Study Skills 2013 Model Answers for Summaries

Note:
1. These are possible answers, not the only correct ones.
2. Do not look at the model answer until you have finished your own first version.

SS Readings 2

1.
Outline

I. Although it is possible to buy ingredients and make one's own meals as quickly and cheaply as getting ready-made meals at fast-food restaurants, the ratio of Americans who habitually eat at the latter has risen to 96 per cent (Success, November 1994). This practice has a bad effect on their ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

II. The organization of most fast-food restaurants into chains leads to low levels of nutrition.
A. Since the food and drink served in every restaurant belonging to the same chain has to be identical, it is all distributed from the same place, and chemical additives are needed to keep the taste.
B. The object of these chains is to deliver food that is as cheap as possible rather than food that is of a high quality.

III. Customers become so used to the convenience and flavor of fast food that they tend to eat nothing else.
A. A survey reported that 60 per cent of customers double their intake in less than four years, while only 40 per cent remain at the same level or consume less (Industrial and Labor Relations Review [ital], October 1992).
B. 60 per cent of those with fast food-related illnesses who succeed in regulating their intake return to their bad habits less than six years later.
C. The fact that the microwave and ready-prepared vegetables have made it easier for people to prepare their own meals has therefore not led to a decrease in the appeal of fast food.

Summary

Although it is possible to buy ingredients and make one's own meals as quickly and cheaply as getting ready-made meals at fast-food restaurants, the ratio of Americans who habitually eat at the latter has risen to 96 per cent (Success [ital], November 1994). This practice has a bad effect on their ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. First, the organization of most fast-food restaurants into chains leads to low levels of nutrition. Since the food and drink served in every restaurant belonging to the same chain has to be identical, it is all distributed from the same place and chemical additives are needed to keep the taste. Moreover, the object of these chains is to deliver food that is as cheap as possible rather than food that is of a high quality. Second, customers become so used to the convenience and flavor of fast food that they tend to eat nothing else. A survey reported that 60 per cent of customers double their intake in less than four years, while only 40 per cent remain at the same level or consume less. Moreover, 60 per cent of those with fast food-related illnesses who succeed in regulating their intake return to their bad habits less than six years later (Industrial and Labor Relations Review [ital], October 1992). In fact, these figures help to explain why even though the microwave and ready-prepared vegetables have made it easier for people to prepare their own meals, there has been no decrease in the appeal of fast food.

2.
Outline (Note how the point made in the conclusion has been included in the main idea.)

I. Japan had its highest ever negative balance of trade in the last financial year, but the trade figures for March were better than expected and experts think that the situation should soon show an improvement.

II. This unusual phenomena for the Japanese economy, which is normally strong in exports, had lasted for nine months.
A. One cause was the rise in imports of natural gas and coal as a result of the shutting down of nuclear power plants after the Fukushima disaster.
B. Another cause was a fall in exports to China, because of the Senkaku dispute, and also in those to other countries.

III. The government has responded with policies designed to strengthen the economy.
A. For example, by weakening the yen, it hopes to encourage exports.
B. Experts, including the chief economist at the Norinchukin Research Institute, say that this has already made imports more expensive, but that it will take longer for exports to feel a positive impact.
C. It will be difficult for exports to increase as long as the global economy is weak.

Summary

Japan had its highest ever negative balance of trade in the last financial year, but the trade figures for March were better than expected and experts think that the situation should soon show an improvement. This negative balance, which had lasted for nine months, was unusual since the Japanese economy is normally strong in exports. One reason was the rise in imports of natural gas and coal caused by the shutting down of nuclear power plants after the Fukushima disaster. Another reason was a fall not only in exports to China, because of the Senkaku dispute, but also in exports to other countries. The government has responded with policies designed to strengthen the economy. For example, by weakening the yen, it hopes to encourage exports. Experts, including the chief economist at the Norinchukin Research Institute, say that this has already made imports more expensive, but that it will take longer for exports to feel a positive impact. Moreover, it will be difficult for exports to increase as long as the global economy is weak.

3.

Outline:

I. The Western demand for cheap clothing is the main cause behind the tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza factory. This suggests that products that seem to be cheap may have a hidden cost because of the sacrifices that are made in order to keep prices low.

