Cats

Cats What to do With a Theatre Full of Cats? ChaptersBehind the Scenes of CatsThe Cats Musical: a SynopsisAcclaim and Awards for Cats the MusicalOne could say that musical theatre, in the 70s, was rudderless.That’s not to say that there weren’t any good shows on; A Chorus Line was a smash hit and so was Grease.Hair, the show that established the rock musical as a legitimate genre of musical theatre, was still running and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas was still good for a few laughs.Still, looking at an overview of the shows on Broadway and at London’s West End is rather telling of the lack of direction plaguing the playbill on either side of the ocean:A Little Night Music â€" a Stephen Sondheim work that gave us the ballad Send In The ClownsAnnie, a Charnin-Meehan-Strouse collaboration reminiscent of the Golden Age of musical theaterEubie!: a revue of jazz and swing composer Eubie BlakeThe Wiz: a funk-and-soul interpretation of the beloved classic The Wizard of OzEvita tells the story of Argentinian political leader Eva Peron set to a rock’n’roll beatThere were, of course, plenty of other shows staged during that decade but this short list suffices to illustrate our point: musical theatre was a jumble of genres.The sure-bet composers were falling short of the mark and the old formulas were failing to make the grade â€" although, admittedly, Annie, with its lush sets and grand musical numbers, enjoyed a respectable run.Still, audiences were tired of formulaic theatre. By the same token, they were not quite ready for a return to vaudeville, as the cool reception to the musical Chicago indicated.Disco was dying and synthesised rock had not yet hit the airwaves; the music industry too was floundering.And then, Andrew Lloyd Webber stepped in to fill the vacuum left by shows failing to meet theatregoers’ expectations.In a decade absent of a distinct musical style â€" on the airwaves or in theatres, Mr Lloyd Webber did what most every other composer did: threw everything he had at the public in the hopes that something would stick.Jesus Christ Superstar, a sung-through rock musical, proved satisfying for a segment of the population but was panned by religious groups.Evita, with its songs also rocking every Opera house, was geared to the new generation of theatregoers. It garnered awards on both sides of the ocean but still did not prove to be the winning formula that would end the slump music theatre found itself in.That didn’t come until his next big venture… TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our t utors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBehind the Scenes of Cats The junkyard cats introduce themselves in the first act of the show Source: Wikipedia Credit: HaleewithaFlairAndrew Lloyd Webber, obviously well-read, often draws on classic works for inspiration: the Bible for Jesus Christ Superstar (and for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, staged a few years earlier). That doesn't explain his involvement in Evita.It was Tim Rice, his frequent collaborator, who introduced the idea of Evita. He was the one who had researched her in depth.Lloyd Webber was initially turned off at the idea of writing tango music and frisky paso dobles for a subject he presumably knew little about. He focused his attention on the musical Jeeves instead, a show that proved to be a critical and commercial failure.Evita, the show he turned to after Jeeves, was a hit, but nowhere near as big a hit as shows he writes based on literature he immerses himself into. In spite of that success, Andrew Lloyd Webber likely didn't feel as though he had hit his stride yet.T he idea to write a show about cats came to him after reading a collection of poems T.S. Eliot had written for his grandchildren.Because of the nature of those rhymes, with repetitive lines and short-syllable words, they were relatively easy to set to music; in fact, most of the song lyrics in Cats come directly from Mr Eliot’s poems.Still, how does one go from individual stanzas of poetry to a fully-fleshed stage show with an engaging narrative and stunning visuals?You might also wonder how the producers of The Lion King made the transition from animated film to Broadway musical…It all started out as a songwriting exercise.Andrew Lloyd Webber wanted to see if he could write music for already-existing lyrics â€" the poems. At that time, the idea of revolutionising musical theatre did not cross his mind.Only after completing an entire set of songs-from-poetry did he start envisioning the possibility of a show he he tentatively called Practical Cats. He performed the songs publicly , gauging the audiences’ reactions.Mr Eliot’s widow was in the audience; she held a portfolio of her husband’s previously unpublished poems in her lap. Among them was one titled Grizabella, the Glamour Cat.That is the poem that finally allowed Mr Lloyd Webber to visualise his collection of songs as a fully fleshed-out musical fit for audiences worldwide.He contacted West End producer Cameron Mackintosh to bat around production ideas…Yes, that