Elementary Composition – Night

This site is a group effort by the students in Gord's Elementary Composition evening course at Catholic University!

The Coming of the Hydrogen Economy

  An age of “hydrogen economy” is near. The “hydrogen economy” refers to an economy based on hydrogen, a clean and resourceful energy. Hydrogen, whose atomic number is 1, is now regarded as a major next-generation energy source for Korea’s future economy and society. The current age of the “carbon econmy” based on petroleum and coal will end. This will make way for the age of “hydrogen economy” in 10 to 15 years. Then, why hydrogen? An almost inexhaustible supply of hydrogen exists on the Earth. It never causes air pollution as does oil or coal, but produces energy efficiently. In a word, hydrogen is an economical and democratic energy. The term “hydrogen economy” was first coinde by Jeremy Rifkin, a professor of the University of Pennsylvania in the United States, in his book entitled “The Hydrogen Economy.” In the book, Rifkin predicts that the world will see a reduction in oil production by the year 2020, which, in turn, will inevitably cause conflicts among world countries to secure oil reserves. He adds that hydrogen will come into the spotlight as a new energy source that can be obtained most easily on the Earth and never causes air pollution. Under these circumstances, enterprises and auto manufacturers, in particular, are moving fast to rise to the occasion. Major auto manufacturers, such as Ford, GM, Toyota, and Hyundai, have introduced new models of hydrogen-powerd automobiles one after another. They will commercialize those vehicles in earnest by 2010. Electronics manufacturers are developing prototype models of fuel cells that will replace exisiting batteries for electronics products. Once the hydrogen enerhy is commercialized, no country will attempt to use their natural resources as “weapons” because of the wide availability of the new energy. The OPEC will lose strength. The oil dollars the oil-producing countries currently hold will run out in the near future. In contrast, technologically advanced nations that can produce hydrogen ennergy at minimum costs will emerge as resource-rich countries. This is why major countries around the world are focusing their efforts on developing hydrogen energy.  
 


Images of Men and Their Implications

  Thses days, “Macho” and “Cross-sexual” are rising to be the most popular trends. However, these are opposite characters. Cultural critics have analyzed social, economic and cultural causes for it. One cause is the loss of the traditional patriarchal system through the changing of contemporary society’s frame. In this situation, people have two different kinds of thinking at the same time. One is nostalgia about men’s traditional strong images and the other is acknowledging the loss of the traditional patriarchal system. Second is the long-pending recession and unemployment of many young people. Men pursue extreme masculine and feminine images to evade the enormous responsibility inflicted on them. Third is the rapid changing of consciousness about sex, and society becoming more open toward foreign cultures. Now, people pay regard to various tastes about sex. Movies and TV dramas constantly make new images of men. These new images of men create new trends among the general public which spread rapidly and are developed mostly for commercial ends. However, culture exists without commercial ends. Almost everyone has memories of fashion shows with male friends in skirts on school excursions and retreats. We have known ”cross-sexual”. It is a matter of sincere regret that culture only for commercial ends creates trends.  


The California Gold Rush

  On January 24, 1848, a farmer found a few tiny gold nuggets near Sacramento. Soon a halr-million people from aroun the world go to California for gold. By the winter of 1848, the gold rush was a boom. When President James Polk talked about the gold in California a lot of people left for Sacramento. Farmers left their fields; merchants closed their shops; and soldiers left their posts. Thy all made plans for California. By early 1849, people all over the country talked about the gold rush. Young husbands left their wives and kids. They promised they would come back with gold. They were called “Forty Niners” because they left home in 1849. They all dreamed of being rich. The gold in California finally ran out. However, the gold rush played an important role in California. The ”Forty Niners” helped build many cities of California. Many of them didn’t go back home. They are remembered as adventurers.    


Digital Dementia is a Growing Problem Among the Youth

  To day, more and more people, especially those in their 20s or 30s who have been using digital devices for years, find themselves too dependent on them. They are unable to remember mundane bits of information such as a friend’s phone number, zip codes to their houses or even their parents’ birthdays. They relegate such tasks to their PDAs, cell phones or computers rather than using their heads. This type of memory failure is being attributed to something called “digital dementia”. Digital dementia is a growing problem among the high-tech youth because they more on electronic devices such as cell phones or PDAs instead of their own memories. Today, people often aren’t required to remember lots of information because cell phones and PDAs serve this prupose. Computers are used to save documents and navigation devices tell people how to get to their destinations. Due to such dependency, the younger generation who are more prone to using such devices are more likely to develop digital dementia. Experts say those experiencing digital dementia need not worry too much, but they advise remembering important phone numbers, keeping a diary and concentrating when reading newspapers or magazines.   
 