II. All the parties involved in the rapid growth of the clothes industry in Bangladesh bear some responsibility.

A.     Western companies that buy the clothes are accused of ignoring problems in the industry because they want to keep prices as low as possible.
B.     The Bangladeshi government does not welcome the poor conditions, but it is afraid that Western companies will stop being customers if better working conditions lead to higher prices.
C.     Customers increased factory inspections after a fire in another factory in November 2012, but it is not known whether the inspectors looked for weaknesses in the factory buildings themselves.
D.     Many smaller factories carry out sub-contract work for the larger ones but are not subject to any inspections because they are not officially recognized. They employ under-age workers and do not follow proper safety precautions.

Summary:

Products that seem to be cheap may have a hidden cost because of the sacrifices that are made in order to keep prices low. For example, the Western demand for cheap clothing is the main cause behind the tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Dhaka. All the parties involved in the rapid growth of the clothes industry in Bangladesh bear some responsibility for the loss of life. Western companies that buy the clothes are accused of ignoring problems in the industry because they want to keep prices as low as possible.  They increased their factory inspections after a fire in another factory in November 2012, but it is not known whether the inspectors looked for weaknesses in the factory buildings themselves. On the other hand, the Bangladeshi government does not welcome the poor conditions, but is afraid that Western companies will stop being customers if better working conditions lead to higher prices. It is widely known that many smaller factories carry out sub-contracting work for the larger ones. However, since this is not publicly acknowledged, they are able to ignore regulations because they are never inspected. They employ under-age workers and do not follow proper safety precautions.

4.
Outline:
I. A serious argument has developed over the 4th-6th century remains of the commercial center of ancient Thessaloniki that have been uncovered during building work for a metro station, although the mayor is confident that it can be resolved.

II. On one side are archaeologists and the city administration who wish to leave the remains as they are and make an underground museum as part of the station.
A. Moving the road would destroy its historical meaning.
B. The main source of Greek income, and identity, is its history not industrial manufacturing.
C. The city administration intends to appeal to the Central Archaeological Council and to ask scientists at the local univer sity to find a way of keeping the remains where they are.

III. On the other side are the engineers responsible for building the station, supported by the Greek Central Archaeological Council, who say that the remains must be moved from the metro site.
A. The metro is already four years late.
B. It is an important public works project funded by the EU and valuable to the weak Greek economy.
C. Both the building workers and the local shopkeepers are frustrated by the delay.

Summary:

A serious argument has developed over the 4th-6th century remains of the commercial center of ancient Thessaloniki that have been uncovered during building work for a metro station, although the mayor is confident that it can be resolved. On one side of the dispute are the engineers responsible for building the station, who are supported by the Greek Central Archaeological Council. They say that the remains must be moved from the metro site. The metro, which is already four years late, is an important public works project funded by the EU and valuable to the weak Greek economy. In addition, both the building workers and the local shopkeepers are frustrated by the delay. On the other side are the archaeologists and the city administration. They wish to leave the remains as they are, and build an underground museum as part of the station. They argue that moving the road would destroy its historical meaning. Moreover, the main source of Greek income, and identity, is its history not industrial manufacturing. The city administration intends to appeal to the Central Archaeological Council and to ask scientists at the local university to find a way of keeping the remains where they are.

5.

Outline:
I. People have mistaken ideas about languages.
II.They assume that languages can be learnt in a specific period of time; however, since languages are always changing and are not spoken in one fixed way, no language can ever be totally mastered.
III. They assume that it is easy to define the meanings of words, but even very straightforward-seeming words can be used in a variety of ways.
IV. They assume that all native speakers of a language use it in a similar way, but although standard forms are generally understood, regional variations can be mutually incomprehensible.

Summary:
People have mistaken ideas about languages. For example, they assume that languages can be learnt in a specific period of time. In fact, however, since languages are always changing and are not spoken in one fixed way, no language can ever be totally mastered. A second assumption is that it is easy to define the meanings of words, but even very straightforward-seeming words can be used in a variety of ways. In addition, they assume that all native speakers of a language use it in a similar way. However, although people are generally able to understand each other when using standard forms, this is often not the case when regional varieties of the same language are being used.

