Sunday, March 22, 2020

Polysaccharide Functions Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Polysaccharide Functions Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace The polysaccharides are the polymers of monosaccharide. They are complex starches and cellulose. Simple sugars or monosaccharide subunit join to form the polysaccharides. Functions of polysaccharides: 1. Starch and glycogen are the major storage polysaccharides 2. Starch and glycogen also serve as a source of energy. They are hydrolyzed to their constituent glucose monomer units by specific enzyme actions. 3. Cellulose and chitin are the main structural polysaccharides. 4. Cellulose occurs in the cell wall of most algae, all higher plants and certain fungi and protists. Cellulose has a roughage value for human beings. Cellulose forms the food for ruminant, snails and termites. 5. Chitin occurs in the cell wall of many fungi and in the exoskeleton of arthropods. 6. Peptidoglycan occurs in the cell wall of bacteria. 7. Hyaluronic acid acts as a lubricant at the joints and as a cement substance to fix the follicle cells to the eggs. 8. Heparin act as an anticoagulant and prevents the clotting of blood in the blood vessels of animals 9. Glycoproteins form a protective covering, called, glycocalyx on the intestinal lining. 10. Mucilage forms protective covering around bacteria, algae and aquatic plants. It is derived from polysaccharides. 11. Some mucopolysaccharides have certain medicinal value, such as husk of Plantago ovate, Mucilage of aloe, and alginic acid, agar, carrageen etc. of marine animals. 12. Some pectin is used as commercial jellying agents. 13. The cellulose of plant cell walls and the chitin of insect exoskeletons and fungal cell walls are used for providing mechanical support. 14. Glycoproteins and glycolipids are integral components found in cell membranes. 15. The surfaces of most cells are coated with sugar polymers belonging to glycoproteins and glycolipids in the cell membrane. These sugar side chains help in cell recognition.