is the same Cameron Mackintosh that brought us Les Miserables! Considering Japan's feline adoration, it is no surprise that Cats is one of their longest running shows! Source: Wikipedia Credit: LombrosoThe Cats Musical: a SynopsisIt’s night. The Jellicle cats gather and outline their purpose. Noticing they have a human audience, they show no fear in talking directly with them â€" a technique known as ‘breaking the fourth wall’ in theatre-speak.The cats break that wall throughout the show, in effect making Cats an immersive experience.Each of the cats introduces themselves and then make way for Victoria, the tribe’s most graceful cat, to execute her ballet, which serves as the opening of the Jellicle Ball, where Old Deuteronomy will select one lucky cat to ascend to the Heaviside Layer for a new life.Just as Rum Tum Tugger’s song ends, a shabby old cat makes its way onstage, hoping for her chance to make her case for a new life. The other cats recoil in disgust at the formerly glamorous Grizabella. Dejected, she wanders offstage.The par ade of cats and their acts continues until a loud crash offstage is heard. All of the cats run away in fright but it is only Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, disreputable petty thieves even in stray cat circles!When their act ends, they are confronted by all of the other cats. Needless to say, they are not the pride of the tribe!You might say that Oliver Twist and his gang enjoyed a similar reputation…The Jellicle Ball progresses but there is malevolence afoot; Old Deuteronomy is in danger and the whole programme is at risk of falling through. Through the fighting, the lights go out…How will we know which cat is chosen to go to the Heaviside Layer?Also, discover cliffhangers from other popular musicals… The cats' last stand: taking a bow at the end of the show Source: Wikipedia Credit: Quadratestat MannheimAcclaim and Awards for Cats the MusicalCats set out to fulfil lofty aims and attained every one.Andrew Lloyd Webber’s tactic identifying each cat by matching its personality to a musical style was a stroke of genius.Rum Tum Tugger treated us to a rock song but Grizabella, a sad, tired cat, held forth in a dramatic aria more reminiscent of classical opera. The disparate styles of music were crafted together through preludes, recurring melodic motifs and reprises.If weaving together different genres of music was difficult, choreographing them was a magnum opus.Indeed, Cats is regarded as one of the most challenging shows to dance in the history of musical theatre, going as it does from ballet to jazz to tap to modern dance.The reason for this this vast dance repertoire is twofold.It had long been thought that American musical theatre is more amenable to choreography; British dance rs had somehow earned the reputation of being ‘less’ than those across the pond.Hiring British choreographer Gillian Lynne - and her doing a scintillating job of things was tantamount to British musical theatre thumbing its nose at Broadway, its presumably more vivacious counterpart.To make things even more taxing choreography-wise, most of the cats were meant to be on stage throughout the show even though not all of them would be dancing at the same time. That is a lot of bodies to coordinate movements for!Ms Lynne choreographed the show in such a way that every cat would stay in character even if they were sitting off to the side.Not only did she arrange for subtle movements at the stage’s peripheral but she encouraged the actors to mimic the movements of cats, grooming themselves or maybe chasing a dust ball, lending the show an anthropomorphic, slightly surreal feel.The final element that made choreographing this show so tricky is that not every stage is the same size, nor do they all have the same amenities. To wit, in some theatres, the cat ascending to the Heaviside Layer rises via a ladder, in others a sort of flying saucer is employed.Do you wonder how The Phantom of the Opera descending into the sewers is engineered?Nevertheless, the show came together beautifully and, by the by, ushered in the era of the megamusical â€" musical theatre on the grandest scale.Cats frolicked in the most renown houses: the New London Theatre and the Palladium. Across the pond, they dazzled audiences at the Winter Garden Theater, where it won seven Tony Awards, three Drama Desk Awards and even a Grammy Award for Best Cast Album.Cats holds the #2 spot for longest-running show on Broadway.Since it’s debut in London’s West End, Cats has travelled the world and been translated into multiple languages. In Japan, Cats has been playing continuously since 1983 in its own, purpose-built theatre.It has also enjoyed revival after revival, effectively proving that cats do indeed have many lives.If you’ve not yet had the pleasure of hearing for yourself one bedraggled cat named Grizabella sing Memory â€" and, of course, the rest of the Jellicle Cats sing their songs, why not see if you can find tickets for a production near you?We guarantee you won’t be disappointed.Now discover Broadway’s new smash hit, Hamilton...