Writing Essays, p. 13

Outline:
I Students who study literature at university will learn skills that they can apply to any occupation.

A. They learn how to read carefully, and come to understand human nature and how to interact in different circumstances. (teaching, business)
B. They learn how to express themselves clearly in writing. (writer, engineer)
C. They come to understand different ways of thinking. (people from different cultures)

Summary:

Students who study literature at university will learn skills that they can apply to any occupation, not only those closely linked to the humanities such as teaching and writing, but business and engineering as well. They learn how to read carefully, and how to express themselves clearly in writing. Moreover, they develop sensitivity to differences in human nature and the influence of different cultural backgrounds, and also learn how to interact in a variety of different circumstances.

Writing Essays, p. 48
Outline

I. There are points in favor of studying in one's own country as well as in studying abroad.

A. Studying abroad allows a student to live in a completely different environment, which may help him or her to mature.
B. It gives a student many opportunities to learn the language of the country, develop an understanding of another culture, and make new friends.
C. Staying in one's own country costs less money.
D. There is no need to cope with a new enviroment, so there will be no language difficulties or culture shock.
E. It will be easy to maintain ties with one's family and existing friends.

Summary

              There are points in favor of studying in one's own country as well as in studying abroad. The latter allows a student to live in a completely different environment, which may help him or her to mature. Moreover, it provides one with many opportunities to learn the language of the country, make new friends, and develop an understanding of another culture. On the other hand, the former costs less money. In addition, since there is no need to cope with a new enviroment, there will be no language difficulties or culture shock. Finally, it will be easy to maintain ties with one's family and existing friends.

Writing Essays, p. 79

Outline
I Although the basic approach of traditional Chinese medicine is different to that of Western medicine, it can be effective, at least for minor illnesses.

A. Western medicine
1. The purpose of Western medicine is to find a quick-working solution for each illness.
2. Each illness is dealt with separately.
3. Individuals with the same illness are all dealt with in the same way.

B. Traditional Chinese medicine
1. The purpose of traditional Chinese medicine is to restore the overall balance of each patient's body.
2. The illness is a symptom of a problem in the overall balance of the patient's body rather than an actual health problem itself.
3. The medicine will not treat the illness itself, but restore the overall balance and therefore cure the illness indirectly.

Summary:

Although the basic approach of traditional Chinese medicine is different to that of Western medicine, it can be effective, at least for minor illnesses. The purpose of Western medicine is to find a quick-working solution for each illness. Each illness is dealt with separately, and individuals with the same illness are all dealt with in the same way. By contrast, the purpose of traditional Chinese medicine is to restore the overall balance of each patient's body. The illness is a symptom of a problem in the overall balance of the patient's body rather than an actual health problem itself. The medicine will not treat the illness itself, but restore the overall balance and therefore cure the illness indirectly.

(Model answers to SS Reading Passages 2 will be given later.)

Reading Longer Passages:

Outline:
I Psychologists and sociologists have different theories about why people break the law.

A.Psychologists claim that the roots lie in people's pyschology.
1.Some, like Eysenck, suggest that these roots are present from birth.
2. Others, like Bowlby, suggest that they are result of problems in early childhood.
B. Sociologists think that we should also consider the nature of society.
1. They point to social problems as leading individuals to break the law.
2. They also argue that laws are made by societies and are therefore not the same everywhere. This means that the tendency to become a criminal is not decided at birth.

Summary:
Psychologists and sociologists have different theories about why people break the law. Psychologists claim that the roots lie in people's pyschology. Some, like Eysenck, suggest that these roots are present from birth, while others, like Bowlby, suggest that they are result of problems in early childhood. On the other hand, sociologists think that we should also consider the nature of society. They point to social problems as leading individuals to break the law. They also argue that laws are made by societies and are therefore not the same everywhere. This means that the tendency to become a criminal is not decided at birth.


Outline: (Notice how I change the order. I decided to omit the examples because they were not necessary in otder to explain the main idea and supporting points.)

