Costa Rica And Its Effects On The Economy - 941 Words

Costa Rica was home to by an estimated four hundred thousand Indians when Columbus found it in 1502. The Spanish began their conquering of the country in 1524. The region grew very slow and was governed as a Spanish province. Costa Rica took their independence in 1821 but was engrossed for two years by the Mexican empire. It became a republic in 1848. It was ruled by the dictator Tomà ¡s Guardia from 1870 to 1882 with the help of his massive army. (Costa Rica, 2014) Since then, Costa Rica has enjoyed one of the most democratic governments in Latin America. In the 1970s the price of oil went up, international prices skyrocketed above the normal tier, and inflation hurt the fragile economy. Efforts have since been made to reduce the countries reliance on coffee, banana, and beef exports. Tourism is now one of the most lucrative markets in Costa Rica. With a Spanish speaking population of 4,814,144, Costa Rica s stable economy, political stability, high living standards, and developed social systems set it apart from other countries in Central America. The Costa Rican government hasn’t shied away from investing in it’s population through social spending. Costa Rica has made incredible development toward accomplishing its goal of delivering widespread access to schooling, healthcare, clean water, trash disposal, and energy. (The World Fact Book, 2016) Since the 1970s, growth of these service industries has led to a speedy regression in infant death, longer life expectancy, andShow MoreRelatedCosta Rica And Its Effects On The Economy1035 Words   |  5 PagesCosta Rica was home to by an estimated four hundred thousand Indians when Columbus found it in 1502. The Spanish began their conquering of the country in 1524. The region grew very slow and was governed as a Spanish province. Costa Rica took their independence in 1821 but was engrossed for two years by the Mexican empire. It became a republic in 1848. It was ruled by the dictator Tomà ¡s Guardia from 1870 to 1882 with the help of his massive army. (Costa Rica, 2014) Since then, Costa Rica has enjoyedRead MoreTaking a Look at Ecotourism855 Words   |  3 PagesEcotourism is the activity of going to natural environments and enjoying what it has to offer such as breath taking scenery and wildlife. Home to approximately four million people (â€Å"Costa Rica†), Costa Rica is known for being one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world which leads to the popularity of ecotourism in the country. There is a growing demand of eco-tourists and this country is able to fulfill the market. The developing country has much to offer such as rain forests, natural parks,Read MoreA Case Study Of Costa Ricas Monetary Policy Through The Identification And Estimation Of Its Money Demand Function1626 Words   |  7 Pagesweight for the economy as a whole. In Central America, the reserve banks of the CADR bloc (Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) have r ecently adopted inflation-targeting regime with short-term interest rates as the primary instrument. However, the effectiveness of the bloc’s interest-rate transmission mechanism is lower compared to that of the benchmark group of six South American countries (Medina Cas et al. 2011a). This paper provides a case study of Costa Rica’s monetaryRead MoreHow Is Economic Development Different Than Economic Growth?1242 Words   |  5 Pageslearned in the case of Brazil and Costa Rica, some numbers can be far more important than others. Even if your country is experiencing phenomenal economic growth, its people may be suffering. In many cases, economic development is needed before economic growth can make a real difference. High economic growth can even hurt the people, especially those in poverty, if the country has not reached a certain level of economic development. This analysis of Brazil and Costa Rica seeks to define, compare, andRead MoreEconomics Of Latin Americ Costa Rica3079 Words   |  13 PagesHillard 04/21/2015 Economics of Latin America: (Costa Rica) Costa Rica is bordered by Nicaragua and Panama in the Northwest part of Latin America. The population is 4.77 million as of December 2014, with an unemployment rate of 10 percent. The currency for Costa Rica is the Costa Rica Colon (CRC) and the exchange rate to the dollar is 539.3 2014 CRC per US dollar (WFB). Although their economy is growing, with a 5 percent growth rate in 2006, Costa Rica s public infrastructure has been a huge problemRead MoreIntels Training For Engineering And English As A Second Language1636 Words   |  7 Pagesjobs and tax revenue to Costa Rica. The company went a step further and developed the education system in a myriad of ways. This was also advantageous for Intel’s interests. Initially, Intel was concerned that Costa Rica did not have enough skilled professionals to work in its new assembly and testing facility. In order for the plant to be fully operational Intel would need to employ 1500 Costa Rican technicians (Cabrera Unruh, 2012). Intel r eceived authorization from the Costa Rican government toRead MoreCentral America Free Trade Agreement1242 Words   |  5 PagesAmerica Free Trade Agreement, later on in the negotiation process the Dominican Republic joined to make CAFTA-DR. The original countries that made up CAFTA were Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua with the Dominican Republic joining forces later on. CAFTA was coupled together with NAFTA and the Canada-Costa Rica Trade Agreement separating them from the Free Trade of the Americas Agreement otherwise known as, FTAA. (WIKI) While separating from other trade agreements the mainRead MoreThe Reverse Resource Curse : Costa Rica Essay1803 Words   |  8 PagesThe Reverse Resource Curse The Republic of Costa Rica is a small nation; it is home to just over 4.8 million people in an area roughly comparable to Vermont and New Hampshire combined. The land that comprises modern Costa Rica is significantly lacking in terms of ‘classical natural resources,’ that is, fossil fuel deposits, and precious metals, among others. Sections of the nation that do contain such deposits are often protected national forests, or in some cases purposefully undeveloped. Thus,Read MoreCosta Rica: The Accidental Green Tourist3597 Words   |  15 PagesGeneral Problem/Issue Costa Rica is labeled as one of the green countries in the world. It has faced its fair share of environmental concerns going back to when it was the number one producer of beef for McDonald’s in the 1970s. The country experienced extreme deforestation as a result of the increased cattle grazing. Since then, Costa Rica has managed to move away from deforestation through efforts of forest conservation, nature reserves, and national parks. It has used ecotourism as a tool, andRead MoreTourism Planning5855 Words   |  24 Pageshow ecotourism is marketed, this report studies the ecotourism prospects in Costa Rica. It also examines elements impacting this specific type of niche which considers the consistent alterations to make the destination more sustainable for tourists. This report will firstly focus on understanding the concept of ecotourism and the principles implemented. This leads on to discussion for focusing on the case study of Costa Rica and how it has developed into an ecotourism destination. Furthermore, a critical

