Jurassic Park Vocabulary 1

Vocabulary from the first part of Jurassic Park:

1. archaeobiology: the study of ancient living things

2. a dig: an sectioned off area where archaeologists dig for fossils

3. velociraptor: a dinosaur that was very fast and vicious

4. a pack hunter: an animal that hunts in packs, cooperating with the other members of the group to capture and kill the prey.

5. 6-inch retractable claw: 6 inches = 15.5 cm ; a retractable claw is a pointed, usually curved claw on an animal’s paw; the claw can be retracted or drawn back into the structure of the paw. For example, cats have retractable claws but dogs do not.

6. paleobotanist: a scientist who studies ancient plant material

7. biological preserve: a zoo; a protected area set aside to preserve different species of animals.

8. outside opinions: opinions from people who are not part of the organization seeking the opinions. external opinions

9. the top minds: the best thinkers; the best scientists

10. to sign off (on something): to give formal, written approval to or permission to do something. “If you could sign off on the park” means “if you could give written approval for us to go ahead with plans for opening the park.”

11. right up your alley: perfectly suited to you

12. to stand by: to be ready; to have someone standing by means to have someone ready to do something

13. chaos theory: a scientific theory that states that all things finally will be reduced to chaos.

14. a crazy son of a bitch (slang; usually considered rude): a crazy person

15. T-rex: Tyrannosaurus Rex; a large carnivorous dinosaur; the name means King of the Terrible Lizards

16. a herd: a group of animals (e.g., a herd of cows)

17. living biological attractions: exhibits or attractions at the park that are actually alive

18. DNA: dioxyribosenucleic acid; the building blocks of life

19. fossilized tree sap: the liquid from the inside of a tree that has turned hard and become a fossil

20. amber: fossilized tree sap, usually a yellow, green, or light brown colour

21. sophisticated: high-level (sophisticated techniques)

22. unfertilized egg: an egg that has not been fertilized, that is, will not grow a new individual of the species

23. life will not be contained: life will always find a way to get out and reproduce

24. raptors: velociraptors

25. 50-60 miles an hour: 80-92 kilometres an hour

26. problem-solving abilities: abilities to solve problems; here, the velociraptors are said to have the ability to work together to figure things out and to solve problems.

27. to spare no expense: to not be concerned about how much something costs; to spend as much as is necessary.

28. lack of humility before nature: arrogance or pride of people in dealing with nature, which is very powerful

29. inherent: inborn; natural

30. stood on the shoulders of geniuses: to stand on the shoulders of geniuses means to use the knowledge and discoveries that other people have made.

31. condors: a large bird of prey native to warm climates

32. nature selected them for extinction: if an animal is not strong enough or fast enough to survive, then eventually it will die out and become extinct.

33. we’re all running to catch up: to run to catch up implies that we are not quite up-to-date on a situation and so we have to make an extra hard effort to find out the situation.

34. blood-sucking lawyer: this is a metaphor; the lawyer is compared to a leech, a type of small water animal that attaches to other animals or humans in the water and sucks their blood, that is, kills them.

TOEFL Topic 2: Parents are the Best Teachers:

By Jay Lee

Parents have an instinct that they want to be good parents and teachers for their children and children learn many things to live from their parents, for instance how to talk, how to walk, and how to eat. I think children cannot do anything without their parents because parents are good teacher of their children.

Almost all children can read and write letters before they enter elementary schools because a majority of parents teach their children how. Besides, some children can speak other languages or do mathematics very well, and others have abilities to draw or play instruments because parents teach their children many ways to be able to enjoy their lives and want to find what kinds of talents their children have. Thus, parents are good teachers who help their children look for their strength.

Children also learn about table manners from their parents. For example, they learn that it is very rude to eat soup with a sound or talk with food in their mouth, but it is very polite to appreciate people cooking for them after finishing their meals. Children may not learn these sorts of good manners from schools because schools are places that teach us knowledge, not manners. In this way, parents are good teachers who teach their children good manners.

Some schools invite parents to teach students. Students can learn something that is not in their school books: what most parents do for their children and what grown-ups’ work is. In other words, a mother who works at the bank can tell about the worth of money, where money comes from, and what money influences. In fact, parents are good teachers who teach very useful information that is not in the school books.

Good teachers take care of their children and are trusted by their students. Children may trust in their parents more than in their teachers. Thus, parents are good teachers who teach their children many things with love.

Is Smoking Bad for Society?