The Best Dutch Revision Guides

The Best Dutch Revision Guides Improve your Dutch with These Resources ChaptersThe Best Books for Revising DutchThe Best Websites for Reviewing DutchThe Best Apps for Dutch RevisionSacrificing learning for economic reasons is really never a good idea â€" not on the part of individual students nor on the part of the entities whose mission is to provide access to study materials and teachers to guide the learning.There are a few problems with that philosophy, the main one being that, if there is little to no demonstrated interest in learning a given subject, nor is the pool of qualified teachers sufficiently large to deliver diversity in instruction, why continue to expend resources when they could be better applied elsewhere?That is exactly what happened to Dutch language instruction in our schools.Still, there are language learners who are actively looking for outlets to certify their language skills, which obviously means that there are students who wish to learn Dutch and make the language of Amsterdam a central part of their lives.Fortunately, we liv e in the information age: anything we could ever want to know is virtually at our fingertips!In consideration of those who have a passion for the Dutch language; for those who have applied themselves throughout their secondary school years only to discover that sitting Dutch GCSEs will be a much more convoluted process...For those frustrated at the fact that Dutch A-Levels have been consigned to history, your Superprof now presents the best Dutch learning and review resources so that, when you are ready, you will be able to face your certification exam with the greatest of confidence.Yes, there are certification exams; they’re just not the ones you expected!Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als Tweede Taal (NT2).Unlike the publications meant for native speakers, this dictionary indicates the usage of de or het for every word and gives sample sentences. It also gives the plural of nouns and details a bit of verb conjugation.The word definitions are given only in Dutch which, if you are at least at GCSE level, should be a boon because it provides an extra opportunity to read and understand your second language.If you are not yet that advanced, you may need a bit of grammar study.Should you have a good grasp of Dutch vocabulary but you lack a thorough grounding in language mechanics, Concise Dutch Grammar would be more your cup of tea.Perhaps you may actually prefer the edition that includes poetry and essays so you can get your reading practice in: what a great way to gain exposure to both the language and culture of the Netherlands!Another great way would be to talk with a Dutch native speaker or two...You might be surprised at the number of websites to help you learn Dutch! Source: Pixabay Credit: FirmbeeThe Best Websites for Reviewing DutchThe aforementioned Van Dale dictionaries are just a small part of that group’s resources for learning Dutch.Indeed, you will find so much more on their webpage, which includes a free dictionary (nowhere near as good for your purposes as the NT2 we mentioned above!), select articles covering current events and a full page dedicated to language training.Naturally, the page is in Dutch â€" what a great way to hone your reading skills! If in doubt over any word or topic discussed, you may, of course, run it through their built-in translator.Of everything they have to offer, their Online at School utility is the crown jewel of their site!For only €1.50 per student per year, they grant access to the spelling, meaning and pronunciation of thousands of words and, if you feel you need it, you may also engage their translation function.Unfortunately, there is no chat function on their site...However, there is italki!This platform allows you to connect directly with a Dutch native, schedule language sessions in accord with your calendar and timetable and get all of the chat time you need with a native speaker of Dutch.You do not pay a fee to join; however, each tutor sets their own rates per lesson, generally c harging a reduced rate for their first lesson.What if there were a better deal to be had?Superprof has more than 100 Dutch tutors, a substantial number of whom have relocated to our country and most of whom give their first hour of lessons at no charge!You might choose to learn with:Lars, who specialises in conversation at the native level, has earned glowing testimonials from his students!Amrita, another stellar Dutch teacher, offers lessons by webcam or in person if you live in the Birmingham areaElisa, who lives in Salford, has taught all levels of Dutch language learners. You should check out her unusual methodology...Superprof verifies all teachers’ credentials to ensure you the best learning experience possible and permits you to give feedback on your Dutch teacher so that future students will know how much you enjoyed learning with your Superprof.Why calculate time zone differences when you can review exam particulars with a Dutch Superprof in Great Britain?Before we move o n to discover the best apps for Dutch study, let us present one more site which has earned honourable mention:Forvo is a pronunciation guide, handy if you get stuck saying common phrases or some of those combination words that the Dutch language is renown forYou may use a wealth of apps to review Dutch on the go! Source: Pixabay Credit: JeshootsThe Best Apps for Dutch RevisionHands down, DutchPod 101 gets top billing from anyone learning Dutch.Of course, you, being more advanced in you speaking, may well have to skip ahead to find lessons that will challenge you!Nevertheless, there is value to be had here, the best possibly being the community chat function where you would meet with other language learners to discuss lessons and practice speaking Dutch.Other features include both audio and video lessons, flashcards and downloadable lesson notes.While there is no fee to partake of this learning programme, Glossika charges a monthly rate of $25 to learn and review Dutch after a free t rial.This language programme makes use of all of the modern teaching philosophies such as spaced repetition and their  mass sentence method, as they call it.Otherwise known as the 10,000 sentence method, this learning method postulates that, if confronted with enough sample sentences in the same language, the learner will assimilate word patterns and grammatical structure, and will soon start building new sentences without further instruction.You may be interested in knowing that this is the same theorem that drives machine learning!While there is arguably some merit to the method, it may prove a bit too cumbersome for a learner at your level who, after all, is looking for review materials.In that light, you may find it strange that we would recommend Duolingo...That language learning app’s selling point is its level testing: before you engage in learning anything, you should submit to a simple test to determine your understanding of Dutch, after which you will be presented with s entences and activities suited to your level of learning.What we really like about this app is its ways of engaging learners in all areas of language study.You would be called on to read, write, speak and listen to Dutch phrases and be challenged to demonstrate your understanding of such through periodic quizzes.Further incentives â€" as though fluency in your second language weren’t enough, include virtual badges and medals, pinned to your profile page.It is quite unfortunate that the language you so love, that boasts so many reasons to learn it, is not more popular. That means there are not as many resources to learn it or avenues to certify your skills and abilities... and that is such a shame!Nevertheless, we hope that this list of review resources will help you prepare well for when you sit your Dutch language certification exam.Good luck!

