yl:social studies
Glossary of government terms
MAUREEN CAMPBELL
Contributor
The best of all governments is that which
teaches us to govern ourselves.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
E ABLE to define and use correctly the
B
following terms and concepts:
1. Adult suffrage: Adult suffrage consists of the
extension of the right to vote to adult citizens 18
and older.
2. Backbencher: This is a member of parliament
who is not a minister and does not sit on the
front benches reserved for cabinet ministers or
for opposition party officials.
3.Ballot: A sheet of paper or a card used to cast
or register a vote, usually a secret vote.
4. Bill: A bill is a suggestion for a law that
Parliament is asked to consider.
5. Budget: The plan of where the government is
going to get revenue and how it will spend this
money.
6. Cabinet: This is the group of ministers who
work closely with the prime minister. They are
appointed by the prime minister to be head of a
government department.
7. Candidate: This is a person who is nominated
for election.
8. Citizen: A Jamaican citizen is a person who
was born in Jamaica or who moved here and
met the rules to become a Jamaican.
9. Coalition: This is the joining together of two
or more political parties to form a government or
an opposition. This happens when no single
party has a clear majority in Parliament/the
House of Representatives.
10. Committee: A group of senators, members
of parliament, or both, selected to study a
specific subject or bill and write a report about it
before it is voted for.
11. Constituency: The area in a country that a
member of parliament represents in the House
of Representative (also known as an electoral
district).
12. Constitution: This is the set of rules which a
country likes followed to ensure the nation
works well.
13. Debate: A discussion of any subject by
senators or members of parliament. This is done
when a bill is formulated.
14. Democracy: A country that is governed by
PREVIOUS TOPIC: RELIGIOUS AND ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS
10
people who are elected by its citizens to make
decisions on their behalf. (Government by the
people for the people.)
15. Election: The selection of a person or
government by voting. In Jamaica, elections for
members of parliament must be held at least
every five years using the first-past-the-post
electoral system.
16. Electorate: People who are entitled to vote in
a country.
17. It is a voter who does not vote consistently
for one or other of the political parties but floats
between.
18. Franchise: A privilege or right officially
granted a person or a group by a government,
especially the constitutional right to vote.
19. Governing party: The political party that
forms the government because it had more of its
members elected to parliament by the people
than any other political party.
20. Government: This is the ruling authority
running the business of the country.
21. Government of national unity: Government
of national unity, or GNU, is a special form of
government formed by rival political parties after
an election in which all parties involved failed to
obtain a clear majority necessary to govern. The
GNU is also known as the grand coalition
cabinet.
22. Governor general: The representative of the
monarch (queen or king) in Jamaica who acts
on the monarchs behalf with the advice of the
prime minister and Cabinet.
23. Hansard: This is the printed record of all that
members of parliament say in the House of
YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | JANUARY 24-30, 2017
Ikeka Binns of the
University of the West
Indies, who broke the open
discus and shot put
records at the
JC/Purewater-Danny
Williams meet with throws
of 55.00 and 14.48 metres,
respectively, collects her
award for being the top
athlete in the open events.
Making the presentation is
Ortis Wynter, member of
the meets organising
committee.
Representatives.
24. Head of government: The prime minister is
the head of government and is responsible for
the business of the country.
25. Head of state: The monarch (queen or king)
is the head of state of Jamaica. The governor
general represents the monarch.
26. Hung Parliament: A hung Parliament is
created if no party wins an outright majority. Two
parties must form a coalition to govern in order
to create an overall majority of MPs.
27. Law: A rule for all citizens made by the
senators and members of parliament through
discussion and voting.
28. Leader of the Opposition: The leader of the
political party that had elected the second-most
MPs in the election. The members of this party
do not always agree with the ideas of the
governing party and often question them about
their decisions.
29. Local government: The council that manages
the business of a municipality (village, town or
city). The people living in that area elect the
council members.
30. Lower House: This is another name for the
House of Representatives.
31. Mace: A large, heavy and richly ornamented
staff which represents the power and authority of
Parliament.
32. Manifesto: A public declaration of policy and
aims, especially one issued before an election
by a political party or candidate.
33. Member of parliament (MP): A person
elected to the House of Representatives. There
are 63 members of parliament representing all of
NEXT TOPIC: WHO IS IN CHARGE?
the areas of Jamaica in the House of
Representatives.
34. Parliament: This body is responsible for the
making of the laws that apply across Jamaica. It
is made up of the governor general as the
queens representative, the Senate and the
House of Representatives.
35. Political party: A group of people who have
the same beliefs about how the country should
be run.
36. Poll: A survey that asks questions to find out
what people think on a certain topic.
37. Prime minister: This individual is the head
of government and leader of the governing party.
The prime minister is also a member of
parliament and represents a constituency.
38. Representative: A person chosen or
appointed to act or speak for another or others.
39. Royal assent: This is the term used when the
governor general approves a bill passed by
Parliament to make it law.
40. Senate: This is also known as the Upper
House of Parliament.
41. Throne Speech: The speech given by the
governor general at the start of a new session of
Parliament, describing what the government
plans to do.
42. Upper House: This is another name for the
Senate.
43. Vote: This is the way citizens choose a
representative in an election; it is also the
process which senators and MPs use to make a
decision.
44. Voters list: A file containing the names of
persons who are eligible to vote in a country
Source:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Parliament/Educati
on/GlossaryElementary/index.asp
Online dictionary
ACTIVITY:
Research the following:
 Why is government necessary?
 Identify and differentiate between the two
main electoral systems used in the Caribbean.
Maureen Campbell teaches at St Hughs High School.
Send questions and comments to
kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com

