| How to Study for an English Exam Posted: 02 May 2016 05:00 PM PDT Studying for exams can be stressful, especially if you have no idea how to study for a specific subject. English exams can vary widely depending on the focus of your class, whether it is a composition course, a literature class, or a more comprehensive humanities class. However, there are some universal strategies that can help you be successful on exams in English courses. EditMemorizing Vocabulary Words - Make flashcards. Flashcards are one of the best ways to memorize vocabulary words. Write down the word on one side of an index card and the definition on the other side.[1] You can quiz yourself or have someone else quiz you.
- You can use electronic flashcards too. There are computer programs and smart phone apps that are specifically made for studying information on flashcards: you enter the "front" and "back" of the cards and scroll through them.
- Identify roots, prefixes, and suffixes. One way to study vocabulary more quickly and effectively is to know common root words, prefixes, and suffixes. Being able to identify these can help you make educated guesses about vocabulary words instead of just having to memorize a long list of words that have little meaning for you.[2]
- The prefixes un, in, il, and ir often indicate "not."
- The suffixes –ive, -ative, and –itive indicate that a word is an adjective- one that describes a noun.
- The prefix man usually has to do with using your hands.
- The suffix phobia indicates a fear of something.
- The prefix re means back or again.
- The prefixes sur, sub, suc, sup, and sus often mean under, below, or secretly.
- The prefix psyche indicates a relationship to the mind.
- The prefixes mono (one) and poly (many) indicate a number or amount.
- The suffixes log, logo, and ology suggest the study of something.
- Write down the words and definitions. Even if you do not have flashcards, the act of writing down the words and definitions will help you remember them.
- If you have time, try writing the words and definitions more than one time.
- If you have a visual memory, try using different colors. You may be able to remember the color of the word and visualize the definition during the exam.
EditReviewing Literature - Re-read short selections of text. Any poems or short stories that you studied in class should be re-read. For longer texts like full-length novels, be sure to re-read any sections that seem really important or that your teacher spent a lot of time talking about in class.
- If you took notes while discussing the texts, review the notes first, then re-read the text.
- Be sure to consult your syllabus to remind yourself about all of the texts that you read.
- Reviewing the chapter titles and the first and last sentences of each chapter of novels can help refresh your memory about the specifics of the novel.
- Read introductory material and side notes in your textbook. If you used a traditional textbook for your class, read the introductory material and any footnotes that accompany the poems or stories you read.
- These items, often overlooked when initially reading the texts, often provide context and overviews that can be very helpful for essay questions.
- Review course notes. If you took notes in class, re-read them. If you don't normally take notes, you should try to make an effort to do so in the future. This is the best way to remind yourself about what you talked about in class. Teachers rarely ask exam questions that were not directly discussed in class, so being able to review information from class time is the best study guide you can have. It is also good to review class work.
- Identify "big picture" themes. Many essay questions about literature will have to do with theme, or the "big picture" messages of a text. If you have trouble identifying themes on your own, try searching online for the name of the text plus the word "theme." You will likely find some useful overviews and study guides. Knowing common themes in literature may help you identify them in specific texts:[3]
- (Wo)Man versus nature
- (Wo)Man versus a hostile society or God/the gods
- The fleeting nature of time
- The inevitability of death
- The state of Alienation
- The danger of ambition
- Review online study guides and summaries. There are many websites devoted to providing students with summaries and study guides for canonical (popular and famous) texts. These can be great tools for studying, but they should never be used as a substitute for reading the text in the first place.
- If you choose to use an online guide, use a reputable one written by experts. Avoid using personal blogs and websites that don't say they're written by experts.
- Memorize details such as characters' names. Though you may not be asked specifically to identify characters' names and relationships to each other on the exam, these are details that will come in handy while taking the exam.
- Getting characters' names wrong or mixing up characters can undermine even otherwise great responses to test questions.
- Use flashcards (either paper or electronic cards) to memorize characters' names and details about them.[4]
EditDetermining Exam Content - Refer to your study guide. The best way to prepare for an exam is to consult and fill out your entire study guide. Most teachers who give out a study guide are basically handing the class a key to the test. Becoming familiar with everything on the study guide can ensure success on the test.
- If your teacher does not provide a study guide, this option may not be available to you. You could try visiting your teacher before or after class or during her office hours and asking for a guide or for tips about where best to focus your studying.
- Review your course syllabus. If your instructor hands out a course syllabus or calendar, read over it. Often, the instructor's philosophy about exams is part of a detailed syllabus.[5] This can also serve as a reminder about specific texts you read or items that you focused on.
- Anything that your teacher spent more than one day of class on is sure to be important.
- Most syllabi include a section about exams. At the very least, you should be able to determine what percentage of your overall grade each exam makes up, which can help you determine how long you should spend studying for it.
- Review your class notes. For some exams, you may need to be able to provide definitions of key concepts or literary movements. For others, you may need to be able to talk about how a theme is explored in various works. Look through your notes to check for definitions, lists, and any theme or topic that comes up more than once; this is usually a good sign that these may be on the exam.
