Essay on Tension in Act One of Arthur Millers The Crucible

Tension in Act One of Arthur Millers The Crucible Miller builds up the tension using theatrical effects, language, the relationships of characters and the plot development, the structure of the act. He makes us visually aware of the tension using these tools. He needs tension as the story of the crucible is about witchcraft. Miller draws in the character of Proctor as himself, as Miller was caught up in communism in America and fought to maintain his dignity, as Proctor does, near the end of the book. The communism is not an issue in this play but was relevant to Miller and inspired his writing of this play. He uses the build up of tension throughout this play especially in act one. The†¦show more content†¦This scene opens with confusion. The audience is as confused as the characters in the play. Their confusion is shown to us through their language. Tituba is constantly interrupted by Parris who is angry and distracted. Tituba: My Betty not goin dieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. Parris: Out of my sight, out of myà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Parris is shouting at Tituba because he is angry and confused about what has happened to his daughter and what had been going on in the woods that night. Tituba is taken back by Parriss shouting, as she seems only to be concerned about little Betty. Miller uses simple everyday language but with surprising intensity. It sounds very much like natural speech. There is strength behind the rapid exchange of dialogue that not only adds to the tension of the act but also draws the readers in. Parris appears to be the anxious worried father that he is; however, if we pay close attention to his language and the actions that he takes, we see indications that he is mainly worried about his reputation as the priest and villager. I must know it now, for surely my enemies will, and they will ruin me with it. And I pray you feel the weight of truth upon you, for now my ministrys stake, my ministry and perhaps your cousins life. Parris here is more concerned about his ministry than Betty. He says that his enemies will ruin him if they knowShow MoreRelatedThe Effectiveness of the Closing Scene of Arthur Millers The Crucible973 Words   |  4 PagesThe Effectiveness of the Closing Scene of Arthur Millers The Crucible Arthur Miller was born in 1915 and was only fourteen years of age at the time of the Wall Street crash, this clearly affected his life. His plays often concentrated upon contemporary society and problems it may face. This is why at first sight The Crucible seems to break this mould, instead of a play showing contemporary society; it concerns a study in the mass hysteria which led to the 1692 Salem witchcraft Read MoreIn the opening of the play, how does Miller seek to create an atmosphere of hysteria and tension? Do you find the opening effective?941 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿In the opening of the play, how does Miller seek to create an atmosphere of hysteria and tension? Do you find the opening effective? Premiering in 1953, Arthur Miller’s the crucible was a scathing attack on the Communist scare of the era in the guise of a dramatization of the witch hunts that took place in Salem in the 1960’s. Throughout the beginning the play follows how fear of death, The Devil and the unknown causes people to submit to madness and how the sense of guilt could cause themRead More Analyze how Arthur Miller creates dramatic tension at the end of Act 31300 Words   |  6 PagesAnalyze how Arthur Miller creates dramatic tension at the end of Act 3 of The Crucible. During this essay, I will be explaining how Arthur Miller creates dramatic tension at thee end of Act 3 of his novel, The Crucible. I will be organizing this essay in paragraphs by points. Here are the main points I will be analyzing: - Setting - Stage Directions - Characters and Language - Comparing thee witch trials to the McCarthyism Proctor brings Mary to court and tells Judge DanforthRead MoreImpact Of Irrational Fear On The Crucible By Arthur Miller1563 Words   |  7 Pagesin The Crucible Throughout history, many horrific incidents based on an act of violence or disagreement have resulted in panic and mass hysteria. These historical events include but are not limited to, The Holocaust, mass shootings, and 9/11. Many of these tragic events have led to people being immensely afraid. These events often create fear for those who participate in everyday activities. A healthy community consists of a support system, peace, trust, and adhering to societal laws. Arthur Miller’sRead MoreThe Crucible By Arthur Miller998 Words   |  4 Pagescontinuing with declaring a reunification with Jesus, and ending with of course, accusing others of witchcraft. The false confessions favor the dishonest and are motivated by jealousy and spite. The Crucible is a four-act dramatic play production that was first performed on January 22, 1953. Arthur Miller used dialogue within the characters to cover the multiple themes; conflicts and resolutions, plus the few directions for the different actions of the play. The Salem Witch Trials were intendedRead MoreThe Witch Hunt in The Crucible and During the Time of McCarthyism2059 Words   |  9 PagesThe Themes of The Crucible and Parallels to McCarthyism  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Set in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, Arthur Millers The Crucible describes the witch hunt that saw harmless people hanged for crimes they did not commit. The Crucible provides an accurate historical account of the witch hunt, but its real achievement lies in the many important issues it deals with. Millers concerns with conscience, guilt and justice develop into significant and thought-provoking themes throughoutRead MoreTension in Arthur Millers The Crucible Essay991 Words   |  4 PagesTension in Arthur Millers The Crucible Though The Crucible is set against the background of the Salem witch trials in 1629, it reflects the McCarthy anti-communism trials of 1950s America. The citizens of Salem (Massachusetts) had Puritan beliefs and were very religious. Due to their strong Christian beliefs, there was a great fear that people could form compacts with the devil and they even believed witchcraft and supernatural events really existed. Arthur MillerRead MoreHow Does Arthur Miller Create Drama and Tension in Act 1 of ‘the Crucible’?1661 Words   |  7 PagesHow does Arthur Miller create drama and tension in Act 1 of ‘The Crucible’? The Crucible is a play, which explores the witch- hunting hysteria that happened in Salem 1692. Miller uses this â€Å"organized mass-hysteria†[1] to comment on his own similar experience during the 1950s. Through â€Å"The Crucible†, Miller is able to draw an analogy between the hysteria of the Salem witch-trails and its modern parallel of the anti communist ‘witch-hunts’ which occurred due to the HUAC-House of un-American CommitteeRead MoreThe Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass1208 Words   |  5 Pagesindividual. Constantly throughout time the way an individual defines themselves is based on their roots, the actions or reactions that have built a foundation of who they’re today. Through the lens of a slave later turned into one of the largest faces of abolitionist acts, Frederick Douglass creates â€Å"The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass† in which he accounts the community he was raised in and the constant fear instill ed within his community as well as his later assimilation into new communitiesRead MoreMillers Presentation of the Theme Of Greed And Envy within The Crucible1071 Words   |  5 PagesMillers Presentation of the Theme Of Greed And Envy within The Crucible The Crucible was written in 1953 by Arthur Miller in the time of the cold war, although the play was set in 1692. The play is about a town called Salem in America and about the witch-hunts that took place there. Because it was written in this time period there is a feeling of mistrust, greed and envy echoed in the play. Arthur Miller plays on these feelings and produces a theme of greed and envy that

