Final Exam Questions-Semester 2

56) In the Glass Menagerie, Tom is in a similar position as his father. What type of literary device is used here? A) dramatic foil B) irony C) onomatopoeia D) alliteration (Alan Nguyen, 9th)

57) The three type of ironies are verbal, situational, and dramatic. A) True B) False (Alan Nguyen, 9th)

58) Who wrote Black Boy? A) Emily Dickinson B) Scott Fitzgerald C) Richard Wright D) Edgar Allan Poe (Alan Nguyen, 9th)

59) In the Scarlet Letter, what did the letter represent? A) nudity B) adultery C) theft D) gambling (Alan Nguyen, 9th)

60) What type of play was the Glass Menagerie? A) memory play B) Greek drama C) ordinary play D) musical (Alan Nguyen, 9th)

10 Things to Know Before Joining Volleyball

1. Make sure you have great hand-eye coordination. Majority of the skills in volleyball requires your hands, whether it's setting or hitting a volleyball. Starting off with great coordination means starting your volleyball career will be successful.

2. Hustle, hustle, hustle. Doing this will show your determination to the coaches and this is what they want to see. Diving for every ball at practice will transfer to an actual game and is a very important key to winning.

3. Wear the appropriate equipment. Defensive players should definitely wear knee pads since they tend to make contact ground. Lightweight materials is essential; increasing agility, jump higher, and feeling comfortable. Shoes should also be light and be low tops. Make sure it has a lot of traction cause sometimes you might slip and break an ankle.

4. Eat a good meal before practices or games. It may not seem like a big deal, but the leg cramps and dehydration will show. Make sure you drink water or sports drinks during breaks and timeouts. Try not to drink they sports drinks unless you are sweating. Sports drinks have salts in them that are supposed to replenish salts lost from sweating.

5. Practice outside of practices. Joining a club team will guarantee you that you will become a better player. Volleyball is a year round sport. A good amount of players play club volleyball, meaning a good amount of them is going to surpass you if you don't attempt to practice off-season.

6. Beach volleyball. Playing beach is always a fun activity. You can play with friends or find a pickup game. Not only is it enjoying, but it can increase your agility remarkably. The sand isn't a stable ground, thus sinking you into it. You wouldn't be able to jump as high, forcing your legs to work more.

7. Incorporate plyometrics into your workout. 45 minutes, 2-3 times a week. Guaranteed you'll jump higher and move faster, and maybe toner legs. Most club teams already have plyometrics in their practices, so finding time for this is no big deal.

8. Have a great attitude and mentality. Try not to be a headcase, cause once you make a bad play, you're going to continue making bad plays. Shake off mistakes and do better

9. Although it may be a game, it is also fun. Every time you're on a court with organized volleyball, you should always take the game seriously. Otherwise, just try to enjoy the sport.

10. Technique. Having great technique gives great respect to the game and your fellow peers. Maximize your potential in all of your skills.

Dystopia-Josiah Nodal, Amanda Casas, Alan Nguyen

            Once there was a small town called Armstrongopolis. A couple decades ago, this place was rife with violence and physical inequality, which crippled its society’s lifestyle. After weeks of meetings and research the authorities concluded that a drastic law was needed. With the exception of the government officials, for enforcement reasons, no human being would be allowed to own arms. From that day on, newborn babies were robbed of their arms by means of amputation. Soon enough, a generation of armless people was created.

            With a world of armless people, access to life’s necessities had to be altered so people wouldn’t be helpless when it came to eating food or making a phone call. So, the government completely changed the structure of living in Armstrongopolis. Phones became speakers in the wall with the nose-sensitive, touch screen pads. At the corner of every block food was provided by three different conveyor belts with heights at two, four, and five feet. All education was provided by teachers on the televisions placed in each home. Adult work was completed by sound activated computers. Robots were programed to follow human beings, doing work that seemed impossible for humans. This way of life was accepted by everybody because violence no longer existed. Without violence, the town was perfect, one man discovered otherwise.

            Amsiah Ngudas was a handsome young man with a wife and a nine-month-old son named Tohe. He was one of the many people that enjoyed life as it was, “armless and harmless”. But one bright, warm summer evening, Tohe lost his balance and fell over on the sidewalk outside of the Ngudas’s house. This never happened before, his father was stunned. Amsiah longed to come to the rescue of his son, but without arms what could he possibly do? Amsiah, now a nervous wreck, panicked and accidentally kicked his child toward the street. Tohe kept rolling and ended up in the middle of the road. Amsiah wanted to scream, his baby boy was in danger. His heart stopped as he looked to his left and saw an automated car quickly approaching. Suddenly regaining focus, Amsiah took action and ran for Tohe, hoping to kick him out of the way of the car before it ran him over. But the vehicle was moving quicker than he had calculated; he was too late. The armless man watched in horror as his son’s life was taken right before his eyes.

