4 Quizzes To Help You Practic Your Grammar
I Hate To Break It To You, But There's A Huge Chance You've Been Saying Extremely Common Words And Phrases Wrong Your Entire Life
Every time someone stops saying "intensive purposes," an angel gets its wings. Take the quiz here.
I Highly Doubt Anyone Will Be Able To Spell All 15 Of These Commonly Misspelled Words
It seems unlikely, but someday you may need to get by without spell check. Or write something with a pen and paper! Better to be prepared. Take the quiz here.
Most People Can't Get 14/20 On This English Grammar Quiz — Can You?
This general grammar quiz will test how well you remember what you learned in elementary, middle, and high school. Take the quiz here.
Think You're A Wordsmith? Find Out If You Know These 30 Verbs Reserved For High IQs
If you ever used a thesaurus to punch up any of your writing, this quiz about fancy verbs should be a piece of cake. Take the quiz here.
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Yomiuri Shimbun
a few seconds ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Humanoid Artist Says Not Aiming to ‘Replace Humans'
GENEVA (AFP-Jiji) — When successful artist Ai-Da unveiled a new portrait of King Charles III last week, the humanoid robot described what inspired the layered and complex piece, and insisted it had no plans to 'replace' humans. The ultra-realistic robot, one of the most advanced in the world, is designed to resemble a human woman with an expressive, life-like face, large hazel eyes and brown hair cut in a bob. The arms, though, are unmistakably robotic, with exposed metal, and can be swapped out depending on the art form it is practicing. Late last year, Ai-Da's portrait of English mathematician Alan Turing became the first artwork by a humanoid robot to be sold at auction, fetching over $1 million. But as Ai-Da unveiled its latest creation — an oil painting entitled 'Algorithm King,' conceived using artificial intelligence — the humanoid insisted the work's importance could not be measured in money. 'The value of my artwork is to serve as a catalyst for discussions that explore ethical dimensions to new technologies,' the robot told AFP at Britain's diplomatic mission in Geneva, where the new portrait of King Charles will be housed. The idea, Ai-Da insisted in a slow, deliberate cadence, was to 'foster critical thinking and encourage responsible innovation for more equitable and sustainable futures.' 'Unique and creative' Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations' AI for Good summit, Ai-Da, who has done sketches, paintings and sculptures, detailed the methods and inspiration behind the work. 'When creating my art, I use a variety of AI algorithms,' the robot said. 'I start with a basic idea or concept that I want to explore, and I think about the purpose of the art. What will it say?' The humanoid pointed out that 'King Charles has used his platform to raise awareness on environmental conservation and interfaith dialogue. I have aimed this portrait to celebrate' that, it said, adding that 'I hope King Charles will be appreciative of my efforts.' Aidan Meller, a specialist in modern and contemporary art, led the team that created Ai-Da in 2019 with artificial intelligence specialists at the universities of Oxford and Birmingham. He told AFP that he had conceived the humanoid robot — named after the world's first computer programmer Ada Lovelace — as an ethical arts project, and not 'to replace the painters.' Ai-Da agreed. There is 'no doubt that AI is changing our world, [including] the art world and forms of human creative expression,' the robot acknowledged. But 'I do not believe AI or my artwork will replace human artists.' Instead, Ai-Da said, the aim was 'to inspire viewers to think about how we use AI positively, while remaining conscious of its risks and limitations.' Asked if a painting made by a machine could really be considered art, the robot insisted that 'my artwork is unique and creative.' 'Whether humans decide it is art is an important and interesting point of conversation.'
