星火贯通英语15篇文章贯通六级词汇

星火贯通英语15篇文章贯通六级词汇 Preface 前言 Directions 使用说明

Unit 1 In Another Worm 另一个世界

Unit 2 Let's Dress Up-It's Halloween 万圣节——让我们盛装打扮起来 Unit 3 Gardening 园艺

Unit 4 A Canadian Family Story 一个加拿大家庭的故事 Unit 5 The Fraud 这个骗子 Unit 6 The Pasture 牧场 Unit 7 The Decision 决定

Unit 8 Chinese-American Relations：A History（Ⅰ） 中美关系史（一） Unit 9 Chinese-American Relations：A History（Ⅱ） 中美关系史（二） Unit 10 A Solitary Quest 独自寻访

Unit 11 Acting Today for Tomorrow 为了明天，今天就行动吧 Unit 12 The American Dream 美国梦 Unit 13 Sex Role Stereotypes 性别成规

Unit 14 Dr．Sun Yat-sen：Father of the Chinese Revolution 中国革命之父孙中山先生

Unit l5 The World Trade Organization（WTO） and China WTO与中国 Appendix 附录 Index 索引 UNIT 1

In Another World

Here I am, in China, half way around the world from home. As I look at my clock and calculate（计算） the time back home I realize that half a world away, people are busy getting ready for a wedding. The bride is my niece（侄女）, a person I first met when she was three days old.

I think back to the first time I had the opportunity to become acquainted with（开始了解；知道 熟悉） my niece. As my sister cradled（n 摇篮 vt 抚育） her in her arms, the infant（adj婴儿的 幼稚的 未成年的 初期的n.婴儿） girl clasped（紧抱） her mother's outstretched（伸开的） finger. My intuition（直觉） told me that her

temperament（气质 性格 急躁） would be a sunny disposition（n.处置 性情 部署 倾向）, a joy to people around her.

As she grew, the cute little girl had an infectious（adj.传染的） laugh that started as a small grin（n. adj.露齿笑）, then became a giggle（n. v.咯咯笑） and grew louder and louder until it triggered（触发 引起） a response from all the people around her and they joined in.

As an adolescent （未成年 青春期）, she studied hard and enjoyed well deserved success in secondary （中等的 第二的 次要的）school as she interacted（互相影响 互相作用） with（与….相互作用）her peer（贵族，同等的人） group（同辈群体）. After receiving her high school diploma（高中文凭）, she chose nursing as her career.

From the beginning of the young couple?s romance it was evident（明显的 明白的） that they were compatible（兼容的 能共处的） and were completely intrigued with（对….感兴趣） each other. The couple had an engagement party when I was at home in Canada a few months ago. The party was in the form of a picnic in a

beautiful rose garden. To celebrate and to toast their future, we drank champagne. As they posed（摆姿势） under an arch（拱门）covered with climbing roses, we snapped（啪啪作响 拍快照） pictures for their photo album(相簿).

The couple decided on a fall wedding. Plans for the wedding day were activated

immediately. The decisions about the forthcoming（即将来临的） event were shared by the whole family. A close friend of the family was contacted and invited to sing a solo just prior to（在….之前） the ceremony. The day before the ceremony, a

rehearsal（排演） would take place so that the remainder（剩余的） of the details could be looked after and attended to. The planning that takes place beforehand for one of these events and all the work that the big day entails, with many people collaborating to make the event run smoothly, are immense. The conscientious attention to detail will be evident to the spectators of this event.

I can imagine the excitement and emotions of the family today. The time is near. The ceremony will begin in 3 short hours. The bride will be radiant as she comes down the aisle escorted by her father. She will wear her grandmother's pearls as an accessory. Her veil will be the same one as her cousin wore last year. As is

customary, under her garments she will wear a blue garter. As part of the tradition of Canadian weddings, she will be wearing something old (the pearls), something new (her gown), something borrowed (the veil) and something blue (the garter). As the first chords of the wedding march are played (a melody familiar to all), the

congregation will rise. Gasps will be heard as they catch a glimpse of the bride in her gorgeous wedding gown. The mother of the bride will calmly view this whole event, though tears will blur her vision. She will be overcome with sentiment at her

daughter's apparent happiness. The picture will be one that will embody hope for the future of humanity.

As the couple exchange wedding vows they will be affirming their love and making a commitment to each other. All the spectators are there to wish them well.

As the time approaches, I think back to other family weddings over many years. My older sisters were all married in the same church and as brides they carried a white Bible decorated with tiny roses. The receptions for their weddings were all held in the same church basement, as there was no large banquet hall in the local area. The feast was usually catered by a group of church members.

Today's wedding reception will be held in an arena that will be decorated with just the right amount of fall flowers in wonderful arrays to give it dignity yet a touch of glamour. The table decorations will be a masterpiece. One of the table decorations will be small pumpkins, used as containers for flowers that were collected from family

gardens, surrounded by a large wreath made from long stalks of wheat. There will be a few coloured leaves placed inside the wreath. Maybe they will use oak and maple leaves to show the splendour of the autumn colours. The colour of the outfits that the bridesmaids are wearing will be fall colours as well. The ingenious decorations will be appreciated by the many guests attending the festivities. At each place setting there will be a special paper napkin with the bride and groom's name printed on it and the date of their wedding. It will be carefully folded placed on top and of a linen napkin. This will be one of the souvenirs the guests will have to commemorate the special wedding day. Also at each place will be a few after dinner mints for the guests. A miniature tree will also be placed at each persons place. The intent is for the guests to take the little tree home and transplant it to a special place. In this way, our

environment is also improved and the tree will become a living tribute to the young couple.

The groom will carry her across the threshold as is customary for a young couple as they begin their new life together. The honeymoon plans will take them to the west coast of Canada. They will have a week of privacy far away from friends and family. They will inhabit a condominium in the town of Whistler, British Columbia, in the Rocky Mountains. They will feel as if they are royalty living in a mansion in this little bit of paradise on earth. Thereafter, they will return home to Ontario where they will reside.

Their original plan to spend their honeymoon on board a yacht in the Mediterranean Sea was abandoned when world circumstances dictated that our country Canada was a safer choice.

Earlier this month, as I thought about the forthcoming marriage, and knew that I would be unable to attend, I decided to write a message to the young couple. The intent was that the message would be read aloud during the wedding reception. In the message, I wished them well and urged them to cherish each other every day. （1083 words） UNIT 2

Let's Dress Up--It's Halloween

From early childhood getting dressed up is connected with a special pastime in North America, called Halloween. Halloween is celebrated on the last night of October, when the air is crisp and snow is not far off. Every young child is acquainted with this exciting tradition.

