Description Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Description - Essay Example However, bees are the most prevalent or common because these can be breed (raised and propagated in artificial hives) and perform the pollination function much more efficiently compared to other insects, animals, or so-called carriers of pollen or termed as vectors. Bees are very important to human survival, because without them, pollination cannot take place and many products in agriculture, such as fruits and vegetables, will not be available if not for the bees. However, it is also alarming that bees themselves are under serious environmental threats. It is estimated some $40 billion to $50 billion worth of agricultural products are due to the pollination activities of these bees (Abrol 762). Bees are very crucial for survival of the human species. Discussion Besides pollination, bees are also well known for their honey. I remember when I was still a young kid, my mom used to make me eat honey at breakfast. I can still very vividly recall its sweet taste in my mouth; among the sug ars available from Mother Nature, it is honey that has most health (anti-bacterial) beneficial effects. People today are more health conscious as compared to earlier generations; honey as a natural sweetener is much better to the artificial sweeteners in the supermarkets today (Chepulis 37); whenever I see honey, I remember bees. Since ancient times, honey has been considered to have medicinal properties, but it is only now, with the use of modern science, that its chemical composition has been analyzed to know what makes honey a powerful tonic, and even as an aphrodisiac. Science has confirmed the firm belief of the people in antiquity that honey contains many of the elements essential for good health, among them anti-oxidants amino acids, vitamins, and minerals (Sharma 14). One can eat plenty of honey without getting the ailments associated with sugars or sweets such as diabetes, heart diseases, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and vascular diseases. I was walking home one day when I heard a persistent buzzing sound. At first, I did not know immediately what it was; I had originally thought I just imagined hearing the sound, a buzzing sound in my ears, because there is something wrong with my hearing. Only later on did I realize a big bee was buzzing and flitting from flower to flower in our home garden. This garden has been planted with a variety of flowers, and the bee made great use of the spring. It flew among the red flowers, sipping the nectar of each bud and seemed tremendously happy. What a sight it was! A bee is very graceful when flying; its wings beat at 190-250 times per second! (Micucci 28). This frequency can be compared with the wing beats of a butterfly (4-20 times per second, while the fly beats its wings at 1,000 times a second). A honey bee actually has two pairs of wings, and its wings are so small compared to its body weight, it is defying both the laws of gravity and aerodynamics because of so much energy from honey! Honey bees are one of the most useful insects in the world, and it is difficult to have a good harvest without them pollinating all the flowers of the fruits and vegetables. The apple is an example, without bees pollinating their blossoms, no apple can be produced. Further, a lot of people may not know it, but bees also make beeswax used for making candles (during earlier times when electricity was not yet harnessed to produce lighting); candles made from beeswax have a higher

Clark International Airport Corporation Essay Example for Free

Clark International Airport Corporation Essay Abandoning the largest U.S. Air Force Base outside of the continental United States back in 1991 was not an easy task for America. Given the countless industrial/commercial buildings, residential quarters, officers homes, manicured golf courses, road network, two, huge 3.2-kilometer parallel runways capable of landing the space shuttle and over 100 years of U.S. occupation, it quite-possibly would have been easier to pull all the teeth of the resident Generals on-base than to abandon all that Clark Air Base had become to the U. S. Military. This decision to evacuate was not made unilaterally though. Mt Pinatubo had a say in the matter spewing a thick blanket of ash throughout the base. The Philippine Senate also had its input regarding the 100 year U.S. occupation, and, during September 1991, convinced America to turn its back on billions of dollars of infrastructure when they rejected the ratification of the RP-US Military Bases Agreement. Numerous reasons were given for the rejection of this treaty. This was a destructive blow to the Aquino administration, which was very-strongly in favor of maintaining the treaty and the presence of the U.S. Military with its economic benefit to the country. She even called for a referendum by the Filipino people that was later determined as unconstitutional. Several years later, the former US Air Force Military Airlift Wing is now experiencing some major and exciting transformational processes, all without the presence or assistance of a super power. Since 1996, as a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), the runways, airport buildings, infrastructure and surrounding areas of this former military installation is managed by and in the capable-hands of the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC). From the beginning of the transformation, CIAC has provided the organizational and management arm for the daunting job of transforming a former military airfield into a world-class international airport and logistics hub. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in recognition of her father and former president of the Philippines, renamed the facility, Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA). Today it stands in honor to her father’s past administration and as a bright hope to current and future generations as a newly revitalized Philippine gateway, providing sustained commercial, industrial and tourism growth in the face of a new world economy. From humble beginnings in 2003 of only 7,880 international passengers, to over half a million passengers making their way through DMIA in 2007, this airport is an overwhelming success story in all of Asian airport history. As the long-term plans for this facility to be the premier gateway of the Philippines progress, projected estimates range from 20 million to 40 million passengers passing-through the new DMIA annually at fruition of the project. On October 29, 2003, Asiana Airlines had the honor to be the first airline to established international flights in and out of Clark. These flights brought tourists and businessmen to and from Incheon, South Korea. This initiated a new wave of international flights that has blossomed-forth ever since. Some of the international destinations currently being serviced from DMIA include Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Macau, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Seoul Korea. Cebu, Caticlan are the current domestic travel offerings at Clark Airport. South Korean tourists began to discover the Philippines, and specifically, Clark and Subic Bay in ever-growing numbers. In fact, according to the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), today they constitute the leading group of tourist by nationality in the Philippines. According to the DOT, the number of business and pleasure travelers is on the rise in the Philippines with South Korean leading the pack. For the entire country in 2006, South Korea lead the arrival numbers reaching 572,133 while the U.S. was second with 567,355 and then Japan with 421,808. For the following year, 2007, South Korea once again lead the arrival numbers reaching 653,310, a 14.2% increase, while the U.S. was second with 578,983, a 2% increase and Japan with 395,012, a 6.4% decrease. The fastest growing arrivals percentage-wise between 2006 and 2007 were from China and Malaysia. These countries posted arrival increases of 18.0% and 23.3% respectively. Chinas arrivals in the Philippines in 2007 were at 157,601 while Malaysia’s were 65,695. Growth is one thing, but maintaining quality and performance in the face of tremendous growth is an accomplishment worth taking note. Two consecutive world-class awards from two different organizations speak volumes of an organization’s efforts. In 2006 DMIA was awarded the â€Å"Low Cost Airport of the Year award from the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA). Then, in 2007, DMIA was awarded the prestigious â€Å"Airport of the Year† award by Frost and Sullivan, at the Asia Pacific Aerospace and Defense Awards Banquet in Singapore. Formulated in 1961, Frost and Sullivan maintain over 26 offices worldwide, and is a major, respected global research company. The company fields a staff of over 1,500 employees, with job titles ranging from economists, market researchers and technology analysts. These analysts and researchers are focused on the industries of aerospace, defense, energy, transportation, environmental-issues, technology, chemicals, food, power systems and more. It looks like CIAC is entirely-focused and performing above and beyond the call of duty in their determination to witness the realization of DMIA becoming the premier gateway of the Philippines. Exciting plans abound for the long-term prospectus of the Clark Freeport and DMIA. After 15 years of conflict and negotiations with the indigenous Aeta people of the region, CDC has acquired 10,000 hectares of new expansion land area. CDC now has a total of almost 28,000 hectares of contiguous, raw land to work with and put to productive use over the next couple of decades. The Clark governing body has designating a new, modern, 21st Century city to be built from scratch in the combined areas comprising existing and new land acquisitions in and around the Clark Freeport. Aeropolis is the named assigned this modern, Aviation-focused, master-planned, multi-use mega-city/mega-region. CDC already has in a master-plan set-aside for Aeropolis comprised of 4,400 hectare main-zone and a 27,600 hectare sub-zone centered on an aviation-driven urban center that will be ideally suitable to high-end IT, airport-industries, logistics-related enterprises, agro-industries and tourism. This type of long-term, far-sighted planning translates to exponential airport-related arrivals/departures and the ongoing future success of the Clark Airport as a major player in the world economy for many decades to come. Departure Procedure Step 1 Entry Check * Here is where a pax join the first queue the airport entrance queue. * Before a pax can enter the building they must show both of their passport and airline ticket, so they must have them ready. * Now is a good time to remove metal objects from their pockets or purse and place them in their hand carried luggage that will be x-rayed. These items include watches, pens, cell phones, and coins anything that will trigger the metal detector. Doing this early will save delays later. * Once they have shown their passport and ticket they will have to place their entire luggage on the x-ray conveyor belt before walking through the metal detector. Step 2 Airline Check-in * If all goes well they can collect their luggage and proceed to their airline check-in counter. * They should expect huge queues so they must get there early. * While waiting in the check-in queue they must prepared to have their baggage sniff tested for explosives. * After checking in and getting their boarding pass they can now proceed to the departure area but their queuing is not yet over. Step 3 Pay Departure Tax/ Terminal Fee * Before entering the departure area they must show their passport and boarding pass. Once cleared they can now go to the counter where they will pay their departure tax and terminal fee. This terminal fee is currently 150 pesos for domestic and 450 pesos for international per passenger. * At the counter they must give the counter operator their boarding pass and the money. She will return their boarding pass along with a receipt. Step 4 Immigration Clearance * The next step is Immigration Clearance. They must present their passport and boarding pass. Step 5 Security Check * The next queue is at the security check. Once again pax must make sure to have taken all metal objects out of their pockets or purse. They can either place those in their hand carry bag or in a plastic tray that the security people will provide. * Make sure they adhere to the currency export limits for both Philippine pesos and foreign currencies. * After they have gone through the metal detector they can collect their bags and the tray with their personal effects, and then they can proceed into the departure area. Step 6 Departure Gate Check * If they think they have stood in the last queue they may be disappointed. Depending on their airline there may be one more security check. This will be as they enter the departure gate area. This check is just a routine and quick check of they and their hand carried bag. Step 7 Passport Boarding Check * Again, depending on the airline, they may have to show both their boarding card and their passport as they board the aircraft. If so, they must be ready and have their passport open at the photo page. Arrival Procedure Step 1 – Quarantine/ Immigration Procedures * Pax must have their passport ready to complete quarantine and immigration procedures. Foreign travelers will need to fill out an arrival card. Step 2 – Baggage Claim * They must check the information board for the name of their airline and flight no. and collect their baggage from the appropriate carousel. If they cannot find their baggage, they must show their baggage claim tag to the airline service representative and ask for assistance. Step 3 – Customs Inspection * Pax must take their baggage and proceed to Customs Inspection. If they have items to declare complete the necessary procedures at the appropriate counter. Step 4 – To the Arrivals Lobby / Meet Greet * They will proceed to the arrivals lobby which is the convenient place to meet friends and families. My 50 Days of Experience I have learned a lot in my 50 days of experience at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport especially with the Airport Operation Department staff. I don’t even knew the existence of the airport operation before. But now after being a part of this department just even for a while I have realized the importance and the role of it. Airport Operation Department has a big role in running an airport. It is like the main ingredient in a recipe and the heart of a body system. Without it an airport cannot be called an airport terminal because they are the one who keep safety and security excellence as the first priority, they develop a better airport for the future by taking advantage of emerging market opportunities, they operate an efficient airport dedicated to exceptional customer service, they broaden and increase the airport’s revenue base to ensure on-going viability, and they maintain strong relationships with â€Å"neighbors†, communities, and industries. Being a part of it is not really easy because it is too broad. But thanks to our leaders who made us understand our role and made us feel that we are really a part of the Airport Operation Department even though we are just OJTs.

Boone and Yost :: essays research papers

1) Boone and Yost were supportive by establishing good relations with subordinates. They used the participative style where they allow the team to participate in decisions, both coaches were achievements-oriented where they sets challenging goals and seeks improvements in performance. Boone and Yost inspired the team to find solutions to the problems they are facing, because finding solutions is a motivating force for the team. They used these different styles each time they were facing a problem in the team to bring back the team together and let them focus on the relationship. 2) â€Å"Attitude reflects leadership, captain†. That shows that Julius is satisfied by the way his captain is thinking. Managerial leadership has influenced organizational activities in many ways. These influences include motivating subordinates, budgeting scarce resources, and serving as a source of communication. We are referring to the LPC contingency theory. "The first and perhaps most popular, situational theory to be advanced was the ‘Contingency Theory of Leadership Effectiveness' developed by Fred E. Fiedler" (Bedeian, Glueck 504). This theory explains that group performance is a result of interaction. (Online reviews) At the beginning, Practices get off to disastrous start, with white players accusing blacks of not playing up to their potential, and blacks accusing white players of failing. According to that, Coach Boone orders black and white youths to spend time together, interviewing one another. The captain’s attitude towards a team is very essential. It leads the players to reach their victory. 3) Coach Boone is devoid of warmth and humor. Coach Boone inspires the team to follow his mission. He has the experience and ability to work and motivate the team. He has always supported his team by encouraging them at all time in order to perform well and to head towards the victory. He tried to create equal opportunities between the players in order to maintain a team where everyone is respected. Boone shows to be as tough as any coach comes, and it's this characteristic that helps bring the blacks and the whites together on the team. Coach Boone was helpful in solving problems that occurred in his team. For example, he wanted the white and black players to communicate between one another. He was ecologically sensitive, a leader who knows the obstacles that are or will face the team. His vision focused on the team and its members at all times. Regardless that he is tough, his way of dealing with the players, gave them more confidence to themselves.

Animation Essay -- essays research papers fc

Animation My personal enjoyment with animation has inspired me to write this essay, pertaining to animation. Since I was a child I have been fascinated with cartoons; from when they started out to be black and white, and until now with full colour and computer effects. To better perceive what my personal feelings about animation are, I must first discuss in full detail, a general overview of how animators bring traditional animation alive with motion. Animation seems like a smooth movement of drawn sequences of artwork, pasted together to form a single sequence of animation. This is the basis of animation, but animation is far simpler than it may seem. "The true meaning of animation is that it is a series of drawings strung together to create the illusion of smooth fluent movement."1 But the process of creating this so- called illusion, is a pain staking process during which artists must spend tremendous hours of agony to produce only seconds of animated film. Before an animator goes about creating an animation he or she must have the knowledge of several rules of animation, which animators around the world follow. The first rule of animation is that an animator must hold the understanding of the techniques used to produce single cells of animation. Second rule, and one of the most important ones is that, the animator must have great patience, so that his or her piece of artwork is not rushed, to prevent the animation from looking choppy and not as smooth as it should look. Finally what is required from an animator is "it takes commitment and effort to make the basis of animation come alive with fresh ideas."2 The following is not a rule of animation, but is often taught to animators around the world. "Animators were often taught that animation is only limited by the imagination and skills of its creators."3 Using these rules animation companies hire artists who are familiar with the rules previously discussed, but to create a feature full-length animation you need more than just these rules. Below the process of creating a feature full-length animation will be discussed in further detail. To create a traditional animation requires a team of cooperative artists and editors. It also demands a collective, c... ...r generated graphics and animation, I believe that the true admirers of the art of animation will always have a nostalgia for the techniques first used by the pioneers of animation. Reference 1.Compton's Encyclopedia, 1991 edition, Vol.3, "Cartoons." 2.Randy McCallum, Cinemation (British Columbia: Motion Works Inc., 1992), p. 19. 3.ibid., p. 23. 4.Edward Desmond, "Beyond Mickey Mouse," Time (Nov.1.1993), p. 32. 5.Toolworks Encyclopedia, 1992 edition, CD ROM, "Animation." 6.ibid., CD ROM. 7.Compton's Encyclopedia, 1991 edition, Vol.3, "Cartoons" 8.Toolworks Encyclopedia, 1992 edition, CD ROM, "Animation." Bibliography 1.Brown, Robert. "Cartoons." Compton's Encyclopedia, (1991), Vol.3, pp. 163-165. 2.Desmond, Edward W. "Beyond Mickey Mouse." Time, Sept.27,1993, pp. 42-47. 3.Elmer, Philip. "Video Game Boom." Time, Nov.1,1993, pp. 16-20. 4.McCallum, Randy. Cinemation. British Columbia: Motion Works Inc., 1992, pp. 1- -193. 5.Redmond, John R. "Animation." Toolworks Encyclopedia, (1992), CD ROM. 6.Young, Harvill. "3D Imaging Technology." MacWorld, Sept.1,1992, pp. 276-285.