Friday, March 6, 2020

The Mayans

The Mayans Taking a Look at the Long History of the Maya People ChaptersThe Mayan TimelineGeography of the Maya TerritoryMayan PoliticsThe Mayan Social StructureMayan Religious and Spiritual BeliefsAncient Maya AcademicsMayan CalendarsThe Mayan CivilisationDo you remember the Mayan calendar freakout of 2012?December 20th, 2012 was the date that the Mayans presumably predicted the world would end.In stores around the globe, survival supplies were snapped up. Building contractors specialising in underground shelters were triple-booked; they couldn’t work fast enough to meet demand.Everywhere, people alternated between hosting extravagant parties and hunkering down in fear.And then, at the stroke of midnight on that day... the Mayan calendar regenerated and lots of people felt just a little foolish at having stockpiled emergency candles and tinned food.This incident is a testament to the power, impact and genius of the Mayan civilisation, even centuries after its waning.They were a people both religious and superstitious, human characteristics see mingly at odds with their scientific nature.Equally at odds were their artistic abilities and their brutality â€" not just ritual sacrifices but in everyday matters, such as torturing and beheading their losing ball team.Yes, the Mayans loved to play ball, just like we do!Let us now take a trip to Mesoamerica, where the Mayan civilisation flourished for so long. We’ll find out what life was like in those times, what marvels they achieved and what happened to them. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistor y Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Mayan Timeline Beware of playing ball with ancient Mayans; you may end up losing your head! Image by ecalbz2005 from PixabayAlthough the region occupied by the Mayans shows evidence of having been inhabited some 8,000 years ago, the time frame of Mayan civilisation is contested to this day.Nevertheless, the eras of a few major events are generally agreed upon.Most archaeologists put the start of Mayan civilization around 1,800BC, when actual settlements arose and the people started cultivating maize, beans, squash and chilli peppers â€" ingredients that remain staples of their diet still today.One of the most impactful events in the Mayan timeline happened in the 9th Century AD: a political collapse led to a migration away from the southern lowlands, leaving their cities and fields behind.Nobody is sure what brought on that migration or the sudden change in political winds.A combination of factors such as drought and overpopulation â€" which led to environmental degradation, coupled with civil war is universally accepted as likely factors.By the start of the 16th Century, there were hardly any Mayan warriors left to fight against the Spanish; in 1697, Spanish conquistadors attacked and took the last independent Mayan city.The longevity of the Mayan civilisation â€" in spite of her collapse in the 2nd Century she kept on going, has caused scholars to categorise date progression into 5 discrete eras:Archaic: from 8,000 to 2,000 BCPreclassic: from 2,000 BC to 250 ADClassic: 250 to 950 ADPostclassic: 950 to 1539 ADContact Period, the times of Spanish activity: 1511 to 1697Within those divisions, there are further distinctions: early, late and terminal. We also note that the date ranges may fluctuate by up to a century as there is no definite way of assigning dates to specific events.Discover amazing facts of the aboriginal Australian timeline.Geography of the Maya TerritoryThe Mayan civilization developed within the Mesoamerican culture area which extended from the northern end o f today’s Mexico into Central America.In their heyday, the Mayans occupied the entire Yucatan Peninsula as well as southeastern Mexico and northern South America â€" the region we know today as Belize and Guatemala, as well as western Honduras and El Salvador.The Mayans enjoyed a generous coastline. Inland, their terrain was generally flat with few hills, except for what was known as the Mayan Highlands, the mountain range that extends into Guatemala.In all, they had plenty of arable land and water was not necessarily difficult to come by... at least, if the population had not boomed. The Mayans generally lived on flat terrain with abundant water Image by MarkgCap from PixabayMayan PoliticsAlthough the region was vast and well-populated and all Mayans shared a common worldview and ideology, they were never consolidated into a single empire.Mayans lived in nation-states, each governed by their own political hierarchies. These states were connected by trade relations, diplomatic alliances and tribute obligations.Tribute obligations: more powerful states would exact payment from weaker neighbours, generally as a gesture of submission. Such a tribute could be in the form of currency or goods.Initially, Mayans were governed by tribal chiefs but, by the Classic period, leadership had become more centralised and much more powerful.Leaders justified their position through lineage or by divine right; political connections with other leaders also helped enforce a leader’s tenure.The Mayan culture enforced loyalty and obedience to rulers; they felt it was absolutely necess ary to maintain social harmony.Those who chafed under leadership were harshly punished.  By the Classic Period, human sacrifice had become a well-established tool for social control. Political and religious leaders had no issue with performing ritual sacrifice as a way of demonstrating their power.Are you familiar with the burial customs in ancient Greece?Besides ancestor worship, Mayans had more than 200 gods. The most important ones were of creation, fertility, rain and thunder, and death.As in society, so in the pantheon of gods: there was a hierarchy, with some gods being more powerful and revered than others.Some gods existed to be disliked, mocked and tricked.Throughout the vast Mayan territory, most everyone revered the same gods but some polities had gods specific to their region or concerns.It is difficult to assess exactly how many gods populated their belief system because the same god may have a different name in another region or may have several names within the same r egion.One remarkable facet of Mayan gods is their potential for ruthlessness and cruelty.For instance, Zipacna, a god instrumental in creating the earth, killed 400 boys in a single, cleverly-engineered move. The Tikal pyramids in Guatemala were more ceremonial in nature Image by Albert Dezetter from PixabayAncient Maya AcademicsFor a people obsessed with bloodshed and warfare, ancient Mayans were surprisingly academic, making significant advances in a variety of fields.TechnologyShould you be in doubt about Mayan technological know-how, you only need to look at their leftover structures and city ruins. Their symmetrical layout and precise lines indicate that they knew a bit about land surveying and measurement.What is even more remarkable is that they cut stone and transported it without any metal tools or any wheels.Another amazing advance was their use of glittery paint to adorn their buildings and to create art.  