TASC Reading Practice Test

Wu Mei

Our view of early history blends written records with legendary stories. Over the ages, documents are lost, tales are told, and new legends emerge. The story of Wu Mei is one such tale. Wu Mei grew up in China in the 1600s, training hard in martial arts in the Shaolin temple. Because of her dedication and skill, Mei eventually became one of the Five Elders of the temple, a guiding figure for others who trained there. Sadly, the temple was destroyed in a war during the Qing Dynasty. Mei escaped, however, and went on to develop a new form of martial arts that could be used by common people after only a short amount of training.

According to legend, Mei developed the new martial arts form after meeting a beautiful young girl who was being forced to marry a bandit. Mei trained the young girl to defend herself so she could not be forced to marry him. Because they had little time to train and because they needed to do it in secret, Mei created a style of martial arts that was useful to smaller or weaker fighters. This form of fighting became known as Wing Chun.

To further improve the fighting style, Mei drew inspiration from the movements of the animals she encountered in daily life. She especially favored the crane's graceful and stealthy motions. By basing her fighting style on animals that were common in all of China, Mei made her fighting technique easy to learn for the masses. Mei's fighting style remains in use even today. Mei's powerful martial arts skills and her understanding of others' struggles let her have a lasting impact in the martial arts world.

Wu Mei

Our view of early history blends written records with legendary stories. Over the ages, documents are lost, tales are told, and new legends emerge. The story of Wu Mei is one such tale. Wu Mei grew up in China in the 1600s, training hard in martial arts in the Shaolin temple. Because of her dedication and skill, Mei eventually became one of the Five Elders of the temple, a guiding figure for others who trained there. Sadly, the temple was destroyed in a war during the Qing Dynasty. Mei escaped, however, and went on to develop a new form of martial arts that could be used by common people after only a short amount of training.

According to legend, Mei developed the new martial arts form after meeting a beautiful young girl who was being forced to marry a bandit. Mei trained the young girl to defend herself so she could not be forced to marry him. Because they had little time to train and because they needed to do it in secret, Mei created a style of martial arts that was useful to smaller or weaker fighters. This form of fighting became known as Wing Chun.

To further improve the fighting style, Mei drew inspiration from the movements of the animals she encountered in daily life. She especially favored the crane's graceful and stealthy motions. By basing her fighting style on animals that were common in all of China, Mei made her fighting technique easy to learn for the masses. Mei's fighting style remains in use even today. Mei's powerful martial arts skills and her understanding of others' struggles let her have a lasting impact in the martial arts world.

Wu Mei

Our view of early history blends written records with legendary stories. Over the ages, documents are lost, tales are told, and new legends emerge. The story of Wu Mei is one such tale. Wu Mei grew up in China in the 1600s, training hard in martial arts in the Shaolin temple. Because of her dedication and skill, Mei eventually became one of the Five Elders of the temple, a guiding figure for others who trained there. Sadly, the temple was destroyed in a war during the Qing Dynasty. Mei escaped, however, and went on to develop a new form of martial arts that could be used by common people after only a short amount of training.

According to legend, Mei developed the new martial arts form after meeting a beautiful young girl who was being forced to marry a bandit. Mei trained the young girl to defend herself so she could not be forced to marry him. Because they had little time to train and because they needed to do it in secret, Mei created a style of martial arts that was useful to smaller or weaker fighters. This form of fighting became known as Wing Chun.

To further improve the fighting style, Mei drew inspiration from the movements of the animals she encountered in daily life. She especially favored the crane's graceful and stealthy motions. By basing her fighting style on animals that were common in all of China, Mei made her fighting technique easy to learn for the masses. Mei's fighting style remains in use even today. Mei's powerful martial arts skills and her understanding of others' struggles let her have a lasting impact in the martial arts world.

Wu Mei

Our view of early history blends written records with legendary stories. Over the ages, documents are lost, tales are told, and new legends emerge. The story of Wu Mei is one such tale. Wu Mei grew up in China in the 1600s, training hard in martial arts in the Shaolin temple. Because of her dedication and skill, Mei eventually became one of the Five Elders of the temple, a guiding figure for others who trained there. Sadly, the temple was destroyed in a war during the Qing Dynasty. Mei escaped, however, and went on to develop a new form of martial arts that could be used by common people after only a short amount of training.

According to legend, Mei developed the new martial arts form after meeting a beautiful young girl who was being forced to marry a bandit. Mei trained the young girl to defend herself so she could not be forced to marry him. Because they had little time to train and because they needed to do it in secret, Mei created a style of martial arts that was useful to smaller or weaker fighters. This form of fighting became known as Wing Chun.

To further improve the fighting style, Mei drew inspiration from the movements of the animals she encountered in daily life. She especially favored the crane's graceful and stealthy motions. By basing her fighting style on animals that were common in all of China, Mei made her fighting technique easy to learn for the masses. Mei's fighting style remains in use even today. Mei's powerful martial arts skills and her understanding of others' struggles let her have a lasting impact in the martial arts world.

Wu Mei

Our view of early history blends written records with legendary stories. Over the ages, documents are lost, tales are told, and new legends emerge. The story of Wu Mei is one such tale. Wu Mei grew up in China in the 1600s, training hard in martial arts in the Shaolin temple. Because of her dedication and skill, Mei eventually became one of the Five Elders of the temple, a guiding figure for others who trained there. Sadly, the temple was destroyed in a war during the Qing Dynasty. Mei escaped, however, and went on to develop a new form of martial arts that could be used by common people after only a short amount of training.

According to legend, Mei developed the new martial arts form after meeting a beautiful young girl who was being forced to marry a bandit. Mei trained the young girl to defend herself so she could not be forced to marry him. Because they had little time to train and because they needed to do it in secret, Mei created a style of martial arts that was useful to smaller or weaker fighters. This form of fighting became known as Wing Chun.

To further improve the fighting style, Mei drew inspiration from the movements of the animals she encountered in daily life. She especially favored the crane's graceful and stealthy motions. By basing her fighting style on animals that were common in all of China, Mei made her fighting technique easy to learn for the masses. Mei's fighting style remains in use even today. Mei's powerful martial arts skills and her understanding of others' struggles let her have a lasting impact in the martial arts world.

Differing Views
by Annalise Gulstad

Bubbles squeak out from beneath my feet,
My toes mingle with the mud,
The tiny creek babbles beside me.

Above my head a little brown wren chatters angrily down,
Her chirps of frustration do little along the lines of moving me along,
I breathe out and see her chirping as part of nature’s song.

Pondering her view of the forest creek as compared to mine I consider, What a great beast I must seem, tromping through the mud,
Unlike the deer each of my footfalls lands with a thud.

Meanwhile she flits around between the branches,
Silent but for her song which she raises in fear,
Snatching bugs between the rough bark.

What I had found to be a sweet reprieve,
She perceived as a dangerous siege.

Differing Views
by Annalise Gulstad

Bubbles squeak out from beneath my feet,
My toes mingle with the mud,
The tiny creek babbles beside me.

Above my head a little brown wren chatters angrily down,
Her chirps of frustration do little along the lines of moving me along,
I breathe out and see her chirping as part of nature’s song.

Pondering her view of the forest creek as compared to mine I consider, What a great beast I must seem, tromping through the mud,
Unlike the deer each of my footfalls lands with a thud.

Meanwhile she flits around between the branches,
Silent but for her song which she raises in fear,
Snatching bugs between the rough bark.

What I had found to be a sweet reprieve,
She perceived as a dangerous siege.

Differing Views
by Annalise Gulstad

Bubbles squeak out from beneath my feet,
My toes mingle with the mud,
The tiny creek babbles beside me.

Above my head a little brown wren chatters angrily down,
Her chirps of frustration do little along the lines of moving me along,
I breathe out and see her chirping as part of nature’s song.

Pondering her view of the forest creek as compared to mine I consider, What a great beast I must seem, tromping through the mud,
Unlike the deer each of my footfalls lands with a thud.

Meanwhile she flits around between the branches,
Silent but for her song which she raises in fear,
Snatching bugs between the rough bark.

What I had found to be a sweet reprieve,
She perceived as a dangerous siege.

Differing Views
by Annalise Gulstad

Bubbles squeak out from beneath my feet,
My toes mingle with the mud,
The tiny creek babbles beside me.

Above my head a little brown wren chatters angrily down,
Her chirps of frustration do little along the lines of moving me along,
I breathe out and see her chirping as part of nature’s song.

Pondering her view of the forest creek as compared to mine I consider, What a great beast I must seem, tromping through the mud,
Unlike the deer each of my footfalls lands with a thud.

