I know what you're thinking. No way, right? English class is the most boring class of the day, right? I mean, why do I need to take English class when I already speak English? Right? Yeah, well I felt that way, too, until last summer when English class literally saved my life. Let me explain.
My foster family, the Jamesons, decided to take a vacation. Sounds great, huh? Maybe Disneyland or a week on the beach? No way. They wanted to go to the desert. Long story short, we drove half way across the country to camp out in the Great Basin Desert.
"Josh, be sure to pack your warmest clothing," Mrs. Jameson yelled up the stairs. "The desert is cold at night, but don't worry. It won't leave you cold. Just wait until you see the stars."
We finally arrived at the Great Basin National Park, and I have to admit it was different than I imagined.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Mr. Jameson asked me as we looked out over the desert's vast, silent valleys. I just grunted back at him and put my earphones back in. No matter what changed in my life, no matter how many times I failed, my music was always there.
Later that night, I sat inside my tent and listened to the Jamesons telling stories around the fire they made. They thought it was so easy. Telling stories. Reading stories. I couldn't even pass English class. I couldn't understand those stu*** stories. Suddenly angry, I left the tent. They didn't even notice.
The air was colder, but the stars were amazing. I had to admit it. I turned off my music as I walked and listened to the desert. Coyotes howling. Owls hooting. Clawing. Scurrying. Something wet hit my face. I looked up and realized it was snowing! In the desert in July! And I was lost.
I wandered for hours but couldn't find our camp. The temperature continued to drop. I found a tree with deep crevices in the trunk and took shelter. My hands were getting numb, and I knew I was in trouble. Then I remembered Jack London and his story that we read in English class, "To Build a Fire." I knew I needed to keep warm, so I gathered up the branches around the base of the tree, piled up some dry grasses for kindling, and used the matches in my pocket to get the fire going. Just like in Jack's story. It worked!
I spent the night keeping that fire going and listening to the sounds of the desert. In the morning, the Jamesons found me. I was only about a half-mile away.
"Look at you," Mrs. Jameson said, when I told her how I'd remembered that story from English class, "making use of those 'stu***' stories from English class. Now all you have to do is write your own because your friends aren't going to believe how English class saved your life!"
How does the setting affect Josh?
A.
It makes him cry because he is afraid of the dark.
B.
It allows him time to be alone and reflect.
C.
He becomes irritable because of the intense heat.
D.
The desert is so hot that he drinks more water.

Voluntourism: an opportunity too good to be true a speech to the student body of evergreen high [1] picture this: it's spring break, and you fly off to some country where there's lush rainforests and beautiful, blue coastlines to explore. there's also people in need, so you decide to blend your vacation with volunteering. volunteering as a tourist, or voluntourism, seems like a great way to explore new regions and people at the same time. however, this "volunteer plus travel" experience can actually harm local communities. while many teens might view traveling and volunteering abroad as a worthwhile adventure, there are more genuine and effective ways to make a difference. [2] most would agree that volunteering in general is a worthy use of time. however, what if you found out the children you are "" are actually being kept in poor conditions so voluntourists will spend money to come to the local area? dale rolfe, a supporter of ethical voluntourism, explains the shocking reality that "animal sanctuaries and orphanages are often manufactured for the voluntourist…encouraging a cycle of exploiting the very animals and children the volunteers are trying to ." [3] proponents of the "volunteer plus travel" experience also argue that traveling to new places builds character and is a valuable way to learn about different cultures. with voluntourism, however, participants often pursue experiences that are all about them. for example, they sign up to build a school for a gold star on their resume, but they have no real building skills and take jobs away from local construction workers (schulten). or, they arrive to teach english but instead take selfies with the locals. one world traveler and ethical voluntourist believes voluntourism "can perpetuate small minded views of the world by taking insulated, fake, and structured experiences and selling them as unabridged and eye opening" (carlos). the voluntour experience is a mirage. the voluntourist's eyes are not opened to real life at the destination, and lasting change is not achieved. [4] if you want a genuine experience where you can see a lasting impact, there are better options than voluntourism. you can volunteer in your local community. give an hour every week to your town's animal rescue. serve monthly dinners to the homeless. be a reliable, positive influence on a child who needs a mentor. studies show that volunteering and forming lasting relationships with those you has a positive impact on your physical and emotional health. in fact, blood pressure is reduced, memory is improved, and rates of depression are reduced (michaels). [5] there is another reason to look into alternatives to voluntourism. did you know the average "voluntour" travel package costs $3,400 (rolfe)? could that travel money be better spent? if the world's citizens are your passion, it could go to an international organization. if you care about education, your funds can be used to buy books for students in faraway lands. if you want villagers to have clean water, contribute funds to local efforts to dig wells. if you want to experience a different culture, travel to the country as a guest, and learn from the locals how you can best them after you've returned home. but do not voluntour. [6] in reality, there are better ways to make a difference. voluntourism might appear to be an adventure that blends travel and others, but it does little except provide a costly, superficial experience that might actually do more harm than good. so, volunteer where you are most needed-at home, where you can stay to see the job through and form genuine, lasting relationships. choose a beautiful coastline closer to home and send the travel money you saved to an international organization that will put it to good use. whatever you do, don't turn someone else's hardship into your vacation. which paragraphs address the counterclaim of the argument? paragraphs 1 and 6 paragraphs 2 and 3 paragraphs 3 and 4 paragraphs 4 and 5

Read this excerpt from leah missbach day's foreword to wheels of change.as wbr's resident photographer i am privileged to see firsthand the impact bicycles have on the lives of our recipients.why does the author include this excerpt?

What is the best way to brainstorm ideas for an argumentative essay? generate ideas for both sides of the argument compile a list of possible sources for the topic list descriptive details that illustrate the main argument craft a strong thesis statement that is the focus of the essay