Bias Research Article Review

Bias Research Article Review Abstract The review of five articles listed in the reference page reveals that there are flaws in cultural bias and research testing. These gaps are evidenced because standardized testing on achievements reveals that several disparities exist between the performance of different groups of students, that is, middle class students versus those from low income families, and Caucasian students and those of color. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Bias Research Article Review specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, the articles have failed to provide some in-depth analysis on how to deal with issues of cultural bias in research and testing. From the review, it can be learned that scholars who engaged in research on the cultural gaps are often confronted with some paradox. For instance, it can be ascertained from the review that it is difficult to tell whether the cultural gaps are due to differences in the levels of ach ievement or as a result of measurement bias in the research instruments. It can also be ascertained that most parts of the articles examined explore both the socio-cultural methods and psychometric approaches to answer the question of cultural bias in research and testing. In addition, it can be learned that both the socio-cultural and psychometric approaches have been employed to identify various astounding issues, which require those who are directing the test to maximize the achievement testing values for different students. Even though, these articles have shed some light on the main problem of cultural bias in research and testing, still more in-depth analysis is required that can include some recent developments such as the impacts of the â€Å"No Child Left Behind Law†. Discussion and Conclusion In fact, it can be learned that achievement gaps in American education are major cultural challenges that need to be addressed by research. These cultural challenges are not a dequately analyzed in Cronbach’s article examined since they have just been presented as mere testing artifacts (Cronbach, 1975). It should be learned that the challenges appear in multiple forms, ranging from various aspects, such as school dropout rates, college completion rates, participation of students in school remedial programs, and graduation among others (Frisby, 1998). Indeed, the analysis of the multiple indicators would give a clearer picture than the simple analysis of cultural bias in students’ learning process. And, this is factual in the sense that some students have been found to be non-achievers in education as others. Arguably, this is not a simple problem about students’ mis-measurements as presented in Herrnstein and Murray’s article examined in this review (Herrnstein Murray, 1994).Advertising Looking for essay on ethics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Indeed, cul tural bias is a major systematic problem not only in the American education, but also the other parts of the world. It can be ascertained from Berk’s article review findings that cultural bias in the American education system is deeply rooted in multiple cultures as well as the society where students live (Berk, 1982). Therefore, it should be learned that the solution to cultural bias in research and testing cannot be found by blaming the test and curriculum, which Eels, Davis, Havighurst, Herrick, and Tyler presented to be having inherent bias towards some dominant cultures (Eels, Davis, Havighurst, Herrick, Tyler, 1951). In sum, the problem of cultural bias in research and testing can be solved by engaging some thoughtful and careful collaborative efforts among the policy makers, practitioners and researchers from various disciplines of study. Therefore, it is important to learn that the study on cultural bias in research and testing should involve both the socio-cultur al and psychometric perspective. Finally, further research should emphasize on the role of educators, especially on what students ought to learn and possible ways to accommodate students from different cultures. References Berk, R. A. (1982). Handbook of methods for determining test bias. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. Cronbach, L. J. (1975). â€Å"Five Decades of Public Controversy over Mental Testing†. American Psychologist, 30.1: 1-14. Eels, K., Davis, A., Havighurst, R., Herrick, V., Tyler, R. (1951). Intellectual and cultural differences: a study of cultural learning and problem-solving. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Bias Research Article Review specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Frisby, C. L. (1998). Culture and cultural differences: Test interpretation and diversity: achieving equity in assessment. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. He rrnstein, R. Murray, C. (1994). The bell curve: intelligence and class Structure in American life. New York, NY: Free Press.

How to Generate Hundreds of Writing Ideas

How to Generate Hundreds of Writing Ideas How to Generate Hundreds of Writing Ideas How to Generate Hundreds of Writing Ideas By Ali Hale Do you ever feel completely out of ideas? Sometimes, I’ve got time to write – but I’m just not feeling inspired. I might want to write an article for one of my blogs, or work on a short story. I may just want to write something personal, perhaps a letter to a friend, or a journal piece, but for some reason I can’t think up a topic. Inspiration doesn’t always come easily. But for any writer, it’s vital to be able to generate ideas and get on with the work. I’m going to cover some great ways of coming up with more ideas than you’ll ever be able to use †¦ Brain-Storm or Spider-Chart I like to brainstorm ideas on paper, though there are lots of pieces of software available – these might be useful if you want to develop an idea into a full article, as they allow you to move things around. For the low-tech method, though, just grab a bit of paper – a full blank sheet of computer paper works well, as it’s good to give yourself plenty of room! Write your topic (maybe the name of your blog, or the subject for a short story writing competition) in the center †¦ and start jotting ideas around the edge. Timed Ideas Set a stopclock for five minutes and start writing. Scribble down as many ideas as you can in that time, and don’t let yourself stop – keep your pen moving, or keep typing, until the timer goes off. The pressure of time can force you to be creative: you’ll find yourself jotting things almost in desperation, but when you look back over the ideas that you’ve written down, you may well find some gems in there. Lists of 50 or 100 Ideas When I’m coming up with topics for blog posts, I often start by opening up a new document and typing â€Å"50 Ideas for My Blog† and then sitting there until I come up with all fifty! For the truly brave, 100 is even better. It’ll take you a while to get there, but the more ideas you write down, the more you’ll find yourself coming up with new and different possibilities. If you really want to challenge yourself, combine this with the stopclock idea above (I’d suggest allowing at least fifteen minutes). Joining the Dots You can use your list or your spider diagram for this. Draw lines to connect related ideas together: sometimes one thought won’t in itself be enough for you to write a whole article from it, but several points could combine together well. Alternatively, one topic may be far too broad – so jot down sub-points around it. If you’re brainstorming for fiction, try combining ideas from opposite sides of your page – you could even stick a pencil in at random. Juxtaposing two very different elements can give you that spark you need to come up with something truly creative. Using Other People’s Ideas There are hundreds of ways to find ideas ready for the taking. If you write fiction, try using writing bursts or writing prompts. You could try picking two novels at random from your shelf, choosing a character from each one – and then combining those characters. Or how about borrowing the plot from a fairy tale or traditional story? (Think that’s cheating? Shakespeare did it†¦) For non-fiction writers, try using a list of famous quotes to spark off new ideas for articles. Responding to someone else’s words – whether you agree, disagree, or go off on a tangent – can start to get your own ideas flowing. How do you come up with ideas? Do you ever feel uninspired and plough on regardless? Share your tips in the comments. If you try some of the above methods, it’d be great to hear how you get on! Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Writing Basics category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:10 Rules for Writing Numbers and NumeralsHow Long Should a Paragraph Be?Preposition Review #1: Chance of vs. Chance for

Casey Anthony Murder Trial Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Casey Anthony Murder Trial - Coursework Example The report, as a result, seeks to highlight a brief description of the background, charges and the ultimate trial of Casey Anthony regarding the disappearance and the subsequent death of her daughter. It also seeks to analyze the digital forensic evidence relative to the prosecution’s case. Casey Anthony told the authorities that on the dusk of June 9, 2008, after departure from her work at the Universal Studios she went to her babysitter, Zenaida Fernandez’s, home to discover that both she and her child had disappeared. Casey Anthony informed investigators that she initiated a hunt of her own but then was unable to trace her daughter (Alvarez, 2011). Caylees corpse was found six months after being declared missing, near Casey’s residence. The first computer evidence that initiated the search for Caylee Anthony was pictures of Caylee and her grandfather at a gathering. The evidence gave the exact date at which the victim was last seen, contrary to the testimony given by Casey Anthony. Contradicting information in relation to the computer forensics and Casey Anthony’s statement was the 31 day period where detectives collected photographs and videos of Cay Lee, Casey’s night club partying, AIM Logger chat and Casey Anthony’s Cupid profile. According to Casey, Cay Lee was the frequent user of the internet and not herself. According  to  further examination of the family computer, the Encase timeline function indicates the MAC times for the database itself and not individual records. As a result, as the user accesses the internet, the index file does not update the time that it is operational. A vital discovery was an AIM Logger chat that did not concern Cay Lee, Massive activity on MySpace, that goes on the entire day from 0800hrs with just an hour of the lunchtime break. The activity resumes again at 1330hrs, but according to Casey’s father, Casey