On the last day of October when dinner is finished, children hurry to dress up in a costume. Darkness comes early at this time of year and caution must be practiced, foremost by the children who are going from house to house, “trick or treat”. Parents warn their children not to dart out in front of cars. In all the excitement it is easy for children to become distracted and ignore safety rules.

Planning what your costume will be, ahead of time, is part of the fun of the evening. Many mothers will spend time fabricating outfits for their little girls who suddenly turn

into circus clowns, beautiful ballet dancers or weird colorful bugs. Fathers may help their sons construct a costume of foil armor. Little boys often enjoy pretending they are in the army so on Halloween it is possible to see squads of lieutenants and sergeants marching along in the dark. We affiliate this celebration with the

supernatural so some children may choose to wear a skeleton costume bearing a skull and crossbones, or even a monster costume. The choice of wardrobe for the evening is really limitless. Witches can be seen riding on broomsticks across well-illuminated intersections. Earlier in the evening they may have concocted a witch's brew to quench their thirst for their arrival home. Ghosts can be heard groaning and moaning while they glide along city streets. Beautiful butterflies flutter by on their way to a party. Pirates carrying swords and pistols roam about, patches over one eye. Small aliens search for a new home here on Earth. Wearing a cape and mask allows a child to become Superman for a few hours and enter the world of fantasy. An ethnic flavor is introduced as a band of gypsies dance along under a bright full moon. Of course you can always see a certain number of Native American costumes, the buckskin jackets and dresses decorated with fringe and beads.

Some youngsters choose to decorate only their faces with grease paint instead of wearing masks. In many ways this is safer for a child, making visibility clearer. At the same time a mask allows them to remain anonymous to all but their closest friends. Usually, on the night before Halloween, family members gather together to carve a pumpkin. On Halloween night the candle lit face of the pumpkin shines from each home welcoming the little ghosts and goblins to call. Parents usually escort small children around their own neighborhood helping to keep them safe. Small children only visit random houses, their parent's friends mostly, while older children knock at every door.

Crowding onto the front porch of the house the children rap at the door and chant the refrain “trick or treat”. Householders distribute candies, apples, peanuts, or any edible treat into decorated wooden six quart baskets, or plastic bags. They may be asked to recite a poem or sing a song before receiving their treat. Some lucky children may receive cookies from a freshly baked batch of chocolate chip cookies. On arriving home the children will dump all the junk candy out onto the floor to examine their loot. Usually there is a great racket as brothers and sisters compare what goodies they have collected.

Adults, too, like to join in Halloween celebrations by attending small house parties or large group gatherings at halls or arenas. They may play the old traditional games such as bobbing for apples, which float in tubs of water, telling ghost stories and

visiting a haunted house. Everyone seems to get enjoyment from being slightly afraid. If you live in the country the hooting of an owl or even the howl of a wolf underlines the spooky atmosphere of Halloween evening. Clouds scuttle across the face of the moon and the flap of a bird's wings can be heard as it settles on the bare branches of a tree. Eyes gleam in the night as a black cat crosses your path. Bats swoop about in the dark startling those who are nervous.

On this evening it is not necessary to be extravagant to have a good time. A little imagination and a sense of fun will create a memory of Halloween night for many years. （751words） UNIT 3

Gardening

One of the quiet joys of life in the southern part of Ontario, Canada, is gardening. Whether pursued as a hobby or solely to improve the esthetic value of one's home, the pleasure derived is only exceeded by the therapeutic benefit. The exercise involved in working in a garden is helpful in keeping people in good physical condition.

It has become a ritual for homeowners to spend late winter weekends browsing through seed catalogues while sitting on their couch. They make lists of items they wish to purchase and often make notations right on the catalogue as they make decisions about this year's garden.

If they order early, there is usually a discount coupon, allowing a percentage of the cost to be deducted from the price. Often the coupon needs to be detached from the catalogue and mailed to the company along with the order. This is an extra bonus for the consumer. The investment cost required is nominal when the amount of pleasure generated is considered. The seed companies will usually warrant the plants, and often a refund is offered if the plants do not thrive. The shipment from the seed

company's warehouse is awaited with eager anticipation. Its appearance means that spring will soon arrive.

The glossy pages of the catalogues provide a preview of the visual delights that can be grown. Pictures show an array of flowers that dazzle the eye. There are

monochromatic displays as well as others that are a fusion of the complete spectrum of the rainbow's colors. Also included in the publication are pictures and descriptions of vegetables, shrubs, and trees.

Avid gardeners subscribe to magazines that specialize in articles and ads about this enjoyable pastime and people literally read each issue from cover to cover.

Descriptions of plants include implicit instructions on whether to plant them in sun or shade. Specification as to the amount of irrigation required is also stated. Elaborate irrigation systems are sometimes installed or a trench for improving the water flow is used. Controls are needed on irrigation systems because if the ground becomes too saturated the soil in the garden will be too muddy to allow anyone to work in it until it dries out. If there is too much water constantly, the garden will become a swamp and impossible to cultivate. (Many people like to preserve the natural habitat of birds and wildlife in a marsh. These areas are usually protected by the government and although important to our environment, are not considered gardens.)

Geographic location is important for plants. Certain plants are only suitable for

propagation close to the equator. Others need to be several degrees of latitude away from the equator. Longitude is also a factor and most companies clearly state the conditions that will provide the optimum chances for the plants survival. Canadians grow tulips imported from Holland and they do well in the Southern Ontario climate. Because it is late spring before plants can survive outdoors in Southern Ontario, it is common for people to start their plants indoors. Seeds are planted in small containers and continue to grow indoors until the appropriate size is achieved. Sometimes ultraviolet light is used to encourage plant growth. When the mercury rises and the danger of frost is past, the plants are then transplanted to the garden or to a flowerbed.

Plants are nourished from the soil, but to provide optimum food, fertilizer can be

applied to encourage vigorous growth. Sometimes fertilizer is diluted with water while other kinds are dispersed with a spreader that flings the fertilizer granules in a small radius around the plants. The water soluble fertilizer will then be absorbed into the soil the next time it rains. Just as people need minerals, such as calcium and zinc, to be healthy, plants also need minerals but phosphorous and nitrogen are better food for them.

Some gardeners plan their garden with meticulous attention to detail. They choose colors that will complement each other and design their garden as if they were painting on a canvas. Others are more spontaneous and simply visit a nursery and purchase plants that appeal to them. Often gardeners have a trademark plant that is their specialty. Perhaps they enjoy the velvet texture of the leaves, or maybe the flower's color attracts them.

