Book Review 2-18 “The Great Wall of China”

In this book, the great wall of China is introduced. great wall is the biggest construction in the history of human being. From the beginning, the great wall is a rampart in order to protect against enemies. It is so long, the distance is 50000 kilometers. I knew this wall, but I didn’t know that why and how this wall was built. The great wall was made of unique bricks. But the wall at west of Kouga river was made from earth. I think that the work was difficult and hard.

Today, millions of tourists are welcomed to China to visit the great wall. I heard that the great wall can be seen from space. The fact proves that the great wall is so big. I want also to the great wall someday.

[134 words]

Reference

Carmel, R. (2008). The Great Wall of China. Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

Book Review 2-17 “The Changing Map”

I read this book titled “The Changing Map”. This book introduces about the earth and the continents. There are seven continents on earth today. But there have not always been seven continents. On the past day, there is only one giant continent. This continent is now called Pangaea. Pangaea means “all lands” in Greek. About 50 million years ago, the seven continents had moved to where they are today.

In this book, there are many pictures. The first picture shows Pangaea. In the second and the third picture, Pangaea gradually divides into seven continents. I was interested in the first picture. I cannot imagine seven continents of today from this picture of Pangaea. I cannot feel that continents are still moving. But they are moving too slowly for us to notice.

[147 words]

Reference

Nicolas, B. (2007).The Changing Map. Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

Book Review 2-15 “Unusual Hobby”

I read this book titled “Unusual Hobby”. This book introduces unusual hobbies, for example, twister chasing, UFO watching and trainspotting. I am interested in twister chasing. I didn’t know this hobby until I read this book.

Twister chasers are interested in following and looking at tornadoes. Tornados and twisters are huge spinning tunnel of air. A tornado starts as a thunderstorm, but not all thunderstorms become tornadoes. Some people love twister chasing so much. Many twister chasers study the weather and storms.

I haven’t ever seen big tornados, but I have seen news of disaster of tornados. I thought that every American people fear and dislike tornados. I think that the hobby is so strange because twister chasers always have a dangerous of die.

[125 words]

Reference

Carmel, R. (2007). Unusual Hobby. Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

Book Review 2-14 “New Zealand”

I read “New Zealand”. I’m interested in New Zealand now, because I’m going to go there in next summer vacation. I’m going to stay at a host family’s house. I haven’t been to foreign country alone. I am filled with anxiety about the trip. So I’ll investigate the local culture, history and people. In this book, there are many informations about New Zealand. Today, I’ll gather them.

New Zealand is in the South Pacific Ocean. It is made up of two large islands. And New Zealand has a lot of water, clean air and good earth, and there are many farms. I especially interested in New Zealand’s hot water beach. New Zealand has a very large coastline, and it is hot water beach. The hot water up to 64 ℃ comes up out of the sand. We can make a hole and sit in the hot water while the cold sea comes in over legs. In the picture of this page, people make holes and lay in them. The sea is on back of the people. I think that the picture is strange.

After I read this book, I had interest in New Zealand stronger. There are many fairy stories of New Zealand in this book. I knew the history, culture and tradition of New Zealander through the fairy stories. I think that both the nature and city are nice. I want to go there early. So I must study English harder from now on.

Reference

Margaret, J. (2009). New Zealand. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

[260 words]

Book Review 2-11 “DAMS”

I read this book “DAMS”. I have been interested in dams. I read this book, and I could know many things about dams.


First, I knew that there are many kinds of dams. They are arch dams, buttress dams, embankment dams and gravity dams. These four dams have each features, and these roles are different too. Arch dams are curved. Arched dams are built in rocky areas. Arched dams are thin. But they help hold back the water strongly. So they don’t use much concrete to build. Buttress dams have supports on one side to help make them strong. These supports are called buttresses. They help hold back the water strongly. Embankment dams are huge. They are made of earth and rock. They are like big lakes. Gravity dams are huge and heavy dams. They are made of earth, rocks and concrete. Gravity dams use lots of concrete, earth and rocks. So they are expensive to build. They are very heavy, but the weight supports the water strongly.


