How GPS Receivers Work

Cheng Yu

Grammar/Writing

10/26/10

How GPS Receivers Work

       Our ancestors had to do a lot to keep from getting lost in the past. They had to construct many monumental landmarks, detailed maps and learned to read the stars in the night sky. Things are becoming much easier today. People can get a small gadget that will tell exactly where you are on the Earth at any moment. As long as you have a GPS receiver and a clear view of the sky, you'll never get lost again. To understand how GPS receivers work, it is necessary to understand how the gadget is constructed and how it operates.

       The Global Positioning System (GPS) is actually a constellation of 27 Earth-orbiting satellites. The U.S. military first developed and implemented this satellite network as a military navigation system, but soon opened it up to everybody else. Each of these 27 satellites circles the Earth, making two complete rotations every day. The orbits are arranged so that at anytime, anywhere on Earth, there are at least four satellites "visible" in the sky.

       A GPS receiver's job is to locate four or more of these satellites, figure out the distanc­e to each, and use this information to calculate its own location. Then, the GPS receiver will match the data just calculated and the map data saved in the memory and show the user the exact location on the map.

       Some GPS receivers have the function of voice navigation. The voice is saved as sound files in the memory of GPS receivers. The receiver will automatically load up the sound files according to the movement and the destination that the user already set up to guide the user. If the user made a mistake in following the path that the GPS receiver had calculated, the smart gadget would provide the user with another new path according to the new calculation.

       All in all, we feel so much lucky than our ancestors in finding ways. Neither do we need to learn to read the stars, nor do we need to build the monumental landmarks. We can easily find where we are and where we are going to by simply click on the buttons of the smart gadget.

Four Skills in English Learning

Cheng Yu

Grammar/Writing

Oct. 22, 2010

Four Skills in English Learning

    English is the fourth most widely spoken language in the world, and it is the primary language used in international affairs. The English language has official status even in nations where it is not the primary spoken language. English is indisputably the primary language of global trade and commerce. Although there are no certain answers regarding how to learn English effectively, there are four recognized skills in learning English, which are listening, speaking, reading and writing.

    Listening, as one of the important means of communication, is used most widely in people’s daily life. In linguistics, taking a lot of listening is an effective way of enlarging vocabulary.

       Speaking is often connected with listening. The good way to improve speaking is to listen and imitate and try to use different words.

       Reading is the most important step in gaining information and knowledge in learning foreign languages. It is a basic skill for English learners. The helpful way for improving reading ability is to try to read as much as one can and try to use English-English dictionary.

       Writing helps to consolidate the grasp of language skills. Sentence is the basis of an article. English learners should try to begin with sentences, and then paragraphs. Taking journal will be an efficient way to improve writing.

    To sum up, the four skills cannot be separated in the learning process. Language learners may have different ways in learning. However, by unifying the four skills, people may find the most effective way for them to learn English.

My Hometown

Cheng Yu

October 4, 2010

Grammar/Writing 600

Journal Writing

My Hometown: Kunming City, Yunnan Province

       Kunming is my home town. As the capital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, also known as the "City of Eternal Spring", or “Spring City” is one of the most pleasant and relaxed cities in China. The city covers an area of 6,200 square kilometers including 4 city districts and 4 rural counties. It is a commercial, industrial, and transportation center in Yunnan Province. It is also one of the major tourist cities in southern China.

       Kunming is also renowned for many delicious local dishes; the most famous ones are Across Bridge Rice Noodle and Local Ham. You can enjoy them both at local famous restaurants or the night market. In the night markets you will find many pubs, bars and cafes that serve good quality meals.

       Kunming's wide streets, towering office blocks, and giant shopping centers all convey the impression of a modern, 21st-century city today.