Blended Learning - Identity and Prejudice reflections

Assumption

I feel that from the article, many teenagers are making assumptions that plastic surgery is good as it is also easy for them to find information about plastic surgery and understand what is happening. They may also assume that looking pretty physically is more important than inner beauty. This is the reason why more young people are going for plastic surgery.

Implications and consequences

Possible implications and consequences include the case that was mentioned in the newspaper, about the plastic surgeon taking picture of the woman without underwear. Surgeries that are not well done will also happen often, and the surgeon may get sued for not finishing the surgery properly. The friends of the person who did the surgery may also tease or pass bad comments about the person. This would lead to unhappiness.

Point of view

In the article, the opinions of the teenagers were presented. Their point of view was that plastic surgeries are much safer now as compared to a few years ago. Therefore, it is okay to go for plastic surgery. Most parents also agree with their children and allow them to go for plastic surgery. The plastic surgeons’ point of view was also presented. They feel that parents should not be too supportive and must take note of the values they impart to their children.

Inferences

From this article, I can infer that the teenagers are influenced by the media and are also easily swayed by trends. This is due to the fact that they have seen many celebrities do it on television and feel that they can also go for plastic surgery and look like them and become beautiful. The truth is that they may not be able to become as pretty as the celebrities, as the standard of the plastic surgery is different.

Prose- critical analysis

Read the extract below from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee and answer the questions that follow.

Calpurnia was something else again. She was all angles and bones; she was near-sighted; she squinted; her hand was as wide as a bed slat and twice as hard. She was always ordering me out of the kitchen, asking me why I could not behave as well as Jem when she new he was older, and calling me home when I wasn't ready to come. Our battles were epic and one sided. Caplurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side. She had been with us ever since Jem was born, and I had felt her tyrannical presence as long as I could remember.

Q1 Use two words to describe how the writer felt about Calpurnia.

Q2 What literary devices did Harper Lee use to describe Calpurnia?

Mood and Setting ACE

An evening by the beach

Shades of orange, blue, lavender and gold spilled across the late afternoon sky. Seagulls flew in circles above the swaying coconut trees. A gentle breeze blew past, relieving me of the stresses of modern life. The waves splashed on the shore, creating a rhythmic and calming sound. The sand felt alive, wriggling in and out of my toes. Walking closer to the beach, I can see many beach goers sitting on deck chairs or lying on a towel on the sand, taking a short nap or just taking in the amazing scenery. Children squealed with glee as they built their own sandcastles or waged war on others. A few people are still swimming in the ocean, splashing about happily. The aroma of freshly barbecued chicken went through the air, tickling my nose and making me drool. This is certainly an experience!

On a crowded train

Even though it was only 7am, the MRT station was filled with people going to work. The place felt like a can of sardines and I only barely managed to squeeze on the train. Every time the train stopped at a station, it was like a nightmare. Nobody got off the train but more tried to squeeze on. Suddenly, as the train left the station, there was a squeaking sound and it started to get hot. There was an announcement informing us that the air conditioner had broken down. “World –class transportation my foot,” I mumbled under my breath, trying to fan myself using the newspaper I was reading. I heard someone shout “Go die la!” at the back of the train. Probably another argument, I thought to myself. “City Hall station,” The sound echoed through the train. Finally! As the train pulled into the station, I moved to the doors and got off quickly, happy that the ordeal was over.