Mixing standards colours with mica, a mineral abundantly available in the area, they decorated everything from their walls to themselves.Do you think of ancient Mayans when you wear your wellies?Researchers have discovered that the Mayans perfected the process of combining ra w rubber with other materials to make it more durable â€" a process called vulcanisation, some 3,000 years ago.Among the products they fashioned out of vulcanised rubber were water-resistant bags and clothing, binding for their books and balls to play pok-a-tok with.Remember, earlier in this article we said that the losing ball team would be beheaded?AstronomyThe Maya civilization was agrarian, meaning it depended on natural elements â€" rainfall and auspicious planting times for the bulk of their food production.Furthermore, they believed in cosmological influence; the pull and power of the heavens on everyday affairs.  To derive the most benefit possible, they set out to understand the power of the stars and planets.Through their study, they gleaned an advanced understanding of astrological cycles and how they could help plan harvesting and planting schedules.Unlike the sun and moon, stars had no special divine meaning; however, they were significant for agricultural planning beca use their changes indicated a change of seasons.Venus was another important celestial body.  Ancient Mayans associated Venus with war so battles were planned and fought according to Venus’ movements.If that planet was not in the right position to guarantee favour from the gods, sacrificing war prisoners would be delayed until such a time that the gods would be likely to smile.Mayan knowledge of astronomy even influenced their architecture; perhaps the most famous example of such is the positioning of the pyramid at Chichen Itza.Upon the spring and autumn equinoxes, the waning sun’s light casts a shadow onto a climbing wall which forms the staircase to the top of the pyramid.Projecting the undulating shape of the edge of the structure, the shadow appears to meld with the carved snake head that adorns the base of the stairs, making it appear as though a giant snake were slithering down the side of the pyramid itself.Such a degree of precision is astounding, especially considering that the ancient Mayan had virtually no tools or instruments with which to measure.Even more jaw-dropping: this entire structure is a calendar!Mayan CalendarsWhereas we have two calendars by which to track our days, Julian and Gregorian â€" and we don’t much use Julian dates anymore, the Mayan had several and used them all.Their shortest cycle calendar was called Tzolkin; a 260-day count. It was used to determine when agricultural activity should take place and to plan religious ceremonies.  It also represents roughly the duration of a human pregnancy.The Haab calendar is 365 days long, like ours, but is broken down into 18 months of 20 days each.If you’ve done the math, you know that 18x20 is only 360. The last 5 days were considered so unlucky, they were given their own name: Wayeb.  During that time, Maya people stayed home and avoided most activities, lest disaster befall them.The long-count calendar was used to count all of the days since the beginning of time. This calenda r is both cyclical and linear, meaning that one can consult it to look forward and back in time, and that it regenerates.At its base is the 360-day Haab year minus the 5-day Wayeb period and, to explain it properly, we have to understand Mayan mathematics.MathematicsUnlike the Mesopotamian civilisation numbering system which was based on a value of 60, Mayan numeracy was base 20 or vigesimal.They devised a counting system using only 3 symbols and, most critically, they implemented the use of zero as a place holder.In Mayan numeracy, a dot represented a single unit, dashes had a value of 5 and, usually, a clamshell depicted zero.In the same way we teach our young students how to add by arranging the values vertically and to first add the ones, then the tens and so on, the Mayans used the same structure â€" except for their groupings were by 20, not 10.Using sticks, pebbles and perhaps a bone fragment to signify zero, everyone could use maths in everyday transactions.Now that we under stand that their counting system was based on 20, we see that their long-count calendar was simply the Haab calendar times 204.360 x 204 = 57,600,000 â€" which is exactly the number of days that elapsed by December 21st, 2012, after which the calendar restarted!Did the Inca also have a sophisticated system for counting? After centuries of exposure to the elements, Mayan glyphs are a little hard to read Image by Albert Dezetter from PixabayWritingThe Mayan writing system includes more than 800 symbols. Some are logosyllabic, meaning that a single drawing represents an entire word â€" a lot like Japanese or Chinese writing.Other Mayan script involves writing words out syllable by syllable. About 300 Mayan glyphs are considered syllabic.This writing system was the most developed in pre-Columbian America but, for as developed as it was, only the nobles were permitted to learn it.That means that the workers who chiselled hieroglyphics onto walls, sculptures and pottery had no idea what they were writing!On the other hand, scribes, religious and military leaders used their writing skills to draft many of their accounts on tree bark, which they then bound in animal hides.These books described life in the Maya culture, military action, politics and social events such as ball games and festivals.When the Spa niards invaded, they interpreted these books as pagan and evil. They burned the heap of them... but, fortunately, four have survived.The Mayan CivilisationIncomprehensibly brutal yet devoutly religious, firmly grounded in science but awash with superstition: the complexity of the Maya culture enthrals still today.Unlike other ancient civilisations, the Maya have left such a long history; a past littered with so much yet to be discovered and understood.Why did Mayan noblewomen file their teeth down to points? Why was being cross-eyed a mark of distinction?Why, when there was so much knowledge to be shared, was a substantial portion of the population denied education?There were no schools, as such, to teach people how to read, write and do maths. Withholding education was a way to maintain the class structure; to ensure the Mayan way would continue forever.Although there are still Mayans inhabiting the Yucatan peninsula and scattered throughout the region, their way of life is, for th e most part, gone for good.Done are the bloody wars and the brutal sacrifices; finished are the egocentric kings and the malicious nobles.Echoes of their gods are still there, though.If you happen to find yourself in the northern part of the Yucatan peninsula, sometime around the 20th of September, you may just catch the shadow of a Mayan feathered snake slithering down from the heavens.Now discover the similarities between Mayan and Aztec cultures...