By Irasema Tirado

Nowadays, people are not allowed to smoke in public places or office buildings. The people who smoke disagree with this new law. But the people who don’t smoke are happy about it. Is this fair for people who smoke? Are we being discriminatory? Are we right allowing this law? I personally don’t smoke and I think there are several reasons why people should not smoke in public places: health, pollution, and fire hazards.

Many people know that smoking is the cause of many diseases but even knowing the consequences they still do it. I don’t disrespect the people that smoke, but I don’t agree with them making the decision for us. They don’t have the right to smoke in front of people that don’t want to smoke. They put our health at risk, even when they are the ones smoking; we are the second hand smokers.

People who smoke do not imagine how bad the smoke is for the environment: the smoke that they produce affects the air that everybody breathes, the land by littering the cigarette butts on the ground. The remaining butts left on the ground will take approximately take 25-26 years to decompose. The same butts end up in rivers or lakes and fishes and other water animals eat these butts by mistake, resulting in their death.

During dry seasons, cigarette butts can even cause major fire. A small cigarette butt seems pretty harmless, but it can start a huge fire under the right conditions. The people that throw the butts from the car windows or on the streets should know that by doing this they are not just littering but they may be the cause of many fires affecting environment.

Smoking is harmful not only to smokers but also to those who live or work with them. I think the law about not allowing them to smoke in public places is the best law for them. I wish they accept the law and respect it too. I live in Canada and for me is the cleanest and nicest place I have ever been starting because I can be free of smoke in every public place. I don’t discriminate against smokers but I don’t think is fear for other people to be affected by them. Smoking is not the best after all.

A High School Trip

By Keiko Oshima

The high school trip was one of the fun days of my life. I went to Okinawa. There was the beautiful sea and good food.

First, I went to an aquarium. It is a very famous place in Japan. There are many fish. I saw a shark and a dolphin. The dolphin was very cute. Next, I visited Shuri Castle. It is a big red castle. After I arrived at the castle, I ate lunch.

I spent an enjoyable time in Okinawa. I weill never forget this memory.

The Most Exciting Sport

By Dicky Lai

In my opinion, soccer is the most exciting sport. I think most people like soccer because soccer games make people feel excited. When the World Cup starts, many people watch the games at night. They invite their friends to watch together, or they go to the pub. Thjey can watch the games with different poeple, and they can make new friends.

How to Make New Friends

By Austin Ao

There are several ways to make new friends. If you want to make new friends, you should follow these steps.

First, you should smile at everyone. It makes you seem friendly. Second, you should greet everyone. Thirdly, you help somebody when you can. Finally, you can try to get someone to hang out with you.

If you follow these steps, I believe you might have many new frends as soon as possible.

Two Heads are Better than One

By Anna Kim

The expression, "Two heads are better than one" is usually true. When I have hardship, I ask a friend, family, or somebody. Sometimes they give me some good ideas, and I solve a problem easily. If I decide by myself, it will be laborious. Maybe I think everybody is the same. Since it is so, we live in harmony.

About Me

By Kingsley Chan

I was born in Shenzhen, China, on September 4, 1990. I went to an elementary school on September 1, 1997. I went to a junior high school in Shanghai on September 1, 2003. I went to a junior high school in Shenzhen on September 1, 2006. I went to a high school on September 1, 2008. I went to a college in Fort St. John, Canada, on January 4, 2011. I was a college student in 2011.

The Qualities of a Good Friend

By Maki Wakabayashi

There are several qualities of a good friend. First of all, I can rely on friends. Second, I can make them happy, and they make me happy. Third, we can laugh a lot together. Fourth, I feel easy to talk a lot. Fifth, I always feel funny. Finally, I alway feel comfortable.

My Bedroom Reflects My Personality

By Marino Tomie

My bedroom reflects my personality. I live in my room so my lifestyle can be seen.

My room has four characteristics. First, my room isn't messy. Before going out, I always clean my room. I don't like a mess. Second, my room has white walls. I like white. Most of my miscellaneous goods and clothes are white. Third, my furniture color is the same. I like the unification. Fourth, a flower vase is in my room. I like flowers. It changes the atmosphere. I'm happy to live in my favorite room. My favorite things reflect me.