Meanwhile she flits around between the branches,
Silent but for her song which she raises in fear,
Snatching bugs between the rough bark.

What I had found to be a sweet reprieve,
She perceived as a dangerous siege.

Differing Views
by Annalise Gulstad

Bubbles squeak out from beneath my feet,
My toes mingle with the mud,
The tiny creek babbles beside me.

Above my head a little brown wren chatters angrily down,
Her chirps of frustration do little along the lines of moving me along,
I breathe out and see her chirping as part of nature’s song.

Pondering her view of the forest creek as compared to mine I consider, What a great beast I must seem, tromping through the mud,
Unlike the deer each of my footfalls lands with a thud.

Meanwhile she flits around between the branches,
Silent but for her song which she raises in fear,
Snatching bugs between the rough bark.

What I had found to be a sweet reprieve,
She perceived as a dangerous siege.

Differing Views
by Annalise Gulstad

Bubbles squeak out from beneath my feet,
My toes mingle with the mud,
The tiny creek babbles beside me.

Above my head a little brown wren chatters angrily down,
Her chirps of frustration do little along the lines of moving me along,
I breathe out and see her chirping as part of nature’s song.

Pondering her view of the forest creek as compared to mine I consider, What a great beast I must seem, tromping through the mud,
Unlike the deer each of my footfalls lands with a thud.

Meanwhile she flits around between the branches,
Silent but for her song which she raises in fear,
Snatching bugs between the rough bark.

What I had found to be a sweet reprieve,
She perceived as a dangerous siege.

Passage 1

In 1995, environmentalist William Cronon wrote a condemnation of modern environmentalism. Cronon argued that his colleagues idealized the wilderness, forgetting that the wilderness is not a safe place for humans. Either we will tame it and make it no longer wilderness, or we will die within it. And while we are dreaming of the wilderness, we’re not coming up with sustainable ways to live symbiotically within our environment.

In many ways, things have gotten better in the past 25 years, but in many ways they haven’t. Cronon worried about idealism leading to apathy. One might argue that people aren’t as apathetic anymore. Instead of apathy, however, modern environmentalists are fighting willful ignorance. As long as environmentalists have to waste their time re-litigating scientifically-researched and supported facts, we will never be able to slow climate change. The greatest contributors to this willfully ignorant opposition to common sense, unsurprisingly, is the corporations and governments that gain the most from destructive practices. Individuals can recycle all they want, but until corporations take the lead, these individuals are throwing glasses of water at a wildfire.

Passage 2

The problem with environmentalists is that they cry wolf too often. Every five years or so, our globe is on the edge of a crisis. The polar ice caps are supposedly going to melt and destroy everything we hold dear. The hole in the ozone layer is going to give us all skin cancer. The pollution is going to suffocate us. But, you know what? We’re all still here. Every time some environmental “crisis” occurs, the world is suddenly going to end. And yet, the Earth is still spinning.

What are we supposed to do with these empty “warnings,” then? Environmentalists can’t believe that people challenge their claims of man-made climate change. But, we’ve lived through all of these empty claims, these warnings of doom come to naught. For every scientific study that these environmentalists taut as important and true, there are twenty such studies that have proven over time to be false. How, then, can we believe them when they say that climate change is man-made? Or even that climate change exists?

Passage 1

In 1995, environmentalist William Cronon wrote a condemnation of modern environmentalism. Cronon argued that his colleagues idealized the wilderness, forgetting that the wilderness is not a safe place for humans. Either we will tame it and make it no longer wilderness, or we will die within it. And while we are dreaming of the wilderness, we’re not coming up with sustainable ways to live symbiotically within our environment.

In many ways, things have gotten better in the past 25 years, but in many ways they haven’t. Cronon worried about idealism leading to apathy. One might argue that people aren’t as apathetic anymore. Instead of apathy, however, modern environmentalists are fighting willful ignorance. As long as environmentalists have to waste their time re-litigating scientifically-researched and supported facts, we will never be able to slow climate change. The greatest contributors to this willfully ignorant opposition to common sense, unsurprisingly, is the corporations and governments that gain the most from destructive practices. Individuals can recycle all they want, but until corporations take the lead, these individuals are throwing glasses of water at a wildfire.

Passage 2

The problem with environmentalists is that they cry wolf too often. Every five years or so, our globe is on the edge of a crisis. The polar ice caps are supposedly going to melt and destroy everything we hold dear. The hole in the ozone layer is going to give us all skin cancer. The pollution is going to suffocate us. But, you know what? We’re all still here. Every time some environmental “crisis” occurs, the world is suddenly going to end. And yet, the Earth is still spinning.

What are we supposed to do with these empty “warnings,” then? Environmentalists can’t believe that people challenge their claims of man-made climate change. But, we’ve lived through all of these empty claims, these warnings of doom come to naught. For every scientific study that these environmentalists taut as important and true, there are twenty such studies that have proven over time to be false. How, then, can we believe them when they say that climate change is man-made? Or even that climate change exists?

Passage 1

In 1995, environmentalist William Cronon wrote a condemnation of modern environmentalism. Cronon argued that his colleagues idealized the wilderness, forgetting that the wilderness is not a safe place for humans. Either we will tame it and make it no longer wilderness, or we will die within it. And while we are dreaming of the wilderness, we’re not coming up with sustainable ways to live symbiotically within our environment.

In many ways, things have gotten better in the past 25 years, but in many ways they haven’t. Cronon worried about idealism leading to apathy. One might argue that people aren’t as apathetic anymore. Instead of apathy, however, modern environmentalists are fighting willful ignorance. As long as environmentalists have to waste their time re-litigating scientifically-researched and supported facts, we will never be able to slow climate change. The greatest contributors to this willfully ignorant opposition to common sense, unsurprisingly, is the corporations and governments that gain the most from destructive practices. Individuals can recycle all they want, but until corporations take the lead, these individuals are throwing glasses of water at a wildfire.

Passage 2

The problem with environmentalists is that they cry wolf too often. Every five years or so, our globe is on the edge of a crisis. The polar ice caps are supposedly going to melt and destroy everything we hold dear. The hole in the ozone layer is going to give us all skin cancer. The pollution is going to suffocate us. But, you know what? We’re all still here. Every time some environmental “crisis” occurs, the world is suddenly going to end. And yet, the Earth is still spinning.

What are we supposed to do with these empty “warnings,” then? Environmentalists can’t believe that people challenge their claims of man-made climate change. But, we’ve lived through all of these empty claims, these warnings of doom come to naught. For every scientific study that these environmentalists taut as important and true, there are twenty such studies that have proven over time to be false. How, then, can we believe them when they say that climate change is man-made? Or even that climate change exists?

Passage 1

In 1995, environmentalist William Cronon wrote a condemnation of modern environmentalism. Cronon argued that his colleagues idealized the wilderness, forgetting that the wilderness is not a safe place for humans. Either we will tame it and make it no longer wilderness, or we will die within it. And while we are dreaming of the wilderness, we’re not coming up with sustainable ways to live symbiotically within our environment.

In many ways, things have gotten better in the past 25 years, but in many ways they haven’t. Cronon worried about idealism leading to apathy. One might argue that people aren’t as apathetic anymore. Instead of apathy, however, modern environmentalists are fighting willful ignorance. As long as environmentalists have to waste their time re-litigating scientifically-researched and supported facts, we will never be able to slow climate change. The greatest contributors to this willfully ignorant opposition to common sense, unsurprisingly, is the corporations and governments that gain the most from destructive practices. Individuals can recycle all they want, but until corporations take the lead, these individuals are throwing glasses of water at a wildfire.

Passage 2

The problem with environmentalists is that they cry wolf too often. Every five years or so, our globe is on the edge of a crisis. The polar ice caps are supposedly going to melt and destroy everything we hold dear. The hole in the ozone layer is going to give us all skin cancer. The pollution is going to suffocate us. But, you know what? We’re all still here. Every time some environmental “crisis” occurs, the world is suddenly going to end. And yet, the Earth is still spinning.

What are we supposed to do with these empty “warnings,” then? Environmentalists can’t believe that people challenge their claims of man-made climate change. But, we’ve lived through all of these empty claims, these warnings of doom come to naught. For every scientific study that these environmentalists taut as important and true, there are twenty such studies that have proven over time to be false. How, then, can we believe them when they say that climate change is man-made? Or even that climate change exists?

Violent Ways

(1) The modern world has a bit of an identity crisis when it comes to their love of sports. On one end of the spectrum, we worry about violence in sports. We’re concerned about head injuries in football. We worry that our children are focusing so early on one sport that they are causing their body harm. We argue that we need to make changes to our current systems to protect our athletes. At the same time, though, violent sports like mixed martial arts have never been more popular. How do we explain such a split personality in how we view athletes? Why are we worried about a quarterback getting hit too hard but cheering when a fighter lifelessly collapses to the mat like a dead tree?

