A Level and GCSE Geography Revision A Complete Guide to Exam Preparation

A Level and GCSE Geography Revision A Complete Guide to Exam Preparation Let's Ace that Geography Revision ChaptersGeography: Not Just ‘Colouring In’Paying Attention, the First Time RoundTextbooks, Friends, and Online Resources: The Core Revision MaterialMaps and Geographical SkillsUsing Past Papers: Developing the Skills for Your Geography ExaminationsWhere to Find Extra Information? Reading Around Your Geography CurriculumRemembering to Ace those Geography Case StudiesFinding a Private Tutor to Get You through Your Geography Exams â€" at Whatever LevelTaking it Easy: Learning to NOT ReviseConclusion.When you reach the age of about fifteen, every year at secondary school seems to be split into two halves: the first, in which you are taught something, and the second, in which you are taken over it again. The second we call ‘revision’, a name which is probably fair, but which implies you’ve already learnt the thing that you are re-studying. We all know that this isn’t exactly true, as, at the start of the year, your exams feel far enough away to be hardly worth thinking about. So, like the rest of the students in your classroom, you don’t really take it all in, but rather bank â€" often correctly â€" that you are going to cover it again later in the year. At GCSE, this might immediately seem like the correct approach; by A Level, you should probably know a little better! Revising shouldn’t be learning from scratch, but merely filling the gaps in your knowledge and making sure everything sticks in your brain. It’s a lot less stressful this way.And, importantly, studying with friends makes the whole process much more enjoyable, and this is something that really needs to be achieved.Maps and Geographical SkillsBut geography isn’t all about the knowledge that you collect â€" the facts you learn, the statistics you find, the texts you have read. Rather, a really crucial part of the assessment framework â€" for both GCSE students and for students of A Level geography â€" is these things we call geographical skills. These are things like being able to re ad maps: what contour lines are, how to locate yourself and other geographic features, and what the main features of a landscape might be.It also refers to the skills that are required for reading diagrams accurately â€" taking data from a chart, for example â€" and identifying the key features of images. As you’ll see below, these are all things tested in the geography exam.How do you develop these skills? The most obvious response to this is to look at a map. What do these things show, and what information is included in them? Why are these important in the world today, and what do they actually tell us about our world? These are the questions you need to ask yourself when looking at them. SerenaGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoelGeography Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChloeGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MatthewGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DavidGeography Teacher 5.00 (10) £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ConnieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LaurieGeography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamGeography Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsUsing Past Papers: Developing the Skills for Your Geography ExaminationsPast papers are the cornerstone of any revision programme, and if you have not made space for them in your timetable, then more fool you.Using past papers is the most authoritative way to test the knowledge that you have â€" and the appropriateness and relevance of that knowledge. Used in conjunction with the mark scheme â€" which will be available on your exam board’s website along with the past papers â€" they can show you the gaps in your knowledge as well as the bits that you solidly know.Use them from the very beginning of your revision, to keep track of progress and to reassure yourself that you are getting there.Another thing they offer is a chance to hone your exam technique. These days, we all write on the computer and phone â€" and the pace of our writing on these technologies is usually very high. Actual, old-fashioned handwriting though is a different story altogether and, as part of your exam technique is making sure you finish the paper, it is essential that you practise writing quickly by hand.Finally, past papers show you the sort of questions you should expect from the exam. The phrasing of the questions, the type of answers that the examiners are expecting, and the sorts of skills they are testing. As your exam paper â€" whether GCSE or A Level â€" will include questions on diagrams, maps, and images, you should practise these over and over, as often they will not require any external knowledge whatsoever. (As you have been reading maps though, you should be absolutely fine with this.)And remember, alongside the past papers and the mark schemes, you’ll find the course specification â€" which shows you precisely the topics, themes, and ideas that you will be tested on â€" and the previous years’ examiner’s reports. These often tell you the pitfalls of previous students â€" so pay attention to these too!There are specific articles on GCSE geography past papers and A Level geography past papers with us too!Where to Find Extra Information? Reading Around Your Geography CurriculumWe said above that textbooks aren’t sufficient to get you to achieve the highest grades. They are great, but not everything.You will, instead, be expected to read around the topics that you are covering in your course â€" especially if you are an A Level student. This shows the examiner that you are able to apply to new things the knowledge and skills that you have learned in class. For A Level students, you can find some handy tips on where to start with our article on A-Level geography revision.In brief, let’s say here that books, magazines, and newspapers are your best bet. Newspapers like The Guar dian, The New York Times, and The Times are all very prestigious publications that often report on geographical issues from urban geography to globalization and migration. The Guardian’s ‘Cities’ section might be a great resource for you specifically â€" or else you can try magazines like National Geographic, which focus specifically on geography.Otherwise, there are many best-selling books that cover geographical topics, and you won’t have too much trouble tracking down some very readable, engaging, and even fun ones.Newspapers are full of info that could be helpful for your geography revision.Remembering to Ace those Geography Case StudiesThese resources can provide the main source of information for your case studies â€" those examples of geographical phenomena that seem to dominate GCSEs and A Levels. Find as much data on these as you can and try your best to find case studies that actually interest you.It cannot be stressed enough how important case studies are for your geography courses. They pin down your theory and concepts into real-life examples and are essentially an exercise in applying your knowledge to something real. Do not neglect them!Finding a Private Tutor to Get You through Your Geography Exams â€" at Whatever LevelWhat might also be helpful is for you to seek sessions with a private tutor. Often super-qualified and experienced â€" and usually alumni of geography courses at universities â€" academic tutors can make a huge difference to your revision, whether it’s for talking you through thorny theoretical issues or for setting you extra work during the revision period.Superprof is a great place to find private tuition, at any level, and you can take classes both online and face-to-face in the comfort of your own home.Taking it Easy: Learning to NOT ReviseFinally, it’s important to know that revision should not be an exercise in solitude or in self-imprisonment in your own room. And neither is it a fifteen hour a day job.Revise w ell, and revise efficiently, but don’t wear yourself out doing it. Make sure that you take time to relax, and make sure that, at some moments at least, you precisely don’t revise. You have to switch off.Conclusion.Check out our dedicated guides to GCSE geography revision and A Level geography revision too!