Biology Revision How Biology Affects Our Daily Lives

Biology Revision How Biology Affects Our Daily Lives The Importance Of Learning Biology As A Life Science ChaptersWhat Can You Expect From Your Biology Studies?Biology Is Present In Our FoodBiology Dictates How We Do ChoresHow Biology Affects The Way We Look After OurselvesBiology Provides Us With Our Everyday Home ComfortsBiology is truly amazing as it is the science of life and therefore a subject that every single human being can relate to. Many are continually fascinated by our race, including how it all began for humans. Biology explores the wonders of life, such as childbirth, but also draws attention to the dangers of things like drugs.As such Biology is a very good lesson about the human body, how it functions and how to protect it. Students of Biology will not only learn about the human body, they will also put into context our place in the environment, how organisms rely on one another to co-exist on our planet and will also discover the natural food chain, distinguishing predators from prey.If, after reading the above, you are already inspired to get stuck into your Biology le ssons, then keep reading to find out what more you can expect from the course! MahimaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlishaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaifBiology Teacher 5.00 (9) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FrankBiology Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HeavenliBiology Teacher £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SiobhanBiology Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MackenzieBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat Can You Expect From Your Biology Studies?With many tests and experiments waiting for them, Biology students can benefit from acquiring practical skills through hands on work. They will be encouraged to not only study how Biology works, but how elements of the science can be used to solve problems.No matter h ow good you are at the subject, a course in Biology will enhance your knowledge of biological concepts, highlight some of the biggest scientific breakthroughs and is a great subject to have for a number of careers. You will pick up a range of useful scientific vocabulary along the way too.In addition, it teaches pupils many basic lessons about life, like how to care for your personal hygiene, what happens to your body parts during the course of drug or alcohol abuse, and much, much more.Biology, along with the other sciences, is the foundation for building a career in the health sector or as a scientist, but is also useful to many other jobs. Pharmacists, zookeepers, microbiologists and many more professionals will have benefited from the content learned through their Biology studies.Dont forget, you don't have to pursue a career in medicine though, you might decide to become a Science Teacher or even to be a writer in the field of Biology. Furthermore, Biology can be helpful if you work in a company linked to food or drink, as you learn about food enzymes and fermentation.How Biology Shapes Your Daily LifeYou don’t need to be a Biology student or expert scientist for Biology to have a place in your life â€" science, including Biology, is all around us! While many associate the Sciences with things that happen within a hi-tech lab, the truth is that biological  processes and findings affect our day-to-day existence and, to some extent, help to keep us alive. Biology even shares links with the creative arts!If you still don’t believe it, consider how you could live without groceries, clean clothes, heating and other creature comforts? Yes, that’s right, all of these normal parts of life are influenced in some way by the innovations of Science. Let’s take a look specifically at how Biology plays its part in shaping our daily lives.Biology Is Present In Our FoodFood is a necessity of life. Not just because we enjoy consuming it, but because it is the fuel that helps to keep our bodies functioning.As you will no doubt know, there are some foods that are more beneficial than others, but even those basic items in our shopping basket wouldn’t be there for the picking if it weren’t for biological processes.Take milk and bread, for example. When you sit down to eat your breakfast before school, do you every wonder how the milk you pour onto cereal comes to become bottled milk, or how the flour ultimately produces the loaf of bread you are spreading your butter and jam on?In order to produce milk, dairy cows must feed on plants. Photo credit: StoiKNA via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NDIn order for cows to produce the milk that is so essential to our diets, they must in turn be healthy and feed on plants. For this, we have the process of  photosynthesis to thank.It also goes without saying that milk production is highly influenced Biology because, in order to produce the required amount of milk for a diary cow, the animal must birth at least one calf per year. Once a dairy cow has produced for around three years, they are then culled and their meat used for beef in our butchers and shops.Furthermore, the biological process of fermentation is what makes a wheat-flour bread dough.During bread making, bakers use yeast to produce the carbon dioxide needed for the bread to rise. Yeast is a single-celled, microscopic fungus that feeds on sugar and is essential in the process of making bread as well as brewing alcohol. As such, this biotechnology has a big impact on the way we eat and drink. MahimaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlishaBiology Teacher 5.00 (10) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SaifBiology Teacher 5.00 (9) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FrankBiology Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HeavenliBiology Teacher £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all ou r tutors SiobhanBiology Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MackenzieBiology Teacher 5.00 (2) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsBiology Dictates How We Do ChoresBut bacterial enzymes aren’t just linked to the food chain. Our daily chores can also benefit from the power of these microbes, for instance with manufacturers putting them in detergents to break down dirt and stains in our laundry.Imagine not having the luxury of clean clothes to wear every day. Until scientists discovered ways to produce biological detergents, many would have had to wash clothes with far less effective products and formulas, never knowing whether they had fought off all of the bacteria that had become embedded in their clothing and sheets.Laundry detergents contain enzymes adapted to living in hot environments and these enzymes break down protein, fat and starches found in stains and dirt, including food stains, sweat, mud and grass, among others.Special washing powders have also been developed to help tackle colour fading or to make whites look brighter which, although don’t have a direct impact on cleanliness, do aid in making your clothes last longer.Biology helps us keep our clothes clean and lasting longer. Photo via Visualhunt.comWould you ever have believed that putting the washing on could be so educational? Now there really is no excuse not to do your share of the chores, as doing so can be like getting on with revision!So, next time you are watching television and there's a break in your favourite TV programme with adverts about Vanish and other such products, you can think of all of the scientists behind the scenes working tirelessly to find new and advanced ways to improve your clothing hygiene!How Biology Affects The Way We Look After OurselvesBiotechnology also encompasses the production of products to improve our lives by preventing illness and disease, such as vaccines, allergy shots and tests to screen blood donors for infectious age nts.Also known as Biologics, biological products are made from a range of natural, most commonly human and animal cells or microorganisms. The main advantage of these medical products are to either diagnose or prevent diseases and illness.If you are one of the many who receive a flu jab every year or if you have vaccinations coming up (like the 3-in-1 teenage booster which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and polio), then you can be thankful to the biological research that has been carried out in past decades to come up with such preventative measures in keeping your health up.Biological research has enabled the health sector to provide vaccinations against illnesses, like the common flu jab. Photo credit: NHSE via Visualhunt.com / CC BYBiology Provides Us With Our Everyday Home ComfortsLast but not least, you may not realise just how reliant we are on Biology in our homes. Although the use of renewable energy is on the rise, we are still using up fossil fuels to provide us with heat, such as oil and coal.These fuels are the remnants of living organisms that graced our planets hundreds of millions of years ago, which are turned into energy sources like oil, natural gas and coal. Now that we are so much more aware of the dangers of carbon dioxide though, which is released as waste from these fossil fuels, humans are now investigating new Eco-friendly sources such as solar power with lots of homeowners opting for solar panels on their roofs.During the course of your Biology studies, biology tutors will no doubt teach you about efficiency within the home, which is becoming more and more of a focus for homeowners due to the large environmental footprint that traditional heating sources leave.Thanks to solar energy for heating, insulated walls, double or triple-glazed windows and airtight spaces for retaining this heat, many houses are now able to conserve energy instead of creating additional energy and thus cause less overall waste.Learn more about some of th e most outstanding biology discoveries.Find an a level biology tutor.

