A Book Review- "The Thorn Birds"

I would like to review the book I have read "The Thorn Birds". This is a 1977 best-selling novel by Colleen McCullough, an Australian author and the most popular novel of recent times. This is a story of deep, rich, and forbidden love, betrayal, tragedy, and ambition. The book's title refers to a mythical bird that searches for thorn trees from the day it is hatched. When it finds the perfect thorn, it impales it self, and sings the most beautiful song ever heard as it dies. This is a truly wonderful story set primarily in Australia, circa 1915 and then spanning several generations to the post World War II era.

This is the story of the Poor Cleary family and the main character is the young Cleary daughter, Meggie. Meggie's father, Paddy, is a kind and simple labouring Irishman. Paddy has a wealthy sister, Mary Carson, who lives in Australia on an enormous sheep station called Drogheda. One day, Paddy receives a letter from Mary offering him a job on her estate. He accepts, and the whole family moves to the outback.

Here Meggie meets Father Ralph de Bricassart, the local Catholic priest, and falls in love with him. Ralph is a good and ambitious man, who certainly does nothing to encourage this love, but who certainly returns it , as he regards Meggie as the daughter he can never have. As Meggie matures, he comes to regard her in a more romantic way. A great struggle arises between this love, on the one hand ("the forbidden rose") and his ambition to become a Cardinal or perhaps more, on the other. The book always has an undercurrent where you can feel their longing and endless love for each other, even though they are not together.

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You can see, I really like this book, and I think that McCullough is a genius for combining three generations of the Cleary family into one novel. The introductory story of the thorn bird is a lesson for life: all sadness will pass, and one day something beautiful will come from that pain. I hope my review attracted you to read this wonderful book

(95)

Daphna.

Fast Food

" Although it tastes nice,

It can be a high price.
Filled with meat and sauce
It can be quite a course.
Dine in or drive in
Put the rubbish in the bin,
You should work it off

And think before you scoff! "

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Fast food is the term given to food that can be prepared and served very quickly. While any meal with low preparation time can be considered to be fast food, typically the term refers to food sold in a restaurant or store with low quality preparation and served to the customer in a package form for take-away.

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I think that food manufacturers should be held responsible for producing healthier food, because we eat the food we buy, which is made by the manufacturers. We can say, in other words, that our nutrition depends on the manufacturers. To protect our health the manufacturers have to make healthy food. For example, many restaurants serve the most common fast food- French fries and Hamburger, we eat them and ruin our health.

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The food industry needs to consider us, after all, it's wotrkers also eat this food. If you eat too much fast food over a long period of time, it can lead to health problems, like high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity. We don’t want someone have health problems, so we have to be considerate.

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To conclude, I believe that the manufacturers should be responsible and make healthier food. They should not exploit our dependence on them and serve us junk food. After all, what is most important? Money or health?

(78)

Daphna

A letter To the Editor

Kadman Leon 16 street
Holon, Israel

October 17, 2009

The editor

14 Shenkar street
Holon, Israel

Dear editor,

I would like to comment in regards to your article “The Israeli Defense Force”. The article you wrote was very inspiring and interesting to read. However, some of the things you mentioned concerning the military were upsetting to me. It seems to me that I should express my opinion since I am a citizen of the country.

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The Israel Defense Forces is Israel's military forces, comprising the ground forces, air force and navy. The IDF is headed by its Chief of General Staff, the Ramatkal, subordinate to the Defense Minister of Israel. The Israel Defense Forces differs from most armed forces in the world in many ways, including the conscription of women, and the structure, with close relations between the ground forces, air force and navy. Since its founding, the IDF has striven to be a unique army, fitting Israel's specific requirements.

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The boys have to serve three years in the military and the girls have to serve two years. Even though I am a girl, I think that both sexes should serve the same number of years. In addition, Although the recruitment is obligatory, in practice, a significant percentage of teenagers do not enlist due to various reasons. Lately we can see a significant increase of army's draft dodgers and it bothers me.

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I think Israel should do its best to stop the draft dodging of the Israeli teenagers. Everyone has to serve in the IDF, since he is a citizen in the country. I believe that we will be proud of our army, and the difference between boys and girls has nothing to do with dodging the military service.

(92)

Daphna

The Israeli military - the IDF

Here we are, in the 11th grade, and in this grade the army issue becomes relevant to us. We got the first order, and we are thinking about what we will do in the army. According to the law, the army recruitment is an obligation to all the citizens in our country, Israel. The boys have to serve three years in the military and the girls have to serve two years.

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IDF is the army of Israel and it serves as the central organization in keeping the country's security. IDF is the force protection of the Israeli existence and independence. In addition, the army serves national missions, like the settlement in all of the State's areas through the Nahal, pre-training through the Gadna military, rescue missions and more.

