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SEFE | 4 June 2015
HERAKLES ABANDONS ALL OPERATIONS IN MUNDEMBA AND TOKO CONCESSION AREAS, CAMEROON

by Nasako Besengi, SEFE

Mundemba: - Herakles Farms, a New York based investment Firm and the parent company of SG Sustainable Oils Cameroon (SGSOC) which has been under the spotlight of increasing local and international opposition for its intention to establish oil palm plantations in protected areas (including the iconic Korup National Park in south west Cameroon) has abandoned all operations in the Mundemba and Toko Subdivisions respectively and in Ndian Division on May 29, 2015.

The decision was announced to the few remaining workers of Fabe and Lipenja I, Batanga, nurseries on May 29, 2015. After their shifts, affected workers notified SEFE of developments. Workers confirmed that the announcement was made by a man who presented himself as the new CEO of the company. The workers said the reason given for suspending operations was to enable Herakles to intensify planting of palms in the Nguti area before returning to Mundemba and Toko concessions in 2017/2018. The company spokesman blamed current management for prioritising timber extraction over planting of palms. Considering their capabilities for carrying out planting this statement was seen as a tactical excuse for a dishonourable exit from the area.

In April, 2013 during a meeting with investors, Herakles announced their intention to sell their 73,000 ha concession in 2018. But a Presidential decree signed in November 2013, granted the company 19,843 ha of land lease for a 3 year probation period. The decree also demanded the company fulfil certain conditions which were not met, notably in the development of social facilities, conducting an environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in the new concession, and payment of land rents to the tune of 200,000,000 FCFA. Treasury and local council officials have confirmed to SEFE that Herakles is yet to pay land rents demanded in the Presidential decrees of November 2013, yet are still operating in the area, in clear violation of the presidential order.

Some workers who solicited advice from SEFE say workers were awarded certificates of appreciation and asked to go to the Divisional Office of Labour, Mundemba to receive money. Workers were left unclear if these represented wages for the month of May or compensation for the entire period they have worked in the company. The letters handed to each of the worker simply stated that they should go to the labour office for payment without indicating the amount of money they would receive.

This is not the first time that Herakles has laid off their workers without compensation. An official of the National Social Insurance Fund contacted in Mundemba confirmed Herakles has not registered a single worker in their office. Some of the workers who spoke to SEFE say they are disheartened because they were recently recalled to work and were laid off again a few days later. They vowed to go to the labour office to establish what monies they are due, as indicated in the letters handed to them, saying “we have lot of mistrust for Herakles”.

Last week the company laid off its managers and personnel at its Limbe office. SEFE sources say the company has shut down its Limbe office for good. Reports from the two villages of the Ngolo clan (Ikoti and Mobenge) indicate villagers are very happy with the news. Some weeks ago, communities in villages where Herakles wanted to proceed with extraction of timber forbade them to continue a land demarcation exercise. Tensions and tempers ran very high in Mundemba/ Toko concessions due to Herakles’ unilateral decision to take land from some villages the under names of other villages.

The Mundemba and Toko concession is located astride the Iconic Korup National Park and Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve. The latter being a complex watershed formation with all the freshwater from it draining into the Korup Park. Establishing a huge palm oil plantation in this area would have brought disastrous pollution resulting from pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides and sewage disposal; all affecting the health of animals in the Korup Park that depend on the water.

It is SEFE’s assessment that the Herakles project was simply a poorly conceived project, badly managed, in the wrong place.

====

_NB. For background information, the report "They want to take our bush" summarises the findings from an independent assessment by Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) of the processes employed by Herakles/SGSOC to obtain the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of communities to be affected by their palm oil development project in Mundemba and Nguti Subdivisions in South West Cameroon_.

Original source: SEFE

Post a comment

question: What does the article say about why  Herakles has abandoned all operations in the Mundemba and Toko Subdivisions?

answer: At the time of the article, Herakles Farms had closed all operations in the area because they stated they were going to intensify planting of palms in the Nguti area before returning to Mundemba and Toko concessions in 2017/2018. The company spokesman blamed current management for prioritizing timber extraction over planting of palms. However, the workers of Fabe and Lipenja I, Batanga, nurseries, claim the statement was simply a tactical excuse for a dishonorable exit from the area. Workers that received a certificate of appreciation and are asked to go to the Divisional Office of Labor, Mundemba to receive money seem they were not paid. Some workers were also laid off without compensation and do not trust the company.

critique: The answer is a summary of the article, not a summary of the reasons why Herakles abandoned the operations.

critique: This response is wordy and could be consolidated to make it more concise.

critique: The answer is a summary of the article and not an answer to the question.

critique: " workers of Fabe and Lipenja I, Batanga, nurseries, claim the statement was simply a tactical excuse for a dishonorable exit from the area." can be omitted.

critique: The answer is a summary of the article, not a direct answer to the question.

critique: The last two sentences are not relevant to the question.

question: What does the article say about how Herakles treats its workers?

answer: Herakles Farms has laid off its workers without compensation. The workers were awarded certificates of appreciation and asked to go to the Divisional Office of Labour, Mundemba to receive money. The workers were left unclear if these represented wages for the month of May or compensation for the entire period they have worked in the company. The letters handed to each of the worker simply stated that they should go to the labour office for payment without indicating the amount of money they would receive. This is not the first time that Herakles has laid off their workers without compensation. An official of the National Social Insurance Fund contacted in Mundemba confirmed Herakles has not registered a single worker in their office. Some of the workers who spoke to SEFE say they are disheartened because they were recently recalled to work and were laid off again a few days later. They vowed to go to the labour office to establish what monies they are due, as indicated in the letters handed to them, saying “we have lot of mistrust for Herakles”.

critique: The answer should mention that the workers are unhappy with Herakles.

critique: The workers were left unclear if the payment was for the month of May or for the entire period they worked for the company. Include this information in the answer.

critique: The answer is a summary of the article, not a response to the question.

critique: The answer should mention the workers' reaction to the news.

critique: The answer is a summary of the article, not a description of how Herakles treats its workers.

text: The answer could be made more concise.

category: other

category_text: Length of the answer.

question: What does the story say about Herakles' business in Europe?

answer: No answer

critique: The article does not mention anything about Herakles' business in Europe.

text: The answer should mention that the article does not mention anything about Herakles' business in Europe.


split: train

text:
  The bomb went off on the street. It went 'BANG!' very loud and then the bomb was dead.

  The moment was brief. It happened near the finish line. People were watching the runners run to the line. Fathers cheered their daughters and sisters cheered their brothers and sons were proud of their moms. Even strangers watched and they were proud of them all. There was sun and Coca-Cola and everyone was clapping because the day was important. The running was important. Old wives stood and cheered, 'Yay!' in ripe honeydew voices. Their husbands clapped strong hands and remembered a time.

 And then it happened. 'BANG!'

  At first there was disbelief and smoke and echo. So many stunned runners just stood and they did not run. Some runners had been knocked down by the force of the blast.  They used tired legs to get back up.

But the spectators were finding themselves disoriented, bleeding.

Slowly, people came to and noticed the way about things.

  A woman picked herself up from the concrete and looked to find her sunglasses. She found them, and they were not broken. Then, looking in the lenses, she saw that she was bleeding from her head.

 A man took his daughter's hand and started walking for the car. He kept hurrying and looking back to the cloud of light-grey smoke. He said, 'A bomb,' when the little girl asked him something and then she asked another question and he said, 'I don't know, baby.'

  A mother was sitting up on the sidewalk to see that she had no legs. The mother saw her no legs and looked for her kids. Then she knew the suffocating pain, but she was scared because she could not see the kids. And she screamed for the kids, which hurt. She wanted to vomit, and she almost did.  She could not hear. She could only feel the pain and the burning pepper in her nose and the cement on her back and the burning of her feet. But she yelled for the kids and then she saw a younger man moving swiftly through time. He emerged from a changing sea of empty changing colors. He moved at her and she noticed his face was round and plain with sweat glistening on his forehead and eyes that were blue and frozen calm. And then she saw nothing but she reached her arms out hoping to feel her kids. She felt his hands but she tried to fight him. Then she saw nothing and moved nothing.

The children saw their mother but the loud noise had been so loud that they could not hear and they could only watch their mother bleeding and yelling like an animal. The children watched as one, then two, then more surrounded their mom who was hurt.

  The people swarmed her, and all the kids saw were backs and the bottoms of shoes. The children saw the blood creeping past shards of glass and little pebbles. It snaked towards their shoes. They treated it like lava. The oldest child was crying and he was scared, but he grabbed the other two and let them cry. They stood there next to the wall and cried big gulping wails. A nice lady came then and asked, 'Is that your mom?'

 Sirens were pulsing out in odd rhythms and men were calling over this special music and people were rushing past people rushing past people rushing. The pepper smoke was faint in the air, but it was burned into every nose. There was a dog pulling his own leash through the street.

A man stumbled past a trash can and towards a cluster of people stopped, looking. He was empty and lost because he knew nothing about himself, but he knew he knew what had happened. He looked at the lookers and he said, flailing his arms, 'It just went, 'BANG!' You know?! Just like that. And, just look!' He pointed at the place where the bomb had been, where the lookers had been looking. And he said this over again at the people, 'It just went, 'BANG!' And he wondered if he believed it. 'Just, 'BANG!' Like that!'