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Geometry Tutor - Quadrilateral

Geometry Tutor - Quadrilateral A 2-dimensional four sided polygon is called as a Quadrilateral. Different types of Quadrilateral are Opposite sides are parallel and equal. Area = base x height Two pairs of adjacent sides are equal. AB = BC and AD = CD Diagonals intersect at right angles. Area = (AC x BD)2 Opposite sides are parallel and equal. Each angle in a rectangle is 90. Area = Length x width All the four sides are equal. Diagonals are perpendicular. Area = (PQ RS)2 A pair of sides is parallel. Area = (a+b)h2 Here a, b are length of parallel sides And h is the height. All the sides are equal. Diagonals bisect each other. Each angle in a square is equal to 90 Area = side 1) A parallelogram with all sides equal and angles as right angles is a (a) Rectangle (b) Square (c) Rhombus (d) Kite Answer: b 2) Select a regular quadrilateral from the following (a) Rectangle (b) Parallelogram (c) Square (d) Rhombus 3) Statement I: A square is also a rectangle. Statement II: A rectangle is also a square. (a) Both I II are true (b) I is true, II is false (c) I is false, II is true (d) Both I II are false Answer: b 4) Sum of interior angles in a quadrilateral is (a)180 (b) 360 (c) 90 (d) cant be determined

3 (Fun!) Summer Activities That Help Your Child Grow [Infographic]

3 (Fun!) Summer Activities That Help Your Child Grow [Infographic] Natalie Hagen Summer is here! With school out and the temperatures rising, no doubt your kids are excited to play. But beyond the summer camps, sleepovers, bike rides, and water balloon fights, stealthy parents know how to encourage activities that can actually help kids grow  and learn! Dont worry that doesnt mean workbooks or summer homework. Weve got three fun summer activities in mind that kids will be excited to participate in, and ones that will build confidence at the same time. First up? Music lessons! If your son or daughter loves to sing along to songs  when you turn on the radio, music lessons are a natural fit. And there are so  many different lesson types to consider, from piano to guitar to saxophone. For the more introverted or bookworm types, learning a language like Spanish or French might be a great choice. Of course, your child wont become fluent over the course of one summer but it can be a fun introduction to new cultures! Plus, its easy to find fun games and apps that support  language learning. Finally, if your child cant stop moving, sports like soccer and softball are a great way to keep him or her busy. Theyll never know theyre actually improving their  teamwork and goal-setting skills! Heres a recap of all the surprising stats you need to know about these fun summer activities for kids. Whether your child is athletic, musically inclined, or interested in learning another language, summer is the perfect time to enroll them in classes and nurture a new hobby. And knowing your son or daughter is also  growing and learning, you can sit back and relax this summer just as the season was intended for. Ready to get started? Search for fun summer activities,  classes, and lessons near you! Photos by  Philippe Put,  Dark Dwarf, and  l. c. 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