10 Great Books for Learning Chinese

10 Great Books for Learning Chinese Chinese Books that Are Almost Better than Chinese Lessons Chapters The Range of Books for Learning Mandarin Chinese??????| Integrated Chinese Chinese for Dummies ??????? | New Practical Chinese Reader Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar (Modern Grammars) 500 Common Chinese Idioms Niubi!: The Real Chinese You Were Never Taught in School?????? | Chinese Made Easier Easy Peasy Chinese: Mandarin Chinese for Beginners Pocket Oxford Chinese Dictionary (Oxford Dictionaries) Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook DictionaryWhile the digital seems to have the wind in its sail, it’s taking a little longer for it to find its way into education.  In fact, there are still echoes of “turn to page 44” in modern foreign language Mandarin lessons where students complete exercises out of printed textbooks rather than on iPads or digital whiteboards.While the “early adopters” have completely embraced digital technologies, older methods are still proving themselves to be just as effective as they’ve always been when it comes to teaching the Chinese languag e.If you're looking to take Chinese lessons, there’s still a plethora of books that can be used by beginners and intermediate or advanced students.In this article, Superprof is going to look at a few books that you should consider buying when you learn Chinese. Since some of these books books can help you to speak Chinese, some focus on traditional Chinese characters and writing, and some are full of useful for anyone looking to move to Mainland China or Taiwan, there should be at least one title in this list that you find useful.Integrated Chinese (3rd Edition)  is a textbook written by Yuehua Liu and published by Cheng Tsui. This book is highly recommended by Chinese professors and students alike and while it's probably a bit dry for some learners, it does have almost everything you’ll want to know about Chinese.Learning to read and write in Chinese is far from as easy as ABC. (Source: pixabay.com)The book is highly rated on Amazon (between 3.5 and 5 stars, depending on the v ersion) and is available in paperback for less than £20.  Unfortunately, if you’re wanting to do the audio exercises, you’re going to have to pay extra for the CD or audio which  can set you back around £40, too. Ouch!With all that said, this is a resource that you’ll be able to keep referring back to every time you need to refresh the basics. It’s perfect for students just starting out in Chinese, getting used to Chinese characters, how they’re written, and how to use them, and anyone preparing to stay in China (or any other Chinese-speaking country) for an extended period of time who needs to familiarise themselves with the basics of the language. Chinese for DummiesNever underestimate the “Dummies” series of books. The version on learning Mandarin Chinese by Wendy Abraham is worth picking up and is available on Amazon for less than £20 (and for only a couple of quid if you’re happy to buy a used copy!). Aimed at absolute beginners, the book can teach you how to have everyday conversations, get to grips with the tones used in Chinese, and get around in China.Putting together words in Chinese will take you longer than it did in English. (Source: pixabay.com)Furthermore, the accompanying CD can help you listen to actual Chinese being spoken by native speakers and help you to train your ear to the tones. It's great for anyone getting ready to go to China as it covers all the basics that you’ll need from the second you get off the plane.Additionally, it also covers customs and taboos, meaning that you’ll not make any embarrassing errors and nor will you offend anyone when you go to China.You should also consider buying the book of Chinese expressions for dummies. ??????? | New Practical Chinese ReaderThis book is a useful Chinese course.  However, don’t forget to buy the workbook as well so that you can actually practice your Chinese. While there isn’t much difference between the first and second editions in terms of content, the secon d edition has changed the layout slightly.You’ll be able to get both the textbook and workbook for under £30 and for even cheaper if you look around for used versions of the textbook Obviously, don’t buy a used version of the workbook as you’ll not be able to use it! Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar (Modern Grammars)This book  written by Claudia Ross and published by Routledge might end up being your Chinese grammar bible. It’s an invaluable resource that covers every single aspect and element of Chinese grammar as well as the inevitable exceptions to the rules that can sometimes have you tearing your hair out.  This book is better than your average grammar textbook and at around £20 new, you can’t afford not to pick up a copy to add to your Chinese library.This book is one of the better resources for students who’ve just started learning Chinese. It focuses on using Chinese rather than studying it academically and will get you conversing in Chinese more quickly than so me of the other textbooks in this list.At under £20, it’s also cheaper than some of the textbooks in this list. If your goal is to get some Chinese under your belt before travelling to a Chinese-speaking country, this is probably the book you want on your shelf.There are also several other books in the series so once you’ve finished with this one, you can move onto the next and keep improving your Chinese. However, the later books are very advanced and may be indecipherable without the assistance of a private tutor to help explain them.You may also find help with these recommended apps... Easy Peasy Chinese: Mandarin Chinese for BeginnersThis is one of the best sellers on Amazon  and a highly-recommended resource for beginners. The book comes with a CD so that you can also listen to Chinese being spoken. Costing around £5, this is also one of the cheapest books on the list (which might explain why it sells so well) and to get the most out of the series, you’re probably going to have to invest in the workbook, too.  That said, the workbook is also very cheap and you can easily get both books for under £20.If you’re travelling to China for a business trip or just on holiday, you should think about getting both of these books and working towards speaking conversational Chinese before you get there.  Make sure you use the CD as well so that you can hear the Chinese pronunciation which is a hugely important aspect to speaking Chinese well. Pocket Oxford Chinese Dictionary (Oxford Dictionaries)It goes without saying that if you’re learning Chinese, you should probably invest in a dictionary. However, if you’ve just started, don’t waste your money on one of those huge dictionaries as it’s very unlikely you’ll come across half of the words in them as a beginner.Instead, opt for a smaller dictionary like the Pocket Oxford Chinese Dictionary  which is both easier to carry and easier to look up words in since there’s less pages to scour through. Fu rthermore, you can always bring smaller dictionaries with you when you travel as you can never guarantee that you’ll be able to access Wifi or data when you’re travelling, after all. However, remember that the term “pocket” is used very liberally by those who make dictionaries! Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook DictionaryWhile a dictionary is always useful, if you’re going to China sooner than you can master the basics, having a phrasebook is always a useful investment.  The Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook Dictionary  comes with all the expressions you’ll want to look up during your travels as well as a dictionary to look up specific words.Furthermore, it includes a pronunciation guide so that you don’t end up saying the wrong thing. Don’t forget that Mandarin Chinese uses tones that can drastically change the meaning of words!  The book only costs £4.99 new (and even cheaper second hand) and is one of the most popular options amongst travellers heading to China .You should also check out the best Chinese apps to complement your private Chinese tutorials!If you're living in London, why not look at Superprof's Mandarin lessons London and our tutors offering Chinese in London.Discover also the best tools for learning Chinese...

