Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Baccalaureate

Computer Fundamentals

Basic Computer Scheme

Input, Process, Output.

Binary Code

Information in a PC is processed using binary code.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

A type of data storage generally located on the motherboard. It is volatile; all information is lost when the computer turns off.

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

A non-volatile memory used in computers and other electronic devices.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The brain of the computer where most calculations take place. The CPU is the most important part of a computer system.

Motherboard

The physical arrangement in a computer that contains all the computer's components.

Analog vs. Digital Technology

In analog technology, information is translated into electric pulses of varying amplitude. In digital technology,... Continue reading "Computer Fundamentals and Internet Connections" »

To Kill a Mockingbird: Frequently Asked Questions

• Where does the story take place?

  Maycomb, Alabama.

• What is Scout's real name?

  Jean Louise Finch.

• Where are Scout and Jem's mother?

  She died of a sudden heart attack when Scout was two years old.

• What is rumored about Boo Radley?

  It's rumored that he once stabbed his father with scissors.

• Who is Dill?

  Charles Baker Harris ("Dill") is a boy staying next door for the summer with his Aunt Rachel Haverford.

• Why does the teacher, Miss Caroline, get mad at Scout?

  Because Scout already knows how to read.

• Why won't Walter Cunningham borrow a quarter?

  Because his family is poor and proud, and they never take anything they cannot pay back.

• What does Walter Cunningham do at lunch at the Finches'?

  He pours molasses syrup

CHARACTERS:   Hiro Adachi: Main character, is a Japanese student, studying in England with a study abroad program.

Akiko: Hiro's ex  The Shark / Erik Bjornson: the grandfather Hiro meets on the train to Koln Berlin Karl Meier: A German man in Berlin   Franz Schubert: A bodyguard

-His girlfriend Akiko, broke up with him for having a picture of his dog as a wallpaper. -

-Hiro is from Japan but he is studying in England with a study abroad program and now on his summer holidays he has used an InterRail ticket (ticket to travel anywhere in Europe).

-Hiro met Akiko in the same course in England, they were going to make a trip to the South of Spain and some friends but when he got angry for wanting to take the dog on a trip, everything took a turn... Continue reading "Encounter at Brandenburg Gate: A Tale of Deception and Survival" »

Essential English Vocabulary

Common Verbs and Phrases

Cram: To stuff something into a tight space.

Example: I tried to cram all my clothes into one suitcase, but it didn't work.

Figure out: To understand or solve something.

Example: I figured out that math problem.

Nurture: To care for and encourage the growth or development of someone or something.

Example: Parents need to nurture their children to help them become good people.

Pull yourself together: To regain control of your emotions.

Example: Stop crying and pull yourself together.

Rough and ready: Done quickly and without much care; basic.

Example: Today's homework is rough and ready.

Scheme: A plan or plot, often secret or dishonest.

Example: The officials schemed against the president.

Shift: To move... Continue reading "Essential English Vocabulary and Grammar Guide" »

Affective Filter Hypothesis

The Affective Filter Hypothesis suggests several factors influence language acquisition success.

Key Factors

• Motivation: Higher motivation correlates with better language acquisition.
• Self-Esteem: Increased self-confidence aids language learning.
• Anxiety: Lower anxiety is beneficial; ideally, anxiety should be zero for optimal acquisition.

When focused on the message and anxiety is absent, acquisition occurs. However, while zero anxiety may not be suitable for all tasks, it is crucial for language acquisition.

Facilitative Anxiety

Facilitative anxiety may be acceptable for certain tasks, but language acquisition requires anxiety to be directed away from the language itself.

Affective Filter

The affective filter acts as a block... Continue reading "Affective Filter: Impact on Language Acquisition" »

English-Spanish Vocabulary

Common Verbs

Accomplish, achieve: conseguir, assolir

Attempt: intent

Bargain: regatejar

Cope: sortir-se'n

Decrease: reduir

Deal: oferta

Delighted: encantada

Disrupt: interrompre

Enable: permetre, fer possible

Encourage: animar, fomentar

Effort: intent, esforç

Fulfil: complir

Get started: empezar

Ignore: ignorar

Injure: ferir

Isolate: aïllar

Lack of: falta de

Litter: llençar escombreries

Misunderstand: malinterpretar

On the move: en movimiento

Promote: promocionar

Rate: tarifa

Share: compartir

Succeed: tenir èxit

Toward: hacia

Upgrade: millorar

Upcoming: próximo

Other Words

Breathtaking: imponent

Brought about: provocado

Clever move: movimiento inteligente

Force: fuerza

Funded: fundado

Stall: parada

English Grammar Review

Verb Tenses

Present Simple

Used... Continue reading "English-Spanish Vocabulary and Grammar Guide" »

Medieval Music Essentials (400s–1400s)

Sacred Music: Plainchant

Plainchant, the music of the Church during the Medieval period, is characterized by its basis in modes, a free-flowing rhythm, and a single, unaccompanied melody line (monophony).

Modes: Building Blocks of Plainchant

A mode (from the Latin word manner) is a type of scale. Modes served as the fundamental building blocks of plainchant. There are seven distinct modes, each possessing a unique character or mood.

Neumes: Early Music Notation

Neumes were the earliest form of musical notation. These symbols, written above the Latin text, indicated basic pitch direction. They were developed as tools to support, not replace, the practice of oral tradition. Around 1029, Guido d’Arezzo significantly... Continue reading "Medieval Music: Plainchant, Troubadours, and Polyphony" »

Present Simple

Indicators: Always, often, usually, generally, sometimes, seldom, hardly ever, never, every..., once/twice a..., three times a..., on days of the week, by day, weekly, regularly, at first..., then.., Monday...

Past Simple

Indicators:

• Determined time: Last week, yesterday, six weeks ago...
• Indeterminate time: The other day, ages ago, a long time ago...
• The previous day, week...
• The day, week before...

Future Simple

Indicators: Tomorrow, next week, probably, maybe, perhaps, I (hope, think, believe, expect...), spontaneous decisions, predictions, favors, uncertain future.

Present Continuous

Indicators:

• Am + -ing
• At present, currently, now, right now, at the moment, at this moment
• "Today" (contrasting a habit)
• This afternoon, tonight, tomorrow,

The main characters are three men: Peter Mason, Jackstraw, and Joss. They were working in a weather station in the Arctic when suddenly, they heard a huge noise. They left the weather station to know what had happened. They found out that the noise had been an accident of a plane. When they reached the plane, they fortunately found 10 survivors, but they also found several dead men, with one of them dead by a bullet, not the crash, so it was clear that there were some murderers among all of them.

The rest of the story runs on trying to guess who the murderers are. Peter Mason, Jackstraw, and Joss are men who are experienced in working in extreme conditions, but they have never managed a situation as described in the book. The leader of the three... Continue reading "Arctic Murder Mystery: Survivors, Scientists, and Secrets" »

Passive Voice Transformation Exercises

Part 1: Active to Passive Conversions

• 1. All students must be given an identity card.
• 2. The fires are being started deliberately.
• 3. He is said to be the greatest drummer alive.
• 4. The results will be sent out in six weeks.
• 5. Nothing can be done about it without a receipt.
• 6. It has been decided that three students will be interviewed.
• 7. That chair has just been given to me by my grandmother.

Part 2: Sentence Transformation Practice

1. 1. The wine should be opened about three hours before you use it.
2. 2. Steps in the ice had been cut by previous climbers.
3. 3. My shoes had been cleaned and my suit was brushed.
4. 4. This room is only used for special occasions.
5. 5. Nails must not be hammered into the walls without permission.