Reflection About Group Presentations - 1189 Words

We all certainly have to do group presentations during our student life. This method of study is vital, as â€Å"it is a successful alternative or addition to the traditional term paper. It can balance the student s educational experiences by providing training in oral communication, interpersonal skills, and analytical thinking.† (King 1990, p.77). Therefore, it is necessary for us to reflect on what we have done and learnt through group presentations. In this essay, I would have a look back at what I experienced and learnt from the BCM110 group assignment. Our assignment was to work together and do research on a media issue that we studied in the lectures. After four weeks, we had to give a class presentation on what we had researched. Our†¦show more content†¦However, our main issue is â€Å"Groupthink†. Groupthink is defined as â€Å"the pressure to conform within a group interfering with objective analysis of a problem and causes poor group decision making.† (Dwyer 2013, p.221). There was lack of discussion regarding new ideas in our team. No contradictions were often made, and we always reached agreement very quickly because we all seemed want to avoid conflict. For instance, when a member said Powerpoint was simple and time-saving than other presentation methods, we all quickly agreed to choose Powerpoint without no further arguments. As a result, our presentation seemed quite boring compared with other groups who created a play. To avoid â€Å"Groupthink† , we can apply the â€Å"brainstoriming† strategy to encourage creativity and diversity of ideas. We should write up all the ideas and generate possible solutions, eliminate duplicate ideas to find the most effective solutions. Regarding my individual performance, I was a responsible member and always actively listened to other members’ ideas to give constructive feedback. I focused on what other members said and encourage them to express their viewpoint. For example, when we discussed on fandoms, I wanted to talk about Monsters – the fanclub of Lady Gaga while Teskana preferred the example of One Direction. However, I listened to the reasons Tes gave, and finally agreed that One DirectionShow MoreRelatedreflection on team work1589 Words   |  7 PagesIn this essay I am going to reflect on my experience working as part of a team and the preparation on an oral presentation I had to do in class with people from different courses, as part of the Foundations for Practice in Health and Social Care module. Reflection is educational and is used as a means of self-knowledge and to develop using a process of feeling and learning by thinking about what happened and what could have been done differen tly. (Rolfe, 2011, p.8-12) I will be using the Gibbs (1988)Read MoreA Report On Global Business Environment1553 Words   |  7 Pageswork in teams and not as a group to get effective results. The steady venture groups we grew up with still work delightfully in numerous settings. By pulling together the right individuals with the right mix of abilities and preparing and giving them an opportunity to assemble trust, organizations can perform huge things. During our entire presentation, the goal of our group was to get an A plus in the overall grade paper and the mission was to get an A plus in the group assignment as well. With theRead MoreThe Leadership Theory Of Leadership1502 Words   |  7 PagesFor this reflection, we were assigned two presentations at the start of last term and each presentation topics were different from the style we normally presented as we had to participate in a role play representing the leadership styles that were mentioned in the lesson for the first one and for the second presentation, we had to discuss and critically evaluate the leadership styles. GLP 3: At the start of term 2, our teacher had informed us that we were all assigned to do a presentation that hadRead MorePersonal Bargaining : Developing An Improvement Plan1629 Words   |  7 PagesThe five categories; Planning, Presence, Modeling, Reflection, and Consequence cognitions, each were measured, then ranked which indicating the areas that I may need to either improve upon, or merely â€Å"fine tune.† Each of the five categories were respectively scored as presented. Communication Competence Scoring Key Planning Cognitions 1. ___3_____ 9. ___5____ 12. ___4____ 15. ___4____ 19. ___4____ Total: ___20____ Reflection Cognitions 4. ____5______ 6. ____5_____ 10Read MoreHow The Greek Myths Have On Us Today? How Do You Write A Myth?1206 Words   |  5 Pagesdo the Greek myths have on us today? How do you write a myth? Content Questions Who were the ancient Greek heros and what were their stories? What are the qualities of a Greek hero? Who are modern heros? The students will be completed self-reflections journals at the end of each week. This will be used to assess the students understanding of the concepts being taught. In project based learning, it is important students know where their shortcomings might be and where they need to explore furtherRead MoreGrand Canyon Int 244 All Assignments1171 Words   |  5 Pages – 8 week 1 Details: In a personal reflection of 1,000 – 1,250 words, consider how a Christian might benefit from a study of other religions by addressing the following: 1. Can Christian dialogue with other religious traditions be a part of the calling to proclaim the Gospel? 2. What can Christians learn from other religious traditions? 3. Can religious experiences or teachings in other faiths be validated? 