Muay Thai Clubs in Birmingham

Muay Thai Clubs in Birmingham Where in Birmingham Can You Find a Muay Thai Club? ChaptersMuay Thai Fighting: Determine Your LevelWhat to Expect for Your First Muay Thai SessionThe Best Muay Thai Clubs in BirminghamBirmingham, the second-largest city in the UK, is considered to be the financial, commercial, cultural and social centre of the Midlands. What couldn’t you find here?We have great food and lots of entertainment, from theatre to music concerts, hopping nightlife and plenty of leisure activities. We have sports â€" oh, do we have sports!The Football League was founded here and two of their oldest clubs are based in Birmingham: Aston Villa and Birmingham City. We have cricket and rugby and tennis and golf; skateboarding and stock-car racing and hockey and boxing…Boxing? Thai Boxing?Indeed, we Brummies love our sports, even several at once. For instance, you may like to take in a match on the weekend and head to the gym to train as a Muay Thai fighter during the week.Naturally, we’re only supposing what you might do with your time and what your fitnes s regimen might consist of but, judging by the number of Muay Thai clubs in and around the city, we’re guessing that this ancient art figures prominently in people’s plans.And you? Are you looking for fitness training with an interest in combat sports or are you looking to get in shape first and decide which of the martial arts you will embrace later?Whichever side of that coin you fall, Birmingham has a club for you. C’mon! Let’s go find them!colour of one’s belt proclaims their level of achievement.There are no such belts in Muay Thai and one doesn’t change the colour of their Muay Thai shorts to signify they’ve attained a greater degree of skill. Nothing about your Muay Thai gloves or other apparel indicates your status or rank as a fighter Image by Christopher Chiu from PixabayHow are fighters ranked, then?First an explanation of why there is not a visual ranking system, as in the other martial arts we just mentioned, and even in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.Muay Thai is an ancient discipline that, for the most part, adheres to tradition â€" even modern-day tradition. Today’s fighters in Thailand join up so they can earn money; there, Muay Thai is a profession, not a pastime.We have the luxury of training as fighters to become fit or school ourselves in discipline; our livelihood does not depend on stepping into the ring.Still, there are ‘levels’ in Muay Thai; 12 of them to be exact:As an absolute beginner, you would be considered a ‘street fighter’ or ‘untrained’Level 2: First Time Fighter â€" you have some training but are unpolished.Level 3: as a ‘Tomato Can’, you would be matched with fighters one level higher t o help them alongfighters at this level are also called ‘Tuk Tuk Drivers’Level 4: Upcoming Prospects have a natural ability to fight and lots of potential to become a championLevel 5: Amateur Champions have fewer than 10 pro fights under their beltsLevel 6: Journeyman â€" a good fighter but will most likely not become a championLevel 7: Strong nac muay farang â€" the Strong ForeignerLevel 8: Gatekeepers generally fight in the best stadiums in Phuket, Chiang Mai or Pattaya â€" but not BangkokLevel 9: Lumpinee Fighters â€" these elite foreign fighters can take their place alongside top Thai fighters in BangkokLevel 10: Ranked Thai Fighter â€" these are the Bangkok champions!Level 11: Superstar â€" compete worldwide to gain the utmost visibilityLevel 12: Muay Thai LegendThere are no outward signs of these levels and, as you might have guessed by the descriptions of these rankings, they depend solely on the number of fights and your number of wins.You may also have noticed that many of these descriptions rely on bouts fought in Thailand.Although quite a few do, not every Muay Thai fighter will make their way to the cradle of their sport to compete; in fact, not every fighter here in the UK wants to step into the ring! For sparring, perhaps but not for actual fights.Even at the Muay Thai clubs in London, we met plenty of people engrossed in Muay Thai training who have no intention of facing off against an opponent.So, while some Muay Thai clubs in other countries might have instituted a belt system, you should know upfront that Muay Thai is more about the discipline and strength conditioning than it is about any tokens of rank.However, if you are learning under a great Master, s/he may give you a pra jiad, the traditional armband proclaiming your loyalty to your club.Do you wonder if Muay Thai clubs in Belfast have adopted a ranking system? You won't receive a belt to denote your achievements in Muay Tai as you would in Taekwondo Image by noellepierceromance from PixabayWhat