One of the lookers came over to him and put her arms around him. She gave him her water. 'It was just like, 'BANG!' he said, and she said softly, 'I know.'

title: TRAGEDY

question: What does the text say about where the bomb went off?

answer: The bomb went off near the finish line. It happened near the finish line.

question: Summarize in what way were people hurt by the bomb that went off by the running event.

answer: Some people were knocked down by the force of the blast. Others were bleeding from their heads. A mother had no legs.

critique: The answer should mention that the mother was disoriented and couldn't see her kids.

critique: The answer should mention that the mother was also screaming for her kids.

text: This probably should mention the man in shock having experienced trauma. It also could mention the emotional anguish of the children watching their mom since "hurt" can apply to more than physical pain.

category: coverage

question: What does the story say about who planted the bomb?

answer: No answer

critique: The answer is incorrect. The story clearly mentions that there was a bomb.

critique: The answer should mention that the story doesn't say anything about who planted the bomb.

critique: The answer should mention that the story does not mention who planted the bomb.

question: What does the story say about the kids that had their mother lose her legs?

answer: The kids saw their mother bleeding and yelling like an animal. The oldest child was crying and was scared, but he grabbed the other two and let them cry. They stood there next to the wall and cried big gulping wails. A nice lady came then and asked, 'Is that your mom?'

critique: The story does not say anything about the kids.

critique: The response should include that the kids are not mentioned after the bomb goes off.

critique: The response is missing the part about the man who stumbled past a trash can and towards a cluster of people stopped, looking. He was empty and lost because he knew nothing about himself, but he knew he knew what had happened. He looked at the lookers and he said, flailing his arms, 'It just went, 'BANG!' You know?! Just like that. And, just look!' He pointed at the place where the bomb had been, where the lookers had been looking. And he said this over again at the people, 'It just went, 'BANG!' And he wondered if he believed it. 'Just, 'BANG!' Like that!'

critique: The answer should mention that the kids were disoriented by the blast.

critique: The answer should mention the man who stumbled past a trash can.

critique: The response is missing the part where the kids saw their mother being swarmed by people.

critique: The response should include the fact that the kids couldn't hear their mother because of the loud noise.

critique: The answer misses to mention that the children did not hear their mother's screams because the blast was so loud.


text:
Finding a Job

November 23, 2020

Finding your next job can be tough. In our technology-driven world, applying for jobs online while in your PJs is a convenience that’s hard to resist. But a crucial component of a successful job search involves networking: getting out there to expand your professional contacts and discover opportunities.

FIND AND APPLY TO THE JOBS THAT ARE RIGHT FOR YOU. WE HAVE 9.8 NEW JOBS ADDED EACH SECOND. ¹

Easily apply to jobs with an Indeed Resume

How to network effectively

Networking skills come easily to some, but this is rare. For most of us, they’re an acquired talent and require practice over time. And that practice is well worth the effort: the research consistently shows that internal referrals are the top source of hires, meaning those personal relationships can have significant payoffs.

1. Start by determining your goals.

Ask yourself what you are looking for from the relationships you hope to develop. Are you anticipating making contacts with a specific future employer? Meeting a new mentor who can provide career guidance or industry expertise? Meeting new people in your industry? Perhaps all of these? Intentionally identifying your networking goals will help you structure questions you want to ask, prepare your elevator pitch and determine requests you have for your contacts.

2. Talk to your friends.

Friends can play a valuable role in your networking efforts. Whether you’re an introvert, new to networking, or having trouble focusing your goals, begin with people you already know. Take them to coffee or lunch and learn the story of their career paths and choices. Focusing your conversation on their professional experiences will reveal new perspectives and ideas, even if you’ve known each a long time. Ask if they can connect you to someone in your field or at one of your dream companies, and build from there.

3. Attend events to meet new people.

Step away from the computer screen and shake some hands. Online networking is a powerful tool, but there’s nothing like face-to-face interaction. If employment is your goal, the networking events you’ll find the most productive are ones that include a diverse mix of job seekers, industry reps, recruiters, and companies seeking talent. If you’re looking to meet peers in your industry or learn more about a new field, you can easily find industry- or career-focused groups and meetups in your local area by searching social media channels.

You can use these networking events to make new connections and then, you’ll be able to follow up and cultivate those relationships with meaningful one-on-one conversations.

PRO TIP: THINK QUALITY OVER QUANTITY. Networking is not about trying to meet as many people as you can. It’s not a numbers game. Seek people who will make a difference in your life—and those you can inspire as well.

4. Ask to understand.

Amidst the stress of the job search, it’s easy to become so focused on yourself that you forget to really pay attention to others. When you network, whether at an event or a one-on-one coffee, ask people genuine questions based on your goals and listen closely to their answers.

Clear your mind and focus on listening empathetically and with curiosity rather than with self-interest. You’ll learn a lot in the process and make an impression with your attentiveness. Active listening is a skill we should all practice, and networking events are the ideal opportunity.

5. Build a network matrix.

Target the companies you’re interested in, and seek out people who work for each company or who know someone there. Build a “Who + Where” matrix that matches who you know with where they work and use their name as referrals when you apply for positions at those companies (be sure to ask their permission first). A contact who can provide insight into the hiring manager’s personality or preferences is a real asset. At some companies, employees receive a bonus if their referral is hired; if your friend is lucky enough to work for a company that rewards referrals, you’ll both have something to celebrate.

Below is just one of the ways to organize your network matrix. This example highlights an individual focusing on jobs in the technology industry because they include more contacts from companies in this area. As this example shows, you also can organize your network contacts by relationship and how well you know each individual (in this case, by tier) to understand and prioritize how your contacts can help.

[Networking matrix example]

6. Volunteer in your community.

If you can, donate your time to a good cause and mingle with people who aren’t in your industry. It feels good to give your time to others in need, and if you’re unemployed, it’s wise to get out of the house and not spend too much time in isolation. Pick a cause or group that resonates with your values and donate a few hours each month.

Volunteering can help you grow your social network by exposing you to people who share your passions and personal values. You can also volunteer for a professional association to grow career-related contacts as well. Along the way, you may meet mentors and new friends with fresh job leads.

7. Follow up and don’t forget the basics.

After an event, send follow-up emails to your contacts, thank everyone you spoke with, and complete any promised tasks. Even if you haven’t made commitments, stay active and develop your new relationships. And don’t forget to always carry a printed version of your resume and business cards, if you have them. If you’re inviting people in your network out to coffee or lunch, always offer to pay for the meal and send a thank-you note following the conversation.

Increasing your visibility as a job candidate is the primary benefit of networking, but it’s also just the beginning. Building relationships with people who you feel are knowledgeable and reliable can provide guidance and help you get where you want to go. And these relationships aren’t a one-way street: you will also meet people who can benefit from your support. In this way, you’ll build a professional circle over time, one based on the idea that goodwill should be paid forward. By coupling networking with your online job search strategy, you will exponentially increase your opportunities for success.

_¹ Indeed data (worldwide)_

question: What is the objective of this article?

answer: To arm job seekers with tips to successfully network.

critique: The answer should mention that the article is about networking in the context of finding a job.

critique: The answer is too vague and does not really describe the purpose of the article.

critique: The article itself doesn't say what the objective is. The answer to the question is implied in the first two sentences of the article, but it should say this explicitly.

critique: The answer should mention that the article is about networking online.

question: How should we use a network matrix?

answer: To match who you know with where they work and use their name as a referral when applying for positions at those companies.

critique: The answer should mention that you should ask permission from the person you are using as a referral.

critique: The answer should mention that you should ask permission before using someone's name as a referral.

critique: Replace with when applying for specific positions not *applying for positions before anything is mentioned

question: What are the advantages of building a quality professional network?

answer: It can help you to find a job, learn more about your field, and it can help you to grow your career.

critique: It is omitted that networking can also help you make connections and establish relationships.

critique: This is incomplete; the answer should include the point about the payoffs of networking.


text:
BY TAYLOR KATE BROWN
BBC News, Washington DC

media captionHanford residents say they are committed to the clean-up and will pass that commitment on to their children

HANFORD, WASHINGTON, HAS LONG BEEN THE MOST CONTAMINATED NUCLEAR WASTE SITE IN THE US. BUT CRITICS SAY POOR MANAGEMENT HAS PUT THE SITE IN FURTHER DANGER.

When Susan Leckband moved to eastern Washington state to take a job 30 years ago, radioactive contamination was not on her mind.

"I loved my job," she says.

But it was only a handful of years before the place she worked, Hanford, turned from a plutonium production complex to a massive environmental clean-up site.

For Leckband, the question is not about the past, but the progress made on cleaning contaminated buildings and soil.

"It's important to the entire Pacific North-West... the food crops, the salmon, the Indian tribes - it's a huge, huge obligation," she says.

Situated on a plain along the Columbia River, the Hanford site is where the US produced plutonium used in the Manhattan Project, for the bomb that destroyed Nagasaki, and for a Cold War stockpile.

image copyrightDepartment of Energy

image captionA groundwater treatment plan removes chromium and other pollutants from the area near the Columbia River

Despite being a professional place of destruction, Hanford was teeming with life by the end of World War Two.

In her book Plutopia, historian Kate Brown describes how Richland, the largest town near the site, was one of the first "nuclear" communities, a structured suburb for Hanford workers with high security clearances.

Working at Hanford, even when many didn't know the full extent of what was being produced, was considered patriotic.

Sixty years later, Hanford is in the midst of America's largest nuclear waste clean-up operation, which has already cost $40bn (£24bn) and is expected to continue for decades.