The Languages in London

  Centering around the Oxford and Cambridge in London, People use very standard like English. The upper class people live around this area like in Seoul, so the language of this area is regarded as the standard language. It is called as BBC English, Oxford English, and Queen’s English, but the official title is Received Pronunciation. Namely, the labor class use their own accent called ‘Cockney’ from the Received Pronunciation and the middle class people use ‘Estuary English’ influenced by Received Pronunciation. The ‘Estuary English’ is used by the upper class people when they don’t want to give upper class image or by the labor class people when they show upper class image. In conclusion, the standard English is used by the Nobleman, professors, and journalists and they usually live in London. In England, the social classes exist clearly and there are big differences in the intonation and pronunciation according to the social class and eucation level. So when we have a talk with English, we can recognize their origin of area, social class and education level. But there is no standard language for them. It is a little different according to the noble family and area, even the Queen’s English.

 

 


Lookism Puts Life in Danger

  Famous comedian Hyung-gon Kim died of heart failure after rigorous exercise at a fitness center. He was 46. As the pioneer of black comedy in Korea, Kim once enjoyed rising popularity. However, he ran out of stean as an entertainer as new young faces took over the stage. Years late, he came back with surprising news; He had lost a lot of weight. Newspaper and TV reporters quickly covered Kim’s comeback story along with his diet secret. Since diet is such a hot issue in this society, his “secret” instantly drew the attention of a large number of people especially those who need to lose weight. Kim’s diet secret, however, ha a fatal weakness. Experts say it is not recommended to exercise after taking a sauna. Doctors say that sweating too much before or during exercise changes the nature of blood, causing it to become sticky. The sticky blood cannot flow freely through the arteries. Doctors warn that doing too much exercise does more harm than good. Too much exercise raises the chance of heart failure that may cause sudden death. Accordigng to doctors, Kim’s way of exercising was the most dangerous in terms of causing sudden death while exercising. 

 Lookism refers to discrimination or prejudice against people based on their appearance. Many Korean people believe they have an advantage when they look better than other people. For example, they believe they have a better chance of getting a job or getting promoted. Under the influence of wide spreading lookism, a growing number of people try to lose weight or have plastic surgery. Lookism may be a better opportunity for some people who become more attractive afeter successfully losing weight or having plastic surgery. However, complete dependence on lookism may lead some people to an unrecoverable condition or even death.        
 

 


Abortion

  Two point of views are opposed to each other on the abotrion dispute. The one is a point that an unborn baby is also human, so his or her right of life must be respected, and the other is the woman’s right has priority over an unborn baby’s right. This two points came out at the dispute over a 13-years-old girl’s abortion in the United States. Florida state government wanted to keep an unborn baby’s right of life by prohibiting her abortion, giving a reson “The girl is not mature enough to make such a choice.” But many people insisted strongly to keep the girl’s right to make a choice of abortion. The Florida put off her abortion accepting federal government’s petition at first, and after her mental state’s evaluation, agreed with the girl saying she was not mature enough to bear a baby and bring him or her up. There are many opinions about abortion, but most important thing of them is the right of life. All human beings have the natural right, and this, too, belong to an unborn baby, so his or her life must be kept, too. Even if abortion should be made to illegality, it’s not easy to prohibit it, because it has several of structural problems which cannot be solved only by law. To prevent abortion, above all, citizenship must be improved. Abortion is definitely not a problem only concerned with women, but the one belonging to our society. Because most reasons of the abortion are the results of society and male-oriented culture.   

 
 

 


Customs

  Customs have existed for a long time, but social members hardly know their origins or meanings. In that point, customs differ from passing faks and they are often helpful when it comes to fortifying community’s relations and adapting to the environment. On the other hand, customs may make the society and resist to changes. Cusoms vary from society to society. Traditionas are special customs that last very long and are loved by social members who want their values to last. Generally, customs remain mostly in countrysides where there are little changes, while ratioanl rule(for example, traffic laws) and universal etiquettes often prosper in cities.   

