1.
As you might already know, there is no direct intermixing of blood between a mother and her unborn child. However, some substances—especially drugs—can still have a powerful effect on the fetus. If, for example, the mother is addicted to morphine, heroin, or methadone, the baby may be born with the same addiction. For that matter, even high doses of aspirin appear to have some effect on the fetus. In at least one study, high doses of aspirin have been linked to lowered IQs in infants.
Pattern:
a. Cause and effect
b. Comparison and contrast
2.
At one time or another, most of us have suffered from nightmares. Nightmares are bad dreams that take place during the deepest level of sleep. They are usually brief and upon waking can be remembered in detail. Night terrors , however, are a good deal more anxiety producing. During a night terror, the sleeper experiences a feeling of total panic, and that panic may last for fifteen or twenty minutes. During this time, the victim may scream or shout in fear. Usually, however, upon waking, the sleeper only vaguely remembers what caused the terror.
Pattern:
a. Cause and effect
b. Comparison and contrast
3.
In a study of happiness, researcher Jonathan freedman asked a hundred people to give their definitions of happiness. The results of Freedman’s study suggest that people really do differ in how they define happiness. About half of Freedman’s subjects spoke of happiness in terms of excitement and good times. To them, happiness was a life full of fun. The other half, however, thought of happiness in terms of contentment, satisfaction, or freedom from worries. For these people, happiness was peace of mind. Yet while some stressed pleasurable activity and others stressed quiet contentment, the difference was really a matter of emphasis. Almost everyone agreed that both good times and peace of mind are central to being happy. (Adapted from Rubin et al., Psychology , p. 420.)
Pattern:
a. Cause and effect
b. Comparison and contrast
4.
Since the early 1970s, unions have begun to lose both members and power. Why? One major reason is that unions were born among blue-collar workers. Now blue-collar employment is shrinking while white-collar employment is growing. Unfortunately, unions have been slow to respond to this shift in the work force, and they have suffered for it. Some experts think that America’s unions will never recover from their current slump.
Pattern:
a. Cause and effect
b. Comparison and contrast
5.
Americans love junk food. Every year, we consume vast quantities of candy, cookies, pretzels, soda, and chips. Why do we do it? We do it because junk food tastes good. However, we are also undoubtedly influenced by advertising. Just consider the number of commercials that celebrate the benefits of junk food. Want to feel lively and popular? All you have to do is drink brand X cola Want to impress your friends? Offer them a bag of brand Y chips. No wonder we can’t stop munching.
Pattern:
a. Cause and effect
b. Comparison and contrast