And despite some progress, the site's most complicated and potentially dangerous waste issue - 56 million gallons (255 million litres) of high-level radioactive waste sitting inside tanks at the centre of the site - is facing more problems.

In the mid-1980s, activists and reporters began to unwind Hanford's history, detailing safety lapses and environmental hazards across the site.

"They made the plutonium, but they did it in a very dirty manner," says Tom Carpenter, director of watchdog organisation Hanford Challenge.

By 1989, Hanford was no longer a bomb factory, but a site in need of serious clean-up.

Twenty-five years later, the region around Hanford is once again booming. Clean-up has taken the place of the business of plutonium production.

The US Department of Energy (DOE), which manages the clean-up effort as part of an agreement with Washington state and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), counts among its accomplishments at Hanford seven reactors cocooned for future dismantling, nine billion gallons of treated groundwater, and hundreds of cleaned or demolished buildings.

"It's staggering how much material we've moved," says Dennis Faulk, a Hanford project manager with the Environmental Protection Agency.

But critics of the way Hanford has been managed are worried that contamination could become worse.

image copyrightDepartment of Energy

image captionWhite Bluffs, a small town near the Columbia River that was taken over by the government in the 1940s to build Hanford: residents had anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to leave their homes

In February, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden accused the DOE of a "never-ending pattern of failing to disclose what it actually knows about conditions at Hanford".

Wyden is most recently concerned about the tanks holding by-products of plutonium production, buried just below the surface at the centre of the site.

The original containers, single-shell tanks built in the 1940s and 1950s, had already leaked at least 1 million gallons of liquid waste into the ground. Hanford officials built double-shell tanks in the 1970s and 1980s and began transferring the radioactive waste into the newer vessels.

But in October 2012, the energy department announced one of the double-shell tanks was leaking into the space between the two shells. Waste in that tank has not entered the environment.

Wyden released an engineering review that said six other double-shells had similar construction flaws. He accused the agency of hiding what they knew, as the report had been made months after the initial leak announcement, but no other warnings from the DOE had followed.

Meanwhile, Hanford officials have recently submitted a plan to start emptying the leaking tank in two years.

Then, in late March, two dozen workers fell ill because of chemical vapours near the tanks. Workers again noticed vapours around the tanks in May.

Tom Fletcher, assistant manager of Hanford's tank farms, told the BBC in February that what Senator Wyden released was "one data point" and that visual inspections on the six tanks conducted after that report showed no abnormalities.

image copyrightGetty Images

image captionThe construction of the waste treatment plant (seen here in 2005) has been repeatedly delayed and a 2019 deadline is in question

The composition of the waste in the leaking tank makes it more likely to corrode, Fletcher says. No other double-shell tank holds such a mixture and full inspections on the tanks will now be done more frequently,

But in general, the double-shells must do their job for several more decades until a waste treatment plant - currently under construction - immobilises in glass all 56 million gallons of waste in the tanks.

The treatment plant was scheduled to become operational by 2019, but construction has been slowed or entirely halted on two key parts of the plant for additional testing.

Once the treatment plant goes into operation, parts of it must be run entirely by robotics because of the high radioactivity of the waste. Regulators call it a "black-box" system.

Hanford Challenge represents two whistleblowers, Walt Tamosaitis and Donna Busche, who say they have been punished for expressing concerns about the treatment plant's design.

Carpenter says the whistleblowers are speaking up now because once the plant begins operations, there will be no chance to fix potentially dangerous errors.

Both Tamosaitis and Busche have been fired by URS, one of the contractors at Hanford.

The energy department says it has asked its inspector general to "review the circumstances surrounding the termination of Ms Busche", a safety manager who alleged continuing harassment since she first brought up concerns in 2011.

Meanwhile the waste remains in the aging tanks.

Tom Fletcher said when the time comes to start retrieving the waste for the treatment plant, Hanford will be ready.

image copyrightGetty Images

image captionSome of Hanford's waste will be shipped to an isolation plant in New Mexico

"We have those technologies now," he says, explaining that the leaking double-shell tank would be treated much the same way the single-shell tanks currently are.

Hanford and its contractors are also facing pressure from a source closer to home.

In March Washington Governor Jay Inslee threatened legal action if the energy department did not accept a new state proposal on cleaning up the waste tanks or develop a new one with "sufficient detail".

Inslee wants to create a series of deadlines to solve the technical problems at the waste plant, making sure it begins working by 2028. And the Washington governor also wants Hanford to build new double-shell tanks, a proposal that energy officials have heard before, but not adopted.

Now retired, Susan Leckband continues to serve on Hanford Communities, an advisory board for the clean-up effort, but she is frustrated by the slow pace.

What's been done already, she says, is low-hanging fruit.

"Can we do a better job?" she says.

More on this story

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question: What does the article say about the build-up of nuclear waste at Hanford?

answer: Hanford was used as a plutonium production complex during World War Two. Workers didn't know the full extent of what was being produced. The site was used for plutonium production until 1989, and is now the most contaminated nuclear waste site in the US. The clean-up operation is the largest nuclear waste clean-up operation in the US and has already cost $40 billion and is expected to continue for decades.

critique: The last sentence of the answer is confusing and needs a rewrite (clearer). Also, it's omitted that the contaminated site is along the Columbia River, and the water has been contaminated (along with the soil) by decades of nuclear waste, including radioactive waste.

critique: The question asks about the build-up of nuclear waste, not the clean-up operation.

critique: The last sentence is irrelevant to the question.

critique: The article doesn't say that the clean-up operation is the largest in the US, only that it is the largest at Hanford.

critique: The answer omits mention of the leaking tanks.

critique: The answer should mention the leaking tanks.

text: The first and second sentences can be removed, they're not relevant to the question.

category: coherence

question: Summarize the clean-up operation at Hanford.

answer: The clean-up operation at Hanford is the most expensive in the US. The US Department of Energy (DOE) is managing the clean-up effort as part of an agreement with Washington state and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A significant accomplishment of the operation has been the dismantling of seven reactors. The operation has also treated nine billion gallons of wastewater and hundreds of buildings have been cleaned or demolished.

critique: The answer omits the most important part of the clean-up operation, which is the 56 million gallons of high-level radioactive waste sitting inside tanks at the center of the site.

critique: The answer omits the most important part of the clean-up operation: the radioactive waste.

critique: "The clean-up operation at Hanford is the most expensive in the US." - this is inaccurate because the EPA did not mention the cost of the operation in the article. The DOE says the operation has cost $40bn (£24bn).

critique: It's not clear that the clean up operation is the most expensive in the US. It surely has cost a lot.

critique: The answer omits the most important part of the clean-up operation: the waste tanks.

critique: The clean-up operation is not the most expensive, but the most complicated.

critique: The answer should mention the leaking tanks.

question: What does the article say about how to enrich plutonium?

answer: No answer

critique: The question is asking for what the article states about the process of enriching plutonium, not about the process of cleaning up Hanford.

critique: The article does not mention how to enrich plutonium.

critique: The article does not answer the question.

critique: The article does not discuss how to enrich plutonium.

critique: The article does not answer this question.


text:
Strange Encounters

"It's weird officer, real weird." Mark Henderson was at the local police station in Alberton, Ontario on 4: 36am August 8th, 1951. Strangely enough, a building he's never seen, in a town he's never been to before, yet familiar.

"All right smooth talker, let's take it from the top once more. I know there's not much to it as you've continued to repeat but let's see if anything else pops out at you and then we will pay for your gas home." Officer Dan Richardson was becoming more and more tired with the story was hearing.

There just can't be anyway. Dan thought becoming more and more enraged within. The moment he walks out of here I'm just going to throw this case out. Hocus pocus my ass, what does he take me for, an idiot?! At best this is the best damn way to get free gas.

"Well like I said before, I had just filled up at half past 10pm, so I could drive out and get to the place that sells tobacco by the pound still..."

Yes, yes we all go out to New Market for cheaper cigarettes, not relevant.

"...and I was driving out to Bakersfield like I said,"
He didn't refer to it as Bakersfield before? The puzzled Officer thought.

"...on the way there I had to swerved out of the way of a truck with these god forsaken bright lights. I guess I was a bit sleepy Officer and woke up in the nick of time but after that I found myself just driving around an unfamiliar road.

I was having awful headaches, for a bit around that time too. Images that started accompanying them are hard to distinguish but almost always included me in a white setting... I don't know it sounds crazy now. Anyways, I pulled over till they subsided and drove straight here in hopes that you could help me figure out where I am so I can get home, but I still can't remember where that was again. Some rest will cure this forgetfulness. I feel like I've been up all night." Mark felt like that was all the information that he could give, he couldn't remember what town he lived in nor his wife or his phone number. He kind of felt a helpless feeling fall over him.

"We'll now that you've told us where you were driving to we can call that regions station and see if there is a match to your name anywhere close to there. It should only take a few hours."

Not long after that another Office came into the room and asked if Officer Dan could speak with him for a moment.
What did the results turn up Frank?

"He wasn't lying when he said things were weird. It turns out that there isn't  even a Bakersfeild anywhere near here. In fact, you have to drive 14 hours north to get to a small town called Bakersfeild." Officer Frank said as he started to debrief.

"...here's where things get truly disturbing. When we searched his name through the local police department Mark has a missing person out because his wife...."

"Wow, his wife sure gets worried quickly. Seems a bit much don't you think he's only been gone for half a day at most. Can't remember his name or town he lives in, probably doesn't remember setting out on a road trip. Likely to get away from her if she's that crazy." Office Dan remarked crudely as if this was all an elaborate funny joke.