(2) The answer to these questions is at the same time simple and complicated. The simple answer is that a sport like mixed martial arts is intended to be violent; the sport involves two people getting into a ring and fighting. Football, on the other hand, centers around moving a ball from one zone to the next. To argue that football is not about violence would be extremely naïve, though. That’s where the problem gets complicated. If we remove violence from football, what’s left?

(3) The more complicated and depressing reason why we can’t seem to figure out whether we want violence or not is because it plays to our human nature. The football arena is the new Colosseum, and the players are the new gladiators. One of the most powerful human instinct is the instinct of survival. Naturally, then, we are entertained when people are in peril because we are instinctively drawn to their fight for survival. This doesn’t make us evil; we don’t want to see people get hurt. We do, however, want to see people get hit.

(4) The problem is that there is no definitive solution to violence in sports. We want it and don’t want it at the same time. It seems our culture has decided to allow it in certain areas where we think it belongs, like mixed martial arts, but condemning it where we think it doesn’t, like football. Football fans worry about what’s going to happen to the sport in the next few years as reports of brain injuries continue to surface. Most likely, though, nothing will change. We will sit around our dinner table and argue that something needs to be done, then head to the Colosseum and cheer for every big hit.

The football arena is the new Colosseum, and the players are the new gladiators.

Violent Ways

(1) The modern world has a bit of an identity crisis when it comes to their love of sports. On one end of the spectrum, we worry about violence in sports. We’re concerned about head injuries in football. We worry that our children are focusing so early on one sport that they are causing their body harm. We argue that we need to make changes to our current systems to protect our athletes. At the same time, though, violent sports like mixed martial arts have never been more popular. How do we explain such a split personality in how we view athletes? Why are we worried about a quarterback getting hit too hard but cheering when a fighter lifelessly collapses to the mat like a dead tree?

(2) The answer to these questions is at the same time simple and complicated. The simple answer is that a sport like mixed martial arts is intended to be violent; the sport involves two people getting into a ring and fighting. Football, on the other hand, centers around moving a ball from one zone to the next. To argue that football is not about violence would be extremely naïve, though. That’s where the problem gets complicated. If we remove violence from football, what’s left?

(3) The more complicated and depressing reason why we can’t seem to figure out whether we want violence or not is because it plays to our human nature. The football arena is the new Colosseum, and the players are the new gladiators. One of the most powerful human instinct is the instinct of survival. Naturally, then, we are entertained when people are in peril because we are instinctively drawn to their fight for survival. This doesn’t make us evil; we don’t want to see people get hurt. We do, however, want to see people get hit.

(4) The problem is that there is no definitive solution to violence in sports. We want it and don’t want it at the same time. It seems our culture has decided to allow it in certain areas where we think it belongs, like mixed martial arts, but condemning it where we think it doesn’t, like football. Football fans worry about what’s going to happen to the sport in the next few years as reports of brain injuries continue to surface. Most likely, though, nothing will change. We will sit around our dinner table and argue that something needs to be done, then head to the Colosseum and cheer for every big hit.

Violent Ways

(1) The modern world has a bit of an identity crisis when it comes to their love of sports. On one end of the spectrum, we worry about violence in sports. We’re concerned about head injuries in football. We worry that our children are focusing so early on one sport that they are causing their body harm. We argue that we need to make changes to our current systems to protect our athletes. At the same time, though, violent sports like mixed martial arts have never been more popular. How do we explain such a split personality in how we view athletes? Why are we worried about a quarterback getting hit too hard but cheering when a fighter lifelessly collapses to the mat like a dead tree?

(2) The answer to these questions is at the same time simple and complicated. The simple answer is that a sport like mixed martial arts is intended to be violent; the sport involves two people getting into a ring and fighting. Football, on the other hand, centers around moving a ball from one zone to the next. To argue that football is not about violence would be extremely naïve, though. That’s where the problem gets complicated. If we remove violence from football, what’s left?

(3) The more complicated and depressing reason why we can’t seem to figure out whether we want violence or not is because it plays to our human nature. The football arena is the new Colosseum, and the players are the new gladiators. One of the most powerful human instinct is the instinct of survival. Naturally, then, we are entertained when people are in peril because we are instinctively drawn to their fight for survival. This doesn’t make us evil; we don’t want to see people get hurt. We do, however, want to see people get hit.

(4) The problem is that there is no definitive solution to violence in sports. We want it and don’t want it at the same time. It seems our culture has decided to allow it in certain areas where we think it belongs, like mixed martial arts, but condemning it where we think it doesn’t, like football. Football fans worry about what’s going to happen to the sport in the next few years as reports of brain injuries continue to surface. Most likely, though, nothing will change. We will sit around our dinner table and argue that something needs to be done, then head to the Colosseum and cheer for every big hit.

The modern world has a bit of an identity crisis when it comes to their love of sports.

Violent Ways

(1) The modern world has a bit of an identity crisis when it comes to their love of sports. On one end of the spectrum, we worry about violence in sports. We’re concerned about head injuries in football. We worry that our children are focusing so early on one sport that they are causing their body harm. We argue that we need to make changes to our current systems to protect our athletes. At the same time, though, violent sports like mixed martial arts have never been more popular. How do we explain such a split personality in how we view athletes? Why are we worried about a quarterback getting hit too hard but cheering when a fighter lifelessly collapses to the mat like a dead tree?

(2) The answer to these questions is at the same time simple and complicated. The simple answer is that a sport like mixed martial arts is intended to be violent; the sport involves two people getting into a ring and fighting. Football, on the other hand, centers around moving a ball from one zone to the next. To argue that football is not about violence would be extremely naïve, though. That’s where the problem gets complicated. If we remove violence from football, what’s left?

(3) The more complicated and depressing reason why we can’t seem to figure out whether we want violence or not is because it plays to our human nature. The football arena is the new Colosseum, and the players are the new gladiators. One of the most powerful human instinct is the instinct of survival. Naturally, then, we are entertained when people are in peril because we are instinctively drawn to their fight for survival. This doesn’t make us evil; we don’t want to see people get hurt. We do, however, want to see people get hit.

(4) The problem is that there is no definitive solution to violence in sports. We want it and don’t want it at the same time. It seems our culture has decided to allow it in certain areas where we think it belongs, like mixed martial arts, but condemning it where we think it doesn’t, like football. Football fans worry about what’s going to happen to the sport in the next few years as reports of brain injuries continue to surface. Most likely, though, nothing will change. We will sit around our dinner table and argue that something needs to be done, then head to the Colosseum and cheer for every big hit.

Violent Ways

(1) The modern world has a bit of an identity crisis when it comes to their love of sports. On one end of the spectrum, we worry about violence in sports. We’re concerned about head injuries in football. We worry that our children are focusing so early on one sport that they are causing their body harm. We argue that we need to make changes to our current systems to protect our athletes. At the same time, though, violent sports like mixed martial arts have never been more popular. How do we explain such a split personality in how we view athletes? Why are we worried about a quarterback getting hit too hard but cheering when a fighter lifelessly collapses to the mat like a dead tree?

(2) The answer to these questions is at the same time simple and complicated. The simple answer is that a sport like mixed martial arts is intended to be violent; the sport involves two people getting into a ring and fighting. Football, on the other hand, centers around moving a ball from one zone to the next. To argue that football is not about violence would be extremely naïve, though. That’s where the problem gets complicated. If we remove violence from football, what’s left?

(3) The more complicated and depressing reason why we can’t seem to figure out whether we want violence or not is because it plays to our human nature. The football arena is the new Colosseum, and the players are the new gladiators. One of the most powerful human instinct is the instinct of survival. Naturally, then, we are entertained when people are in peril because we are instinctively drawn to their fight for survival. This doesn’t make us evil; we don’t want to see people get hurt. We do, however, want to see people get hit.

(4) The problem is that there is no definitive solution to violence in sports. We want it and don’t want it at the same time. It seems our culture has decided to allow it in certain areas where we think it belongs, like mixed martial arts, but condemning it where we think it doesn’t, like football. Football fans worry about what’s going to happen to the sport in the next few years as reports of brain injuries continue to surface. Most likely, though, nothing will change. We will sit around our dinner table and argue that something needs to be done, then head to the Colosseum and cheer for every big hit.