4. How can Christians think critically about their encounters with members of otherRead MoreCritical Evaluation Of Writing A Literature Review1642 Words   |  7 Pagesestablish facts and reach new conclusions. However, developing research skills is a process that takes hard work and determination, as a result student finds it very difficult to attain the required level needed for a good researcher. This critical reflection is based on my research skills. The action which was embark on to measure the development of my research skills was handling of data gathered for my different course works and analysing them for critical literature review writing. Analysis of skillsRead Morefs2 episode1 130322235456 phpapp011525 Words   |  7 PagesGrammar and spelling acceptable Analysis questions were not answered. Grammar and spelling unsatisfactory My Reflection Reflection statements are profound and clear, supported by experiences from the episode. Reflection statements are clear; but not clearly supported by experiences from the episode. Reflection statements are shallow, supported by experiences from the episode. Reflection statements are unclear and shallow and are not supported by experiences from the episode. My Portfolio PortfolioRead MoreImportance Of Reflection1482 Words   |  6 Pages1 Introduction on Importance of Reflection Reflection is considered to be a process that can be developed to support continuous learning as well as personal and professional development. This can include the process of reflective writing as a means of capturing the thought and experiences (Ghaye,1998). A significant relationship is found between reflective writing and academic learning, as one can identify the need for self-development, critical review, awareness of individual functions and decisionsRead MoreEvaluation Of A Future Elementary Educator1361 Words   |  6 PagesAs a future elementary educator, I know that there are various methods for assessing students. In my opinion, assessment should vary depending on the age group being assessed. Students throughout elementary school learn in different ways and develop different levels of thinking as their learning progresses. A kindergarten student does not learn material in the same manner as a fifth grader; therefore, assessments should fit the objectives and goals of th e students and also project their level of

Marketing & Management Atlassian

Question: Discuss about theMarketing Management for Atlassian. Answer: Introduction Atlassian is a software group of companies which develops products through the project developers and project managers. The company is known for the issue tracking application, JIRA and its various team collaboration product. The company was established in the year 2002 in Sydney. It was founded by the two young entrepreneurs Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar. It is continuously dedicated in providing valuable services to the customers and believes in sharing information among the employees. Passion and urgency are two important dimensions followed by the employees with due care. Atlassian believes in continuous change to serve their customers by constant advancement in technique. It follows an informal set of organization where the employees are free to take decision through their capacity. The organization culture helps in determining the performance satisfaction by using innovative ideas. Currently the organization is focusing on collaboration to achieve the required result. It has helped the organization to gain strength by overcoming the shortcomings it faces. It has collaborated with various organizations at time to create diversity. Involvement of each individual has added value to the organization. The value system of Atlassian is upgraded with time. Cultural sensitivity is recommended to resolve the conflict under the adverse situations. The company is spending most of the amount in product development. They believe in developing new products instead of making investment in allied services. It is spending most of the amount in distribution channels rather than marketing techniques. It is following an unconventional business model which has helped it to grow under adverse situations. The company believes in making a difference by achieving the faultless result. This has helped in internal development of the organization.

Use Of Literary Devices In Julius Caesar free essay sample

Authors use literary devices in their works for a variety of reasons. The same holds true in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. The use of these devices has an effect on the plot’s development. Several literary devices can be seen in Julius Caesar, and they all have an effect on the plot. Foreshadowing is a key literary device in the play. We see foreshadowing from the beginning of the play, when the Soothsayer tells Caesar to â€Å"Beware the Ides of March† in Act I, Scene I, which happens to be the day that Caesar is killed. Calpurnia later dreams of Caesar’s death, but he does not heed her warning. this not only tells us what is going to happen, but it also shows us how Caesar’s status and ego are getting to his head. Foreshadowing gives us a hint of what is to come, and can also reflect upon a character or characters. We will write a custom essay sample on Use Of Literary Devices In Julius Caesar or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page A second literary device used in the play is the use of puns. A pun is another element noted early on in Julius Caesar. When Marullus addresses the Cobbler, the pun begins. Cobbler is meant to have two meanings in this dialog the first being a shoemaker, and the second being a bungler. The Cobbler refers to himself as a â€Å"mender of bad soles,† playing with the word â€Å"soles.† Marullus interprets the Cobbler as a mender of â€Å"souls.† The usage of puns adds some light humor to the play as well as reflecting on the characters of the play. This also shows that the so-called â€Å"upper class† can still be fooled by the â€Å"commoners.† The usage of puns adds to the story of Julius Caesar.During Antony’s funeral speech, which is the climax of the play, several literary devices are used, including rhetorical questioning, sarcasm, and repetition. Antony frequently uses the question of Brutus’s honor in killing Caesar to win over the people of Rome. His repetition of â€Å"But Brutus is an honorable man† is used to persuade the people that Brutus has done wrong. His entire speech makes the people think: â€Å"Has Brutus really done a good deed?† It is this use of literary elements which earns Antony the respect and loyalty of the people. This, in turn, shapes the plot later in the play. This is one of the best examples of how literary devices have an effect on the plot in this piece of literature.It is easy to see that literary devices not only make a story more interesting and colorful but also have a direct effect on the plot of the piece. Shakespeare, like any writer, uses these devices in his works. The use of literary devices in literature is a necessity, and it is clear that Julius Caesar is an excellent example of these techniques being used.

