our lives. It’s still just a quick sugary dopamine burst, when we need some hearty steamed veggies.

When you’re actually with people, put away your phone.

I don’t mean set it on the table, either. I mean visibly, audibly, away. If you’re spending your time on social media at home then still cracked-out on your phone when you’re with a group of good friends, you’re undercutting the real relationship-building that’s happening there.

Life is short and you never know when you’re going to see those people again. One of the most meaningful things you can give someone is your full attention–it’s such a rarity in today’s culture. Imagine what it might be like to have the same from the people you care about as well.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you found this post helpful, you’d probably find 60 Days Without Social Media and Observations from Tracking Smartphone Use interesting as well. Perhaps you’d like to receive my monthly newsletter, yes? Well, in that case, enjoy!

✕

Free 7-Day Digital Detox

Reduce distractions and create some much needed space in your digital life with this free 7-day email course from Break the Twitch.

[With social media addiction on the rise, is it actually a bad thing? Really, we're just using it wrong, and here's how to change that.]

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

What does the author say about their online connections?

answer: The author say there are two types of online comunictions.

text: The response is incorrect and doesn't mean anything. "Communications" is also spelled wrong (comunictions).

refinement: Online connections can be a powerful catalyst that can deepen connections and kick off conversations when people meet in person for the first time.

answer: The author believes that online connections can be both good and bad. Though they can often create meaningful connections and provide valuable opportunities, they can also offer endless distractions, preventing us from focusing on what is truly important in life. The key to succeeding at these connections is to use social media wisely and learn when to put the phone down and actually connect with people.

text: The response lumps "online connections" with "social media", but the question isn't for social media in general. Add that the connections are made when people meet for the first time.

refinement: They can often create meaningful connections and provide valuable opportunities when people meet in person for the first time.

answer: The author believes that while social media has some positive impacts, it ultimately has a negative impact on people's lives. The author believes that social media is like a protein supplement, it provides empty calories and does not deepen real relationships. The author believes that social media should be used for creating meaningful connections which can lead to things like meaningful dialogue.

answer: The author met their friend Patrick through their shared interest in biking on Twitter. At Patrick's wedding, the author already knew about 30% of the guests from exchanges online, and got to meet them in-person that day. The author also uses the reader as an example of a connection formed through the social internet; if the reader were to comment or email, for example, that could potentially lead to a face-to-face conversation down the road, having already been introduced through a common interest (this decluttering blog) online.

answer: They do believe in the power of a friendly introduction and getting to know people from scratch. However, they think this won't guarantee that you can have a meaningful connection. Connection needs good communication to have lasting effects.

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

What does the passage say about the Twitch?

answer: The Twitch refers to the impulsivity that can lead to addiction when spending too much time on social media. Too much time on social media results in unhappy people overall. However, despite its negatives, social media can still create powerful connections. The important thing is to use social media wisely. People should consider not spending so much time on social media, putting their phone away when in the company of others, and prioritizing in-person communication.

text: The highlighted sentences are irrelevant and can be removed.

refinement: The Twitch refers to the impulsivity that can lead to addiction when spending too much time on social media.

answer: The "Twitch" refers to the impulsive addiction to checking social media feeds when a person has no reason to do so. Social media can have a negative impact on one's life, and avoiding social media completely for a period of time can be beneficial. The key to being successful with social media is focusing on connecting with individuals in meaningful ways. Finally, it's important to put away the phone when spending time with others.

text: The highlighted sentences can be removed as they don't answer the question.

refinement: The "Twitch" refers to the impulsive addiction to checking social media feeds when a person has no reason to do so.

answer: The passage refers to Twitch from another source: Break the Twitch. The author believes the Twitch is the impulse of checking social media when there is no reason to do so.

text: This section is irrelevant and can be deleted.

refinement: The author believes the Twitch is the impulse of checking social media when there is no reason to do so.

answer: The author has started an online video channel for finding smart ways to live an intentional happy life. The condition is called "the Twitch," and it seems to be reflexive towards social media usage that isn't productive and a distraction from tasks that require deep concentration. The Twitch is also name for their lifestyle videos and a network.

text: The highlighted texts are irrelevant and can be deleted.

refinement: The condition is called "the Twitch," and it seems to be reflexive towards social media usage that isn't productive and a distraction from tasks that require deep concentration.

answer: The Twitch is the compulsion to check social media feeds without a real reason to do so. From this comes 'Break the Twitch', which is a phrase used by the author and a YouTube channel that provides a 7-day email course on digital detoxing. The author claims that such a sabbatical is the most effective way to break a cycle of social media addiction.


text:
MARK IRELAND (born on 1 January 1960 in Sydney, Australia) is an Australian artist, composer, musician, film and video maker and member of Clan Analogue the Australian Artists collective.[1]

Life and career

Mark started playing professionally at 19 years of age with the band Straight Angles playing jazz, soul, pop and rock.

He produced a compact disc called Straight Angles Compilation and took it to London, New York and Tokyo. It included original compositions created with the Fairlight C.M.I. Computer Music Instrument. He formed the group *Carrier – member of Clan Analogue[2][[Mark Ireland#cite%20note-2|[2]]][[Mark Ireland#cite%20note-1|[1]]][[Mark Ireland#cite%20note-1|[1]]][3] and released a compact disc titled 'The Foley Artists' that is available at CDBaby. Remixes are available at BandCamp.[4][5]

Discography

Mark Ireland's original music is mainly Electronic Music although it often includes orchestral instruments.

-   _Straight Angles Compilation_ – 1988
-   _Clan Analogue EP2_ – EP release
-   _Freaky Loops_ – 2SER release
-   _CA014: COGNITION_ Various Artists
-   _CA038: RE COGNITION_ – THE CLAN ANALOGUE LEGACY COLLECTION Various Artists
-   _InTone_ – Clan Analogue – 2016

[1]

[2] Asbjørn Grønstad, Oyvind Vagnes 1, Cover Scaping: Discovering Album Aesthetics

[3] Asbjørn Grønstad, Oyvind Vagnes 2, Cover Scaping: Discovering Album Aesthetics

[4]

[5]

title: Mark Ireland

question: Who is Mark Ireland?

answer: He's an Australian artist, composer, musician, film and video maker, and member of Clan Analogue the Australian Artists collective.

answer: Mark Ireland is an Australian artist and musician. He is a member of the group Clan Analog, who has released electronic music albums.

text: Fix spelling of Analogue

refinement: Mark Ireland is an Australian artist and musician. He is a member of the group Clan Analogue, who has released electronic music albums.

text: Replace "who" with "and"

refinement: Mark Ireland is an Australian artist and musician. He is a member of the group Clan Analogue, and has released electronic music albums.

answer: Mark Ireland is an Australian artist, musician and member of the art group, Clan Analogue.

question: What are the names of Ireland's releases?

answer:
- Straight Angles Compilation
- Clan Analogue EP2 EP release
- Freaky Loops 2DE release
- CA014: COGNITION
- CA038: RE COGNITION- THE CLAN ANALOGUE LEGACY COLLECTION

text: Remove "EP release," "2SER release," etc.