Meetings
HYACINTH TUGMAN
Contributor
S YOU begin to work in an organisation, one of your many
A duties could be planning meetings and conferences, or you
may be involved in behind-the-scenes activities such as
preparing materials and arranging for speakers. Perhaps you will
actually be at a particular meeting where you will have to take
notes or even lead a discussion. Whatever your role, you will
need to know the basic functions of planning for successful
meetings and conferences.
As a result, in this unit you should be able to:
 State the reasons for holding meetings and their importance
to the organisation.
 Organise a meeting.
 State the basic legal requirements of annual general
meetings.
 State the importance of minutes of meetings and of
following up decisions.
TYPES OF MEETINGS
Meetings are held primarily to conduct business, to pass on
needed information to a group or individual, or to follow up on a
particular activity of the business. Meetings may be formal or
informal. Whether a meeting is formal or informal depends on its
purpose. Meetings can be as short as a few minutes or can stretch
out over several days. When a meeting stretches out over several
days, it is referred to as a conference.
Informal meetings
An informal meeting usually discusses daily activities and is
conducted in individual offices or in a small conference room.
Informal meetings do not involve complicated arrangements or
scheduling. The three basic types of meetings held in the office
are staff meetings, committee meetings and individual meetings.
Staff meetings
Staff meetings play an important part in the operation of the
organisation. The purpose of a staff meeting is to discuss and
solve problems, make decisions, review progress, plan projects
and to recognise the part they play in achieving the aims of the
organisation.
Committee meetings
Committees are often appointed by supervisors to further
discuss or study a matter related to a particular topic. Committee
meetings may be held in a room where the committee members
meet, in the office, via the telephone, through a conference call, or
through electronic communications. For example, you may work
in one of several branches of a business. You may be serving on a
company committee to study a particular issue, such as
productivity. In order for your committee to function properly, the
PREVIOUS TOPIC: SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS
Sigma Run patron Tessanne Chin (right) was in arm candy heaven alongside Gianna Fakhourie at the Sigma
Corporate Run 2017 launch recently.
committee members from all the branch offices will have to
participate. If you are serving on a committee that functions within
your branch office, the committee meetings will naturally be held
within the office.
Client meetings
Client meetings are very important business meetings. These
meetings are held wherever it is convenient for the parties
involved. For example, a client meeting might be held in the office
or at a restaurant. Business is often conducted over lunch or
dinner.
Formal meetings include annual general meetings,
extraordinary meetings and board meetings. These may also be
held at the office or at another location. Because of their nature,
formal meetings require greater preparation. Location is a very
important consideration for a formal meeting because of those
attending and the structure of the meeting.
Annual general meetings
This meeting provides the opportunity to elect or reinstate
office holders for the coming year, and for the organisation to
declare future strategies. The regulation for calling and holding
such meetings are laid down in the Companies Act. It is at this
meeting that the treasurers report is usually presented.
Extraordinary meeting
This is an additional general meeting called (when an AGM is
not due) to discuss some unexpected event requiring the consent
of all the members according to regulations of law.
Board meetings
These are held throughout the year, as required by a companys
regulation. They are used to approve financial and other
NEXT TOPIC: PREPARING FOR THE MEETING
YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | JANUARY 24-30, 2017
yl:office administration
management decisions, as well as make other important
decisions.
Notifying participants
It is essential to notify each person who will participate in the
meeting of the meeting time and location.
Telephone
It is important to call the meeting participants as soon as the
date of the meeting is established. Telephone notification should
be followed up by a written confirmation.
Written notice
When a formal meeting is planned, all the participants who are
to be present should be notified in writing not less than 21 days
prior to it. A written notice also reduces the chance of
miscommunication.
Electronic message
In these days, many companies have a special system that
allows you to communicate messages electronically. If the
company has an electronic calendaring system, meeting times
can automatically be entered into the electronic calendars
memory. This system allows you to key in information about a
specific meeting. The computer will check the schedules of the
meeting participants and either add the meeting to their calendars
or indicate which participants have a scheduling conflict at the
proposed meeting time.
As I close this lesson, let me implore you to continue to read
additional texts, especially for weaker areas.
Hyacinth Tugman is an independent contributor. Send questions and
comments to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com
11
 yl:english literature
BERYL CLARKE

Things Fall Apart 2

contributor
AST WEEK we met Okwonko, the chief

L character in this novel Things Fall Apart.

This week, we have been transported back
in time to Iguedo, Okonkwos village in the mid-
1800s. We have never been to Africa before, so
we are both excited and nervous because we
have been told that the people, the natives, are
wild, uncivilized and savage. I wonder if
something like what follows now is what would
happen.
It is morning. Look around. What do you see?
Men with tools striding away. Do you think that
they are off to war? No, the tools seem to be
what could be used for farming or fishing. Ah,
and there appears to be more going to plow and
weed than to fish. Huh! The natives are wearing
clothes and briskly going about their business.
We are observed but ignored, perhaps because
we are dressed like the men we see and have
similar physical appearance. To what are you
listening? A conversation among a group of
farmers, lets call them farmers, about a
wrestling match that occurred on the previous
evening. You hear that it was a good one
between men from another of the nine villages of
Umuofia, but not as good as the one in which
Okonkwo threw Amalinze the Cat. You decide
that you must find someone to tell you more
about this later.
Here comes a big man, tall and powerfully
built. What a remarkable nose! Wow! Look how
much he is carrying along with his tools. He must
be going to plant those seed yams. Let us see
what we can find out about this village from him.
Olympian Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pr yce (left), Grace brand ambassador, is greeted by Andrea Coy and
Esmond: Hello sir. How are you? May we help Don Wehby, chairman of GraceKennedy, at the Grace #GoHard Promotion launch held last Sunday.
you with your load?
Man: No! (said in almost a growl) inside his rather small hut where you meet his toward you. Another woman leaves her hut and worship and entertainment. This is a peaceful
Stephen: Sir, can you tell us something about wife. It is clear that this is a poor family and we moves forward as well. After you exchange and orderly community despite our protagonists
your village, please? wonder if your host does not work. You are greetings, you are invited to enter the compound violent inclinations. What reason(s) can you
Man: Nwoye, Nwoye! NWOYE! Come along! You shocked to hear him tell his wife that their son, and taken into one of the huts. Before you enter, give for this? Explain Okonkwos conduct. What
are moving like a weakling. Okonkwo, is treating his 12-year-old son, who is though, you see another compound in the is it that drives him to beat his wife during the
going to the field with him, as harshly as usual. distance, a larger one, it seems. From the two week of peace?
Behind the man is a youngster struggling From questioning Unoka, you find out that women you learn much. The name Okonkwo
under his own heavy weight of seed yams, Okonkwo is a rich man who has no time and no surfaces again and this time you hear that the Remember that he inherited nothing from his
followed by another young person. You are respect for his father. After a little while, Unoka, large compound is his, the reason for his father and has had to climb his way up the
approaching him when an older man not only our hosts name, reaches for his flute and attitude to his father, the way he treats his son, ladder of success through determination and
volunteers to give you whatever information you expertly entertains us with some lovely music. and even that he has three wives and eight hard work.
want, but also lets you know that we would get children.
Nwoye, the boys name, in trouble with his You leave the hut and notice a compound Hard work usually brings its own rewards.
father, Okonkwo, if he stops to talk to you. This, nearby with small children at play. Approaching Tell me, now: can you describe Okonkwos God bless!
you readily accept as the fierce-looking and the gate, you call to them. A woman comes out yard (compound)? How many huts would you
sounding man has made you somewhat of one of the three huts and speaks quietly to the find there? I want to hear something about the Beryl Clarke is an independent contributor. Send
nervous. After you have shared introductions, children. They scamper away and she walks village; the plants and animals, the places of questions and comments to
you follow the man to his home. He takes you kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com

