Main idea and themes Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Main idea and themes - Assignment Example The crucial aspects of the art are embedded in the tiny details of the art that can only be observed when an individual moves close enough to the sculpture. The bowheads and the bracelets of the hunters have tiny inscriptions of the lions thus revealing the sculpture must have been a representation of a culture rather than a one-day experience. Working with rudimentary tools to produce some of the most magnificent artworks, the video thus depicts the value of art in preservation of history. The video is an analysis of some of the best pieces of art collected throughout kingdoms and civilizations. Prominent among the civilizations where these pieces owe their origin is the Egyptian empire. The uniqueness and the artistic details presented in the pieces of art help in the representation of idealistic lives of significant people and events during the periods of civilization. The video thus portrays the main theme of the role of art in connection with the idealistic world (Dio, Macaluso, & Rizzolatti, 2007). Examples of some of the most magnificent pieces of art are like the golden mask. The precision with which the mask represents an idealistic face of a particular king is one that is said cannot be repeated by any individual artists. The coffins that were found in the Egyptian tombs equally present an outstanding quality in the representation of the artwork. As a move that could be viewed to show the value of art as a connection between the living and the dead, the collection of artworks have quality social and religious significance in representation of beauty, power, love and quality leadership. Greek stands as the defining point of the world democracy, nevertheless, according to the movie, there is more to Greek than just democracy. The ancient architectural designs and buildings in Greek portray a level of civilization that has

Assignment 1 CB Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Assignment 1 CB - Essay Example Being from an Arabic country and living away from my home country, I feel that there are some things that if I had a chance I would champion for change. Top on the list is the perception that the world and even some of the people in my current environment have on Muslims like me. Although I have knowledge and feelings, especially from some research, that the situation was worse years back I feel that I have a purpose to make things a little better. Throughout my years in school and now in college, my plans and goals have been those of helping others. These goals sometimes seem rather lofty and unrealistic even to me but with my desire to change, I always find success in my endeavors. I remember back in high school when one of my friends, a Jew, was in a problem with a teacher. I offered to help him even though he was wrong. I stood as his advocate and even got a nickname for it among my schoolmates. With my young age and a life ahead of me, I believe my culture will change the world. I believe all problems can be solved effectively and that all people can reach their full potential if given opportunities. The opportunities, according to what I have learnt in life means a proper environment and

Pestle Analysis Is An External Analysis Economics Essay

Pestle Analysis Is An External Analysis Economics Essay It is a part of the external analysis when conducting a strategic analysis or doing  market research, and gives an overview of the different macro environmental factors that the company has to take into consideration. This analysis of the external environment will lead to the identification of a number of opportunities and threats. 7.1 PESTLE Analysis of Royal KPN Political Factors The Netherlands opening degree of its economic, commercial laws and investment policy is well-known in the world. The Netherlands economy is very internationalization with minimum interference from the government, and its trade investment policy is the most open one in the world  [1]  . The government offers many kinds of policies to encourage international investment, and support foreign companies to enter the Netherlands. In addition, the Netherlands has well-done taxation system and commercial environment. The Netherlands low tax rate and widespread tax revenue treaty network in Europe make its taxation environment favorable and attractive (L Zeng 2008). The new Dutch telecommunications regime is relatively liberal, with no barriers to entry, no line-of-business restrictions and relatively few controls on prices. After deregulation, a large number of companies have been in the local market to provide telecommunication services and invest in facilities.  [2]   In addition, the EU telecommunications regulators never reduce the regulation for the telecom industry. The policies about cut settlement cost and roaming charges are continually published. The Netherlands, like most Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, is facing a double challenge: to complete the liberalization of the telecommunications market, and to prepare for the next generation regulatory regime in the face of convergence. Economic Factors The Netherlands is called the gate of the Europe due to its predominant geographical position. It has a flourishing and open economic which depends heavily on foreign trade  [3]  . It is one of the main foreign investment countries with the most favorable and attractive business environment in the world. The Netherland is also playing an important part in the economic and trading development, and having a large number of customers in the EU market. By the end of 2011, the GDP of the Netherlands is currently ranked 16th in the world, and it is the eighth in imports of goods and services from the United States  [4]  . Moreover, the Netherlands has developed communication infrastructure and advanced transporting network, with two biggest ports (Rotterdam and Amsterdam) and the third largest airport (Schiphol) in the Europe Union. The Netherlands is also famous all around the world by its leading technologies and management experience in many fields of industries, such as the tel ecom and electronic industry. In short, the Netherlands open economy is developing mainly depends on its good geographical position, the developed transportation system, the advanced communication infrastructure and the developed logistic service, as well as the powerful government support and attractive commercial environment, make the Netherlands the most favorable economic environment for doing business among all the European countries. But in recent years, the whole economy in Europe is seriously threatened by the European sovereign-debt crisis. In many experts view, economic downturn in the Euro zone will still keep for a long time and this also affected the telecom industry. The constantly depraved macro economy make an apparently decrease in revenues of the European telecom companies, lead to the profit declined, liquidity squeeze and market demand weak. Social Factors The Netherlands has a modern and international society, the people living here has a high quality of life. The Netherlands has a long and colorful history; its special social culture is so open and become very suitable for foreign people. During several centuries, the Netherlands has accepted massive immigrants from all over the world. As a result, the colorful social history and international social environment make it favorable for the investors to take part in varies of business activities. In the meantime, the favoring commercial policy and stable political environment provide equal development opportunities for both local and foreign companies, which make the Netherlands business environment more diversification. In addition, the Netherlands has high quality labor force. Most of the Dutch citizens have received high education or job training, and master one or two foreign languages  [5]  . Moreover, they are qualified with the complex skills that are needed in the high-tech economy. The Netherlands has a small but advanced telecom market. The broadband, Internet and mobile penetrations are all far ahead of the EU average. The Netherlands has consistently ranked among the top rated telecommunications markets within Western Europe. Broadband services will supply greatest opportunities for growth, while fixed lines are expected to continue to decline. Mobile broadband connections in the Netherlands have increased to 882,000 in the middle of 2010 and Mobile penetration reached about 130% in early 2010.  [6]  Despite the recessionary conditions such like economy slowdown and debt crisis in Euro zone, Dutch subscribers have shown that they will continue spending, especially due to their desire for the latest technologies. Technological Factors The Netherlands has the leading communication networks and IT technologies in the Europe, which mainly benefits from the government support and technological development  [7]  . Now consumers in the Netherlands can enjoy a variety of communication methods and an increased range of services, such as network and wireless network operation. The industry has evolved the past previous limits that confined services to voice related ones, which makes the computer and based IT and telecom technologies become the part of the normal life  [8]  . As a result, it is becoming more efficient to do Internet trading among companies in different countries due to the rapid development of communication and IT technologies. Moreover, the Netherlands perfect commercial laws and well-operating consumer market have provided a good business environment for the telecom companies to develop their technologies and make broader distribution channels. Besides, the Netherlands is among the worlds most wired countries with a state-of-the-art, 100 percent fiber-optic infrastructure, the largest bandwidth and Internet Exchange on the European continent, and a pro-technology government that is committed to continued research and development.  [9]  Telecom providers in the Netherlands offer a wide range of services and are keen to introduce new technologies. The Netherlands telecom market has one of the most advanced infrastructures in Europe, which providing a solid foundation for emerging bundled services offerings. Legal Factors The legal institution of the Netherlands is also highly praised because of its business laws which take laws letter as main body and assisted with legal principle theories (L Zeng 2008). The  Independent Post and Telecommunications Authority of the Netherlands (OPTA) promote competition, encourage innovation and protect consumers in telecom markets. OPTA also issues licenses for telecom operators, sets interconnection prices for providers and end-users, and solve disputes between telecom carriers. Radio communications Agency Netherlands is responsible for obtaining and allocating frequency space and monitoring its use. Dutch Media Authority upholds the rules which are formulated in the Dutch Media Act as well as in the regulations based on this act for example the Media Decree.  [10]   Dutch Telecommunication Act entered into force in  December 1998. The Dutch government adopted the EC Electronic Communications Framework  (IRIS 2002-3:4)  and amended the Act in 2004.  Major modifications  include: 1) Adoption of electronic communications in various fields; 2) Expansion of OPTCs authority in rule making; 3) Improvement of consumer protection, anti-spam regulations, application of competition law; 4) Single framework applies to all kinds of electronic communication networks including cable TV networks. The revised Act entered into force on May 19, 2004. Environmental Factors In the Netherlands, very high densities of both population and economic activities have led to very intense pressures on the countrys environment. In addition to levying environmental taxes, governmental administrations, like Water Boards, have the possibility to charge fees. Companies and households are charged directly for some polluting activities, for instance the discharge of waste water to the sewers and the production of waste (Statistics Netherlands, 2012). For companies, these fees would be accounted as parts of environmental costs which are quite high each year. Care for the environment is an integral part of KPNs business operations. KPN is particular focus on  responsible energy use, because the telecommunication and ICT sector consumes a lot of energy and ICT can help to reduce its customers energy consumption. They aim to continuously enhance their environmental performance and to become an example in this sector, as well as to observe relevant regulations and legislation  [11]  . In addition, KPN is dedicated to proper management of cables, reduction of waste, and other issues that contribute to make a better environment. In the Netherlands and Germany, KPN has a certified environmental management system (ISO14001). This international standard is used to develop environmental policy, to manage environmental aspects and to improve the environmental performance of an organization. 7.2 PESTLE analysis of Deutsche Telekom Political Factors Germany has a very stable government which provides a safe environment for business. The efficient regulatory regime and open-market policies treat the foreign business investments much the same as German investors  [12]  . Its political system is open to international business and strives to find ways in which to attract new businesses and investors, such as recently lowering its corporate profit taxes  [13]  . The main challenge for the government of Germany is dealing with the debt crisis in the Eurozone, which had a significant negative impact on public finances and economic growth. The bailout of financially weak European countries is unpopular among German taxpayers which also represents a political risk  [14]  . Despite there is a challenging external economic environment aggravated by the European debt crisis, Germany is still one of the worlds most dynamic and powerful economies. The foundations for long-term competitiveness and stable economy growth have been deeply rooted in the high quality of the judicial regime, which maintains a strong rule of law. Economy Factors Germany is the worlds fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP and fifth by GDP (PPP) in 2011. Germany is also the largest national economy in Europe, accounting for about one-fifth of the gross domestic production (GDP) of the European Union (EU)  [15]  . Germany is the worlds third largest exporter with $1.408 trillion exported in 2011 (Eurozone countries are included)  [16]  . Germany is one of the worlds high-income countries and the largest European trade and investment partner of the United States. Although its economic and commercial policies are increasingly determined within the EU, Germany plays a key role in influencing EU policies (Paul Belkin 2009). Germanys economy has been on a lower growth rate in recent years, and unemployment has also risen steadily. Especially hit by the international financial crisis, which led to a steep 5% decline in the GDP growth of Germany in 2009  [17]  . The crisis also raised questions about the long-term vitality and strength of the German economy. After resuming in 2010, economy growth in Germany slowed down again in 2011 as a result of the debt crisis in the Eurozone and the specter of recession. With declining economic growth and rising expenditures on social protections, Germany is facing significant budgetary issues and resource constraints. The telecom industry plays an important part of the Germanys economy and has important strategic significance for the economys development. So the aim of market liberalization in Germany includes not only the benefits to consumers of improved prices, choice, quality of service and widened product range, but also overall economic development  [18]  . The government recognizes that investment in communications infrastructure, services and broadband will mainly come from the private sector. And pro-competitive regulatory reform is considered the most effective way to promote the private sector investment and innovation. Economic slowdown in Germany makes these broader aims more pressing and important. Social Factors Germany has the largest population in the European Union with 81.8 inhabitants in January, 2011. The prosperous German economy attracts millions of immigrants from around the world as it is the third largest country in terms of immigration  [19]  . Germany has a modern and open society; most people are well-educated and enjoy a high standard of living. Germany is also famous for its well social security system which mainly due to their flourishing economy. Besides, there are more than 40 million workforces in Germany which making it the largest pool of labor in the EU. Germanys world-class education system ensures that the students will receive the highest-standard education. More than 80 percent of the German workforce has received formal professional training or owned an academic degree  [20]  . Germany is also the largest and most mature mobile market in Western Europe, with average penetration in the broadband and mobile sectors. Its high levels of literacy, urbanization and strong economic performance make Germany a welcoming telecommunications market. In Germany, the mobile penetration reached more than 135% by early 2011  [21]  . Regulatory pressure on voice roaming and termination rates will encourage operators to further promote their development of data applications to improve profits. In 2011, Deutsche Telekom saw a growth in its German customer base and data use, with more than one million new mobile contract customers, although there was a historical low in the number of line losses in its fixed network of 21 per cent during the year  [22]  . Technical Factors New technologies and innovation are significant to maintain Germanys international competitive power. German companies are one of the global leaders in the development of new technologies. Depending on high quality and innovation, the Made in Germany brand has been a guaranty of quality. Moreover, Germany is the number one location for research in Europe. Germanys unique scientific tradition and great variety of research fields offer ideal conditions. Research-intensive products and services contribute 45 percent to the creation of value in Germany, more than in any other industrialized country  [23]  . As one of the worlds leading exporters, Germany clearly understands that science and technology lay the foundation for its future position on the world markets. They are the key to competitiveness and sustainable economic growth. The German Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry is the largest in Europe and fourth largest internationally. The sector plays a significant role in promoting successful RD outcomes in Germany: over 80 percent of innovations in key industries are reliant on ICT technologies. A number of ICT industry segments display significantly positive growth rates; the foremost being the outsourcing services, mobile data services, and gaming market sectors. High levels of public sector investment in broadband and a significant number of private sector innovations made possible by healthy RD incentives levels all contribute to creating a flourishing and dynamic investment environment  [24]  . Legal Factors Germany has a favorable legal environment which is world-famous for its stability and high transparency. The Germanys effective enforcement system and solid codifications provide investors with a strong legal framework to enforce their rights. Its commercial law is strongly respected, because all property rights are well protected and the judiciary is highly professional. As a result, Germany is generally considered to have a secure environment for international investment and business. The German Telecommunication Act was published in 1996. The main content are not only adapt for the development of German telecom, but also show the EU commissions requirements to establish European unified telecom market and the development planning. This is still the basic law of telecom regulation in Germany. The purpose of this Act is, through technology-neutral regulation, to promote competition and efficient infrastructures in telecommunications and to guarantee appropriate and adequate services throughout the Federal Republic of Germany  [25]  . (1) Telecommunications regulation shall be under federal authority. (2) The aims of regulation shall be- To safeguard user, most notably consumer, interests in telecommunications and to safe guard telecommunications privacy; To secure fair competition and to promote telecommunications markets with sustainable competition in services and networks and in associated facilities and services, in rural areas as well; To encourage efficient investment in infrastructure and to promote innovation; To promote development of the internal market of the European Union; To ensure provision throughout the Federal Republic of Germany of basic telecommunications services (universal services) at affordable prices; To promote telecommunications services in public institutions To secure efficient and interference-free use of frequencies, account also being taken of broadcasting interests; To secure efficient use of numbering resources; To protect public safety interests. Environmental Factors In Germany, environmental protection continues to be a major public concern and a high policy priority. This is mainly due to pressures on the environment resulting from its high population density, level of industrialisation and strong dependence on fossil fuels  [26]  . Changes in the climate and atmosphere system are the greatest political and environmental challenges in the 21st century. In the international arena, Germany is a forerunner in climate and energy policies and aim to achieve ambitious emission-reduction goals  [27]  , while climate change which mainly caused by human activities is broad considered all over the world. The ICT industry plays a key role when it comes to curbing climate change. Deutsche Telekom discussed this fact at the United Nations COP  17  climate protection  conference  [28]  , which was held in December  2011  in Durban, emphasizing the necessity of setting specific and mandatory targets. As a forerunner, Deutsche Telekom is developing the products and services in line with these criteria, making it possible for the customers to engage in green consumption with their innovative ICT services and solutions. The company is also investing heavily in the development of a environmental and climate friendly network infrastructure. Moreover, Deutsche Telekom takes a lot of measures to reduce the impacts which their own business activities have on the climate and environment. Reducing the Groups CO2  emissions in Germany is a key point of the  climate protection strategy  [29]  . PESTLE analysis of China Telecom Political Factors China telecom industry started from state-run business, it was directly influenced by national economy policy, macro development environment and national control policy. Due to the monopoly of telecom economy in China (Yang Yubinge.a. 2011), the telecom companies have closely connection with government and supervisory institution. Since reform and opening-up, the telecommunication industry of China has been developed at full speed, its achievement having attracted peoples attention in the world (Wang 2000). The system reform of the Chinese telecommunication industry is being deepened constantly in recent years as well. The government promised open up the telecom market when China joined WTO in 2001. Then scores of abroad companies applied for the add-value businesses in China and invested in the domestic provider. But there is no one applies to open the network provider company in China because of the high development cost and policy risk. In order to develop the telecom industry, the state formulated and promulgated a series of policies such as 2006-2020 National informatization development strategy, The information industry 115 planning and Telecom industry adjust and revitalization plan 2009-2011. The information industry 115 planning showed that the telecom provider should enhance the interaction with manufacturing industry. Telecom industry adjust and revitalization plan 2009-2011emphasized that the industrys independent innovation of information technology was the most important strategy objective. With the improvement of control policy and sustaining reform, there will be an increasing number of abroad provider join in the Chinese telecom market. The telecom provider in China will be confronted with a free and pro-competition environment, which indicates that more incentive competition will come into being. Economy Factors The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) is the worlds second largest economy by normal GDP and by purchasing power parity after the United States  [30]  . It is the worlds fastest-growing major economy, with growth rates averaging 10% over the past 30 years  [31]  . China is also the largest exporter and second largest importer of goods in the world. On a per capita income basis, China ranked 90th by nominal GDP and 91st by GDP (PPP) in 2011, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The provinces in the coastal regions of china tend to be more industrialized, while regions in the hinterland are less developed. As Chinas economic importance has grown, so has attention to the structure and health of the economy. After the reform and opening-up policy in China, the national economy is developing fast and steady, the consumer power of society is also expending fast. This is also promoting the development of telecom industry. The Chinese telecommunication sectors growth rate was about 20% between 1997 and 2002. China fixed-line and mobile operators have invested an average of 25 billion US dollars on network infrastructure in the last years, which will be more than all western European carriers combined. As a result, with 13 billion citizens, China owns the worlds largest fixed-line and mobile network in terms of both network capacity and number of subscribers. As of March 2012, there were a total of 284.3 million fixed-line telephone subscribers and 1.01 billion mobile phone subscribers in China.  [32]   Social Factors As the peoples living standard continuing to improve and communication consumption capacity is continuing to grow, there are more and more consumers like to enjoy a variety of telecommunications services. This requires telecom companies network equipment continual upgrading (ZhangLei 2007); meanwhile develop the enormous potential new business to be excited to meet new consumer demands, which gives Chinas telecommunications equipment market tremendous demand potential. As a state-run telecom operator shouldering the heavy tasks of national information infrastructure construction and modern telecommunications services, China Telecom has always been adhered to the faith of All-round innovation, seeking truth through pragmatic practice, taking human being as the basis and jointly creating value.  [33]  China Telecom is repaying the society, serving the customer, taking care of the staff, and repaying the shareholders while keeping the company steadily developed and grown under the concept of scientific development and in line with the ever-changing environment. China Telecom carried out its social responsibility in all the operation processes while providing services and products, and makes its great efforts in realizing the coordination and harmonious unity between the corporate development and social development, and environment protection while contributing to the social progress  [34]  . In short, China is still belonging to the developing countries; the penetration rate of the telecommunications business is still lower (Liu 2007). In the future, the telecommunications market will continue to expand the scale. Technological Factors In the aspect of technological, China has launched its own domestic 3G mobile technology standard TD-SCDMA, which will challenge CDMA2000 and W-CDMA.  [35]  The development and usage of new technologies like clouding and IPv6 will promote the internetwork penetrating into the real economy and traditional industry. Computer, television and telephone will be fused into one new business. (Wang Xiaochu 2010) Report on Chinas Telecom Industry in 2010-2012 predicts that in 2011-2012, China will accelerate the combination of telecom network, broadcast network and Internet, and promote interoperability, resource sharing, and the development of information and cultural industries, by using of related policies. This interoperability is not only an opportunity but also a challenge for the telecom industry. Since the completion of recombination and the issue of 3G licenses, Chinas telecom industry has set up a three-way struggle, and the competition of the telecom industry has entered a new stage of development. The year of 2009 became the start of this stage. The development of the telecom industry so far is observed to be driven by investment. Since 2010, Chinas investment in 3G will be reduced gradually, and the telecom industry will enter a post-3G era. Additionally, there will be a slowdown of investment-led growth, and the development of the telecom industry will be driven mainly by consumption. Legal Factors The State Council is the government body in charge of all legislative issues in China, including those regarding telecommunications. Regulations and administrative measures issued in 2000 and 2002 lay out the principles and requirements for telecom licensing, interconnection, service standards and charges, network construction, telecom security, and penalties for violating the regulations. However, many regulations are unclear, subject to interpretation, and sometimes ignored by provincial authorities or the carriers themselves  [36]  . The legal system of telecom industry in China is not perfect now. The only law now is the telecommunication regulation of the Peoples Republic of China which promulgated in 2000. And the Telecommunication Act is still on the drafting process, but neither its specifics nor a timetable for its enactment has been made public. Telecom industry will go through from full monopoly to full competition or effective competition. China telecom industry is on the period of transition limited competition period  [37]  . It is expected the telecom industry in China will have a better development situation af