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Every soldier gets a medical profile whereby the solider knows where he will serve. People, who get a low profile (profile 21) or diagnosed a lacking match for military service, are exempt from military service. The highest profile is 97. For minorities, except for Druses and Circassians the recruitment is voluntary.

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In addition, women are eligible for exemption from army service for reasons of religious recognition. Although the recruitment is obligatory, in practice a significant percentage of teenagers do not enlist due to various reasons. Also, there are youngsters that refuse to serve in the military, for political and conscience reasons.

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I am nearly 16, so I have enough time to decide what I want to do in the army. It seems to me that if we have a chance to help our country, we should do it. After all, we live in a small country and we have to be responsible, because no one else will do it for us.

(92)

Daphna

Drugs

In these days, drugs are very common in our society. They became familiar in the 90's and there is an increase of drug users. Drugs are dangerous for everyone, youngsters and adults, but some of us still use them.

Drugs are chemical compounds that affect the central nervous system, perception and consciousness, these compounds can cause mental and behavioral changes in the user, immediate and long-term. Drug addiction is a state of absolute dependence of a person and is expressed physically and mentally, addicts become compulsive drug users.

Drugs insert the body in various ways, such as ingestion, smoking, steam inhalation or injection. Once injected, the body begins to absorb the drug's effect. These actions occur in many body systems which damages victims, resulting from the use of drugs respiratory system, immune system, digestive system and male reproductive system. Drug use could hurt the memory, learning ability and can cause loss of sense of time and judgment.

In conclusion, I think that everyone should stop using drugs because they affect us in a bad way. If we have problems we need to face them, not run away and use drugs. I hope some day we will not remember what "drugs" are.

Much better. Good work.

(95)

Daphna

New Year ^^

11^th grade … (:

School Uniform

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Since 1st grade the students, parents and teachers hear about the known expression “school uniform”. This expression has created disagreement between the students and the education system. For many years, in many countries all over the world, the school uniform is accepted in many schools. Although students see the school uniform as a burden, this issue has two aspects.

“The School uniform is a good idea that permits students to be equal…” (Doc. Yanaye). I agree with his opinion because the school uniform unites between children who aren't well-off and children who are. In addition, the school uniform is more comfortable than everyday clothes. If students wore a school uniform from a young age they would develop discipline because they use to do things that they are told to do.

As opposed to the good aspect of wearing a school uniform, there is a bad aspect too. The School uniform prevents students from expressing them selves to the society because they can not wear the clothes that reflect their individuality. The School uniform may prevent from students the feeling of being special, since everybody has to wear the same kind of clothes, regardless of their taste and personal choices.

In my opinion, in my school our uniform is the ideal school uniform because it includes the two sides of this issue. In my school the uniform is only a t-shirt, so the students can wear the pants they like and also be the same as other students. I think this uniform has to be accepted in schools all over the world.
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This is better, but there are still phrasing problems.
(80)
Daphna.

"Burge McCall"

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In the class we read a funny story called “Burge McCall”, which is about a married couple who lived together but could not tolerate each other. This couple had an unusual relationship. Burge McCall and his wife lived together for three years and four months.

Burge McCall was a short, heavy-set man with a loud voice. He was a chief clerk of the District Court and made a good salary, but he was very stringy with his wife, Mrs. McCall. He liked to spend all his money on himself and was generous with other women. Burge McCall had been married twice before, but his other wives ran away from him and got divorced. Burge McCall was quite a lady killer and most of the women in their town said they would not touch him with a ten-foot pole.

Mrs. McCall was a tall, thin woman with black hair and big black eyes. She was a quite person, who never had much to say. Her first name was Venita, but other women used to call her Mrs. The women in their town said Mrs. McCall married Burge McCall to get away from the noise of the Santa Fe railroad engines. Some said they didn’t blame her, although Burge McCall would be much worse than an engine.

In the beginning of the story the two characters almost didn’t talk. When Burge McCall called his wife names, she never answered. That made him start hating her within two months after they were married. Burge McCall used physical and verbal violence against Mrs. McCall. One day Mrs. McCall called her husband “big rat” after he slapped her on the face. This nickname had a meaning, when we, the readers, had read that she bought a pound of a rat poison.

Burge McCall knew from the seller that she had bought the poison. He decided to behave well to his wife because he was afraid she wanted to poison him. They were a good couple and both were happy and satisfied from the new situation. In the end, we discovered that Mrs. McCall was so wise because she didn’t buy rat poison, she told the seller to tell Burge McCall that she bought it.
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After reading the story, I think the main idea in the story is Mrs. McCall's wisdom. She didn’t pay attention to her annoying husband, she had a plan that was the only way to go back to a normal relationship. That can teach us that in life we need to do things in other ways, which can be harder from the direct way, and in the end will supply our purpose...
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Very good work! I'm impressed and very proud of you.
(92)
Daphna.

