Writing

QUESTION 1

Summarize the points in the lecture, being sure to explain how they address the specific reasons for the Great Depression described in the reading passage.

READING PASSAGE
Many people have heard of the Great Depression, but what caused this economic downturn? One of the great signifiers of the beginning was the Stock Market Crash of 1929. With that came the disaster of thousands of banks collapsing through the 1930’s. With the failure of financial institutions came a reduction in personal spending. These three factors helped bring about this awful disaster.

In the beginning came Black Tuesday 1929. That day the value of shares in the Stock Market plummeted, causing people to lose fortunes. Within two months shareholders lost nearly 40 billion dollars. With no end in sight the country braced itself for the eventual repercussions of major companies and wealthy citizens losing so much capital in such a short time.

Following the market crash came trickling effects of this disaster. Throughout the 1930’s, 9,000 banks failed. This means that any bank that overstretched itself through loans could declare bankruptcy. Any person with funds in that bank would simply lose their entire life savings. Also, people stopped investing their money in banks, and banks stopped offering loans creating a series of continued problems.

A final cause came because of this lack of personal and commercial investment. Whether because of a loss of personal finances or a lack of commercial options, people stopped buying things. Without money to buy things the market continued its downward spiral, bringing banks and personal finances with it. This lack of personal spending perpetuated the problem of dwindling market values.

In the end the causes of the Great Depression were byproducts of each other. Starting with problems of an overextended market that crashed and died quickly over a few months, the spiral began. From there the failure of banks coupled with a lack of purchasing destroyed exchanging finances. Thus the United States created and endured the greatest financial disaster of the world.

LECTURE AUDIO

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QUESTION 2

In today’s class, we’ll explore the way people socialize and communicate in the digital age. The rise of social media and technology has led to more people choosing to socialize online rather than face-to-face. This has led to positive and negative impacts on our lives. So before the next class, I would like each of you to make a post on the following question: Nowadays, more people are choosing to socialize online rather than face to face. Is this a positive or negative development?

Student 1

Hey, I believe that the shift towards online socialization has its pros and cons. On the one hand, it allows us to connect with people from all around the world, creating a global community where we can share ideas and experiences. It also provides a platform for introverted individuals who may feel more comfortable expressing themselves online. However, it’s important not to neglect face-to-face interactions, as they help develop essential communication skills and foster stronger emotional connections.

Student 2

Hey, I think this development can be seen as both positive and negative. It’s true that socializing online has made it easier to connect with others and maintain long-distance relationships. However, I also believe that relying too much on online interactions can negatively impact our mental health and lead to feelings of isolation. It’s crucial to strike a balance between online and face-to-face communication to ensure we maintain healthy relationships and develop vital social skills.

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