Make a summary of not more than 120 words, describing the emergence of paper money used widely today.

Buying things today is so simple. Just enter a shop, say a book store, choose the desired book and pay for it. Long ago, before the invention of money, how did people trade? The most primitive way of exchange should be the barter trade. In this form of transaction, people used goods to exchange for the things that they had in mind. For instance, if person A wanted a book and he had a spare goat, he must look for someone who had the exact opposite, that is, that someone, say person B, must have a spare book of person A's choice and is also in need of a goat. Having found such a person, the problem does not end here. A big goat may worth not only one book, hence person B may have to offer person A something else, say five chickens. However, he runs the risk of person A rejecting the offer as he may not need the chickens. The above example clearly illustrates the inefficiency of barter trading. Many years later, the cumbersome barter trade finally gave way to the monetary form of exchange when the idea of money was invented. In the early days, almost anything could qualify as money: beads, shells and even fishing hooks. Then in a region near Turkey, gold coins were used as money. In the beginning, each coin had a different denomination. It was only later, in about 700 BC, that Gyges, the king of Lydia, standardized the value of each coin and even printed his name on the coins. Monetary means of transaction at first beat the traditional barter trade. However, as time went by, the thought of carrying a ponderous pouch of coins for shopping appeared not only troublesome but thieves attracting. Hence, the Greek and Roman traders who bought goods from people faraway cities, invented checks to solve the problem. Not only are paper checks easy to carry around, they discouraged robbery as these checks can only be used by the person whose name is printed on the notes. Following this idea, banks later issued notes in exchange for gold deposited with them. These bank notes can then be used as cash. Finally, governments of today adopted the idea and began to print paper money, backed by gold for the country's use. Today, besides enjoying the convenience of using paper notes as the mode of exchange, technology has led man to invent other means of transaction too like the credit and cash cards.

Answer Long ago, people bought things through barter trade. However, the difficulty of having to look for the right partner and dividing the goods led people to switch over to monetary transaction. at first, beads, shells and fishing hooks were used as money. Near Turkey, gold coins with irregular denominations were used for trade. Later, King Gyges standardized the individual coin value. People soon found carrying coins around for shopping troublesome and thieves courting. Hence, merchants started to issue checks with names of the users on them to discourage robbery. Following that, banks started to issue cash notes in return for gold deposited with them. Finally, adopting the idea, today, governments printed paper money backed by gold for the country's usage. ( 119 words )
Summarize in not more than 120 words, describing how one can organize and start a barbecue. Have you ever been to a barbecue? Many of us enjoy roasting meat over the fire but no one ever wonder who first started the idea of cooking meat in a fire. Perhaps, it is just in the human psyche that we sometimes feel the need to return to the primitive times, probably to relieve us of our urbanized life.

That is why many people, regardless of age, love to hold barbecue gatherings. The idea of gathering round a fire and roast some meat just sounds fun. The meat may sometimes be half-cooked or not cooked at all (sounds horrible) but the joy of primitive cooking is there. The first step towards the preparation for a barbecue is to rent a barbecue pit which usually comes with the barest essentials. After all, we are supposed to return to the early time frame. Of course, during peak seasons like the school holidays, when the pits are fully booked, you may try digging one at the back of your garden. Next, get ready the wire netting, otherwise, you will find yourself roasting the meat on the hot charcoal. Skewers which are important for holding the meat pieces; utensils for picking up the food like forks and spoons, paper plates and cups must not be left out. Next comes the preparation of the most important part of the barbecue - the food. In fact, any kind of meat will be suitable. If meat pieces are bought, like chicken, beef or mutton, slice them into thin pieces before piercing in the skewers. Chicken wings are the best. Simply stretch the wings apart and push in the skewers. Following which, the meat is to be soaked in a mixture of spices for marination, giving them some flavor. An easier and faster way out would be to brush 'Maggie' barbecue sauce over them. Remember to order a few hundred sticks of satay too. A barbecue without satay will not be a barbecue. When everything is ready, start the fire with charcoal, one hour before the start of the feast. Once the fire is started, let it all burn till glowing embers are left. Then place the sticks of meat over the wire netting and there you are, the barbecue has begun. Do not worry about overcooking the meat. After all, the real joy behind the barbecue lies in the cooking not eating of the food. Just a piece of advice to beginners: Bring along some indigestion medicine.