Should Parents Take Their Job As Parents Essay - 1601 Words

As time progresses young pregnancies, unplanned pregnancies, and the having of children out of wedlock are becoming more prevalent than that of the past. Luckily, unlike before, women are not heavily ridiculed for keeping the child. A difference that I’ve noticed is the extent to which parents take their job as parents. Before parenting seemed more structured, thought-out, and traditional; where as now, parenting is more public, free-flowing, based off of what doctors and social media recommend, and sometimes second to other duties such as work and school. I am a believer in putting your children first, before anything else on this universe. I believe it too is a job to be taken seriously, because if one were to slack off at work, he or she could risk loosing their job; therefore, if he/she slacks off as being a parent, they could risk the chance of loosing or diminishing the precious value of a gift-given from above, named a â€Å"child.† Parenting is a job, it should be a thorough process, and it should be prioritized, and never taken for granted. I can truly attest to being a child that was blessed with amazing parents, named Rashida and Karlos Mays. I was originally born in Alabama, and I owe all my tides to that land. Alabama is a place of family, love, and laughter, but also a place of broken hearts, devastation, and everlasting memories. My father played the lenient role, its safe to say he was â€Å"permissive†. With him, I could do whatever I pleased. 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You already have a full time job, and still manage to g et to your daily classes, but with the minimum wage pay you receive you can’t afford the basic necessities and the tuition prices that seem to increase every year. Your parents refuse to help you, so you’re on your own. Parents have decided it’s a cultural norm to have their children leave the house and become self-sufficient when they turn eighteen

A Problem Of Plastic Pollution - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 11 Words: 3355 Downloads: 3 Date added: 2019/04/15 Category Ecology Essay Level High school Tags: Pollution Essay Did you like this example? A million jellyfish dance in the soundless ocean as a small green sea turtles attempts to sneak up on its prey. With speed and stealth, this turtle snags the food just as a massive swarm of fog surrounds it. With a swallow of the food the turtle feels a clog, this is no jellyfish its plastic. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "A Problem Of Plastic Pollution" essay for you Create order The turtles stop breathing, it squirms and shakes in the water until all thats left is a lifeless lump of scaly green skin stuck in a protecting shell. The turtles now gone reaches land just in time to be attacked by a bird, out of the turtles neck spills a plastic bag logged in its throat. But it is not alone. Between the layers of plastic lies thousands of turned over green sea turtles shells. The never-ending surge of plastic into the worlds oceans is taking an increasing toll on iconic marine species. The Galapagos green turtles favorite food is jellyfish, so wherever jellyfish are most abundant, turtles are bound to be close by (Andrews). Unfortunately, plastic bags look like jellyfish when floating in the ocean, and if a turtle ingests a plastic bag, it forms a fatal blockage in the gut, usually resulting in death (Hardin). The plastic debris ingested by turtles can cause an intestinal blockage resulting in malnutrition, reduced growth rates, and even death. Perhaps most distressingly, turtles can starve to death because they feel full after swallowing plastic debris (Jaquet). The influx in plastic in the ocean leads to many animals such as the sea turtles suffering grand population losses due to microplastics, plastic toxicity, and plastic consumption, however, if current new technological advances, reduction of plastic, and overall human discretion in plastic occurs, the current population of sea turtles will once again rise. In the past, the United States used the ocean as personal waste disposal. In October of 1982, Peter G Ryan stated, Congress enacted the Marine protection, research and sanctions act. This is also known as the ocean dumping act. This policy declares that the U.S needs to regulate the dumping of all plastic-like materials which can affect sea turtles. But this act only controlled ocean dumping it failed to address the plastic already in the ocean. It wasnt until 1988 that Congress decided to enact the ocean dumping ban, this banned ocean dumping of all waste, especially plastic (Ryan). However, even with this act plastic still found its way to the ocean. Researches at the University of Miami set out to find where all the plastic headed and how it got there. First, they modeled a data on the currents of winds to stimulate the movement of marine debris. The result of the experiment was compared with data from satellites, and the trash was tracked by surface buoys from the NOAA (Global Drifters Program’s database)(Slat). They traced all the marine debris to a gyre in the Pacific Ocean. An Ocean Gyres is known as a system of ocean current, flowing in a circular motion, that is formed by global wind patterns and forces created by earth rotation which was observed by the researcher, Laura Parker. However, when one of these gyres circles stationary waters it acts as almost a whirlpool by dragging in plastic debris and leaving it to drift is its movement less center. Once the plastic reaches the center of the gyre, its trapped and broken down into plastic soup (Parker). That plastic then sits in the center of the gyre for years. Even if plastic was recycled, it never goes away, not for billions of years at least. Plastics take their time slowly degrading throughout billions of years stated Bob Talbot. Eventually, they become microplastics, that are invisible to the eye yet one by one they slowly pollute the ocean, gradually becoming bigger in mass, so big that it created the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. After many years of ongoing ocean dumping most areas of the ocean were now filled with the heavy toxins carried by plastics and high concentrations of pollutants from trash such as; inorganic nutrients and chlorinated patron chemicals. This uncontrolled ocean dumping caused severe depletion of oxygen levels in many ocean areas (Talbot). Leaving oceans full of trash and chemicals poisoning everything that touched it. Since plastic never biodegrades it become microplastics many turtles consume plastic almost every day they feed. Just a turtle simply opening its mouth near the Great Pacific Garbage Patch it is guaranteed to inhale at least a  ¼ a cup of plastic (Brander). As of now, around 10,000+ sea turtles die every year from eating and ingesting plastic (Tyree). But its not just the consumption of plastic that causes many turtles to die, its the combination of