TLW-Journal-5

The Language Works ~ Journal Entries ~ TLW 5

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~ TLW ~ Short Essays ~ Group Five

Contents ~ Journal 5:

1) The Fate of the Passenger Pigeon

2) Waiters, Cars, and Mars

3) Houseplant Care Tips

( Click purple underlined words for links

to vocabulary or websites for further information )

S5~1: The Fate of the Passenger Pigeon

The passenger pigeon went from billions to extinction in just decades due to industrial-scale hunting, massive habitat loss (deforestation), and their own social biology (needing huge colonies to breed),

with the last wild bird shot in 1900 and the last captive bird, Martha, dying in 1914, serving as a

powerful cautionary tale about human impact on nature (from Google AI).

1) Are there any animals that are extinct or endangered in your country? Explain.

2) Are there any alternatives to wood in the construction of homes? What are they? (see here)

3) Cautionary tale one: Can you tell the story of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”?

4) Cautionary tale two: Can you tell the story of “The Emperor’s New Clothes”?

5) Can you tell about the impact (good or bad) humans have had in your country? Explain.

S5~2: Waiters, Cars, and Mars

Perhaps you have been seated at a modern restaurant and made your order on the screen of a

computerized menu. You order drinks, perhaps an appetizer, and your food. A few minutes later,

a robot, in perfect fashion, wheels up and delivers your drinks and bowls of soup, carefully places

the tray on your table, then rolls away in silent precision.

Or you are considering buying a driverless car when they become safer and more affordable.

You can watch a movie, chat with friends, drink a bottle of wine (?), or read a book as the

invisible chauffeur glides you effortlessly to your destination.

Someday your children may even be able to visit Mars, but one may ask, isn’t the Grand Canyon

just as fantastic? I guess not. When it comes to future entertainment, technology wins hands down.

1) What are your experiences/opinions about digital/robotic restaurants or other venues? Explain.

2) How many restaurants in your neighborhood use digital menus? What type are they? Tell.

3) Do you like to drive? Would you prefer a driverless car. Would you feel safe? What would you do?

4) Can you think of any reasons why we should or shouldn’t go to Mars? Should we colonize the moon?

5) What possible new technology would benefit you most? How would it impact the environment?

S5~3: Houseplant Care Tips

When houseplants show signs of a slow impending death this usually signals some form of stress.

This stress ranges from a number of possibilities: overwatering, underwatering, insufficient

or excessive light, nutrient deficiencies (like nitrogen or iron), pests, or environmental changes.

Yellowing leaves often hint at some of these issues: mushy yellow leaves could signal overwatering,

while crispy yellow leaves signal underwatering, and lower yellow leaves may mean they are

light-starved. Checking soil moisture, light exposure, and looking for pests are ways to diagnose

the problem. Adjusting your method of care includes watering more or less often, moving to brighter

or more indirect light, or fertilizing appropriately. It may sound simple, but it’s easier said than done.

1) Do you have or have you ever had houseplants? How about a garden? Tell.

2) If you don’t have any houseplants, how do you make your home attractive/comfortable? Explain.

3) Do you know anyone or anyplace that has a large number of plants? What are the people like?

4) Do you ever buy cut flowers for yourself or as a gift? Tell.

5) Have you ever been given a plant as a gift? What happened to it? Explain.

~ Featured Content ~ Plant Care Tips ~

~ Special Feature ~ Jimi Hendrix 12 String Wonderland ~

~ Featured Content ~ The Story of the Passenger Pigeon ~

~ Featured Content ~ The Evolution of Automation ~

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