PREVIOUS TOPIC: THINGS FALL APART NEXT TOPIC: THINGS FALL APART - PART 3

12 YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | JANUARY 24-30, 2017


MELISSA MCKENZIE
Contributor
T
HIS WEEK, I will be focusing on another
part of the multiple-choice paper
equivalent sentences.
Definition: An equivalent sentence is similar
in meaning to the original, even though the
structure and words are different. Engaging in
identifying equivalent sentences is an important
activity that can be used to improve your
paraphrasing skills and, by extension, summary
writing.
In this section of the multiple-choice paper,
each original sentence is followed by four
sentences. You are expected to choose the
sentence (the equivalent) that is nearest in
meaning to the original. Read the options very
carefully before making your selection.
Note the example below.
His books are interesting and provocative.
a. His books are most exciting.
b. His books tend to make the reader angry.
c. His books are appealing and stimulating.
d. His books are concerned with trivial topics.
The answer is C because it is closest in
meaning to the original sentence.
Instruction: For each item below, choose the one
NEAREST in meaning to the original sentence.
1. If Mr Jones plans to stay overnight in
Kingston, his secretary will reserve a hotel room
for him.
A. Mr Jones secretary will reserve a hotel
room for him when he stays overnight in
Kingston.
B. Unless Mr Jones plans to stay overnight in
Kingston, his secretary will reserve a hotel room
for him.
C. Since Mr Jones plans to stay overnight in
Kingston, his secretary will reserve a hotel room
for him.
D. Mr Jones secretary will reserve a hotel
room for him should he plan to stay overnight.
2. According to the witness, he did not see the
accused man near the scene of the crime.
A. The witness testified that he did not see the
accused man commit the crime.
B. The witness testified that the accused man
was not seen by him near the place where the
crime was committed.
C. The witness testified to seeing no evidence
that the accused man had committed the crime.
D. The witness testified that the accused man
was far from the location where the crime was
committed.
Equivalent sentences
3. Fewer people read novels nowadays because
viewing television takes less effort than reading.
A. Reading is now subordinated to television
viewing because of peoples change of interest.
B. Television captures the interest of people
more than reading does.
C. Peoples love for television has caused a
decline in reading.
D. Since reading novels requires so much
effort, more people prefer viewing television
nowadays.
4. You have become tardy in your preparations
for your examination during the last two months,
so you must burn the candle at both ends during
this week if you want to succeed.
A. Since you have not done much
preparations for your examinations during the
last two months, this week you must work
doubly hard if you want to succeed.
B. During this week if, you want to succeed
you must burn two candles in preparing for your
examination, since you were tardy during the
last two months.
C. If you want to pass your examination
during this week, you must work doubly hard,
since you were tardy during the last two months.
YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | JANUARY 24-30, 2017
yl:english language
CONTRIBUTED
Shipping
Association of
Jamaica
volunteers
(from left)
Anthony
Thompson,
Pauline
Haylett, Jodian
White and
Stacey-Ann
Murray carry
Christmas
hampers for
donation to
the elderly
in the
Greenwich
Town
community.
D. If the candles are not burnt at both ends, as C. Partly because there is hope that the fear of
you prepare for your examinations this week, prison will prevent criminal acts, there is a plea
you will fail because you became tardy during for longer prison terms.
the last two months. D. Prison imposes fear on criminals and thats
why longer prison sentences is a cure for crime.
5. When James returned from New York, his
ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS ITEMS:
accent had changed, although he was there for
only three months. 1. D 2. A 3. B 4. C 5. C. 6. C 7. D 8. A 9. B 10. D
A. For three months, James changed his
accent when he returned from New York. Work through these equivalent sentences
B. James changed his accent when he carefully. If one challenges you, eliminate the
returned from New York because he was only two that are most unlikely and focus on
there for three months. choosing the most equivalent sentence. Next
C. Despite being in New York for only three week, you will be given the answers.
months, James accent had changed upon his
return. I will see you on the other side of this week.
D. James accent had not changed for three
months although he had returned from New
York. QUOTE OF THE WEEK
English language matters.
6. The call for longer prison sentences is based,
in part, on the hope that fear of prison will deter It shapes thoughts.
people from committing crime. Unknown
A. Criminals require longer penalties for fear
that they will commit more crimes. Mellisia nMcKenzie teaches at Old Harbour High School.
B. It is hoped that people committing crime Send questions and comments to
will go to prison for a longer period. kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com
13

The research project SBA guidelines
DEBBION HYMAN
Contributor
I GUYS, this week our focus is on your
H research paper. By this juncture, you
would have started working on your
paper, and the aim of this lesson is to provide
you with guidelines for acing the paper.
 The school based sssessment is ONE
RESEARCH project/paper. This contributes 21%
of the final grade for the external examination.
The project will be marked out of 35.
 The project should be between 1,200 and
1,500 words, excluding bibliography,
appropriate quotations, charts, graphs,
references, appendices and so on
 Use Times New Roman for your font style,
size 12, double-spaced.
 Your first page should be your cover page
and should have the following information. (See
below).
SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT
Caribbean History
Name:
Subject:
School:
Candidate Number:
Centre Number:
Territory:
Teacher:
Year:
Next is your Table of Contents
Then the next page should have the following
information Theme, Research Question/-
Statement of the Problem and Rationale
Example
Theme: Metropolitan Movements Towards
Emancipation
Topic: The Abolition of Slavery
Statement of the Problem - The statement is
usually time bound, geographically focused and
is testing a hypothesis/view.
PREVIOUS TOPIC: NON-SUGAR ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES: COTTON AND COFFEE
14
Example
How accurate is the view that it was primarily
economic motives that led to the abolition of
chattel slavery in the British Caribbean in 1834?
Rationale The rationale sets the historical
context of your paper and outlines the reason(s)
you are undertaking your research.
Example
(This, along with all responses, is tied to the
question above.)
The system of chattel slavery resulted in the
enslaved Africans experiencing immense
horrors on the plantation. The system would end
in 1834. primarily because of economic motives
rather than social and political factors. The aim
of this study is to provide a critical examination
of the subject abolition of slavery and the
major factors that would have influenced it. By
doing such a study, the researcher is providing
an added wealth of knowledge on an area of
study that has been important to Caribbean
history students.
The study seeks to answer the following
questions:
a) What economic factors played a crucial
role in the abolition of slavery?
b) How influential were the social and
economic factors in ending the system of
slavery?
Include on the next page the following
information Data Collection, Presentation of
Data and Introduction.
Data Collection This section outlines the
primary and secondary sources that you will be
using and the benefits of such sources.
Example
The study requires the extensive use of
primary and secondary sources. The use of
primary sources is critical as it provides first-
hand information on the economic challenges
facing the British Caribbean sugar industry. The
secondary sources will be used to supplement
the information found in the primary sources, as
well as for a richer understanding of the subject.
The primary and secondary source data will be
accessed from public libraries.
YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | JANUARY 24-30, 2017
Members of Barbican FC with the Sherwin Williams Womens KO Trophy after
they collected it from Ian Forbes (left), managing director of Sherwin Williams.
Barbican defeated Waterhouse FC 4-1 in the final at the Spanish Town Prison Oval
on December 6.
Presentation of Data This section should
outline the various forms in which you will be
presenting the information that you gathered.
Example
The presentation of data will take the form of
graphs, diary extracts, and photograph
illustrations.
Introduction The introduction sets the
historical context of the paper and provides and
summary of what you will be discussing. It
should also have your aim of study/thesis
statement a sentence that provides the central
argument of your paper.
Example
The system of chattel slavery ended on
August 1, 1834 in the British Caribbean. Its end
would signal emancipation of the enslaved
persons from estate labour. The anti-slavery
movement in Europe was a long, drawn-out
process that developed as a broad-based
alliance of religious sects, politicians,
philosophers, intellectuals and industrialists.
The question that arises in any such discussion,
however, is what factor(s) played a role in the
end of such a system? Each European
NEXT TOPIC: ENSLAVEMENT AND NON-SUGAR ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES: MAHOGANY AND COCOA
yl:history
FILE
government was pushed to emancipation of the
slaves by a combination of political, economic,
moral and cultural forces. The aim of this study
demonstrated that it was primarily economic
factors that led to the abolition of slavery.
Your focus will now shift to the body of the
paper, your bibliography and appendices.
The body of your paper is written as one
continuous document with subheadings. Ensure
that at the end of your paper you have a
conclusion.
The bibliography is very important and your
research paper must not be submitted without one.
Your bibliography should be listed in
alphabetical order at the end of your paper.
Please note that your bibliography is a list of
sources which you used, and also quoted.
Lastly, your appendix.
Each appendix should be on a separate page.
It should also have a title and identify the source
from which the information was taken.
Debbion Hyman is an independent contributor. Send
questions and comments to
kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com
 yl:chemistry
FRANCINE TAYLOR CAMPBELL
Contributor