refinement:
- Straight Angles Compilation
- Clan Analogue EP2
- Freaky Loops
- CA014: COGNITION
- CA038: RE COGNITION- THE CLAN ANALOGUE LEGACY COLLECTION

text: Add InTone

refinement:
- Straight Angles Compilation
- Clan Analogue EP2
- Freaky Loops
- CA014: COGNITION
- CA038: RE COGNITION- THE CLAN ANALOGUE LEGACY COLLECTION
- InTone

text: Reformat as a single sentence

refinement: Straight Angles Compilation, Clan Analogue EP2, Freaky Loops, CA014: COGNITION, CA038: RE COGNITION- THE CLAN ANALOGUE LEGACY COLLECTION, and InTone

answer: Straight Angles Compilation, Clan Analogue, Freaky Loops, CA014:COGNITION, CA038: RE COGNITION, and InTone.

answer: Straight Angles Compilation and Clan Analogue EP2 are his released albums.

text: Missing several releases

refinement: Straight Angles Compilation, Clan Analogue EP2, Freaky Loops, CA014: COGNITION, CA038: RE COGNITION, and InTone are his released albums.

question: Is Ireland popular?

answer: No

text: The information can't be found

answer: Ireland is not popular.

text: The information can't be found

answer: That information isn't available in the article.

question: What cities are mentioned in this article?

answer: Sydney, London, New York, and Tokyo

answer: London, New York and Tokyo

text: Missing Sydney

answer: London and Tokyo

text: Missing Sydney and New York

question: When did Mark's career begin?

answer: The artist's career began when he started playing professionally at 19 years old with the group Straight Angles.

answer: Mark's career began at 19 years old when he started playing music professionally.

text: Include the name of the band he played with

refinement: Mark's career began at 19 years old when he started playing music professionally with the band Straight Angles.

answer: He began playing professionally at 19 with the band Straight angles playing jazz, soul, pop, and rock.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: This article discusses the life, career, and discography of Mark Ireland, an Australian artist, composer, musician, film and video maker, and member of Clan Analogue the Australian Artists collective.

answer: This article is a brief biography of Australian artist, composer, musician, film and video maker, Mark Ireland.

answer: Mark Ireland is an Australian artist, composer, musician, film and video maker and member of Clan Analogue the Australian Artists collective.

answer: Mark Ireland is an Australian artist, composer, musician, film and video maker, and one of the members of Clan Analogue, an Australian artists collective.

answer: This article is about an Australian artist, Mark Ireland.

text: Could include more details

refinement: This article is about Mark Ireland, an Australian artist, composer, musician, film and video maker, and member of Clan Analogue, the Australian Artists collective.

answer: The text is about Mark Ireland, an Australian artist, composer, musician, film and video maker, and member of clan analogue.

text: Capitalize Clan Analogue, and note what they are

refinement: The text is about Mark Ireland, an Australian artist, composer, musician, film and video maker, and member of Clan Analogue, an Australian Artists collective.


text:
-   View author archive
-   email the author
-   follow on twitter

August 30, 2018 | 12:20pm | Updated August 30, 2018 | 1:48pm

The late Sen. John McCain is not done speaking out against President Trump and his ties to Vladimir Putin — as he appears in a new documentary about Russia’s efforts to meddle in the 2016 election.

“The fact that there was an attack on the fundamental — the absolute fundamental — a free and fair election, should alarm all of us,’ McCain, who died Saturday of brain cancer, says in “Active Measures,” a new documentary from director Jack Bryan.

In a clip obtained by The Daily Beast, McCain referred to reports from the summer of 2016 that Moscow meddled in the election and Russian hackers targeted US voter-registration databases.

“Active Measures,” which hits the theaters Friday, also features Hillary Clinton, former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, Yahoo News chief investigative correspondent Michael Isikoff and others.

The title is a Soviet term for the “actions of political warfare conducted by the Russian security services to influence the course of world events,” according to the two-hour documentary.

“This really spooked officials in the White House,” Isikoff says about possible Russian involvement, adding: “And that’s the moment, I think, that the enormity of the Russian influence campaign really started to hit home.”

Bryan argues in the film that Russia had been cultivating Trump for years before he appeared on the presidential landscape.

“The Russians have a particular type of mark who they go after,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) says in the film.

“They go after someone who has business resources, perhaps some shady morals so they are amenable to bribery. Or perhaps they’re in a difficult financial situation or has either political connections or aspirations.”

He then adds after a dramatic pause: “I’ve just described Donald Trump.”

The director told The Daily Beast that he wanted to include McCain in the documentary because he was “the most forceful voice in Congress at speaking out against Russian aggression and standing up for democracy worldwide.”

“In 2004 when Putin tried to rig an election in Ukraine, John McCain stood with the Ukrainian people. In 2016 when Putin tried to do the same thing in America, he was one of the few voices in his party who refused to remain silent,” Bryan told the outlet.

“He and Hillary Clinton were Vladimir Putin’s greatest adversaries in the United States, and without their voices it would be impossible to understand how and why our country arrived at this point.”

The longtime Republican senator and war hero can be seen in the film assailing the Russian strongman as “an individual who poses a threat to the world” and “has no moral standards that I’ve been able to detect.”

McCain seems particularly alarmed by Team Trump’s successful effort to remove from the GOP platform a provision condemning Moscow’s annexation of Ukraine.

“I think that’s part of this whole scandal that needs to be resolved,” McCain says. “Why would the Republican Party remove a provision that would help people who have been invaded and slaughtered defend themselves?”

Rolling his eyes and smiling, he adds: “Interesting.”

In his final dig at Trump for failing to stop Russia from attacking US democracy, McCain says: “As long as people can do things without penalty, they’re going to continue to do them.”

His interview presumably predated Trump’s joint news conference with Putin in Helsinki, which McCain described as “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”

question: Who is speaking out against the President?

answer: John McCain.

answer: John McCain

answer: John McCain.

answer: The late Sen. John McCain is speaking out against President Trump in the new documentary "Active Measures."

question: What is the movie about?

answer: The movie is about Russia's efforts to meddle in the 2016 election.

answer: The movie is about Russia's efforts to meddle in the 2016 election.

answer: The movie is about Russia's efforts to meddle in the 2016 US election, and how John McCain was one of the few voices in his party to speak out against it.

answer: Meddling by the Russians in US elections.

text: Specifically in the 2016 election

refinement: Meddling by the Russians in the 2016 US election.

question: What does the movie claim?

answer: That Russia had been cultivating Trump for years before he appeared on the presidential landscape.

answer: The movie claims that Russia had been cultivating Trump for years before he appeared on the presidential landscape, and that McCain was one of the few voices in his party who refused to remain silent about Russia's meddling in the 2016 election.

text: "And that McCain was one of the few voices in his party who refused to remain silent about Russia's meddling in the 2016 election" is true, but not really the central claim of the film

refinement: The movie claims that Russia had been cultivating Trump for years before he appeared on the presidential landscape.

answer: That the President was groomed as a Russian agent.

answer: The movie claims that Russia had been cultivating Trump for years before he appeared on the presidential landscape.

question: Who has McCain stood up to his entire career?

answer: Putin and Russia.

answer: McCain has stood up to Russian President Vladimir Putin throughout his career.

answer: John McCain has stood up to Vladimir Putin his entire career.

answer: Vladimir Putin.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: The late Sen. John McCain is not done speaking out against President Trump and his ties to Vladimir Putin — as he appears in a new documentary about Russia’s efforts to meddle in the 2016 election.

answer: The late Sen. John McCain is not done speaking out against President Trump and his ties to Vladimir Putin.

text: Explain that footage of McCain appears in a new movie

refinement: The late Sen. John McCain is not done speaking out against President Trump and his ties to Vladimir Putin, as he appears in a new documentary about Russia's efforts to meddle in the 2016 election.

answer: Senator John McCain, who died earlier this month, is featured in a new documentary about Russia's meddling in the 2016 US election. McCain is critical of President Trump's ties to Putin, and says that Russia's interference in the election should alarm all Americans.

answer: The article is about John McCain's attitude towards the Republican party and the President after the election of a Russian asset to the White House.

text: While the article does talk about McCain's attitude and covers the claim that Trump was a Russian asset, a better summary would cover that McCain, who has recently died, appears in a new documentary

refinement: Senator John McCain, who recently died, appears in a new documentary about Russia's efforts to meddle in the 2016 election.


text:
He rose to the feeling of movement.