Answer Firstly, rent a barbecue pit. Bring a wire netting to hold the food over the fire, skewers to hold the meat pieces, utensils for picking up the food, paper plates and cups. Any type of meat will be suitable for the barbecue but chicken wings are the best. Simply pierce the skewers through the thin slices of meat or chicken wings. Next, marinatethe meat either by soaking them in a spice mixture or coating them with 'Maggie' barbecue sauce. Order some satay too. Once the preparations are done, start the fire, one hour before the feast. Let the fire burn till glowing coals remain before starting to roast the meat. Beginners may need to bring along some indigestion medicine. ( 120 words )
Summarize in not more than 120 words, the advantages and disadvantages of advertisements. We are bombarded by many advertisements every day. Vendors try all means and ways to gain our attention and sell us their products or services. Advertisements appear everywhere; on television programs, radios, in the papers, magazines, pamphlets and so on. Advertisements are actually very useful though we sometimes feel annoyed when they interrupt our favorite television programs. They provide us with free information on the products and services. There are two types of advertisements. The informative advertisements are the ones which provide us with the details of the products or services. This information is especially useful if the product or service is new. For instance, when we need to buy a computer, advertisements describing the latest models and their

different functions would be extremely helpful. However, only a minority of the advertisements are informative ones. Many of them belong to the second category -- the persuasive kind. These advertisements not only tell us more about the products, at the same time, they persuade customers to buy them by claiming that their products are superior to the rivalry ones. These claims may sometimes be untrue. Besides being informative and persuasive, advertisements also help to subsidize the prices of magazines and newspapers. Our newspapers are sold at a low price of about one dollar, owing to the advertisements in the papers; otherwise, the price would have been higher. While advertisements can be good helpers for shopping, they do have their shortcomings. Most advertisements aim to sell only. Faults of the products or services are usually hidden from the consumers. Hence, sometimes, we feel deceived if the product or service we bought does not turn out the way the advertisements claim to be. Sometimes, advertisements by rival competitors can get very intensive, especially when there are many firms producing similar products. One common example is the washing powder. There are so many advertisements for the different brands that customers sometimes get confused over what they should buy. Furthermore, having more advertisements would mean that the production cost of the firm would be increased. These rises in cost are usually passed on to the consumers in the form of higher prices. Hence, in conclusion, though I do advocate advertisements, I do not deny their flaws. Without them, we might have to buy things based on incomplete information or go through more complicated ways before getting to know the products or services. On the other hand, too many advertisements also complicate our buying decisions. So I would say that we cannot live without advertisements but we must be careful how we live with them. Answer There are two types of advertisements. Informative advertisements provide consumers information about the products or services. They are especially useful when we are purchasing new products. The second kind is the persuasive ones which provide us with products information and also persuade us to buy them by claiming the superiority of their products. Advertisements also benefit readers of newspapers and magazines by helping to subsidize the prices. One disadvantage of advertisements is that they sometimes aim to sell only and cover up the flaws of the advertised products. Consumer may sometimes get confused over buying decisions when too many advertisements are advertise. Advertising also raises the production costs which in turn increases the prices of the products too. ( 120words ) Describe briefly the evolution of the writing system and tools. Your summary should not exceed 120 words. Today, with just twenty-six letters, we can write a letter to our friends or answer an examination question. Thousands of years ago, there was no writing system at all. News, knowledge and information were passed on from one person to another by word of mouth. If you ever played 'rumor clinic' where a cognate message is passed from one person to another down the chain by mouth, you will understand the inefficiency of the system. Messages passed down are unreliable as the speakers may mix up or lose part of the information. The first written language was invented by the early cave man. They tied bits of animal hair together to form brushes and painted pictures on the cave wall, telling their friends about their hunts. It was after several centuries that different writing systems like the Chinese characters and hieroglyphs in Egypt were

invented. The alphabetical system that we are using currently also came about only after many decades of development. Besides alphabets, the invention of writing tools is another major transition. In olden times, the kind of writing tools used, depended on the material they wrote on. For example, in the Middle East, where clay is abundant in supply, the early people used hollow reed 'pens' to carve onto the wet clay tablets. After which, these clay pieces were baked till rock hard to make the writings permanent. In ancient Egypt, Egyptians either wrote on scraped thin pieces of animal skins called 'parchment' or flattened papaya stems known as 'papyrus'. Their writing tool was a primitive kind of fountain pen -- a reed with ink inside. It was only in the 1880s, that fountain pens were invented. Before that, most people used either quill pens - sharpened bird feathers or nibbed pens, which were dipped into ink before writing. Fountain pens invented later have both plus and minus points. With tiny ink tanks in them, fountain pens are superior to quill or nibbed ones as the ink in them do not run out as quickly. The disadvantage is that sometimes, the nibs of the fountain pens may break, causing the ink to leak, staining the writer's fingers. The flaw in fountain pens has led to further investigation and the successful invention of the first 'ballpoint' pen by a Hungarian, Ladislao Biro. There were many people after him who tried to improve upon the appearance of his ballpoint pens. Today, 'ballpoint' pens are conveniently and widely used in the world.

