THE HORSE RACE GAME IS A RACE BETWEEN EIGHT HORSES.
EACH HORSE HAS A DECK OF CARDS TO GIVE IT ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD.
AT THE END OF THE RACE, THE COMPUTER PICKS A WINNER, BASED ON HOW FAR AHEAD YOU ARE FROM THE WINNER; EVERYONE HAS A CHANCE TO WIN.
STATISTICS ARE KEPT, RANKING THE HORSES. THEY AGE.
YOU REPLACE HORSES THAT DON’T WIN; EVERY FEW RACES (I USE EVERY TEN RACES).
THE COMPUTER DOES EVERYTHING. YOU JUST WATCH; FROM THE GRANDSTAND.
THIS IS AN ADAPTATION; A DEMONSTRATION, OF THE TESTING MACHINE.
THE TESTING MACHINE ALLOWS EIGHT STUDENTS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS TOGETHER.
START WITH YEAR 1 AND USE THE YEAR YOU END WITH THE NEXT TIME YOU PLAY.
SEE MY DISCUSSION OF THE RACE HORSE GAME ON TES "
VOCABULARY STORY 119 WW2 GENERATION VS. TODAY’S
The WW2 generation had vigor. The judicious intrepid application of sustained power
made it an inexorable force.
Put them in juxtaposition to today’s reprehensible generation with its profusion of
traitors and weaklings! Any idea of its victory in war is illusory.
The WW2 generation had vitality. The wise bold use of continuous power
made it an unstoppable force.
Put them side by side to today’s disgraceful generation with its crowd of
traitors and weaklings! Any idea of its victory in war is a pipe dream.
YOU PICK THE LENGTH OF THE WORDS YOU WANT TO SPELL.
THE PROGRAM SPEAKS A WORD.
YOU SPELL IT OUT LOUD OR ON PAPER.
THE COMPUTER SHOWS YOU THE CORRECT SPELLING.
THE COMPUTER CHOOSES FROM ITS 17,000 WORD BANK.
WHAT IS THE HORSE RACE GAME:
When I was a Speech Teacher, I had a small group of students.
At the time, using questions was a therapy method.
I wrote a program that accepted answers from up to 8 students
answering together. I used it successfully and continually tinkered with it.
I lavished my attention on this program. I think I thought of some good ideas.
Although my programming style was primative, I am still proud of it and
it still works.
At that time (2016), I had no people interested in the idea, beyond my
local group. (if that).
I put in a demonstration of horses using the same race students
would use in the Testing Machine.
How it Works:
8 boxes are shown on the screen. As students answer on a prepared keyboard,
the boxes turn purple. After all students answer, the computer marks them. All questions
are two choices (alternate choice). Alternate Choice is another subject.
The students number goes across the screen toward a finish line.
WHO WINS:
I found that a smart student would win all the time. He would taunt others by winning
by only one point. This disencouraged students to play. I had the computer pick a winner
based on how close they were to the actual winner.
The chance to win was expressed as a percent. It was halved for even point behind.
Everyone had a chance to win and effort was rewarded.
I HOPE YOU LIKE IT:
THE HORSE RACE GAME is crude and slow, but the ideas are there.
Its program code is cryptic. I have since used procedures which really help make
programs orderly.
With my ability to put this on the internet with TES, I am presenting it to you.
(This is the far future, you know.)
I also have a talking TALKING MACHINE on TES you can download.
Your ideas are welcome.
Paul Skittone
2023
VOCABULARY STORY 111 BIG STEAM ENGINES
The predecessors of today's diesel locomotives were ponderous steam engines. Though
their technology has been surpassed, it would be duplicit to belittle these figurative work
horses.
Running one was not a perfunctory affair. Impeccable preparation and operation were
required for safety. Indefatigable taciturn crews with a predilection for hard yet meticulous
work ran them.
The forerunners of today's diesel locomotives were gigantic steam engines. Though
their technology has been superceded, it would be deceitful to make light of these metaphorical work
horses.
Running one was not an automatic affair. Perfect preparation and operation were
required for safety. Tireless, gruff crews with an inclination for hard yet precise
work ran them.
VOCABULARY STORY 116 TIMING THE STOCK MARKET
A cursory look at the Stock Market shows it fluctuates widely. Proponents of market timing
have used innovations like graphic computer models. This hardy cerebral bunch has a sort of detachment.
They are prone to condoning recanting advice on a dime.
A casual look at the Stock Market shows it varies widely. Advocates of market timing
have used new things like pictorial computer models. This tough brainy bunch has a sort of aloofness.
They are likely to consent to taking back advice on short notice.
VOCABULARY STORY 117 HOW TO DOCUMENT HISTORICAL LANGUAGE CHANGES IN ENGLISH
There is a paucity of documents to edify about concise details of how Old English
evolved into later versions. The record is mostly quiescent due to illiteracy and the
ravages of time.
IndIscriminate pedestrian letters do show when a person who was eloquent but lacking in
standard spelling skills, it left clues to language change. The person sounded out how
he was speaking which was gradually changing.
There is a lack of documents to inform about nice clearcut details of how Old English
changed into later versions. The record is mostly silent due to lack of the ability to read and the
destructiveness of time.