TOPIC REVIEW
Metals and non-metals in living
 Magnesium and iron are important
constituents of chlorophyll in green plants. Iron
forms part of the haemoglobin molecule found
in red blood cells.
systems and the environment
 Calcium is essential for the formation of
healthy teeth and bones.
 Ions of sodium and potassium are needed
for the transmission of nerve impulses.
 Zinc, copper, manganese and cobalt are
examples of trace elements needed by plants
and animals for their proper growth and
development.
 Heavy metals such as lead and mercury
are toxic to living organisms, causing brain
damage and death. These metals can
accumulate in the environment and concentrate
in consumers in the food chain, where they
become more toxic. Other metals such as tin,
cadmium, copper and zinc can affect aquatic
animals and are suspected cancer-causing
agents.
 Ions of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur
(NO3-, PO43- and SO42-) from untreated
sewage, detergents and fertilizers can affect
water bodies by causing nutrient enrichment
(eutrophication), which can lead to oxygen
depletion and death of aquatic organisms.
 Insecticides and herbicides can become
toxic to animals and can become concentrated
up the food chain.
 Oxides of nitrogen, sulphur and carbon
from the combustion of fuels can dissolve in
rainwater, forming acid rain, which is harmful to
plants and animals and can corrode buildings.
 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
aerosols can break down the ozone layer, Albert Corcho, principal of Calabar High School (second left), accepts a major sponsorship cheque from C&WJ Co-
thereby allowing harmful UV radiation to reach op Credit Union CEO Carlton Barclay during a recent handover. Looking on is Calabar world record holder
earth, which can lead to skin cancers. Christopher Taylor (left) and Andrea Hardware, chairman, organising committee.
 Increase in levels of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere has led to an increase in the
absorption of infrared radiation (heat) when the metal surfaces. Water bodies such as streams increased incidences of sunburns and skin warming is to reduce the production of carbon
ground is heated up by the sun. This is the can become acidified, which affects living cancers. dioxide. This includes reducing the use of fossil
greenhouse effect. As more heat is trapped by organisms in these ecosystems. Acid rain can fuels and replacing this with alternative fuels
increased carbon dioxide, temperatures rise, also affect the respiratory systems of humans, 3. Identify a named metal and suggest its such as wind, solar and hydroelectricity.
which can cause environmental catastrophes resulting in an increase in respiratory illnesses. importance or impact on the environment. Iron Reducing deforestation and replanting trees will
such as droughts, hurricanes and melting polar is a metal which is present in the haemoglobin aid in reducing the carbon dioxide levels. The
ice caps. 2. How do CFCs affect us? molecule. This substance is a necessary part of possibility of electric cars in the future and those
Chlorofluorocarbons are substances usually red blood cells which binds to oxygen and helps that use fuel cells would also be another useful
used because of their unreactivity and stability. in its transport around the body. strategy.
QUESTIONS: When CFCs enter the upper atmosphere, they
1. What are the effects and causes of acid break down and cause the breakdown of the 4. What strategies can be used to reduce the Francine Taylor Campbell is an independent contributor.
rain? Acid rain results from the reaction of acidic ozone layer which protects life on earth from impact of global warming? Since global Send questions and comments to
oxides released as gases with water vapour and harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This results in warming is made worse by increased levels of kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com
falls as acid rain. This damages buildings and increased heating of the earths surface, carbon dioxide, one way to reduce global

PREVIOUS TOPIC: METALS AND ALLOYS NEXT TOPIC: PERIODICITY OF ELEMENTS

YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | JANUARY 24-30, 2017 15

 yl:principles of business

Regulatory practices in setting up businesses

YVONNE HARVEY
Contributor
ELLO, EVERYONE. I trust you are all enjoying principles of

H business and that you have began to review what you have
been learning. Remember that time is very short and,
before you know it, exam time will be here. Remember, too, that
the early bird catches the worm.
This week, I take pleasure in presenting a lesson on some of
the regulatory practices by which persons must abide when they
are setting up businesses.
The regulatory practices governing the establishment of
businesses refers to the rules and regulations by which persons
who wish to establish a business should be guided. The
regulations differ according to the type of business.
As far as the sole-trader type business is concerned, there are
very few regulations in the setting up of the business. In fact,
many sole-trader type businesses do not have any requirements
to satisfy at all. A few may be required to have permits or licences
in order to operate businesses. For example, those involved in
handling food, say, at a restaurant, are required to have a food
handlers permit. They are also required to take a medical
examination to satisfy the authorities that they are in good health
as, otherwise, they could spread diseases. Public health
inspectors will also visit the premises to ensure that sanitary
conditions apply. For those who are selling alcohol or spirits, a Representatives of Alpha Boys School receiving an instrument from Allen Johnston.
licence authorising them to do so is required. Taxi operators are public company, the minimum number of shareholders is seven, The sole-trader normally uses private means of raising capital.
considered to be illegal operators if they do not have the correct and there is no maximum. Public companies are required to He may use his savings, his inheritances or he may borrow from
transport documents, including a licence to carry passengers. publish their accounts and may sell shares to the general public friends and relatives. Financial institutions are not normally a
They are also given regulations regarding the number of via the stock exchange. The private company is not allowed to sell source of capital for the sole-trader type business, since they are
passengers they should carry in their passenger vehicles. shares to the general public and, therefore, is not allowed to use normally very small and, as such, are not competitive when it
Hairdressers and barbers will be licensed to operate once it is the stock exchange. comes to qualifying for loans. However, financial assistance my
proven that they are qualified and that they have hygienic places be given to them from the Small Businesses Association of
in which to operate. Sand miners also need a licence to remove In the case of professionals, for example, doctors, lawyers, Jamaica.
sand from riverbeds. accountants, etc, the requirement is that they register with their
The partnership should have a minimum of two partners and a professional associations. Their associations are permitted by Partnerships rely on the pooling of money by each of the
maximum of 20. In setting up a partnership, a Partnership Deed, government to play a major role in overseeing the professional partners and they also borrow from financial institutions such as
or Deed of Partnership, should be drawn up. This document conduct of their members. commercial banks.
includes the name of the business, name and other occupations
of the partners, and statements as to how profits and losses will Persons who are engaged in trades, such as electricians and Private and public limited companies and co-operatives get
be shared. The document may be drawn up by a lawyer, but it is plumbers, must be licensed. Some are required to sit and pass their capital mainly from selling shares. In addition, public and
not mandatory. The Deed of Partnership should be taken to the examinations which qualify them to receive their licences and private companies may sell debentures. Debenture holders lend
Companies Office of Jamaica, who will give permission for them practise unsupervised. money to companies at interest. Depending on their size, they
to operate the partnership if everything is in order. If a partnership may also qualify for loans from financial institutions such as
is set up and there is no Partnership Deed, then the partners will Co-operative societies should register with the Registrar of commercial banks.
make reference to the British Partnership Act 1890, which Co-operative Societies. They are required to pay a small fee. They
indicates that all profits and losses should be shared equally. should operate the co-operative based on the five co-operative I will leave you to consider how public-sector businesses
principles. (government-owned) raise capital. See you next week. At that
Private and public limited companies are required to register time, we will discuss collateral and other forms of security.
with the Companies Office of Jamaica and to present the Now, let us talk a little about the various sources of venture
documents required. Included is the very important document capital for the business. You may recall that we defined venture Take care until then.
Articles of Incorporation, which has replaced the Memorandum of capital as capital used to start the business or capital required for
Association and the Articles of Association. A private company a special project within the business. The various sources of Yvonne Harvey is an independent contributor. Send questions and comments
may be formed with one person, or may have up to 50. For the capital available to the business depend on the type of business. to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com