Violent Ways

(1) The modern world has a bit of an identity crisis when it comes to their love of sports. On one end of the spectrum, we worry about violence in sports. We’re concerned about head injuries in football. We worry that our children are focusing so early on one sport that they are causing their body harm. We argue that we need to make changes to our current systems to protect our athletes. At the same time, though, violent sports like mixed martial arts have never been more popular. How do we explain such a split personality in how we view athletes? Why are we worried about a quarterback getting hit too hard but cheering when a fighter lifelessly collapses to the mat like a dead tree?

(2) The answer to these questions is at the same time simple and complicated. The simple answer is that a sport like mixed martial arts is intended to be violent; the sport involves two people getting into a ring and fighting. Football, on the other hand, centers around moving a ball from one zone to the next. To argue that football is not about violence would be extremely naïve, though. That’s where the problem gets complicated. If we remove violence from football, what’s left?

(3) The more complicated and depressing reason why we can’t seem to figure out whether we want violence or not is because it plays to our human nature. The football arena is the new Colosseum, and the players are the new gladiators. One of the most powerful human instinct is the instinct of survival. Naturally, then, we are entertained when people are in peril because we are instinctively drawn to their fight for survival. This doesn’t make us evil; we don’t want to see people get hurt. We do, however, want to see people get hit.

(4) The problem is that there is no definitive solution to violence in sports. We want it and don’t want it at the same time. It seems our culture has decided to allow it in certain areas where we think it belongs, like mixed martial arts, but condemning it where we think it doesn’t, like football. Football fans worry about what’s going to happen to the sport in the next few years as reports of brain injuries continue to surface. Most likely, though, nothing will change. We will sit around our dinner table and argue that something needs to be done, then head to the Colosseum and cheer for every big hit.

Violent Ways

(1) The modern world has a bit of an identity crisis when it comes to their love of sports. On one end of the spectrum, we worry about violence in sports. We’re concerned about head injuries in football. We worry that our children are focusing so early on one sport that they are causing their body harm. We argue that we need to make changes to our current systems to protect our athletes. At the same time, though, violent sports like mixed martial arts have never been more popular. How do we explain such a split personality in how we view athletes? Why are we worried about a quarterback getting hit too hard but cheering when a fighter lifelessly collapses to the mat like a dead tree?

(2) The answer to these questions is at the same time simple and complicated. The simple answer is that a sport like mixed martial arts is intended to be violent; the sport involves two people getting into a ring and fighting. Football, on the other hand, centers around moving a ball from one zone to the next. To argue that football is not about violence would be extremely naïve, though. That’s where the problem gets complicated. If we remove violence from football, what’s left?

(3) The more complicated and depressing reason why we can’t seem to figure out whether we want violence or not is because it plays to our human nature. The football arena is the new Colosseum, and the players are the new gladiators. One of the most powerful human instinct is the instinct of survival. Naturally, then, we are entertained when people are in peril because we are instinctively drawn to their fight for survival. This doesn’t make us evil; we don’t want to see people get hurt. We do, however, want to see people get hit.

(4) The problem is that there is no definitive solution to violence in sports. We want it and don’t want it at the same time. It seems our culture has decided to allow it in certain areas where we think it belongs, like mixed martial arts, but condemning it where we think it doesn’t, like football. Football fans worry about what’s going to happen to the sport in the next few years as reports of brain injuries continue to surface. Most likely, though, nothing will change. We will sit around our dinner table and argue that something needs to be done, then head to the Colosseum and cheer for every big hit.

We will sit around our dinner table and argue that something needs to be done, then head to the Colosseum and cheer for every big hit.

Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy

So let us begin a new remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate. And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.

All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.

Now the trumpet summons us again; not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are; but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"—a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself. Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility; I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on Earth God's work must truly be our own.

Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy

So let us begin a new remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate. And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.

All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.

Now the trumpet summons us again; not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are; but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"—a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself. Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility; I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on Earth God's work must truly be our own.

Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy

So let us begin a new remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate. And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.

All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.

Now the trumpet summons us again; not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are; but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"—a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself. Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility; I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on Earth God's work must truly be our own.

Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy

So let us begin a new remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate. And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.

All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.

Now the trumpet summons us again; not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are; but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"—a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself. Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility; I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on Earth God's work must truly be our own.

Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy

So let us begin a new remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate. And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.

All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.

Now the trumpet summons us again; not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are; but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"—a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself. Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility; I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on Earth God's work must truly be our own.

Dolphin Communication

The study of cetacean intelligence has added to our understanding of dolphin behavior. Even though cetaceans—marine animals including dolphins, whales, and porpoises—are widely considered intelligent species, conclusions about the type and extent of dolphin intelligence have not yet been reached. However, there are several things that we do know about the ways in which dolphins communicate and behave in groups.

Researchers study the level of communication among dolphins because communication systems can offer insight into an animal’s intelligence. Dolphins produce two primary types of vocalizations called clicks and whistles. Dolphins generally use clicks for the purposes of echolocation and whistles for communication. Dolphins emit clicks as rapid broadband bursts that are sent out into their environment and then echo back, giving them information about their surroundings. Whistles differ from clicks by being sent out as narrow-band frequency modulated signals, which are for communications such as contact calls. Strong evidence supports the idea that dolphins use signature whistles to identify and call to each other.

One hypothesis called the “acoustic flashlight” hypothesis maintains that dolphins may be able to learn passively about their surroundings by listening in on the echolocative inspections of other dolphins. Scientists are researching this idea by looking at how dolphins participate in postural pointing, an activity that humans perform when they point a finger to direct another person towards an object or location.

Communication is also an important part of how dolphins behave in groups, which can range in size from a pair of dolphins to a pod of hundreds of individuals. Researchers have noticed that large packs rely on a highly organized method of communication when responding to predators, such as sharks. When a group of dolphins reacts to an unexpected disturbance, it will quickly move in near-unison to avoid the threat. In this way, dolphins rely on visual and auditory cues to communicate their location and to interpret the locations of others in the pod.

Dolphin Communication

The study of cetacean intelligence has added to our understanding of dolphin behavior. Even though cetaceans—marine animals including dolphins, whales, and porpoises—are widely considered intelligent species, conclusions about the type and extent of dolphin intelligence have not yet been reached. However, there are several things that we do know about the ways in which dolphins communicate and behave in groups.

Researchers study the level of communication among dolphins because communication systems can offer insight into an animal’s intelligence. Dolphins produce two primary types of vocalizations called clicks and whistles. Dolphins generally use clicks for the purposes of echolocation and whistles for communication. Dolphins emit clicks as rapid broadband bursts that are sent out into their environment and then echo back, giving them information about their surroundings. Whistles differ from clicks by being sent out as narrow-band frequency modulated signals, which are for communications such as contact calls. Strong evidence supports the idea that dolphins use signature whistles to identify and call to each other.

One hypothesis called the “acoustic flashlight” hypothesis maintains that dolphins may be able to learn passively about their surroundings by listening in on the echolocative inspections of other dolphins. Scientists are researching this idea by looking at how dolphins participate in postural pointing, an activity that humans perform when they point a finger to direct another person towards an object or location.

Communication is also an important part of how dolphins behave in groups, which can range in size from a pair of dolphins to a pod of hundreds of individuals. Researchers have noticed that large packs rely on a highly organized method of communication when responding to predators, such as sharks. When a group of dolphins reacts to an unexpected disturbance, it will quickly move in near-unison to avoid the threat. In this way, dolphins rely on visual and auditory cues to communicate their location and to interpret the locations of others in the pod.

Dolphin Communication

The study of cetacean intelligence has added to our understanding of dolphin behavior. Even though cetaceans—marine animals including dolphins, whales, and porpoises—are widely considered intelligent species, conclusions about the type and extent of dolphin intelligence have not yet been reached. However, there are several things that we do know about the ways in which dolphins communicate and behave in groups.

Researchers study the level of communication among dolphins because communication systems can offer insight into an animal’s intelligence. Dolphins produce two primary types of vocalizations called clicks and whistles. Dolphins generally use clicks for the purposes of echolocation and whistles for communication. Dolphins emit clicks as rapid broadband bursts that are sent out into their environment and then echo back, giving them information about their surroundings. Whistles differ from clicks by being sent out as narrow-band frequency modulated signals, which are for communications such as contact calls. Strong evidence supports the idea that dolphins use signature whistles to identify and call to each other.

One hypothesis called the “acoustic flashlight” hypothesis maintains that dolphins may be able to learn passively about their surroundings by listening in on the echolocative inspections of other dolphins. Scientists are researching this idea by looking at how dolphins participate in postural pointing, an activity that humans perform when they point a finger to direct another person towards an object or location.