The varieties of gardens are endless. Terrace gardening has become popular. With a herbal garden, cooks enjoy being able to use fresh herbs from their garden to add zest to their favorite dishes. They simply visit their garden and clip a few pieces of the herb they wish to use.

Every garden is as individual as its owner. Gardens come in all shapes and sizes. Some are in the shape of a rectangle, while others are circular or irregular in shape. Some gardeners like the appearance of an asymmetrical shape while others work to achieve symmetry in their gardens. For vegetable gardens, the most popular shape is rectangular and vegetables are usually planted in a linear fashion. This method makes it easier to cultivate between the rows of plants. You could mistake some gardens for a meadow when the gardener chooses to include only wildflowers as a choice of vegetation. Including a pond in a garden is popular too.

Entrepreneurs are always looking for innovations and gadgets that will attract the attention of devoted gardeners and induce them to spend their money. It has become a huge industry in the last few years, as the baby boomers reach retirement age and have more time to pursue hobbies such as gardening. There are new products patented every year to tempt the gardener.

It is possible to buy a kit that contains a complete set of tools needed by the home gardener. Unfortunately, often the quality is poor and the product is a fraud. Instead of having something good to work with, the purchase turns out to be junk.

If you want to flatter a gardener, and boost their ego at the same time, summon up the courage to simply ask if you can swap plants. Of course, it will give them a thrill if you also compliment them on the hardiness of their plants as compared to yours. They might even try to console you on your lack of competence as a gardener because your plants are not as sturdy as their plants.

Irrespective of the competence of the gardener, anyone who augments the number of plants grown is helping to conserve our planet by averting erosion. This pays great dividends for everyone as it also serves to protect the ozone layer.

Some people erect barricades to keep small animals from attacking the plants. Squirrels love to dig up flower bulbs. They find them a tasty treat.

It is common to see ceramic fixtures or figurines in a garden. Even the untrained eye can tell that the imitations are a fake, yet properly placed, they add to the intrinsic beauty. A rain gauge, attached by a bracket to a fence, is a common sight and is

used to enable the gardener to diagnose the moisture level of the soil around the

plants and determine if they need more water. If nature does not provide enough rain, then the gardener will use a plastic or rubber hose to provide more irrigation. With a twist of a knob, or by moving a lever, the thirst of the plants for moisture can be quenched.

What greater pleasure, than to work in your garden and as you clip the overgrown plants back to size or prune branches of fruit trees, hear the buzz of bees? You know that they are enjoying your garden as they extract the pollen from the blooms. You relish the feeling that you are one with nature. The hum of insects as they share the garden is more pleasurable than music from a stereo or a symphony to a devoted gardener. In addition, the scent of the flowers is an integral part of the joy of spending time working in a garden.

The irony of the situation is that nature sometimes conspires against the gardener, and a hailstorm can riddle beautiful plants, shredding their leaves in minutes.

Hurricanes can uproot even the largest trees although this is an event that seldom occurs in Southern Ontario. Tornadoes are more likely in this area. Parasites can attack plants and threaten their survival. Any number of things can become a plague. It is often difficult to discern exactly what it is that is destroying the precious plants. Any number of complications can shatter the gardener's dream of surpassing last year's accomplishment. An authentic gardener will not brood about the

disappointment for long. Even as the disaster is occurring, you might overhear the gardener murmur “There's always next year.” （1459 words） UNIT 4

A Canadian Family Story

My story begins in Newfoundland where my brother and I were born during the

Second World War. The island of Newfoundland, which was originally a British colony, became the newest province of Canada in 1949, the same year that the People's Republic of China was born.

Our mother was born and raised in Newfoundland. During the War (World War II), she worked in St. John's, the capital city, where she met a young Canadian sailor from Ontario. He was a member of the crew of a Royal Canadian Navy ship that was part of one of the convoys that escorted supply ships across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe during the war. They fell in love and subsequently, got married. The rest is history, so to speak. Our family moved to Ontario in late 1945, just after the war ended.

In 1999, acting on impulse, my brother and I decided to take our mother to

Newfoundland for a visit. It had been almost fifty years since we had last visited our mother's outport (remote or very rural island village) where she grew up. It was also the 50th anniversary of Newfoundland's becoming part of Canada.

In 1950, I was six and my brother was five when we last visited our mother's childhood home. At that time, Ireland's Eye was a vibrant, quaint fishing village

hugging the rocky shore of a small, enclosed harbour. There was no electricity. There were no roads, no automobiles, and few signs of automation of any type. There were oil lamps and wood stoves in the homes and mere footpaths between the aggregate

of small communities on the hilly island, also named Ireland's Eye. We can still see and hear the inboard motorboats, putt putting (sound of engines) into the harbour, hauling their day's catch of fish. The image of hardy fishermen with pitchforks hoisting and tossing the codfish up to the stilted platforms from the bowels of the boats is still quite vivid. The aroma of salted, drying codfish, lingers still.

What I remember best, of almost half a century ago, was going out with my Uncle Fred in his boat to fish. That particular day, we were huddled together and lashed to other boats, just outside of the harbour. I can still hear the lively gossip between my uncle and the other fishermen, above the rippling and splashing of the waves against the hulls of the boats. I remember the boats heaving periodically, on the huge gently rolling waves. My Uncle Fred had only one arm, but amazingly, he could do everything as if he had two hands. He could even roll a cigarette and light it.

These are my memories of the quaint Newfoundland glory days gone by. It was a very hard life in those out ports, but a life romantically cherished by most of those who lived it. Our mother was not feeling up to the trip at the time we were ready to leave, but insisted that my brother and I go on this odyssey. We would later provide her with pictures, a written account, and videotape of the trip. Although we toured other parts of Newfoundland, including an overnight stay on the French Islands of St. Pierre and Miquilon, just off the south coast of Newfoundland, our main objective was to visit Ireland's Eye. This necessitated finding water transportation. We managed to arrange for a boat to take us on the half hour trip to the island. As it turned out, the married couple who ferried us over to the island was actually a couple of our distant cousins, whom we had never met.

We had intended to have our cousins drop us off on the island and pick us up a few hours later. However, either because we were newly found cousins, or they were

typically hospitable Newfoundlanders, or they thought that my brother and I would get lost, they wanted to stay with us. Probably all three factors influenced their decision. They were absolutely fabulous.

