1        What are the characteristics of traditional societies, and how do they differ from modern societies? What can the modern world learn from the lifestyles of traditional peoples? Jared Diamond sets out to answer such questions in his 2012 book The World Until Yesterday.Diamond, a professor of geography at the University of California, Los Angeles, has had anillustrious career as an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, and writer. Since the 1960s, hehas traveled regularly to New Guinea, where he has lived for extended periods among theinhabitants of New Guinea’s highlands. Diamond’s experiences there sparked his interest intraditional societies in general. In the book, Diamond paints detailed portraits of the NewGuinea highlanders and of a wide array of other traditional societies. He then challenges hisreaders to examine the modern world in which we live.2         Diamond begins by describing the rapid process of modernization that New Guinea hasundergone. Prior to 1931, roughly one million of its inhabitants had never been exposed tothe outside world. Since that time—the moment of “first contact”—New Guinea has rapidlyexperienced the types of changes that other parts of the world experienced over a muchlonger time span. However, the highland communities of New Guinea have retained manytraditional features, thus offering a window onto the past.3          Diamond argues that traditional societies are extremely different from one another. Hesupports this point with a thorough analysis of topics as varied as trade, religion, treatmentof the elderly, and attitudes towards danger, and he draws examples from communities inNew Guinea, the Arctic, and the Kalahari Desert, among other places. A fascinating exampleof cultural diversity can be found in his chapter on childrearing practices.4          All societies must decide what level of autonomy their children should have. Hunter–gatherer bands tend to value autonomy, even among children. According to Diamond, thePiraha Indians of the Amazon rainforest view children as equal citizens of society andpermit them to make decisions for themselves. Children of the Hadza, in Tanzania, areallowed to play with knives and other things that modern societies would considerdangerous. In contrast, among traditional peoples of the Arctic, young children are generallysupervised and have limited freedom. Of course, modern societies also display a range ofattitudes about childrearing. However, Diamond makes a convincing case that there isgreater diversity among traditional peoples in this respect.5    Diamond uses a humorous acronym to describe societies where most of his readers live:WEIRD nations. These countries are Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic.He draws examples from his research to show that modern societies are also literally weird: they are unlike the societies that most human beings have lived in over the course of the last 11,000 years. Hence the title of the book. For example, until very recently in human history, it would have been highly unusual to live in an environment where you did not know the people living around you. However, for most citizens of the modern world, this is now the norm.6.      Diamond argues that WEIRD nations would do well to adopt certain practicesthat are common in traditional societies. For example, in the societies Diamond documents, it is common for an individual to speak up to 15 languages. Seeing that this is possible,Diamond argues that modern societies should foster a culture of language learning. Diet is another area where he recommends looking to traditional peoples. The societies included in the book generally have diets low in sugar and salt intake, and, as a result, a greatly reduced risk of hypertension and diabetes. In contrast, almost 90% of US and European citizens will die from these and other non-communicable diseases.7.         Readers of The World Until Yesterday are likely to learn much about traditional societies and human history and reconsider their understanding of the modern world. Diamond tackles a vast (big) subject, but he skillfully answers the questions he aims to study and presents many fascinating examples. (Longman Academic Reading Series 5)Why does the author say that the highlands of New Guinea “offer a window onto the past”? (1-2 sentences / Paraphrase)