Critic of the Application of Frederick Herzberg’s Two-Factor theory in Assessing and understanding employee motivation at work: a Ghanaian Perspective Essay

Critic of the Application of Frederick Herzberg’s Two-Factor theory in Assessing and understanding employee motivation at work: a Ghanaian Perspective. Patrick Ashiadey The Frederick Herzberg Two Factor Theory has had a considerable amount of practical and as well as theoretical influences. In fact, from a practical perspective, the influence of Herzberg’s motivation theory can be seen at every organizational level as well as within every department. From a theoretical perspective, Herzberg’s motivation theory can be perceived as having similarities to Maslow’s Theory of Need with the exception that for Herzberg’s theory, the needs aren’t placed in a progressive continuum, rather they are divided into two independent factors. Herzberg’s motivation theory emerged from a collection of data gathered by the interview of 203 accountants and engineers within the Pittsburgh area. The interview process consisted of asking the respondents to describe a work situation where they felt very happy as well as very unhappy. These descriptions were to include as many details as possible, including their feelings, the interpretation of the situation as well as the events that are suggestive of a change. The analysis of the responses confirmed the proposed hypothesis, where some factors where contributors to job satisfaction, while others were not. In addition, some factors were noted to be a source of dissatisfaction when absent. These were categorized as â€Å"Motivators† and â€Å"Hygiene† factors, the latter also being referred to as Maintenance Factors. (Wikipedia, 2013). Employee motivation in Ghana however takes on a different turn due to many factors that flaw the two factor Theory. This white paper seeks to discuss but a few of these factors. Firstly the difference in cultures and upbringing of the typical Africa especially the Ghanaian worker right from infancy to the work age differs from those used in the interview process as they are from entirely different geographical areas. Th e average Ghanaian lives on or below the poverty line and as such will be happy just having a job with his basic salary regardless of the existence of motivators or hygiene factors. The mentality of the average Ghanaian worker makes him fear joblessness as other forms of employment are hard to come by and that alone will motivate him or her to stay in the job in the absence of motivators or  hygiene factors. That is the theory does not take into account individual personality traits that could provide a different response to a motivator or hygiene factor. The Theory also lacks in the understanding of the inter-relations between some of the motivators which I totally agree with as can be seen from http://www.leadership-central.com/two-factor-theory.html#ixzz2g2Bs3nao in comparison to the dual structure theory. Example, one might receive adequate job recognition nut he or she may not be satisfied with the level of responsibilities therefore one would question the internal motivational value of job recognition for the individual. Lack of highly skilled personnel in the Ghanaian job market, makes the average Ghanaian worker dependent upon his or her professional level which would be more or less sensitive to one or the other of the factors. Frederick Herzberg’s sample space for his research included 203 accountants and engineers, a huge disparity from the large population of Ghanaian workers in the public sector who were only recently introduced to the single spine structure. Responses to the same questions posed to the accountants and engineers that led to the development of the theory would have produced different results as what mattered to a worker in the US would not necessarily have mattered to a worker in Ghana like recreational facilities. This leads us to the point where hygiene factors and motivators vary depending on the types of individuals involved and the nature of work examined. There is also the case where there exists no prove that highly satisfied people are also high performers per a research done on the internet. Example is the average Ghanaian worker in the public sector enjoying the new single spine salary structure still requiring some form of extra cash for him or her to carry out his or her civil duties. All said and done, it is a well-known fact that the Application of the Two Factor Theory is definitely well established within organizational settings. In fact, every leader has the responsibility to ensure that their employee’s hygiene factors are attended to and that proper motivators are implemented to increase job satisfaction. The most common mistake committed by leaders is to attend to the hygiene factor while expecting employee motivation. One application for Herzberg’s theory of motivation that isn’t well known is its importance in managing quality. A great paper by Heinz Weihrich shows the link between the Two Factor Theory  of motivation and quality. He equates the reliability or â€Å"R† factor of a product as being the hygiene factor and therefore customers have grown to expect products they purchase to be reliable. The â€Å"S† factor, the motivator, refers to the product features.

How to Cram for the ACT 10-Day, 4-Point Prep Plan

How to Cram for the ACT 10-Day, 4-Point Prep Plan SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips If you’ve found this article, I assume it’s crunch time, and your ACT test date is in the next couple weeks. If you do not fall into this category (you have a bit of time- one month or more- before your test date), you can still read this guide for some study strategies, but I recommend you take advantage of all the time you have by spreading your ACT preparation out. Don'twaituntil the last 10 days to cram. Thoughquality matters in your ACT prep, quantity is also important: you have to invest a lot of time if you want to see big improvements. You can make a lot of progress in 10 days, butyou need to dedicate the necessary time to improve your ACT score.In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to raiseyour score by up to four points in just 10 days. WARNING:Don't use this rushed studyprogramunless absolutely necessary. If you have time to take the ACT again,doquick basic preparation for this test date and then follow a more extensive study program for the next test date. Consider trying PrepScholar or another ACT preparation program before your next ACTtest date. This guide on how to cram for the ACT outlines a very challengingplan that requires a lot ofdedication to work. You'll have to be seriously committedto see major improvements. All that being said, if you do decide to follow this plan, I've outlined two preliminary steps below, followed by the ACTcram plan itself. Get Your ACT Practice Materials Make sure to order a copy of The Official ACT Prep Guide, also known as the Red Book. It’s relatively inexpensive (around $20) and vital to your preparation. You should probably get it overnight shipped to you. The book has three real ACT tests for your practice. If you can’t afford the book (and even if you can), then you should print yourself copies of these free ACT PDFs. I’ll tell you how and whento use them below. Create an ACT Study Schedule Make a strict study schedule and don’t stray from it. You only have 10 days to jump four points, so 30 minutes per day of preparation is not going to be enough. At PrepScholar, we recommend fitting in about 40-80 hours of ACT preparation for a four-point score improvement. You need to fit that study schedule into 10 days. While completing 80 hours of preparation in 10 days will be basically impossible (even more so if school’s in session), you also won’t need 80 hours of studying since, in this shortened time frame, you’ll have the advantage of not forgetting any test technique. I’ve created a sample ACT study schedule below that fits in about 60 hours of prep into the 10 days before the test. Day # of Hours to Study Wednesday 5.5 Thursday 5 Friday 5 Saturday 10 Sunday 10 Monday 5 Tuesday 5 Wednesday 5 Thursday 5 Friday 5 Saturday 0- Take the Test! If you’re doing this ACT cram plan during summer break, great! You’ll have tons of time to dedicate to this schedule. If you’re attempting this schedule during the school year, you’ll need to put your ACT preparation before all else. Remember, it’s only 10 days! I’ve outlined the ACT study plan for each day below. 10-Day ACT Study Plan Before you dive into the waters of ACT cramming, look over each day of this plan to make sure you have all the materials you'll need handy for each day. There's nothing worse than sitting down for an intense study section only to realize you needed to print something out and you're out of paper. Note: This study plan is designed for students who are taking the Saturday ACT. If you're taking the ACT on Sunday or during the week, you may have to adjust some of the timing a little bit so that the 10-hour study days fall on weekends and not weekdays. Day 1: Wednesday- 5.5-6 Hours Learning Objectives: Get familiar with the test format, pick an ACT target score, and take a practice test. Get Familiar With the ACT Format- 20-30 Minutes If you’re familiar with the test format, you’ll have a huge advantage over other test-takers. Read these guides for an overview of ACT format: What is the ACT? A Complete Explanation of the Test What Is the ACT Out Of? How Do You Calculate ACT Score? Raw and Scaled ACT Rules and Regulations: What You HAVE to Know You should read these guides so that you’ll know what’s tested on each section of the test and how your final score is calculated. Both of which are important to know so you understand ACT strategy. Pick Your ACT Target Score- 30 Minutes If you don’t already have an ACT target score, you need to pick one. I won’t go into depth about this process here because we’ve already got another great article on determining the right target score for your dream school. However, the brief summary of how to choose a target score is to aim for a number at or above the 75th percentile score for admitted students at your target college. Why pick a target score? Picking a specific score will help you stay motivated during your ACT cram session. Write down your target score somewhere you’ll see it every day (like on your desk), and tell your parents the number. Seeing it every day and telling other people your target score will make you more motivated to reach it. Take a Practice Test- 3 Hours and 35 Minutes If your copy of The Official Prep Guide hasn’t arrived, you can take a practice test using these free ACT PDFs.Read the rules on how to get the most realistic practice test experience before getting started. You want realistic practice so that you’re prepared for what the conditions will be the day of the test. You don’t want to be surprised the day of the test. Review and Analyze Your Practice Test- 1 Hour When you’re done, review your practice test following the steps outlined in our other guide and review your essay using the ACT Writing rubric. NOTE: I’m having you take and review your ACT Essay for this first practice test. After this test, if you scored an 8 or better, I’d encourage you notto waste your time with any more practice essays. Your ACT Essay is not factored into your overall composite score. Your composite score is what colleges typically look at on your application. Since the ACT Essay does not affect this score, it’s a waste of your limited time to keep practicing it. However, if you’re not getting your score up to 8 or above, you may want to keep practicing it. While it doesn’t affect your composite, a very low essay score (at or below 4 or 5) may worry admissions officers that your writing skills aren’t up to their standards. Once you’ve completed your basic review, analyze your results: Which section was your weakest? Why was it your weakest? Were your issues mainly not understanding the content or did you make more careless errors? Did younot understand the questions? Did you run out of time? If you can’t easily determine which is your weakest section (if your four section scores- English, Reading, Math, and Science- were all similar), try to pick the section in which you answered the most questions incorrectly because you didn’t understand the information necessary to answer the question (e.g. youdidn’t know the formula you needed for a Math question). I suggest this method to determine which is your weakest section because information issues are impossible to fix without studying. However, they’re also the easiest kind of problem to fix because all you need to do is learn the necessary material. Determining your weakest section is important because it tells you what to prioritize in your prep. Don’t worry: you’ll still learn the techniques/strategies for the other sections, but you’ll start with your weakest section. Day 2: Thursday- 5 Hours Learning Objectives: Learn the strategies for your weakest section and apply them to a practice test. Now that you’ve determined which section is your weakest, you’ll learn the strategies for that section and practice applying them. NOTE: I’m providing links to all of the guides you should read to help with strategy and content knowledge for your weakest section. It’s a lot of material, so try to prioritize the topics within each section that you need the most help in. If there's a topic you aren't missing any questions on, don'tworry aboutreading that guide. For instance, if youaren't missing any inferencequestions, you should notread theinference questionguide. Prioritize the guides: start with the overall strategies, then check out guides on your weakest content areas (forinstance, if you got all of the slopequestions wrong in the Math section, start by reading the guide to slopes). Try to read the guides for all of the topics within each section if you have time. If you don’t have time to read it all in these two hours, don’t worry, simply bookmark the articles you didn’t get to read. I set aside time another day in the schedule to review the rest of the articles. Learn the Strategies- 3 Hours NOTE: The Ultimate Guide articles below reference other articles you should be reading. You should read every article mentioned within each Ultimate Guide. However, I've also highlighteda few key articles that youcannot miss. Reading The Ultimate Prep Guide to ACT Reading: Strategies, Tips, and Practice ACT Reading: The #1 Critical, Fundamental Rule The Best Way To Approach The Passage On ACT Reading Stop Running Out Of Time On ACT Reading 4 Top ACT Reading Strategies English The Ultimate Study Guide for ACT English: Tips, Rules, Practice, and Strategies The Top 9 ACT English Strategies You Must Use ACT English Prep: The Best Methods and Strategies The 8 ACT English Tips You Must Use in Your Prep Full Analysis of ACT Grammar Rules: Which are most important? Math Overall Strategy How to Actually Use Your ACT Math Formulas The 31 Critical ACT Math Formulas You MUST Know Plugging in Numbers: A Critical SAT/ACT Math Strategy Plugging in Answers: A Critical SAT Math/ACT Math Strategy Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra Complete Guide to Integers on ACT Math (Advanced) The Basic Guide to Integers on ACT Math Complete Guide to Fractions and Ratios in ACT Math Single Variable Equations in Algebra: ACT Math Strategies Probability Questions on ACT Math: Strategies and Practice Statistics on ACT Math: Strategies for Mean, Medium, Mode Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry Algebra Functions on ACT Math: Lesson and Practice Questions Lines and Slopes: ACT Math Geometry Review and Practice Systems of Equations on ACT Math: Algebra Strategies and Practice Problems Sequences on ACT Math: Strategy Guide and Review Algebraic Operations on ACT Math: Strategies and Formulas Plane Geometry/Trigonometry Triangles on ACT Math: Geometry Guide and Practice Problems Circles on ACT Math: Geometry Formulas and Strategies Lines and Angles in ACT Math: Review and Practice Reflections, Rotations, and Translations: ACT Geometry Strategies and Practice Polygons on ACT Math: Geometry Formulas and Strategies Solid Geometry on ACT Math: The Complete Guide Science The Ultimate Study Guide for ACT Science: Tips, Practice, and Strategies The Best Strategies for Reading ACT Science Passages The Only Actual Science You Have to Know for ACT Science Time Management Tips and Section Strategy on ACT Science The 9 Reasons You Miss ACT Science Questions Essay How To Attack ACT Essay Prompts and Raise Your Score ACT Writing Rubric: Full Analysis and Essay Strategies Take and Review a Practice Section- 2 Hours Whichever your weakest section, sit for a 35 to 60-minute practice section (varies by section). You can either print out one of the sections from these free ACT PDFs or use the Official ACT Test #1 if the book has arrived. After you’ve taken the section, review usingthe steps outlined in our other guide that you used for your first practice test.See what areas you’ve improved in and what still needs work. Day 3: Friday- 5 Hours Learning Objectives: Learn the strategies for another section and try to apply them to a practice test. Learn More Section Strategy- 3 Hours Pick between your other three sections (English, Math, Reading, or Science) and read all of the articles listed above for that section. If you’re doing extremely well in the section you’re choosing to focus on today (you scored at or above 32 on your first practice test), I’d encourage you to use one of the following guides for your study instead of the other guides: How to Get 36 on ACT Math: 8 Strategies by a Perfect Scorer How to Get 36 on ACT Reading: Strategies from a Perfect Scorer How to Get 36 on ACT English: 9 Strategies from a Perfect Scorer The Hardest ACT Science Questions and Strategies to Solve Them Take and Review a Practice Section- 2 Hours For the section you’ve chosen, sit for a 35-minute to 1-hour practice section (varies by section). Use the corresponding section from the same test (Red Book test #1) you did a section from yesterday, so you can save your complete practice tests for use later on. After you’ve taken the section, review using the steps outlined in our other guide. Day 4: Saturday- 10 Hours Learning Objectives: Complete your strategy learning by studying the remaining two sections that you haven’t covered. Take and review practice sections for each. Learn the Third Section Strategy- 3 Hours Choose between your remaining two sections (English, Math, Reading, or Science), and read all of the articles listed above for that section. As I said above, if you’re doing extremely well in the section you’re choosing to focus on today (you scored at or above 32 on your first practice test), I’d encourage you to use one of the following guides for your studyinstead of the other guides: How to Get 36 on ACT Math: 8 Strategies by a Perfect Scorer How to Get 36 on ACT Reading: Strategies from a Perfect Scorer How to Get 36 on ACT English: 9 Strategies from a Perfect Scorer The Hardest ACT Science Questions and Strategies to Solve Them Take and Review a Practice Section- 2 Hours Take a 35-minute to 1-hour practice section with realistic testing conditions. Again, use the corresponding section from the same test you did a section from yesterday and the day before (Red Book test #1). Conserve your full-length practice tests for later in the week. Again, review using the steps outlined in our other guide. Learn the Final Section Strategy- 3 Hours Whatever remaining section you haven’t covered (English, Math, Reading, or Science), and read all of the articles listed above for that section. As I said above, if you’ve scored high in that section (at or above 32 on your first practice test), use one of the following articles for your studyinstead of the other guides: How to Get 36 on ACT Math: 8 Strategies by a Perfect Scorer How to Get 36 on ACT Reading: Strategies from a Perfect Scorer How to Get 36 on ACT English: 9 Strategies from a Perfect Scorer The Hardest ACT Science Questions and Strategies to Solve Them Take and Review a Practice Section- 2 Hours Take a 35-minute to 1-hour practice section with realistic testing conditions. Again, use the corresponding section from the same test you did a section from yesterday and the day before (Red Book test #1). Conserve your full-length practice tests for later in the week.Again, review using the steps outlined in our other guide. You’ve now completed a second entire practice test (broken up over a few days).Compare your second test scores to your scores from your first test. Where did you improve? Where did you make the same mistakes? If you have time, go back and re-read the appropriate articles to help you learn from your mistakes (for example, if you got a few ACT Math Triangle questions wrong, make sure to reviewthat article). Day 5: Sunday- 10 Hours Learning Objectives: Complete your second practice test, review, and determine where you still need improvement. Take Your Second Full-Length Practice Test- 3 Hours and 45 Minutes Make sure to use a new (not partially used) full-length practice test from the ACT Red Book or these free ACT PDFs. If you have the Red Book, use test #2.As you did for the first test, copy the real testing conditions. Review and Analyze Your Second Practice Test- 2 Hours As always, review your answers and your mistakes. Take the time to compare the results to your other tests. Did you improve? In which areas are you still struggling? Topic Refresher- 4 Hours Go back to the articles listed above and re-read those for the topics withwhich you’re still struggling.Create flashcards if you need more help learning grammar rules or math formulas and test yourself with them. If you’re close to mastering all of the sections (scoring at or above a 32),and you haven’t read the below guides yet, checkthem out now: The 21 Hardest ACT Math Questions Ever The Hardest ACT Reading Questions Ever The Hardest ACT Science Questions and Strategies to Solve Them The Most Common Mistakes You Make on ACT English Day 6-10: Monday-Friday- 5 Hours Per Day Learning Objectives: Take and review a practice test each day. If you have the Red Book, use test #3 on Monday, then use the free ACT PDFs for Tuesday-Friday.Keep using the real testing conditions. Spend three hours taking the practice test (without the essay) As always, do detailed reviews using our other guide. Spend about two hours reviewing and referring back to our other articles listed above if you’re not seeing improvement in certain areas. Your race is over! Day : Saturday- 0 Hours It’s ACT test day! Go to bed early the night before, so you get a full eight hours. Pack your test ticket, calculator, pencils, erasers, extra batteries, snacks, water, etc. the night before, so you’re not rushing to find it all in the morning. Set your alarm for at least an hour before you need to leave for your testing center. That’ll give you time to eat a big breakfast and wake up. Read a newspaper article or chapter from a novel to get your brain going. Relax! You’re going to do great! What’s Next? Not sure where you want to go to college? We willhelp you do college research the right way. Do you know where you want to go to college? Figure out what ACT score will give you the best chance of admission. Trying to figure how you will afford college? Check outour complete guide to paying for college. Want to improve your ACT score by 4 points?We have the industry's leading ACT prep program. Built by Harvard grads and ACT full scorers, the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics, then customizes your prep program to you so you get the most effective prep possible. Check out our 5-day free trial today:

TECHNIQUES AND PHILOSOPHY USED ON PALAZZO DA MULA PAINT essays

TECHNIQUES AND PHILOSOPHY USED ON PALAZZO DA MULA PAINT essays TECHNIQUES AND PHILOSOPHY USED ON PALAZZO DA MULA PAINT When I saw the Palazzo da Mula painting I could tell that it was taken from the city of Venice without relying on the actual subject. The water around the buildings was enough to come to this conclusion. I see about three to four buildings connected to each other, there are many big windows on each building that has a round looking style. The front building looks like this is the main building due to the fact that it has what looks like two main entrances in the front and they are painted in black color. I can see a typical gondola boat next to the main building by itself. The water looks calmed and cannot really tell which way it is moving. There are also about four poles attached to the edges of the buildings, it must be used to secure the boats. There are two balconies in the top of the front building and one located on the left had side building. This painting looks really blurry when I look at it up close and the description I made was based on what I saw and what was common of sense. Once I step away from my computer and look at the painting, I can see a little bit better, especially the water and the buildings reflection on it. The painting was clear now and it showed a detailed description. It gives me the perception that the water is moving from left to right and it does not look calmed completely as I thought when I saw it closer. Now I can see more windows than what I saw before, there were at least five new small windows between the doors and the big windows that I did not realize before. I was also able to find out that there were not only one, but also two gondola boats next to the main building. To the left hand side, I saw two more poles that are used to hold the boats against them in order for them to remain in place. I did not see them before due to the color contrast and it was kind of camouflaged against the building. ...

My Last Duchess Essays (724 words) - My Last Duchess, Free Essays

My Last Duchess Essays (724 words) - My Last Duchess, Free Essays My Last Duchess The Haunting Aristocrat In his dramatic monologue, Robert Browning uses irony, diction, and imagery to achieve a haunting effect. Robert Browning frequently wrote dramatic monologues to enhance the dark and avaricious qualities in his works. Brownings use of this particular style is to evoke the unconstrained reaction of a person in a particular situation or crisis (Napierkowski 170). A poem may say one thing, but when mixed with dramatic monologue, it may present a meaning at odds with the speakers intention(Napierkowski 170). This change may show the reader more insight into the poem without directly stating the underlying facts. The reader is allowed to isolate a single moment in which the character reveals himself more starkly (Napierkowski 171). Brownings use of dramatic monologue disposes the reader to suspend moral judgement (Napierkowski 171) causing a haughtiness to hover over many of his works. Browning uses irony in conjunction with dramatic monologue to produce a sinister and domineering effect. Irony, much like dramatic monologue, can make the reader question the true underlying meaning of the passage. This brief confusion causes an eeriness to be brought about in the work. In My Last Duchess, verbal irony is demonstrated when the Duke says to his guests, even had you skill in speech . . . which I have not(35-36). Throughout the poem the Duke proves that he is quite a polished speaker(Markley 172). The Duke is not a modest man, but him making this seemingly humble statement in the midst of all his power stricken remarks establishes situational irony. Dramatic monologue can make an unforseen ironic statement have an ominous surrounding that totally encompasses the readers attention. An individual may initially become very disturbed if an unannounced late night visitor knocked on their door, just as the Dukes unanticipated remark brought a weary feeling to the reader. Throughout My Last Duchess, Browning uses diction to further increase the haunting effect of his dramatic monologue. His precise and scattered word choice is meant to make the reader recognize the underlying haughtiness in his speech to the Counts emissary. The Duke refers to his former wifes portraits depth and passion in order to place a cloudiness over the realism of the painting. This, along with the faint and half-flush appearance that dies along her throat, brings about an overcast appearance to the poem. The Dukes trifling lack of countenance is evident in his jealousy of the Duchesss kindness toward others. Her benevolence disgusts the Duke, and causes him to stoop down to spouting off commands in her direction. The Dukes abrasive word choice intensifies the dominating effect in the poem My Last Duchess. Brownings use of imagery escalates the haunting effect in My Last Duchess. Throughout the poem the Duke proves to be the type of man that has to be in control. His need for control is displayed when he tells his guest that no one may draw the curtain . . . but I(10). A portrait of his previous wife is covered by this curtain. The Duke paints his own image of her through this dialogue. Everything the reader hears about the lady is filtered through the mind and voice of the Duke(Charles 278). He is obsessed with being in control. He didnt have full control over his previous wife, and that is why he refers to her as looking as if she were alive(2) in the portrait. The dominating image the Duke paints of himself by describing his last wife creates an eerie effect. The poem My last Duchess concludes with one distinct domineering image. The Duke draws his guests attention to a statue of Neptune taming a seahorse in order to show that he will demand complete obedience from his future wife. The Duke sees himself as a God(Charles 279), who will not yield to a subordinate for any reason. The image of the powerful god, taking control of the seahorse demonstrates the Dukes desired relationship between him and any woman. Also, the Duke is showing the emissary that he will rule his kingdom . . . with an iron fist(Charles 279) just like Neptune. The Dukes overbearing statements prove that he will put fear into his wife through his haunting tactics. Robert Browning presents a creepy feeling through his dramatic monologues. In My Last Duchess, he shows the reader the Dukes overbearing need for control and power through imagery, and he causes a weariness to overcome the reader through irony. Brownings use of precise diction also contributes to the eerie developments throughout the poem. By combining dramatic monologue, irony, precise diction, and

Great Depression Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Great Depression - Essay Example Among those most affected by the consequences of this catastrophe were white people especially us women. This is because we were tasked to look after families when men lost jobs and banks lacked sufficient amount of money for borrowing. It implies that marriages suffered several hiccups that often delayed courtship and eventually decreased divorce rates. According to government statistics, the expensive legal fees of supporting two families compelled many women to avoid cases of separation of divorce (Berton, 2001). Another consequence as white women involved a significant drop in birth rates thus causing an alarm in the replacement level in the country. A drop of 35 percent during Herbert Hoover’s regime resulted to a loss of income in a span of four years totaling to a drain of $15 million. Therefore, ordinary families experienced a strain in affording household items that could sustain them for a longer period. However, instances of falling apart in case of a decline in res ources and income became common, hence, changing roles of both men and women. Roles and responsibilities hugely affected women who had to fend for their suffering children and jobless husbands. As a result, men suffered a loss of self confidence and esteem forcing a majority to abandon completely the institutions of marriage. In a 1940 survey, close to 1.5 million married women faced divorce cases as a consequence of disagreements with their husbands. Additionally, women broke boundaries and started seeking for employment outside to sustain the welfare of their fledgling families (Freedman, 2005). It indicates the liberties and freedoms that expanded for women because the Great Depression under F.D. Roosevelt’s administration. The New Deal programs were equally a part of government relief initiative because they directly benefited women. For example, the program expanded lower pay scales and enacted

Strategic Management Case Study of SABMiller Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strategic Management of SABMiller - Case Study Example This development is similar to that proposed by Johnson et al (pp. 240, 2006). As bases of competition, SABMILLER had a strategy positioning on four fronts. It considered maintaining a price and differentiation strategy, with particular focus on markets in developing economies. In doing so, its combination of price and differentiation strategy justified its hybrid strategy. Here a hybrid strategy refers to the act of simultaneously achieving product differentiation and low pricing than competitors. The success of such a strategy depended on SABMILLER's ability to deliver enhanced benefits to customers together with low prices while achieving sufficient margins for reinvestment to maintain and develop the bases of differentiation. Secondly, to achieve competitive advantage as a strategy positioning SABMILLER opted to sustain operations in the markets it already controlled, while maintaining hypercompetition such that the frequency, boldness and aggressiveness of dynamic moves accelerated to create a condition of constant disequilibrium. At the same time, the company embarked on redefining collaboration which took the dimension of taking over other companies in the same line of business. Apart from this, one of the most vital issues to shape its positioning strategy was its involvement in game theory wherein every competitor contrived to get the best possible strategic solution for themselves given the response from each other. Thirdly, under detailed choices SABMILLER determined its positioning strategy by defining its mode of growth. From information read in the case, the company's decision to be listed on the London Stock Exchange was strategically backed by the motif to raise more capital for expansion. In the light of this, the company made a number of moves to merge or take over other companies. b) The strategic priorities for SABMILLER at the time of the case were basically centred on growth. This growth was to phased and comprised organic growth and physical growth. Organic growth refers to growth that would come as a result of reinvesting its excess profits back in the business to increase production capacity or expand into new markets. Such a move had significant stimulus from the statistics that the world's five major breweries could more or less account for just 30% of global demand. This therefore steered the move to expand production capacity and enter unexploited markets in developing economies. Meanwhile, physical growth refers to growth that ought to come as a result of harnessing more capital to expand. So, moves like listing itself on the London Stock Exchange to raise more capital come to justify the fulfillment of SABMILLER's strategic priorities. This was the only logical step if the decision to expand into foreign markets had to be a realised strategy. 2) The company's core competencies were seen to be the activities and processes through which resources (in/tangible and non/physical assets) are deployed in such a way as to achieve competitive advantage in ways as to achieve competitive advantage much to the illusion of competitors. A summary tool to identify these capabilities and resources is as shown below: Threshold capabilities are those essential for an organisation to be able to compete in a given market (Johnson et al, 2006). The strength of these capabilities

Process Control and Improvement Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Process Control and Improvement - Assignment Example Several other issues like logistics, scheduling, procurement, raw material handling, human resource management, are also involved in the process and contribute significantly to the efficiency of the system and the final cost and quality of the product. Since these processes are ongoing and cyclic in nature, any company involved in these activities should be able to effectively control these activities in order to boost its performance and business profits. The paper studies the case of Staple Foods, one of the largest foodservice companies in the world and major food caterers in the region. The problems faced by the company in its daily operations and use of process control systems for improvement and efficiency will be the subject of interest in this study. Staple Foods is well known for its assurance to quality services to the clients and its strong focus upon the growth and expansion of its business portfolio. In the food service sector, it is important to maintain efficient opera tions in production and marketing in order to survive and remain competitive in the industry. In order to achieve the targets, the company decided to integrate three plants into one and implement batch process control in its production line. This helped the company to limit the variances that existed in the production line, control the inventories, and increase its profits, (Goldsmith, 1995). 2.0 Company profile The Company – Staple Foods has been the carrier of a number of brands in the food market. The company offers some excellent food products to its customers and is well appreciated for its consistency in its quality standards. The company was formed in the year 1975 and has built a strong tradition of hard work and faith. The company specializes mainly in the oil products, sauces, soups and flavor bases that are marketed under a number of brand names. With more than 7 production units in the region, Staple foods Ltd. are trying hard to make higher margin profits for its elf. 3.0 Existing Production Process Conditions The procedure utilized in the production unit of Staple Foods is relatively complex and multifaceted which is distributed across a number of production units. The main steps that compose the production plan are – The first step consists of a detailed schedule planning done by the managers of Staple foods, in order to reduce the down time for the participant production lines. The scheduling done during this phase is mainly manual in nature. This is followed by the procurement of resources that are required by each production line in an efficient manner. The quantity, quality and time of resource procurement are very important at this point in order to maintain a steady flow of production and product quality. More often, the resources need to be shared by multiple production lines and the managers are required to plan upon this sharing aspect closely so that no shortage problems arise in case. Variability and wastage can be signif icantly eliminated in this operation step. The production takes place in batches or continuously, depending upon the market demands. The last step involved in the production is the cleaning and preparing the line of a new batch of production cycle. 4.0 Process Problems faced by the Management Controlling the processes involved in the p

