Spanish Grammar Comparisons, Negation, and Superlatives

Spanish Grammar Comparisons, Negation, and Superlatives Suzy S. As you learn to speak Spanish, youll need to be able to put together  a variety of phrases. Here, Spanish teacher Jason N.  shows you how to  describe nouns in relation to each other Spanish Comparisons In English, as in every language, we compare people, places, and things  regularly. Spanish comparisons aren’t too different, there are just new formulas to learn. The good news is theyre very basic and you can learn them for the long-run in a couple of hours! Heres the most important one: Here are some examples:  Obama es más alto que Clinton (Obama is taller than Clinton)  Mi carro es más rápido que el carro de Juan (My car is faster than Juan’s) Now its your turn to practice! (The answer key can be found at the bottom of the article) 1)  Jim is smarter than Alex. 2) Alison is stronger than Brook. 3)  The office at TakeLessons is nicer than the office I previously worked in. Equal Comparisons Sometimes one thing isnt better or worse than the other. For that, were able to compare things that are the same. Here’s another important formula: There are also endless combinations that can go in the blanks. For example:  Obama es tan alto como Clinton (Obama is as tall as Clinton)  Mi carro es tan rápido como el carro de Juan (My car is just as fast as Juan’s) Negative Expressions in Spanish It’s especially easy to make things negative in Spanish    just add a ‘no’ in front of whatever youd  like to negate. For example: No es chistoso Daniel (Daniel isn’t funny) Negation in Spanish can also be redundant and emphatic, in that sometimes it repeats itself. While double-negatives in English cancel themselves out logically, in Spanish double-negatives are frequently used to convey negation. Check out this example: No tengo nada (I have nothing) The direct translation in English is “I don’t have nothing,” which sounds odd and would imply the speaker has something. In Spanish, however, this is correct and simply means you have nothing. Once you practice your Spanish some more, these nuances will become second nature to you. Superlatives in Spanish If you want to isolate one person, place, or thing as being the most something (a superlative), you just put the definite article (el, la, los or las) before the given phrase. For example:  Esta mujer es la más guapa (This woman is the prettiest)  Florida es el estado más hermoso de los Estados Unidos (Florida is the most beautiful state in the United States) You may be surprised to realize that the word most doesn’t exist in Spanish. There is also no way to add the superlative suffix ‘est’ at the end of words. It may seem odd that it just translates to ‘the more,’ but it works because using the definite article and context help readers and listeners  understand what you mean. Practice  translating these sentences (again, answer key is at the end of the article!): 1)  Jim is the smartest man alive. 2) Alison is the strongest woman alive. 3) The office at TakeLessons is the nicest office in the United States. Bonus Words: Irregulars Wait there’s more! Here are other Spanish comparison words including confusing irregulars: Mayor vs. menor (older vs. younger) Alto vs. bajo/a (in Mexican Spanish it’s often ‘chaparro/a’) bueno (good) becomes  mejor (better) malo (bad) becomes  peor (worse) Viejo (old) becomes  mayor (older) joven (young) becomes  menor (younger) Your Spanish tutor can help you better understand double- (and sometimes triple-) negatives in Spanish! My advice is to explore the language through movies, music, and books, and work with a good tutor. Its also a good idea to make sure you know how to pronounce Spanish words before you start practicing them. Happy learning! Answer Key Comparisons 1) Jim es más inteligente que Alex. 2)  Alison es más inteligente que Brook. 3)  La oficina de TakeLessons es más bonita que la oficina en la que trabajaba. Superlatives 1)  Jim es el hombre más inteligente del mundo. 2)  Alison es la mujer más fuerte del mundo. 3)  La oficina TakeLessons es la oficina más bonita de los Estados Unidos. Post Author:  Jason N. Jason N. tutors in English and Spanish in Athens, GA.  He majored in Spanish at UC Davis, lived in Mexico for 3 years where he completed a Master’s degree in Counseling, and studied Spanish Literature and Psychology at the University of Costa Rica. He is currently attending the University of Georgia.  Learn more about Jason here!     Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

6 Unique Jobs for Singers You May Not Have Considered