Things and architectures that have artificial shapes are so interesting for me. For example tanks, tetrapods and dams. But dams are especially huge in them. I have ever been and watch to a dam in Kumamoto. At that time, I was surprised at the huge lump of concrete. The lump is fascinating for me. I think that dams are like a symbol of human’s power. Dams go against natural power of water. And we can watch the wisdom and technique of human being. I think that dams are wonderful things.

Reference
Alan, T. (2007). DAMS. Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

[271 words]

Book Review 2-10 “Don’t Believe YOUR EYES!”

In this book, a town in Italy is introduced. The town is a small town that has port and called Camogli. There are many colorful houses. I didn’t know that why this title was named this. As far as I watch the picture, I think there are colorful houses simply. But in the houses, many tricks are hided. If you look carefully at the houses, you will see the tricks. We can see many windows, ornaments of window and flowers in the walls of houses. But they aren’t real. People there paint in a special style called ‘trompe l’oeil.’ Many windows, ornaments of window and flowers are painted by ‘trompe l’oeil’artists in walls. The paints were drawn for fishermen in the town. It is because that fishermen can discern their houses from ships in port. I was surprised when I knew the really purpose. It is practical purpose. But in fact, the paints are so beautiful. I also knew that artists of trompe l’oeil are decreasing year after year. I think that trompe l’oeil is traditional culture. I want the culture to be preserved. And I want to go there and see them someday.

[213 words]

Reference
Rob, W. (2008). Don’t Believe YOUR EYES!. Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

Book Review 2-08 “GETTING THE PICTURE”

In this book, the history of photography is introduced. I thought that the word of “photography” is new word in human history. It is because photography does not exist in the old days. But in fact, the notion of “photography” exists from old days. The word “photography” means “to draw with light”. It comes from two words of Greek. Photos means light. And graphe means “to write or draw".


The origin of camera is a dark room with a hole. A small hole was drilled at a wall in a square room. And light which flooded from the hole projected the outside view on the opposite wall. After some age, the rooms became small portable boxes. A lens was put in place of the hole. Light which flooded was projected at paper. It was used by artists for sketch. The box was improved.

In 1839, the world’s first photograph was taken by Joseph Nicephore Niepce. He took 8 hours to take the photograph. In 1990s, more people started taking photos. But cameras are so expensive in the time.

Recently, people take photograph with digital cameras. Digital cameras became popular quickly. Most people take photos with them rather than with film cameras. Digital cameras are small and easy to use. And we can watch the photos before we print them. I take “puri-kura” at times. I can take a picture with it, draw some illustrations and words, and get the picture as a sticker. I think it is natural behavior. But it is wonderful camera of civilization. I knew the history of photograph. And I think I receive benefit from wisdom of ancestors.

[291 words]

Reference
Carmel, R. (2008). GETTING THE PICTURE. Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

Book Review 2-07 “MAGNET”

I read this book “MAGNET”. In this book, many things are written about magnets. I like magnets. I often played with magnets when I was a child. I gathered iron sand around my house and a park. I had some questions about magnets from that time. And I could know them after I read this book.


Magnets always have the North pole and the South pole. They attract each other. I have already known it. But I didn’t know why they attract each other and attract. All things in the world have magnetic force. The magnetic forces usually turn on random directions. But the force of magnets turns on same direction. So magnets attract each
other.


The history of magnets is also introduced in this book. From the old days, the fact that there are stones attract irons was known by many people. The magnets are natural magnets. In the year about 1000, sailor used magnets for the sake of knowing direction. Today, magnets are used for various purposes. For example, the beginner’s mark of
drivers, speaker, motor and disposal of rubbish etc. There are many other ways use magnets. I didn’t know that magnets are used at waste treatment centers. Magnets are used when rubbishes were classified metals and others in there. I am becoming happy while I research about magnets. So I will introduce about magnets.