How Much Do Portuguese Lessons Cost

How Much Do Portuguese Lessons Cost Finding Portuguese Classes For The Best Price ChaptersHow Much Do Portuguese Lessons Cost On Superprof?Is There A Way To Reduce The Cost Of Portuguese Courses?Other Factors To Consider When Looking For Portuguese LessonsIf you would like to learn a new foreign language, there are often two barriers that frequently arise:Do you have the necessary time to study the language and improve your skills; andDo you have the money to afford to pay for a foreign language tutor?When it comes to the amount of time you have available to learn a second, third, or even fourth language, the good news is that you can usually make solid progress, even if you’re time-poor, just by committing to learning on a daily basis, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Ideally, if you can spend longer on your language studies, then that’s even better.When it comes to the cost of a language tutor, there are a lot of different variables to take into account, such as your budget and what you’d like to get out of any tuition courses.Below we provide a brief o verview of what you could expect to pay for Portuguese lessons, along with some tips and tricks to get the costs of tuition down.Knowing how much you can afford to spend on Portuguese lessons is very important. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, JamesQube, Pixabay)The tutor has many years of experience in tuition and/or has a graduate or postgraduate qualification in Portuguese.Generally speaking, you can expect to pay between £15 and £25 per hour for a Portuguese tutor, based on a variety of factors, including those discussed above.Superprof has a wide network of language tutors, including Portuguese tutors, which means that you should be able to find a tutor willing to provide online or in-person Portuguese lessons at a price that suits both you and your budget.Having online-only Portuguese classes can be a way to save money. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Pixabay)Is There A Way To Reduce The Cost Of Portuguese Courses?If the average rates listed above make you shudder, then there are of course ways that you can try to reduce the average hourly cost of Portuguese lessons.For instance, you could try one or more of the following things:Have online-only classes;Consider taking group lessons if you want classes in-person; orLimit how long your lessons last.Let’s look at each approach in a little more detail below.Online-Only ClassesAs mentioned above, online classes tend to be cheaper overall than classes that involve you meeting someone in person. This can be down to a variety of factors, including reduced travel time or lower overheads in terms of hiring a space for lessons.If you live in a particularly expensive area, such as London, then it can really save you some cash to take up online language classes. In the capital, language courses can often be found at a premium, and one way to avoid the hefty price tag is to turn to online courses that are held via Skype or webcam. This way, you can still see and interact with your tutor, and you can also practice your Portuguese speaking and listening skills.Consider Group LessonsIf you really don’t want to have online-only Portuguese lessons, then there are other ways to cut down how much money you spend on language tuition.For instance, one way to cut down the cost of in-person courses is to simply attend a group class or workshop, rather than have one to one tuition. There are a few benefits to having group lessons as well. For example, you could get a group of friends to have the lessons with you if you are all interested in learning Portuguese, or equally, you’ll have a great chance to make new friends with the people that attend your Portuguese class!Additionally, group classes can be a great forum to ask each other questions about your language learning journeys and it can also be very helpful listening and speaking with a variety of different people in Portuguese.If you do decide to opt for group lessons, try to ensure that group sizes aren’t too large â€" you don’t really want to be sitting in a room with 30 other people vying for the teacher’s attention! Ideally, smaller class sizes are better, as that way the teacher has more time to spend with each student, and you’ll likely have more opportunity to ask the tutor any questions as you progress through the class.Superprof tutors are able to cater for both individual and group tuition, so it’s just a case of finding your ideal Portuguese tutor in Superprof’s database and setting up your first class!Limit How Long Your Lessons LastAnother way to reduce the cost of Portuguese lessons is to simply reduce how long you spend with your tutor. If your budget is particularly tight, then it may be worthwhile only having 45-minute sessions each week rather than the usual hour-long class.This way, you’ll be able to save some money, but will still have enough time to practice and develop core skills, such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking in Portuguese.Reducing how long your Portugue se classes are can be another way to save money. (Image Source: CC0 1.0, nattanan23, Pixabay)Other Factors To Consider When Looking For Portuguese LessonsWhile cost is extremely important when it comes to finding a new Portuguese tutor, there are some other factors that you need to bring into consideration to make sure you get the best return on your investment.A good tutor can teach you the basics and beyond of Portuguese much quicker and in a much more enjoyable way than a tutor who you don’t particularly engage well with, or who has a teaching style that is not compatible with your preferences.When it comes to pricing though, the main thing is to be realistic. If you’re set on having one to one tuition in a large city such as London, then you’ll have to accept that you’ll likely pay a premium for your Portuguese lessons compared to someone who lives in London but is prepared to attend group classes or have Skype lessons with their tutor.You should also think about your wi der goals when it comes to learning Portuguese, and whether you think your prospective tutor is best-placed to help you achieve them.For instance, have you considered whether you would rather learn Portuguese from a native speaker from Portugal, or would you rather learn Brazilian Portuguese from someone who lived in Brazil?Tutors, such as those on Superprof, often clarify whether they are experienced in teaching Brazilian Portuguese or European Portuguese, so it’s easy enough to find out which teachers would be the best fit for the type of Portuguese that you would like to learn.Whether you’d like to learn Portuguese to help you when you’re next travelling around Portugal or want to learn Brazilian Portuguese for work purposes, a great tutor can help you get there. Just make sure that, whichever tutor you select, you’re comfortable with their hourly rate and you have an idea of how long you’ll likely have lessons with them for.It’s not worth stretching your budget too t ight when learning a new language, especially when there are different approaches available that can help to keep the cost of lessons down.A good tutor should be able to teach you what you want to know without costing the earth. So whether you're a new learner and would like to expand your knowledge of Portuguese phrases, expressions or verbs, or you just want someone to communicate in Portuguese with and revise key aspects of grammar, a good Portuguese tutor should be able to improve your overall learning experience.