He knew not where the movement came from, but Chris was completely sure that movement was near. His eyes opened and adjusted to the almost impenetrable gloom of his bedroom at midnight. The shelves reached out from his walls, seeming ghostlike in nature at this hour, in the dark. The television at the opposite side of his room peered at him through the dark, reflecting his pale, panicked expression as he sat in his bed, staring around his room. But it didn’t move. Neither did the jeans he wore yesterday, slung across his char, or his shoes, sat haphazardly not too far away.

The movement persisted and Chris knew he would have to investigate. His eyes moved from corner to corner in his room, scoping every inch for tell-tale signs of entry, or even one of his two dogs running around the house, but neither showed; only the lonely emptiness of darkness and silence in the house, and a tap dripping ever so quietly from the bathroom were present at this hour. He checked the time on his mobile phone (he had no clock in his room, he saw no need for such a thing since he already had at least 3 items with clocks built into the software), and the time read 01:32, 08/02/2010.

But still the movement…

He couldn’t hear anything, or see anything, but he knew the movement was near. He could almost sense it, wriggling, crawling around, as if it was under his skin. A sharp pang of panic rang through his body, and he sat still, upright in his bed. The movement *was* under his skin. And it was growing with intensity with every passing second. And then the pain started.

Oh, the pain. His flesh burned at first with only slight discomfort; he could have initially mistaken the sensation for an itch or even a tickle. But it grew. It grew with an alarming pace, the speed matched (possibly even bested) by the growing of his panic at the sudden voluminous pain racking his left arm. He threw off his bed covers and gasped, his mouth agape, at the sight he saw before him on his arm.

His entire forearm was alive - barely - with blisters, open sores, weeping with dull black blood and oozing yellow, sickly pus in equal measure. But that was only intensified by the rate at which this affliction was spreading – the sores were erupting up past his elbow and onto his arm. But worse still, his forearm was only getting deader. The flesh on his forearm was beginning to necrotise, skin peeling back, revealing rotten muscle tissue and tendons ready to snap from pressure.

As his skin began to peel – and his initial shock began to subside – Chris began to scream. Not the classic Hollywood scream, not a voluminous howl you hear in the movies. That sort of scream doesn’t happen in these situations. What came from Chris’ mouth was a low whimper, the sound you would normally hear from someone as they had just received a blow to the stomach that ejected the air sharply from the lungs, but extended over a period of a few seconds. He screamed (although you could call it a sigh and still not be quite wrong) and flopped out of bed and on to all fours, the fingers on his left hand practically disintegrating in the process. They fell off like ash from burned paper – and looked none too different. His entire arm now looked like the result of severe burn damage, and skin

*Or was it muscle? It was becoming increasingly hard to tell. It was all coming off, what was the use in discerning which it was?*

Was flaking off at an alarming rate.

The bones of his arm were becoming visible. Not just visible, but prominent. You’d be forgiven, from looking at a snapshot of this moment, for assuming he was born without flesh on his arm, and at this precise moment was beginning to miraculously generate flesh. His flesh was disappearing before his eyes, flaking away like ash, and all Chris could think was “why isn’t there any blood?”

And as quickly as it began, it was over. He had closed his eyes only for a moment, breathing in with choking sobs, and opened them – to see that his skin was back. But all wasn’t well. He began to scream again; only this time with some real volume.

For his skin had become greasy green scales, and was writhing with a mind of its own, the pain replaced by horrid, grating nausea. Chris rose, stumbling against his bookshelf in the process, knocking a couple of books to the floor, and stumbled out of his room. As he stepped into the hallway, he noticed a new sound, complemented by a strange feeling under his feet.

*Crunch*

Bugs. Cockroaches, spiders, and beetles lay over every surface. Floors, walls, windowsills and doors were coated in bugs, and, Chris noticed, were crawling on a thick coat of viscous dark red liquid. Blood, he thought to himself, barely holding back a gag, heaving at the thought. He brought his right hand to his face to catch a cough, he noticed that his right arm had also become covered in scales, and that they were peeling off just like his skin previously had done, and the pain had returned in full force, and then some.

Yelling through his teeth, Chris pressed on to the bathroom, crushing bugs beneath his feet, noticing that the felt oddly soft against his skin –no, scales. He flicked the bathroom light on and walked to the sink, not yet looking in the mirror, but at his feet which he noticed had a fresh coat of scales on, and claws posing proudly as toenails. He gathered the courage to look into the mirror, and saw that his face was also covered in scales, and that he had webbing protruding from his back; not only that, but as he opened his mouth to scream, he noticed a snake’s tongue in his mouth, and slits for nostrils.

And when he did scream, all that came from his mouth was a long, reptilian hiss.

title: The Itch (draft). Just over 1000 words. Criticism needed!

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

What does the story say about the state of Chris' arm?

answer: The arm of Chris has become afflicted with a rash and painful sores, which spread rapidly and some of which begin to turn his flesh into necrotic tissue. He experiences pain and horror as the affliction spreads. Eventually, Chris' arm becomes covered in scales, which reveal that he has transformed into a snake.

text: Mention that the flesh falls off and exposes the bone after it necrotizes and before the regrowth to scales.

refinement: The arm of Chris has become afflicted with a rash and painful sores, which spread rapidly and some of which begin to turn his flesh into necrotic tissue. He experiences pain and horror as the flesh falls off and his bones are exposed. Eventually, Chris' arm becomes covered in scales, which reveal that he has transformed into a snake.

text: Change the awkward wording in the last sentence.

refinement: The arm of Chris has become afflicted with a rash and painful sores, which spread rapidly and some of which begin to turn his flesh into necrotic tissue. He experiences pain and horror as the flesh falls off and his bones are exposed. Eventually, Chris' arm becomes covered in scales. At the end of the passage, it is revealed that he has transformed into a snake or a similar reptile.

answer: Chris has blisters and open sores on his hand, the flesh necrotizes, and skin begins to peel. The flesh disappears, the bones become visible and his fingers begin to disintegrate. Then the skin is back but it becomes greasy green scale.

answer: Chris is keenly aware that his arm is burning and that he needs to investigate further. As he feels his flesh transform in his arm, he knew something was wrong because he couldn't see or feel any major problems. When he got up and took his hand to his face, his arm was covered in scales and the pain in his head was intense. He began to scream intermittently and ran to his bathroom to try and rinse the acidity off his arm. He used saliva to rinse his arm but there was absolutely no success. Chris looked in the mirror with horror as he saw his skin had become greasy green scales and his tongue was now slithering in his mouth. He then realized he was becoming a reptile.

text: No headache or pain in the head was mentioned in the passage. No mention of using saliva to clean his arm. Remove these two sentences.