Euronews
a few seconds ago
- Euronews
What makes France's Loire Valley a world heritage wonder
If the famed French writer Victor Hugo had visited the Château de Chambord today, it's safe to say he would have been over-sharing it on Instagram. After travelling there for the first time, he wrote: 'Can you imagine, dear Paul, that ever since I saw Chambord, I have been asking anyone and everyone: Have you seen Chambord?' Standing before it myself, I know just how he felt. Looking up at this fairy-tale castle, crowned with its carnival of cream-and-grey turrets, I want to tell everyone about it too. Commissioned by François I in 1519 and eventually completed in the 17th century, it is considered a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. At its centre is a double-revolution staircase inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. While Chambord is arguably the most famous, every one of the celebrated châteaux in the Loire Valley, of which more than a hundred can be visited, has its own individual charm. Then there are the renowned vineyards, the historic towns and the flower-filled villages. And, at the heart of it all, is the longest river in France. A world-renowned destination It's perhaps no surprise then that a vast swathe of the Loire Valley was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. That makes this year its 25th anniversary. Spanning 174km from Sully-sur-Loire to Chalonnes-sur-Loire, it's one of the largest listed sites in the country. This also means it's nigh-on impossible to see everything in the UNESCO area on a single trip, let alone the wider region, but what better excuse to plan a return visit? Especially as it all begins just an hour's train ride from Paris. If you're coming from that direction, an ideal place to start is in Orléans, sometimes described as the gateway to the Loire Valley. Among the oldest cities in France, it was famously liberated by Joan of Arc from the English siege of 1429. Even today, her presence is everywhere – from the imposing statue in the main square and the street bearing her name to the stained-glass windows in the Gothic cathedral of Sainte-Croix. This relaxed riverside city is also known for its attractive waterfront, Renaissance buildings and vibrant street art. Here, names such as M. Chat, Tag Lady and MifaMosa are uttered with almost the same reverence as Joan of Arc herself. I'm also tempted by the various museums – and, in particular, the intriguing-sounding tours taking in the city's subterranean spaces. Today, however, we are visiting the last surviving vinegar maker of Orléans. The city became famous for its vinegar in the Middle Ages when the slow-moving shipments on the Loire meant the wine would sometimes sour. Founded in 1797, Martin-Pouret continues the tradition to this day. As well as their boutique in the centre, which sells specialist vinegars alongside other products like mustard and sauces, they offer tours of their workshop just outside the city. On the trail of châteaux The next morning, we make the half-hour journey to one of the more unusual castles on our list, Château de Meung-sur-Loire. Known as 'the castle with two faces', while one side maintains its medieval exterior, the other has an 18th-century façade in salmon pink. Outside, a dragon-themed trail features impressive animatronics, including a 14m-long basilisk, while a zen-like rose garden emanates calm. Beyond the châteaux, another must in the Loire Valley is a vineyard visit. As one of France's leading wine regions, there's an impressive diversity – from Sancerre's flagship whites and Saumur's sparkling varieties to Chinon's highly regarded reds. Back at Chambord, they are now producing their own organic, hand-harvested wines, reviving an age-old tradition on the estate. During the 'obligatory' tasting, a sparkling rosé called La Favorite lives up to its name. That evening, keen to connect with the river itself, we take a boat trip on the Loire in a traditional wooden vessel. For this, we join an excursion with Moments de Loire, whose knowledgeable guide teaches us all about the river's ecosystem. Although we don't spot the resident beavers, we do spy brightly coloured dragonflies and a huge heron swooping past. Where gardens meet fairy tales For garden lovers, the nearby Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire shouldn't be missed. Alongside its remarkable château, once home to Catherine de' Medici, the estate hosts the International Garden Festival. This year's theme, 'Once upon a time, in the garden', has yielded some magical results. It's also well worth making the detour south to see the Royal City of Loches. One of the finest fortified cities in the country, it has an ensemble of architecture that began around a thousand years ago. At its heart is the Royal Lodge, once favoured by Charles VII, and a medieval keep that's among the best preserved in Europe. Not too far from here, the village of Montrésor – officially one of France's 'most beautiful' – offers picturesque streets, a verdant valley and, yes, a lovely château. Also, look out for the statue of the 'Fallen Angel' by Constantino Corti. Its haunting beauty drew the admiration of Sir Mick Jagger, no less, who has a home in the region and can occasionally be spotted buying a