Letter - An interesting find - May/June 2010

Hi Mary,

I hope that you are doing well. I’m really sorry that I haven’t written for such a long time but I’ve been really busy studying for my exams. Anyway, I’m writing about a really interesting thing that I recently found.

Last Saturday, I was out walking (to clear my head after so much revision) in some fields near my house when I stumbled across a coin. At first I thought it was just a twenty-pence piece, but when I examined it closer I discovered that it was in fact quite ancient. On one side was the face of what looked like an old Roman emperor; on the other was a map of Britain. I was really excited about the find and took it to the local museum for an appraisal. The museum curator told me that, yes, it was an old Roman coin but that as they were quite common in the district, it wasn’t that valuable. Even though I was disappointed with this news, I’m still happy to have it as a keepsake.

Have you ever found anything interesting? If so, in your next letter, please tell me about it. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Best wishes,
Linda

Article - Don't be a slave to fashion - May/June 2010

For some people, buying and wearing up-to-date fashion is of the utmost importance. They believe, as Shakespeare said, “clothes make the man”. However, in my opinion, too much importance is placed on looking fashionable. Instead, we should be more worried about what’s underneath.

By their very nature, fashionable clothes change with the season. What’s in one year is out the next. Therefore, fashionistas must spend a hell of a lot of money to look cool and trendy. If no money is available, these people become desperate and this can lead to crimes such as robbery, shoplifting and much worse. Furthermore, being slaves to fashion results in a loss of individuality as the fashionistas strive to look the same as everyone else.

What’s wrong with looking different? Are you any less a person because you’re not wearing the latest fashions? Certainly not. It means that you have the self-confidence to be yourself. In addition, think of all the exciting things that can be done with the money saved by not buying extravagant clothing.

In conclusion, don’t be a slave to fashion. Be yourself, even when the so-called ‘cool’, fashionable people might be sniggering behind you back!

Summary - Medical experiments on animals

Medical research on animals is necessary to understand how living things work and also to test out new cures for a variety of human illnesses, thereby advancing medical science. Two notable achievements resulting from experimentation on animals are an understanding of how the body works - for example, the circulatory system and lung functioning - and cures for fatal illnesses such as cancer and organ failure. While many animals die during research, scientists try to make their existence as comfortable as possible by reducing the number of animals and experiments used and by causing minimal harm to them by using anaesthetics, painkillers and antibiotics. (104 words)