 


Car of the Future

  There are big problems suffered because of the traffic congestions these days. If these situations continue, the congestions will be more worse than now, so we need new meas of transportation in the future. In the future, the car will be introduced other than it is now. That car will have no wheel but fly like airplanes. In Britain, a vehicle called “Skycar” was introduced that travels up to 150km per hour hovering about 3meters above the ground. The flying car appeared in the movie named “The Fifth Element”. In that movie, the car flies at very fast speed almost like an airplane, sometimes high and low. If this type of cars are introduced, we will be able to travel over long distances without traffic congestion. With these cars, we can go to tall buildings or mountains easily, and cross the river or sea, too. But if the car engine stops while we are driving, there will be a big accident. So in order to drive this car, we need high degree of technology and safe system. And because the car flies, we should not overcrowd loads and people in the car. Over a hundred year is expected before the flying cars become common. Our lives will become more comfortable when like this car will appear.         

 

 

    

 

 

 


Abandoned Animals

  The website in which people report abandoned animals and let them have new hosts works actively now in the U.S. Because of this site, a great number of animals abandoned by former hosts are getting new hosts in even a month. On the way of doing this kind of job, we can see animals’ thankful warm eyes. Each of these works gives us feelings of fruitfulness and satisfaction. I think if there are more people doing so in our society, it will get warmer and warmer. We have to realize that our society is the one where not only human beings but also all animals and plants live together. However, number of on-line participants’ activities are limited only within on-line. What is needed really to the lonely and solitary animals includes not only feed and haven but warm hands with genuine love. Though I am one of the person who love animals, it is true that I didn’t act actually thoughts. On the occasion of this, I’m making up my mind I will love and take care of animals with sincere heart. 

 


The Insect-eating Plants

  It may not be familiar to everyone but insect-eating plants are something that we frequently meet in a science class or TV programs. We have met them only through TV programs or pictures but there are an increasing number of families by trying to plant and farm by commercial. Insect-eating plants are not scary or ugly looking, as commonly thought, but they are actually tiny and cute, so they have much tubular value. And they can be grown by the window, because they are small, and they also catch insects. Because of that, people’s interests in them have risen. They can live last for 2~3 years without eating insects, and can be feed by beef or cheese instead of insects. 

 The most famous of insect-eating plant is the Flycatcher. The action of Flycatcher snatching insects in a moment is sufficient to fascinate viewers. So Darwin, who is famous as the author of the Origin of Species, once described the Flycatcher as “one of the most wonderful plants in the world”.  To growers of insect-eating plants, which were once available only on TV, they are like lovely pets next to them.
 


Cloning

  I don’t like clonins because it is just a technology to copy somethings. It is not creative and the same thing becomes valueless. Life itself is very precious but if people clone somethings continuously, they will be valueless. And someone says trying to make food through cloning will make some problems because there will be some side effects to those clone DNA which can endanger the human body. There will be some problems in cloning of animals, too. Depending of environment, animals extinct or exist. If we clone endangered anmals, it will break the balance of ecosystem. And although people clone their beloved pets, they will not treat pets the way that they used to treat their former pets. This happens because they know it is a clone. I think cloning should not happen because of these reasons.     

 


Citizens’ Movements and Korea social’s development

  Everyone as citizen can enjoy basic freedom and right citizens in modern society. This was result that people who were estranged from civil society of early-modern ages tried to protect themselves interests. Many people tried to build up the better society of Korea. The main events connected with civil society’s formation are 5.18 Kwangju Democratic Movement, 4.19 Anti-Dictatorship Revolution, etc.., a lot of citizens which happened to resist about a prolonged one-man rule and a rigged election participated. These were democratic movements that resisted about authoritarian dictatorship. Until the 1980s, citizens’ movements were limited in political areas mainly but areas of monements were expanded more after the 1990s. That is, it tis that various kinds of citizens’ movements such as environmental conservation, improvement of human rights, prevention of irregularities and corruption etc.. are accomplishing together. Also, recently many kinds of civil society’s organizations’(NGO) activities which lead citizens’ campaigns are very lively. Meanings of these citizens’ movements are great in terms of can promote Korea social’s developments. Now Korea social’s developments are not assignments which are given to specific majorities, but all of people will have to participate and lead up their society. 
 