plastic and the chemicals it releases (BPA). As this plastic finds its way to the ocean, however, it happens to pick up twice the BPA it had before while just floating in the ocean (Halden). This plastic, as it â€Å"degrades†, then releases all of its chemicals and toxins into the ocean creating a death trap for turtles. But its not just some sea turtles that are affected by this plastic. Countless marine animals feed their babies pieces of plastic without knowing (Samokhvalova). Due to this, an estimated 700 species will go extinct in 5-6 years. As of now, 267 marine animal species are being affected by plastics. With sea turtles out of their total population, around 84% of them have been affected in some sort of way by plastic. However, out of all marine species in the world a whopping 43% are affected by plastic and the toxins it releases (Kosuth). All marine animals are affected by the plastic but it is the sea turtles that withhold the highest death rate due to plastic. The deaths of many sea turtles today are almost always plastic related. It is reported that sea turtles die from starvation, suffocation, infection, and entanglement, all of which are a direct cause of plastic. At this point in time, one in every three sea turtles has been found caught up in some sort of plastic situation. Howe ver, this is not shocking due to the fact that an estimated 1 million pieces of plastic are in every square mile in the ocean. Researchers stated that at this time it is safe to assume that at least 98% of turtles in the world have some plastic inside of them (Tyree). With almost the entire population of sea turtles withholding some sort of plastic in their system they may not have long to live. Sea turtles have also been found to have swallowed hundreds of bits of plastic. Just 14 pieces significantly increase their risk of death, according to a study. Young sea turtles are most vulnerable, the study found, because they drift with currents where the floating plastic also accumulates and because they are less choosy than adults turtles about what to eat. Even a single piece of plastic can occasionally cause death for a young turtle who consumes plastic. In one case a turtle was found with its digestive tract blocked by a soft piece of plastic; in another, its intestine was destroyed by a sharp piece of plastic. The study found that half of the juvenile turtles would be expected to die if they ingested a total of 17 plastic items. In some, a variety of plastic material was found inside their digestive tracts. As many as 329 pieces were found in just one sea turtle. Because of a turtles anatomy, they cant vomit up something once they’ve swallowed it, Dr. Hardesty said, meaning it either passes through their gut or gets stuck. For a juvenile of typical size, half the animals would be expected to die if they ingested 17 plastic items, the study concluded. (Taylor-Smith). Since humans committed to the ocean dumping prevention ACT, dumping should be reduced, but this is not the case. The National Academy of Sciences estimates that 14 billion pounds of garbage is being dumped into the ocean every year, more than 1.5 million pounds per hour. According to the Academy, the United States could be the source of approximately one-third of this ocean plastic pollution. The United States is one of the top consumers of plastic in the area and the biggest contributor to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Due to the plastic, all animals in the Pacific area are in danger especially the sea turtles. Sea turtles have diseases and unsustainable livelihoods heading their way. Imagine if you could see a turtle choking on plastics you produced and baby turtles dragging abandoned nets for months to years before dying. Plastic in the ocean is jeopardizing the natural ways of the marine life by disrupting entire bio-geo cycle causing unwanted problems. This threatens the existence of all life underwater from smaller fish to even whales. Reports say that around one million birds and 100,000 marine mammals are killed every single day due to plastic ingestion. Several marine species are on the verge of extinction because of such type of ocean pollution. Sea turtles are different though, they consume plastic garbage as food, leading to blockage in the gut and ulceration, and eventually to death. These sea turtles are also the most common victims of ‘Ghost Nets’ in the ocean. Which are stray plastic nets used for fishing and plastic crates also cause oceanic ruination, chokes turtles by getting tangled in precious reefs, causing them to break apart the process of being tangled in them is referred to as ‘Ghost Fishing. Essentially the turtles will get caught and wont have a food source. Also, the turtles may get choked. These nets if lost in the water, however, always make an appearance at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. As mentioned earlier BPA is a hazardous material, found commonly in many plastics, and it pollutes the water badly. Bisphenol A doesn’t get diluted in water, it uses oxygen as it degrades, resulting in a low level of oxygen in the waters as oxygen levels go down. It also badly affects the survival of marine animals including whales, dolphins, and turtles. Plastic waste can either float for miles on the water or they could be submerged on the sea-bed or commonly be found on the sea-shore. But due to BPA not matter how much plastic every single piece is filled with massives amounts of BPA. Before the days of plastic, when fishermen dumped their trash overboard or lost a net, it consisted of natural materials (metal, cloth or paper that would sink to the bottom or biodegrade quickly). Plastic, however, remains floating on the surface, the same place where many genuine food sources lie and can remain in that same spot for up to 400 years unless currents pick it up. Plastic is durable and strong aka the qualities that make it so dangerous if it reaches the ocean. If plastic objects make it into the main sewer system (by being flushed down the toilet, or carried by the rain into a street drain), and the water treatment plants are overwhelmed by excessive rain, then those floating objects can float right out to sea. When heavy rains arrive in mid-summer, they swept the streets clean and overloaded combined sewers after floating out to sea, debris was blown back onto the shores. Plastic soda rings, baggies, styrofoam particles and plastic pellets are often mistaken by sea turtles as authentic. Despite only 0.05% of plastic pieces from surface waters are pellets, they comprise about 70% of the plastic eaten by Sea turtles. But plastic soda rings arent even one of the top pieces of trash in the patch. It includes cigarette butts, Paper pieces, plastic pieces, styrofoam, glass pieces, plastic food bags, plastic caps and lids, metal beverage cans, plastic straws, glass beverage bottles. The mountains of plastic forming and the drastic amount of marine animals dying from plastic is horrendous. One way we might get rid of plastic forever is through some new technological systems, like The Ocean Saviour. This vessel will be a world’s first, self-powering 70m tri-deck clean-up vessel, purposefully engineered to locate, retrieve and recycle plastic from the ocean to preserve one of our most valuable assets, the ocean, for future generations. Central to the built of the vessel is the Manta Collector Array collection systems at the side and front of the vessel which will deploy and draw in plastics. The plastics will then be fed into an onboard conveyor, chopped finely, milled and processed