Comparing The ISEE And The SSAT

Comparing The ISEE And The SSAT Which is better: the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the Secondary School Aptitude Test (SSAT)? Well, both are used for entrance into private/independent schools, but theyre not exactly interchangeable. Some independent schools will accept only the ISEE, others only the SSAT, and some will consider whichever test you scored higher on. But, before you spend tons of hours prepping for one test, make sure the school(s) youre interested in accept it. Test levels: First of all, the ISEE has three levels: lower for students currently in grades 4-5, middle for grades 6-7 and upper for grades 8-11. The SSAT only has two levels: lower for students currently in grades 5-7 and upper for grades 8-11. Test format: Both tests have five sections with multiple choice questions (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematical Achievement and an optional essay). You can opt to send your essay to schools, or you can leave it off from your scoring report entirely. But, its in your best interest to prep for the essay and include it. The main difference is that the ISEE has synonym recognition and sentence completion questions in its Verbal Reasoning Section, and the SSAT has synonym recognition and analogy questions instead of sentence completion. Analogies will ask you to compare meaning of words. Score reporting: This is the biggest difference between the two tests. You can take the SSAT multiple times per year, and combine your best section scores from the separate tests. But, you can only take the ISEE once every six months, meaning you can only report one set of scores. Scoring: For each test, you will be given a numerical score and a percentile rank. But, schools really only look at your percentile rank. Top schools expect students to score in the top 90th percentile better than 90 percent of your peers. Average schools want scores in the top 75th percentile, and some below-average schools will accept students in the top 50th percentile. When to guess? There is no penalty for an incorrect answer on the ISEE, but you will be penalized 0.25 points for one on the SSAT. So, if you can narrow down to three possible answer choices, then guess. Which is easier SSAT or ISEE? The questions should be equally difficult on each test, although there might be slight variations. But, some students find the ISEE easier because there is no penalty for guessing. Which test to take? First, you need to find out which test the schools youre applying to accept. But, if they accept both and youre serious about preparing, the SSAT might be your better choice because you can take it multiple times. This will give you more time to prepare and learn from your mistakes. SSAT/ISEE prep: The prep can be totally different for each test. For the ISEE, you need to prepare to ace the test the very first time you take it. So, you need to take multiple, full-length practice tests. But, because youre allowed to combine scores on the SSAT, you could prepare for a couple sections at a time. However, you still need to form a preparation plan and adhere to it. Thats why many students opt to work with a private tutor who can create a plan that will ensure you succeed.