            Mr. Ngudas had nightmares about the traumatic event for weeks after it happened. A part of him much more important than his arms was gone, and he soon began to realize who was the behind all of this. If the government hadn’t created a society without the ability to pick things up, he would have been able to save his son. It was a month after Tohe died when Amsiah decided he couldn't sit around and sulk any longer, but that he needed to "stick it to the man!"

            The next day, Amsiah gathered his friends and explained to them that without arms, everyone is put in danger. The longer he spoke about, the more individuals saw the iniquity in the government. Spontaneously, people mention a moment in their life in which the lack of arms has negatively affected them. Soon a large mob of angry, armless people, was created and ready to attack the government with series of powerful kicking and head-butting. The resistance was all under the command of Amsiah Ngundas. They planned to strike at midnight on the day arms were outlawed.

            When the time came, Amsiah and his band of thousands rushed the capital building and overwhelmed all full-bodied authorities. They programed their automated cars towards the capital building, destroying its base structure. Robots were also programed to take out armed enemies that posed a threat to the armless army. After only two hours the rebels took over the government headquarters, their main building collapsed, and Amsiah was placed as head of Armstrongopolis. When the action calmed, he ordered all government officials to step down from their position, stripped from their fortune, and sent to another town.

            Today, things are back to the way they were before arms were outlawed. The past has been revived and the society has returned. A lesson is taught to every child as soon as they are able to comprehend it. It goes, "Without arms, we are useless."

The Power of Introverts-Reflection

The speaker presented a philosophy on introverts and extroverts. Neither one is superior over the others, though they differ in different ways. An introvert for example, may isolate himself/herself from society and prefer to work independently. On the other hand, extroverts are completely the opposite. According to research, introverts tend to be more knowledgeable to extroverts, generally. She clearly stated that introverts should position themselves into society, benefiting others and for others to accept these introverts. Overall, I found this TED Talk to be quite interesting. I consider myself an ambivert, one that is neither an introvert nor extrovert but in between. 

Award Speech

Alan Nguyen
Period 9
Honors English II
Awards Speech

            At birth one is given an opportunity; an opportunity to be part of something significant. As we develop we become aware of our abilities. With enough effort and work, we start to transform into what we are meant to be. In my case, I was able to change the dying world into a long-lasting one. To whom it may concern, thank you for the International Scientist of the Year Award of 2030. It is a true honor and I greatly appreciate those who have supported me throughout this process. Without your support, I would have never guessed I will be standing her today receiving this award; it is truly a blessing.

            I would like to give my commendations to, first and foremost my mother and father. Ever since I was young a child they have helped me to excel in my schoolwork. Back then I was a poor student; lacking the desire to thrive or the will to learn. I drove my parents to the point where they put me into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) summer program. At one point in the program, my peers and I met multiple scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians. Each one had given a presentation about their career and how it has affected their lifestyles. After listening to these presentations, these successful individuals had inspired me to exceed in the fields of math and science. From that moment on, I had the drive; the motivation to exceed in my schooling, especially with my math and science courses. I was able to graduate from the top school in the United States of America, Harvard University with a degree in Physics. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my parents concerning about my schooling.

            Everyone has probably asked themselves this particular question sometime in their life; “What can I do in life?” Your answer will change as mine did many times. I wanted to be a part of something big, something that stood out. I wanted to help others. Ideas poured into my head; bringing world peace or even ending world hunger. I wanted to do everything. But then I began to realize, these ambitions were not something I could do overnight.  Every day, the world’s supply of energy sources was thinning. Then the most marvelous idea popped into my head; I was going to find a new alternative energy source. Though, it might take years to find an alternative energy source, there is still hope.

I gathered a group of scientists and began our research for an alternative energy source in the lab of Harvard University. After seven years of hard work and countless effort, we have finally developed a solar panel system that has surpassed the capabilities of the original system. Before our contribution to the technology of solar panels, the original panels would have taken two weeks to power one house for a single night. With this new and improved technology we can now live on sunlight and provide our children a brighter day.

            I would like to thank you again for this award, but recognition is not necessary for my work. Being able to help the world survive and prosper for the future is more than enough. Our planet, Earth, is something we all need to be aware of and protect, so every contribution to it is helpful. If everyone is able to pitch in and have the desire to do work, we can have a brighter future for generations to come. This is just the beginning.  I plan on continuing my research and creating new ways to help the world’s energy supply. As Thomas Edison once said, “If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.”