See what you know about the news below. To prepare, you might scan the articles or summaries on today’s paper.
News Quiz | May 6, 2011
By JULIE COHNWord of the Day | complementary
By THE LEARNING NETWORKcomplementary •\ˌkäm-plə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rē\• adjective
: acting as or providing a complement (something that completes the whole)
The word complementary has appeared in 227 New York Times articles in the past year, including on Feb. 21 in “Blogs Wane as the Young Drift to Sites Like Twitter,” by Verne G. Kopytoff:
In Service of the Story? Exploring Questions of Truth in Memoir
By AMANDA CHRISTY BROWN and HOLLY EPSTEIN OJALVOLanguage Arts
Teaching ideas based on New York Times content.
Overview | What is the role of truth in memoir? Is it O.K. to manipulate facts in the service of conveying a story? In this lesson, students participate in a Socratic seminar to consider questions of truth and fiction in memoir raised by allegations about the veracity of Greg Mortenson’s “Three Cups of Tea.” They also write their own six-word memoirs. Read more…
Poetry Pairing | May 5, 2011
By KATHERINE SCHULTENIn our weekly “Poetry Pairing” series, we collaborate with the Poetry Foundation to feature a work from its American Life in Poetry project alongside content from The Times that somehow echoes, extends or challenges the poem’s themes. Each poem is introduced briefly by Ted Kooser, a former United States poet laureate.
This week we pair the poem “I Am,” written by an 8-year-old, with a Home and Garden article, “Mom, You’re One Tough Art Critic.”
Should Obama Have Released the Photos of Bin Laden’s Body?
By HOLLY EPSTEIN OJALVOAfter intense debate within his administration, the president has decided not to release photographs taken of Osama bin Laden after he was killed by the United States military. Do you agree or disagree with that decision, and why? Read more…
Topping the Tonys
By KATHERINE SCHULTEN6 Q’s About the News
Use the photo and related article to answer basic news questions.
WHAT is “The Book of Mormon”?
WHAT is the record for most Tony Award nominations?
WHAT are the best live theatrical performances you’ve ever seen?
WHO created “The Book of Mormon”?
WHO are some of the Hollywood stars who were “snubbed” by the nominations?
HOW is “The Scottsboro Boys,” which received 12 nominations, “told in an audacious style”?
WHEN will the awards ceremony be held?
WHERE are the productions eligible for the Tony Awards performed?
WHY do you think the actor Mark Rylance says, “Awards can be a sword that divides rather than unites artists”?
Related: “Tony! Tony! Tony!,” last year’s 6 Q’s About the News post on the Tony Awards.
Test Yourself | English, May 5, 2011
By THE LEARNING NETWORKTest your vocabulary skills with today’s question, created by Danielle Hoagland and Judith McCaffrey at Grammarlogues, from the article “A Faltering Ruble, Long Lines and a Bomb Attack Rattle Belarus.”
After you’ve clicked “submit answer,” more information will appear. To learn more about this topic, visit a related page on Grammarlogues.
Use our questions for test prep or just for fun. Find more here:
News Quiz | May 5, 2011
By TAMARA BESTSee what you know about the news below. To prepare, you might scan the articles or summaries on today’s paper.
Word of the Day | parlance
By THE LEARNING NETWORKparlance •\ˈpär-lən(t)s\• noun
: a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language
The word parlance has appeared in 159 New York Times articles in the past year, including on May 1 in the essay “Even in Real Life, There Were Screens Between Us,” by Caitlin Dewey:
Inside Twisters: Creating Scientific News Reports on Tornadoes
By JENNIFER CUTRARO and HOLLY EPSTEIN OJALVOOverview | What factors might explain tornado outbreaks? In this lesson, students create a news magazine-style program about both the spring 2011 tornado outbreak in the southeastern United States and tornadoes in history. They learn why some parts of the country are most prone to tornado development and explore the extent of tornadoes across the globe. Read more…