Completed Parts 1& 2 of Science STAR Test. On Tuesday, will take History Part 1.

There were no 3rd or 4th period classes on Monday. Fourth period English will do the same work on Tuesday as 2nd and 5th did on Monday.

On Monday, 2nd and 5th periods tried another STAR test practice and discussed.

On multiple choice, test-taking: Remember, read the question; eliminate all possible answers; decide which is the best. Sometimes you get a gut feeling. Go with it. If it takes too long, go on to the next question. Return to the hard one when you are all done with the test. Make sure you make some guess. You have a 1 in four chance of getting it right. No choice means zero chance.


We finished going over "Good Writing" handout. Dreading and eliminating those cliches, tired phrases used so often that they indicate tired, lazy and uninspired writing. Dead metaphors. Overused expression. Find a new way to say it. Be precise. Create your own voice. If you think you have heard the phrase too often, then you probably have, and it's time to try something new. Don't "beat that dead horse," or be "as slow as molasses."

Here are few cliches to ponder: red as a beet, as easy as pie, go fly a kite, working 24/7, flat as a pancake, drives me nuts, it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings, saved by the bell


From sportscliche.com, an explanation of cliche:

"There's no question about it is a prolific cliche and deserves a special category all its own. This cliche runs rampant in the sports world and has begun to make inroads into political jargon. It’s only a matter of time before it infects the entire English language. Here are some examples of how one usually hears it:
'He's the best quarterback of all time, there's no question about it.' This comment might occur during an extended sports talk show devoted to this highly subjective and almost impossible to quantify topic. If there's no question about it, why are we even having this discussion? No question about it is just a cliche way of saying 'That's my opinion' and sounding authoritative about it. Another way to get the same effect is with the word arguably. If you state: 'He's arguably the best quarterback of all time,' you must really know what you're talking about. It seems you're even willing to get into an argument."

From Writer's Digest, lots more on cliche and writing. Check it out.