The earth is a big magnet. The earth has the North pole and the South pole. I had a question. Why the earth has two poles? It is because the inner of the earth is pulp. There are matters that be melted by high heat. And the matters are turned by rotation. The revolution is the same condition as electromagnet.


I will introduce about magnet at hand. Vegetables and fruits become sweeter after they approximate to magnets. Magnetic force affects vegetable and fruits. And Japanese bills are attracted by magnet. It is because their ink has magnetic force. This helps prevention of crime.

As you can see, magnets are essential things for us. I usually don't think about magnet. But I use magnets without knowing. I think that magnet is profound and interesting things.


Reference
Nicolas, B. (2007). MAGNETS. Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

[375 words]

Book Review 2-06 “The Heart”

In this book, some things about heart are introduced. For example, the role, the place and the shape ect. Heart is important organ of human. It sends blood from head to foot. Children’s heart is the size of a fist. Adult’s heart is twice the size of a fist. And, whale’s heart is the size of a small car. I was surprised at the fact. I had many things that I knew for the first time when I read this book. Heart send blood a distance of 19,000 km.
And heart beats 10,000 times in a day, that is to say as 35 million times as in a year.


My heart beats everyday while I stay up and sleep. I think the fact is great. Recently, I lacking in exercise. But after I read this book, I think I must exercise for heart. And because smoking tasks heart, I never smoke.


Reference
Alan, T. (2007). The Heart. Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

[165 words]

Book Review 2-05 “Rainforests”

Rainforests

I read a book about rainforests. Recently, I am interested in the global environment. I had many questions about it. And I also had some questions about rainforests. Now, I will express my questions. And I will answer them on the basis of the book’s subject matters.


1. What are rainforests?
Rainforests have a genial climate. There are very tall trees. And, rainforests are forests where it rain a lot all the year around. Rainforests are in Africa, Asia, Australia, Middle America and South America. The biggest rainforest is “Amazon”. It is in South America.
2.Why are rainforests important?
Rainforests is important for ecosystem all over the world. Many animals and plants live in rainforests. While forests are disappearing, many species are threatened with extinction. Zoo cannot save all animals. And rainforests settle the climate. They can protect from floods, lacks of water and erosions. They are sources of medical herbs and foods. And they support the life of the original inhabitant. And I think rainforests are the nice places to travel.
3. Why are there many species of animals and plants in rainforests?
Trees in rainforests get much sunshine. The sunshine changes into energy. Rainforests get much sunshine, so they have much energy. The energy is saved by plants. And the plants are eaten by animals. Rainforests have many provisions of plants and animals. So, many species of animals and plants live in rainforests.
4. Why do rainforests disappear in the world?
The main cause is human being. Human cut down trees for many purposes. For example, human fells trees to use lumbers and firewood, to secure grounds for agriculture, for pasture and to set up roads.


I was surprised at the present condition of rainforests. Recently, I hear that foresting many trees is effective for the earth. But when I took a course of “theory of environment”, I knew it is not necessarily right. Even if planted trees absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen, the number of carbon does not decrease easily. Trees fell down have to be buried below the earth for decrease of number of carbon; otherwise they emit carbon various ways. In other words, “Planting trees = cutting carbon dioxide” is wrong. I think that it is eventually important to save primeval forests which are made by earth.

Reference
Rowena, A. (2008). Rainforests. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[387 words]

Book Review 2-4

the Memory Man


What is memory? This book inquires us about memory through a study of man who has extraordinary ability. The main theme is a point that memory based on gene or environment. The conclusion was that the ability was based on his environment. He trained his memory when he was child. He trained over and over again, and his brain developed.


I think that brains are very interesting things. And in the first place, it is strange for me to be able to recognize to “me” as “me”. I can recognize to me as me tomorrow after I go to bed tonight. I always think it is natural. But it is so strange.