Personal Narrative: My First Day at School Essay -- essays research p

My first day at school My first day at school was a new adventure for me. I had to wear a school uniform: a blue dress and handmade leather sandals. Having run around all but naked for the first eight years of my life, it was very exciting. At school we learnt about Australian culture and its social classes as well as social classes worldwide. Throughout my studies I learnt that Australia wasn't a classless society. The class to which a person belonged determined how they were treated and we learnt through two particular films:' Educating Rita' (Willy Russell, 1983) and 'My Fair Lady' (Bernard Shaw, 1964) that it is indeed possible to break the mould and change where you end up in life. Rita is a twenty-six year old hairdresser from Liverpool who wants an education. Not the sort of education that would get her a better job or higher wages, but an education that would give her more choices and freedom. Rita wants to be a different person and lead a different sort of lifestyle she has led previously. ?Educating Rita? describes the tests and alterations that the young hairdresser has to go through to develop from a person with very little education to someone who passes her exams with distinctions. Frank Bryant teaches comparative literature and it is his job to teach Rita. Frank has lost all enthusiasm for his job. He loathes most of his students, and the main purpose of the rows of classical literature in the bookshelves in his office is to hide the whiskey bottles. Rita is seen as a lower class citizen. She has very little education and describes a religious painting as ?pornography of its days?, she drops the end consonants of her words and swears often. As she?s walking down towards her house it?s raining and looks ve... ...hange in confidence. Just like Rita, she has developed a sense of worth and no longer endures all of the insults like she use to and this is easily seen when she exclaims , ?I won?t be passed over?I want a little kindness?.am not the dirt under you feet?I stand alone without you? In both of the films we are swayed to side with Rita and Eliza because they are battling against impossible odds by trying to attain education. We are led to disprove of Frank?s and Henry?s attitudes towards their students and social class because they have everything that most people dream of, yet they don?t seem as thankful. Both of these films are displaying a uniform message to its audience. Education, in another word, is emancipation. It is the liberation of a person from a member of a stereotypical society to an active agent who can choose and change where he or she ends up in life.