Random ordinary letters do show when a person who was expressive but lacking in
standard spelling skills, it left clues to language change. The person sounded out how
he was speaking which was gradually changing.
VOCABULARY STORY 118 WHY ROME SHOULD HAVE KEPT NORTH AFRICA
A cogent if rudimentary case can be made why Rome should have protected North
Africa. The food from there kept the Empire solvent. It would have been sage to
have military forces to have the Barbarians show restraint.
As it was, they crossed over into North Africa and were pervasive all over.
It kindled problems with coercion as the Barbarians despoiled the land. People
became resigned and inured to the situation. Food and taxes stopped going to Rome.
A convincing if simplistic case can be made why Rome should have protected North
Africa. The food from there kept the Empire financially workable. It would have been wise to
have military forces to have the Barbarians show control.
As it was, they crossed over into North Africa and were everywhere all over.
It started problems with violent robberies as the Barbarians despoiled the land. People
became fatalistic and used to the situation. Food and taxes stopped going to Rome.
VOCABULARY STORY 103 WHY THE USA BEING ISOLATED FROM EUROPE IS GOOD
People don't appreciate the advantages of the USA being insular to Europe. The seperation
gives a dimunition of acute turbulent influences. The USA can remain indifferent to random
obscure movements and feelings from abroad.
So Americans, though malleable, have not been affected by European things and have
had to appease European powers. They did their own thing.
People don't recognize the podsitive side of the USA being remote to Europe. The seperation
gives a lessening of radical violent influences. The USA can remain uninterested in haphazard
hidden movements and feelings from abroad.
So Americans, though shapable, have been swayed by Europe and have had to satisfy European
powers. They did their own thing.
DOWNLOAD TO SEE THESE STORIES:
VOCABULARY STORY 104 HOW DID KING GEORGE REACTED TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION?
VOCABULARY STORY 106 WHY THE AMERICAN HATED ENGLAND’S GOVERNORS
VOCABULARY STORY 107 HOW THOMAS PAINE’S WRITINGS CHANGED HISTORY
VOCABULARY STORY 108 HAROLD CARTER FINDS AND PRESERVES KING TUT’S TREASURE
VOCABULARY STORY 109 HOW GEORGE WASHINGTON BEAT MIGHTY ENGLAND
VOCABULARY STORY 110 HOW THE BLACK PLAGUE KILLED EUROPE
VOCABULARY STORY 111 wHAT WAS PRESIDENT LINCOLN’S BURDEN?
VOCABULARY STORY 112 WHY STEAM ENGINES WERE DANGEROUS
VOCABULARY STORY 113 TIMING THE MARKET
VOCABULARY STORY 114 HOW SCHOLARS KNOW ABOUT HOW THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE HAS CHANGED
VOCABULARY STORY 103 WHY THE USA BEING ISOLATED FROM EUROPE IS GOOD
People don't appreciate the advantages of the USA being insular to Europe. The seperation
gives a dimunition of acute turbulent influences. The USA can remain indifferent to random
obscure movements and feelings from abroad.
So Americans, though malleable, have not been affected by European things and have
had to appease European powers. They did their own thing.
People don't recognize the podsitive side of the USA being remote to Europe. The seperation
gives a lessening of radical violent influences. The USA can remain uninterested in hapazard
hidden movements and feelings from abroad.
So Americans, though shapable, have been swayed by Europe and have had to satisfy European
powers. They did their own thing.
WHY VOCABULARY STORIES WITH A PARAPHRASED VERSION ARE USEFUL.
I am writing these stories so you can paraphrase them. It makes vocabulary learning
an active process. What does “presumptuous” mean? When fit into a story, in context; what
would be a good replacement for it, into simpler language perhaps.
So, my stories are just a chance to give you the opportunity to think of elegant
translation words.
We continually do this as we gauge our audiences. We want to use big words yet be understood.
Sometimes “big” words take a few words to replace them. Words have shades of meaning. My inspiration
was a recent translation of Beowulf from Old English. The translation had to have the flair of the
original (using wimpy Modern English?); perhaps a looser translation is more appropriate? The Bible
translators too, strain to get the meaning of the original; it is a real challenge and debate with
bigger stakes.
So, beyond the topics, which can be interesting; these stories challenge you to go to your
dictionaries to find the right fit to say the same thing.
I give my translation (answer) to each story.
This could be a daily exercise like a crossword puzzle in the newspapers.
I know it’s good for me.
So, look at them anew with this in mind.
Paul Skittone
VOCABULARY STORY 100 WHAT WAS THE MEDICINE OF BYGONE DAYS WAS LIKE
The precursor of today's medicine had equivocal results.It sometines debilitated and
impaired more than nothing at all. To exonerate doctors of that era, it was done without
enmity or hypocrisy; it was ignorance.
Doctors had the fruits of materialism, eloquence and respect. They elicited symptoms
and did their thing.
The forunners of today's medicine had doubtful results.It sometines crippled and
damaged more than nothing at all. To clear from blame doctors of that era, it was done without
spite or knowingly; it was lack of knowledge.
Doctors had the fruits of wealth, good speech and respect. They asked about symptoms
and did their thing.