HomeWork ?!

Is homework really a necessary component of learning? This question is still asked every day in students and parents lives. Ben Berrafato is an 11 year old boy from N.Y. who believes children can do without homework and school work should be restricted to the classroom and not done at home as well. After I have read about his opinion I believe I should explain the positive side of doing homework. - good opening

Ben Berrafato sees only one side of doing homework, which is the negative side that most little children see. Homework is given only to help us. In school we learn about important and unimportant things but both improve our thinking and knowledge. In class we listen to the teacher but it isn’t the same as sitting at home and memorizing what we learn in school.

At home you can learn in silence, without annoying noises around you and many children who can interrupt you. If you learn by yourself, you will grasp the material at your own pace, not like in class when you have to follow your teacher so you don’t miss anything she says or spells.

As you see, I endorse mandating students to prepare homework. I think every child, who grows up to be a parent, thinks the same and tries to explain the importance of preparing homework to his children. If we don’t do enough homework we won’t succeed.

Excellent!!

(100)

Daphna.

Space Exploration

These days, humanity is interested in the space issue. It really attracts people to learn more and more about space. Two weeks ago, it has been suggested that space exploration should be included among the top priorities of our country Israel.

On the one hand, if we explore the space it will promote our country's status. Israel can be more successful and it may improve its international relations. Including the exploration of space among the top priorities of Israel can improve the economic issues in our country because other countries will help Israel to develop space's exploration and will contribute money to Israel.

On the other hand, Israel is not a large county but it has many government problems. If space exploration is the most important issue in Israel, it will have a bad effect on other things in our county like transport, religion, tourism... Israel should pay attention to its issues and problems.

After all, I think that both inconsistents explanations are good enough to difficult on this decision. Although the exploration of space can have a negative influence on Israel, I support the suggestion and I think it will help Israel in the ways I mentioned.
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(78)
Daphna

"Peer Pressure"

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Today we live in a world which is controlled by the youngsters. Youngsters follow their friends' actions and want to be like others, to fit in and not be different. This is called "Peer Pressure". Peer pressure can appear in two ways: positive peer pressure and negative.

These days, we hear about negative peer pressure more than positive. In the newspaper, T.V, radio and from people, we are exposed to many bad ways in which youngsters express them selves. For example, my friends wanted to skip school and go home earlier. Some of them objected to the idea, but accepted it because they were only a few. In my opinion, we made a mistake and it did not pay off to miss one lesson since the punishment we got after that was serious.

However, we can see that there is a positive phenomenon of peer pressure among youngsters. For instance, male youngsters who enlist the army wish to be accepted to the prime units in the army like Golani, Tshanhanim etc. This considered a positive peer pressure because of the aspiration of the youngsters. Their aspiration to joy the army will be paid for the state.

To conclude, we should do what we believe in, and act accordingly. Although, peer pressure is a common phenomenon we should think twice about its results.

(85)
Daphna.

Letter Of Advice

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Dear Drake, ...................................... 19.1.09

I read the letter you have sent me. You wrote about your problem with your next year at school. It seems too difficult to decide what is right and what is wrong to do. You came to the right place, where you can have a solution to your dilemma.

As I understood, you don’t know which subject you want to choose in the next year. You gave me a list of options you can learn, and there are many of them, like science, economics, geography, acting … But only some of them look interesting, or suitable for you. More than that, your family is pressuring you to choose science, and it's not really what you had in mind.

If I were you, I would choose the subject I enjoy the most, without paying attention to my family's expectation from me. Two years ago I was in your place, I had the same problem and my family acted the same as yours. In the end, I did what my family expected me, and I felt bad the whole year. Maybe you should do the opposite from me.

Drake, go and talk with your family, let them know what is important to you. After all, they aren't the one who study, you are, you are, and because of this you have to decide alone.

Just follow your heart… (:
Nofar.
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Much better, Nofar.
Good work. (85)
Daphna.

The War Against Hamas

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Hello, my name is Nofar Dvir, I am a fifteen year old student. I live in Holon, which is located at the center of Israel. Although, my city is not a part of the war against Hamas-the terrorist organization in Gaza, I support the war we began to respond the Hamas. Israel began the war in order to bring tranquility to its citizens, by killing the Hamas terrorists, but meanwhile it is killing the Gaza strip citizens. In the world everybody thinks Israel is the bad and nasty here and Gaza's citizens are the victims. I don't agree with the world's opinion, after eight years of suffering and silence from the Israeli side. I hope the war will end after we kill all the Hamas members. Afterwards, I believe that one day the Israeli citizens and the Gaza strip citizens will live in peace together.

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Very good.

Daphna.

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