Places to Study in Spain

Places to Study in Spain Which Spanish University Should You Choose? ChaptersWhich Spanish City Should You Study In?What Are the Different Spanish Universities?How Do You Enrol in a Spanish University?“When I get a little money, I buy books. If any is left, I buy food and clothes.” - ErasmusIn 2016, 9 Spanish universities were among the top 20 most requested for Erasmus students.Spain is also the most popular country for Erasmus. With a lower cost of living than the UK, a Mediterranean climate, and a festive atmosphere, it’s easy to understand why Spain is so popular.There are also plenty of towns and universities in Spain.So which one should you choose?If you're interested in learning about Spanish language and culture, there are plenty of cities in Spain with private and public universities ready to accept international students studying economics, social science, languages, science, or the arts onto courses.Whether you're planning on becoming an international student for an academic year, doing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the h umanities, arts, or sciences in Spain, or a doctoral candidate trying to get into a prestigious Spanish university, here's our quick guide to higher education and studying in Spain. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhich Spanish City Should You Study In?The choice of city is crucial for every prospective student. There are plenty of advantages to living in a Spanish city: sun, culture, student lifestyle, etc.There are some very prestigious universities in Spain. (Source: alisonhouse780)So which one should you choose? Why study abroad?While the choice of what to study and the quality of tuition provided probably is the most important decision, the second most important is where you’ll study as the environment is going to be a lot different to your life in the UK.Furthermore, most towns will have similar opportunities in terms of courses. Thus, we recommend that you carefully choose where you’re going to live before choosing the university.You’re going to spend three months either on internships, a semester at university, or up to 12 months in the same place, so you better make sure that it’s somewhere you like.  It’s much better to live somewhere you enjoy with good career prospects.There are plenty of different Spanish cities to choose from, each with their own faculties, campuses, and different ways of teaching.If you have the chance, we recommend that you spend some time in the city you wa nt to live in so you can see whether or not you like it. It’ll help you make the decision.Criteria for StudentsA lot of studies have been conducted to find out what Erasmus students consider important when choosing where they study:How easy it is to find accommodation (flatmates, university accommodation, private rents, etc.) and the cost of accommodation.The quality of life in the town.Cultural dynamism (nightlife, cultural events, university life). You'll be spoilt for choice in terms of cultural activities in Spain.The cost of livingThe quality of university infrastructureFor most students, the quality of life means it’s quite easy to settle in Spanish towns.  If you need help with enrollment, contact the university itself or check for services advising international students on the steps to take. Pay particular attention to the deadline, too!Your university in the UK may offer education abroad, an internship, international experience. Check the study abroad office and see if there's an advisor you can speak to!The Most Popular Spanish CitiesAccording to Uniplaces, the most popular cities for students in Spain are:Madrid: The capital city is obviously very popular. This is a dynamic city with plenty of cultural events and an international scene. There’s also a good transport infrastructure and plenty of great places to eat. As the capital city, Madrid is also very multicultural.Seville: The capital of Andalusia (known natively as Sevilla) is also very popular among students for the quality of life (the sunshine), popular events (Feria de Abril), and being a great student town. Also, if you like flamenco, there are few better places to study in Spain.Barcelona: The capital of Catalonia has a rich cultural landscape and a high quality of life. The cost of living is generally lower than in the UK and you also have the opportunity to learn Catalan! Don't worry, though. There are plenty of language courses to improve your language skills in both languages. Granada: This is another big city in Andalusia with a similar quality of life as Seville with the addition of being right next to the Sierra Nevada. Did you know you could go skiing in Spain? Additionally,, you can enjoy all the Moorish architecture and cultural influence.Valencia: This port city is popular for its futuristic City of Arts and Sciences. This is perfect for those who love science. There are also beaches right on the city’s doorstep.Cadiz: This is a picturesque town by the sea.Salamanca: If you love architecture, Salamanca will melt your heart. The University of Salamanca was founded in the 12th century and the city was a capital of learning in the 15th and 16th centuries and is very popular among students.Seville and Salamanca are among the best cities for students. This is down to the lifestyle in Seville or the architecture in Salamanca.What are you thinking?Mathilde chose Cadiz and hasn’t looked back: “Life is cheap, the climate is pleasant (even though the w ind can be unbearable), the locals are friendly.”If you're looking for Spanish courses in Spain, you can always check out the university rankings, ask a former exchange student, or get in touch with undergraduates currently on the course. Studying abroad has never been easier.What Are the Different Spanish Universities?To choose the right university or school, you should know what’s on offer.Seville is a magnificent city in the sun! (Source: USA-Reiseblogger)The Most Popular Spanish UniversitiesOf the top 20 universities for Erasmus students, 9 of them are Spanish. Here they are:The University of Granada.Universidad Complutense de Madrid.Universitat de València.The Polytechnic University of Valencia.The University of Seville.The University of Barcelona.The University of Salamanca.The Autonomous University of Barcelona.The Autonomous University of Madrid.While these universities welcome a lot of foreign students, they’re also famous for the quality of the teaching. We couldn†™t just recommend one of them.  Of course, with popularity comes competition.You’ll need good grades and a good level of Spanish if you want to get into one of these schools.The Other Universities in SpainThere are also less popular universities. This doesn’t necessarily mean the teaching is of a lower quality.There's a lot of universities in Spain. (Source: Pexels)A lot of students go to Granada because of the lifestyle. However, it’s not the only one.Goldman, for example, chose to study in Toledo for Erasmus, “Toledo suits my personality: it’s intimate, historic, beautiful, and just an hour away from Madrid on the bus. There are plenty of lovely places.”Other universities in Spain include:University of AlmeríaUniversity of AlicanteCatholic University of ÁvilaInternational University of Andalucía (Seville, Malaga, Huelva, Baeza)International University of Catalonia (UIC)University Pompeu Fabra BarcelonaRamon Llull UniversityOpen University of CataloniaUniversity of B urgosUniversity of the Balearic IslandsUniversity of CadizUniversity of CordobaThe University of the Basque CountryUniversity of La CoruñaUniversity of LleidaUniversity of MurciaUniversity of NavarreUniversity of OviedoUniversity of SantiagoUniversity of ValladolidZaragoza UniversityAnd many more!It’s not just universities who welcome Erasmus students. You can also do internships or work experience abroad, attend engineering or business schools, etc.How Do You Enrol in a Spanish University?To study abroad in Spain, you’ll have to get in touch with the relevant authorities including the Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia (UNED).Before you start living in a Spanish town, you need to prepare. (Source: kirkandmimi)You’ll need to get your results officially translated into Spanish through them.  Once you’ve got all your paperwork officially translated, you can start applying to Spanish universities.It won’t hurt to have a good level of Spanish if you want to spend a year in a Spanish university, either.Of course, you can also go to a Spanish university through Erasmus (with the help of the Erasmus grant). There are also other types of financial aid available to international students.Thus, it’s recommended that you plan for your year abroad at least a year in advance and make sure you have the necessary funds to pay for it all.There are plenty of establishments in Spain that welcome Erasmus students. You need to work out that suits your needs. Remember that the route is as important as the destination and you can get intensive Spanish language courses for those studying abroad outside of your university, too.With scholarships, exchange programs, study abroad programs, international academic programs, it's never been easier to start living in Spain and attend a private or public university. If you can't go abroad for a whole academic year or do a gap year, you can always just spend a summer abroad on an international study summer programme.So which Spanish universities do you like the sound of?

