Today’s photo: Indoor skiing at SnowPlanet, Silverdale (north of Auckland)

Part 1: Today's word

A parameter is a limit or a feature of a system that controls others and can be adjusted. Normally, before starting on a research project, you have to set parameters. In other words, you need to limit the area of your research, so that you can concentrate on getting good results.

For more examples, exercises and examples of academic writing go to: www.academicenglishgenerator.com

Part 2: Test

Here are four sentences with our word of the day - but only three of them are correct. Which is the odd one out?

The central government established the parameters within which local governments can work.

He had some interesting parameters on the subject, but was unable to support his ideas with research.

Social aspects of motivation were not considered in this study as they were outside the parameters of the model used in the research.

The lecturer briefly outlined the main parameters of her research before describing the model in more detail.

Part 3: Practice Questions:

Did your lecturers set clear parameters for use of sources in your assignments?
Do you like flexibility or do you prefer to work within relatively strict parameters?

Part 4: Kiwi Quiz Question

Which of these is NOT a volcanic cone in Auckland?

Mount Eden
Mount Elizabeth
Mount Wellington
Mount Albert

Part 5: Today's article:

The Three Survivors: E-bay, Yahoo and Amazon (from The Economist)

International: IT Commerce

http://www.economist.com/business/displayStory.cfm?source=hptextfeature&story_id=11580247

Vocabulary for the article:

to rebuff sb / a dotcom / a mogul / tawdry / truant / to flock to (a place) / disenchanted /

Questions for the article:

Which of these three companies seems to be in the best position in 2008?

What two mistakes does the writer think were made by Yahoo!?

What problems does the writer see in E Bay?

Which two innovative ideas have added to Amazon’s business over the last few years?

Today’s musical intro: from Algeria

‘Walagh’ by Abdelli, from the CD ‘New Moon’. Real World: 1995