A Good Essay Or Term Paper Essay

1. Answers the question No matter how interesting or well-written an essay, you will not be given any credit for your efforts unless it answers the question that was set. Your argument and evidence must be relevant to the question. This is the most important feature of what makes a good essay. It must deal with the subject or the topic(s) posed in the question rubric. Your answer should demonstrate that you have understood what the question is asking for, that you have grasped its key terms, and that you have followed all its instructions. 2. Clear structure An essay should be like a good piece of architecture – built on firm foundations to carefully made plans. The points of your argument should be arranged in some structure which is logical and persuasive. If you are dealing with a number of issues, the relation between them should be clearly explained. The connections between each stage of your argument and the original question should be evident throughout the essay. 3. Appropriate style For an academic essay the third person (‘he’, ‘she’, or ‘it’) rather than the first person (‘I’) is a more preferable style. Occasional use of ‘I’ may be acceptable if a personal opinion has been specifically requested. You should keep your audience in mind. Try to imagine that you are addressing someone who is intelligent and reasonably, but not necessarily well-informed in the subject. Remember that your writing should be grammatically accurate. Poor punctuation and weak sentence construction will create a bad impression. Mixed tenses and metaphors should be avoided. Spelling mistakes should be corrected. 4. Arguments supported by evidence Essays should not be just a series of unsupported assertions. You need to provide some evidence to support them – either in the form of factual details, your own reasoning, or the arguments of others. In this latter case, you should always reveal the fact that you are using someone else’s ideas. Provide attribution by using a system of footnotes or endnotes and accurate referencing. Never try to pass off other people’s written words as  your own. This is called plagiarism – a form of intellectual dishonesty which is severely frowned upon in academic circles. 5. Clarity of thought One of the hallmarks of a good essay is that it demonstrates clarity of thought. This may be your ability to identify different issues and discuss them in a logical manner. It may mean organizing materials into a coherent structure for the essay. It could be showing that you are able to make important distinctions and insights. This may not come easily at first, but with practice it should be possible to gain greater clarity through discipline, selection, and planning. 6. Evidence of wide reading and understanding Essays are often set to encourage and direct your reading in a subject. If you show that you have read widely and thoroughly understood the subject you are discussing, you will be demonstrating your competence. The best essays are often produced by people who have taken the trouble to acquaint themselves both with the principal ‘set books’ and with secondary works of commentary and criticism as well. They will often show evidence of intellectual curiosity which has taken them beyond the bounds of what has been prescribed as a minimum. 7. Originality An essay will be rewarded with a good mark if it competently reviews all the well-known arguments in a subject and reaches a balanced conclusion. The highest grades however are often given – deservedly – to essays which display something extra. This may be a demonstration of original ideas or an unusual, imaginative approach. Such essays usually stand out because of their freshness and the sense of intellectual excitement they convey. But remember that you are not usually required to be original. Your tutor(s) will be perfectly satisfied if you simply answer their essay questions in a sensible and competent manner.

Global Warming Essay Essay

‘The earth has a fever, and the fever is rising†¦ We are what is wrong and we must make it right’ (Al Gore, 2007) In the context of global warming, discuss the extent to which you agree with this statement. Global warming has been happening for millions of years through periods of glacial’s and interglacial’s. The last glacial period occurred during the last years of the Pleistocene, approximately 110,000 to 12,000 years ago and ever since then the earth has been warming up. However the change between the heating and cooling used to be for natural reasons but now scientist are beginning to think that humans may be effecting this change meaning that the earth is warming. Climate change (a long term change in weather) can be seen from many sources. Historical evidence, such as agriculture reports, as it indirectly show different conditions as different crops grow better in different conditions and weather records can be used to show the weather in the past and the present (only since records began in 1861) which show a detailed change in the climate in only a short period of time. Physical evidence can also show climate change. Ice cores, sea sediment, a change in sea level and retreating glaciers all can show heating and cooling. Ice cores can be analysed as every year a new layer of ice will form and so the trapped gases from each year can be analysed. Sediments on the sea floor can similarly be analysed for the amount of O-16 or O-18 gas is present, as a colder climates would have more O-18 present. Sea level change is affected by changes such as ice melting, so if glaciers are retreating further there will be more water in the sea therefore it will rise. Finally biological evidence can be used as a source. Pollen analysis can date pollen to see when it was deposited, and then they can work out what the climate was like by seeing the conditions plants live in now. Tree rings can also be used, this is a similar method to ice cores, since a new ring grows every year so you can date the tree and then look at the thickness of each ring to tell what the climate was like. All this can show evidence that the temperature of the climate is rising and global warming is happening. The rate at which the global temperature is rising in unheard of in historical terms and scientists believe that is mainly down to humans. Increasing amounts of CO2 and methane gas are major contributors to global warming as they trap much of the long wave radiation trying to escape. Humans add to the volume of CO2 in the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. Since the mid 19th century CO2 has increased form 280ppm to 380ppm. Deforestation removes plant that absorb CO2 so not as much goes into the atmosphere so when they are cut down they stop taking in CO2 meaning that there is more in the atmosphere rather than organic matter. CO2 is also released when trees as burnt. One other human activity that releases methane and nitrous oxides is farming. Nitrous oxides are released into the atmosphere when farmers use fertilisers. Livestock produce a lot of methane which all goes into the atmosphere. And also rice paddy fields emit methane. The causes of global warming are majorly to do with human activities, and we must change what we do. The impact of what we do on the earth has huge global impacts. Precipitation patterns will change and mid to high latitudes will receive a lot more precipitation and drier areas are likely to get drier for example Africa and Central America. This is due to changes in ocean circulation and wind patterns. These changes will also cause more major weather evens such as floods, droughts and storms. The spread of heat related illness could rise in countries that are more likely to get droughts now and food-borne illnesses may increase too as temperatures rise. Also disease vectors will be able to move to more countries that are currently too cold so malaria could become more of a problem. In some areas higher temperatures and less rain fall will reduce river flow and ground water flow so reservoirs may dry up, this could cause conflict between countries as in some areas water supply is likely to decrease by 10% by 2020. Food productivity may become a problem as well for a similar reason, however the type of crops grown may change in areas to crops that prefer that areas weather condition. The melting of glaciers and ice caps cause a rise in sea level which means habitats are lost and it will cause flooding in coastal areas and low lying areas this could mean that areas of SE Asia will be lost as well as islands  in the Pacific and Indian ocean. These impacts reflect the problems of the earths ‘fever’ and we need to respond to them to put it right again. The response at a global level, to global warming, have been to put a protocol together, called the Kyoto Protocol, aimed at reducing emissions. This agreement was formed in 1997 in order to monitor and reduce greenhouse gases. Developing countries and developed countries are both included in the scheme, developed countries had to cut emissions by 5% of their 1990 level between 2008 and 2012 and developing countries just need to monitor their levels so that they don’t rise. In order to persuade countries to keep to this incentives are given in the form of carbon credits, which countries can then sell to other countries if they are struggling. However the four countries with the highest CO2 emissions did not sign up originally in fear of it effecting their growth and economy. Responses at a national level are also helpful. Changing the energy mix of the country to use more renewable energy sources will reduce green house emissions from power stations, for example in the UK a 40% reduction of emissions by 2020 will be achieved by changing the energy mix. Also carbon capture will cut the amount of CO2 as it transports the excess CO2 to places where it can be stored safely. This has the potential to reduce emissions by 90%. Encouraging home owners to reduce fuel consumption in there homes would also help and giving financial incentives to people who create there own energy from renewable resources will hopefully help cut emissions. Furthermore if people were to use their cars less and chose to use public transport, walk or cycle emissions will be cut further. Many cities have now set up park and ride schemes, for example Oxford, so that you don’t have to take you car as far. Finally local responses to climate change include recycling more so there is less waste going to land fill, which produces methane gas and choosing energy efficient appliances as many old appliances produce 50% more emissions then new technologies. These are some things that we have to do to lower the temperature of the earth. In conclusion, Al Gore’s statement, I feel, is correct as we are contributing to the effects of global warming by emitting more CO2 and methane gas into the atmosphere so much of the long wave radiation cannot escape. I think  that all international, national and local are all-important, as they will all bring positive consequences to responding to global warming even if some have better affects than others. I believe that the international is the most important since it’s on such a huge scale the affects should be just as big. Recycling and using energy wisely are very easy and if everyone took these actions then the affects of global warming would be reducing massively. I think for these local responses to work the government should spend extensive money on promoting them – more so than they do already. If all these actions were put in place we would hopefully put the temperature back to where it belongs.

The Power of Language Essay Example

The Power of Language Essay Example The Power of Language Essay The Power of Language Essay The Power of Language Nowadays, more and more Chinese migrants, who use English as their second language, live and work in America. We can call them â€Å"bilingual† since they can speak both English and their mother tongueChinese. However, although many Chinese migrants can talk with others with very fluent English, many native speakers sometimes find it is hard to understand what these Chinese people have said. Some Chinese linguists who are in the union CMAU argue that with the age-old culture, Chinese have already formed their own style of expressing things. And this style may not be changed because it reflects their thoughts which have already formed by their unique culture. However, in Amy Tan’s personal essay â€Å"Mother Tongue†, the narrator used her own experience to show how her mother’s simple language influence her and changed her attitude to this Chinese-styled English from negative to positive in an unconscious way, and finally formed her identity of language in study and fiction writing. This kind of change in language may seem difficult for many people. But Amy Tan is different. To see something about her background, it can be found that although she is an American and received American-styled education, her parents were all born in China and received Chinese-styled education. That makes things different because she had double identities in her life: as a student in school and as the daughter in her family. And she spoke regular English with her classmates and simple English to her mother. Tan’s attitude toward her mother’s language was often negative when she was young. In fact, it is easy for readers to guess which kind of language Amy Tan preferred when she was young because she did not know anything about Benjie2 Chinese culture. The narrator shows her attitude to her mother’s language by saying â€Å"I was ashamed of her English. I believed that her English reflected the quality of what she had to say† (28). The narrator then explains that her shame came from observing â€Å"the fact that people in department stores, at banks, and at restaurants did not take her seriously, did not give her good service, pretended not to understand her, or even acted as if they did hear her† (29). The reason might seem superficial or even a little snobbish to readers. But it will easily be accepted because she was so young that she did not realize that her mother’s speech reflected the culture of Chinese. In the present, the narrator gives the readers some information about her first view of her mother’s language. This point causes the readers to think how her view is changed, and also begin her process of her language identity’s formation. Everything which changes must have a cause. And the change of Amy Tan’s view of her mother’s language is not an exception. The narrator used two stories to show how this kind of identity in language was formed. The one is her mother â€Å"used to have me call people on the phone to pretend I was she† (29). And in the process of pretending to be her mother on the phone, Amy Tan had gradually formed her identity in language because she had to continuously translate her mother’s broken English into regular English. This may have had an impact on her thoughts because she had to think using her mother’s style of language in order to translate what her mother’s wanted done. Then the narrator tells another story about her and her mother’s experience in the hospital, which is â€Å"a similar routine† but gives readers a deeper impression about the process of how her dealing with her mother’s language changed the author’s view of language. And the narrator also indicates her mother’s character by describing her mother said â€Å"she wouldn’t budge† (29). When the doctors wouldn’t serve her as she wanted, in this case, Tan talks for her mother but doesn’t pretend to be her and gets easily what her mother couldn’t. The narrator does not say so but the reader gets the Benjie3 feeling that she felt that her mother was unfairly treated mainly because of her language. What is a shame here then is not her mother but the doctors’ actions. The fact that the narrator doesn’t explain shows how her change in attitude toward her mother’s speech from negative to more positive happened over time and mostly unconsciously. In fact, to show this unconscious change the narrator has already indicated details at the beginning of this essay. When she talked about a lecture which was given to both an ordinary audience and to her mother, she was â€Å"made keenly aware of the different Englishes I do use† (27) She then says â€Å"The talk was going along well enough, until I remembered on major difference†(27) That is she was using the kind of English which â€Å"I have never used with her†(27). These details, especially her surprise, indicate that the author did not feel her attitude change about the difference in language between her mother and other people until the recent lecture. Thus, all her formation of her identity in language is not self-conscious. And all the reminiscence about her language identity formation was only after her awareness of the importance in her life of dealing with the different language she used between her and her mother. Until now, the narrator successfully narrates her gradual formed identity in language which was influenced by her mother without awareness. Different identity must have different effect on study or work. The narrator demonstrates this point of view by using her unique experience both in school and her career. In her view, there is a difference between her and other people in language skill development. Because she was born in an immigrant family, her language skills were more influenced by her family than her peers. From here, the narrator has already related her formed identity in language to her study. To provide evidence of what she says, she gives the experience of her tests in school. She says:â€Å"While my English skills were never judged as poor, compared to math, English could not be considered my strong suit†(29)This will cause readers to think why as a famous fiction writer, English is not the Benjie4 strong suit for Amy Tan’s school study? Why was she good at math? The narrator answers these questions by simple saying â€Å"Math is precise; there is only one correct answer† (30). From this statement, it is not hard to think about Amy Tan’s new formed identity- the simple but precise language which was passed on by her mother. Then the narrator takes two examples from the English tests to show the reason why she can’t do well in these abstract tests. Readers can easy find the reason by reading the narrator’s conclusion about a test situation with â€Å"Tom† and â€Å"Mary†: â€Å"according to my mother, there were very few limitations as to what Tom could have been and what Mary might have thought of him†(30). Also, from what the narrator says, we can also find some details about her altitude to this simple language, from â€Å"broken† to â€Å"precise†, that shows the author had already accepted this identity in language. In fact, as a writer Tam comes to reject the complicated and vogue and favor the simple. For saying something about the identity’s impact on the Amy Tan’s career, the narrator firstly quotes some questions which she was asked by others â€Å" Why there are not more Asian Americans enrolled in creative writing programs? Why do so many Chinese students go into engineering? †(30) The narrator didn’t answer the questions. Instead, she tells something about Chinese students’ performance in math achievement tests and English tests. In fact, the narrator wants to give space for readers to think, to ponder why this phenomenon happens. And it is easy for readers to relate this phenomenon to the narrator’s identity in language. That must be the most important thing the narrator wants to do: to show how powerful language is. It makes impacts on all parts of our life, no matter in study or work. Lately, the narrator illustrates how she changed her style of writing from â€Å"wittily crafted English† to â€Å"simple English†, and then she formed her unique writing style. At the end of the story, the narrator says â€Å"apart from what any critic had to say about my writing, I knew I had succeeded† (31). From now, we can find that the Amy Tan’s identity in Benjie5 language has already changed. The altitude to her mother’s Chinese-styled English changed from â€Å"broken† to â€Å"simple†, then she felt â€Å"succeeded† by using her own simple language in writing fictions. Although Amy Tan is a fiction writer, her purpose to write this personal essay is not to do any literature research, just as she says â€Å"I am not a scholar of English or literature† and â€Å"I am someone who has always loved language† (27). Thus, it may be more easily to cause readers to think of the relationship between language and their identity because she used so many personal experiences which may be also occur in our daily. To think about the title of the story â€Å"mother tongue†, it will also cause readers to ponder what is Amy Tan’s real mother tongue? She was born in America and speaks English as native speaker, but her identity of her language, is gradual formed by her mother’s Chinese-styled English influence. Thus, the narrator gives something for readers to consider and to give answers. In a word, the role of language in Amy Tan’s identity must be significant. It gradually formed her precise thoughts in tests and simple writing style in her fictions. It causes readers to deeply think about if the â€Å"broken† language is really broken, and if this kind of language will also be used in their future life. And they may find the answer when they are greeting people using the also broken phrase â€Å"long time no see†. Work Cited Amy Tan. â€Å"Mother Tongue† Writing As Revision. Ed. EdthAlvarado and Barbara Cully. 2010. 27-31. Print

