PORTFOLIO
ADVANCE 12
MR. Hugo Rodriguez.
Roxana Montalvo Tarrillo
2024
1. All First Drafts (there will be 2 this month) - Save your
first draft and put it in your Portfolio.
FIRST DRAFT: WRITING 1
MR. RODRIGUEZ – ADV 12
Many methods to clean up the ocean have appeared through the
years, but I think the most effective one is to stop plastic pollution at the root
cause. However, new proposals seem to be more promising and have had more
diffusion in the media. We still don't know the final impact of plastics and
microplastics on our health, but one thing we are sure about is that they have a big
impact on climate change. We are experiencing it. It's estimated that about 11
million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans each year, according to Ocean
Conservancy Pollution, so here we have one of the biggest reasons for focusing on
this big problem.
One of the most popular strategies is “The Ocean Cleanup”, created
by Boyan Slat. This project is focused on the area known as the Great Pacific
Garbage Patch. The system consists of passive floating screens that float around
the gyre, trapping the garbage. There are many controversies around this
proposal. Is it viable? Is it storm-proof? How do they plan to collect all the
garbage?. Right now, it is still like a prototype, but if it works, it would be able to
clean up about 50 percent of the garbage in just five years. On the other hand,
Marcus Eriksen states that a prevention model is the most effective solution. By
installing booms in the river to capture plastic trash before it washes to the sea, he
suggests this model would stop the flow of plastic into the ocean. Although this is a
good proposal, this system needs to be installed worldwide with the cooperation of
all governments. Similarly, projects are happening right now, like the Mr. Trash
Wheel, a small boat that has been gathering plastic in Baltimore City’s harbor since
2014, created by Clearwater Mills LLC. It works with hydro and solar energy. The
garbage is funneled into the interceptor by the river’s currents, while the wheel
pulls the trash out of the harbor. It is estimated to have blocked about 1.6 million
pounds of debris from entering the Atlantic Ocean.
Meanwhile, in South America, a big project is working in Ecuador called
“Azure”, It has been operating on the Portoviejo River in Manabí since October
2021, intercepting waste before it is carried out on ocean currents to the
Galapagos Islands. The Azure system, manufactured by the company Ichthion, can
extract up to 80 tons of waste per day with a low environmental impact. How does
it work? A floating barrier is installed, and then all the garbage is transported by a
sort of escalator. The extracted debris is then classified by the community, and
artificial intelligence techniques are used for its identification. Azure is working like
a pilot scale at this time, but it’s expected to capture 80 tonnes of waste per day.
Currently, scientists are also working on new technologies to eliminate
microplastics. For example, a team formed by Chinese and Australian experts has
invented a microscopic magnetic carbon coil covered in nitrogen and manganese.
These three ingredients create high levels of reactive oxygen in water, which
converts microplastics into less toxic components for animals and humans. In the
same way, Japanese scientists have discovered a bacteria that consumes PET, a
component of microplastics. They expect that through genetic modification, they
can become these bacterias in a stronger one that can resist any ecosystem and
eliminate microplastics worldwide. Many of these strategies are beneficial for our
world, but according to the data provided by United Nations Environment Program,
which mentions that 80% of the garbage found in the ocean comes from rivers, I
think all the efforts have to focus.
Source:
https://www.primicias.ec/noticias/tecnologia/dos-rios-ecuador-inteligencia-
artificial-limpieza/
FIRST DRAFT: WRITING 2
MR. RODRIGUEZ – ADV 12
In a world dominated by smart devices that keep us distracted and
disconnected from the surrounding environment, e-book readers seem like a useful tool
to keep us focused on studying. Many of us assume that a smartphone or tablet can
serve as a multipurpose tool, especially if you are a student. This may be true if you are
a very focused person, but not everyone is. Having free access to the Internet through
your phone or tablet is a constant distraction, especially when you need to cover some
readings or prepare for an exam. Let me use my case as an example. I bought my first
iPad during my residency. The main purpose was to have access to all the latest
publications and read them in my free time, but it was a total failure. I spent most of
my free time checking social media and watching series. Eventually, I gave up carrying
my iPad everywhere and went back to printing my articles. So that was, until I
discovered e-readers.
E-readers offer many benefits if you are into reading or need to study.
Through your e-reader, you can access all the information you have already
downloaded and access it even when you are not connected to the Internet. Since this
device does not allow any kind of app, the possibilities of being distracted are minimal
as a result, you can stay focused on your objective. By being smaller and lighter than
tablets, it is easier to hold and less harmful to the wrists. These characteristics make it
carriable, so it hardly takes any space, so you can easily take it with you everywhere.
So instead of checking for news or memes on social media in your free time, you can
read anything you are interested in. Also, the batteries last months, so you don't need
to carry an extra charge.
There are also environmental benefits and health-related pros. For example,
related to being environmentally friendly. The need for physical copies of books
diminishes significantly because a single e-reader can hold thousands of books. This
reduces the carbon emissions that come from paper production, which directly
contributes to reducing deforestation. In contrast to tablets, E-readers reduce glare and
eye strain by reflecting light like traditional paper. Since this technology makes reading
easier and less uncomfortable in bright environments, you can use it even if you are on
vacation or in open spaces. Also, you can adjust the font size according to your own
needs, personalize the spaces between lines, and some models allow for modifications
to font styles, making the reading experience very enjoyable.