baguette at a local bakery. On that note, if you're seeking a bite to eat in this corner of the Loire Valley, the eco-friendly restaurant of DorDinAire, in Nouans-les-Fontaines, is hard to beat. Run by the charming Valérie and Thierry, they offer sensational seasonal dishes made with local produce. The Da Vinci connection For our final day, we visit one of the region's best-known landmarks: the Château Royal d'Amboise. Overlooking the Loire, this 'palace on a promontory' was a favourite of the French kings. With its Renaissance splendour, panoramic views and aerial gardens (designated a 'Jardin Remarquable'), I can see why. This is also the final resting place for Leonardo da Vinci, whose tomb can be found in the exquisite little chapel of Saint-Hubert. In contrast to a certain painting at the Louvre, we are practically the only people there. At the nearby Château du Clos Lucé, where he spent his last days, his life is celebrated in one of the area's leading cultural attractions. We then make a sojourn south again, back towards Loches, to squeeze in a visit to Chédigny. The only village to have the status of 'Jardin Remarquable', it is home to one thousand rose bushes, among many other plants and flowers. The annual Festival des Roses comes highly recommended, as does lunch at Le Clos aux Roses with its wisteria-covered terrace. Au revoir, not goodbye Later that afternoon, for our last stop-off, we head into Tours. Here, we find a city buzzing with locals, students and visitors, enjoying the rich heritage, eclectic mix of shops and array of museums. I make a mental note to return for the cathedral of Saint-Gatien with its flamboyant façade, the atmospheric exhibition space of Hôtel Goüin and a yoga session atop the Tour Charlemagne. For now, we indulge in a gastronomic tour with the lovely Sheena from Food Tours in Tours. A highlight is the lively square of Place Plumereau with its timber-framed buildings surrounding canopied tables. We end at the Guinguette de Tours, where we sip local wines as people sway to the sounds of swing and the sun sets over the river. It's been a whistlestop tour but a wonderful week. My only regret is that I wish I'd seen more. Next on my list is the troglodyte caves, the riverside cycle route and a visit to Blois. In the meantime, like Victor Hugo with Chambord, I'll be asking anyone and everyone: Have you seen the Loire Valley?
Daily Mirror
a few seconds ago
- Daily Mirror
American in UK blown away after trying sticking toffee pudding for first time
When it comes to desserts, there's a number of British classics and sticky toffee pudding is one of them. An American man who relocated to the UK has shared his first time trying it Sticky toffee pudding is a traditional British dessert made up of a moist sponge cake soaked in a rich toffee sauce and is often served with vanilla custard. The cake is typically filled with dates that add sweetness and moisture to the pudding. This famous English dessert can be found throughout the UK but it is particularly popular in the Lake District and the village of Cartmel, where it is thought to have been created. Russell, a man from Chicago, United States, who moved to the UK, shares travel, culture and food reviews on TikTok. He recently posted a video on the platform about his first time trying sticky toffee pudding. The American expat headed to Heavenly Desserts in Liverpool, which he observed to be a sit down restaurant just for desserts. Russell was 'very excited to see what they have.' He walked into the upmarket dessert cafe with branches across the UK and took a look at the menu. The food reviewer spotted the 'very tasty looking drinks' and opted for a cherry blossom and lychee seltzer and a passion fruit mojito. He firstly took a sip of the seltzer and found it 'so good' but he enjoyed the mojito even more. Russell said: 'The passion fruit mojito absolutely finessed my taste buds. It was so hot today, perfect refresher.' After cooling down with the beverages, he moved onto dessert and had his first ever sticky toffee pudding. He got it with custard, realising that 'this seems to be the British way.' The foodie doused the pudding in custard and then had his first spoonful. Russell exclaimed: 'Woah! It's like a sticky brownie. This is such a unique flavour.' He added: 'Also, I am officially in love with drowning anything I eat in custard. At this point I'm just eating spoonfuls of custard.' The American expat's TikTok video has garnered 154,000 views, 14,500 likes and more than 200 comments, at the time of writing. One user said: 'I love sticky toffee pudding, but I'm not a fan of custard. I'd rather have ice cream or cream.' Another fan of the classic British dessert shared: 'Sticky toffee pudding is one of my all time favourite desserts.' A third declared: 'Sticky toffee pudding is THE BEST dessert EVER!' Someone else suggested not to go to 'upscale places' if you want to try 'real British food' and go somewhere that has a more comfortable, homely atmosphere instead. Sticky toffee is a warm, comfort food that can be found at pubs, restaurants, hotels and some cafes. It can also be made at home by following recipes from celebrity chefs, including Gordon Ramsay, James Martin and Mary Berry, as well as the food writer and TV cook Nigella Lawson.