Free Essays on Fitzgerald’s Personal Background Paralleled with the Characters in The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald’s Personal Background Paralleled with the Characters in The Great Gatsby As F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby in the early 1920’s, he used a variety of sources to develop the setting, themes and characters. Since Fitzgerald lived through the corrupt era of the 1920’s he is able to lend authenticity in his portrayal of the materialism and deceit among the characters of his novel. Fitzgerald was influenced by the novel, The Waste Land by C.F. Elliot (Richard Lehan â€Å"Sugar Lumps† 95). The Waste Land was a response to postwar Europe, which was undergoing a radical change (Lehan â€Å"Sugar Lumps† 95). Elliot portrays a world, morally falling apart with no principle to hold it together (Lehan â€Å"Sugar Lumps† 95). Fitzgerald incorporates his personal background, peers and close friends, to form the personalities of the various characters in The Great Gatsby. F. Scott Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota (Michael Reynolds 2360). His mother’s father was a self made Irish immigrant millionaire, and his father was a salesman who married above his social class and squandered the family fortune (Reynolds 2360). Fitzgerald enlisted in the army and fell for the southern belle, Zelda Sayre (Reynolds 2360). She was socially above him and refused his proposal because he did not have any money (Reynolds 2360). His profits after writing This Side of Paradise, finally convinced Zelda to marry him. Zelda and F. Scott went to many wild parties, drove wild cars and spent an excess of money (Reynolds 2360). Their luck ran out in the 1930’s and Zelda was committed on and off, to a sanitarium (Reynolds 2360). As a result of Fitzgerald’s struggle with alcoholism he struggled with his writing career (Reynolds 2360). â€Å"The substance for The Great Gatsby is largely material Fitzgerald had used before; at the heart of it once again are the love affairs of Scott Fitzgerald with Ginevra King and Zelda Sayreï ¿ ½... Free Essays on Fitzgerald’s Personal Background Paralleled with the Characters in The Great Gatsby Free Essays on Fitzgerald’s Personal Background Paralleled with the Characters in The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald’s Personal Background Paralleled with the Characters in The Great Gatsby As F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby in the early 1920’s, he used a variety of sources to develop the setting, themes and characters. Since Fitzgerald lived through the corrupt era of the 1920’s he is able to lend authenticity in his portrayal of the materialism and deceit among the characters of his novel. Fitzgerald was influenced by the novel, The Waste Land by C.F. Elliot (Richard Lehan â€Å"Sugar Lumps† 95). The Waste Land was a response to postwar Europe, which was undergoing a radical change (Lehan â€Å"Sugar Lumps† 95). Elliot portrays a world, morally falling apart with no principle to hold it together (Lehan â€Å"Sugar Lumps† 95). Fitzgerald incorporates his personal background, peers and close friends, to form the personalities of the various characters in The Great Gatsby. F. Scott Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota (Michael Reynolds 2360). His mother’s father was a self made Irish immigrant millionaire, and his father was a salesman who married above his social class and squandered the family fortune (Reynolds 2360). Fitzgerald enlisted in the army and fell for the southern belle, Zelda Sayre (Reynolds 2360). She was socially above him and refused his proposal because he did not have any money (Reynolds 2360). His profits after writing This Side of Paradise, finally convinced Zelda to marry him. Zelda and F. Scott went to many wild parties, drove wild cars and spent an excess of money (Reynolds 2360). Their luck ran out in the 1930’s and Zelda was committed on and off, to a sanitarium (Reynolds 2360). As a result of Fitzgerald’s struggle with alcoholism he struggled with his writing career (Reynolds 2360). â€Å"The substance for The Great Gatsby is largely material Fitzgerald had used before; at the heart of it once again are the love affairs of Scott Fitzgerald with Ginevra King and Zelda Sayreï ¿ ½...