through onboard plasma gasification (converting organic energy into synthetic energy) process which will destroy the plastic completely with minimal atmospheric pollution. The product of this pioneering process will then be used to fuel the vessel, making it self-powering. This v essel proves that maybe the soups of plastic can be dispossessed of thought technology. The Ocean Saviour project has requested a large-scale catamaran as the most economical and stable option on the water. The open plan lower deck will be one of the main working areas of the vessel and has been specially designed to allow ventilation with hinged storm shutters which offer protection against the weather. This entire deck is dedicated to plastic removal and industrial scale recycling. Mid-deck is home to two 12m containers which will offer research laboratory facilities or VIP accommodation options and bulk storage area, for crew quarters. The wheelhouse is located on the third deck which will also house the main crew areas and helipad. However, though this is the number way to possibly remove plastic it has one downfall. A high Price. It cost 50 million dollars to make this vessel, but it may be worth it due to the estimated promise that in 40 years the entire ocean will be free of plastic, plus if we had one or maybe two more of this vessel the years would be lessened. With a plan like this plastic will be destroyed. But the ocean savior project is not alone, there are many options such as the seabin that may be slightly less effective but million of time less expensive than the Ocean Savior. The Seabin V5 is a floating garbage bin, which acts as a trash skimmer and debris interceptor. By pumping water into the device, the Seabin V5 can intercept floating debris, macro and microplastics, and microfibers. It acts as a trash skimmer, the Seabin V5 is also able to clean the water from contaminated organic material (leaves, seaweed, etc†¦). The Seabin V5 is equipped with oil absorbent pads able to absorb petroleum-based surface oils and detergent predominant in most marinas around the world. However, the Seabins is not the solution to plastic pollution. The real solution lies in Education, Science, and Systemic Change. From packaging producers, environmental regulators and to the final consumers; everybody along this chain can play a role and has the possibility, the potential, and the responsibility to be part of the solution. Seabins are installed in the water to collect and reduce the amount of mismanaged debris that from the land enter into the ocean. Seabin Project Science and Research programs take advantage of the global network of Seabins that are currently present around the world. They contribute to the understanding of the issue of marine pollution by generating a global database that will inform the public, governments, and communities about the status of their coastlines and water bodies. Seabin will also take every opportunity possible to develop new ways in which we can remove more plastics from our oceans and achieve ocean conservation and sustainability. Through this product, they aim to not only clean and spread aw areness. Though new technologies open a world of new opportunities to clean the ocean, we will never be able to achieve a clean ocean unless we regulate or even get rid of plastic. AT this very moment thousands of humans choose to limit their plastic use during the day. By limiting we limit the amount of plastic that gets in the ocean. Today California has become the first state to implement a partial ban on plastic straws. Dine-in restaurants will no longer be allowed to automatically provide customers with straws. Customers who need plastic straws will have to request them. Restaurants that violate the ban will receive warnings first, and repeat offenders will be fined at a maximum of $300. The new ban comes on the heels of previous plastic straw bans from companies and cities. This ban is mostly due to the massive amounts of dead greens sea turtles ending up on beaches in California. They are found with stomachs full of plastic and plastic straws up their nostrils. To achieve this human ne ed to contribute to and limit their overall use of plastic. Earlier this year, the Walt Disney Company announced a ban on single-use plastic straws and stirrers at nearly all its theme parks and resorts. The policy, which is set to be in place by mid-2019, will cut down on the upwards of 175 million straws and 13 million stirrers that are used at these locations each year. Paper straws will be available upon request and, for guests with disabilities, the company is developing alternative options for traditional plastic straws. Disney will also eliminate polystyrene cups at its parks and cut down its reliance on single-use plastic bags. Instead of disposable bags, guests will have the option to buy reusable shopping bags. The company will reduce the amount of plastic in guest rooms by 80 percent. However, in Orlando at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, plastic straws and cup lids have been banned since the park opened in 1998. Nearly sixty years ahead of his time Walt Disney banned plastic from the Animal Kingdom park to benefit animals and make sure they are never put in danger. Since Disney has vowed to ban plastic in early 2019 it has set off a chain reaction. Seattle banned plastic straws, and San Francisco is working to ban straws and other plastic items starting July 1, 2019. Not only that but many everyday people have been getting involved by protesting plastic or refusing to use plastic straws. All the people needed to be something to believe in and they start to react and begin to change the ways, in this case, in which they use plastic. Some steps regular people have taken to help partake in riding plastic is no plastic November. This moment not only caught the attention of governments and cities but it caught the attention of restaurants. By eliminating their use of plastic for a mouth restaurant thought why only a month why not have it year round. A number of restaurants around the U.S have taken action and eliminated plastic straw use. Metal straws and paper straws now rise to the occasion to fill the place of straws. Though many complain about the use of metal straws and paper straws its a small thing to sacrifice for a project bigger than most. The Goal of No Plastic November was not to rid plastic forever. It was merely to set off a chain reaction and show companies and the world that the people care and they want to help. Plastics have become a vital asset for humanity. Not a single person can live without it because it is included in our shoes to our toothbrushes to glasses. The worst part is that most humans dont even acknowledge the amount of plastic they use each day because it is so ingrained in everything we do. Though these extensive research new technologies seem to be the best way to go, seeing as though two vessels will minimize worldwide plastic to 20 years from now. However, as we clean the ocean we must clean the land. We must minimize the amount of plastic we use each day in hopes that by doing this we can save hundreds of species from nearing extinction. Animals such as the sea turtles are in desperate need of help. If humans take action and work to reduce or even eliminate plastic not only will we be eliminating the actual plastic install but we will e eliminating the toxicity it releases into the ocean. Then maybe, just maybe, you might catch a glimpse of a green sea turtle catching a nd eating a real jellyfish, instead of a plastic bag.

