Human Culture (Land of Plenty)
Working with words
Complete the given sentences with the suitable words from the box.
wrapped, embarrassment, abundance, ordinary, teetering, outskirts, dragging
a. The annual report has caused acute embarrassment to the government.
b. Ellen has worn high-heels. She is teetering.
c. Look! The poor horse is dragging a heavy load.
d. As they approached the outskirts of the city, Ella's mood visibly lightened.
e. The parcel was wrapped in plain brown paper. It still looks attractive.
f. Fruits and vegetables grow in abundance in the Terai region.
g. They can abstract precious medicines from ordinary substances.
Look for the following words related to waste management in an English dictionary. Make sentences of your own using them.
sewage, sludge, organic waste, inorganic waste, methane, waste reduction, monofil, market waste, incineration, hazardous waste
- The sewage treatment plant processes the waste water and produces sludge as a byproduct.
- The city's composting program focuses on converting organic waste into nutrient-rich soil.
- The recycling center sorts through inorganic waste, such as plastics and metals, to be repurposed.
- The methane produced by the decomposition of organic waste is captured and used as a source of energy.
- The company's waste reduction initiatives have led to a significant decrease in their overall waste output.
- Monofil, a type of plastic fishing line, can pose a threat to marine wildlife if not disposed of properly as hazardous waste.
- The farmer's market had a lot of market waste, such as spoiled produce and broken packaging.
- The hazardous waste is transported to an off-site facility for proper disposal through incineration.
Comprehension
Answer the following questions.
a. How does the author describe the Japanese waste management system?
The author describes the Japanese waste management system as a practice called "sodaigomi nights" where residents of a neighborhood deposit their large household items that are no longer wanted and too big for normal trash collection. These items are wrapped in neat bundles and left at specified areas on the street corners, to be collected at dawn.
b. What are the two reasons behind the existence of sodaigomi in Japanese culture?
The two reasons behind the existence of sodaigomi in Japanese culture are the small size of typical Japanese houses, which lack attic, cellar, garage, or spare room, and the Japanese desire for freshness and purity.
c. What, according to the author, do the Japanese feel at the thought of buying second hand items?
The author states that Japanese people seem to feel about buying a second hand radio, lamp, or table the way the author would feel about buying someone else’s socks.
d. How is Malaysian culture different from Japanese culture concerning the used items?
According to the author, the culture in Malaysia is different from Japan in that people in Malaysia do not throw anything away and instead, auction off every spare item in their house.
e. Why did the author feel awkward at the sodaigomi pile?
The author feels awkward at the sodaigimi pile because they have just come from a culture with a different approach to used goods and are now in a culture where it is difficult for them to buy new household items.
f. How many articles did the author bring to his house one after another?
The author laid in as many provisions as he decently could. At first he grabbed an ordinary low Japanese tea table. He then brought a shiny new bell for one son’s bicycle, a small but attractive wooden cupboard, a complete set of wrenches and screwdrivers in a metal toolbox, a Naugahyde-covered barstool and a lacquer serving tray.
g. Why do most people try to find things in trash pile ‘in the dead of the night’?
Most people try to find things in trash pile ‘in the dead of the night’ because everyone can pretend not to notice and they can bring no shame upon their kind.
h. How did the author’s family assimilate Japanese culture in using consumer goods?
The author's family assimilates Japanese culture in using consumer goods by eventually giving in to the temptation of the discarded items on sodaigomi night and taking a plastic lawn chair for themselves.
Critical thinking
If you happen to be in Japan someday, will you collect articles from sodaigomi? Why or why not?
Yes, I would have collected articles from sodaigomi if I happen to be in Japan someday. Living in a culture where people only buy new things after it gets old, damaged and unable to function properly, I understand the value of using items that still have life in them. It would be painful to see heaps of clean, new-looking merchandise just sitting on the street when I couldn't afford to buy new ones. By picking up items from sodaigomi, I would save a lot of money and would live a good life. So, definitely I will collect articles from sodaigomi instead of going for the new one.
There are some second hand shops in Nepal, too. But, people are not much interested in them. What practice would be suitable in managing second hand items in Nepal?
In Nepal, managing second hand items could involve a variety of practices depending on the specific context and cultural norms. One approach could be to increase awareness and education about the benefits of purchasing and using second hand items. This could include information about the environmental benefits of reducing waste and the financial savings that can be made by purchasing used items. Another approach could be to improve the infrastructure and regulations for second hand shops, such as providing adequate storage and sanitation, and ensuring that the items are in good working condition before they are sold. Additionally, the government could also promote regulations and incentives for the recycling and repurposing of used items. Community-based recycling program could be established. Moreover, the government could work with the private sector to develop recycling and repurposing industries that create jobs and income opportunities, and provide training and education to the citizens.