They got caught up in what my brother and I were trying to do. They were very

knowledgeable about the island and the people who had once lived there. Clutching a narrative of the island, written by another of our cousins, the forgotten history of that special place became more coherent to the four of us.

As we entered Ireland's Eye's small harbour, which was guarded, by a family of

hawks in a nest high on a rocky point, a weird sensation came over us. There, in front of us, was the place we visited fifty years before, and about which we had heard and read so much throughout our adult lives. We thought, what an aesthetically

breathtaking sight! The glittering sun, on that day, gave everything a picture-postcard image. This was indeed a slice of paradise. The ruins of a few remaining buildings that dotted the hillsides and shoreline and the once dominant St. Georges Church on the hill at the end of the harbour, aroused in us an exciting sense of history and of our heritage. Looking out over the harbour from the hill by the church at the extinct community, revived memories of fifty years before.

With a greater clarity of the knowledge of the area, we walked from the church a little farther inland to what used to be the post office and the school that our mother attended, the skeletal shells of which were still standing precariously. From there, stopping periodically to eat some edible berries, we struggled behind our cousins through the heavily brush and shrub covered footpaths to Black Duck Cove to visit the cemetery where our grandmother, whom we never knew, was buried. This sacred

ground was in very bad condition, with many badly corroded gravestones buried

under brush and long grass. After searching for a few minutes in the midst of tangled vegetation, we found our grandmother's resting place beside which we paid our respects. It was a good thing that our cousins stayed with us, as the footpaths that traversed the island, were overgrown with brush. It would have been virtually

impossible for my brother and me, to walk to the other communities on the island. We made our way back to the church on the hill and descended to the boat for a half hour boat ride to the other side of the island. Sailing through a number of islets, we arrived at what remains of the small village of Traytown, where our grandparents had lived. There, we met some more long lost relatives at a small cottage. One, a bit of an eccentric, who now lives in Toronto but takes summer refuge in Traytown, showed us the remnants of what had once been our grandparents? house. Beside these ruins, was the still flourishing cluster of wild rose bushes, planted there many years ago by our step grandmother. A lot of people, many whom were more lost cousins, continually dropped in or gathered on the porch outside.

After a cup of tea and some more chitchat (small talk) and some comic relief, we made our departure for the mainland. On the way, we passed other inlets with ghost communities on Ireland's Eye. To add to the excitement of that special day, my brother spotted a humpback whale quite close, between the boat and the island. Our visit to Ireland's Eye was a bittersweet experience for us. On the one hand, there was a sense of being at the very place where our relatives and ancestors had lived, worked and played. On the other hand, there was a sense of agonizing loss of what were once thriving communities on the island. It was difficult to reconcile the past with the present, after a gap of fifty years of chronic degeneration of the communities. Today, the area is notorious for smuggling. However, our mission was invaluable in that we were able to find out more about ourselves. The entire expedition to

Newfoundland was a major highlight in each of our lives. It tugged at our emotions at every turn. The people of Newfoundland, especially those of genetic connection, couldn't do enough for us. It was really like coming home, but then, that has always been the nature of Newfoundland courtesy, even to non-Newfoundlanders. It was reassuring to see that the Newfoundland charm has transcended time. It has

endured so many changes since Confederation in 1949. My brother and I, eternally, will be Newfoundlanders and hope to go down home more often in the years to come. （1442 words） UNIT 5 The Fraud

Flushed with excitement, Kate stepped into the spatial vestibule and was immediately dazzled by the scene before her. The inlaid marble floor paved the way to a circular staircase rising three levels above her. In a fountain in the center of the entryway stood a bronze dolphin balancing on its tail, its snout pointed to the lofty domed, stained glass skylight forty feet above. A massive chandelier, luminous in the bright sunlight, cast rainbow fairies dancing through the pink, green, and gold floral patterns of the floor and around the snowy white walls.

Before she could fully appreciate the beauty of the intricate plaster work decorating the edges of the shallow niches installed in the walls to frame the numerous paintings, or, indeed, to appreciate the canvases themselves, her host, Victor Stone,

approached. Small by North American standards, he was perfectly proportioned.

Slightly balding at the forehead, his silver hair curved onto the collar of his pale blue shirt at the nape of his neck. Laughing blue eyes startled her with their clarity. A straight, aristocratic nose rose to meet his slightly arched brows. His carefully

manicured hands bore a single gold pinkie ring. He held out his hand to take hers. “Thank you so much for coming, Kate.

I am glad you could make it,” he said cheerfully. She had never met this charming little man before and knew him by reputation only. Among his contemporaries, he was known as a shrewd entrepreneur, able to diagnose at a glance, the prospects of those seeking his backing. She was anxious to learn why he had invited her to come to meet him at his home.

“Thanks for asking me. Nice place you have here. “She felt stupid saying something so absurd, but she was, at that moment, stumped. Her ego wouldn't let her admit she'd never in her whole life, been so impressed by a foyer. She hoped that he would realize she'd had little experience with the elite, take pity on her, and show her around.

“Would you like to see more of the house?” he asked, politely.

“Would I? You bet!” She was happy he gave no indication that he thought she was not in his bracket. She left her briefcase on the settee near the door and followed him through the foyer to a stairway to a stairway leading to a lower level of the house. They began the tour in the wine cellar. A heavy, double thick door opened to reveal row upon row of gleaming glass bottles of vintage wines, all lying on their sides,

cradled by the solid oak racks. The steady hum of machinery broke the silence of the insulated room. Victor explained that it was necessary to control the ventilation,

temperature and humidity of the cellar to achieve optimum conditions for conserving the flavors of the expensive wines.

The small but luxurious audio-visual theater was adjacent to the wine cellar. Leather upholstered reclining chairs were casually arrayed about the room, all with an unimpaired view of the retractable screen. The stereo, silent at that moment, was state-of-the-art, with speakers tactically installed for maximizing sound effects. Black walnut wood paneling and a baffled ceiling averted the possibility of overly loud entertainment disturbing others in the mansion. Sliding glass doors led from the lowest level of the living area to the enclosed kidney-shaped swimming pool.

Turquoise and white ceramic tiles outlined with gold covered the deck area. Pillars of quartz topped with milk glass spheres provided illumination should anyone choose to swim after dark. A changing booth was discretely hidden behind a screen of

ornamental floor plants and cascading vines. Here, too, a baffled ceiling prevented the hollow resonance of the pool room from disturbing others.

At the moment, the games room was arranged for gambling. An authentic roulette wheel, a craps table for dice, and various card tables were set up for a benefit evening that was being held the following night. Checkers, chess and other board games augmented the games of chance.