Bibliography

Bibliography As you put the finishing touches on your research paper or business report, youll want to begin compiling your bibliography. During the writing process, you will use the parenthetical citations as outlined in the APA style manual. For each source you cite, you will need to include it in your list of works cited at the end of the paper. Click Here For Our Recommended Site About Bibliographies! The Importance of Listing Sources Why are bibliographies so important, anyhow? Most of us throw them together hastily just before we print out our papers. However, they are often the most important part of your paperthe proof for each APA style citation, and the basis on which you built your paper. How to Compile Your Bibliography Creating your bibliography has never been easier than it is when using the APA writing style. You simply list the texts alphabetically, by authors last names. You include the title of the text, publication information, and page numbers used. Making Bibliographies Easier with Software You simply choose which type of publication you are entering, and the software provides the formatting. In fact, at the end of your paper, you can simply use the citations youve made to generate an instant, alphabetized bibliography! You wont believe how easy it has become to create a flawless bibliography in seconds.

NMSQT Expert Guide

About the PSAT/NMSQT Expert Guide SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips If you think the PSAT is just a practice test, then you're missing a key part of the story. The Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, more commonly known as the PSAT/NMSQT or just the PSAT, is also essential in the competition for National Merit distinction and scholarships. Plus, it can help you figure out exactly how to study for the SAT. This guide's dedicated to the PSAT/NMSQT, from its overall structure to how it’s scored to what kind of questions show up in each section. Before putting the test under the microscope, let’s go over the purpose of this test. What is the PSAT NMSQT for, anyway? What’s the Purpose of the PSAT/NMSQT? The PSAT/NMSQT, which I’ll sometimes just refer to as the PSAT so I don’t have to keep typing out all those letters, is automatically administered to most high school juniors. If you attend one of the many participating high schools, then you’ll be taking the PSAT one October school day in 11th grade. Unlike the SAT, the PSAT NMSQT test dates are predetermined; in 2016, schools are encouraged to give it on October 19. Younger students can also elect to take it as practice, but they’ll have to make a registration request to their school counselor. College Board has recently offered other versions of the PSAT, the PSAT 8/9 and the PSAT 10, for younger students, as well. Depending on your grade level and academic readiness, you can decide which test, if any, would be most useful for you to take before junior year. Whenever you take the PSAT NMSQT, you’ll find that it’s useful practice for the SAT. The two tests are extremely similar; the main difference is that the PSAT doesn’t have an optional essay section. They’re even scored on a similar scale, with PSAT/NMSQT scores shifted down 80 points to account for the fact that it’s a slightly easier test. Your PSAT score report will give you detailed feedback on your performance with a bunch of section scores and subscores. You can use this feedback to direct your studying for the SAT. The PSAT’s other main purpose is to qualify for National Merit distinction and scholarships. Only 11th graders with PSAT NMSQT qualifying scores are eligible. Students who score in the top 3-4% are named Commended Students while those who score in the top 1% are named Semifinalists. The majority of these Semifinalists, about 15,000 out of 16,000 students, are then invited to apply to become Finalists, also called National Merit Scholars. Finalists may receive scholarship money from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation or a participating college. If you’re looking to achieve top scores on the PSAT and ultimately earn scholarship money, then the PSAT/NMSQT becomes a very important test on your road to college. Even if you’re not, the PSAT is still highly useful as practice for the SAT. Want to improve your PSAT score by 150 points? We have the industry's leading PSAT prep program. Built by Harvard grads and SAT full scorers, the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics, then customizes your prep program to you so you get the most effective prep possible. Check out our 5-day free trial today: Now that you have a sense of when and why students take the PSAT/NMSQT, let’s examine the test itself, starting with its overall structure. The PSAT/NMSQT is almost identical twins with the SAT. It just has a few key differences and slightly easier questions overall. How's the PSAT / NMSQT Structured? The PSAT NMSQT is a time intensive test, clocking in at 2 hours and 45 minutes. It has four sections: Reading, Writing and Language, Math No Calculator, and Math with Calculator. The names and order of these sections match that of the SAT. The only difference, as mentioned above, is that the PSAT doesn’t offer an optional essay section. The chart below shows the order and length of the sections, along with the number of questions in each and approximate time per question. Order Section Time in Minutes # of Questions Time per Question 1 Reading 60 47 76 seconds 2 Writing and Language 35 44 48 seconds 3 Math No Calculator 25 17 88 seconds 4 Math Calculator 45 31 87 seconds Total: 2 hours, 45 minutes You’ll get a five-minute break after about each hour of testing. There will be a break after Reading and a break after Math No Calculator. Before checking out the content of each section, let’s go over how the PSAT is scored. How's the PSAT/NMSQT Scored? Your PSAT score report will break down your performance with a bunch of different score types. One of the most important is your total score, which will fall between 320 and 1520. This total score represents the sum of two section scores, one for Evidence-based Reading and Writing and one for Math. Notice that certain test sections are combined to bring you two section scores, rather than four. These two section scores range between 160 and 760. In addition to these section scores, you’ll get three â€Å"test scores† that tell you how you did on the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math sections. Essentially, these test scores separate out the Reading and Writing and Language sections so you can see how you did on each individually. These test scores will range from 8 