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So, it’s not without consequences that the haves and the have-nots
have received lesser support than the topic on, say, physical beauty; it may mean –
why not? – that being is by far more important than having. What with those
contrasts between a luxurious mansion and a shabby cottage, or between a relaxed,
confident look to the future and a demanding inner-city job making you want to
emigrate – the farther the better!
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The next logical step would have been to ask you to
imagine the Spellings’ home, what the rooms, furniture and furnishings look
like. Likewise, I should have asked you to try to imagine what the Grangers’
cottage looks like inside, and how it might differ from the Spellings’ mansion.
And then, of course, finish by enquiring about your preferences: which of the
two places would you prefer to live in? Why? The questions are still open, as –
in fact – all the questions put forward thus far. I welcome any comment on the
ideas that this workshop submits to scrutiny.
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Yet by the time I set to devising a sequel to the previous post, and
about to plunge into a get-rich-quick
case which might stir opinions, an unexpected array of possible topics crowded the
screen. But why should I waver? The ideas are here, in your comments, and I am
actually spoilt for choice! Scrolling down and re-reading your comments I was lost
for words: among them, there is one that had been thought of as a topic to be
tackled further on, namely genes.
Now, that’s a special case, for it is difficult to say whether we are what
we are because we have them, or, conversely, we have what we have because we came
into being thanks to our DNA.
One thing at a time. First, let’s have a look at some basic facts:
Dictionary work
Read this short passage and underline any words and phrases which you
feel need explanation or definition. Some of these have already been underlined.
Look up the words in a dictionary (some of them appear in the article to be
posted in the next entry) and then rewrite the passage where necessary. It is a
good idea not to copy the dictionary definitions but to use suitable methods of
explaining or defining, such as relative clauses or appositions. The first
sentence contains such an example of defining.
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DNA AND ITS USES
DNA is the basic
genetic material present in most animate organisms. Molecules of DNA are found in a cell’s chromosomes. Chromosomes occur in pairs: one from the mother and one from the
father. The number of chromosomes differs from species to species: a normal
human cell has 46.
DNA is made up of genes, linear
sections of a DNA molecule which contain the instructions for the development
of particular characteristics that living things inherit from their forbears,
such as eye colour. DNA molecules contain the genetic instructions needed for
cells to organise and function. DNA is a large molecule made up of two separate
strands wrapped around each other to form a double-helix.
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In 1985 Professor Alec Jeffreys discovered that the DNA of every living
thing has its own unique genetic
pattern. This ‘fingerprint’ can be determined and used to
identify criminals from biological materials left at the scene of a crime or to
settle paternity
disputes conclusively.
DNA and its uses
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the basic genetic material present in
most animate or living organisms...
So, don't delay! Work out your own variant before you go on.
