New Product (Expository)

TOEFL® Test 2008 Exercise #19

New Product (Expository)

If you could invent something new,

what product would you develop? Use
specific details to explain why this
invention is needed.
New Product (Expository)

We asked for a square meal, and they offered us

dog biscuits.

- John Marshall

I recently came across on the Internet a

design concept of vertical farming using
computer technology. If I have the
financial and material resources, I would
make this design concept into a reality.
 Skyfarming
A Columbia professor believes that converting skyscrapers
into crop farms could help reduce global warming and make
New York cleaner. It’s a vision straight out of Futurama—
but here’s how it might work.

By Lisa Chamberlain Published Apr 2, 2007

1. The Solar Panel

Most of the vertical farm’s energy is supplied by the pellet power system (see over). This
solar panel rotates to follow the sun and would drive the interior cooling system, which is
used most when the sun’s heat is greatest.
2. The Wind Spire
An alternative (or a complement) to solar power, conceived by an engineering professor at
Cleveland State University. Conventional windmills are too large for cities; the wind spire
uses small blades to turn air upward, like a screw.
3. The Glass Panels
A clear coating of titanium oxide collects pollutants and prevents rain from beading; the
rain slides down the glass, maximizing light and cleaning the pollutants. Troughs collect
runoff for filtration.
4. The Control Room
The vertical-farm environment is regulated from here, allowing for year-round, 24-hour
crop cultivation.
5. The Architecture
Inspired by the Capitol Records building in Hollywood. Circular design uses space most
efficiently and allows maximum light into the center. Modular floors stack like poker
chips for flexibility.
6. The Crops
The vertical farm could grow fruits, vegetables, grains, and even fish, poultry, and pigs.
Enough, Despommier estimates, to feed 50,000 people annually.

http://nymag.com/news/features/30020/
1. The Evapotranspiration Recovery System
Nestled inside the ceiling of each floor, its pipes collect moisture, which can be bottled and sold.

2. The Pipes
Work much like a cold bottle of Coke that “sweats” on a hot day: Super-cool fluid attracts plant water
vapors, which are then collected as they drip off (similar systems are in use on a small scale).
Despommier estimates that one vertical farm could capture 60 million gallons of water a year.

3. Black-Water Treatment System

Wastewater taken from the city’s sewage system is treated through a series of filters, then sterilized,
yielding gray water—which is not drinkable but can be used for irrigation. (Currently, the city throws
1.4 billion gallons of treated wastewater into the rivers each day.) The Solaire building in Battery
Park City already uses a system like this.

The vertical farm doesn’t just grow crops indoors; it also generates its own power from waste and
cleans up sewage water.
4. The Crop Picker
Monitors fruits and vegetables with an electronic eye. Current technology, called a Reflectometer,
uses color detection to test ripeness.

5. The Field
Maximization of space is critical, so in this rendering there are two layers of crops (and some
hanging tomatoes). If small crops are planted, there might be up to ten layers per floor.

6. The Pool
Runoff from irrigation is collected here and piped to a filtration system.

7. The Feeder
Like an ink-jet printer, this dual-purpose mechanism directs programmed amounts of water and light
to individual crops.

Photo: Architectural Design by Rolf Mohr; Modeling and Rendering by Machine Films; Interiors by
James Nelms- Digital Artist @ Storyboards Online)
8. The Pellet Power System
Another source of power for the vertical farm, it turns nonedible plant matter (like corn husks, for
example) into fuel. Could also process waste from New York’s 18,000 restaurants.

9 to 11. The Pellets

Plant waste is processed into powder (9), then condensed into clean-burning fuel pellets (10), which
become steam power (11). At least 60 pellet mills in North America already produce more than
600,000 tons of fuel annually, and a 3,400-square-foot house in Idaho uses pellets to generate its own
electricity.

Concept design by Chris Jacobs for United Future.

Vertical farming related references:

www.inhabit.com
www.verticalfarming.org
New Product (Expository)

Land has always been valuable to man. In

the Bible story, it was said that man was
created from the soil. When he disobeyed
the Divine Creator, he was cursed to die
and return to dust where he came from.
From the land, he would obtain his living
and nourishment. As the population grew
bigger, men began to form tribes and
communities. Gradually, great
civilizations were created.
New Product (Expository)
In ancient agricultural societies…

Mohenjodaro in Indus (Pakistan)

Priest-King in Egypt
Her-Heru, the first priest-king, and Queen Netchemet
standing in the Hall of Osiris and praying to the god whilst
the heart of the Queen is being weighed in the Balance.
[Southern Egyptian Gallery, No. 758.] Presented by His
Majesty the King, 1903. XXIst dynasty, about B.C. 1050.

It is believed that the first kings and kingship was an

evolution of powerful priest classes or people who showed
favoritism in the eyes of the gods. During the early years,
the economy was central and the responsibility of the kings
and priests to manage. Agriculture was so important that the
invention of writing by the priestly class came about
because of farming.