6 Unique Jobs for Singers You May Not Have Considered Suzy S. Want to make singing your career? Here are some ideas from Brooklyn, NY voice teacher  Liz T.  to make a living using your voice! Having the gift of a great singing voice is not something you should let go to waste! While you are out there auditioning and recording, waiting for your big break, there are many performing opportunities that will help you get to the next level of your singing career! Check out these fun, unique jobs for singers that I have personally enjoyed doing. 1. Theme Parks Theme parks are a great way for young singers to get performance experience. The entertainment is always top quality at parks such as Six Flags, Busch Gardens, Hershey Park, Cedar Point, Dollywood, and of course all of the Disney parks. Theme park shows include many different styles, including country, rock, RB, and even opera! If you get a summer gig working at a theme park, be prepared for hard work. Most singers schedules are six days a week, with possible shows from 10 am to 10 pm. You have to keep your body healthy during this intense schedule, especially if you are performing outdoors in the hot summer heat. Theme parks can pay anywhere from $400-$1,000 a week, depending if you are equity or not (some theme parks will hire both equity and non-equity actor/singers).  Make sure to check if the theme park gig comes with housing, a meal plan, gym access, etc. some parks will have these benefits for singers, while some will not. Also, theme parks are a great way to take advantage of the holidays! Many of them have special Christmas or Halloween shows. They may need carolers for their Christmas season, or actors for their Halloween haunted house. Work as much as you can during these holidays, and your bank account will be happy! 2. Cruise Ships Cruise ships are a great opportunity to perform the music you love, and to travel the world. You might be singing with a jazz big band, a Latin trio, or in a musical theater show. You can find opportunities directly with cruise lines, such as Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America, and Disney; there are also many agencies that you can audition for privately that can place you on these cruise ships. The perks of working on a cruise ship are that you get free room, board, and meal plan. On board as a performer, you will work pretty much every single day, including holidays, but only for a few hours, usually in the evenings. You will have your days free to spend in port, sightseeing. Performers are treated very nicely on the ships, with many cruise lines giving you special guest privileges to the spa and gym. It’s also a great way to interact and meet other crew members and guests from all around the world. Most cruise contracts range from 3-10 months straight at sea, with no time off, and the salary ranges from $400-$1,200 a week. 3. Churches/Synagogues Being a musical soloist at your local church or synagogue is a great way to share your musical passion with your community! Often, cantors are needed for masses, weddings, and funerals. Cantors will need to be familiar with classical, gospel, and American music. Compensation may be different for each service. Singing religious music is also a great way to stay in vocal shape and to work on your sight reading! These gigs are also great because they are mostly on weekends, so you can still take other work. Also if you have piano or musical directing skills, you can become a musical director in your place of worship. This includes putting together the musical liturgy every week and perhaps directing the choir or ensemble. 4. Voice-overs/Radio These are usually quick, easy jobs for singers to supplement their income. Big organizations or freelancers often need singers to sing or speak for their original recording, which could be a radio ad, jingle, web series, or podcast. I would first approach this as a freelancer, looking in your local entertainment job listings. Make sure you have a demo of your vocal recordings you can also pitch these to agents and casting directors. You’ll find many jobs if you have a versatile voice, such as being able to record in different accents, languages, and age ranges. Rates for voice-over projects vary depending on your union status, and don’t be afraid to negotiate! 5. Teaching Voice There’s no better way to share your love for singing than by teaching others! If you have received your training and hold at least a Bachelors degree in Music, then you are qualified to teach in most institutions (each state varies). There are many schools looking for choral and general music teachers, as well as artists-in-residence for after-school programs. Also, you can start off being a private lesson teacher to students in your community. This is a great option because you can set up a studio in your own home, as well as set your own rates and times. You can even become a voice teacher with TakeLessons! 6. GB Bands Creating your own GB (general business) band or cover band is a great way to get out there performing! Your band might perform at weddings, restaurants, or corporate events. It’s a great way to make some nice money and also get comfortable performing on stage with a live band (and audience). These gigs pay pretty well sometimes you can make up to $1,000 on a weekend! All you need is your own microphone, and the patience to have a few hundred cover songs under your belt! It’s also a good way to develop your own material, and put your own songs to practice. (Make sure you have a nice video reel to send to companies or promoters booking your act.) As you can see, there are tons of good jobs for singers to look into! You can absolutely make money and do what you love at the same time. Get on out there and sing! Liz T. teaches singing, acting, and music lessons in Brooklyn, NY, as well as online.  She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M in Vocal performance and currently performs/teaches all styles of music including Musical Theater, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, RB, and Country.  Learn more about Liz here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Jeff