A Busy Day

By Shiho Furuyone

February 6, 2011 was one of the busiest days of my life. First, I drove to Kansai airport at 10:30 after I ate breakfast. Second, the plane took off to Tokyo at 14:00 after I ate lunch. I arrived at Tokyo at 16:00. Next the plane took off to Vancouver at 19:00 after I ate supper. I arrived at Vancouver the next day at 14:00. Finally, the plane took off to Fort St. John at 19:00. I arrived there at 20:30 , and I met my host family.

The Qualities of Good Neighbors

By Sayaka Tanaka

There are four qualities of good neighbors. First, they should be funny. Secondly, they should be kindness. Next, they should be considerate. Most importantly, they should be friendly.

My Favourite Season

By Mutsumi Ishimizu

Summer is my favourite season because there are many things which can be done only in the summer season. First of all, there is saimen and re-men which are cool noodles. And I eat lots of ice cream and cold drinks. They cool me down. Second, I can see many sunflowers in a field and sumer vegetables are very rich: tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines, corn, okra, and moroheias. Finally, I can swim in a river or see a fireworks festival and go camping. We can enjoy summer.

My Family and My Future

By Yuka Nakagawa

I have my father, mother, and brother in my family. My father is strict and when he gets angry, I feel so scared. He likes cars so he is familiar with them. He knows a lot of kinds of cars. My mother is kind. She likes reading books. She always borrows books from a library. My brother is not kind to me because when he goes back to our house, he always bullies me.

My father is a civil servant and works in Osaka. He cleans rivers. He goes to his work on Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday are his holidays. My mother is a housewife. She is a very good cook. She always makes us delicious food. She also makes sweets. I am happy that I can eat delicious food every day. My brother is a sales person in a bike shop. He lives in Toyama, so he is independent of his parents.

I don’t have detailed plans for my future. However, I like talking with people and taking care of children. So I want to work with children. For example, I want to teach children English. I’m also interested in work concerned with service because I worked at an ice cream shop in Japan. Working there was very fun. I enjoyed talking with customers. When customers said “Thank you” to me, I felt happy. What should I say? Whatever happened, when customers said “Thank you,” I always could be happy. I think service fits me.

Summary: A Whale of a Wheel

By Irasema Tirado

In “A Whale of a Wheel.” the author talks about the World’s Fair and the invention of the Ferris wheel. He tells us that in 1889 France hosted the first exotic and glamorous world’s Fair. Years later Chicago, Illinois, did the same. The architect Daniel Burnham was in charge of the World’s Fair in Chicago. The author talks about how the engineer Gale Ferris gave to Daniel a proposal to build a gigantic wheel, which consisted of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, by gravity, the same one that architect Daniel Burnham said no to at the beginning because he thought it was unsafe and would defy the laws of physics. Ferris found a way to convince Daniel, by revising with other engineers the drafts of the proposal, and demonstrating to Daniel that the gigantic wheel was possible, and that it would be amazing to have one in his World’s Fair. Daniel finally accepted the proposal and by December 1892, the construction began on a successful Ferris Wheel constructed by Gale Ferris, same one that after many years is still the principal entertainment in fairs all over the world.

My City, Osaka, Japan

By Miyuki Nakamura

I live in Osaka, Japan. Osaka is one of the main cities in Japan, so there are many shopping centers, amusement parks, and delicious foods. I enjoy spending my time in Osaka.


There is a beautiful castle in Osaka, which is called the Osaka Castle. I think it is the most famous in Osaka. It was built by Hideyoshi Toyotomi in 1583. Hideyoshi Toyotomi was the most powerful person in those days. He spent a lot of money to build the castle, so it is so gorgeous. Especially, Osaka Castle looks like shining in sunny day because of the sunlight. Many people would be overwhelmed by the castle. Moreover, now there is a large park around the castle, so many people play sports, take a walk, and so on in the park. Even now, Osaka Castle is loved by many people. It was a symbol of Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s power in the past, but it is a symbol of Osaka now.

Osaka is a wonderful city, so I recommend to you to go to Osaka. I want many people to visit Osaka nad realize how great the city is.

Summary of "Politics as Susual"

By Irasema Tirado

In “Politics As Usual” by Diana Childress, the author talks about the politician Franklin Roosevelt. She tells us that in 1921, when Roosevelt was just thirty-nine-years old, he got the disease of polio. She mentions how optimistic he was through this disease and how the family and friends tried to help him during his time in politics. When he was recovering, Childress said that he thought of avoiding everything that had to do with politics, just because he thought that he would never be able to recover and even when he didn’t recover fully he never quit. Thanks to that, he was a major triumph for himself and for disabled people in the world.