Priest-King in Mohenjodaro
New Product (Expository)
In ancient agricultural societies…
When the Sumerians ruled during early times of Mesopotamia, it was the priest kings
who personally led the army and would serve as the go-between for the people and the
gods. When trading, it was silver that the Sumerians used. These Sumerian ways of
life would continue as Babylonian rule developed.
The writing style of these times was called "cuneiform" and it was performed on clay
tablets. It was also known as "wedge writing." It was also the priestly class that
furthered the way of mathematics, which was also considered difficult to master.

http://www.unexplainable.net/artman/publish/article_7515.shtml

Priest-King in Sumer
New Product (Expository)
In ancient agricultural societies…
By the late 4th millennium BC, Sumer was divided into about a dozen independent city-states, whose
limits were defined by canals and boundary stones. Each was centered on a temple dedicated to the
particular patron god or goddess of the city and ruled over by a priest (en), king (lugal), or governor
(ensi) who was intimately tied to the city's religious rites.

Mesopotamian Ziggurat (2100 BC)

The ziggurat of Ur, and the of the moon god Sîn
who is seen being carried in procession to the
temple called the "Hill of Heaven".

The worship of the Moon god " Sîn" was

widespread and common during the time
of Abraham. The Ur of Chaldees is in the
region of Babylon. Worshipping the moon-god at Ur
New Product (Expository)
In ancient agricultural societies…
Priest-King
New Product (Expository)
In ancient agricultural societies…
Priest-King = Melchizedek
Melchizedek is not so much a name as it is a title or designation of
honor. It is a position or office that has to be filled by a worthy
candidate. The term is a transliteration of two Hebrew words, melek
and tsedeq. The Hebrew melek means king and tsedeq means
righteousness. Therefore, the term "melchizedek" means literally,
"king of righteousness." Because a king is always preeminent in his
jurisdiction, whoever Melchizedek was, he had to be preeminent in
righteousness. He had to be the "king" of righteousness.
(http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/who-was-melchizedek.html)

He first appeared in Scripture, Genesis 14:18, Melchizedek brought

bread and wine to Abram after Abram's victory over the four kings
(led by Chedorlaomer) who had overrun Sodom and Gomorrah and
had taken Abram's nephew Lot prisoner. Melchizedek is also
described as blessing Abram in the name of El Elyon. Then he gave
him a tenth of everything (a translation which preserves the
ambiguity of the original). In the second reference, Psalms 110:4,
we find the statement: Thou art a priest for ever after the manner of
Melchizedek. (WIKIPEDIA)

Byzantine art
New Product (Expository)
In ancient agricultural societies…
Melchizedek and Abraham
New Product (Expository)
In ancient agricultural societies…

Priest-King = Melchizedek

Melchizedek is a title, like president. It

means "My king is righteous" The scripture
calls him the "King of Salem" Salem is the
ancient name of Jerusalem. He is also the
priest of "El Elyon" which translates into
"Most High God." How is this important to
Judism and Christianity? In Judism, kings
came out of the tribe of Judah and priests
came out of the tribe of Levi (Hebrews
7:13-17) They could not mix. Jesus of
Nazareth came out of the tribe of Judah. So
how could Jesus be a priest as well? He is
referred to in Psalms 110:4 as "a priest
forever in the order of Melchizedek" Paul
fully explains their relationship in all of
Hebrews chapter 7.
(http://www.gamespot.com/forums/show_m
sgs.php?
board_id=909107420&topic_id=25407728)

Santa Maria Maggiore,

Rome
New Product (Expository)
Priest-King = Melchizedek = Jesus

The Last Supper

New Product (Expository)
Priest-King = Melchizedek = Jesus

Today: The Eucharist

(Communion)
New Product (Expository)

Agriculture has been the predominant

activity in the communities. Through
constant farming, what they produce
supports the families for generations.
Even in our modern age, we still rely on
agricultural products for our daily
sustenance. Our human bodies have not
changed in their nutritional needs even
if modern men have invented things that
can fly and defy gravity.
New Product (Expository)

Since food has become scarce in some parts

of the world and costly due to rising fuel
prices, I would like to develop a vertical
farming facility using computer
technology. We have already witnessed the
advantages of computers in business,
manufacturing, transportation,
telecommunications, and even
entertainment sectors. Therefore, we can
also consider a vertical farming facility.
New Product (Expository)

www.verticalfarming.org
New Product (Expository)
The energy spent in recreation and
entertainment may also be useful in
modern farming. High technology
farming will not only produce more
yields but an assurance of continuous
harvests despite bad weather or
calamities. If we have more agricultural
yields, then more people can be fed and
no one will experience hunger,
malnutrition, and even poverty. A well-
fed community will also produce
energetic and bright individuals.
New Product (Expository)

People can build nuclear plants, oil

refineries, and outer space facilities, why
not a high technology vertical farming
facility? Computer programmers can
spend their energies producing gaming
software and virtual reality programs,
why not a computer program for vertical
farming? This can be the answer to the
rising cost of food, scarce food supply,
and depleting agricultural lands for a
growing world population.
 
New Product (Expository)
In conclusion, if I have the financial and
material resources, I would direct my
energy to invent a vertical farming facility
using computer technology to operate it. It
will not only yield more produce, it would
ensure harvests despite the onslaught of
storms and hurricanes. This kind of facility
can regulate the temperature, humidity,
water, and sunlight. It has protective walls
that shelter the plants from strong winds
and pests. This type of high technology
farming might be able to feed the world.
New Product (Expository)

We may live without poetry, music, and art;

We may live without conscience, and live without
heart;
We may live without friends; we may live without
books;
But civilized man cannot live without Cooks.

- Lord Lytton
 Word count (body): 427
(supplements not included)

Written by: raa

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