Photosynthesis Pigments Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Photosynthesis Pigments Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace The chlorophylls the green pigment of plants are the most important pigments active in the presence of photosynthesis .There are eight types of chlorophyll pigments- chlorophyll a, b, c, d and e, bacteriochlorophyll-a, bacteriochlorophyll b and bacteriovirdin. Of these chlorophyll a is most nearly or universal occurrence being present, in all photosynthetic organisms except the green and purple bacteria. Chlorophyll b is found in all higher plants and in the green algae, but is not found in algae of most other classes .The other chlorophylls c, d and e are found only in algae and in combination with chlorophyll a, bacteriochlorophyll and are present in the purple bacteria whereas the green bacteria contain the pigment called bacteriovirdin.All of the chlorophylls are very similar in chemical composition and all of them are compounds which contain magnesium. Carotenoids: They are red, orange, yellow, and brownish pigments. They are present in variable concentrations in nearly all higher plants and many microorganisms such as red and green algae, photosynthetic bacteria and fungi. Beta carotene, the major carotenoid is orange- yellow pigment and found in plant tissues. The carotenoid which consists of carbon and hydrogen are known as carotene, while the carotenoids containing oxygen are called xanthophyll which is found more frequently in nature than the carotenes. The major xanthophyll is generally found in green leaves. The carotenoids are located in the chloroplasts and chromatophores.They occurs there as water insoluble protein complexes. Phycobillins: The phycobillins are found only in algae, the red and blue phycobillins are called phycoerythrins and phcocyanins, respectively. They are active in the transfer of light energy to chlorophylls for utilization in the process of photosynthesis.

What is it Like to Attend Trinity College

What is it Like to Attend Trinity College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Jesse is a New York City tutor and 2012 graduate of Trinity College. He holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology and tutors several subjects, including englishtutoring, public speakingtutoring, and writingtutoring. Check out what Jesse had to say about his time at Trinity College: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or rural is the campus? Did you feel safe on campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Jesse: The Trinity College campus is beautiful, with historic buildings and a landscaped central campus. The campus itself is situated in the middle of urban Hartford. Its a safe campus as long as you use your head. There are buses; however, Hartfords public transportation is not as reliable as other cities. I would recommend a bike. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Jesse: In my experience, the professors, advisers, and teaching assistants are very available. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Jesse: My undergraduate experience was a bit different in that I went back to school as a working adult, so I did not participate in dorm life as many undergraduates do. But there is plenty of opportunity to socialize through clubs, extracurricular activities, and sports. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Jesse: Trinity College has a reputation for being a policy-based institution. Political Science, Sociology, and History are its strong areas of study. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Jesse: I transferred to Trinity College in my junior year, so I do not have experience as a freshman. However, I made plenty of friends in and out of the classroom. Greek life plays a role in campus social life, but there have been recent efforts by the faculty to cut down on its impact because of the activities of a few fraternities. That doesnt mean that all fraternities or sororities are bad, however. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Jesse: The Career Center is very helpful for underclassmen. Many reputable companies recruit at Trinity College. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Jesse: The study areas are well-lit, quiet, spacious, and in modern facilities. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Jesse: Hartford, CT is a post-industrialized city with a vibrant West Indian, Latino, and African American community. Students from Trinity College who are not afraid to leave their collegiate bubble can experience a different community than the one they are learning in, or they can take a bus to West Hartford and have a suburban experience similar to their collegiate bubble. Students sometimes venture downtown, but they mostly stay on campus. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Jesse: The student body is relatively small, as are the class sizes. The largest class may have 25 to 30 students the smallest, under 10. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Jesse: One memorable experience I had was being able to study abroad in South Africa. When I returned, I took an African History class with a professor who was really engaging, and who opened me up to connecting with other students on campus as well as within the Hartford community. Check out Jesses tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

10 Benefits of Taking Maths Lessons

