Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Secondary education

Victor's Journey to Geneva and Encounter with the Monster

1. On his journey to Geneva, Victor spent the night in the village of Secheron, but he couldn't sleep.

Victor couldn't sleep, and he decided to go and find the place where William had been murdered. During the storm, he saw a figure standing beside some trees; it was the monster.

Justine's Trial and Conviction

2. Justine defended herself in court.

Justine was called to defend herself. Crying, she told them what she remembered.

But it did no good. The judge had reached his verdict, and Justine had been found guilty. She was sentenced to death and would be executed the next day.

The Monster's Plea and Victor's Reaction

3. The monster raised his hand and began to speak.

Victor was shocked.

The monster... Continue reading "Frankenstein: Key Plot Points and Analysis" »

The American Revolution: Q&A

Key Events and Figures

1. Purpose of the Declaration

The main purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to declare the separation of the United States from Britain.

2. The Patriot Spy

Nathan Hale was the patriot spy during the fight for New York.

3. Turning Point Battle

The Battle of Saratoga was a major turning point in the Revolution in the Middle States.

4. First Treaty of Alliance

France was the first country to sign a treaty of alliance with the U.S.

5. Sections of the Declaration

The Declaration of Independence is divided into the Preamble and three main sections that state some general ideas about society and government.

6. Native American Actions

Most Native American groups sided with the British during the... Continue reading "American Revolution: Key Battles, Figures, and Impact" »

Seljuk Turks

A group who conquered Palestine in 1073 and began to persecute Christians who visited.

Second Crusade

The second crusade was an effort to retake Edessa and was a disaster. It was led by King Louis VII and Emperor Conrad III.

Third Crusade

Led by Richard the Lionhearted, Philip II, and Frederick Barbarossa.

Cathedra

The word for the bishop's chair.

Chancel

The word for the choir area.

Sic et Non

A famous work by Peter Abelard.

Summa Theologica

A 21-volume work by St. Thomas Aquinas.

St. Bonaventure

A saint who distrusted St. Thomas Aquinas's theological system.

Abbot Suger

The person who designed St. Denis Cathedral.

Trivium

Rhetoric, logic, and grammar.

Quadrivium

Arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music.

Chartres

The most outstanding example of Gothic... Continue reading "Key Figures and Events in Medieval History" »

A Retrieved Reformation Questions

1. Jimmy's Plans Clue

   Which of Jimmy’s actions gives a clue to his plans for continuing to crack safes?

   Answer: B. He goes to his room to pick up his burglar’s tools.

2. Jimmy's Character

   Jimmy wears fancy clothes, eats well, and robs banks for quick money. What does this tell you about him?

   Answer: B. He likes “the good life.”

3. Ben Price's Interest

   Why is Ben Price interested in Jimmy Valentine?

   Answer: B. Ben Price wants to arrest Jimmy.

4. Jimmy's Reaction Prediction

   What can you predict that Jimmy will do when he notices Annabel coming out of the bank?

   Answer: A. He will find a way to meet her.

5. Shoe Business Reason

   Why does Jimmy Valentine decide to go into the shoe business?

   Answer: A. He likes fancy clothes.

6. Plot Element

Distinguishing Similar English Words

Understanding the subtle differences between similar words can greatly improve your English vocabulary and communication skills. Here's a breakdown of several commonly confused words:

Words Implying Falsehood

• FALSE: Not real.
• SPURIOUS: Not real.
• COUNTERFEIT: Made in close imitation of something else, always intended to deceive, especially of money and documents.
• FAKE: Made in close imitation of something else, always intended to deceive.
• BOGUS: Made in close imitation of something else, implying a negative value judgment.
• PHONY: Not real or true, always intended to deceive, implying a negative value judgment and arousing suspicion.
• MOCK: Made in close imitation of something else, intended as a substitute for the

English Verb Tenses: Active and Passive Voice

Past Perfect

• Affirmative: Subject + had + past participle
• Negative: Subject + hadn't + past participle
• Interrogative: Had + subject + past participle + ?

Passive Voice

• Present Simple: writes ~ is written
• Past Simple: wrote ~ was written
• Future (will): will write ~ will be written
• Present Continuous: is writing ~ is being written
• Past Continuous: was writing ~ was being written
• Present Perfect: has written ~ has been written
• Past Perfect: had written ~ had been written
• Be going to: is going to write ~ is going to be written
• Modal Verbs: can write ~ can be written

Past Perfect

• Affirmative: Subject + had + past participle
• Negative: Subject + hadn't + past participle
• Interrogative: Had + subject + past participle + ?

Most living things obtain their energy either directly or indirectly from the energy of sunlight captured through photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis in 2 Stages

1. Pigments in the leaves' cells (chlorophyll) capture or absorb the sun's energy, which is used to power the second stage. The leaf cells also need water (absorbed through roots) and carbon dioxide (that enters through small openings on the undersides of leaves called stomata).
2. Inside the chloroplasts, water and carbon dioxide are transformed into glucose and oxygen. Plants use glucose for food and store what they don't need as starch (energy for later use) and cellulose (that makes up the cell walls). Oxygen and water exit the leaf through the stomata.

Stomata

Carbon dioxide enters the plant... Continue reading "Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration in Plants" »

US and Global Political Developments

Senate Democrats and the Filibuster

After making a deal with Republicans over the filibuster at the beginning of the current session, some Senate Democrats are threatening once more to eliminate the procedural tactic.

Texas and Driver's Permits for Undocumented Immigrants

The amendment was a bill by Rep. Roberto Alonzo, D-Dallas, that would allow undocumented immigrants to have driver's permits for the purpose of purchasing insurance.

President Obama Hosts Naturalization Ceremony

In a Fourth of July ceremony at the White House, brimming with political undertones, President Obama hosted a naturalization ceremony for more than two dozen active-duty service members.

Italy's Presidential Election

Italy's Parliament... Continue reading "US and Global Political Developments in Recent Years" »

The Shah Bano Case: A Landmark Indian Divorce Controversy

The Shah Bano case (1985 AIR 945, 1985 SCC (2) 556) was a controversial divorce lawsuit in India. Shah Bano, a 62-year-old Muslim woman and mother of five from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, was divorced by her husband in 1978 and subsequently denied alimony. This case sparked considerable debate about the application of different civil codes for different religions, particularly for Muslims in India.

The case led the Rajiv Gandhi government to pass the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986. This act diluted the Supreme Court's secular judgment and effectively denied destitute Muslim divorcees the right to alimony from their former husbands. The Shah Bano case generated significant... Continue reading "Shah Bano Case: Divorce, Alimony, and the Uniform Civil Code Debate" »