Why Advertising Alcohol Is Destroying Public Well Being

Brenna Clarine Mrs. Vanwormer C.P. Reading Writing 6 May 2016 Why Advertising Alcohol Is Destroying Public Well-Being When I was nine years old, I remember seeing the most delectable, mouthwatering commercial on television. It was for beer. Growing up in a family that did not drink, I never thought beer could look so appetizing. The beverage was everywhere I looked—except for in my own fridge. Not only adults, but kids and teens everywhere are being bombarded with alcohol advertisements. Many of these youths choose to succumb to these ads and end up with destructive drinking habits. Not only is alcohol damaging to youth but also to adults. According to a U.S. study, adults were found to put themselves at severe risk of harm after having more than four drinks in one session (Medew). This number can change depending on the gender, size, athleticism, and other factors of the consumer. Although some may say that alcohol is not too damaging if drunk responsibly, the fact that alcohol is a direct route to damaging organs like the liver, heart, and pancreas and harming the brain is a red flag (NIHSeniorHealth). To whatever extent, alcohol weakens the brain’s control over movement, speech, memory, and especially judgement, which often leads to impulsive behavior and other dangerous activities (NIHSeniorHealth). There are plenty of harmful side effects of drinking, so the obvious solution to preserving the nation’s well-being is to not encourage it. One quote by a SeattleShow MoreRelatedThe Music Of The Hip Hop1412 Words   |  6 Pagesdancehall. It has spread in the United States at the beginning of the seventies in the Bronx. Since the hip-hop appeared in New York in the early seventies. 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Board Members Free Essays

C) The new management is becoming very aggressive with the adoption new accounting policies and financial reporting. The management is starting to take greater risk and adopt new revenue recognition policies. They believed the previous year’s policies were too conservative and inappropriate. We will write a custom essay sample on Board Members or any similar topic only for you Order Now The new management is placing higher priority on short-term performance rather than long term. The reason behind these major changes is due to the excessive pressure on management. Everyone in the management knows that they have to show an increase in the profit of the organization, or they will also lose their jobs, just like the previous management. Thus they are adopting various new accounting policies and are concentrating heavily on the short term results. This may make the company look good from the externally for a short term. However it is very likely that the numbers on the financial statement are not be accurate. The short term success of the company does not help them internally, there are many things that the new management is changing that may not be healthy for the company. The new management also indicated that the past process of determining the accounting estimates were â€Å"overly Conservative† a new method of accounting estimating is being introduced. The new method of the accounting estimates will also affect the financial statements, because it will most like overstates assets and understate the liabilities. Thus achieving the short-term goals of the management. The company’s accounting functions are decentralized, and the operating management does not sign off the reported results, they are reviewed by the CFO and CEO before being released. The needs to be changed, the reports should be signed off by the operating management because they are closer to the operations of the company. They have the knowledge and the expertise of that part of the company, the CFO and CEO are at the top they may not be able to understand what the numbers on the reports mean. The operating management can read the reports more precisely as they are the ones who are working in that particular area, it is easier for them to catch errors and frauds. The employees that prepare the statements may be overstating the numbers on the reports to show that they are achieving the required performance levels. e) The organization has great controls over the segregation of employee duties. Authority and responsibilities are assigned in a â€Å"formal, written manner†. Employees are aware of what their daily duties are and they understand their responsibilities. The company even has written job descriptions for employees and their supervisors, and these job descriptions contain specific instructions related to controls and responsibilities. The company has given significant amounts of authority to the supervisors, so they can monitor the day to day activates of the employees and make sure they are following the company policies. The organization also does a good job making sure that the supervisors do not overstep their reasonable boundaries. This is done by giving different level employees different type of authorities. Thus the organization has successfully distributed adequate amount of responsibilities to their employees and management. How to cite Board Members, Papers

Running Head NOISE CONTROL; RADON AND UV

Running Head: NOISE CONTROL; RADON AND UV-RADIATIO Essay NTUI UNIVERSITYTimothy N. Tarrant Module 5:BHE 314Environmental Health and Safety Dr. Rania Sabty-Daily15 September 2008 AbstractThe first purpose of this paper is to discuss the public healtheffects that may result in a community exposed to noise produced by a nightclub and to describe the restrictions you would I would recommend the cityrequires the new nightclub meets before granting an approval. Thefollowing scenario will be used:I have been notified that there is a case before City Council toapprove a new nightclub in my neighborhood. The club owners have areputation for being insensitive to those who live nearby in thecommunity. The second purpose of this paper is to identify potential human healthrisks associated with living in a home where radon gas levels may be high. Additionally, I will identify methods available to test for radon gas inthe home and list corrective/remediation measures that can be taken toreduce radon levels in the home. The following scenario will be used:Radon gas emits Alpha particles which may cause lung cancer if inhaledby an individual. Friends of yours are purchasing a new home in anarea where you understand that radon gas may be common. NOISE CONTROLAlmost everyone is familiar with water and air pollution and theenvironmental concerns associated with them. However, noise pollution isalso of concern as our cities continue to grow at an alarming rate. Itseams as if whenever you venture out into the public you are forced toendure a variety of community noises. Have you ever sat down to enjoydinner or a movie and have been interrupted by the sound of a loud train orplane? Well, these deep rumblings are similar to the sounds that will beproduced by the nightclub that wants to operate within our community. Some types of indoor concerts and discotheques can produce extremely highsound pressure levels. Associated noise problems outdoors result fromcustomers arriving and leaving. Outdoor concerts, fireworks and varioustypes of festivals can also produce intense noise. The general problem ofaccess to festivals and leisure activity sites often adds to road trafficnoise problems. Severe hearing impairment may