Which, speaking of exemplars, brings me to the latest and greatest first-to-do-it-right brand, the iPad.

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Techniques being used include Socratic dialogue, role-plays, discussion of exemplars and so-called immersive experiential learning.

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It is not inhabited by exemplars of wisdom and virtue transcending the human frailties that befall the rest of us.

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Architectural exemplars of the limitations of such an approach stand out in the dullness of Brasilia and the rigidity of Chandigarh.

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Mr Erard says that true hyperpolyglottery begins at about 11 languages, and that while legends abound, tried and tested exemplars are few.

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Both Antony Beevor and Max Hastings are distinguished exemplars of this approach.

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Our contributing editor for watches, Jack Forster, came up with ten timepieces that are exemplars of style for the buck, including the only watch that NASA has approved for space walks.

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Others have cited Japan and South Korea as exemplars.

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