10 Benefits of Taking Maths Lessons The Top 10  Reasons for Learning Maths with a Maths Tutor ChaptersWhy Study Maths?Why Study Mathematics? Here Are 10 Good Reasons!1. Private Maths Tuition2. Take Maths Lessons to Better Understand Your Surroundings3. Maths Tuition for Better Career Prospects4. No More Falling Behind in Maths Lessons5. Studying Maths with a Learning Method to Suit You6. Improve Your Self-Esteem with Maths Tuition7. Can Maths Tuition offer Value for Money?8. Get a Lot Out of Your Maths Classes9. Choose From a Huge Range of Maths Tutors10. Different Maths Learning SituationsSome say maths is like marmite: you either love it or you hate it.Some quite like algebra and calculus, others prefer geometry and trigonometry or mental maths.Most can agree that studying maths has an important place both in our education system and in our society. But why do we need Maths?We need it for maths  problem-solving  and making sense of our surroundings.Getting help from a one to one maths tutor  for exam preparation can set you up for a successful career in fields such as accou nting, catering, chemistry, physics, and social sciences.Maths instruction can cover a range of levels and even make tuition exam board specific. So whether your child needs maths help with year 1 maths or you're a sixth former looking for help to prepare  OCR A level maths revision to get you through the semester, there's a math teacher out there for everyone!Common Difficulties with MathsDepending on your level, obstacles to really understanding certain areas of maths concepts can come from all quarters and many people struggle to solve different mathematical equations.Does maths leave you scratching your head? ¦ source: VisualhuntSuch possibilities include:A lack of knowledge: Maybe difficulty understanding something in class has left you without a firm foundation to build your knowledge of the subjectMemory:  Maths often requires you to learn formulae and equations by heartVocabulary troubles:  Not properly understanding the specialist language can mean you miss out on vital in formation...Algebra, geometry, precalculus...it can all get too much!Confusing concepts:  You may not be able to remember which formula applies to which type of maths problemsReasoning skills:  Maybe you just can't get to grips with the logic behind what you're being taughtVisualisation:  Perhaps you struggle to visualise how the shapes come together or how the graph transformation will look in the endSome people are even scared of doing maths and need some guidance!With the help of a mentor, you will no longer face your difficulties alone.The teacher will reassure you throughout your progress, explain the points you are having trouble with and find different methods of teaching  difficult concepts to make you the best mathematician you can be!Why Study Mathematics? Here Are 10 Good Reasons!This is our  list of the top 10 reasons to try maths tuition.1. Private Maths TuitionBy choosing a private maths tutor, everything you used to struggle with will soon become a lot clearer as they deliver a personalised programme based on your learning style.Before scheduling your first 'real' lesson together, the maths tutor may ask to meet you to discuss where your problems lie. They will use this to decide your starting level and how to approach the course content.They might choose to use active maths games to teach core math or show you fun maths tricks.Tutoring services provide tailored help to make sure that the teaching fits the student, so the student doesn't have to change to fit the subject.2. Take Maths Lessons to Better Understand Your SurroundingsOne on one maths lessons will help you develop reasoning skills that will help you make sense of the environment  as well as improve your decision-making and problem solving skills that may come in handy in later life.Maths skills such as counting, adding and subtracting, multiplying and dividing, fractions, decimals, rounding, graphing, reasoning and arithmetic are all part of our everyday problem-solving skills. Witho ut them, we wouldn't be able to evaluate proportions or estimate to make informed decisions.Our society is built on maths and understanding its importance can help you to find your place and interact with others.3. Maths Tuition for Better Career ProspectsHaving maths skills on your CV will make you attractive to employers in many professional fields. Jobs that involve math include accounting, medicine, catering, banking, and practical work.Maths is becoming more and more sought-after.Private maths lessons mean you get the full, undivided attention of the tutor who will work  on your maths revision with you.And if you have questions to ask, even if they're not maths questions, you can talk to your tutor without the pressure of asking in front of other pupils.5. Studying Maths with a Learning Method to Suit YouQuite often, schools move too fast when teaching maths, which means some students inevitably get left behind. The other issue is that not everyone's learning style is on the sc hool math curriculum - which takes a one-size-fits-all approach.By delivering lessons on a one to one basis or in a small group, maths tutors are free to adapt the pace to the learner, addressing any difficulties along the way. This means it will appear that the tutor is teaching maths made easy when in actual fact, the method has just been adapted - you'll