refinement: Chris is keenly aware that his arm is burning and that he needs to investigate further. As he feels his flesh transform in his arm, he knew something was wrong because he couldn't see or feel any major problems. When he got up and took his hand to his face, his arm was covered in scales. He began to scream intermittently and ran to his bathroom to try and rinse the acidity off his arm. Chris looked in the mirror with horror as he saw his skin had become greasy green scales and his tongue was now slithering in his mouth. He then realized he was becoming a reptile.

answer: No answer

text: The passage provides several statements regarding the state of the arm.

refinement: Chris has blisters and open sores on his hand, the flesh necrotizes, and skin begins to peel. The flesh disappears, the bones become visible and his fingers begin to disintegrate. Then the skin is back but it becomes greasy green scale.

answer: Chris' arm is falling apart, necrotising from the lymphatic system outward, and becoming covered in scales. The pain accompanying the affliction is horrific and excruciating.

text: Mention the four critical changes observed in the arm: the boils and sores, necrotized flesh, flesh falls off revealing the bones, and the flesh growing back as green scales.

refinement: Chris has blisters and open sores on his hand, the flesh necrotizes, and skin begins to peel. The flesh disappears, the bones become visible and his fingers begin to disintegrate. Then the skin is back but it becomes greasy green scale.

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

What does the story say about what happens to Chris?

answer: Chris woke up after hearing the movement under his skin. The movement moved up, showing in the form of a massive amount of blisters, sores, and open wounds after causing pain and burning his forearm. When he reached his bathroom, his whole face was eaten by scales.

text: Saying that his face was "eaten" by scales, creates the wrong context. It is better to directly state that Chris has transformed into a reptile like creature. Mention the complete change in his forearm as well.

refinement: Chris woke up after hearing the movement under his skin. The movement moved up, showing in the form of a massive amount of blisters, sores, and open wounds after causing pain and burning his forearm. When he reached his bathroom, the skin on his face has transformed into scales, and his facial features have become that of a reptile's.

answer: In a fit of panic, Chris wakes up to find his arm covered in bubble-like sores. But what started off as a general itch becomes severe pain that spreads up his arm, decaying tissue, and a transformation into a reptile-like being with scales covering his body. The transformation is complete when his mouth becomes snake-like with slits for nostrils and a forked tongue.

answer: Chris is being transformed into a reptile. His skin begins to peel, his flesh is disappearing, and the bones of his arm become visible. Then his skin is back but becomes scales. Soon his entire skin transforms to scales and his tongue transforms to snake's tongue.

answer: Chris experiences sudden and unexplained movement followed by pain and horrendous physical transformation where his skin is replaced by scales and his arms turn into something akin to a snake. He is wracked by agonising pain that leads him to discover an infestation of bugs in his home. This leads him to discover his new reptilian form in the mirror.

answer: Chris hears what he thinks is movement. It turns out to be suffering. He feels something wriggling under his skin that grows more intense and then becomes pain. He tries to move and throws off his bedcovers. His forearm begins to look more and more like he has severe burns on his arm and the tissue is beginning to necrotize. For the second time, it gets worse. The skin on his arm flakes away and bone begins to protrude through. His flesh continues to rot and leak fluids as his skin reappears as scales. Finally, his face looks like a snake's and he hisses instead of screams.

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

What does the story say about how Chris feels about being transformed into a snake?

answer: Based on the events described in the passage, Chris is clearly panicking and horrified at his transformation into a snake. He screams multiple times, and his thoughts are consumed with disgust and terror at his altered appearance. It doesn't seem like Chris is enjoying the transformation or finds any amusement or joy in what is happening to him.

answer: The story implies that Chris is horrified by the fact that he has been transformed into a snake. He feels intense pain and disgust at transformational - the scales covering his body and the snake's tongue in his mouth give him reason to be horrified at what has happened to him. He screams and hisses, expressing his horror and disgust at being turned into something from which he feels alienated.

answer: No answer

text: The passage provides several insights to Chris' emotional state. These are either direct descriptions of his emotions or can be inferred from his actions.

refinement: Based on the events described in the passage, Chris is clearly panicking and horrified at his transformation into a snake. He screams multiple times, and his thoughts are consumed with disgust and terror at his altered appearance. It doesn't seem like Chris is enjoying the transformation or finds any amusement or joy in what is happening to him.

answer: No answer

text: The passage provides several insights to Chris' emotional state. These are either direct descriptions of his emotions or can be inferred from his actions.

refinement: Based on the events described in the passage, Chris is clearly panicking and horrified at his transformation into a snake. He screams multiple times, and his thoughts are consumed with disgust and terror at his altered appearance. It doesn't seem like Chris is enjoying the transformation or finds any amusement or joy in what is happening to him.

answer: Chris is in pain and becomes terrified when he sees his skin is transforming to scales. He screams and is afraid to look into the mirror. When he sees his face is also covered in scales, he is desperate and screams again.


text:
SCRANTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF was a residential school for the deaf established in 1880 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States. Its students ranged in age from 3 to 18. At the end of the 2008–09 school year, the school was turned over from state management to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.[1] The new school was renamed Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children.

History

Reverend Jacob Koehler established the school in 1880.[2] In 1913, by authority of a state legislative act, the Commonwealth took control of the school renaming it the PENNSYLVANIA STATE ORAL SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF. It was subsequently renamed the SCRANTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF in 1976.

Campus

Curriculum

Extracurricular activities

Scranton State School for the Deaf athletic teams, known as the Bears, compete in basketball, softball, cross country, soccer, and cheerleading in Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and Eastern Schools for the Deaf Athletic Association competition.

Notable alumni

Former superintendents

Dr. Victor H. Galloway (1979-1981)

Dr. Dorothy S. Bambach (1988 - 2006)

-   Dr. Monita Hara (2007–2009)[3]

[1]

[2] Gannon, Jack. 1981. _Deaf Heritage–A Narrative History of Deaf America_, Silver Spring, MD: National Association of the Deaf, p. 46-47 (PDF )(PDF )

[3]

title: Scranton State School for the Deaf

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

When was the school established?

answer: The Scranton State School for the Deaf was established in 1880.

answer: 1880

answer: The Scranton State School for the Deaf was established in 1880.

answer: In 1880

answer: 1880

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

Where is the school?

answer: Scranton, Pennsylvania United States

text: "Pennsylvania United States" - add a comma

answer: It is located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States.

answer: The school is located in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

answer: Scranton, Pennsylvania

answer: The Scranton State School for the Deaf is located in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

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

What happened at the end of the 2008-09 school year?

answer: Scranton State School for the Deaf was turned over from state management to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

text: Add that they changed the school's name.

refinement: Scranton State School for the Deaf was turned over from state management to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. The new school was renamed Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children.

answer: At the end of the 2008-09 school year, the SCRANTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF was turned over from state management to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. The new school was renamed Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children.

text: "SCRANTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF" - remove all caps

refinement: At the end of the 2008-09 school year, the Scranton State School for the Deaf was turned over from state management to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. The new school was renamed Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children.

answer: It was turned over to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and was renamed Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children

answer: The Scranton State School for the Deaf was turned over from state management to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. It was renamed the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children.

answer: It was turned over from state management to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. The new school was renamed the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children.

