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Tuesday, May 7, 2024 | View Archive ?
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Word of the Day

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surreptitious

Definition: (adjective) Marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed.
Synonyms:furtive, stealthy, sneaky
Usage:She stole a surreptitious glance at him, but he, too, seemed to have been caught up by Rose's gay, good humor. Discuss. Play

Daily Grammar Lesson

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Using Multiple Sets of Quotation Marks

If a sentence already uses quotation marks, then we have to differentiate between the quoted speech and the rest of the sentence. If we are using double quotation marks, then we have to put the quoted speech in single quotation marks; if it is in single quotation marks, then the quoted text is put into double quotation marks. What happens to the rest of the punctuation in the sentence? More... Discuss

Article of the Day

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Bedbugs

Bedbugs are small, nocturnal, reddish-brown insects that infest dwellings and bedding and feed on human blood. They emit an unpleasant-smelling oily secretion from two glands on their undersurface; but more unpleasant than a bedbug's odor is its bite, which can cause irritation, itching, welts, and swelling. Contrary to popular belief, poor housekeeping does not invite bedbugs; they are attracted by body heat and carbon dioxide. What should be done to combat an infestation? More... Discuss

This Day in History

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World War II: Germany Signs Unconditional Surrender (1945)

By the beginning of 1944, air warfare had turned overwhelmingly in favor of the Allies, who wrought unprecedented destruction on many German cities and on transport and industries throughout German-held Europe. German collapse came after the meeting of the Western and Russian armies at Torgau in Saxony, and after Hitler's death amid the ruins of Berlin, which was falling to the Russians. The unconditional surrender of Germany was signed at Reims on May 7. When did it take effect? More... Discuss

Today's Birthday

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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840)

A towering figure in Russian music and one of the most popular composers in history, Tchaikovsky became interested in music as a child and turned to serious composition at 14. His works are noted for their expressive melodies, and he is said to have revolutionized ballet by transforming it from a grand decorative gesture into a staged musical drama. His ballets include Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. What Russian businesswoman supported him for 13 years but—as a rule—never met him? More... Discuss

Quotation of the Day

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One cannot find peace in work or in pleasure, in the world or in a convent, but only in one's soul.

W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Discuss

Mismatch
Select word:
ahead
e'er
thickly
pro
con
backward
never
by machine
by hand
thinly

Match each word in the left column with its antonym (opposite) on the right. When finished, click Answer to see the results. Good luck!

 

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Hangman

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Grammar Quiz

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When do you use a reflexive pronoun?

Spelling Bee
Difficulty level:
n. Any of various large tropical American lizards of the family Iguanidae, often having spiny projections along the back
Spell the word:

Match Up

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Select word:
overtop
astonish
immobilize
strive
endeavor
command
astound
disgrace
demean
trap

Match each word in the left column with its synonym on the right. When finished, click Answer to see the results. Good luck!

 

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Today's Holiday

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Festa di San Nicola

The Festa di San Nicola (Festival of St. Nicholas) is celebrated in Italy on the anniversary of the transfer of the saint's relics by a group of 11th-century sailors from Bari. Thousands of pilgrims come to the Basilica of San Nicola in Bari, Puglia, to worship at the saint's tomb and to ask for his help. There is a procession on this day in which a group of Barese sailors take the saint's image down to the water, where it is placed on a flower-decked boat and taken out to sea. At night the statue is returned to its place of honor on the altar of San Nicola's crypt. More... Discuss

Horoscope

Idiom of the Day

a kick at the can

— An opportunity to do, try, or achieve something. Primarily heard in Canada. More... Discuss