to Expect for Your First Muay Thai SessionBefore you land your first punch on the heavy bag, you should expect your trainer to conduct a full assessment of your abilities and physical condition.This Art of Eight Limbs is meant to be challenging to the utmost degree, not just on the physical level but in mental conditioning, too.Like every other martial art, Muay Thai is about discipline â€" focusing your energy, marshalling your physical resources and strategising against your opponents’ weaknesses, so you should expect some mind-stimulating exercises even as you push your body to the limits of endurance.Martial arts training is rigorous and Muay Thai training is especially so. Because it is a combat sport, there will be a lot of punching, kicking, grappling and clinching.Its designation as an eight-limbed fighting method indicates that you will u se hands and feet; also elbows and knees to land blows on your opponent.That was well-demonstrated when we dropped in on a Muay Thai kickboxing class at in Cardiff...To be able to compete successfully in the ring, you will have to develop core strength as well as speed, coordination and balance â€" all of which will make for a leaner, fitter, faster you.Even if you have no intention of competing, your training will involve bag work â€" hitting the heavy bag, and your coach will most likely use focus mitts to help you aim your punches more accurately.S/he may don Thai pads, a full-body padding system and step into the ring with you. You may also do some sparring with other Muay Thai fighters so you can get the feel of what it is like to face an opponent.All of this is months in the future; first, you have to become mentally and physically conditioned, like the fighters from Muay Thai gyms in Glasgow who compete all over the country.Are you ready to find your gym?The Best Muay Thai Cl ubs in BirminghamIf you were looking for Muay Thai boxing lessons for the whole family, you could not be better served than at Black Widow. Their martial arts academy has classes for men, women and children â€" even toddlers!Why would anyone want their toddler to take a combat sport class?Considering that childhood obesity is currently at epidemic levels in our country, it might be a good idea to take such a class for their lifelong health and well-being.And, considering that bullying is a very real fact of life that our school students deal with every day, arming your kids with self-esteem and confidence before they are old enough to go to school might be a good idea.Speaking of school: wouldn’t it be great if your child could focus better? Studying a martial art such as Muay Thai is an excellent way to teach them to focus! Muay Thai is a great way for people - including women to learn self defense Image by Sasin Tipchai from PixabayBlack Widow’s instructors have winning records, both in the bouts they’ve fought and in their success at teaching their art.They offer classes six days a week, from mid-afternoon (right when the kids get out of school) until 10pm â€" that is when the fighters come out to play. Their adult beginners’ classes start at 6pm and last an hour.Why not drop in on them? They’re on Washward Heath Road, hopefully not too far out of your way.K-Star Legacy is a great facility if you wanted your children to learn Muay Thai because they take an unusual approach to teaching kids all about discipline and focus. While your kids will indeed develop the skills to fight, the primary focus of these classes is self-confidence and discipline.K-Star is not just for kids, though. They have a beginner’s program for Muay Thai training; even if you’ve not worked out for years, their trainers are ready to take your development in hand. If you wish, you may engage one of their private coaches to work with you one on one.Muay Thai clubs near me offer that option too but I went with a Superprof trainer…We really liked the K-Star Sheldon training academy for their free trial class offer.Whether you are an established fighter who has just relocated to the Birmingham-Solihull area or someone for whom standard gym workouts aren’t quite getting it for them anymore, you should check out the facilities on Hobs Moat Road.They too offer classes for children as young a five as well as adult beginner, intermediate and advanced classes.Which club(s) in Birmingham is the best for Muay Thai? That's really up to you and what you're looking for. The three mentioned above are a good place to start looking for lessons and, if we failed to mention your preferred Muay Thai club, please let us know in the comments section below.There are indeed quite a few clubs for Muay Thai  but, if you think Birmingham has a lot of them, wait until you read about all of the Muay Thai clubs in Manchester!