SWOT analysis on UK business 'What competition does Bubbleology face Essay

SWOT analysis on UK business 'What competition does Bubbleology face in the Uk niche drinks market ' - Essay Example I analyzed and compared different sources as well as the website of the reference business to derive relevant information. My sources are relevant, up-to-date, authoritative, and efficient to address the competition that Novosco face in the UK cloud technologies, managed service, and consulting market. Findings Novosco Novosco is a company based in Belfast U.K (ULSTER Business 2013, p. 1), which deals with cloud technologies, managed service, and consulting services. The company has been in operation since 1994 and has recorded immense growth and success over the years (Novosco 2013, p. 1). As a result, the company has won major recognitions in its operations like the Cisco Datacenter Partner of the Year and EMC Partner of the Year in 2012 based on the volume and caliber of work delivered (Novosco Ltd 2012, p. 21). Moreover, the company has been enjoying consistent and immense economic growth in the technology industry. In fact, Novosco received the Deloitte FAST50 award in 2012 for the 13th consecutive year for being the most successive technology company in revenue growth (Novosco Ltd 2012, p. 21). The company manifests high level of technical ability where it investment in delivery and support staff (Novosco 2013, p. 1). Indeed, the company accommodates continuous training and certification in its operations with a view of gaining optimum expertise and receiving maximum accreditation on the technologies they recommend to their customers (Novosco 2013, p. 1). Novosco specializes with helping institutions to utilize the unique aspects of emerging technologies for purposes of addressing business challenges in a more efficient and cost-effective manner (Novosco 2013, p. 1). It provides unique consulting talent and technical support to organization seeking to maximize the advantages of their investment in information technologies. Notably, the company operates under managed service or strategic partnership contracts with its major clients to realize its objective s (Novosco 2013, p. 1). As such, it collaborates with the best hardware and software companies that deal with cloud technologies, managed service, and other technology applications. The company commits itself to offering help to their clients in the evaluation of all potential solutions that enables them to design and deliver cost-effective solutions (Novosco 2013, p. 1). Its main clients include universities, government departments, and UK and Ireland health trusts (Weir 2013, p. 1) with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust being its largest client (Gosling 2012, p. 1). Novosco Competition among Cloud Technologies, Managed Service, and Consulting Companies Novosco is the leading provider of managed services and cloud based infrastructure in U.K (Novosco 2013, p. 1). However, the company faces immense competition in different sectors including the winning of contracts. Novosco seeks to enroll its services to the wider market and its directors know that it will face stiff competition from established companies (WEIR 2013, p. 1) like AJUBEO and CDNETWORKS. The competition will be in the field of internet connectivity, supply of cloud computing, transfer of data, servicing

Outline for essay topoc. Critically cinsider the role of insuranse law

Outline for topoc. Critically cinsider the role of insuranse law and practice in the regulation of international business transactions - Essay Example Regulations of insurance agents and insurance companies will also be introduced. There will be arguments on insurance policies and regulatory issues concerning risk and operation management of insurance businesses. There will be a discussion of the nature and fundamentals of insurance, its functions and purpose in commerce, and its effects and function on tort litigation and recovery. These will be discussed in relation to insurance contract, structure, interpretation, and use. This section will discuss international company, business transactions involving insurance law. Examples of treaties and international trades will be highlighted, as well as the benefits and effects to the global economy. This section will highlight private law of transactions involving the movement of goods from one country to another. It will also describe the public law controls which effect such transactions and transactions which are governed by other legal systems such as WTO. This section will describe the way in which major projects are financed, focusing on the key features of the financing and the players who bring infrastructure projects to life.   There will be emphasis on the key legal and other risks in the project financing. This section will examine the international trade landscape, the main institutional protagonist, namely the World Trade Organization, and its rules. It will also examine the legal issues surrounding cross-border investment decisions and disputes Oduntan, Gbenga C.I.F. Gatwick and Other Such Nonsense Upon Stilts: Incoterms and the Law, Jargon and Practice of International Business Transactions6. International Company and Commercial Law Review, (2010). Organization. RH, Robert Hunter, Federal Insurance Administrator from 1974 to 1978, is president of the National Insurance,Consumer Organization. REFORM INSURANCE, NOT LIABILITY LAW; TAMING THE LATEST INSURANCE CRISIS. New York Times 1986 Apr

SWOT analysis on UK business 'What competition does Bubbleology face Essay

SWOT analysis on UK business 'What competition does Bubbleology face in the Uk niche drinks market ' - Essay Example I analyzed and compared different sources as well as the website of the reference business to derive relevant information. My sources are relevant, up-to-date, authoritative, and efficient to address the competition that Novosco face in the UK cloud technologies, managed service, and consulting market. Findings Novosco Novosco is a company based in Belfast U.K (ULSTER Business 2013, p. 1), which deals with cloud technologies, managed service, and consulting services. The company has been in operation since 1994 and has recorded immense growth and success over the years (Novosco 2013, p. 1). As a result, the company has won major recognitions in its operations like the Cisco Datacenter Partner of the Year and EMC Partner of the Year in 2012 based on the volume and caliber of work delivered (Novosco Ltd 2012, p. 21). Moreover, the company has been enjoying consistent and immense economic growth in the technology industry. In fact, Novosco received the Deloitte FAST50 award in 2012 for the 13th consecutive year for being the most successive technology company in revenue growth (Novosco Ltd 2012, p. 21). The company manifests high level of technical ability where it investment in delivery and support staff (Novosco 2013, p. 1). Indeed, the company accommodates continuous training and certification in its operations with a view of gaining optimum expertise and receiving maximum accreditation on the technologies they recommend to their customers (Novosco 2013, p. 1). Novosco specializes with helping institutions to utilize the unique aspects of emerging technologies for purposes of addressing business challenges in a more efficient and cost-effective manner (Novosco 2013, p. 1). It provides unique consulting talent and technical support to organization seeking to maximize the advantages of their investment in information technologies. Notably, the company operates under managed service or strategic partnership contracts with its major clients to realize its objective s (Novosco 2013, p. 1). As such, it collaborates with the best hardware and software companies that deal with cloud technologies, managed service, and other technology applications. The company commits itself to offering help to their clients in the evaluation of all potential solutions that enables them to design and deliver cost-effective solutions (Novosco 2013, p. 1). Its main clients include universities, government departments, and UK and Ireland health trusts (Weir 2013, p. 1) with Belfast Health and Social Care Trust being its largest client (Gosling 2012, p. 1). Novosco Competition among Cloud Technologies, Managed Service, and Consulting Companies Novosco is the leading provider of managed services and cloud based infrastructure in U.K (Novosco 2013, p. 1). However, the company faces immense competition in different sectors including the winning of contracts. Novosco seeks to enroll its services to the wider market and its directors know that it will face stiff competition from established companies (WEIR 2013, p. 1) like AJUBEO and CDNETWORKS. The competition will be in the field of internet connectivity, supply of cloud computing, transfer of data, servicing

Situation Background Assessment Recommendation Assignment

Situation Background Assessment Recommendation - Assignment Example There are a number of them. But the best is SBAR (Situation Background Assessment Recommendation), according to most of the healthcare organizations for transfer of information in the correct manner. They are useful in communicating among medical staff, between doctor and patient between nurse and patient etc. The language is clear and simple and is applicable for both written and oral communication. The steps include stating the situation, the circumstances causing the situation, determining the problem and arriving at the best solution. The healthcare organization has their own procedures to fill up forms concerned with the patient's clinical history during the course of their treatment in the unit. That will give clear, concise information about the patient and the type of treatment he gets. However, the accuracy of the record is doubtful. At times the patient would not have given the proper information. It may so happen that the recording may not be proper or legible. Even so clinical record can be considered very valuable in most instances. During verbal communication, there is every chance of data being missed or misunderstood. The reason is that the doctors, nurses and other health personnel etc lack effective communication skill, though they may be good in their own field. The healthcare professionals including nurses have been educated to deal with patients in communic ation, but not among themselves or how to communicate during an emergency. Also, there are no rules for verbal communication, whether direct or through telephone. It is obvious that communication errors may have adverse effects on the patients. It is praiseworthy that various steps have been taken for the improvement of communication among the staff. These will ultimately result in the safety of the patients. According to Dr. Michael Leonard, MD, nurses' communication is descriptive. But that of the physicians is strictly to the point. He feels that SBAR model will nullify the differences in approach and style. It proposes how a nurse should communicate with a doctor. Adopting the SBAR tool has considerably improved patient's safety. It is valuable not only for communication between doctor and nurse but among a number of team members. Let us look at the following instance. One Mr. Joy took his wife to hospital. She had hysterectomy with bowel perforation. An overdose of medicines resulted in permanent brain damage. Joy had no idea about the SBAR tools. So because of his precarious and tense situation, Joy failed to inform the actual cause to the doctors. If he had communicated properly, he could have avoided the mental agony that he and his wife suffered. His wife would have got the correct treatment and would have been better placed. Even the doctor, who felt guilty for not successful in treating the wife would have been spared. Summary of Article This clearly shows how a little bit of care can prolong the life of the patient and enhance the happiness of his beloved ones. At the same time sheer neglect can endanger his life. The hospital staff should consider it their duty to contribute to the well being of the patients. There comes the importance of SBAR techniques. Conclusion It is

Unemployment statistics in US Essay Example for Free

Unemployment statistics in US Essay Unemployment refers to a situation whereby a person who is able and willing to work is currently without a job. The total number of employed people plus the number of unemployed persons who are seeking work is referred to as labor force (US Bureau of Labour Statistics, 2010). The participation rate is the labor force divided by the total number of working age population that is not institutionalized (US Department of Labour, 2010). The unemployment level is the difference between the labor force and the total number of people who are currently employed. The unemployment rate is the level of unemployed divided by the total number of working population. There are different types of unemployment types in the overall macro-economy. They include frictional unemployment, structural unemployment, natural rate of unemployment and demand deficient unemployment. Frictional unemployment reflects the time taken by individuals to find and get settled in their new jobs. Structural unemployment is the difference between the skills and other attributes possessed by the labor force and what the employers actually demand. This type of unemployment considers employees who are undergoing re-training in order to start a new job as being unemployed. It is usually increased by technological changes. Natural rate of unemployment is the sum total of frictional and structural unemployment. It is considered to be the lowest rate of unemployment that is expected to be achieved by a stable economy. Demand deficient unemployment is the level of unemployment which is beyond the natural rate unemployment. Causes of unemployment According to Keynesian economics, unemployment results from deficit in effective demand for both goods and services in an economy (US Bureau of Labour Statistics, 2010). Other schools of thought attribute unemployment to structural problems and inefficiencies which are common in the labor markets. Classical economics attribute unemployment to rigidities in labor markets resulting from external environment such as unionization of workers, taxes, minimum wages and other factors that may limit hiring of new employees (US Department of Labour, 2010). Other economists view unemployment as a voluntary choice of the unemployed and the time it takes them to find a new job also referred to as frictional unemployment. Efficiency wages and sticky wages are seen by behavioral economists to be a cause of unemployment. Unemployment level in US Unemployment in 27 US states was reported to have increased in February 2010 while seven states reported a drop in unemployment. There was an increase in unemployment in the state of Mississippi by 0. 4 percent (highest increase). The unemployment in Detroit fell from 15. 3 to 14. 8. The unemployment nationally by February 2010 was reported by Labor Department to be 9. 7 percent. However, job layoffs were fewer than previously anticipated (Trading Economics, 2010). Since the onset of recession in December 2007, 8. 4 million jobs had been lost by March 2010. The US official unemployment was reported to be 9. 5% in June 2010. This accounted for about 14. 6 million unemployed Americans. The black teens were leading with unemployment of 39. 9% Asians had the lowest unemployment rate of 7. 7%. The total number of officially unemployed and the hidden unemployment (29. 1 million) account for 18. 2% of the labor force. The graph below illustrates the levels of unemployment in US between 1999 and 2009.

Analysis Of Farewell My Concubine English Literature Essay

Analysis Of Farewell My Concubine English Literature Essay The film farewell my concubine is a Chinese film which has received much attention from the world. It explores the impact of the Chinese political turmoil on its citizens during the middle 20th century. The movie illustrates this by using two stars in a form of traditional Chinese theatre maybe with some music playing along, and in this movie there is a woman who comes between the two stars. This movie uses two stars in a Peking opera troupe and a woman as an object to illustrate the predicament and frustrations of the Chinese people which was brought about by its political turmoil. This film was adopted from Lilian Lee novel entitled farewell my concubine. This film is centered on a love triangle which involves two opera singers and a former prostitute, this provides emotionally charged lens through which one is enabled to view and visualize the major chinas historical events of the mid 20th century and also brings clearly out the oppressive communist rule of Chairman Mao. The plays structure is provided by the historical context of the time period then. This play explores a number of themes for instance sex, survival and love. Cheng Dieyi who is a man effeminate, as a boy and through opera trainings he is trained to act like a woman to symbolize the limitations of art and also to demonstrate power in the real world. Dieyi is used as an object to demonstrate power and limitations of art being faced in the actual real world. In this play we also notice that many of the younger characters are being referred to as Xiao meaning small and an indication of childhood. This film starts with an introduction where the audience is introduced to the two stage characters namely YuJi who was effeminate therefore the woman and the man General Xiang Yu, it is important to keep in mind, that the two actors are men. At the beginning of the film we see that when the little boy, Xiao Douzi is taken for training to the Peking opera instructor, Master Guan refuses to take him until Yanhong(his mother) chops off Douzis extra finger, a birth defect with a clever and the contract is signed with a thumb print in blood. This symbolizes the hardships to be endured by the little boy, Douzi in order for him to be trained; it also reflected the numerous challenges awaiting him on this journey which he had to follow. This is also seen in the following proceedings where a ten year contract is signed between the Peking opera trainer and Yanhong during which Douzis life and his earnings goes to the trainer in exchange for the training. At the beginning we said that this film was done to illustrate the frustrations of the Chinese people in the mid 20th century after the political turmoil and this is reflected here in that, this training is not comfortable and the conditions being met for the student to be trained are tough. His extra finger has to be chopped off and this is accompanied with a lot of pain, Douzi has to work for ten years without ever seeing his salary or not even touching it, on addition to already existing tough rules his life belongs to this man meaning he can use him for anything and in any way that he wants. Douzi because of his craving for freedom tries to escape and only returns after seeing a performance that makes him to weep and also enquire on how much they had to endure in order to become stars. Shitou is brutally beaten for allowing Douzi to escape who also after returning receives his share of punishment. It appears like the boy has been sold completely in exchange for the opera training yet life and freedom is important than all this. As away to consol himself he befriends Xiao Shitou who is the informal apprentices leader and due to the long days of practice they both distinguish themselves as the most talented. When the play starts Douzi is chosen dan, or female lead while Shitou is chosen sheng or in other words a male lead (Silbergeld 96-97). As adults having graduated they are employed by an opera company and given new names and Douzi becomes Cheng Dieyi while Shitou becomes Duan Xiaolou the characters we are introduced to at the beginning of the play. In this play theres a lot of weeping as a result of the beatings received which symbolizes the anguish and pain of this people and that is why Douzi yearns for freedom from this imprisonment. During the training Douzi dreams of the outside world to the extend that instead of saying I am a girl by nature, not a boy he says I am in nature a boy. The future of the troupe is brought at risk because of Douzis problem of identifying himself with his new gender and there arises a need for quick remedy in order to secure the troupe. The solution to this is very frightening as his friend Shitou twists a tobacco pipe into his throat until Douzi gargles blood in the pipe which in turn forces him to softly whisper I am in nature a girlà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦not a boy. The pipe is used as an object to symbolize the kind of enforcement they applied to force its victims to subject to the world that was created for them. With such kind of punishment and torture one has no other option but to obey. This is the second time we are coming a cross blood and since life is in the blood whenever you come across blood theres fear since it posses threats to life and it also brings about uncertainty its like venturing in the unknown, in the dark. After the performance Douzi is summoned to meet eunuch Zhagy alone who during there meeting looks at him lustfully and in the process molests him. From the act of the eunuch its clear that those in power and with resources care less about other people and that is why they exercise this power in unspeakable disgusting way that lowers other peoples dignity to the point that it becomes hard to the people victimized to share the predicament that befall them even to there best friends. This is seen by the fact that his frien d whom he really longed for to be near him so that he could tell him what he was feelings fails to get him to say a word about the proceedings at the eunuchs place and maybe even the purpose for the invitation or more to that why he had to go alone. Also when Douzi notices an abandoned baby on the street and expresses his concerns to take him but he is urged by his master not to do so because even each one of them knows not there fate. People seem to care only for themselves and do not think about the need people around them or even the innocent like that baby who can not speak for themselves or rather struggle to survive as many would do if life became hard or when faced with difficulty circumstances. The form of training given to do this kind of a job is one that hardens and excludes you from the normal life and society norms or culture. On stage the adult Dieyi is in love with Xiaolou though sexually his affection is not being met. Though the two are courting, Xiaolou starts to like Juxian who is allegedly said of as being a prostitute. When Xiaolou intervenes in Juxians attack she proposes marriage to him which is followed by an engagement in order to free her from prostitution and as a result wrangles emerges between the two famous actors who were in love and they fall out. Dieyi after accepting Yuan Siyes invitation due to his frustrations of being left by his love falls in another trouble since he is raped after being made drunk and in the morning ashe lives he takes the sword that they had early seen in the market place which he had wanted to give to Xiaolou as a wedding gift. Dieyi starts to use opium in order for him to get over his frustrations and this symbolizes the crimes and wrong decisions made by the people in order to rid there pain and humiliation. We also see the Japanese soldiers beating up the Chi nese patrons which makes Xiaolou angry to the extend that he refuses to perform the opera farewell my concubine again, this leads to his imprisonment and his freedom is bought by Dieyi thou they fail to keep the terms of that agreement. During the play betrayal is seen and a lot of insincerity as the people fail to keep the promises made and as a result they hurt the other parties in the agreement. Theres fighting for power and this is witnessed when Xiao Si usurps Douzis position as a reflection of the turmoil in the Chinese economy brought about by the fightings for position and power after the withdrawal of the Japanese government. The maliciousness of the leaders is seen and this brings the chinas economy down. The aspect of bribery comes out when Dieyi is released after performing for the government when he had been arrested for treason. Also in the drive and the urge to protect one another Juxian is hit in the stomach and she looses her baby. The baby was as a simple of a new birth, hope, a new beginning but because of strive amongst them its lost through a miscarriage. This sudden death brings about Chinas fall since its surged and put under the control of the liberation army of the communist people. This complex relationship between the three involved parties is an illustration of the political issues affecting china as a nation since its second mid 20th century war. The three actors have been used as a simple to illustrate the underlying issues for instance betrayal emerges when Xiaolou who is in love and also courting Dieyi engages Juxian. This enormous war that frustrated the Chinese citizens was caused by imperialist policy aimed at securing raw material reserves in particularly food and labor and also to cause its domination in politics and military at the expense of its people. There is a few happenings after the airing of the film like for instance the theater troupe is turned to the government and the abandoned baby whom Dieyi trained and was given the name little brother, Xiao Si. In this film we are told that little forth brother has the same sound as little death this is very symbolic as its followed by the burning of the film in china (Zhu 127-130). It can also symbolize an end to the freedom that was there for this people. The limitations in the peoples freedom of speech is seen also when Shitou is questioned by the communist party about the words he uttered many years back which they consider them to be unpatriotic. Theres unknown fate for Xiao Si for usurping Douzis position and Juxian hangs herself when she is rejected by her husband and as a result the reunion of the first relationship between Douzi and Shitou occurs. These deaths are not just for fun but they symbolize dead or an ending. Throughout we are seeing a frustrated people, people that are oppressed and weeping because of the many things that are happening to them and around them. The Chinese people who have been frustrated by war until they lost all the hope and that is why there are children who are very innocent but they have been abandoned by there loved ones, the only people they knew and trusted, people responsible of taking good care of them and giving them brighter future. All this symbolizes the cry of the people who have been abandoned by there government and subjected to a lot of pain and suffering. Hopes only revive in china after the death of the chairman Mao which is followed by his political sect being overthrown and consequently there arrest for the crimes they have committed against the people of China. Finally when Xiaolou and Dieyi met a few important things happened which symbolized a re-birth of a better life for the Chinese people, since they had lost most of there former school boys as a result of the numerous chinas political campaigns. These two main actors forgive each other for the ugly things they had spoken and done to each other. Where theres forgiveness theres growth and incomparable peace meaning that the citizens of china have an obligation to forgive each other in order to live in harmony, peace, unity and in love with one another. And once this is done it will pave way for development and on addition it will be easy for everyone to move on with there own lives. Work cited Jerome, Silbergeld. China Into Film. London, UK: Reaktion Books, 1999. Ying, Zhu. Chinese Cinema during the Era of Reforms. Westport,CT: Greenwood publishing group, 2003.