An Introduction to Tax

tax rate schedule, how much federal tax will he owe? What is his average tax rate? What is his effective tax rate? What is his current marginal tax rate? Chuck will owe $14,875 in federal income tax this year computed as follows: $14,875 = $4,750 + 25%($75,000 – $34,500)). Chuck’s average tax rate is 19. 83%. Average Tax Rate = [pic]=[pic] = 19. 83% Chuck’s effective tax rate is 17. 50 percent. Effective tax rate = [pic] = [pic] = 17. 50% Chuck is currently in the 25 percent tax rate bracket. His marginal tax rate on increases in income up to $8,600 and deductions from income up to $40,500 is 25 percent. 35) [LO3] Using the facts in the previous problem, if Chuck earns an additional $40,000 of taxable income, what is his marginal tax rate on this income? What is his marginal rate if, instead, he had $40,000 of additional deductions? If Chuck earns an additional $40,000 of taxable income, his marginal tax rate on the income is 27. 36 percent. Marginal Tax Rate = [pic]= [pic] = 27. 6% If Chuck instead had $40,000 of additional tax deductions, his marginal tax rate on the deductions would be 25. 00 percent. Marginal Tax Rate = [pic]= [pic] = 25. 00% 36) [LO3] In reviewing the tax rate schedule for a single taxpayer, Chuck notes that the tax on $75,000 is $4,750 plus 25 percent of the taxable income over $34,500. What does the $4,750 represent? The $4,750 represents the income tax on $34,500 – i. e. , $850 + 15% ($34,500 – 8,500). 42) [LO3] Scot and Vidia, married taxpayers, earn $240,000 in taxable income and $5,000 in interest from an investment in City of Tampa bonds. Using the U. S. tax rate schedule for married filing jointly, how much federal tax will they owe? What is their average tax rate? What is their effective tax rate? What is their current marginal tax rate? Scot and Vidia will owe $56,654. 50 in federal income tax this year computed as follows: $56,654. 50 = $47,513. 50 + 33%($240,000 – $212,300). Scot and Vidia’s average tax rate is 23. 61 percent. Average Tax Rate = [pic]=[pic] = 23. 61% Scot and Vidia’s effective tax rate is 23. 12 percent. Effective tax rate = [pic] = [pic] = 23. 12% Scot and Vidia are currently in the 33 percent tax rate bracket. Their marginal tax rate on increases in income up to $139,150 and deductions up to $27,700 is 33 percent. 43) [LO3] Using the facts in the previous problem, if Scot and Vidia earn an additional $70,000 of taxable income, what is their marginal tax rate on this income? How would your answer differ if they, instead, had $70,000 of additional deductions? If Scot and Vidia earn an additional $70,000 of taxable income, their marginal tax rate on the income is 33 percent. Marginal Tax Rate = [pic]= [pic] = 33. 00% If Scot and Vidia instead had $70,000 of additional tax deductions, their marginal tax rate on the deductions would be 29. 98 percent. Marginal Tax Rate = [pic]= [pic] = 29. 98% 47) [LO3,LO4 PLANNING] Fergie has the choice between investing in a State of New York bond at 5 percent and a Surething bond at 8 percent. Assuming that both bonds have the same nontax characteristics and that Fergie has a 30 percent marginal tax rate, in which bond should she invest? Fergie’s after tax rate of return on the tax exempt State of New York bond is 5 percent. The Surething bond pays taxable interest of 8 percent. Fergie’s after tax rate of return on the Surething bond is 5. 6 percent (i. e. , 8% interest income – (8% x 30%) tax = 5. 6%). Fergie should invest in the Surething bond. 8) [LO4 PLANNING] Using the facts in the previous problem, what interest rate does the state of New York need to offer to make Fergie indifferent between investing in the two bonds? To be indifferent between investing in the two bonds, the State of New York bond should provide Fergie the same after-tax rate of return as the Surethi ng bond. Fergie’s after tax rate of return on the Surething bond is 5. 6 percent (i. e. , 8% interest income – (8% x 30%) tax = 5. 6%). The state of New York needs to offer a 5. 6 percent interest rate to generate a 5. 6 percent after-tax return tomake Fergie indifferent between investing in the two bonds. 1) [LO5] Song earns $100,000 taxable income as an interior designer and is taxed at an average rate of 20 percent (i. e. , $20,000 of tax). If Congress increases the income tax rate such that Song’s average tax rate increases from 20 percent to 25 percent, how much more income tax will she pay assuming that the income effect is descriptive? What effect will this tax rate change have on the tax base and tax collected? Under the current income tax, Song has $80,000 of income after tax. If the income effect is descriptive and Congress increases tax rates so that Song’s average tax rate is 25 percent, Song will need to earn to $106,666. 7 to continue to hav e $80,000 of income after tax. After-tax income = Pretax income (1 – tax rate) $80,000 = Pretax income (1 -. 25) Pretax income = $106,666. 67 Song will pay $26,666. 67 in tax ($106,666. 67 x . 25). Accordingly, if the income effect is descriptive, the tax base and the tax collected will increase. 52) [LO5] Using the facts from the previous problem, what will happen to the government’s tax revenues if Song chooses to spend more time pursuing her other passions besides work in response to the tax rate change and earns only $75,000 in taxable income? What is the term that describes this type of reaction to a tax rate increase? What types of taxpayers are likely to respond in this manner? If Song only earns $75,000 of taxable income, she would pay only $18,750 of tax under the new tax structure (i. e. , $75,000 x . 25). Thus, the government’s tax revenues would decrease by $1,250 (i. e. , $18,750 – $20,000). This is an example of the substitution effect, which may be descriptive for taxpayers with more disposable income. 60) [LO5 PLANNING] Congress would like to increase tax revenues by 10 percent. Assume that the average taxpayer in the United States earns $65,000 and pays an average tax rate of 15 percent. If the income effect is in effect for all taxpayers, what average tax rate will result in a 10 percent increase in tax revenues? This is an example of what type of forecasting? This analysis is an example of dynamic forecasting. Based on the information above, the average taxpayer pays $9,750 of tax (i. e. , $65,000 x 15%), leaving $55,250 of income after tax. A 10 percent increase in revenues would mean that the average taxpayer pays $10,725 in tax ($9,750 x 1. 0). With this new tax amount, we can solve for the tax rate that would generate this tax amount. After-tax income = Pretax income x (1 – tax rate) After-tax income = Pretax income – (Pretax income x tax rate) After-tax income = Pretax income – Tax Substituting information from the problem results in: $55,250 = Pretax income – $10,725 Pretax income = $65,975 We can use the above formula to solve for the new tax rate. After-tax income = Pretax income x (1 – tax rate) $55,250 = $65,975 x (1 – tax rate) Tax rate = $10,725/$65,975 = 16. 26% An Introduction to Tax tax rate schedule, how much federal tax will he owe? What is his average tax rate? What is his effective tax rate? What is his current marginal tax rate? Chuck will owe $14,875 in federal income tax this year computed as follows: $14,875 = $4,750 + 25%($75,000 – $34,500)). Chuck’s average tax rate is 19. 83%. Average Tax Rate = [pic]=[pic] = 19. 83% Chuck’s effective tax rate is 17. 50 percent. Effective tax rate = [pic] = [pic] = 17. 50% Chuck is currently in the 25 percent tax rate bracket. His marginal tax rate on increases in income up to $8,600 and deductions from income up to $40,500 is 25 percent. 35) [LO3] Using the facts in the previous problem, if Chuck earns an additional $40,000 of taxable income, what is his marginal tax rate on this income? What is his marginal rate if, instead, he had $40,000 of additional deductions? If Chuck earns an additional $40,000 of taxable income, his marginal tax rate on the income is 27. 36 percent. Marginal Tax Rate = [pic]= [pic] = 27. 6% If Chuck instead had $40,000 of additional tax deductions, his marginal tax rate on the deductions would be 25. 00 percent. Marginal Tax Rate = [pic]= [pic] = 25. 00% 36) [LO3] In reviewing the tax rate schedule for a single taxpayer, Chuck notes that the tax on $75,000 is $4,750 plus 25 percent of the taxable income over $34,500. What does the $4,750 represent? The $4,750 represents the income tax on $34,500 – i. e. , $850 + 15% ($34,500 – 8,500). 42) [LO3] Scot and Vidia, married taxpayers, earn $240,000 in taxable income and $5,000 in interest from an investment in City of Tampa bonds. Using the U. S. tax rate schedule for married filing jointly, how much federal tax will they owe? What is their average tax rate? What is their effective tax rate? What is their current marginal tax rate? Scot and Vidia will owe $56,654. 50 in federal income tax this year computed as follows: $56,654. 50 = $47,513. 50 + 33%($240,000 – $212,300). Scot and Vidia’s average tax rate is 23. 61 percent. Average Tax Rate = [pic]=[pic] = 23. 61% Scot and Vidia’s effective tax rate is 23. 12 percent. Effective tax rate = [pic] = [pic] = 23. 12% Scot and Vidia are currently in the 33 percent tax rate bracket. Their marginal tax rate on increases in income up to $139,150 and deductions up to $27,700 is 33 percent. 43) [LO3] Using the facts in the previous problem, if Scot and Vidia earn an additional $70,000 of taxable income, what is their marginal tax rate on this income? How would your answer differ if they, instead, had $70,000 of additional deductions? If Scot and Vidia earn an additional $70,000 of taxable income, their marginal tax rate on the income is 33 percent. Marginal Tax Rate = [pic]= [pic] = 33. 00% If Scot and Vidia instead had $70,000 of additional tax deductions, their marginal tax rate on the deductions would be 29. 98 percent. Marginal Tax Rate = [pic]= [pic] = 29. 98% 47) [LO3,LO4 PLANNING] Fergie has the choice between investing in a State of New York bond at 5 percent and a Surething bond at 8 percent. Assuming that both bonds have the same nontax characteristics and that Fergie has a 30 percent marginal tax rate, in which bond should she invest? Fergie’s after tax rate of return on the tax exempt State of New York bond is 5 percent. The Surething bond pays taxable interest of 8 percent. Fergie’s after tax rate of return on the Surething bond is 5. 6 percent (i. e. , 8% interest income – (8% x 30%) tax = 5. 6%). Fergie should invest in the Surething bond. 8) [LO4 PLANNING] Using the facts in the previous problem, what interest rate does the state of New York need to offer to make Fergie indifferent between investing in the two bonds? To be indifferent between investing in the two bonds, the State of New York bond should provide Fergie the same after-tax rate of return as the Surethi ng bond. Fergie’s after tax rate of return on the Surething bond is 5. 6 percent (i. e. , 8% interest income – (8% x 30%) tax = 5. 6%). The state of New York needs to offer a 5. 6 percent interest rate to generate a 5. 6 percent after-tax return tomake Fergie indifferent between investing in the two bonds. 1) [LO5] Song earns $100,000 taxable income as an interior designer and is taxed at an average rate of 20 percent (i. e. , $20,000 of tax). If Congress increases the income tax rate such that Song’s average tax rate increases from 20 percent to 25 percent, how much more income tax will she pay assuming that the income effect is descriptive? What effect will this tax rate change have on the tax base and tax collected? Under the current income tax, Song has $80,000 of income after tax. If the income effect is descriptive and Congress increases tax rates so that Song’s average tax rate is 25 percent, Song will need to earn to $106,666. 7 to continue to hav e $80,000 of income after tax. After-tax income = Pretax income (1 – tax rate) $80,000 = Pretax income (1 -. 25) Pretax income = $106,666. 67 Song will pay $26,666. 67 in tax ($106,666. 67 x . 25). Accordingly, if the income effect is descriptive, the tax base and the tax collected will increase. 52) [LO5] Using the facts from the previous problem, what will happen to the government’s tax revenues if Song chooses to spend more time pursuing her other passions besides work in response to the tax rate change and earns only $75,000 in taxable income? What is the term that describes this type of reaction to a tax rate increase? What types of taxpayers are likely to respond in this manner? If Song only earns $75,000 of taxable income, she would pay only $18,750 of tax under the new tax structure (i. e. , $75,000 x . 25). Thus, the government’s tax revenues would decrease by $1,250 (i. e. , $18,750 – $20,000). This is an example of the substitution effect, which may be descriptive for taxpayers with more disposable income. 60) [LO5 PLANNING] Congress would like to increase tax revenues by 10 percent. Assume that the average taxpayer in the United States earns $65,000 and pays an average tax rate of 15 percent. If the income effect is in effect for all taxpayers, what average tax rate will result in a 10 percent increase in tax revenues? This is an example of what type of forecasting? This analysis is an example of dynamic forecasting. Based on the information above, the average taxpayer pays $9,750 of tax (i. e. , $65,000 x 15%), leaving $55,250 of income after tax. A 10 percent increase in revenues would mean that the average taxpayer pays $10,725 in tax ($9,750 x 1. 0). With this new tax amount, we can solve for the tax rate that would generate this tax amount. After-tax income = Pretax income x (1 – tax rate) After-tax income = Pretax income – (Pretax income x tax rate) After-tax income = Pretax income – Tax Substituting information from the problem results in: $55,250 = Pretax income – $10,725 Pretax income = $65,975 We can use the above formula to solve for the new tax rate. After-tax income = Pretax income x (1 – tax rate) $55,250 = $65,975 x (1 – tax rate) Tax rate = $10,725/$65,975 = 16. 26%

CF&F in Light of the Aforementioned Areas Research Paper

CF&F in Light of the Aforementioned Areas - Research Paper Example A need arose to change management of the organization. The following are some of the problems: Training for the hourly employees and the management – after the promotion of the frontline supervisors, none of them received any managerial development training. The management of the company has been promising the hourly employees that they will get training and promotion but this has never happened. They are now afraid that the management is not adhering to the company policies. Communication – there is lack of communication in the organization. The absence of communication is felt all over the organization, that is, between the managerial positions and between the management and the employees. Teamwork – teamwork lacks in the organization. This can be ascertained by the allegations raised by both the frontline supervisors and the employees. The employees allege that the frontline supervisors do not offer them enough training. On the other hand, the frontline supervisors allege that the upper management does not support and respond to the concerns raised. There are a number of causes of the mentioned problems. These causes stem from the past management, for example, the frontline supervisors were promoted within the company and the once promoted, they did not receive any management development training, the management has been promising the hourly employees that they will get training and promotion but this has never been fulfilled, the management of the company has not been adhering to the company policies and they are forcing the employees to follow the policies, this has made the employees feel resentment, the lack of training among the employees is attributed to the fact that the frontline supervisors are overwhelmed by the production schedule.

South Africa Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

South Africa - Research Paper Example The cultural diversity influences the business practices, working relations, business hierarchy, and business etiquette within South Africa. In extending its services to South Africa, it is quite significant for Kelly Services to understand the aspects of cultural diversity in South Africa’s business platform (Macleod, 2002). This report will detail the cultural aspects in South Africa’s business field and explain why South Africa will be a good target for Kelly Services. South Africans encourage good working relationships coupled with honesty, trust, and politeness. They have utmost respect for all and derive their moral values from their diverse culture (Bruckner, 2001). South Africans prefer a conservative and formal dressing in all business meetings and practices. Men dress in suits and ties while women wear formal dresses and suits (Macleod, 2002). They prefer handshakes and business cards as they manifest commitment and formality in business (Gorill, 2007). They significantly observe time consciousness and expect honesty and fairness in all business dealings. South Africans business people have abject respect for their business leaders and business organizations. The mode of communication between the employees, employers, and the public is well established. There is sound cooperation between the employees and employers in carrying out business operations. Indeed, the views and interests of employees are highly considered in any organizational decision or change. Hence, all stakeholders participate in running the business enterprises though the management reserves the right of initiating new dimensions and making critical decisions in the business (Gorrill, 2007). South Africans value inclusiveness, fairness, and honesty in all business activities. They equally disregard titles such as Mister or Miss in the context of business operations. They regard them as sources of

The Invention of the television in the US Research Paper

The Invention of the television in the US - Research Paper Example As it was invented television used combination of optical, mechanical and electronic technologies to capture and display images but as the technology advanced, then more developments took place. The history of television date back in 1884 where Paul Gottlieb a German university student aged 23 came up with an electromechanical television system that employed a scanning disk. As the time went by, more improvement of television was being done for example in 1927 a Russian inventor by the name Leon Theremin developed a mirror drum based television and on the same year Philo Farnsworth came up with the first working television system that had to scan the images and on the same time display the device (Tedham, 1937). This was first displayed in the press in 1928 and thus paved way to broadcasting. The first working television made Germany and United States governments to sign an agreement to exchange their television patents and technology so that the speed of development could be achieve d in many countries thus having transmitters and stations in their respective countries. In 1936, the first BBC started to transmit the first public services that amazed many people in all corners of the world. In 1939, United States started came up with more television technologies despite signing of agreements with the Germany government though the Second World War prevented the development to take place on large scale. This meant that United States had to wait until the end of the Second World War. In 1948, the use of television was in large scale in United States and thus coming up with a true regular commercial television that used programming and thus immergence of legendary people who could broadcast and model among other things (Alan, 1940). This made the ownership of television to increase year by year for example United States had a 96.7% ownership in 1995 and majority of people having more than one