I think that e-readers are the least dangerous of all the new electronic devices
by furthering a left-behind habit like reading, bringing it renewed to new generations,
and also offering a modern alternative to traditional readers. The combination of
portability, capacity to store thousands of books on one device, and accessibility make
e-readers a very good choice for everyone who is into reading or just for anyone who
needs to study without any distraction. I'm pretty sure that in the future, this device
will become more popular among high school and university students who are the most
damaged by the toxic social media effects. So, the need for a carriable device that
provides them a useful tool to study widespread the use of e-readers on a big scale.
5.- All Create Activities (there will be 2 this month) – There
are 2 Create Activities in the book, one for each unit. Read
the instructions for all of the Create Activities, complete
the activities and put the Create Activities in your Portfolio.
FINAL DRAFT: WRITING 1
MR. RODRIGUEZ – ADV 12
Many methods to clean up the ocean have emerged over the years, but I think the
most effective is to stop plastic pollution at its source. However, the new proposals
seem to be more promising and have received more media attention. We still don't
know the ultimate impact of plastics and microplastics on our health, but one thing we
do know is that they have a big impact on climate change. We are experiencing it. It's
estimated that about 11 million tons of plastic enter the oceans every year, according
to the Ocean Conservancy Pollution, so here we have one of the biggest reasons to
focus on this big problem.
One of the most popular strategies is "The Ocean Cleanup," created by Boyan Slat.
This project focuses on the area known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The system
consists of passive floating screens that float around the gyre and trap the
garbage. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this proposal. Is it feasible? Is it
stormproof? How will they collect all the garbage? Right now, it is still a prototype, but
if it works, it would be able to remove about 50 percent of the garbage in just five
years. On the other hand, Marcus Eriksen says that a prevention model is the most
effective solution. By installing booms in the river to catch plastic trash before it
washes into the ocean, he suggests this model would stop the flow of plastic into the
ocean. Although this is a good suggestion, this system needs to be installed worldwide
with the cooperation of all governments. Similar projects are happening right now, like
the Mr. Trash Wheel, a small boat that has been gathering plastic in Baltimore City's
harbor since 2014, created by Clearwater Mills LLC. It works with hydro and solar
energy. Trash is drawn into the interceptor by river currents, while the wheel pulls the
trash out of the harbor. It is estimated to have prevented about 1.6 million pounds of
debris from entering the Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, in South America, a major project
in Ecuador called "Azure" has been operating on the Portoviejo River in Manabí since
October 2021, intercepting waste before it is carried by ocean currents to the
Galapagos Islands. The Azure system, manufactured by the company Ichimon, can
collect tons of waste per day with a low environmental impact. How does it work? A
floating barrier is installed, and then all the garbage is transported by a kind of
escalator. The extracted debris is then classified by the community, and artificial
intelligence techniques are used for its identification. Azure is currently operating on a
pilot scale, but it's expected to capture 80 tons of waste per day.
Scientists are also working on new technologies to eliminate microplastics. For
example, a team of Chinese and Australian experts has invented a microscopic
magnetic carbon coil coated with nitrogen and manganese. These three ingredients
create high levels of reactive oxygen in water, which converts microplastics into less
toxic components for animals and humans. Similarly, Japanese scientists have
discovered a bacteria that consumes PET, a component of microplastics. They expect
to genetically modify these microorganisms into stronger ones that can withstand any
ecosystem and eliminate microplastics worldwide. Many of these strategies are
beneficial for our world, but according to the data provided by the United Nations
Environment Program, which mentions that 80% of the garbage found in the ocean
comes from rivers, I think all efforts must be focused.
We all know that the real solution is to reduce the consumption and production of
plastics. Unfortunately, this scenario is still far away and would take many years to
come to fruition. In the meantime, the discarded plastic and the plastic that is still
being produced are being thrown into the ocean. The only viable solution now is to stop
the flow of plastic into the sea. Although there are many alternatives around the world,
most of them are private and operate on a small scale. It is necessary for governments
to intervene and create a global policy where everyone commits to installing these
filters in major rivers, but at the same time, we need companies that will handle the
leftover plastic and convert it into reusable items or energy. Knowing the whole chain
of plastics and their effects, it is our responsibility to start educating and committing
ourselves to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics. The opportunity for a
sustainable future is in our hands.
Sources:
https://www.primicias.ec/noticias/tecnologia/dos-rios-ecuador-inteligencia-
artificial-limpieza/
https://blog.cleanhub.com/6-ways-to-clean-up-the-ocean
https://dialogue.earth/en/ocean/17153-twenty-plastic-busting-inventions-to-
clean-our-rivers-and-seas
FINAL DRAFT: WRITING 2
MR. RODRIGUEZ – ADV 12
In a world dominated by smart devices that keep us distracted and
disconnected from the surrounding environment, e-book readers seem like a useful tool
to keep us focused on studying. Many of us assume that a smartphone or tablet can
serve as a multipurpose tool, especially if you are a student. This may be true if you are
a very concentrated person, but not everyone is. Having free access to the Internet
through your phone or tablet is a constant distraction, especially when you need to
cover some work assignments or prepare for an exam. Let me use my case as an
example. I bought my first iPad during my residency. The main purpose was to have
access to all the latest publications and read them in my free time, but it was a total
failure. I spent most of my free time checking social media and watching series.