How to Teach Yourself Maths

How to Teach Yourself Maths How Can You Teach Yourself Mathematics? ChaptersHow to Teach Yourself Maths on Your ComputerHow to Teach Yourself Maths with GamesLearning Maths QuicklyStudying Maths is Easy“Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous.” - ConfuciusConfucius clearly understood the importance of learning and setting yourself goals when you learn.  Hopefully, this quote has inspired you to learn maths. It’s a good idea to have a guide or a tutor although you can learn to be good at maths on your own, too.Believe it or not, a lot of people don’t think that they can teach themselves maths. However, thanks to interactive websites and maths resources, you too can become an expert in maths and no longer struggle when it comes to mental arithmetic.Not everyone can get to maths classes or afford a private tutor to help them learn maths so in this article, we're going to help those who find maths puzzles challenging by looking at how you can learn maths on your own.the last thing you want is to choose the wr ong tutor and end up having to see them regularly!If you would like to be a mathematician, with a bit of effort, the right free online maths resources and textbooks, you’ll start making a lot of progress in maths. Of course, not everyone is the same and if a certain method isn't working for you, never be afraid to change your approach.

Absolute Value Equations

Absolute Value Equations A mathematical statement, which shows that the absolute value of an expression is equal to the other expression, is called an absolute value equation. For example: - If the expressions | 3 x 5 | and x + 8 are equal, we write: | 3 x 5 | = x + 8; which is an absolute value equations. Similarly other examples are: - If the expression | x 30 | is equal to 10, it is written as: | x 30 | = 10 Absolute value of 7 subtracted from a number ( x ), equals 4, | x 7 | = 4 An absolute value of a certain number ( x ) is multiplied by 4, equals 20, | 4 x | = 20 Absolute of x divided by 7, equals 2, | x / 7 | = 2 Question 1: - Find x when | x 30 | = 10 Solution: - | x 30 | = 10 Case 1: - +(x 30) = 10 x 30 = 10 x = 10 + 30 x = 40 Case 2: - - (x 30) = 10 - x + 30 = 10 - x = 10 30 - = -20 x = 20 Question 2: - Find the value of x when | 4 x | = 20 Solution: - | 4 x | = 20 Case 1:- |4x| = 20 +4x = 20 x = 5 Case 2: - -4x=20 x = -5