Analyze inputs of UPS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Analyze inputs of UPS - Essay Example category known as: (1) environment; (2) resources; (3) organizational history; and (4) strategy will be provided followed by discussing the reasons why these inputs are considered the most critical. Eventually, the impact of the identified inputs towards the organization including the any forms of potential problems that are significantly associated with insuring the availability of the identified inputs will be tackled. Prior to conclusion, several ways in which the identified inputs interact with each other will be explained in details. Given that UPS serves the world market, the most critical environmental input is the customers. Given that UPS is offer its services around the world, the company needs to have a large-based of regular customers to enable the company to compensate with its daily operational expenses associated with the need to establish several offices around the world, investments on its official website and other mode of global communication including the employment of approximately 240,000 full- and part-time employees around the world (UPS b) among others. Back in 1990s, UPS was able to gather as much as 1 million regular customers (UPS c). Under the category of resources, the most critical input in the case of UPS is the investment on information and communication technology (ICT). With the use of ICT which includes UPS official website and the use of handheld Delivery Information Acquisition Devices (DIAD) (UPS c), it is easier to manage, operate, and keep track of its daily business transactions such as the shipment and delivery schedules around the world on a real-time basis. The company will also have a way to maintain the company’s relationship with its existing customers. Basically, the use of efficient ICT enables the company to deliver competitive services to each of its customers. In the absence of having reliable ICT, UPS will have trouble managing and keeping track of all business transactions. The company may also end up

Internationalisation Strategies Taken by Xerox, Ricoh and Canon Dissertation

Internationalisation Strategies Taken by Xerox, Ricoh and Canon - Dissertation Example The case analysis highlights the approaches and strategies that these organisations had taken in the Chinese office electronics market to overcome the challenges that it poses for companies bent on internationalisation in this setting with highly peculiar characteristics. Contents Internationalisation Strategies Taken by Xerox, 1 Ricoh and Canon to Respond to Challenges 1 Posed By China's Emerging Market 1 Abstract 2 Contents 3 Chapter One 5 Introduction 5 Chapter Two 8 Literature Review 8 2.1 Internationalisation Challenges 8 2.3.1 Local Market Disadvantages 8 2.3.2 Disproportionate Operating Costs and Denial of Benefits Accorded to Domestic Firms 9 2.3.3 Cultural Distance and Market Entry Modes 10 2.3.4 Political Bargaining and Positioning 12 2.3.5 Institutional Differences and Corruption 13 2.3.6 Local Density and WFOE Performance 13 2.3.7 Organizational Capabilities 14 2.3.3 Administrative Heritage 15 2.3.4 Organisational Structure 17 2.2 Internationalisation Strategies 17 2.2.1 Exporting 19 2.2.2 International Licensing Agreements 19 2.2.3 International Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances 20 2.2.4 Wholly-Owned Foreign Enterprise 21 2.4 Doing Business in China 22 2.5 The Global Office Electronics Industry 23 Chapter Three 25 Research Design 25 3.1 Case Study Approach 25 3.2 Data Collection 26 3.3 Framework for Analysis 26 Chapter Four 28 Case Studies 28 4.1 Short-Term Challenges 28 4.1.1 Cultural Distance and Organisational Capabilities 29 4.1.2 Political Bargaining and Positioning 32 4.2 Long-Term Challenges 34 4.2.1 Administrative Heritage 35 4.2.2 Organisational Structure 37 4.3 China Strategies of Office Electronics Firms 39 4.4 Discussion 41 4.4.1 Short-Term Challenges 43 4.4.2 Long-Term Challenges 43 4.4.3...The technology for office electronics is closely associated with communications, which was perfected in the US in the 1920s. Thenceforth until the 1970s, the US was the logical world leader in this industry, after which industry leadership shifted to Western Europe. Going into the 1990s, Japan broke into the world economic elite and established dominance over this industry, including all manufacturing activities related to electronics. Now the future of this industry is in China, the world’s most populous nation with 1.3 billion people and the axis of Asia, which in turn comprises 60 per cent of the world population. Office electronics is an $88.8 billion industry worldwide as of 2004 and still growing, with Xerox, Canon and Ricoh as the global big three. The three are just part of over 600,000 multinational enterprises, represented by about 800,000 subsidiaries, that push internationalisation in the global market (Lou, 2002). Altogether, Xerox, Canon and Ricoh account for some 28 percent of the global market through operations in mostly developed countries. Such market share, large though it may be, is proving less and less secure as the office electronics industry in developed markets becomes saturated and overcrowded (Datamonitor, 2005). For continued viability and long-term growth, the companies involved have to turn their sights towards emerging markets like China where future growth opportunities lie. China is a particularly attractive market, not only for its sheer size and cheap labour advantage.

Security Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Security Management - Essay Example The organization needs security training on function and responsibilities of the security and non-security personnel. The organization needs to training on the policies, procedures and rules that govern security matters in the organization. The non-security personnel need training on public relations issues such as conflict resolution and liaison with law enforcement agencies (McCrie, 2007). The security personnel must be trained on how to detect, deter and report security breach incidents and handling of emergencies such as disasters and the security guard safety precautions (McCrie, 2007). The personnel need training on communications and report writing skills. The security personnel should be trained on access controls, documentation, identification systems, and security surveys. Accordingly, both security and non-security staff need training on emergency services such as First aid, fire fighting and crowd control (McCrie, 2007). The security personnel should receive training on h ow to counter robbery, arson, sabotage, shoplifting and burglary (McCrie, 2007). Some of the training programs that will be used include classroom training through use of discussions, lectures and presentations. On the job-training is critical for security personnel and will include the use of training methods such as computer-aided interactive instructions that will enable the personnel to identify the security risks, attack methods and detection of security breaches (McCrie, 2007). Demonstrations will be useful in training the guards on handling of visitors and first aid operations. Role playing will training the personnel on handling incidents of burglary, robbery and shoplifting in the organization. Ongoing ‘in-service’ training will be implemented in order to maintain the knowledge, skills and attitudes of employees through issues of lectures, presentations and handouts on the

Internationalisation Strategies Taken by Xerox, Ricoh and Canon Dissertation

Internationalisation Strategies Taken by Xerox, Ricoh and Canon - Dissertation Example The case analysis highlights the approaches and strategies that these organisations had taken in the Chinese office electronics market to overcome the challenges that it poses for companies bent on internationalisation in this setting with highly peculiar characteristics. Contents Internationalisation Strategies Taken by Xerox, 1 Ricoh and Canon to Respond to Challenges 1 Posed By China's Emerging Market 1 Abstract 2 Contents 3 Chapter One 5 Introduction 5 Chapter Two 8 Literature Review 8 2.1 Internationalisation Challenges 8 2.3.1 Local Market Disadvantages 8 2.3.2 Disproportionate Operating Costs and Denial of Benefits Accorded to Domestic Firms 9 2.3.3 Cultural Distance and Market Entry Modes 10 2.3.4 Political Bargaining and Positioning 12 2.3.5 Institutional Differences and Corruption 13 2.3.6 Local Density and WFOE Performance 13 2.3.7 Organizational Capabilities 14 2.3.3 Administrative Heritage 15 2.3.4 Organisational Structure 17 2.2 Internationalisation Strategies 17 2.2.1 Exporting 19 2.2.2 International Licensing Agreements 19 2.2.3 International Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances 20 2.2.4 Wholly-Owned Foreign Enterprise 21 2.4 Doing Business in China 22 2.5 The Global Office Electronics Industry 23 Chapter Three 25 Research Design 25 3.1 Case Study Approach 25 3.2 Data Collection 26 3.3 Framework for Analysis 26 Chapter Four 28 Case Studies 28 4.1 Short-Term Challenges 28 4.1.1 Cultural Distance and Organisational Capabilities 29 4.1.2 Political Bargaining and Positioning 32 4.2 Long-Term Challenges 34 4.2.1 Administrative Heritage 35 4.2.2 Organisational Structure 37 4.3 China Strategies of Office Electronics Firms 39 4.4 Discussion 41 4.4.1 Short-Term Challenges 43 4.4.2 Long-Term Challenges 43 4.4.3...The technology for office electronics is closely associated with communications, which was perfected in the US in the 1920s. Thenceforth until the 1970s, the US was the logical world leader in this industry, after which industry leadership shifted to Western Europe. Going into the 1990s, Japan broke into the world economic elite and established dominance over this industry, including all manufacturing activities related to electronics. Now the future of this industry is in China, the world’s most populous nation with 1.3 billion people and the axis of Asia, which in turn comprises 60 per cent of the world population. Office electronics is an $88.8 billion industry worldwide as of 2004 and still growing, with Xerox, Canon and Ricoh as the global big three. The three are just part of over 600,000 multinational enterprises, represented by about 800,000 subsidiaries, that push internationalisation in the global market (Lou, 2002). Altogether, Xerox, Canon and Ricoh account for some 28 percent of the global market through operations in mostly developed countries. Such market share, large though it may be, is proving less and less secure as the office electronics industry in developed markets becomes saturated and overcrowded (Datamonitor, 2005). For continued viability and long-term growth, the companies involved have to turn their sights towards emerging markets like China where future growth opportunities lie. China is a particularly attractive market, not only for its sheer size and cheap labour advantage.

Based System for Sales, Marketing and Customer Information Essay Example for Free

Based System for Sales, Marketing and Customer Information Essay We propose a new cloud based system that will compile all of the past sales and marketing information and current customer contacts and needs. This system will allow employees from all areas and locations access to marketing tools and sales data. The components needed to use the new cloud system are Clients which is computer hardware and software that relies on the cloud for application and other Cloud services. The other services could not run without the help of Cloud computing. The second is Services; this is a software system that is designed to support machine-to-machine communication through a network. Next is Application; this helps the Cloud in the software architecture, this often eliminates the need to install and run the application on the costumers own computer. Platform facilitates deployment of applications without the cost of complexity of buying and managing the underlying hardware and software layers. Storage is the delivery of data storage as a service. Then there is infrastructure; this is the delivery of computer infrastructure as a service. All of these components are very important to the new system of cloud we are creating to better Riordan. The data requirements can be simply updated with a downloadable software update that will come with the program to make it simpler to install. The only things that will be needed while using this software are access to the internet and an external hard drive. The hard drive will ensure that it will not take up too much memory from the internal hard drive as it has a large amount of memory. Using the software is simple and easy to learn. It can be a little hard if one does not have proper knowledge of the internet. In order to be able to download this program the proper way without any add-ons of viruses, one would have to have the knowledge of the internet and to be able to download programs. The last thing that will help when using out software, is knowing how to use an external hard drive and how to hook it into the computer. The new cloud system uses more memory then our last version making an external hard drive a little more needed. These requirements will make using the software as simple and will help any company track sales and other financial information. Riordan would be able to manage data, text, and document management as a communication simplicity tool. As in any company, data is an informational asset that brings in earnings, investing in data management. Simply spoken, it helps to raise customer relationship management (CRM), while cutting expenses. This type of database will enable increased speeds for locating the products the customers want. It will reduce, considerably, the unauthorized purchases, and improve the efficiency in the operation, helping to also reduce errors in customer purchases. Part of the restructuring, would involve a need for Riordan implement consolidating software applications for all of the branches. The security of this software and concerns are the same as any software. As long as the company sticks to the policy there should not be any problems. We have made sure that this program is safe and secure. The data will be protected as long as the computers and users are safe with Virus protectors that are installed. So far we have not seen any flaws within the program as long as it is used properly. Any ethical concerns should be addressed to our company so we can make sure they are fixed and made sure that the data is safe and secure. This system can be used with mobile devices such as smart phones and any smart tablet. We have made this possible to help companies who travel a lot and cannot always be around a computer. We added this in to help make tracking a simpler step for all companies who use our system. Because the system as a whole carries far too much data for smart phones and tablets, we have created an app that can be downloaded with a smaller call for storage. This will help to not take up too much storage on smaller devices.