PREVIOUS LESSON: SOURCES OF INFORMATION NEXT LESSON: COLLATERAL AND OTHER SECURITY

16 YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | JANUARY 24-30, 2017


Natural selection continued
MONACIA WILLIAMS
Contributor
ELL, HELLO again, students! Can you
W believe that another week has passed?
Not only does time pass quickly when
you are having fun, it also passes quickly when
exams are near!
Last week, in our lesson on natural selection,
we looked at the role that variation plays in
helping natural selection to take place. This
week, we will continue to look at the process.
We cannot do this without sharing a little bit of
scientific history, the history surrounding the
work of Charles Darwin.
WHO WAS CHARLES DARWIN?
Charles Darwin was a British naturalist and
he was the first scientist to collect evidence to
support the theory of evolution. In 1831, he left
England to travel around the world in his ship,
the HMS Beagle. He visited many places where
he studied their wildlife. He brought back to
England many specimens of organisms that he
had seen and used information gathered from
these to write his book, The Origin of Species. In
it, he wrote his thoughts on how evolution might
have taken place; he called this The Theory of
Natural Selection. Darwin developed his theory
of evolution by natural selection using these
four important observations:
1. All organisms produce more offspring than
survive to adulthood.
2. Populations remain more or less constant
in numbers.
3. Members of the same species show
variation in characteristics.
4. Some characteristics are inherited and so
are passed on to the next generation.
THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
This is a group of islands off the coast of
South America. While there, Darwin studied 13
different varieties of finches (birds). He
suggested that they could have developed from
birds that originated from the mainland. In his
observations, he noted that the birds had
different beaks for different diets (Figure 1).
Darwin suggested that these birds all originated
from seed-eating finches that had come from the
mainland, but that there might not have been
PREVIOUS LESSON: NATURAL SELECTION
Usain Bolt kissing the Laureus Award after one of his three previous triumphs.
enough seeds to allow all the birds to survive.
Finches which had slightly different beaks would
have been able to eat other types of food and, in
so doing, would have been able to survive and
&
YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | JANUARY 24-30, 2017
reproduce, passing these adaptations on to their
offspring. This, he said, would be an example of
natural selection.
NEXT LESSON: NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL SELECTION
yl:biology
Now, use the Internet or go to the library and
read up on the work of Darwin. It will help to
clear up some of the misconceptions that may
be clouding your minds!
OTHER EXAMPLES OF NATURAL
SELECTION AT WORK
Bacterial resistance
This one is very relevant to our Jamaican
society because we have a fondness for pills.
We tend to believe that a pill is the cure for every
bad feeling or illness under the sun. If you do
not believe this, go and ask your school nurse
about the number of requests that she gets for
pills. So, if we are sick with a viral disease, we
request antibiotics from the doctor who, in many
instances, provides it. Additionally, when we do
have a bacterial infection and the doctor
prescribes the antibiotic and tells us to take all
of it, we do not do so; we stop as soon as we
begin to feel better! This has lead to the overuse
of antibiotics. What happens because of this?
Mutations in the members of the bacteria
population can lead to some of them having
traits that allow them to be immune to the
antibiotic. Some of these bacteria will begin to
develop resistance to the antibiotic. Bacteria
reproduce rapidly, hence, in a short time,
multiple generations can develop and these will
have the acquired resistance to the antibiotic.
Very soon, that antibiotic can no longer be
prescribed for any illness caused by the
bacterium. The MRSA (methicillin-resistant
staphyloccus aureus) bacterium falls into this
group; it has now developed a resistance to
penicillin because of this.
THE PEPPERED MOTH BISTON
BETULARIA
There are two types of peppered moths and it
is thought that these two types developed due to
changes in the environment.
THE TWO TYPES ARE:
1. A pale, speckled form
2. A dark form
The moths which feed at nights and rest in the
day are preyed on by birds.
During the age of industralisation, the nature
CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
17

Systems and
application software
NATALEE A. JOHNSON
Contributor
OOD DAY, students. This is lesson 15 in our series of
G
lessons. In this weeks lesson, we will continue to look at
system and application software. At the end of the lesson,
you will be able to distinguish between at least two types of
processing modes, compare at least two types of user interfaces,
and state the advantages and disadvantages for the three main
user interfaces.
The choice of an operating system is also dependent on the
processing environment required by the user. The types of
processing environment or processing modes are listed below:
1. Batch processing
2. Time-sharing multi-processing
3. Single-user processing system
4. Real-time online processing
5. Single-user multi-tasking processing
BATCH PROCESSING
These are systems that provide multi-programming of batch
programmes but have few facilities for interaction or multi-access.
Commands or jobs are collected in groups and processed in the
order in which they are placed, that is, in a first-in-first-out
sequence. Each group of commands or jobs is called a batch. The
jobs are entered in a batch queue and then run one or more at a
time under the control of the operating system. A job may wait in a
batch queue for minutes or hours, depending on the workload. No
amendments are possible during processing. Batch processing is
often used in utility bill preparation and salary preparation
(payroll), which is generally prepared and sent out, for example, at
the end of the month to customers or employees, respectively.
TIME-SHARING MULTI-PROCESSING
The processors time is divided into small units called time
slices and shared, in turn, between users to provide multi-access.
These systems allow the CPU to switch between different
programmes rapidly so that users are unaware that they were
time-sharing the CPU with others. Several persons can connect
to the main computer via dumb terminals and access different
application programmes.
PREVIOUS LESSON: SYSTEM AND APPLICATION SOFTWARE - PART 2
18
SINGLE USER PROCESSING SYSTEM
These systems came on the scene with the advent of personal
computers. The majority of small micro-computer-based systems
have operating systems, which allow a user to operate the
machine in an interactive conversational mode (response to the
users message is immediate), but normally, only one user
programme can be in main storage and processed at a time. There
is no multi-programming of user programmes. Multi-
programming occurs when more than one programme in main
storage is being processed, apparently at the same time. This is
accomplished by the programmes taking turns at short bursts of
processing time.
SINGLE-USER MULTI-TASKING
This system only allows one person to use the computer at a
time to do multiple tasks.
REAL-TIME PROCESSING
This is a system that is able to process data so quickly that the
results are available to influence the activity currently taking place.
There is often a need for multi-processing. Multi-processing is the
name for the situation that occurs if two or more processors are
present in a computer system and are sharing some or all of the
same memory. In such cases, two programmes may be processed
at the same instant. These systems are used mainly in critical
systems. Critical systems are systems where delay in the
processing of data after its input can lead to the destruction of life
and property. Examples of critical systems are systems that
monitor critically ill patients, nuclear plants, the engine of an
aeroplane, etc.
ONLINE TRANSACTION
This is when the data collected is processed and updated
immediately. The user can interact directly with the computer at
any desired time. The computer responds to the users input by
outputting some data before the user can do any further input.
Daily transactions that involve online processing are as follows:
the use of an automated teller machine to make deposits and
withdrawals and flight reservations. Also, when bills are paid
NEXT LESSON: GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | JANUARY 24-30, 2017
yl:information technology
online, the customers account is automatically updated from the
withdrawal made to make the bill payments.
USER INTERFACES
The interaction between end-users and the computer is said to
take place at the Human Computer Interface (HCI) point. The
term Human Computer Interface is meant to cover all aspects of
this interaction, not just the hardware. One of the most important
features normally required in an HCI is that it be user friendly.
As the name suggests, a user-friendly interface is one that the
end-user finds helpful, easy to learn and easy to use. It is easy to
recognise unfriendly interfaces but not so easy to design one that
is certain to be user friendly.
THE MAIN TYPES OF USER INTERFACE
The user interface is made up of a hardware interface and
software interface. Hardware interfaces would include the use of
touch screens, monitors, and keyboards. Braille keyboards and
sensors are non-visual interface components. Additionally, there
are three main types of software interfaces:
 Command driven interfaces
 Menu driven interfaces
 Graphical user interface
NOTE
In some situations, two different types of interfaces may be
combined, for example, a menu interface with command options.
COMMAND-DRIVEN INTERFACES
One of the long-established methods by which a user can
interact with the computer is by the use of commands. Commands
enable the user to quickly and simply instruct the computer what
to do. However, they require the user to already have knowledge of
what commands are available, what they do, and the rules
governing how they should be typed, so they are more suited to
experienced users than the end-user. A technical person such as a
computer operator or programmer would be familiar with the
commands or where the end-user continually works with the same
programme and, therefore, can gain mastery of the commands.
ADVANTAGES OF COMMAND-DRIVEN INTERFACES
 Faster to use once you have learnt the commands
 For a computer programmer, command-driven interfaces are
cheaper to implement.
DISADVANTAGES OF COMMAND-DRIVEN INTERFACES
 It is sometimes difficult to remember all the commands,
therefore, users have to constantly refer to the software user
manual.
 The user is restricted to using only the keyboard as the
interfacing device, while with other interfaces, a wide variety of
input devices can be used.
 Commands must be entered at a special location on the
screen and in a set format.