feel like a math genius!By following a tailored learning programme which aims to help students overcome specific difficulties,  students see tangible results.6. Improve Your Self-Esteem with Maths TuitionBecause of the student-focussed nature of private tuition, you will quickly find that your confidence in yourself and your abilities starts to grow. This means you'll feel more at ease when it comes to maths in the classroom or taking a big maths test.You'll find that you're not so bad at maths after all, and you may even start to like it!7. Can Maths Tuition offer Value for Money?With private maths lessons in high demand and pl enty of people willing to supply them, one on one tutoring is no longer reserved for those with a lot of money to spare.By signing up to tutoring websites or doing some research on home tutoring, you'll soon find out that having regular maths lessons won't break the bank.Rates for private maths lessons are generally quite low in comparison to other subjects with the UK average at £19.26 per one hour of tuition. This price does, however, vary depending on the level at which you want to study maths.8. Get a Lot Out of Your Maths ClassesThe level of effectiveness of your academic tutoring will lie with the skills of your maths tutor, who must have relevant qualifications and enough experience of teaching maths to lead you to the level of success you desire.If the home tutor is lacking any of these essential qualities, the tutee is wasting their time and money for counter-productive sessions.If you find a tutor through a platform or go through tutoring companies such as Superprof or Ku mon maths, there's no need to worry since they check this information for you!9. Choose From a Huge Range of Maths TutorsIf students see no progress after 1 to 2 months of private tuition, we recommend finding a different tutor or changing the type of lesson.Most types of maths lesson can be delivered on a private basis, however, it's also worth considering intensive maths refresher courses which are delivered on a short-term scale.Group lessons tend to suit students who work better with peers and only need focused maths help in the run up to exams, but for those who tend to lag behind and need support throughout the school year, one on one tuition is ideal.10. Different Maths Learning SituationsExtra-curricular maths lessons come in 3 categories: private sessions, intensive courses and workshops.Private home tuition offers regularity and promotes the comfort of the learner since the tutor generally comes to them.Intensive courses  such as a maths boot camp tend to be aimed at those who are motivated enough to give up their holidays, for example.Taking lessons in a small group can promote peer mentoring ¦ source: VisualhuntMy Maths homework and working through Edexcel GCSE maths past papers can get pretty lonely, so working together on maths SATs papers or GCSE maths revision can be a breath of fresh air.Students go to a tutoring agency where they are taught in a small group for around 2 to 4 hours per day.These courses are particularly popular before the start of the new school term as pupils and parents want to get off on the right foot.Organisational workshops are gaining popularity.During the school year, students are brought together in small groups to learn how to best approach their work and efficiently complete exercises.There are many other ways to take maths lessons including:Maths online tutoringWeekly support sessionsIndividualised academic supportCourses during the holidaysAs you can see, having a good knowledge of maths and being able to apply i t is essential to everyone regardless of their level. Primary school maths is one of the pillars of the school syllabus and can pave the way for further study of the subject. Achieving a grade C in GCSE maths is a minimum requirement for many higher education establishments and employers.Although private tutors don't need any specific teaching  qualifications, they put be equipped with an appropriate level of knowledge to aid their students.To make sure that a student succeeds in maths, confidence is key. Reassuring the student will give them the motivation to overcome their difficulties and be curious about what they can learn.Turning to a private maths tutor for help is not as all shameful or embarrassing, in fact, it shows honesty and a will to succeed with the help of a professional.

The Ultimate Guide to English Adjectives

The Ultimate Guide to English Adjectives English Adjectives are an essential part of English, and today we are going to give you the ultimate guide on how to use them effectively. Adjectives are used to describe things, and they come in many forms. First of all,    take a  look at the following  useful list which categorizes some commonly used adjectives. As you read, try to think of  some  example  sentences.Adjectives of Quantity• full•  empty• some• few• half• several• many• every• many• numerous• aplenty• galoreThat bus has many people inside.Adjectives of Appearance•  beautiful• ugly• stunning• hideous• handsome• old• young• ancient• tall• short• clean• dirty• slim• chubby• longThe pyramids in Egypt are ancient.Adjectives of Color• red• orange• purple• green•  yellow• orange• blue• brown• dark green• yellowish• metallic  â€¢ transparent• silverSome jellyfish are transparent.Adjectives of Opinion• good• bad• funny• boring• good• b