Main Idea Practice 2

Being a clown isn't all fun and games. Rodeo clowns expose themselves to great danger every time they perform. When cowboys dismount or bulls buck them off, rodeo clowns jump in front of the bulls and motion wildly to get their attention. In this way rodeo clowns provide an alternate target, and in doing so protect the rider. Of course, this is a very dangerous thing to do. So you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business.

Wolverines are medium sized mammals. They weigh no more than 50 lbs. Yet they have earned their reputation for ferocity by killing prey many times their size. But why do they get in so many fights? The reason why wolverines have so many conflicts with other animals (including wolves, cougars, and even bears) is probably because of the wolverine's preferred hunting style. Rather than chasing down or tricking its prey like most hunters, the wolverine prefers to take its meals directly from other hunters. So while a polar bear or a lone wolf might be enjoying a hard earned carcass, a hungry wolverine may try to take his lunch. As you might imagine, this style of hunting get the wolverine in plenty of fights.

Sometime in December of 1891, Dr. James Naismith was teaching gym at the YMCA College in Springfield, Massachusetts. It was raining, and Dr. Naismith was trying to keep his students active. He wanted them playing a vigorous game that would keep them moving. He rejected a few ideas that were too rough. Then Naismith had his breakthrough. He wrote out the rules for a game with peach baskets fixed to ten-foot elevated tracks. Naismith's students played against one another, passing the ball around and shooting it into the peach baskets. Dribbling wasn't a part of the original game. Also it took a while to realize that the game would run more smoothly if the bottoms of the baskets were removed. But this game grew to be one of the most popular sports in America today. Can you guess which one?

What's that humming sound? Could it be the hummingbird, the only bird capable of backward flight? Hummingbirds have many unique flight habits that distinguish them from other birds. Most birds flap their wings up and down to fly, but the hummingbird moves its wings forward and backward very rapidly in a figure eight pattern. This allows the hummingbird to hover in position. They can also fly upside down and move about very rapidly. Other birds have to push off with their feet to begin flying and work their ways up to their top speeds. The hummingbird can both start flying at maximum speed and stop flying instantaneously. Once you've seen a hummingbird in flight, it's unlikely that you'll mistake them for another bird.

Remember, if something is worth doing, it is worth doing correctly. That said, the key to making perfect cookies is merely a matter of preparation and precision. To begin with, read your cookie recipe thoroughly before baking. Make sure that you have all the necessary ingredients before you continue. Next, use good tools and utensils. Sometimes, the craftsperson is only as good as his or her tools. By using good tools you minimize mistakes and improve the quality of your product. Last, use top quality ingredients. Unlike characters in fairytales, you can't turn lead into gold. If you use poor quality materials, you'll create inferior products. So, to make perfect cookies you should use the highest quality materials available. Bon appetite!

You might think that all automobile fuels are the same, but they aren't. Automobiles can run on one of three types of fuel: gasoline, diesel, and biodiesel. All these fuels are burned inside of the engine, which creates the heat and energy that is used to power the car. But there are important differences between these fuels. Gasoline and diesel are more common than biodiesel. But each burns differently. Diesel fuel is heavier and less flammable than gasoline, so it has to be compressed before it will burn. Gasoline may be lighter than diesel, but both fuels are made from crude oil. On the other hand, biodiesel fuel is made from vegetables. Both biodiesel and diesel fuels must be burned in diesel engines, which only use diesel fuel. If gasoline is pumped into a diesel engine, it will have to be pumped out. These fuels may look pretty similar at the gas station, but remember that there are important differences between them or it may cost you.

Have you ever wondered how mountain bikes can ride so smoothly on rough surfaces? The reason for this is that mountain bikes have suspension systems. Suspension systems keep the wheels in continuous contact with the ground. This improves control and insulates the rider from changes in the surface. Suspension systems also reduce vibrations and make the ride more comfortable. Just don't get too comfortable and put your feet up because you still need those for peddling.

Cotton candy sure is a delicious treat, but it isn't exactly the tidiest. Eating it may make a sticky mess, particularly in humid locations during the summer. The sugar may melt all over your face and hands, leaving behind colorful, sticky goo. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't enjoy cotton candy. You just have to make sure that you are properly prepared to deal with the mess. Since cotton candy is made from sugar, it is water soluble. That means that water will dissolve the cotton candy. If you have a wet towel, you can clean the mess right off of your face, hands, and wherever else you may find it. This will make cleaning up the cotton candy mess a breeze. Don't let your desire to be clean prevent you from enjoying this tasty confection. Just be prepared to clean it up before you grab a sticky clump

According to the last US census, drivers 19 years old and younger represent only 5% of all drivers. Astonishingly, these drivers are involved in more than 12% of car accidents. This shows that teen drivers get in more accidents than their older and wiser counterparts. Sadly, teens make up more than 8% of drivers killed in car accidents. It doesn't have to be like this. We can prevent accidents and save lives by changing the minimum driving age. By raising the driving age to 21 years old, more teens will live to see their 20s. Doesn't that seem worth it? I'd rather have my teenage son or daughter groaning about the driving age then getting involved in a serious accident because he or she isn't ready to drive yet. Seems like common sense. What do you think?

There are many thoughtful ways to express your love for another person without spending money: write a poem, draw a picture, or do it all by making a card. Creating a card is easy if you have the proper materials. Get yourself some nice, thick resume paper or cardstock and fold it in half. Draw some imagery of love on the front of the card; if you're not good at drawing, you can clip out pictures. If you decide to use markers, be careful not to let them bleed through the paper and ruin the other side. Lastly, write a poem or heartfelt statement on the inside to your beloved and you're done. Now isn't that a more personal way to express your love than a rose from the gas station?