also arise from intense soundproduced as music in headphones or from childrens toys. (WHO, 1999)Hearing impairment is the most often thought about health effect from noisepollution; however, there is a variety of health effects on the human bodyassociated with increased noise emissions that people dont think about. These effects include: stress, hypertension, changes in heart rate,hypercholesterolemia, and/or excessive secretion of hormones. Noise alsodisturbs sleep, upsets our mental health, and even poses a danger tochildhood development. Arlene L. Bronzaft, a member of the New YorksCouncil on the Environment, stated, I get many calls related to noise andmost assuredly these people are very much troubled by the noises, whetherfrom a loud, noisy neighborhood bar or a neighbor who refuses to keep thestereo low. The anguish these people express clearly speaks to a poorerstat of mind. (Bronzaft, 1996) People exposed to noise during the nightoften turn to the use of sedatives or sleeping pills to fall asleep. Individuals in the community that are especially prone to sleepdisturbances from noises that may emanate from a nightclub include theelderly and shift workers. (WHO, 1999) My recommendations to the CityCouncil would be to recommend approval of the license for the operation ofthe nightclub only if they comply with certain restrictions. First andforemost I would recommend that the club is designed to be soundproof toinside noise so that noise that escapes the club will be minimal to thecommunity surroundings. Then, I would make it mandatory for the club toinstall limiters on all amplified systems to limit low frequency noise. .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372 , .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372 .postImageUrl , .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372 , .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372:hover , .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372:visited , .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372:active { border:0!important; } .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372:active , .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372 .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ub4b915246f8a3a10cc0787b809bda372:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Marketing Myopia EssayAdditionally, I would require that the club keep door to the entrance ofthe club closed unless patrons are actively entering or exiting theestablishment and the club should provide 10 square feet of indoor waitingspace for patrons waiting to gain access to the club. This will limit theamount of noise that actually escapes the club. The Office ofOccupational Health and Safety (OSHA) identifies 90 decibels (dB) based onan eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA) as the absolute safe level ofnoise exposure. This 90dB concentration is referred to as the OSHAPermissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for noise exposure. Any eight-hour TWAexceeding 90dB requires the em ployer to implement control measures toreduce the exposure to 90dB or below. (LSS, 2008) OSHA also states thatexposure to impulsive noise should not exceed 140 dB but do not defineimpulsive noise. Therefore, I would have the club install a sound meter tomonitor the dB levels in the club and mandate that the club does not exceed100 decibels (dB).Additionally, I would require the club to create aquiet room for employees to rest their ears during breaks.Lastly, Iwould recommend that the state public health department be grantedunfettered access to monitor the nightclub for compliance. RADONRadon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and silent radioactive gas. It is formed by the radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water. Radon gas in homes poses a serious health risk to its occupants. Morethan 20,000 Americans die each year from radon related cancer. In a 2005news release, United States Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona stated,Indoor radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the UnitedStates and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significanthealth risk to families all over the county. (DHHS, 2005) Exposure toradon gas produces no immediate symptoms. According to the North CarolinaDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources, Lung cancer is the onlyhealth effect which has been definitively linked with exposure to radon andthe resulting cancer does not usually occur until 5-25 years post exposure. Additionally, There is no evidence that other respiratory diseases, suchas asthma, are caused by radon exposure and there is no evidence thatchildren are at any greater risk of radon induced lung cancer than adults.(NC, 2008) Radon exposure is completely preventable and can be detected bysimply testing for its presence. I would recommend that my friends thatwere purchasing a new home become familiar with A Citizens Guide toRadon: The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Radon fromthe Environmental Protection Agency. The Surgeon General recommends thatall homes should be tested for radon and testing can be accomplished byeither yourself or a professional. I would also let them know that thereare two different ways to test for radon, short-term and long-term testing. Short-term testing is the quickest way to test for radon and remains in ahome for two to 90 days depending on what type of product are purchased. The long-term testing kit remains in a home for more than 90 days and areable to give you an accurate reading of the average annual radon levelwhereas the short-term test will not. Radon detectors can be purchasedthat are just like smoke detectors that alarm when levels reachunacceptable limits. Radon levels should be below 4 pCi/L; if above thislevel, measures should be taken to reduce existing radon levels and limitexposure. The overall radon level in homes is 0 pCi/L, this may not bepossible but should be at least reduced to 2 pCi/L. First I wouldrecommend that my friends ask if the home has radon resistant features. Ifnot and levels are high corrective measures can be taken to reduce exposureto radon. The method most often used to reduce radon in the home is a ventpipe system and fan. This takes radon from below the house and channels itto the outside of the house. Other measures include sealing cracks in thefoundation, floors, and walls. Regardless of when your home was built, y oushould check your home for radon initially and at least every 2 years. .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064 , .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064 .postImageUrl , .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064 , .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064:hover , .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064:visited , .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064:active { border:0!important; } .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064:active , .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064 .