Communication is also an important part of how dolphins behave in groups, which can range in size from a pair of dolphins to a pod of hundreds of individuals. Researchers have noticed that large packs rely on a highly organized method of communication when responding to predators, such as sharks. When a group of dolphins reacts to an unexpected disturbance, it will quickly move in near-unison to avoid the threat. In this way, dolphins rely on visual and auditory cues to communicate their location and to interpret the locations of others in the pod.

Dolphin Communication

The study of cetacean intelligence has added to our understanding of dolphin behavior. Even though cetaceans—marine animals including dolphins, whales, and porpoises—are widely considered intelligent species, conclusions about the type and extent of dolphin intelligence have not yet been reached. However, there are several things that we do know about the ways in which dolphins communicate and behave in groups.

Researchers study the level of communication among dolphins because communication systems can offer insight into an animal’s intelligence. Dolphins produce two primary types of vocalizations called clicks and whistles. Dolphins generally use clicks for the purposes of echolocation and whistles for communication. Dolphins emit clicks as rapid broadband bursts that are sent out into their environment and then echo back, giving them information about their surroundings. Whistles differ from clicks by being sent out as narrow-band frequency modulated signals, which are for communications such as contact calls. Strong evidence supports the idea that dolphins use signature whistles to identify and call to each other.

One hypothesis called the “acoustic flashlight” hypothesis maintains that dolphins may be able to learn passively about their surroundings by listening in on the echolocative inspections of other dolphins. Scientists are researching this idea by looking at how dolphins participate in postural pointing, an activity that humans perform when they point a finger to direct another person towards an object or location.

Communication is also an important part of how dolphins behave in groups, which can range in size from a pair of dolphins to a pod of hundreds of individuals. Researchers have noticed that large packs rely on a highly organized method of communication when responding to predators, such as sharks. When a group of dolphins reacts to an unexpected disturbance, it will quickly move in near-unison to avoid the threat. In this way, dolphins rely on visual and auditory cues to communicate their location and to interpret the locations of others in the pod.

Dolphin Communication

The study of cetacean intelligence has added to our understanding of dolphin behavior. Even though cetaceans—marine animals including dolphins, whales, and porpoises—are widely considered intelligent species, conclusions about the type and extent of dolphin intelligence have not yet been reached. However, there are several things that we do know about the ways in which dolphins communicate and behave in groups.

Researchers study the level of communication among dolphins because communication systems can offer insight into an animal’s intelligence. Dolphins produce two primary types of vocalizations called clicks and whistles. Dolphins generally use clicks for the purposes of echolocation and whistles for communication. Dolphins emit clicks as rapid broadband bursts that are sent out into their environment and then echo back, giving them information about their surroundings. Whistles differ from clicks by being sent out as narrow-band frequency modulated signals, which are for communications such as contact calls. Strong evidence supports the idea that dolphins use signature whistles to identify and call to each other.

One hypothesis called the “acoustic flashlight” hypothesis maintains that dolphins may be able to learn passively about their surroundings by listening in on the echolocative inspections of other dolphins. Scientists are researching this idea by looking at how dolphins participate in postural pointing, an activity that humans perform when they point a finger to direct another person towards an object or location.

Communication is also an important part of how dolphins behave in groups, which can range in size from a pair of dolphins to a pod of hundreds of individuals. Researchers have noticed that large packs rely on a highly organized method of communication when responding to predators, such as sharks. When a group of dolphins reacts to an unexpected disturbance, it will quickly move in near-unison to avoid the threat. In this way, dolphins rely on visual and auditory cues to communicate their location and to interpret the locations of others in the pod.

Dolphin Communication

The study of cetacean intelligence has added to our understanding of dolphin behavior. Even though cetaceans—marine animals including dolphins, whales, and porpoises—are widely considered intelligent species, conclusions about the type and extent of dolphin intelligence have not yet been reached. However, there are several things that we do know about the ways in which dolphins communicate and behave in groups.

Researchers study the level of communication among dolphins because communication systems can offer insight into an animal’s intelligence. Dolphins produce two primary types of vocalizations called clicks and whistles. Dolphins generally use clicks for the purposes of echolocation and whistles for communication. Dolphins emit clicks as rapid broadband bursts that are sent out into their environment and then echo back, giving them information about their surroundings. Whistles differ from clicks by being sent out as narrow-band frequency modulated signals, which are for communications such as contact calls. Strong evidence supports the idea that dolphins use signature whistles to identify and call to each other.

One hypothesis called the “acoustic flashlight” hypothesis maintains that dolphins may be able to learn passively about their surroundings by listening in on the echolocative inspections of other dolphins. Scientists are researching this idea by looking at how dolphins participate in postural pointing, an activity that humans perform when they point a finger to direct another person towards an object or location.

Communication is also an important part of how dolphins behave in groups, which can range in size from a pair of dolphins to a pod of hundreds of individuals. Researchers have noticed that large packs rely on a highly organized method of communication when responding to predators, such as sharks. When a group of dolphins reacts to an unexpected disturbance, it will quickly move in near-unison to avoid the threat. In this way, dolphins rely on visual and auditory cues to communicate their location and to interpret the locations of others in the pod.

The Most Dangerous Game

“Off there to the right—somewhere—is a large island,” said Whitney. “It's rather a mystery—”

“What island is it?” Rainsford asked.

“The old charts call it ‘Ship-Trap Island’,” Whitney replied. “A suggestive name, isn't it? Sailors have a curious dread of the place. I don't know why. Some superstition—”

“Can't see it,” remarked Rainsford, trying to peer through the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht.

“You've good eyes,” said Whitney, with a laugh, “and I've seen you pick off a moose moving in the brown fall bush at four hundred yards, but even you can't see four miles or so through a moonless Caribbean night.”

“Nor four yards,” admitted Rainsford. “Ugh! It's like moist black velvet.”

“It will be light enough in Rio,” promised Whitney. “We should make it in a few days. I hope the jaguar guns have come from Purdey's. We should have some good hunting up the Amazon. Great sport, hunting.”

“The best sport in the world,” agreed Rainsford.

“For the hunter,” amended Whitney. “Not for the jaguar.”

“Don't talk rot, Whitney," said Rainsford. “You're a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?”

“Perhaps the jaguar does,” observed Whitney.

“Bah! They've no understanding.”

“Even so, I rather think they understand one thing—fear. The fear of pain and the fear of death.”

“Nonsense,” laughed Rainsford. “This hot weather is making you soft, Whitney. Be a realist. The world is made up of two classes—the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters.”

The Most Dangerous Game

“Off there to the right—somewhere—is a large island,” said Whitney. “It's rather a mystery—”

“What island is it?” Rainsford asked.

“The old charts call it ‘Ship-Trap Island’,” Whitney replied. “A suggestive name, isn't it? Sailors have a curious dread of the place. I don't know why. Some superstition—”

“Can't see it,” remarked Rainsford, trying to peer through the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht.

“You've good eyes,” said Whitney, with a laugh, “and I've seen you pick off a moose moving in the brown fall bush at four hundred yards, but even you can't see four miles or so through a moonless Caribbean night.”

“Nor four yards,” admitted Rainsford. “Ugh! It's like moist black velvet.”

“It will be light enough in Rio,” promised Whitney. “We should make it in a few days. I hope the jaguar guns have come from Purdey's. We should have some good hunting up the Amazon. Great sport, hunting.”

“The best sport in the world,” agreed Rainsford.

“For the hunter,” amended Whitney. “Not for the jaguar.”

“Don't talk rot, Whitney," said Rainsford. “You're a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?”

“Perhaps the jaguar does,” observed Whitney.

“Bah! They've no understanding.”

“Even so, I rather think they understand one thing—fear. The fear of pain and the fear of death.”

“Nonsense,” laughed Rainsford. “This hot weather is making you soft, Whitney. Be a realist. The world is made up of two classes—the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters.”

“You've good eyes,” said Whitney, with a laugh, “and I've seen you pick off a moose moving in the brown fall bush at four hundred yards, but even you can't see four miles or so through a moonless Caribbean night.”

The Most Dangerous Game

“Off there to the right—somewhere—is a large island,” said Whitney. “It's rather a mystery—”

“What island is it?” Rainsford asked.

“The old charts call it ‘Ship-Trap Island’,” Whitney replied. “A suggestive name, isn't it? Sailors have a curious dread of the place. I don't know why. Some superstition—”

“Can't see it,” remarked Rainsford, trying to peer through the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht.

“You've good eyes,” said Whitney, with a laugh, “and I've seen you pick off a moose moving in the brown fall bush at four hundred yards, but even you can't see four miles or so through a moonless Caribbean night.”

“Nor four yards,” admitted Rainsford. “Ugh! It's like moist black velvet.”

