Free Rice

[iainjclark]

I'm finding the Free Rice word game strangely compulsive. It's a multi-choice word definition game that adjusts to your vocabulary level so it's always just on the cusp of knowledge and instinct. I can reach a vocab level of 45 47 briefly, but tend to lose it with wrong answers. The game seems to be a very effective fundraising tool.

While I'm here, this is a lengthy but satisfyingly logical dissection of why homeopathy shouldn't be excluded from normal standards of evidence. [Via badscience.net]

And if that's too heavy for you then--look! Cute cat! Sadly, most of the time she looks more like this.

Comments

[williamjm.livejournal.com]

It is a bit addictive that game. I did get up to 46 briefly, but I was having to rely on educated guesses a lot.

[iainjclark.livejournal.com]

Like you I'm also using educated guesses based on similar words or word roots. Half the time I just have a feeling about which word is correct, but it's amazing how often it turns out to be right. There's obviously something there buried deep in my brain!

[tinimaus.livejournal.com]

I like Free Rice (I got up to 50 a couple of times :-p), but some of their word definitions aren't quite right.
Of course, I can't think of a single example right now, but that is because I am brainded.

[iainjclark.livejournal.com]

I got up to 50 a couple of times :-p

Very impressive. :-)

some of their word definitions aren't quite right.

Yes, a lot of them aren't what I would say is the precise definition of the word, so much as a synonym or near-synonym. I'm often plumping for the closest match, not the spot-on definition.

[ajp.livejournal.com]

I was about to say the same thing. Some of the words are almost wrong - they're certainly not entirely correct...

[iainjclark.livejournal.com]

As I say, I think it's really a synonyms game.

[veggiesu.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think it's very much a "this word could mean this in a certain context" thing, rather than a "this is the definition of the word" thing.