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u365787b69c1d427fa73b5e8e11b92064:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The O'Reily Factor EssayDiscounted radon test kits are available from the National Safety Counciland many home improvement stores such as Home Depot or Lowes sell radontest kits. More information can be obtained from their state radon office. (EPA, 2008) ReferencesBronzaft, A. L. (1996). The increase in noise pollution: what are the health effects? The Harmful Effects of Noise. Retrieved September 8, 2008 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0876/is_n78/ai_20375099Laboratory Safety and Supplies (2008). Elements of an Effective Hearing Conservation Program. Retrieved September 8, 2008 from http://www.labsafety.com/refinfo/ezfacts/ezf260.htmNorth Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (2008). NC Radon Program: Health Risks of Radon. Retrieved September 8, 2008 from http://www.ncradiation.net/Radon/Health.htmU.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2005). Office of the Surgeon General: Surgeon General Releases National Health Advisory On Radon. Retrieved September 8, 2008 from http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/pressreleases/sg01132005.htmlU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2008). Radon. Retrieved September 8, 2008 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/index.htmlWorld Health Organization (1999). WHO Guidelines for Community Noise A complete, authoritative guide on the effects of noise population on health; Chapter 2: Noise sources and their measurement (pg 26.) Retrieved September 8, 2008 from http://www.ruidos.org/Noise/WHO_Noise_guidelines_2.html

Financial Ratio Analysis - Risk Analysis and Capital Structure

Question: Describe about the Financial Ratio Analysis, Risk Analysis and Capital Structure ? Answer: Introduction Imperial Tobacco is the worlds fourth largest cigarette company as per market share. It is based out of Bristol and has significant markets in various European nations besides USA and parts of Asia. The company boasts of manufacturing facilities in over 51 locations and caters to customers in over 160 nations and thus having a global customer base (Imperial Tobacco, 2015). The aim of the given report is to list down the various business and financial risks associated with the company. Besides, the report also discusses the financial performance of the company through ratio analysis of the latest two year financial statements. Also, in wake of the current funding mix the future potential sources of financing along with the optimal capital structure have been also discussed in the given report. Business and Financial Risks The various significant business and financial risks that are relevant for the company are discussed below. Reduction in the legitimate tobacco market size There may be a reduction in the overall market for tobacco products which may be on account of the following reasons (Imperial Tobacco, 2015). The availability and underlying demand of tobacco products in various geographies is highly influenced by the extent and nature of government regulation due to the adverse impact of the tobacco based products. Excessive regulation may significantly alter the consumer demand and additionally also increase the compliance costs. There may be increases in the excise duty implemented at the behest of the government. This may be done with the intention of raising public funding or to limit the usage of tobacco. As a result of the above two measures, there is a growing illicit trade market in case of tobacco products. Also, the counterfeits are also on the increase as consumers seek cheaper alternatives and thus causing decline of legal tobacco market. Any significant economic slowdown experienced in major markets may reduce the disposable income of consumers and thus either there may be decline in the overall market coupled with an increasing market for smuggled illicit products that are available for cheaper prices. Legal and Regulatory Compliance There may be significant legal and compliance costs which may have adverse impact on the business because of the following two reasons (Imperial Tobacco, 2015). It is possible that the company may violate certain national and/or international laws and hence may have to incur significant penalties besides loss of reputation. The company faces a plethora of litigation from the users of tobacco and e-vapour products. These cases result in significant legal costs which adverse impact the business profitability. Downside to marketplace especially Europe The company has significant presence in the various mature markets of Europe and thus any significant downturn in these markets may have adverse impact on the revenue and profits of the company. Besides, the exit of various nations from the EU and the Euro valuation may also have adverse impact on the companys financial performance. The manufacturing and distribution operations may be negatively impacted in case of any disruptions due to political instability and/or civil unrest in these geographies (Imperial Tobacco, 2015). Financing Risk The company has significant outstanding debt and hence any fall in the credit rating would lead to an increase in the finance cost and thus adversely impact the profitability of the company operations. Besides, a significant downturn in financial markets such as the global financial crisis may lead to potential issues with regards to the refinancing of the debt which are due for maturity in the near term. As a result, the cost of raising debt along with the underlying cost may increase. Besides, there is always the risk of defaulting on the interest and the principal repayment due to declining business prospects (Imperial Tobacco, 2015). Recent Financial Performance In order to analyse the financial performance of the company, a ratio analysis has been conducted based on the consolidated financial statements of the company for the year FY2014 and FY2015. The various relevant ratios have been computed and the financial performance has been compared for the two most recent years. Profitability Ratios Analysis The various relevant profitability ratios are as shown in the following table (Imperial Tobacco, 2015). Ratio Formula FY2014 FY2015 Gross profit margin Gross Profit/ Revenue 19.58% 20.45% Net profit margin Net Profit/ Revenue 5.46% 6.81% Return on Assets Net Profit/ Total Assets 5.58% 5.72% Return on Equity Net Profit/ Total Equity 26.45% 30.25% Even though there has been a decline in the overall revenue due to a decline in the selected European markets that form the Markets South, but the profitability of the business has improved in the year FY2015 as compared to the corresponding previous year i.e. FY2014. The gross profit margin for the company in the year FY2015 has enhanced by 87 basis points on account of operational efficiency and cost management initiatives by the company. The net profit margin of the company has increased by 135 basis points primarily on account of increase in investment income, decrease in tax paid coupled with savings on account of cost management initiatives (Imperial Tobacco, 2015). The higher net profit in FY2015 also leads to significantly improvement in the return on equity and return on assets. Thus, it is apparent that the profitability in FY2015 for the company is higher as compared to FY2014. The profitability data for British American Tobacco (BAT) is shown below. From the above table, it is clear the profitability is higher for BAT in comparison with Imperial Tobacco. This is despite the drop in gross margins in FY2015 for BAT. The shareholders returns and net profitability for BAT have improved on back of decrease in operational expenses. Liquidity Ratios Analysis The various relevant liquidity ratios are as shown in