Focus on Words

Some criticize the idea that humans are warming the planet. They believe that the warming currently
observed around the world is part of a 1, 500-year cycle in solar energy. They think that we are currently
on an upswing, getting warmer after the Little Ice Age, but in a few hundred years will be on the
downswing, and getting colder again. They say that efforts to slow down the current warming by reducing
emissions of greenhouse gases are at best pointless, or at worst economically damaging.
According to the report of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change it is greenhouse gas
that has caused most warming. Warming by 2100 will probably be between about 1.5°C and 6°C. So,
which scientists are telling us the truth?
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A bargain is a bargain
In western countries, retail prices are often so-called psychological prices or odd prices: a little less
than a round number, e.g. $ 6.95. In Chinese societies, prices are generally either a round number or
sometimes some lucky number. This creates price points. Often prices are fixed and displayed on signs or
labels. Alternatively, there can be price discrimination for a variety of reasons. The retailer charges higher
prices to some customers and lower prices to others. For example, a customer may have to pay more if the
seller determines that he or she is willing to. The retailer may conclude this due to the customer’s wealth,
carelessness, lack of knowledge, or eagerness to buy. Price discrimination can lead to a bargaining
situation often called haggling, a negotiation about the price.
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Technology: good or bad?
All discoveries and innovations have their benefits and shortcomings.
Mobile phones are now part of our daily life. Most people find them essential and could not manage
without them. However, there are also some drawbacks to owning and using a mobile phone. There are
three main advantages to having mobile phones. Firstly, there is the convenience of being able to make
and receive a phone call at any time and in any place. Secondly, they are essential for keeping in touch
with family and friends. Parents worried about their children can always ring them to check they are safe,
and children can let their family know if they are going to be late home. Finally mobile phones can save
lives. For example, if there is an accident, help can be called immediately, wherever the accident takes
place.
On the other hand, there are significant problems with the use of mobile phones. In the first place,
using mobile phones can cause accidents, for instance, when people are driving and using their phone at
the same time. In addition, the loud use of mobile phones in public places such as cinemas is rude and can
be very irritating for other people. Lastly, there has been an increase in street crime directly related to
mobile phones. People have been attacked and their phones stolen from them.
In conclusion, I believe that, despite the disadvantages, mobile phones are essential to modern life
and that the advantages to owning one are far greater.
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Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?
Not every gadget in hi-tech home is a success. While the company gained useful information on
what people liked and wanted to use, it also discovered what people didn’t want, and that’s a bigger list.
Less commercially viable technologies kicked out. The modified house will be a more realistic view
of how families could live.
The biggest success was the always-on broadband Internet connection and the ability to wirelessly
access music, computer games and DVDs from a variety of rooms, controlled by a central server at the
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