etter• best• wonderful• splendid• mediocre• useful• useless• evil• lovelyThe football match was very boring.Adjectives of Size• small• little• tiny• tall• mountainous• huge• minute• gigantic• long• short• same as• colossal• massiveDinosaurs were colossal animals.Shape• round• square• triangular• oval• cylindrical• oblong• zigzag• spherical• crooked• distorted• steep• straight• deepThe hill was incredibly steep.Origin• American  â€¢French  â€¢Spanish• English• Italian• Dutch •lunar  â€¢oceanic  â€¢polar  â€¢equatorial  â€¢northern• southernWilliam Shakespeare was an English poet.Material• glass  â€¢wooden• cloth• concrete• fabric• leather• ceramic• china• steel• cotton• silicon• plasticThe room has a concrete floor.Distance• short• long• far• nearby• close• faraway• neighboring• distant• remote• far-flung• around• outlying• outermostThe mountains are far fro m here.Temperature• hot• cold  â€¢boiling  â€¢freezing• frigid• sweltering• chilly• scalding• burning• cool• sizzling• wintry• frostyThe weather is scalding  today.Time•early  â€¢late• morning• afternoon• evening• night• first• last• initial• modern• old-fashioned• quick• rapid• belatedI woke up early for my morning coffee.Personality• happy• sad• excited• scared• funny• boring• cheerful• grumpy• lonely• brave• lazy• witty• mysterious• jealousHe is a very grumpy old man.Tastesweet• sour• acidic• bitter• salty• delicious• repulsive• tasty• yummy• appetizing• scrumptious• spicy• tastelessThe noodles were absolutely scrumptious.Touch• hard• soft• rough• smooth• grainy• coarse• bumpy• lumpy• polished• glossy• irregular• sticky• damp• cuddlySandpaper feels very rough.Age• young• old• baby• child• childish• antique• youthful• elderly• mature• adolescent• infantile• bygone• recentThe goat was very young.What is an Adjective?Hopefully that list  helped you understand what an adjective is. An adjective is a word that describes or changes the noun (a  person, place or thing), pronoun or other adjectives.  Most adjectives can be used in front of a noun; They have a  beautiful  house or after a link verb such as  be, look, feel; Their house is  beautiful.Order of AdjectivesNow that you know what an adjective is, along with many examples of the different types of adjectives to use, the next important step is to order your adjectives. If you have a sentence that has more than two adjectives, then you need to place your adjectives in a particular order. Otherwise, your sentence will sound really strange. Take a look at this helpful video to show you how to order your adjective sentences:Can you rewrite  these sentences in the correct order? Share your answers with us in the comments section!The couch is (classic, canvas, t an, small, new).Her new apartment is (cool, blue, small, cozy, inexpensive).The painting is (American, dark, oil, interesting, expensive).My new car is a (1970s, blue, awesome, fast) Mustang.Seattle is a (fun, rainy, quiet, hip) city.Adjectives With -ED or -INGThe next stage in our ultimate guide is using adjectives with -ed and -ing endings. A lot of our students get confused by English adjectives with -ed and -ing. First, because they look like verbs in the present simple and the continuous tense. Second, because they’re not sure how the -ing and -ed affect  the meaning of the word. Watch the video below to understand the difference between the two adjective types.Remember, -ed ending adjectives often describe emotions. They tell us how people feel about something: He was  surprised  to see the monkey riding a horse. On the other hand,  -ing ending adjectives describe the thing that caused the emotion. For example,  The film was absolutely  terrifying. Be careful in particular w ith these adjectives because they can be used in both forms:amusedamusingannoyedannoyingconfusedconfusingdisappointeddisappointingexcitedexcitingexhaustedexhaustingfrightenedfrighteningsatisfiedsatisfyingshockedshockingAdjective ExerciseNow try these exercises by selecting either the -ing or -ed form of the adjective.  Remember to write your answers in the comments section, and well respond!My English classes via Skype are very (interested/interesting).The students are never (bored/boring) in our classes.I was (irritated/irritating) that I had to wait 2 weeks to see the movie.He was (embarrassed/embarrassing) that he hadn’t studied his English adjectives.The news that the economy is (improved/improving) was good news to everyone.We are (excited/exciting) that our new video is finished.I think that animation can be very (entertained/entertaining).We plan on having a (relaxed/relaxing) weekend.This month’s results are (encouraged/encouraging).I hope this lesson wasn’t (confused /confusing) for you.Adjectives as NounsNow that we have covered some of the basics of adjective use, we are going to look at something a little more difficult. Using adjectives as nouns  can be very confusing for those learning English. If we use the article the in front of an adjective, it changes meaning into a  plural  noun. Look at these examples:The good always win in moviesThe unemployed are losing hope.We should do something to help the homeless.As you can see, using adjectives as nouns in this form allows you to talk about groups of people.  