The Bomb :: essays papers

The Bomb One of the most powerful and intriguing people for the 20th century is Mother Teresa. She is probably the world’s best-known humanitarian. She spent her life caring for the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind and the lepers. She cared for all people who felt unwanted, unloved and uncared for in society. The purity of heart and of purpose was what made her able to focus every ounce of her energy on her simple and unserving purpose in life: to do, to made, to be something beautiful for God. Mother Teresa had a devoted Catholic family. It was their generosity and care for the poor and less fortunate that helped her decide what she wanted to do with her life. She received a calling from God â€Å"to serve him among the poorest of the poor† while she was riding on a train to recover from suspected tuberculosis. Mother Teresa opened houses for lepers, alcoholics, drug addicts, the homeless and destitute, mothers with unwanted pregnancies and for people with AIDS all over the world. She felt that abortion is the worst evil. Her life exemplifies the true meaning of Christianity. The event we chose to be the most powerful in the 20th century is the bombing of Hiroshima. The bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945. The bomb had lots of killing power because of its size. The A-bomb had lots of killing power. Many people were burnt by the heat rays emitted from the bomb. Anyone who was located within 1.2 km from the hypocenter of the explosion at the time it went off died within a few days because of the exposure to direct heat rays. Radiation from the bomb caused certain blood disorders. Survivors of the blast soon reported cases of leukemia. Incidents of lung and thyroid cancer increased during the 1960’s because of the radiation. In utero exposure caused microcephaly, a smaller than normal skull, and mental retardation. The bomb â€Å"killed† the city as well. Fire was set to the entire city and buildings were gutted by the fire. Because of this enormous amount of power, 140,000 people died. There was power in sheer size of the bomb. It weighed 9,000 pounds, over 4 tons. The diameter measured 28 inches. It was 120 inches long. This particular bomb had more power than 20,000 tons of TNT. It contained 2,000 times more power than the British bomb, â€Å"Grand Slam.

To what extent do you regard The Shield Of Achilles as characteristic E

To what extent do you regard The Shield Of Achilles as characteristic of Auden’s work as whole? At first glance Auden’s poem the ‘Shield of Achilles’ appears to be focused on the classical world. The poem’s classical nature is first indicated by the title- Achilles was of course a famous Greek hero, and throughout the poem there are further classical references, many of which Auden has taken from Book XVIII of Homer’s Iliad- ‘Marble well-governed cities’ (l.3), ‘†¦athletes at their games’ (l.46), ‘Hephaestos, hobbled away’ (l.61). However, the poem also combines these classical details with the modern world- ‘Proved by statistics’ (l.17), ‘Barbed wire enclosed an arbitrary spot’ (l.31). Although there is this unusual combination of classical and modern, the poem can be seen as timeless: Column by column in a cloud of dust =================================== They marched away enduring a belief Whose logic brought them, somewhere else, to grief. (‘The Shield of Achilles’ ll.21-23) Here the army who are ‘enduring a belief’ (l.21) that they are doing good can be as easily applicable to the modern day (i.e. the situation in Iraq) as to classical times. The timeless nature of the poem can be said to be a characteristic feature as it appears in other poems such as ‘Gare du Midi’: ====================================================================== †¦clutching a little case He walks out briskly to infect a city Whose terrible future may have just arrived. (‘Gare Du Midi’, ll.6-8) Here we are led to believe that a man is about to unleash a terrible weapon on a city and although the poem was written in December 1938, its proleptic nature allows the poem to be much more in tune with the w... ...atures, it is perhaps impossible to outline a characteristic Auden poem. ‘The Shield of Achilles’ lacks many features that would make it characteristic. For example, poems such as ‘Moon Landing’ and a ‘Walk After Dark’ are rife with colloquial (‘Mneh’- ‘Moon Landing’, ll.22) and recherchà © (‘Lacrimae rerum’- ‘A Walk After Dark’, l.30) language, whereas ‘ The Shield of Achilles has none, instead the language in the poem obeys the poem’s principle of contrast- it alternates between classical and modern language. Therefore it’s reasonable to say that there are many re-occurring themes throughout Auden’s poems, but not that there are entire poems which are ‘characteristic’. --------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] It is notable that ‘Ist September 1939’ appeared on many websites after the September 11th attacks in 2001.

