Dolphins' path to AFC East title begins Sunday vs. Raiders
Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel knows a division title would help his team achieve its goal of making a deep playoff run
2023-11-17 08:21
This Cambridge exam question is still baffling people 110 years after it was first published
A 110-year-old English language question formerly used in Cambridge English exams is absolutely baffling people over a century later. Exams at school and university are typically not things people look back on with fond memories, but it’s something we do in order to progress academically. For those who sat the very long Cambridge exam wishing to become an English language teacher back in 1913, they may well have been haunted by a question that continues to confuse people in the year 2023. In celebration of 110 years of the Cambridge English exam, the question has been released, but can you solve it? The question comes from the June 1913 Certificate of Proficiency in English exam, which was sat by three people and cost £3 at the time. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter It was a gruelling 12-hour long exam and included sections on dictation, translation, and phonetic transcription. Today, more than 6 million people each year take the C2 Proficiency test, as it is now known. Francesca Woodward, Managing Director for English at Cambridge, said in a statement: “From just three candidates, we now open doors for millions of people every year to learn and teach English. "The historical papers from our archives paint a fascinating picture of how much has changed when it comes to learning English with Cambridge.” The question asks the candidates to “correct or justify” four of six different statements and to explain their reasoning. The first statement said: “I hope you are determined to seriously improve.” The second read: “Comparing Shakespeare with Aeschylus, the former is by no means inferior to the latter.” The third says: “I admit I was willing to have made peace with you.” The fourth reads: “The statement was incorrect, as any one familiar with the spot, and who was acquainted with the facts, will admit.” The fifth said: “It has the largest circulation of any paper in England.” And the sixth said: “The lyrical gifts of Shakespeare are woven into the actual language of the characters.” Cambridge highlights that what was deemed the correct English over 100 years ago may be different from now. Here are the answers: 1) This is a split infinitive and should be avoided in formal writing. The correct wordage would be, “seriously to improve”. 2) This statement is incorrect because it is a hanging participle and unintentionally modifies the wrong noun in a sentence. Alternatives that would be correct include, “Shakespeare is by no means inferior to Aeschylus” or “Shakespeare is just as good as Aeschylus”. 3) This statement uses the wrong tense and should read, “to make peace”. 4) Again, this uses the incorrect tense. The words “will admit” should instead be “would admit”. 5) and 6) are correct but candidates would have to explain why no changes are necessary. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-08-03 22:51
Heavyweight boxing is decaying before our eyes – no other sport would survive this idiocy
There might be a crisis in the heavyweight division unless the television companies, the promoters, the chancers, the tyrants at the sanctioning bodies, the fixers and the fighters start to realise that they are part of a rich history. The heavyweight division is not a random board game, a place where a good spin can turn the world upside down and a place where all sense of perspective is lost. It is not a game, but it is being run like a crazy game of chance. Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder are circling each other with very little real indication that they will fight each other. In many ways, the crisis point was a long, long time ago. There was a bold claim about six months ago that Saudi Arabian riches would transform the heavyweight division, a claim that over $400m was on the table for the leading four men to meet on one night in two fights. A lot of so-called media were delivered to Riyadh and told the hefty Four Kings would fight, it would be in December, and the heavyweight fairy tale would be complete. The chosen insiders were quick to assure everyone that the money was real, the conviction was real and that it would happen. It fell apart; Fury walked away, Usyk kept busy, Wilder and Joshua are still, in theory, part of a crazy plan. However, even their fight in Saudi in January or February is starting to look more and more like a mirage in that fighting desert. Eddie Hearn, the promoter of Joshua, has not yet ruled the fight out. Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, has not yet ruled out a Fury fight. Wilder’s people flew to Saudi to do a direct deal with the promotional company there, so presumably they are still part of the circus. Fury, meanwhile, will fight in Riyadh next month, but his fight with former UFC champion Francis Ngannou is being promoted by another branch of the Saudi government. It is difficult to keep up with this soap opera with blood. Ngannou, incidentally, has never had a single boxing match as an amateur or a professional; his 10 rounds with Fury have recently been given a belt by the WBC. It will not be for Fury’s actual WBC heavyweight title, which I guess is a small mercy. The new Saudi belt, complete with diamonds and gold, is still a belt and that means Ngannou, who is being trained by Mike Tyson, will fight for a WBC belt in his first ever appearance in a boxing ring. Shame on the WBC and their desperate attempt to be relevant. I have no problem with the fight, no problem with crossover events, but the WBC’s decision to award the winner a belt is pathetic. The WBC representative in Riyadh will need sharp elbows to get his face on television, because the Saudi families tend to flood the post-fight ring. Ngannou, incidentally, has been measured to possess the hardest punch in history. It is hard to invent this glorious nonsense. Fury has gone down this route because the money is there, and he is sick