"If you'd let me finish, his wife reported him missing August 8th, 1950, sir. This was reported after she spent a full day returning home from a place that was 8 hours away from their town. She reported being in the passenger seat of a driverless car after being at a gas station for an unknown reason. All she could remember before waking up was that there was a blinding white light that she couldn't help but look at. It actually says 'forced' in the report." Frank said growing more and grimmer as he read from the file between his trembling hands.

Officer Dan, started to sit in the closest seat he could find. He couldn't believe that Mark was 14 hours away from home. That would make his whole time scale false. Not to mention the fact that he has been missing for a full year, a full year exactly he would later realize.

He began to think about the crazy aspects of them all, his wife's story at the time; driverless cars, being at a gas station for no reason, it all makes sense now, only after hearing Marks story.

"Sir there is one more thing in the reports." Frank said with a grave look in his eyes.

"What more could it be?"

"The wife had three cuts into her skin going the length of her back; she said that's the first appearance  of them in her life. It was like they were skillfully cut as the doctors said there was no way any doctor could stitch a cut that clean without some kind of pain. She reported none."

"All right Frank thanks for all the intel." Dan has a hard enough time giving gratitude in the first place and was finding it particularly challenging to give it with what he just learned.

The door opens to the interrogation; with it brought an energy that mimetic death. Officer Dan began relaying the frightening news to Mark, which still hasn't sunk in, himself.
"One last thing before we send you on your way home to your wife, if you will Mark. Your wife reported three cuts on her back that she had never seen before that night. Could you remove your shirt and pants please, I just want to know if we should have medical look at you first." Officer Dan asked Mark in the most genuine and sincere way he could.

"No problem Sir, it was starting to itch a bit anyways. It'll be nice to readjust it." Mark said in a cheerful way. For he sees this all as a blessing. Finally, he can see his wife and start the laughing process.

As Office Dan brought his coffee cup down from a big deep, delicious gulp, the liquid left his mouth as fast as it came in. in one fellow motion Office Dan vomited, dropped his cup, and tripped on his own two feet.

With his eyes wide open from shock; he gazed at a man whose skin, from head to toe, was scalped. Only his muscles were visible. Each and every muscle strand picked clean of its protective layer of skin. No blood was seeping through, it was as if there was its own invisible skin that covered him. Which is likely why he hasn't miraculously died.

As Mark turned around to confront a mirror, the last thing to pass through his mind was his beautiful wife; he pictured the way her soft cherry red hair flowed over her shoulders like a creek over an edge. Her rosy cheeks gently glowing in the sun. It was comforting to his mind to have such a lovely mental image cross it because once his  eyes focused on the mirror, his hideously deformed body sent his body into a trauma that it couldn't handle and  at  10:29PM August 8th Mark Henderson collapsed dead.

As for Dan Richardson, well he wishes that the story ended there.

title: [SF] Strange Encounters

question: Summarize the source of tension in the story.

answer: At the beginning of the story, a man named Mark shows up at the police station with nobody having any idea of where he came from or why he is there. He seems disoriented, but appears to hold on to his identity, at least at the beginning. As he tells his story, it's revealed that he stated getting lost three years earlier. It appears his wife was in the car with him at that time, as she reported a similar scenario, however, she was missing for a year.

critique: The answer is incorrect. Mark was missing for a year, not three years.

critique: It is omitted that when Officer Dan questions the man to remove his shirt and reveals that he is missing his skin. (And metal rods are instead what supports his muscles.)

critique: The response inaccurately mentions that Mark's wife was missing for three years, however it was only a year.

critique: The answer is incorrect. Mark's wife was not in the car with him three years ago. She was in the car with him the night he disappeared.

critique: This is incorrect. The woman was missing for a year and the story happened in 1951, not three years earlier.

critique: The story does not state that Mark stated getting lost three years earlier.

critique: The story does not state that Mark got lost three years earlier.

critique: The response inaccurately mentions that Mark stated getting lost three years earlier, however he was missing for a year.

text: The answer is incorrect. The source of tension is the mystery surrounding Mark's confusion.

category: accuracy


text:
With a loud gasp, Charlie woke up from his slumber. His breaths were slow, and became calmer as the seconds past. With the nightmare over, it took him not long to gain his bearings. He was in his bed, not in the giant quicksand he saw in his dream. The window beside them was open, and a calm breeze came through. Beside Charlie was Sasha, fast asleep. He could not miss the drool by the side of her lips. It made him smile for the while. She was really beautiful and innocent at the moment, and it took Charlie’s breath away. Still feeling out of place from the dream, Charlie got from his bed, and walked to the bathroom.

With the door shut, Charlie gazed closely at his reflection. He felt repulsive. From his face, to his bare chest, to his boxers. He sighed softly to himself, and shook his head. Christ….

When Sasha woke up from a sudden noise, she saw Charlie all dressed as if he was going out. Although tired, Charlie could see her confusion. “Where you goin Charlie? Its late babe.” Charlie hesitated for a moment, then spoke out softly. “I’m gonna go for a walk. Clear my head. Would you like to join me?” Charlie hoped she’d say no, but he felt right to ask. Sasha mumbled and rested back in her comfy position. “No way. Nuh uh. Don’t be long kay?” Charlie smiled as he turned to make way down the stairs, but he heard Sasha call out to him. Charlie turned and saw her smiling in her bed. “Love you.” She said quietly. Charlie was silent, then smiled back his response.

The moonlight lit the streets well enough to entertain Charlie on his walk to nowhere. With lots of thoughts on his mind, he had no idea how to keep his sanity. He wished the wind blowing in his face would wash all his sorrows away, or the night sky swallow him whole. He saw a cat walk past a garbage can, a ribbon blow across the street, and a motorbike being parked by a house. There was so much to see now, but so little to take in. He was now beginning to wish he had brought his mp3 player with him. Before Charlie could process another thought he heard someone call his name.

“Charlie bro!”

Charlie turned and saw his friend Brophy coming towards him. Beside him was an asian girl. Charlie knew her, for he saw them together a couple of times already. It was enough to get him on edge. Charlie waved back and continued walking. He didn’t know what was going on behind him now.

A half hour later, Charlie was passing through some bushes that led him to a Cliffside. The moon was clear above him now, and the wind was forever stronger. It was perfect. Suicide Rock was its name, inspired from the many attempts and depressing thoughts Charlie had in the past. The last time he came here was when he was with….

“Bruh!”

Charlie turned and saw Brophy again. This time he was alone. “Where’s the broad?” Charlie asked in a sour tone.  Brophy punched Charlie lightly on the shoulder. “Hey, the broad has a name, and she went home. We were just doing a midnight walk.” Charlie nodded to himself and sat down on the hard ground. Brophy sat beside him taking out a beer for the each of them. Charlie was about to question Brophy for it, but Brophy didn’t want any of it.

The two friends sat together getting buzzed, and talked of life. It had been a while since Charlie and Brophy had been together, so they had a lot to share. Well, Brophy did anyways. “Charlie, seriously  bro you’ve been acting anti-social again. Depression on your tail again? We can take him!” Charlie shook his head, and put the bottle aside. Slowly but surely, without any warning, a tear fell his cheek. Brophy didn’t miss it, and deep down he became all the more curious. It was weird. One moment he was out of bed with the love of his life, and the next thing he knew he was outside about to cry. Brophy rested his arm on Charlie’s shoulder. “Life blues huh?” Charlie brushed his friends arm aside and drank another gulp. “I hate my life. I hate all these people around me, I hate worrying every day, and I hate…..I hate trying to trust people. I hate…..I hate being me….” Brophy laughed, but it didn’t bother Charlie. The booze was getting to him. “Charlie, you and me are soooooo much a like. I tell you this so many times. Bruh, we’re in this together right? I mean come on, we have our moments but we got to look on the brightside. We have Nujabes, we have music, we have sweet hunnies to inspire, and…..lots of other stuff. I know life is confusing, trust me mate, but we’re all not that bad as people. It’s just the crazy lot.” Charlie wiped a tear from his face and was quiet. He heard a faint rumble of thunder in the distance and figured a storm was coming. It excited him. “We just need to change somehow, bruh. If only it was that simple right?” Charlie nodded. “If only it was that simple Brohpy…..”

When the time was right to depart, Brophy and Charlie got up and took their bottles with them. Charlie took one last glimpse at the moon, and smiled to himself. If only my purpose was so simple and clear. He stood there for a moment hoping the moon or something or someone would reply, but nothing came his way. All he could think of now past the depressing struggles he had his head, was how Sasha looked in her bed fast asleep and how she was someone he could share his mind with. Someone that beautiful.

Charlie and Brophy waved their goodbyes, and Charlie headed home. To his beautiful love, or his fated oblivion. Another story for another time.

title: A Downcast Moment

question: What does the text say about Charlie's mental health?

answer: Charlie has a mental health issue as he's very depressed in his life. He hates people, worrying and trusting because he's anti-social. He hates himself, and says he lives in misery. Charlie's mental health is really bad. This is a worrisome and serious issue.

critique: The narrator's mental health is not the main focus of the story. The story is more about his relationship with his friend Brophy.

critique: Charlie's mental health isn't described as "really bad".

critique: The story does not mention that Charlie has a mental health issue. It only says that he is depressed and suicidal.

text: Rephrase the second sentence to say he "hates worrying about trusting people".


text:
John glances down from the road for just a second to wipe the stray ashes of a particularly rogue cigarette from his vest. Still dark, but night's knack for alleviating the mind of responsibility will soon be brushed away just as casually by first light.

