Problem: Science has a lot of uses. It can uncover laws of nature, cure diseases, make bombs, and help bridges to stand up. Indeed science is so good at what it does that there's always a temptation to drag it into problems where it may not be helpful. David Brooks, author of The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement, appears to be the latest in a long line of writers who have failed to go against the temptation.

Brooks gained fame for several books. His latest book The Social Animal, however, is more ambitious and serious than his earlier books. It is an attempt to deal with a set of weighty topics. The book focuses on big questions: What has science uncovered about human nature? What are the sources of character? And why are some people happy and successful while others aren't?

To answer these questions, Brooks studies a wide range of disciplines . Considering this, you might expect the book to be a simple description of facts. But Brooks has formed his book in an unusual, and perhaps unfortunate way. Instead of introducing scientific theories, he tells a story, within which he tries to make his points, perhaps in order to keep the reader's attention. So as Harold and Erica, the hero and heroine in his story, live through childhood, we hear about the science of child development and as they begin to date we hear about the theory of sexual attraction. Brooks carries this through to the death of one of his characters.

On the whole, Brooks' story is acceptable if uninspired. As one would expect, his writing is mostly clear and, to be fair, some chapters stand out above the rest. I enjoyed, for instance, the chapter in which Harold discovers how to think on his own. While Harold and Erica are certainly not strong or memorable characters, the more serious problems with The Social Animal lie elsewhere. These problems partly involve Brooks' attempt to translate his tale into science.
1. what types of uses are there for science?
2. is Brooks writing clear?
Answer: 1. It can uncover laws of nature, cure diseases, make bombs, and help bridges to stand up
2. No

Problem: One hot summer day in August my family and I wanted to go to the beach. We had not gone to the beach in a very long time and felt that today was a great day to do it.

We piled everyone into the car-my mom, my dad, my sister, my dog, and me. I begged mom and dad to let me sit in the front seat, but they said no. I had to sit next to the smelly dog instead for the whole trip.

When we got to the beach and opened the car door our dog raced down to the water to play. I grabbed the large umbrella we brought and walked down to the sand with mom and dad. After we had found a spot, they let me go play in the water.

It felt really good to cool off in the ocean water on such a hot day. As I swam around I saw many cool things, like fish, seaweed, and shells. I brought the interesting shells that I found to a bucket I had on the beach and threw them in. They would be great to add to my collection at home.

When I got tired of swimming, my sister and I wanted to make a sand castle. We built towers using buckets and dug a huge ditch with our shovels. When our castle was complete we were about to take a picture, but then the dog ran it over and smashed it. I was about to yell at the dog, but then mom said it was getting late and we had to go home.

When we got home I was wiped out from playing all day, so I went to sleep almost immediately. It was a very good day that I'll always remember.
1. Who went on the trip to the ocean?
2. Where did you want to sit in the car?
3. Where did you end up sitting?
4. What did your dog do when you first arrived at the ocean?
5. What did you take from your vehicle to the beach?
6. Was this vacation during the summer?
7. Did you swim in the water?
8. What did you find and collect on the beach?
9. where did you put them?
Answer: 1. my mom, my dad, my sister, my dog, and me.
2. the front seat
3. by the dog
4. to the water to play
5. umbrella
6. yes
7. yes
8. .shells
9. in a bucket

Problem: Managua, Nicaragua (CNN) -- Daniel Ortega marked the beginning of his third term as Nicaragua's president during an inauguration ceremony Tuesday -- an event both buoyed by his pledges of moderation and marred by months of discord over voter irregularities.

The Nicaraguan leader pledged that his socialist government would continue efforts to promote peace and attack poverty.

"Savage capitalism, it is no longer possible. There is no space on this planet for savage capitalism," Ortega said in a wide-ranging inauguration speech that touched on a international events, including war in Afghanistan, last year's earthquake in Japan and the killing of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Shortly after taking his oath of office, Ortega hugged Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who were among a number of dignitaries at the ceremony.

"People have tried to give many interpretations to the visit of (Ahmadinejad). I think they still don't understand that it is necessary to look for an authentic path toward peace," Ortega said during his inauguration address, stressing that it was within Iran's right to use nuclear technology for energy needs.

"They cannot deny that right to any people," he said.

Ahmadinejad's Latin American tour

Ortega is known as a Venezuela ally, had been a public supporter of Gadhafi and remains a stalwart U.S. critic.

In his speech Tuesday, the Nicaraguan president decried Gadhafi's killing.

"A head of state in Libya was assassinated in the most brutal manner, with some television media basking in the crime. If there were accusations, it was logical to detain him," he said.
1. Who gave a victory speech?
2. What had he won?
3. For what?
4. As what?
5. Did he embrace anyone?
6. Who?
7. Is he a capitalist?
8. What is he then?
9. Who is he allied with?
10. Who did he used to support?
11. What happened to that guy?
12. By whom?
13. Who does he feel about the USA?
14. Did the vote go smoothly?
15. How long did it drag on?
16. Does he want to fight against peacefulness?
17. What does he want to do then?
18. Did he talk about any natural disasters?
19. From where?
20. What kind of tech does he want to utilize?
Answer:
1. Ortega
2. An election
3. His third term
4. Nicaragua's president
5. Yes
6. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
7. No
8. A socialist
9. Venezuela
10. Gadhafi
11. He was killed
12. unknown
13. Critical
14. No
15. Months
16. No
17. Promote peace and attack poverty
18. Yes
19. Japan
20. unknown