For example, poor people = the poor. We don’t often want to make generalizations of groups of people saying they all have similar qualities, however it is useful and efficient when discussing political and social policies. Take a look at this video below which explains the use of adjectives as nouns.Are you ready to try? Change the following adjectives to nouns using the. Dont forget to share your responses with us in the comments sect ion!Example:    Old people and young people need to come together on the issue of public transportation.Answer:  The old and the young need to come together on the issue of public transportation.1. Educated people are running the country. 2. Rich people have a lot of advantages over poor people. 3. Old people are encouraged to get the flu shot. 4. Homeless men, women, and children are advised to find shelter in churches or public shelters for the next few night. 5. Unemployed people should move to find work. 6. Living people must respect the wishes of the dead.Adjectives as AdverbsNext up,  we are going to look at turning adjectives into adverbs. As we mentioned earlier, adjectives change the meaning of nouns, pronouns or other adjectives. Above, we saw  how we can change adjectives into nouns. Now we are going to look at how to change adjectives into adverbs.Adverbs (adjective  +  ly)  are used to modify  the verb, adjectives or other adverbs. Look below for  some examples:Modify verbs:  She spoke confidently when she pitched her idea to the team.Modify adjectives: Apartments in Amsterdam are outrageously expensive.Modify other adverbs: She spoke extremely confidently.The most common irregular adverbs are  well, fast and hard. Make sure you dont add an -ly to these words!Check out this video for some extra help:I hope that helped your understanding of this concept. Below are some sentences with a choice of adverbs to modify the sentence. Can you  choose the correct adverb? As always, write your answers in the comment section so we can give you some feedback.1. “How was the test?” “Not good, it was (absolutely/really) difficult.”2. “Are you hungry?” “Yes. I’m (absolutely/very) starving.”3. “Did you like the movie?” “No. I thought is was (totally/very) awful.”4. “Did you have a good vacation?” “Yes. It was (really/very) fantastic.”5.“Do you like talking about business?” “Yes. I think it is (very/absolutely) interesting.â €Practice with AdjectivesHopefully by now you are starting to have a better understanding of what adverbs are and how we can change adjectives into adverbs. Lets practice. Listen to this video below to hear some examples of adjectives and adverbs. Then complete the sentences below with the correct adverb or adjective.Most foods we cook require _______  attention to cooking temperature and time in order to get ____ results.There’s one food that’s __________  _________.Like their higher protein content and ______  flavor, they are ______ in another way.Mushrooms have a _____  texture over a ____ range of cooking times and temperatures.Steamed them in a basket in a _____ Dutch oven.The tenderloin, portobello and zucchini required 186, 199 and 239 grams of force  ____________ to be compressed 3mm.The tasters noted that all of these samples were  ______.This picture changed ____________  after five more minutes of steaming.Tasters found the tenderloin tough and leathery, and the zuc chini was ______  ____.The portobello on the other hand remained _______  _________.Eventually turning a ________  293% tougher, while the zucchini decreased in firmness by 83% and turned _____ and _____________.Tasters still found the mushrooms to be ________ ______.Chitin is ____ ____-______.This ______ structure allows us to _______  sauté mushrooms for just a few minutes, or roast them for the better part of an hour.All the while, achieving ____-_______, _________ ______  specimens.Comparative AdjectivesComparative adjectives are used to compare 2 objects. The key to understanding comparative adjectives is to count how many syllables (the number of sounds in a word) are in the adjective. For example,  fast has one syllable, handsome has 2 syllables and  dangerous  has 3 syllables.For one syllable adjectives, we simply add  -er to the end of the adjective.Example:  Laura is  taller  than Sarah.If the  adjective ends in a consonant + vowel + consonant spelling, (for example, fat or big), then you need to double the final consonant before adding -er.Example:  That hippo is  fatter than the crocodile.For two or more syllable adjectives, simply use the form  more + adjective + than.  Example: London is  more expensive than Bangkok.For two  syllable adjective ends in -y, change the -y to -i and add -er.Example:  He is  happier  than Eric.Memorize this useful chart below so you can remember the comparative form.1 syllableadjective + -erShe is faster than Mary.He is  bigger  than me.2 + syllablesmore + adjectiveJack is more handsome than Jerry.  