We drive in silence, but a comfortable one, not one where the mind is painfully aware of each passing second sans conversation. I lean my head against the passenger side window at such an angle that you'd think the passing oaks were skyscrapers. Every exhalation frosts the glass and the skyscrapers lose a touch of clarity. I move to wipe the condensation then think better of it. It occurs to me that from inside this temporary home I prefer a softer exterior.

We hit a major road for the first time since the start of the drive and I stifle some of reality's throes by closing my eyes. I open them a few seconds later and see for the first time just how empty the road really is. A highly congested passage in the light, 4am darkness lends our path a sort of eerie vacancy, like something out of a movie.

"I always love this part," a voice half-whispers from the backseat. It occurs to me then that this really is a movie, with showings every weekend, not always the same but with similar runtimes and ensemble cast. This scene is a familiar one to our four beloved leads, and marks the most bittersweet act of the film- it's conclusion.

A light fog settles around the street lights blurring by and as far in front of the car as its headlights can illuminate. I no longer care about the breath on my window for it seems God himself has exhaled down on our glass planet, dusting its surface as far as Earth's curvature would allow. We rocket forward like a meteor in reverse, following our contrail, chasing an unobtainable darkness lying about ten or so feet in front of the car. Perhaps now a company of strings swells and quiets the audience. Cut to exterior of lone car drifting. I write my name on a foggy canvas, seeing clearly through the letters.

"Who's first?" John asks. The backseat is silent. We approach atmosphere.

"I'm closest."

John wordlessly accepts my indirect answer and keeps right at a fork. Something jumps in my chest and I push it down. We can all feel the heat now.

I say goodbye to the uniformly distant streetlights of the main road and am greeted by the more irregular glow of softer, residential ones. They seem to console at each passing

"It's okay it's okay it's okay" What do they know.

Every house we pass sports its own mailbox, front yard, and driveway.  This place is older than the 1950's suburban sprawl so each home is similar but not identical. They cluster then fade, the train picking up once again after a patch of trees passes or around the curve of a cul-de-sac. Porch lights wink at me through branches. Still dark, I think maybe dawn won't come. The heat is almost unbearable.

We navigate a labyrinth of dark roads till finally reaching our destination.  As the car rolls to a stop I know that now is when the people on Earth can spot us. A good telescope or naked eye in a dark place will do the trick. Look closely this will go fast.

I swing my legs outside and let my body follow. Somewhere far away I hear the sound of my car door closing. We're burning we're burning. I turn around to face John and the two in the backseat. We are silent now, uncomfortably, and I say the first thing I think

"Thanks."

As soon as I hear it I wonder why I said it. Favors like rides home are unspoken courtesy, a tradition more than a gesture. Perhaps John notices my face twist in embarrassment.

"Yeah," he says, but wisely, knowingly, simultaneously acknowledging and dismissing my having said anything.

"Wow there it goes," someone somewhere says.  We burn red-orange for two seconds at most then smolder and fade once more into black space.

Then they are gone and I am left alone in the street in front of my house. The strings are silent, the fog is lifting. I feel for my key and hope that I've lost it. Clutching its cold outline in my pocket I make my way towards the house, growing ever-further away from my home. I imagine I now hurdle quickly and unimpressively towards Earth's surface. In moments I will crash into some sprawling ocean. I take a few steps forward and smell perfume, see hair and hear laughing. Maybe you saw me flying. Cut to close-up, our protagonist wracked with memory. Then medium, slow fade. The dark blue of the ocean water matches the hue of the early-morning sky above me. No longer dark.

Sunrise,
loveset.

title: Haley's Comet

question: What does the story reveal about the characters' trip?

answer: No answer

critique: The answer should mention the characters' destination.

text: The commentary about the trip not being real or a ride home are important revelations.

question: Why is the narrator reluctant to return to their house?

answer: Perhaps they are reluctant to return to their house because they are not sure if they will be safe there.

critique: The answer is not stated in the passage.

critique: The narrator is not reluctant to return to their house.

critique: The narrator is not reluctant to return to their house. They are just reluctant to leave the car.

critique: The narrator does not seem to be concerned about their safety.

critique: The answer is incorrect. There is no evidence to suggest that the narrator is reluctant to return to their house because they are not sure if they will be safe there.

critique: This answer is not supported by the text.

critique: The narrator is not reluctant to return to their house. They are just thinking about the fact that they are burning up and will crash into the ocean.

question: What does the story tell us about the narrator's relationship with the others in the car?

answer: They seem to be friends. The narrator is comfortable enough with the others to fall asleep in the car. The narrator and John seem to be the only ones who know that the drive is a movie. The narrator is the first to exit the car and thanks John for the ride.

critique: "The narrator is the first to exit the car and thanks John for the ride." - this is incorrect. The narrator and John are the same person.

text: There's no one that falls asleep in the story.

question: What does the passage say about what the narrator does on a day-to-day basis?

answer: No answer

critique: The response misses to mention that the passage does not answer the question.


text:
Happiness at work is hot. People and organizations all across the world are eagerly trying to improve the way we work. Not just to improve the lives of the large number of disengaged employees, but also to make companies, NGOs, hospitals and schools more successful, effective, and productive. And there's a good reason for it: there is a huge amount of untapped potential within organizations since only a tiny part of the workforce is truly engaged with their work. The fact that happiness at work is trending seems to be a good thing, but the way most companies are trying to "implement it&am

In an effort to create a better workplace, lots of companies believe that there is a fixed model available that will solve their problems instantly: implement this magic model and a "happy company" is guaranteed. Unfortunately, this ain't true for a bit. Because, if such a model did actually exist, a lot more than the current 13% of the world's workforce would be engaged.

While the intention of increasing _happiness at work_ is a good thing, the way it's executed is often doomed to fail. Let's summarize some of the lessons we've learned during our research.

Don't copy-paste

One of the most commonly made mistakes we encounter is simply copy-pasting a model that proved to be successful in another organization. The assumption often seems to be: “if it works somewhere else, it will work here too”. However, this assumption has proven to be wrong time and time again.

We see it happening all around us. The successful organizational model of Buurtzorg is being “adopted” by other health care organizations. A quickly growing number of companies are using the Agile Scrum methodology to run their projects. And Holacracy is being implemented as an off-the-shelf solution leaving companies like Zappos heavily struggling with it.

By copy-pasting models from other organizations, the most important thing for successful organizational change is often overlooked: the specific needs of employees and their environment. Even more painfully, the input from employees is very often not even taken into account in the first place.

Listen to your employees

The simplest and (unfortunately) least practiced technique for _happiness at work_ is simply listening to employees. We witness time and time again that the best companies to work for are the ones that actively listen to what their employees want and care about. Whether it’s in terms of how to do business or how to organize their work. Not only does this make them feel valued, it also leverages the combined intelligence of all those who are involved.

The idea that the CEO knows everything better than his employees is outdated (if it ever was applicable) and painfully arrogant. Better start by listening to the people that are doing the actual work; production workers who are handling the manufacturing equipment, teachers who are in front of their students all day, and nurses who are taking care of patients day in, day out.

Gather inspiration

Apparently copy-pasting specific models isn't a good idea when you desire to successfully create a happier workplace. But it is very powerful to gather inspiration from a plenitude of success stories readily available. Most of the successful companies we visit(ed) have their own specific sources of where they draw their inspiration from. Ari Weinzweig is inspired by various anarchists, Nearsoft's Matt Perez was influenced by the unusual combination of pirate ships and Ricardo Semler.

Or as Jean Francois Zobrist puts it: _“I strongly believe that there are no universal models, as there are no models that can give a soul to a collective. What can be done is to listen to testimonies and get inspiration from them.”_

Find your own way

So if you're looking for ways to further grow the engagement and happiness within your own team or organization, please take the above described lessons into account. And definitely don't just blindly copy-paste what others are doing.

Instead, listen to your employees and team members, gather inspiration from various sources, and find your own unique path towards happiness. It might sound a lot harder than just copy-pasting an existing model, but if you truly want to make a positive change, it's well worth the effort.

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question: What is the value of happiness in a working environment?

answer: It is said that happiness at work is trending, and that it is a good thing. However, the way most companies are trying to implement it is often doomed to fail.

critique: The article doesn't mention anything about the value of happiness in the workplace.

text: The answer misses to mention that happiness not just improves the lives of the large number of disengaged employees, but also to make companies, NGOs, hospitals and schools more successful, effective, and productive.


text:
He woke up. The shock and confusion from the pod screaming through space smothered his cry for death. He lost friends, family, he held his own brother in his arms. As the pod started to become faster and faster as he headed toward the gate.
"That god forsaken gate" he muttered to himself as he passed through he left his fleet in a state of despair. Flashes from light cannons and the screams from over the coms is all he heard. "I will have my revenge" he mutters I promise you that

One year ago:

He stood on top of the hill. It was rocky almost like Carrick was trying to move us off. With jagged...his thoughts were cut short. "Tom! HEY TOM!" What? He responded with. Don't forget were graduate today from Fleet Academy. You’re going to be late! We’ll be fine trust me little bro just trust me.