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

Who established the school?

answer: Reverend Jacob Koehler

answer: Reverend Jacob Koehler established the school in 1880.

answer: Reverend Jacob Koehler.

answer: Rev. Jacob Koehler

answer: Reverend Jacob Koehler established the school in 1880.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: The SCRANTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF was established in 1880 and was a residential school for the deaf. In 2008, it changed hands from state management to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. At the end of the 2008–09 school year, the school's name was changed to the SCRANTON SCHOOL FOR DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING CHILDREN. The school's athletic teams participate in competitions in basketball, softball, cross country, soccer, and cheerleading. Notable alumni include former Superintendent Dr. Dorothy S. Bambach.

text: Went over the 2-sentence summary requirement in a big way. Merge sentences 2 and 3 together. Delete sentences 4 and 5.

refinement:
The SCRANTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF was established in 1880 and was a residential school for the deaf.
In 2008, it changed hands from state management to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, and the school's name was changed to the SCRANTON SCHOOL FOR DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING CHILDREN at the end of the 2008–09 school year.

text: Remove all caps

refinement:
The Scranton State School for the Deaf was established in 1880 and was a residential school for the deaf.
In 2008, it changed hands from state management to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, and the school's name was changed to the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children at the end of the 2008–09 school year.

answer: Scranton State School for the Deaf was a residential school for the deaf established in 1880 in Scranton, Pennsylvania by Reverend Jacob Koehler. At the end of the 2008-09 school year, the state turned the school over to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, and the school was renamed Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children.

answer:
The Scranton State School for the Deaf was a residential school for the deaf established in 1880 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, US, and run by the state until it was handed back to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf at the end of 2008.

It required students to be between the ages of 3 and 18 in order to attend.

text: "it was handed back" - it wasn't handed back. It was turned over to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

refinement:
The Scranton State School for the Deaf was a residential school for the deaf established in 1880 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, US, and run by the state until it was handed back to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf at the end of 2008.

It required students to be between the ages of 3 and 18 in order to attend.

answer: The SCRANTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF was a residential school for the deaf in Scranton, PA. In 1979, it was taken under state management and renamed the SCRANTON STATE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF. The school closed at the end of the 2008-09 school year, and ownership was transferred to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. The new school is now called the SCRANTON SCHOOL FOR DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING CHILDREN. The school has athletic teams and notable alumni, and its last superintendent was Monita Hara.

text: Went over the 2-sentence summary requirement by three sentences. Rewrite the entire summary to trim it down to two sentences.

refinement:
The Scranton State School for the Deaf was a residential school for the deaf in Scranton, PA that closed at the end of the 2008-09 school year.
Ownership was transferred to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, and the new school is now called the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children.

answer: The Scranton State School for the Deaf was established in 1880 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It was a residential school for the deaf.


text:
Don't write off El Salvador as a country of crime, civl war and tattooed gangs. Here are ten things we loved from our visit.

01. pupusas

Cornmeal dough is probably one of our least favourite foodstuffs so far, but stuff it full of lots of ooey-gooey cheese, and we've found a winner.

Pupusas in El Salvador, are what fish'n'chips are to the UK. Traditionally filled with cheese and frijoles, and served along a pickled slaw and hot sauce, a number of progressive pupuserias are experimenting with new flavours - our favourite being a garlic-cheese version that tasted something like the best garlic-cheese bread you've ever eaten! Surprisingly, we ate only a handful of mediocre attempts, and were most impressed by a little ma and pa stand in El Tunco that were more than worth the few extra pence per pupusa!

02. ruta de las flores

In our haste to reach the coast, we almost missed out on this spectacular part of El Salvador. Set amongst sky-high coffee plantations, lush green landscapes and picturesque and peaceful villages - only a couple of hours away from manic San Salvador, but it feels like a million miles.

03. surf

El Salvador is THE place to surf in Central America, or so it seems given the number of wave-starved Ozzies traversing the continent to hit-up El Tunco or El Cuco's hidden breaks. Whilst we were very unimpressed with El Tunco's less than pristine black-sand beaches, one need only see the number of surf shops, sun-bleached hair and sun-kissed bodies to appreciate that a town doesn't have to be pretty to have some killer waves!

04. people and preconceptions

As a mainstay in 'Most Dangerous places in the world' lists and with countless youtube documentaries and news articles depicting the brutal gang-warfare that plagues this once peaceful country, many travellers decide to skip El Salvador altogether.

We are intrinsically suspicious people, constantly sneaking glances at our bags at the back of the bus and taking every piece of advice with a grain of salt. Our nerves were even more frayed after reading so many horror stories, but the people of El Salvador surpassed every other Central American country for their kindness. On three separate occasions we were helped off buses and shown to suitable accommodation (not just to those owned by uncles, cousins or the man that repairs his trousers, before you ask!), whilst people would helpfully point out where and where not to go. Of course, the sceptical and wary Brit within has each time wondered whether this was the beginning of a scam, but their concern and hospitality was 100% genuine.

05. coffee

Before El Salvador became synonymous with gang violence, it was excellent coffee which made this small country famous - in its 1980s hay-day it accounted for 50% of the GDP. Whilst this industry has since experienced a small decline, it is still home to a number of large _fincas_ and smaller co-operatives. Unfortunately most of the good stuff gets exported out of the country so try and join a tour to get a taste of the best the country has to offer!

06. parades

Parades are a big deal all over Latin America - no celebration seems to be complete without a few brightly coloured costumes and a brass band marching down the street, but the Independence Day celebrations in El Salvador were second to none. Even in the pouring rain, the sense of community and overwhelming joy was palpable. For a glimpse through our lens, check this out.

07. tortuga verde

A budget backpacker's idea of luxury often only extends to include showers not requiring flip-flops and free filtered water but at this little retreat in the small beach town of El Cuco you get that plus so much more! Reminiscent of some of the fancier holidays we took with parents when money was less of an object (because it wasn't ours!), Tortuga Verde provides the sort of luxury you'd expect from a fancy resort, but with a price and atmosphere for us scruffy travellers. (with free yoga thrown in to boot!)

No itinerary in El Salvador would be complete without a couple of days spent in this little gem.

08. size

As self-professed lovers of slow-travel, we are in the fortunate position that we can usually take as long as we need to really see and appreciate a new country, but we understand that not everyone is so lucky. So many countries could take years to properly cover, which is more time than even we have.

For those with only a couple of weeks, El Salvador is a really great option. In only a handful of days even the most time-stressed backpacker can enjoy highland vistas, chase a few waves, glimpse into a country's past and sample city life without having to board a flight or take too epic a bus journey.

09. everything costs $1

Want a bottle of water? That'll be $1. Bus journey to ummm, anywhere? A dollar. Three pupusas for dinner? You guessed it, $1. The price for a wandering gringo in El Salvador sometimes makes you feel like it is a 'Everything for $1' shop masquerading as a country.