I. The purpose of education should not be to make people learn as much knowledge as possible, but to help them to discover the essence that makes them human.

A. The essence that makes people human is the ability to reason, the ability to distinguish between right and wrong actions, and the ability to arrive at general truths by analyzing the world around them.
B. Debates about education should not focus on what should be taught, but on the capabilities that all people possess, and the best way to develop them.
C. If teachers only try to give students new information, they will not learn how to make use of the knowledge that they already have.

Summary: (I have written this as if it were part of an essay on Sidney J. Harris.)

In one of his newspaper columns, Sidney J. Harris declared that students were oysters that contained pearls rather than sausage skins. He was really arguing that the purpose of education should not be to "stuff" people with as much knowledge as possible, but to help them to discover the essence that makes them human: the ability to reason, to distinguish between right and wrong actions, and to arrive at general truths by analyzing the world around them. Consequently, he explained, debates about education should not focus on what should be taught, but on the capabilities that all people possess, and the best way to develop these capabilities. In addition, he urged that teachers should not just give students new information, because this would prevent them from learning how to make use of the knowledge that they already had.

Reading Passages: 1

1. Outline
I. Speed at reading should not be the only measurement of effective reading.

A. If the passage is complex, slow reading is better.
B. If the purpose requires memorizing, slow reading is better.
C. Inexperienced readers will necessarily read more slowly than experienced readers.
D. Unskilled readers will inevitably read more slowly than skilled readers.

Summary

Speed at reading should not be the only measurement of effective reading. If the passage is complex, or if the purpose requires memorizing, slow reading is better. Inexperienced readers will necessarily read more slowly than experienced readers, and unskilled readers will inevitably read more slowly than skilled readers.

2. Outline
I. One way of dealing with serious problems is to deny them by turning them into something else.

A. For example, it is possible to act as if it is other people who have the problem rather than ourselves.
i) A businessman who regrets his ruthless behavior may criticise the behavior of his colleagues instead of his own.
ii)　A young man who regrets making his girlfriend go away with him may rebuke her for making him go away with her.

Summary

One way of dealing with problems that worry us is to change them in a way that helps them to be ignored. For example, we can convince ourselves that it is not us but other people who have the problem. Thus, a businessman who regrets his ruthless behavior may criticise the behavior of his colleagues instead of his own. Similarly, a young man who regrets making his girlfriend go away with him may blame the girlfriend for making him go away with her.

Note:
1. Since this paragraph is developed by using examples, the summary must include the examples.
2. Here, italics are used for emphasis. In fact, the use of italics for foreign words and to indicate emphasis is very close to the use of katakana in Japanese.

3. Outline (Note how I changed the order. How, and why?)
I. Science and technology may appear to be almost the same, but this is not in fact the case.

A. Experts in technology often make "scientific" discoveries about basic natural principles and the way in which they function, but their focus is on how to make practical use of the knowledge that scientists have acquired.
B. Experts in science often turn their findings to practical use, but their focus is on discovering and investigating the basic principles that lie at the root of almost all recent technological developments, including those that rely on electricity.

Note: I used quotation marks ("") with the word "scientific" in A. to show that I meant "discoveries that are called scientific". This is similar to the use of 「いわゆる」 in Japanese.
Summary:

Science and technology may appear to be almost the same, but this is not in fact the case. It is true that experts in technology often make "scientific" discoveries about basic natural principles and the way in which they function. However, their focus is on how to make practical use of the knowledge that scientists have acquired. Similarly, experts in science often turn their findings to practical use. Even so, their focus is on discovering and investigating the basic principles that lie at the root of almost all recent technological developments, including those that rely on electricity.

4. Outline (Note how I changed the order. How, and why?)
I: There is no scientific evidence that the many women in America who work do so because that is their main goal in life.

A: Women without husbands have no alternative.
B: Many women with husbands also need to earn money.
C: A survey of women who work showed that only 15% would continue in their jobs if their income was not needed any more.

Summary:
There is no scientific evidence that the many women in America who work do so because that is their main goal in life. Both women without husbands and those with husbands work because they need the money. In fact, a survey of women who work showed that only 15% would continue in their jobs if their income was not needed any more.