“It will be light enough in Rio,” promised Whitney. “We should make it in a few days. I hope the jaguar guns have come from Purdey's. We should have some good hunting up the Amazon. Great sport, hunting.”

“The best sport in the world,” agreed Rainsford.

“For the hunter,” amended Whitney. “Not for the jaguar.”

“Don't talk rot, Whitney," said Rainsford. “You're a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?”

“Perhaps the jaguar does,” observed Whitney.

“Bah! They've no understanding.”

“Even so, I rather think they understand one thing—fear. The fear of pain and the fear of death.”

“Nonsense,” laughed Rainsford. “This hot weather is making you soft, Whitney. Be a realist. The world is made up of two classes—the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters.”

The Most Dangerous Game

“Off there to the right—somewhere—is a large island,” said Whitney. “It's rather a mystery—”

“What island is it?” Rainsford asked.

“The old charts call it ‘Ship-Trap Island’,” Whitney replied. “A suggestive name, isn't it? Sailors have a curious dread of the place. I don't know why. Some superstition—”

“Can't see it,” remarked Rainsford, trying to peer through the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht.

“You've good eyes,” said Whitney, with a laugh, “and I've seen you pick off a moose moving in the brown fall bush at four hundred yards, but even you can't see four miles or so through a moonless Caribbean night.”

“Nor four yards,” admitted Rainsford. “Ugh! It's like moist black velvet.”

“It will be light enough in Rio,” promised Whitney. “We should make it in a few days. I hope the jaguar guns have come from Purdey's. We should have some good hunting up the Amazon. Great sport, hunting.”

“The best sport in the world,” agreed Rainsford.

“For the hunter,” amended Whitney. “Not for the jaguar.”

“Don't talk rot, Whitney," said Rainsford. “You're a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?”

“Perhaps the jaguar does,” observed Whitney.

“Bah! They've no understanding.”

“Even so, I rather think they understand one thing—fear. The fear of pain and the fear of death.”

“Nonsense,” laughed Rainsford. “This hot weather is making you soft, Whitney. Be a realist. The world is made up of two classes—the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters.”

The Most Dangerous Game

“Off there to the right—somewhere—is a large island,” said Whitney. “It's rather a mystery—”

“What island is it?” Rainsford asked.

“The old charts call it ‘Ship-Trap Island’,” Whitney replied. “A suggestive name, isn't it? Sailors have a curious dread of the place. I don't know why. Some superstition—”

“Can't see it,” remarked Rainsford, trying to peer through the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht.

“You've good eyes,” said Whitney, with a laugh, “and I've seen you pick off a moose moving in the brown fall bush at four hundred yards, but even you can't see four miles or so through a moonless Caribbean night.”

“Nor four yards,” admitted Rainsford. “Ugh! It's like moist black velvet.”

“It will be light enough in Rio,” promised Whitney. “We should make it in a few days. I hope the jaguar guns have come from Purdey's. We should have some good hunting up the Amazon. Great sport, hunting.”

“The best sport in the world,” agreed Rainsford.

“For the hunter,” amended Whitney. “Not for the jaguar.”

“Don't talk rot, Whitney," said Rainsford. “You're a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?”

“Perhaps the jaguar does,” observed Whitney.

“Bah! They've no understanding.”

“Even so, I rather think they understand one thing—fear. The fear of pain and the fear of death.”

“Nonsense,” laughed Rainsford. “This hot weather is making you soft, Whitney. Be a realist. The world is made up of two classes—the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters.”

The Most Dangerous Game

“Off there to the right—somewhere—is a large island,” said Whitney. “It's rather a mystery—”

“What island is it?” Rainsford asked.

“The old charts call it ‘Ship-Trap Island’,” Whitney replied. “A suggestive name, isn't it? Sailors have a curious dread of the place. I don't know why. Some superstition—”

“Can't see it,” remarked Rainsford, trying to peer through the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht.

“You've good eyes,” said Whitney, with a laugh, “and I've seen you pick off a moose moving in the brown fall bush at four hundred yards, but even you can't see four miles or so through a moonless Caribbean night.”

“Nor four yards,” admitted Rainsford. “Ugh! It's like moist black velvet.”

“It will be light enough in Rio,” promised Whitney. “We should make it in a few days. I hope the jaguar guns have come from Purdey's. We should have some good hunting up the Amazon. Great sport, hunting.”

“The best sport in the world,” agreed Rainsford.

“For the hunter,” amended Whitney. “Not for the jaguar.”

“Don't talk rot, Whitney," said Rainsford. “You're a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?”

“Perhaps the jaguar does,” observed Whitney.

“Bah! They've no understanding.”

“Even so, I rather think they understand one thing—fear. The fear of pain and the fear of death.”

“Nonsense,” laughed Rainsford. “This hot weather is making you soft, Whitney. Be a realist. The world is made up of two classes—the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters.”

Recycling Programs

Whether it’s saving milk jugs, sorting newspapers neatly into a pile, or placing unnecessary office paper in a corner recycling bin, the American recycling experiment continues. Consider the set of recycling statistics, reflected in the bar chart. It compares American recycling rates for select materials (paper, glass, metals and plastics) over a fifty year time frame (1960–2010), using ten year intervals.

The large green bars on the graph show that between 1960 and 2010, paper recycling rates exceeded the recycling rates for the other materials. As the years pass, American recycling habits expanded, with beverage container recycling explaining much of the increase in glass, metals and plastics recycling in 1990. Starting in 1990, yard trimming recycling rates, not presented in the top bar chart, also occupied a larger portion of the average American’s recycling efforts. By 2010, Americans were recycling 57.5% of all their yard trimmings.

In many locations, changing technology and community practices contributed to recycling rate upward momentum over this same sixty year time frame. Reverse vending machines, invented during a 1990s recycling technology wave, now fill space in many retail locations around the country. State beverage container recycling laws and ease of use account for a portion of their long term success.

While circumstances exist where individuals might need a moment to stop and think through any particular recycling task, most modern recycling tasks, like using reverse vending machines, are quite simple, and accomplished by many individuals unreflective participation in organized beverage container recycling programs.

The 9,000 curbside recycling programs in existence between 1985 and 2005 also contributed to increased aggregate recycling rates. Curbside recycling schedules that run concurrent with local garbage collection schedules allow households to schedule garbage and recycling chores for the same day. All curbside recycling programs follow some general rules. Five of the most common are presented below.

• Follow Sorting Guidelines
• Keep Recycled Material Clean
• Know Your Recycling Bins
• Know Your Recycling Day
• In Doubt, Leave it Out

Creating a successful home, school, or work recycling program takes very little effort, while creating substantial environmental and economic benefits. Recycling practices easily blend into modern American life. Most successful recycling programs begin and end with locating their recycling corner. Strategically placing a recycling center in a corner of a high traffic location often works to attract individual attention along with providing a centralized waste removal location.

Recycling Programs

Whether it’s saving milk jugs, sorting newspapers neatly into a pile, or placing unnecessary office paper in a corner recycling bin, the American recycling experiment continues. Consider the set of recycling statistics, reflected in the bar chart. It compares American recycling rates for select materials (paper, glass, metals and plastics) over a fifty year time frame (1960–2010), using ten year intervals.

The large green bars on the graph show that between 1960 and 2010, paper recycling rates exceeded the recycling rates for the other materials. As the years pass, American recycling habits expanded, with beverage container recycling explaining much of the increase in glass, metals and plastics recycling in 1990. Starting in 1990, yard trimming recycling rates, not presented in the top bar chart, also occupied a larger portion of the average American’s recycling efforts. By 2010, Americans were recycling 57.5% of all their yard trimmings.

In many locations, changing technology and community practices contributed to recycling rate upward momentum over this same sixty year time frame. Reverse vending machines, invented during a 1990s recycling technology wave, now fill space in many retail locations around the country. State beverage container recycling laws and ease of use account for a portion of their long term success.

While circumstances exist where individuals might need a moment to stop and think through any particular recycling task, most modern recycling tasks, like using reverse vending machines, are quite simple, and accomplished by many individuals unreflective participation in organized beverage container recycling programs.

The 9,000 curbside recycling programs in existence between 1985 and 2005 also contributed to increased aggregate recycling rates. Curbside recycling schedules that run concurrent with local garbage collection schedules allow households to schedule garbage and recycling chores for the same day. All curbside recycling programs follow some general rules. Five of the most common are presented below.

• Follow Sorting Guidelines
• Keep Recycled Material Clean
• Know Your Recycling Bins
• Know Your Recycling Day
• In Doubt, Leave it Out

Creating a successful home, school, or work recycling program takes very little effort, while creating substantial environmental and economic benefits. Recycling practices easily blend into modern American life. Most successful recycling programs begin and end with locating their recycling corner. Strategically placing a recycling center in a corner of a high traffic location often works to attract individual attention along with providing a centralized waste removal location.