Combining Like Terms Worksheet

Combining Like Terms Worksheet Combining like terms worksheet consist of collection of problems where the like terms need to be added. Like terms combining is a tool to simplify an expression or equation by adding or subtracting. Two terms are like terms when they have same variable part having same degree. 6x and 7 are not like terms since 2nd term has no variable. 4x and 7x are like since variables match and degrees match. Now 3x^2 and 3x are not like terms since they have different degree but same variable. Worksheet indicates list of problems. Example 1: Simplify by combining like terms for the following a. 4x + 5x b. 3 + 5 + 6y + 3x c. 5x^3 + 5y + 5x + 4x^3 Solution: a. 4x + 5x = 9x b. 3 + 5 + 6y + 3x = (3 + 5) + 6y + 3x = 8 + 6y + 3x c. 5x^3 + 5y + 5x + 4x^3 = ( 5x^3 + 4x^3 ) + 5y + 5x = 9x^3 + 5y + 5x. Example 2: Simplify by combining like terms for the following a. 3x + 6y + 4x + 5x b. 6x^3 + 3y^2 + 5x + 4x^3 Solution: a. 3x + 6y + 4x + 5x = (3x + 4x + 5x) + 6y = 12x + 6y b. 6x^3 + 3y^2 + 5x + 4x^3 = (6x^3 + 4x^3) + 3y^2 + 5x = 10x^3 + 3y^2 + 5x.

GCSE History Revision - Russian Revolution

GCSE History Revision - Russian Revolution History is a cracking subject. It’s full of real-life stories: fascinating and often surprising! History has shaped the world we live in so it is vital for us to learn and reflect upon the events that happened in our past. Russia has had a very turbulent history that hugely influenced international relations in the twentieth century so although it’s rather horrifying to discover what happened (not actually so long ago), its also very interesting. Twentieth century Russia is a modern world depth study offered for GCSE History with all three exam boards, AQA, OCR and Edexcel, so here are some revision notes to help explain that all-important Russian Revolution. It’s a good time to look at the impact of the First World War too, with the centenary being marked this year. The March Revolution (also known as the February Revolution) in 1917 resulted in the end of the Romanov Dynasty in Russia. But why did this happen? Historians love to have a good debate so ‘how far the impact of the First World War contributed to the revolution’ is often discussed. As you discover more and more about this topic, you might develop your own opinion on too. So, what actually happened to Russia during the war? The Military   The Russian army was not a great one. Although Russia had the largest army out of all of the countries in the war, in proportion to its population it was just half the size of the army of France and Germany. The Russian army was also not well equipped, as 6.5 million troops only had 4.6 million rifles - bit of a problem there!  No surprise then, that in 1914-15, the army experienced large defeats and, by 1915, 4 million Russians had been killed, wounded or captured. As you can imagine, the people of Russia were getting very dissatisfied. So, in 1915, Tsar Nicholas II decided to go to the frontline and become Commander-in-Chief of the army. However, this then meant that the Tsar was directly responsible for the army and consequently, any failures of the Russian military would be associated with his failure as a leader. Not a great move by Nicholas! By 1916, fewer and fewer troops were willing to fight at the front and over half of the soldiers stayed in the urban barracks. Nicholas was losing the support of his troops as well as his people as they gradually blamed him more and more for Russia’s failures. Difficult Living Conditions Living conditions in the large cities during the war were awful, especially in Petrograd and Moscow. There was a huge shortage of supplies. Food and fuel were very hard to come by, especially as the railway had virtually collapsed by 1917 - leaving food supplies rotting in stranded carriages. Moreover, hundreds of factories had closed during the war, leaving thousands of people unemployed. Gold standard was abandoned and more and more notes were put in circulation causing severe inflation! The costs of food and fuel quadrupled (even though there was hardly any available) and savings were virtually wiped out. The urban population was cold, hungry and out of work and people became very angry towards the Russian government. Alexandra and Rasputin With the Tsar fighting the war at the front, his wife Alexandra was left in charge, with a monk called Rasputin. They made a mess of the government as they kept changing ministers, replacing good ministers for their own friends. Between August 1915 and February 1917, 36 ministers were changed: not good for the country’s stability! It didn’t help that in a war fighting against the Germans, Nicholas’ wife was herself German. Alexandra and Rasputin were made a mockery of and it ultimately discredited the Tsar’s leadership - the Russian people were becoming less and less willing to support him. No political reform As Nicholas II was busy with the war, it was a good opportunity to allow some political reform. The Duma era came as a result of the 1905 Revolution but this was often criticised for being a ‘Rubberstamp democracy’. The Duma was the lower house of the Russian parliament but due to the Fundamental Laws issued in April 1906 it had very limited powers. The Duma therefore called for concessions during the war but the Tsar rejected their appeals, which led to the creation of the Progressive Bloc (made up of two thirds of Duma members) who wished to form a Duma-based government and basically run the country for Nicholas. But Nicholas wanted to keep his autocratic power and rejected these ideas too. Yet, as the Tsar showed himself to be increasingly incapable of running the war and country, the Progressive Bloc became a focal point of resistance - leading the Russian people to take matters into their own hands. Big events followed. See below to view the timeline. (The dates are according to the old style Julian calendar -13 days behind the rest of Europe) 25th February - General Strike - troops were beginning to side with demonstrators. Policeman is shot by a cossack (soldier). 27th February - Unofficial meeting of the Duma, who taking control of Russia away from the Tasr. 28th February - Tsar Nicholas II attempts to return to Petrograd but is prevented from doing so by his own troops. Now he’d lost the support of the army and the Duma! 2nd March - Provisional Government formed out of Duma Committee. Nicholas signs Decree of Abdication for himself and on behalf of his son, Alexei. 3rd March - New government publicly declared. 4th March - Formal declaration of the abdication of the Tsar and the end to the Romanov dynasty after 300 years! Bye bye Nicholas! That was by no means the end of Russia’s problems though; the mayhem continued and in October 1917 the Bolsheviks took over in a second revolution. So how far was the First World War to blame for the March/February Revolution? Was it the main cause or was it just the trigger to a revolution that had been long-due because of the failures of autocracy? You decide! If you fancy having some more help with your GCSE History revision, then why not visit the Tutorfair website and find the right tutor for you. Here’s a small sample of some of History tutors: Phineas P - Experienced tutor who gets great results Aren R - Inspiring, enthusiastic, knowledgeable PhD student Images from  commons.wikimedia.org   CC-by,  en.wikipedia.org  CC-by  and  sv.wikipedia.org  CC-by