Best SAT Question And Answer Tips for high scores

Best SAT Question And Answer Tips for high scores 0SHARESShare SAT is a determiner of your skills in calculation, reading comprehension and writing abilities. Score a fine target in sat, your entry into a premier college is assured with a great educational breakthrough. How to read SAT Question and Answer them with maximum effect? Here are some tips for you: Easy questions in sat and how to answer them? The first order of questions always falls for easy questions and you could easily manage them within the time frame without teasing your brain. Most of your answers would be right too. Still, don’t be overwhelmed by the easy factor, but read the questions quickly yet carefully to hit a good score. Medium questions in sat and how to answer them? Medium level of difficulty in questions occupies the next 1/3 of the sections. You may not find them as easy as the previous one. Still attend them all to score once again as much as you can. Don’t leave them blank as the next 1/3 is going to be really excruciating for you. You might not find time to come back. Do something with them to do your level best. Write down or do calculations to understand the question better. Difficult questions in sat and how to answer them? The last 1/3 of the questions forms the difficult level. By the time, you feel exhausted and a bit confident that your previous answers are almost right and you could achieve your targeted score. Answer what you know in this level of difficulty. Don’t dwell upon any single question for a long time. Use process of elimination in answering the questions In sat questions, the wrong answers should be eliminated one by one to arrive at the right one. If you are not able to eliminate at least 2 or 3 wrong answers, leave the question blank. Wrong answers, you know carry ¼ point of negative marking. Only in Math multiple choice questions, you can attempt all the questions in SAT Mathematics. There, you would not face the negative scoring factor. Those who are not confident of their math skills can opt for SAT Biology test. Look for the probable answers in reading passages Look for the main idea in the reading passage and concentrate on the probable answers instead of searching for accurate answers. This will save time for you and get a boosted score. Sat prep is a matter of clever strategies and a determination for netting high scores. [starbox id=admin]