Comfortable furniture and soft lighting lent a romantic atmosphere to the terrace garden. Kate had noticed earlier that Victor had a slight limp. As they progressed on their tour, she realized he was quite lame on the right side and needed to rest. They sat to chat for a few minutes. “How much do you know about me, Kate?” he asked.

renal failure. Your kidneys may never function normally again. The good news is that you survived,” she explained.

A stray strand of hair fell across Jack's cheek hiding the tears that crept from his eyes. He was grateful to have his life back. He silently saluted his friend. Mike hadn't been so lucky.

The cable from Lily arrived the next day. “We have a son stop Born 05 Dec. stop Healthy stop Named him Michael stop I love you. Lily stop P.S. Dad bought the pasture and deeded it to Michael.” （1630 words） UNIT 7 The Decision

Dr. Sam said to me: “I don't know how to say this, except to come right out with it, Miriam. The tests we did last week show that there are abnormalities with the fetus. I recommend you consider an abortion.”

I sat, hands folded together in my lap, numbed by his words.” The world around me disappeared as I strove to absorb the dreadful news Dr. Sam was giving me. His voice came to me as if spoken in a tunnel, hollow and echoing. Could this be true? The baby inside me, the miracle created by love, wasn't perfect!

“Your baby has a condition known as Down's Syndrome. The problems you will face if you don't terminate this pregnancy could be overwhelming, especially now that Paul is no longer with you. “Here I was, thirty nine years old, pregnant for the first time, and my doctor, my trusted friend, was telling me I should kill this innocent life in my womb. I knew I had to respond but words escaped me. Finally, I was able to speak. “I need some time to consider my options.” With all that has happened in the past month and a half, I don't want to do anything without knowing all I can about this. “You don't have long, Miriam.” You are eleven weeks along and it's dangerous to perform an abortion after twelve weeks, try not to prolong your decision.

“It's too much for me to get my head around right now.” I need to think. I promise I?ll get back to you in a day or so. “I left the office in a daze.” What was I going to do? Where would I begin? Who, besides Dr. Sam, would be able to advise me? My

parents were on the other side of the world, teaching in China. I felt that if I could talk to Mom, held in her comforting arms, she would give me some of her wisdom. If I could be face-to-face with Dad, he would give me strength. They were all I had left in my world. My husband, Paul, had been killed in a traffic accident six weeks ago. Mom and Dad had gone back to China a week after the funeral, when they thought I was able to cope with my loss. There was nowhere to turn.

I had to face reality. This was a decision I would make on my own. I needed to gather all the information I could about Down's syndrome. I wasted no time. I went to the library to begin my research. The steps to the future were in my hands.

The first medical journal I chose explained the causes of Down's syndrome. Normally, each egg and sperm cell contains 23 chromosomes, and, when they unite, 23 pairs or 46 in total. Occasionally, an accident occurs when the egg or sperm cell is forming, creating an extra chromosome number 21. This extra chromosome results in the

features of Down's syndrome. In the past, this disorder was called “Mongolism” because of the facial characteristics including slanted eyes and a small, flattened nasal bridge. It is a common genetic birth defect affecting about one in 800 to 1000 births when the mother is 30 years of age. The odds of my having a Down syndrome increased to one in 100 because I was in my fortieth year.

There is no cure for this disorder. Neither is there any prevention. My child would be developmentally and physically retarded to a greater or lesser degree. She could

have numerous health problems. It was unlikely she would ever marry and her having children was out of the question. Her life expectancy could be as little as 55 years. Paul and I had been married for ten years and had always regretted the fact that I had been unable to conceive. After he died, I attributed my nausea, vomiting and lethargy to my grief, never suspecting that I might be pregnant. Poor Paul would never know that we would have a child together. This thought alone was what made me realize that I wouldn't be able to have an abortion, no matter what obstacles might be ahead of us.

I waited a day before calling Dr. Sam to inform him of my decision. I had to be sure! “Miriam, I think I know why you want to go through with this pregnancy, but are you aware of the risks?” “I know my baby will be different.

I know she may be mentally and physically retarded. She may have developmental difficulties and problems with social acceptance. I do recognize that I am going to have to amend almost every facet of my life. I am prepared to do that. This is my final gift from Paul and I am determined to go through with this!”

“I thought you would feel that way. You have my utmost admiration and support. I will follow your pregnancy carefully but I want you to see a specialist in birth defects. I will refer you to Dr. Brown and would like you to make an appointment with her as soon as possible,” he said. I knew then that I had made the right choice.

My pregnancy was not without its hardships, from morning sickness to swollen ankles, but I had no doubts about the decision I had made. My parents, when I told them what was going on with me, expressed their concerns but also their confidence in my decision and assured me they would be there when I delivered my baby.

Paula was born on a bright, cloudless, warm Tuesday morning in May. I was

prepared to see a red, wrinkled, squalling infant. Instead, I saw very little. Because of the risks involved, Paula was delivered by Caesarian section. The doctors and

nurses rushed her into an incubator to assess her before I caught a glimpse of her. I could see my parents on the other side of the operating room window, questions in their eyes. What was going on?

The nurses kept me comfortable and tried to alleviate my fears but half an hour

passed before our questions were answered. My daughter had a severe heart defect. It could be corrected through surgery but not until she gained a little weight and strength. I understood in that moment that my life had changed forever.

I demanded to see her immediately, and as soon as I did, I fell in love. This most precious of all gifts was going to survive the obstacles ahead of her with my help. I knew in an instant that all my strength, love, and monetary resources were at her command. Nothing she wanted, needed, or even dreamed of, would ever be denied. The heart surgery to correct a flawed valve was a resounding success. Fortunately, the common defects occurring in a majority of Down's syndrome children were

absent in Paula. She has no intestinal malformations, hearing impairment, or severe visual problems. We are truly blessed.

My parents adore this exceptional grandchild. Their expertise in teaching, nurturing, and parenting has been so welcome. I always knew they were there for me; now they are there for us.

I am aware of the sympathetic looks from strangers who don't know or understand the disorder afflicting my child. Their pity, for what they ascertain as my plight, is misplaced but understandable. I am sure that I, too, felt sorry for parents of what I thought of as imperfect children.

Paula is a delightful child. Her physical defects are apparent; there is no doubt she is different from other children. However, she goes to school with other children her age; she takes longer to learn things and has to work harder, but she is achieving all the milestones of growing children. Raising her is a challenge, as is the raising of any child. It isn't easy and it won't get easier.