to 38. Test scores are also important for the PSAT NMSQT Selection Index, which is another scoring scale that the National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses to determine who makes Semifinalist. If these score types weren’t enough, you’ll also get â€Å"cross-test scores† and â€Å"subscores† between 1 and 15 that tell you how you did in certain skill areas. All of this detailed feedback can actually be really useful in telling you how to prep for the SAT. You can even calculate all these score types yourself on PSAT/NMSQT practice tests and use them to figure out your strengths and weaknesses as a test-taker. Finally, it’s important to note that the PSAT/NMSQT uses rights-only scoring. You’ll get one point for every correct answer, and no points for wrong or skipped answers. There aren’t any point deductions as there were in past years, so it’s in your best interest to answer every question. Now that you know how the PSAT NMSQT is structured and scored, your next step is to learn about the content and skills tested in each section. Let’s start with Reading. Rights-only scoring means you might as well roll the dice and give every question your best guess! PSAT Reading: Structure, Skills, and Study Tips The Reading section on the PSAT is all about reading comprehension. You’ll read passages and answer questions about their meaning. To cover every nook and cranny of this section, let’s start by reviewing its structure, then take a look at some sample questions, and finally go over some of the best PSAT/NMSQT approaches to studying. PSAT Reading: Structure Every question on the Reading section of the PSAT is multiple choice and based on a passage or a set of paired passages. You’ll get one passage from US and World Literature, two from History/Social Studies, and two from Science, for a total of five passages. One or more passages may accompany a graphic, like a graph or chart. The chart below further describes the passage types you’ll encounter on the SAT, along with an estimate of how many questions you’ll answer about each type. Passage Description # of Questions 1 US and World Literature Prose passage selected from a work of US or World Literature 9 2 History / Social Sciences (or 1 passage and 1 passage pair) Passage based on US founding document or selected from work in economics, psychology, sociology, or related field 18-20 2 Science (or 1 passage and 1 passage pair) Focused on Earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics 18-20 You’ll get a total of 47 questions in the Reading section. Read on to learn what these questions will ask. PSAT Reading: Skills and Sample Questions The reading section asks you to read passages from a variety of genres, including prose, argument, and nonfiction narrative, and comprehend their meaning. You might be asked about the meaning of the passage or a paragraph as a whole, a particular sentence or detail, or even just a vocabulary word or phrase. By analyzing the test, we’ve picked out eight main question types: big picture/main, little picture/detail, inference, vocabulary in context, function, author technique, evidence support, and data interpretation. To give you an idea of what these look like, here are some representative sample problems of each question type. For the complete test, check out College Board's official PSAT practice test. #1: Big Picture/Main Point: These questions ask about the main purpose of a passage. #2: Little Picture/Detail: These questions refer you to one or more specific lines within a passage and ask you to interpret their meaning. #3: Inference: These questions ask you to make some sort of reasonable inference from a line or paragraph. #4: Vocabulary in Context: These questions ask about the meaning of a word or phrase. #5: Function: These questions ask what one or more lines accomplish within the passage. Why did the author choose to include them? #6: Author Technique: These questions often ask about an author's style, tone, or some other technique. #7: Evidence Support: These questions tend to refer back to a previous question. They ask for the reason behind your last answer. #8: Data Interpretation: These questions ask you to read the data in a graph or chart. They often ask about the relationship between the graphic and the passage. Again, the above are not official categories, but rather based on our analysis of official PSAT/NMSQT tests. As for the official categories that College Board defines, there are four: Command of Evidence, Words in Context, Analysis in History/Social Studies, and Analysis in Science. The "evidence support" and function questions you read about above tend to fall into the Command of Evidence area, while questions on vocabulary in context and author technique tend to fall into the Words in Context skill area. Many of the above question types could be considered Analysis in History/Social Studies or Science; they tend to be the ones that follow the history and science passages. For instance, here’s an example of an Analysis in History/Social Studies question, followed by an Analysis in Science sample question. Analysis in History/Social Studies Sample Question Analysis in Science Sample Question The first example, you might notice, falls into the "big picture/main point" category mentioned above. The second one is more like a "little picture/detail" question. None of the Reading questions require you to have any pre-existing knowledge on a topic. Instead, all of your answers should be entirely based on information present in a passage. The questions should go in chronological order alongside the passages, so you should be able to locate information with some efficiency. To some extent, this section tests the reading skills you’ve accumulated throughout all your years of schooling. However, there are still ways you can prepare to do well on the Reading section. On your mark, get set, read! PSAT Reading: Study Tips The Reading section is a challenging part of the SAT. A lot of students have the reading comprehension skills to do well on this section, but they still need to prepare specifically for the unique question types and fast-paced nature of the test. Below are a few tips for studying for the Reading section of the SAT. Read, read, read! One key way to improve your reading comprehension is to read a lot! Make it a point to read works from various genres and pay attention to their main point, tone, and style. Note how certain words and phrases take on different meanings depending on context. If you’re reading fiction, consider what the characters do and say to move the plot forward. If you’re reading an argument-based text, take