Recycling Programs

Whether it’s saving milk jugs, sorting newspapers neatly into a pile, or placing unnecessary office paper in a corner recycling bin, the American recycling experiment continues. Consider the set of recycling statistics, reflected in the bar chart. It compares American recycling rates for select materials (paper, glass, metals and plastics) over a fifty year time frame (1960–2010), using ten year intervals.

The large green bars on the graph show that between 1960 and 2010, paper recycling rates exceeded the recycling rates for the other materials. As the years pass, American recycling habits expanded, with beverage container recycling explaining much of the increase in glass, metals and plastics recycling in 1990. Starting in 1990, yard trimming recycling rates, not presented in the top bar chart, also occupied a larger portion of the average American’s recycling efforts. By 2010, Americans were recycling 57.5% of all their yard trimmings.

In many locations, changing technology and community practices contributed to recycling rate upward momentum over this same sixty year time frame. Reverse vending machines, invented during a 1990s recycling technology wave, now fill space in many retail locations around the country. State beverage container recycling laws and ease of use account for a portion of their long term success.

While circumstances exist where individuals might need a moment to stop and think through any particular recycling task, most modern recycling tasks, like using reverse vending machines, are quite simple, and accomplished by many individuals unreflective participation in organized beverage container recycling programs.

The 9,000 curbside recycling programs in existence between 1985 and 2005 also contributed to increased aggregate recycling rates. Curbside recycling schedules that run concurrent with local garbage collection schedules allow households to schedule garbage and recycling chores for the same day. All curbside recycling programs follow some general rules. Five of the most common are presented below.

• Follow Sorting Guidelines
• Keep Recycled Material Clean
• Know Your Recycling Bins
• Know Your Recycling Day
• In Doubt, Leave it Out

Creating a successful home, school, or work recycling program takes very little effort, while creating substantial environmental and economic benefits. Recycling practices easily blend into modern American life. Most successful recycling programs begin and end with locating their recycling corner. Strategically placing a recycling center in a corner of a high traffic location often works to attract individual attention along with providing a centralized waste removal location.

The 9,000 curbside recycling programs in existence between 1985 and 2005 also contributed to increased aggregate recycling rates.

Recycling Programs

Whether it’s saving milk jugs, sorting newspapers neatly into a pile, or placing unnecessary office paper in a corner recycling bin, the American recycling experiment continues. Consider the set of recycling statistics, reflected in the bar chart. It compares American recycling rates for select materials (paper, glass, metals and plastics) over a fifty year time frame (1960–2010), using ten year intervals.

The large green bars on the graph show that between 1960 and 2010, paper recycling rates exceeded the recycling rates for the other materials. As the years pass, American recycling habits expanded, with beverage container recycling explaining much of the increase in glass, metals and plastics recycling in 1990. Starting in 1990, yard trimming recycling rates, not presented in the top bar chart, also occupied a larger portion of the average American’s recycling efforts. By 2010, Americans were recycling 57.5% of all their yard trimmings.

In many locations, changing technology and community practices contributed to recycling rate upward momentum over this same sixty year time frame. Reverse vending machines, invented during a 1990s recycling technology wave, now fill space in many retail locations around the country. State beverage container recycling laws and ease of use account for a portion of their long term success.

While circumstances exist where individuals might need a moment to stop and think through any particular recycling task, most modern recycling tasks, like using reverse vending machines, are quite simple, and accomplished by many individuals unreflective participation in organized beverage container recycling programs.

The 9,000 curbside recycling programs in existence between 1985 and 2005 also contributed to increased aggregate recycling rates. Curbside recycling schedules that run concurrent with local garbage collection schedules allow households to schedule garbage and recycling chores for the same day. All curbside recycling programs follow some general rules. Five of the most common are presented below.

• Follow Sorting Guidelines
• Keep Recycled Material Clean
• Know Your Recycling Bins
• Know Your Recycling Day
• In Doubt, Leave it Out

Creating a successful home, school, or work recycling program takes very little effort, while creating substantial environmental and economic benefits. Recycling practices easily blend into modern American life. Most successful recycling programs begin and end with locating their recycling corner. Strategically placing a recycling center in a corner of a high traffic location often works to attract individual attention along with providing a centralized waste removal location.

Curbside recycling schedules that run concurrent with local garbage collection schedules allow households to schedule garbage and recycling chores for the same day.

Recycling Programs

Whether it’s saving milk jugs, sorting newspapers neatly into a pile, or placing unnecessary office paper in a corner recycling bin, the American recycling experiment continues. Consider the set of recycling statistics, reflected in the bar chart. It compares American recycling rates for select materials (paper, glass, metals and plastics) over a fifty year time frame (1960–2010), using ten year intervals.

The large green bars on the graph show that between 1960 and 2010, paper recycling rates exceeded the recycling rates for the other materials. As the years pass, American recycling habits expanded, with beverage container recycling explaining much of the increase in glass, metals and plastics recycling in 1990. Starting in 1990, yard trimming recycling rates, not presented in the top bar chart, also occupied a larger portion of the average American’s recycling efforts. By 2010, Americans were recycling 57.5% of all their yard trimmings.

In many locations, changing technology and community practices contributed to recycling rate upward momentum over this same sixty year time frame. Reverse vending machines, invented during a 1990s recycling technology wave, now fill space in many retail locations around the country. State beverage container recycling laws and ease of use account for a portion of their long term success.

While circumstances exist where individuals might need a moment to stop and think through any particular recycling task, most modern recycling tasks, like using reverse vending machines, are quite simple, and accomplished by many individuals unreflective participation in organized beverage container recycling programs.

The 9,000 curbside recycling programs in existence between 1985 and 2005 also contributed to increased aggregate recycling rates. Curbside recycling schedules that run concurrent with local garbage collection schedules allow households to schedule garbage and recycling chores for the same day. All curbside recycling programs follow some general rules. Five of the most common are presented below.

• Follow Sorting Guidelines
• Keep Recycled Material Clean
• Know Your Recycling Bins
• Know Your Recycling Day
• In Doubt, Leave it Out

Creating a successful home, school, or work recycling program takes very little effort, while creating substantial environmental and economic benefits. Recycling practices easily blend into modern American life. Most successful recycling programs begin and end with locating their recycling corner. Strategically placing a recycling center in a corner of a high traffic location often works to attract individual attention along with providing a centralized waste removal location.

The History of Girl Scout Cookies

For nearly 100 years, the Girl Scouts and their supporters have made their annual cookie sale into an iconic American tradition—and all while they learned valuable life lessons, made their communities better, and most of all: had fun.

Girl Scout Cookies began long ago in the kitchens of troop members, with moms volunteering to help advise. In 1917, only 5 years after the Girl Scouts of America was founded by Juliette Gordon Low, the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma began baking and selling cookies in their high school cafeteria as a service project. From these humble beginnings, a national fundraising phenomenon was born.

By 1922, the Girls Scouts of America were getting the word out about this amazing fundraiser. The American Girl magazine (published by GSA), featured an article by Florence E. Neill, a local director in Chicago, Illinois, which provided a cookie recipe complete with a sales plan. In 1933, the Greater Philadelphia Council began baking cookies and selling them in the city’s gas and electric company windows in 1933. Local Girl Scout troops raised money and developed marketing and business skills. By 1934, they became the first council to sell commercially baked cookies.

The Girl Scout Federation of Greater New York soon followed Philadelphia’s lead in 1935, but they added the words “Girl Scout Cookies” to their box. Within a year, the national Girl Scout organization had realized the potential shown in these cities, and began licensing the production of cookies to be sold nationwide. The national excitement for Girl Scout cookies built from there, and by 1951 Girl Scout cookies came in three varieties: Sandwich, Shortbread, and Chocolate Mints. By the 1970’s, the GSA was selling 8 different varieties of cookies.

In more recent years, the GSA has begun to focus more heavily on design, creating bold and bright boxes that captured the spirit of Girl Scouting. There are still 8 varieties of cookies, but now they’re kosher and, much to the excitement of our youngest Girl Scouts, Daisies started selling cookies!

For nearly 100 years, the Girl Scouts and their supporters have made their annual cookie sale into an iconic American tradition—and all while they learned valuable life lessons, made their communities better, and most of all: had fun.

The History of Girl Scout Cookies

For nearly 100 years, the Girl Scouts and their supporters have made their annual cookie sale into an iconic American tradition—and all while they learned valuable life lessons, made their communities better, and most of all: had fun.