Food revolution(Writing Class) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Food revolution(Writing Class) - Essay Example Not only do they increase the number of diseases affecting the people, they also contribute to the rise for money spent on medical services. As such, people should have a food revolution because they are eating too much unhealthy food. This revolution should focus on the consumption of fresh food, people avoiding the use of additives in their foods, avoiding consuming genetically modified foods and avoiding highly processed foods. Although different people, especially nutritionists and medical experts advocate for the consumption of healthy foods and focusing on healthy eating habits, it is not necessary for people to have a food revolution. Despite the awareness of the various effects that unhealthy foods have on people, it is the choice of every individual to make their own decisions regarding the kind of food they wish to have. It is by choice that people opt to eat healthy food. People have adequate information on the dangers of unhealthy eating, yet they disregard this information, thus increasing their chances of developing diet related complications. As nobody forces people to eat healthy food, they will eat anything they wish. The availability of the foods is one of the major contributing factors to this reality. The more corporations roll out and advertise for new products, people buy them, regardless of whether they are healthy or not. Thus, the blame should not entirely lie on the consumers alone, but the manufacturers too. Some love tasty food raced with additives and additional sugars. These are harmful to their health. However, because it is by choice that they take these foods, they will eat them oblivious of their impact in their bodies. Despite the fact that people will eat whatever they like owing to their personal choices, there is every need for a food revolution across the world. People are eating too much junk food at home and school. As Oliver in the article, â€Å"Teach every child about

Just-In-Time Inventory Practices Essay Example for Free

Just-In-Time Inventory Practices Essay The Just in Time inventory system is the one which aims at reducing the cost of inventory at nay organization by monitoring the holding cost of it. It aims at reducing all the costs that are associated with inventory management and to enhance the production of products. The philosophy aims at the production of goods â€Å"at the right place, at the right time and in the right quantity† (Muller, 2003). History of Just In Time Inventory System Just in Time inventory system is another name of lean production system. The creator of the philosophy of Just in Time Inventory was Taiichi Ohno, the father of Toyota Production System (TPS) in Japan. The TPS systematizes production and logistics for the vehicle manufacturer, together with communication with the suppliers and customers. The system was between the years 1948 and 1975. As it was previously called the Just In Time Production, the TPS was basically built on the writings of Edward Deming and the famous car manufacturer Henry Ford. When the founders of Toyota visited United States, they were not impressed by the assembly line of Ford which focused on the concept of mass production, however, when they visited the super market, they were very impressed by the system of resupply and replenishment of drinks only when one drink was consumed. They adopted this system and named it â€Å"The Toyota Way†. Characteristics of Just in Time Inventory System Just In Time system gained popularity. It focused on many aspects of production and helped many organizations reduce their costs on their inventory. The basic characteristics of Just in Time inventory system are that it reduces the inventory accumulation in any organization. The holding cost of inventory goes down and hence the production costs are reduced by large figures. As opposed to the mass production system, lean production or Just in Time production system focused on production of goods in batches. The production is done in smaller lots and sizes. It also focuses on the aspect of quality control and inspection. The smaller lot sizes give the advantage of better inspection of the production batches. The production or the assembly line is divided into work cells, the system step by step production system which saves the capacity and saves the time to move from one step to the other. The most important characteristic is waste minimization at all times. With lesser inventory accumulation, the costs reduce, the inventory does not go obsolete and costs of warehousing and safety does not incur. Currently, organizations that have maintaining their supply chain are effectively making the use of Just in Time inventory system (Hugos, 2006). Benefits of Just in Time inventory System There are lots of advantages in implementing JIT lean manufacturing. JIT makes manufacturing operations competent, cost efficient and customer responsive. It allows producers to acquire and collect materials just before theyre needed, thus lessening the cost and trouble of administrating redundant parts. With the constantly changing demand JIT is apt to the producers’ needs of purchasing new inventory all the time. By acquiring only a limited and certain amount of inventory, the costs are saved and if the demand of a product goes down, the manufacturers are saved from huge losses they might incur from extra inventory that has gone outdated. Not only the inventory problems, producing the right quantity of goods saves the companies from accumulating capital in unsold inventory. Hence, there is no waste during production and demand is accurately met (Muller, 2003). Demerits of Just in Time System Even though the Just in Time system has some advantages, it lacks at some points. Just in Time system if not kept well can disrupt the whole supply chain of an organization. The companies which produce goods that have fluctuating demand can find it difficult to implement Just in Time. The demand does not allow the manufacturers to rely on a certain quantity of material. If the demand is too low, their inventory can go in waste, and if the demand is too high, they might not be able to fulfill the demand completely in a single batch of production (Sharma Narayan, 2010) (from UIU Library). Just in Time has got some major risks associated with it. In countries like Pakistan and India where labor strikes and political instability makes it difficult to ascertain the demand and if the supplies don’t reach the factories and plants on time, supply chain can disrupt. However, these issues can be overcome by making sure that transportation and logistics are well looked upon and alliances are built with suppliers to ensure that supplies are received right on time. Moreover, the concept of safety stock also comes into existence as the risk out running out of stock increase (Muller, 2003). Practical Application  JIT is a philosophy and can not be implemented as a complete science. However, with minor changes, it can be effectively put into practice. Dell, a famous computer manufacturer has made a successful application of JIT system. The company produces customized PCs and laptops for its customers only when it receives the order. The manufacturer to customer model of selling has also made it very successful and it has also helped the organization to establish its unique selling proposition effectively (Piasecki, 2003). Wal-Mart is another organization with an excellent supply chain and is the world leader in whole sell. It has also made a successful implementation of JIT system. Another organization that is very famous for its initiative of JIT system is none other than Toyota. Toyota has made the use of JIT as well as other philosophies such as Kanban and Kaizen. Their concepts of continuous improvement and card system have made their assembly line produce the car at cheap rate. It might seem that with low cost cars, quality might not be as satisfactory as it supposed to be, but, Toyota has implemented some major quality control system. Six sigma is the foundation of their quality. They have come up with different terms that identify how well the work is going on in the organization. Hence, Toyota is an example that can not be eliminated from the success given by JIT system (Monden, 1998). Conclusion JIT system is highly successful of implemented with complete knowledge and care. The idea of the system is to eliminate waste and save costs that are stuck with several kinds of waste during a production process.

Joe Louis Essay -- Biography

Joe Louis   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Joe Louis was born in Alabama on May 13, 1914. He was the son of an Alabama sharecropper, the great grandson of a slave, and the great great grandson of a white slave owner. Joe Louis moved to Detroit as a youngster with his mother. He was the first African American ever to achieve lasting fame and star status in the 20th Century. He did so with boxing, he would capture the hearts of millions of American's, both white and black.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This was a time when blacks were being discriminated against, the military was segregated, blacks were not allowed to play Major League Baseball. When he started boxing early in the 1930's hero worship was not achievable in any professional sports, there were none that were able to command the attention away from whites, however that would all change. Joe Louis began his boxing career at the Brewster Recreation Center. In his first amateur bout, Louis was knocked down 7 times, but he rapidly improved over the years, he captured the 1934 National AAU Lightweight Crown and turned to the professional level later in that same year. Louis won his first 27 fights, 23 of them by knockout, beating people of fame like Primo Carnera and Max Baer. His first defeat was against Max Scheming at Yankee Stadium, he was knocked out in the 12th round. This was Louis greatest defeat, and the start of his greatest challenge.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The next few years would be the greatest of times for the " Brown Bomber ", he got his much anticipated ...