Guide to Travelling to Spain

Guide to Travelling to Spain Everything You Need to Know Before Staying in Spain ChaptersSpain FactsThe Most Beautiful Monuments in SpainWhich Are the Most Beautiful Cities in Spain?How Much Does it Cost to Visit Spain?Famous Spanish Food and DrinkWhere Should You Stay in Spain?Spanish Culture And Traditions“The impulse to travel is one of the hopeful symptoms of life. ” - Agnes RepplierIn 2017, Spain was the second most visited country in the world after France. From the Sierra Nevada to the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean, from UNESCO World Heritage Sites to flamenco shows, Spain is one of the countries whose culture just keeps drawing in the tourists.L'Hemisfèric â€" Imax Cinema, Planetarium and Laserium;L'Umbracle â€" Walkway / Garden;El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe â€" Science museum;Oceanografic â€" Open-air aquarium or oceanographic park; andÁgora â€" A versatile space for a variety of events.Of course, there are more than just these four attractions in Spain. Other monuments of note include:Cathedral of Santiago de CompostelaBurgos CathedralThe Guggenheim Museum in BilbaoCasa Milà in BarcelonaThe Royal Palace of MadridMontserrat AbbeyAlcázar of SegoviaThe Cathedral of Palma de MallorcaCathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the PillarThe Roman Theatre, MéridaThe Giralda of SevilleWhich Are the Most Beautiful Cities in Spain?A lot of Spain’s most beautiful monuments are found in Spain’s most beautiful cities. In addition to these monuments, take the time to spend a few days in these Spanish towns and enjoy the best that Spanish life has to offer.Spanish cities are full of history. (Source: caciaca)MadridThe most famous Spanish city is the capital, Madrid, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. There are many different nationalities in Madrid and this large city deserves several days to fully discover it. As the capital, Madrid is home to large boulevards, traffic and noise, as well as a large choice of relaxing parks and museums.The Prado Museum and the Museo Reina Sofia are the two unmissable museums in the capita l and you can discover works by artists like Picasso and Dali.However, there’s much more than just museums and history lessons to be discovered here. If you take yourself to Independence Square just before nightfall, you’ll see the sun setting upon the arches of the Puerto de Alcalá gate which is a beautiful sight. Furthermore, you should take a trip down Gran Via, the long commercial road which offers a range of shops, cafes, bars and casinos.Football fans will be in awe of Cibiles Square where Real Madrid supporters flock to celebrate thei team’s wins.Madrid has a strong food and drinks game, with influences coming from all over the country and materialising in their multi-cultural kitchens. You’ll find many wine caves, taverns and other traditional drinking grounds. Among the wide range of restaurants is a gorgeous, well-hidden gem of a restaurant named La Capilla de la Bolsa, situated in the town centre. Here, you’ll be wowed by the chapel interior, sensational food a nd delightful atmosphere (featuring a live pianist playing among the purple glow of uplights). Don’t miss it if your in the capital, you won’t regret it!BarcelonaHowever, there’s also another city in Spain that has stolen a lot of Madrid’s thunder. Barcelona has been one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations for those looking for sun, beaches, and parties.On the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona welcomes tourists from all over the world, though you could argue too many of them. It’s probably a good idea to avoid the city in July and August or you may as well have just stayed at home.We already know about the very famous Sagrada Familia which can be found in this buzzing city, but what else is there to do and see? Firstly, visitors should know that Barcelona boasts twenty Michelin starred restaurants, a range of clean, world-class beaches, excellent shopping centres and a superb nightlife.La Rambla is a pedestrianised boulevard that offers a range of pubs and clubs an d is the heart of Barcelona’s art scene, with artists and flamenco dancers found here throughout the day. The gothic zone features many hidden places to visit at night, including some Irish pubs. Finally, El Born is the more sophisticated area of Barcelona and less tourist-y. It has some lovely bars and restaurants.SevilleFor those visiting Andalusia, Seville is a dream destination. The capital of this autonomous region is famous for Islamic architecture which can be found all over the south of Spain.  With the Royal Alcázar of Seville, the Plaza de España, and the Italica archaeological site, there’s plenty for tourists in this beautiful city.Along with cultural attractions, Seville is also a hotspot for  lovers of open spaces. There’s a few gorgeous parks, open and green, that are very enjoyable to visit. One of these includes Le Parc de Maria Luisa. The Plaza de España is also a wonder of Seville, bordering a pretty canal. Finally, Italica, an archaeological site, propos es the remnants of an amphitheatre. When visiting, you can walk through the tunnels and witness first hand the space where 25,000 people once congregated to be entertained. It’ll blow you away!Other Beautiful Spanish CitiesThere are a lot of other Spanish cities that are worthy of also being included in this list. They include Toledo, Salamanca, Cordoba, Malaga, Girona, Grenada, Las Palmas, and Palma de Majorca.Some popular summer holiday destinations are Cala D’Or, Costa Teguise, Los Cristianos, Lloret de Mar, Puerto Rico, Santa Ponsa, Cala de Finestrat, Fuengirola, Palma Nova, Benalmadena Costa, Alcudia, Magaluf, Puerto Banus, Benidorm, Roquetas de Mar, Ciutadella, Cala n’ Bosch, Salou, Playa del Ingles, Nerja, Marbella, Alicante and many, many more!Salamanca is nicknamed The Golden City due to the colour of its sandstone buildings. As the sun sets, this city glows. Perhaps you’ll find the time to visit one of Spain’s most beautiful cities.Commisceo Global additionally r eports that: “Traditionally women in Spain were the homemakers and men provided for the family. However, in the last two decades, women’s role in Spanish society has changed dramatically and many more are entering university education and moving into professions which were formerly dominated by men. Young, unmarried women have become more independent and are migrating to cities for education or work. […]  As far as family is concerned in modern Spain, men and women tend to share the parenting and household responsibilities particularly in urban areas where more women are likely to work outside the home in the cities. In the rural farming areas, the tradition of women as the homemakers tends to be more obvious although women and men often share the labour on the land in support of one another.”