GCSE poem analysis Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley

GCSE poem analysis Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley What is it about? Shelley's poem imagines a meeting between the narrator and a 'traveller' who describes a ruined statue he - or she - saw in the middle of a desert somewhere. The description of the statue is a meditation on the fragility of human power and on the effects of time. Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley I met a traveller from an antique land Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand, Half-sunk, a shatter'd visage lies, whose frown And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamp'd on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed; And on the pedestal these words appear: 'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!' Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare, The lone and level sands stretch far away. Form The poem is a sonnet - a fourteen-line single stanza form that originated in Italian love poetry and that was popularised in England by Shakespeare. Most sonnets break into two parts: an 'octet' (the first eight lines) and a 'sextet' (the last six lines), with the second part commenting on the first. In this sonnet, the first part sets up the frame narrative and then describes the statue and the second part ironically relates the king's words and adds the final description of the desert setting. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, but there are several variations in the pattern, including reversed first feet ('Nothing beside remains' and 'Tell that its sculptor…'). Language Ozymandias calls himself 'king of kings' - a phrase taken from Biblical language - which smacks somewhat of arrogant pride. It could imply that his subsequent obscurity was a punishment from God - a subject that Shelley considered in several of his other poems. Shelley coined several other powerful phrases in this poem and the final lines have entered the language and have been used for the titles of several books and games. Both 'boundless and bare' and 'the lone and level sands' use alliteration to remain memorable - as does the sneer of 'cold command'. The 'colossal wreck' simply refers to the statue again; 'colossal' means 'giant', with a particular reference to giant statues like the Colossus of Rhodes and 'wreck' means anything that has been broken or ruined. Caesurae A caesura is a break of meaning and rhythm within a line. Shelley uses several within the poem and each one has significant effects. The first falls after 'Who said:' in the second line. The pause here mimics the traveller's intake of breath before telling his story, dramatising the moment as well as creating distance between the description of the statue and the poet's retelling, almost as if recalling from memory. The second caesura comes after 'Stands in the desert.' The very final full stop and ending of the sentence reinforces the sense of isolation surrounding these strange, ruined legs. The final caesura repeats this effective trick, following 'Nothing beside remains.' This short, grammatically complete and isolated sentence stands within the poem like the statue in the desert. By contrast, much of the rest of the poem is formed of long, complicated sentences that stretch on and on, like the desert or time itself. Context Ozymandias is the greek name for the Egyptian Pharoah Ramesses II. Interest in Ancient Egpytian history was fashionable in the period and the importation of statues to British and French museums was beginning in earnest. It isn't clear whether Shelley would have seen statues himself and whether he was inspired by a real piece of sculpture. Irony The statue is of course ruined - the legs remain but the body has fallen. The face ('visage') lies on the sand, 'half-sunk' and 'shattered', making it hard to recognise. According to the inscription, which has survived, the king Ozymandias set up the statue to draw attention to his 'works' - but his own face has not survived, let alone the empire he may have once ruled. The stretching of the 'lone and level sands' in every direction cover any buildings or rich farmland that may have flourished here. However, one survivor beside Ozymandias' words is the sculptor's skill: it is witnessed by the success of the statue in capturing 'those passions' of the king, even when partly ruined. Nameless, it is the sculptor whose works are still valued, just as Shelley's poem survives from his own day. frame narrative - a story within which the main story happens: in Ozymandias the narrator claims to have met a traveller (story 1 or 'frame narrative') who tells of his own experience in a distant desert. caesura - a break in the middle of a line of poetry, when both grammar and rhythm stop. For extra support with poetry analysis, why not book a lesson with one of our experienced  GCSE English tutor?  With Tutorfair you can browse through a selection of great tutors to find the right one for you. For More GCSE poem analyses similar to Love's Philosophy:  The Farmer's Bride, Love's Philosophy,  Neutral Tones, Kamikaze,  Medusa, and When We Two Parted.