- Attend class before the exam. Often, the day or days before the exam are the best times to attend class. Your teacher will likely preview the exam and indicate directions of focus that you should study. This is also when teachers usually distribute study guides.
- If you must miss class, ask a friend or reliable classmate for copies of any handouts or her notes from class. If she knows that you will be gone ahead of time, she is more likely to take thorough notes instead of just listening.
- As a last resort, contact your teacher to find out what materials you missed in class. It is best to let her know you will be gone ahead of time, and tell her that you have tried to have another student take notes for you. Don't phrase your request by saying you wanted to know if you missed anything or if anything important was covered; this may offend your teacher. Instead, ask if your teacher will share with you what she went over in class.
- Ask your teacher what you should study. If your teacher does not volunteer a study guide or information about the exam, ask her about it towards the end of class one day. It is best to be very polite and just ask for guidance about studying rather than demanding to know what the content of the exam will be.
- It's also important to know whether the exam is cumulative, covering everything from the beginning of the semester, or if it is only covering material since your last exam.
- Consult previous course exams. If this is not your first exam for the course, look at the last test you took. Many teachers use similar formats for each exam, so an earlier test can serve as a study guide or at least give you an idea about what to expect for the format of the exam.
- Know the format of the exam. In addition to asking about the content of the exam, you should ask your instructor about the format of the exam.[6] Knowing, for example, whether an exam will be multiple choice or entirely essay can help you decide how to study.
- Knowing whether you will be taking the test on a computer or with pen and paper will also help you determine how best to study. A computer with word processing software may negate the need to spend a lot of time studying the spelling of vocabulary words, for example.
- Determine appropriate test-taking materials. Be sure that you will be prepared for the exam by bringing the appropriate materials for the exam. If your exam will be administered on a computer, you may not need to bring anything with you at all.
- Find out if you need pen or pencil, paper or a test booklet, and if you will be able to use your textbook or novels that you read while taking the test.
- Some teachers may even allow you to use a notecard or a study guide while taking the test.
EditForming a Study Group - Ask classmates if they want to meet to study. You are likely not the only person who wants to study for the English exam.[7] Asking before or after class if anyone wants to meet for a study group can be a great way to increase the effectiveness of your studying.
- You are more likely to be able to put together a study group if you do not wait until the day before the exam to suggest it: plan ahead.
- Share notes with each other. Everyone takes class notes differently, so circulating or comparing notes can be a good way to remember details about specific class discussions. This can also be a good way to review any material from days that you were absent from class.
- Remember that your group members were not planning to share their notes, so be kind about their handwriting, messy notes, and/or doodling on their notes.
- Don't be embarrassed about the state of your class notes. You weren't expecting to share, and even messy notes can be helpful to someone who doesn't have any.
- Talk about literature. A lively debate about the texts is a good way to get you interested in them and to review the content. Be sure you back up your discussion by looking at the text and finding opportunities to use "evidence" from the text to back-up your points.
- Compare previous tests. If your classmates are comfortable sharing the results of previous tests in the class, you can compare to see what types of responses seem to be the most successful for your particular teacher. Knowing, for example, if your teacher tends to give higher marks to longer, more detailed responses or to responses that are direct and to-the-point can help you determine how to approach answering questions on the test.
- Do not wait until the last minute to study. Cramming is rarely an effective approach for an exam.
- Practice outlining exam essay question responses. You may even be able to take one to the teacher ahead of time and ask whether you are on the right track in the way you are thinking about the exam.
- Try not to annoy your teacher with too many questions about the exam. She expects that you have been paying attention in class everyday and that you will show that you were paying attention by providing accurate exam responses.
- When studying grammar, revise all of the parts and figures of speech. That is for example, malapropism and concord errors, etc.
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Keep Ants Out of Pet Food Posted: 02 May 2016 09:00 AM PDT When ants invade your pet's food, the pet may refuse to eat. When ants invade food stored inside, you might end up with a pest problem inside your home. These instructions will help you ant-proof your pet's food, helping prevent such infestations. In addition to helping keep ants out of your pet's food, moreover, you may be worried that ants will end up in food you put out for wildlife around your home. These instructions also include steps to keeping ants out of these foods. The key is to create a chemical barrier that ants will not cross and which will not be harmful to pets, wild birds, or any other animals you wish to feed. EditStoring and Protecting Pet Food - Store extra food in sealed containers.[1] Coffee cans, Tupperware, and resealable zipper storage bags are some examples of containers that will help keep ants out. You may find that an additional container inside of another will be an even more effective barrier. Food stored in a resealable zipper storage bag and placed inside an airtight container provides a strong barrier against ants.[2]
- Create a moat barrier. Set clean food dishes in a pan of water, not too deep (such as a cake pan). The pan of water will act as a moat and keep the ants out.[3] Another solution is to use two stainless pet food dishes, one slightly larger than the other—use industrial strength glue to attach a small piece of brick or very flat stone to the underside of the smaller dish, wait for the glue to dry, and put water in the larger dish. Place the smaller dish with attached brick or stone into the larger dish of water. The water serves as a moat, keeping ants out of the food, and the brick or stone helps keep the food dish from tipping over while raising it well above the water level.[4]
- Set the dish with moat in a different area for two days or more. The ants will eventually stop returning to the normal feeding place.