Investigatory Project—Lever

A more proficient use of lever: A heavier lift Introduction A. Background of the study Buildings, infrastructures and a like were built using the help of machines. But have you ever ruminated how ancient structures like pyramids were built? Simple machines figured it out. Simple machines are any device that only requires the application of a single force to work. It is a tool used to make work easier. It gives mechanical advantage. This means that if you use a lever and the mechanical advantage it provides, you can lift an object that's much heavier than you are because the lever multiplies your effort. Lever, it is often used to move heavy loads with less effort. It is a rigid object that is used with an appropriate fulcrum point to multiply the mechanical force that can be applied to another object. B. Statement of the problem A study on the proficiency of lever in lifting heavy objects. Specific Objectives †¢To build a tabletop lever and investigate how changing the length of the effort arm affects the amount of effort it takes to lift an object. †¢To discover other factors that can affect the proficiency of lever. 2 E. Review of related literature The following definitions are the terms and concepts regarding the said investigatory project. Simple machines is any device that only requires the application of a single force to work. It is a tool used to make work easier. lever magnifies force or velocity. It is often used to move heavy loads with less effort. It is a rigid object that is used with an appropriate fulcrum or pivot point to multiply the mechanical force that can be applied to another object. Fulcrum , the support about which a lever turns. Beam, The bar of a balance from which weighing pans are suspended. Parts of the lever (in the experiment, still undefined) Effort end †¢Effort arm †¢Load end †¢Load arm *The First Class Lever, Second Class Lever and the Third Class lever. The only difference between them is the location of the fulcrum. *Levers help you move items that are very heavy. In the First Class lever the fulcrum is located in the middle. The load is on one end and the force is on the other. (crowbar) Second Class the fulcrum is on the end, the resistance force, the load, is in the middle, and the effort is at the other end. (wheelbarrow) The Third Class fulcrum is on the end of one side, the effort force is in the middle, and the resistance force, the load, is at the the top. baseball bat) *Levers are easy to spot because they help us in our lives. Some examples are: see-saw, claw hammer, crow bar, bottle opener, Piano keys, and car jacks. Bibliography Definition of terms: McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright  © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. http://encyclozine. com/science/physics/machines http://encyclopedia2. thefreedictionary. com/simple+machine http://www. thefreedictionary. com/beam Methodology A. Materials and equipment †¢Ruler (with centimetres) †¢Plastic bag †¢Masking tape †¢Scissors †¢Pencil †¢Soap box with soap in it †¢Marbles (in same sizes) B. Procedure To start this project, you will need to build your lever. The ruler will be the beam for the lever. Tape a bar of soap to one end of the ruler. The soap is the load you will be trying to lift. Next you will need to construct a container out of your plastic bag to hold the marbles in. The bag and the marbles you'll place in the bag will be the effort. As you add more marbles, you are increasing the weight in the bag and thus, the effort until you eventually have enough effort to lift the soap bar. Put a piece of tape approximately 1 centimeter (cm) from the top of a plastic bag . Fold the taped part in half. Using a pair of scissors, cut a slit long enough to allow the ruler to slip through. Slip the free end of the ruler into the slit. Tape the bag to the ruler so it does not slide around. Be careful not to tape the bag closed, as you will need to add marbles in it. tape pencil to the edge of a table. Place your lever on the fulcrum. The bar of soap should be resting on the table, and the bag for the marbles should be dangling over the edge of the table. Position the ruler so that the length of the effort arm is 6 cm. You can use the markings on the ruler to measure 6 cm. Add marbles to the bag, one at a time, until the bar of soap lifts off the table. Continue increasing the effort arm length by 2-cm increments until the measures 24 cm. Materials and Equipment †¢Metric ruler (preferably one that is stiff and has centimeter markings) †¢Plastic sandwich bag (1) †¢Tape (preferably masking tape) †¢Scissors †¢Pen or pencil †¢Bar of soap (still in its packaging) †¢Pennies (approximately $3 worth; alternatively, marbles, beans, or some other small numerous item will work) †¢Lab notebook †¢Graph paper Experimental Procedure 1. To start this project, you will need to build your lever. The ruler will be the beam for the lever. Tape a bar of soap to one end of the ruler. The soap is the load you will be trying to lift. 2. Next you will need to construct a container out of your plastic bag to hold the pennies in. The bag and the pennies you'll place in the bag will be the effort. As you add more pennies, you are increasing the weight in the bag—and thus, the effort—until you eventually have enough effort to lift the soap bar (the load). a. Put a piece of tape approximately 1 centimeter (cm) from the zipper part of the top of a plastic sandwich bag. Do this on both the inside and the outside of one side of the plastic bag. See Figure 2. a. below. b. Fold the taped section in half, width-wise. Using a pair of scissors, cut a slit long enough to allow the ruler to slip through. See Figure 2. b. below. c. Slip the free end of the ruler (the effort end) into the slit. Tape the bag to the ruler so it does not slide around. Be careful not to tape the bag closed, as you will need to add pennies inside it (the effort). 1. ncrease the length of the effort arm by 2 cm (total length should now be 8 cm) and repeat step 5 again. Did it take more or fewer pennies to lift the load? Record your findings. 2. Continue increasing the effort arm length by 2-cm increments and retrying the experiment until the effort arm measures 24 cm. Don't forget to record all the data in your data table. 3. Analyze your data. You can make a line graph with the length of the effort arm on the x-axis and the number of pennies it takes to lift the load on the y-axis. Do you see a pattern? What happens when you double the distance? What happens when you quadruple the distance? To use the computer to make your graph you can visit the Create A Graph website. . You are trying to determine the relationship between two variables: the effort (# of pennies) it takes to lift the load (bar of soap) and the length of the effort arm, so choose the XY graph. b. Select the Data Tab, fill in: ?The graph title ?X-axis label (remember, the x-axis is the length of the effort arm) ? Y-axis label (remember, the y-axis is the number of pennies is takes to lift the load) ? In the Data Set box, tell the program you have 12 data points. ?For each point, fill in the length of the effort arm (x) and the number of pennies (y). So, point 1x would be 6 since you took your first data reading when the effort arm was 6 cm long. Point 1y would be the number of pennies, recorded in your data table, that it took to lift the soap bar at an effort arm length of 6 cm. ?You can use the remaining options to customize the font styles and colors of your chart. c. When you are done, print it out. Variations †¢What happens if you double the load by adding two soap bars? Does the effort (number of pennies in this science project) required to lift the load also double? What if you triple or quadruple the load? Use a kitchen scale to determine how much the load (soap bar) weighs and how much the effort (number of pennies needed to lift the soap bar) weighs. Can you use this information to calculate how much effort it would take to lift you? †¢In your background research you learned that there were several classes of levers. In the project above, you built a class 1 lever. Try building a class 2 lever, too. Compare t he class 1 and 2 levers. Do they require the same effort to lift the load? Remember to keep the distance between the fulcrum and the effort end the same when comparing the levers!