What Are Standardized Tests and What Do Those Test Scores Mean

What Are Standardized Tests and What Do Those Test Scores Mean Raising children today means that youre very familiar with standardized testing. Standardized tests have been around for a long time but became especially noteworthy in the early 2000s with the passing of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, which mandated annual testing of students in grades 3-8 in every state and had punitive provisions for schools that did not make adequate yearly progress toward grade-level standards. In 2015, No Child Left Behind was replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act, which offers greater flexibility on standardized testing. Still, the fact remains: while your child is in school, she is going to be tested and measured via some form of standardized test. What do standardized tests test? To put it simply, they measure how students are progressing toward grade-level standards in core subjects including math, English language arts, science and social studies. Each state gives testsoften called statewide assessmentsto students in grades 3 through 8 toward the end of the school year. Those exams are intended to provide an overall measurement of: How your student is performing in key content areas. What your student knows and what he needs to succeed in the future. Whether he is on track toward building higher-level thinking skills such as writing and problem solving. Across the nation, there has been a movement toward refocusing teaching on helping students learn and not preparing for standardized tests. So, the assessment of today is different than the assessment of several years ago. Students are spending less time taking tests, but states still place value on measuring what students know and what gaps exist (so they can determine how to close those gaps). Types of assessment tests When the Common Core State Standards were introduced in 2010, many states started using either the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) or Smarter Balanced tests that were aligned to Common Core. Things have changed since then, with only one-third of states using either test (as of spring 2019, according to Edweek.org). The other 32 states use tests that they designed themselves or purchased from another source, while three states give hybrid tests that mix their own questions with questions from PARCC/New Meridian or Smarter Balanced. Heres a summary of the standardized 3-8 tests used in each state as of 2019: State Name 3-8 Test Alabama Scantron Alaska Performance Evaluation for Alaska's Schools (PEAKS) Arizona AZMerit Arkansas ACT Aspire California Smarter Balanced Colorado Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) Connecticut Smarter Balanced Delaware Smarter Balanced D.C. PARCC Florida Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) Georgia Georgia Milestones Hawaii Smarter Balanced Idaho Smarter Balanced Illinois PARCC Indiana ILEARN Iowa Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) Kansas Kansas Assessment Program (KAP) Kentucky Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress (K-PREP) Louisiana Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) Maine Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) Maryland PARCC Massachusetts Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Michigan Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP), PSAT Minnesota Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) Mississippi Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) Missouri Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) Montana Smarter Balanced Nebraska Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) Nevada Smarter Balanced New Hampshire New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System (NHSAS), *Performance Assessment of Competency Education (PACE) (some districts) New Jersey PARCC New Mexico PARCC New York New York State Assessments North Carolina North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests North Dakota North Dakota State Assessment (NDSA) Ohio Ohio's State Tests Oklahoma Oklahoma School Testing Program Oregon Smarter Balanced Pennsylvania Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) Rhode Island Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS) South Carolina SCReady South Dakota Smarter Balanced Tennessee TNReady Texas State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Utah Readiness Improvement Success Empowerment (RISE) Vermont Smarter Balanced Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) Washington Smarter Balanced West Virginia West Virginia General Summative Assessment Wisconsin Wisconsin Forward Wyoming Wyoming Test of Proficiency and Progress (WY-TOPP) The most up-to-date information about testing in your state, including specific skills and subject areas that will be tested as well as any recommended or required high school tests (such as exit exams), is available on your states Department of Education website. For questions about how to help your child best prepare for success on any exam, standardized or other, contact Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN.