- Purchase ant-proof pet food dishes. Several pet food dishes are available for purchase that are purported to protect against ant infiltration.[5] Some of these dishes are meant for indoors, and some have even been developed for outdoor use. Choose the dish that will work best for your pet, whether an indoor or outdoor pet, a dog, cat, or other pet.
- Some standalone moats are also available into which you can place your existing food dish, thereby protecting the food from ants.
- Keep the area around food dishes clean. Keep pet food dishes on a removable surface—such as a placemat—and remove to clean after meals. Ants follow a pheromone trail given off as they walk to direct them back to food sources. Cleaning the surface on which the food dish sits—and the dish itself—with soap and water disrupts the pheromone trail, thus discouraging ants from returning.[6]
- Use peppermint oil. Mix a ratio of one tablespoon of 100% peppermint oil to one cup of water and mix in a spray bottle. Spray near the HVAC return vents in your home to deter pests. Their sense of smell will be disrupted, which is what deters them after the use of peppermint oil.[7] Another effective way of using peppermint oil to deter ants from pet food is to use drops of the oil on a cotton ball to wipe onto baseboards and other surfaces near where ants may enter the home. You might also wipe the oil onto the surface around the area where pet food is stored or around the food dish.[8]
EditGetting Rid of Ants in Pet Food - Freeze infested food. If ants are already in a food dish, cover the dish tightly and place in the freezer. Leave the food in the freezer until the it is frozen and the ants are dead.[9] This will allow you to remove the ants from the food while salvaging it for feeding to your pet.
- Take the dry food out of the freezer. By now the ants should be dead. Pour the dry food into a strainer, over a sink, and shake back and forth vigorously until no more dead ants come out. This will keep from wasting the pet food, as you can now re-serve it.[10]
- Re-store pet food. After pet food is free of ants, pour the food into an airtight container to protect against further infestation.[11] Using techniques listed in method one, try to prevent infestation from recurring. You may have to repeat some steps to completely remove ants, so keep trying if you don't succeed the first time.
EditKeeping Ants Out of Your Bird Feeder - Use petroleum jelly.[12] To protect a feeder that sticks to the window, cut a large circle or heart shape out of newspaper. Tape that inside your window for a pattern. Then, use your finger to draw a Vaseline barrier on the outside of the window. Place the feeder in the center. This method is best used in a cool, shady area. In warm weather the Vaseline will start to run/ drip.
- Make a petroleum jelly barrier for a hanging feeder. For a hanging feeder, cut a hole in the center of a lid to a tub of margarine or other small, lightweight object and string the hanging cord of the feeder through the hole. Make a knot in the cord, if necessary, to hold the lid in place. Smear petroleum jelly on the lid or other object. The ants may get to the lid, but they will not make it to the feeder, and other ants will not make the attempt.[13]
- Use flypaper. Wrap a band of ribbon flypaper on the feeder pole, or place on window or custom mounts. Flypaper has glue on both sides, so ants will not cross the paper. Keep the fly paper away from the feeder so that birds do not make contact. If flypaper comes off in high heat, hold it up with small pieces of duct tape that have no smooth surface exposed for ants to crawl on.[14]
- Ants will return, for several days, to an area where there once was food. Move the food as far away as practical. Don't put it back in the regular place for 2 days or more.
- The petroleum jelly (Vaseline) works best when about 75 ºF (24 ºC) outside. Too cold and the ants can walk over it. Too hot and it melts on the window and makes a runny mess.
- Try to think outside the box. Whatever your ant problems are, you need to figure out a way to create a pet safe barrier that the ants will not cross. Water, oil, Vaseline, butter, or bar soap (used like drawing with chalk) are Eco-friendly solutions, but may be considered as temporary.
- Place pet food dishes in the center of a terrycloth rag or towel with at least two inches of terrycloth exposed around the outermost edge of the dish.
- Whenever hanging hummingbird feeders, take great care not to spill ANY of the sugar water. Even one drop brings the ants' attention to that area. Hose down the deck or patio if you think food was spilled there.
- Don't get ant spray into pet food.
- Whenever using insecticides, be sure to follow manufacturer's directions.
- As with all chemicals, keep out of children's reach.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Sort Your iPhone Contacts by First Name Posted: 02 May 2016 01:00 AM PDT At times it may be difficult to remember the last names of acquaintances or business contacts when searching in your iPhone contacts; For these situations it is handy to sort the iPhone's default contact list by first name. - Open the "Settings" application on your iPhone.
- Locate and open the settings for "Mail, Contacts, Calendars"
- Scroll until you find the "Contacts" section.
- Select "Sort Order".
- Change the sort order to "First, Last"
- Check your "Contacts" application to ensure the new sorting has taken effect.
- To set the sort order back to last name sorting follow the same steps and select "Last, First" as the sort order.
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