"Captain Cousteau" - Paraphrasing

During the interview, Captain Jacques Cousteau admiringly talked about the Antarctic. He said that he was amazed at the important role the Antarctic plays for a control on human's climate system. The Antarctic's cold ocean water travels north to maintain a balanced temperature; it mixes with warm water in the tropics. In addition, the rising seawater of the Antarctic cool down both the surrounding atmosphere and water. Captain Cousteau then sadly continued on, saying that the current detrimental human activities are now ruining the delicate climate-control system of nature that has been automatically implemented for long.
Source from "Captain Cousteau," Audubon (May 1990):17.

"Reaching for the Sky" - Paraphrasing

For decades, technology and engineering in architecture have advanced exponentially, yielding countless colossal skyscrapers in the world. Currently, the tallest skyscraper is known as the Sears Tower. However, the designers are not satisfied enough with the tower; a vigorous global competition in producing the most prodigious building is motivating the architects to establish an even taller building. For example, Structural engineer William LeMessurier has designed an approximately 0.8km-high magnificent edifice, which is about twice the height of the Sears Tower. On the other hand, an architect Robert Sobel claims that the current skills in technology is able to produce a maximum 500-story skyscraper, and is probably aiming for the achievement. It is very interesting to watch the tenacious designers energetically moving forth with their intelligence. I wonder just where is the limit for a building; for architects, sky is the limit.
Source from Ron Bachman, "Reaching for the Sky." Dial (May 1990): 15.

College Application Essay - Final Draft

In my life, I have always shown great attitude but no aptitude in sports. However, my determined attitude later turned out to be people’s way of describing my character.

On a swimming competition day, the only available race for me to participate was 200m breaststrokes. I gasped – I was a bona fide beginner. Within a few minutes, I was standing on the diving board, ready to be sucked into the deep water. As I surreptitiously glanced at my sides, I recoiled at the sight of two, tall, buff age-champions stretching their arms. I immediately felt my body shrinking to make itself even smaller. However, I was already firmly resolved to attend and finish the race. Shutting my eyes tight, I leapt.

The next thing I knew was that my goggles had slipped down to my nose. Bewildered, I gulped down a mouthful of water, and scrambled my way up to the atmosphere. When I emerged above the surface, roaring laughter burst out from crowds. Embarrassed, I hastily pulled up my goggles and hysterically waved my arms and legs to catch up with the distant competitors.

The fiasco continued, and finally I was facing the last 50m of the race. When I heaved myself up, I caught a glimpse of the finished competitors. Quickly, I hid myself back in the water and kept going.

Why was I keep going? The result was obvious, an absolute failure. As the word ‘failure’ stabbed my heart, tears started welling up in my eyes and my arms slowed down. I wanted to give up and dash out of the pool. Nonetheless, coming first was not what I had aimed for in this race. My purpose had been finishing, not winning. The failure would make me lose, but could never stop me. I did not succumb to the stupid exhaustion or humiliation. I was going to finish the race.

I fiercely paddled my arms again, combating the agonizing pain in my body. Soon, I stretched my hand out for the tantalizing wall. A weak touch, and I was done. Puffing, I slowly lifted my head up and dragged myself out of the pool.

“Go Gina! You made it!”

My body was extremely fatigued, but I could clearly hear the people’s shouts. Then, the principal walked up to me patted me on the back. She exclaimed, “In my entire life I have never seen a student more determined than you!”

From then on, the word ‘determined’ always followed me around. I was not the best, but I always did my best to achieve my purposes.

Until now, I have begun and completed countless races not only in pool lanes but also in every aspect of my life. Still, I have no clue about my “final race” – the finale to my endeavor is not visible as the wall of the swimming pool had been. However, one thing remains clear. I will never give up until I reach the end, because that is my attitude, determined more than anyone.

College Application Essay - 2nd Draft

In my life, I have always shown great attitude but no aptitude in sports. However, the attitude later turned out to be people’s way of describing my character.