JUDITH HENRY
Contributor
FOCUS QUESTIONS
 How are secondary rocks formed? Give examples.
 How are metamorphic rocks formed? Give examples.
A rock is an aggregate of one or more minerals.
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
Sedimentary rocks are formed from
 The accumulation of sediments
 The deposition and lithification of weathering products
There are three basic types of sedimentary rocks.
 Clastic sedimentary rocks such as breccia, conglomerate,
sandstone, siltstone, and shale are formed from mechanical
weathering debris.
 Chemical sedimentary rocks such as rock salt, iron ore,
flint, some dolomites, and some limestones form when dissolved
materials precipitate from solution.
 Organic sedimentary rocks such as coal, some dolomites,
and some limestones form from the accumulation of plant or
animal debris.
SEDIMENTARY ROCK TYPES
SEDIMENTARY ROCK FORMATION
Metamorphic rocks morph (meaning form) and meta
(meaning change).
A metamorphic rock is a result of a transformation of a pre-
existing rock. The original rock is subjected to very high heat and
Sedimentary and
metamorphic rocks
pressure, which cause obvious physical and/or chemical
changes.
They can be formed:
 By pressures deep inside the Earth
 By tectonic processes such as continental collisions
 When they are heated up by an intrusion of hot molten rock
called magma from the Earths interior.
Uplift and erosion help bring metamorphic rock to the Earths
surface.
There are two basic types of metamorphic rocks:
FOLIATED METAMORPHIC ROCKS
Foliated metamorphic rocks are formed within the Earths
interior under extremely high pressures that are unequal,
occurring when the pressure is greater in one direction than in
the others (directed pressure). This causes the minerals in the
original rock to reorient themselves, with the long and flat
minerals aligning perpendicular to the greatest pressure
direction. This reduces the overall pressure on the rock and gives
it a stripped look.
Foliated metamorphic rocks are identified on the basis of their
texture:
SLATE
Formed at very low temperatures and pressures, rocks break
along nearly perfect parallel planes; used in pool tables and as
roofing material.
PHYLLITE igneous rock basalt.
Low to intermediate temperatures and pressures; slightly more
crystallized, which gives the rock a shiny appearance; layers may
also be wavy or crinkled.
PREVIOUS LESSON: ROCKS AND MINERALS
YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | JANUARY 24-30, 2017
yl:geography
SCHIST
Intermediate to high temperatures and pressures; crystals are
larger with the grains aligned in parallel to subparallel layers.
GNEISS (NICE)
Very high temperatures and pressures; coarse-grained texture
of alternating light and dark mineral bands.
NON-FOLIATED METAMORPHIC ROCKS
Non-foliated metamorphic rocks are formed around igneous
intrusions where the temperatures are high but the pressures are
relatively low and equal in all directions (confining pressure). The
original minerals within the rock recrystallise into larger sizes
and the atoms become more tightly packed together, increasing
the density of the rock. They are identified on the basis of their
composition.
QUARTZITE
Composed of the mineral quartz; metamorphosed sandstone
MARBLE
Composed of the mineral calcite; metamorphosed limestone
EXAMPLES OF METAMORPHIC ROCKS
 Anthracite is a type of coal with a high carbon count, few
impurities and with a high luster (meaning it looks shiny).
 Marble is a metamorphic rock that is formed from the
sedimentary rock limestone.
 Quartzite is a metamorphic rock that is formed from the
sedimentary rock sandstone.
 Slate is a metamorphic rock that is formed from the
sedimentary rock mudstone.
 Granulite is a metamorphic rock that is formed from the
Judith Henry teaches at Ardenne High School.Send questions and comments
to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com.
19
 yl:principles of accounts
REASONING

Theory of
[>1]
i. Deduct payments and bad debts from total debtors to arrive at current debtors.
ii. Apply percentage of provision on current debtors.

WORKINGS
[w1]
$3,520 -$960 = $2,560

double [w2]
$191,600 - $288 -$592 - $3,520 = $187,200
$187,200 X 2% = $3,744

SOLUTION


entry
     :
 
 
 
: 
 
d
 W > 
W 
ROXANNE WRIGHT
Contributor
/ 
WORKED EXAMPLE  
Question: Carlton had debtors who owed him $191,600 on April 29, 2015. The debtors included    
the following:
     : 
  
    
 
/
: d
d  
   

1. Inez paid Carlton $288 in cash on April 30.
2. Carlton was told that Joseph had left the country and decided to write off the outstanding
balance as a bad debt.
3. On April 30, Carlton was informed that Thompson was bankrupt. A cheque for $960 was
 W >   
received in full and final settlement. Carlton wrote off the remaining balance as a bad debt.
4. Carlton decided to create a provision for doubtful debts at 2% of the remaining debtors at April 
30, 2015. 
W  
No other transactions occurred on April 30, 2015.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO

a. Prepare the journal entries to record the bad-debt write-offs and creation of the provision for Follow us as we trend towards doing a comprehensive coverage of the key areas of the syllabus.
doubtful debts.
b. Make entries in sales ledger accounts to record the transactions on April 29 and April 30, 2015. Roxanne Wright teaches at Immaculate Academy. Send questions and comments to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com.
c. Show the entries that would appear in the final accounts of Carlton for bad debts and
provision for doubtful debts.

PREVIOUS TOPIC: ASSET OF STOCK NEXT TOPIC: THEORY OF DOUBLE ENTRY - PART 2

20 YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | JANUARY 24-30, 2017

 yl:mathematics

Inverse of a function
CLEMENT RADCLIFFE = 1/2 ((2x + 5) - 3) y = 1/2(2x - 3)
Contributor = 1/2 (2x + 5 - 3) f-1(x) = 1/2(2x - 3)
s we approach exams, the importance of systematic gf(x) = 1/2 (2x + 2)

A practice cannot be overstated. Please be sure that you are

involved in this vital exercise.
gf(3) = 1/2 (2 x 3 + 2)
gf(3) = 8/2 = 4
Example 2:
Given f(x) = 1/2x and g(x) = 3x - 2