Suggested Books in English for Young Adolescents

Suggested Books in English for Young Adolescents Getting adolescents interested in something can be difficult. However, encouraging them to read as a supplement to their English classes will be easy when you introduce them to quality books for their age group.Here are some of our suggestions.Afterwards, if you would like  your child  to learn English with native speakers, feel free to contact us.The Twilight  Saga by Stephenie MeyerYoung readers will no doubt already be familiar with Meyer’s work through the Twilight film series. This is a great reason to introduce them to the four vampire themed books on the love affair between an adolescent girl and a vampire that started the phenomenon. The titles in the series are Breaking Dawn, Eclipse, New Moon and Twilight.The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer.Harry Potter by J.K. RowlingAnother series with a successful set of movie spin offs is J.K. Rowling’s seven part Harry Potter series. In case you’ve lived on the moon for the last decade, the books are set in Hogwarts School of Wi tchcraft and Wizardry and feature young wizard Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermione as well as the evil wizard, Lord Voldemort.Harry Potter series by J.K RowlingThe Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Salinger’s tale of a 16 year old boy’s solitary and difficult coming of age is classic adolescent reading. The book is also considered one of the finest novels of the 20th century.The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.Pride Prejudice by Jane AustenAusten’s Pride Prejudice is a great read for teenage girls. It’s tale of Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters attempts to find love in 19th century England remains as fresh and entertaining today as it was in year it was published.Pride Prejudice by Jane Austen.  Nineteen Eighty Four by George OrwellCan you imagine a world without individuality, free speech and liberty of thought? Welcome to Orwells hellish vision of the world that thankfully never came to be. It will get your young reader thinking and questioning and no do ubt thankful for the world in which he or she lives today.Did you find this blog helpful? Feel free to share it on Facebook and Twitter.