Tax Accounting

3 CHAPTER TAX DETERMINATION; PERSONAL AND DEPENDENCY EXEMPTIONS; AN OVERVIEW OF PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS Instructor: The test items in both the print Test Bank and ExamView test-creation software are numbered by question type within each chapter. Thus, users of ExamView can more easily preview their selections using the printed Test Bank in the same numbering system.Status: Present Topic TRUE OR FALSE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Level of current income tax rates Definition of gross income Income taxation and example of global approach Effect of AGI on the medical deduction Filing status: surviving spouse versus married filing separate Additional standard deductions: single and married amounts Standard deduction and adjustment for inflation Additional standard deduction of a dependent Itemized deductions versus standard deduction Basic and additional standard deductions Itemized deductions or standard deduction Itemized deductions or stan dard deduction Itemized deductions or standard deduction Standard deduction for resident alien Standard deduction requirements when married persons file separately Standard deduction: year of death Dependents standard deduction Dependents standard deduction Dependents standard deduction Dependents personal exemption not allowed Claiming a spouse on a separate return Determination of marital status Determination of marital status Gross income test and scholarships Support test and capital expenditures Support test and unexpended funds of dependent Multiple support agreement: amount of support rendered by dependent Divorce decree silent: custodial parent wins Relationship test for former in-laws and ex-wife 3-1 Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Modified Unchanged New Unchanged Unchanged New Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged New Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged New New Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged New New Unchanged 7 8 10 11 12 14 15 16 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 1 2 3 4 5 Edition Q/P in Prior Edition Question/ Problem 29 3-2 30 Question/ Problem 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 2009 Annual Edition/Test Bank Relationship test: ex-sister-in-law Unchanged Status: Present Edition Unchanged New Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged New New Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged New Modified Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Modified Modified Unchanged Modified Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged 30 Q/P in Prior Edition 31 33 34 35 36 37 Topic Qualifying child: age test and full-time tudent status Qualifying child: abode test Married child and joint return test Citizenship/residency test for dependents Citizenship/residency test for dependents Stealth taxes: nature of Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and elimination of the phaseout of exemptions Kiddie tax: earned income and support exception Kiddie tax: when not applicable Kiddie tax: how applied Kiddie tax: when parental election available; ch ild may be required to file Kiddie tax: unearned income requirement Kiddie tax: married filing jointly exception Requirements for fiscal year, timely filed return Surviving spouse status Surviving spouse status: year of death Marriage penalty: married persons filing separate returns Head of household status Head of household status Abandoned spouse status: contrast married filing separate Personal use losses versus personal use gains Long-term capital gain: lowest rate applicable Taxation of gain on collectibles Offsetting different-term capital losses to different term capital gains MULTIPLE CHOICE 40 41 42 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Itemized deductions Deductions for AGI AGI determination AGI determination AGI determination AGI determination Taxable income of a dependent Taxable income of a dependent Taxable income of a dependent Taxable income of a dependent Determination of exemptions Determination of exemptions Determination of exemptions Unc hanged Unchanged Unchanged New Unchanged New Unchanged New Modified New Modified New Modified 1 2 3 5 7 9 11 13 Tax Determination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions 14 15 Question/ Problem 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Topic Qualifying child: eligible parties Multiple support agreement Determination of exemptions Definition of a qualifying relative Exceptions to the kiddie tax Filing status for years after spouses death Widows filing status Filing status in selected situations Abandoned spouse filing status Filing status of nonqualifying abandoned spouse Loss on business and personal assets Taxation of different classes of capital gains Taxation of different classes of capital gains Capital loss limitation Netting of different-term losses and differentterm gains MATCHING 1-12 13-24 25-36 Characteristics of tax determination: personal and dependency exemptions, tax rates, filing status Characteristics of tax determination: personal and dependency exemptions, tax rates, filing status Dependency exemption categories: qualifying child and qualifying relative PROBLEMS 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Determining AGI Determining AGI Determining AGI Taxable income of a dependent Taxable income of a dependent Taxable income of a dependent Determination of exemptions Determination of taxable income Determination of taxable income and filing status Determination of taxable income and filing status Computation of capital gains and losses Taxation of capital gains and losses Taxation of capital gains and losses Taxation of capital gains and losses: treatment of net losses and carryover possibility Unchanged Unchanged New New Modified New Unchanged Modified New Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Determination of exemptions Definition of qualifying child Unchanged Unchanged Status: Present Edition Unchanged Unchanged New New New Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged N ew New New 3-3 14 15 Q/P in Prior Edition 16 17 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1-12 Unchanged 13-24 Unchanged 25-36 1 2 5 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 3-4 2009 Annual Edition/Test Bank Question/ Problem Topic ESSAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 Territorial versus global systems of income taxation Compared Treatment of scholarships for dependency exemption purposes Exceptions to the support test for dependency exemption purposes Effect of community property law on application of the gross income test to married dependents Exceptions to the gross income test for qualifying child purposes Qualifying child and tie-breaker rules Stealth tax: definition of Kiddie tax: exceptions to its application Filing status: comparison of the tax results of different types Filing status: situations which qualify and do not qualify for head of household Filing status: surviving spouse transition status Ramifications of the election to file a joint Federal income tax return with a nonresident alien Concentrating deduction s from AGI and claiming the standard deduction in alternate years Correlation between multiple support agreement and deduction for medical expenses Status: Present Edition Q/P in Prior Edition Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged New Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged Unchanged New Unchanged 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 9 Tax Determination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions TRUE/FALSE 1. Currently, the top Federal income tax rate in effect is the highest it has ever been. ANS: F The income tax rate in effect in 1944-1945 ranged from 23% to 94%. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-3 3-5 2.As used in the income tax formula, gross income would not include the receipt of a loan the taxpayer obtained from a bank. ANS: T Borrowing money does not result in gross income. PTS: 1 REF: Example 1 3. Kim, a resident of Korea, is a citizen of the U. S. Any income Kim receives from land he owns in Korea is not subject to the U. S. income tax. ANS: F Und er the global system of taxation followed by the U. S. , foreign-sourced income is subject to tax. Although Kim is not a resident, he is a citizen of the U. S. PTS: 1 REF: Global Tax Issues on p. 3-5. 4. An decrease in the amount of a taxpayers AGI can increase the amount of medical expenses allowed as a deduction.ANS: T More medical expenses can be deducted since the 7. 5% of AGI floor will be smaller. PTS: 1 REF: Example 4 5. Because only one taxpayer is involved in both cases, the standard deduction for a surviving spouse is the same amount as that for a married person filing a separate return. ANS: F The amount of the standard deduction for a surviving spouse is the same as for married persons filing jointlyor twice that of a married person filing separately. PTS: 1 REF: Table 3-1 6. The additional standard deduction for age and blindness is the same amount for single as for married taxpayers. ANS: F For 2008, compare $1,350 (single) with $1,050 (married).PTS: 1 REF: Table 3-2 3 -6 2009 Annual Edition/Test Bank 7. The basic and additional standard deductions are subject to an annual adjustment for inflation. ANS: T The inflation adjustment is made annually to both the basic standard deduction and the additional standard deduction. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-8 8. Tad claims his 70-year-old mother as a dependent. The mother may not claim an additional standard deduction for her age. ANS: F The mother can claim the additional standard deduction for her age. PTS: 1 REF: Example 9 9. In 2008, Sally is 72 and single. If she has itemized deductions of $6,000, she should claim the standard deduction alternative.ANS: T The standard deduction yields $6,800 ($5,450 + $1,350). PTS: 1 REF: Example 6 10. Leslie and Morgan are married and file a joint return. Both are over 65 years of age and Leslie is blind. Their standard deduction for 2008 is $13,000 ($10,900 + $1,050 + $1,050). ANS: F Their standard deduction is $14,050 ($10,900 + $1,050 + $1,050 + $1,050). PTS: 1 REF: Table 3- 1 | Table 3-2 11. Derek is a surviving spouse. If he has itemized deductions of $11,500 for 2008, Derek should not claim the standard deduction. ANS: T The standard deduction would only provide $10,900. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-8 | Table 3-1 12. Cameron and Carley are ages 70 and 69 and file a joint return. If they have itemized deductions of 13,300 for 2008, they should not claim the standard deduction. ANS: T The standard deduction provides only $13,000 ($10,900 + $1,050 + $1,050). PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-8 | Table 3-1 | Table 3-2 13. Claire, age 66, claims head of household filing status. If she has itemized deductions of $8,500 for 2008, she should not claim the standard deduction. ANS: F The standard deduction yields $9,350 ($8,000 + $1,350). PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-8 | Table 3-1 | Table 3-2 Tax Determination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions 14. Enrique is a citizen of Honduras and a resident of the U. S. If he files a U. S. income tax return, Enrique cannot c laim the standard deduction. ANS: F Either U. S. itizenship or residency will suffice in order to claim the standard deduction. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-9 3-7 15. Dan and Donna are husband and wife and file separate returns for the year. If Dan itemizes his deductions from AGI, Donna cannot claim the standard deduction. ANS: T If Dan itemizes, Donna must itemize. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-9 16. Logan, an 80-year-old widower, dies on January 2, 2008. Even though he lived for only two days, on his final income tax return for 2008, the full basic and additional standard deductions can be claimed. ANS: T No proration of the standard deduction is necessary in this case. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-9 17. Benjamin, age 16, is claimed as a dependent by his parents.During 2008, he earned $700 at a car wash. Benjamins standard deduction is $1,200 ($900 + $300). ANS: F His standard deduction is the greater of $900 or $1,000 ($700 + $300). PTS: 1 REF: Example 10 18. Debby, age 18, is claimed as a dependent by her mother. During 2008, she earned $1,100 in interest income on a savings account. Debbys standard deduction is $1,400 ($1,000 + $300). ANS: F Debbys standard deduction is the minimum allowed of $900. PTS: 1 REF: Example 8 19. Katrina, age 16, is claimed as a dependent by her parents. During 2008, she earned $5,200 as a checker at a grocery store. Her standard deduction is $5,500 ($5,200 earned income + $300).ANS: F Her standard deduction cannot exceed the regular standard deduction available to single persons (or $5,450 for 2008). PTS: 1 REF: Example 11 3-8 20. 2009 Annual Edition/Test Bank A dependent cannot claim a personal exemption on his or her own return. ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: Example 12 21. When separate income tax returns are filed by married taxpayers, one spouse cannot claim the other spouse as an exemption. ANS: F An exemption is allowed if the spouse has no gross income and is not claimed as a dependent by another. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-11 22. Butch and Minerva are divorced in December of 2008. Since they were not married at the end of the year, they are considered not married for 2008.ANS: T They must be married at the end of the year (unless one spouse dies) in order to be considered married. PTS: 1 REF: Table 3-3 23. For the year a spouse dies, the surviving spouse is considered married for the entire year for income tax purposes. ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: Table 3-3 24. In determining whether the support test is met for dependency exemption purposes, only the taxable portion of a scholarship is considered. ANS: F In applying the support test, all of the scholarship is disregarded. Scholarships are treated differently for purposes of the gross income test. PTS: 1 REF: Example 23 25. Scott buys his mother a sewing machine. For purposes of meeting the support test, Scott can count the cost of the sewing machine.ANS: T Capital expenditures can be considered in determining support. It is assumed that the sewing machine is largely for the mothers use. PTS: 1 REF: Example 26 2 6. If the individual does not spend funds that have been received from another source (e. g. , Social Security benefits), the unexpended amounts are not considered for purposes of the support test. ANS: T The funds are counted only if used for support purposes. PTS: 1 REF: Example 24 Tax Determination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions 3-9 27. Using borrowed funds from a mortgage on her home, Lisa provides 55% of her support, while her daughters furnished the rest.Lisa cannot be claimed as a dependent under a multiple support agreement. ANS: T The daughters do not provide more than half of their mothers support. In this situation, the mother is self-supporting. PTS: 1 REF: Example 25 28. Roy and Linda were divorced in 2007. The divorce decree awards custody of their children to Linda but is silent as to who is entitled to claim them as dependents. If Roy furnished more than half of their support, he can claim them as dependents. ANS: F Not unles s Linda consents. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-17 29. In 2008, Hal furnishes more than half of the support of his ex-wife and her father, neither of whom lives with him. The divorce occurred in 2007.Hal may claim the father-in-law but not the ex-wife as dependents. ANS: T The father-in-law meets the relationship test, but the ex-wife does not. However, except in the year of divorce, an ex-wife can be a dependent under the member of the household test. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-14 30. After her divorce, Hope continues to support her ex-husbands sister, Cindy, who does not live with her. Hope cannot claim Cindy as a dependent. ANS: F For purposes of the relationship test, divorce does not change in-law status. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-14 31. Darren, age 20 and not disabled, earns $4,500 during 2008. Darrens parents cannot claim him as a dependent unless he is a full-time student.ANS: T Being age 20, Darren cannot be a qualifying child unless he is a full-time student. As a qualifying child, he is exempt from the gross income test. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-12 32. Keith, age 17 and single, earns $3,800 during 2008. Keiths parents can claim him as a dependent even if he does not live with them. ANS: F Keith does not meet the definition of a qualifying child; so the gross income test does apply. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-12 | p. 3-14 3-10 2009 Annual Edition/Test Bank 33. Sarah furnishes more than 50% of the support of her son and daughter-in-law who live with her. If the son and daughter-in-law file a joint return, Sarah cannot claim them as dependents. ANS: F If certain conditions are satisfied (e. g. they did not have to file but did so to obtain a refund), the son and daughter-in-law can qualify as Sarahs dependents. PTS: 1 REF: Example 28 34. Hernando, a resident of California, supports his parents who are residents of Mexico but citizens of El Salvador. Hernando can claim his parents as dependents. ANS: T The parents are residents of Mexico. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-17 35. Carol lives in Michigan and supports her nephew who is a Canadian citizen that resides in Ontario, Canada. Carol may not claim her nephew as a dependent. ANS: F As a resident of Canada, Carols nephew meets the citizenship or residence test. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-17 36. Stealth taxes are directed at higher income taxpayers.ANS: T Such stealth taxes as the phaseout of exemptions do not begin until taxpayers reach significant income levels. PTS: 1 REF: Tax in the News on p. 3-20 37. The phaseout of the benefits of personal and dependency exemptions for certain taxpayers is scheduled to be eliminated. ANS: T But the rescission is not completed until 2010. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-18 38. The kiddie tax does not apply as to a child whose earned income is more than one-half of his or her support. ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-23 39. Once a child reaches age 19, the kiddie tax no longer applies. ANS: F The kiddie tax does apply if the child is a full-time student under age 24. PTS: 1 REF: p. -23 Tax Determination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions 3-11 40. When the kiddie tax applies and the parents file separate returns, the applicable parent (for determining the parental tax) is the one with the greater taxable income. ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-25 41. When the kiddie tax applies, the child need not file an income tax return as the childs income will be reported on the parents return. ANS: F The child need not file only if the parental election (if available) picks up all of the childs income. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-24 42. A child who has unearned income of $1,800 or less cannot be subject to the kiddie tax. ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-23 43. A child who is married cannot be subject to the kiddie tax.ANS: F Only if he or she files a joint return is such child exempt from the kiddie tax. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-23 44. An individual taxpayer uses a fiscal year February 1-January 31. The due date of this taxpayers Federal income tax return is June 15 of each tax year. ANS: F The tax return is due on or before the fifteenth day of the fourth month following the end of the fiscal year. Here, the due date is May 15. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-27 45. Surviving spouse filing status begins in the year in which the deceased spouse died. ANS: F Surviving spouse filing status begins in the year following the year of death. PTS: 1 REF: Example 38 46. In January 2008, Jakes wife dies and he does not remarry.For tax year 2008, Jake may not be able to use the filing status available to married persons filing joint returns. ANS: T If the executor of his wifes estate does not agree to filing a joint return, Jakes only option is to file using married, filing separate status. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-30 3-12 2009 Annual Edition/Test Bank 47. For tax purposes, married persons filing separate returns are treated the same as single taxpayers. ANS: F Single taxpayers can enjoy many tax benefits that are unavailable to married persons filing separatelye. g. , earned income credit, credit for child and dependent care expenses, deduction for interest paid on student loans. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-29 | p. 3-30 48.Katelyn is divorced and maintains a household in which she and her daughter, Crissa, live. Crissa, age 22, earns $11,000 during 2008 as a model. Katelyn qualifies for head of household filing status. ANS: F Crissa is not Katelyns dependent. She fails the age test for qualifying child purposes and the gross income test for the qualifying relative category. PTS: 1 REF: Example 41 49. Mike is divorced and maintains a home in which he and his dependent niece live. Mike qualifies for head of household filing status. ANS: T To be head of household, the dependent involved must meet the relationship test. Such is the case with a niece. PTS: 1 REF: Example 39 50.In terms of income tax consequences, abandoned spouses are treated the same way as married persons filing separate returns. ANS: F An abandoned spouse is treated as a single taxpayer. Consequently, an abandoned spouse qualifies for head of household filin g status. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-31 51. In 2008, Gordon sold his personal use automobile for a loss of $6,000. He also sold a personal stamp collection for a gain of $7,000. As a result of these sales, $7,000 is subject to income tax. ANS: T Gordon must recognize a capital gain of $7,000. The $6,000 loss on the sale of the personal use automobile is nondeductible. PTS: 1 REF: Example 43 52. In some cases, the tax on long-term capital gains can be as low as 0%.ANS: T If the taxpayers tax bracket is 15% (or less), the 0% rate applies. PTS: 1 REF: Example 46 Tax Determination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions 3-13 53. Gain on the sale of collectibles held for more than 12 months is subject to tax at a rate no higher than 28%. ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-33 54. For 2008, Stuart has a short-term capital loss, a collectible long-term capital gain, and a longterm capital gain from land held as investment. The short-term loss is first applied to the collectible capital gain. ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: Example 48 MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. Which, if any, of the following is a deduction from AGI? a. Alimony payments. b. Child support payments. c.Unreimbursed employee expenses. d. Loss on the sale of a personal automobile. e. None of the above. ANS: C Alimony payments (choice a. ) are deductions for AGI. Child support payments (choice b. ) and personal capital losses (choice d. ) are nondeductible items. PTS: 1 REF: Example 2 | Example 43 | Exhibit 3-3 2. Which, if any, of the following is a deduction for AGI? a. Alimony payments. b. Interest on home mortgage. c. Unreimbursed employee expenses. d. Charitable contributions. e. None of the above. ANS: A Except for alimony (choice a. ), all other items (choices b. , c. , and d. ) are deductions from AGI. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-6 | Exhibit 3-3 3.During 2008, Marie had the following transactions: Salary Bank loan (proceeds used to buy personal auto) Alimony received Child support received Inheritance from deceased aunt $40,000 10,000 6,000 12,000 50,000 3-14 Maries AGI is: a. $40,000. b. $46,000. c. $52,000. d. $96,000. e. None of the above. 2009 Annual Edition/Test Bank ANS: B $40,000 (salary) + $6,000 (alimony) = $46,000. The inheritance and child support are exclusions. Amounts borrowed are not income. PTS: 1 REF: Example 1 | Exhibit 3-1 4. During 2008, Sam had the following transactions: Salary Interest income on General Electric Corporation bonds Gift from parents Contribution to traditional IRA Lottery winnings Sams AGI is: a. $59,000. b. $61,000. c. $65,000. d. $85,000. e. None of the above.ANS: E $60,000 (salary) + $2,000 (interest on GE bonds) $5,000 (IRA contribution) + $3,000 (lottery winnings) = $60,000. The gift from his parents is a nontaxable exclusion. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-5 | Exhibit 3-1 | Exhibit 3-2 $60,000 2,000 24,000 5,000 3,000 5. During 2008, Colin had the following transactions: Salary Interest income on City of Denver bonds Damages for personal injury (car accident) Punitive damages (same car accident) Cash dividends from General Motors Corporation stock Colins AGI is: a. $74,000. b. $120,500. c. $124,000. d. $124,500. e. $224,000. ANS: C $70,000 (salary) + $50,000 (punitive damages) + $4,000 (cash dividends) = $124,000. The damages from personal injury and the municipal bond interest are nontaxable exclusions.PTS: 1 REF: Example 2 | Exhibit 3-1 | Exhibit 3-2 $ 70,000 500 100,000 50,000 4,000 Tax Determination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions 6. In 2008, Walter had the following transactions: Salary Capital loss from a stock investment Moving expense to change jobs Received repayment of $10,000 loan he made to his brother in 2004 (includes interest of $1,000) Property taxes on personal residence Walters AGI is: a. $67,000. b. $68,000. c. $69,000. d. $78,000. e. None of the above. $80,000 (4,000) (10,000) 11,000 2,000 3-15 ANS: B $80,000 (salary) $3,000 (allowable loss on stock investment) $10,000 (moving expenses ) + $1,000 (interest on loan) = $68,000.The unused loss of $1,000 from the stock investment sale can be carried over to 2009. The loan repayment of $10,000 is a return of capital and has no effect on gross income. Property taxes paid on a personal residence is a deduction from AGI and has no impact on the determination of AGI. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-5 | p. 3-34 | Exhibit 3-3 7. Monica, age 18, is claimed by her parents as a dependent. During 2008, she had interest income from a bank savings account of $1,000 and income from a part-time job of $4,500. Monicas taxable income is: a. $4,500 $4,800 = $0. b. $5,500 $5,350 = $150. c. $5,500 $4,800 = $700. d. $5,500 $900 $3,400 = $1,200. e. None of the above.ANS: C Monicas standard deduction is $4,500 (earned income) + $300 = $4,800. Thus, her taxable income is $700 ($5,500 $4,800). She is not eligible for a personal exemption. PTS: 1 REF: Example 10 8. Tony, age 15, is claimed as a dependent by his grandmother. During 2008, Tony had interest inc ome from General Motors Corporation bonds of $1,000 and earnings from a part-time job of $700. Tonys taxable income is: a. $0. b. $1,700 $700 $900 = $100. c. $1,700 $1,000 = $700. d. $1,700 $900 = $800. e. None of the above. ANS: C Tonys standard deduction of $1,000 ($700 + $300) partially offsets his gross income of $1,700, resulting in taxable income of $700. PTS: 1 REF: Example 10 3-16 2009 Annual Edition/Test Bank 9.Anna is a widow, age 74 and blind, who is claimed as a dependent by her son. During 2008, she received $4,800 in Social Security benefits, $1,200 in bank interest, and $1,800 in cash dividends from stocks. Annas taxable income for 2008 is: a. $3,000 $900 $2,700 = $0. b. $3,000 $2,600 = $400. c. $3,000 $900 $1,350 = $750. d. $7,800 $900 $2,700 = $4,200. e. None of the above. ANS: A Although Anna has no earned income, she is entitled to a minimum regular standard deduction of $900. She also is allowed additional standard deductions for age and blindness of $2,700 ($1,3 50 + $1,350). At this level of income, the Social Security benefits are a nontaxable exclusion.PTS: 1 REF: Example 9 | Exhibit 3-1 | Table 3-2 10. Grace, age 67 and single, is claimed as a dependent on her sons tax return. During 2008, she had interest income of $2,400 and $700 of earned income from baby sitting. Graces taxable income is: a. $150. b. $750. c. $850. d. $2,100. e. None of the above. ANS: B $3,100 gross income greater of $900 or ($700 earned income + $300) $1,350 (additional standard deduction for age 65 and older) = $750. She is not eligible for a personal exemption. PTS: 1 REF: Example 9 11. Troy and Edie are married and under 65 years of age. During 2008, they furnish more than half of the support of their 18-year old daughter, Jobeth, who lives with them.Jobeth earns $15,000 from a part-time job, most of which she sets aside for future college expenses. Troy and Edie also provide more than half of the support of Troys cousin who does not live with them. Edies fathe r, who died on January 3, 2008, at age 80, has for many years qualified as their dependent. How many personal and dependency exemptions should Troy and Edie claim? a. Two. b. Three. c. Four. d. Five. e. None of the above. ANS: C Four (Troy, Edie, Jobeth, and the father). Jobeth can be claimed because as a qualifying child she is not subject to the gross income test. Troys cousin does not meet the relationship test and is not a member of their household.It is assumed that Edies father, as was true in the past, qualified as a dependent up to the point of death. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-11 | p. 3-12 | p. 3-14 Tax Determination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions 3-17 12. Evan and Eileen Carter are husband and wife and file a joint return for 2008. Both are under 65 years of age. They provide more than half of the support of their daughter, Pamela (age 25), who is a full-time medical student. Pamela receives a $3,400 scholarship covering her room and board a t college. They furnish all of the support of Belinda (Evans grandmother), who is age 70 and lives in a nursing home.They also support Peggy (age 66), who is a friend of the family and lives with them. How many personal and dependency exemptions may the Carters claim? a. Two. b. Three. c. Four. d. Five. e. None of the above. ANS: D Five (Evan, Eileen, Pamela, Belinda, and Peggy). Personal exemptions for the Carters and dependency exemptions for the rest. Pamela is not a qualifying childalthough a full-time student, she is not under age 24. Pamela does meet the qualifying relative category even though the type of scholarship aid she receives is taxable (the gross income test is satisfied). Belinda is not a member of the household but satisfies the relationship test.Peggy does not satisfy the relationship test but is a member of the household. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-11 | p. 3-12 | p. 3-14 13. In which, if any, of the following situations may the individual not be claimed as a dependent of t he taxpayer? a. A former spouse who lives with the taxpayer (divorce took place this year). b. A stepmother who does not live with the taxpayer. c. A married daughter who lives with the taxpayer. d. A half brother who does not live with the taxpayer and is a citizen and resident of Canada. e. A cousin who lives with the taxpayer. ANS: A In the year of divorce, a former spouse cannot qualify under the member of the household test (choice a. ). The stepmother meets the relationship test (choice b. ).A married daughter can be claimed as long as she does not violate the joint return test (choice c. ). In the case of the half brother, Canada or Mexico can satisfy the residency test (choice d. ). A cousin does not satisfy the relationship test so must be a member of the household (choice e. ). PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-14 | p. 3-17 3-18 2009 Annual Edition/Test Bank 14. During 2008, Jen (age 66) furnished more than 50% of the support of the following persons: Jens current husband who has no income and is not claimed by someone else as a dependent. Jens stepson (age 18) who lives with her and earns $6,000 as a dance instructor. He dropped out of school a year ago.Jens ex-husband who does not live with her. The divorce occurred two years ago. Jens former brother-in-law who does not live with her. Presuming all other dependency tests are met, on a separate return how many personal and dependency exemptions may Jen claim? a. Two. b. Three. c. Four. d. Five. e. None of the above. ANS: C All of the persons listed except the ex-husband meet either the relationship or member of the household tests. The current husband qualifies as he has no income and is not claimed as a dependent by someone else. The stepson avoids the gross income limitation since he is a qualifying child under 19 years of age. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-11 | p. 3-12 | p. 3-14 15.A qualifying child cannot include: a. A nonresident alien. b. A married son who files a joint return. c. An uncle. d. A daughter who is away at co llege. e. A brother who is 28 years of age and disabled. ANS: C A qualifying child can be a nonresident alien under the adopted child exception (choice a. ). The filing of a joint return is not fatal if filing is not required and its purpose is to obtain a tax refund (choice b. ). An uncle does not meet the relationship test (choice c. ). A temporary absence is permissible under the domicile test (choice d. ). A brother meets the relationship test, and disability waives the age test (choice e. ). PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-12 | p. 3-17 16.Ellen, age 12, lives in the same household with her father, grandfather, and uncle. The cost of maintaining the household is provided by her grandfather (40%) and her uncle (60%). Disregarding tie-breaker rules, Ellen is a qualifying child as to: a. All parties involved (i. e. , father, grandfather, and uncle). b. Only her grandfather and uncle. c. Only her uncle. d. Only her father. e. None of the above. ANS: A Under the abode and relationship tests, Ellen is a qualifying child as to all parties. The amount of support provided by each person is not relevant. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-12 Tax Determination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions 17.Millie, age 80, is supported during the current year as follows: Weston (a son) Faith (a daughter) Jake (a cousin) Brayden (unrelated close family friend) Percent of Support 10% 35% 35% 20% 3-19 During the year, Millie lives with Brayden. Under a multiple support agreement, indicate which parties can qualify to claim Millie as a dependent. a. Weston, Faith, Jake, and Brayden. b. Faith and Brayden. c. Weston and Faith. d. Faith, Jake, and Brayden. e. None of the above. ANS: B Weston does not qualify because he does not contribute more than 10% of the support. (This eliminates choices a. and c. ) Jake does not qualify because he satisfies neither the relationship nor member of the household tests. (This eliminates choices a. and d. Brayden does not meet the relationship test, but he does satisfy the member of the household test. PTS: 1 REF: Example 27 18. The Hutters filed a joint return for 2008. They provide more than 50% of the support of Carla, Melvin, and Aaron. Carla (age 18) is a cousin and earns $4,000 from a part-time job. Melvin (age 25) is their son and is a full-time law student. He received from the university a $3,800 scholarship for tuition. Aaron is a brother who is a citizen of Israel but resides in Mexico. Carla and Melvin live with the Hutters. How many personal and dependency exemptions can the Hutters claim on their Federal income tax return? a. Two. b. Three. c.Four. d. Five. e. None of the above. ANS: C The Hutters can claim two personal exemptions and two dependency exemptions. Carla is not a qualifying child and is subject to the gross income test. Melvin is not a qualifying child due to age (not under 24) but is a qualifying relative. meets Melvin the gross income test since this type of scholarship is nontaxable. Aaron me ets the residency requirement. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-11 | p. 3-12 | p. 3-17 | Example 19 | Example 21 3-20 2009 Annual Edition/Test Bank 19. For the qualifying relative rule (for dependency exemption purposes): a. The dependent must be under age 19 or a full-time student under age 24. b.The dependent must reside with the taxpayer claiming the exemption. c. The dependent need not be related to the taxpayer claiming the exemption. d. The dependent must be a citizen or resident of the U. S. e. None of the above. ANS: C Choices a. and b. relate to the qualifying child rules. An unrelated person can qualify if a member of taxpayers household (choice c. ). A dependent can be a citizen or resident of Canada or Mexico (choice d. ). PTS: 1 REF: Concept Summary 3-1 20. For tax year 2008, an exception to the kiddie tax rules includes: a. A child who is a full-time student. b. A child who is married and files a joint return. c. A child who is 18 years old. d.A child whose unearned income is more tha n half of his or her support. e. None of the above. ANS: B Student status (choice a. ) is relevant only to include, in the application of the tax, those at least 19 but under age 24. Choice c. relates to pre-2008 rules. Choice d. would be an exception if the reference was to earned income (not unearned income). PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-23 21. Kyle, whose wife died in December 2005, filed a joint tax return for 2005. He did not remarry, but has continued to maintain his home in which his two dependent children live. What is Kyles filing status as to 2008? a. Head of household. b. Surviving spouse. c. Single. d. Married filing separately. e.None of the above. ANS: A Kyle, who filed a joint return in 2005, was entitled to file as a surviving spouse in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, he will be entitled to file as a head of household. PTS: 1 REF: Example 38 Tax Determination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions 3-21 22. Emily, whose husband died in December 2008, mai ntains a household in which her dependent daughter lives. Which (if any) of the following is her filing status for the tax year 2008? (Note: Emily is the executor of her husbands estate. ) a. Single. b. Married, filing separately. c. Surviving spouse. d. Head of household. e. Married, filing jointly.ANS: E As the executor, it is unlikely that she would refuse to consent to a joint return. Since she is deemed married in the year of her husbands death, she cannot file as single (choice a. ) or head of household (choice d. ). She does not qualify for surviving spouse status until the next year (i. e. , 2009). PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-30 23. Which of the following taxpayers may file as a head of household in 2008? Ron provides all the support for his mother, Betty, who lives by herself in an apartment in Fort Lauderdale. Ron pays the rent and other expenses for the apartment and properly claims his mother as a dependent. Tammy provides over one-half the support for her 18-year old brother, Dan. Dan earned $4,200 in 2008 working at a fast food restaurant and is saving his money to attend college in 2009. Dan lives in Tammys home. Joes wife left him late in December of 2007. No legal action was taken and Joe has not heard from her in 2008. Joe supported his 6-year-old son, who lived with him throughout 2008. a. Ron only. b. Tammy only. c. Joe only. d. Ron and Joe only. e. Ron, Tammy, and Joe. ANS: E Ron may file as a head of household. His mother is not required to live in his household in order for him to qualify as a head of household. Tammy can claim Dan as a dependent because Dan is a qualifying child and is not subject to the gross income requirement.Joe can file as a head of household under the abandoned spouse rules. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-30 | p. 3-31 3-22 2009 Annual Edition/Test Bank 24. Wilma is married to Herb, who abandoned her in 2006. She has not seen or communicated with him since June of that year. She maintains a household in which she and her two dependent child ren live. Which of the following statements about Wilmas filing status in 2008 is correct? a. Wilma can use the rates for single taxpayers. b. Wilma can file a joint return with Herb. c. Wilma can file as a surviving spouse. d. Wilma can file as a head of household. e. None of the above statements is appropriate. ANS: D Wilma meets the abandoned spouse rules.Therefore, she can file as a head of household. Otherwise, her filing status would be married, filing separately. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-31 25. Arnold is married to Sybil, who abandoned him in 2006. He has not seen or communicated with her since April of that year. He maintains a household in which their son, Evans, lives. Evans is age 25 and earns over $20,000 each year. For tax year 2008, Arnolds filing status is: a. Married, filing jointly. b. Married, filing separately. c. Head of household. d. Surviving spouse. e. Single. ANS: B Arnold cannot file jointly without Sybils consent (choice a. ). He is not an abandoned spouse since Ev ans is not a dependent child.Evans cannot be claimed as a qualifying child (age test) and is not a qualifying relative (gross income test). Because Arnold is still treated as being married, his only option is married, filing separately (choice b. ). PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-29 to 3-32 26. During the year, Kim sold the following assets: business auto for a $1,000 loss, stock investment for a $1,000 loss, and pleasure yacht for a $1,000 loss. Presuming adequate income, how much of these losses may Kim claim? a. $0. b. $1,000. c. $2,000. d. $3,000. e. None of the above. ANS: C The loss on the business auto of $1,000 is an ordinary loss, while the loss on the stock investment of $1,000 is a capital loss. The loss on the yacht of $1,000 is personal and, therefore, cannot be deducted.PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-33 | Example 43 | Example 44 Tax Determination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions 27. Perry is in the 33% tax bracket. During 2008, he had the following capital asset transactions: Gain from the sale of a stamp collection (held for 10 years) Gain from the sale of an investment in land (held for 4 years) Gain from the sale of stock investment (held for 8 months) Perrys tax consequences from these gains are as follows: a. (15% $10,000) + (28% $30,000) + (33% $4,000). b. (15% $30,000) + (33% $4,000). c. (5% $10,000) + (28% $30,000) + (33% $4,000). d. (15% $40,000) + (33% $4,000). e. None of the above. 30,000 10,000 4,000 3-23 ANS: A Collectibles are taxed at a maximum of 28%, while long-term capital gains are subject to a top rate of 15%. Short-term capital gains are treated the same as ordinary income. