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

I would really love to visit Coney Island again. The place is far from the bustling city, and getting there is already part of the adventure. One can take the tunnel or drive, but whichever way you take, when one arrives on the island, it’s like being transported in time.

A Journey to Coney Island's Past

There is that feeling of déjà vu one gets when you see the heart of the island for the first time. Maybe it is because of the old films that featured the amusement parks, or because as a young child you had countless dreams of coming here. The place is filled with old buildings and structures that remind us of how our parents and grandparents might have enjoyed the Thunderbolt, the mermaid shows, the parachute drop, and all the other parks... Continue reading "Coney Island's Enduring Charm and Nostalgia" »

Sony Announces the PlayStation 4

At the PlayStation Meeting 2013 in New York, Sony revealed its latest gaming console: the PlayStation 4. While the console's hardware remained under wraps, attendees were treated to demos of several upcoming games. Details such as price and release date are yet to be announced, but more information is expected at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).

A Focus on Games

Lead architect Mark Cerny took the stage, reviewing the history of PlayStation before officially announcing the PS4. While some technical specifications were mentioned, the primary focus was on the games.

Knack and Killzone

The first demo showcased Knack, a family-friendly game designed by Cerny himself. For hardcore gamers, a new installment in... Continue reading "PlayStation 4 Unveiled: A Glimpse into the Future of Gaming" »

Analyzing Auggie Pullman's Triumph: Wonder Chapters 39-42

Mr. Tushman's Speech and Auggie's Reaction (p. 302)

Awards (p. 302)

Why do you think Mr. Tushman’s voice kept cracking during his speech announcing the award winner? How do you think Auggie felt at the end of this chapter? What do you think is going through his mind?

Mr. Tushman was emotional because he knew everything Auggie had gone through that year, and he genuinely felt Auggie deserved this recognition.

Auggie likely felt a mix of emotions:

• Shock: He probably did not expect to receive the award.
• Happiness and Pride: People were not only accepting him but also acknowledging his positive qualities and contributions.

He was probably wondering why he had received this award, reflecting on... Continue reading "Auggie Pullman's Transformation: Analyzing Wonder's Ending" »

The Ending (p.231)

Auggie feels: “I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives”. Do you agree with Auggie? Why (not)? Do you think this will ever happen to Auggie? Why (not)? It’s a nice thought because it’s a beautiful way of acknowledging a person’s work or actions and it’s an excellent way to boost this person’s confidence.

This will happen to Auggie at the graduation ceremony when he’s awarded the Henry Ward Beecher medal and the entire audience applauded him.

Part 7 (Miranda)

Camp Lies (p.236)

What does Miranda mean that these girls were “at the top of the food chain”? Why do you think Miranda was ashamed to face Via after returning home from camp?

She... Continue reading "Wonder Book Summary: Auggie's Journey" »

Understanding Reliability

Reliability refers to the degree to which an assessment tool produces stable and consistent results. It focuses on the consistency of the assessment.

• Interrater Reliability: Assesses whether different observers are consistent in their judgments.
• Test-Retest Reliability: Evaluates the consistency of a test across different administrations over time.
• Parallel Forms Reliability: Compares two different versions of a test that measure the same construct with different, but equivalent, questions.
• Internal Consistency Reliability: Measures the consistency of results across items within a single test. This can be assessed through:
  • Average Inter-Item Correlation: Calculates the average of all correlation coefficients between individual

1. Now that smoking is considered to be very dangerous to the health, it is especially difficult for children to buy cigarettes or tobacco. Our tobacconist, Mr. Soames, has always been very careful about this. If his customers are very young, he always ask them whom the cigarettes are for.

1. August gets hearing aids in this section. How does he feel about them in the beginning and towards the end of pages in this section?

In the beginning, August didn’t want to wear them, but when the doctor turned them on, he stopped hearing the noise of the ocean that lived inside his head, and he began to hear perfectly. In his ears, there was quiet. In the end, he was very happy to take them.

2. Daisy is August’s dog, who has been sick for a while. Why hasn’t August noticed this?

Because his parents had hidden it from him; they didn’t want to worry him. She had been throwing up, and his mother had taken her to the vet three times in the last two months, but August didn’t know she was sick.

3. Miranda and Via used to be friends. Why

Muscles of the Head and Neck

Facial Muscles

• Frontalis
• Orbicularis oculi
• Nasalis
• Zygomaticus major
• Zygomaticus minor
• Levator labii superioris
• Levator anguli oris
• Orbicularis oris
• Depressor labii inferioris
• Depressor anguli oris
• Mentalis
• Buccinator
• Occipitalis

Muscles of Mastication

• Masseter
• Temporalis

Neck Muscles

• Platysma
• Sternocleidomastoid
  • Origin: Sternum and clavicle
  • Insertion: Mastoid process of the temporal bone
  • Action: (Not specified)
  • Nerve: CN XI (Accessory nerve)
• Omohyoid
• Sternohyoid
• Sternothyroid
• Thyrohyoid
• Scalenes

Anatomy of the Eye

Extrinsic Eye Muscles

• Superior rectus: CN III (Oculomotor nerve)
• Inferior rectus: CN III (Oculomotor nerve)
• Lateral rectus: CN VI (Abducens nerve)
• Medial rectus: CN III (Oculomotor nerve)
• Superior oblique: CN IV (Trochlear nerve)
• Inferior

1. Gerunds

1.1. After certain verbs as direct object

Consider, continue, deny, detest, dislike, enjoy, finish, hate, like, love, miss, prefer, recommend, suggest...

Example: He detests being late.

1.2. After a preposition

Example: He insisted on seeing her.

1.3. Certain expressions

Be/get accustomed to, be/get used to, can't stand, can't help, don't mind, wouldn't mind, feel like, give up, it's no use, look forward to...

Example: It's no use waiting for him. He won't come.

1.4. As subject (General)

Example: Reading French is more difficult than speaking it.

2. Infinitives

2.1. After certain verbs

Agree, appear, choose, decide, expect, hesitate, hope, learn, offer, plan, promise, prove, refuse, seem, want, wish, ...

Example: He decided to share his food with