Blood Promise Chapter Twenty

The days after that were like a dream. In fact, I honestly can't say how many days even passed. Maybe it was one. Maybe it was a hundred. I lost track of day and night too. My time was divided into Dimitri or not-Dimitri. He was my world. When he wasn't there, the moments were agony. I'd pass them as best I could, but they seemed to drag on forever. The TV was my best friend during those times. I'd lie on the couch for hours, only half following what was going on. In keeping with the rest of the suite's luxury, I had access to satellite television, which meant we were actually pulling in some American programming. Half the time, though, I wasn't sure that it really made a difference to me if the language was Russian or English. Inna continued her periodic checks on me. She brought my meals and did my laundry-I was wearing the dresses now-and waited around in that silent way of hers to see if I needed anything else. I never did-at least not from her. I only needed Dimitri. Each time she left, some distant part of me remembered I was supposed to do something†¦ follow her, that was it. I'd had some plan to check out the exit and use her as a way to escape, right? Now, that plan no longer held the appeal. It seemed like a lot of work. And then, finally, Dimitri would visit, and the monotony would be broken. We'd lie together on my bed, wrapped in each other's arms. We never had sex, but we'd kiss and touch and lose ourselves in the wonder of each other's bodies-sometimes with very little clothing. After a while, I found it hard to believe I'd once been afraid of his new appearance. Sure, the eyes were a bit shocking, but he was still gorgeous†¦ still unbelievably sexy. And after we'd talked and made out for a while-for hours, sometimes-I'd let him bite me. Then I'd get that rush†¦ that wonderful, exquisite flood of chemicals that lifted me from all my problems. Whatever doubts I'd had about God's existence vanished in those moments because surely, surely I was touching God when I lost myself in that bite. This was heaven. â€Å"Let me see your neck,† he said one day. We were lying together as usual. I was on my side, and he was snuggled up against my back, one arm draped around my waist. I rolled over and brushed my hair away from where it had fallen over my neck and cleavage. The dress I wore today was a navy halter sundress, made of some light, clingy material. â€Å"Already?† I asked. He usually didn't bite me until the end of his visits. While part of me longed for that and waited in anticipation to feel that high again, I did kind of enjoy these moments beforehand. It was when the endorphins in my system were at their lowest, so I was able to manage some sort of conversation. We would talk about fights we'd been in or the life he imagined for us when I was Strigoi. Nothing too sentimental-but nice nonetheless. I braced myself for the bite now, arching up in anticipation. To my surprise, he didn't lean down and sink his teeth into me. He reached into his pocket and produced a necklace. It was either white gold or platinum-I didn't have the skill to tell which-and had three dark blue sapphires the size of quarters. He'd brought me a lot of jewelry this week, and I swore each piece was more beautiful than the last. I stared in amazement at its beauty, at the way the blue stones glittered in the light. He placed the necklace against my skin and fastened it behind my neck. Running his fingers along the necklace's edges, he nodded in approval. â€Å"Beautiful.† His fingers drifted to one of the dress's straps. He slid his hand underneath it, sending a thrill through my skin. â€Å"It matches.† I smiled. In the old days, Dimitri had almost never gotten me gifts. He hadn't had the means, and I hadn't wanted them anyway. Now, I was continually dazzled by the presents he seemed to have at each visit. â€Å"Where'd you get it?† I asked. The metal was cool against my flushed skin but nowhere near as cold as his fingers. He smiled slyly. â€Å"I have my sources.† That chastising voice in my head that sometimes managed to penetrate through the haze I lived in noted that I was involved with some sort of vampire gangster. Its warnings were immediately squashed and sank back down into my dreamy cloud of existence. Ho w could I be upset when the necklace was so beautiful? Something suddenly struck me as funny. â€Å"You're just like Abe.† â€Å"Who?† â€Å"This guy I met. Abe Mazur. He's some kind of mob boss†¦ he kept following me.† Dimitri stiffened. â€Å"Abe Mazur was following you?† I didn't like the dark look that had suddenly fallen over his features. â€Å"Yeah. So?† â€Å"Why? What did he want with you?† â€Å"I don't know. He kept wanting to know why I was in Russia but finally gave up and just wanted me to leave. I think somebody from home hired him to find me.† â€Å"I don't want you near Abe Mazur. He's dangerous.† Dimitri was angry, and I hated that. A moment later, that fury faded, and he ran his fingers along my arm once more, pushing the strap down further. â€Å"Of course, people like that won't be an issue when you awaken.† Somewhere, in the back of my head, I wondered if Dimitri had the answers I wanted about Abe-about what Abe did. But talking about Abe had made Dimitri upset, and I cringed at that, hastily wanting to switch topics. â€Å"What have you been doing today?† I asked, impressed at my ability to make normal small talk. Between the endorphins and him touching me, coherence was difficult. â€Å"Errands for Galina. Dinner.† Dinner. A victim. I frowned. The feelings that inspired in me weren't of repulsion so much as†¦ jealousy. â€Å"Do you drink from them†¦ for fun?† He ran his lips along my neck, teeth taunting my skin but not biting. I gasped and pressed closer to him. â€Å"No, Roza. They're food; that's all. It's over quickly. You're the only one I take pleasure in.† I felt smug satisfaction in that, and that annoying mental voice pointed out that that was an incredibly sick and twisted view for me to have. I kind of hoped he would bite me soon. That usually shut the rational voice up. I reached up and touched his face, then ran my hand through that wonderful, silky hair that I'd always loved. â€Å"You keep wanting to awaken me†¦ but we won't be able to do this anymore. Strigoi don't drink from each other, do they?† â€Å"No,† he agreed. â€Å"But it'll be worth it. We can do so much more†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He left the â€Å"so much more† to my imagination, and a pleasant shiver ran through me. The kissing and blood taking were intoxicating, but there were some days that I did want, well†¦ more. The memories of the one time we'd made love haunted me when we were this close together, and I often longed to do it again. For whatever reason, he never pushed for sex, no matter how passionate things became. I wasn't sure if he was using that as a lure for me to turn or if there was some incompatibility between a Strigoi and a dhampir. Could the living and the dead do that? Once, I would have found the thought of sex with one of them absolutely repulsive. Now†¦ I just didn't think about the complications so much. But although he didn't attempt sex, he would often taunt me with his caresses, touching my thighs and sternum and other dangerous places. Plus, he would remind me of what it had been like that one time, how amazing it had been, how our bodies had felt†¦ His talk of such things was more taunting than affectionate, though. In my semi-clear moments, I honestly thought it was strange that I hadn't yet consented to becoming Strigoi. The endorphin fog made me agree to almost everything else he wanted. I'd fallen comfortably into dressing up for him, staying in my gilded prison, and accepting that he took a victim every couple days. Yet even in my most incoherent moments, even when I wanted him so badly, I couldn't agree to turning. There was some intrinsic part of me that refused to budge. Most of the time, he would shrug off my refusal, like it was a joke. But every once in a while when I declined, I'd see a spark of anger in his eyes. Those moments scared me. â€Å"Here it comes,† I teased. â€Å"The sales pitch. Eternal life. Invincible. Nothing to stand in our way.† â€Å"It's not a joke,† he said. Oops. My flippancy had brought that hardness back to him. The desire and fondness that I'd just seen now fractured into a million pieces and blew away. The hands that had just stroked me suddenly grabbed my wrists and held me in place as he leaned down. â€Å"We can't stay like this forever. You can't stay here forever.† Whoa, that voice said. Be careful. That doesn't sound good. His grip hurt, and I often wondered if that was his intent or if he just couldn't help his violence. When he finally released me, I wrapped my arm around his neck and tried to kiss him. â€Å"Can't we talk about that later?† Our lips met, fire blossoming between us and urgency coursing through my body. I could tell he had a matching desire, but a few seconds later, he broke away. The cold annoyance was still on his face. â€Å"Come on,† he said, pulling away from me. â€Å"Let's go.† He stood up, and I stared stupidly. â€Å"Where are we going?† â€Å"Outside.† I sat up on the bed, dumbfounded. â€Å"Out†¦ outside? But†¦ that's not allowed. We can't.† â€Å"We can do anything I want,† he snapped. He extended his hand and helped me up. I followed him to the door. He was as skilled as Inna at blocking me from the keypad, not that it mattered now. There was no way I could ever remember that long of a sequence anymore. The door clicked open, and he led me out. I stared in wonder, my dazed brain still trying to process this freedom. As I'd noticed that one day, the door led to a short corridor blocked by another door. It too was heavy and bore a keypad lock. Dimitri opened it, and I was willing to bet the two doors had different codes. Taking my arm, he guided me through that door and into another hallway. Despite his firm hold, I couldn't help but come to a standstill. Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised at the opulence I suddenly faced. After all, I was living in this place's penthouse suite. But the corridor leading out of my room had been stark and industrial-looking, and somehow I'd imagined the rest of the house to be equally institutional or prisonlike. It wasn't. Instead, I felt like I was in some old movie, the kind where people took tea in the parlor. The plush carpet was covered by a gold patterned runner that stretched off in both directions of the hall. Antique-looking paintings dotted the walls, showing people from ages ago in elaborate clothing that made my dresses look cheap and ordinary. The whole place was illuminated by tiny chandeliers that were spaced along the ceiling every six feet or so. The teardrop-shaped crystals caught the light with their facets, scattering small flecks of rainbows on the walls. I stared, enchanted by the glitter and the color, which is probably why I failed to notice one other fixture in the hall. â€Å"What are you doing?† The harsh sound of Nathan's voice jerked me from my crystal gazing. He'd been leaning against the wall opposite my door and straightened immediately upon seeing us. He had that same cruel expression on his face that was so characteristic of Strigoi, the one I occasionally saw on Dimitri, no matter how charming and kind he seemed sometimes. Dimitri's posture turned rigid and defensive. â€Å"I'm taking her for a walk.† He kind of sounded like he was talking about a dog, but my fear of Nathan trumped any offense I might take. â€Å"That's against the rules,† said Nathan. â€Å"Bad enough you've still got her here. Galina gave orders for you to keep her confined. We don't need some rogue dhampir running around.† Dimitri nodded toward me. â€Å"Does she look like she's a threat?