10. street art

As is true across the world, political conflict breeds artistic expression, and no less so here. Brightly coloured murals adorn the walls of almost every town we visited, silently pleading with following generations not to forget what went before and to remember the reasons for the struggles.

start planning for el salvador with our guides

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

What does the article say about the culinary advantages of El Salvador?

answer: One article author enjoyed pupusas and the garlic-cheese variant. They also loved red wine, lavish seafood ambrosia, and Chocolate Del Soto De La Leche.

text: "They also loved red wine, lavish seafood ambrosia, and Chocolate Del Soto De La Leche." - this was never mentioned anywhere in the text and should be removed.

refinement: One article author enjoyed pupusas and the garlic-cheese variant.

text: "One article author enjoyed pupusas and the garlic-cheese variant." - the sentence seems like it's jumbled. Rewrite the sentence so that it's easier to read.

refinement: The article's author enjoyed garlic-cheese pupusas.

text: Missing details of what pupusas are. Also needs to add that El Salvador is a coffee-growing region that has great coffee and that most things (presumably including meals) only cost $1.

refinement: The article's author enjoyed garlic-cheese pupusas from a ma and pa stand in El Tunco. Pupusas are cornmeal dough stuffed with cheese, frijoles and served with pickled slaw and hot sauce. El Salvador is a coffee-growing region and has excellent coffee. For gringos, most everything costs a dollar, including meals.

answer: The author thinks their pupusas, cornmeal dough filled traditionally with cheese and frijoles, are amazing. The best one they found was from a little ma & pa stand in El Tunco. El Salvador is known for its great coffee, but the author points out that the best coffee usually gets exported out of the country. That's why they recommend joining a tour.

answer: The article mentions that El Salvador has great pupusas, along with many other good cuisines. The overall conclusion is that the culinary advantages of the country are quite good.

text: "many other good cuisines. The overall conclusion is that the culinary advantages of the country are quite good." - no other cuisines were mentioned except for good coffee (if it qualifies as cuisine) and the response is missing that the pupusas were garlic-cheese.

refinement: The article mentions that El Salvador has great garlic-cheese pupusas, along with excellent coffee.

answer: As the quintessential travellers, the people of El Salvador surpassed every other Central American country for their kindness. Their kindness gave the two travellers a great experience.

text: "As the quintessential travellers, the people of El Salvador surpassed every other Central American country for their kindness. Their kindness gave the two travellers a great experience." - the response failed to answer the question and isn't related to food at all.

refinement: One advantage El Salvador has when it comes to cuisine is that everything costs $1 (for Gringos, at least) so presumably, meals are too. The country's national food is pupusas - cornmeal dough stuffed with cheese and frijoles served with pickled slaw and hot sauce - and the authors found a wonderful ma and pa stand in El Tunco that serves great garlic-cheese pupusas. The country is also a coffee-growing region and has excellent coffee that's available only through coffee tours.

answer: The article mentions pupusas, coffee, and tacos as culinary specialties in El Salvador, noting that all three are inexpensive.

text: "and tacos" - this is inaccurate as tacos were never mentioned anywhere in the text.

refinement: The article mentions pupusas and coffee as culinary specialties in El Salvador, noting that these are inexpensive.

text: Needs to include that the pupusas are the garlic-cheese version.

refinement: The article mentions garlic-cheese pupusas from El Tunco and coffee as culinary specialties in El Salvador, noting that these are inexpensive.

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

Summarize the surprising aspects of the author's trip to El Salvador.

answer: Far from the tales of war, they were pleasantly surprised by how nice people were, the really terrific pupusas, the restaurants in El Tunco, the coffee, and the  inexpensive water. They were surprised by how neat the beaches were, but admittedly they're more into caves and ruins. The author appreciated the affordable pricing and the slow pace of life. The holiday seemed tailor made for them.

text: "Far from the tales of war, they were pleasantly surprised by how nice people were" - doesn't really explain the preconceptions about El Salvador being a dangerous country due to brutal gang warfare. The people's kindness should also be separated from other surprising aspects of El Salvador.

refinement: The authors had preconceptions about El Salvador being a dangerous country riddled with gang warfare but were pleasantly surprised by the kindness and hospitality shown to them by the people. The really terrific pupusas, the restaurants in El Tunco, the coffee, and the  inexpensive water. They were surprised by how neat the beaches were, but admittedly they're more into caves and ruins. The author appreciated the affordable pricing and the slow pace of life. The holiday seemed tailor made for them.

text: "The really terrific pupusas, the restaurants in El Tunco, the coffee" - no restaurants were mentioned, just a ma and pa pupusa stand in El Tunco. The part about coffee should be expanded and the part about inexpensive water removed.

refinement: The authors had preconceptions about El Salvador being a dangerous country riddled with gang warfare but were pleasantly surprised by the kindness and hospitality shown to them by the people. They loved the garlic-cheese pupusas from the ma and pa stand in El Tunco and the great coffee that was only available via coffee tours. They were surprised by how neat the beaches were, but admittedly they're more into caves and ruins. The author appreciated the affordable pricing and the slow pace of life. The holiday seemed tailor made for them.

text: "They were surprised by how neat the beaches were, but admittedly they're more into caves and ruins." - this is inaccurate because the authors were NOT impressed by the less pristine black-sand beaches of El Tunco and there was never any mention of them going to any ruins or caves. This can be replaced with the part about Ruta de las Flores.

refinement: The authors had preconceptions about El Salvador being a dangerous country riddled with gang warfare but were pleasantly surprised by the kindness and hospitality shown to them by the people. They loved the garlic-cheese pupusas from the ma and pa stand in El Tunco and the great coffee that was only available via coffee tours. The authors were surprised that the spectacular "Ruta de las Flores" was only a few hours away from manic San Salvador. The author appreciated the affordable pricing and the slow pace of life. The holiday seemed tailor made for them.

text: "The author appreciated the affordable pricing and the slow pace of life. The holiday seemed tailor made for them." - Affordable pricing should be more specific. The slow pace of life was never mentioned (it was slow travel) and the holiday being tailor-made is not found in the text.

refinement: The authors had preconceptions about El Salvador being a dangerous country riddled with gang warfare but were pleasantly surprised by the kindness and hospitality shown to them by the people. They loved the garlic-cheese pupusas from the ma and pa stand in El Tunco and the great coffee that was only available via coffee tours. The authors were surprised that the spectacular "Ruta de las Flores" was only a few hours away from manic San Salvador. Another surprising aspect of El Salvador was that almost everything starts at $1, from bottled water to bus rides to food, and the country's size makes it easy for travelers on a tight schedule to visit most of the wonderful sights El Salvador has to offer.

answer: There are many surprises and wonderful experiences mentioned. The author had eaten pupusas before and always liked them, but the cheese-frijoles version of pupusas in El Salvador was a surprise. The author had read so many awful things about El Salvador, expecting most people to be brutal or frightening, and encountered nothing not to like. The author had always been suspicious of a stranger (helpful and kind) but enjoyed it when people in El Salvador were so generous with their kindness. The surf was not the best, but it proved to be home to have some workable waves that could be ridden and enjoyed. The people were very nice even in the midst of said civil war. The skyline was not pleasing, but surprisingly the ocean was blue and wonderful. The street art in El Salvador powerfully conveyed the sentiment of being grateful that the civil war did not go nuclear. Finally, the price of living in El Salvador came as a surprise. Everything in El Salvador cost $1. Bottled water, a bus ride, and a bottle of wine. Even when they had a discount at a hostel, they were still able to get a place to stay with a view overlooking the ocean for just $6 a night.

text: "The author had eaten pupusas before and always liked them, but the cheese-frijoles version of pupusas in El Salvador was a surprise." - this is incorrect. Pupusas are the author's least favorite food, the pupusas they liked was the garlic-cheese version (not cheese-frijoles), and the pupusas stand was in El Tunco.