The Heritage Of Pakistan

The Heritage Of Pakistan Moen-jo-Daro is situated at a distance of some kilometers from Larkana. A civilization fourished there some 4000 years ago. It was discovered by Sir John Marshall in 1922. Moen-jo-Daro stands as most spectecular of all the excavate cities of the Indus Valley civilizaton. It is strange that at its glory, it was a beautiful city with brick walled houses, pillared halls, markets, baths, lanes, streets and public places. Every house had walls, drains and bathrooms inside it 2. Harappa Harappa is situated in the city of Sahiwal. Scientists and archaeologists believe that Harappa also belongs to the Indus Valley Civilization. Remains of this city were excavated in the 1920. 3. Gandhara It is comparatively a new civilization, the regions comprising Northern Punjab, Peshawar valley and Eastern Afghanistan was known as Gandhara. For a long time it remained the meeting place of various ancient cultures, as it was rule by many rulers. A distinctive art which is known as Gandhara Art took place from here and flourished during the 2nd and 3rd century of Christian era. Thousands monasteries and stupas were widely here Buddhas figures, shapes and monasteries all made prominent features of Gandhara Arts. 4. Buddhist Remains The Buddhist era ushered in some 500 years B.C. The Buddhist monastery Takht-I-Bahi is in N.W.F.P, it dates 2-5 century old. Some mounds were also found near Peshawar which represents Kanishkas mighty Pakistan. An impressive complex of Chapels, Stupas, quadrangles and monks cells are also found. The great Buddhist civilization is now forming the heritage of the present Pakistan Culture. 5. Taxila It was excavated in recent times near Rawalpindi. Taxila is the most popular name in history. It came into prominence during the Persian occupation. At its zenith, the city was the nucleus of religious and cultural activities. 6. Thatta The main town of Thatta is famous for specimens of Indo-Muslim architecture in the Sub Continent. Notable among them is the great mosque built by Shah-Jahan. The principle monuments of Thatta are located on the Makli Hill. 2.3.2 Architectural Heritage 1. Lahore Fort It is also known as the Shahi Qila. It was built by Akbar. The main structures inside the fort are the Moti Masjid, Diwan-e-Aam, Maktab Khana, the Shish Mahal and Nawlakha. The Hathi and Alamgir gates are also remarkable constructions. 2. Badshahi Masjid It was built by Aurangzeb. Its architecture is similar to the Jamia Masjid Delhi. The masjid has been built with red stones while the domes are in marble. 3. Jahangir Tomb This tomb was built by Shah Jahan. It is known as a fine building of Lahore. 4. Shalimar Garden It is situated on the Grand Trunk Road and is a magnificent remnant of Mughal Granduer. The garden constitutes of three terraces, one above the other. Besides there is an elaborate and beautiful reservoir, water channels and fountains. 5. Masjid Wazir Khan It is situated in Kashmir Bazaar inside the walls of the old city. It was built by Nawab Wazir Khan who was a viceroy of Punjab under Shah Jahan. 6. Golden Masjid It is situated near Masjid Wazir Khan. It was built during the rule of Mohammad Shah and it is also a very beautiful piece of architecture. 7. Mahabat Khan Masjid This masjid was built by a Governor of Peshawar, Mahabat Khan, during Shah Jahans reign. It has a fine massive structure with lofty minarets. 8. The Fort of Bala Hasar This fort was built on raised platform 92 feet from the ground level. There are two gardens near the fort. 2.4 Economy of Pakistan The economy of Pakistan is the 27th largest in the world in nominal terms and 47th largest in the world in terms of purchasing power parity. Pakistan has a semi-industrialized economy, which mainly encompasses textiles, chemicals, food processing, agriculture and other industries. Growth poles of Pakistans economy are situated along the Indus River; diversified economies of Karachi and Punjabs urban centers coexist with lesser developed areas in other parts of the country. The economy has suffered in the past from decades of internal political disputes, a fast growing population, mixed levels of foreign investment, and a costly, ongoing confrontation with neighboring India. Foreign exchange reserves are bolstered by steady worker remittances, but a growing current account deficit driven by a widening trade gap as import growth outstrips export expansion could draw down reserves and dampen GDP growth in the medium term. Stock market In the first four years of the twenty-first century, Pakistans KSE 100 Index was the best-performing stock market index in the world as declared by the international magazine Business Week. The stock market capitalization of listed companies in Pakistan was valued at $5,937 million in 2005 by the World Bank. But in 2008, after the General Elections, uncertain political environment, rising militancy along western borders of the country, and mounting inflation and current account deficits resulted in the steep decline of the Karachi Stock Exchange. As a result, the corporate sector of Pakistan has declined dramatically in recent times. However the market bounced back strongly in 2009 and the trend continues in 2011. Demographics With a per capita GDP of over $3000 in 2006 compared with $2600 in 2005 in 2005 the World Bank considers Pakistan a medium-income country, it is also recorded as a Medium Development Country on the Human Development Index 2007. Pakistan has a large informal economy, which the government is trying to document and assess. Approximately 56% of adults are literate, and life expectancy is about 64 years. The population, about 168 million in 2007, is growing at about 1.80%. Relatively few resources in the past had been devoted to socio-economic development or infrastructure projects. Inadequate provision of social services, high birth rates and immigration from nearby countries in the past have contributed to a persistence of poverty. An influential recent study concluded that the fertility rate peaked in the 1980s, and has since fallen sharply. Pakistan has a family-income Gini index of 41, close to the world average of 39. Employment The high population growth in the past few decades has ensured that a very large number of young people are now entering the labor market. Even though it is among the seven most populous Asian nations, Pakistan has a lower population density than Bangladesh, Japan, India, and the Philippines. In the past, excessive red tape made firing from jobs, and consequently hiring, difficult. Significant progress in taxation and business reforms has ensured that many firms now are not compelled to operate in the underground economy. In late 2006, the government launched an ambitious nationwide service employment scheme aimed at disbursing almost $2 billion over five years. Mean wages were $0.98 per manhour in 2009.Rate of unemployment is 25%. High inflation and limited wage growth have drawn more women into the workforce to feed their families, in spite of cultural resistance and domestic abuse over the issue. Tourism Tourism in Pakistan has been stated as being the tourism industrys next big thing. Pakistan, with its diverse cultures, people and landscapes has attracted 0.7 million tourists to the country, almost double to that of a decade ago. Pakistans tourism industry was in its heyday during the 1970s when the country received unprecedented amounts of foreign tourists, thanks to the Hippie trail. The main destinations of choice for these tourists were the Khyber Pass, Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore, Swat, Quetta, Gwadar and Rawalpindi. The countrys attraction range from the ruin of civilization such as Mohenjo-daro, Harappa and Taxila, to the Himalayan hill stations, which attract those interested in winter sports. Pakistan is home to several mountain peaks over 7000 m, which attracts adventurers and mountaineers from around the world. The north part of Pakistan has many old fortresses, ancient architecture and the Hunza and Chitral valley, home to small pre-Islamic Animist Kalasha community claiming descent from Alexander the Great. The romance of the historic Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is timeless and legendary, Punjab province has the site of Alexanders battle on the Jhelum River and the historic city of Lahore, Pakistans cultural capital, with many examples of Mughal architecture such as Badshahi Masjid, Shalimar Gardens, Tomb of Jahangir and the Lahore Fort. Before the Global economic crisis, Pakistan received more than 500,000 tourists annually. Tourism in Pakistan is still a growing industry. Major attracti ons today include ruins of Indus valley civilization and mountain resorts in the Himalayas. Himalayan and Karakoram Range. 2.5 Currency System in Pakistan Rupee The basic unit of currency is the Rupee, ISO code PKR and abbreviated Rs, which is divided into 100 paisas. Currently the newly printed 5,000 rupee note is the largest denomination in circulation. Recently the SBP has introduced all new design notes of Rs. 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, and 5000 denomination, while the design work of Rs.10,000 note is in progress which will help the banking industry in keeping few notes in saving accounts. The new notes have been designed using the euro technology and are made in eye-catching bright colours and bold, stylish designs. Dollar-Rupee exchange rate The Pakistani Rupee was pegged to the Pound sterling until 1982, when the government of General Zia-ul-Haq, changed it to managed float. As a result, the rupee devalued by 38.5% between 1982/83 many of the industries built by his predecessor suffered with a huge surge in import costs. After years of appreciation under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and despite huge increases in foreign aid the Rupee depreciated. Foreign exchange rate The Pakistani rupee depreciated against the US dollar until around the start of the 21st century, when Pakistans large current-account surplus pushed the value of the rupee up versus the dollar. Pakistans central bank then stabilized by lowering interest rates and buying dollars, in order to preserve the countrys export competitiveness. Foreign exchange reserves Pakistan maintains foreign reserves with State Bank of Pakistan. The currency of the reserves was solely US dollar incurring speculated losses after the Dollar prices fell during 2005, forcing the then Governor SBP Ishrat Hussain to step down. In the same year the SBP issued an official statement proclaiming diversification of reserves in currencies including Euro and Yen, withholding ratio of diversification. In October 2007, at the end of Prime Minister Shaukat Azizs tenure, Pakistan raised back its Foreign Reserves to $16.4 billion. Pakistans trade deficit was at $13 billion, exports grew to $18 billion, revenue generation increased to become $13 billion and the country attracted foreign investment of $8.4 billion. However, following the international credit crisis and spikes in crude oil prices Pakistans economy could not withstand the pressure and on October 11, 2008 State Bank of Pakistan reported that countrys foreign exchange reserves had gone down by $571.9 Million to $7749.7 Million. The foreign exchange reserves had declined more by $10 billion to an alarming rate of $6.59 billion. In July 2011, the State Bank of Pakistan reported reserves to hit an all time high of $18.25 billion. 2.6 Foreign Trade Investment Foreign direct investment in Pakistan soared by 180.6 per cent year-on-year to US$2.22 billion and portfolio investment by 276 per cent to $407.4 million during the first nine months of fiscal year 2006, the State Bank of Pakistan reported on April 24. During July-March 2005-06, FDI year-on-year increased to $2.224 billion from only $792.6 million and portfolio investment to $407.4 million, whereas it was $108.1 million in the corresponding period last year, according to the latest statistics released by the State Bank. Pakistan has achieved FDI of almost $8.4 billion in the financial year 06/07, surpassing the government target of $4 billion. Foreign investment had significantly declined by 2010, dropping by 54.6% due to Pakistans political instability and weak law and order, according to the Bank of Pakistan. Pakistan is now the most investment-friendly nation in South Asia. Business regulations have been profoundly overhauled along liberal lines, especially since 1999. Most barriers to the flow of capital and international direct investment have been removed. Foreign investors do not face any restrictions on the inflow of capital, and investment of up to 100% of equity participation is allowed in most sectors. Unlimited remittance of profits, dividends, service fees or capital is now the rule. Business regulations are now among the most liberal in the region. This was confirmed by the World Banks Ease of Doing Business Index report published in September 2009 ranking Pakistan at 85th well ahead of neighbors like China at 89th and India at 133rd. Pakistan is attracting an increasingly large amount of private equity and was the ranked as number 20 in the world based on the amount of private equity entering the nation. Pakistan has been able to attract a large portion of the global private equity investments because of economic reforms initiated in 2003 that have provided foreign investors with greater assurances for the stability of the nation and their ability to repatriate invested funds in the future. Tariffs have been reduced to an average rate of 16%, with a maximum of 25%. The privatization process, which started in the early 1990s, has gained momentum, with most of the banking system privately owned, and the oil sector targeted to be the next big privatization operation. The recent improvements in the economy and the business environment have been recognized by international rating agencies such as Moodys and Standard and Poors. Society Of Pakistan 3.1 Islam Islam is adept by the majority of Pakistanis and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives, among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening, Friday is the Muslim holy day. Everything is closed during the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing. 3.2 The Family The extended family is the basis of the social structure and individual identity; It includes the nuclear family, immediate relatives, distant relatives, tribe members, friends, and neighbors, loyalty to the family comes before other social relationships, even business. Nepotism is viewed positively, since it guarantees hiring people who can be trusted, which is crucial in a country where working with people one knows and trusts is of primary importance. The family is more private than in many other cultures. Female relatives are protected from outside influences. It is considered inappropriate to ask questions about a Pakistanis wife or other female relatives. Families are quite large by western standards, often having up to 6 children. 