Girl Scout Cookies began long ago in the kitchens of troop members, with moms volunteering to help advise. In 1917, only 5 years after the Girl Scouts of America was founded by Juliette Gordon Low, the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma began baking and selling cookies in their high school cafeteria as a service project. From these humble beginnings, a national fundraising phenomenon was born.

By 1922, the Girls Scouts of America were getting the word out about this amazing fundraiser. The American Girl magazine (published by GSA), featured an article by Florence E. Neill, a local director in Chicago, Illinois, which provided a cookie recipe complete with a sales plan. In 1933, the Greater Philadelphia Council began baking cookies and selling them in the city’s gas and electric company windows in 1933. Local Girl Scout troops raised money and developed marketing and business skills. By 1934, they became the first council to sell commercially baked cookies.

The Girl Scout Federation of Greater New York soon followed Philadelphia’s lead in 1935, but they added the words “Girl Scout Cookies” to their box. Within a year, the national Girl Scout organization had realized the potential shown in these cities, and began licensing the production of cookies to be sold nationwide. The national excitement for Girl Scout cookies built from there, and by 1951 Girl Scout cookies came in three varieties: Sandwich, Shortbread, and Chocolate Mints. By the 1970’s, the GSA was selling 8 different varieties of cookies.

In more recent years, the GSA has begun to focus more heavily on design, creating bold and bright boxes that captured the spirit of Girl Scouting. There are still 8 varieties of cookies, but now they’re kosher and, much to the excitement of our youngest Girl Scouts, Daisies started selling cookies!

The History of Girl Scout Cookies

For nearly 100 years, the Girl Scouts and their supporters have made their annual cookie sale into an iconic American tradition—and all while they learned valuable life lessons, made their communities better, and most of all: had fun.

Girl Scout Cookies began long ago in the kitchens of troop members, with moms volunteering to help advise. In 1917, only 5 years after the Girl Scouts of America was founded by Juliette Gordon Low, the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma began baking and selling cookies in their high school cafeteria as a service project. From these humble beginnings, a national fundraising phenomenon was born.

By 1922, the Girls Scouts of America were getting the word out about this amazing fundraiser. The American Girl magazine (published by GSA), featured an article by Florence E. Neill, a local director in Chicago, Illinois, which provided a cookie recipe complete with a sales plan. In 1933, the Greater Philadelphia Council began baking cookies and selling them in the city’s gas and electric company windows in 1933. Local Girl Scout troops raised money and developed marketing and business skills. By 1934, they became the first council to sell commercially baked cookies.

The Girl Scout Federation of Greater New York soon followed Philadelphia’s lead in 1935, but they added the words “Girl Scout Cookies” to their box. Within a year, the national Girl Scout organization had realized the potential shown in these cities, and began licensing the production of cookies to be sold nationwide. The national excitement for Girl Scout cookies built from there, and by 1951 Girl Scout cookies came in three varieties: Sandwich, Shortbread, and Chocolate Mints. By the 1970’s, the GSA was selling 8 different varieties of cookies.

In more recent years, the GSA has begun to focus more heavily on design, creating bold and bright boxes that captured the spirit of Girl Scouting. There are still 8 varieties of cookies, but now they’re kosher and, much to the excitement of our youngest Girl Scouts, Daisies started selling cookies!

The History of Girl Scout Cookies

For nearly 100 years, the Girl Scouts and their supporters have made their annual cookie sale into an iconic American tradition—and all while they learned valuable life lessons, made their communities better, and most of all: had fun.

Girl Scout Cookies began long ago in the kitchens of troop members, with moms volunteering to help advise. In 1917, only 5 years after the Girl Scouts of America was founded by Juliette Gordon Low, the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma began baking and selling cookies in their high school cafeteria as a service project. From these humble beginnings, a national fundraising phenomenon was born.

By 1922, the Girls Scouts of America were getting the word out about this amazing fundraiser. The American Girl magazine (published by GSA), featured an article by Florence E. Neill, a local director in Chicago, Illinois, which provided a cookie recipe complete with a sales plan. In 1933, the Greater Philadelphia Council began baking cookies and selling them in the city’s gas and electric company windows in 1933. Local Girl Scout troops raised money and developed marketing and business skills. By 1934, they became the first council to sell commercially baked cookies.

The Girl Scout Federation of Greater New York soon followed Philadelphia’s lead in 1935, but they added the words “Girl Scout Cookies” to their box. Within a year, the national Girl Scout organization had realized the potential shown in these cities, and began licensing the production of cookies to be sold nationwide. The national excitement for Girl Scout cookies built from there, and by 1951 Girl Scout cookies came in three varieties: Sandwich, Shortbread, and Chocolate Mints. By the 1970’s, the GSA was selling 8 different varieties of cookies.

In more recent years, the GSA has begun to focus more heavily on design, creating bold and bright boxes that captured the spirit of Girl Scouting. There are still 8 varieties of cookies, but now they’re kosher and, much to the excitement of our youngest Girl Scouts, Daisies started selling cookies!

The Girl Scout Federation of Greater New York soon followed Philadelphia’s lead in 1935, but they added the words “Girl Scout Cookies” to their box.

The History of Girl Scout Cookies

For nearly 100 years, the Girl Scouts and their supporters have made their annual cookie sale into an iconic American tradition—and all while they learned valuable life lessons, made their communities better, and most of all: had fun.

Girl Scout Cookies began long ago in the kitchens of troop members, with moms volunteering to help advise. In 1917, only 5 years after the Girl Scouts of America was founded by Juliette Gordon Low, the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma began baking and selling cookies in their high school cafeteria as a service project. From these humble beginnings, a national fundraising phenomenon was born.

By 1922, the Girls Scouts of America were getting the word out about this amazing fundraiser. The American Girl magazine (published by GSA), featured an article by Florence E. Neill, a local director in Chicago, Illinois, which provided a cookie recipe complete with a sales plan. In 1933, the Greater Philadelphia Council began baking cookies and selling them in the city’s gas and electric company windows in 1933. Local Girl Scout troops raised money and developed marketing and business skills. By 1934, they became the first council to sell commercially baked cookies.

The Girl Scout Federation of Greater New York soon followed Philadelphia’s lead in 1935, but they added the words “Girl Scout Cookies” to their box. Within a year, the national Girl Scout organization had realized the potential shown in these cities, and began licensing the production of cookies to be sold nationwide. The national excitement for Girl Scout cookies built from there, and by 1951 Girl Scout cookies came in three varieties: Sandwich, Shortbread, and Chocolate Mints. By the 1970’s, the GSA was selling 8 different varieties of cookies.

In more recent years, the GSA has begun to focus more heavily on design, creating bold and bright boxes that captured the spirit of Girl Scouting. There are still 8 varieties of cookies, but now they’re kosher and, much to the excitement of our youngest Girl Scouts, Daisies started selling cookies!

The History of Girl Scout Cookies

For nearly 100 years, the Girl Scouts and their supporters have made their annual cookie sale into an iconic American tradition—and all while they learned valuable life lessons, made their communities better, and most of all: had fun.

Girl Scout Cookies began long ago in the kitchens of troop members, with moms volunteering to help advise. In 1917, only 5 years after the Girl Scouts of America was founded by Juliette Gordon Low, the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma began baking and selling cookies in their high school cafeteria as a service project. From these humble beginnings, a national fundraising phenomenon was born.

By 1922, the Girls Scouts of America were getting the word out about this amazing fundraiser. The American Girl magazine (published by GSA), featured an article by Florence E. Neill, a local director in Chicago, Illinois, which provided a cookie recipe complete with a sales plan. In 1933, the Greater Philadelphia Council began baking cookies and selling them in the city’s gas and electric company windows in 1933. Local Girl Scout troops raised money and developed marketing and business skills. By 1934, they became the first council to sell commercially baked cookies.

The Girl Scout Federation of Greater New York soon followed Philadelphia’s lead in 1935, but they added the words “Girl Scout Cookies” to their box. Within a year, the national Girl Scout organization had realized the potential shown in these cities, and began licensing the production of cookies to be sold nationwide. The national excitement for Girl Scout cookies built from there, and by 1951 Girl Scout cookies came in three varieties: Sandwich, Shortbread, and Chocolate Mints. By the 1970’s, the GSA was selling 8 different varieties of cookies.

In more recent years, the GSA has begun to focus more heavily on design, creating bold and bright boxes that captured the spirit of Girl Scouting. There are still 8 varieties of cookies, but now they’re kosher and, much to the excitement of our youngest Girl Scouts, Daisies started selling cookies!

There are still 8 varieties of cookies, but now they’re kosher and, much to the excitement of our youngest Girl Scouts, Daisies started selling cookies!