and tired of the relentless negotiations for a fight with either Usyk or Joshua. He is, it must be said, not entirely innocent. Although it is hard to blame Fury for going down the Ngannou route, talk of a rematch under mixed martial arts rules is slightly alarming. It is probably harmless chat, but the WBC needs to decide how long they will let their champion loose in the lawless playground of celebrity and crossover fights. There is simply no order, no strict rules, and nobody in a position to call a halt to the anarchy. In the last 12 months, Joshua has fought twice, staying busy and learning with his new coach; Fury has not fought since beating Derek Chisora for the third time last December in defence of his WBC title; Wilder has not been near a ring this year; Usyk stopped Daniel Dubois last month to retain his WBO, WBA and IBF titles. Dubois, incidentally, officially launched an appeal against the decision in that fight, claiming that the fight should have been stopped in Round 5 when he landed what he considers a legitimate body shot. Usyk was instead given nearly four minutes to recover. Krassyuk has ruled out a rematch, insisting that the punch was low and illegal. It means that in 2023, with two champions owning four recognised belts, with a lot of television backing and with a lot of quality contenders, there will be only one world heavyweight title fight. It is crazy and self-harming, and no other sport would survive such idiocy. Boxing has always been in a race against time, a race to get as much money as possible, as quickly and safely as possible, but this decaying state is so bad for business that it will hurt the business going forward. Read More Fans tear apart Tyson Fury over claim that Francis Ngannou poses tougher test than Oleksandr Usyk Watch moment topless Tyson Fury goads Francis Ngannou into taking his shirt off during press conference Sean Strickland shocks Israel Adesanya and MMA world with title win at UFC 293 Eddie Hearn outlines ‘deluded’ plan for Anthony Joshua Tyson Fury urged to highlight Saudi Arabia’s ‘disturbing’ human rights record What is an exhibition fight and how is it different to a professional bout?
2023-09-12 16:53
What to stream this week: 'Extraction 2,' Stan Lee doc, 'Star Trek' and 'The Wonder Years'
This week’s new entertainment releases include albums from John Mellencamp and Killer Mike, season two of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” arrives on Paramount+ and there's a documentary that explores Marvel comic creator Stan Lee’s life and cultural impact
2023-06-12 21:46
Bauernfeind wins Women's Tour de France stage five as Vollering penalised
Rookie Ricarda Bauernfeind broke away to take the fifth stage of the Women's Tour de France on Thursday while Demi Vollering, one of the race favourites, slid down the standings...
2023-07-28 02:18
Asian markets ease as US inflation comes into view
Asian markets dipped Monday as investors look ahead to the release this week of key US inflation data that could provide a guide for the Federal Reserve's plans for interest...
2023-11-27 10:58
Europe’s Inflation-Risk Gauge Flashing Red Is a Headache for ECB
Market measures of inflation risk in Europe are testing record highs and posing a challenge to European Central
2023-08-08 14:16
Swiatek learns on the job to reach Cincinnati semis
Iga Swiatek proved to be a quick learner as she ousted Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 on Friday to reach...
2023-08-19 01:22
Banco do Brasil's quarterly profit edges up on interest income
SAO PAULO (Reuters) -State-controlled lender Banco do Brasil SA reported on Wednesday a 4.5% increase in third-quarter adjusted net profit
2023-11-09 07:15
Latest North Korean missile sparks new debate over possible Russian role
By Josh Smith SEOUL North Korea's latest Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile - its first ICBM to use solid
2023-08-18 20:17
Irish economy growth 'slowing following rapid rise'
A leading think tank revises down its growth forecast for the domestic Irish economy this year.
2023-10-04 14:45
Lewis Hamilton makes Red Bull judgement after surprise pole in Hungary
Lewis Hamilton insists Red Bull’s pace advantage has reduced after the Mercedes star claimed a surprise pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The 38-year-old, whose previous F1 pole was back in December 2021 in Saudi Arabia, beat Max Verstappen to top spot in Budapest by 0.003 seconds in a thrilling end to qualifying. It was Hamilton’s 104th pole position – 18 months after his 103rd – and his ninth at the Hungaroring, breaking the record for the most pole positions at one circuit. While sceptical of his chances tomorrow, the seven-time world champion believes Red Bull’s significant pace has dropped off in the last few race weekends. “Honestly I think they’ve [Red Bull] slowed down from the beginning of the year,” he said. “Where’s the DRS advantage gone? But in the race they’re still the quickest, it’ll be very hard to beat them tomorrow. “But it’s definitely interesting to see some of the deficits and see how it’s changed race-to-race.” Hamilton was elated after the pole position though, and he will line-up alongside Verstappen on the front row for the first time since the infamous end to the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi. “It feels like my first pole, believe it or not,’ Hamilton said. “Feels strange to say that with 104. I don’t remember the last time it feels so long ago! “We weren’t expecting that going into the weekend, car felt terrible yesterday. “I just sent it! Nothing to lose. Threw it into the high-speed corners, it was a great, great lap!” Lando Norris qualified third for McLaren, with his team-mate Oscar Piastri in fourth. Read More F1 grid: Starting positions for Hungarian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton claims long-awaited pole with brilliant lap at Hungarian Grand Prix F1 Hungarian Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying updates and results Sergio Perez crash in Hungary practice a sign of the times F1 grid: Starting positions for Hungarian Grand Prix
2023-07-23 00:50
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