It was my 7^th grade swimming competition day, and the only spot available for me was in the 200m race. I gasped – I was a bona fide beginner. Nevertheless, within a few minutes, I was standing on the diving board, ready to be sucked into the deep water. As I surreptitiously glanced at my sides, I recoiled at the sight of two, tall, buff age-champions relaxing and stretching their arms. I immediately felt my body shrinking to make itself even smaller. Shutting my eyes tight, I leapt.

The next thing I knew was that my goggles had slipped down to my nose and icy water was biting at my naked eyes. Bewildered, I gulped down a mouthful of water, and scrambled my way up to the atmosphere. When I emerged above the surface, roaring laughter burst out from the crowd. Embarrassed, I hastily pulled up my goggles and hysterically waved my arms and legs to catch up with the distant competitors.

The chaotic period of fiasco continued, and finally I was facing the last 50m of the race. I heaved myself up and caught a glimpse of the already-finished competitors. Quickly, I hid myself back in the water and kept going. However, why was I keep going? This was an absolute failure. As the word ‘failure’ carved into my heart, tears started welling up in my eyes. However, it was when the failure became so manifest that my burning determination came alive.

The failure would make me lose, but could never stop me. I could never succumb to the stupid exhaustion or humiliation. Therefore, I was going to finish the race. Once again, I fiercely combated the agonizing pain in my body and stumbled my way through the pool. Soon, I stretched my hand out for the tantalizing wall. A gentle touch, and I was done. Puffing, I slowly lifted my head up and dragged myself out of the pool.

“Go Gina! You made it!”

My body was very weak and I could not walk straight, but I clearly heard the people’s shouts. Then, I the principal came to shake my wet hand. She exclaimed, “Whoa, Gina! In my entire life I have never seen a student more determined than you!”

From then on, the word ‘determined’ has always followed me around. I am not the best in anything, but I always do the best of my ability to achieve what I want.

Until now, I have begun and completed countless races not only in pool lanes but also in every aspect of my life. Still, I have no clue about my final race – the finale to my endeavor is not visible like the wall of the swimming pool. However, one thing remains clear. I will never give up until I reach there, because that is my attitude, determined more than anyone.

Migrant Mother - revised

 I want to weep, but no tears trickle down. I want to shout, but my mouth does not open. I want to stamp my feet and beat my chest, but all my energy is sapped out of body. The tears, screams, and tantrums of of the continuous depressing days remain stifled in me. What I can do is simply frown at the jet-black future. Without my husband, I have no one to rely on, and it is all my duty to care for the brittle lives of my innocent children. Today will be gone soon, thankfully without any fuss. However, what is going to happen tomorrow? I feel my heart tighten with nervousness. From trembling with constant tension, I know that on my forehead, my greasy hair is plastered down with sweat, and feint wrinkles are badly etched. In the olden days, I was a young, pretty girl with no greasy hair or wrinkles. However, now here I am sitting down as a weak old woman, looking for some kind of hope that I can depend on. Grimacing, I blankly scratch my weathered chin.

I feel chilly in my badly-worn, sooty clothes. I am desperate to get changed into new, clean, and warm clothes, but obviously I do not have any money. Sadly, I cuddle my baby with one arm so at least he would not feel the cold. My poor kids want to be cuddled too, and snuggle into me. Realizing that I have no strength to wrap my arms around them, they helplessly lean on my narrow shoulders. As I hear their weak complaints and pleas, my heart tells them that nothing is going to change, but my lips remain pursed. Should I keep moving to the South with these kids, seeking for food and shelter? Oh, I do not know. I do not want to take more risks, as that will cost more hunger and more pain, but never end this journey of Great Depression. I keep on blankly staring at the dark sky that is now gathering up ominous clouds. Soon, I see a streak of light making its way through the mass of clouds. Right now, all I can depend on as hope is that shimmering light.