Fly up high 1 It’s a windy day. The pine tree by the window was swaying softly in the wind. Several cotton-like clouds floated silently in the blue sky. Vanessa stared up at the vague forms of mountains far away, resting her chin in the right hand. Finally, she opened the window and sneaked out. When she stretched her arms, a gust a wind blew her into the sky. Her blonde hair hung down loosely and her long red dress fluttered in the wind. From the sky, the paddy field looked like carpets of fresh green. After flying around her for a while, a yellow bird flew away twittering all the way. Vanessa closed her eyes and smiled, flowing with the wind wherever it brought her to. This was her fifth flight. In the beginning, her whole body turned stiff as long as her feet didn’t stay on the ground. Later, she started to fly around the pine tree but stopped if above its height. This time, she was far away from her house, whose red roof looked like a book on the green carpet. Vanessa took out her palm, finding it was just as big as the size of her house. She whirled around in the air and said, ”Next time I want it to be as big as my thumb. At dusk, she sneaked back to her room and crept cautiously toward the door. She caught the scent of macaroni and the sound of the paging newspaper. When she showed up in the living room, her mother craned her neck from the kitchen and said, “Honey, it’s time for dinner. Go wash your hands and comb your hair!” When Vanessa arrived at the table, her parents were already eating. She sat down and smilingly enjoyed the food with them, when her father suddenly said, “The macaroni tastes the best when steaming hot. That would be great if we can have dinner without waiting.” Vanessa fixed her eyes on her plate without saying a word. Then her mother cut to the point, “Vanessa, please don’t go out like this. You have no idea where you will fly to. If you didn’t show up at dinnertime, we would worry about you.” “But mama, I love flying. The sight from the sky is amazing. The birds, the paddy field…” “I know, honey. But that’s dangerous too. We can’t afford to know what would happen. We can’t even know where to find you.” Vanessa looked at her mother with her eyes round. Her father forked a meat into her plate,” People would get frightened if they saw you flying.” Vanessa spoke aloud, “Why can’t I tell others I can fly?” Her father said,” We’ve discussed this many times honey.” Her mother patted her on the shoulder and said, “I bought some strawberries...

On Wildlife Protection In the chart, we could observe that the U.S. species extinction rate is ascending over time from the year 1800 to 2000, in line with the population growth tendency. Meanwhile, species didn't come to a striking extinction until the overall population reached 1 million. This manifestation of the human population affecting the wildlife alarms us of wildlife protection. The reasons for this phenomenon can be as much biological as geographical. Expansion of population leads up to growing consumptions of animals, whether in eating or using. Although constant statutes on banning wildlife hunting are promulgated, killing never ends when there is a market. Geographically, wildlife habitats are shrinking with human activities expanding. Due to human intervention, other creatures are exposed to unprecedented threatens as deforestation, global warming, pollution, etc. In the end, they are only allowed to move within natural preserves distant from modern industrialized society. Wildlife protection has profound implications for species diversity and the balance of nature. Apart from legislation from the government, the press is to publicize the significance of wildlife protection while every individual should keep away from animal products. We aim to achieve the co-existence of human beings and other creatures, not humans governing the globe.

On business advertisements In the cartoon, a hen publicly proclaims that the eggs it produces would contain the egg white, the yolk, and the shell. Meanwhile, a comment aside sarcastically writes that all marketers are bragging something that should be their duties. As a consumer, I strongly suggest that marketers pay heed to the product itself instead of advertisements. As a matter of fact, a product will only stand out with distinct properties while advertising some basic requirements may adversely inflict incredulity. Lack of successive support of high quality, it'll surely be difficult to maintain the consumers. Most importantly, bragging accomplishments of responsibilities brings about laziness in improvements, thus poisoning the overall business culture. To sum up, to critique advertisements of basic product properties is not to devalue the efforts of the marketers, but to advocate improvements in qualities. It'll not only benefit the consumers but also the business industry in the long run.

cigarette smoking The damage of smoking has not been a novelty to us. As indicated by the chart, the ratio of smokers has reached 20 percent in the global population of 5.8 billion, following by the annual loss of 200 billion dollars and a death toll of 3 million from cigarette-related diseases. However, that tells only part of the story. The overall production of tobacco in 1995 shows a decline in the global tobacco market, which I believe is not a flash in the pan. Reasons abound for this prediction. With the media propaganda, the mob comes to realize the health damage of smoking other than addiction. Heavy smokers are somewhat related to laziness and a lack of self-discipline. Diverse entertainment equipment conspires to do the effort. People now could find substitutes for cigarettes easily to release pressure. That's why I draw this conclusion that tobacco consumption will come to a decline. Although the cigarette smoking situation is still grim and complex, there are signs of a decline due to media propaganda and improved living facilities.