† Nathan's eyes flicked over at me. I wasn't entirely sure what he saw. I didn't think I looked that different, but a small smirk crossed his lips that promptly disappeared when he turned back to Dimitri. â€Å"No, but I was ordered to babysit this door, and I'm not going to get in trouble for you taking a field trip.† â€Å"I'll deal with Galina. I'll tell her I overpowered you.† Dimitri gave a fang-filled grin. â€Å"It shouldn't be that hard for her to believe.† The look Nathan gave Dimitri made me unconsciously step back until I hit the wall. â€Å"You're so full of yourself. I didn't awaken you so that you could act like you're in charge around here. I did it so that we could use your strength and inside knowledge. You should be answering to me.† Dimitri shrugged. Taking my hand, he started to turn away. â€Å"Not my fault if you're not strong enough to make me do it.† That was when Nathan lunged at Dimitri. Dimitri responded so quickly to the attack that I think he knew it would happen. He instantly released my hand, turned to catch hold of Nathan, and tossed the other Strigoi against the wall. Nathan immediately got up-it took more than that kind of hit to faze someone like him-but Dimitri was ready. He punched Nathan in the nose-once, twice, and then a third time, all in rapid succession. Nathan fell down, blood covering his face. Dimitri kicked him hard in the stomach and loomed over him. â€Å"Don't try it,† said Dimitri. â€Å"You'll lose.† He wiped Nathan's blood off of his hand and then laced his fingers through mine again. â€Å"I told you, I'll deal with Galina. But thanks for your concern.† Dimitri turned away again, apparently feeling there'd be no more attacks. There weren't. But as I started to follow him, I cast a quick glance over my shoulder to where Nathan sat on the floor. His eyes shot daggers at Dimitri, and I was pretty sure I'd never seen a look of such pure hatred-at least until he turned his gaze on me. I felt cold all over and stumbled to keep up with Dimitri. Nathan's voice rang out behind us. â€Å"You're not safe! Neither of you is. She's lunch, Belikov. Lunch.† Dimitri's hand tightened on mine, and he picked up the pace. I could feel the fury radiating off of him and suddenly wasn't sure whom I should be more afraid of: Nathan or Dimitri. Dimitri was a badass, alive or undead. In the past, I'd seen him attack foes without fear or hesitation. He'd always been magnificent, behaving just as bravely as I'd told his family. But in all those times, he'd always had a legitimate reason for fighting usually self defense. His confrontation with Nathan just then had been about more, though. It had been an assertion of dominance and a chance to draw blood. Dimitri had seemed to enjoy it. What if he decided to turn on me like that? What if my constant refusal pushed him into torture, and he hurt me until I finally agreed? â€Å"Nathan scares me,† I said, not wanting Dimitri to know that I feared him too. I felt weak and utterly defenseless, something that didn't happen to me very often. Usually, I was ready to take on any challenge, no matter how desperate. â€Å"He won't touch you,† Dimitri said harshly. â€Å"You have nothing to worry about.† We reached a set of stairs. After a few steps, it became clear that I wasn't going to be able to handle four flights. Aside from the drugged stupor his bites kept me in, the frequent blood loss was weakening me and taking its toll. Without saying a word, Dimitri swept me up in his arms and carried me downstairs effortlessly, gently setting me down when we reached the staircase's bottom. The main floor of the estate had the same grand feel as the upstairs hall. The entryway had a huge vaulted ceiling with an elaborate chandelier that dwarfed the little ones I'd seen. Ornate double doors faced us, set with stained-glass windows. What also faced us was another Strigoi, a man sitting in a chair and apparently on guard duty. Near him was a panel set into the wall with buttons and flashing lights. A modern security system set amongst all this old-world charm. His posture stiffened as we approached, and at first, I thought it was a natural bodyguard instinct-until I saw his face. It was the Strigoi I'd tortured that first night in Novosibirsk, the one I'd dispatched to tell Dimitri I was looking for him. His lips curled back slightly as he met my eyes. â€Å"Rose Hathaway,† said the Strigoi. â€Å"I remember your name-just like you told me.† He said no more than that, but I tightened my grip on Dimitri's hand as we passed. The Strigoi's eyes never left me until we'd stepped outside and shut the door behind us. â€Å"He wants to kill me,† I told Dimitri. â€Å"All Strigoi want to kill you,† Dimitri returned. â€Å"He really does†¦ I tortured him.† â€Å"I know. He's been in disgrace ever since then and lost some of his status here.† â€Å"That doesn't make me feel any better.† Dimitri seemed unconcerned. â€Å"Marlen is no one you need to worry about. You fighting him only proved to Galina that you're a good addition around here. He's beneath you.† I didn't find that overly reassuring. I was making too many personal Strigoi enemies-but then, it wasn't like I could really expect to be making Strigoi friends. It was nighttime, of course. Dimitri wouldn't have taken me out otherwise. The foyer had made me think we were at the front of the house, but the extensive gardens that spread out around us made me wonder if we were in the back now. Or maybe the entire house was wrapped in this kind of greenery. We were surrounded in a hedge maze cut with beautiful detail. Within the maze were small courtyards, decorated with fountains or statues. And everywhere were flowers and more flowers. The air was heavy with their scent, and I realized that someone had gone to an awful lot of trouble to find night-blooming ones. The only type I immediately recognized was jasmine, its long, white-flowered vines climbing up trellises and statues in the maze. We walked in silence for a bit, and I found myself lost in the romance of it all. The whole time Dimitri and I had been together at school, I'd been consumed with the fears of how we would juggle our relationship and our duty. A moment like this, walking in a garden on a spring night lit with stars, had seemed like a fantasy too crazy to even start to consider. Even without the difficulty of stairs, too much walking grew exhausting in my state. I came to a halt and sighed. â€Å"I'm tired,† I said. Dimitri stopped too and helped me sit down. The grass was dry and tickly against my skin. I lay back against it, and a moment later, he joined me. I had an eerie moment of deja vu, recalling the afternoon we'd made snow angels. â€Å"This is amazing,† I said, staring up at the sky. It was clear, no clouds in sight. â€Å"What's it like for you?† â€Å"Hmm?† â€Å"There's enough light that I can see pretty clearly, but it's still dim compared to day. Your eyes are better than mine. What do you see?† â€Å"For me, it's as bright as day.† When I didn't respond, he added, â€Å"It could be like that for you, too.† I tried to picture that. Would the shadows seem as mysterious? Would the moon and stars shine so brightly? â€Å"I don't know. I kind of like the darkness.† â€Å"Only because you don't know any better.† I sighed. â€Å"So you keep telling me.† He turned toward me and pushed the hair away from my face. â€Å"Rose, this is driving me crazy. I'm tired of this waiting. I want us to be together. Don't you like this? What we have? It could be even better.† His words sounded romantic, but not the tone. I did like this. I loved the haze I lived in, the haze in which all worries disappeared. I loved being close to him, loved the way he kissed me and told me he wanted me†¦ â€Å"Why?† I asked. â€Å"Why what?† He sounded puzzled, something I hadn't heard yet in a Strigoi. â€Å"Why do you want me?† I had no idea why I even asked that. He apparently didn't know either. â€Å"Why wouldn't I want you?† He spoke in such an obvious way, like it was the stupidest question in the world. It probably was, I realized, and yet†¦ I'd somehow been expecting another answer. Just then, my stomach twisted. With all the time I'd spent with Dimitri, I really had managed to push the Strigoi nausea off my radar. The presence of other Strigoi increased it, though. I'd felt it around Nathan, and I felt it now. I sat up, and Dimitri did too, almost at the same time. He'd likely been alerted by his superior hearing. A dark shape loomed over us, blotting out the stars. It was a woman, and Dimitri shot up. I stayed where I was, on the ground. She was strikingly beautiful, in a hard and terrible way. Her build was similar to mine, indicating she hadn't been a Moroi when turned. Isaiah, the Strigoi who'd captured me, had been very old, and power had radiated from him. This woman hadn't been around nearly so long, but I could sense that she was older than Dimitri and much stronger. She said something in Russian to him, and her voice was as cold as her beauty. Dimitri answered back, his tone confident yet polite. I heard Nathan's name mentioned a couple of times as they spoke. Dimitri reached down and helped me up, and I felt embarrassed at how often I needed his assistance, when I used to almost be a match for him. â€Å"Rose,† he said, â€Å"this is Galina. She's the one who has been kind enough to let you stay.† Galina's face didn't look so kind. It was devoid of all emotion, and I felt like my entire soul was exposed to her. While I was uncertain of a lot of things around here, I'd picked up enough to realize that my continual residence here was a rare and fragile thing. I swallowed. â€Å"Spasibo,† I said. I didn't know how to tell her it was nice to meet her-and honestly, I wasn't sure if it was-but I figured a simple thank-you was good enough. If she'd been his former instructor and trained at a normal Academy, she probably knew English and was faking it like Yeva. I had no clue why she'd do that, but if you could snap a teen dhampir's neck, you were entitled to do whatever you wanted. Galina's expression-or lack thereof-didn't change with my thanks, and she turned her attention back to Dimitri. They conversed over me, and Dimitri gestured to me a couple of times. I recognized the word for strong. Finally, Galina issued something that sounded final and left us without any sort of goodbye. Neither Dimitri nor I moved until I felt the nausea dissipate. â€Å"Come on,† he said. â€Å"We should get back.† We walked back through the maze, though I had no idea how he knew where to go. It was funny. When I'd first arrived, my dream had been to get outside and escape. Now that I was here†¦ well, it didn't seem that important. Galina's anger did. â€Å"What did she say?† I asked. â€Å"She doesn't like that you're still here. She wants me to awaken you or kill you.† â€Å"Oh. Um, what are you going to do?† He stayed silent for a few seconds. â€Å"I'll wait a little longer and then†¦ I will make the choice for you.† He didn't specify which choice he'd be making, and I almost began my earlier pleas to die before becoming Strigoi. But suddenly, instead, I said, â€Å"How long?† â€Å"Not long, Roza. You need to choose. And make the right choice.† â€Å"Which is?† He held up his hands. â€Å"All of this. A life together.† We'd emerged from the maze. I stared at the house-which was crazy enormous when viewed from the outside-and at the beautiful gardens around us. It was like something from a dream. Beyond that, endless countryside rolled away, eventually becoming lost in the darkness and blending into the black sky-except for one tiny part that had a soft purple glow on the horizon. I frowned, studying it, then turned my attention back to Dimitri. â€Å"And what then? Then I work for Galina too?† â€Å"For a while.† â€Å"How long is a while?† We came to a stop outside the house. Dimitri looked down into my eyes, his face alight with a look that made me take a step back. â€Å"Until we kill her, Rose. Until we kill her and take all of this for ourselves.†