2 syllables ending in -ydrop -y from adjective +-ierThat joke was funnier than mine.Superlative AdjectivesSuperlative adjectives are used when we are talking about  3 or more objects, where we want to show what is  the upper or lower limit of something. The rules to use for superlative adjectives are very similar to comparative adjectives.For one syllable adjectives, add -est, and again, if the word ends in vowel-consona nt, double the consonant.That is the  tallest  building in the whole city.Today is the  hottest  day of the year.For two or more syllable adjectives, use the form  the most +  adjective.This is  the most beautiful painting in the whole museum.For two syllable adjectives that end in -y,  change the  -y  to -i and add -est.That is the  funniest    joke I have ever heard.Heres another helpful chart to help you remember the rules:1 syllablethe + adjective + add -estThats the tallest building in New York.He is the  biggest  guy in the class.2+ syllablesthe most + adjectiveEmma  is the most interesting woman Ive ever met.2 syllables ending in -ydrop -y from adjective +-iestPeter is the funniest of all my friends.As always in English, there are some irregulars, so be careful! The most common irregular adjectives are shown below.AdjectiveComparativeSuperlativegoodbetterbestbadworseworstlittlelessleastmuchmoremostfarfurther / fartherfurthest / farthestNow that you have learned all of these   rules, have a go at a quick quiz below. Think of an adjective which could fit into the sentence, and then change it to the correct comparative or superlative form. Dont forget to leave your responses in the comments section, and well respond with corrections or feedback!The blue car is ____________ than the red car.This is the most _____________ t-shirt in the shop.Antarctica is the ___________ place on Earth.Michael Jordan is the ____________ basketball player of all time.Albert Einstein was ________ _________________ __________ me.That was the _________ ____________ movie I have ever seen!I live in the __________  city/town/village in my country.We hope that enjoyed todays this Ultimate Guide to Adjectives. You should now be an English adjective master! Remember to write any comments or answers to questions that you have in the comment section so we can write back to you. If you want to put your newfound knowledge  into practice, then sign up here today for a trial class with LOI English.

Less Stuff = More Happiness English Listening Exercise with TED

Less Stuff = More Happiness English Listening Exercise with TED I think that Ive always tried to be a minimalist. I dont like to collect a lot of stuff. It makes me feel materialistic and tied down (unable to move quickly or easily change my plans). This the TED talk for this English listening exercise is about this subject, and I think Graham Hill explains very well the benefits of simplifying your life.Below youll find more info about Hill, his TED video, and after that, some listening questions. Enjoy!Why you should listen to Hill:Graham Hill (@GHill) founded the eco-blog and vlog TreeHugger.com, to help, as he says, push sustainability into the mainstream, with a design-forward style and an international, wide-ranging team committed to transforming complex issues into everyday concepts. Its been called the Green CNN. The TreeHugger team was even asked to join the Discovery Communications network as a part of their Planet Green initiative, and Hill now makes appearances on the green-oriented cable channel.Before Treehugger, Hill studied archit ecture and design (his side business is making those cool ceramic Greek cups). His other company, ExceptionLab, is devoted to creating sustainable prototypes think lamps made from recycled blinds and ultra-mod planters that are also air filters.Contact us to take an English conversation class on this TED video. Whats in the ___? ________ it is must be pretty important.Why do you think the crowd laughs at his first sentenceTheres a new industry in ____.What is the new industry?What is the result of having all this new stuff?What did he do with is apartment?Immediately I saved ____ _____.What does that mean? How did he save it?Weve ____ cut the extraneous from our lives, and weve _____ learn to ____ the inflow.How many people can eat in his home?What is his response to his own question, Whats in the box?Less ________equal ____________.Do you believe the above statement? Why or why not?

Canadian International School Kunshan

Canadian International School Kunshan Canadian International School Kunshan About CISK Founded in 2012, the Canadian International School, Kunshan (CISK) is affiliated with St. Johns-Kilmarnock, IB World School, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Currently, CISK provides an Early Years Foundation Program, that includes Pre-School Nursery, Junior and Senior Kindergarten, and as of September 2015, Grade 1-10 programs, all taught in English, although Mandarin is available to our students and forms part of our curricula. Our ultimate goal is to expand our grades in order to offer our students a complete secondary school program. Looking ahead to the upcoming school year, we plan to move our staff and students, including our entire educational resources, to a brand new state of the art facilities, in Kunshan, China, located on our new campus, adjacent to Duke Kunshan University. Kunshan. About Kunshan Kunshan, Jiangsu is located in the south-east, county-level city under the jurisdiction of Suzhou City, is located between Shanghai and Suzhou city. It is also the father of Chinese operas Kun qu originated. September 2010, Kunshan and Vienna, Singapore and other 5 cities in the United Nations Habitat Award for the year. Kunshan, China economy is the strongest in the county-level city, for four consecutive years in Forbes China best county-level cities ranked ranked first, for eight consecutive years won China small citys comprehensive strength hundred cities and counties first.It is around a 2 hour drive to Shanghai from Kunshan and approximately 18 minutes by light transit high speed rail.