📰🎧 Mock Question Set 1

In all occupations there are elementscomponentsfactorsvolumes of creativity, albeit there are more in some compared to others.

A Book Review

Mason Plumlee is far from the first to observe that in the digital age, "the more information we consume, the less informed we seem to be." Yet, in this engaging and thought-provoking book, he convincingly argues that this phenomenon is especially evident in the realm of food and diet, an area that used to be relatively straightforward. When it comes to eating habits, many of us, as one psychology professor Plumlee cites, have become strikingly "insensitive to evidence." How else can we explain the surge of people without coeliac disease making the scientifically baseless choice to avoid gluten? Or the widespread influence of health websites peddling dubious claims like "wild blueberries remove heavy metals from brain tissue"? Plumlee highlights the absurdity of the detox industry, which thrives by rejecting three basic facts: the modern world does not expose us to unprecedented levels of toxins; a healthy body naturally eliminates toxins in its usual unglamorous ways; and no single food, not even blueberries, can perform this function for us.

At this point, though, Plumlee is merely warming up. In subsequent chapters, he systematically dismantles a host of food myths with scientific precision and a touch of mischievous delight. Take, for example, proponents of the Paleo Diet, who claim humans aren’t biologically adapted to eat anything beyond what hunter-gatherers once consumed—despite the fact that nobody knows exactly what that was. Or the baseless fear of sugar, which Plumlee assures us won’t harm us in moderation.

Early on, Plumlee's tone is more measured than furious—though it’s easy to see why "The Relatively Measured Chef" might not have been the most marketable title. He even remains composed while debunking the simplistic "natural versus chemical" dichotomy promoted by self-styled wellness gurus, who seem to forget that all of nature is made up of chemicals.

As the book progresses, however, Plumlee delves deeper into what he describes as the "dark heart" of dietary fads. On the surface, faking enthusiasm for kale smoothies and quinoa might appear to be harmless, if self-indulgent, nonsense. But Plumlee warns these trends can act as a "gateway", leading individuals into more dangerous forms of credulity.

The San Francisco Gold Rush

The identity of the first person to discover gold in San Francisco remains a topic of debate, and it be fair to say that we will likely never know for certain. However, the discovery of gold in 1848 set off the San Francisco Gold Rush, one of the largest in history. Thousands of people flocked to the gold fields, both within San Francisco and from overseas.

Life for the prospectors was incredibly challenging. There were proper roads nor shops, housing was rudimentary, and illness was widespread. some miners struck it lucky and amassed great wealth, the majority did not. Those who profited the most were the tradespeople who sold essential supplies and tools or the landowners who sold property to prospectors who, after the rush, chose to settle down and make San Francisco their home.

Board Game Culture in Singapore

Across cities in Singapore, you might notice the growing number of cafés devoteddesignatedattachedapplied entirely to board games. Many of these establishments have leaptsproutedhoppedsprung up within the past few years. Singapore, where board game cafés seem to be on almost every corner, has become a leading example for other cities aiming to affirmjustifybuildfoster their own board game scene.

These cafés offer more than just games; they also serve an array of unique teas and coffees. Step inside, and you'll encounter a noisyconvivialoutgoingdynamic environment filled with animated conversation, laughter, and the clatter of dice. One thing you’re unlikely to see is anyone fixed ontied tostuck onglued to their phone screens.