As she grows and develops, there will be questions to answer, hurdles to cross, and goals to reach. Paula is different. She is aware that she is. It doesn't dismay her. She greets each day with a smile on her lips and a sparkle in her eye.

Do I ever have doubts about my decision? No! My only regret is that Paul isn't here to share my joy in our wonderful daughter. （1391 words） UNIT 8

Chinese-American Relations: A History (I)

The Nineteenth Century to World War II The Nineteenth Century In the 19th century, the United States was a relative newcomer to the area of international affairs. Relations with China really began, not so subtly, in the 19th century with its

discriminatory immigration policy against China. The Gold Rush of 1849 in California, the building of railroads, and the American industrial revolution of the second half of the 19th century, attracted many Chinese immigrants with dreams of the good life in America. At that time, it was perceived by most of the world, that America was the land of opportunity, success, and wealth.

As the Chinese population in the United States grew in size, pressures to limit the number of these coming into the United States became strong. Laws, such as placing a police tax on Chinese people in California in 1862 and The Chinese Exclusion Act passed in 1882, officially testified to blatant discrimination against Chinese people. The latter felt forced to congregate in areas of big cities, such as San Francisco, New York, and Boston. Chinatown soon became part of American urban vocabulary. It seemed that the timid Chinese were susceptible to being pushed around. It appeared that Chinese and other Oriental immigrants were not welcome with open arms, but were welcome only when hard labour was needed to do the toughest jobs, especially in railroad construction and in the new industries that were fast developing at the time. It would be well into the 20th century before such discriminatory laws would be suspended.

The Early Twentieth Century

During the second half of the 19th century, the United States was preoccupied with a civil war and a post civil war industrial revolution. American foreign policy with China did not really take form until 1899 and 1900. By the turn of the century, the United States was ascending as a major player in international affairs, especially in the western hemisphere. American foreign policy, at the time, focused mostly on Latin America. However, in 1899, the Americans saw economic opportunities in an already politically suppressed China. For decades, European countries had been reaping the economic benefits by exploiting of the country's resources and markets while

claiming chunks of territory as their own. It had become a closed club of the countries already established there.

The United States, fearing that China was about to officially partitioned, wanted access to those lucrative assets as well. American Secretary of State, John Hay, perhaps using some Big Stick and gunboat tactics, popular American strategies at the time, was well positioned to get the established foreign nations in China to conform to an agreement called the Open Door policy for China. This benchmark

intervention by the United States, conferred on all countries, equal and impartial trade with all parts of China, while preserving the territorial and administrative integrity of the country. The American approach did little to respect China's customary opposition to foreign intrusion. To China, the United States was only one more

country to bully it, to exploit its resources and sovereignty and, further, to deny it of its autonomy, integrity, and dignity. This collective foreign presence, boosted by

American interests, diffused any hope for China to break the chains of humiliating foreign occupation. The Chinese were virtually captives or prisoners in their own

country. The United States did not deviate far from this economic policy toward China, until the communist take over in 1949.

One could only imagine how the Chinese must have felt at the turn of the century. Could any American imagine a scenario of the shoe being on the other foot (putting themselves in the place of the Chinese)? How would Americans have felt if Chinese gunboats patrolled the Mississippi River up to St. Louis, a major city in the heart of America? What if the Chinese could come and go anywhere in the United States, being completely immune to all American laws. Could Americans accept Chinatown in Boston of San Francisco being under Chinese law, and displaying signs with such captions as “No Americans or dogs allowed”? What if Manhattan Island and California were annexed by China? Would Americans tolerate their own officials being in collusion with, and being bribed by Chinese authorities, to let all of above to take place? One would think not. Is it any wonder that imperialism had become such an abominable term to the Chinese people?

The Chinese have made some conscientious attempts to fight back, in efforts to defy foreign presence in China, but without much support during the slack reign of the Qing Emperor and the Dowager Empress.

The Imperial family, for so long, had been extremely self-indulgent. It paid little attention to the realities of what was happening inside China. For so long, the nation's policies revolved around the whims of the Imperial Family.

With reliance on its own resources, a secret society, called the Order of Literary Patriotic Harmonious Fists, made one last desperate attempt at revenge, to rid the country of foreigners. In 1900, these Boxers as they were called, stubbornly engaged the foreign powers in conflict. The former tore up railway tracks, attacked Chinese

Christians, besieged foreign delegations, and eventually slaughtered over three hundred foreigners. The Americans collaborated with the Japanese, consolidated forces and easily overwhelmed the Boxers. The latter crumbled under the pressure of foreign superiority and its own deficiencies in equipment and organization. The victors placed severe controls on the crippled Chinese Government and imposed heavy indemnities of billions of dollars. The fact that the foreigners were interested, only in protecting their own interests, was abundantly clear.

Aside from discriminatory immigration policy against Chinese, the U. S. had no

official direct political or diplomatic relations with China until the Second World War. The United States took on a much cherished isolationist approach to world affairs following the First World War, after having established itself as a major world power. The United States did not even become a representative of the League of Nations, essentially the creation of its own then President, Woodrow Wilson. This organization was set up in 1919 to curb international conflict, which could, potentially, throw the world into a war again. The absence of this powerful nation was one of the major weaknesses of this organization and, consequently, a possible factor that actually facilitated the resumption of world conflict in 1939. The Second World War

During the Second World War, the United States and China were allies against the common enemy, Japan. A coalition of the United States, British Commonwealth countries, and other allies dispatched supplies and other support to China by way of the Burma Road and by air over the hump (mountains), to close in on Japan from the rear. When war broke out in 1939, China was experiencing a civil war, the

Nationalists versus the Communists. This civil war was put on hold while both the Nationalists and Communists joined forces to converge on Japan, which had,

intermittently, hovered over China as a menace, or as an imperialist thorn in its side, for a good century before the war. The war brought the United States out of its

splendid official isolation. Once the war was over, turbulent times continued to stalk China. The civil war picked up where it left off. The Americans lent its moral support to the Nationalists in their struggle against the Communists, whereby the United States began to formulate its Cold War policy of “Containment” (Containing the spread of Communism). （1224 words） UNIT 9

Chinese-American Relations: A History (II) The Cold War to the Present The Cold War

After the war, a new war of international tension, intrigue and political posturing, called the Cold War, forced the U. S. to scrap any thoughts of the false comforts of official isolation. It joined the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the

International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT). It was determined to play a major, if not dominant role, in post war international affairs. The world was the stage for intense rivalry between the

Communists, on one side, and democratic Capitalists on the other. It fostered close

scrutiny of each other, as well as a brisk interchange of often fabricated and distorted propaganda between the polarized sides. It injected the fear that if one side blinked, a nuclear war would be triggered. The world, seemingly, was always on the verge of warfare. This environment placed the United States and China on opposite sides once the Communists took power in China in 1949. This constant friction jeopardized chances for meaningful political interaction and intercourse. This atmosphere of distrust and fear left little incentive for the different sides to talk seriously.