Korea-U.S.A. FTA

  Korea-U.S.A. FTA is rising as a hot issue. It means to expand broad opening and free trading to all industrial fields. However, this will have negative influence in Korea. First, Korea’s agriculture will feel the pinch of FTA. U.S., which has strong competitive power in agricultural products, can sell farm produce with lower price and it will cause Korean farmers’ income decreases sharply. Second, problems of part-time job will be worsen. Although pro-FTA insists more employment will be created with FTA, it is most part-time job which are provided no-benefit. Chile and Mexico are good examples. Finally, Korea-U.S.A FTA will instigate cost rises in health and medical service field. U.S. will pull up medical supplies costs with strengthening their patent rights. Therefore, the gap between rich and poor in medical area will be worsen because of  the commercialization of medical service system. Like this, Korea-U.S.A FTA may bring happiness to only a few people with the majority’s sufferings.      


SOHO(Small Office Home Office)

  By the advance of internet, the number of the people, called SOHO(Small Office Home Office) race, who work at a house, not at an office, and do for living are gradually being increased. It is a natural result by the advance of computer and way of communication. But we need to know exactly profit and loss gained by working at home. First of all, regarding the profit of a work at home, we can say a freedom, convenience, and financial saving, etc. What we can work without any interferences, limits of time, financial consumption of transportation and food charge, etc.. will be big merits. But we can not ignore the demerits in accordance with it. Convenience and feedom gained by working at home is apt to be changed to self-indulgence.If they feel the convenience and feedom, as human being is wicked existence, they would want more than it. Therefore, they will need bigger will than the workers of an office to control and govern themselves in order to be the SOHO race.

 


The Well-Being Age

 What is Well-being? Originally “Well-being” has a meaning of happiness, good health or welfare. But these days it represents a new life-style for combining body and mind to make more beautiful and abundant life. People who support “Well-being style” are called “Well-being-jok”, and eat fish and organic food rather than meat, and also avoid chemical seasonings and carbonated drinks. The best reason people support “Well-being” is that it recommend people home made food rather than expensive restaurant meal. However, “Well-being” has some problems. Since the food for “Well-being” is as expensive as it is effective for health, poor-class people can’t afford ”Well-being food”. Moreover, some people for make money, presenting the title of “Well-being” on unhealthy food, which leads price raise. I don’t support “Well-being style”. I think it is better to keep health by exercising, not controlling food only.  


My Hope is Korea’s Unification.

  Korea is the unique nation, which is divided into two parts, in the world. I think we should unite as soon as possible because there are several reasons. First, our race is unitary, and has for 5000 years history. But North Korea and South Korea have different ideologies and strutures of society. Two countries also have different ways of life and their values. Moreover, they differ from economic, sociologic and cultural quality. However, we had had a single nation, language, history and culture, while we had lived in Korean peninsula for a long period. So, it is natural to combine separated two countries into a single nation. Second, we can achieve the peace of whole Korean peninsula, northeast Asia and also whole wolrd in advance by achieving the unification of Korea. North Korea may bring on war any time, because North Korea and South Korea are in the state of a truce. Therefore, we can contribute to world peace by removing the danger of Korean war in Asia. Third, there are a lot of people more than ten million who are separated with their families or relatives in both South Korea and North Korea. Some of them could meet their separated families in the family reunion campaigns but the number of people who could meet their families in the meetings are small and the meeting time is very short. If two countries are united again, dispersed family members can meet each other, because it is allowed to come and go anywhere. Finally, both countries can get benefits by uniting into a single country because South Korea can utilize buried natural sources in North Korea. And two countries are maybe stronger in the international society. Consquently, we can grow more because we may get economic benefits. If we get all those results, we also will be able to show the successful instance of the country unification to all nations in the world.      