the following table (Imperial Tobacco, 2015). Ratio Formula FY2014 FY2015 Current Ratio Current Assets/ Current Liabilities 3.35 3.30 Quick Ratio (Current Asset - Inventories)/ Current Liabilities 2.98 2.99 It is apparent from the above table that the current ratio for the company at the end of FY2015 is marginally lower than the corresponding value at the end of FY2014. This is primarily on account of higher percentage increase in the current liabilities as compared to the current assets. The disproportionate increase in current liabilities is due to the rise in short 1term loans from 429 million at the end of FY2014 to 1,957 million at the end of FY2015. The quick ratio on the other hand has marginally improved at the end of FY2015 primarily because of a slight decrease in the overall inventory level (Imperial Tobacco, 2015). However, it is evident that the short term liquidity isnt an area of concern for the company since the ratios despite slight variations continue to be robust (Damodaran, 2008). Turnover Ratio Analysis The various relevant turnover ratios are as shown in the following table (Imperial Tobacco, 2015). Ratio Formula FY2014 FY2015 Asset Turnover Sales/Total Assets 1.02 0.84 Inventory Turnover Cost of goods sold/Inventory 7.40 7.08 Receivables Turnover Sales/Accounts Receivables 9.58 10.31 Payables Turnover Cost of goods sold/Accounts Payable 3.06 2.96 It is apparent from the above table the asset turnover has witnessed a decline in FY2015 primarily on account of decline in the overall revenue in FY2015 due to slowdown in selected European markets (Imperial Tobacco, 2015). The impact of lower sales is also reflected in the lower value of the inventory turnover in FY2015. The receivables turnover ratio has significantly improved in FY2015 despite lower sales generated which clearly indicates that there has been a sizable drop in the receivable days which would reduce the overall cash cycle of the firm and thus lead to reduction in working capital requirements. The payables turnover has decreased in FY2015 which indicates that the company has a longer credit period and thus leads to shortening of the cash cycle (Ross, Westerfield Jordan, 2013). Gearing Ratios Analysis The various relevant gearing ratios are as shown in the following table (Imperial Tobacco, 2015). Ratio Formula FY2014 FY2015 Debt to equity ratio (Short term + long term debt)/ Total equity 1.81 2.49 Interest Coverage Ratio Operating Profit/ Interest Expense 1.91 1.64 Long term debt to equity ratio Long term debt/Total equity 1.73 2.15 It is apparent from the above table that there is a significant increase in the debt to equity ratio primarily on increase in both long term and short term debt. The short term debt has increased from 429 million at the end of FY2014 to 1,957 million at the end of FY2015. Further, the long term borrowings have increased from 9,462 million at the end of FY2014 to 12,250 million at the end of FY2015. It is evident that majority of the debt on the books of accounts is of long term (Imperial Tobacco, 2015). Further, owing to a significant uptick in the overall debt, the interest expense has also increased which has led to a decline in the interest coverage ratio in FY2015 (Brealey, Myers Allen, 2008). Debt capacity and sources of finance It is apparent from the above discussion on the gearing ratios that while the equity of the company has remained steady, the primary source of financing seems to be based on debt. As a result of usage of debt as the lone funding mechanism in FY2015, the total debt equity ratio has reached a tipping point which coupled with a declining interest coverage ratio raises uncomfortable questions with regards to the companys continued ability to carry on with a debt based growth. The total debt to equity has already reached 2.49 which implies that debt funding accounts for nearly 71% of the total capital while equity amounts to only 29% of the total capital invested in the business (Brigham Ehrhardt, 2013). As a result, it may be concluded that the company has limited capacity to raise further debt and hence must focus on enhancing equity financing as possible source of finance going forward. As the global capital markets improve with the retracting US economy, it may be fair to expect that raising equity at healthy valuation should not be an issue for a reputed company like Imperial Tobacco with established brands. This would strengthen the balance sheet of the company and reduce the financing risk associated with the fall in the credit rating especially considering the nature of the business which is prone to government regulation and litigation. Recommendation of optimal capital mix The optimal capital mix for a particular firm is dependent on a plethora of factors including the capital requirements of the industry, market share of the firm and the underlying tax structure. It is apparent from the balance sheet of the company that around 60% of the overall assets are essentially intangible assets such as copyrights and brand names. Other fixed assets such as plant and machinery form less than 10% of the total assets of the company as on FY2015. Thus, long term capital is primarily required only for acquisition for other brands and players in the tobacco industry so as to enhance presence in a particular geography (Damodaran, 2008). As a result, a high long term debt is not a matter of concern considering that financing requirements for normal course of business is limited. Further, the company is the fourth largest tobacco product manufacturer in the world and hence can afford to have a stretched balance sheet at the present. However, going forward the company should look at a mix of equity and debt for financing acquisitions and should aim for a 65:35 funding mix skewed in favour of debt especially because the company is able to raise long term finance at competitive rates. Conclusion Based on the above discussion, it is evident that the company faces significant business risks primarily in the form of shrinking legal market due to government regulation and taxes, legal and compliance issues along with economic downturn especially in key European markets. Besides, the company also faces financial risk primarily on account of sizable debt funding and the associated interest cost. The financial performance of the company in FY2015 in terms of profitability has improved as compared to the previous years. The amount of debt on the books of account has enhanced in FY2015 which limits companys ability to raise further debt and hence the emphasis should be more on equity financing so that an optimal mix of 65:35 in the favour of debt could be attained in the long term. This seems suitable for the given industry with high share of intangible asset coupled with the companys reputation and market share. References Brealey, R, Myers, S Allen, F 2008, Principles of Corporate Finance, 9th edn, McGraw Hill Publications, LondonBrigham, EF Ehrhardt, MC 2013. Financial Management: Theory Practice, 14th edn., South-Western College Publications, New YorkDamodaran, A 2008, Corporate Finance, 4th edn, Wiley Publications Pvt. Ltd, London Imperial Tobacco 2015, Annual Report and Accounts 2015, Imperial Tobacco Group Plc, Available online from https://ar15.imperial-tobacco.com/pdfs/full-annual-report-2015.pdf (Accessed on March 13, 2016) Ross, S, Westerfield, R Jordan, B 2013. Essentials Corporate Finance, 8th edn., McGraw-Hill/Irwin Publications, New York