Eventually, I gave up carrying my iPad everywhere and went back to printing my
articles. So that was, until I discovered e-readers.
E-readers offer many benefits if you are into reading or need to study.
Through your e-reader, you can access all the information you have already
downloaded and access it even when you are not connected to the Internet. Since this
device does not allow any kind of app, the possibilities of being distracted are minimal
as a result, you can stay focused on your objective. By being smaller and lighter than
tablets, it is easier to hold and less harmful to the wrists. These characteristics make it
carriable, so it hardly takes any space, so you can easily take it with you everywhere.
So instead of checking for news or memes on social media in your free time, you can
read anything you are interested in. Also, the batteries last months, so you don't need
to carry an extra charge.
There are also environmental benefits and health-related pros. For example,
related to being environmentally friendly. The need for physical copies of books
diminishes significantly because a single e-reader can hold thousands of books. This
reduces the carbon emissions that come from paper production, which directly
contributes to reducing deforestation. In contrast to tablets, e-readers reduce glare and
eye strain by reflecting light like traditional paper. Since this technology makes reading
easier and less uncomfortable in bright environments, you can use it even if you are on
vacation or in open spaces. Also, you can adjust the font size according to your own
needs, personalize the spaces between lines, and some models allow for modifications
to font styles, making the reading experience very enjoyable.
I think that e-readers are the least dangerous of all the new electronic devices
by furthering a left-behind habit like reading, bringing it renewed to new generations,
and offering a modern alternative to traditional readers. The combination of portability,
capacity to store thousands of books on one device, and accessibility makes e-readers
a very good choice for everyone who is into reading or just for anyone who needs to
study without any distraction. I'm pretty sure that in the future, this device will become
more popular among high school and university students who are the most damaged
by the toxic social media effects. So, the need for a carriable device that provides them
a useful tool to study will widespread use of e-readers on a big scale.
5.- All Create Activities (there will be 2 this month) – There
are 2 Create Activities in the book, one for each unit. Read
the instructions for all of the Create Activities, complete
the activities and put the Create Activities in your Portfolio.
UNIT 7
According to your experience.Do you think that banning plastic around the world with stricter laws it will
help to solve the problem?
Have you had the opportunity to receive any updates from the experts on how much plastic accumulation
they estimate?
Did you ever think that this project might not be enough to catch all the debris, because according to new
reports on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the plastic particles are too small?
Have you quantified how much it will cost to transfer the garbage to the coast?
Have you considered that you will need to entail the local governments to make this project a reality?
In the future, do you think it will be possible to work together with other people involved in this problem
and find a more viable solution?
UNIT
Honestly I wouldn´t say that I have a problem with my cellphone. Everyday I try to ensure time quality
time with my family. I´m conscious about the needs from my kids. If they are perceiving that I need to
diminish my phone time. I will. I will try to wean myself away from.
6.- All Synthesize Activities . There are 2 Synthesize
Activities in the book, one for each unit. Read the
instructions for all of the Synthesize Activities, complete
the activities and put the Synthesize Activities in your
Portfolio.
UNIT 7
dumpsters dumping garbage the discharge of rivers
microplastics
that enter into the fish food
chain bans on plastic
many projects to clean up the ocean
The Ocean Cleanup
The Prevention Model
i
UNIT 8
anxiety
stress
insomnia
buy an alarm clock
leave his phone in a different room.
He must remove the potentially distracting app from his home screen,
put the distraction app into a folder on his second page.
download a tracking app to monitor how many hours he spend in his phone.
the notifications
while you are interacting with other
people
He must leave his phone at home.
conscious
decision
6. Reflection Paper - Write a 4-paragraph essay about your
experience in the Advanced Writing Course. What did you
like about the course? What did you hate? What would
you improve? What are some of your best memories of the
course? Worst memories?
This last period in Icpna has not been the best; honestly, I prefer present
learning, but I must achieve this goal anyway. The worst part was the grammar
revision; I felt so lost. It cost me a lot, especially advance 9; it was very difficult for me.
I had many hours at work, and I couldn't focus on reviewing all the information. I think
grammar and speaking are my biggest weaknesses. I definitely want to improve this
aspect. I am not sure about the TOFLER; I do not feel prepared, and I really want to get
a good grade. I prefer to study on my own for the next few months, and then when I
feel ready to start a master's degree, I will take the exam because the truth is there
are too many exams, and I am not sure which one the university will require.
It may not be a big step, but I feel so proud of myself. I thought that because I
had been concentrating on motherhood and work, I wouldn't be able to complete this
course or anything, but now I feel confident enough to succeed in whatever I put my
mind to. It feels like I'm back in my 20s again, and I had all these crazy plans, and I
want to fulfill all of them.