Commercial Movies

  I like movies which have unique individualities and good artistic qualities. However, most people tend to be fond of commercial movies only. Of course, I don’t mean to say all of commercial movies don’t have any good artistic qualities. But most commercial movies tend to pursue only entertainingness and nudity. These would be reasons why they would be able to attract audiences’ attention. Movies are said to be the art expressed by the screens. In that sense, I’d like to talk such worldly movies should be avoided. Besides through commercial movies, American culture would be naturally widespred all over the world. Accordingly it may happen the one-sided cultural subordination. With capital on a large-scale, they can get rid of each country’s specific film industry and subsequently some good movies of their own would be in danger of being detroyed by them. Through movies, we should not only relieve from stress in the way of catharsis but also advance further even to provide our minds with plenty of nutrition. On this point I suggest that wi shouldn’t enjoy watching only commercial movies, rather enjoy seeing a variety of movies with good artistic qualities and unique individuals from around the world. To accomplish these, audiences should think of the movies as a part of art and filmmakers shouldn’t also think of the movies as a means to gey profits only, and should regard them as a medium to project their thought in the movies with such an elevated attitude of aesthetic artists.    
 

 


the Changing Role of Women

  When fifty years ago, women and men had each of their separate positions. Most women stayed at home doing all the housework and raising all the dhildren. On the other hand, most men worked outside on the farms or in the companies to earn the money and to support their families. 

  But today we can see that a lot of things have changed for women. They don’t have to be doomed to do housework for the rest of their lives. They can be successful business persons. They are not obliged to have 100% responsibility for doing housework or raising their children. There are also more specific laws for women being enacted. Nowadays, most women are as well educated as men. They have more opportunities to apply for jobs, too.    


Valentine’s Day

  There are a lot of stories about origins of Valentine’s Day. One historian speaks that Valentine’s Day stems from Rome’s Saint Valentine’s Day(St. Valentine). At that time the Emperor Claudius wanted to draw young men in the army, so he imposed a ban on marriage. Hereupon Valentine opposed a ban on marriage, and united some pair of lovers in marriage. He was martyred on A.D. February 14, 269 through that crime. Before Valentine was killed, he fell in love with the daughter of his jailer. He left a letter called “Love from Valentine” for her, and then it was become custom to convey a message of love on Valentine’s Day.      

  There are other stories about origins of Valentine’s Day. The English believed that time of February 14 was a mating day. The other is that the Romans held the festival named Lupercalia on February 14 in ancient. They prayed for protection from wolves and women prayed for fecundity. It is said that festival in Rome was become Valentine’s Day of today being connected to Britain. 

  In these days, chocolate is used by intermediate that give love on Valentine’s Day becouse chocolate is sweet. However, it is the trend that prepare only own individual gift except chocolate recently.


A weird story

  I’m in a weird place which called Bourvia. The weather is very hot and dry in Bourvia. There is swarming with mosquitoes. Because Malaria is carried by the mosquito, Malaria is spreading easily here. The people who live in Bourvia are fighting all night and day against mosquitoes. Bourvia is a rich source of diamonds, so many people can buy them cheaply there. People often wear diamonds when they go other countries because diamonds are valuable owing to their rarity in other places. Many wild animals inhabit in the meadow of Bourvia. Especially there are a lot of fierce animals like a tiger to inhabit, so we should always be careful when we walk across there. Look at that animal over there! It’s a lion. The lion is glaring at its prey. I am afraid of that. There are lots of tigers too. A tiger sometimes attacks people for no particular reason, so we need to look around there. Oh, my god! Speak of the devil…a tiger is growling at me. Run away!     


Her Unusual Friend

  J’s friend has a habit of wasting too much money in her free time. For example, whenever possible, she calls her friends and never hang up first. Therefore, her telephone bills are similar in J’s telephone bills for 5 months. Moreover, she goes out with her boyfriend very often and the cost for dates is very heavy. Above all things, the worst way that her habit of wasting money is to go shopping. For instance, whenever she has time, she sits in front of computer, and does on-line shopping, and buys something on impulse. Then she regrets soon. If she doesn’t have those free time to waste so much money, she will not lie to her mother for money.   


My unusual brother

  My brother has some bad habits. First, he sleeps and gets up late. Because of further distance from home to his school, he has to get up earlier. But he gets up late, because he goes to bed late. He needs an effort for them. Second, he plays computer games for a long time. He usually wastes time to play computer games for hours in week day and 14 hours in weekend. That will be bad for his health. Lastly, he hates doing exercise. He dislikes to sweat and run, so he is putting on flesh. Although he realized the seriousness of the lack of exercise, he doesn’t try to get rid of that. 