As Tom looked at Anthony his brother cross the platform on the U.E.F Dust Bringer he felt pride. He and his brother survived a lot there short years together. His mom what did their mom look like? He always has a hard remembering with his mom looked like. It wasn't his fault at all; his dad walked out on them when Tom was five Anthony was three. Mom became a drunk and a spice head. She passed away last year. We did man, he thought, we sure did Anthony we sure did

 2) Gods Knowledge

As you jumped out of hyperspace time stops for a split second not enough to mess with the ship electronics or your well-being. But enough to notice that everyone around you has slowed down or somewhat stopped.
Captain we have dropped out of hyperspace Anthony stated we are Bering 2.2.5 with a 45 degree pivot heading toward planet 22-67-83
Captain Bane was a hearty old man been with the United Expansion Fleet since before Tom and Anthony were born.

He sighed Anthony was always so robotic

2nd Lt. Tom of Carrick

Yes sir?

What kind of god forsaken planted has United Space Command sent us to today?

A small planet sir a back water system yellow class sun one planet that holds life, ocean covers 70% land covers30%

How old?

Our A.I. says around 4.54 billion years

Tom always felt proud knowing bullshit knowledge like this. It's what helped him get his 2 LT bars and be right under Captain Bane on the U.E.F ship Gods Knowledge a brand new M Class Destroyer slash stealth ship

Way younger than ours then?

Yes sir

Is there anything other than that planet?

Well there's a gas planet that could be used for helium but besides that nothing sir

Mark 22-67-83 as a U.E.F space.

Yes sir

He gave Anthony a smile he didn't notice Tom felt sadness over come self ever since Anthony got the FTL Nav post he's been over worked. Tom felt like it was his fault in a way. That's bullshit he muttered snapped back to action as a light started pinging at him beckoning his attention. No, that can't be right at all.
CAPTAIN! CAPTAIN BANE!
Nobody on the crew realized it but this back water system was going to be the death of them all

3) The others:

Tom was lying face up awake he didn't get his own room only Captain Bane got his own room and Tom was jealous he had work hard the past year. Him and Anthony both, he sighed rolled over looked at his clock 00:00 time to get up and face the day.

4) Captains log:

Bane faced the holo unit. He was talking with head command High Overseer Christen of Carrick.

Captain what have you found exactly?

We're not sure Overseer

Bane we have been friends for how long you can call me by my birth name

Ah. They have they went through the academy together served on a battleship and explored the stars. But that was another time. Bane went to fleet command made general but hated the routine he gave himself a down grade and here he was flouting through space, in the endless black abyss flouting.

He snapped out of his thoughts well sir there a small civilization there's about eight planets they have colonized two a dead red one and there home planet they have mining stations on at least all the planets.

Hmmm how come they haven't sent a communication run to you yet?

Were just outside there range sir

Ah well I want that system Bane you understand me?

Whys that sir they can't fight back as far as we know it would be against The Word

CAPTAIN Bane that's your rank right? Captain?

Yes Overseer.

Then take it captain. He said it with suck spit and anger like a sword cutting through the air.

There was a knock on his door

Sir? Captain Bane?

Yes Tom?

What are our orders?

Stand fast dreadnoughts are coming to us and will be here in a week.

Yes captain

5) Stand Fast:

Standing fast was always a problem for Anthony with being in a FTL Nav post. His job at the moment was to keep the ship from falling into the hazards that space provides be it gravity well or a black hole or a shot gun blast of tiny god forsaken rocks. But luckily Anthony never had any problems with that. It was just all simple measurements be it up down wait there's no up or down he mutters to himself. He heard a noise in the blackness slightly above the roaring sound of the math forcing its way through his mind. He tried to reach out to it. Tried to answer but couldn't all that matter was the ship 3000 souls were in his hand. This is why FTL Nav post has an 80% suicide rate and a 90% divorce rate. That didn't matter to him though he muttered he didn't have a partner or any kids that he knew of just Tom his brother. He wished he had but again the numbers always about the numbers. Anthony.... He snapped to the voice the nav counsel disappeared around him. He sighed he was so close to the numbers he could feel them that's why they cut him off they were afraid of what he could find. Yes? He respond to the A.I.

Are you okay?

He laughed to himself the A.I.  was his nav partner since the academy. He remember that day when they were joined they share one mind it has so many befits that outweigh the suicides and the mental breaks.

I'm fine Zeus.

You don't seem fine...

I am! He snapped sorry I didn't mean to I’m always so close to the number always about the numbers.

Your sick Anthony can you please talk to your brother

No! He doesn't care he doesn't care about the numbers. There's always more numbers…

Anthony I can't make you chose to talk to your brother but I can talk to him for you if you want?

Zeus do what you want I don't care just get me back to the numbers I need to plan routs for escapes and meet up points if this goes south on us.

Hooking you back in Anthony

Thank you Zeus I'm sorry I'm so fucked up.

You’re a nav officer

Ha-ha yes I am he felt the cold embrace of the numbers overwhelm him in an instant. He felt at home. Lonely sad alone but was home.

title: About 1,500 words out of 11,400 word "Story" I wrote would appreciate feedback

question: What does the story say about Tom's brother Antony?

answer: Tom and Anthony are brothers. Their father left them when they were young, and their mother became an addict. They both graduated from the Fleet Academy. Anthony is the FTL Nav officer on the ship, and he is responsible for keeping the ship from falling into the hazards that space provides. Anthony is also a bit of a workaholic. He is always close to the numbers, and this causes him to be mentally unstable.

critique: The answer should mention that Anthony is also a bit of a workaholic.

text: "Their father left them when they were young, and their mother became an addict." - extraneous information that should be removed.

question: What does the story say about how Anthony died?

answer: No answer

critique: The answer should mention that the story is a work of fiction.

critique: The response misses to provide an answer to the instruction in the task.

critique: The answer should mention that the story does not mention how Anthony died.

critique: The response misses to mention that the story does not mention how Anthony died.


text:
Jerry Chavez hardly ever said a word. A damn shame because he knew so many good ones. Lascivious, licentious, and lethargic all laid latent. He even invented some new ones that would have been a boon to society:

Escube:  to get ready for the day at work or a night out on the town by  shitting, showering, and shaving

(hygienically speaking the best order to perform them in).

Potanic: any item possessing the potency of Titanic proportions.

Yet, Jerry's laconic manner cursed the air with the language of a mundane nature: shit, fuck, double-fuck, cock, bitch, hell, that 'c' word, Jesus, and sugar. All paltry words and a pantry one too.

Jerry would spend most of his time creating the most wonderful worlds. Staying alive it might seem only to live in his daydreams. That was until the gift bag came.

Jerry, returning to his cheap motel-style apartment complex from an appointment with a doctor, found a lavishly adorned gift bag on his welcome mat. “Is it my birthday,” he thought. Jerry looked at his watch. “No, much too cold to be my birthday.” Truly placing a temperature gauge on a watch is a brilliant idea, you are able to see how cold it is outside which helps you to realize if you have dressed appropriately. Or in this case it helped Jerry realize that this present was too early or much too late for his July birthday. Without a reason for the gift bag coming to mind Jerry still took it into his somnolently decorated apartment. Jerry was never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, mainly because the giving of horses as presents seemed to have fallen out of fashion. At least that is in the circles Jerry ran in. Although the only circles Jerry ran in was down at the high school. But this was not a horse track. And obviously it's not the right track for getting a horse either. But I digress, actually looking back on how long that tangent was it would be more appropriate to say I trigressed or even quadgressed.

Jerry in the meantime had grabbed himself a beer and sat down on his couch with the gift bag. He said something to himself which I intend was “Go for it you pussy.” and then he opened the gift bag. The first thing he found was what seemed to be a normal everyday yellow, Ticonderoga, number 2 pencil. Next was a brown leather bound journal, with which one would assume was to be written in with the pencil. The card followed. Jerry opened it with no haste, and read only this:

What you write with this Pencil into this Journal will come

true in that you will be able to fully participate in it so long

as you pop one of those Purple Pills.

Jerry daunted but determined checked the back of the card. Exactly as he thought, it was not a Hallmark. He now turned his attention to the dilemma of the pills. That is, where are they? The card's removal had emptied the gift bag. But as Jerry went to grab the bag again he heard the distinct sound of pills rattling in a bottle. And there they were. The purple pills were in his left hand.

Jerry removed the magic lid from the magic bottle, and took out the magic cotton swab, and grabbed a magic pill. Jerry said something silently to himself which I intend was “Hell, why not.” and then swallowed the pill with the help of a swig from his beer bottle.

Its taste was not bad. Jerry now felt he had done something wrong. Maybe, he was to have written first. But before he was to become too worried a story came to him and he began to write.

It was a very good story. In the vein of Rip Van Winkle. A young lad, who Jerry would play, fell asleep on top of a hill overlooking a dystopian city. He was very unhappy in this world. He wished he could change it not just for himself, but for all. When the young man awoke he found himself on top of the hill looking down though on an unfamiliar city. He came down from his mount and walked around this new and as he found better city. Being quite confused he rested on a park bench. An old man seeing this unnerved young man sat down beside him hoping he could assuage the youth's pain. Jerry told him about the world he came from and how happy and surprised he was to see this one. Jerry asked how it became such and how it maintained its wonderfulness. The old man, who was quite knowledgeable, told him the story. He told the version that was not too long to allow the listener to become uninterested and not too short as to leave anything of importance out. It was a very good story and at the end of this he asked Jerry a question, “Shouldn't you be on your way?”

“To where?” Jerry replied.

“Home.” said the old man. Jerry paused. He believed senility had finally caught up to the old man.

“I have no home here.”

This made the old man smile making Jerry now certain of the old man's brain being gone. The old man said, “Then maybe here is not the place you should stay. Your home is there. You might want to go back and share with others the story that you have found here.”