I thought that the more people memorize things, the better. But when I watch a TV program about memory, my opinion changed. Woman appeared in the program. She is able to memorize every thing. They are every thing that she experience and see. For example, the date of events, weathers, conversations and feelings etc. If they are sad occurrences, she never forgets them. She cannot forget. I think that it is so misfortunate.


I knew that the ability to forget is really wonderful in human abilities. And I think that memories and brains are mysterious.

(213 words)

Book Review 2-3 "Deserts"

What are deserts? I thought that they are places which have many sands and there are camels. But in fact, deserts which have only sand are about twenty percents of deserts all over the world. Other deserts have many clays, stones and rocks. I knew that there are many kinds of desert in the world for the first time.


Desert is earth which is so dry and the place which people cannot live in. Earth becomes dry for the balance of water of rain and evaporation. Even if it rains heavily, the earth becomes dry quickly in dry air.


I knew about plants that live in deserts. The main plants are camels and cactuses. Camels are essential for people who live in deserts. People live in deserts ride and transfer to various place of the country on camels. Camels drink little water and eat a few weeds. The key that camels can live without water is humps. Humps of camels are lumps of fat. Camels can live in dry place, because they change fat in humps to water. By the way, dromedary camels are in Africa. And Bactrian camels are in Asia. Cactuses mainly live in America. The key that cactuses can endure dry climates are thorns. The thorns were leaves originally. Cactuses transformed leaves to thorns in order not to lose them water during breathing. And stems of cactuses keep enough water.


I have known a thing about deserts. It is “Desertification”. Desertification is a thing that dry places become still dry. The causes are a change of climate and human activities. And people cannot live there.


I am disappointed at the fact of desertification. I think that deserts are so beautiful, and I want to go there. But if desertification becomes worse and a desert appears close at hand, I will not be able to welcome. We must prevent from desertification absolutely.

[314 words]

Reference
Janet, G. (2002). Deserts. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Book Review 2-1

Under the Ground

In this book, many things about “under the ground” are introduced. At first, a famous wall painting of Lascaux in France is introduced. This wall painting was detected by five boys unexpectedly, when they took a dog for a walk. I was surprised, when I knew the circumstance about the discovery of the wall painting. And this book introduce about the way to be made caves and animals in cave. Caves are unique living environment. Caves are really dark and cold. Animals in caves adapt to the environment.


In modern ages, underground is used as spaces of human living. And in the present, there are subways, tunnels and basements of residences etc. under the ground. The underground is indispensable place.


I think that this book is interesting, because it catches the underground from many kinds of points. There are some pictures in this book. In them, the show cave in China is so beautiful. It is shined with colorful indirect lightings. I think that it is a harmony natural and human works.


I am happy that I always go shopping in underground shopping center and take a train naturally. At first, underground is a mere natural hole. But now, the hole became places of human living. I think human develop is wonderful.


(226 words)

Reference
Rosemary, B. (1998). Under the Ground. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

BR 1-13

How to Draw Yourself


I read “How to Draw Yourself”, so I can draw a picture of myself. I will introduce the way.


To draw yourself, you will need a mirror, a pencil, paper and crayons. First, look in a mirror carefully, and draw a big egg shape. It becomes your face. Second, look at the picture, and draw a line across the egg. Then draw your eyes and your ears on the line. Third, draw a line down the egg, and draw two more lines across the egg. You should draw your nose and mouth on the lines. Moreover, look in the mirror again, and look at your hair. You should draw your hair on your picture. Finally, colour in your picture. Now you have a picture of yourself.


After I read this book, I wanted to draw myself, and I think that the drawing went off very well. Please look the picture on bellow. I am not good at drawing pictures, and I didn’t like it, but I could draw the picture. I am happy.


(175 words)























Sharon, H. (2003). How to Draw Yourself. Oxford: OXFORD university press.