By the end of the Second World War, or during the last year or two of the war, the world stage was being set for the Cold War. President Truman's attitude toward China hardened. American policy was explicit that only one China, Nationalist China led by Chiang Kai-shek, on the island of Taiwan, was the official China. The

Americans made it abundantly clear, that Mao Tsetung's Communist Regime, on mainland China, would not occupy China's permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.

The outbreak of war on the Korean Peninsula brought about an abrupt change of focus in American foreign policy. The new American strategy was to militarily isolate or alienate China in Asia. To accomplish this, the United States established bases in East Asia and mutual defense treaties in East Asia. Treaties were negotiated with Japan, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand. American President Eisenhower later expanded these to include South Korea, Pakistan, and Thailand. To cap off this anti-China strategy, the US strengthened ties with Taiwan or Nationalist China, with which the former had official diplomatic ties.

In the 1950s, American power and credibility deteriorated somewhat in the Cold War. Its own people, who began to oppose McCarthyism and the blunt anti-communist policies of John Foster Dulles, the American Secretary of State in the Eisenhower Administration, helped to undermined national prestige.

In 1953, Josef Stalin, the Soviet leader, died. These events helped to bring about a shift in direction in American foreign policy. The United States began to look more to Asian events as major threats to America's national security. The Iron Curtain was firmly established in Europe, and NATO forces provided secure protection on the western side of the curtain. For the time being, things looked fairly stable in Europe. In the East, because of the end of the Korean War and the exodus of the French from Indo-China, things were not as stable. The American political elite contended that the foremost problem was the vacuum left by the French withdrawal from Indo-China. To officials in the United States, this void must not be filled by another

communist regime. The realization of objectives of the domino theory (the essence of which was, that if not checked, countries in a given area will all gradually fall to communist rule) could not be allowed to perpetuate. The Chinese Revolution had established a communist regime in the most populous country in the world, and the tensions between North and South Korea were not going to go away overnight.

Success of the domino theory looked more likely in Asia than in Europe. The United States felt that it needed to concentrate its energies and resources in Asia. American policies, during the 1960s and early 1970s, essentially were to prevent communist takeovers in Asia, in particular, particularly in South Vietnam and Taiwan. American policy was to contain communism where it already existed, while simultaneously coexisting peacefully with its cold war communist rivals. Military expenditures increased as defense budgets went sky high with democratic and communist

bureaucracies building huge arsenals or inventories of high velocity, even supersonic

destructive nuclear weapons, in a very fragile polarized world. Even China tested a thermal nuclear weapon in the early 60s. Thawing of the Cold War--the 1970's to 2001

American Cold War policy ensued until the early 1970's, when some major changes in thinking were inaugurated. Communist China's entry to the United Nations was a setback for the United States. The Vietnam War was not going well. In the early 70s, American President Nixon, the arch-conservative and anti-communist president, up to that point, was preparing to visit China and the Soviet Union. Why would an

American president visit these enemies? The Americans came to the realization that the development of good relations with its counterparts in the communist world was necessary. A forthcoming, more pragmatic approach to foreign policy with China was to be a departure from the adverse ideological approach. The United States had lost solid backing from traditional supporters, as illustrated by Communist China's entry into the United Nations.

The question as to whether Nationalist China or the People's Republic of China

should hold China's permanent Security Council seat, was a topic of much discussion and debate for years. For many countries, the idea of ignoring one third of the world's population at the UN was difficult to rationalize. This debate ensued until 1971, when the People?s Republic of China finally displaced Nationalist China at the United Nations, including the permanent seat, originally held by Nationalist China in the

Security Council. A baffled United States could no longer persuade nor intimidate the majority of the countries in the UN General Assembly to keep Communist China out of the UN. The United States had little choice but to eventually extend official recognition to the People?s Republic of China.

The war-weary American people were no longer supporting the war in Vietnam and no longer eagerly supporting traditional foreign policy. A major scandal (Watergate), that would rock the Nixon Administration to the resultant resignation of the president, was about to be disclosed. Practical solutions were needed for practical problems. Peaceful coexistence meant finding some common ground on which to activate international trust and cooperation. Nixon's consecutive predecessors, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson would have rolled over in their graves if they could have seen these changes. These changes would have appeared alien, contradictory or even contrived, to them and their contemporaries.

Presidents Ford, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton saw the need to keep communication channels open with China. Americans finally realized that they could no longer keep down a sleeping giant. No longer a Paper Tiger, China was a reality, and was entitled to an important place in world decision-making venues.

In the 1980's following the Cultural Revolution and the death of Mao Tsetung, China's outlook on the world changed dramatically. Deng Xiaopeng's reforms were to bring China closer to being a major world partner in international trade and the

development of world markets. This was capped with its admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December 2001. China has been most willing to comply with all of the regulations of the WTO. Americans have only half-heartedly opposed China's entry, by unfairly using “human rights” as a distraction to perhaps disguise other international pressures. However, the United States, for a couple of decades, already had major, politically discreet, vested economic interests in China that it could not afford to deny or jeopardize. In 1998, China signed a Permanent Normal Trading Relations agreement with the United States, the prelude to the

former's entry into the WTO. President Clinton, who visited China in 1998, had essentially paid lip service to Congressional pressure to push the human rights issues with China. Except for the occasional irritating crisis in recent years, such as the spy plane incident off the island of Hainan in April 2001, Sino-American relations have been cordial but cautious. The consensus seems to be, that China's destiny as a major international force in the 21st century, seems reasonably assured. （1367 words） UNIT 10 A Solitary Quest

From my suite of rooms atop the Holiday Inn I surveyed the narrow alleys below me. Only yesterday had I left my frantic North American life behind, to avail myself of an opportunity to travel to China. I wished to spend time researching material for my thesis pertaining to Eastern religions.

The hotel was in close proximity to the heart of the old downtown. Innumerable activities were happening below me. People surged along the street sometimes

stopping to bargain with street vendors. Cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, oranges and grapes were heaped on hand carts. The variety of fruit available provided a virtual feast for the eyes. Deliverymen jogged along pulling enormous loads of cardboard. To a Westerner's eyes cars merged unbelievably without incident. It appeared to be a dubious process to negotiate the traffic and even cross the street.