refinement: There are many surprises and wonderful experiences mentioned. The garlic-cheese pupusas from the ma and pa stand in El Tunco was a surprise. The author had read so many awful things about El Salvador, expecting most people to be brutal or frightening, and encountered nothing not to like. The author had always been suspicious of a stranger (helpful and kind) but enjoyed it when people in El Salvador were so generous with their kindness. The surf was not the best, but it proved to be home to have some workable waves that could be ridden and enjoyed. The people were very nice even in the midst of said civil war. The skyline was not pleasing, but surprisingly the ocean was blue and wonderful. The street art in El Salvador powerfully conveyed the sentiment of being grateful that the civil war did not go nuclear. Finally, the price of living in El Salvador came as a surprise. Everything in El Salvador cost $1. Bottled water, a bus ride, and a bottle of wine. Even when they had a discount at a hostel, they were still able to get a place to stay with a view overlooking the ocean for just $6 a night.

text: "The author had read so many awful things about El Salvador, expecting most people to be brutal or frightening, and encountered nothing not to like. The author had always been suspicious of a stranger (helpful and kind) but enjoyed it when people in El Salvador were so generous with their kindness." - the sentence contradicts itself and is hard to read. It needs to be simplified.

refinement: There are many surprises and wonderful experiences mentioned. The garlic-cheese pupusas from the ma and pa stand in El Tunco was a surprise. The author had read so many awful things about El Salvador and had preconceptions about the country being a dangerous place full of brutal gangs, but was pleasantly surprised by the kindness and hospitality shown to them by the people. The surf was not the best, but it proved to be home to have some workable waves that could be ridden and enjoyed. The people were very nice even in the midst of said civil war. The skyline was not pleasing, but surprisingly the ocean was blue and wonderful. The street art in El Salvador powerfully conveyed the sentiment of being grateful that the civil war did not go nuclear. Finally, the price of living in El Salvador came as a surprise. Everything in El Salvador cost $1. Bottled water, a bus ride, and a bottle of wine. Even when they had a discount at a hostel, they were still able to get a place to stay with a view overlooking the ocean for just $6 a night.

text: Delete "be home to". Replace "workable" with "killer"

refinement: There are many surprises and wonderful experiences mentioned. The garlic-cheese pupusas from the ma and pa stand in El Tunco was a surprise. The author had read so many awful things about El Salvador and had preconceptions about the country being a dangerous place full of brutal gangs, but was pleasantly surprised by the kindness and hospitality shown to them by the people. The surf was not the best, but it proved to have some killer waves that could be ridden and enjoyed. The people were very nice even in the midst of said civil war. The skyline was not pleasing, but surprisingly the ocean was blue and wonderful. The street art in El Salvador powerfully conveyed the sentiment of being grateful that the civil war did not go nuclear. Finally, the price of living in El Salvador came as a surprise. Everything in El Salvador cost $1. Bottled water, a bus ride, and a bottle of wine. Even when they had a discount at a hostel, they were still able to get a place to stay with a view overlooking the ocean for just $6 a night.

text: "The people were very nice even in the midst of said civil war. The skyline was not pleasing, but surprisingly the ocean was blue and wonderful." - this is incorrect as there was no civil war happening when the author visited. Skylines and blue oceans were also not mentioned. This should be deleted.

refinement: There are many surprises and wonderful experiences mentioned. The garlic-cheese pupusas from the ma and pa stand in El Tunco was a surprise. The author had read so many awful things about El Salvador and had preconceptions about the country being a dangerous place full of brutal gangs, but was pleasantly surprised by the kindness and hospitality shown to them by the people. The surf was not the best, but it proved to have some killer waves that could be ridden and enjoyed. The street art in El Salvador powerfully conveyed the sentiment of being grateful that the civil war did not go nuclear. Finally, the price of living in El Salvador came as a surprise. Everything in El Salvador cost $1. Bottled water, a bus ride, and a bottle of wine. Even when they had a discount at a hostel, they were still able to get a place to stay with a view overlooking the ocean for just $6 a night.

text: "The street art in El Salvador powerfully conveyed the sentiment of being grateful that the civil war did not go nuclear." - This is inaccurate. There was no mention of a civil war or nuclear weapons. The murals silently pleaded with the next generation not to forget what went before and remember the reason for their struggles.

refinement: There are many surprises and wonderful experiences mentioned. The garlic-cheese pupusas from the ma and pa stand in El Tunco was a surprise. The author had read so many awful things about El Salvador and had preconceptions about the country being a dangerous place full of brutal gangs, but was pleasantly surprised by the kindness and hospitality shown to them by the people. The surf was not the best, but it proved to have some killer waves that could be ridden and enjoyed. Most towns in El Salvador have brightly colored murals (street art) that silently plead with the next generation not to forget the reason for their struggles. Finally, the price of living in El Salvador came as a surprise. Everything in El Salvador cost $1. Bottled water, a bus ride, and a bottle of wine. Even when they had a discount at a hostel, they were still able to get a place to stay with a view overlooking the ocean for just $6 a night.

text: "and a bottle of wine. Even when they had a discount at a hostel, they were still able to get a place to stay with a view overlooking the ocean for just $6 a night." - this is incorrect and should be removed.

refinement: There are many surprises and wonderful experiences mentioned. The garlic-cheese pupusas from the ma and pa stand in El Tunco was a surprise. The author had read so many awful things about El Salvador and had preconceptions about the country being a dangerous place full of brutal gangs, but was pleasantly surprised by the kindness and hospitality shown to them by the people. The surf was not the best, but it proved to have some killer waves that could be ridden and enjoyed. Most towns in El Salvador have brightly colored murals (street art) that silently plead with the next generation not to forget the reason for their struggles. Finally, the price of living in El Salvador came as a surprise. Everything in El Salvador cost $1. Bottled water, a bus ride.

text: Replace "cost" with "starts at" and merge this sentence with "Bottled water, a bus ride".

refinement: There are many surprises and wonderful experiences mentioned. The garlic-cheese pupusas from the ma and pa stand in El Tunco was a surprise. The author had read so many awful things about El Salvador and had preconceptions about the country being a dangerous place full of brutal gangs, but was pleasantly surprised by the kindness and hospitality shown to them by the people. The surf was not the best, but it proved to have some killer waves that could be ridden and enjoyed. Most towns in El Salvador have brightly colored murals (street art) that silently plead with the next generation not to forget the reason for their struggles. Finally, the price of living in El Salvador came as a surprise. Everything in El Salvador starts at $1, including bottled water, a bus ride, and food.

answer: The best pupusa, El Salvador's customary snack akin to fish and chips, they found was in a little ma & pa shop. The great landscape of Ruta De Las Flores was just a few hours from San Salvador, and the waves in a few places were perfect for surfing. The biggest surprise for the author was the friendliness of the populace after hearing so much about the gang wars, etc.

answer: The author visited El Salvador despite being wary of preconceived notions of the country's violent reputation. However, they were surprised to find that the people of El Salvador were incredibly welcoming and generous in helping them along the way even though they were backpackers on a very tight budget. El Salvador also turned out to be amazing for those interested in surfing given the great waves and small size making it easy to see and experience a lot within a short time frame. Finally, El Salvador is also affordable in terms of prices with everything costing only a dollar. All in all, El Salvador turned out to be a great surprise.

text: "El Salvador also turned out to be amazing for those interested in surfing given the great waves and small size making it easy to see and experience a lot within a short time frame." - the sentence is a little confusing and needs a minor revision.

