The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, a fragrance that always carried Maria back to her grandmother's cottage. She traced the dew-kissed leaves of a fern, her fingers cool against the delicate fronds. A quiet desperation gnawed at her, a feeling she'd tried to bury beneath layers of work and distraction. The letter, crisp and formal, lay folded in her pocket, its edges softened from repeated touch. It was an eviction notice, threatening to tear her away from the only home she'd ever truly known. The developers, sleek and unyielding in their tailored suits, had spoken of 'progress' and 'modernization,' words that tasted like ash in Maria's mouth. What was progress if it meant erasing history, dismantling community?

She remembered her grandmother's stories of resilience, of tending the land through droughts and storms, of building a life with calloused hands and unwavering spirit. Maria felt a surge of indignation, a fiery resolve that momentarily eclipsed her fear. This land wasn't just soil and trees; it was a tapestry woven with generations of memories, of laughter and sorrow, of life and death. The ancient oak, standing sentinel by the creek, seemed to whisper secrets of the past, urging her to fight. Its gnarled branches, reaching towards the sky, echoed the strength she needed to find within herself. She clutched the letter, her knuckles white. Giving up was not an option. She would find a way, even if it meant standing alone against a tide of concrete and greed.

The rapid advancement of technology has brought immense benefits, but it has also exacerbated a significant societal challenge: the digital divide. This term refers to the gap between those who have ready access to computers and the internet, and those who do not. Historically, this divide was primarily economic, with wealthier individuals and nations having greater access. (6) However, as technology becomes more ubiquitous, other factors, such as geographic location and education levels, have emerged as crucial determinants. For example, rural areas often lack the necessary infrastructure for high-speed internet, (7) leaving residents at a disadvantage in an increasingly connected world. (8) Individuals without basic digital literacy skills are often excluded from online opportunities, even if they have access to devices. Addressing the digital divide is not merely about providing hardware; it requires a multifaceted approach that includes improving infrastructure, offering digital education programs, and making technology more affordable. (9) Bridging this gap is essential for ensuring equitable access to information and opportunities in the 21st century. (10) This gap exists, unfortunately, in many countries.

A student conducted an experiment to investigate the effect of solute concentration on osmosis in potato cores. Four potato cores of equal mass were prepared. Each core was placed in a different sucrose solution for 24 hours. The solutions had concentrations of 0.0 M, 0.2 M, 0.4 M, and 0.6 M. After 24 hours, the potato cores were removed, blotted dry, and their final masses were measured. The percentage change in mass was calculated for each core.

Table 1: Percentage Change in Mass of Potato Cores