notes on how the author structures the piece and uses details to support her point. Taking the time to really engage with a work of literature or nonfiction will allow you to build your reading comprehension skills across genres. Take Timed Practice Tests While reading in and out of class should help you develop your reading skills, you should especially focus on passages from PSAT practice materials. Take timed PSAT/NMSQT practice tests and try out various reading strategies, like skimming the passage for key points or reading the questions first. Through practice, figure out which strategy works best for you. By scoring your tests and analyzing your results, you can figure out where you most need to improve. You can also learn whether you need to brush up on certain skills or improve your time management. Taking timed practice tests will gradually turn you into a test-taking rock star. Learn About Each Question Type Just as this guide does, make sure your study materials break down each Reading question type so you can recognize exactly what each question is asking you. The data interpretation questions are a relatively new addition. Practice reading graphs and charts to make sure you’re prepared for these unusual question types. Since the Reading section doesn’t require you to have any preexisting knowledge of a topic, make sure that your answers are based completely on a passage. The evidence-based question types are a useful reminder that your interpretations should be entirely based on the information before you. As you read above, your Reading score will eventually get combined with your Writing and Language score to form one Evidence-based Reading and Writing score. Read on to learn how the two sections are different. Get out your red pen! It's time to proofread some messy papers. (Not actually, though. Only No. 2 pencils are allowed on the PSAT.) PSAT Writing and Language: Structure, Skills, and Study Tips The Writing and Language section asks you to be an editor. You’ll read some passages that have errors in word choice and problems with organization. Your job is to identify and fix these issues. This section’s technically called Writing and Language, but you’ll probably hear it shortened to Writing. Writing Section: Structure Just like in the Reading section, all of the questions in the Writing section are multiple choice and based on passages. Another similarity between the two sections is that the sources of the passages are pre-determined. You’ll get one that has to do with Careers, another with History/Social Studies, a third with Humanities, and the fourth with Science. You’ll answer 11 questions on each passage for a total of 44 questions. As you saw in the Reading section, some of your questions will refer to graphs or charts. In the Writing section, this kind of data interpretation question may ask you if the passage accurately reflects the graph or where you could add a data point to strengthen a passage’s argument. You won’t find any prose in the Writing and Language section. All of the passages will be argument-based, informative, or nonfiction narrative. The chart below describes the passage types in greater detail. Passage Description # of Questions 1 Careers Passage may deal with trends or debates in major fields of work, such as information technology or health care. 11 1 History/Social Studies Passage based on US founding document or selected from work in economics, psychology, sociology, or related field 11 1 Humanities Passage explores arts or literature 11 1 Science Focused on Earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics 11 So how does the Writing section ask you to edit for grammar, organization, and meaning? Read on to find out. Writing Section: Skills and Sample Questions What exactly do I mean when I say the Writing section asks you to be an editor? The questions ask you to edit the passage for meaning and clarity in a few ways. They may ask you whether or not a specific word is the best choice in a sentence. They might ask you to reorganize the order of ideas. You might also have to add or delete a sentence, along with explaining the reason behind your change. Most questions give you the option of, â€Å"No Change,† meaning there might not always be an error. Not only will you have to recognize whether or not there’s an error, but if there is, you’ll have to find the correct or improved revision. According to College Board, 20 of the 44 questions ask about Standard English Conventions. These questions ask about concepts like grammar, usage, and punctuation. You might need to insert or delete a comma, fix an apostrophe, change a verb tense, or ensure subject-verb agreement. Here's a straightforward sample question about apostrophe rules in singular vs. plural nouns. This question, as with all the Writing questions, refers to a passage (not pictured here). The remaining 24 questions fall into an umbrella category that College Board calls Expression of Ideas. These questions ask you to make larger structural changes to improve the flow of ideas and organization of paragraphs. Just like in the Reading section, some of these questions have to do with the skill areas, Command of Evidence, Words in Context, and Analysis in History/Social Studies and Science. This sample question, for example, asks you to how to choose the best introductory sentence for a passage. This next sample question is focused on evidence, or the reason why a writer should or shouldn't add a sentence to improve clarity. In this example, you can see a portion of the passage to which the questions refer. Both of these questions can be classified as Words in Context questions, since they ask you to improve word choice. Finally, these next couple of questions ask about data interpretation. These ones are an example of an Analysis in Science question. College Board classifies these questions in a variety of ways, and these categories can get blurry since some of them appear on both the Reading and Writing sections. One way to keep them straight is to divide them into "little picture" and "big picture" questions. Little picture questions ask you to apply a grammar rule or fix punctuation. Big picture questions ask you to reorganize ideas, provide evidence for a change, or interpret data. Altogether, the questions ask you to fix a passage and make it better with editorial revisions. Now that you have a sense of what’s tested in Writing, read on for a few study tips for mastering this section. Writing Section: Study Tips If you've written a paper, email, or even just a text message, then you've surely done some editing to make sure you're communicating exactly