Benchmarking Logistics Performance

Benchmarking Logistics Performance Abstract Benchmarking, being a decision-making technique, can go a long way in making an organization gain competitive advantage over competitors. This is significant because benchmarking ensures sharing of information in an organization by simplifying operations and performance. Benchmarking can help an organization become efficient through various methods. However, the whole process does come with its challenges.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Benchmarking Logistics Performance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Two stage Benchmarking Methodology A two-stage benchmarking method is beneficial for an organization. This technique uses performance evaluation metrics followed by continuous improvement metrics in aiding an organization achieve the needed competitive advantage. In performance evaluation, the performance of the benchmarked company provides a standard  for evaluation with other competitors. For example, Ca pstone Logistics may look at how to incorporate proper technology to manage its needs and make the best choice for its transportation needs. Thus, this will confirm what the competitors do to select the best choices to achieve the goals, and if possible be dominant (Murray, 2010). All the parameters in performance evaluation have to be factored. For instance, issues like partnerships, analysis of buyers or suppliers and even relationships of the organization are issues that are thoroughly considered. Partnership evaluations help in cementing supply chain systems thus facilitating organization’s strategic goals. The partnership evaluation parameter can be noted in the level of support involving major organizational issues. This parameter can aid in identifying and solving complex problems. Another aspect of performance is delivery performance analysis. Here, the lead-time is critical as the time the deliverables reach their respective target is assessed. In this case, on-time delivery will inevitably suggest that ideal distribution has been achieved. Delivery also has another feature that borders on the capacity of what has been on transit. Capstone Logistics therefore considers alternatives that influence supply chain such as speed of vessels, dependability of driver and location depots. This analysis increases efficiency leading to a decrease in portfolio levels (Novich, 1990). Continuous improvement can also boost a firm’s principal value. It is therefore expected the supply chain management continually improves on efficiency. However, Lee and Billington (1992) recognize that benchmarking logistics staging cannot complete adeptness if different facets of the supply chain track objectives autonomously. Continuous improvement also complements the performance evaluation metrics since it also takes in the other arising issues. It considers the grey areas that are arising.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This could further the advances in technology that are more effective than the previous ones. This new technology, when incorporated, increases effectiveness and efficiency in an organization (Murray, 2010). For example, improved data mining could do well towards all the company roles. Capstone Logistics for example, has a system that allows users to access the system and validate the model. Though benchmarking may contribute to the body of knowledge, it is essential for an organization to understand why clients are attached to it. For example, DHL does recognize that its customer loyalty arises out of efficiency and effectiveness of its operational process. Analytical method thus serves to give an order of fixing what to benchmark. An analytical analysis helps to assess issues such as process selection, clustering of the different customer wants and may include value chain for benchmarking. AHP was initially quite helpful in measuring the service quality of many organizations. However, the analytical method has failed in measuring the quality of a single organization. It is worth noting that organizations face different dynamics. Thus, it is wise to ensure that valuable quality of service of a single organization is established to assist in measuring customer satisfaction and other parameters, which are difficult to quantify. For example, AHP attempts to address judgmental and psychological information that may be difficult to quantify. An organization should take up a process improvement initiative with the zeal to achieve results (Murray, 2010). Many organizations take up initiatives with the opinion that only the customer benefits and thus fail to reap the fruits of a whole process improvement initiative. Quality improvement aims at benefitting both the client and the organization. An effective model is also that which incorporates the staff. AHP can be a model used for evaluation a nd comparison but also used to increase the benefit. It is a better model if it incorporates staff so action plans expected can encourage competitiveness. That is, complete satisfaction and participation of the team ensures success of the model (Murray, 2010). 3PL plays an essential role in successful benchmarking approach. Capstone Logistics has implemented 3PL solutions that produce several key roles.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Benchmarking Logistics Performance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This has helped improve the process, reduce operational costs as well as aid in implementation of sustainable best practices. It has also helped in time optimization besides providing a platform through which the management system can draw information to aid in decision-making. Capstone Logistics uses the 3PL technique to provide transportation intelligence, track shipments and manage carriers among others. Conclusion Benchmarking logistics performance is critical to achieving an organization’s success. This is because it goes deep into critically analyzing all the organization’s value drivers thereby achieving the general success of that organization. Reference List Lee, H. L., and Billington, C. (1992).Supply Chain Management: Pitfalls and Opportunities. Sloan Management Review, 33, Spring, 65-73. Murray, M. (2010).Benchmarking in the supply chain.New York: NY, New York Times press Novich N. (1990).Distribution strategy: Are you thinking small enough? Sloan management Review 32 (1) 171-77