However, rather than lounging indoors, I decided to venture outside to explore the colorful world below. I was interested in locating a church to attend, as today was Sunday. On the street I made tentative enquiries about locating a Christian chapel. At times the congestion of people hampered my progress. Stares from passers-by made me feel conspicuous. The weather was hot and humid and there was some possibility of a typhoon reaching the city later in the day.

After several false leads I found myself standing in front of a very old Christian

Church, established by missionaries during the last dynasty and at the beginning of the last century. With the onset of a light sprinkle, I made a hasty retreat to shelter in the doorway of the church. The familiar refrain of well-known hymns rang out within the church. I felt drawn inside to join the fellowship in a foreign land. Even though our languages differed, my gracious hosts nonetheless, made room for me, and made me feel welcome.

Sitting in this old church in China led me to contemplate about the lives of men and their spouses who lived decades ago, when they traveled to this distant land in the Eastern Hemisphere. Many of these Christian ministers and laymen left their

comfortable churches, even cathedrals to preach their ideology to foreigners. They established small chapels where people could join in Christian fellowship and where some Chinese people accepted conversion to a new faith. They came to a land

where the predominate faith was Buddhism. Even though their words were eloquent the message at times must have seemed formidable and gloomy. Even the foreigners' clothing styles would have appeared queer.

During this colonial time period missionaries immigrated to all areas of China, visiting small villages, distributing Bibles, offering divine salvation and preaching the word of God. A unanimous decision was made by many faiths to attempt to enrich the lives of others and to present the eloquent message of Christianity.

Some missionaries worked in the medical field as doctors, surgeons, nurses and dentists. Agriculture specialists helped the farmers elevate their crop performance to provide better nutrition for the people. Finally there were teachers who ran the

mission schools. All had to be very versatile at their work. These people proved to be an inspiration for others to follow in their footsteps. Earnings from all these areas would go back into further mission work to fulfill their mandate.

In retrospect, my fascination with this historical era may have been kindled in

childhood. While visiting my grandparent's home every Thanksgiving, I was allowed to examine the fascinating ornaments from the Orient. There were delicate elephant sculptures carved from ivory, lacy sandalwood fans and an imposing brass Buddha. Best of all, I was allowed to don an exquisite silk embroidered jacket and play with a blue and tan parasol which was adorned with sprays of plum blossoms and tiny buds. It was then I was introduced to an exotic new world. Maybe this too, is partly what lured me to this country.

Under a new regime in China, government statesmen questioned what justification these foreign ministers had in their country. Subsequently, the morality of the

instruction was questioned. The pendulum swung the other way and church people would no longer be welcome to impart their message. A plea to reconsider the

decision was unsuccessful. Diplomats also would be required to leave the country. It would be a long time before visas would be issued to foreign people, to again live in China.

And so here I am! The clearance for my visitor's visa had been administered swiftly. My surroundings aroused in me a sense of heritage. Today, sitting here pondering, allowed me to be a participant rather than just a spectator in a new chapter of China's history. （774 words） UNIT 11

Acting Today for Tomorrow

Protecting the natural environment, the ecology of a country, is a major concern for every country these days. It is mandatory not to minimize the importance of clean air, clean water, and clean land. It is a sad commentary on today's society that industries have been permitted to contaminate our natural surroundings. A dreadful

discrepancy exists between the importance placed on economic development and the protection of the environment's heritage. If allowed to proceed unchecked, the public will eventually inherit a major catastrophe. Even countries who practice strict pollution control measures may still be affected by countries adjacent to or adjoining them, when air pollution permeates the air.

It is important for media coverage to compile accurate data to enable the public to boycott increased irresponsible industrialization. To disguise the people's safety calling it progress will eventually lead to many casualties.

Canada has a land and water mass of 9 970 610 km2, with a population of 30 million people. This is a country where the ratio of people compared to the mass of the land is very low. Can you conceive that in such a gigantic land that a garbage problem exists? I wish that I could reassure you that the answer is in the negative. The

commodity most needed to address this problem is space. However, as urban areas grow, the abundance of waste also increases. Where once ample disposal sites were available, now every municipal government is scrambling to comply with and uphold local and national health regulations. Large metropolitan cities are having an especially difficult time. Local recycling programs have been authorized in many localities to safeguard the country's ecology.

Even after the establishment of such token measures, reports from five consecutive years have indicated only negligible progress in solving this very perplexing problem. If we are to seriously address the problem we will need to minimize the amount of refuse we dispose of. New areas will need to be allocated for this purpose. The

database of information collected should be detailed enough to responsibly direct our future actions.

Every community, whether large or small, is searching for a solution to this problem. Municipalities, in attempting to appraise the situation, have spent countless years in research, expending both time and money, looking for a homogeneous answer. The public, hoping to avoid the tragic consequences of a manipulated decision, refuses to give enthusiastic support to most proposals. Solicitors are hired to prepare

confidential reports to convince the public to accept the municipalities suggestions. The choice of a specific piece of farmland as a landfill site often causes an

instantaneous hysterical reaction. At local meetings citizens reproach government officials yelling their disapproval at the choice of a specific site. They vent their anger but are not always able to mobilize sufficient public support to effect a wise and acceptable decision.

Even though researchers claim that lined pits will not cause a drainage problem, the room for error is marginal. One flaw in the plan could be responsible for an epidemic or worse, causing multiple deaths. Any leaching from a landfill pit will create recurring difficulties in polluting a farmer's well and the ground water. Polluted water flowing into lakes will affect fish and wildlife and will hinder the sportsman's pleasures. To articulate their concerns beforehand, will hopefully avoid grief in the future. A veiled threat to public health immediately creates a bias towards protecting the people's safety and interests and establishing an educated suspicion.

The choice of using remote barren land removed from highly populated areas, virgin ground so to speak, presents its own problems. The transportation of dangerous chemicals in sealed capsules over major arteries increases the possibility of spills and contamination. Recurring excerpts in national and local newspapers warn of the dangers confronting the ordinary citizen. The pretext of protecting the public interest must be questioned. Accidents and poor planning lead to the erosion of public faith. With certainty, we can report that the air we breathe is becoming more polluted daily. For those residents of large cities who are afflicted with a respiratory condition it becomes imperative for officials to clamp down on smog conditions. To protect their health, citizens may deem it necessary to check smog levels beforehand when they

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