Answer Cave man invented the first written language by drawing pictures on cave walls to tell their friends about their hunts. It then took several centuries for the Chinese characters, Egyptian hieroglyphs and the alphabetical system we use today to develop. The writing tools used in ancient times complimented with the material people wrote on. In the Middle East, hollow reeds were used to write on wet clay while in Egypt, reeds containing ink were used to write on animal skins or papaya stems. Quill or nibbed pens which require constant ink dipping were used before the invention of fountain pens. Discovering that the nibs of fountain pens break easily causing ink leakage, 'ballpoint' pens were invented to replace them. ( 114 words )
Summarize the writer's experiences on his journey to the University in not more than 120 words. I can still remember the day I left home for the university. I had packed and repacked a hundred times the night before. Mother had bought me a new flask and a bottle of Tiger Balm. For headaches, she said. She really thought of everything. My boyfriend came to send me off at the train station. A neighbor had kindly volunteered to bring me to the station in her car. I felt like an adult for the first time in my life. I was going to embark on a journey, both physical as well as mental. I was afraid but I kept telling myself that this was the dream I'd had all my life and it was coming true. I could see the sadness in my boyfriend's eyes but somehow, I did not feel affected. I was anxious to get over the goodbyes that I had rehearsed for so many nights. When it finally came, I felt strangely relieved. It was a year later that I discovered that the parting was also the beginning of the end of our relationship.

On the train, I quickly settled down. Halfway through the journey, I made friends with an elderly man who was also on his way to Kuala Lumpur. He asked about my destination and he told me he was a teacher. Then the train was delayed for three hours. It felt like eternity. I kept worrying about my brother who was waiting to pick me up. What if he gave up and decided to go home? What was I to do? A thousand worries raced through my mind. My friend in the train made me feel uncomfortable as I was unable to concentrate on his attempts to engage in an intelligent conversation. I wanted to shout `hooray' when the train started off and continued its journey. The night seemed so cool and exciting again. When we reached Kuala Lumpur, my teacher friend helped me with my luggage. I was really grateful to him as I would not have been able to manage it alone. The train was hurrying, on its journey again. I felt so small and alone in the city. We parted and my heart leapt when I spotted my brother. I could have run over and hugged him but we never did that. In fact, I hardly know him. We managed to exchange a few words instead. I was so tired that I slept like a baby on the way to his house. When I awoke, I found myself in the midst of a party. I had forgotten that it was my brother's birthday. Poor thing, he must have cursed while waiting for me. I could not sleep that night. I was too excited and apprehensive. I did not really know what to expect. When I finally slept, it was already 5 a.m.

Answer The writer recalled the day she left home for the university. She was anxious but excited to embark on a new chapter of her life. She found bidding goodbye to her boyfriend burdensome and felt relieved when it was over. When the train was delayed, she was worried about her brother who was waiting for her. When it finally arrived, she felt thankful when she saw him. On the way to his house, she had fallen asleep. When she awoke, she realized that she was at her brother's birthday party. She felt guilty that he had waited so long for her. She could not sleep that night as she was too anxious about the next day. ( 115 words )
Summarize the following article about the reasons for child abuse in not more than 120 words. The childhood years are supposed to be the best times of one's life; playing and having fun. Yet there are many children who are deprived of this childhood. They are tortured and verbally and physically abused. There is no reason or excuse for child abuse. Abusers claim they do it because of the stress of work. Child-abusing housewives way they feel harassed by a crying child and are unable to curb their own fury, especially if no support is received from anyone. This is not surprising since support is extended to a victim of child abuse more readily than to the perpetrator. Occasionally, parents may vent their frustrations on their child if they fight and quarrel with each other. In cases like there, it is the children who are the victims. In this modern age where both parents are usually holding jobs, children are left with babysitters and nurseries. Abuse by these carers may occur when there are too many children to be minded. The disappearance of the extended family system is partly to be blamed for these incidents. Crowded homes and financial problems can also lead to child abuse. When there are too many mouths to