The 10 Best ACT Books Recommended for ACT Prep

The 10 Best ACT Books Recommended for ACT Prep SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Has your reading list been taken over by ACT prep books? There are a lot out there to choose from, and you want to make sure you're using high-quality materials that will get you ready for the ACT. This guide is meant to help you choose the best ACT prep books to achieve your goals. I've divided the books up into three categories: the critical book you need, the best books for general prep, and the best books by ACT section. Before jumping into myrecommendations, a quick note about the perspective I'm coming from. FYI: A Disclaimer If books are your preferredresource for studying, then they can take you as far as you want to go in prepping for the ACT. Since all of the following books have different strengths and weaknesses, I would recommend using a combination of several. That way one can make up for any content, strategy, or practice questions that might be lacking in another. At the same time, it's up to you to make a study plan and stick to it. This ACT book list hasall the material you need, but it's up to you to make the most of them. Because designing and sticking to a plan is challenging to students at any age and level (the urge to procrastinate never goes away, to be honest), PrepScholar's online ACTprep program has a great track record of helping students meet their goals. This program combines the best parts of each of these books, while also building in a measure of accountability. It helps you design a study plan customized to your particular needs, strengths, and weaknesses, keep track of your progress, and stick to your benchmarks over a sustained period of time. Regardless of what method works for you, we're committed to givingall students access to the resources they need for academic success. That's why we publish detailed guides to the ACT every day, along with free ACT practice test pdfs for you to download and print. That's also why we want to make sure you're using the best ACT prep books available. To that end, let's start by discussing the critical ACT prepbook that every student should purchase. The Critical Book for ACT Prep By calling this book critical, I mean every student should use it to study for the ACT, regardless of herlevel or target scores. It's really important. Go ahead and get it. I'll wait. The Official ACT Prep Guide (or the "Red Book") Amazon price: about $23 Why is The Official ACT Prep Guideso crucial? Because it's made by the test makers themselves, meaning its practice questions are the best representations of what you'll see on the test. They were actually already given on the test, on past administrations of the ACT. All books have pros and cons, though, so let's consider where this oneexcels and where it has limitations. Pros This book has the best sample questions because they're real ACT questions. That means the content will match what you'll see on the test (with one caveat - see the cons section below), as will the format, timing, and wording of the questions. It's crucial to use real practice questions to prep, so you can get used to the test, know what to expect, and assess where you need more practice. The Red Book has five full-length practice tests, all of which were previously administered official tests. It also has over 400 questions available online that you can access with a code you get when you buy the book. While this book is the best source of practice questions, it's not the best book for other aspects of your test prep. Let's consider some of its drawbacks. Cons While the Red Book is a great source for practice questions, it's not the most thorough when it comes to reviewing concepts or learning strategies. It's especially weak when it comes to test-taking strategies, since the ACT test makersare like magicians: they don't want to reveal their tricks. Another weakness of this book has to do with the answer explanations. They could be more thorough. Other books do a better job of walking through the steps of answering a question or solving a problem. This helps you develop a thought process for successfully approaching and answering questions. Finally, it turns out that not all practice tests are equivalent. While ACT, Inc. hasn't announced any changes to the test, many experts agree that the ACT has been gradually changing (ie, getting more difficult) over the years. In particular, they generally agree that the Science section has become more challenging and the Reading faster paced. The practice tests and questions in this book don't always reflect these changes. In fact, many questions in this book seem to be easier than what you'll encounter on test day. You may find yourself scoring higher on these practice tests than on the real ACT. Since the Red Book is best for practice questions, you would need to supplement it with other ACT books that review content and teach strategies. Below ismy ACT preparation books list, divided by the best general books, followed by my suggestions for subject-specific study guides. Best ACT Books for Overall Study The books that are best for overall study address all sections of the ACT, English, Reading, Math, Science, and the optional essay. Some excel in reviewing content, while others are better for strategies, like managing your time, recognizing question type, and speed reading the passages. All of these books can be used alongside the Red Book, where you can apply what you'velearned on real sample questions. Let's jump into the pros and cons of each. Barron'sACT Amazon price: about $17 Pros If you're looking for a large amount of content, strategies, and practice questions all in one big ACT prep book, then Barron's ACT is a good choice. It's a traditional prep book with a thorough review of the concepts that will appear on each section of the ACT. It begins with an introduction to the ACT and suggested study plan, followed by an ACT "dress rehearsal," or diagnostic test to measure your initial level. Then it devotes about 50 pages to each section, with test-taking tactics, skills and concepts, question types, and a practice test. Each section also begins with a warm-up drill, about ten or so quick questions. Barron's discusses the main concepts you need for answering Reading questions, like uncoveringmain point, interpreting details, and understanding vocabulary in context. It breaks down the English section by grammar rule, like punctuation, run-on sentences, and subject-verb agreement. Along similar lines, it describes and gives examples for math concepts like algebra and coordinate geometry, and reviews the data representation, research summary, and conflicting viewpoint questions on the science section. Barron's ACT is a good book for general study, but there's also Barron's for a 36 for those students aiming for a perfect score. Barron's also has subject specific workbooks, such as Barron's ACT Math and Science Workbook, for even more practice questions. Now for the downsides of Barron's ACT. Cons The general feeling around Barron's test prep books is that the practice questions are actually more difficult than real ACT questions. Some go beyond the test in terms of the concepts they test, while others are just worded in an overly complex way. While "overpreparing" is not necessarily a bad thing, it could be an ineffective use of your time. Plus Barron's practice tests might not give you the truest sense of your scoring level. While Barron's is very comprehensive, this thoroughness might also be a drawback for some students. The sheer amount of material can feel overwhelming, and it means students have the extra task of breaking up their studying into smaller, more manageable goals. Reading it cover to cover wouldn't be the most effective approach, so you have to break it up into an order that makes sense for you. Without a frequency guide that prioritizes some concepts over others, this may feel like additional work. The thoroughness of Barron's ACT is a strength, but it also signifies extra commitment from you. Princeton Review's Cracking the ACT Amazon price: about $17 Pros Like Barron's ACT, Princeton Review's Cracking the ACT is a comprehensive, traditional test prep book that provides a full review of content, strategies, and practice questions. It covers Math most thoroughly, followed by Science. The English and Reading sections are less comprehensive. This book clearly states important grammar rules and math concepts you need to know, while suggesting thought processes to use when taking the test. It talks about how best to use process of elimination, what order to answer the questions in to save time, and how to think through questions that leave you stumped. Each section has drills and example questions. This book also provides six full practice tests, four of which are in the book itself and two online. It has an online LiveScorer for the essay, as well as instant scoring for the online tests. Cons This book has similar downsides as Barron's ACT. As a big, comprehensive book, it can feel overwhelming and be difficult to approach. Since it's a traditional prep book, some students might find its style dry and hard to stay engaged with. Since the practice questions aren't official, they aren't the best representation of real ACT questions. Unlike Barron's overly difficult material, though, Princeton Review can be too easy. If you're looking to boost your scores into top percentiles, Princeton Review is probably not the book that will get you there. Instead, books like Barron's and the subject-specific books below are better for achieving top scores. The ACT Black Book Amazon price:about $29 Pros While Barron's and Princeton Review cover all aspects of ACT prep, the ACT Black Book is more narrow in its focus.By this I mean the Black Book is less concerned with teaching you math and English skills and more concerned with teaching you about how the test works. According to the author, Mike Barrett, the ACT is a predictable test that uses the same template year after year. If you study the question types and patterns, then you can recognize exactly what each question is asking you. In a sense, you can beat the test by truly understanding how it works in an in-depth way. Barrett suggests thatany student can score highly on the ACT regardless of their academic performance in school. Doing well is abouthow you think about the questions and avoid the common pitfalls of tricky wording and distracting answer choices. As Barrett says, the ACT is only hard because "it tests the basicsbut in very strange ways." Cons The major con for The Black Book is that it has no ACT practice questions of its own. Because it refers to questions from the Red Book, it has to be used alongside it. The Black Book doesn't have too many lessons on concepts, either. For what it does have, the Math and Reading are stronger than the English and Science. The Black Book presupposes that you already have the skills down, and then shows you how to apply them on the ACT. That's why it must be used in conjunction with another book for content review, and probably only after you possess the requisite skills. Additionally,at about $29, this is one of the more expensive ACT prep books. Because it's a wordy, in-depth look at the structure, format, and tricks of the ACT, it requires a lot of dedication and motivation from students. The Black Book will teach you a lot, but you have to really take the time and energy to engage with it. The Black Book is best for students willing to delve into the material and thereby gain a deep understanding of the ACT and how it works. Up Your Score: ACT, The Underground Guide Amazon price: about $11 Pros The Underground Guide takes a more fun approach to ACT prep. It breaks down the format and concepts of the test in a humorous way, and offers some test-taking strategies. It's written by test-takers who share their experiences and understand what the entire process is like. Unlike other books, it delves into issues of stress and pressure surrounding the tests and offers advice for taming your nerves.Plus it has a recipe for "GameFace Quintuple Sugar Blast Bars," if you're into that kind of thing. Cons This book is a lighthearted departure from more serious, traditional prep books. While it's a relatively fun way to introduce yourself to the ACT and gain some intriguing insights from former test-takers, it's probably not sufficientas your only source of test prep. It might be more like a "pre-book" to start out your studying, clear up questions and anxieties around the test, and learn about what the test and experience is like in an engaging way.To gain more rigorous review of different sections of the ACT, I recommend checking out these subject-specific books listed below. Best Books for ACT Math Are you looking to pay special attention to the math section of the ACT? These books focus specifically on ACT math, so they can be especially useful if this is where you're trying to improve your scores the most. My two recommendations are the Ultimate Guide to the Math ACT and McGraw Hill's Top 50 Skills for Math. Ultimate Guide to the Math ACT Amazon price: about $24 Pros The Ultimate Guide to the Math ACTgives clear, well-crafted lessons of each math topic that shows up on the ACT math, like algebra and geometry. It also breaks them down into smaller subtopics, like functions and plane geometry. It covers everything you need to know and doesn't go beyond the concepts that will appear on the test. It also has high-level strategies for solving problems, saving time, and prepping in the most effective and efficient way. Cons The answer explanations to the practice problems are not as thorough as they could be. This book doesn't walk you through the steps of solving the problem like the ACT Black Book does, meaning you could run into confusion with a similar problem. It also doesn't have a frequency guide that shows you how often to expect certain concepts or identify levels of difficulty. This means it's up to you to figure this out and prioritize your studying. McGraw Hill's Top 50 Skills for Math Amazon price: about $14 Pros McGraw Hill's Top 50 Skills for Math, unlike a lot of other math review books,is written in an engaging style. It discusses 50 critical math skills you need for the ACT, along with sample questions illustrating each concept. A particular strength of this ACT prep book is that itwalks you through solving the problems from beginning to end, which can aid your thinking when you're taking the real test. This book has a diagnostic pre-test you can use to assess your skills starting out, as well as a post-test to gauge your progress. Cons Since this book is more focused on teaching the top 50 math skills, it's limited in terms of practice questions. This book would best be used to review concepts alongside the Red Book plus another source of practice questions. While this book is useful for students at all levels, it doesn't provide extra strategies or tips beyond the ordinary. It's probably not the book that will push motivated students into the top percentile of scores. Best ACT Prep Books for English and Reading In terms of the English and Reading sections of the ACT, my top recommendation comes from Erica Meltzer. Erica Meltzer's The Complete Guide to ACT English Amazon price: about $31 Pros Erica Meltzer teaches you about the different types of English questions and drills you on those question types. She explains the important grammar and usage rules you need to answer these questions correctly, like parallel structure, sentences and fragments, even punctuation marks like apostrophes and dashes. The practice questions are grouped by skill so you can drill your understanding of each rule. This book is straightforward, to the point, and covers the most important skills and rules you need to know. Cons One obvious con is this book is relatively expensive considering it only covers one of the four sections on the ACT. It is helpful for learning and drilling all the grammar rules, but not sufficient as a source of practice questions. While it's helpful that Erica Meltzer groups the questions by skill, the actual ACT will ask these questions randomly. You'll have to move beyond this book to make sure you can identify the skill without it being pre-labeled in the book. The Complete Guide to ACT Reading Amazon price: about $28 Pros Both the reading passages and practice questions are high quality and realistic in Erica Meltzer's The Complete Guide to ACT Reading. Erica Meltzer does a good job of teasing apart the skills you need to develop for this section, which can be harder to identify than, say, the math section. She gives activities to drill each skill, as well as discusses strategies for reading the passages and saving time. For more pieces of advice, you can check out her blog, The Critical Reader. Cons Like her English book, this one is relatively pricey. Bought together, they total roughly $60, and that's only to cover English and Reading. Some students find her writing style to be a bit dry, while others appreciate that it's direct and to the point. While the material is high quality, the layout is not compelling. It has small font and not particularly creative graphics. Best Book for ACT Science Even though many students find the Science section to be the most challenging part of the ACT, until recently there were no books specifically dedicated to helping you on ACT Science. At PrepScholar, we know all the tricks for making ACT Science easier, so we decided to compile them into a book. The PrepScholar Guide to ACT Science Amazon price:about $5 (e-book) Pros This book covers every topic, skill, and question type you'll see on ACT Science which means that nothing on this section will come as a surprise on test day. It includes a list of every science fact you could be tested on, so you're only studying the science information you need to know. It also contains multiple strategies for tackling ACT Science passages so you can choose the method that works best for you. Most importantly, this book contains all of our best ACT Science test-taking tricks.Many students get tripped up on the Science section because it's so different from the science tests they've taken in school. However, this books shows you how to identify every trick in ACTScience and learn how toavoid getting fooled by them so you can find the correct answer quickly and more easily. Cons While every chapter in this book includes sample questions to help you see and understand different concepts, there is no final quiz or exam section at the end of the book. To fully practice everything you've learned from this book, we recommend takingfull-length Science sections. Additionally, right now the book is only available as an e-book, so you can't purchase a hard copy if that's how you prefer to study. Is Studying from Books the Best Option for You? Studying for the ACT probably isn't at the top of your favorite things to do. For a lot of students, it requires a lot of self-discipline to sit down and drill yourself on the skills you need for English, Reading, Math, and Science. Given this, you certainly don't want to be wasting your time. If you're taking the time study, you should see results. To make sure you're prepping effectively and learning the skills you need to know, I would recommend exploring all your test prep options. For instance, you can learn a lot about the ACT (for free!) from our various detailed study guides. A lot less expensive (and lighter) than all these recommendedACTpreparation books, since unfortunately there's no ACT preparation books free download. These are just a few of the most useful guides, and we're adding new ones every day. The Best Way to Review Your Mistakes on ACT Questions Should You Guess on the ACT? 5 Guessing Strategies The 31 ACT Critical Math Formulas You Must Know The Complete Guide to ACT Grammar Rules ACT Vocabulary: Words You Must Know How to Write an ACT Essay, Step by Step How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer All of us at PrepScholar have been through the standardized testing process and understand what's at stake. We also know that it's important to prep in a way that's customized to you as a student, celebrates your authentic learning style, and doesn't feel tedious or boring. You can try a 5 day free trial of our online ACT prep program to see if it works for you. You can learn exactly how PrepScholar customizes your study plan, keeps track of your progress, and helps you stay accountable to your goals. While books offer a ton of information, their very thoroughnessadds extra challenge to an already high stakes situation. Before spending your time and money on all these books, consider how you best learn and what your goals are so you can make things easier on yourself and determine yourbest approach. What's Next? How long should you study before you take the ACT? Check out our recommended study plan here. When are you going to take the ACT for the first time? How many times do you plan to take it? This article discusses the most important factors in choosing your test dates. Want to improve your ACT score by 4+ points? Download our free guide to the top 5 strategies you need in your prep to improve your ACT score dramatically.

