Each summer at the Shaker Work Group, a special school in rural Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where teenagers learn by working, it has been a tradition to have the teenagers take on the burden of setting their own rules and living by them. Although there are some adults on the campus, teenagers are a majority.

One summer, the group assembled to explore the topic of lights-out time. There was little debate until 10:30 P.M. was suggested. Why? Everyone at the Shaker Work Group works a minimum of several hours each morning on one project and several hours each afternoon on another. Since everyone had to get up early, no one wanted to stay up later at night anyway. Few teenagers at the Shaker Work Group try to evade the rules. When one does, the entire group meets to probe the reasons for the “villain’s” actions. Their aim is to reform the rule breaker. However, at Shaker Village, the theory is that busy-working teenagers will have no time to break the rules.

“Shape up” dalam bahasa Inggris berarti memperbaiki diri atau menjadi lebih baik, baik dari segi fisik (seperti dalam konteks olahraga atau diet) maupun dari segi perilaku atau kinerja. Dalam konteks olahraga atau diet, “shape up” bisa diartikan sebagai “membentuk tubuh”. Sementara dalam konteks perilaku atau kinerja, “shape up” bisa diartikan sebagai “memperbaiki diri” atau “meningkatkan kinerja”.
Tradition: Tradisi, adat istiadat, kebiasaan
Rural: Pedesaan, desa, wilayah pedesaan
Burden: Beban, tanggung jawab, kewajiban
Campus: Kampus, areal universitas, lingkungan akademik
Majority: Mayoritas, kebanyakan, sebagian besar
Assemble: Berkumpul, mengumpulkan, merakit
Explore: Menjelajahi, mengeksplorasi, mencari tahu
Topic: Topik, tema, pokok bahasan
Debate: Debat, diskusi, perdebatan
Evade: Menghindar, melarikan diri, mengelak
Probe: Menyelidiki, mengusut, penelitian mendalam
Reform: Reformasi, perubahan, pembaharuan.

Shape up
Tradition
Rural
Burden
Campus
Majority
Assemble
Explore
Topic
Debate
Evade
Probe
Reform

You got it! Here are explanations and examples for those words, focusing on their meanings and nuances:

Shape Up

To shape up means to improve one’s behavior or performance, to become more disciplined or effective. It can also refer to the act of becoming more organized or well-structured.

The coach told the team to shape up or ship out.
The company needed to shape up its operations to remain competitive.
Shaping up often involves making changes, improvements, or adjustments.

Tradition

A tradition is a custom or belief that has been passed down from generation to generation, a long-standing practice or way of life.

It’s a tradition for the family to have dinner together on Thanksgiving.
The company had a tradition of celebrating its anniversary with a party.
Traditions can provide a sense of continuity, identity, and cultural heritage.

Rural

Rural means relating to the countryside or areas outside of cities or towns. It suggests a sparsely populated area with agricultural or natural landscapes.

He grew up in a rural area, surrounded by farms and fields.
The company invested in a new rural development project.
Rural life often involves a slower pace, a connection to nature, and a sense of community.

Burden

A burden is a heavy load, a responsibility, or a hardship. It suggests a weight or pressure that is difficult to bear.

She carried the burden of her family’s financial problems.
The company faced the burden of increasing competition.
Burdens can be physical, emotional, or financial.

Campus

A campus is the grounds of a university or college, the buildings and facilities where students and faculty live, learn, and work.

She spent four years on campus, studying for her degree.
The campus was beautiful, with lush green lawns and historic buildings.
Campus life often involves a sense of community, learning, and social interaction.

Majority

The majority is the greater part or number of something, the greater proportion.

The majority of voters supported the candidate.
A majority of the students voted in favor of the proposal.
Majorities often have a significant impact on decisions, policies, or outcomes.

Assemble

To assemble means to gather together, to bring together people or things in one place. It can also refer to the act of putting together parts to make a whole.

The troops assembled for inspection.
He assembled the furniture according to the instructions.
Assembling things can involve bringing people or parts together.

Explore

To explore means to investigate or discover something, to travel through or examine a new area or subject.

He explored the city’s hidden alleys.
She explored the possibilities of a new career.
Exploring can involve a quest for knowledge, adventure, or discovery.

Topic

A topic is a subject or theme that is being discussed, a subject or theme that is being considered.

The topic of the meeting was the company’s budget.
She wrote a book on the topic of climate change.
Topics often serve as a focal point for discussion, research, or writing.

Debate

A debate is a formal discussion or argument, a contest of opposing viewpoints or opinions.

The politicians engaged in a heated debate about the new policy.
The students held a debate about the merits of different political systems.
Debates can be used to explore issues, challenge perspectives, or reach a consensus.

Evade

To evade means to avoid or escape something, to dodge something or to avoid confrontation.

He evaded the police by running through the streets.
She tried to evade the question, but the interviewer persisted.
Evading something can be a way to avoid responsibility, danger, or confrontation.

Probe

To probe means to investigate or explore something, to examine something closely or to search for information.

The police probed the crime scene for clues.
She probed the wound gently, looking for signs of infection.
Probing often involves a search for knowledge, evidence, or understanding.

Reform

To reform means to improve something by making changes, to make something better or more effective.

The government launched a program to reform the education system.
She reformed her lifestyle to be healthier.
Reform often involves a process of change, improvement, or restructuring.

***

The Burden of Tradition

In a rural village nestled among rolling hills, the burden of age-old tradition weighed heavily on the shoulders of its people. This village, known as Eldergrove, was a place where history and customs were revered, yet the winds of change whispered through the ancient trees, urging a shape up of the community’s stagnant ways.

The heart of Eldergrove lay in its old stone campus, where the majority of the villagers gathered to discuss matters of importance. It was here that the village council, a group of elders, would assemble to deliberate on various issues. Yet, the younger generation, eager to explore new horizons, found the council’s rules stifling.

A heated debate arose over a pressing topic: Should Eldergrove embrace modernity and reform, or should it cling to its cherished traditions? The younger villagers, led by a spirited youth named Aiden, sought to probe deeper into the possibilities of change, challenging the status quo.

Aiden, a university student home for the summer, had encountered fresh ideas and perspectives during his time on campus. His experiences had ignited a passion within him to bring new life to Eldergrove. But the elders, rooted in their ways, attempted to evade any notion of change, fearing the loss of their identity.

As tensions rose, Aiden called upon his peers to assemble in the village square. Under the watchful eyes of the elders, he presented his vision, advocating for a reform that respected tradition while welcoming progress. His words resonated with many, sparking a fervor among the youth.

The council, realizing they could no longer ignore the winds of change, agreed to explore a compromise. In a groundbreaking decision, they opened a dialogue with the younger generation, seeking a harmonious blend of old and new.

In the end, Eldergrove began to transform, maintaining its rich heritage while embracing innovation. The debate had not only reshaped the village but had also strengthened the bonds between generations, proving that even the deepest-rooted traditions could evolve.