3.3 Hierarchical Society Pakistan is a hierarchical society. People are respected because of their age and position. Older people are viewed as wise and are granted respect. In a social situation, they are served first and their drinks may be poured for them. Elders are introduced first, are provided with the choicest cuts of meat, and in general are treated much like royalty. Pakistanis expect the most senior person, by age or position, to make decisions that are in the best interest of the group. Titles are very important and denote respect. It is expected that you will use a persons title and their surname until invited to use their first name. 3.4 Population density in Pakistan The Population density in Pakistan was last reported at 225.19 in 2010, according to a World Bank report published in 2012. Density of Population is defined as the number of persons per square kilometre. It is an important index of population which shows concentration of population in a particular area. That is, Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. According to present census, Karachi Division is the most densely populated division in Pakistan. Its density of population is more than 2000 persons per square kilometer. Baluchistan province is the largest according to area, but it is thinnest according to population. 3.5 Education Education in Pakistan is divided into five levels: primary which grades one through five; middle which grades six through eight; high which grades nine and ten, leading to the Secondary School Certificate; intermediate which grades eleven and twelve, leading to a Higher Secondary School Certificate; and university programs leading to graduate and advanced degrees. All academic education institutions are the responsibility of the provincial governments. The federal government mostly assists in curriculum development, accreditation and some financing of research. English medium education is to be extended, on a phased basis, to all schools across the country. Through various educational reforms, by the year 2015, the ministry of education expects to attain 100% enrolment levels amongst primary school aged children, and a literacy rate of 86% amongst people aged over 10. According to the Pakistan Social and Living Standard Measurement (PSLM) Survey 2010-11 and last PSLM 2008-09, the literacy rate for the population (10 years and above) is 58 percent during 2010-11, as compared to 57 percent in 2008-09 . Literacy remains much higher in urban areas than in rural areas and much higher for men than for women. Province wise data suggest that Punjab leads with 60 percent literacy followed by Sindh with 59 percent, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 50 percent and Balochistan with 41 percent. The Gross Enrolment Rates at the primary level excluding katchi for the age group 5-9 years at National level during 2010-11 increased slightly to 92 percent from 91 percent in 2008-09. Amongst the provinces, Punjab shows a marginal increase from 97 percent in 2008-09 to 98 percent in 2010-11. Sindh remained stable with 84 percent, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa improved from 87 percent to 89 percent and Balochistan declined slightly from 75 percent to 74 percent in 2010-11. The Net primary level enrolment rates at the National/Provincial level for the age group 5-9 years. The NER at the National level during 2010-11 slightly decreased to 56 percent from 57 percent in 2008-09. Punjab shows a decrease from 62 percent in 2008-09 to 61 percent in 2010-11. Sindh also shows decrease from 54 percent to 53 percent in 2010-2011, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed a decrease from 52 percent to 51 percent and Balochistan improved from 44 percent in 2008-9 to 47 percent in 2010-11. The overall number of enrolments during 2010-11 were 39900.3 thousands as compared to 38202.0 thousands during the same period last year. This shows an increase of 4.4 percent. It is estimated to increase to 41596.5 thousands during 2011-12. The number of institutes stood at 227.8 thousand during 2010-11 as compared to 228.4 thousand during the same period 2009-10. However, the number is estimated to increase to 228.3 thousand during 2011-12. The number of teachers during 2010-11 were 1409.4 thousand as compared to 1386.1 thousand during the same period 2009-10 showing an increase of 1.7 percent. This number is estimated to increase further to 1445.0 thousand during the year 2011-12. A total of 134,118 youth received vocational and technical training under the Presidents Funni Maharat Programme and Prime Ministers Hunermand Pakistan Programme. HEC is also playing its role in running different scholarship programmes to enhance the academic qualification at various levels on merit basis in line with requirement. During the period 2008-12 a number of 3996 scholarships were awarded under different programmes,3572 scholars proceeded to avail these programmes on merit basis and a number of 1650 scholars completed their studies. 3.6 Rural Society Pakistan is an agriculture country and 80% of its people form the rural population of the country. The villages, towns and small cities form the rural areas of Pakistan. Their main profession is cultivation and ploughing. The entire population of Pakistan is scattered and resides in villages, towns and big cities. They pursue different professions to earn their livelihood. Village is the most important and pivotal centre of rural life of Pakistan. Our villages badly lack in civic amenities. There is no proper system of drainage. The drinking water and electricity are not available in a large number of our villages. There are no hospitals, schools, post offices and markets in most of the villages making the life difficult and unhygienic. The village population, due to the difficult living environs in the villages, keeps on migrating to urban areas where better facilities of social life and brighter chances of earning sustenance are available. However, the Government is very much alive to the problems of rural areas. The Government is making sincere endeavours to improve the conditions of rural areas. Modern facilities of health and communication are being provided in the rural areas. Roads, dispensaries, schools, post offices and shopping centres have been provided at Government level. The facility of drinking water and electricity has been made available to a number of villages. 3.7 Urban Society Urban areas in Pakistan completely differ from rural areas in the life pattern. The urban areas are the centre of social life with greater facilities and amenities of life. The urban population of Pakistan represents about a third of the total. Two cities have a dominating position Karachi and Lahore. Since the 1960s, government policy has been directed towards the dispersal of industry, which had become heavily concentrated in Karachi. As a consequence, urban growth has been more evenly distributed among several cities. Rapid and unplanned urban expansion has been parallel by deterioration in living conditions, particularly in the housing conditions of lower income groups. Many urban households are unable to pay rent for the cheapest form of available housing and live in makeshift shacks. Water supply and sewerage system are inadequate, and in many areas residents have to share communal water taps. Inadequate urban transport is also a major problem. The urban areas, unlike rural areas, are well-planned and well-built with modern residential colonies. The big cities, which form the portion of our urban areas, are the centers of high modern education. A large number of prestigious educational institutions are situated in the big cities which attract the students from all parts of the country. The urban areas have become the centre of social activity because of their multifarious aspects of social life. The industrial progress and the location of Government and other departments in the urban areas have made these areas prosperous and progressing. 3.8 Difference between Rural and Urban Society of Pakistan Function Villages and towns differ in function. Villages are usually engaged in primary activities, including farming, animal keeping, lumbering, fishing etc. Towns are engaged in secondary and tertiary activities, like manufacturing, trade, transport, telecommunications, education, medical treatment and other activities. However, these two sets of activities are not exclusively confined to rural and urban areas. Shops, transportation services, educational and medical facilities are found in rural areas, too. Similarly, there are vegetable fields within Karachi, Lahore and other major cities. It is more a question of the predominance of one set of activities over the other. As a consequence, the line of distinction between a small town and a large village is difficult to determine. Lifestyle Some specialists believe that lifestyle is a distinguishing feature of villages and towns. According to them, close contact with other members of the community is a distinctive feature of rural life. The inhabitants of a village, for example, usually know each other personally. In urban areas, on the other hand, relationships tend to be impersonal; urban areas are so highly populated that most people do not even know who their neighbours are. This is case in large urban centres like Karachi. However, even in places like Karachi, there are pockets in the city where people who belong to the same community or village live. In such areas people know each other and have closer contact with their neighbours. In small towns, which are in reality overgrown villages, most people known one another as well. It is also argued that while village life is traditional, urban life is rational. This is not entirely the case in Pakistan. Most of the urban population in Pakistan has a strong rural background. Although the use of urban facilities changes their way of living, it does not change their way of thinking much. In Pakistan, the lifestyles of the rich and poor differ far more than the lifestyles of city and village dwellers. The objective application of lifestyle as a factor for distinguishing between villages and towns is therefore difficult. Population Another factor used to distinguish between villages and towns is population. Although this criterion is applied in many countries, there is no agreement on size. In Canada, for example, a settlement with a population of more than 1,000 is considered urban, in Japan more than 30,000 and in Pakistan, 5,000. In Pakistan, a settlement can also call itself a town if it has a two committee or cantonment that controls electricity, the water supply and drainage. For example, Ziarat in Balochistan had a population of 619 in 1998, but it was still classified as a town because it had these amenities. However, there are only ten towns with populations of less than 5,000 out of a total 478 urban centres in Pakistan. 3.9 The Status of Women in Pakistan In Pakistan the story of a womans deprivations start even before her birth, where most of the girl fetuses are aborted. The lucky ones who survive are mostly unwanted children. Their life is a journey of subordination. While being very young her parents, grandparents, elder family females, family males, and brothers decide for them on matters ranging from the very thinking to decisions and choices. The most women in Pakistan do not have any choices starting from choice meals to choice males. Before marriages they are under strict watching eyes and are always thought doubtful in character especially when ones are school going, smiling on other males. In this secondary status treatment and doubts their marriages are arranged by the families. After marriage, her husband and her in-laws get hold of her reins and decide matters on her behalf; like shall she or shall she not have a child every year, or whether she would produce only boys, or whether she can seek independent employment and so on. Finally when she becomes old and her husband gets weak or may have gone already, it is her son or sons who decide her fate in the declining years of her life. As if this is not enough, the whole society acts as an oppressor, browbeating her into obedience. Thus, the word woman in Pakistan is synonymous with endurance. She is simply forced to accept certain bare facts of life once she grows up to be a woman. Be it on streets, or for that matter in restaurants, a woman is first and foremost required to be alert. It is best to try and not notice, women are told. According to Hina Jilani, Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, the right to life of women in Pakistan is conditional on their obeying social norms and traditions. In addition to that, women in Pakistan face all kinds of gross violence and abuse at the hands of the male perpetrators, family members, and state agents. Multiple forms of violence include rape, domestic abuse as spousal murder, mutilation, burning and disfiguring faces by acid, beatings, ritual honor-killings, and custodial abuse and torture. According to a report by Amnesty International, several hundred women and girls die each year in so-called honor-killings in Pakistan, in a backdrop to government inaction. She is killed like a bird in family feuds to create evidence of illicit connections and cover them under the garb of grave and sudden provocation to escape severe punishment. The practice of Summary-killing of a woman suspected of an illicit liaison, known as Karo Kari in Sindh and Balochistan, is known to occur in all parts of the country. Karis (the females suspected of illicit relationships), remain dishonored even after death. Their bodies are thrown in rivers or buried in special hidden Kari graveyards. Nobody mourns for them or honors their memory by performing their relevant rights. Karos (the males suspected of illicit relationships), by contrast are reportedly buried in the communal graveyards. The promise made by the countrys Chief Executive in April 2000, that all honor killings would be treated as murders has yet to be converted into anything nearing reality. Women who report rape or sexual harassment encounter a series of obstacles. These include not only the police, who resist filing their claims and misreport their statements but also the medico-legal doctors, who focus more on their virginity status and lack the training and expertise to conduct adequate examinations. Furthermore, women who file charges open themselves up to the possibility of being prosecuted for illicit sex if they fail to prove rape under the 1979 Hudood Ordinance which criminalizes adultery and fornication. As a result, when women victims of violence resort to the judicial system for redress, they are more likely to find further abuse and victimization. As far as domestic violence is concerned, it is the most under-reported crime because it is generally condoned by social customs and considered as a private family matter. Culture Of Pakistan After the independence from Great Britain in 1947, took part of the land of India and created Pakistan as a separate Islamic nation its estimated that approximately 97 percent of population are Muslim but members of several minority religions live there including Hindus, Sikhs, parsi, and Buddhists. Culture of Pakistan is very diverse it stems it stems from the fact that what is now Pakistan has in the past been invaded and occupied by many people like as the white Huns, Persians, Arabs, Turks, Mongols, and various others groups. There are different in culture of Pakistan. Its among the different ethnic groups in matters in their dress food and religion and also pre Islamic customs differ from Islamic practices. Pakistan is the first region of south Asia to receive the full impact of Islam and developed Islamic identity. Pakistan geography is the mixture of south Asia, central Asia and west Asia so the culture of Pakistan is unique then the