Upon hearing this Jerry knew what he must do. He would return to his dystopian world and share this gift, the one he was given, with others.

As great as this would have been you must already know that this is not what happened. Our world has no magic pencil or magic paper. Neither does it have magic pills. Just regular pills which purpose is to help. The kind you might get after an appointment with a psychiatrist. Pencils and journals with which we can write our feelings and thoughts in and one day share with others.

No, Jerry never came back to our world. Damn shame too for he had so many wonderful stories to tell.

title: The Gift Bag

question: What do the purple pills do?

answer: The purple pills are a metaphor for medication.

critique: The answer is incorrect. The purple pills are a metaphor for medication.

critique: The answer is too vague. It should be more specific.

text: The response is not backed up by any fact in the passage.

question: Describe Jerry's watch and its significance in the story.

answer: Jerry's watch has a temperature gauge on it, which helps him realize if he has dressed appropriately for the weather.

critique: The answer is not clear on the meaning of the temperature gauge.

critique: The watch tells Jerry it's too cold to be his birthday.

critique: The passage adds "or" and so it changes the meaning of the sentence from simply helping Jerry realize if he's dressed appropriately, to also informing him that it's freezing outside.

critique: The answer should mention that the watch helps Jerry realize it is not his birthday.

critique: The answer should mention that the watch helps Jerry realize that the gift bag is too early or too late for his birthday.

critique: The answer should mention that the watch helps Jerry realize the gift bag is too early or too late for his birthday.

critique: The answer should mention that the watch helps Jerry realize that the gift is too early or too late for his birthday.

question: What does Jerry find in the bag?

answer: A pencil, a journal, and a card.


text:
Every year, just before the leaves fall, we have uninvited guests. Im not quite sure what to do about them anymore, so I am relating you their story in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, Im not alone.

You wont see our guests very often, and it took me a few years to even notice them, because they are sneaky. A small dash of grey here. A rustling like leaves from behind a wall. A plump, satisfied looking cat there. And finally, rarely, a 'dropping' behind the toilet. I only ever found droppings behind the toilet.

Yeah, we had mice.

Three years ago I first noticed them. Im not sure for how many years they escaped my attention. Being the apex predator / alpha male, I of course set out to rid my house of them, as any normal human being would. Oh how this decision has kept me up at night!

The first year I set out those snapping mouse traps, and with them killed five mice. Come Spring, I believed the problem was solved.

Last year, we noticed them again, around the same time. I put out traps again, some in the same places, some in new places. Oddly, the ones in the same places didnt catch any mice, even though these were what I suspected to be high mouse traffic locations. I also put out one sticky trap, which resulted in one mouse caught live.

It squealed when I picked up the trap. It was impossible to remove it without peeling its skin off, and besides, I was afraid of being bitten. This was a dead mouse walking. I knew I had to end its suffering, because horrible suffering was the only thing left in this creatures life, being essentially crazy-glued to this stickytrap. It took me a few minutes to come to that realization, as I am reluctant to kill anything, but it had to be done.

Now before you leave in disgust, know that these details are important! I dont just share these to shock or offend you, this plays a critical element in my dilemma.

I took the mouse and stickytrap outside and set it onto my concrete porch. I fetched a brick from nearby. All the while the mouse watching, no longer squeaking. It looked at me, and then the brick. I think it knew what was coming. I held the brick up high, hesitated for a moment with self hate for what I was about to do, then suddenly smashed the brick down as flat and as hard as I could on top of the mouse.

There was minimal pain, I hope. There were no moving parts or twitching. Tiny mouse teeth caught my attention. I paused for a moment to reflect on life, then pushed it all out of my mind as I dumped the whole mess into the garbage bin.

I didnt see any more mice that year.

This year, they came back. Same time. I set out traps again. No stickytraps, just the snappy kind.

No mouse caught.

I know theyre here, because I have seen them on numerous occasions. Dashes of grey on the kitchen floor, and droppings behind the toilet.

I go to inspect the traps the other day, and the peanutbutter bait is gone. On all of them.

I reset the traps and move them. A few days later, I go to inspect them again.

The peanutbutter bait is gone, and 2 of the traps were stacked on top of each other. Odd, as I live alone. I must have accidentally kicked one or swept it onto the other without noticing.

Which brings us to today, and my discovery.

I was sweeping out behind the water heater in my laundry room, and noticed what was probably one of the mouse nests in the corner. There were shredded paper bits papers and plastic and what looked to be sawdust from the garage all clumped together, all nice and cozy, like what a hamster would make in the corner of his cage.

I would need my vacuum cleaner to suck this stuff out from way behind my water heater.

I reached down to grab one of the bigger bits of trash, and I noticed that I could feel the warmth of the flame from the water heater when my hand got close to the nest. Nice spot to build a winter nest, I thought.

Then I looked at the bit of trash I had picked up. At first I thought it was just a torn out page from one of those small manuals you get when you buy electronics. You know, the instruction manual in five languages that you completely ignore, which was exactly what I was going to do. But then, it caught my eye. This piece of trash had diagrams and sketches on it. Very small, very rough, but definitely a diagram of something and text had been scratched in with something, perhaps using a small rock of ash from my fireplace.

Then it hit me. The diagram was of a mousetrap. This was a drawing, with accompanying symbols, written in ash, for how to disarm a mouse trap, on a piece of garbage, in this mouse nest.

title: [MS] The small paper

question: What does the story say about signs of a mouse infestation?

answer: The narrator didn't realize they had mice in their house until they noticed a small dash of grey here and there and plump, satisfied-looking cat be one of the guests. After a series of telltale signs, he noticed droppings behind the toilet.

critique: This response is partially accurate. They noticed the telltale signs of mice. However, this incident did not happen immediately. The narrator also never noticed the cat.

critique: The answer should mention the mouse traps.

critique: The answer omits the signs of the mouse infestation.

question: What does the story say about tactics to get rid of mice?

answer: The narrator uses traps to get rid of mice. The narrator tries to use the same traps in the same places, but they don't work. The narrator tries to use sticky traps, but they don't work because the mouse is smart enough to avoid them. The narrator also tries to use traps with peanut butter as bait, but the mice eat the bait. The narrator also tries to use traps with no bait, but the mice eat the bait.

critique: The narrator doesn't try to use traps with no bait, but the mice eat the bait.

critique: It is omitted that the mice eat the peanut butter without getting caught.

critique: The narrator doesn't use traps with no bait and no bait. They use traps with peanut butter.

critique: The narrator does not try to use traps with no bait.

critique: The narrator doesn't use traps with no bait.

critique: The narrator doesn't try to use traps with no bait.

question: Summarize the plot twist.

answer: The narrator is trying to get rid of mice in their home. They have set out traps for the mice, but the mice are smarter than the narrator thinks. The mice have learned to disarm the traps. The narrator finds a drawing of a mouse trap in one of the mouse's nests, showing how to disarm the trap.

critique: Does not explain that the mouse is leaving instructions for disarming a trap

critique: The mice aren't smarter than the narrator. They've learned to disarm the traps.

critique: The narrator is not trying to get rid of mice. They are trying to get rid of mice.

critique: The mice aren't smarter than the narrator thinks, they are smarter than the narrator.

critique: The narrator is not trying to get rid of mice.

critique: The narrator is not trying to get rid of mice. They just want to get rid of mice.

text: It should be mentioned that the drawing comes from the narrator's mouse trap instructions.

question: What does the story say about rat poison?

answer: No answer

critique: The response misses to provide an answer to the task in the task.

critique: The response misses to provide any answer to the task.

critique: Doesn't mention that the narrator doesn't use rat poison.


text:
Somewhere, lost in Yemen, there stands a banana tree. Not just any banana tree...your banana tree. And your banana tree grows tall and fruitful as all banana trees should. Otherwise they would not be banana trees at all. They would just be trees, or, even worse, seeds resting upon dead soil. But your tree is a tree. Your tree is a banana tree and beneath your tree is an empty chair made of ancient mahogany.

On some days people come to the chair to sip coffee with God but most of the time find only you. They say you seem close enough, though you too know so little of anything holy. And they bring you their problems to see if coffee can drown them or at least to test and see if the bastards can swim. Some problems will drown away beneath the strength of a particularly powerful brew, but most slurp the Belgian bean roast up, making them new problems altogether; more indignant and dastardly things. And the people cry and cry until you convince yourself that they are all oceans, and if you look at them like a reflection you can't help but think to yourself that you really are quite ugly and alone here.

And those broken little problems cry. They wonder why you hate them and why you don't love them like you do those whom they call home. And you wish to help them too, but you can't, or won't, or shouldn't, or haven't, or something. The beasties curl their knees tight to their chests dissolving themselves into little balls clutching tightly to tattered issues of Calvin and Hobbes, promising themselves that one day life will resemble those pages.

You see all their pain and wonder where all the caretakers went off to. Why no one will hold you like they hold that book. All you want is to know them, to  call them all by name, scoop them up into your tree's branches, point to the stars and say "that one is yours. That one is how you remember that I love you". But you possess no words to convey this love...so you bawl until you wash them all away and they too become oceans, or ocean, and you really are alone in this world, except for one girl you find lounging beneath your banana tree.