what you want to say. Below are a few tips to develop the kind of editing skills that will help you succeed on the Writing section of the SAT. Study Grammar Rules As mentioned above, you can think of the Writing section as containing two main types of questions- those that have to do with little picture changes, like grammar and punctuation, and those that ask about big picture changes, like sentence order and organization of ideas. To prepare for little picture questions, you should review all the relevant rules of grammar, punctuation, and usage. Some of these rules include subject-verb agreement, parallel structure, and comma and apostrophe use. Your prep materials should break down each rule and pair it with sample questions so you can see how the PSAT tests each one. Read With an Eye for Structure As for the big picture changes, you should practice active reading on argument-based, explanatory, and nonfiction narrative texts. As you read SAT passages and other works that you may be assigned in school, keep an eye on structure, how ideas are introduced, transitions between sentences and paragraphs, and introductions and conclusions. Engage with a work and think about why the author chose to present the information in a certain way. It may also help to pay attention to teacher and peer feedback on your own writing. Similarly, you should take the time to edit your writing and, if possible, that of a peer. Through practice, you’ll develop your editorial eye! Take Timed Practice Tests Taking timed PSAT/NMSQT practice tests is a key part of your prep for all the sections. After you take a test, make sure you thoroughly go through the answer explanations and analyze your results. You might also calculate your subscores and cross-test scores to see how you fare on certain question types. For instance, you could calculate your cross-test score for Analysis in Science questions to see how you do on these questions across both Reading and Writing and Language. By targeting your weak spots, you can focus on improving them and thereby bringing up your scores. Don't worry too much about the Math No Calculator section. Rumor has it, some people did math before calculators were even invented. PSAT Math No Calculator: Structure, Skills, and Study Tips This Math No Calculator is new to the PSAT (and SAT) this year. It’s very similar to the Math with Calculator, with one clear difference: you’re not allowed to use a calculator on any of the questions. Don’t worry, though- the questions won’t require very complex calculations. They’re meant to test your conceptual understanding, rather than your ability to write out complicated arithmetic by hand. Read on for the structure and skills tested in the Math No Calculator section, followed by some suggestions for your prep. PSAT Math No Calculator: Structure The Math No Calculator is the shortest section on the PSAT at 25 minutes. You’ll answer 17 questions: first, 13 multiple choice and then 4 grid-ins, or student-produced responses. The questions fall into three major skills areas, as you’ll see below. PSAT Math No Calculator: Skills and Sample Questions The Math No Calculator section asks questions that fall into three main skills areas, as defined by College Board: Heart of Algebra, Passport to Advanced Math, and Additional Topics. The chart below shows how many questions test each skill area. Content Area Number of Questions % of Test Heart of Algebra 8 47% Passport to Advanced Math 8 47% Additional Topics 1 6% Questions that fall into the Heart of Algebra questions ask about, as you might have guessed, algebra. You might find word problems or questions that ask you to solve for variables in linear equations or inequalities. Here’s one example of a Heart of Algebra question. Passport to Advanced Mathproblems may ask you to work with quadratic functions and equations or exponential functions and equations. You may also solve for variables in nonlinear expressions. Here’s an example of this question type: The vaguely named Additional Topics contains all the concepts that don’t fit in the other categories. These include some geometry, trigonometry, and complex numbers questions. Here’s an example: Read on for a few study tips to keep in mind as you prep for the PSAT NMSQT Math No Calculator section. PSAT Math No Calculator: Study Tips While you may feel nervous about not getting to use a calculator on this section, rest assured that none of the problems require especially complex calculations. There may be a few that ask you to write out addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division, so you should brush up on your arithmetic skills and ability to write out problems by hand. The most common mistakes here are simply rushing through and making a calculation error, so work on writing out these problems efficiently. Make sure your study materials break down each concept and try lots of practice questions in addition to taking timed practice tests. A thorough conceptual understanding of the tested concepts is essential for doing well in this section. Finally, you can take out your trusty calculator and use it for the rest of the test. You might find, though, that you don't actually need to use it on too many questions. PSAT Math with Calculator: Structure, Skills, and Sample Questions The Math with Calculator section doesn’t look all that different than the Math No Calculator section apart from two key differences. First, of course, you can use a calculator throughout. Second, over half of the questions in this section fall into a new skill area, Problem Solving and Data Analysis. Read on to see how this section works. PSAT Math with Calculator: Structure The Math with Calculator section asks 31 questions. The first 27 are multiple choice and the remaining four are grid-ins. A couple of these grid-ins may be related to each other in what’s known as an Extended Thinking question. Read on for a more detailed breakdown of the requisite skills, along with sample questions in each skill area. PSAT Math with Calculator: Skills and Sample Questions About half of the questions in this section are similar to the ones in the Math No Calculator section. They cover Heart of Algebra, Passport to Advanced Math, and Additional Topics. The other half cover Problem Solving and Data Analysis. Here’s the exact breakdown: Content Area Number of Questions % of Test Heart of Algebra 8 26% Passport to Advanced Math 6 19% Problem Solving and Data Analysis 16 52% Additional Topics 1 3% You saw an example of a Heart of Algebra above, but here’s one taken from the Math with Calculator section. You don’t really even need to use your calculator