Square Roots Answers

Question 1a Two of: we inherit our attributes from our distant relatives who have been influenced by their surroundings (1) we are moulded by our surroundings/ there is a close connection between people and the place they grow up (1) TV shows like Who Do You Think You Are owes its success to our interest in our connection to our forefathers (1) we are happy to return home when we travel (1) our personal interactions are influenced by our environment (1)

Question 1b Word choice: “conditioned” meaning to train or shape the outcome has connotations of influence or control, suggesting we are determined by our genetics “rooted” meaning planted has connotations of being deeply embedded and suggests our characteristics are firmly established before birth “shaped” connotes moulded or created “connected umbilically” relating to the umbilical cord suggests we are nourished and connected to where we live like a mother nourishes a child “warm attachment” meaning a strong bond/affection, has connotations of love and nurture and suggests the places we live shape us or analyse “influenced” “tantalising” “defining”

Question Two In other countries they have succeeded in creating interesting city squares that express what the cities are like (1) Scotland has not created great city spaces that mirror the people living there (1)

Question Three they should be the core/hub of the community (1) they should attract tourists (1) Provide a space for people to congregate socially (1) or to celebrate and mark special occasions that are important to their culture (1)

Question 4 St Mark’s it sums up and paints the Italian city perfectly (1) its a fascinating and beautiful place with lots to do (1) It’s a hub that connects different parts of the city (1) Times Square It’s a place you can congregate and party (1) It’s expresses something about its city (1) It plays an important part in the lives of NY city’s inhabitants (1) 6

Question 5 “bright” connotes colourful and lively (1) “brash” suggests loud, proud and full of energy (1) “blaring” connotes loud (1) “buzz” meaning a constant hum, has connotations of excitement and activity it suggests N.Y. is alive, busy and atmospheric (1) 7

Question 6 Attitude: critical, belittling, condemning, disappointment etc. “embarrassing” meaning to intense discomfort, has connotations of unacceptable or shameful “stumbles” meaning to trip, has connotations of falling or missing the mark and suggests we have failed to make the most of the square “dominated by traffic” suggests it is congested, polluted and not a place for people “concrete carbuncles” suggests its a mass, lump of stone conveying it’s unattractive Questions how we could have got it so wrong contrast between “nurture, renew and regenerate” suggesting flourishing growth and “stumbles, staggers and slumps” suggesting regression and downfall 8

Question 7 We should create space for visitors and the inhabitants to want to spend their time (1) And feel safe (1) Make it more friendly and inviting (1) Socialise (1) Dine (1) Unwind (1) Think and reflect (1) Make it meeting place for aristic events (1) And business meetings (1) 9

Question 8 “untangling the…” just as to untangle is to sort and organise the writer compares the analysis of our DNA helix strands to the intertwining of people and places and the investigation into the relationship of the two. It effectively suggests that just as our genetics are linked so too are we to we are born “bite-sized” just as a mini sized bite reflects a small part and is a small portion so too is Times Square just a tiny slice of New York lifestyle “stumbles, stagger and slumps” just as drunks trip, zig- zag and fall down so too has Scotland missed the mark and been unsteady in it’s formation of city squares 10

Question 9 Most cities make use of their squares to reflect culture, lifestyle and their people St Mark’s is a culturally rich square for tourists and inhabitants alike to enjoy Times square is an exciting and atmospheric slice of New York life George square however is unappealing and Scotland have got it wrong when it comes to the design of the square City squares should be at the core of the city Needs modernising to accommodate people and reflect Glasgow 11