Her name is Guanchala, but she calls herself Gigi. She loves listening to people sing from their depths. "There is treasure buried there". Her depths sound like Joni Mitchell and raindrops gloriously pitter pattering agains pavement. And she always smells of petrichor. She says she knows home as the place where souls and nerves all touch at once, until the edges of where she begins and you end become indistinguishable. Often she builds tire swings amidst your branches and lets her feet dangle in the void separating soil and God. On certain nights she sneaks into the valley, scales the branches and reads to you excerpts from Zora Neale Hurston. She "soaks in the moonlight glow and the soprano hum of passing lightning bugs" until she overflows with light and songs. The beauty mark at the edge of her mouth arches toward the heavens as she radiates words from within the worn beige covers of her collected stories. "She was the world and the heavens  boiled down to a drop." She tells you of dreams of sailing away from all this loathing one day; That she shall "stow away upon the S.S. Lewis and sail with you clutched tightly in one arm and her tattered beige book in the other." But, she never asks you to help her find that boat. She is more concerned with what the two of you will become on any given day.

"What does your face look like today?" In these moments you are not alone. You are there and she is there. The two of you sit on the shore digging your toes into the sand. You look out onto the crashing waves of the ocean and upwards into the stars hanging heavy against navy skies. You take turns calling each star by name as they implode before your eyes and become dust. Now there is only man, woman, and a tree. She buries her fingers into the rich chestnut soil and holds you in her cardigan-covered arms. Stardust floats down into soil. The cries of the ocean no longer sound of sorrow, but of wedding bells. The two of you rise and begin to march towards the altar waiting beneath the banana tree.

title: [MF/FN] Starbucks Soliloquies

question: What does the story say about coffee?

answer: The narrator is a banana tree that people come to to sip coffee with God. The narrator is a coffee shop. The narrator is a coffee bean roast. The narrator is a cup of coffee. The narrator is a cup of coffee with cream and sugar.

critique: The response is nonsensical and incoherent.

critique: Sugar and cream are not mentioned as ingredients in the coffee.

text: It is omitted that there is a chair beneath a banana tree in Yemen that people come to sip coffee with God but most of the time find only you. They bring you their problems to see if coffee can drown them.

question: Summarize Gigi's interests.

answer: She loves listening to people sing from their depths. She also builds tire swings in the branches of the banana tree. Gigi is interested in the stories she reads to the tree. She dreams of sailing away from all of this.

critique: "She also builds tire swings in the branches of the banana tree." - this is incorrect because it was never mentioned that Gigi built tire swings on the tree. The story only mentioned that she likes to build tire swings on the ground.

critique: "She also builds tire swings in the branches of the banana tree." - this is incorrect. She builds tire swings in the branches of the tree, not the banana tree.

critique: "She loves listening to people sing from their depths." - this is incorrect. She loves listening to people sing from their depths.

critique: "She loves listening to people sing from their depths." - this is inaccurate. She loves listening to people sing from their depths.

text: Gigi reads the stories to you, not to the tree.

question: What does the text say about loneliness?

answer: The narrator is lonely because they are the only one in the world who can hear the problems of the people who come to the banana tree. The narrator is also lonely because they feel they cannot help the people who come to them. The narrator is also lonely because they feel they cannot convey their love to the people they love. The narrator is also lonely because they feel they cannot help the people they love.

critique: The answer makes a lot of redundant statements.

critique: The narrator is not the only one who can hear the problems of the people who come to the banana tree.

critique: Cannot have multiple feedback that conveys the same information.

text: It is not stated that the narrator is also lonely because they feel they cannot help the people they love.

question: What does the text say about the main character's family?

answer: No answer

critique: The answer should mention that the main character doesn't have a family.

critique: The answer should mention that the text does not mention the main character's family.

critique: The answer should mention that the character has no family since they are all dead.


text:
Back in 2007 I was just a fresh faced 24 year old who had recently returned from backpacking and was ready to gamble my future on a business idea my brother had conjured up. So, instead of getting a ‘proper’ job upon my return, I worked night and day with him to build Sprint Education.

As the business turns 10 years old this year I think it’s the perfect time to take a look back and consider some of the crucial business lessons that we have learned whilst building Sprint Education.

There are many of course, however we are going to focus on the most valuable lessons we’ve learned in the hope that you'll find at least one golden nugget of inspiration that you can apply to your own education business.

So let’s kick off with Lesson #1.

Lesson #1: This may shock you but it is… Sack a problem customer!

[sack a problem customer]

This lesson goes against everything you are taught in business…

_“The customer is always right.”_

But I’ve learned the hard way over the years that this ideology isn’t always correct.

Now firstly, I must state that 99.99% of Sprint Education’s clients are outstanding! They work well with my team and together we strive towards a common goal – to make our client more sales from the education sector. However, as with all companies out there, every blue moon a ‘rogue’ will rise up and cause your business or staff problems.

When I was starting out back in 2007 my belief was that the client was always right, no matter what! But this attitude clouded my take on the reality of some situations.

Then an incident occurred a few years ago which changed my thinking altogether. A new client had sent out an email campaign with us, with part of his email asking schools to click through to a well known video hosting website to watch his video. One teacher, having received the email, called our client to explain that their school’s filtering system did not allow her to access this website so could he send them the video directly to watch.

After speaking with this teacher the client then phoned me up, and for the first and only time in 10 years, he unleashed a torrent of abuse too rude to type in this blog. The client’s issue revolved around his opinion that Sprint Education had the power to alter any school’s web filters across the UK so they could access any website, and why had we not done this before launching the campaign so the school in question could watch his video?

I tried in vain to explain it was impossible for us to alter schools' web filters and that we didn’t possess magic powers to fiddle with other organisations' systems. I explained that website filtering is usually managed internally by a school’s Network Manager and that they alone possessed the power to un-restrict certain websites, not Sprint Education. However, the client refused to believe this was true and continued in his demands for me to alter the school’s website filters.

Two days later the client phoned me back, and having now done his own research he understood that what I had explained was correct, and I was not at fault, and also because he had made several sales from the email he was really happy to book in his next campaign.

The question then hit me, what should I do? Take the money and book in the next campaign, or maintain my company’s self-respect?

Whilst he spoke to me on the phone I thought back to how he had spoken to me in his moment of rage, and I then considered what the greater effects would have been had he spoken not to me, but instead to one of my staff in this way. How would they feel, would it dampen their enthusiasm for working at Sprint Education? It certainly would have been very unpleasant for them!

It was at this point I had my moment of clarity.

I could not let anyone speak to me or my team in such an unprofessional manner, no matter what the reason and how much money they were offering for a new booking. After all, one of my team members is my Mum (and no one would want their Mum spoken to in this way). So I decided it was the right decision to ‘sack’ the client.

As the client was talking, I politely interrupted him and calmly explained that due to how he had handled the previous discussion with me I had taken the decision to not work with him or his company again, that our ideas of a positive working relationship were clearly poles apart, and that I wished him all the best with his education marketing in the future. I left it at that.

Over the years they’ve tried a couple of times to work with us again after the initial campaign generated so many sales for them, but each time I have politely refused their request. It’s a tactic that I’ve reluctantly and rarely had to employ over the years, but sometimes when you get the feeling that a new enquiry is going to turn bad or may have a negative effect on your business, or even your staff’s morale, then trust your gut instinct and pass up the opportunity. You, your team, and even the client will all be much happier in the long term.

Tags
Email Teachers Email Teachers Emailing Teachers Emailing Teachers Marketing to Schools Marketing to Schools Selling to Schools Selling to Schools

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question: What does the text say about how to become a good teacher?

answer: No answer

critique: The answer is incorrect. The text does not say anything about how to become a good teacher.

critique: The text does not directly say how to become a good teacher. However, it does say that you should be a good listener and be patient with students.

critique: This answer is wrong. Sake a problem customer teaches you to take a lesson morals and responsibilities rather than always place importance on profitability.

critique: The answer should mention that the text does not talk about how to become a good teacher.

question: What does the text say about Sprint Education?

answer: Sprint Education is a business that teaches how to sell to schools. The business is run by the author's brother and the author. Their clientele is mostly outstanding, but every blue moon a "rogue" will rise up and cause problems for their company and staff.

critique: The answer should mention that the company is 10 years old.

critique: The answer is incorrect. Sprint Education is not a business that teaches how to sell to schools.

critique: Doesn't say anything about selling to schools.

critique: The answer should mention that the author is the narrator.

text: The company makes their clients more sales from the education sector.

question: What does the text say about Sprint Education's ability to alter its clients' website filtering system?

answer: Sprint Education does not have the power to alter its clients' website filtering system. The company does not possess magic powers to fiddle with other organizations' systems. Website filtering is usually managed internally by a school's Network Manager, and they alone possess the power to un-restrict certain websites.

critique: It is not stated that the company does not possess magic powers to fiddle with other organizations' systems.

critique: The answer should mention that the client was angry that Sprint Education didn't alter the school's web filters.

critique: Saying "they alone possess" twice for the same sentence is unnecessary.

critique: The answer should mention that the company does not have the power to alter its clients' website filtering system.

text: Sprint Education does not have the power to alter any school’s web filters across the UK.

question: What does the text say about problem customers?

answer: The narrator has learned that sometimes, a problem customer is not always right. The narrator says that 99.99% of Sprint Education's clients are outstanding. However, every blue moon, a rogue customer will rise up and cause problems.

critique: The answer should mention the incident that caused the narrator to change his mind about problem customers.

critique: The answer should mention the incident that caused the narrator to change their mind about problem customers.

critique: The answer should mention the incident that caused the narrator to change his mind.

critique: The answer omits the narrator's decision to sack a problem customer.

critique: It is omitted that the narrator had to sack a problem customer when he unleashed a torrent of abuse on the narrator.