We began the review of functions and relations in the last Now that we have gone through the homework, our review of Calculate:
lesson when the fundamentals of the topic were introduced. In the topic will continue. (i) g(-2)
this weeks lesson, we will initially share the solution to the (ii) fg (4)
INVERSE OF A FUNCTION
homework given. (iii) f-1(4)
Specific Objective
Given the function f, find its inverse f-1
Given that f : x ----> 7x - 1 Solution
g : x ----> 2x + 9 -1 (i) Since g(x) = 3x - 2, then g(-2) = 3 x -2 -2 = - 6 - 2 = - 8
If f is the function defined as y = ax + b, then f is the inverse
function and it expresses the variable x in terms of y.
Evaluate: Note x is replaced by -2 in g(x).
(i) g(- 3) (ii) fg(2) g(-2) = - 8
Example:
y = ax + b
Solution:
ax = y - b (ii) Given g(x) = 3x - 2
(i) Since g : x ----> 2x + 9 then g(x) = 2x + 9
x = y - b ( x is expressed as a function of y) then fg (x) = f(3x - 2)
g(-3) = (2 x -3) + 9
a fg (4) = f(3x4 - 2) = f(10)
= -6 + 9 = 3.
Interchange x for y. (This is necessary as y is always expressed As f(x) = 1/2x f(10) = 10/2 = 5.
g(-3) = 3
as a function of x.) fg (4) = 5
As g(x) = 2x + 9 and f(x) = 7x - 1
fg(x) = f (2x + 9) y=x-b I am sure that you can now show that fg(x) = 3x - 2
g(x) or (2x + 9) replaces x in f(x) a 2
fg(x) = 7 (2x + 9) - 1 f-1(x) = x - b or f-1 = x - b (iii) As f(x) = 1/2x
= 14x + 63 - 1 = 14x + 62 a a then y = x/2
fg(2) = (14 x 2) + 62 = 28 + 62 = 90 that is, f-1, the inverse of function f, is x - b x = 2y. Interchanging x for y
fg(3) = 90 a y = 2x
f-1(x) = 2x
If f(x) = 2x + 5 and g(x) = 1/2 (x - 3), Please note that this method should always end with the f-1(4) = 8
Calculate : statement:
(i) f(19) f-1 (x) = x - b and never y = x - b Please be sure that you are comfortable with the methods of
(ii) gf(3) a a cross-multiplication and changing the subject of a formula.
Given the function y = ax + b, some students express f-1 (x) as
Solution: 1 by assuming that -1 is the power of f as in indices.
INVERSE OF A COMPOSITE FUNCTION
(i) As f(x) = 2x + 5, then f(19) = (2 x 19) + 5 = 38 + 5 = 43. ax + b I am sure you will never make this error.
Given the functions y = f(x) and y = g(x), then y = gf(x) is a
f(19) = 43
composite function. Since gf(x) is a function of x, the inverse is
Example 1:
found by using the method outlined above.
(ii) f(3) = (2 x 3) + 5 = 11, Given that f(x) = 1/2(2x + 3). Calculate f-1 (x)
Since f (3) = 11 then gf(3) = g(11)
f(3) or 11 replaces x in g(x) Solution Example:
Since g(x) = 1/2 (x - 3) Since f(x) = 1/2(2x + 3) Given the functions f(x) = 3x and g(x) = x - 2, determine the
g(11) = 1/2 (11 - 3 ) = 8/2 = 4 y = 1/2(2x + 3) functions:
gf(3) = 4 . 2y = 2x + 3 (a) fg(x) (b) [fg]-1(x)
2x = 2y - 3
Alternatively x = 1/2(2y - 3)
f(x) = 2x + 5 and g(x) = 1/2 (x - 3), Interchanging x for y (Always remember this step. It must also
gf(x) = g (2x + 5) be explicitly stated.) CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

PREVIOUS TOPIC: FUNCTIONS AND RELATIONS NEXT TOPIC: GRAPHS

YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | JANUARY 24-30, 2017 21


JASON MCINTOSH
Contributor
Goal: For students to gain an understanding of how religion
impacts the lives of Caribbean people.
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:
1. Define religion and explain the characteristic of religion.
2. Explain how religion integrates the Caribbean society.
3. Describe how religion acts as a medium of social control.
4. Examine the syncretism of religious forms in the Caribbean.
5. Examine the conflict and functionalist perspectives of
religion.
6. Assess the impact of religion on Caribbean society and
culture.
RELIGION IS
 A system of beliefs, rituals and ceremonies.
 Focuses on sacred matters.
 Promotes community among followers.
 Provides a personal spiritual experience for its members.
The social institution of religion is that realm of society where
our beliefs about a supernatural power, an afterlife, and how these
impact our lives exist. Specific religions as well as churches,
mosques, temples and halls of worship are tangible outcomes or
forms of social organisation that reflect the beliefs and values of
religion.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RELIGION BELIEFS
 Ideas, based upon faith, that people consider true.
The sacred and profane
 Sacred: that which has supernatural qualities.
 Profane: that which is the ordinary.
Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force are seen among persons participating in a recent peace
march in August Town.
22
Religion
Rituals
 Routines that reinforce the faith.
Moral communities
 People who share a religious belief.
Personal experience
 Grants meaning to life.
Religion, over the years, dating as far back as to communal
societies, has experienced a great transformation. In communal
societies, religion permeated all aspects of society because
hunters/gatherers depended on their gods for a successful
farming year, good weather, luck and fortune. However, in
contemporary industrial society, the institution of religion has
become separated from many social and economic activities.
Religion has the power to control and integrate people in any
given society. Sociologist Emile Durkheim is of the view that
religion is an integrative force, being that it:
 Gives meaning and purpose to peoples lives.
 Offers ultimate values and ends to hold in common.
 Serves to bind people together in times of crisis and
confusion.
Karl Marx, on the other hand, believes that the institution of
religion is a medium of social control in any given society, since:
 People focus on otherworldly concerns.
JERMAINE BARNABY/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | JANUARY 24-30, 2017
yl:caribbean studies
 Religion drugs masses into submission by offering a
consolation for their harsh lives on Earth.
 Religions promotion of social stability helps to perpetuate
patterns of social inequality.
 Women have played fundamental role in religious
socialization, but generally take subordinate role in religious
leadership.
 Most religions are patriarchal and reinforce mens
dominance in secular and spiritual matters.
 Women compose 12.8 per cent of US clergy, but account for
51 per cent of theology students.
FUNCTIONALIST AND CONFLICT PERSPECTIVES OF
RELIGION
Functionalist perspectives on religion
Since social order is a cardinal value of the functionalists view
of society, social institutions are explained in terms of how they
can contribute to integration and harmony in society. One may
find it strange that religion, which is concerned with supernatural
powers and mysticism, should be thought of in this way, but
functionalists see a fundamental link between religion and the
maintenance of social stability.
Commitment to certain beliefs, rituals and forms of worship are
mechanisms that increase the levels of social solidarity among
people. Religion tends to be conservative in nature, preaching
obedience and perseverance through suffering, emphasising an
ethic of care for ones fellow man, as well as virtues such as truth,
discipline and temperance. Functionalists, therefore, see religion
as playing a major role in social cohesion. Religion provides a
basis for social order because they are based on consensual
values.
CONFLICT PERSPECTIVES ON RELIGION
Marxists regard religion as serving the needs of those groups
dominant in the economy. Religion acts as a conservative force in
the society by making legitimate the values that the capitalist
machinery needs to continue to accumulate profits. While we
understand the world view held on religion, Marxists challenge us
to reflect on our orientation to religion and decide to what extent it
is preserving the status quo or about personal salvation and
empowerment.
THE CARIBBEAN REALITY
 The Caribbean has a variety of religions with Christianity
being the most dominant.
 There are established churches: Anglican, Catholic, Baptist,
Presbyterian, etc.
 There are those churches that are syncretic in nature. These
churches are a mix of European and African practices to create
new forms of worship. Examples of these are the Shouter Baptists
of Trinidad, New Testament Church of God, Revivalists, etc.
Syncretism of religious forms in the Caribbean displays
CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Response to practice questions
TRUDI MORRISON REID
Contributor
READ THE extract below, then answer the
questions that follow:
1. Comment on the different ways that the
clerk and Tantie use language
 The clerk uses standard English, while
Tantie uses a non-standard variety of english.
The clerk is a government worker having a
meeting in an official office. This makes the
context formal and his use of the standard
English appropriate. Tantie, on the other hand, is
an old market vendor. Her use of what could be
described as mesolect is, perhaps, as a result
of the setting of the meeting and the seriousness
of the matter being discussed.
 The clerk uses words such as little matter
and snug and nice in the passage, which are
meant to put her at ease and avoid
confrontation. However, in the end when he
suggests that they will have to move the old girl
bodily, this is in contrast to the attitude he
showed before.
 Tantie, on the other hand, uses her formal
tone and language to show her unwillingness to
relocate. When she says thank you and falls
into silence, it is clear the discussion has ended
for her. She is dissatisfied with his proposal and
will not be convinced to do otherwise.
2. Discuss the various social factors that
could be responsible for the tension in the
interaction they have.
 It is clear the two have opposing agendas:
Tantie is intent on keeping her house, while the
clerk intends to relocate her in order for a new
road to be built.
 Although they are familiar with each other,
the roles are different and they are now at
different levels of maturity.
 She knows that she is being marginalised
because of her social rank, while the clerk is
intent on carrying out his job (of removing her).
yl:communication studies
might be used.
Llori Sharpe accepting her VMBS Youth Award at the RJR National Sportsman and
Sportswoman of the Year Awards Ceremony, held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel
recently.
YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | JANUARY 24-30, 2017
In the Caribbean, it is normal for politicians to
use Creole during election campaigns when they
move from district to district. However, when
they become government ministers, they
typically make their speeches in the standard
language.
1. Give two reasons why politicians may use
TWO language varieties.
 While campaigning, they may use Creole
to bond/identify with the people they hope will
vote for them.
 As ministers of government, they see their
roles as more formal. Sometimes they no longer
see the need to identify with the people (who
voted for them).
2. (a) Identify ONE other group of persons
who use the TWO different varieties in their
spoken language.
 Teachers; ministers of religion;
newscasters; government officials
(b) For the group identified in (a) above, state
the context in which EACH of the TWO varieties
Creole: Conversing with family/friends in the
staffroom, at home, etc.
ACTIVITY
(See cartoon)
Standard English: Classroom; at the pulpit;
making a public broadcast; in Parliament.
1. In advising Paul against using too much
Creole in the valedictory address, what point is
Ron making about language and setting?
 Standard English should be used in formal
settings, while Creole should be used in
informal settings. The setting and context (for
example, the occasion) should determine the
choice of language used.
Trudi Morrison Reid teaches at The Queens School. Send
questions and comments to
kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com
23