Writing
Write a paragraph elaborating the idea of 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) in garbage management.
The 3Rs, reduce, reuse, and recycle, is a waste management strategy that aims to minimize the amount of waste generated and maximize the use of resources. By implementing the 3Rs, individuals, businesses, and governments can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and incinerators. The first step is to reduce the amount of waste generated, which can be achieved by using less disposable products, buying products with less packaging, and using reusable bags, containers, and water bottles. The next step is to reuse materials as much as possible by repairing, repurposing or donating items that are still in good condition. Lastly, recycle as much as possible, by separating recyclable materials and sending them to be processed into new products. By implementing the 3Rs, we can decrease the demand for new resources, decrease the environmental impact of extracting those resources and promote a sustainable future.
Garbage management is a big problem in most of the cities in Nepal. Write a letter to the editor to be published in the daily newspaper suggesting the ways of ‘Solving Garbage Problems.’
The Editor
Kathmandu Post
Kathmandu, Nepal
Dear Editor,
As a resident of this city, I am writing to express my concern about the growing problem of garbage management in our community. The increasing amount of waste generated by our city is not only unsightly but also poses a serious threat to public health and the environment.
I would like to suggest a few ways that we can work together to solve this problem. One effective solution is to implement the 3Rs - reduce, reuse, and recycle. By reducing the amount of waste we generate, reusing materials as much as possible, and recycling as much as we can, we can decrease the demand for new resources and decrease the environmental impact of extracting those resources.
Another solution is to encourage the use of composting, which can turn organic waste into nutrient-rich soil. This not only reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills but also benefits local farmers and gardeners.
Additionally, the government could also invest in better waste management infrastructure and regulations, such as providing adequate storage and sanitation, and ensuring that the items are in good working condition before they are sold. Community-based recycling program could be established. Moreover, the government could work with the private sector to develop recycling and repurposing industries that create jobs and income opportunities, and provide training and education to the citizens.
I hope you will add my concern in your newspaper to raise awareness about the importance of effective waste management in our community. The problem of garbage management is not only unsightly but also poses a serious threat to public health and the environment. It is important that we take action now to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible. Together we can create a cleaner, greener, and healthier community for all.
Sincerely,
Dibas Dauliya.
Grammar
Adjectives and adverbs
Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns or pronouns. They typically come before the noun they are modifying and can provide information about size, shape, color, age, origin, or other characteristics of the noun. For example, in the sentence "The red car is fast," "red" is an adjective that modifies the noun "car."
Adverbs, on the other hand, are words that describe or modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They typically come after the word they are modifying and can provide information about when, where, how, or to what degree the action is taking place. For example, in the sentence "He runs quickly," "quickly" is an adverb that modifies the verb "runs."
You can identify adjectives by looking for words that come before the noun they are modifying and provide information about the noun. Adverbs can be identified by looking for words that come after the verb, adjective, or other adverb they are modifying and provide information about when, where, how, or to what degree the action is taking place.
Use the words from the brackets to complete the sentences.
a. This house is very small. I want to buy a big one.
b. I liked the magic show. It was more exciting than I’d expected.
c. It was very cold yesterday. It’s a bit warm today.
d. The warmer the weather the better I feel.
e. An average American earns considerably more than an average Nepali.
f. Health care in Nepal is not as expensive as it is in the US.
g. I think the problem is more complicated than it seems.
h. You are driving very fast. Would you please drive a bit slowly?
i. Your handwriting is not legible. Can you write a bit neater?
Rewrite the following sentences with the sentence beginnings given below.
a. Kabir is less intelligent than he pretends. He is not as intelligent as he pretends.
b. I am busy today but I was busier yesterday. I’m not as busy as I was yesterday.
c. Hari has lived in Kathmandu for 10 years but Bikram for 20 years. Bikram has lived in Kathmandu for a longer time than Hari.
d. I used to study 12 hours a day but nowadays I study only 5 hours a day. I don't study as much as I used to.
e. It’s a very good room in our hotel. In fact, it’s the best room in our hotel.
f. He earns 30 thousand rupees a month but spends 40 thousand. He spends more than he earns
g. There is no other mountain higher than Mt. Everest in the world. Mt. Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
h. The place was nearer than I thought. It was not as far as I thought.
i. Bharat can play better than Mohan. Mohan can’t play as well as Bharat.