A memory for life..

  I went to Jeju Island on my high school’s graduation trip. That was the final trip during my high school days, and I could feel quite excited. At last, I could reach Jeju Island by plane! The air was very pleasant and fresh. On the first day, we took some photos with some of my friends in a rape field and the yellow flowers were really beautiful. Moreover, I rode a horse for the first time in my lifetime. It was so exciting. On the second day, we climed up Halla Mt., the second highest one in Korea. It was very high and I felt very hard. On the top of the mountain, I could feel fruitful and proud of myself. Luckily, the weather was nice, so I could fully enjoy my trip. It was really fun for me. One hard thing was clilming Halla Mt. My legs so hurt then. But it was my best trip in my life and it’ll be remembered in my heart for good as an unfogettable one.


The Coffee is a Good Partner of Diet.

  The coffee is known to be effective for diet. The coffee is a low-calory drink so if fat people have coffee black, it is good to drink. If we get coffee with caffeine and take proper exercise, it burns fats with priority. So the coffee is a help to be more effective when we take aerobic exercise. However, the coffee only help to burn fats well. So actually to burn fats is aerobic exercise. Doing exercise is the best way to lose weight, but a cup of coffee is a good partner both during and after the exercise session.

 


Do you know where it is??

  The children can have a merry time here. We can see many families who sit in the grass and have a lunch box together. Sometimes some people take a nap comfortably in the shade of a tree. There are all kinds of flowers and trees in that place. So there is fragrant with the smell of flowers. There are filled with throngs of people on weekends. We can borrow a bicycle there, so we can see some couples who ride a bicycle together. There is held a composition competition for children sometimes. Where is this place?    


Description of My Partner

  She has a long straight hair, and she wears her hair banged. She has her hair in half pony-tail. She has a double eyelid only on the left eye, and she has a little long and pointed nose. She wears no make-up. She wears blue earrings and silver necklace. She tinted her fingernails with nail polish(manicure). She wears blue jeans and a pair of black sneakers.


How to cook “sandwich”

materials : 4 slices of bread, 2 slices of ham, 2 slices of cheese, 2 potatoes, 2 eggs, 1/3 carrot, and some mayonnaise

a recipe for “sandwich” 

  First, peel the potatoes. Second, in a saucepan, put the potatoes in the cold water. Third, boil the potatoes until soft. Next, boil the eggs for about 9 minutes. Then let the potatoes and eggs cool for about 15 minutes. After that, wash the carrot with cold water, and chop. Next, wash the ham with cold water, and slice. Afterwards, crush the potatoes and eggs in a bowl. And in a bowl, mix the potatoes, eggs, carrot and mayonnaise. Next, spread the mixture of potatoes, eggs, carrot and mayonnaise thickly on the bread with a spoon. Finally, place the ham and the cheese on the bread.

 


How to cook “Sam gye tang”

materials : a raw chicken, a ginseng, 3/4 cups of glutinous rice, 6 Chinese dates, 8 cloves of garlic, and a little of salt 

a recipe for “Sam gye tang 

  First, paunch a raw chicken. Second, put three Chinese dates, 3/4 cups of glutinous rice, and three cloves of garlic into the chicken. Then bind the chiken’s legs together. Next, put the water, the chicken, a ginseng, three Chinese dates, and 5 cloves of garlic in the pot. And then when the water boil, add a little of salt to the dish. Finally, boil the chicken thoroughly in the hot water.      


The children do not eat rice well are worries of all parents.

When the children don’t eat rice well, concerned feeling will be a point of sameness of all parents. First, it is good to examine what the cause which the children don’t eat rice well. If the children didn’t eat well since early times, parents will have to examine about there is a problem in the great intestine or anemia, etc. If the children are anemic persons, the appetite is already on the decrease before the anemic condition gets externally, and they don’t eat rice well. The appetite returns, and the children eat rice well when anemia treats.

  If the children are examined, but the body is all right, the parents don’t need to worry about that too much. From this time it is important to change a meal habit properly. It is important to feel like taking a meal with family. And it is a good way to give the rice when the children request it. The parents think they feed the children as it is high time to eat, but on the contrary, that is charged up against the children, and they can think about they don’t like eating rice more.