1        What are the characteristics of traditional societies, and how do they differ from modern societies? What can the modern world learn from the lifestyles of traditional peoples? Jared Diamond sets out to answer such questions in his 2012 book The World Until Yesterday.Diamond, a professor of geography at the University of California, Los Angeles, has had anillustrious career as an evolutionary biologist, ornithologist, and writer. Since the 1960s, hehas traveled regularly to New Guinea, where he has lived for extended periods among theinhabitants of New Guinea’s highlands. Diamond’s experiences there sparked his interest intraditional societies in general. In the book, Diamond paints detailed portraits of the NewGuinea highlanders and of a wide array of other traditional societies. He then challenges hisreaders to examine the modern world in which we live.2         Diamond begins by describing the rapid process of modernization that New Guinea hasundergone. Prior to 1931, roughly one million of its inhabitants had never been exposed tothe outside world. Since that time—the moment of “first contact”—New Guinea has rapidlyexperienced the types of changes that other parts of the world experienced over a muchlonger time span. However, the highland communities of New Guinea have retained manytraditional features, thus offering a window onto the past.3          Diamond argues that traditional societies are extremely different from one another. Hesupports this point with a thorough analysis of topics as varied as trade, religion, treatmentof the elderly, and attitudes towards danger, and he draws examples from communities inNew Guinea, the Arctic, and the Kalahari Desert, among other places. A fascinating exampleof cultural diversity can be found in his chapter on childrearing practices.4          All societies must decide what level of autonomy their children should have. Hunter–gatherer bands tend to value autonomy, even among children. According to Diamond, thePiraha Indians of the Amazon rainforest view children as equal citizens of society andpermit them to make decisions for themselves. Children of the Hadza, in Tanzania, areallowed to play with knives and other things that modern societies would considerdangerous. In contrast, among traditional peoples of the Arctic, young children are generallysupervised and have limited freedom. Of course, modern societies also display a range ofattitudes about childrearing. However, Diamond makes a convincing case that there isgreater diversity among traditional peoples in this respect.5    Diamond uses a humorous acronym to describe societies where most of his readers live:WEIRD nations. These countries are Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic.He draws examples from his research to show that modern societies are also literally weird: they are unlike the societies that most human beings have lived in over the course of the last 11,000 years. Hence the title of the book. For example, until very recently in human history, it would have been highly unusual to live in an environment where you did not know the people living around you. However, for most citizens of the modern world, this is now the norm.6.      Diamond argues that WEIRD nations would do well to adopt certain practicesthat are common in traditional societies. For example, in the societies Diamond documents, it is common for an individual to speak up to 15 languages. Seeing that this is possible,Diamond argues that modern societies should foster a culture of language learning. Diet is another area where he recommends looking to traditional peoples. The societies included in the book generally have diets low in sugar and salt intake, and, as a result, a greatly reduced risk of hypertension and diabetes. In contrast, almost 90% of US and European citizens will die from these and other non-communicable diseases.7.         Readers of The World Until Yesterday are likely to learn much about traditional societies and human history and reconsider their understanding of the modern world. Diamond tackles a vast (big) subject, but he skillfully answers the questions he aims to study and presents many fascinating examples. (Longman Academic Reading Series 5)What example in the reading shows that the “WEIRD” countries are strange? (Write in 1-2 complete sentences and paraphrase)

6.      Diamond argues that WEIRD nations would do well to adopt certain practicesthat are common in traditional societies. For example, in the societies Diamond documents, it is common for an individual to speak up to 15 languages. Seeing that this is possible, Diamond argues that modern societies should foster a culture of language learning. Diet is another area where he recommends looking to traditional peoples. The societies included in the book generally have diets low in sugar and salt intake, and, as a result, a greatly reduced risk of hypertension and diabetes. In contrast, almost 90% of US and European citizens will die from these and other non-communicable diseases.What does “this” refer to in the third sentence of Paragraph 6?

Given the generic periodic table provided below, which of the following Elements has the same number of valence electrons as Element A?

A mixture of three gases has partial pressures of 150 torr, 275 torr, and an unknown value. If the total pressure is 600 torr, what is the missing partial pressure?

True or False: energy level 2 of an atom (i.e., n = 2) can hold between 1 and 10 electrons.  

True or False: an electron that falls from energy level 3 to energy level 1 (i.e., n = 3

A 58-year-old patient with major depressive disorder and hypertension reports dizziness after starting sertraline. Blood pressure is 95/60 mm Hg. Which interaction best explains this?

A 32-year-old woman reports frequent mood swings lasting several days but denies major functional impairment. Which diagnosis best fits this presentation?

A 25-year-old postpartum woman develops intrusive thoughts of harming her baby but recognizes they are irrational. Which diagnosis fits best?