refinement: The author visited El Salvador despite being wary of preconceived notions of the country's violent reputation. However, they were surprised to find that the people of El Salvador were incredibly welcoming and generous in helping them along the way even though they were backpackers on a very tight budget. El Salvador also turned out to be amazing for surfing and the country's small land area made it easy to see and experience most of the beautiful sights within a short time frame. Finally, El Salvador is also affordable in terms of prices with everything costing only a dollar. All in all, El Salvador turned out to be a great surprise.

answer: Despite the country's reputation for violence and crime, the author found warm hospitality, excellent surfing and gorgeous coffee farms. Additionally, El Salvador is rarely as time-consuming to explore as some larger countries due to good transport infrastructure and affordable costs. Finally, colourful street art demonstrates the country's history and political struggles in an artistic way.

text: Add a comma to "and"

refinement: Despite the country's reputation for violence and crime, the author found warm hospitality, excellent surfing, and gorgeous coffee farms. Additionally, El Salvador is rarely as time-consuming to explore as some larger countries due to good transport infrastructure and affordable costs. Finally, colourful street art demonstrates the country's history and political struggles in an artistic way.

text: Change the spelling of "colourful" to "colorful"

refinement: Despite the country's reputation for violence and crime, the author found warm hospitality, excellent surfing, and gorgeous coffee farms. Additionally, El Salvador is rarely as time-consuming to explore as some larger countries due to good transport infrastructure and affordable costs. Finally, colorful street art demonstrates the country's history and political struggles in an artistic way.

text: "good transport infrastructure" - is inaccurate because the text never mentioned El Salvador having any transport infrastructure.

refinement: Despite the country's reputation for violence and crime, the author found warm hospitality, excellent surfing, and gorgeous coffee farms. Additionally, El Salvador is rarely as time-consuming to explore as some larger countries due to affordable costs. Finally, colorful street art demonstrates the country's history and political struggles in an artistic way.

text: "Additionally, El Salvador is rarely as time-consuming to explore as some larger countries due to affordable costs."- add that the reason is that the country is small. Expand on "affordable costs"

refinement: Despite the country's reputation for violence and crime, the author found warm hospitality, excellent surfing, and gorgeous coffee farms. Additionally, El Salvador is rarely as time-consuming to explore as some larger countries due to the country's size. El Salvador is an affordable country, with almost everything costing $1. Finally, colorful street art demonstrates the country's history and political struggles in an artistic way.

text: "Despite the country's reputation for violence and crime, the author found warm hospitality, excellent surfing, and gorgeous coffee farms." - hospitality, surfing, and coffee should be separated. The part about pupusas is missing.

refinement: Despite the country's reputation for violence and crime, the author found warm hospitality and kindness from the people of El Salvador. The country has excellent surfing, delectable garlic-cheese pupusas in El Tunco, and gorgeous coffee farms. Additionally, El Salvador is rarely as time-consuming to explore as some larger countries due to the country's size. El Salvador is an affordable country, with almost everything costing $1. Finally, colorful street art demonstrates the country's history and political struggles in an artistic way.


text:
"What a waste of time." The apathetic voice rattled my conscience as I stood gazing upon the grave of whom such thoughts originated. I was unsure if the sentiment was born out of my memories of Walter while he was alive or the ground itself. Either way, I suppose I was looking for answers to questions I hadn't yet conceived and these five words made me question my presence here tonight.

"Seems appropriate a dead guy would caution the living about time," I replied to precisely no one. The cold night gathered these words inches from my face in a white cloud before they disappeared, along with the ambition that drove me three hours to my late friend's final resting place. Walter responded with a question.

"Why didn't you just tell me?" A valid inquiry. It was at this moment I understood that tonight was not about my questions. Tonight was about providing answers, which I owed Walter even in his death. I took a seat in order to be closer to my dear friend.

"It wouldn't have made a difference." A cop-out. It would have made all the difference. I suppose Walter already knew this. He did not question me to seek information; he questioned me because, even as a corpse, he understood I needed to come clean.

I sat with my eyes closed awaiting a response that never came. After a few minutes I sat up and didn't even bother brushing myself off. The flashlight that led me from my car to Walter's grave with such precision flickered for a few seconds before shutting off completely. Despite this inconvenience my memory was able to lead me back, and I hoped it would serve this function again someday.

Walter was right. What a waste of time.

title: Walter

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

What is the narrator's relation to Walter?

answer: Walter is the narrator's late friend.

answer: The narrator was a friend of Walter while he was alive.

answer: The narrator is a friend of Walter's.

answer: He was a friend.

answer: Probably a friend considering their comment about settling their answers before Walter dies.

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

How did Walter die?

answer: That information can't be found.

answer: This information is not found.

answer: That information can't be found.

answer: Walter died from cancer.

text: The text doesn't provide any answer.

answer: Walter died because he was neglected by those who should have loved and cared for him.

text: There is nothing in this text to indicate Walter was neglected-just that the narrator seems to think he owes Walter some manner of an explanation.

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

What was the narrator's purpose for visiting Walter's grave?

answer: The narrator was looking for some answers to questions he had.

text: Either way, I suppose I was looking for answers to questions I hadn't yet conceived and these five words made me question my presence here tonight.

answer: To ask questions but realized he needed to answer Walter's questions.

text: Either way, I suppose I was looking for answers to questions I hadn't yet conceived and these five words made me question my presence here tonight.

answer: The narrator's purpose for visiting Walter's grave was to give him an answer to a question that had been left unanswered.

text: Either way, I suppose I was looking for answers to questions I hadn't yet conceived and these five words made me question my presence here tonight.

answer: The narrator regrets telling Walter something that he should not have, and wants to tell him that he was wrong. The narrative says that Walter seems to know that the narrator was not satisfying his urge to confess the truth.

text: It was at this moment I understood that tonight was not about my questions. Tonight was about providing answers, which I owed Walter even in his death.

answer: The narrator visited Walter's grave to provide answers to questions he owed his late friend.

text: It was at this moment I understood that tonight was not about my questions. Tonight was about providing answers, which I owed Walter even in his death.

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

What was Walter right about?

answer: "What a waste of time"

answer: Time is a waste

answer: Walter was right that it was a waste of time to visit his grave.

answer: He was right that it was a waste of time for the protagonist to come here.

answer: Walter believed that using time all for nothing was a waste.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: The narrator goes to the grave of Walter. They think Walter was telling them that everything is a waste of time. The narrator acknowledges that Walt is right and walks off.

answer: The narrator mourns the death of his dear friend, Walter. He visits his grave and recalls his words, "What a waste of time". The narrator realizes that his visit was about providing answers to Walter and not about his own questions.

answer: The narrator is standing next to a grave, reflecting on the wasted time their deceased friend left them with. They acknowledge they didn't pry into their friends final situation, he must have known what the narrator was up for. The narrator decides to start scrambling for the light to guide them from here, as they begin to explore taking the next step which is not clear yet.

answer: The narrator attends Walter's grave to apologize for not being honest when he was alive. However, Walter asks why he didn't tell him the truth. He realizes it wouldn't have made a difference, but feels regret nonetheless. Walter's flashlight shuts off suddenly, but the narrator is able to navigate the dark path back to the car and reflects that it was all a waste of time.

answer: The narrator recounts visiting the grave of an old friend, Walter. The narrator feels guilty about neglecting Walter while he was alive, leading to apathetic thoughts about Walter's time wasted. However, the dead Walter questions the narrator about why he didn't tell him and the narrator realizes that Walter knew this all along. At the end, the narrator leaves wishing Walter was still alive, knowing that his time with Walter was wasted.