Easily Confused Words in English Say and Tell

Easily Confused Words in English Say and Tell Many students learning English have some difficulty with the verbs say and tell. They nearly have the same meaning but there are instances when you can you use say but not tell and vice a versa.The Verb SaySay is used with direct and indirect speech.Say is most often used without a personal object.If we want to put a personal object after say, we use to.We dont use say with about. Tell me about Argentina. NOT: Say to me about Argentina.Examples:She said that it was my last chance.He said, ‘Good morning.’She said that she would be late. (not She said me)And I say to all the people of this great countryTelltell is used with direct and indirect speech. She told me she would be late.after tell, we usually say who is told, i.e., tell someone something. She told me to do my homework. NOT: She told to me..Only use tell to mean ‘instruct’ or ‘inform’ Tell is used to tell someone to do something. My mom told me about her vacation. NOT: She told me good morning. (She said good morn ing.)Tell is not used before objects like a word, a name, a sentence, a phrase. Ana said a bad word. NOT: Ana told a bad word.We do not usually use it after tell to refer to a fact. Ill tell you tomorrow. NOT: Ill tell it to you tomorrow.Tell someone again (repeat). Tell me your phone number again. NOT: Say to me your phone number again. Enjoy this lesson? Take a Skype English lesson with us!

Taipei Fuhsing Private School

Taipei Fuhsing Private School Taipei Fuhsing Private School · Fuhsing is a K-12 school. There are two academic systems in the school. One is the Taiwan curriculum system, and the other is a Taiwan/American curriculum system. · In the Taiwan curriculum system, we offer government-approved English curriculum, mainly taught by Chinese English teachers. Foreign teachers tell stories, teach phonics in Elementary school (K-G4), and teach interest group classes (somehow like elective classes) from G5-G11. · In the bilingual curriculum system, we teach Chinese and math according to Taiwan government-approved curriculum, while English, social Studies and science follow California curriculum standards. · Class size, what foreign teachers teach: (no Chinese teachers co-teach) · kindergarten: 30 students / class (tell stories, teach phonics) · Grade 1 to grade 4: 40-42 students / class (tell stories, teach phonics) · Grade 5 to grade 11 (Interest Groups): 22-28 students / class. Class topics are according to teachers ¡ ¦ individual interests. We have had topics such as novel, drama, music, movies, mythology, traveling, sci-fi, traveling, etc. · Bilingual grade 1 to grade 6: 30 students / class (teach Reading, Spelling, Science) · Bilingual grade 7 to grade 12: 25-45 students / class (Honors/Regular English Social studies (World Geography, AP/Honors/Regular World History, AP/Honors/Regular US History, US Government, AP Psychology, AP Economics) Science (Life Science, Physical Science, AP/ Regular Biology, AP/Honors/Regular Chemistry, AP/Honors/Regular Physics, Environmental Science)) · Every classroom is a multi-media classroom, equipped with a computer, a LCD projector, a projector screen and Internet access. · Fuhsing is a K-12 school. There are two academic systems in the school. One is the Taiwan curriculum system, and the other is a Taiwan/American curriculum system. · In the Taiwan curriculum system, we offer government-approved English curriculum, mainly taught by Chinese English teachers. Foreign teachers tell stories, teach phonics in Elementary school (K-G4), and teach interest group classes (somehow like elective classes) from G5-G11. · In the bilingual curriculum system, we teach Chinese and math according to Taiwan government-approved curriculum, while English, social Studies and science follow California curriculum standards. · Class size, what foreign teachers teach: (no Chinese teachers co-teach) · kindergarten: 30 students / class (tell stories, teach phonics) · Grade 1 to grade 4: 40-42 students / class (tell stories, teach phonics) · Grade 5 to grade 11 (Interest Groups): 22-28 students / class. Class topics are according to teachers ¡ ¦ individual interests. We have had topics such as novel, drama, music, movies, mythology, traveling, sci-fi, traveling, etc. · Bilingual grade 1 to grade 6: 30 students / class (teach Reading, Spelling, Science) · Bilingual grade 7 to grade 12: 25-45 students / class (Honors/Regular English Social studies (World Geography, AP/Honors/Regular World History, AP/Honors/Regular US History, US Government, AP Psychology, AP Economics) Science (Life Science, Physical Science, AP/ Regular Biology, AP/Honors/Regular Chemistry, AP/Honors/Regular Physics, Environmental Science)) · Every classroom is a multi-media classroom, equipped with a computer, a LCD projector, a projector screen and Internet access.