here, though you could if you wanted to plug in numbers to check your answer. This Passport to Advanced Math question asks about functions. Again, you don't really need a calculator, even though you have the option of using one. As you read above, half the questions involve Problem Solving and Data Analysis. These questions may ask you to calculate ratios, rates, or percentages or work with scatterplots and graphs. Here’s are two sample questions: Sample Question #1 Sample Question #2 Finally, Additional Topics covers geometry, trigonometry, and complex numbers. The following is a sample geometry question from the Math with Calculator section on the PSAT/NMSQT. While most of the tips you read above will help you on both PSAT math sections, read on for a few tips specific to the Math with Calculator section. PSAT Math with Calculator: Study Tips In addition to studying all the algebra, geometry, and trigonometry concepts you need to know for both sections, you should focus on Problem Solving and Data Analysis problems. These questions involve word problems, graphs, scatterplots, percentages, rate, and ratios. Make sure you can work in these areas, since they make up half of the questions in this section. Another consideration for this section is the idea of calculator fluency. Just because you can use a calculator on every problem doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. There are plenty of problems here that don’t require a calculator at all; using one might end up costing you time. As you study, make note of when a calculator is a useful and productive tool and when it’s not helpful for the work at hand. If you’ve made it this far, then you should have a good sense of the content and structure of all four sections of the PSAT/NMSQT. Let’s conclude with some final thoughts about the test and why it’s important for high school students. If you're a U.S. citizen taking the PSAT/NMSQT in 11th grade, then you're in the running for National Merit distinction and scholarships! Final Thoughts About the PSAT/NMSQT Most students take the PSAT/NMSQT in October of 11th grade. Some may ask to take it earlier for practice. Let's review the two important functions of the SAT: National Merit distinction and preparation for the SAT. Taking the PSAT/NMSQT for National Merit While taking the PSAT NMSQT as a younger student can be valuable test-taking experience earlier than 11th grade, you won’t be eligible for National Merit until you take it as a junior. Juniors who score in the top 3-4%, or 96th to 97th percentile, are named Commended Scholars. Those who earn top 1%, or 99th percentile, scores get named Semifinalists. Most of these Semifinalists can then apply to become Finalist and potentially gain scholarships. Even if you don’t ultimately get National Merit scholarship money, having that distinction on your college application is an impressive achievement. If you’re aiming for National Merit, you should set aside time to prep in the months leading up to the test. Familiarizing yourself with the test, as you did if you got this far in the guide, is a first great step. Then you can go on to review the tested concepts, take timed practice tests, and analyze your results to figure out how you can improve. All of this studying will also help you get ready for the SAT, the other important benefit of taking the PSAT/NMSQT. Taking the PSAT/NMSQT to Get Ready for the SAT Studying for the PSAT/NMSQT will not only help you earn your target scores, but it will also help you get ready for the SAT! The two tests are very similar, so any studying you do for one will help on the other. In fact, the two tests are almost identical, with the SAT featuring slightly more advanced questions, as well as an optional Essay section. If you're running low on PSAT prep materials, you could use SAT practice tests or other prep guides to help you get ready. Once you get your PSAT/NMSQT score report, you can use it to figure out your specific strengths and weaknesses and go from there. The PSAT NMSQT helps break the ice for test-takers. Rather than going into the SAT cold, you can feel more experienced because you already sat through a very similar College Board test. Whether or not you’re aiming for PSAT NMSQT scholarships, the PSAT is great practice for the SAT and an important landmark on your road to college! What's Next? If you made it through this guide, it might be safe to assume you're getting ready for the PSAT! Check out this guide to find official PSAT practice tests and tips for how to make the most of them. While you now have a sense of how the PSAT is scored, you might be wondering what scores are considered good. Check out this guide to figure out what makes a good score on the PSAT/NMSQT. Are you aiming for National Merit scholarships? This guide is for high scorers looking to achieve top scores on the PSAT! Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

5th Hour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

5th Hour - Essay Example It was appealing to learn that Teach for America aims at solving educational problems associated with population diversity. The organization would provide efficient pathways to leadership and service to all citizens within America. Matt Kramer presented Team for America objectives and mandate with zeal and authority. I liked his oratory skills. He talked fluently and vividly throughout the session. His transformative skills depicted the breed of leaders Team for America purposes to develop. He coordinated his activities with ease and involved all existing members of Team for America in his decisions. I appreciated the recruiting process Team for America adopted. The organization recruiting process seemed transparent and accommodative. The organizations’ teachers would consist of individuals from different cultures. Team for America would engage recent college graduates and other professionals in teaching programs for a minimum of two years. Recruits would teach various disciplines in rural and urban communities throughout America. Team for America would aim at transforming students to attain their full potential and develop into leaders that advocate educational equity. It was quite appealing to learn that Team for America teachers would receive monthly salary and benefits similar to government district salary for tutors. I learnt about the various benefits that exist for Valparaiso University graduates who will opt to join Team for America. They would explore numerous opportunities including learning and appreciating cultural diversity. Joining Team for America is a lifetime opportunity for participating in life transforming