Final Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Final - Research Paper Example Economists and social scholars have termed the crash of the financial markets in the United States of America as a self-serving failure on the part of the regulations of the government. There were lapses and loopholes in the fiscal regulation deposed and an unimplemented by the government contributed to the financial crush. At this point and level, it may be needless to stress on the effects and impact of the financial crash since the effects and extent of the crash was felt far and wide. It however did cost the country as a whole to revive the economy such as the banks being forced to give mortgages band loans to people without proper credit worthiness record (Hartmann, Straetmans & Vries, 2004). Analysts and economic observes have raised concerns and issues such to the direction that the extent of the negative effects and consequences of the financial meltdown could have been avoided if there were proper regulations on banks and micro-credit institutions which gave out mortgages. In order to pursue this research to its logical conclusion and end, it would be imperative to gauge the macro and fiscal regulations which would be introduced along government policies to control the effects of the crash. Thus, this paper will delve into the concept and issue of fiscal policies which would be introduced hand in hand with the remedial policies by the United States government to help caution and prevent the economy in going into another financial markets crash. In principle, there are sectors and areas which would prove beneficial to this study so as to arrive at informed inference and recommendation (Hodgson, 2009). They include the policy sectors, the bank regulatory authorities and the financial markets as a whole. Therefore this research and study will seek to explore means and avenues which will caution the economy of