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-33 28. Kirby is in the 15% tax bracket and had the following capital asset transactions during 2008: Long-term gain from the sale of a coin collection Long-term gain from the sale of a land investment Short-term gain from the sale of a stock investment Kirbys tax consequences from these gains are as follows: a. (5% $10,000) + ( 15% $13,000). b. (0% $10,000) + (15% $13,000). c. (15% $13,000) + (28% $11,000). d. (15% $23,000). . None of the above. ANS: B Collectibles and short-term capital gains are taxed at Joans regular 15% tax bracket, while longterm capital gains are subject to a rate of 0% (5% prior to 2008). PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-33 $11,000 10,000 2,000 29. For the current year, David has salary income of $80,000 and the following property transactions: Stock investment sales Long-term capital gain Short-term capital loss Loss on sale of camper (purchased 4 years ago and used for family vacations) $ 9,000 (11,000) (2,000) 3-24 2009 Annual Edition/Test Bank What is Davids AGI for the current year? a. $76,000. b. $77,000. c. $78,000. d. $89,000. e. None of the above.ANS: C The loss from the sale of the camper is personal and, therefore, is not deductible. Netting the short-term capital loss of $11,000 against the long-term capital gain of $9,000 produces a net short-term capital loss of $2,000. Offsetting the capital loss against ordinary income yields AGI of $78,000 ($80,000 $2,000). PTS: 1 REF: Example 43 | Example 49 30. During 2008, Trevor has the following capital transactions: LTCG Long-term collectible gain STCG STCL $ 6,000 2,000 4,000 10,000 After the netting process, the following results: a. Long-term collectible gain of $2,000. b. LTCG of $6,000, Long-term collectible gain of $2,000, and a STCL of $6,000. c.LTCG of $6,000, Long-term collectible gain of $2,000, and a STCL carryover to 2009 of $3,000. d. LTCG of $2,000. e. None of the above. ANS: D First, the STCG and STCL are combined, resulting in a STCL of $6,000. Of this STCL, $2,000 is applied against the collectible gain of $2,000, and the $4,000 balance is applied against the LTCG of $6,000. The result is a LTCG of $2,000. PTS: 1 MATCHING Match the statements that relate to each other. Note: Choice L may be used more than once. a. Not available to 65-year old taxpayer who itemizes b. Exception for U. S. citizenship or r esidency test (for dependency exemption purposes) c. Largest basic standard deduction available to a dependent who has no earned income d.Not considered for dependency exemption purposes e. Qualifies for head of household filing status f. A child (age 15) who is a dependent and has only earned income. g. Not considered in applying support test (for dependency exemption purposes) h. Phaseout of personal and dependency exemptions i. Unmarried taxpayer who can use the same tax rates as married persons filing jointly j. Exception to the support test (for dependency exemption purposes) k. A child (age 16) who is a dependent and has net unearned income l. No correct match provided REF: Example 48 Tax Determination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.Abandoned spouse Stealth tax Additional standard deduction Scholarship funds Surviving spouse Marriage penalty Canada and Mexico Age of a qualifying relative $900 Kiddi e tax applies Kiddie tax does not apply Multiple support agreement 3-25 1. ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-31 NOT: An abandoned spouse qualifies for head of household filing status. 2. ANS: H PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-20 NOT: An example of a stealth tax is the phaseout of exemptions. Tax in the News on p. 3-20 3. ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-8 NOT: A taxpayer who itemizes (claims deductions from AGI) is not eligible for either the basic or additional standard deductions. 4. ANS: G PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-14 | p. -15 NOT: Scholarship funds are not considered when applying the support test. The taxable portion of scholarships are taken into account in applying the gross income test. 5. ANS: I PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-30 6. ANS: L PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-29 NOT: The traditional marriage penalty applied in some cases where married persons filed a joint return. 7. ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-17 NOT: Citizenship or residency in these countries will suffice. 8. ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-19 9. ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-10 NOT: This amount co uld be greater if earned income exists. 10. ANS: K PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-25 11. ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-23 NOT: The kiddie tax is inapplicable in situations where the child has no unearned income. 12. ANS: J PTS: 1 REF: p. -15 Match the statements that relate to each other. Note: Choice L may be used more than once. a. Available to a 70-year-old father claimed as a dependent by his son b. The highest income tax rate applicable to a taxpayer c. Equal to tax liability divided by taxable income d. Not eligible for the standard deduction e. No one qualified taxpayer meets the support test f. Taxpayers cousin does not qualify g. A dependent child (age 17) who has only unearned income h. Highest applicable rate is 35% i. Applicable rate could be as low as 0% j. Maximum rate is 28% k. Income from foreign sources not subject to tax l. No correct match provided 3-26 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 009 Annual Edition/Test Bank Multiple support agreement Kiddie tax not imposed Nonre sident alien Tax Rate Schedule Gain on collectibles (held more than one year) Marginal income tax rate Average income tax rate Additional standard deduction Relationship test (for dependency exemption purposes) Long-term capital gains Global system of taxation Territorial system of taxation 13. ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-15 NOT: A qualified taxpayer is one who satisfies the more-than-10% contribution test and meets all of the other requirements for claiming a dependency exemption. 14. ANS: L PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-23 NOT: The kiddie tax can apply when the child has unearned income. 15. ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-9 16. ANS: H PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-21 17. ANS: J PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-33 18. ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-21 19. ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-21 20.ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Example 9 21. ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-14 NOT: A cousin can qualify as a dependent under the member of the household test but not under the relationship test. 22. ANS: I PTS: 1 REF: Example 46 23. ANS: L PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-5 NOT: Global Tax Iss ues on p. 3-5 24. ANS: K PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-5 NOT: Global Tax Issues on p. 3-5 Regarding dependency exemptions, classify each statement in one of the four categories: a. Could be a qualifying child. b. Could be a qualifying relative. c. Could be either a qualifying child or a qualifying relative. d. Could be neither a qualifying child nor a qualifying relative. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36.A son lives with taxpayer and is self-supporting A daughter who does not live with taxpayer A granddaughter, who lives with taxpayer, is 24 years old, and a full-time student An uncle who lives with taxpayer A nephew who lives with taxpayer A niece who does not live with taxpayer A half brother who lives with taxpayer A cousin who does not live with taxpayer A step daughter who lives with taxpayer A daughter-in-law who does not live with taxpayer A family friend who is supported by and lives with taxpayer An ex-husband (divorce occurred two years ago) who lives with taxpayer Tax De termination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. ANS: ANS: ANS: ANS: ANS: ANS: ANS: ANS: ANS: ANS: ANS: ANS: D B B B C B C D C B B B PTS: PTS: PTS: PTS: PTS: PTS: PTS: PTS: PTS: PTS: PTS: PTS: 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 REF: REF: REF: REF: REF: REF: REF: REF: REF: REF: REF: REF: p. 3-11 to 3-15 p. 3-11 to 3-15 p. 3-11 to 3-15 p. 3-11 to 3-15 p. 3-11 to 3-15 p. 3-11 to 3-15 p. 3-11 to 3-15 p. 3-11 to 3-15 p. 3-11 to 3-15 p. 3-11 to 3-15 p. 3-11 to 3-15 p. 3-11 to 3-15 3-27 PROBLEM 1.Eva had the following transactions during 2008: Salary Interest income on bonds Issued by City of Baltimore Issued by Dell Corporation Alimony received Child support received City and state income taxes paid Bank loan obtained to pay credit card debt What is Evas AGI for 2008? ANS: $86,000. $80,000 (salary) + $3,000 (interest on Dell Corporation bonds) + $3,000 (alimony received). Interest on the City of Baltimore bonds and t he child support payments are exclusions from gross income. The bank loan has no tax effect, as Eva is obligated to repay the amount borrowed. City and state income taxes are deductions from AGI. PTS: 1 REF: Example 1 | Example 2 | Exhibit 3-1 to 3-3 $80,000 $2,000 3,000 5,000 3,000 9,000 4,000 10,000 3-28 2009 Annual Edition/Test Bank 2.Scott had the following transactions for 2008: Salary Alimony paid Recovery from car accident Personal injury damages Punitive damages Gift from parents Property sales Loss on sale of sailboat (used for pleasure and owned 4 years) Gain on sale of GMC stock (held for 8 months as an investment) What is Scotts AGI for 2008? ANS: $164,000. $90,000 (salary) $6,000 (alimony paid) + $75,000 (punitive damage award) + $5,000 (short-term capital gain on the sale of stock investment). The personal injury recovery and the gift from Scotts parents are exclusions from gross income. The loss from the sale of the sailboat is personal and, therefore, nondeductible. The short-term capital gain on the sale of the GMC stock is taxed in full as ordinary income. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-6 | p. 3-33 | Exhibit 3-1 | Exhibit 3-2 | Example 43 $ 90,000 6,000 $50,000 75,000 125,000 24,000 ($ 3,000) 5,000 2,000 3.Kristen had the following transactions for 2008: Salary Moving expenses incurred to change jobs Inheritance received from deceased uncle Life insurance proceeds from policy on uncles life (Kristen was named the beneficiary) Cash prize from church raffle Payment of state income tax What is Kristens AGI for 2008? ANS: $76,000. $80,000 (salary) + $5,000 (raffle prize) $9,000 (moving expenses). The inheritance and life insurance proceeds are exclusions from gross income. The payment by Kristen of her state income tax is a deduction from AGI. Thus, it does not enter into the determination of AGI. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-5 | Exhibits 3-1 to 3-3 $ 80,000 9,000 400,000 100,000 5,000 4,000 4. Warren, age 17, is claimed as a dependent by his father. In 2008, Warren has d ividend income of $1,500 and earns $400 from a part-time job. . b. What is Warrens taxable income for 2008? Suppose Warren earned $1,200 (not $400) from the part-time job. What is Warrens taxable income for 2008? Tax Determination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions 3-29 ANS: a. $1,000. Warrens standard deduction is the greater of $400 (earned income) + $300 or $900. Thus, $1,500 + $400 $900 = $1,000 taxable income. b. $1,200. Warrens standard deduction now becomes $1,500 ($1,200 + $300). Thus, $1,500 + $1,200 $1,500 = $1,200 taxable income. REF: Example 8 | Example 10 PTS: 1 5. Allison, age 22, is a full-time law student and is claimed by her parents as a dependent.During 2008, she received $1,300 interest income from a bank savings account and $5,300 from a parttime job. What is Allisons taxable income for 2008? ANS: $1,150. Allisons standard deduction is the greater of $5,300 (earned income) + $300 or $900. But the $5,600 is limited to $5,450 (the standard deduction allowed a single person). Thus, $1,300 + $5,300 $5,450 = $1,150 taxable income. PTS: 1 REF: Example 11 6. Heloise, age 74 and a widow, is claimed as a dependent by her daughter. For 2008, she had income as follows: $2,500 interest on municipal bonds; $3,200 Social Security benefits; $3,000 income from a part-time job; and $2,800 dividends on stock investments.What is Heloises taxable income for 2008? ANS: $1,150. $3,000 (income from job) + $2,800 (dividends) $3,300 (basic standard deduction is $3,000 + $300) $1,350 (additional standard deduction for age) = $1,150. The Social Security benefits of $3,200 and the interest on municipal bonds of $2,500 are not taxable. PTS: 1 REF: Table 3-1 | Example 9 7. Pablo is married to Elena, who lives with him. Both are U. S. citizens and residents of Kansas. Pablo furnishes all of the support of his parents, who are citizens of Nicaragua and residents of Mexico. He also furnishes all of the support of Elenas parents, who a re citizens and residents of Nicaragua. Elena has no gross income for the year.If Pablo files as a married person filing separately, how many personal and dependency exemptions can he claim on his return? ANS: Four. A personal exemption for Pablo and Elena and dependency exemptions for Pablos parents. Elena can be claimed because she has no income. Presumably she is not being claimed as a dependent by another. Although Pablos parents are neither U. S. citizens nor residents, they are residents of Mexico. Elenas parents meet neither the citizenship nor residency tests. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-10 | p. 3-17 3-30 2009 Annual Edition/Test Bank 8. Homer (age 68) and his wife Jean (age 70) file a joint return. They furnish all of the support of Luther (Homers 90-year old father), who lives with them.For 2008, they received $6,000 of interest income on city of Chicago bonds and interest income on corporate bonds of $48,000. Compute Homer and Jeans taxable income for 2008. ANS: $24,500. Their gross income is $48,000 since the $6,000 interest on municipal bonds is an exclusion. They are entitled to a basic standard deduction of $10,900 and additional standard deductions of $1,050 each for being age 65 or older. They can claim a dependency exemption of $3,500 for Luther and two personal exemptions for themselves. Thus, $48,000 $10,900 $2,100 (2 $1,050) $10,500 (3 $3,500) = $24,500. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-10 | p. 3-13 | Exhibit 3-1 | Table 3-1 | Table 3-2 9.Ellen, age 39 and single, furnishes more than 50% of the support of her parents, who do not live with her. Ellen practices as a self-employed interior decorator and has gross income in 2008 of $120,000. Her deductions are as follows: $30,000 business and $7,900 itemized. a. b. What is Ellens taxable income for 2008? Can Ellen qualify for head of household filing status? Explain. ANS: a. $71,500. $120,000 (gross income) – $30,000 (business deductions for AGI) = $90,000 (AGI) $8,000 (standard deduction) $3,500 (personal exempt ion) $7,000 (dependency exemptions for parents) = $71,500 taxable income. The answer presumes that the parents meet the other dependency exemption tests (e. g. , gross income) besides support. b.Ellen can qualify for head of household filing status if she furnishes more than half of the cost of maintaining her parents household. Also, at least one of Ellens parents must qualify as her dependent (see part a. above). REF: p. 3-5 | p. 3-10 | p. 3-13 | Table 3-1 | Example 42 PTS: 1 10. Ashley earns a salary of $35,000, has capital gains of $4,000, and interest income of $3,000 in 2008. Her husband died in 2007. Ashley has a dependent son, Tyrone, who is age 8. Her itemized deductions are $8,000. a. b. Calculate Ashleys taxable income for 2008. What is her filing status? $35,000 4,000 3,000 $42,000 (10,900) (7,000) $24,100 ANS: a. Salary Capital gains Interest AGI Less: Standard deduction Less: Personal exemption and dependency deduction ($3,500 2) Taxable income b.Ashley satisfies the r equirements for a surviving spouse. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-10 | p. 3-30 | Table 3-1 | Figure 3-1 11. During the year, Keith has the following transactions: Tax Determination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions Loss from the sale of a business computer Loss from the sale of a personal use auto Long-term loss from the sale of land held for investment Short-term gain from the sale of a stock investment How are these transactions handled for income tax purposes? 3-31 $3,500 1,500 5,000 1,000 ANS: $3,500 ordinary loss and $3,000 capital loss deduction. The $1,000 unused capital loss can be carried over to the next year.The $1,500 loss from the sale of a personal use auto is not allowed. PTS: 1 REF: Example 44 | Example 49 12. During 2008, Dena has the following gains and losses: LTCG LTCL STCG STCL a. b. How much is Denas tax liability if she is in the 15% tax bracket? If her tax bracket is 33% (not 15%)? $4,000 1,000 500 3,000 ANS: a. $0. After the initial netting process, there is a LTCG of $3,000, and a STCL of $2,500. The $2,500 of STCL is applied to the LTCG of $3,000. The final result is a net LTCG of $500 taxed at 0% for a tax liability of $0. b. $75. See part a. for the netting process. Now the $500 is taxed at 15% for a tax liability of $75. REF: Example 46 | Example 47 PTS: 1 13.During 2008, Marlo had the following capital gains and losses: Gain from the sale of coin collection (held three years) Gain from the sale of land held as an investment for six years Gain from the sale of stock held as an investment (held for 10 months) a. b. How much is Marlos tax liability if he is in the 15% tax bracket? If his tax bracket is 33% (not 15%)? $5,000 4,000 1,000 ANS: a. $1,100. Gain of $5,000 on the sale of the coin collection is taxed at 15% (lesser of 28% or 15%). The same is true for the short-term gain of $1,000. The gain of $4,000 on the sale of the land is taxed at 0%. Thus, (15% $6,000) + (0% $4,000) = $900. b. $2,330. (33% $1 ,000) + (28% $5,000) + (15% $4,000) = $2,330. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-33 | Example 46 | Example 47 14.During 2008, Blaine has salary income of $100,000 and the following capital transactions: 3-32 2009 Annual Edition/Test Bank LTCG LTCL STCL $10,000 (14,000) (3,000) How are these transactions handled for income tax purposes in 2008 and, if applicable, in future years? ANS: First, netting the long-term transactions yields a net long-term capital loss of $4,000 [$10,000 (gain) $14,000 (loss)]. Second, apply the $3,000 short-term capital loss against ordinary income. Third, carry the unused $4,000 net long-term capital loss over to 2009. PTS: 1 ESSAY 1. Mr. Lee is a citizen and resident of Hong Kong, while Mr. Anderson is a citizen and resident of the U. S. In the taxation of income, Hong Kong uses a territorial approach, while the U. S. follows the global system. In terms of effect, explain what this means to Mr. Lee and Mr. Anderson. ANS: Mr.Lee is taxed only on the income he receives from Hong Kong, while Mr. Anderson is taxed on his global income. Under the U. S. approach, a citizen or resident is taxed on a worldwide basis. Since the U. S. system could lead to the same income being taxed twice, various relief provisions are necessitated (e. g. , foreign tax credit). PTS: 1 REF: Global Tax Issues on p. 3-5 REF: Example 49 2. In satisfying the support test and the gross income test for claiming a dependency exemption, a scholarship received by the person being claimed is handled the same way for each test. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why? ANS: Disagree. For purposes of the support test, all of the scholarship is disregarded.For purposes of the gross income test, only the taxable part is considered (i. e. , the nontaxable part is disregarded). PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-12 | p. 3-14 Tax Determination; Personal and Dependency Exemptions An Overivew of Property Transactions 3-33 3. In order to claim a dependency exemption for other than a qualifying child, a tax payer must meet the support test. Generally, this is done by furnishing more than 50% of a dependents support. What exceptions exist, if any, where the support furnished need not be more than 50%? ANS: One exception involves the multiple support agreement. Here, family members collectively furnish more than 50% of the support, but no one person does so.For those qualified individuals who contribute more than 10%, the group can designate which person may claim the dependency exemption. The second exception involves the divorced parents of children. The custodial parent is entitled to the dependency exemptions for the children. If this parent agrees not to claim the exemption(s), then the noncustodial parent may do so. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-15 | p. 3-16 4. In applying the gross income test in the case of dependents that are married, could the application of community property laws have any effect? Explain. ANS: Most often, the application of community property laws will impact on the depen dency status of the spouse of a qualifying child.Suppose, for example, Roger maintains a household that includes his 18-year-old daughter, Alice, and her husband, Craig. Assume further that Alice earns $8,000 from a part-time job while Craig has no income. In a common law state, Craig meets the gross income test (i. e. , $0) while Alices gross income, as a qualifying child, is immaterial. In a community property state, however, Craig now violates the gross income test with $4,000 (50% $8,000) of income, while Alice remains immune. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-36 5. In meeting the criteria of a qualifying child for dependency exemption purposes, when if ever, might the childs income become relevant? ANS: The amount of income earned by the qualifying child normally is of no consequence.If, however, such income is used to make the child self-supporting, then he or she can no longer be a qualifying child. Such child also would not be a qualifying relative due to the gross income and support tests. PTS: 1 REF: p. 3-12 3-34 2009 Annual