feed, parents feel the pressure and vent their anger on a child. Substance abuse is another factor which increases the incidents of child abuse. Under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a parent many not know what he or she may be doing. Or, rather, knows what he or she is doing but is not bothered at all. A drug addict many experience mood swings and is easily provoked by a crying baby. Thus we see and read horrifying reports of a child being savagely tortured and dumped elsewhere, like garbage. Psychologists believe that child abusers may have been victims of abuse themselves. Thus, in anger and hatred, they repeat the vicious cycle of abuse. Some have no love for the children they abuse. Some have been brought up to believe that children should be beaten in order to maintain control. These are troubled people who need help. A home is supposed to be a haven where a child ought to feel safe and secure. Unfortunately, more often than not, the home is also where a child is abused. Whatever the reasons for the abuse, something must be done to stop the cruelty and help these parents who simply cannot cope with parenting. Parents-to-be should be counseled and inculcated with parenting skills. The Child Protection Act which was passed in Parliament in 1991 does not effectively prevent child abuse. Stricter enforcement is necessary. Thus. it requires a commitment from each individual to help families with victims. and troubled parents, the perpetrators.

Answer Child abuse can occur when parents are unable to cope with stress from work and family commitments. It may also occur when children are left with child-minders who may be too busy with other kids. Parents who have financial problems may take it out on the children. Substance abuse may also result in child abuse where the addicts many not know what they are doing till it is too late. Another reason could be due to these child abusers being victims of child abuse themselves. They treat their children the way they were treated and it becomes a vicious cycle. Positive steps should be taken to support and help parents or guardians to cope with parenting. ( 116 words )
Summarize in not more than 120 words, describing how Sam became an alcoholic and later kicked the habit.

" I want some more beer ..." Sam turned around and saw a dirty, unshaven drunkard mumbling in coherently as he wobbled aimlessly along the road. Shaking his head, Sam continued his way back home. Sam did not bother to switch on the lights at home. Everyone must be asleep at this late hour, he thought. He tiptoed into Marie's bedroom and found her sleeping soundly, snugly tucked under her pink comforter. Sam bent over and kissed his beloved five-year-old daughter's forehead. "Thanks, dear. If it was not for you, I would never have turned over a new leaf," Sam whispered in gratitude, recalling the drunken man he saw a while ago. A year ago, after being retrenched from his computer company, Sam felt dejectedand worried about how he was going to provide for his family. The situation worsened when he failed to secure a job after months of intensive searching. Soon, Sam began to indulge in alcoholic drinks to drown his sorrows. His savings which was used to sustain the family expenses during his retrenchment was tremendously

depleted by his drinking habits. Soon his wife, Catherine, became the family's sole bread winner. Catherine's efforts to stop Sam from drinking were futile. Alcohol had transformed the once-gentle family man into a violent beast. Sam began to hit his wife when she refused to give hi money for his drinks. Once Catherine tried hiding his drinking bottles, hoping to stop Sam from drinking. Sam was so agitated when he could not find his bottles that he locked Marie into her bedroom and threatened her into revealing the hiding place. The incident instilled terror in Marie and thereafter, she tried her best to avoid Sam. These traumatic incidents continued until the launch of the "stop Drinking" campaign by the government. Striking and persuasive posters were put up in the public to persuade alcoholics to kick their habit. None of them succeeded in bringing Sam to his senses except one. The poster illustrated an alcoholic man abusing his wife while their terrified daughter cried helplessly. The slogan accompanying the poster was: 'Will Your Children Be Able To Draw A Happy Family Again?'. Sam suddenly recalled a poster entitled 'Happy Family' drawn by Marie for school before he began drinking. As if released from a spell, he realized how irresponsible and abusive he had been. Overcome with guilt, he quit drinking totally. "Sam, why aren't you going to sleep?" asked a concerned Catherine. "I'm coming, Catherine," Sam replied with a smile as he headed for his room. Answer Sam became a drunkard after failing to find a job following his retrenchment. His savings was reduced so quickly that Catherine had to work to support the family. Despite Catherine's advice, he persisted hi drinking habits and even extorted money from her, hitting her when he refused to give in. He once locked up Marie in the bedroom, forcing her to reveal the whereabouts of his beer bottles which Catherine used to hide. The event instilled terror in Marie and thereafter she tried her best to avoid Sam. During the "Stop Drinking" campaign launched by the government, Sam came to his senses when he saw a broken family of a drunkard. From then on, he quit drinking.. ( 117 words )