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
of the trunks of the trees changed. The lichen
that grew on the trunks of the trees died and
the trunks became dark from industrial
pollution. It was noticed that the
yl: caribbean
studies
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22
elements of resistance, independence, and
a deep appreciation of the divine. Syncretic
religions, therefore, help to comfort the
worshipper and oppose mainstream
values, thus seeking to undermine the
status quo. However, these religions do not
have a majority following yet. Their value
systems are not dominant in the social
institution of religion. Overall, the
functionalist ideas of religion, and how it
affects our lives, tend to dominate. Many
forms of syncretic religions in the
Caribbean attest to the desire of Caribbean
people to not only fashion beliefs and
worship so that they can find solace and
comfort, but, in so doing, to resist
traditional institutional values.
SUMMARY
Religion affects our lives as a
conservative force associated largely with
positive values. Moreover, Christian
religion is legitimised by the values in the
social institution of religion more than any
other form of worship. Christian worship,
then, has historically been associated with
preserving the social life as per the norms
and customs of European and Caribbean
people who have accepted those values.
Marxists, on the other hand, choose to
disrupt the positive messages associated
with religion. They believe that religion has
hoodwinked the masses into believing that
they can find peace and comfort through
worship.
Syncretism of religious forms in the
Caribbean displays elements of resistance,
independence and a deep appreciation of
the divine.
Jason McIntosh teaches at The Queens School.
Send questions and comments to
kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com
24
yl:biology
population of dark moths had increased preyed on are less, i.e., the pale form in the See you next week as we continue.
drastically in the industralised areas. areas where there is still lichen on the trunks
Previously, only very few of these were seen. of the trees, hence making them less visible Monacia Williams is an independent contributor. Send
Today, both dark and speckled moths are to birds, and the dark form in the areas where questions and comments to
kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com.
found in the British Isles, both types the trunks are dark from soot, making the
occurring where the chances of their being moths less visible to the birds.
yl: information technology
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 ADVANTAGES OF MENU-DRIVEN INTERFACES
MENU-DRIVEN INTERFACES  The user is presented with a list of options to choose from; he
does not need to remember the commands.
Menus provide another popular form of user interface. There are  Free from typing errors because the user does not have to type
many different alternative forms of menus. The simplest menus provide the commands.
the user with a number of options and a simple means of selecting  A wide variety of input devices can be used to interface with a
between them. The user is presented with a choice and, therefore, does menu.
not have to remember any commands. The interface is, therefore,
suitable for beginners and infrequent users. All the user has to do is to
make a choice. DISADVANTAGES OF MENU-DRIVEN INTERFACE
 Several steps required to issue a command.
A special type of menu is called a pop-up menu; an additional  Once the user has learnt the menu system, it is bothersome to
submenu pops up as a selection is made. You can click anywhere on a have to wait on the package to present the questions before the
given document using the right-click mouse button to allow a pop-up commands can be entered.
menu to appear.
We have come to the end of this lesson. See you next week when we
will conclude looking at user interfaces and the topic system and
PULL-DOWN
application software. Remember, if you fail to prepare, you prepare to
Pull-down menus are a special type of menu used in windowing and fail.
were briefly introduced. It is a menu displayed as a vertical list, which
hangs from a horizontal bar on the screen in order to elicit a choice Natalee Johnson teaches at Ardenne High School. Send questions and comments to
from the user. kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com.
yl:mathematics
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 (ii) Given that f(x) = x2 and g(x) = 5x + 3
Solution: then gf(x) = g(x2)
(a) As f(x) = 3x and g(x) = x - 2 Since g(x) = 5x + 3 g(x2) = 5x2 + 3
fg(x) = f(x - 2) = 3(x - 2) gf(x) = 5x2 + 3
fg(x) = 3(x - 2)
HOMEWORK
(b) y = fg(x) = 3(x - 2)
f and g are functions defined as follows
y = 3(x - 2) = 3x - 6
3x = y + 6 f : x ----> 4x + 3
x = y + 6 Interchange x for y 2
3 g : x ----> 3x + 5
y=x+6 (a) Calculate the value of f (-3)
3 (b) Write expressions for (i) f -1(x) (ii) g -1 (x)
The inverse of fg(x) OR fg -1(x) is x + 6 (c) Hence, or otherwise, write an expression for (gf) -1
3
Let us attempt another example: Given that f : x 5x + 3 and g : x 2x + 1
Example (a) Determine fg-1(x) and g-1 f-1 (x)
Given f(x) = x2 and g(x) = 5x + 3, calculate (b) Hence evaluate ( f g )-1 (5 ) and g-1 f-1 (5) .
(i) f(-2) (ii) (g f) -1x
Have a good week
Solution
(i) Since f(x) = x2 f(-2) = (-2)2 = 4 Clement Radcliffe is an independent contributor. Send questions and comments to
Answer: f(-2) = 4 kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com.
YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | JANUARY 24-30, 2017